Moving to Costa Rica from French Polynesia
What to Expect
Considering a move from French Polynesia to Costa Rica? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from French Polynesia to Costa Rica, and you’d need to navigate life in Spanish.
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Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Costa Rica compared to French Polynesia.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
French Polynesia performs better than Costa Rica across all safety metrics.
What about the environment?
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Costa Rica performs significantly better than French Polynesia across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
share of households with internet
French Polynesia generally does better on infrastructure, though Costa Rica leads in internet access.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
share of people below the poverty line
Costa Rica generally does better on employment & economy, though French Polynesia leads in poverty rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
French Polynesia generally does better on family life, though Costa Rica leads in life expectancy.
Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between French Polynesia and Costa Rica. To live, work, or study long-term in Costa Rica, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Costa Rica's immigration authority.
Costa Rica passport holder visiting French Polynesia
Visa FreeData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Costa Rica?
Connectivity is usually fine (Costa Rica: 21.3 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Costa Rica offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Costa Rica safe for expats?
French Polynesia performs better than Costa Rica across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Costa Rica is 17.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.3 in French Polynesia.
What language do they speak in Costa Rica?
The official language in Costa Rica is Spanish. In French Polynesia, the official language is French.
