Moving to Costa Rica from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Costa Rica? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Costa Rica, and you’d need to navigate life in Spanish. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Costa Rica.

Living there in 2020
1

people born in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines live in Costa Rica · UN DESA

Who's moving to Costa Rica?

Top countries of origin for Costa Rica's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Costa Rica compared to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

VC
40.4
CR
17.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

VC
4.8
CR
15.5

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines generally does better on safety, though Costa Rica leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

VC
$908
CR
$1,928
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

VC
9.4
CR
26.4

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Costa Rica leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

VC
25.0
CR
15.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

VC
1.3t
CR
1.6t

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines generally does better on environment, though Costa Rica leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

VC
28.5
CR
21.3
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

VC
7.9%
CR
5.9%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines generally does better on infrastructure, though Costa Rica leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

VC
18.7%
CR
8.3%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

VC
$17,900
CR
$25,800

Costa Rica performs significantly better than Saint Vincent and the Grenadines across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

VC
76.7 yrs
CR
79.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

VC
12.9
CR
8.4

Costa Rica performs significantly better than Saint Vincent and the Grenadines across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines passport

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines passport holder visiting Costa Rica

Visa Free
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines passport holders can enter Costa Rica without a visa.
Costa Rica passport

Costa Rica passport holder visiting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Visa Free
Costa Rica passport holders can enter Saint Vincent and the Grenadines without a visa.

Data: 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?

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines generally does better on safety, though Costa Rica leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Costa Rica is 17.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 40.4 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

How is healthcare in Costa Rica compared to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Costa Rica leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 26.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Costa Rica, compared to 9.4 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Costa Rica scores 81 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 69).

What language do they speak in Costa Rica?

The official language in Costa Rica is Spanish. In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

VC CR
Population 100,969 5,204,411
Currency East Caribbean Dollar (EC$) Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
Languages English Spanish
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +1784 +506
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 911