LGBTQ Immigration to Costa Rica on a Budget

A lot of people hesitate to flee the US because of the high costs of relocation. But don't let a fear of money stop you from a better future. In reality, LQBTQ immigration to Costa Rica can offer a cheaper way of living. Even if you don't have much in the bank, you can make the move and still have a good quality of life. Follow these tips, and don't let finances stop you.

WWOOFing

For those who really have nothing saved up for a move, WWOOFing can be a great option. This concept has been around for decades and allows people to stay for free on a farm in exchange for their work. Throughout Costa Rica, there are several farms in need of volunteers.

One of those farms happens to cater to LGBTQ folk, and is a rustic farm nestled in the rainforest. Known as Luz del Corazon, this farm offers free accommodations to those who stay for three weeks or longer and work a certain number of hours a week. If you're willing to put in the work, you can have a place to stay while you get on your feet.

Remote Work

If you have a remote job, it's easy to afford life in Costa Rica. Whether you're staying on a tourist visa or with temporary residency, you can work a US job remotely while you're in the country. Tourists and temporary residents can't work in the country (it takes three years of temporary residency before you can legally work in Costa Rica), so this is one of the only options for bringing in money outside of a pension while you're here.

Because the cost of living is cheaper in Costa Rica, you can have a low-paying remote job and still live well. There are tons of remote jobs in the US available online, and a quick search on Indeed, Upwork, or any other platform will get you started.

Sell Your Belongings

It's costly to transport your possessions from the US to Costa Rica. In an effort to save money and simplify your lifestyle, sell off most of your belongings. Have an estate sale or list each individual item on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. This includes things as small as a lamp and as large as a car or house.

As you sell things off, keep the money in a "Costa Rica" fund. You can use this money for a plane ticket, accommodations, or immigration paperwork.

Find a Long-Term Rental

It's much cheaper to rent month-to-month in Costa Rica than it is to rent per night. Instead of booking a VRBO meant for tourists, get on a Costa Rica Rentals FB group or talk to a local realtor. Finding a month-to-month rental isn't difficult, and you're likely to end up paying for the month what you would for the week at a VRBO.

Rental costs vary from $400 and up, depending on the area you're in. Staying near the beach can be expensive, so you may want to target your search to areas like the central valley.

Fly Cheaply for LGBTQ Immigration

Much like housing costs, airfare costs vary greatly. If someone is on a tight budget, they can fly one of the more affordable airlines. Spirit, Southwest, and Frontier may all be cheaper options than the typical airlines. You can use platforms like Skyscanner and Google Flights to get the best prices.

As you search fares, be flexible with the dates. Oftentimes, you can find price a difference of hundreds of dollars based on the timing of the flight. You can also be flexible with the airport.

For those looking to stay on a tourist visa, you need to have a return ticket back to another country. If you don't plan on returning, you can use a site like Onward Ticket to buy a return ticket for cheap. However, the ticket is only valid for a short time. You should buy this type of ticket the day before you plan on traveling to Costa Rica. Alternatively, you can get a refundable return ticket back to the US when you book your initial flight.

Don't Buy a Car: Take the Bus

Due to high import taxes, it's usually not worth importing your car. Those same taxes make it very expensive to buy cars here, too. Fortunately, there are other ways of getting around.

In most areas of the country, there are public busses. You can make your way around from one area to the next very cheaply. If you're a temporary resident and a senior citizen, you can even ride the bus for free.

If bussing it isn't your style, you can Uber around town. Ubers are more affordable than they are in the US, and they're rather reliable. Even if you need to take frequent trips, your monthly Uber costs are likely to be lower than the cost of buying and maintaining a car.

Find Your Tribe

The best way to make LGBTQ immigration to Costa Rica more affordable is to find your tribe! As you get to know the community, you'll find people who are willing to help you. Here at Rainbow Refuge, we have advice on finding affordable car rentals, house rentals, and much more. We've built up a community that has a collective mentality, and we do what we can to help each other. Stop by for a visit and become part of our tribe!