In counting the cost for starting a Costa Rican business, which is a necessity if you want to work in Costa Rica, there are many factors you need to take into account. The first of which, is finding a lawyer to help you get things set up.

If you do a quick internet search for lawyers in Costa Rica you will surely find a large number, and when asked for price quotes for starting a basic corporation, they will range from $300 to over $1000 dollars. You shouldn’t, however, have to pay more than $350 to establish a basic, bare-bones corporation.

The lawyer fees serve to register the name of your corporation, obtain tax books, and register your corporation at a tax agency. Make sure you ask your lawyer about registering your business and getting your business license at the municipal center. That is something you will most likely have to handle yourself, especially if you are using the lawyer as little as possible. (Keeping his fee low.)

You will want to make sure of the price for the business license before going into the municipal center as some government officials may try and take advantage of or receive a bribe from an unsuspecting gringo.

Costa Rica is beautiful, and the people are great. If you need to start up a corporation to be able to live and work here, then by all means, do it. It may seem like a lot of work, but it is one of the only options if you don’t have a work visa or residency, both of which are extremely difficult to obtain.

Despite the work it takes to set up your business, and register your corporation, when it comes down to it, you are living in paradise, and living like a king. What more could you ask for?

P.S. Check out the Gringo’s little black book and you will receive information directly from who the Costa Rica gringo uses for all his legal needs!