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Hybrid or electric vehicles have ZERO import tax. However, if you have a full-blown gas or diesel engine, there is a spot of good news. When you first get your car into Costa Rica, you'll have up to three months to pay taxes and get the proper permits.

@MauroN from where? US or Canada? Where can we find the link for this info?

@jochsenfeld59 - Please keep this group informed (cost, time to transit, which ports you depart/arrive, etc).  I'm in AZ and curious also as we're discussing doing something similar in summer, 2023.  I know laws/requirements may change but it'll provide a good measuring stick for what to expect.

@lgoodwin  from any where.

Does anyone know the situation overall with EV charging stations in Costa Rica? How plentiful? How costly? Especially around Tilaran, Tronadora, Nuevo Arenal, La Fortuna and Cañas?

Also, what about home charging stations? Are they similar in cost to similar units in the U.S.? Is it best to import a home EV charging unit or buy it in Costa Rica?

Here is a link to a map of CR showing the charging stations here. There are a few around Uvita where I am and plenty in the San Jose area.  Hope this helps!

[[10.215514778207265,-82.8040328345196],[9.021322154159625,-85.02601769780085],null,[9.618945749327553,-83.91502526616023],9]

Thank you for the information.

I also found a useful map of EV charging stations on the website called electromaps

@MauroN

This is true up to $30,000 value. After that a progressive tax kicks in.

Just in case you didn't know... There are many many other brands of cars For Sale here.. including EV's, that are not available in the states.  So if you are importing it because you think it might not exist here, think again.  I see brands everywhere that I've never seen before; mostly from China. Way more variety here, surprisingly.  But... also surprising, some brands are very much under-represented here, and may be difficult to get serviced unless you live in San Jose... such as Volvo, Honda, and especially Subaru (I don't think Subaru exists here... I've seen one... and it was old, probably an imported Used vehicle... of which, there are TONS!!... I see Russian Ladas, and crazy old French cars too.)    I"m starting to see more Hondas; but not as popular as Toyota, Suzuki, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, and Isuzu. 

Good luck.

Every time I look out the front door, I see a Subaru, so I know they're sold and serviced here. We've actually owned three including the current 2023 Outback. Only this last one has ever needed a part, and that was a camera that's integral with its renowned EyeSight safety system.

@daveandmarcia

Must be a regional thing.  They aren't sold in Quesada; thus, inconvenient to own/service/trade or sell.

But good to know... I have owned a few myself.

Subarus are no more "inconvenient to own" than any other vehicle, common or rare. Pay for it . . register it in the National Registery . . put gas and oil in it . . pay the annual Marchamo . . go through the annual Riteve inspection now performed by Dekra . . . Just like every other vehicle in Costa Rica, right?.

"Service"? They require a universally available grade of gas (some "regular", others "super") and common grades of engine oil. The mechanical parts are pretty simple in the hands of any competent mechanic. Parts, generally as available as for other vehicles.

"Trade or sell"? Depends on what you have to exchange and local market conditions just like anything else. Before you rule out Subaru on that basis alone, two things. First, most folks who buy 'em run them into the ground. Second, just pose the same "trade or sell" question about a Lada, a Mahindra, a Great Wall, or a Skoda or a Lexus or a Land Rover. Because Subarus are not seen in mass in Quesada doesn't mean they're not common elsewhere. In fact, in our little barrio there are at least four.

@daveandmarcia

I agree.. the only Skoda in my village belongs to the...  mechanic.

But common sense would come in handy when it comes to making a decision; probably more so than loyalty to a brand.

Mahindra has a dealer here...  but I'm guessing it will be a 'questionable' venture, at best... it may become one of those... "remember the Mahindra pick-ups??"   

So weird that a small country has so many more options than big Uncle Sam's place.

I'll continue riding the uncomfortable, un-airconditioned, no bathroom, smelly, and even leaky bus with my neighbors.

Peace Dave.

I think I can safely say that Costa Rica is more open to third-world manufacturers' vehicles because the safety and environmental standards are lower or non-existent.