Most people who move here make the mistake of bringing too much. Its like when you move from one house to another you'd want to do a garage sale. Do the same when you want to move to Costa Rica. Don't bring it all. Get rid of all the stuff you don't need. Then, make a very well itemized inventory list to go with the the boxes and number each box. Put the number of the box on the inventory list. That way, customs, when your stuff arrives, doesn't have to open up every box. Also, on the itemized list, put down the value you would have for each item in a garage sale. Then, when you're ready, contact
www.winmovers.com and they will connect you with a mover in your area and they will take care of getting your stuff through customs without overpaying taxes. GoDutch Realty has worked with them for 15 years and never had any serious complaints (besides the usual ones, that it takes too long, that taxes are too much (but never too little), that we're tired of sleeping on the floor etc.).
When you move, find a short term rental (or have your realtors find you one), but don't camp out in the new house, trying to save some money. The first weeks after moving are the hardest and when you're waiting for your container to arrive, every minute feels like an hour. DON'T DO IT. Go into a hotel, go to a nice place, don't give yourself bad dreams.
