Depending on your country of citizenship, you may stay up to 90 days as a tourist, at which time you must exit the country for at least three days. Legal residents are entitled to stay in the country for as long as their residency is current. 

Yes, but it can be challenging to find legal employment as Costa Rican law strives to protect its citizens by securing as many local jobs as possible. However, it may be possible to obtain a work permit with local companies, such as bilingual schools or international corporations. Another option is to work online as a telecommuter for a company based outside of Costa Rica. 

There are five types of residency: temporary (through marriage to a Costa Rican), rentista (annuity), inversionista (investor), pensionado (retiree), and permanent (usually through first-degree blood relationship with a Costa Rican). Each residency type has its own requirements.