I also would consider other businesses, no one has addressed the impact that an ATV or Jeep rental business would have on the environment or the wildlife here, which has a delicate balance at best. Rampant, unchecked development is rapidly eroding the very things that make Costa Rica so special – the beaches, jungle and wildlife.

Perhaps once you have visited you would get ideas for a more eco-friendly business you could open!

If you are serious about moving here, there is a very good Yahoo Group – CostaRicaLiving here -

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CostaRicaLiving/

comprised of a great group of people, many currently living in Costa Rica and others also considering moving here. It is a great resource and has an extensive archives section that will answer almost any question you could come up with.

Hope that helps!

References :

I’m on the ground here in Costa Rica starting several new businesses with the experience of running a successful service business for the past 10 years in the U.S.

Although the amount of money you have to work with is certainly a good amount considering your age and the business you are interested in investing … you could end-up losing most of it without proper research and vigilance in running your business.

In Costa Rica I advice that you ‘double’ your time line for getting a business started, ‘double’ what you think your expenses will be & ‘half’ what you think your income will be.

Each plane landing daily in Costa Rica has "Gringo" after "Gringo" trying to figure out how they can stay and make a living. There is no shortage of "yes" men willing to assist a person like yourself … telling you your success is guaranteed while taking your money to ‘help’ you get the proper documents, assets, etc., etc.

If I were you I would not even consider starting a business in Costa Rica without spending a considerable amount of time in-country. In fact, if you do find a business you would like to explore seriously … I suggest going to work for an established and successful company in order to gain invaluable experience prior to risking your own money.

This way you will; a) know how a profitable business works, b) ensure you like the business and living in Costa Rica.

Best of Luck!
References :
Costa Rica Blogger: http://www.CostaRicaBlogger.com

Anybody can show up in Costa Rica and legally open a business the same day they arrive. What you can not do is take a job that could be done by a Costa Rican. So, you could open your car rental company, but you could not technically work for yourself.

There is a lot of info available online for starting a biz in CR.
References :
http://www.infogringo.com

I personally recommend you visit Costa Rica first.

References :

http://www.costaricalaw.com/
http://www.ticotimes.com/articles/article-3.html

I have had 11 friends who have started business in CR, only 4 have had success and it took them years. For example, opening up a ATV rental, the ATVs will cost you about twice as much in the US. And as for starting a Jeep safari, it would be best to learn the countryside and that takes months if not years. Any new business that centers on tourism will take time to build a reputation. Also, tourism is down as much as 80% is some parts of CR due to the poor economy. so any tourist business you plan to do, you are taking a huge gamble.

So don’t expect the money flowing once the doors are open. One friend invested $250,000 to reopen a cannery in Puntarenas, and closed the doors within a year.

I don/t mean to discourage, CR is an awesome place, but there is a huge difference in visiting, living in it, and trying to earn a living in it.

Personally what I would do, is spend 4-8 months in CR. Get to know the people, places and talk to those who have opened up small businesses and learn what they had to overcome and do in making it work.

Best of wishes, and I hope you do start a business.
References :
Tico Times Directory – Business
http://www.ticotimes.com/costa-rica-business/