Costa Rica has drawn international attention through people who have made a home here, spent part of the year here or worked on a local production. Those are different connections. This guide separates documented examples from the assumption that every famous visitor has moved permanently to Costa Rica.
Gisele Bündchen: a documented part-time home
CBS interviewed Bündchen at her part-time Costa Rica home in September 2023. Her 2023 Vanity Fair cover interview also provides a firsthand reported account of her connection to the country. These dated accounts support describing Costa Rica as part of her life at that time. They do not establish her current primary residence, immigration status or property arrangements.
Robert August: a long connection with Tamarindo’s surf community
Robert August is known for The Endless Summer and his surfboard work. Witch’s Rock Surf Camp’s own history says he spent twelve years shaping boards at its Tamarindo camp. That is a documented local working connection, beyond a short holiday.
However, his official company biography now describes him as retired in Southern California. An old profile of his Costa Rican life should therefore not be repeated as proof that he currently lives in Tamarindo. His contribution to the area’s surf culture remains a useful part of its story.
Mel Gibson: public comments about Costa Rica
CR Hoy reported on January 9, 2025 that Gibson discussed Costa Rica as a possible place to live during his Joe Rogan interview. A reported possibility is not confirmation of a completed permanent move. We do not present an old property listing or a holiday report as evidence of his current residence.
Will Smith and Jaden Smith: the After Earth connection
Sony Pictures identifies Will Smith and Jaden Smith as the stars of After Earth. The Costa Rica Film Commission lists the production as filmed in the Huetar Norte region. This is a film-production connection; it does not establish that either actor became a Costa Rican resident.
The country’s film work is interesting in its own right. It should not be turned into a claim that a production location is a celebrity’s home or that an illustrated set shows the actual filming location.
Costa Rican public figures: Franklin Chang-Díaz
The country’s international profile is also shaped by Costa Ricans themselves. NASA’s biography of Franklin R. Chang-Díaz records that he was born in San José and flew seven space shuttle missions. His story belongs to Costa Rica’s scientific history, rather than a list of foreign celebrities who relocated here.
How to read celebrity residence stories
- Check the date. A reliable report can describe a past situation accurately without being current.
- Separate the claim. Visiting, filming, owning property and living somewhere are not interchangeable.
- Look for a direct account. Interviews and official biographies are stronger evidence than a list repeating another list.
- Respect privacy. A public connection with a town is not an invitation to find a private home or approach a family.
The illustrations in this article are general scenes, not photographs of the people, their properties or a particular production.
What this means if you are considering a move
Use celebrity stories as cultural interest, then make your own decisions around budget, services and the daily routine you want. Our guides to mountain towns and Playas del Coco offer practical starting points. For immigration requirements, consult the official DGME website; a celebrity’s circumstances do not determine your eligibility.
Reviewed September 7, 2026. Historical connections are dated above; current private residences and immigration statuses are not asserted.