Famous people with documented Costa Rica connections include model Gisele Bündchen, who has had a part-time home here, surf legend Robert August, who shaped boards in Tamarindo for twelve years, and Will and Jaden Smith, who filmed After Earth here. The best-known Costa Ricans include astronaut Franklin Chang-Díaz, Nobel Peace Prize winner Óscar Arias and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Visiting, filming, owning a home and living somewhere are different things, so this guide sticks to connections that are documented.
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.
Famous Costa Ricans
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.
- Óscar Arias Sánchez: twice president, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his Central American peace plan.
- José Figueres Ferrer: the leader who abolished Costa Rica’s army in 1948.
- Laura Chinchilla: the country’s first woman president, from 2010 to 2014.
- Keylor Navas: goalkeeper who won three Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
- Claudia Poll: swimmer who won Costa Rica’s first Olympic gold medal, in 1996.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person from Costa Rica?
Among the best known are Óscar Arias, winner of the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize, NASA astronaut Franklin Chang-Díaz, and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
What celebrities live in Costa Rica?
Gisele Bündchen has had a documented part-time home here. Others, such as Mel Gibson, have talked publicly about living here, which is not the same as moving.
Was a Hollywood movie filmed in Costa Rica?
Yes. After Earth, starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith, was filmed in Costa Rica’s Huetar Norte region.
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.