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I've known a couple of parties who did, or tried to do, what you have in mind. One turned back after having suffered crossing through Mexico City. For them, currency was a huge headache since there was so much counterfeit U.S. currency in circulation that no one would accept theirs. And because they were withdrawing currency from their American bank, via ATMs, all they would dispense was dollars.

Another person hired a driver to drive her motorhome to Costa Rica. It turned out to be so unfit for our roads that she never drove it again.

Were it mine to do, I'd rethink bringing a motorhome to Costa Rica. Crossing five international borders, dealing with five different countries' tax and insurance requirements (and maybe searches) is all more than I'd undertake.*

*But that's just me.

@daveandmarcia

i went to Mexico for a week in 1972. even crossing the boarder was difficult unless you had money folded in your hand.  we encountered many road blocks and our tour bus was boarded many times.  my attitude is others can make the trip from Alaska to south America so can i.  currency conversion at the border is best.  my latest research on the highway is ok but could be temporary closings due to political protest.  It will be an experience... The wife knows the dangers,  full coverage insurance might be a problem.   She wans a $400,00 motor home and she will get it. It's her money.   Insurance for that at the borders might be a problem  , even costa Rica that that is on my check list to check  out before hand on insurance on her beast. .  we wanted to get new cars before we move but local mechanics do not understand our pollution control and do not have the equipment.  me i have a $15 scanner that will tell me which sensor is probably bad. but if it is not the sensor then you take it to a mechanic.  there are none there so i will have to rely on you tube and forums.  i have always done my own car repairs.  when computers came out i was shy but they work like a regular engine oil, water and fuel but added sensors to adjust the computer for pollution.  probably the cars make for costa rica will get better gas mileage anyway.  but the country wants American's and in 2021 the greatly reduced the taxes for foreigners trying to encourage people to come.    thanks for your input.

So, if I understand correctly, you're thinking of bringing your motorhome and two new cars, right? If yes, then let me suggest that you give first attention to brands of new cars that are commonly seen in Costa Rica. First, local mechanics will be more likely to be familiar with those brands. Second, the local importers of those brands generally maintain dealership like parts and repair facilities.  Your U.S.-sourced cars' warranties, however, will not be recognized here. And some brands and models that they import have some components that are similar but different from the U.S.-market units.

A while back, a friend in the States bought a very nice motorhome. The engine failed catastrophically and only then did he learn that his motorhome had a Mercedes engine (but not a car engine). He had fits finding the parts and a mechanic to make it right. Moral of the story: Be sure that you are likely to be able to find parts and service for your fancy new motorhome. Also, know that mechanics in Costa Rica seem to be wary of the cost of inventory, so the wait for the part(s) you need may be very long.

Above, you wrote " but local mechanics do not understand our pollution control and do not have the equipment." That's not necessarily true.

First, since we have annual mechanical inspections, mechanics typically have the same OBD code reader you have as well as the exhaust gas sniffers that the RITEVE inspection stations use. My local wrench spinner has a footlockerful of analytic equipment that can check virtually every feature on new cars as well as old ones.

@daveandmarcia

CARE WILL DEFINITELY BE TOYOTA AND POSSIBLEY A SUBARU OUTBACK.  I REALLY WISH I COULD TEST DRIVE EITHER OF THEM SOLD IN COSTA RICA.  THE SPAINISH CONTROLS MIGHT AT FIRST BE A CHALLENGE.  THE MOTOR HOME I MY WIFE'S IDEA BUT MY HEADACHE,  COULD YOU IMAGINE THE COST TO SHIP AN NON RUNNING MOTOR HOME BACK TO THE STATES.  I FINANLLY GOT HER OFF DISEL POWERED,  GREAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO PUT A MILLION MILES ON THE MOTOR BUT IT WOULD BE SUPRISING IF WE WOULD RACK UP 100,000.  I SHOWED HER THE MILAGE  WHICH IS NOT THAT MUCH DIFFERECE BUT WHEN I SHOWED HER THE COST OF DISEL AND THE ADDIDIVE TO PREVENT SMOKE  SHE SAID ONE WORD "GAS"  MECHAINAL WISE OF ALL THE CAR FOR ME IS NO BIG CONCERN I HAVE ALWAYS DONE ALL MY CAR REPAIRS SINCE I WAS 16.  I HAVE A LEARNING DISABILITY BUT I AM GIFTED WITH COMMON SENSE AND CAN FIGURE OUT ANYTHING MECHANICALLY.  I ONLY HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION, BUT WILL WILLING TO WORK 14 HOUR DAYS MY RETIREMENT IS NOW AT $90,000 A YEAR.  EXPECT THAT IS ONLY TEMPORARY.  THE US GOVERNMENT JUST KEEPS BORROWING MONEY AND WILL GO BROKE IN ABOUT 7 TO 9 YEARS AT THE PRESENT RATE AND I EXPECT TO LOSE MOST OF THAT.  INTEREST ON BORROWED MONEY 1971 1.5%, 2019 19%, 2025 40%, AND NEXT YEARS BUDGET WILL INCLUDES BORROWING ANOTHER 9%.   THAT IS THE REASON I AM LEAVING WHEN THE DYNASTY GOES BROKE THERE WILL BE NO POLICE PROTECTION AND CRIME WILL SOAR.  PEOPLE THINK COSTA RICA IS A BAD PLACE,  WELL PARTS ARE BUT COMPARING THE CRIME OVERALL IN BOTH COUTNTRIES COSTA RICA IS A MUCH SAFER COUNTRY.  I DO APPPRECIATE YOUR INPUT,  IT MAKES ME THINK ABOUT STUFF I HAVE NOT  THOUGHT ABOUT.    AS I SEE IT NOW MY BIGGEST PROBLEM ON THE MOTOR HOME IS DUMPING SEWER.  I WILL DO THAT LEGALLY.  I AM THING PAYING SOMEONE TO DUMPT IT IN THEIR SEPTIC TANK AS  I TRAVEL AROUND.  PROBABLY AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR WE WILL BE THERE AND DECIDE WHERE WE WANT TO LIVE.  TODAY ARNELL LAKE OR ABOUT 10 MILES OFF THE PAICIC OCEAN BUT ONCE WE HAVE MADE THE DRIVE  WE MAY THINK DIFFERENTLY.    IT IS ACUTUALLY CHAPER TO FLY, STAY IN A HOTEL AND SPEND $3,500 ON A RENTAL CAR THAN SPEND $10,000 PLUS TO MAKE THE TRIP IN A MOTOR HOME, BUT WE WILL SEE AND EXPERIECE THINGS ON THE DRIVE.  CAN YOU IMAGINE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CURVES, DEALING WITH ROAD BLOCKS SET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE, THE DRIVE THRU THE DESERT WHERE EVERY HOME HAS A BAR SIGN IN FRONT OF IT.  MEXICO DID IN 1972.  SOMEONE SAID FOR TAX BREAKS.  SEEING SOME KID HOLDING A 3 FT AQUANA ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRYING TO SELL IT.  I HAVE NO IDEA OF HOW TO DEAL WITH MONKEYS BUT I WILL LEARN FROM THE NATIVES.  WE PLAN TO LEARN SPANISH.  I HAVE ABOUT 40 TSHIRTS WITH AMERICAN FLAG.  I WILL GIVE THEM AWAY AND BUY TSHIRTS THAT ARE COMMON COSTA RICA.  I RALLY WANT TO MOVE INTO A SMALL TOWN.  I WIN FRINDS EASY NO MATTER WHERE I GO. THE WIFE IS NOT AS GOOD AS I AM, BUT WE BOTH ENJOY ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE. SECURITY WILL BE A SIX FT FENCE WITH INTIMIDATING DOGS AND CAMERAS THAT NOTIFY ME IF A HUMAN IS THERE.  I KNOW THE POLICE IS NOT MUCH HELP BUT NEIGHBORS CAN BE.  WE LOOKE AT A LOT OF COUNTRIES AND COSTA RICA FOR US IS GOOD.  SHE AND I BOTH LIKE TO HUNT AND FISH.  BUT WE WILL HAVE TO FLY BACK TO HER EUCLES FARM IN COLORADO TO KILL OUR ANNUAL ELK  IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING MUCH MEAT BACK.  BUT IT IS A TRADTITON.  I THINK IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOME OF THE COUNTRIES GET INTO A ATOMIC WAR AND THE DUST WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT OVER THE WORLD.  A VOLCANO ERUPTED IN INDONISIA IN THE EARLY 1800'S AND BLOCK THE SUN AND CROP FAILURE WORLD WIDE THE NEXT YEAR..  EVEN NOW I HAVE A TWO YEAR SUPPLY OF DEHDRATED FOOD BUT I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO GROW FOOD IN WATER.  I THINK I WILL NEED THE KNOWLEDGE   I ALWAYS PLAN AHEAD AND HOPE IT IS NOT NEEDED.  SO FAR SO GOOD BUT IT IS GETTING TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS WORLD IN SOME PARTS AND THAT MIGHT SPILL OVER AND CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR THE GOOD PEOPLE.