Dreamin of Moving to a Tropical Island?

If you like to travel your heart strings might be pulling you to uproot your life and live in paradise. How does an esthetician make the move from the U.S. to a tropical island? Preparation is the key. It is easy to get enamored with the beauty of an island, but you need to know not only cosmetology laws but also labor laws. The last thing you want is to arrive in your new destination and learn that you don't qualify for jobs either due to licensing or labor laws.

Let's start with some places that are U.S. owned--Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. From my research, it looks like any license from the U.S. mainland states would allow you to work in these islands, but check the most up-to-date laws.

These islands are easy in the sense that you would be allowed to work there as a U.S. citizen so much easier than other islands/countries. I've personally been to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas...both beautiful places in their own right. Puerto Rico though is much larger, and all throughout this large island you will find mega resorts. El Conquistador, Palmas Del Mar, Hyatt Dorado etc. St. Thomas has exclusive resorts as well, but the island isn't as big.

Another place that I absolutely love, and a country where health and wellness is practically in the country motto is Costa Rica. Love it! It is a large county in comparison to the U.S. islands, but it has many health resorts. I don't think there is a specific licensing requirement to be an esthetician in the country, but I think you MUST become a RESIDENT before working. You can stay in the country for 90 days I believe as a tourist, but you have to get citizenship to work there.

Costa Rica, is a health conscious, beautiful country with friendly people. Of all the tropical places that make me think of health and wellness, it is by far Costa Rica.

Moving to a tropical paradise is not only a lifestyle choice, but a choice in terms of working the tourist industry. It is a different piece of the pie, and while there is no guarantee you would be busier as an esthetician in a tourist-filled island than in say Detroit, MI, it certainly has many perks.