Costa Rica is a great place for retirees for many reasons. Think warm weather year-round, bargain real estate (foreigners have the same property rights as locals), friendly people, the Pura Vida (life is good) vibe, and low-cost but high-quality health care. Plus, it’s easy to qualify for residence as a retiree with the pensionado program. All you need is $1,000 per month per couple from Social Security, disability, or a pension.
One of my favorite things about living in Costa Rica is that I've finally found that small town atmosphere that was missing from my life in the U.S. Perhaps you already have this way of life or you grew up in it. In my previous home in the urban and suburban sprawl of South Florida, I certainly hadn't experienced it in many years.
The classic vision of Costa Rica that you find on postcards and tourism board posters is of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The white sand beaches…blue ocean…and the wildlife-filled rain forest as a backdrop.
In many ways, the Central American country of Costa Rica is a pioneer of the concept of eco-tourism and adventure sports. The idea is that instead of lounging on the beach or going on a sightseeing bus tour, participants venture out into the wild and natural areas for a variety of activities, like bird watching and trekking…or they get an adrenaline rush from engaging in safe but thrilling activities like zip-lining. Whatever your activity, you get to see wildlife up close and enjoy being out in a beautiful natural setting. And there are plenty of things for people of all ages, including U.S. retirees in Costa Rica, can do safely—and it’s a lot of fun, too.
It wasn’t the practical reasons, like lower cost of living, great—and cheap—medical care, and friendly people, that convinced Dave Scott to move to San Ramón, a town on the western edge of Costa Rica’s Central Valley region. Though the country has all those advantages and more, and while those were factors in the decision, it was something else that drew him. “It was like an invisible string around my neck pulling me here,” says Dave. “It’s more of a heart thing than a head thing. It’s hard to explain. It was just the feeling I had.”
Check any list of the world’s best retirement destinations, including International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index, and you’ll find Costa Rica near the top. And it’s not a new trend; this little Central American country sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama has attracted North American expats for more than 30 years due to many diverse factors. Here are four reasons why many retirees think it’s a great place to live. One of the biggest attractions of Costa Rica is the weather. For those seeking relief from frigid winters, the warm temperatures year-round are quite welcome.
Vikki Gold from Colorado is delighted with her move to Costa Rica. "I love it here. I'm at peace. There's beautiful scenery, a great climate, and so much wildlife. It's our little paradise," she says. She came here just over a year ago after she and her daughter, Hollee, bought and renovated a boutique hotel in the jungle.
If you've ever visited Costa Rica you've probably noticed that costs associated with tourist activities, like national park tickets, admission to hot springs, or fees for zip lining, can be a bit pricey. With the economy so heavily dependent on tourism, it's no surprise really. And you'll find the same thing in many countries.
Jutting out into the Pacific on the country’s northwest corner, the Nicoya Peninsula is set apart geographically from mainland Costa Rica. It’s more than an hour’s drive to the nearest sizable city, Nicoya. And from the capital, San José, and the main international airport there, it will take the better part of a day and include a mix of rough dirt roads and pavement winding through forest, farmland, and mountains. One route, to the southern tip of the peninsula, even includes a ferry crossing.
There we were, my wife, two kids, and I, walking the trail through the forest, up the mountain. We were the only ones out there. It was quiet…peaceful. A blue-crowned mot mot landed on a nearby branch and then took off again. The small holes in the dirt walls lining the trail were probably home to tarantulas, but we didn't see any. Thanks to the elevation, it was actually a bit cool…low 70s.