Costa Rica

Costa Rica has become one of the most popular places in the world for North American retirees and expats to relocate. What exactly is it about this beautiful country that lures people to pack their belongings and reinvent their lives there?

by William Burr

For starters, compared to many other countries in Central America, Costa Rica enjoys far more political and economic stability and has a moderate growth rate. It’s a democratic country that doesn’t seem likely to change, and many American expats live there. To make it even more convenient, it has a relatively low cost of living, allowing even those with moderate incomes to live in relative comfort. In recent years, Costa Rica has also become the hub of a thriving technology sector.

In no particular order, here’s a list of 15 good reasons to move to Costa Rica. If you ask current expats, you're likely to find many more categories with very few disadvantages.

Small Country. The size of Costa Rica is often compared to West Virginia, but don’t let Costa Rica’s small footprint fool you. It is a vast country of rolling mountains, open plains, and lush river valleys that separate the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. These natural features prevent the construction of superhighways that would theoretically connect relatively close locations. Long drives through magnificent scenery are the result.

Stable Democracy. Known as the Switzerland of Central America, Costa Rica has no military, which has allowed military budgets to be diverted to the growth priorities of education, the environment, tourism, and healthcare.

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International Air Access. Costa Rica has two major airports, one in the capital of San Jose and another in Liberia in the region of Guanacaste. Both airports offer national and international flights. Direct flights to major cities in the U.S. are reasonably priced, making it easy to stay close to family or welcome visitors.

Stable Exchange Rate. The colón is the official currency in Costa Rica, though U.S. dollars are accepted virtually everywhere. Even small villages have at least one ATM, so using these machines is a great way to ensure you have access to your money when you need it. Banks update the exchange rate every day, a rate that fluctuates only slightly. Though it is more expensive than many other Central American countries, Costa Rica has a stable economy and currency, which allows residents to safely plan their costs and maintain their budgets.

Cost of Living. The cost of living varies among different areas within Costa Rica. If you choose to live in an upscale gated community by the beach that caters to wealthy expats, your cost of living will be substantially higher than if you choose to live in a coffee-growing region in the mountains. But, in general, costs will not exceed what a North American is accustomed to.

Large Expat Community. The country is filled with expats from the U.S., Canada, and Europe. No matter where you go, the capital city of San Jose, the mountains, or the sea coasts, you will find English-speaking people everywhere. A prospective expat can find numerous expat contacts online who will gladly offer help and advice.

Residency Options. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica, only a valid U.S. passport that is good for at least six months. You will also need proof of a plane ticket to exit the country. A standard 90-day tourist visa allows you to buy an existing business like a hotel or B&B, or build your own. You don’t have to be a resident of the country to start a business using a tourist visa.

Healthcare. For expats who plan on retiring or living in Costa Rica, it is necessary to establish residency to access extremely low-cost medical care through a system called Caja. In fact, if you’re going to be a legal resident of Costa Rica, paying into Caja is required. You can’t get any form of residency without proof of existing Caja coverage.

Sustainable Environment. Costa Rica’s environmental credentials are impressive: More than 98 percent of its energy is renewable. Forest cover now stands at more than 53 percent after painstaking work to reverse decades of deforestation. Around a quarter of the country’s land has been turned into protected parks and reserves.

English Language. Though Costa Rica is a Spanish-speaking country, English is spoken almost everywhere.

Private healthcare plans are incredibly affordable, starting at around $50 per month. Even the out-of-pocket medical costs for those with no coverage are staggeringly low compared to the U.S. Costa Rica has a modern and highly rated healthcare system, even more highly-rated than the United States. Possibly because of this, Costa Rican citizens have a life expectancy of 77 years, one of the highest in the world. Medical tourism is a recent outgrowth of this due to the country’s envied healthcare reputation.

Health Culture. Costa Rica is far ahead of most countries in establishing an ecofriendly tourism sector that concentrates on yoga, meditation, massage, nutrition, and spirituality.

Safety. Costa Rica is a peaceful democratic nation, yet it is still a developing one, making it important to exercise the same common sense usually expected when traveling in a foreign country or major city. Costa Rica does have some crime, but unlike other countries in Central America, most travelers report feeling quite safe there. The tourism industry contributes significantly to the country’s GDP, which has helped reduce poverty and improve safety.

Wildlife Diversity. Costa Rica is covered in natural wonders. It has epic volcanoes with spewing lava that create natural hot springs to soak in. It has tall mountains from which the Atlantic and Pacific coasts can be seen. It has hundreds of miles of shoreline beaches, varying from black to pink to gold to white, with dolphins and whales to watch offshore. Each ocean coastline varies. Some have enormous waves for world-class surfing. Others have calm and gentle waves for snorkeling and diving.

The land is covered in large, old-growth trees, swaying palms, and beautiful flowers. Rushing rivers and waterfalls flow through mangrove forests. The Osa Peninsula is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. But in other parts of the country, howler monkeys often live in backyard trees. Sloths cross the road causing traffic jams. Toucans and scarlet macaws fly overhead, making Costa Rica one of Earth’s most magical and beautiful countries.

Highly Educated Population. Due to the government-operated public school system, local Costa Ricans are extremely well educated, unlike many of their neighboring countries.

Enviable Weather. While there are distinct wet and dry seasons in most of the country, temperatures on both coasts average between the high 70s and low 80s year-round. Even in the rainy season, there is typically some sunshine every day.

Does this short summary of good living whet your appetite? If so, you’re not alone. For these reasons and many more, Costa Rica rates in the top tier of the expat scale year after year.

Magical Setting

Unparallel Lifestyle