Costa Rica: The Green Republic,
The Switzerland of Central America,
and a Central American Success Story
Expats find the beautiful paradise of Costa Rica, with it's lush mountains, sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, year-round warm climate and diverse tropical environment to be a perfect place to retire in. Many come here to start over, leaving the stress of their busy lives to finally enjoy the slow pace and tropical lifestyle they've dreamed of. Gentle breezes, swaying palms and the sound of waves lapping on the beach allow people here the opportunity to relax, slow down and enjoy life.
These expats choose Costa Rica not only for it's beauty but for the benefits that Costa Rica offers retirees and the inexpensive lifestyle available here. Costa Rica is a peaceful, politically stable country whose people are friendly and family oriented. Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates in the Western Hemisphere. And although Costa Rica has one of the highest standards of living in Latin America, purchasing power is greater in Costa Rica than in the United States or Canada.
And especially in Caribbean Costa Rica, housing costs are much less than they are in the U.S. An April 2008 survey by the Spanish language daily, Al Día, reveals that a family of four living in Costa Rica needs an income of 447.788 ($904 usd) monthly to meet basic living expenses, including the cost of food, water, electricity, telephone (home phone and cellular), bus fares, a couple of nights out to a restaurant and payment of a mortgage of 20 million colones ($40.50 usd). 
Costa Ricans making more than $2,000 are considered "upper class". Compare the annual basic cost of living for Costa Rica of $10,848 for a family of four to the annual minimum poverty level for the United States for a family of four - $21,200* Most gringos live comfortably here for less than $1500 per month.
Real estate in Caribbean Costa Rica is still very inexpensive compared to the Pacific side - just check the prices on the properties on our site! Land in Costa Rica can actually be up to 70% less expensive than in the US.There are no heating costs and air conditioning is unnecessary because of the constant ocean breeze here. Hired help is a bargain - with a full-time maid costing only a couple of hundred dollars per month.
You do not need to be a resident of Costa Rica in order to own property here, and you’re entitled to the same ownership rights as the citizens of Costa Rica. Ownership of real estate in Costa Rica is fully protected by the constitution. This is applied to everyone, including foreigners. Also the first $75,000 of foreign earned income is tax free.
Costa Rica has near-universal health care and its is very inexpensive: $25 - $50 per couple for all doctor visits, prescriptions and hospitalization. Physicians and doctors here are excellent, most of them trained in the US and Europe, and hospitals in San Jose are are at first world standards.
Anyone 45 years or older can apply for retirement in Costa Rica. You don't pay any taxes on your retirement income in Costa Rica! There are about 40,000 Americans living in Costa Rica full-time, and at least 11,000 of them are on Social Security.
No wonder they call Costa Rica The Green Republic, The Switzerland of Central America,
and a Central American Success Story!
Recent article from the Los Angeles Daily News:
Costa Rica is ideal for couple's retirement
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| Lillian (left) and Larry Lipson in Costa Rica. |
Article Last Updated: 06/15/2008 12:57:57 AM PDT
There are many reasons why it makes sense to retire to Costa Rica.But the primary one is simple: My wife loves this place. And if you're a smart man, that's reason enough.
* see: THE 2008 HHS POVERTY GUIDELINES - US Dept. Health and Human Services