| Costa Rica is truly an amazing country, well | | | | cheaper than in North America .There are |
| deserving of its reputation as a prime retirement | | | | thousands of restaurants in the central valley |
| haven. The climate is excellent. Healthcare is | | | | offering cuisine from most countries of the world. |
| inexpensive and of high quality. Foreign owners of | | | | Large American supermarkets offer most familiar |
| real estate enjoy all the rights of a Costa Rican | | | | items. Items imported from North America are |
| citizen and real estate is still very affordable. The | | | | more expensive usually, however many familiar |
| people of Costa Rica enjoy and take great pride | | | | name brands are manufactured in Central |
| in their stable democracy. The cost of living is low; | | | | America and the prices are reasonable. Costa Rica |
| $2000 a month will give you a comfortable life | | | | has 110-115 Volt electricity and the NTSA |
| style. Today more than 20,000 Americans have | | | | television system both the same as in North |
| retirement homes and many more own | | | | America. |
| investment property in Costa Rica. | | | | With Costa Rican Life expectancy higher and the |
| Costa Rica is a very small country but it is | | | | infant mortality rates lower than that in the United |
| extremely diverse. The 32,000 square miles that | | | | States it is no wonder the United Nations |
| make up this small country have approximately | | | | consistently ranks Costa Rica's public health |
| 6% of the worlds biodiversity and a total | | | | system in the top 20 worldwide and the best in |
| population of only 3.9 million. Costa Rica which is | | | | Latin America. Costa Rica's health care system is |
| surrounded by both the Atlantic and Pacific | | | | readily available to retirees and other foreign |
| Oceans has something for everyone. From | | | | residents. Most foreigners and retirees opt for the |
| beautiful white sandy beaches, mountains and | | | | medical insurance offered by the government's |
| mountain valleys, rolling hills of the countryside, | | | | insurance company at amazing low rates such as |
| beautiful lakes with towering volcanoes looming | | | | $900 per year for a man between 45 and 50 |
| overhead, the natural beauty is unequaled. If you | | | | which and covers 80% of medical costs. Medical |
| like the warmth of the beach with average highs | | | | care costs are very low compared to North |
| in the 80s to low 90s F, you can enjoy that kind | | | | America. Hospitals regularly do high tech |
| of climate year-round. If you like a more | | | | operations such as heart & organ transplants |
| temperate climate, you can enjoy the "Eternal | | | | and there are many talented specialists in Costa |
| Spring" of the Central Valley and San | | | | Rica. In almost every town in the country you will |
| José, with the average year round | | | | find ambulance service, operated by the Red |
| temperatures in the low to mid 80s in the | | | | Cross. There is also a wide choice in dental care. |
| daytime and in the high 60s to low 70s at night. | | | | No special shots are required to come to Costa |
| Many leave their windows open 24 hours a day, | | | | Rica. Water can be drunk from the tap |
| 365 days a year...never needing heat or | | | | throughout Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are |
| air-conditioning. The dry season is usually from the | | | | very high throughout the country. Pasteurized milk |
| end of November until past Easter. The amount | | | | and dairy products are normal everywhere. |
| of rain in rainy season depends on the climate | | | | Costa Rica is only 3 hours flying from many |
| zone, with heaviest rains usually in October. Rainfall | | | | places in the southern U.S. Many non-stop flights |
| is usually in the afternoon, if it is going to rain. | | | | are available to South America and Europe from |
| You can find small, basic homes from $60,000 to | | | | Costa Rica. This makes business and vacation |
| multi-million-dollar luxury mansions and estates. | | | | travel easy for those who work and retire in |
| You can live simply or as extravagantly as you | | | | Costa Rica. In addition Costa Rica operates on the |
| desire. Costa Rican laws and its constitution | | | | Central time zone so it is within 2 hours of most |
| protect private ownership of land and foreigners | | | | North American cities time. There is no daylight |
| enjoy the same rights as citizens. There are | | | | saving time, so it does vary seasonally. |
| almost no restrictions to ownership of private | | | | Costa Rica's 93% literacy rate is among the |
| land. You don't have to be a citizen, resident, or | | | | highest in the Western Hemisphere. Costa Ricans |
| even be in the country to own land. | | | | place a very high value on education. There is a |
| Costa Rica has a long history of stable, | | | | free education system for all, through high school. |
| democratic government. There has been no | | | | There are excellent bilingual and trilingual schools |
| military since 1948 when it was banned | | | | available with a principal language of English, French |
| constitutionally Contrast this with other so called | | | | or German. There are many qualified professionals |
| retirement havens such as Nicaragua. | | | | and technical personnel. Many young professionals |
| Obtaining the status of legal resident in Costa Rica | | | | have received a bilingual education from grade |
| is easy and advantageous. See our Costa Rica | | | | school and through high school in English, German |
| information area for more information on various | | | | or French. You will find many English speaking |
| types of residencies. | | | | Costa Ricans to help you in many common |
| The cost of living in Costa Rica is relatively | | | | situations.Cell Phones, telephones, Cable TV and |
| inexpensive; you can comfortably live on $2000 a | | | | Internet are widely available in Costa Rica. |
| month. In most areas housing costs much less | | | | According to a survey in the Robb Report of |
| than what it does in the U.S. Hired help is very | | | | potential foreign investment/retirement areas, |
| inexpensive; a live in maid will cost about $150 a | | | | Costa Rica surpasses all countries, including |
| month. Many apartments, condos and houses | | | | Mexico, Panama, the Caribbean Islands, Puerto |
| include a maids living quarters with a small bath | | | | Rico, Portugal, Australia, and Greece. It is not |
| and bedroom. Groceries cost about 65-70% less | | | | surprising that there are more Americans, |
| than what you spend in the U.S and utilities | | | | Canadians, and Europe. |
| (telephone service, electricity, and water) are | | | | |