Guest post today from VivaTropical.com. I think it makes a great counterpoint to my recent post about the value of residency.
Ziplining through a waterfall
A country with access to the Pacific coast, the Caribbean Sea, stretches of tropical rainforest, and spring weather valleys, Costa Rica definitely lives up to its reputation. Bordering Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica is by far the most popular expat destination of the three, but while Costa Rica might be a fantastic place to vacation, what exactly is it about this Central American gem that is causing people to make the big switch from tourist to resident?
To rediscover the value of family
One of the most common reasons that expats are making the move down to the tropical paradise of Costa Rica with their families in tow, is to spend more quality time together. Life in North America is busy and can often revolve around work and money, and because of this, things like family can sometimes take the back seat. In Costa Rica, things tend to slow down and the people here definitely embrace the laid-back lifestyle. Here, family can come first and while it can be a difficult transition for some expats, others find the end result a rewarding breath of fresh air.
Costa Rica is developed
Unlike some of its Central American neighbors, Costa Rica is quite developed and there is already a well-established expat community. For this reason, expats can retire to Costa Rica knowing that many of the North American comforts that they rely on, like cable, shopping malls, and English movies and books will be easily accessible. For many, this can make the transition go a lot smoother and life, much more convenient. Expats don’t have to feel cut off from the rest of the world, there are international flights coming in and out of the country on a regular basis, there is easy internet access and even if you don’t own a computer, there are an abundance of internet cafes sprinkled across the country. Heath care in Costa Rica is world-class, the school systems are strong, and everything is supported by a stable and non-invasive government.
The cost of living is low
Your first thought might be, “but I heard that Costa Rica was expensive”, and while it’s true that Costa Rica is a little pricier that some of the other countries in Central America, life in Costa Rica can still be enjoyed for far less than what you would spend to live the same life back home. Yes, if you choose to indulge by eating out every day, barhopping, and constantly shopping, life in Costa Rica can be expensive, but, if you choose to embrace the true Costa Rican life and live like a local, you can live well on a much smaller budget. In Costa Rica, things like medical care, food, utilities, housing, and entertainment can all be obtained for a much lower price tag than anything you might see in North America. For instance, you could buy a week’s worth of fresh produce for under $30 and rent a home with a mountain view for $500 a month. All in all, a family of three, with a home, a maid, a car, school fees, and an entertainment and travel fund, can live comfortably in Costa Rica for around $2,500 a month.
Enjoy scenic beauty and unbeatable weather
Marissa Strniste
If you choose to make Costa Rica your home, you will get to experience its wild, tropical beauty and perfect weather on a daily basis. There are two seasons in Costa Rica, the wet season that runs from May to November, and the dry, that goes from December to April. But, regardless of which season, the sun in Costa Rica shines almost every day. The average temperature is 30 degrees Celsius or 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the dry season, with the wet season being slightly cooler. Needless to say, this ideal weather is one of Costa Rica’s biggest draws, especially for North Americans who are often slaves to heating and cooling bills. And according to National Geographic, Grecia, a town located in the Costa Rican Central Valley, has one of the best climates on the planet.
Nicoya, Costa Rica, is a blue zone
What is a blue zone you might ask? Simply put, a blue zone is a place on Earth where the people have the greatest life expectancy, with more residents reaching 100 years than anywhere else. Nicoya, Costa Rica, is considered a blue zone and the people there have the lowest rates of cancer in the country. Located south of Nicaragua, along the Pacific coast, up until 2003 (before the Taiwan friendship bridge was built) Nicoya was only accessible by ferry. There are many contributing factors that make Nicoya a known blue zone:
The people in Nicoya are very hard-working and family-oriented
Most lead healthy, active lifestyles
They average 8 hours of sleep per night, going to bed with the sun
Meals are made up of fresh, non-processed ingredients like fruit, rice, beans, and corn
They drink hard water, rich in calcium and magnesium which is essential for bone and muscle development
Live in an organic community
Lululemon Athletica
In San Ramon, a city of 70,000 in the Costa Rican central valley, expats can enjoy the organic communities of Organic Views, Pacific Hills, and Organic Heaven, all three of which are built on hills known for having the perfect soil and climate for agricultural development. Because many expats are interested in organic farming, self-sufficiency, and water security, these communities are the perfect match for the organic-conscious buyer.
Residency options
In order to get residency in Costa Rica, you will most likely choose one of four routes:
The Retiree (Pensionado) Program
The Legal Resident (Rentista) Program
The Business Investor (Inversionista) Program
And the “Vinculo” married to or relationship to a Costa Rican citizen application
Is residency for you?
Now that you know a little more about what is tempting many expats to trade in their tourist Visas for Costa Rican residency, you can begin to decide if the choice is right for you. A country with so much to offer expats, Costa Rica just might be the answer to your retirement dreams. It’s up to you to find out.