|
Why Are Americans Still Flocking to Costa Rica?
![]() Join the 20,000 American expats already living “la puravida” in Costa Rica Dear Reader,
Costa Rica’s fame as a retiree destination is richly deserved. You’ll find the tropics along the Pacific and Caribbean Coasts, while most of the Central Valley is cool and breezy. If you find it difficult to choose which climate you prefer, you will be glad to know that the mild temperatures of the Central Valley are just two hours by car from the tropical beaches of the Pacific Coast.
This is why more than 20,000 U.S. expatriates already live in Costa Rica, enjoying one of the highest standards of living in Central America.
Expats are attracted to Costa Rica for numerous reasons, which include the low cost of living, excellent health care, modern telecommunications structure, beautiful beaches, rainforests, lush valleys, and cool mountains…not to mention the theaters, art galleries, and fine dining. There are more than 50,000 expats living in Costa Rica and many well-established expat communities.
Tucked between Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east, Costa Rica may truly have it all: a year-round tropical climate, modern cities, Caribbean beaches, Pacific coastline, rainforests, lush valleys, and mountains.
Everyone, including IL, once thought Costa Rica was thoroughly discovered…over-priced…yesterday’s news. That’s why we were astonished to see this country turn things around and get back onto our real estate radar.
In March 1997 we took Costa Rica off our recommended list. Twelve years later, in 2009, Costa Rica was back on our list of Top Retirement Havens and remains there still. Yes, after 12 years off our list of affordable opportunities for profit, IL has discovered that there is an unknown—and still affordable—side to one of the world’s most coveted overseas retirement destinations.
Long stretches of deserted and undeveloped beaches on the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts…dense jungles teeming with exotic wildlife…towering volcanoes, lush green valleys, and hundreds of crystal-clear lakes, rivers, streams, and waterfalls…mesmerizing sunrises, sunsets, and star-filled evening skies…all these things, and much more, are drawing people back to Costa Rica.
Whether expats live in this beautiful country full- or part-time, they relish the climate, neighborly atmosphere, low cost of living, excellent health care, stable democracy, and countless ways to have fun. This is a middle-income, developing economy, with a tradition of democracy. The life expectancy at birth here is one of the highest in the world—outstripping both the U.S. and the UK. Tourist facilities are extensive, and because English is a second language for many Costa Ricans, the country feels very visitor-friendly.
In Costa Rica, the good life is called “puravida.” For those who retire in Costa Rica, puravida is a daily fact of life in this beautiful, exotic, and surprisingly affordable country.
Read on to find out more about this beautiful country and why we think it should be at the top of your retirement destinations list.
Yours sincerely,
![]() Jackie Flynn Publisher, International Living |
|