The Joys of Retirement in Costa Rica 
When you retire in Costa Rica you will enjoy a high
standard of living and a low cost of living.
If you're ready for la pura vida, the "pure life," you might want to consider a Costa Rica retirement. This country of just over four million is tucked between Nicaragua on the north, Panama on the south, the Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Caribbean Sea on the east. Costa Rica may truly have it all: a year-round tropical climate, modern cities, Caribbean beaches, Pacific coastline, rain forests, lush valleys, and mountains.
According to the US Department of State, more than 20,000 US expatriates live in Costa Rica, many of them as retirees. That's because Costa Rica has one of the highest standards of living in Central America. With an economy catering to tourists, you'll have no trouble finding theaters, galleries, fine dining in virtually any cuisine, excellent health care, and modern telecommunications. In addition to its natural beauty, culture, and convenience, Costa Rica attracts many expats with its lower cost of living and slower pace of life. This jewel of Central America has the added advantage of still being relatively "undiscovered" by mass tourism.
If you decide to retire in Costa Rica… 
Retire in Costa Rica to have more time
doing what you really love.
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Many retirees choose to live in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, within a few hours of the capital city of San Jose and its international airport, shopping, and medical facilities. The weather is also an important factor - this area enjoys year-round spring-like temperatures averaging 72 degrees F. Others choose to live near the beaches…the Guanacaste province and the Pacific Coast from Jaco to Quepos are most popular.
If you plan an extended stay, consider applying for either rentista or pensioner residency status. In order to qualify, rentistas simply have to show income of $1,000 per month from sources outside Costa Rica. For pensioners, the minimum is $600 per month, making it a great option for retirees looking to move to Costa Rica. Spouses and dependent children can be included in either of these plans, and residents can even start their own businesses in the country. A recent increase in the number of foreigners choosing Costa Rica as a retirement destination has taken the country's immigration staff by surprise. The result is that residency laws in Costa Rica can change, and people applying for rentista or pensioner status can sometimes experience delays. Getting the help of an in-country attorney will help things go smoothly.
What does it cost to retire in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is not the place for bargain-basement living. It is the most expensive country in Central America - but in Costa Rica, you will find a high standard of living that is still far below the cost of living in the U.S., Canada, or Europe. How much it will cost you, of course depends on your lifestyle.
You won't need to give up anything if you retire to Costa Rica…except cold winters. Need modern appliances? A high-speed Internet connection? Cellular phone service? Costa Rica has all the infrastructure in place to meet all your needs. And because the cost of labor is low, you may be able to employ household help that will enable you to vastly improve your quality of life.
Again, depending on your lifestyle, you can get easily get by in Costa Rica on $1,000 - $1500/month. Spend more and you will have a lifestyle that would never be possible back in the United States. Rents range from $500 to $3,000 per month for a large house with a large yard, depending on location. Rural areas are cheaper, ocean and urban properties are more.
Typical expenses for a couple living in an area like Heredia:
? Rent: About $500 a month for a three-bedroom two-bath house in a Tico-style neighborhood
? Utilities per month:
Electricity: $14 - $20
Water: $8-10
Telephone: $15
Cell phone: $8
Internet ADSL: $15
Cable TV: $25
? Community street guard: $20
? Food: +/-$250 a month.
? Transportation: Whether or not you need a car is up to you. Public transportation, including buses and taxis, is inexpensive and reliable.
? Household help: A typical maid in Costa Rica costs $1.50 - $2 per hour. A gardener will cost slightly more.
There are also many tax advantages to living in Costa Rica. Investors pay no capital gains taxes on real estate, business taxes are minimal and high interest bank accounts are tax free. Property taxes are also reasonable when compared to the U.S. |
