Top 10 Costa Rica

Retiring in Costa Rica

The thought of retiring in a lush tropical paradise is enticing enough, even if it costs an arm and a leg. But American and European retirees heading to Costa Rica are reaping the rewards of an unparalleled lifestyle and a reduction in the cost of living. This double attraction has been drawing retirees to Costa Rica’s rich coastal regions for years, and continues to have huge appeal thanks to the country’s universal healthcare, affordable cost of living and year-round gorgeous weather. If you or your loved ones are considering taking the plunge, this article should help you take a step in the right direction and live the retirement of your dreams.

The Costa Rica Lifestyle

One of the biggest benefits of living in Costa Rica is adopting the citizen’s relaxed, stress-free lifestyle that celebrates life’s simple pleasures. With a healthy diet consisting of delicious fruits and vegetables, an abundance of drinkable water and fresh outdoor air, Costa Rica residents enjoy long, healthy lives. Costa Rica’s stunning Nicoya Peninsula is actually considered the world’s strongest ‘blue zone’, an area where inhabitants lead exceptionally rich, long lives.

Aside from their focus on enjoying life, Costa Ricans are known for their friendliness and the emphasis they place on socializing. Strong social ties have been shown to improve quality of life in old age, which is another reason the country’s citizens live healthily well into their 90s and beyond. If leaving behind the hustle and bustle of city life to enjoy food, friends and socializing sounds appealing, retiring in Costa Rica just might be for you.

The Costa Rica Healthcare System

Another reason many retirees head to Costa Rica is the affordable universal healthcare system. Costa Rica has both private and public health care insurance, both of which cost under $100 per month and can be purchased by foreigners. Leading hospitals like CIMA (in San Jose and soon in Guanacaste) boast internationally trained doctors as well as cleanliness and operation success rates above many American hospitals. Procedures and prescriptions are also much more affordable than they are in the United States, as are regular office co-pays. The amount retirees can save on health care alone is often enough of a draw to lure foreigners down south to a blissful life in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica’s Real Estate

The final compelling reason that many retirees choose Costa Rica is the gorgeous views, pristine beaches and rural hideaway escapes that can be purchased for much less than most homes in the United States or Europe. Costa Rican real estate ranges in price depending on a retiree’s taste and style of living, but a gorgeous ocean-view three bedroom home in a resort community can be purchased for a small fraction of what it would cost in the United States. Combine the attractiveness of an enjoyable lifestyle, affordable health-care and gorgeous yet affordable real estate, and it is easy to see why so many retirees flock to Central America’s Costa Rican shores.

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