welcome to costa rica, the happiest place on earth! rica is a beautiful place with many breathtaking...

Firstly I’d like to thank you for downloading this book I’ve worked so hard to compile. My name is Don Halbert and I’m originally from Victoria, BC, Canada and in 2005 decided that it was time for me to move to the next chapter in my life. 11 years, one son and a Costa Rican wife later here I am… My reasoning for compiling this book was to have a helpful introduction in to what someone could expect when relocating to the country. Costa Rica is a beautiful place with many breathtaking landscapes but without proper education and being prepared, one might not enjoy it as much as they could. The Introduction to Costa Rica is a guide designed to get your feet wet. Something to give you actionable data on living life in la pura vida. The happiest place on Earth! I hope you enjoy it and keep a look out for my other Costa Rica related publications.

Welcome To Costa Rica, The Happiest Place on Earth!

When I reflect back over the past 10 years I can’t help but to wonder why it took me so long to realize that the life I was living back home in Canada was killing me.

So let’s look back and see what got me to this point…

The year was 2005 and after stabilizing my eyes after a severe bout with diabetic retinapathy I began to rethink the road I’d paved for myself. I was living in what many consider the most beautiful city in all of Canada, Victoria.

After the tremendous success of my company Triton Systems - a digital technology company - I learnt the hard way what it means to neglect your diabetes and my health began to take a downward spiral. And rapidly.

Living the “Simple Life” in Costa Rica’s Southern Zone by Don Halbert

Back in 2000 I took my first trip to a tropical country and went to visit the Yucatan Peninsula in the Mayan Riviera. This was likely the catalyst to having a burning desire to live some where e lse . Somewhere ho t . Somewhere…more relaxed.

After 4 visits to Mexico’s Caribbean Coast I’d gotten the idea to visit Costa Rica from a friend who’s mother was already living here for

6 years or so. So began preparations for the visit. Destination: Playa Dominical

During that visit plans were made to purchase a large house and another property in the mountains above the beach. The sole reason for choosing mountains over the beach was a question of the intense heat at the beach and not wanting to live in air-conditioning the whole time.

After first arriving and getting settled in the new house I instantly immersed myself within the Tico community in which I now lived. In fact I’d quickly become engrained within the family of my new neighbors who’d sold me the house. Still to this day I consider them my family.

This choice to experience full immersion was a good move because it forced me to learn the language (Spanish) in record time. And if I can be completely honest…it’s hard to meet women if you can’t speak to them.

Just to touch on that subject if only because amongst single male travelers to the country they quickly learn that the Costa Rican women are arguably some of the most beautiful in the world - only second to Venezuela from I’ve been told.

Living the “Simple Life” in Costa Rica’s Southern Zone

Back to the real reasons I chose Costa Rica’s southern region of Mexico for example…

Dominical is referred to as where the mountains meet the sea. Surrounded by rain forest filled mountains, Dominical truly is a special place. But it’s not just Dominical - there are many small seaside villages that dot the coastline all the way down to the Panama border.

Numerous beaches line the coast and everyone of them uniquely beautiful in their own right. Like Playa Uvita - a beach unlike any other in the world. When I first saw this place I thought I’d found heaven.

A few weeks later however during one of my many explor ing expedi t ions I discovered a little known beach called Playa Guapiles. About a 2 min drive north of Dominical this place was amazing. Palms lined this sandy beach without a sign of civilization or people. It was so peaceful. No developments. No houses. Just miles of sand and waves.

Shortly after I quickly realized I wanted to explore more of this beautiful place so I bought a quad. You see here in Costa Rica driving quads on the roads is normal and perfectly legal. It was after I bought the quad that I really started to go places I’d only dreamed of. Hidden caves, waterfalls and secluded beaches without a soul in sight.

There is not many places on the planet where you can do so much is such a small area however this is entirely true in the Southern Zone. With its dense jungles, mangrove forests and pristine beaches and turquoise blue waters, it’s no wonder it has been called Heaven on Earth.


A few years back National Geographic described the region as the most bio-intense place on the planet. This is because 5% of the world’s flora and fauna can be found here.

Watches are rather scarce here and with good reason. Time is but a technicality and really means nothing here. Ahorrita is a common word used by Ticos which could mean anywhere between a few minutes to a few days. I’m not kidding either. But this only adds to the charm in my opinion.

Another charming aspect to life here is that whenever a holiday — and there are plenty — rolls around, the country pretty much shuts down. I’ve never seen a country more celebrative than the Costa Ricans. Give a Tico any excuse to celebrate and they will.

The surrounding villages in the Southern Zone are chalk full of old-world charm. Every community both large or small, has a church, school, plaza/park and a soccer field. It is quite common for Costa Ricans to congregate at the neighborhood park or plaza and catch up with family and friends of the neighborhood.

One thing that I really love about life here is the fact that big corporations for the more part are absent. Fresh fruit and vegetable markets are commonplace and there are still butchers, fish markets and bakeries. Last time I was back in Canada I was hard-pressed to find a butcher or fresh bakery. Non-GMO foods are increasingly becoming the norm here and when it comes down to it…this was one of my primary reasons for moving here. When I return to Canada I find it difficult to actually “taste the food” there. There really is no comparison to the chemically ripened fruit and vegetable you find in Canada and the US. Yuck!

When something happens and someone within this tight knit community needs support, the entire community comes together in resounding aid. There have been a few unfortunate accidents in the region and when they happen the community rallies to help whenever and where ever it’s needed.

Life in Costa Rica has been compared to l i fe back home in the 70s when communities were united, safe and happy places to raise a family. A place where everyone is ready and willing to help when needed and everyone knows your name. I’d have to agree with that claim as this has been my experience to date.

One word to the wise however is, if you are coming to Costa Rica and expect things to be done on your clock — or any clock for that matter — it’s better to first understand that Costa Ricans are very laid back, they certainly don’t fret the little things and just because you’re in a hurry, doesn’t mean they will understand.

10 years down the road and I am now married to a Tica (Costa Rican woman) and living happily in our newly constructed home with our two kids. Life remains simple here and that’s just how I like it.


Becoming a Part of the Tico culture

In our experience one of the goals of anyone thinking about retirement or relocation to Costa Rica should be to do your best to learn, respect, and become tied to the culture of Costa Rica. This goes way beyond learning the language which is an obvious necessity to some degree and really important for anyone wishing to have a successful and happy experience upon moving to Costa Rica. But the learning of the language is really only the first step in having a healthy experience here. Too many people come from different countries and find enclaves within their country group and then never venture far from its confines. Our advice is to recognize that you have arrived in a culture that is truly embracing, if you reach out with friendliness and respect to the Ticos you will get abundance in return.

Secrets to a Successful Life in Costa Rica by Roger Haskins

Attempting to speak the native language of the country is a show of respect for the culture and the inhabitants of this country. To many people, learning a new language is a particularly daunting task but my advice is do not expect to make this happen overnight, looking at it as one large endeavor can be overwhelming. If you are self motivated I have found that time and breaking it down into small pieces works best and there is always the ability to attend one of the

many Spanish schools in the area to get you started. I set a goal of learning 5 words a day at first. Using mnemonic devices was a great help, an example would be rodilla the word for knee sounds like rodeo, hombre the word for shoulder is similar to the word hombre the word for man, and so forth. Try to make a mental connection to something else and you will be amazed at your ability to remember vocabulary words. A word of advice when you begin your journey towards learning the language; be aware that it is slightly out of character for the Ticos to correct your Spanish for you. They consider this an impoliteness. UNLESS you ask them! Once I discovered this tiny yet important secret my new Tico friends would bend over backwards helping me with my Spanish at every turn. Some of my friends spoke absolutely no English whatsoever but through sign language, body language and trying multiple approaches to convey the meaning they somehow got my understanding. Their patience and willingness to help was outstanding. To this day I marvel at this ability, but what this required was reaching out to make friends with the locals, a must for a successful life in Costa Rica.

Moving to Costa Rica is not without challenges but a few words of advice are worth a minute of your time here.

Secrets to a Successful Life in Costa Rica

Many people have an innate fear of the culture and the language when they first arrive and this cultural nervousness goes both ways. Most Costa Ricans are dying to learn the English language so exchanging idiomatic tidbits back and forth really is a win-win situation. In many talks with both Ticos and extranjeros the greatest impediment to learning the language, and using it is the fear of looking silly in peoples’ eyes. However once you break out of this shell and communicate your desire to learn you will have Ticos bending over backwards with pride in the attempt to convey the language and the culture that they cherish.

Doing Business in Costa Rica

If you come to Costa Rica expecting things to move as fast as the United States or Canada then you will definitely be setting yourself up for some stress which is truly contrary to the reason for moving here in the first place. One of the reasons people live so long here is that they are not

consumed with the instant gratification, and super consumptive mentality that especially North Americans bring to the table. An insight may be had by some Tico friends of mine that had been living on their farm for generations very modestly, very simple construction a small very rustic open style wood house, nothing fancy and nothing that would approach modern standards. These folks wound up selling their farm for more than a million dollars and moved to a smaller farm not far away. When I came to visit them some time later I was

surprised to find that they had almost perfectly duplicated their rustic simple wood home, their well, and their barn. They had transferred the lifestyle they had been living for generations. The lesson here is that the people have an innate satisfaction with a simpler way of life. There are most certainly plenty of modern cues and modern accoutrements

Secrets to a Successful Life in Costa Rica

available here in Costa Rica, they simply did not want or need them. I found it amazing that the constant striving for more and better which we see in many western countries simply was not preeminent here. I was amazed and it occurred to me that this was a great secret that explained the longevity of these people. A simpler existence is easily found here in Costa Rica and the role models for this existence are the Ticos themselves.

Returning to the idea of doing business in Costa Rica let me offer a few important tips. My first bit of advice would be not to assume that everything works the same here as it does in the United States or Europe. Customs and practices are very different and thorough due diligence here is a must and one must verify everything ahead of time. Even such obvious staples as running legal water should not be assumed even if you see it running out of the ground on your potential dream lot. The Costa Rica national water system has many complexities and one should not move forward on any purchase before having your attorney verify the veracity and legalities of the water supply. Be careful about such things as titled property versus concession property and always have a qualified attorney or Title company do a thorough background check and title search on any property you are considering.

Finally one of the most important decisions you will make if you plan to retire, live or own anything in Costa Rica is choosing a reliable attorney. Often it makes good sense to own various things in the name of different corporations for liability and other advantageous reasons. A corporation in Costa Rica is referred to here as a Sociedad Anonima, and you must seek the advice of a good attorney to navigate the intricacies of the Costa Rican legal system. Choosing an attorney in Costa Rica there are a few things worth considering. Speaking with people that have been here for awhile that have maintained good long term professional relationship with their attorney is a good idea. Getting 3-4 referrals is an even better idea. Getting things done is sometimes challenging here and I will point out that losing your temper or raising your voice to attempt to get things done faster will always work in reverse for you as one of my friends found out. My mentor has always taught respect for the people, the culture, and the customs of the country and it has served him well and is the most important piece of advice for anyone considering a move to Costa Rica.

Costa Rican Culture

Costa Rica is a country blessed by pristine beaches, beautiful mountain ranges, and a biodiversity that is immense and exuberant. But what really makes this small country such a special place where visitors long to return is the Costa Rican people. “Ticos” as Costa Ricans are called, are a diverse group noted for being open minded, courteous, calm natured, humble, hospitable, hard working and well educated. Costa Ricans are people proud of their culture and the extraordinary natural richness that surrounds them. We are very family oriented and proud of our heritage. Ticos are predominantly direct descendants of Spanish colonists along with heritage from a sizable indigenous population that was here when Christopher Columbus landed in 1502. Over past decades newcomers from many nations have transformed this country into an inclusive melting pot.

Costa Rica: As Told By A “Tico” by Jorge Montero

Today’s Costa Ricans are the result of a peaceful nation with a long democratic tradition, which has always avoided conflict and any military actions. Instead it has a history of conflict resolution based in negotiation and its efforts have been dedicated to developing social equality. It is considered a progressive nation as it has more teachers than policemen, more land area set aside for biological reserves than cities and an endless dedication to social programs. This prompted the quote of “Where there is a Costa Rican, wherever he is, there will always be freedom” by Jose María Sanguinetti, ex-president of Uruguay. Etiquette Costa Ricans are usually very polite, being quick to shake hands or place a kiss on someone´s cheek. We tend to use formal Spanish although Central American Spanish has a few regional differences. Family is also very important and it is considered polite to ask someone how their family is doing. Also a very popular conversation or way to start a dialogue is a passion called Futbol (soccer). 99% of Ticos love soccer and follow their favorite teams with an almost religious fervor. Economy For many years Costa Rica was the most neglected area of colonial Central America. It was considered the poor neighbor of Nicaragua and Guatemala because of the absence of mineral wealth (gold and silver) and very little indigenous population that could be exploited for labor. Times have changed and now Costa Rica has a highly productive and stable economy which has resulted in a relatively high standard of living and a growing middle class. The mainstays of our economy are tourism and exports of agricultural and electronic components. Costa Rica´s major economic resources are our fertile land and frequent rainfall, a well educated population, and the strategic location in the Central American isthmus which provides easy access to North and South American markets and direct ocean access to the European and Asian continents. Costa Rica has successfully attracted important investment by such companies as Intel, Procter & Gamble, Abbot Laboratories, and Baxter Health Care, to name a few.

Costa Rica: As Told By A “Tico”

One-quarter of Costa Rica´s land is dedicated to national forest reserves. This combined with hundreds of miles of picturesque beaches has made the country a popular destination for affluent

retirees and eco-tourists. Food Costa Rican cuisine is quite healthy and balanced, based on fresh meats and vegetables. It is not overly spicy as many travelers expect, but rather uses a blend of light herbs and spices for a savory flavor. A typical meal is the casado , the name referring to the marriage of its ingredients. It consists of rice and beans (red

or black), meat or fish, fried plantains, cabbage with tomato salad and corn tortillas. Olla de Carne is a delicious stew made with beef, potatoes, carrots, chayote squash, plantains and yucca. For breakfast, it is common to be served a hearty dish called Gallo Pinto which consists of black beans and rice seasoned with onions, peppers, and cilantro, accompanied by fried eggs, sour cream and corn tortillas. It goes perfectly with a steaming cup of café con leche or fresh fruit juices. The Caribbean coast has its own unique cuisine with a distinctive flavor that pays homage to the Jamaican roots of its residents. Dishes usually include coconut milk and spices like ginger and curry. You can find any of these dishes at a multitude of small cafes locally called sodas. Buen provecho! (enjoy)



Tuanis Cool Mala nota uncool, not good Mae (say “mai”) Buddy, dude Tico/Tica (m/f) Costa Rican

Soda coffee shop Pulperia Mini market

Chinamo Street stand Chante A place to stay

Quiubo What´s up! Como se llama usted? What’s your name?

Me llamo.. my name is… Mucho gusto pleased to meet you

Quisiera comprar I want to buy Cuanto cuesto? How much?

Abierto open Cerrado closed

Que hora tiene? What time is it?

Pura Vida great, terrific Gallo Pinto rice & beans

Me Gusta I like it Ahorita one moment Acuanta a while ago

Birra beer Yo Quiero i want or I’d like

Yodo coffee Brete your job

Propina tip Abastededor corner store

Jama food, munchies Estas muy rica you’re very pretty

Local Expressions Habla español? You might hear these expressions on the street, most are typical Spanish but some are part of Costa Rican culture.

A Blue Zone is a concept used to identify a demographic and/or geographic area of the world where people live measurably longer lives, as described in Dan Buettner's book, "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from people who lived the longest." The concept grew out of demographic work done by Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain. As the two men zeroed in on the cluster of villages with the highest longevity, they drew concentric blue circles on the map and began referring to the area inside the circle as the Blue Zone. Buettner identified longevity hotspots around the globe and offered an explanation, based on empirical data and first hand observations, as to why these populations live healthier and longer lives.

Costa Rica Is 1 of Only 5 Blue Zones in the World!

While Costa Rica is a beautiful place to live, full of stunning scenery and friendly people, an additional bonus for U.S. and Canadian expats is the affordable cost of living. It can be challenging to find a job in Costa Rica as an expat because the local governments are very protective of its local workforce. The easiest way to relocate to Costa Rica is to be transferred to a branch office of your home company.

Many multinational companies have chosen to open branches in Costa Rica because of its Free Trade Zones, which offer nearly universal exemption on imports. If you cannot transfer within your current company, you would need to have skills that can’t be found in the local workforce, therefore making you specially qualified to fill an open position.

What It Takes To Do Business In Costa Rica

Once you find a job in Costa Rica, you must be able to find your way through the details of cross-cultural communication, which would be necessary to finding an ideal job for an expat. Costa Rica has its own set of cultural customs that will most likely differ from what you’re used to in your home country, especially if you’re from the U.S. or Canada.

When meeting someone for the first time in a business situation, make sure you give them a firm handshake and be sure to maintain eye contact. In Costa Rica direct eye contact is expected during business conversations. One custom that you may find hard getting used to is that Ticos tend to leave very little personal space between themselves when talking to each other and they are more likely to touch more than in other cultures.

It is a good business practice to translate one side of your business card into Spanish and when presenting the card, be sure the Spanish side is facing up. In addition, professional titles are important in Costa Rica. These titles should be written on business cards and used when introducing or addressing someone. Some examples of professional titles are Ingeniero for engineers and Abogado for lawyers.


It is fundamentally crucial to success in the Costa Rican business world to take time to develop a personal relationship with your business colleagues and associates. Small talk serves an important purpose before getting down to business. It allows both parties in a business relationship to get to know one another better and build trust.

Because life in Costa Rica revolves around the family, asking about the health of a business partner’s spouse and/or children is always a good topic for small talk. Other suggested topics include: art, culture, dancing, food, habits, history, nature and sports. Like in most other parts of the world, avoid talking about religion and don’t use this occasion to serve up any personal criticism. It is a good business practice to wait for your Costa Rican colleague to introduce the business part of the meeting otherwise you may seem pushy and/or rude.

It is important to know that when you are invited to a business meeting in Costa Rica being on time is valued more here than in many other Latin American countries. It is considered rude and unprofessional to show up late to a meeting. For presentations and meetings, prepare handouts and proposals in both English and Spanish.

Costa Ricans tend to favor an indirect communication style, and go to great lengths to avoid open conflict and/or confrontation. You should therefore avoid using hard selling and pressure tactics, as this approach will in all probability be received in a negative light. Decisions are reached by mutual consensus, and are not made abruptly.


Buying property in Costa Rica is a great investment for monetary and lifestyle purposes. With that being said, it requires due diligence; there are a number of things that must be closely examined when purchasing land or housing in Costa Rica to ensure that the transaction leads to a dream come true, rather than your worst nightmare.

First off, in any transaction involving land or a standing structure, it is crucial to know whether the ownership rights or the occupational rights are being offered. Unregistered land is offered under occupational ownership and a lengthy process of registration will follow suit if

such land is purchased. The provisions of ownership rights are basically the same as those in the US, and always involve registered land. Buying property in Costa Rica that’s on the beach can be a little trickier than inland property; there are parts of beaches that will always be public property of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Real Estate Law

Beaches have two zones that make up a width of 200 meters: the public zone and the restricted zone. The public zone is 50 meters wide and falls between the high tide line and the start of the restricted zone. The restricted zone is 150 meters wide and runs from the end of the public zone inland. The restricted zone is private property belonging to the “owner” of the land; however, it is merely a concession from the government.

Beachfront property in the restricted zone grants an owner occupational rights for 5-20 years, depending on the governments ruling. Leases can be extended, so a home or business can remain in control of the land for living or financial purposes.[1] There are some exceptions to the Maritime Zoning Law, however, because it was implemented in 1977. Any beachfront property titled prior to the law’s implementation can still be transferred with its full title. However, only extremely old property from colonial times will include titled public zone.


In most cases of foreigners buying property in Costa Rica, the property is purchased through the formation of a corporation. It can cost up to $500 to start a corporation, and it requires that a Costa Rican resident holds 50% of the shares. However, the resident can sell their half to the purchaser once the sale is finished. A trusted attorney should always be involved in such sales, to make sure the transaction goes through smoothly. Because only residents of at least 5 years can own concession beachfront property, starting a corporation is required for any foreigner who purchases land on the beach. Another important law involves condominiumization. This is a term that applies to zoning and other factors that provide benefits to developers: single family residence projects, finished lots, and typical US style townhouses and apartments. In general, whenever buying property in Costa Rica, it’s necessary to closely inspect records and other paperwork to ensure that the land, water, and all other aspects of the home are legal.


Costa Rica is located on the Central American isthmus and lies between eight and ten degrees north of the equator. With coasts on the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, you’ll find an incredible selection of pristine beaches and warm tropical waters. A rugged central mountain range separates the eastern and western coastal areas, which makes for dramatic vistas of Costa Rica’s lush forests that run from warm tropical low-lands to cool and misty cloud shrouded mountain-tops.

In 1502, on his fourth and last voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus made the first European landfall in the area. Settlement of Costa Rica began in 1522. For nearly 3 centuries, Spain administered the region as part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala under a military governor. The Spanish optimistically called the country “Rich Coast.” Finding little gold or other valuable minerals in Costa Rica, however, the Spanish turned to agriculture.

Costa Rica: A Brief History

At that time the small landowners’ relative poverty, the lack of a large indigenous labor force, the population’s ethnic and linguistic homogeneity, and Costa Rica’s isolation from the Spanish colonial centers in Mexico and the Andes all contributed to the development of an autonomous and individualistic agrarian society.

A tradition of equality also arose. This tradition survived the widened class distinctions brought on by the 19th-century introduction of banana and coffee cultivation and consequent accumulations of local wealth. Costa Rica joined other Central American provinces in 1821 in a joint declaration of independence from

Spain. Although the newly independent provinces formed a Federation, disputes broke out among them and in 1838, long after the Central American Federation ceased to function in practice, Costa Rica formally withdrew and proclaimed itself sovereign. An era of peaceful democracy in Costa Rica began in 1899 with elections considered the first truly free and honest ones in the country’s history. This began a trend that continued until today with only two lapses: in 1917-19, Federico Tinoco ruled as a dictator, and, in 1948, Jose Figueres led an armed uprising in the wake of a disputed presidential election. The 44-day civil war resulting from this uprising was the most hostile event in Costa Rican history, but the victors drafted a constitution guaranteeing free elections with universal suffrage and the abolition of the military. Figueres became a national hero, winning the first election under the new constitution in 1953. Since then, Costa Rica has held 15 presidential elections, the latest in 2010 when Laura Chinchilla was the first women to be elected as President.


GOVERNMENT- Costa Rica is a democratic republic with a very strong system of constitutional checks and balances. Executive responsibilities are vested in a president, who is the country’s center of power. There also are two vice presidents and a 20-plus member cabinet. The president and 57 Legislative Assembly deputies are elected for 4-year terms. In April 2003, the Costa Rican Constitutional Court annulled a 1969 constitutional reform which had barred presidents from running for reelection. As a result, the law reverted back to the 1949 Constitution, which permits former presidents to run for re-election after they have been out of office for two presidential terms - or 8 years. It’s Costa Rica’s way of controlling unbridled political ambition. PEOPLE - Unlike many of their Central American neighbors, present-day Costa Ricans are largely of European descent with Spain being the primary country of origin. However, an estimated 10% of the population is primarily of mestizo origin, a heritage of Native American and Spanish. Descendants of 19th-century Jamaican immigrant workers constitute an English-speaking minority of about 3% of the population. Few of the native Indians survived European contact; the indigenous population today numbers about 29,000 or less than 1% of the population. GEOGRAPHICAL AREA - 51,100 sq. km (19,730 sq.mi.) about the size of the states of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. HIGHEST POINT - Mt. Chirripo with an elevation of 3,819 meters (12,530 ft) is the fifth highest peak in Central America. The highest volcano in the country is the Irazú Volcano at 3,431 meters (11,257 ft). CAPITAL - San Jose. PROVINCES - Costa Rica has seven provinces: Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas and San Jose. POPULATION - About 4.6 million people. The capital of San Jose and the surrounding Central Valley metropolitan area has the highest concentration of population with about 2.1 million people. CLIMATE - Tropical year round. However, the country has many microclimates depending on elevation, rainfall, topography, and by the geography of each particular region.


Costa Rica’s seasons are defined by how much rain falls during a particular period and not to the four seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. The year can be split into two periods, the dry season known to the residents as summer, and the rainy season, known locally as winter. The “summer” or dry season goes from December to April, and “winter” or rainy season goes from May to November. The location that receives the most rain is the Caribbean slopes of the Central Cordillera mountains, with an annual rainfall of over 5,000 mm (196.9 in).

Humidity is also higher on the Caribbean side than on the Pacific side. The main annual temperature on the coastal lowlands is around 27 °C (81 °F), 20 °C (68 °F) in the main populated areas of the central mountain range, and below 10 °C (50 °F) on the summits of the highest mountains.


Costa Rica is home to a number of both active and extinct/dormant volcanoes. Many tourists come to the country each year to revel in their marvel. There are considered to be 6 active volcanoes and 61 dormant or extinct volcanoes. In the following article we will discuss the top most popular volcanoes in the country for tourists and residents alike. Also we will dive in to the many activities to be experienced around these popular landmarks.

Whether you’re the adventurous type or simply enjoy standing in awe at the power of Mother Nature, a visit to a volcano is not something you’ll forget anytime soon.

The Volcanoes of Costa Rica

Page 48

Arenal

Kicking off with the single-most popular tourist destination in the country is the Arenal Volcano. Standing at 5437 feet, the volcano sits upon the shores of the aptly named Lake Arenal - one of only a very few lake actually located in the country and certainly the largest and most accessible. On average over the past 50+ years this volcano has been

the most active except for in 2010 when she entered a moment of rest with almost no activity. Arenal is what is known as a stratovolcano - a tall symmetrical volcano that is built upon successive layers of rock, ash and lava. The largest eruption to date for Arenal occurred in 1968 burying over 15 square kilometers of area surrounding it, with ash and rock. Although tourists should expect to see lava flow at Arenal (or any other volcano here) there remains a plethora of things to do around the region. The area is famous for hiking, whitewater rafting, ziplining and most of all…hot springs.


Page 49

Poås Volcano

As one of Costa Rica’s largest volcanoes, Poas rises some 8885 feet. The crater stretches 1.6 kms in diameter which is roughly a mile making it one of the largest craters in the world. The best time to visit the volcano is early in the morning to avoid the crowds and also increase your chances of seeing the views clearly. If you’re lucky you might even see a gurgling

steaming crater that sometimes can discharge gysers up over 800’ in the air. If the day is clear enough one can see both the Atlantic (Caribbean) side of Costa Rica and the Pacific side. Because of it being situated in the highlands of the country, prepare yourself accordingly with respect to clothing as it can get surprisingly cold up there. There are a few activities you can take in while visiting the area including traditional cuisine cooked over open fires, hiking, horseback riding and more.


Page 49

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano

This giant is located in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. The volcano is what is called a cinder cone volcano with 9 contiguous craters that dot the Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

Of the 9 craters, the one currently considered live and with frequent activity is Von Seebach . The t a l l e s t o f t h e p e a k s i n t h e range is Santa Maria at 6385’ above sea level. Now this volcano

is considered a bit more for the experienced hiker as the hike to the top is 6 miles or 10 kilometers that ascends over 5000 vertical feet. Therefore this hike to the top is not recommended for the average tourist. Here you will find the usual hiking trails, horseback riding, ziplining and again…hot springs. A must see attraction here is the Blue River or Rio Celeste that flows with an incredibly blue hue to the water that amazes tourists by the thousands each year.


Page 49

Irazu Volcano

The tallest of all volcanoes in the country is Irazu. Standing at 11,260 feet, this massive volcano has several active craters to its credit. The largest crater is 9 0 0 ’ d e e p w h i l e t h e shallowest dips 300’ below the surface and is called Diego de la Haya. Most impressive is the ever changing crater lake of I r a z u . C a p a b l e o f

transforming colors from emerald green to crimson red, this makes this volcano popular amongst both tourists and locals alike. Particularly because of it’s vicinity from the Central Valley and San Jose. Here you will find the usual hiking trails, horseback riding, ziplining and again…hot springs. A must see attraction here is the Blue River or Rio Celeste that flows with an incredibly blue hue to the water that amazes tourists by the thousands each year.


Turrialba Volcano

Over the past year or so, Turrialba volcano has become the center of attention while Arenal lies sleeping. There has been a number of large ash eruptions here that have gained much media attention as volcanologists anticipate a possible full-blown eruption soon of Turrialba. Sitting at 10,919 feet or 3328 meters, the Turrialba volcano is situated at the southeast corner of the Central Volcanic Corridor in the Central Highlands of the country. There are three well defined craters with the tallest — 50m or 164 diameter — being the most active. Through 2015 this volcano saw the most activity of any of them in the country and is expected to continue through 2016. The usual activities can be found nearby including zip lining, hiking and horseback riding.


Costa Rica is an angler’s dream come true. The country’s Pacific ports and beach resorts provide access to some the best deep sea fishing in the world, while the canals and rivers of the northern Atlantic coast feature world-class snook and tarpon fishing.

The Pacific provides Costa Rica’s most consistently exciting fishing, with sailfish, marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, mackerel, mahi mahi and snapper being caught regularly. It is the abundance of billfish that has made that area famous, with sailfish and marlin strikes being recorded in phenomenal numbers. It’s common to release a dozen or more sailfish and even a marlin or two in a single day.

Today catch and release is standard practice for those hooking the massive billfish, but catching a Red Snapper, Mahi Mahi, or Mackerel for dinner is perfectly acceptable. The Gulfo Dulce is a center of fishing on the southern coast and a major claim to fame is the incredible calmness of the offshore waters.

World-Class Blue Water Big Game Fishing in Costa Rica

Like Hawaii, the winds are easterly, opposite from the prevailing weather on the U.S. West Coast. An 11,000-foot mountain range hugs the coast and shelters the ocean from the wind. With little to no wind to create stomach-churning seas, sport fishing is absolute pura vida (pure life), as they say in Costa Rica. Billfish are the target of most visiting anglers, and they are seldom disappointed from around December through April.

From most areas, it’s no more than 12 to 20 miles run to the blue water where mos t o f the b i l l f i sh ac t ion i s encountered. Charter boats are usually readily available and most captains are willing to negotiate the rates for half-day and full day charters. Some boats out of Golfito offer multi-day trips to Drake Bay and the Caño

Island area, overnighting at one of the several lodges centered around Drake Bay. This region is best known for its wahoo, big cubera and roosterfish, but there are also tuna, dorado, sails and some marlin. Regions throughout the Southern Pacific are also famous for their blue water fishing tours with even some Guinness World Records being set here.

World-Class Blue Water Big Game Fishing in Costa Rica

There are many reasons people move to Costa Rica: low cost of living, high-quality health care; the warm weather year-round; the friendly people; the established expat communities…the list goes on. But in my case there were certain factors that attracted me to Costa Rica many years ago as a tourist and convinced me to eventually make the move down. The first is the… Natural Beauty Costa Rica is easy on the eyes. From lush rain forests to white-sand beaches to looming volcanoes to deep green tree-covered mountains set against a bright blue sky…it’s hard not to constantly just stop and take it all in, even in the places you live. My camera memory cards—always full of shots of the views around my home in the Central Valley and from my travels around the country—are proof of that. And though this is a developing country with a growing population and economy, the Costa Rican government, as well as private citizens and foreign residents, have taken a strong stance on conservation of natural areas. About a quarter of the land has been set aside as national park, wildlife refuge, or private protected area. This is territory that will never be developed but people are encouraged to visit to learn about the unique environments. What’s really cool is that there is such variety of landscapes and because Costa Rica is a small country, they’re fairly close together. Get tired of the mountains of the Central Valley, for example, and you could head south for less than two hours and hit the rain forests of the Central Pacific. Go a few hours west and you’ll be on the shore of Lake Arenal, at the foot of the cone volcano of the same name. Of course, a big part of Costa Rica’s natural beauty are the 763 miles of coastline on the Pacific and Caribbean sides. And that brings me to…

Five Reasons Why You’ll Love Costa Rica by Jason Holland @ International Living Original article: http://internationalliving.com/2014/03/five-reasons-why-youll-love-costa-rica/

http://internationalliving.com/2014/03/five-reasons-why-youll-love-costa-rica/


Awesome Beaches As someone who has always lived close to the ocean, I truly appreciate what Costa Rica has to offer in this department. And there’s something for everybody, whether you like bustling beach resorts, deserted beaches fringed with palm trees, protected coves perfect for swimming, or crashing waves begging to be surfed. One of my favorite parts of visiting the beaches of Costa Rica (at least on the Pacific side) is the sunset. There’s just something soothing about watching the sun dip below the waterline and then waiting for the stars to come out after. Sometimes celebrated in a group with friends—toes in the sand, sunset cocktail in hand; other times in remote areas with no noise but the crashing waves and no company except the monkeys scampering in the trees lining the shore. Speaking of monkeys… Flora and Fauna Costa Rica is a small country, about the size of West Virginia, but it’s incredibly bio-diverse. With just 0.3% of the world’s landmass, it has an estimated 5% of the species on the planet—about 500,000 in all. And that means an incredible variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and, yes, insects. Plus, in this tropical climate all sorts of plants thrive as well, including 1,400 species of orchids.




One of my favorite things to do in Costa Rica is explore wherever I happen to be, camera and binoculars at the ready. I’ve spotted sloths (two-toed and three-toed), monkeys (howler, capuchin,

and squirrel), parrots of several species, scarlet macaws, a dozen species of hummingbirds, coatimundis, sea turtles, basilisk lizards (they can run on water)…I could go on. A great place to see a huge variety of wildlife is the Monteverde cloud forest, high in the Tilaran mountains. See here for a video. Of course, you don’t have to be in remote areas or in a national park to see wildlife. In Costa Rica it’s all around you. In Tamarindo, we used to see howler monkeys on the way to drop my son off at school. When we rented a

home in the Southern Zone, toucans would swoop through the backyard every morning. And I once had to shoo a boa constrictor off the road on the way to my house (I didn’t want it to get run over, of course). Unlike when I lived in the U.S., I feel like I have time for all this wildlife watching because in Costa Rica I enjoy a… Slower Pace of Life There’s a saying in Costa Rica—I guess you could say it’s the unofficial motto for the country: Pura Vida. It translates literally to “pure life.” But really it’s a whole life philosophy. Time with family and friends—and enjoying yourself—takes precedence. People have patience. They’re not in a rush. They try to keep the stress levels down. All that translates into a simpler life at a slower pace. Coming from the hectic lifestyle of North America, it’s quite a change. But most expats adapt soon enough and learn to be tranquilo (relaxed).




This new type of life does have its drawbacks. Host a gathering, and it’s not unusual for guests to arrive hours late. Or a repairman might do the same. But the benefits outweigh the hassles. That brings us to the final reason I love Costa Rica… A Low Cost of Living It’s not possible to live like a king on a pauper’s budget in Costa Rica. But it is possible to enjoy a very comfortable life for a lot less money than you would in North America. I’ve met many couples who live well on $2,000 or less per month, including housing, medical, and transportation costs. The trick to staying within a tight budget is to live and shop like a local. The weekly feria, or farmers’ market, is the place to go for fresh produce, as well as chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, coffee, and much more—all at bargain prices. Try a pound of fresh-caught snapper for $6. A pineapple for $1. Four avocados for $2. Stick to the “whole” foods in the feria, avoiding the expensive imported items and processed foods at the grocery store, and you’ll not only save money, but get healthier too. You can get a glimpse of the feria in the Central Valley town of Grecia here. Dining out can be affordable, too, if you stick to the sodas in your town, which serve typical Costa Rican fare for $4 to $5 a plate. The casado is the national dish: white rice, black beans, salad, casserole, plantains, and your choice of fish, beef, chicken, or pork. A filling meal, and the price is right. But the big savings is in housing. Rents for a nice two-bedroom furnished rental with mountain views in the Central Valley start at $400 per month. And you can get an ocean-view home overlooking the Pacific for under $200,000. Comparable homes in the U.S. would be triple those costs…if not more. That’s been one of the major perks for me—living in a great home, in a great location, with a great views for a fraction of what I paid for worse houses in worse locations back home.




Shipping your household belongings to your new home in Costa Rica can be a bit of a gamble. There many “without-a-hitch” accounts as well as many reported horrible experiences. Regulation, policy and processes have been streamlined greatly in recent years, but it is good to consider all the pros and cons regarding shipping in your relocation. First off, consider buying new furniture in Costa Rica and only bring those thing that hold special value to you. Think hard about whether you want to ship your car or buy another one in Costa Rica. Vehicles in Costa Rica are expensive but taxes on bringing your vehicle here is also very expensive. Shipping your household belongings from North America to Costa Rica with freight and custom taxes could easily run from $5,000 USD to $10,000 USD. Costa Rica has many furniture manufacturers, and you can buy customized furniture directly from them, so it is well worth it to consider buying here rather than shipping. If you are shipping, it is important to have an experienced company in Costa Rica who understands and has a track record on handling the customs paperwork, getting shipments through Costa Rican customs in a timely fashion and keeping import taxes as low as possible. A door to door service with one company is preferred if possible. Generally you will need a company in the States and one here to facilitate the entire move.

Moving to Costa Rica

Your mover in your home country and your mover in Costa Rica will coordinate with a packing list of cargo. Make sure the itemized list is perfect, so you will not have any trouble when your container gets to customs in Costa Rica. The movers will be able track shipping, and tell you where on

the trip your container is at any given moment and when it will arrive in Costa Rica. You have options for a D-container of 58" x 41" x 45", a 20 foot container or a 40 foot container, depending on how much volume you are shipping to Costa Rica. Costa Rica customs calculate your taxes based on the Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) value. You can lower your taxes by valuing items lower which has risk, but the choice is yours. Insurance is generally recommended as a number of issues have been reported by expats from heat damage during customs storage to poorly packed container with movement damage to water damage. When your container arrives in Costa Rica, it will be stored at a warehouse in the port of arrival. Then, it will be moved to customs warehouse in San Jose, where customs will check your container against the shipping bill of lading. Make sure your packing list and the bill of lading match to avoid problems such as delays in valuations and the withholding of unlisted items. For example, to avoid confusion with inspectors, a three piece wardrobe unit should be listed and valued as three separate pieces not one piece. All things considered, if you are going to ship it will cost you money and time and potentially a great deal of frustration. Carefully consider whether you need to bring your belonging other than personal items when moving abroad. To ship or not ship is the question, consider your options carefully.

Moving to Costa Rica

The Costa Rica health care system is well recognized internationally and its quality and affordability are second to none. Though health care in Costa Rica it is widely discussed among interested

foreigners, the extent to what makes it so great is relatively unknown; from high quality, broad coverage in the public and private sectors, to the prestigious training of medical staffs, Costa Rica truly has an amazing health care system. Costa Rica’s public health care is recognized as being of the best 20 systems in the world. There are 29 public hospitals and

hundreds of clinics scattered around the country. In addition, in locations with out hospitals there are local, top notch doctors.

Healthcare in Costa Rica

The government run Social Security System (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social – CCSS) sponsors the hospitals and is largely responsible for providing affordable, quality health care to the people. In 2010, a new immigration law implemented mandatory monthly payments to the CCSS by all expatriates. The monthly fees are $55 a month for anyone under 55 and $37 a month for anyone older than 55. In addition, the CCSS covers insured tourists in coordination with their providers in their home countries. Costs on procedures can be 30-70% cheaper that US or European standards depending on a number of factors. Due to the prominence of the Costa Rica health care system and the country’s accessibility, it has become a celebrated destination for medical tourism, particularly for elective surgeries. Any plastic or dental surgery can be completed at US standards, but up to 65% cheaper! All medical tourism is completed through private health care. Even if the surgery is not elective, the private sector provides state-of-the-art facilities and doctors for patients in need. Again, the primary reasons for coming are cost and reliability. Other places in Central and South America not have the proper care available to people in dire need of treatment, which adds to the list of reasons Costa Rica is a medical haven.


The three main private hospitals in the Costa Rica health care system are CIMA, Clinica Biblica, and Clinica Catolica. CIMA has a hospital in San Jose and a brand new one in Liberia; they specialize in just about every medical category. Clinica Biblica is situated within metropolitan San Jose; it is prominent in many forms of major surgery, including heart and cancer care. Clinica Catolica is locate in surrounding suburb of San Jose called Guadalupe; it has a great ER and specializes in many zones of medicine, including: audiology, respiratory, nutrition, and mental, to name a few. Access to private health

care comes through the government’s provided insurance company, INS. Depending on a multitude of factors, it costs roughly $60-$130 monthly. Pharmacies are all over the country and provide easy access to medication, much of which can be obtained over the counter. Migraine medication, birth control pills, and many other remedies are available at any pharmacy without a prescription. Some stronger painkillers, such as low dosages of codeine, are available over the counter as well. Since there is often someone capable of writing prescriptions at a pharmacy, additional medications can be much more accessible than in other places. Many pharmacies are provided through the public Costa Rica health care system. Then of course you have the incredible recovery in paradise to look forward to - imagine relaxing in a volcanic natural hot spring while you re-energize before heading back home.


As many expatriates will indicate, the cost of living in Costa Rica is on average 50 to 70% less expensive than that of the United States. Because of this, living in Costa Rica gives one the freedom to spend as much or as little as they choose. While the vast majority of products and services are relatively inexpensive, North American style luxuries can add up if spending is done arbitrarily.

But despite that, maintaining a lifestyle in Costa Rica is by and large less expensive than that of a similar lifestyle in the United States, Canada or even Europe.

For expatriates interested in simple living, a budget of $1,200 to $1,500 a month is adequate. Living on a budget in this price range enables one to utilize the local bus system for transportation, with an occasional taxi ride when needed. Big trips to the farmer’s market are included, as is enjoying a few restaurant meals each month, with most meals eaten at home.

How Affordable is Costa Rica? The “real cost of living” in the land of Pura Vida!

Food costs in Costa Rica primarily depend on personal preferences. At a moderately-priced sit-down restaurant, a salad, main course and glass of wine can cost $20 to 25 USD per person. At a soda, the Costa Rican version of the neighborhood mom-and-pop eatery - a full meal plus natural fruit drink can run between $5 and $8. For those who enjoy cooking at home, prices for goods can run the price gamut, depending whether or not the consumer chooses imported or local goods. For example, a trip to the local outdoor farmer’s market, or Feria as they call them in Costa Rica, is not

only the most cost effective way to buy food in the country as it can cost anywhere from $20 to $40, providing a family of four with the fruits, vegetables, meats and fish necessary for a week’s worth of meals, but it is a great place to network and socialize with other expats to tend to shop there. On the other hand, purchasing expensive meats, imported wines

and other premium goods at Automercado, a grocery chain that specializes in high-end and imported goods, $200 a week for that same family would not be unheard of.

As a general rule, services and labor are inexpensive, but some goods are more expensive than in the U.S. For example, while a housekeeper may charge $2 to $3 an hour for his or her services, a new car can cost considerable more than in the U.S., with used cars available for only slightly more than their North American counterparts. Gasoline and diesel fuel are somewhat expensive in Costa Rica too, usually costing $2 to $3 more per gallon than in the U.S.


But the extra money spent on transportation is easily recouped in entertainment costs - trips to museums, outdoor concerts and street fairs generally run less than $6 per person. Most concerts and traveling shows cost the same as in other countries. For outdoor entertainment, Costa Rica’s extensive park system, wildlife adventures and gardens will satisfy any nature enthusiast.

Medical care in Costa Rica is of high quality, and very inexpensive. Currently, residents have three options: private insurance, subscription to the CCSS (Costa Rican Social Security, locals refer to it as the Caja) or a combination of the two. Through INS (the National Insurance Institute), private medical insurance costs about $50 to $100 month per person. Through the Caja’s public service, insurance for a family (two adults and their under-18 dependents) will cost $30-$50 month. Please note that for those under age 55, Caja payments include a mandatory pension payment, which will be paid out beginning at age 65.

Retirees can live comfortably on only Social Security, or lavishly, with a bit more money. U.S. retirees living overseas also have the option of having their Social Security pension deposited directly into a foreign bank, which may give a more favorable currency exchange rate.

In addition, retirees living in Costa Rica are eligible for pensioner residency status which enables them to bring personal effects, household items and a vehicle into the country without the typical government taxation. A luxury such as housekeeper is plentiful and inexpensive: about $170 per month for a full-time staff person.


United States versus Costa Rica Side-by-Side Comparison


www.costaricavacations.com

http://www.costaricavacations.com

http://www.costaricavacations.com

Not too bad. That’s the best I can say about our spending in December. I would have been surprised if we came in under $2,000 so ending up at $2,181.76 wasn’t unexpected. After all, December is the month of “Christmas and the car.” The car: First, let’s talk about the car. December is the month in Costa Rica when the Marchamo (mandatory vehicle registration) is due. The Marchamo is a combination of yearly registration, taxes, and mandatory basic liability insurance. For our 1996 Toyota 4-Runner, our cost was $207.48 (109,134 colones). You can see from the graphic below, that our cost has gone up every year (though not dramatically), even though our car keeps getting older.

2016 Annual Cost of Living Report by Paul & Gloria Yeatman

The deadline to pay was Dec. 31. As of January 1st, if one is caught driving without a valid 2016 permit on your windshield, the fine is about $90 (?49.000), plus the possible confiscation of your license plates. As of December 26th, Marchamo had been paid on only about half of the cars registered. After December 31st, payments will will accrue both interest and late payment penalties.

The annual permit also includes a small amount of liability insurance. To find our how much, click here to read our article on this topic. Other than the normal gasoline, tolls, and parking costs, we had one other car-related expense in December. Paul had our mechanic replace a spark plug and brake fluid which cost us a total of $18.90.


Christmas: Christmas means gift-giving and it’s the same in Costa Rica. For us, though, our pattern of giving has changed completely in several ways. First, Paul and I do not exchange gifts like we did when living in the U.S. A big reason is that we just don’t want stuff. There are no big thick Sunday newspapers with sales circulars tempting us, no television commercials since we primarily watch Netflix. And the little bit of U.S. television we watch on USTVNow features commercials for things we can’t buy anywhere locally in Costa Rica. More importantly, ever since we downsized to move here, we are enjoying living without owning a lot of stuff. And when we begin to accumulate extra things, we think about who we know who might make use of them.

The second reason our giving patterns have changed is that Costa Rica is not a tipping culture. That means that, during the year, we don’t tip our hair stylist, nor the waiters in most restaurants, nor most taxi drivers. But for Christmas, we make a point of giving a little something extra to the people who help make our experience here so special. We tip the women who do my hair and pedicures and Paul’s hair-cutter. We give extra tips to the guys who help us find parking spaces and watch our car while we’re gone. We buy small gifts or give plates of homemade cookies to some of our Tico friends.


Our housekeeper gets both a gift and her Aguinaldo (Christmas bonus). Basically, the aguinaldo is an additional month of wages that employers are required by law to pay between December 1st and the 20th. The amount due is calculated by adding the total wages for the year (December 1st of the previous year through November 30th of the current year) and then dividing by 12. Our housekeeper’s Aguinaldo came to just under $60 and she has been working for us for about two year now, four hours per week. We also gave her a raise on the first of the year, just as we did last year. Our total cost for housekeeping (included in the Rent/Phone/Utilities category) for the month was $110.16, which includes her Aguinaldo and payment for cleaning four times.

Groceries: A Whopping $546.62: Wow! Our grocery bill, at $546.62, was much higher than normal in December. Of that total, food items totaled $499.60 and non-food items totaled $47.02 (8.6%). Last year in December, we only spent $359.59. In looking over our spending in this category, I saw that we did not have a visit to PriceSmart to blame. We just made lots of purchases, right here in San Ramón. I’m not even sure exactly how we spent so much on groceries, but I have some ideas. For me, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without holiday

baking. Last year, I made lots of pumpkin bread (an unusual delicacy here) to give to friends and neighbors. This year, instead, I ended up doing more work by baking lots of Christmas cookies, for us and to give as gifts.


When we were back in Baltimore and my mother was alive, I would get together at our house with her, my sister, and my niece to bake traditional Italian cookies. I have continued the tradition every year, though without my family, though some of the types of cookies have changed because of the unavailability of ingredients. Holiday baking definitely adds to one’s grocery budget. Nuts, cocoa, dried fruits, extra flours, sugars, and eggs can get to be expensive, as every home baker knows. Another reason our food budget was higher than normal is that a new grocery store opened in December (at least, that’s my excuse). Walmart-owned Mas x Menos opened its doors with some great sales and we took advantage of many of them — my favorite brand of coffee (buy 2 and get 1 free) and about half-price off on paper towels and toilet paper. Plus, I was able to find some products at Mas x Menos that I haven’t been able to find at other local stores.

And the final reason for an expensive December in our grocery category is that we celebrated Christmas with dinner at our house for 8 people. I cooked an Italian-themed dinner and we celebrated with friends who each brought something to contribute to the meal. Christmas2015-2It was a wonderful time and we had lots of great conversation. Before we knew it, it was 10:30 pm and everyone headed home. And it was worth every penny.


There wasn’t anything else of note in terms of our spending in December. I’ll be working on our 2015 cost of living summary soon and it will be interesting to compare it to prior years. In the meantime, here’s hoping for a less expensive January! As usual, to help put things into perspective, here are our expenses for the previous two months. If you want more information about a particular month, just click on the graphic for that month below:

*this incredibly

informative article was written by Paul & Gloria Yeatman and used with permission from the original authors. www.retireforlessincostarica.com


http://www.retireforlessincostarica.com

http://www.retireforlessincostarica.com

Costa Rica retirement has received international recognition, and rightly so! The country is absolutely beautiful and offers diverse regions, modern infrastructure, a lower cost of living, accessibility, and a great relationship with the AARP. In the September/October 2010 issue of AARP the magazine, Atenas – a town in Costa Rica’s Central Valley – was named one of the top 10 places in the world to retire abroad[1]; not only did the AARP acknowledge that the qualities mentioned about Atenas can be applied to countless areas in the Central Valley, but that the Gold Coast on the Pacific Coast was comparable, though different. Most retirees opt for the Central Valley. Suburbs and towns in the area are placed in and around extraordinary wildlife, experience consistently beautiful, mild weather (roughly 75 degrees Fahrenheit year round), and in close proximity to modern infrastructure. San Jose and surrounding towns have state-of-the-art hospitals and medical care, great restaurants, and commercial centers for shopping. Additionally, there are communities scattered around the region geared towards Costa Rica retirement, which are filled with like-minded expatriates! Expatriates in Costa Rica are similar in that they came to this southern paradise for a simpler, more relaxed life and a greater connection to the natural environment, among many other things.

Retiring in Costa Rica

1. Cost of living. Pension dollars will go a long way here, compared to most places. The cost of goods and services is among the lowest in the world. A couple can live very well on $1,200 per month, and luxuriously for $2,000. 2. A relaxed way of life. Forget about the rat race. This is a tropical culture that does not feel the need to rush. Isn’t that what enjoying retirement is all about? 3. No complicated immigration laws. Moving to some countries can prove to be an administrative nightmare for some retirees. Not so, in Costa Rica. 4. Real estate and housing costs. The timing for purchasing property in Costa Rica is now! Prices have started to go up as a result of the increased popularity of the country, but it is still a bargain overall. 5. You’ll feel at home. There are more Americans living in Costa Rica per capita than in any other country outside the US, and this has created a very Americanized environment.

Top 5 Reasons To Retire in Costa Rica

Many retirees find solace in the government here, as well. Costa Rica is a stable democratic republic with no standing army; however, there are enough internal forces to address any issues within the country. Overall, Costa Rica is protected by the US. The northern Pacific coast is another extremely popular region for Costa Rica retirement. It is a

haven for tourism, as well. The Guanacasate province has a number of great towns immersed in the region’s long, sunny summers and growing infrastructure; which includes a brand new Hospital and the country’s second largest international airport in the province’s capital Liberia. Depending on the desires of anyone looking to settle down in Costa Rica, the right home

(whether it be a condo, house, or townhouse) can be found in the proper area and at the right price. Amazing homes, like this one, are occasionally available at fire sale prices.

Retiring in Costa Rica

welcome to costa rica, the happiest place on earth! rica is a beautiful place with many breathtaking...

Documents