Costa Rica has many attributes as an overseas retirement destination, some of the best year round climates, cool, warm, and hot micro climates to choose from. a short flying distance from the United States, a safe country with a stable democratic government, a country with a lower cost of living than the United States with low taxes, and many of its citizens speak some English since it is taught in school. Costa Rica like many other places is changing, you are now required as a resident to participate in their national insurance program CAJA, whether you are insured or not, which is approximately $60 per month and includes doctors visits and prescriptions. They now have instituted a law with a much higher tax on residential property above approximately $175,000, and it seems that the government seeks out laws which punish expatriates unduly.

Costa Rica living is relaxed because the people are not in a hurry. By and large, many of the people are very poor but you find them happy. The children are marvelous to watch, they appear to have no worries in the world. They are a very social people and family is the most important thing to them. There are so many things to do and see in Costa Rica that it would take literally years to cover everything. From the beautiful beach areas on both sides of the country, the Pacific and Caribbean, to the luxurious rainforests with their bird and animal life of monkeys, toucans, macaws, hummingbirds, butterflies, and numerous other species. The volcanos of which several are active, the sugarcane, coffee, pineapple, palms, and rice fields, the beautiful ocean, mountain, and valley views in perfect weather, and the ocean life of whales, porpoises, dolphins, fishing, surfing, and windsurfing is some of the best in the world.