| Costa Rica has so many things going for it, that it's | | | | the luxuries and most imports are pricey, due to high |
| hard to describe them all in one short article. But | | | | import duties imposed by the government. |
| that's not going to stop me from trying. | | | | Stable Government |
| Activities | | | | The Costa Rican government is a stable democracy |
| You can do almost anything you want to do in Costa | | | | with a history of excellent social programs and a pro |
| Rica. The beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula in | | | | business and development policy. The country |
| Guanacaste Province in Northern Costa Rica are | | | | welcomes tourists and immigrants, both for the |
| world renown for surfing and scenery, and a great | | | | revenue they generate and the income that they |
| place to catch some rays. Nature lovers and | | | | produce for the Costa Rican Nationals. The |
| ecologists will love Costa Rica for its rain forests, | | | | Government has embarked on an ambitious |
| whale watching, sea turtle nesting beaches, and a host | | | | infrastructure program-building roads to remote areas, |
| of other natural wonders. Those with more urbane | | | | developing beachfront property, and promoting |
| tastes will be able to fill their days with shopping or | | | | eco-tourism to preserve the country's natural beauty. |
| museum going, and their nights visiting the arts or | | | | In the Gold Coast region of Guanacaste, developers |
| clubbing. | | | | are building world class hotels and resorts, increasing |
| Climate | | | | property values in the whole region, as tourists and |
| Costa Rica offers a wide range of climates, from | | | | immigrants are realizing the attraction of the area. |
| tropical rain forest to temperate valley to frigid | | | | Medical Care |
| mountain tops; you can have your choice. Most of | | | | Costa Rica has state of the art medical facilities in the |
| the population of Costa Rica lives in the central valley | | | | major cities and modern clinics in many of the rural |
| at elevations of 3000-5000 feet above sea level, | | | | areas. Citizens have their choice of private insurance |
| where the air is cooler and drier than the humid, tropical | | | | or participating in the National Healthcare System, both |
| beaches. The beauty of Costa Rica is that you can | | | | of which are much less that comparable coverage in |
| live in the climate of your choice, but be only a short | | | | the US. Liberia, in the Northern region of the country, |
| drive from a completely different climate. For example, | | | | has modern medical facilities which serve the residents |
| you can live in the cooler, drier hills of Guanacaste | | | | of Guanacaste Province. |
| Province and see the ocean and drive to the beach in | | | | Easy Access |
| no time. | | | | Costa Rica is in the same time zone as Chicago and |
| Cost of Living | | | | Dallas, so jet lag is not an issue for most Americans. |
| Many expatriates move to Costa Rica for the lower | | | | With daily flights from two international airports, most |
| cost of living. You can live very comfortably on | | | | cities in the US are less than a 6 hour flight away. |
| $1500 a month, much less if your needs are few. | | | | Phone service and internet access can keep you in |
| Housing, local food and services, and entertainment are | | | | touch with family and business associates, so you can |
| much lower in Costa Rica than most other developed | | | | talk to anyone at anytime. You may be living in an |
| countries. If you are on a fixed income or Social | | | | exotic tropical paradise, but it can feel like you're back |
| Security, you can live much better in Costa Rica than | | | | home (or can be, if you need to). |
| you could in the United States or Europe. Living on | | | | So, to sum up living in Costa Rica: Plenty to do, great |
| the Nicoya Peninsula you can have fresh produce | | | | climate, cheaper to live, friendly government, great |
| from the farmer's market for a fraction of what it | | | | medical care, and easy to reach. Sounds like a great |
| would cost you back home. You could go one step | | | | place to live. As the Costa Ricans say, "Pura Vida" |
| farther and buy your own farm and raise your own | | | | the 'pure life'. |
| food. While the necessities of life are inexpensive, | | | | |