Retire in Costa Rica

"Retirement in Costa Rica and its surroundings is often seen as an ideal choice for many considering relocating from North America. There is a well-established expat community and excellent infrastructure to accommodate retirees. There are many cultural attractions, including colonial-Spanish architecture, a vibrant art scene, and historic sites peppered across the country. For recreation, outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, rafting and bird-watching are abundant; and nightlife can be found in major cities such as San Jose. Retirees also enjoy access to great healthcare, an affordable cost of living, and warm and friendly people. In other words, Costa Rica is a great country for retirees looking to live an active and fulfilling life," said a person in Costa Rica.

"I am retired and live across the estuary from Tamarindo. While I find Tamarindo too touristy for full-time living, I prefer the quieter beach communities nearby, such as Playa Grande, Playa Brasalito, and Playa Avellanas. I have settled in Playa Grande, enjoying its tranquility and natural beauty. Although I visit Tamarindo almost weekly to take advantage of its amenities and activities, I love returning to the peacefulness of my smaller, quieter community away from the hustle and bustle," remarked one retiree in Tamarindo.

"Make sure you have a plan. Research everything. Don't come with vices like drugs, heavy drinking. And make sure you keep busy. Hobbies, events, etc. I don't sit around," explained a retiree in San Jose.

"If you don't have an external focus and are happy to embrace the natural bent to living here and connection to your true self - retirement is great. I've been here for the better part of eight years. It took me a number of years to let go of many things that I had identified with - like the work I had done for many, many years. Like my beautiful house in New England and my car and my ........ My, my, my, There's a lot of allowance and acceptance of what is that I had to evolve through. Once that passed, I became much more at ease here. Lifestyle is now what I make of it. Now that "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul" has become a reality, retirement for the moment and that's all I have, is great here," explained one retiree living in Costa Rica.

"My wife and I retired to Costa Rica in 2013. Something we did that we felt helped was to prepare some "lists" before our scouting trips to CR: The first list was of things that we considered "essential" for where we planned to live (including housing, nearby conveniences, such as stores and restaurants, proximity to the beach and to an airport, etc.) The second list included items that would be nice to have but would not be essential; and the third list was of things we would like to avoid. It helped us to agree on what we wanted and helped us narrow down areas to look in," said one member in Tamarindo.

"One of the most challenging aspects of retiring in Costa Rica is adapting to the lifestyle, culture, and language. Learning Spanish can be difficult, and there may be a period of acclimation and adjustment to the country's slower pace of life. The cost of living can also be relatively high compared to other Central American countries and wages may be lower, meaning that retirement savings may need to be managed carefully. Additionally, Costa Ricans are proud of their culture and customs and there may be a social expectation that expats adopt part of the culture in order to feel accepted," said a person in Costa Rica.

"Finding a place to live. Since Costa Rica does not have addresses, it was difficult finding my way around at first and trying to find an apartment based on an ad that said "200 metros detras del Pali."," remarked one retiree in San Jose.

"Making new friends in Costa Rica. Not expats so much, but Ticos. I also enjoy traveling around the country on the buses which are safe and comfortable. I have my own routine. I walk a lot, eat healthier food," explained a retiree in San Jose.

"The best part is the Ticos as neighbors and friends. Also the weather where I live no need for air conditioning or heat. Living a more simple life which involves a simple lifestyle where I have favorite taxi drivers in lieu of owning a vehicle which can be frustrating and expensive. I also am not a drinker and rarely eat out much by choice. Am able to have all I need, give generously and have left over. Would never be able to do this in the US on my pension," explained one retiree living in Costa Rica.

"Costa Rica provides comprehensive and affordable healthcare services to its citizens and expatriates. The country has an extensive network of public and private healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics, offering a wide range of medical services. Costa Rica makes a special effort to ensure that free or low-cost services are available to those who cannot afford private healthcare. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers in Costa Rica are highly trained and knowledgeable. The country also has modern medical equipment and facilities, as well as efficient emergency services. Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world to offer universal healthcare coverage to all citizens, and its healthcare system continues to improve over time," commented one retiree living in Costa Rica.

"My insurance provides coverage at Hospital Biblical, a private hospital with an excellent reputation. It is not close: two buses and a short walk. Or a 6,000 colon cab ride ($11.50). Minor things like colds, infections, etc I go to the pharmacy," explained one retiree living in San Jose.

"Expats can join clubs and activities such as language clubs, tennis clubs, and book clubs that focus on topics related to Costa Rica. Expats can also seek out cultural events geared towards local and foreign populations, such as open-air concerts, dance performances, and art exhibitions. Expats may also find groups that share hobbies such as surfing, SUP, or yoga. Other popular ways for expats to meet people in Costa Rica are at local festivals, farmer’s markets, English-speaking churches, volunteer organizations, and coworking spaces. Additionally, many expats find work in tourist-facing businesses such as restaurants and hotels, which allows them to socialize with other locals and visitors alike," said one retiree in Costa Rica.

"Welcome to San Ramon! Yes, lots of organized and also informal gatherings for philanthropy and recreational activities. Start by googling Community Action Alliance and check out their recent archived newsletters. Also look for Gringo Central which provides info on Central Valley groups and other useful info. And, every Thursday an expat group meets for breakfast at a local restaurant near the downtown park, come and go as you please. The Community Action Alliance has details on where. Finally, a few kilometers west of downtown past Magallanes, there’s a growing expat neighborhood with a very nice recreational center used by many expats, called El Palme (I think it’s called that, anyway). Can be found via Google," commented one retiree living in San Ramon, Costa Rica.

"Life for expats and digital nomads in Costa Rica has a lot of appeal. There is a vibrant culture and a welcoming attitude towards newcomers, making for a supportive and engaging atmosphere. Nature spots are abundant, and the vibrant and diverse landscape provides many opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. Costa Rica's transportation infrastructure is relatively good for a Latin American country, making it easy to travel within and around the country. The cost of living is generally lower than in most first-world countries and there are a variety of international restaurants and grocery stores. A combination of low taxes and tax incentives makes Costa Rica an attractive place to live and work. The combination of warm weather and modern amenities make it a great place to call home for digital nomads and expats alike," commented one retiree living in Costa Rica.

"Come and see for yourself before you make a commitment to moving here. There is a lot of hype about Costa Rica being a paradise, a cheap place to live or retire, and a safe place because it eliminated its army in 1948. The reality is that San Jose has a high crime rate, the iron grates on all of the houses and businesses can be off-putting - as can the security guards with loaded riffles - and it isn't a cheap place to live. Food, utilities and rent in certain areas of the city are quite high especially for a developing nation. Other issues in San Jose: air pollution from cars is pretty bad; noise pollution gets on your nerves after a while; it isn't safe to walk outside in the late evening or night; the streets, sidewalks and highways are in terrible shape; and government monopolies make it near impossible to get a cell phone and makes renting cars super-expensive because of the mandatory insurance. People must visit and spend a few weeks talking to people before deciding to move here," said one retiree in living in San Jose, Costa Rica.

"Be ready to live, love and relax. This is a beautiful country and we live in paradise," explained a retiree in Playa Hermosa de Jaco.

"Before retiring in Costa Rica, expats should make sure to research residency options, learn about the country's healthcare and education system, and familiarize themselves with Costa Rica's culture and customs. It is important to have a working knowledge of the Spanish language. Knowing the local laws and the best ways to finance and protect assets is also essential for a smooth transition into retirement. Expats should also investigate what kind of activities and attractions are available in the region where they plan to settle. It is also a good idea to look into visa restrictions, as some retirees may need to acquire special documentation to stay in the country. Additionally, expats should be aware of the cost of living in Costa Rica and how much they need to budget for their retirement," explained one retiree living in Costa Rica.

"hmmmmmm...take a vacation here first, spend a few months and get a feel for the scene here. Also, online research is an option too," said one member in Montezuma.

"Have lived in Grecia for 7-1/2 yrs. It is a small city and in my opinion the best unless you insist on beach area which is too hot for me. No a/c necessary where I live. Easy to get to know people if you are friendly. I can't walk down the street without people I know honking or waving. I live happily without a car which means not using all my pension on repairs and high gas," remarked one retiree in Costa Rica.

"Recreational activities include surfing on all levels from beginning to highly advanced. Playa Jaco has no shortage of surf schools due to the outstanding conditions in the area. Hiking is common in the area. Miro Mountain is one of the most popular hiking activities as the trail wanders through jungles with a great opportunity for wildlife spotting. The Miro Trail climbs to an elevation of 1,100 feet with spectacular vistas of the Pacific. Miro Mountain Trail is also popular with mountain bike enthusiasts. The area has many mountainous trails so ATV is very popular to reach the higher elevation views and local restaurants. Yoga is popular in the area with many studios and profesional instructors. Art classes are popular in a new facility in Jaco. Golfing at a top course in Playa Herradura is just ten minutes north of Playa Jaco. Playa Herradura Los Suenos Marina boasts one of the best in the area for excellent sport fishing known world wide. Bird watching and nature loves enjoy the Carara National Park just 20 minutes north of Jaco and the Manuel Antonio National Park just one hour south of Playa Jaco," remarked one retiree in Playa Jaco.

"Costa Ballena Women's club, a poker club, an airsoft group, a few local bands and music groups, surfing, etc," explained one member in Ojochal.

"I recommend joining Price Mart which is owned by Costco. Walmart has stores and owns two big chain stores there - Max X Menos and Maxi Pali. Auto Mercado is an upscale market chain which is also very good. Amazon barely works here and its Import duties and shipping cost are OUTRAGEOUS. ," said one retiree in living in Santa Ana, Costa Rica.

"We have a great supermarket in Ojochal, Jaucaloa. We also have a gourmet shop/liquor store (greenleaf), there's a farmers market weekly and a pretty large Mennonite community close by that sells locally produced dairy products and baked goods. There's also a local seafood purveyor as well as roadside fruit and vegetable stands," wrote one person in Ojochal.

"People living in Costa Rica typically buy groceries and do other shopping at local supermarkets, convenience stores, and farmers markets. Many people also shop at larger chain stores such as Walmart and PriceSmart. Additionally, there are many small, independent stores and markets throughout the country that offer a variety of goods," explained one retiree living in Costa Rica.