What do I need to know before retiring in Costa Rica?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Costa Rica, they said...
"The Costa Rican people in Atenas are kind and welcoming. There is an international group of expats, from Europe, the US, Canada, as well as from various Spanish speaking countries. I appreciate the diversity. During the dry season, the sun is strong. I am outside in the early morning and late afternoon, and inside from 10:00am-2:00pm. I choose to be car free. I am easily able to walk to shops, dentist, and other services. Atenas has a rural feel as is it a coffee growing region of Costa Rica, as well as a region for fruit and vegetables. There is a small town “vibe” with focus on church and local school activities. The pace is slow. These are some of my personal reflections," said a member in Atenas, Costa Rica.
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RelocateNow Costa Rica's clients who run through the RelocateNow Program get quick results in formulating and successfully executing our laid out plan for moving to Costa Rica! Expert consulting for future expats in Costa Rica who wish to fast track the process of their move by receiving the specialized information they need, trustworthy connections within the country, and high level 1:1 support through the entire process.
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RelocateNow Costa Rica's clients who run through the RelocateNow Program get quick results in formulating and successfully executing our laid out plan for moving to Costa Rica! Expert consulting for future expats in Costa Rica who wish to fast track the process of their move by receiving the specialized information they need, trustworthy connections within the country, and high level 1:1 support through the entire process.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
"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," remarked another expat who made the move to San Jose, Costa Rica.
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Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Costa Rica?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Costa Rica?
- Will I be able to find a job in Costa Rica?
- What is life like in Costa Rica?
- What do expats in Costa Rica appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Costa Rica?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Costa Rica accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Costa Rica like?
- What are healthcare services like in Costa Rica?
- What are medical services in Costa Rica like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Costa Rica?
- What are emergency services like in Costa Rica?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Costa Rica?
- How are local medical facilities in Costa Rica?
- As a foreigner living in Costa Rica, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
What do I need to know before retiring in Costa Rica?
If you live in Costa Rica, newcomers to Costa Rica would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.