The Top 8 Benefits of Retiring in Gorgeous Costa Rica

Many people consider moving to a new location to celebrate their post-retirement period. The best retirement locations are affordable and safe, with pleasant weather and friendly people. Costa Rica has all of these qualities and is a popular place for Americans to retire. Let’s explore the top eight benefits of retiring in this idyllic country.

How to Retire in Costa Rica

Perhaps the first benefit of retiring in Costa Rica is that it’s relatively easy to do. There are a few options to consider when applying for residency.

According to International Living, the most popular choice for retirees is to apply for Pensionado. With this method, retirees must prove a minimum income of at least $1,000 per month from a qualified pension, retirement account, or Social Security. 

The Rentista option involves obtaining a visa and showing an income of at least $2,500 per month for at least two years. Finally, retirees can also go the Inversionista, or investor visa route.

Using this method, retirees must invest a minimum of $150,000 into Costa Rica. Investments can be in the form of a home, a vacation property, a business, or a government-approved investment, such as reforestation projects.

1. Cost Rica Has Affordable Healthcare

Although the United States is a first-world country, it doesn’t have the best reputation in terms of healthcare. A 2021 article from The Washington Post ranked 11 high-income countries and determined the US to have the worst overall healthcare system of the group.

Costa Rica was not ranked on this list, but Americans may find healthcare in the country surprisingly affordable. As we’ve mentioned, retiring in Costa Rica takes some preparation.

Once your residency is approved you must register with the country’s public healthcare system, known as the Caja, writes International Living. Those registered pay a percentage of their monthly income as their contribution to the Caja.

After that, you’ll find that high-tech medical and dental advancements are available throughout the country, at much more affordable rates than in the United States. Even prescriptions tend to be cheaper than in the U.S.

2. Cost Rica Promotes Longevity

In the same vein as affordable healthcare, quality of life tends to be high in Costa Rica. With its lovely warm weather and gorgeous location, Costa Rica encourages outdoor activity and physical exercise. According to International Living, the United Nations ranks Costa Rica in the top 20 for world healthcare. 

Additionally, part of Costa Rica is also located within a “Blue Zone” — an area of the world where people are claimed to live longer than average. Those living in Nicoya, Costa Rica specifically are said to be more than twice as likely as Americans to reach 90 years of age, writes Houston Methodist.

Blue zone areas tend to promote specific healthy lifestyle habits, known as the Power 9. These habits include making movement a natural part of your day, prioritizing stress relief, and connecting with your community, to name a few.

Another principle is knowing your sense of purpose. Those in Nicoya seem to have wound this principle intricately into their life. There is even a phrase for it: “plan de vida” which translates to “why I wake up in the morning.”

3. Costa Rica Boasts Excellent Year-Round Weather

No one wants to settle down for retirement in a place with terrible weather. Luckily Costa Rica has some of the best year-round weather in the world. Costa Rica contains a rugged, rainforest terrain and tropical climates year-round.

Rather than the four seasons we’re used to in the United States, Costa Rica experiences a dry season (December to April) and a rainy season (May to November).

Costa Rica also has consistently warm weather. Temperatures average between 72 and 82 °F (22 and 28 °C) according to the Costa Rica Guide. The country offers sunny, clear skies, particularly during the dry season.

Though the rainy season might not sound ideal, it’s an especially beautiful time of year in Costa Rica. The country’s extensive rainforests burst into lush green color and its waterfalls gush with an abundance of water. Even during the rainy season, there are opportunities to enjoy the country’s beaches, as the mornings often start out sunny and dry.

4. The United States and Costa Rica Are Friendly and Easy to Travel Between

Relocating to a new country is a big deal, especially if you are leaving loved ones behind. Thankfully, Costa Rica isn’t too far from the United States and the two countries share a long and friendly relationship.

In fact, the US Department of State reports that the United States is Costa Rica’s largest trading partner. Flying to and from Costa Rica and the United States is relatively affordable, and flight times are typically only a few hours.

It’s also easy to keep in touch with loved ones back home, as Costa Rica has all the necessary infrastructure, such as high-speed internet, to allow expats to call, video chat, and text their loved ones.

5. Costa Rica Has a Lower Cost of Living than the US

The cost of living in Costa Rica is higher than in most Central American countries, but that doesn’t mean it’s not affordable. In fact, the cost of living in Costa Rica is still quite a bit lower than in first-world countries such as the United States and Canada.

Most retirees can enjoy a high standard of living in Costa Rica. International Living states that most ex-pats report living comfortably with a budget between $2,000 and $3,500 per month.

Additionally, there are ways to lower your cost of living in Costa Rica, such as living in more rural parts of the country, shopping at local ferias, or paying in cash or with a credit card that doesn’t charge international fees and offers cash back.

6. Costa Rica Is a Stable, Peaceful, and Safe Country

Retirees want to find a peaceful, stable, and safe place to live and Costa Rica definitely delivers. According to the Costa Rica Immigration Experts, this country has been a stable democracy for over 60 years. In fact, Costa Rica is considered one of the most stable countries in the Latin American region.

Costa Rica also has no army, and (like the United States) the government is democratic. No country is free from crime, but most outlets report that Costa Rica is generally pretty safe for travelers. The U.S. Department of State (.gov) writes that “petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists in Costa Rica.”

When compared with other countries, Costa Rica scores very well in terms of safety. One factor used to rank a country’s safety is the Global Peace Index (GPI).

This system ranks countries from the most peaceful to the most dangerous on a scale from 1-5. The lower the score, the more peaceful the country. According to Wisevoter, Costa Rica has a GPI of 1.73 and landed the #38 spot when compared to all other countries. For context, the United States fared far worse with a GPI of 2.44 and a ranking of #129.

7. Costa Rica Has a Large Expat Community

In general, the people of Costa Rica are described as easygoing, friendly, and welcoming toward outsiders. Perhaps that’s one reason there is such a large expat community in Costa Rica.

According to the US Department of State, approximately 120,000 private U.S. citizens, including retirees, reside in Costa Rica. In 2022, almost 1.3 million U.S. citizens, representing 55 percent of all foreign travelers, visited the country.

Americans retiring in Costa Rica likely won’t have trouble finding people from their own home country, as well as making new friends from all around the world. Retiring in Costa Rica offers a great opportunity to meet new people and explore different cultures.

Locals in Costa Rica are also quite hospitable toward tourists and expats. While Spanish is the country’s native language, some studies report that around 38% of locals speak English. Additionally, English is frequently used in areas of the country that are popular with tourists.

8. Costa Rica Contains Endless Natural Wonders and Wildlife

Costa Rica is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Retirees in this gorgeous country will never run out of beautiful places to explore. In fact, outlets like World Atlas have highlighted some of the best natural wonders to visit in Costa Rica.

One such location is Cocos Island located off the coast of Costa Rica in the Pacific Ocean. The entire island is a national park and is about 23.85 square km in size. The waters surrounding the Cocos Islands are an extremely popular spot for scuba diving. Visitors can view hammerhead sharks, dolphins, and stingrays while on their adventure.

Another spot worth visiting is the Celeste River, located within the Tenorio Volcano National Park. This park features a stunning waterfall and several natural hot springs, perfect for a relaxing soak. There is also no shortage of hiking trails and birdwatching spots throughout the park.

In fact, Costa Rica is an amazing country for bird enthusiasts and animal lovers. Grab a pair of binoculars and keep an eye out for Toucans and macaws. Listen closely to the sounds of owls and howler monkeys hidden in the trees. If you’re lucky you might even spot a tapir or a sloth!

Some of the best places to see wildlife in Costa Rica are Palo Verde National Park, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, and Corcovado National Park, but opportunities to see Costa Rica’s natural wonders are present throughout the country.

Summary of 8 Benefits of Retiring in Costa Rica

The photo featured at the top of this post is © XFito/Shutterstock.com