Retiring

Atenas Costa rica has the best weather in the world Why Atenas is a Great Option for Expats in Costa Rica

Costa Rica ranks every year among the top destinations to retire to, and hundreds of foreigners choose to relocate to this country for many reasons other than retirement, some are looking to escape the cold winter that affects their home country, others simply come to visit and fall in love with the Pura Vida of the country. The fact that many choose Costa Rica as their new home is not a fluke,...

Caribbean Costa Rica - Puerto Viejo Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica Where you can Retire for $30,000 a Year or Less

Just a quick flight away from the United States and Canada many foreigners choose Costa Rica to retire, the reasons are many, from great weather and amazing scenarios to peace and stability, but one of the main reasons is also the fact that living in Costa Rica is still considerably cheaper than the United States. Once again, International Living has included Costa Rica, in a report that highli...

Golf in Costa Rica Costa Rica Makes the List as One of 5 Best Countries for an Affordable Golfing Retirement

International Living is an online magazine that has the mission of helping readers discover different places around the world that are great options for retirement. In the recent article “5 Great Places for Golfing Retirement”, the publication gives Costa Rica a well-deserved spot. Earlier this year, the country was also listed as the best place to retire in the Global Retirement Index 2018 . “...

Costa Rica Luxury Retirement Is the United States or Costa Rica Better for Luxury Retirement

In the United States, the latest trend in retirement communities is undergoing development in Florida. Not far from the raucous Daytona Beach, home of rowdy spring break celebrations and biker gatherings, Canadian developer Minot is building a massive managed retirement community branded under the Margaritaville imprint created by the legendary singer Jimmy Buffett. The Margaritaville community...

Costa Rica Expat Havens International Living Magazine Lists Costa Rica’s Top 5 Expat Havens

International Living magazine has the mission of helping readers discover places around the world were it is cheaper, healthier and in general better to live, this year for instance Costa Rica was named by the magazine as the Best Place to Retire Abroad in its Annual Global Retirement Index and it was also included in the list of “5 Best Places to Retire on $30,000.00  a Year”. The magazine has li...

Costa Rica Best Place to Retire Costa Rica Among the Best Places to Retire on $30,000 a Year, According to International Living Magazine

In the beginning of the year online magazine International Living named Costa Rica the Best place to retire abroad in its Annual Global Retirement Index; now, the country is included in their list of “5 Best Places to Retire on $30,000 a Year”. When the time comes to consider where to live the years of retirement, many consider Costa Rica because of the weather, closeness to North America, frie...

Playas del Coco Beach Guanacaste Costa Rica Why Playas Del Coco is a Great Option for Expats to Live in Costa Rica

Playas del Coco in Guanacaste, Costa Rica is one of the oldest beach communities in the country, many expats live here and many more are considering making this location their permanent home. Every year many foreigners choose Costa Rica to start a new life, the country’s closeness to the United States and Canada, its weather, political, social and economic stability, and many natural attraction...

Costa Rica Expats Costa Rica’s Warm Welcome Places the Country Second in InterNations’ Best Places for Expats

Costa Rica once again holds a privileged position in the InterNations’ Expat Insider Report, as the second best place for expats thanks to its “warm welcome and pura vida vibe”. “If you’re looking to make friends, Costa Rica is the place to go. It ranks first in the Finding Friends subcategory, taking the top spot for every question. Expats say it’s easy to make local friends, with almost one i...

Tamarindo Beach Costa Rica Tamarindo Beach Town in Costa Rica Among the Best-Value Coastal Escapes

Costa Rica took first place this year in the International Living Magazine Annual Global Retirement Index, as the best place for expats to retire and now, based on this same report, editors of International Living have chosen some of the most affordable beach towns to live abroad, among them Tamarindo in Guanacaste. The article describes this popular beach town as follows: “The Pacific-coast...

The Difference Between a Buyer’s Agent and a Listing Agent in Costa Rica?

Although the real estate industry of Costa Rica is not regulated at the government level in terms of licensing, the substantial number of home buyers and homeowners from the United States and Canada has resulted in an adoption of some of the North American customs and procedures in terms of buying and selling properties. The mortgage lending and closing processes may be different, but the property...

The Challenges of Building Your Dream Home in Costa Rica

Several years ago, I accepted the challenge to construct a large custom home high on a mountain in one of Costa Rica’s jungles, and this project turned out to be the most challenging project during my thirty-five years of construction experience. To begin the construction, I needed to locate the boundaries for the foundation of the house, based on the construction plans provided by an architect...

Champion of Elder Healthcare in Costa Rica Recognized by Pan American Health Organization

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recognized Dr. Stella Bolaños Varela of Costa Rica Monday, September 25, for her outstanding career and longstanding commitment to the quality and management of health services in Costa Rica, by presenting her with the 2017 PAHO Award for Health Services Management and Leadership Services. The award recognizes Bolaños Varela's outstanding contribution...

Sisters Charged With Killing US Man in Limón, Costa Rica Laugh When Sentenced

When American Brian Lynn Hogue decided to retire in Costa Rica, he probably never imagined he'd disappear into the blue one night after discovering people he had held in confidence had tried to cheat him out of his properties. On March 8, 2016, four people were arrested in connection with his 2015 disappearance in Limón, Costa Rica. And a trial this week found two sisters guilty of his disappea...

$40m Luxury Residential Complex Breaks Ground in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

La Santa Maria is an innovative and exclusive residential and tourist concept being built on the expansive 20,000-square-meter site of the former, posh Barlovento Hotel. This is the first major luxury tourism real estate development project to be undertaken in San Juan del Sur since the 1970s, said the Nicaraguan developers. Perched on a plateau overlooking the coast, La Santa María's design is...

Kalia Living Bellazo Costa Rica Realty Group International Partners With Kalia Living to Offer an Exclusive Look at Luxury Properties in Costa Rica

Realty Group International (RGI) is pleased to announce their new partnership with Costa Rican luxury developer Kalia Living. Providing the ultimate discovery tour experience for interested investors and home buyers, RGI is offering clients an exclusive opportunity to explore Costa Rica and experience the Bellazo properties first hand. Bellazo is a modern luxury, gated community on the Pacific ...

Affordable Luxury Homes Costa RIca Finding Luxury Homes in Costa Rica on a Budget of Under 200K

Shopping for the right house in Costa Rica is something that requires time, especially if you are the kind that believes that if you look carefully you can find the perfect balance between luxury, comfort and price, and you are right; just like with almost anything else in life if you do your fair amount of research and take your time to look and compare you will find the perfect house for you at ...

Financing Costa Rica How to Finance a Vacation Home in Costa Rica

One of the first questions that comes up when a foreigner is looking to buy a property in Costa Rica has to do with financing options. Let’s start by saying that buying real estate in Costa Rica can be considerably more affordable than purchasing a home in the United States, vacation homes are not an exception, a beautiful vacation home with a beach view in one of Costa Rica’s most popular area...

Retiring Communities Costa Rica Best Retirement Communities in Costa Rica

You’ve probably heard it time and time again, Costa Rica is one of the preferred retirement destinations for expats, the fact that it is so close to the United States and Canada, it is also considered one of the most secure countries in Latin America, its weather, its people, the least goes on and on, of course it is not perfect, like every country it has its problems, but when you balance out the...

Buying an Affordable Vacation home in Costa Rica

Many foreigners fall in love with Costa Rica  during their vacation in the country, and buying a vacation home soon becomes a family goal; however, unless you are the impulsive buyer type that makes a decision at the spur of the moment, there are many aspects that should be considered before buying a vacation home in Costa Rica. The majority of the people looking to buy a vacation home in Costa...

I’m Getting Evicted in Costa Rica, Part 4: Finding a 4-Bedroom Home for $200 a Month

Can you really find a four-bedroom rental home in Costa Rica for $200 a month? Isn't our country home to the most expensive real estate in Latin America? The answer to both questions is yes; in 2012, the Inter-American Development Bank declared that the most expensive and least accessible real estate in Latin America could be found in the capital city of Costa Rica. Nonetheless, I recently found a...

Evictions in Costa Rica, Part 3: When Landlords Attack

To read previous entries in this series, click here for Part One and here for Part Two. On a Sunday afternoon three weeks ago, I was looking forward to watching the national derby match between Deportivo Saprissa and my favorite football club, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. Instead, I ended up listening to the match on the FM radio application of my ancient Nokia mobile phone because the main swit...

Evictions in Costa Rica, Part 2: Can the Police Intervene?

Five days ago, the owner of the house I have rented in Costa Rica since 2010 told me she had executed a contract with a new tenant. She gave me two days to pack up and leave; since then, I have consulted with a few attorneys about this situation. By all means, I should be evicted by means of a court proceeding; whether this will actually happen remains to be seen, and there is a chance that Fuerza...

Cost of Living Costa Rica Costa Rica once again among top 5 retirement destinations

One again Costa Rica is included in the top ten of the world’s best places to retire in 2017 by International Living. International Living stated: “For just over a quarter of a century, International Living has ranked rated and named the best retirement destinations in the world. Each year we’ve redefined and improved the process, bringing new categories and considerations into play, gathering ...

Costa Rica Best Places to Live Best Places for Expats to Live in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is among the preferred destinations by expats, every year many tourists visit the country on vacation and fall in love with the place, they make the decision of moving here, but the first question they ask themselves is: Where should we live? With the help from our friends from Immigration Experts, here we offer you information on the best and preferred places by expats to live in Co...

Stronger Muscles May Pump Up Your Memory

Boosting muscle strength may boost brain function in people with mild memory and thinking problems, a new study finds. Source, Facebook. The research included 100 people aged 55 to 86. All had mild memory and thinking problems (mild cognitive impairment). The study volunteers who did weight training twice a week for six months to at least 80 percent of their maximum strength showed signi...

Move to Costa Rica 7 Reasons to Move to Costa Rica

Did you fall in love with Costa Rica during a visit? Perhaps you need a change in your life, a fresh start. Maybe you are tired of the cold weather in your country and you want to move somewhere where it doesn’t snow; or maybe it’s time to retire and you want a place where you can live a more relaxing life. Whatever the case may be, you are right to consider the possibility of moving to Costa Rica...

Costa Rica Pura Vida Consider moving to Costa Rica, regardless of the outcome of the U.S. elections

The upcoming elections in the United States have generated a lot of controversy, and we’ve all heard different people stating they will move to Costa Rica or elsewhere should Trump or Hillary, (depending on each particular political preference), gets elected, some may say this just to say it or as a joke, but many actually mean it. Although this may come as good news to the Costa Rican real e...

Liberia Guanacaste Liberia, Guanacaste a modern city arises

The province of Guanacaste, has been officially part of the territory of Costa Rica for 192 years, part of what Costa Rica is comes from Guanacaste, a land of contrasts, that not only has some of the most beautiful beaches of the country and incredible national parks, it has also contributed with a number of traditions and it has enriched the Costa Rican culture with its folklore, “marimba” music,...

Costa Rica Pura Vida Costa Rica among the best countries for expats according to international study

Costa Rica is in the sixth position in the world among the preferred destinations by expats according to a study carried out by InterNations, an expat network that provides information on destinations around the world and assessment on Visas, work permits, lodging, international schools etc. The study was applied electronically to 14, 272 expats of 174 different nationalities and that reside in...

Moving to Costa Rica Costa Rica Vacation Rentals: A Trend That is Here to Stay

Hotels are not for everyone, in many cases it’s the high prices that will get you looking for other alternatives, in other cases the impersonal service, perhaps privacy is a factor, and others simply prefer a more “homey” environment when they vacation, or maybe you have a big family and/or pets and hotels are just not an option for you; whatever the reason may be, the fact is that vacation rental...

US Embassy and Ambassador Costa Rica U.S. Embassy Offers Citizen Services in Puerto Viejo Next Week

By Wendy Anders Source: US Embassy Next week, the American Citizens Unit of the United States Embassy in Costa Rica will be in Puerto Viejo, Limón for two main events of interest to U.S. citizens living the area. Several times a year, the Embassy holds such outreach events in different parts of the country to facilitate access to their citizens services. Next Thursday, September 1 fro...

New Container Shipping Service Between the U.S. and Costa Rica

Source: Crowley As part of Crowley Maritime Corporation’s goal to help customers increase the velocity of their supply chains, and in doing so reduce their overall landed costs, the company announced today that it is launching a new, weekly, fixed-day container shipping service between Jacksonville and Costa Rica. “We are pleased to bring this new service to the market beginning today from ...

Get to Know The Costa Rica No One Talks About (BOOK EXCERPT)

The Costa Rica No One Talks Abour François Sylvain is an entrepreneur, author, coach and investor raised in Montreal. After traveling across the United States and Europe, François went to Costa Rica to live his dream of living in a tropical climate. The father of four and grandfather of six has written a unique book about his experiences in Costa Rica. This is how he describes his memoir: ...

Is Costa Rica the Most Expensive Country in the World?

Source: Wikimedia Commons A common gripe heard among North American expats and tourists in Costa Rica is their disappointment at not being able to exert their purchasing power in a Third World Country. The constant nagging about how expensive Costa Rica appears to be often results in a less-than-pleasant quality of life experience, particularly for expats on a fixed income and tourists whos...

Costa Rica Best Place to Retire Want to Relocate to Costa Rica? This is the Event for You

By Wendy Anders Real Intercontinental Hotel San Jose, Costa Rica International Living announced it will hold its 2016 Fast–Track Costa Rica; Lifestyle and Opportunity Conference September 22-24 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Escazú, San José. This once-a-year opportunity will provide plenty of information about relocating to Costa Rica, and promises to “deliver everything you need to f...

Four Things You Should Know Before Retiring in Costa Rica

The idea definitely has its merits: Move abroad to a beautiful place and live for a fraction of what it would cost to retire in the United States, especially in light of increasing life expectancies and costs of living. Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Thailand are all popular retirement destinations for Americans not only because of their temperate climates, but also for their marginal cost...

Crime in Playa Hermosa Guanacaste U.S. Diplomatic Security Reports High Crime Risk in Costa Rica

Source: Flickr CC Theft, robberies, fraud, and crimes related to drug trafficking are a very serious threat to diplomats, expats and tourists from the United States who travel to Costa Rica. Such is the main warning found within the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) 2016 report for Costa Rica. The OSAC serves the U.S. Bureau of Diplomatic Security; nonetheless, its reports are share...

Major U.S. Car Shipping Company Expands to Costa Rica

Transporting vehicles is an essential part of worldwide logistics, and enables auto companies and individuals alike to get vehicles from point A to point B without putting thousands of miles of wear and tear on them. A-1 Auto Transport Inc. has been one of America’s most trusted suppliers of auto shipping for twenty years, and has recently increased their reach to go international. The latest t...

Five Reasons Why Investing in Costa Rica is a Great Idea

File photo Of all countries in the Americas, Costa Rica is one of the most friendly to foreign investors, particularly in terms of immigration. Immigration law in Costa Rica allows foreigners to invest $200,000 so that they can obtain the benefit of residency. The investment can be in a property, lot, business, shares in a corporation, etc., and the amount can be various investments that ad...

Living on a Fixed Income in Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica

Source: Villa ThogaCould you make it on less than $1,000 per month in Tamarindo Beach, one of the most desirable and upscale real estate markets in Costa Rica? According to a recent article by Jackie Minchillo of International Living, there is a Canadian expat in Tamarindo whose monthly household payments, including rent, are between $400 and $450 per month. Graham Cooper was born in Englan...