Costa Rica - Why IT IS THE Perfect Place For You
Costa Rica has so many things going for it, that it's hard to describe all of them in a single short article. But that's not likely to stop me from trying.
Activities
You can do just about anything you want to do in Costa Rica. The beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste Province in Northern Costa Rica are world renown for surfing and scenery, and a great spot to catch some rays. Nature lovers and ecologists will like Costa Rica for its rain forests, whale watching, sea turtle nesting beaches, and a host of other natural wonders. People that have more urbane tastes will be able to fill their days with shopping or museum going, and their nights visiting the arts or clubbing.
Climate
Costa Rica supplies a wide range of climates, from tropical rain forest to temperate valley to frigid foothills; you can have your choice. A lot of the population of Costa Rica lives in the central valley at elevations of 3000-5000 feet above sea level, where the air is cooler and drier than the humid, tropical beaches. The wonder of Costa Rica is that you can live in the climate of one's choice, but be just a short drive from the completely different climate. For instance, you can live in the cooler, drier hills of Guanacaste Province and see the ocean and drive to the beach in no time.
Cost of Living
Many expatriates proceed to Costa Rica for the low cost of living. You can live very comfortably on $1500 per month, much less if your preferences are few. Find out more , local food and services, and entertainment are lower in Costa Rica than most other developed countries. In case you are on a fixed income or Social Security, it is possible to live much better in Costa Rica than you could in the usa or Europe. Living on the Nicoya Peninsula you might have fresh produce from the farmer's market for a fraction of what it could cost you back. You could go one step farther and purchase your personal farm and increase your own food. While the necessities of life are inexpensive, the luxuries & most imports are pricey, due to high import duties imposed by the government.
Stable Government
The Costa Rican government is really a stable democracy with a brief history of excellent social programs and an expert business and development policy. The country welcomes tourists and immigrants, both for the revenue they generate and the income they produce for the Costa Rican Nationals. The Government has embarked on an ambitious infrastructure program-building roads to remote areas, developing beachfront property, and promoting eco-tourism to preserve the country's natural splendor. In the Gold Coast region of Guanacaste, developers are building world class hotels and resorts, increasing property values in the complete region, as tourists and immigrants are realizing the attraction of the region.
Medical Care
Costa Rica has state of the art medical facilities in the major cities and modern clinics in lots of of the rural areas. Citizens have their selection of private insurance or participating in the National Healthcare System, both of which are much less that comparable coverage in the US. Liberia, in the Northern region of the country, has modern medical facilities which serve the residents of Guanacaste Province.
Easy Access
Costa Rica is in once zone as Chicago and Dallas, so jet lag isn't an issue for most Americans. With daily flights from two airfields, most cities in america are significantly less than a 6 hour flight away. Phone service and access to the internet can keep you touching family and business associates, so you can talk to anyone at anytime. You may be surviving in an exotic tropical paradise, nonetheless it can feel just like you're back home (or can be, if you want to).
So, last but not least surviving in Costa Rica: Plenty to accomplish, great climate, cheaper to call home, friendly government, great medical care, and easy to reach. Sounds like a great place to live. As the Costa Ricans say, "Pura Vida" the 'pure life'. I can't argue with that.