If you ask around, Costa Rica is one of the best places to retire to in the world.  The climate is ideal.  Both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean are just minutes or a few hours away, depending on where you live.  Medical care is great and the cost of living is very good for people on a North American retirement plan.  The people are very friendly and Costa Rica's literacy rate is higher than that of the U.S.  Many people are saying that Costa Rica is the 'new Hawaii' and I don't blame them.

Lots of people are investing in Costa Rica.  Obviously large U.S. companies are - like Intel and McDonalds, but many people see the advantages of buying relatively cheap real estate in Costa Rica - either as an investment, as a holiday or second home, or just to retire.  Apparently many movie stars have also bought property there - the country is so beautiful with amazing rainforests, tropical fauna and flora and a huge variety of animals, birds and insects.  Water is clean, as is the ocean and fishing, be it deep sea fishing or fresh water, is a dream come true. 

The country is very diverse.  The main airport is San Jose which is the capital of the small country which is in the Central Highlands.  Here the climate is really nice - not too hot or too cold and there are volcanoes, natural hot springs where you can relax your tired muscles and even coffee plantations.  There are rainforests where you can enjoy the lush vegetation and beauty.  It is hotter on the coast but there are miles and miles of sandy beaches on both coasts of Costa Rica.  Some towns on the coast, like Jacco are already quite commercialized where you can buy or rent luxurious condos near the beach and enjoy the shops, restaurants and the night life.  Other parts of the county are quite the opposite, quiet and you can live with nature at your doorstep.

Another big incentive to retire here is the cost of living.  With $2000 a month you can live like a king and still put away some for savings!  This means that it is very affordable to hire a maid and a gardener and enjoy a more luxurious lifestyle than you would at home.  Eating out can also be very cheap.

Retirement in Costa Rica is no longer a dream.  It is easy to enjoy a lifestyle in paradise!