Sheila C. Says:
I’ve just joined International Living and love the idea of retiring to Costa Rica. What should I do next?
IL Costa Rica Correspondent Bekah Bottone Says:
Hi Sheila,
Costa Rica is a beautiful country, with long stretches of deserted and undeveloped beaches… dense jungles teeming with exotic wildlife… towering volcanoes, lush green valleys, and hundreds of crystal-clear lakes and rivers…
Not only that, but the country offers a great climate year-round, neighborly atmosphere, no-hassle residence programs, excellent healthcare, a stable democracy, and safety and security. It doesn’t hurt that many retired couples report living well on $2,000 a month—that includes all their costs.
For these reasons, as well as the welcoming locals who are warm and friendly to new foreign neighbors, IL crowned it the number one place to retire for 2024 in our Annual Global Retirement Index.
You can find lots of information about relocating to Costa Rica on our newly redesigned website here. Be sure to check all of the resources linked towards the bottom of the page for specifics on things like climate, healthcare, cost of living etc. as well as guides to specific parts of the country.
As a member of International Living, you also have access to tons of articles by me and other Costa Rica expats in your online IL magazine archive here. This archive goes all the way back to 2002, so there is plenty of information and advice to dig through.
Should you wish to delve even deeper into the nuts and bolts of moving to Costa Rica, you can pick up a copy of our in-depth Escape to Costa Rica guidebook.
This digital book is packed with details on each area of the country, as well as advice and information about visas and residency, how to move your belongings (and pets), opening a bank account, and lots of other practicalities.
Best of all, it comes with a rolodex of on-the-ground contacts for professionals like real estate agents to help you find a rental, immigration lawyers to aid your visa process, and other essential aspects of your move.
Finally, should you wish to get more hands-on experience of the country before making your move, you can join us in San Jose July 18-20 for our Fast Track Costa Rica Conference.
At this live event, you can meet one-on-one with all of our Costa Rica experts to ask any questions you have and come away with a step-by-step plan to make your move with confidence.
You’ll also get to rub shoulders with other prospective Costa Rica expats like you—so you can start making friends before you even move!
Hope that helps, and I look forward to seeing you here in Costa Rica some day!
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