As a foreign resident with a pensionado status, you will enjoy all the social privileges Costa Ricans are entitled to. This is your chance to begin a new chapter in your life, surrounded by friendly people, great climate and outstanding natural beauty. These are some of the features that make this country an attractive destination for retirement.
Costa Ricans
Costa Rica hosts a population of approximately 3.2 million. More than half live in the Central Valley, and statistics say 300,000 live in the capital city of San Jose. They are well known for their friendliness and warmth, always eager to help foreigners, especially when they get to practice their English with a lost visitor or a friendly tourist.
Geography
Costa Rica is the second smallest country in Central America, located between Nicaragua and Panama. It actually forms a land bridge that joined North and South America only three million years ago, allowing flora and fauna species from both continents to come together in a 19,730 square miles territory. This is just a way to say that the most diverse natural resources, land forms, climatic patterns and life zones and vegetation types are to be found right here.
Fortunately, government policies have managed to put all this natural wealth under some form of protection, resulting in the establishment of a one-of-its-kind National Park System. Today Costa Ricans and visitors from all over the world can enjoy some of the country's 200 species of mammals, 850 of birds, plus amphibians, reptiles, insects and more than 9,000 species of plants by visiting some of its 36 national parks, wildlife refuges and reserves.
Climate
What most attracts visitors to Costa Rica is its mild tropical climate. There are only two well-defined seasons: the rainy season and the dry season, with little change in between. The Central Plateau enjoys a 72°F temperature all year, and altitude is the key factor to fluctuation. You can wear light weight clothing year round and a sweater for higher elevations and cool nights. At sea level, average temperatures are 80°-90°F.
Stability
Costa Ricans have enjoyed a social and economical stability unknown to most Central American nations. The army was abolished in 1949, right after the country's last civil war, and government plans throughout the years have provided for the creation of a welfare state serving 90% of the population.
Democracy still rules Costa Rica's political structure, and presidential elections are held every four years. Instead of conflict and war, elections arise citizens' celebration spirits, and the event turns into a big political fiesta. Such features provide for an ideal social environment for retirees. You will find a peaceful atmosphere anywhere you turn your attention to.
There is one issue that demands a lot of attention from Government authorities: national debt, one of the highest in Central and South America. Fortunately, since 1993 the tourism industry has become a major source of foreign income, helping improve the economy by diversifying the country's industry.
Infrastructure and services
Costa Rica's banking system features state-owned and private banks. Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Nacional, Banco Credito Agricola de Cartago and Banco Popular, each with branches throughout the country, tend to be more crowded on Fridays and the last week of the month, so avoid such days for your personal errands. Most banks from the banking system offer an automated service through cajeros automaticos, although foreign savings may have restricted access to such services.
Communications are excellent in Costa Rica. The telephone system is one of the best in the world, and it features direct dialing to more than 60 countries. Sending faxes and opening an internet account is simple and inexpensive. There are a number of agencies providing such services, but Radiografica is the only state-owned provider. The mail service is reliable and fast, and there are local post offices in most cities and towns.
Shopping centers may not be as sophisticated as those in developed countries, but the newly built malls offer the same facilities and comfort as their counterparts abroad: large parking lots, movie theaters, food courts, boutiques, supermarkets, appliances and furniture stores, pharmacies, libraries, computer shops, music stands and more.
There are other shopping areas scattered in small towns and cities throughout the country. Central Markets are a great option if you really want to get acquainted with the Costa Rican way. Markets are an exciting way to shop around and to get lost, too. Prices on vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy products, hand-crafted products and popular items are definitely lower in such surroundings. Every major city has a market, and they feature mouth-watering Costa Rican style food courts, as well.
Health care system
According to the World Bank's statistics, the average Costa Rican can expect to live 74,9 years, competing with those figures reached by industrialized countries. Not only has life quality proven to be one of the best among developing countries, but also social welfare indicators are among the highest, counting for an 18 percent of the nation's GNP.
This is perhaps due to Costa Rica's efforts to provide universal health care and social security regardless of class level and geographical location. Foreign residents under the status of Pensionado (retired), have the same rights to such services. There are a number of large hospitals, located mainly in the Central Valley region; other clinics and health offices are available in all major cities and towns.
Private hospitals and clinics are also available, but are not covered by social security. They are more efficient and reliable when it comes to emergencies, mainly because they see you as a client and not just as another citizen on the line to surgery. You may want to consider their services as well.
Transportation
There are two international airports in Costa Rica, one in Alajuela (Juan Santamaria) and one in Liberia (Daniel Oduber). Most flights come from the United States, Mexico, and Central America, but connections can easily be arranged from Canada, Europe and Asia through the United States. National Airlines, such as Lacsa and Aero Costa Rica, fly to North and South America as well.
Flights within the country are available through SANSA and Travelair. There are also chartered flights or air taxis available. New small airports have flourished in the past decade, providing an easier access to beach cities requiring long driving hours, such as Tambor, Golfito, Quepos, Barra del Colorado, Samara, Nosara and Tamarindo.
You can also count on the bus service, which is efficient, reliable and takes you to any major tourist destination in the country. Renting a car is another option, but if you are planning to live here it won't be as convenient because of rates. Taxis are easy to come by. Most taxis belong to Cooperatives, and run with fixed meters visible to the client.
There are two options for importing your own car from home: you can either request for a temporary import permit, or you may opt to nationalize the vehicle. A temporary permit is applied at the port of entry, where your car will be granted a three month permit which can be renewed for an additional three month period. If you prefer to nationalize your vehicle, take into consideration that it will be a time consuming procedure, and you will have to pay import duties based on its features.
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