Life in Costa Rica has a different pace. It requires some getting used to bureaucracy, but if you look carefully, you will find the activity and attraction you came looking for. You are about to begin a new life, and you deserve to get the most out of it. So let yourself enjoy the pleasures we have to offer, and keep in mind that the human factor is what most retirees come seeking for, so do expect a smile every time you say: Buenos días!
Attractions, national parks, beaches and mountains
This is a country where nature is bound to become your best option for touring and entertainment. There is a total of 34 national parks, refuges, reserves, monuments and recreational areas, most of them offering excellent hiking and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Adventure, sports and health
Adventure, sports and natural wonders come along together fine, and Costa Rica will provide for an immersion in a never-ending list of options: from sport fishing and deep sea diving, to sailing, surfing, wind surfing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, bungee jumping, gulf, tennis, and more
There is a number of health clubs and spas offering a complete health service. Some programs include access to hot springs and alternative medicine. Gyms are also quite popular, and some are equipped with the latest technology to provide a better follow up and treatment.
Night and day life
You will find plenty options when it comes to food. Local and international cooking is available at the many restaurants to be found throughout the country. Small restaurants are quite popular among visitors, featuring home-style food at beautiful mountain and beach sites. Bars and discos come in handy if you are looking for fun.
Learning Spanish
English international and local newspapers, magazines and books are available here in Costa Rica, plus there is access to Cable TV and other foreign TV companies, but life goes on in Spanish outside the media, and that's where fun really unfolds. So, if you want to be aware of things happening around you, you must take into consideration learning Spanish. Spanish Institutes usually offer complete packages including language classes, tours, and room and board with a Costa Rican family in one package. This is an excellent option to check out the country before moving in.
Setting up your own business
As a pensionado resident, you are allowed to run your own business or invest in someone else's, but not to earn a salary. You will have to become familiar with Costa Rican law regarding foreign residents, but besides some lining-up and paper work, becoming a business person will prove to be an exciting and unique experience to keep busy and make new friends.
Establishing your new residence
Do you want to buy a house or build a new one? You can easily find the place that best suits your interests: whether a country home up on a hill where casual fog sets in; a ventilated home near the beach, where tropical storms will calm the heat of the day; or a plain house surrounded by urban facilities.
Before choosing your new place of residence, you must take into consideration climate preferences, standard of living, populated areas, safety and access to public services.
Rentals are far lower than those in the United States and Europe, but luxurious, fully equipped apartments and houses are more difficult to come around. It is advisable to rent a place before buying your own; this way you can avoid unexpected regrets.
Prices of homes begin at $30,000. Beach properties, condominiums, farms, ranches and lots are also available, offering different facilities. Land, labor and materials are relatively inexpensive here in Costa Rica, so you will find it easier to build your new dream home in the tropics.
Real Estate - Investment 
