Why Costa Rica | FIRESALES COSTA RICA

why choosing costa rica?

The happiest country in the world, a paradise for peace and biodiversity, a green beacon for environmental stewardship—Costa Rica is a country of many accolades. But Costa Rica’s history and culture extend far beyond the reach of international recognition. The small Central American nation is home to incredible biodiversity and rich cultures, a passion for freedom, and a history of democracy, equality, and education for all.

Explore our Projects

#1

Costa Rica residential real estate has become a popular choice for snowbirds and retirees.

#2

Costa Rica offers a low cost of living, low taxes, a stable government, and affordable high-quality health care.

#3

A number of geographic "free zones" with special tax breaks and other incentives are luring new job-creating businesses.

Top 10 Reasons to relocate in Costa Rica

EASY RESIDENCY

Retiree, or pensionado residency requires a monthly income of $1000 or more from a pension or retirement fund and is valid for five years. After three years, you will be eligible to upgrade to permanent residency – a simple change that will afford you almost all the rights of a Costa Rican citizen.

LOW COST OF LIVING

Housing, services and health care in Costa Rica are considerably less expensive than in the United States. It is possible to live frugally on $750 per month, and $1500 equates to a very comfortable standard of living. Your exact budget will depend on your lifestyle, but with a bit of adjustment, you can live better for less in Costa Rica.

AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE

Retired residents are eligible for private and public healthcare. Both options are economical and offer modern facilities and highly trained medical personnel. As a resident, you’ll be required to buy into the public healthcare system, which costs as little as $30 per month. Private insurance runs about $50-$100 monthly, and will provide you access to a range of top-notch doctors and hospitals throughout the country.

OWNERSHIP RIGHTS

By law, foreigners have full real estate ownership rights in Costa Rica. When you purchase a home or lot, the sale is registered in the National Registry of Costa Rica, further guaranteeing your investment.

LOW TAXES

Property tax in Costa Rica is very low, around .25%, and there is no Capital Gains Tax, helping save you money every year.

HEALTHY FOODS

Your neighborhood farmers’ market is a great way to stock up on fresh produce at very reasonable prices. Tropical fruits are available year-round and $20 will buy you a week’s worth of delicious and healthy food.

EXCELLENT WEATHER

Say goodbye to the wintertime blues. Weather in Costa Rica’s Central Valley promises perennial spring-like temperatures. You’ll enjoy 75-80º F days and 65-70º F evenings – no heat or air conditioning needed! In coastal areas, temperatures reach the mid-90s by day and 80s at night.

PROXIMITY TO THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

If you have friends and family in the United States and Canada, they’re just a few hours away. Nonstop flights from San Jose to most North American destinations clock in at less than six hours, and southern cities such as Miami are less than three hours away.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

The country is known for its natural beauty, and volcanoes, beaches and rainforests are few hours drive away. Fill your days birding, wildlife watching and gardening, or take up with a local theater company, Rotary Club, or other group. In Costa Rica, your golden years are full of activity.

LOCAL EXPAT COMMUNITY

Costa Rica’s expat community grows by the year, and you’ll find pockets of retirees living throughout the country. If you choose to live in an expat neighborhood, you’ll enjoy the benefits of like-minded individuals and a built-in network of potential friends. A local community offers its own rewards, including friendly Costa Rican neighbors and opportunities to explore the traditions and customs of your new home.

The combination of political stability, social contract and steady growth has resulted in one of the lowest poverty rates in Latin America and the Caribbean,

In many aspects, Costa Rica is a success story in terms of development. It is considered an upper middle-income country, which has shown a steady economic growth over the past 25 years. This growth resulted from an outward-oriented strategy, based on the openness to foreign investment and gradual trade liberalization.

With a dozen official climate zones and hundreds of microclimates, there is someplace for everyone’s personal weather preferences. Many people prefer the temperate “eternal spring” climate of San José, the capital, and the surrounding Central Valley. Other popular choices are the dry, hot beaches of Guanacaste, or the lush, green landscape of the jungles in the south and Caribbean side. The pandemic turned the world upside down, and Costa Rica felt similar repercussions. The country is now in a slow economic recovery, with initiatives like the new digital nomad visa and an updated law to attract retirees with perks such as a lower threshold for investors (lowered to $150,000 from $200,000), and the ability to import a shipping container of home goods tax-free, as well as two vehicles—sans the steep import costs. The healthcare system has been extremely strained, but not broken. The indicators point toward Costa Rica continuing to be a good long-term relocation contender—given its protected natural beauty and resources, resilient population, and progressive visionaries—as we move toward a better managed COVID world.

These statistics should come as little surprise since Costa Rica is home to one of only five “Blue Zones” in the world—located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste. These zones were discovered by National Geographic longevity researchers in the early 2000s. They consist of regions that have an unusually high population of centenarians (100+ year-olds). Ten times greater than in the U.S. The research confirms qualities such as healthy diets, natural calcium-enriched water, sunshine, active lifestyles, strong familial and friendship ties, and faith contribute greatly to their longevity.

When the government abolished their army in 1948 the world took notice, earning Costa Rica the nickname the “Switzerland of Central America.” That military budget was pledged to education and healthcare. Resulting in education for all and a First-World literacy rate. Plus, healthcare access for all citizens and legal residents with one of the top-rated public healthcare models in Latin America.

visitors and new foreign residents from discovering its special brand of enchantment, lured by the country’s tropical climate; lower cost of living; friendly locals; affordable medical care; vast real estate options; and, of course, its natural beauty for which the country is famous. Located in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama, a region often plagued by political and civil unrest, it is nice to know that Costa Rica remains a beacon of stability, democracy, and that sought-after laid-back lifestyle.