The Costa Rica Real Estate Expert

It is undeniable that Costa Rica is a beautiful paradise.  If you question this statement, just look at the Costa Rica tourism statistics (tourist arrivals grew by 15.6% in 2005), or ask someone who has been there.  Most visitors to Costa Rica have been there before and return because it is a Latin American paradise.

People have been visiting Costa Rica for years, but it is only in the past 10 years that it has gained such worldwide visibility.  But before this happened, many seniors had found Costa Rica to be a retirees paradise.

Retirees

Along with investors, retirees make up one of the largest groups to buy real estate in Costa Rica.  Small communities of retirees have sprung up over the past 20 years all around Costa Rica.  Each of them came to Costa Rica and discovered that it was a wonderful place to retire, with its low cost of living, excellent weather, plentitude of activities, and its laid back lifestyle.

Before these retirees discovered Costa Rica though, they did have several common concerns:

Safety

Personal safety is probably one of their top concerns.  In fact, this is a top concern for anyone traveling ANYWHERE.  The good news is that Costa Rica is a very safe country.  Petty crime has gone up - consisting mostly of stealing.  But violent crime is still much lower than any of the major US cities.  Of course, a little bit of common sense is always helpful for staying out of trouble, no matter where you are.

Real estate developers recognize this fear, and have addressed this in their developments by offering gated entrances and oftentimes 24 hour, on site security.  Obviously this will do its job to keep crime rates low, but for the most part it is more to provide a sense of security.

World Class Healthcare

Costa Rica has a world-class healthcare system with many US-trained physicians, providing affordable healthcare for all in private and public facilities.  This is of great interest to retirees whose other concern is the quality and availability of healthcare.

Retirees who are considering Costa Rica as a retirement spot will be pleased to learn that not only is Costa Rica’s healthcare inexpensive, but that most private facilities will also accept foreign medical insurance.  In addition, new healthcare facilities are being built all over the country.

Lenient Residency Rules

Many retirees may not retire to Costa Rica full time, but possibly only for part of the year.  Either way, the Costa Rican government’s residency rules are quite lenient - especially for retirees.  For example, a retiree can stay in the country for up to 3 months with nothing other than their passport!  No visa or any other paperwork!  If they wish to stay longer, they can leave the country, re-enter after 72 hours, and stay another 3 months.  Of course, this practice is discouraged if it is done over several subsequent times.  Doing this once or twice a year is okay.

Share This

Costa Rica is a Latin American paradise.  Bountiful with breathtaking beaches, exotic flora and fauna, friendly people, and an endless list of activities and unique sights, Costa Rica can satisfy almost any adventurer’s desire.Over the years, many North Americans have come to visit and fall in love with Costa Rica, finally choosing to retire or move there.  They not only loved this tropical paradise, but they also loved the lower cost of living, the comfortable environment, and the ease of attaining long term residency.

There is also another reason why they chose to retire in Costa Rica - high quality, inexpensive healthcare.

High Quality Healthcare

When most people consider buying foreign real estate, the thought very soon crosses their minds as to the quality and accessibility of healthcare in the foreign location.  This is a VERY important concern, as no one wants to get sick away from home and have to worry about the medical care that they will receive. 

Well, the good news is that Costa Rica’s healthcare system rates highly among the healthcare systems of the world - in fact, it is rated above America’s healthcare system!  The Costa Rican government directs large amounts of money into their healthcare system so that everyone can obtain affordable healthcare.  The proof though, is in the pudding - Life expectancy is high at nearly 77, and infant mortality rates are low at 10.6 for every 1000 births.

The Best of Both Worlds - A Hybrid Medical System

In Costa Rica, medical care is provided at either public or private facilities.  Both provide high quality medical care, but you oftentimes have to deal with a fair amount of red tape at the public facilities.  The private facilities are typically more modern, though the current system is currently undergoing some expanding and modernizing all over Costa Rica.

Medical Insurance

It is possible to purchase medical insurance through a Costa Rican government agency called the Costa Rican Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS).  This insurance is inexpensive compared to most American policies, running from $600 a year for men up to age 59, to $1350 a year for women ages 60-75.  This allows the insurance holder to choose their own doctors and get their care at private facilities, with the INS covering 70% of the medical bill.

Of course, another option is that foreigners can sometimes use private insurance from their home countries.  However, some research is required to determine whether your insurance plan can in fact be used in Costa Rica.  For the most part, most private medical facilities in Costa Rica do make a concerted effort to work with international insurers.

A final option is to use no insurance at all, and to opt instead to pay cash.  This really isn’t a bad option, as prices for medical care are a fraction of what they are in the US.  For example, prices for one night in a single room with adjustable bed, cable TV, phone, a daybed for a companion, and nursing care at the top 3 private medical facilities in San Jose range from $115 to $182.

Prescription Drugs

Prescriptions are easy to fill as pharmacies are plentiful.  Though, you should make sure that your prescription is for a generic drug, instead of a brand name.  Oftentimes, some drugs do not even require a prescription, unless they are an antibiotic, narcotic, or psychotropic drug.  And here is something different - pharmacists oftentimes will even diagnose you and recommend appropriate treatment!  Of course, that would be for minor, non-life-threatening ailments!

No one wants to have to visit the doctor or go to the emergency room when they are away from home, but knowing that your healthcare needs are attended to when you are abroad brings peace of mind and allows you to enjoy yourself worry-free.  And that’s what Costa Rica is all about - Pura vida!

Share This