10 Best Places to Retire - Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a beautiful beach lined country. They are very progressive with their conservation and the land is pristine and taken care of. It is a tourist haven, but does not feel overly so. There are lake regions, empty beaches, mountain to explore and all of it is inexpensive. The country has long been at peace and ruled by Democracy. There is no Costa Rican military and the money that would go to that is instead used for health care and other social services. That's just a start at what makes Costa Rica one of the 10 best places to retire.

The people of Costa Rica have one of the highest life expectancies in the world. This might be due to their excellent health care, or it might be because they life a calmer simpler lifestyle. The government run medical system covers not only residents of Costa Rica, but visitors too.

Taxes in Costa Rica are much lower than what people of the United States are used to. Property taxes alone work on a very different schedule. Although you will pay a small percentage of what your home is worth often homes appraise for lower than what you paid for them, making your tax status low. Income is taxed only if it has been earned in the country. Their highest tax caps at 15 percent. There is also a 13 percent sales tax on items purchases in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica practices a ‘first in time, first in rights’ method of property ownership. This can make the purchase of land complicated. It is advised to hire a lawyer to help you research and confirm that no one else holds title on land you want to purchase and build on. This happens more often than you might think. Getting title insurance is also highly recommended.

Costa Rica is rich with diverse weather and landscapes. In this country you will see volcanoes, rain forests, marshes, mountain ranges, and the Caribbean and Pacific oceans. The weather ranges just as far and wide as the land scape. There is about 6 percent of the entire world’s population of flora and fauna in this small country. The Caribbean side of the country is mostly remote and uninhabited. The central valley is the most populated of areas, while the central Pacific region is where you will find the majority of beaches. The dry region is connected to Nicaragua and is full of volcanoes and beaches. While in the south of the country is where you will find all of the rainforests.

Costa Rica has much to offer someone seeking retirement. Not only is the country peaceful and well taken care of, but it is inexpensive and takes care of the people who live there. In Costa Rica you can live in comfort and beauty in your retirement. Learn more about retiring to Costa Rica and why it is truly one of the 10 cheapest places to retire in the world.