Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama. Costa Rica is widely acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful countries in Central America. There is an increasing population of North Americans and Europeans settling in Costa Rica due to it's ideal climate and safe political structure. Many foreign businesses are also relocating to Costa Rica due to an educated work force and the amount of bilingual talent in the work force.

Costa Rica is slightly smaller than West Virginia in size and has two seasons. The rainy season runs from May to November and the dry season is December to April.


The government of Costa Rica is a democratic republic. The capital city is San Jose, and most of the nation's commerce takes place in the San Jose city limits.
Costa Rica's stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. CAFTA implementation would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.

Costa Rica has no formal military and is seldom involved in disputes with other nations.

Costa Rican Culture

Known as the "Switzerland of the Americas," Costa Rica has a strong democratic tradition and a long history of dispute resolution.
Owing in part to their impressive 95 percent literacy rate and national education system, Costa Ricans are a self-assured and hospitable people. The most stable democracy in Central America, Costa Rica's voting system ensures honest, secure elections. The indigenous people gained their right to vote in 1994.

Why Costa Rica

Although there are many reasons people from all over the globe are flocking to Costa Rica, the following are cited to be among the top…

Location and Climate:

With it’s geographically central location, and close proximity to the US, Costa Rica is within only several hours flight from major US cities such as Miami, Houston, New Orleans, Phoenix and Los Angeles, with connecting and direct service from other US cities such as New York, Newark, Denver and Seattle. Served by 2 newly remodeled and expanded international airports, Costa Rica has international flights arriving daily from Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and South America.

Costa Rica is blessed with an almost perfect climate, ranging from an average yearly mean temperature of 72 degrees(F) in the mountains to 80 degrees(F) on the coasts. The green season which extends from mid-May to late November consists of sunny mornings and rainy afternoons and evenings, ending in spectacular sunsets, and giving way to fresh and breezy, invigorating nights. Scientists have reported that due to the tremendous amount of vegetation and natural rainfall, the pure oxygen levels in Costa Rica lend themselves to a healthier state and longer than average life expectancy. The dry season, which extends from late November back to mid-May resembles springtime.

Biodiversity and Natural Attractions:

The country boasts over 600 miles of coastline on its Pacific and Caribbean sides, with some of the best surfing spots on the planet. There is a beach for every taste, from white sandy beaches, to darker volcanic sands, to shell beaches and quite coves. There is deep-water diving on the Pacific side, and reef diving and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters on the Caribbean side, and new marinas are springing up everywhere. From high altitude Alpine forests with sparkling streams and river trout, to raging rapids for adventurous rafters.
Costa Rica is known world-wide for having some of the most diverse plant and animal life on earth, from its 3000 species of orchids, to monkeys, parrots, sloths and jaguars. It has been well documented that the oceans on either side are teeming with every kind of fish and shellfish, for both good sport fishing and good eating.
In short, weekends and free time can be spent enjoying the natural beauty and diversity of the country, without the associated costs of vacationing elsewhere. Mountains, volcanos, thermal and mineral springs, rivers and beaches are all only a few hours drive from anywhere within the country.

Cost of Living:

Costa Rica is ranked among the lowest cost of living in Latin America for basic services such as telephone, electricity, water, domestic and maintenance services, health insurance, restaurants and movies, allowing the residents of CDM to stretch their dollars farther and enjoy services and luxuries that would be much more expensive to afford in the US, Canada and Europe.

The costs are generally 30% less, compared to what they are in North America, the US, and Europe. If you add this to the mild weather which makes cooling and heating unnecessary, residents will really appreciate the cost savings they get.

Examples:

Basic Phone Service: $7 a month
Basic Cellular Phone Service: $9 a month
Basic Cable TV Service: $28 a month
Cable InterNet home service: (1 mg downloan/256k upload) $39 a month
Major Medical Insurance-Private 1st class full-service hospital/Includes International coverage: 57 yr. old man - $100 per month

Movie Ticket price: $3
Nacional Theatre Cultural Event: $8
First division soccer match: $12
Men's haircut and shampoo: $10
Full-time live-in maid: $280 a month
Excellent restaurants: $10 - $20 p/p
La Nacion (CR leading newspaper): 50 cents
Tico Times (English language paper): $1
Local bus service: 60 cents per route
Bus service capital to coast: $3
Custom made solid wood king-size bed and nitestands: $600

Bottle of Coca-Cola: 53 cents
Pound of beans: 41 cents
Bottle of Imperial beer: 70 cents
Pack of cigarettes: $1.25
Fresh Melons: $1
Fresh Lettuce: 55 cents
Fresh Cabbage: 65 cents
Fresh Lemons: 18 cents
Fresh Strawberries: 5 small baskets - $2
Fresh Bananas: 5 cents

Security and Stability:

Being the oldest democracy in Latin America has given Costa Rica the distinction of being one of the safest places in the world to live. With no standing army or military, Costa Rica has no enemies, and is considered the “Switzerland” of Latin America. Often called upon to arbitrate in international disputes, the current president of Costa Rica was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for bringing the Central American conflicts in Nicaragua, Honduras and Salvador to an end 20 years ago. Costa Rica used its funds to improve it’s educational and social services infrastructure, resulting in the highest literacy rate in Latin America, one of the lowest unemployment rates, and has become a model for other countries’ social services programs.

With strong ties to the US, Costa Rica has the largest American embassy in Central America, and Americans are both liked and respected. It’s stable democratic system has attracted immigrants from all over the world, who are looking for a peaceful, less costly, and naturally beautiful place to live and raise their families.