Considered to have the highest quality of life in the hemisphere, it is no wonder then that tourists are flocking to Costa Rica in the thousands. Couple with this with political stability, a strong government and a high literacy rate and you have a country that is an oasis of calm and tranquility. Quite possibly one of the easiest places in the world to settle down in for foreigners, Costa Rica offers tourists and immigrants a carefree existence amid some of the most stunning and panoramic landscapes in the world. Today, more than 40,000 U.S. citizens have made Costa Rica their home.
The influx of US and European settlers has also to a certain extent ‘westernized’ tourism here. It is estimated that 80% of all costal property in Costa Rica at the moment is owned by foreigners. And with the Costa Rican government wooing North American retirees with tax and custom incentives until a few years back, it is no surprise that one can find a lot of North Americans and Europeans settled down here. In 1992, however, the Costa Rican legislature eliminated many of the ‘pensionado’ tax breaks as part of a deficit-reduction austerity package, although the first US$ 70,000 of your local earnings are exempt from U.S. income tax. The ‘pensionado’ program is still in place, but foreign retirees now pay the same duties on imported cars and household goods as Costa Ricans.
If you wish to retire or live in Costa Rica for an extended period, it is important that you carefully weigh the pros and cons. The Association of Residents of Costa Rica or ARCR recommends several visits as a tourist prior to settling down here. Serving the interests of foreign residents as well as those considering living in Costa Rica, the ARCR is a kind of advocacy forum that provides a panoply of services to its members, including AAA-type road services, legal services and insurance services, as well as hosting social events and providing publications of interest.
If you choose to live in Costa Rica, our website provides some valuable resources that you can take advantage of. Whether you are here for just a short trip or an extended period of time, we can offer you comprehensive services that are guaranteed to simplify your stay, so that you have a wonderful time. Please choose the type of resources you are interested in from our list on the right, or choose a particular region or city to find out about the available resources there.
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