Why Retire or Invest in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is truly an amazing country, well deserving of its reputation as a prime retirement haven. The climate is excellent. Healthcare is inexpensive and of high quality.  Foreign owners of real estate enjoy all the rights of a Costa Rican citizen and real estate is still very affordable. The people of Costa Rica enjoy and take great pride in their stable democracy. The cost of living is low; $2000 a month will give you a comfortable life style. Today more than 20,000 Americans have retirement homes and many more own investment property in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is a very small country but it is extremely diverse. The 32,000 square miles that make up this small country have approximately 6% of the world's biodiversity and a total population of only ¢3.9 million. Costa Rica which is surrounded by both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans has something for everyone. From beautiful white sandy beaches, mountains and mountain valleys, rolling hills of the countryside, beautiful lakes with towering volcanoes looming overhead, the natural beauty is unequaled. If you like the warmth of the beach with average highs in the 80s to low 90s F, you can enjoy that kind of climate year-round. If you like a more temperate climate, you can enjoy the "Eternal Spring" of the Central Valley and San José, with the average year round temperatures in the low to mid 80s in the daytime and in the high 60s to low 70s at night. Many leave their windows open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year...never needing heat or air-conditioning. The dry season is usually from the end of November until past Easter. The amount of rain in rainy season depends on the climate zone, with heaviest rains usually in October. Rainfall is usually in the afternoon, if it is going to rain.
You can find small, basic homes from $60,000 to multi-million-dollar luxury mansions and estates. You can live simply or as extravagantly as you desire. Costa Rican laws and its constitution protect private ownership of land and foreigners enjoy the same rights as citizens. There are almost no restrictions to ownership of private land. You don’t have to be a citizen, resident, or even be in the country to own land.
Costa Rica has a long history of stable, democratic government. There has been no military since 1948 when it was banned constitutionally Contrast this with other so called retirement havens such as Nicaragua.
Obtaining the status of legal resident in Costa Rica is easy and advantageous. See our Costa Rica information area for more information on various types of residencies
The cost of living in Costa Rica is relatively inexpensive; you can comfortably live on $2.000 a month. In most areas housing costs much less than what it does in the U.S. Hired help is very inexpensive; a live in maid will cost about $150 a month. Many apartments, condos and houses include a maids living quarters with a small bath and bedroom. Groceries cost about 65-70% less than what you spend in the U.S and utilities (telephone service, electricity, and water) are cheaper than in North America .There are thousands of restaurants in the central valley offering cuisine from most countries of the world. Large American supermarkets offer most familiar items. Items imported from
North America are more expensive usually, however many familiar name brands are manufactured in Central America and the prices are reasonable. Costa Rica has 110-115 Volt electricity and the NTSA television system both the same as in North America
With Costa Rican Life expectancy higher and the infant mortality rates lower than that in the United States it is no wonder the United Nations consistently ranks Costa Rica’s public health system in the top 20 worldwide and the best in Latin America. Costa Rica’s health care system is readily available to retirees and other foreign residents. Most foreigners and retirees opt for the medical insurance offered by the government’s insurance company at amazing low rates such as $900 per year for a man between 45 and 50 which and covers 80% of medical costs. Medical care costs are very low compared to North America. Hospitals regularly do high tech operations such as heart & organ transplants and there are many talented specialists in Costa Rica. In almost every town in the country you will find ambulance service, operated by the Red Cross. There is also a wide choice in dental care. No special shots are required to come to Costa Rica. Water can be drunk from the tap throughout Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are very high throughout the country. Pasteurized milk and dairy products are normal everywhere.
Costa Rica is only 3 hours flying from many places in the southern U.S. Many non-stop flights are available to South America and Europe from Costa Rica. This makes business and vacation travel easy for those who work and retire in Costa Rica. In addition Costa Rica operates on the Central time zone so it is within 2 hours of most North American cities time. There is no daylight saving time, so it does vary seasonally.
Costa Rica's 93% literacy rate is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Costa Ricans place a very high value on education. There is a free education system for all, through high school. There are excellent bilingual and trilingual schools available with a principal language of English, French or German. There are many qualified professionals and technical personnel. Many young professionals have received a bilingual education from grade school and through high school in English, German or French. You will find many English speaking Costa Ricans to help you in many common situations. Cell Phones, telephones, Cable TV and Internet are widely available in Costa Rica.
According to a survey in the Robb Report of potential foreign investment/retirement areas, Costa Rica surpasses all countries, including Mexico, Panama, the Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Australia, and Greece. It is not surprising that there are more Americans, Canadians, and Europeans living in Costa Rica than any other country in Latin America.

COSTA RICA COST OF LIVING

How much does it Cost to Live in Costa Rica?
Despite having one of the highest standards of living in Latin America, purchasing power is considerably greater in Costa Rica than in the United States or Canada.
In their 2006 Cost of Living Survey, Mercer Human Resources compares costs of goods and services and rates San José among the least expensive cities in the world and the least expensive in Central America. San Jose’s Cost of Living index is 58.1 and it ranks 134th of 144 international cities ranked by Mercer. In the U.S New York ranks 100.0, Los Angles 86.7, Chicago is 84.1 and Miami is ranked 83.8. Panama City was ranked at 68.3 and San Paulo Brazil is at 66.3. San Jose is slightly behind Quito, Ecuador at 54.6 and Caracas Venezuela at 54.4 in the Americas in terms of affordability. Contrasted with the Government stability, the rights afforded to foreigners, and relative safety Costa Rica offers compared to Nicaragua, Venezuela and other Latin countries the choice is clear. 
In most areas housing costs less than it does in the U. S. and hired help is a bargain. Utilities (telephone service, electricity, and water) are cheaper than in North America. You never need to heat or cool your home or apartment if living in the Central Valley and other areas since Costa Rica’s climate is so temperate. In most beach areas many people require air conditioning for comfort. In addition property taxes are very low; on a $150,000 house you would pay only a few hundred dollars per year in property taxes ($375) and when you resell your property there are no capital gains taxes in Costa Rica.

Real Estate Costs

As anywhere in the world property prices vary greatly from area to area, beach and city and surrounding suburbs of course are significantly higher than rural properties. You can normally find properties most would be happy in ranging from $85,000 for a small condo into the millions for fabulous beach front and rural estates. Of course personal needs and taste play a large role in what you will pay for your property.
Construction is much less costly than usually found in North America. The majority of construction in Costa Rica is block and concrete which lend to very durable and sound proof structures. A good quality finished house currently would cost about $60-125 per sq. ft to build here. Of course the finishing’s you choose can affect that cost significantly. The contractor is responsible for defects in construction for 5 years.
Building your own home can save you as much as 20-60% over buying an existing home. Talk to us about our network of architects and builders, we can remove the risk involved in building in Costa Rica.

Utility Costs
Utilities are still very inexpensive in Costa Rica. For an average family of 4 the monthly bills will normally be about:

• Water: $18 Per Montt
• Electricity: $ 50 (without air conditioning or heating a pool)
• High speed Internet: $50 per month- Unlimited home user plan
• Digital Cable TV: $40 Includes 4 HBO stations and NBC,CBS most other English stations (about 100 stations)
• Local Phone Service: $7.00 per month
• Long distance call to U.S: .45c a minute
• Long distance call to U.S using Internet Phone- 500 minutes $25.00
• Cellular Phone Service runs $8.25 monthly and includes 60 minutes each extra minute costs 6 cents

You need a residency permit or a Costa Rica Corporation to be able to apply for any phone line, even a cell phone, but many Costa Ricans will help with that requirement. Almost all homes come with at least one phone line already working. Cell phones are available through special arrangements with local Costa Ricans. Though the cell phones themselves are cheaper in the U.S., a local invoice must be shown to get the cell phone connected, so buy it locally. Costa Rica recently converted to the GSM system, so don’t buy any other type of phone. International roaming is just being offered by the cell phone company so can use your cell phone when out of the country, but it is expensive
Internet service is available by dial up everywhere in the country. Most communities in the central valley can get a high speed connection of 256k to 1MB. DSL service is currently being rolled out in the central valley and should be more widely available soon. Other options are available to businesses at significant costs

Automotive Costs

Autos carry a high import tax in Costa Rica. This is one area that is significantly more costly than in the U.S. Generally the cost of a car will run about 59%-80% more than in the U.S. because of the Costa Rican Governments taxes on all vehicles. This is one of the few areas that are strictly enforced in Costa Rica. You can save a little by importing your own car; ask us about our import services we can save you money, time and headaches by arranging for the import, customs and licensing of your auto. Also talk to us about the best vehicles to bring to Costa Rica. While some argue that it’s better to buy a car here, unless you are buying brand new, that is just not the case. Costa Rica’s roads are very poor and a car takes a terrific beating. Bringing a car that has only touched the pristine roads of the U.S. will save you some dollars and headaches and gives you a car that will last longer. Gasoline is currently running about $3.85per gallon. SUV’s are a very popular option in Costa Rica. They are much better on the poor roads here and give you the opportunity to really explore your new home. In general, parts are more expensive here and sometimes take time to get. On the other hand, labor is cheaper. So a trip to the mechanic might cost a little less than what you'd pay in the U.S.

Household Help

One of the great things about living in Costa Rica is that you can afford to have a maid and/or a gardener for very little money. By law, you must pay your live-in maid $200 per month, plus food and lodging. In return she must only work 12 hours per day (up to 16 hours if you pay overtime). You must give her 1 hour off each day, to coincide with a meal time. You also must give her 1 half day off per week, a half day off on holidays and 15 days of paid vacation per year. You should also enroll her in the Costa Rica Social Security system, so you would deduct 9% of her salary for this tax, but you must also pay 11% to the "Caja". If a live in maid is not your desire you can easily find daily help which will run $1.25 to $2.00 per hour. Remember, live in help adds another level of security to your home when you are traveling.

Groceries

Groceries will cost about 50%-70% of what you spend in the U.S. But of course a lot depends on what products you buy, the same as anywhere else. Some products have price controls under what is called the "basic food basket". Products imported from the U.S. tend to have higher prices than local or imports from other Latin American countries. The good news is the more fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat and poultry you eat the lower your grocery bill will be. 
Here are some examples of prices from July of 2008

• Mozzarella Cheese $4.50Lb
• French's Yellow Mustard 14oz-$1.79
• ACT II Extreme Butter Microwave popcorn - $.58
• Kellogg’s’ Corn Flakes - box $2.60
• 1 can Refried Beans - $1.79
• Roma Spaghetti – $2.10 Lb
• Enriched Rice 2.2lbs- $.98
• Hellmann’s Mayonnaise  14oz - $1.85
• Natilla  (sour cream) 11oz - $.60
• 20 Bayer Aspirin tablets - $1.07
• 2 liters milk Dos Pinos - $1.03
• 12 pack Imperial beer (national beer) - $9.00
• 4.4 lbs onions - $1.04
• Head of broccoli -$1.18Lb
• Whole Fresh Pineapple- $.89
• Bananas - $.05 each
• Apples Gala - $1.12lb
• Papaya whole 4lbs - $1.85
• Head of American Lettuce- $.42
• Fresh squeezed Orange Juice 1 liter- $1.12
• Fresh baked loaf of French bread- $1.49
• 18 Large eggs- $1.42
• Butter – $2.09 pound
• Med Shrimp- $7.84 Lb
• Pork chops – $2.39lb
• Beef Tenderloin – $3.80 lb
• Whole Chicken - $.89 lb
• Ground Beef (Round) $1.44 lb
• T- Bone Steak $1.89 lb/ $4.16 kilo
• Johnsonville breakfast Sausage Frozen $4.62lb
• Coffee $ 2.58 Lb
• 1.3 Gallons Sauvitel liquid laundry detergent 50 loads- $6.95
• 2.5 liters Coke- $1.67
• 1 Bottle Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon wine  $9.99

Explore the Wines available in Costa Rica as there many very fine yet inexpensive Chilean and Argentinean Wines to be found here.

Entertainment

• First Run Movie in English (Spanish Sub titles) $3.50
• Join the English speaking bridge club-Free
• Join the Little Theater Group help put on or perform in an
• English production
• Join the Republican or Democrat abroad groups
• Join the New Friendship and Connection Club to meet new friends.
• Join the gringo gin rummy club or one of the many other clubs for English speakers
• Attend a free Sunday National Band Concert
• Dinner for two at a fine dining restaurant $60 includes bottle of wine. (often less)
• Membership to Cariari Country Club $ 10,500 golf /tennis /swimming.
• Unlimited Daily Golf at Valle Del Sol Public 18 hole course w/ electric cart $45
• Video Rentals DVD 5 for 5 days $10.00 inc new releases (Hollywood Video)
• Tennis court rental from $4.00 to 10.00 per hour or join a tennis club
• McDonalds 1/4 pounder with cheese combo $3.45
• Week night at Hotel  & Casino Costa Rica Morazan - $ 40 + tax
• White-Water rafting day trip $65 per person
• Hotel Tamarindo Diria in Tamarindo beach - $99 double per night including breakfast/low season
• Blue Plate Special Downtown inc drink - $2.50 typical Tico soda

Super Deluxe Cheeseburger at Gringo hangout in Jacó - $6

Taxes
The Costa Rican government goes to great lengths to encourage investment within its borders. Taxes earned in Costa Rica are low relative to the U.S. and with a good accountant they can be kept to a minimum. It offers up a host of incentives to investors such as no capital gains taxes on real estate, low business taxes, and very low property taxes. As a result, many companies have chosen Costa Rica as an investment site. Companies such as Siemens and Intel are leading the way in the implementation of the infrastructure needed to make Costa Rica the “Silicon Valley of the Americas,”, computer giant Intel has made the central valley of San Jose its new chip making headquarters. Intel's investment in Costa Rica represents the largest ever made in a developing country and the results have been tremendous thus far.

Becoming a Legal Resident of Costa Rica

U.S Citizens can legally stay in Costa Rica for up to three months (90 days). They then must leave for a period of 72 hours. They can then return for another three months. There are no limitations on the number of times you can leave and return as long as you comply with the 3 month rule.
If you would like to become a legal resident of Costa Rica there are a number of options available.

The Benefits of Legal Residency

Some of the benefits of attaining residency in Costa Rica as a foreigner are:
1. Freedom from worries about immigration checkpoints and possible deportation
2. Qualification to own personally beach front concession land after a minimum term of five years of residency in the country
3. Possibility to qualify for citizenship once requirements are met
4. Right to purchase telephone lines from ICE (Costa Rican state owned telecommunications company).
5. Access to checking accounts and credit service from some banks
6. Exclusion from penalties for extended stays beyond the 90 day tourist visa term.

Types of Resident Status

Below is a list of the ways legal residency in Costa Rica can be achieved. Also included is a comprehensive overview of the process and of documents you must file. You must hire a lawyer registered with the Costa Rican bar association. A good lawyer will charge from $1000 to $1500 for the process.

Residency for Retirees (Pensionados)

You may acquire this status if you can prove that you have a guaranteed monthly income of at least $600 per month from a qualified source, such as a government pension such as Social Security. You will be required to exchange this amount each month into Costa Rican currency via the state banking system, to show proof of the exchange, and to live in Costa Rica for at least four months per year

Resident with Interest or Dividend Income (Rentistas)

You may acquire this status, if you can prove that you are receiving income from interest or dividends of at least $1,000 US dollars per month from a foreign or national bank. The bank must issue a letter certifying that you will receive such money and that you will exchange them into Costa Rican currency. The bank must renew its certified letter every five years. You will be required to exchange this amount each month into Costa Rican currency via the state banking system, to show proof of the exchange, and to live in Costa Rica for at least four months per year.

Investor Status (Inversionista)

You may acquire this status if you invest in a local business in Costa Rica. According to the Center for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (PROCOMER), the current priority investment areas of business are ornamental plants, leather articles, spices, fruits and vegetables, processed foods, wood products, and tourism. You will be required to invest at least $50,000 US dollars in one of these areas. If you prefer an area of investment not listed by PROCOMER, you must invest $200,000 US dollars in that business. You must live in Costa Rica for six months per year and will not be required to maintain a minimum monthly income.

Qualified Business Representative or Technician, Domestic Servant

If you are a qualified business executive or a qualified technician from an accredited institution, a qualified worker in an educational center with a special contract, or a domestic servant, you can get a work permit or temporary residency. At the end of your contract you must leave the country. The institution will be held responsible for the applications before the General Direction of Immigration Department. The Immigration Department of Costa Rica determines the requirements for a specific job category at its own discretion

Procedures for retirees to become a Costa Rican permanent resident
Your lawyer will guide you through this process. You may need to file other documents and applications, according to the regulation under which you will be qualifying. But here you have a comprehensive overview of the process and the majority of documents you will need to obtain and file.
Prior to your arrival in Costa Rica, you must authenticate these documents at a Costa Rican Consulate:

• Birth Certificate
• Police record Note: Police record must be issued by a competent authority in the country where you and your dependents over 16 years have resided for the last 6 months before entering Costa Rica. This document will only have 6 months validity after the date of issuance; if it expires during the processing of the application, a new one must be submitted.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Academic degrees or equivalent
• Certified copy of your passport including all pages
• Birth certificate for each dependent (if applicable)
• Letter from your prospective employer stating the terms and conditions of your contract, the salary you will earn, and your job description.

The Costa Rican consulate's web page says: "Permanent & Temporary Residents We strongly recommend that you enter Costa Rica as a tourist. Then, you may file a petition to change your tourist status to any of the following permanent resident status." Once you are in Costa Rica, you have 30 days to file your application to change your non-immigrant status. If you want to change your status as a Retiree, you must file the documents with the Department of Tourism (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)), which will submit your application to the Immigration Department.
If you are filing an application as an investor or Resident with Interest and/or dividends income, you must file the documents directly with the Immigration Department of Costa Rica.
Application Form (includes, but not limited to: Full name, citizenship, marital status, occupation, passport information, number of dependents - who must provide the same kind of information-, oath stating your desire to obtain Costa Rican residency, income source and the monthly amount, provisional or permanent address of your country of origin and/or Costa Rica, official mailing address for notifications)
Note: This application must be duly authenticated by a notary public.
Legal Representative you will be required to hire a lawyer who will be your representative in Costa Rica and who will state the reasons why you want to live in Costa Rica and who will provide a mailing address in San Jose, Costa Rica where notifications may be sent.
Foreign Documents The documents listed above authenticated by the Costa Rican Consulate:

Costa Rican Documents:

• Four recent passport sized photos.
• Five sheets of official legal sized paper. (papel oficio)
• Police record issued by the Judicial Criminal Registry of Costa Rica.
• Certification of entries and departures from Immigration (mecanizado)
• Photocopy of Costa Rican ID, if married to a Costa Rican citizen.
• Payment of the legal fees and stamps required by law.

Medical exams required by Health Department ( HIV test, venereal diseases, tuberculosis, among others)

Additional documents required to obtain temporary resident status

• Application form of the Department of Foreigners, authenticated by an attorney and presented to the General Direction of the Immigration Department.
• Fingerprints.
• Guarantee deposit.
• Persons working for companies mentioned above must present a document from the company designating them in their pertinent position. Note: Domestic servants must include a letter of guarantee from the employer, authenticated by a notary lawyer.  Income Source Certification Requirements

General Information

Income certification must be issued by the financial institution that provides you with your money. If you are filing to obtain a Resident with interest and/or dividend income status, the certification must state that you will receive a minimum monthly income of $1,000 U.S. dollars in a permanent, stable, and irrevocable way during a period of five years. If you are filing as a retiree, the certification must state that you will receive a minimum monthly income of $600 U.S. dollars in a permanent, stable, and irrevocable way

Income from Companies
If your source of income is from an established foreign company, you must provide the following documents:

• A letter from your company stating your full name, your title, your qualifications, and that the company will allocate at least $1,000 US dollars per month for you in Costa Rica. (The letter must be signed by the manager or the president or the legal representative of the company.)
• A certification of legal capacity or equivalent document for the representative of the company who signed the letter.
• A registered certification or equivalent document stating that the company has been in business for at least three years
• Registration issued by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who is not the company's accountant. The CPA must state the same information as the representative of the company, attesting to the validity length of time the company has been in business; moreover, the CPA must ratify that the monthly $1,000 US dollars will be sent in a permanent, stable and irrevocable way. (In case the irrevocable term can not be used, please state "not subject to conditions." Provided that it is revocable, it must state that "ICT will be informed")
• A certification stating that the CPA is legally authorized to issue such registration, either by the city's College or Registry Office.

Three bank references showing the funds available to the company

Income from Foreign Banks
A certification from the Bank stating that it will send you $1,000 U.S. dollars per month for a five year period in a permanent, stable, and irrevocable way. Including your name and your relationship to the bank.
A certification stating the existence, performance, and location of the bank, or equivalent document issued by the official of the public organization

NATURALIZATION (CITIZENSHIP):
Even though, foreigners are granted the same rights that the Costa Rican citizens are given, naturalization has some strategically potential applications. Due to the universal and compulsory social security system, the impossibility of extradition of Costa Rican citizens, the mutual visa exemption agreements between Costa Rica and all the European Union countries, Scandinavia, Canada, Japan and Russia, and some low profile and tax policy considerations, many foreign residents of Costa Rica may benefit by obtaining the Costa Rican citizenship.
 Naturalization (citizenship) applications are processed and granted by the Supreme Electoral and Civil Records Tribunal (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones y del Registro Civil), the Costa Rican electoral and civil records institution with constitutional rank that many specialists consider a “fourth power” of the Republic.
 Similarly to residency application procedures, this is a rather accurate and very formal procedure that the interested resident does not want to expose to risk. Qualified and professional counsel is strongly advised for the same reasons stated in the earlier residency case. Average processing term ranges from 8 to 18 months depending on the case.
 Applicants must have lived in Costa Rica, at least four months each year, for a term of seven years under a legal resident status. A Spanish language and a Costa Rican abridged history test have to be taken before the quality control department of the Ministry of Education, this exam is equivalent to a sixth grade primary school exam. An exception exists for spouses of Costa Rican citizens, whose term of legal residency in the country is two years and they don’t have to take the tests. The application has to be submitted together with: a certification from Immigration Council of Costa Rica about the applicant’s legal resident status, a certification from Computer Department (Mecanizada) of Immigration about applicants’ entrances and exits to and from the country, an affidavit, two Costa Rican witnesses who will testify about the applicant moral capacity to obtain citizenship, certified copies of the applicants’ passport, residency card, birth certificate and some legal stamps.

Costa Rica Activities

Living in Costa Rica you will find much to keep you entertained and occupied. The choices are almost endless; from sports; golf, tennis, surfing, river rafting, swimming racquet ball, biking, boating, horseback riding, windsurfing and fishing; (fresh water, surf and deep sea) Fishing is outstanding almost all of the time and almost everywhere in Costa Rica. Fish either the Caribbean for monster Tarpon or the Pacific for Sailfish and Marlin, but don't forget Lake Arenal famous for its Guapote Bass; Central Americas toothy answer to the Large Mouth Bass. Most fishing areas are only a few hours driving time from anywhere in Costa Rica.
If a more sedate life style is your desire Costa Rica is loaded with museums, art galleries, movie theaters (playing current U.S movies in English) video rental stores and of course shopping malls. Direct TV is available as well as cable TV with most of your favorite channels (yes in English)
Of course there are many modern gyms to help you keep in shape. Pilates, Yoga and Tai Chi and traditional workouts are all practiced here. Some disciplines have there own English speaking clubs dedicated to there practice.
You can join Cariari Country Club (a real value at $8500) and play golf, tennis use the Olympic swimming pools or just relax in the restaurant for a great meal.
If your day includes a poolside read English newspapers, books and magazines are all readily available. Many English language buy and trade bookstores are popping up around the country and most major bookstores here have large English book sections. Three major libraries in the San José area have large collections of English language books and magazines. The place to go for the best selection of books is the Mark Twain Library at the North American-Central American Culture Institute.
Nature lovers will find plenty to do here to stay occupied. Costa Rica has set aside 20% of their territory and established 36 national parks and preserves to protect the flora, fauna and animals of their country. Costa Rica is rich not only in natural beauty but in all varieties of wild life; from monkeys and sloths to the beautiful vegetation of the jungles, the rain forests and mountains. The diversity of this small country is amazing. You could spend the rest of your life exploring the parks, waterfalls and thousands of hidden away treasures Costa Rica has to offer.
While Costa Rica is a predominantly Catholic nation, freedom of religion is a cherished concept in this democracy. You will find a church of your denomination in most areas of Costa Rica. Baptist, Catholic, B’Nai Israel, Episcopal and Unity churches are all represented along with others.
Finally there are many well established English speaking clubs in Costa Rica, by participating in some of the activities and the clubs mentioned below, you will meet other people with common interests and cultivate new friendships in the process.
Some of the Clubs and Organizations in Costa Rica

• American Legion Posts 10, 12 and 16
• Birding Club
• Bridge Clubs
• Chess Club
• Democrats Abroad
• Republicans Abroad
• English-Spanish Conversation Club
• Fishing Clubs of Costa Rica
• Rotary Clubs
• Traveling Club
• VFW Post 11207
• Women’s Club of Costa Rica
• Alcoholic’s Anonymous chapters
• Little Theater Group
• Gringo Gin Rummy
• New Friendship and Connection Club
• Christian Woman’s Club
• Michigan State Alumni Chapter of Costa Rica
• And many others.

In closing it should be said that taking the time to learn the Spanish language will enrich your life in Costa Rica immeasurably. The Costa Ricans’ truly are the wonderful people that you have read and heard about in every piece you have seen about Costa Rica. With a little work the language is not to difficult to learn

Building vs. Buying a Home in Costa Rica
Most visitors and potential buyers looking for property in Costa Rica will say they prefer to buy an already existing structure (Home or Condo). Until they learn that the few homes available command premiums of between 25 and 100% and are often not designed to please North American tastes.
THEN the questions become..."how risky is it?" and "how long does it take?"
The answers: It is a simple procedure here to protect yourself legally from a bad builder and dishonesty or fraud. The reality in Costa Rica for a Tico (Costa Rican) is: when a different home, a bigger home, or a newer home is needed it is built. And you don't really think that all of the Ticos in the country would build if it really were that risky, do you?
The reality is - yes, some newcomers get taken advantage of Our clients DO NOT they have legal protection. Deadlines are met, or penalized and there are virtually no cost overage clauses.
You can build a quality custom built home in Costa Rica for between $40 and $65 per square foot. It is something that most newcomers would be very comfortable in and almost definitely better than purchasing an existing structure. Areas closer in to the cities and beaches will have significantly higher land costs, (as in any Country)and building further out in the Central Valley may cost more because of the higher operating costs due to transportation and logistical increases. Beach construction is certainly going to be higher because the demand for quality builders is very high due to the fast growth being experienced in almost all beach areas.
I should also mention that many new construction projects sell at significantly lower prices as construction begins. You can often gain equity of 6%-20% buy buying at preconstruction prices. You must keep in mind that it will usually be from 3-6 months for condo type developments to 18 months for high-rise condos before they are available for occupancy. So if you are planning your move in this type of time frame or looking for a rental property this may be a good way to buy. Usually a small down payment will hold your property until completion.

Is this instant Equity enough incentive to explore building your own custom home or buying at preconstruction prices in Costa Rica? Give it thought. Costa Rica is a lot more affordable than you thought, or most of the internet sites will tell you! Ask us we will be happy to share experiences with you.

WHERE TO LIVE AND INVEST IN COSTA RICA

Costa Rica, though small is a very diverse country. As such there are many types of environments in which one can live. Below we have listed some of the more popular locations from the jungle, cool mountains, to the beaches and country and urban towns, in which many Americans, Canadians and Europeans choose to live or invest in Costa Rica real estate.

CENTRAL VALLEY AREA (San Jose and Surrounding Cities)

Cariari/Belin Areas

Cariari is a resort type community located just 10 minutes from downtown San Jose and 5 minutes from the International Airport in Alajuela, and a little over an hour to Central Pacific beaches. It is one of the classic areas for foreigners purchasing real estate in Costa Rica and it still offers as much convenience and variety as any other area the Central Valley. It is a secured upscale development with a mix of both older and newer homes and condominiums. A large part of the population is foreign so English is readily spoken.

Located within Cariari are two of the better hotels in San Jose; Melia Cariari and Hotel Herradura, both have restaurants with a wide range of cuisines, Casinos and many other amenities available to those living in Cariari.

The Cariari Country Club is also located here. On site is their 18 hole, Par 71, Championship golf course designed by George Fazio and built by his famous nephew, Tom Fazio in the early 1970's. The private Cariari Golf Course is one of the least crowded courses in Costa Rica. The Course will challenge all golfing skills, as well as lend an enjoyable playing experience. In addition to golf the club also includes 12 tennis courts an Olympic pool, health club, Jacuzzi, and restaurant. Memberships for the Country Club are readily available at amazingly low cost to property owners in Cariari and a bit more for those living outside.
This is a community that offers a wide array of activities to all, and with a 10 minutes drive, all the city of San Jose offers is available as well. You will find properties priced from $110,000 to $1,000,000 + for some rambling estates.

There are also many desirable properties in the area immediately surrounding Cariari. Belen and close in Heredia have several newer developments that offer good value and features. Many multinational and free zone companies such as Intel find this area the best location because of its proximity to downtown and the International Airport in Alajuela. This in turn has attracted hotels for business travelers and related services like restaurants and entertainment. In general real estate in this area offers constant growth and solid appreciation. You can also find older homes on the market that are good candidates for modernization, or a better buy for the square footage and lot size.

Escazu Area

Escazu is located 6 kilometers (4 miles) to the west of downtown San Jose. Escazu is an easy commute to downtown and is only 30 minutes the airport in Alajuela. The elevation of Escazu ranges from 1,100 meters on the valley floor, to 2,300 meters (almost a mile) in the mountains of San Antonio. Escazu has many attractions: an agreeable climate, natural beauty, some amazing views and more modern conveniences and services than anywhere in Costa Rica. As Escazu has become a favorite of North Americans and Europeans, Real estate prices are among the highest in the central valley and the country.

Escazu offers the tropical colonial feel of old and the modern life of developed countries. It has grown so that it has become a mix of both worlds. You can find very old adobe houses, beautiful century old churches, farmers on oxcarts and at the same time many strip malls, the most modern hospital in the country, the largest shopping mall in Central America and all the bars and restaurants you may wish in a lifetime.

Escazu is also a leader on educational level; with a number of private multilingual schools available. If you are looking for all the luxuries of today, a great social life, like shopping, want the schools of your children nearby; want them to be near their friends, Escazu might be right for you.

Escazu center is the original town where you'll find charming old adobe houses, the old church, the town square, and the municipal government building. This is a good area for commercial property, apartments or to purchase an older home in need of renovating. Parking is at a premium and a number of narrow, one-way streets can make finding an address a bit of an adventure.

San Rafael is Escazu's "main drag"; real estate here is characterized by strip malls, supermarkets, restaurants and many upscale services that can be hard to find in some other areas of the country. You will find stores from Lazy Boy to the Hugo Boss store and restaurants from typical Tico places to McDonald's, Tony Roma's and many other Fine Dining restaurants. This is a great location for any business venture and is the access point to the highway. Real estate values here are higher than in other areas of Escazu, because of this commercial nature.
San Antonio is up the mountain from the center and is the more traditional side of town. Here you can still find coffee, vegetables and sugar cane farms. Among these lovely farms, you will see many new beautiful homes and developments, built to take advantage of the spectacular views and the mild weather. Traffic patterns and the climb make this more out of the way than other parts of Escazu, but the views and country ambiance make it worthwhile for people who purchase real estate in San Antonio.

Guachipelín Escazu, until recently, this was just a little known, unusually named neighborhood on the outskirts of Escazu. With the addition of an ultramodern hospital, an exclusive shopping mall, and its own exit ramp to the highway; this area is now one of the most popular choices for people purchasing real estate in Costa Rica. Very close to Escazu center and now only 10 minutes from downtown San José, you'll find excellent and plentiful choices for shopping, from the Multi Plaza Mall to the Price Smart supermarket (Costco in U.S.) as well as many others. The new Cima hospital is the most modern hospital in Costa Rica. There are also many new residential areas offering new homes starting at the $100,000 Real estate values are likely to rise faster here than in other areas of Escazu in the near future

Trejos Montealegre, Bello Horizonte, These are the closest residential areas to the highway access, and traditionally where the most exclusive areas. Here you will find very nice older homes and traces of many of Costa Rica's wealthiest families. While not a bargain hunter's delight, you can often find lower priced homes here, due to smaller size and age of the homes in these neighborhoods.

Santa Ana/ Ciudad Colon Area

West from Escazu on the old or the new highway is Santa Ana. Only 10 minutes to 15 minutes away from all the conveniences of Escazu. Santa Ana still has the image of a quiet rural village locally famous for the fact that they grow the best onions in the world and is developing very much as a center of ceramics and pottery. It's more laid-back than, and not as pricey as its Escazu neighbor. Santa Ana’s climate is drier and warmer than the cities east due to its lower elevation and it’s being on the west side of the mountains.
You see a lot of Southwest style buildings here probably due to the similarities in climate. While prices have been rising you can still find very nice homes at reasonable prices. The new urban, office park and shopping developments in the area should continue to lead to rising real estate values.

Two very popular residential areas in the Santa Ana area are Valle del Sol a resort type community with an 18 hole golf course, tennis club and views of the Santa Ana Mountains and Eco – Residential Villa Real a development on the highway towards Santa Ana, just past the Multiplaza mall, offering beautiful housing projects combined with natural surroundings and amazing views. The Escazu area, international schools, commercial development and Cima Hospital are only a few minutes away from both. The real estate in the hills on the south side of Santa Ana continuing through Brasil de Mora to Ciudad Colon is slowly being developed into communities where you can find privacy quietness, and some stunning panoramic views. West of Santa Ana is the quite little community of Ciudad Colon which is quickly becoming a bedroom community. Its excellent access to the highway makes it a quick commute to the western side of San Jose and only minutes to the office developments in Santa Ana. Today Ciudad Colon sits at the end of a highway that is to be extended to the Pacific beaches. As a result it will sit halfway between the city and the beach with fast access to either. Clearly this is an area ripe for development and as such is a very good area for investment property.

Atenas and La Garita Area

Atenas and La Garita are 10-20 minutes from Alajuela and the International Airport. They have long been identified as having the best climate in the world by National Geographic Magazine. These areas have received much attention over the years and as a result have attracted many foreigners already. Both cities offer a friendly small town atmosphere with many small charming restaurants and hotels. Values have consistently risen here over the years and with the new planned highway improvement project it is anticipated it will see continued growth in the future.

There are many options being offered here from gated communities, both lots and homes to large estates type homes. If you want to be relatively close, but away from the city noise and pollution Atenas and La Garita are very good choices. They are still quite affordable and you can find some properties with spectacular views of both the Central Valley and the Pacific Ocean.

Grecia

Grecia located 50 minutes NW of San Jose and about 30 minutes from the International Airport in Alajuela. Grecia has a reputation for being the "cleanest city in Latin America". Climate in the mountains is 68-82 degrees F the entire year. No monkeys here, but flocks of parrots or parakeets fly over constantly and butterflies swarm by the thousands. This is a city that is beginning to show strong growth so property prices are beginning to rise quickly.

The Heredia Mountain Area

The province of Heredia is a mountainous region where green pastures turn into pine trees and cloud forests near the summit. The Heredia mountain area is also seeing growth. Many foreigners are attracted to the climate which is cooler, the views, which can be spectacular and the lower real estate prices. The prices have been on the rise in the last few years but given its proximity to San Jose prices are still reasonable. It is generally a rural area with the exception of the area surrounding the city of Heredia. Heredia is a fine example of a Costa Rican city, boasting many of the amenities of San Jose, but in a lower key environment. The Central Park serves as meeting point and most shops are located around it. Heredia is easily reachable from the International Airport. This area may be a good option if you desire to be closer to the San Jose and its offerings than the areas farther west of the city and airport. The climate can differ substantially from area to area of the mountains. The areas of Santa Barbara, San Joaquin de Flores, San Pablo and Santo Tomas de Santo Domingo which are located in the lower parts of the mountains have a much warmer climate and are seeing more development than the higher elevation areas like Barva, Tirol, El Castillo, Birría and Los Angeles de Heredia. They also see more rain. Some homes in these areas even have fireplaces to enjoy on the cooler evenings.

Rohrmoser

Rohrmoser because of urban growth is now essentially the far west part of San José. It is at the higher end of the Tico market and just a few minutes to downtown San Jose. Rohrmoser offers an excellent selection of services. The United States Embassy is located here. The Homes in Rohrmoser, with a few exceptions, generally don’t offer much in the way of views. There are some lovely older homes some with and without views here that are very well priced. You can find good values in what are usually quiet and safe neighborhoods.

THE CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST

Jaco Beach to Manual Antonio

The Central Pacific coast is a narrow strip of land surrounded on one side by jungle covered mountains while the other contains some of the most beautiful beaches, best surfing and breathtaking views in Costa Rica. Its beaches are also the closest to the Central Valley. The area is showing strong growth of in part because the new highway to be built will reduce the driving time from 1½ -2 hours to 45 minutes.
Jaco Beach and the areas surrounding will grow right along with it. Communities from Herraduru, Hermosa, Esterillo, Parrita all the way to Quepos and Manual Antonio will benefit from this growth. So be sure to look at these areas as well. The Jaco Beach Area is one of the fastest growing areas in Costa Rica. The population has nearly doubled over the last 4-5 years. The growth has included a number of new shopping centers including retail shops pharmacies, doctors, banks, dentists and a new super market, with more in being planned.

Jaco has over 100 restaurants and other nightspots, offering everything from the typical Costa Rican foods, to fine dining in restaurants of accredited chefs. You can find cuisines ranging from seafood dishes, Asian fusion to spicy Peruvian; you will find a variety that is sure to please everyone.

Recreational amenities abound here from boating, golfing, world class sport and surf fishing, surfing, horseback riding, biking, hiking, bird watching, sea kayaking or just relaxing on the beach. At the end of the day one can find a sunset view restaurant or dance the night away at one of the many hip and often quirky hotspots in and around Jaco. The 210 room Marriott Hotel Los Suenos development in Herradura Bay just to the north of Jaco offers a challenging 18 hole championship golf course that runs through its private rainforest reserve and a new a state of the art 200 slip Marina which can accommodate vessels up to 200’ and includes all the amenities boaters expect. The hotel also includes a number of restaurants and all these amenities are open to the public.

Today Jaco is a 1½ -2 hour drive from San Jose but within the next two years a new highway will be completed and the trip will take 45 minutes. In addition new coast highway will stretch from Panama’s border to the port town of Puntarenas. This will be Costa Rica’s Highway 101. At the same time the new highway will be completed from San Jose to the Port of Caldera. This will make travel time from Jacó to the International Airport about one hour. The continuing growth in the Jaco Beach area makes it one of the best investment areas in Costa Rica. I would recommend looking south Jaco to Dominical for very good values as well.

THE PROVIDENCE OF GUANACASTE

Guanacaste, 175 miles from San Jose is one of the largest and least populated of the seven provinces of Costa Rica. The province is known primarily for its cattle production, and it’s often compared to the State of Texas for this reason. This comparison is not altogether erroneous as Guanacaste shares with Texas the long stretches of plains which are ideal for cattle ranches. In order to facilitate access, the Liberia airport was upgraded and extended so as to become the second international airport in the country. Although a lot of work still must be done to properly accommodate the amount of traffic the airport is beginning to see.

The Beaches of Guanacaste

Guanacaste is also famous for its Pacific Coast beaches which go on for over one hundred miles. The beaches of Guanacaste are blessed with warm crystalline waters. 
 
Flamingo Beach, Tamarindo, Playa Grande and Potrero are spots many USA citizens, Europeans and Canadians have chosen for retirement and vacation homes.

The beaches are ideal for surfing; in fact the province is rated to be among the top surfing areas in the world. Deep sea fishing is excellent, world championships are held annually. Most of Guanacaste’s white sand beaches are lined with palm trees and lush vegetation. Some of the beaches are the breeding grounds for turtles (leatherbacks, hawksbill and pacific ridley). They say there are so many beaches in Guanacaste that you might be surprised and enjoy the beach all alone.

Recreational amenities abound here from boating, golfing, world class sport and surf fishing, surfing, horseback riding, biking, hiking, bird watching, sea kayaking or just relaxing on the beach. At the end of the day one can find a sunset view restaurant or dance the night away at one of the many hip and often quirky hotspots in and around Tamarindo. Among the many desirable beach areas of Guanacaste are Playa Grande, Tamarindo Beach, Flamingo beach, and Playa Hermosa, Samara and Nosara. All of these can be reached by car from San José. Drive time will be between 3 ½ to 4 hours.

Costa Rica Places to Live

The Arenal area is one of the top tourist attractions in Costa Rica, with the Arenal Volcano, the hot springs, and the Arenal Lake. Adventurers enjoy windsurfing on the lake, canopy tours and horseback riding. For something more laid back, bird watchers will find a paradise here, with the entire lake shore being a protected area. The walk along the Arenal hanging bridges is also a top attraction.

La Garita, Grecia, San Ramon This attractive area has recently become extremely popular among developers and newcomers alike. The area features convenience to the airport, San José and Alajuela, and the old fashioned values exhibited by the mostly agricultural communities. The Pacific beaches are within easy striking distance. The area's topography means distinct microclimates very close together, so you can choose between fireplace weather and balmy tropical within practically the same neighborhood. If you'd like to be close, but not too close to the big city, then this area's for you

The coast between Cahuita and Manzanillo, including Puerto Viejo, has a great mix of characteristics that make it a very attractive place for living or investing, or both. You will find a number of beautiful, secluded beaches with living coral reefs that create great spots for surfing, diving, and snorkeling.

Cariari, Alajuela, Escazu, Santa Ana, Atenas, Ciudad Colon, La Garita, Rohrmoser, La Sabana

Costa Rica offers the beach lover a full range of beaches and beach lifestyles. From white sand to black volcanic, from happening to isolated, anything you want is available. Pricing is also as you wish. From ultra-expensive luxury beach condos with all the amenities to beach shacks right out of "Castaway" and everything in between.

If your taste runs to warm weather, peace and quiet, a chance to mingle with Costa Rican people of the soil and lots of beaches, the Nicoya Peninsula is the place to settle

Living in Costa Rica - Getting Legal Residency

Tips for getting legal residency in Costa Rica. Look for ways you can qualify as a legal resident, including work permits, rentista, pensionado and inversionista status. At the end of the page is a comprehensive overview of the process and of documents you must file. You must hire a lawyer registered with the Costa Rican bar association. A good lawyer will charge from $1000 to $1500 for the process.

Caribbean Coast: Limon to Puerto Viejo

The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Coast invite all paradise seekers to enjoy miles of sandy beaches and coconut palms. This coast offers world-class fishing as well as the most important nesting sites for the green sea turtle. Because of the climate, excellent scuba diving is possible. The Caribbean Coast features a laid-back lifestyle.
You will find beautiful beaches, rivers full of wildlife, and majestic mountains. It is a land with a varied ethnicity. As a result of this, the Caribbean is a unique blend of languages, cultures, food and of course dance. October is a great time in the Caribbean coast town of Limon. Enjoy watching (or particapate) in the celebration of the annual Carnival. The Caribbean consists of 125 miles of beautiful coast line between Nicaragua and Panama. Forest land extends inland for the Plam lined coast. The coast is a haven for fishing ethusiasts and lovers of Birds and exotic wildlife. Be sure to visit the coral reef at Parque Nacional Cahuita, where snorkeler4ws and divers get upclose to the residents of the shimmering reef or just relax and enjoy the sun.

Central Pacific: Puntarenas

There are many places to go and so many things to do, that you really would have to do it in more than one trip. You can enjoy championship golf, surf the world renowned beaches, follow jungle trails by horse back, ATV's, or hiking. Don't forget championship billfish tornaments or just plain sportsfishing. Visit the Naional Park in Manuel Antonio and party all night in Quepos. Surf and Boggie board up and down the coast and drop by the Sea Aquarium in Puntarenas. There are a variety of accomadations available at all price ranges and many superb restaraunts to enjoy.

Central Valley: Alajuela

Alajuela located on the outskirts of and 30 minutes from San Jose and is the second largest city in Costa Rica. Alajuela is also home to Costa Rica's largest internatioal airport. As you head east to toward Alajuela from the airport you will get the real feel of Costa Rica with lots of coffee faarms, and oxcart or two, horses, and lots of green hills with spectacular views. There are plenty of homes and land available for every budget and taste. As in most of Costa Rica you that housing varies greatly with expensive homes often built near more modest residences but nobody seems to mind. The state of Aljuela is also home to the Arenal Vocano which is the most active volcano in the world. You can also enjoy the many shops located in Sarchi where they make many forms of wood furniture and art.

Central Valley: Cartago

Cartago was the first capital of Costa Rica. The capital was moved after the Irazu volcano erupted in the early 60's. Made up of beautiful country side and spectacular mountain views the Cartago area offers peace and tranquility

Central Valley: Escazu

The Escazu - Bello Horizonte, Trejos Montealegre areas are very popular neighborhoods with the foreign residents. So much so that as you go down the main road and see the KFC, McDonalds, TGI Fridays etc....its hard to think that you're not back in the US. Here you can find high rise penthouse apartments, luxury accomadations and simple homes. Many of the finest homes in this area are owned by wealthy Costa Ricans that enjoy being nearby the Malls, top rated Hospitals and great night life. Many private bi lingual schools are located here or near by. If you like a Beverely Hills type of locations then you will love the upscale living of Escazu.

Central Valley: Heredia

Heredia has all of the natural flavors that Costa Rica has to offer. There is a variety of housing options from inexpensive simple homes to multi-million dollar mansions. Definitely something for everyone here. Heredia is nice and cool and as you go higher up into the mountains in areas suh as El Castillo, home to the beautiful La Condesa Hotel, San Rafael and Barba. This area is located 25-30 minutes from San Jose and offers a beautiful rural environment with polenty of homes and lots available

Central Valley: San Jose

The Central Valley, including San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago: Surrounded by towering green mountains is a tranquil green oasis amid city life. Nightlife is vibrant and international restaurants are plentiful. Museums, including the 100 year-old National Theater and several dance and theater companies provide a wide range of entertainment. The geographic diversity of this region is evident with two active volcanoes, Poas and Arenal, as well as tropical forests, and a multitude of nature

Central Valley: Santa Ana

Just west of San Jose this area has seen tremendous growth in recent years. A big push has come from the beautiful highway that begins at La Sabana and currrently ends at Ciudad Colon and will continue on toward the Central Pacific beaches when the Ciudad Colon - Caldera highway project is completed in 2.5 years. This will put the ocean less than a half hour away. Santa Ana is a great place to live as it offers a warm, dry climate year round and is near the CIMA Hospital and Medical Tower (state of the aret facility), Multiplaza-Costa Rica's largest mall, PriceMart, the Intercontinental Hotel, Marriott Courtyard and the Comfort Inn Hotel, the Form office complexes and much more. Here again you will find a good mixture of Costa Ricans and foreigners enjoying life to the fiullest in one of Costa Ricas favorite neighborhoods. "Downtown" Santa Ana retains its local small town flavor and is very much like the majority of small towns in Costa Rica with a church opposite a park and soccer field at the center of town. Definitgely a boom area as the city grows westwardly.

Northern Pacific: Guanacaste

This area of Costa Rica located on the Coast of the Nicoya Penninsula, extends from Playa Carrillo in the south all the way up to Puerto Soley in the north near the boarder with Nicaragua. In this area of Costa Rica, known as the "Gold Coast" one can find many bays, coves and endless beaches that will take your breath away. Watching a sunset full of indescribable colors while floatiing in the calm waters of Playa Real or while wading in a private pool high on a hill overlooking the Gulf of Papagayo (home of the Four Season's Resort) one is transported to a world without cares where your biggest worry is remembering to put on the suntan lotion or wondering what fish you should pick for dinner. That's life on Costa Rica's Gold Coast.

Pacific

The Pacific Coast is blessed with seemingly endless miles of beaches. The National Parks here feature the beauty of the south Pacific paradise, dense rich green jungle, and a showcase of tropical nature. The private Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the richest in the world on the Continental Divide, and is the only known home of the very rare golden toad. Carara Biological Reserve harbors an incredible variety of wildlife including the endangered scarlet macaw

Southern Pacific: Quepos

Few places can offer you so much to enjoy as the Quepos - Manuel Antonio area. The town of Quepos is a sportsfishing center and also offers a variety of restaurants and entertainment. Along the road, between Quepos and Manuel Antonio there are many Hotels and Restaraunts with many different price ranges. Enjoy the great surf or lie in the sun on a quiet bay are two of the very difficult decisions that you will have to make. There are also ATV rentals, and horseback riding. Don't fortget to visit the monkeys and many other exotic animals as you hike around the National Park in Manuel Antonio.

Nosara Guanacaste Pacific

Playas de Nosara is a long established coastal settlement that has attracted people from all over the world.  Famous for its miles and miles of unspoiled beaches, acres and acres of green reserve areas and wide variety of wild life and lush jungles,  it is the utopia for those who cherish the natural beauty of Costa Rica.  The village of Nosara offers an airport with daily flights from San Jose, medical clinic, post office, typical Costa Rican Restaurants and bars, a well stocked grocery store and hardward store.  The foreign community of the Beaches of Nosara is blessed with wonderful gourmet restaurants, botique hotels and there is even a french bakery.  The famous Nosara Yoga Institute has programs in session all year long and the surfing is on the top of most surfers list.