While Costa Rica only covers .03% of the earth’s landmass, the nation is endowed with over 5% of all her life forms. Costa Rica has preserved this incredible bio diversity in National Parks and restricted areas covering fully 25% of the country, which no other country in the world even comes close to.

Costa Rica is also the oldest democracy in Latin America, and in 1949 became one of the very few countries in the world to disband its army, so that it could redirect this money to needed social programs, education and welfare.

Costa Rica’s free universal health care covers everything from maternity, to dentistry to open heart surgery and Costa Ricans enjoy a life expectancy exceeding that of North Americans. Medical care is modern and first class, yet 50% to 70% less the US, thus making medical tourism important to the economy here also. Medical insurance, available to foreigners is also a fraction of the cost than the US.

Education is another important factor in Costa Rica, with a literacy rate of over 96%, the highest in the Americas, together with the Governments pro business attitude has attracted numerous high tech companies to open facilities here to take advantage of the skilled and educated work force.

Taxes are also very low, and the low cost of living and good medical care, make retirement extremely affordable and attractive. 

Tourism is the engine that fuels the Costa Rican economy and is up over 500% in the last 10 years alone. The Government is responding with new and better roads and new and improved airports to fuel this tremendous tourist boom the entire country is experiencing.