As more and more Canadians retire, they are looking beyond snowy horizons to find the perfect place to lay down roots when they’re older. For some, retiring in Costa Rica from Canada is an attractive opportunity to access a lifestyle that is slower, sunnier and beautified by nature.
Perhaps the best thing about this decision is the diversity in location and experience. In Costa Rica, lush rainforests, unspoiled beaches and cool mountain villages are all within a few hours’ drive from one another. Whether retirees are in search of a serene and peaceful second act, an adventurous and exciting experience, or a bit of both, retirement in the country is what they make of it.
One of the biggest forces pulling retirees south is the low cost of everyday living. Compared to soaring housing prices and increasing costs of services at home, retiring to Costa Rica from Canada can make a fixed income go a lot further. Expats often find they can afford better-quality housing, eat out frequently and hire household help — all luxuries that may not be feasible on a Canadian pension alone.
Healthcare also continues to be a source of worry for many as they contemplate where to retire. Costa Rica offers both public and private healthcare with a number of facilities that comply with international standards. GCCA Legal residents in the national healthcare system can receive medical care for a monthly fee depending upon income, and private healthcare entitles you to shorter waiting lists and English-speaking specialists. This twofold option is nice because retirees do not have to give up care quality to get coverage they can afford.
Also, at least in the eyes of the law, becoming a resident is surprisingly chill. The country’s Pensionado residency program is specifically designed for pensioners and makes it relatively easy for retirees to relocate to Costa Rica. This easy entrance is just one more reason why retiring in Costa Rica from Canada is still surging forward.
And then above and beyond logistics, there is another benefit: a tectonic shift in lifestyle. The unofficial motto of Costa Rica, “Pura vida,” embodies that laid-back, joyful approach to life. So, many Canadian snowbirds are finding themselves adopting new routines — long sunset strolls, fresh tropical produce, and deep friendships in the expat and local communities.
In the end, this road is about more than geography. It’s a choice to focus on well-being, adventure and simplicity. For anyone who ever wonders if the tropics aren’t, in the end, perhaps the ideal retirement location, the answer may be in how ready they are to love, connect, be joyful and inquisitive, and be comfortable with what is, even if it doesn’t fulfill every expectation. And for a lot of people looking to retire from Canada, retiring in Costa Rica is the ideal way to do it.
brain jack is the author of this article. To know more about Costa Rica Living for Canadians. Please visit our website: candocostarica.com.