The document provides information about living in Costa Rica, including reasons to move such as affordable costs of living, high life expectancy, and outdoor activities. It compares Costa Rica favorably to other destinations in terms of infrastructure, quality of life factors, and political stability. Details are given about the climate, culture, natural features including volcanoes and wildlife, and aspects of daily living such as pets, electricity, and currency. Information is also included about working and residency permits, as well as property ownership and sustainable housing developments.

1. Costa Rica 4U?
Living, Moving, Retiring
in Costa Rica 2012
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

2. 1. Why Move?
2. Compared to Other Destinations
3. How’s the Weather?
4. Religion & Culture
5. Local & Natural Features
6. Living There
7. Working & Residency
8. Property Ownership

3. Part 1 -
Why Move?

4. It’s Peaceful
• Financially Stable
• Exceptionally High Life Expectancy of Costa Ricans
• Military was abolished in 1949
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

5. It’s Affordable
• Walmart is in Costa Rica
• Dental & Medical care savings of 30-90% vs U.S.
• Estimates of $30/day to live comfortably including
food & accommodations

6. There’s Lots to Do
• ADVENTURES – Surfing, Rappelling, Whitewater
Rafting, Mountain Biking, Zip Lines
• NATURE – Animals, Birding, National Parks, Volcanoes
• CULTURE – Festivals, Music, Theaters, Exhibitions
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

7. Quality Medical & Dental
Services are available

8. Less than 2.5 hours
direct from Miami

9. Part 2 -
Compared
to other
Destinations

10. Infrastructure
• 4G Communications for Business & Data
• Extensive Road System of +30,000 km undergoing
development and upgrading
• Home to many North American companies, such as:
Acer Lucent Technologies
Cisco Systems Merck
Elly-Lilly Microsoft
Glaxo-Smith-Kline Motorola
Intel Pfizer
Kimberley Clark Unisys

11. Quality of Life
Costa Rica Belize Panama United States Canada
Life Expectancy 77.7 68.2 77.8 78.3 81.3
Literacy Rate 94.9% 76.9% 91.9% 99% 99%
Unemployment 7.3% 11.1% 4.2% 9.6% 8.0%
Corruption Index 5.1 2.9 3.4 7.3 8.7
Economist Quality
6.524 n/a 6.361 7.615 7.599
of Life Index, 2005
International Living
71 63 71 78 77
Quality of Life
Index, 2010
Sources: Aneki.com, The Economist
& International Living Magazine
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

12. Political Stability

13. Part 3 -
Climate &
Weather

14. Outside Hurricane Zone

15. There is a Rainy
“Green Season”
April-November,
but it’s warm!

16. Avg Temp of
70-80F on
the Pacific
Coast

17. Part 4 -
Culture &
Religion
The grand National Theater in San Jose
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

18. Mostly
Roman
Catholic
70.5% Roman Catholics
13.8% Evangelical Protestants
1.3% Jehovah's Witnesses
0.7% other Protestant
4.8% Other
3.2% None
Source: Wikipedia & nationmaster.com
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

19. Families and Family
Values are predominant

20. “PURA VIDA”
Pura Vida means "Pure Life"- used to
communicate a belief in strong
community, happy moods, enjoying life
at a slower pace, or a celebration of
good fortune – this is the Costa Rican
attitude toward life.
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

21. Part 5 –
Local &
Natural
Features
Courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

22. Volcanoes
Flickr creative commons nertog - Walk With Me

23. Whitewater
Flickr creative commons sukhchander

24. Surfing & Beaches
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

25. Wildlife
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

26. Part 6 –
Living in
Costa Rica
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

27. Pets are OK
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

28. North American
Electrical Voltages &
Outlets

29. Currency is the colon –
approx 500 to $1US, but
U.S. dollars are widely
accepted

30. In the Central Timezone
without Daylight Savings
Time

31. Driving can be a bit slow
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

32. Part 7 –
Working &
Residency in
Costa Rica

33. Telecommuting is OK

34. Investor (Inversionista)
Residency allows for
business ownership &
derived income with
employment

35. Representative (Represente)
Residency permits certain Executives
to work in a company in Costa Rica

36. Retiree (Pensionado)/Annuity (Rentista)
Residency permits ownership and
collection of income from a business in
Costa Rica

37. Permanent Residency has no
employment restrictions & where other
types of residency may be so upgraded
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com

38. Part 8 –
Property
Ownership

39. Same ownership rights as Costa Ricans
+ Title Insurance is Available

40. Sustainable
Housing
Options

41. OSA Mountain Village – Quick Facts
• A sustainable, food-producing resort community in the Southern Pacific
Zone of Costa Rica.
• Utilizes the principles of permaculture and sustainable living in all of
decisions regarding construction of villas, custom homes, all common
areas and infrastructure.
• For all residents, they provide fresh fruits, vegetables and other food items
forever. They grow our their food using vertical greenhouse growing
systems, aquaponics and through other organic gardening techniques.
• Villas have gained over 39% equity in only 26 short months.
• Residents are made up of a very diverse group from all areas of the world.
• Entrepreneurship is encouraged in and around the community. Many of
the residents are involved in the many adventure tours.
• They have a successful "Villa Rental Program" model, which will add a
stream of income for you and your family while you are not using your villa.
From Osa Mountain Village as of Dec 2011

42. For More Information
On Costa Rica
http://CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com
Sustainable Living at
OSA Mountain
Village

43. What are you waiting for?
Photo courtesy of CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com