🇨🇷Costa Rica
Pura vida — nature, stability, and great healthcare
Costa Rica pairs a famously relaxed 'pura vida' lifestyle with political stability (no army since 1948), excellent healthcare, and a well-worn retiree path via the Pensionado visa.
Residency & visas
The Pensionado program grants residency to anyone with at least $1,000/month in lifetime pension or Social Security income — one of the easiest retiree visas anywhere.
Healthcare
Excellent public (Caja) and private systems; medical tourism is a national strength with U.S.-trained doctors at a fraction of U.S. prices.
Your U.S. benefits & taxes
Social Security pays into Costa Rica. Foreign income generally isn't taxed locally. Medicare doesn't apply — but joining the Caja public system is affordable.
Climate
Tropical — warm year-round, distinct wet and dry seasons; cooler 'eternal spring' in the Central Valley (around San José).
Safety & stability
One of the most stable, peaceful countries in Latin America; normal precautions in tourist areas.
Welcome, community & culture
Welcoming, laid-back culture; the Caribbean coast (Puerto Viejo, Limón) has a vibrant Afro–Costa Rican community with Jamaican roots, calypso, and English-Creole heritage.
Getting back to family
Direct flights from San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) to many U.S. hubs (Miami, Houston, Atlanta, NYC, LA).
Run your numbers first
See exactly how much income you'll need, and how to protect your Social Security before you go.
Open the calculators →