Costa Rica - Top of the charts for mini-retirements
When you read about American’s retiring overseas, or taking a mini-retirement, one of the most often mentioned destinations is Costa Rica. Sure there are other places: Belize, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Brazil, but each of those tends to come with qualifiers attached to the recommendations.
Whether it’s violence or crime or anti-American feeling, most Latin American countries have some trait that is going to take some extra getting used to.
Most of them, but not Costa Rica.
Prices are a little higher, but US dollars still go a long way. Plus, you don’t have to worry about gangs and violence. One reason for that is the healthy middle class sector that sets the tone for the economy in Costa Rica. Without crushing poverty weighing the people down, crime is far less prevalent. In addition, thanks to an egalitarian society of long standing, democracy is well established in this little country.
Buy or renting in Costa Rica is affordable, especially if you are willing to be a bit off the beach - and that is no hardship in a country that has some of the greatest habitat diversity in the world. Mountains, valleys, beaches and forests, there is a place for you if you are willing to look.
And if all of that weren’t enough, one of the biggest attractions of Costa Rica for the mini-retiree is the excellent, affordable internet access through most of the country. Take you laptop and you will be able to keep you hand in whatever business you choose for a mere $25.00/month on average.
So save up, head south, and live the dream - who knows, you may end up deciding to make it permanent!