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Costa Rica expat retirement havens have it all
| Published: | 14 Jun at 6 PM |
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For several decades, Costa Rica has been high on the list of retirement havens from US citizens, with developments in one beachside resort likely to attract expats from other continents as well.
The North Pacific coastline of Costa Rica is known as the Gold Coast for many good reasons, including wide, sandy beaches, glorious sunsets, palm trees, quaint local eateries, cosy accommodations and friendly local watering holes. Everything necessary for a heavenly retirement after decades of work up north in the USA is here.
The small expat and tourist town of Tamarindo holds just 6,000 residents, small enough to be cosy and big enough to provide all the comfort and convenience needed. As the world grows every smaller due to endless new flight paths, Costa Rica could well be the next high spot for retirees from the UK via low cost North Atlantic and onward flights.
As with many popular destinations nowadays, Tamarindo as a destination began a quarter of a century ago as a hub for the ambient surfing community as well as for deep-sea fishermen searching for tuna, billfish and snapper. Dodgy electricity, a few hotels, bars and eateries plus one single telephone serving the entire village created just the right atmosphere for development. As visitor numbers increased, and many decided to stay on, the die was cast and Tamarindo slowly became the charming internationally-focused beach-resort town it is today.
Nowadays, the scene is already multicultural, with half a dozen languages heard around the streets and international restaurants catering for all tastes and pockets. Importantly, there’s a small, efficient private hospital with an ER close by the airport. Admittedly, it costs more to base oneself here than in Costa Rica’s Lake Arenal and Central Valley locations, but once you’re here, locals will help you to get the most for your money.
For adventurous Brit retirees, a one-bedroomed condo can be had for around £58,000, and prices shrink further a mile or two back from the beach. The little town of Villareal, just five minutes by car from the beach, has three-bedroomed properties for around £70,000.
The North Pacific coastline of Costa Rica is known as the Gold Coast for many good reasons, including wide, sandy beaches, glorious sunsets, palm trees, quaint local eateries, cosy accommodations and friendly local watering holes. Everything necessary for a heavenly retirement after decades of work up north in the USA is here.
The small expat and tourist town of Tamarindo holds just 6,000 residents, small enough to be cosy and big enough to provide all the comfort and convenience needed. As the world grows every smaller due to endless new flight paths, Costa Rica could well be the next high spot for retirees from the UK via low cost North Atlantic and onward flights.
As with many popular destinations nowadays, Tamarindo as a destination began a quarter of a century ago as a hub for the ambient surfing community as well as for deep-sea fishermen searching for tuna, billfish and snapper. Dodgy electricity, a few hotels, bars and eateries plus one single telephone serving the entire village created just the right atmosphere for development. As visitor numbers increased, and many decided to stay on, the die was cast and Tamarindo slowly became the charming internationally-focused beach-resort town it is today.
Nowadays, the scene is already multicultural, with half a dozen languages heard around the streets and international restaurants catering for all tastes and pockets. Importantly, there’s a small, efficient private hospital with an ER close by the airport. Admittedly, it costs more to base oneself here than in Costa Rica’s Lake Arenal and Central Valley locations, but once you’re here, locals will help you to get the most for your money.
For adventurous Brit retirees, a one-bedroomed condo can be had for around £58,000, and prices shrink further a mile or two back from the beach. The little town of Villareal, just five minutes by car from the beach, has three-bedroomed properties for around £70,000.
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