We have been writing about the emerging opportunities in Costa Rica for years, now more than ever we want to emphasize the “Timing is Right”.  In the past two years dozens of major corporations have built state of the art facilities, including Intel, Cibertec, Conair,  Xerox,  Hitachi, Priceco, Marriott and others.  New infrastructure is being installed in all areas of the country.  The growth has been well planned leaving intact the good naturedness and loving characteristics  of the Costa Rican people, which makes this country such a wonderful place to live.

The Word is Out

The foreign community has doubled in the last 10 years to almost 350,000 residents (representing 15% of the population). What do they know, that you should know:  There are a hundred reasons, but the top ten reasons listed by North Americans are:

·         Peaceful, Democratic Country for almost 200 years

·         Quality, affordable medical and dental care

·         English is the second language, spoken by over half of the population

·         Overall quality of life with a very low crime rate

·         Tax advantages enjoyed by foreign residents

·         Climate (average temperature 25C-78F)

·         Beautiful affordable real estate in the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast with very low taxes

·         First class system of Education (94% literacy rate, among the highest in the world)

·         Culture and friendliness of the Costa Ricans

·         Bountiful business opportunities

The first thing you notice as you arrive in Costa Rica is that it reminds you of North America in late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s. The country and the people have maintained  that sense innocence that we lost somewhere in the 1980’s.  As you drive through the Central Valley, home to the capital city of San Jose,  You are surrounded by magnificent vistas in all directions. The Valley is some 1,200 meters in altitude (4,000 feet) thus the continual spring like temperatures and climate throughout the year.  The valley is 90 kilometers long by 40 kilometers wide and is home to 60% of the country’s three million inhabitants.  From the central valley you can reach the Caribbean or Pacific coasts in just under two hours drive time or 25 minutes by air, the only place in the world you can do this-part of why the country is so spectacular. Within the Valley itself there are dozens of microclimates so depending on how you like your weather, there is a wonderful place to live for everyone.

                The average life span for the population is 82, which speaks volumes about the quality of the public and private health care system. The area has recently become a Mecca for cosmetic dentistry and plastic surgery, because of first class results and low costs. Most Doctors have been trained in North America, but price their services for the local economy.

                Qualified, intelligent, inexpensive and  English speaking labor is readily available, a key factor in the decision of Intel to build their most sophisticated chip plant in the Central Valley.  What this means to you is that there is a talented readily available cheap source of labor for whatever project or venture you have in mind.

Under most circumstance this can mean substantial tax savings for North Americans and a real way to create and maintain wealth. v

About Costa Rica

In 1502 Columbus landed in what is now Puerto LiM6n, Costa Rica, on his 4th voyage to the New world and named his discovery Costa Rica (Rich Coast). Some say he chose the name because of the natural beauty he found there, others say it was because he'd heard rumors of gold. Be that as it may, he would have been right in the first instance and wrong in the second. It was quickly discovered that there was comparatively little gold, but… The natural beauty of Costa Rica has been attracting settlers ever since the, first colonization.
For nearly 55 years, Costa Ricans have lived under a constitution that prohibits the establishment of an army and assures free elections every four years. Over 90%. voter turnout was achieved in the most recent presidential election, and the nation takes considerable pride in pointing out that Costa Rica has a literacy rate of nearly 94%, one of the highest in the world. A program of free health care is recognized as the best in Latin America, and the country has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the, world. Costa Rica also offers an excellent business climate for those wishing to take advantage of the many opportunities available.
Throughout the annals of its proud history, Costa Rica like the United States, has at various times attracted migrations of peoples from around the world. The nation's population of 3,000.000 includes many English French, German, Oriental and Italian surnames. In recent years, the nation has become -a favorite retirement haven for foreigners, and over 50.000 U. S. citizens now make, their homes in Costa Rica. Resident status is readily attainable and ownership of property is the same as in the United States. Property taxes are extremely low. In recognition of Costa Rica's achievement in the fields of peace and social services as well as its’ efforts for peace in Central America, Costa Rican President, Oscar Arias, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1987.
Above all, Costa Rica is safe and friendly. Beyond its political stability and pacifism, the nation is internally peaceful. While there is ascertain amount of petty crime and visitors must naturally beware of pickpockets in crowded areas, the rate of violent crime is very low. It is safer to walk the streets of, San Jose, Costa Rica (pop. 1,500,000, than the streets of any other city of comparable sized city in the United States.
It is also cultured and clean, boasting a disproportionate number of fine theaters, museums, art galleries and international restaurants. for a nation of its size, along with hundreds of local parks and athletic facilities.

Information from: International Living & Investing Newsletter, Volume3, Issue 6, June 2000