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| Foreigners that plan to retire in Costa Rica
will want to apply for pensionado status, which gives
retirees perks that include 50% discounts on movies and
sporting events, 30% discounts on transportation and 25%
discounts on restaurant meals. These
benefits should not change, but income requirements for expat
retirees will change in early 2010. Until
then, expats can retire with proof of just $600 of income per
month. Once February rolls around, that amount will
be $1,000 a month
(including spouse). This income must come from a
qualified pension, retirement account or Social
Security. Expat retirees must also change at least
$1,000 per month from dollars into the local currency (colones) and live in
Costa Rica for at least four months out of the
year. |
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Health care in Costa Rica is quite good, and foreigners who are
residents are covered under the Caja Costarricense de Seguro
Social (or CAJA), the socialized medical plan of Costa Rica (Medicare
is not accepted in Costa Rica). There are ten
major public hospitals in the country affiliated with the CAJA,
including four in the capital of San Jose. Although
the care is good (and very inexpensive), public hospitals are usually
crowded, have long waits, and it is not always easy to find someone who speaks
English. Most expats tend to pay (cash) and go to a private
hospital, where costs are still a fraction of those in the U.S. A
positive recent development is that insurance companies are now
starting to offer private health care insurance for $50 to $100 a
month (depending on health status, etc.) to cover costs at private
hospitals. For non-emergencies, the clinic in Nuevo
Arenal is adequate and for more serious illnesses, a private,
state-of-the-art hospital is planned for Liberia, an hour and a
half away by car.
Many expats, too, maintain U.S. health
insurance and evacuation coverage in case of a major medical
emergency.
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| Lake Arenal is at an altitude of 1,700 feet above sea
level so the
weather is cool and fresh
all year long. Average temperatures range
between 68 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
The rainy season runs from May to November, and the winds
kick up from December to April. Oh, and Arenal
Volcano is active, often putting on magnificent, fiery
displays for tourists and locals alike (Nuevo Arenal is
not in the volcano's lava path). Thinking about retiring
here? Of
course! To reach this charming spot, fly into Liberia
International Airport, about 90 minutes west, on American,
Continental or United (just a few of the airlines flying into LIA),
and follow the Inter-American Highway (Route 1 on most maps) south
to Highway 142. Go east to the lake region and follow the
road around to the charming little village of Nuevo Arenal
where an affordable, relaxed and tropical retirement
awaits.
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Great Retirement Spots Newsletter is
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#152, Denver, CO 80231. (303) 358-0512. Copyright ©
2006-2009.
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