Top Six Reasons to Retire in Costa Rica



Retiring comfortably and in a nice locale in the U.S. these days just isn’t as easy or inexpensive as it used to be in the past, particularly for attractive beach areas. Many people who would never think of leaving the country and moving elsewhere are now considering just about EVERY possibility and this is how locations like Costa Rica have become a hot topic among the soon-to-retire baby boomers and others thinking about retirement.
The top six reasons for looking at Costa Rica as an affordable alternative to what most folks in the U.S. desire or need for retirement:

1. Cost of living. With a little research and a lot of help from an experienced professional, it is still possible to find an attractive, safe and low-cost place to retire here in Costa Rica. Live like a local, pay like a local.
2. Climate. Traditionally, those newly minted retirees from cold climates are most likely to desire temperate climates and beautiful natural settings in which to settle. Year round warm weather and distinct lack of hurricanes, tornadoes, tidal waves and dramatic temperature changes draw many of these way-too-cold folks to Costa Rica.

1. Medical care. The quality of health care here in Costa Rica has improved to the point that it has actually become a top location in the world for medical, dental and plastic surgery tourism, along with all types of corporal, aesthetic, drug and alcohol detox programs. The success of this type of medical tourism has not only proved the quality and validity of today’s medical experts in this country, it has also demonstrated the viability in cost for middle class visitors and retirees. The fear of poor medical care is disappearing and incentives in the form of good care at a reasonable cost are simply driving many retirees to Costa Rica as the intelligent and affordable alternative.
2. Access to family and friends. For those committed to being at arm’s-length distance to friends and relatives, living overseas just isn’t practical, but for the rest it may very well be that the globalization of the earth is playing right to your requirements. The penetration of quality high-speed internet, the use of VOIP international telephones, digital cameras and all of the other modern technical gadgets make keeping in contact a breeze. The world is a much smaller place with these types of communication and sometimes we find ourselves closer to our loved ones living outside of the country than to those that are living down the street! Plus, every year sees additional, affordable flights from the U.S. to Costa Rica, making regular visits increasingly easy. Who wouldn’t want to visit someone in beautiful and exotic Costa Rica?
3. Foreign culture. There was a time not so long ago where American expats felt continually out of place in any other country. Globalization, regular uses of foreign languages (particularly Spanish), understanding of foreign cultures and more have all created a level playing field where Americans actually have a place to fit in and to belong. Again, the internet and information technology has taken out a lot of the guesswork about local knowledge. Internet chat groups for North American expats exist in virtually every country on the planet, sharing all types of information, recommendations and personal friendships, and allowing just about anyone to not only exist, but to thrive in their new surroundings with some honest effort and some new friends! Don’t forget that amazing new language programs like Rosetta Stone give almost everyone the ability to get the basics of the local language and culture.
4. Retiree friendly. If you think the U.S. and its’ Baby Boomers are getting older, remember that the rest of the world is already older, especially in Europe and in other industrialized countries. These places have been preparing for the retirees, including Costa Rica with its’ popular socialized medical program that costs pennies in comparison to similar facilities in the U.S. One more thing to remember is that Costa Ricans by far tend to be much more respectful to their elders than just about anywhere else on the planet. It is not unusual to see youngsters and teens spending quality time with grandparents, and the entire family takes on the responsibilities of assisting grandparents in their daily lives.

Those are six great reasons to retire in Costa Rica. What do you think? If you can think of more reasons to retire (or not!) in Costa Rica, please leave a comment and let everyone know!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
-- Mark Twain

http://moranlakearenal.com/ - MORAN REAL ESTATE

The greatest Name in Costa Rican Real Estate

Gingerbread Boutique Hotel And Restaurant Kudos

Gingerbread Restaurant, possibly the best place to dine in Costa Rica
October 3, 9:53 PMDallas Living Abroad ExaminerLynn Farris

Gingerbread Restaurant lit at night. Photo courtesy of Gingerbread Restaurant.
Most people come to the Arenal area to see the spectacular active volcano, to soak in the thermal waters, to windsurf Lake Arenal and enjoy the wide variety of entertainment nature has to offer. They must also now add dining to that list of things to do. The 2009 Lonely Planet guide book to Costa Rica has called Gingerbread Restaurant "arguably the best restaurant in northwestern Costa Rica (if not the entire country)." To those of us who live here, we know it is the finest place to dine in Costa Rica.


The Gingerbread Restaurant is located on the Lake Road, in Nuevo Arenal, northwest of the tourist area of La Fortuna. The head chef and owner, Eyal Ben-Manachem has an incredible passion for life and for food that makes dining here a memorable occasion. He believes food is to be shared and enjoyed. Eyal is originally from Israel and worked in a catering company there. He followed his enjoyment of food and rugby to the U.S. where he ended up in Chicago and enrolled in Kendall College, earning a culinary degree. He returned to Israel and then in 2003, he fell in love with Costa Rica, making it his home.



Here he creates what he calls an International fusion of French, Mediterranean and California cuisine, using only the freshest local ingredients. The menu changes nightly depending on what is good at the market. His specialties often include hand selected fresh local beef and pork. With the Costa Rica location, he also often showcases, fresh tuna, mahi mahi, red snapper, sea bass, jumbo shrimp, calamari and occasionally octopus.



I had the opportunity to dine there recently with friends. They had brought with them a special bottle of wine for us to share at dinner and Eyal was quite gracious in opening the wine and serving it to us without a cork fee. However, Gingerbread offers a wide selection of fine wine, spirits and both national and imported beers.



We all shared his amazing mushroom appetizer, and a caprese salad which was incredible. I’ll confess, I have shared his mushrooms and caprese salad every time I have dined here. These are two of his specialties and I strongly recommend them.



Our friends raved about his blackened tuna salad. The dressing allowed the salad to shine, but added a fascinating blend of sweet and spicy flavors. Her husband had the Mexican Pork, although he had planned to have prime rib, which wasn’t available that night. Despite his disappointment at having to make a substitution, he was blown away by the tenderness of the pork and the flavors. On our way home that evening, he was still wondering how anyone could make pork that tender.


Vegetarian Fettuccine. Photo by Donald Farris.
My husband and I are vegetarians, which often test the skills of fine chefs. Eyal made us a vegetarian fettuccini with feta cheese, green beans, carrots, sun dried tomatoes, peppers and fresh herbs in a very light sauce. As a vegetarian, I have certainly had my share of vegetarian pasta dishes; this was by far the best I have ever eaten. While Gingerbread may not advertise it, this is the place to come if you are a vegetarian.


Eyal is also known for his desserts featuring rich dark chocolate and fresh fruits. Unfortunately we were all too full to even entertain dessert.



Gingerbread also has a boutique hotel attached to it. With his spirit of creativity, it is not surprising that each room features the work of local artists. One room features a jungle motif with fantastic murals, another is a butterfly room and a third, the honeymoon room, offers a cupid motif. Eyal has supported local artists and not only is their art displayed here, you can purchase some of it as well.



While this certainly is not the least expensive place to dine, most people consider it quite reasonable for a dinner of this quality. Because portions are large and sharing is encouraged, if you come with friends, you can partake in a number of courses fairly economically. Make reservations before coming and bring cash. Credit cards are not accepted here.

Gingerbread Hotel And Fine Restaurant