Over the years I helped thousands of North Americans relocated to Costa Rica and change their lives for the better. I have appeared on the NBC Today Show, CNBC World Business news and Fox Business news and in scores of newspapers and publications. As a matter of fact, during the third week of September 2011 I will be a featured speaker (in Spanish) at The Central American Conference for Realtors to be held in Costa Rica. Many dignitaries from all over the region will speak and attend this event.

I have always remained positive about Costa Rica, tend to look at the bright side of things and extolled the virtues of the country.

On my monthly relocation/retirement tours I talk about the good and bad in Costa Rica when I give my clients their initial orientation. I really don’t “sugar coat”” anything but try to emphasize the good aspects of the country which far outweigh the bad. The country must have something to offer since there are more Americans living here proportionately than any other country outside of the United States. They can’ be wrong!

I really feel good about what I do and find it rewarding to give people some hope in these troubled times. They now have a chance to start over, have a lifestyle they could never have in the U.S. and enjoy everything this beautiful country has to offer.

Inevitably I have some detractors. Some of them are jealous competitors while others and gringos who have nothing better to do with their time than to bitch and complain about the country. Sadly, we have a handful of neophyte know-it-all wise-ass North American Baby Boomers who came here after 2000 and who are real pains in the butt. Most don’t speak the language and will never integrate into the local culture so all they have to do to give meaning to their pitiful lives is to complain about everything and everyone. All you have to do is read their comments on the many Costa Rica blogs and on-line publications. The Internet has become their stage where they can enjoy a few minutes of attention they would never or have never received in the real world.

Actually I am thankful to these people because any publicity is good publicity.

Fortunately, the positive feedback and testimonials about my services and businesses FAR outweigh any criticism I may have received over the years. My success says it all. Higher ups in the Costa Rican government as well as the U.S. media constantly contact me for advice and information about the country.

The world economy is a big concern for anyone who is thinking of retiring or investing in Costa Rica. The good news is that direct investment in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased in 2010 in comparison with 2009. During the fist six months of 2010 the economies of the region grew almost sixteen percent over the previous year. Investment won’t reach the levels seen in 2007 and 2008 but the future looks encouraging.

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, Costa Rica has been minimally impacted by the crisis in the U.S. We are a small economy and the countries that were hit the hardest were those with big economies with large industries. Fortunately, only tourism and real estate have seemed to have been affected here.

Despite the fact that a lot of foreign investors have been reluctant to invest because of a loss of equity in the U.S., the local real estate market is sound with financing available. Traditionally land prices tend to stabilize during downturns, so now is a good time for savvy investors and retirees to find some value properties. Most prices are no longer overinflated as they were during the boom times because a lot of investors got into trouble and lowered their asking prices. Also, many developers got caught with too much of their own money in land and are now anxious offer some values to get rid of their inventory. I know of a couple who are offering some incredible bargains on raw land.

If retirees and investors do their due diligence, know a real value when they see it and have vision, they should be able to make good investments that will pay of down the road. In Spanish we have a saving, “En río revuelto ganan pescadores,” which means that in bad times or a turbulent river, fisherman or anyone can prosper.”

When thinking about retirement in Latin American two of the most important factors to consider are the stability and economy of any country. As far as stability is concerned Costa Rica is the longest enduring democracy south of the border and has NO army. In terms of economy the country is in good shape especially when compared to the U.S. And other countries around the world which were hit hard by the economic downturn. In fact, Costa Rica Rica is the third most prosperous country in Latin America.

The Legatum Institute of Great Britain recently made an index which measures level of prosperity of 110 nations around the world. A combination of each country’s economy, business climate, education, health care, safety, governability and personal freedom were studied to determine the level of prosperity. Only Uruguay (28th) Chile (32nd) topped Costa Rica (33rd) in the region. Norway, Denmark, and Finland headed the list prosperous countries. Canada was in 7th place and the U.S. in the 10th spot. Nicaragua was in the 87th position.

Find out how in the 16th edition of:
The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica

Confronted with the spiraling cost of living in the United States and the current financial downturn, baby boomers can now retire for less, hang on to what they have left and have the time and freedom to do what they really want by moving to Costa Rica. For many Costa Rica offers a lifestyle they could never enjoy in North America.

Located only two hours by air from Florida, Costa Rica has been called the “Little Switzerland of America” because of its unparalleled natural beauty. Year-round spring-like weather; pristine warm-water tropical beaches, friendly people; Latin America’s oldest democracy with NO army, no terrorism (the country has no enemies), a low cost of living; inexpensive world-class medical care; excellent cheap transportation and communication systems; reasonably proced. housing; opportunities which allow foreigners to start a business on a shoestring; tax savings for U.S. redsidents (make up to $91,400 a year tax free); plus a government that makes relocating as easy as possible—all combine to make Costa Rica tops on the list of expatriate retirement havens. More North Americans live in Costa Rica proportionately than any other country outside of the U.S. They can’t be wrong!

Christopher Howard Howard is a 30-year Costa Rican resident and citizen, the author of 14 books on Latin America, a frequent lecturer, consultant for National Geographic in Costa Rica and a columnist for these publications: Central America Weekly newspaper, on-line newspapers AM Costa Rica and Inside Costa Rica, Costa Rican Outdoors, and the Association of Residents of Costa Rica’s magazine, El Residente.

The 680-page 16th Edition of The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica, ISBN 1-881233-66-4, $29.95 is available from Amazon.com, in bookstores through Baker & Taylor or by calling Costa Rica Books toll free 800-365-2342

A lot of tourists come to Costa Rica and are initially struck by the country’s beauty. I have heard scores of tourists remark, “I wish I could live here,” or “You are so lucky to live here.” Once they get bitten by the Costa Rica bug it is hard to get it out of their system.

Former tourists who want to move here to retire start to do their research and find out about Costa Rica’s affordable health care, great lifestyle, NO army, friendly people and so much more. All of this makes he country seem even more attractive. As I have mentioned before Costa Rica has more American residents per capita (proportionately) than any other country outside of the United States. They can’t be wrong!

The country’s new president, Laura Chinchilla, is expected to give the industry a boost by putting place programs to increase tourist arrivals. With more tourists will come more retirees. Tourism drives the retirement and real estate markets here.

The goals is for 2010 to have 2 million tourists, with the idea of increasing to 2.5 million tourists annually by 2014.

The Ministro de Turimso, Carlos Rivardo Benavides, was quoted as saying that “it is very likely that the goal will be achieved”. Benavides explained that for 2010 a 4% to 6% increase over 2009 is expected.

Tourist arrivals in Costa Rica broke the 2 million mark in 2008, with 2,090.000 tourist arrivals that year.The official number of tourist arrivals for 2009 was 1.922.579, based on figures released by the Cámara Nacional de Turismo.