This is good news for retirees and other foreigners who live here and for those thinking of relocating to Costa Rica. Almost everybody knows Costa Rica abolished its army over fifty years ago, thus paving the way for a peaceful existence. No other country I Latin America has these credentials.

Global peace Index or GPI which was just published and gave Costa Rica a high ranking. The report was made by the Institute for Economy and Peace which is an international organization that measures peace and human rights in the world. The institute takes into account 23 variables including military expenditures, relationships with neighboring countries, the degree of human rights, democracy, the type of government and access to health care and education.

The report praises Costa Rica’s abolition of the military, democracy and universal health care and education.

It is interesting that Uruguay was the only country to finish ahead of Costa Rica in Latin America and they have a military. The Armed Forces of Uruguay (Fuerzas armadas del Uruguay or FF.AA. del Uruguay) consist of an army, navy, and air force. The country’s armed forces consists of: 14,500 troops for the army; 6,000 for the navy; and 3,000 for the air force. These three branches are constitutionally subordinate to the president through the Minister of Defense. From 1973-1985 Uruguay’s military carried out a so-called “Dirty War. “ Hundreds of innocent civilins disappeared during this period. There was a movie about Uruguay’s problems at the time and is called “State of Siege.” It was directed by Costa-Gavras’ and recreated the true story of the interrogation of a CIA case officer by unnamed urban revolutionaries. The movie is considered a classic and unsettling political thriller.

Based on Uruguay’s past problems , I am really surprised that Costa Rica finished second to Uruguay in the list of peaceful nations. Costa Rica never has had to deal with anything like a dirty way. That’s why more American’s live here proportionately than any other country outside of the United States and the country is Latin America’s #1 retirement haven.

This morning I visited my dentist Ana Cristina Brenes who has her practice in downtown Heredia. I have been her patient for almost ten years. She is a charming woman and excellent dentist whose English is almost perfect. Since I speak Spanish like a native the language is not a barrier for me. However, many of her American clients speak little or no Spanish so English is a necessity.

One of the advantages to retiring in Costa Rica is the low cost of dental work. For example I broke a crown a few weeks ago and Doctora Brenes replaced it with a new one this morning. The cost of the whole procedure was about $225. I know for a fact that the same procedure runs around $1000 in the United States. No wonder, Costa Rica is becoming a haven for cosmetic dentistry.

Many tourists come to Costa Rica to have their cosmetic dental work done inexpensively. The quality of dental work in Costa Rica is equal to that found in Europe, Canada or the United States. On the average, dental work costs about 25 to 30 percent less than in the United States. Most dentists charge about $40 for an initial exam. The approximate costs of the most common cosmetic procedures are: wisdom tooth surgery $175, single root canal $150, new crown $250 to $500, implants start at around $750, fillings about $30 per tooth, and regular tooth extraction $40. If you have children, orthodontics are very affordable. Check prices with the dentist of your choice, since rates vary.

Costa Rican dentists offer the following services: implants, gum treatment, root canals, whitening, oral surgery, crowns, bridges and nitrous oxide sedation.

Orthodontics for children and adults are available and affordable in Costa Rica. The author’s son had braces. The total cost for a two-year treatment is about $1,500 which can be paid in monthly installments of $50.

Here is what one retired expat remarked about dental costs here. “ Braces for my 10-year-old ran about $1,000 .Other dental prices I’ve encountered to date: Teeth Cleaning – 15,000 colones ($27.27 USD) performed by the actual dentist not the assistant); White Cavity Fillings (composite); 13,000 colones ($23.60 USD) each-including painless local anesthesia where needed; Pre-orthodontics, Complete X-rays, Pictures and Full Dental Molds , 33,000 colones ($60.00 USD).”

Reading the title of this article evokes memories of John F. Kennedy’s “”Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” All of us came to Costa Rica for the good weather, the country’s natural beauty, friendly people, pura vida lifestyle and the intangibles. Retirees and other guests living in Costa Rica can show their gratitude by giving something back to country in exchange for the privilege and all of the amenities of living here.

Here are some suggestions:

(1) Take part in a program like the Community Conversation Program whereby English-speaking retirees dedicate a couple of hours a week to speaking English with Costa Ricans. Here is what one expat retiree said about the program, “The Costa Ricans who come along are just so grateful to have someone to practice their English with that it makes you so happy to help. I have made so many new friends and learned so much about different people from doing this.”

(2) Take part in an animal rescue group that helps find homes for street dogs. One couple I know spends their time and money getting dogs spayed in an effort to cut down on the number homeless dogs in the future.

(3) One retiree I know from Central Florida, spends his time donating computers to schools and helping students learn how to use them.

(4) Donate clothes, furniture and other items you have no need for to the needy.

(5) Cultivate friendships with the locals. Ticos make wonderful friends. Knowing the language can really tighten the bond.

6) Create a source of employment by hiring Costa Ricans whether it is as maid, gardener or another type of work. Through my relocation/retirement business I figure almost 100 or more locals benefit indirectly. I have almost 20 full-time employees alone in my various business ventures. I have a gringo friend and associate who has a couple of travel businesses that specialize in trips to Costa Rica. He sells 1000s of trips per year thus generating a lot money for the local economy because tourism employees a lot of Costa Ricans and is one of the country’s main sources of revenue.

7) Donate to the people from “Hogar Crea” or other organizations which helps former drug addicts turn around their lives. You have seen their people at intersections with their bright yellow t-shirts and canisters asking for small contributions. The Costa Rican government doesn’t have the resources to support these groups, so they depend on donations.

Buy local handicrafts and souvenirs. On my monthly retirement tours I always make it a point to take my clients souvenir shopping. They buy everything from Costa Ricans recipe books to anything else they can cram into their suitcases. I always buy something for myself in order to support the local artisans. My house is so full of typical Costa Rican handicrafts that it looks like a museum. I am just happy to be able to help the local commerce any way I can.

9) I know an American dentist who has done a tremendous amount of volunteer work helping Costa Rica’s indigenous groups.

10) There are also volunteer medical and religious missions where one can help. One organization even build homes for less-fortunate Costa Ricans in poorer neighborhoods.

I am sure there are many other opportunities give something back to Costa Rica in a variety of ways. The important thing is to demonstrate one’s gratitude for being able to live in such a wonderful spot on earth and your generosity is one way of doing it.

When you read this title the first thing that probably comes to mind are young girls engaging in nudity, indecent exposure and other sexual acts on camera like the film “Girls Gone Wild.” The kind of misconduct that that some Americans engage in here is quite different.

Because law enforcement can be lax in Costa Rica and there is much more personal freedom than in the U.S., some foreigners take advantage of the situation and thumb their noses at the law. For example, during the real estate boom of a couple years ago there were many gringo tourists working as real estate brokers who sold property without permission to work. In order to be employed here you have to be a citizen, have residence with permission to work (libre de condiciones) or have a work permit. Not only did these people not have permission to work, they didn’t pay their local taxes on earned income to the Tributación Directa, which is the local version of the IRS. Fortunately, the recent world real estate crisis weeded out most of these illegal workers.

Then there are those who have legal residency without permission to work but choose to work anyway. For example, a pensionado or retired person cannot work here. Notice number four on the list of pensionado requirements:

(1) Requires proof of US$1000 per month income from permanent pension source or retirement fund.
(2) Must remain in country at least 4 months per year.
(3) Can claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.
(4) Cannot work as an employee.
(5) Can own a company and receive dividends.

It states clearly that a person cannot work as an employee. Personally, I know of a number of pensionados who are violating the law by working here. Because the Immigration Department doesn’t have the manpower and has its hands full with a lot of hard-core illegal immigrants, a large number of the pensionados and other foreigners who work do so without permission because they can get away with it. However, under the new immigration law the number of immigration police will be increased and in some cases they will deport anyone who is caught working without the proper documentation.

This is not a major issue but what it boils down to is that you have people who are guests in a country and who are breaking the law.

Recently I read an article about expats “Going Wild” in Mexico. The article talks about Americans fleeing “Obamanomics” and the beginning of “doomsday” expats who believe that the world will end in 2012 or that there’s money to be made from those who believe the world will end then. A growing number of Americans in Mexico are disaffected with the U.S. and life under Barack Obama. Some, now labeled “Refugiados de Obamanomics (Refugees from Obama Economics)” are intent on escaping to a country where there is the sense of greater personal freedoms. Here is the attitude of one of these crackpots. “I can smoke in restaurants and no femi-Nazi take umbrage if I call someone a babe,” an Old Gringo, said.

I admit that over the years we have had our share of gringo misfits, drunks, doomsdayers, scam artists, overnight fame seekers and disfunctional people, but fortunately these characters make up only a small portion of retirees who live here. Most retirees who move to Costa Rica are law biding citizens. Since Costa Rica is much farther south than Mexico and has four other Central American countries as a buffer zone a lot of the hard core “fringe elements” don’t make it here. Also, Mexico has over one million Americans residents so there is a greater chance of attracting more undesirable gringos.

From the sound of the title you would think this article is about World War 2. If you have ever spent a New Years Eve in Costa Rica or experienced the Tet offensive from the Vietnam War days, you can probably relate to what goes on here. I guess the closest thing is our annual Fourth of July celebration. However, foreign retirees and tourists are often shocked by the amount of noise associated Costa Rica New Years festivities.

Last night was New years eve in Costa Rica and the New Year literally started out with a BANG. When the clock struck twelve signaling the beginning of 2011 it sounded like all hell broke lose in Heredia where I live and in many other parts of the country. It seemed like it was a signal for every Costa Rican to start setting of fireworks. This is an annual tradition and a lot of people really take it seriously.

I happened to be at home with my girlfriend so I could keep an eye on my two dogs. They detest the sound of fireworks going off and get very nervous. Actually I don’t really mind staying at home because I don’t like to drive with so many inebriated people on the streets.

Despite the fact that raucous New Year celebrations are plentiful here, most Costa Ricans gather with their family and close friends for food and in a more sedate fashion. If you choose to retire here no doubt you will learn to celebrate this day Costa Rican style and experience another facet of this wonderful Latin culture.