As one of my clients once stated, “Costa Rica is a user-friendly country for Americans.” You may ask why? Americans have always been welcome here since the first expat boom started in the 1980s. Do you know that there are more Americans living here full and part time proportionately than any other country in the world. They can’t be wrong!

Costa Ricans are used to seeing and interacting with people from the U.S. Yes, they have their own deep-rooted culture, but in some ways have adopted an America life: U.S. automobiles, television programs, imported foods, clothing styles, chain stores, restaurants, movies, music and television have all found their way into daily life here.

English is the second language and is spoken by more and more people every day. In fact, bilingual Costa Ricans have more opportunities in the job market. Don’ get me wrong Spanish is and will always be the primary language.

Affordable medical care is excellent and is another incentive for relocating. Many of the country’s doctors are English speaking and trained in the United States. So, Costa Rica has become a popular mecca for medical tourism.

The country is drop-dead beautiful with its spectacular vistas, bevy of warm water beaches and majestic mountains. There are thousands of outdoor and indoor activities to stay busy and happy. Costa Rica is considered by many to be a nature lover’s Disneyland. There seems to be everything for someone and something for everyone.

Yes, there is political squabbling here but, in the end, things get resolved amicably. Costa Rica has no army and does not meddle in the affairs of other countries. Consequently, the is no threat of terrorism or political upheaval. The country has never had a bloody and tumultuous history like, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela or most countries south of the border.

Ad to all of this that Costa Rica is the oldest and most stable democracy in Latin America and the United States like to use it as an example and model for other countries in the region.

So, there you have it in a nutshell, a country that is worth checking out and far from the maddening crowd.