A study carried out by expat-focused “International Living” magazine shows Costa Rica is among the top five destinations for U.S. and Canada retirees.
Its “Annual Retirement Index 2013” listed the 22 best places to retire. Editors analyzed data and information from correspondents in the countries most popular with U.S. and Canadian retirees to compile the results, which were based on a host of categories: cost of living, climate, property prices, healthcare, ease of integration, retirement infrastructure, entertainment and amenities and special benefits for retirees.
In the country’s analysis the magazine summarizes Costa Rica’s position as a result of comfort and community.
The report cites testimonies from expats who claim that “Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system (which provides world top class -and cheap- services), the nation’s stability, the proximity with the U.S., great climate conditions as well as an active expat community” are some of the main reasons to enjoy living here.
Ecuador tops the list followed by Panama, Malaysia and Mexico. Other region’s countries that made list were Nicaragua, which ranked 12, Honduras 20 and Belize 21.
Annual Retirement Index 2013
| Country | Real Estate | Special Benefits | C.L. | Integ. | E&A | Health | Ret. Inf. | Climate | FINAL SCORE |
| Ecuador | 99 | 99 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 83 | 79 | 100 | 91.9 |
| Panama | 83 | 100 | 86 | 93 | 95 | 85 | 81 | 88 | 89.0 |
| Malaysia | 89 | 77 | 92 | 90 | 100 | 93 | 85 | 75 | 87.6 |
| Mexico | 92 | 71 | 82 | 100 | 100 | 84 | 74 | 78 | 85.1 |
| Costa Rica | 89 | 85 | 87 | 90 | 94 | 86 | 73 | 71 | 84.4 |
| Uruguay | 87 | 72 | 69 | 83 | 94 | 91 | 82 | 92 | 83.7 |
| Colombia | 94 | 75 | 70 | 90 | 82 | 84 | 83 | 86 | 83.0 |
| Spain | 87 | 57 | 80 | 83 | 96 | 80 | 93 | 83 | 82.5 |
| Thailand | 82 | 57 | 97 | 87 | 96 | 81 | 77 | 81 | 82.3 |
| Malta | 87 | 82 | 71 | 100 | 68 | 82 | 77 | 75 | 80.1 |
| Portugal | 75 | 69 | 86 | 67 | 81 | 82 | 95 | 85 | 80.1 |
| Nicaragua | 94 | 63 | 89 | 90 | 77 | 83 | 68 | 73 | 79.7 |
| Ireland | 78 | 79 | 67 | 97 | 84 | 73 | 85 | 73 | 79.5 |
| France | 72 | 82 | 57 | 64 | 100 | 89 | 87 | 85 | 79.5 |
| Philippines | 78 | 57 | 100 | 87 | 79 | 83 | 84 | 69 | 79.5 |
| New Zealand | 82 | 74 | 57 | 90 | 88 | 71 | 86 | 87 | 79.3 |
| Italy | 76 | 77 | 66 | 74 | 98 | 70 | 89 | 83 | 79.0 |
| Brazil | 80 | 70 | 80 | 60 | 76 | 84 | 69 | 85 | 75.5 |
| Chile | 85 | 69 | 81 | 57 | 88 | 78 | 83 | 57 | 74.8 |
| Honduras | 76 | 85 | 80 | 87 | 64 | 76 | 67 | 62 | 74.6 |
| Belize | 78 | 72 | 85 | 83 | 57 | 79 | 66 | 64 | 73.2 |
| Dom. Rep | 91 | 63 | 70 | 64 | 74 | 68 | 75 | 64 | 71.0 |
C. L. = Cost of Living *E&A = Entertainment and Amenities *Ret. Inf. = Retirement Infrastructure *Integ. = Integration
