No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaInternational Living names Costa Rica as best retirement destination in 2021

International Living names Costa Rica as best retirement destination in 2021

International Living, a United States-based publication specializing in — you guessed it — living internationally, named Costa Rica as the world’s best place to retire in 2021.

Costa Rica ranks first on International Living’s list, which also names Panama, Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador in a Latin America-heavy top-10.

Why Costa Rica? According to Kathleen Evans, International Living’s Costa Rica correspondent, the Central American country “attracts millions of visitors and foreign residents throughout the year with its tropical climate; lower cost of living; friendly locals; affordable medical care; vast real estate options; and, of course, its natural beauty.”

“One of the things you hear often from expats is how warm and welcoming the Ticos are,” Evans writes. “You will also find engaging international communities of expats who will help you through the process of acclimation.”

International Living cites a welcoming culture, the more progressive government of President Carlos Alvarado, affordable healthcare and the country’s dozen microclimates as reasons to consider Costa Rica for retirement.

Check out the full list on International Living here. And if you’re sold on Costa Rica, here are the best beach towns for retirees.

2021-Retirement-index-by-the-numbers
Chart via International Living.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s La Fortuna Waterfall Ranks in Top 1% Globally on TripAdvisor

La Fortuna Waterfall in Costa Rica received TripAdvisor's "Best of the Best" award for the second straight year in the Travellers' Choice 2025 rankings....

Avianca Flight Disruptions Hit Costa Rica and All Central America

Colombian airline Avianca announced today that software issues in its Airbus A320 aircraft will cause major flight interruptions across its network, including key routes...

Costa Rica Leads Effort to Shield Sloths from Growing Illegal Trade

Costa Rica, alongside Brazil and Panama, has secured new international safeguards for two species of two-toed sloths, as nations at the United Nations Convention...

Spirit Airlines Starts Nonstop Flights to Belize from Fort Lauderdale

Spirit Airlines has started nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale to Belize City, marking a new option for travelers heading to Central America. The service...

Trump Threatens Serious Consequences Over Razor Thin Honduras Presidential Race

US President Donald Trump warned Monday of “serious consequences” if a supposed attempt to “change” the results of Honduras’s presidential election is confirmed, as...

Messi’s Inter Miami will play its first MLS final against Müller’s Whitecaps

On a magical night in front of their fans, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami thrashed New York City 5–1 on Saturday and advanced to the...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica