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Are you looking for active adult communities in Costa Rica? Then it would help if you read this blog to understand how different our retirement market is from the U.S. and Europe. I often get emails from clients in the US and Canada looking to retire in another country. They have read about retirement in Costa Rica.
Some ask how many golf courses we have in the community, and others how many homes there are. Many questions also include, “Do you have any views from the homes in the community?” and “What are the community amenities?” Some think they’ll find a retirement community like they have in Florida.
Costa Rica has been in the news so often as one of the best retirement destinations in the world that some people have started to believe that it is an active adult or retirement community.
Let’s make it clear from the beginning so you can stop your search, change your mind, and do something else. We do not have anything comparable to the Villages between Orlando and Ocala.
Is Costa Rica a retirement community?
Well, let me first set some things straight here. Costa Rica is NOT a retirement community or an active adult community. It is a country in Central America between Panama and Nicaragua. And, in case you wonder, it is NOT an island. If you thought it was, you’d be confused with Puerto Rico.
The capital city is San Jose, not to be mistaken for San Jose in California or San Juan in Puerto Rico. I just want to ensure you don’t hop on the wrong flight. But there is plenty to do in Costa Rica; don’t worry for a minute about that.
A Place to Retire
Costa Rica has been the best place for thousands of retirees to retire since the 1980s. Costa Rica has several advantages over other well-known retirement countries:
- the democracy,
- no army
- the great weather
- and the nicest and happiest people on earth living here.
Most retirees or expats live in the Escazu and Santa Ana areas, which are now more urban than 40 years ago. Newer locations like Atenas and Grecia are also very attractive to retirees, as they are more rural and small towns. Cariari is more suburbia. And the new kid on the block is Puriscal. Check out all the links to learn more about them/
These are all cities, not active adult or retirement communities. These newer locations are very much like Escazu was 30 years ago. The population is very laid back and easygoing. You’ll find the most essential services are available right there or a short distance away.
Retirement communities in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has received thousands of retirees from the US and Canada. However, Costa Rica has no master-planned retirement communities, and even gated communities are small. The largest communities have no more than 80 – 90 homes. Besides, Costa Rica is full of hills and mountains, so few locations are flat enough to develop a golf course or community that would fit retirees.
If you are looking for an active adult community in the Central Valley and you enjoy playing golf, I would suggest you have a serious look at:
- Ciudad Cariari,
- Parque Valle del Sol
- and Ciudad Hacienda Los Reyes
Our agents can show you property for sale in all those communities. If golf is your thing, here is an interesting blog about golf communities in Costa Rica.
Your lifestyle
Most people who retire to Costa Rica are under 65 and looking for an active adult community. It depends a lot on the lifestyle that you are used to, so you can pick the right community to retire to.
The good news is that Costa Rica and, mainly, the Central Valley have a zillion things to do for active adults. All the amenities that a retiree can need are within reasonable driving distance. Costa Rica is really one large active adult community.
Your options are plenty
So, if you are planning to retire abroad and looking for an active adult community, or retirement community, Costa Rica is a good choice because it is very different. At GoDutch Realty, we train our agents well. More importantly, they live in communities themselves, which will suit you well.
You can choose from Golf communities like Valle del Sol, Los Reyes, or Cariari, as well as well-known gated communities such as Villa Real, Bosques de Lindora, Roca Verde, and many others. You’ll find it easy to find people your age who speak your language.
If you enjoy cultural meetings, concerts, pickleball, and bridge and have other hobbies you’d like to keep, there are lots of organizations like
Retirement Tours
If you don’t know where to start, we recommend you take a retirement tour. The tour will give you an excellent overview of what is available and what fits your requirements.
Assisted Living
Also, if you need Assisted Living in Costa Rica, read our article about Verdeza in Escazu
Contact us now if you need our expert assistance buying property in any of Costa Rica’s active adult communities for your retirement.
