Common Misconceptions about Costa Rica

If the hustle and bustle of city living is taking its toll on you, you may want to think about going for a change of lifestyles. While you can relocate to any one of America’s 50 states, there’s a place farther south you might not have considered yet—Cost Rica. Expats from the U.S. and other countries have been buying real estate in this country for many years due to its pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and affordable living costs.

A lot of people harbor misconceptions about this gem of a country. One of these is that Costa Rica has poor public services and a revolving door of a government. In reality, Costa Rica has excellent universal health care, earthquake-resistant buildings, and a stable democratic government. It also has a thriving economy that greatly benefits its citizens and residents.

Many people also believe Costa Rica is somewhere in or around Mexico. Costa Rica is in Central America and has its own unique culture and cuisine. Even the Spanish the locals speak is unique to the country -- it’s slower, clearer, and the “r” isn’t rolled as much. Indeed, Costa Rica is a nation that proudly bears its own identity.

Likewise, people who think Costa Rica’s only attraction is its beaches should explore its rich land attractions. While it’s true that Dominical has become a surfing mecca, nature lovers can also enjoy the breathtaking and well-preserved trails in the country’s government-protected forests.

Pura Vida! The Reasons Why You’ll Love Costa Rica

With its wonderful sceneries, vibrant culture, and friendly locals, Costa Rica is definitely one of the best places to be in the Caribbean. It is currently the home of some 40,000 US citizens, and is frequently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. True to its traditional greeting, “Pura Vida” or “Good life!”, the first thing that visitors would notice about Costa Rica is its beautiful landscape: trees, beaches, and mountains in all their natural splendor.

However, there are other reasons why some people would leave their home countries and spend the rest of their days here. While the low cost of living in the country is remarkable in itself, Costa Rica’s healthcare system is topnotch. Many drugs and medicines are readily obtainable without prescription, and the national healthcare and social security system (CCSS) ensures that everybody would have equal access to major public hospitals and clinics in the country.

The crime rate is also quite low, particularly when compared against those in other Central American and Caribbean countries. While the country hasn’t had a standing military force since 1949, Costa Rica employs an efficient and well-funded police force that protect tourists and locals alike from petty thievery and break-ins. 

Why Buy Real Estate in a Surfing Paradise?

Without a doubt, surfing is one of the most popular recreational activities in the world. Everyone from teenagers to young professionals, to sports icons like David Beckham surf to offset the stresses of the day. Surfing owes its popularity to the fact that it requires minimal equipment and no formal training to enjoy it. Due to surfing's popularity, it's estimated that the global surfing market will grow to a $13.2 billion industry by 2017.

Dominical in Costa Rica has become a mecca for surfers around the world. Its beaches produce the most consistent waves in the country, making it the perfect surfing spot for all surfers. The smaller white-water breaks are ideal for newbies, while the bigger waves are a draw for more advanced surfers.

Due to the popularity of Dominical's beaches, buying real estate in Costa Rica can become a bountiful investment. Buyers can open restaurants or bars that surfers can hang out in after a day chasing the waves. Other investors can open hotels to cater to the booming tourist population. If you're a surfer yourself, buying a house that's a skip and a hop away from one of the best surfing beaches in the world will be a dream come true.

With all that Dominical has to offer, real estate properties in the area—like its beaches—are indeed world class.