Americans in Costa Rica consists of immigrants and expatriates from the United States to Costa Rica, mostly retirees. According to the U.S. State Department, about 70,000 Americans live in the country.
American retirees, many of whom are Baby boomers, flocked to Costa Rica’s tropical beaches to retire as they’re drawn to its biodiversity, the political stability, and its relative low cost health care. The number of Americans who collect their Social Security checks in Costa Rica has jumped 67% since 2002.
Many Americans have also purchased vacation homes rather than moving lock, stock and barrel, leaving the U.S. behind. They intend to retire in Costa Rica in five years or so and are using the rental income to pay off the property in the interim.