Checking Retirement in Costa Rica

An increasing number of mature travelers are discovering that Costa Rica is not only an exciting tourist destination, but also a possible retirement place. As a result, some enterprising tour operators have packaged trips to Costa Rica that offer seniors relaxing vacations and a chance to attend retirement seminars--with both Costa Rican and American local residents--that cover taxes, investments, medical and insurance systems, business opportunities and local social, political and economic issues.

Costa Rica has a temperate climate due to its location between two oceans, the Pacific on the west and the Caribbean on the east. Because of its small size--19,575 square miles--and two coasts, all of its people live within 75 miles of a coastline.

In addition, Costa Rica has an exceptional national parks system that takes up 12% of the country’s territory, offering 29 individual parks, preserves, refuges and recreational areas made up of mangrove swamps, rain forests, marshes, coral reefs, volcanoes, caves, geothermal springs and other terrain.

These wilderness areas provide shelter for about 12,000 varieties of plants (including 1,200 species of orchids), 350 species of amphibian creatures and reptiles, about 850 kinds of birds and 235 species of animals. Many of the parks have camping facilities, restrooms and other amenities. Others are remote and unimproved.

Prices of hotels and restaurants in Costa Rica are moderate. The capital city of San Jose has dozens of small, European-style hotels with full baths and other facilities starting at $35 per night for two persons in its downtown area. Almost all are below $100. There are a few modern high-rise hotels, most away from the downtown area, that list rooms at $100 or more per night.

Some of San Jose’s first-class restaurants offer meals with appetizer, salad, main course, dessert and wine for $30 for two, including the 10% national tax and a 13% service charge. Many smaller cafes and restaurants offer dinners for less than $10 per person, including tax and service charge.

Although visitors will discover a lack of golfing facilities--the entire nation has only one 18-hole golf course, which is for members only, and three nine-hole golf courses--there are beaches, deep-sea fishing, river rafting and other water sports and outdoor activities.

People can also hike in the many parks, and climb mountains, study volcanoes, explore rain forests and walk over miles of attractive shoreline.

In addition, San Jose has English-language movies, several American Legion clubs, a bridge club, tennis courts, health clubs, museums and Spanish-language schools. There is a weekly English-language newspaper with stories on film, theater, music programs, special events, restaurants, news, business and sports. Cable television is available throughout the country.

Visitors to Costa Rica need not concern themselves about the drinking water as they would in Mexico. Tap water is safe to drink anywhere, and imported liquor is less expensive here than in many U.S. restaurants and hotels. The local beer is modestly priced at 50 to 75 cents a bottle. Local wines are not costly. A good bottle costs from $7 to $10, and some good wines are available.

Foreign retirees in Costa Rica, who are referred to as pensionados , must have a guaranteed $600-per-month income, and the money must be deposited in a Costa Rica bank. Pensionados , however, can’t work for local businesses and can’t compete in the local labor market. But they can own and operate businesses of their own and make investments in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is served by five airlines: American, Continental, Mexicana, Pan Am and the country’s national airline, LACSA.

First-time visitors to Costa Rica should go by a tour that at least offers round-trip air transportation, plus lodging, meals, sightseeing and a rental car.

If travel agents don’t have listings of such tour operators, contact the following:

--EcoTours, 3325 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 504, Los Angeles 90010, telephone (800) 882-1885 or (213) 385-1215.

--Tracks to Costa Rica, 42-446 Bob Hope Drive, Suite 105, Rancho Mirage 92270, (800) 273-5759.

--Lifestyle Explorations, World Trade Center, Suite 400, Boston, Mass. 02210, (503) 371-4814.

For general information on Costa Rica, including maps and brochures, contact the Costa Rica Tourist Board, 3540 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 707, Los Angeles 90010, (213) 382-8080.