But the real draw is the property's 28 artesian hot springs, perfect for whiling away the hours with the whole family. Costa Rica is a rising contender for the title of Best Family Vacation Destination. This school is small, less than 300 students, but the atmosphere is safe and friendly with a focus on student success. Be prepared for sticker-shock. Another expat added, "My wife's niece recently graduated from the American School and had scholarship offers from 6 US Universities. It may be unrealistic to drag your kids … Compared to many of its Central American neighbors, Costa Rica is extremely safe. Many retired expats call this area home. Below are 13 of the best places for expat families to live in Costa Rica including information on nearby international schools. Playa Jacó and Herradura. Playa Flamingo and Potrero are just a few minutes up the coast from Brasilito. If you’re traveling with kids this is a great chance to unplug from technology and get out into nature. A mutual friend had mentioned that Jaco would probably be the best place for the park because it has a high concentration of tourists from around the world and it is only 1.5 hours away from Costa Rica… Expats living in Costa Rica interested in expat health insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. Copyright 1997-2020 Burlingame Interactive, Inc. Costa Rica has a lot to offer expats with its tropical climate, eco-friendly culture, beautiful beaches, welcoming people, good healthcare system and relative safety. Which type of residency is right for me? I love walking on the beach and buying cheap red snapper. With rent costing 60% less than rent in the United States, it’s an excellent way for expats, especially retirees, to get the best … Wildlife Reserve in Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro This remote, 102-sq-km refuge has long lured anglers seeking that elusive 18kg snook, and birders hoping to glimpse rare waterfowl. #30 Best Value of 100 Family Resorts in Costa Rica “ Family friendly and in a near perfect spot to access some amazing activities, wildlife and places of interest. Many expats warn newcomers about the high cost of housing and food. Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is dotted with beaches and towns that attract expat retirees. The Central Valley, which lies at an elevation of 3,000 to 5,000 feet, is the area of Costa Rica where the majority of expat retirees settle. One expat said, "Many families will choose the Central Valley due to access to the best hospitals and schools. She is to study International Relations, perhaps a future Ambassador? You can also book cooking classes for kids and, for the more adventurous,  whitewater rafting expeditions. With a population of approximately 12, 200, Santa Ana is another one of the more popular expat towns. 30 minutes south of Brasilito, is the popular surfing town of Tamarindo. The town of Ojochal is famous for some the best gourmet dinning in Costa Rica. Expats in Costa Rica talk about the best places for families to live in Costa Rica. Cariari and Belen can be a little warmer than other areas of the Central Valley. You may opt-out by. Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo. Which type of residency is right for me? At the Four Seasons, perched above the ocean in Guanacaste, the notion of luxury extends to every member of the family. Rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows at this beach retreat nestled in the rain forest. This area has lots of high rise condo and apartment buildings as well as higher end single family homes. "The Heredia area has a variety of climates. Central Pacific= Bajamar – Tarcoles – Punta Leona – Herradura – Jaco – Hermosa –Esterillos – Bejuco – Palo Seco. There's a large expat community in the area between Uvita and Ojochal, great beaches, a weekly farmer's market and some of the best restaurants in the country are in the area. Cuidad Colon is less expensive than Santa Ana and Escazu and very close to The Country Day School. Some of Betsy's more popular articles include 6 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica, 12 Things to Know Before Moving to The Dominican Republic and 7 Tips for Obtaining Residence in Italy. San Jose – Best places to stay in Costa Rica. It's a small town with a low-key, local vibe. Come for the hot springs and stay for the service in a luxuriously tranquil setting. For families that love nature, Costa Rica is a great pick. I rented a home in Cariari with a teenage son and felt relatively safe because I/we took precautions. Do you like the heat? Forbes and/or the author may earn a commission on sales made from links on this page. Days … This hacienda-style hotel offers beautiful views of Guanacaste, a Costa Rican province in the northwest known for its biodiversity and stunning beaches. From lower cost of living to affordable healthcare and beachfront living, expats discuss the top reasons they moved to Central America.... 13 Best Places for Families to Live in Costa Rica. Applying for residency in Costa Rica can be a daunting process. Not everybody likes the same things! © 2020 Forbes Media LLC. Best beach area All the beaches of Costa Rica are beautiful but many carry a very dangerous undertow or a questionable cleanliness level -- especially the ones on the Pacific side and closest to San Jose. One parent of an AIS student said, "AIS is accredited by AdvanceED, so the curriculum is very similar to the curriculum used by the majority of schools in the U.S. Best Mountain Resorts For Families In Costa Rica. Escuela Verde in Costa Ballena is a bilingual school located in Utiva (described below). One expat summed it up perfectly when he said not to let your desire to live in paradise get in the way of thinking about the logistics. Higher elevation makes for cooler temperatures and there are a variety of smaller towns outside the downtown area that are popular," wrote Steve Linder in his article, Tips for Buying Property in the Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. For lows, the coolest I have ever seen it get at night is 77 degrees F (just recently), a few degrees higher in dry season. The schools mentioned are La Paz Community School and Costa Rica International Academy (described below). The living and medical expenses in Costa Rica are reasonable, which makes it a popular choice for people who are retiring. Costa Rica is about 10 degrees north or the equator, and the beaches are HOT! Others no. It has a larger percentage of foreigners than nearly any other town in Costa Rica. When it comes to choosing a place to live, Costa Rica has a lot of choices. Overall, living in Costa Rica is comparable to Mexico in food, culture, and costs. Sadly, it is a question that is almost impossible to answer. On our Costa Rica Expat Forum, expats often reply asking, "Do you have any preferences regarding beach vs mountains vs San Jose area?" Supervised explorations might include searching for local reptiles and plants, treasure collecting on the beach, building sand castles, birdwatching, and soccer. As with all things the effort put into it determines the results.". The Springs Resort is possibly the most famous hotel in the Arenal area and definitely one of the best places to stay in Costa Rica. “ We chose to stay longer (almost 2 weeks) and get a family … Many public schools operate with either morning or afternoons classes. "My son graduated from high school at Country Day School, Guanacaste Province [now CRIA]. When I heard Harvard was one, I told her to forget the others. Cheaper to live there as beach living does cost more, especially when using AC as electricity is not cheap. The weekly farmers market, known as the feria, is the largest one in the Southern Zone… Three Sixty Boutique Hotel, Ojochal. While many families thinking about moving to Costa Rica first dream of living at the beach, the majority end up in this region. When someone asked about the temperatures, one member replied, "Right now it is 88 degrees F and 58% humidity. Read on for the best family hotels in Costa Rica. I’m traveling to Costa Rica with my family (3 kids: 2,6 and10 years) at the beginning of April for 10 days. And, they inquire, "Are you planning to send your kids to public or private school?" It's very close to beautiful mountains to the north and good proximity to San Jose," described one expat. There's also a club for kids (ages 5-12), and the property is exceptionally pet-friendly. There are computer facilities, the buildings are all open and airy, what the facility lacks in physical aspects is more than made up for by the dedicated staff and excellent curriculum. It’s also a family friendly area and close to some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica such as Conchal and Flamingo. We put window screens in our condo and we have ceiling fans and now that we are more used to the heat we only turn on one of the AC splits for a few hours during the night. Other popular towns in the Central Valley are Grecia, San Ramon, Atenas and Puriscal. There's lots to do there, close to Domincal for live music events, an easy drive to San Isidro for big city things and close to Panama when you want to shop duty free. An expat in Montezuma, Costa Rica talks about learning to live more simply, let go of material things and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and life. The Best Place in Cartago for Expats to Live in: Cartago The capital city of Cartago is home to approximately 156,000 residents. Every teacher I have met is enthusiastic and enjoys his/her job. Located in Ciudad Cariari in Heredia, the American International School (AIS) is one the most well known K-12 international schools in the Central Valley. One of the most beautiful and most exclusive resorts in Costa Rica is Hacienda AltaGracia, an experience-driven luxury property in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, where you and your family can ride horses, hike through the rain forest to see raging waterfalls, learn firsthand how to process sugarcane, or even milk a cow. After a day of soaking with the whole family and walking the forest paths to see the waterfalls that punctuate the area, retire to your understatedly elegant, supremely quiet room set in the lush gardens that are an extension of the rain forest. The expansive, spacious property has seven restaurants and a central pool that spans the diameter of the resort. I enrolled … If you like nature, just up the mountains there are amazing the forests and parks such as Barva Volcan. It was renamed Costa Rica International Academy and became self-governing and independent of Country Day in 2014. Where to Stay in Costa Rica Best Places to Stay in Costa Rica San Jose: Where to Stay in Costa Rica for Culture Buffs. It was between Costa Rica and Chilé, and the coin chose Costa Rica. Costa Rica cost of living, internet speed, weather and other metrics as a place to work remotely for digital nomads. Soaring more than 1,600 meters above the jungles of Alajuela north out of San Jose, the Arenal Volcano remains arguably Costa Rica’s biggest draw. Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste is just north of Playas del Coco. The fee for students is about $2000 per year and is adjusted for those in need.". One of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is high on most traveler’s lists. You can buy whatever you need locally and it is a fairly short trip to San Jose (capitol) which has museums and other attractions. ClimateIf you chose to live by the beach or the coast, you should expect temperatures in the high 90s with very high humidity.Costa Rica’s rainforests typically have a milder climate with averages hovering in the 80s; however, as the name implies, you should expect plenty of rain.Finally, the mountainous regions of Costa Rica … Just saying you want to live at the beaches of Costa Rica is not enough. I suggest renting first to see how you like it. So let's examine a few. Expats talk about the cost of living in Panama and Costa Rica - housing costs, gas, car, electric, ... Expats in Costa Rica answer the question: If a friend of yours was thinking of moving here, what other advice would you give them. A number of hotels and resorts here cater to kids, with on-site nature preserves or great kids' clubs. Many travelers to Costa Rica will arrive and depart from the capital city of San Jose. Playa Tamarindo – one of the best surfing beach towns in Costa Rica It has decent infrastructure, lots of good restaurants, hostels and hotels and its own local airport, making it a very convenient beach town to visit. When it comes to choosing a location and the type of real estate you want, Costa Rica has a lot of choices. Costa Rica is incredibly safe, as long as you use good sense. Costa Rica was one of the original retire overseas destinations which means prices have had a long time to increase. Costa Rica is a land of beautiful beaches, dense rain forests, and majestic mountain ranges. By Jason Holland. I would definitely check out Flamingo/Potrero," advised one expat. Kids can learn to make tortillas, go ziplining, and venture out after dark with a headlamp looking for tree frogs. There's an animal sanctuary where you might see monkeys, sloths, and the occasional ocelot. While it is possible to live on $1,000 per month in Costa Rica, you will enjoy life more by expanding your budget and allowing for extra activities and events. Arenal. The city of Heredia in the province of Heredia is 25 minutes from the American International School and 50 minutes from the Country Day School. Most fruit we get from the fruit stand. Made famous by "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and featured as the host hotel for ABC's "The Bachelor in Costa Rica," the Springs Resort & Spa is more family-friendly than the shows let on. Its homicide rate is 10.3 people per 100,000, second in the … That question opens up a lot of discussion about public schools requiring residency, which takes anywhere from many months to several years. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Costa Rica has a lot to offer expats with its tropical climate, eco-friendly culture, beautiful beaches, welcoming people, good healthcare system and relative safety. Not much extracurricular activities are offered by schools so you have to search them out and be willing to travel around the area. Expats in Costa Rica talk about the best places for families to live in Costa Rica. Additionally, students involved with Global Leadership Adventures tend to visit in June and July. I get a ton of email asking where is the best place to live in Costa Rica. 3. Fun Things to Do in Costa Rica with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. "Almost everyone I know (including my family) that started out owning/buying/living at the beach, ended up moving to higher cooler areas. A baseline of $1,400 a month is reasonable for a nice life in many desirable areas of the country. An overview of the best places to visit in Costa Rica: We lived in Playa Flamingo and felt quite safe," explained one expat whose son graduated from the school. Forbes Finds covers products and experiences we think you’ll love. A member in Costa Rica said, "I wanted to let you know about a really cool school in Sardinal (Carrillo, Guanacaste). An aerial view of the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa. This K-12 American school was originally located in Atenas, but moved to its new campus in San Rafael, Alajuela in 2016. Paddling through the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste Province is often confused by readers with the popular surfing town of Playa Hermosa de Jaco in Puntarenas Province. Kids love … "Take a look at Cariari - Belen, within the Province of Heredia. Do I need an attorney? Family suites are ideal for groups seeking more spacious accommodations; they include a dining and living room so the everyone can hang out together. As soon as we returned to California, I made arrangements to get back to Costa Rica within 4 weeks. There is a good mix of Americans, Canadians, Costa Ricans and other nationalities in the area. Healthcare is a breeze since CIMA hospital is right in Escazu. Do I have to leave the country every 90 days? 1. Although the decision to live in Costa Rica was quick, the seed was planted years before. If you buy something using a link on this page, Forbes may receive a small share of that sale. The Relocator offers an easy and free service to receive quotes from renowned and certified movers worldwide. Locals sometimes affectionately refer to San Isidro by its nickname, Pérez Zeledon, since it’s the main city in a district of that name. We also had to find local grocery stores where the meat is much cheaper. Costa Rica is an incredible place to live, and if you’re looking to move somewhere where you can stretch your dollar, it should be near the top of your list. The Central Valley has some very popular cities and towns and offers one of the best climates in the world, good shopping, entertainment, and above all, excellent health care. 2020 Best Places to Raise a Family in Puerto Rico About this List Explore the best places to raise a family based on public schools, crime rates, cost of living, and family-friendly amenities. Costa Rica is an incredible place to live, and if you’re looking to move somewhere where you can stretch your dollar, it should be near the top of your list. In the article, The Costa Ballena Region of Costa Rica, Steve Linder describes Costa Ballena saying, "This area is also home to a number of well known beaches in Costa Rica and noted for the large enclave of north American and foreign baby boomers, retirees and expats living in the area. North Pacific= Playa Panamá – Hermosa – Playas del Coco – Potrero – Flamingo – Brasilito – Tamarindo – Langosta. What is a cedula? I really like the ocean and I knew that's what I wanted. Do I need an attorney? Best place to live in Costa Rica for you These are just some of the reasons why San Ramon in Costa Rica’s Central Valley wins in my book for being the best place to live. Featured products are independently selected and linked to for your convenience. It is about a 5 hour drive from San Jose but well worth it. Your journey will most likely begin in San Jose, as the international airport is the main gateway into the country.Most people head straight for the mountains or coast as nature is Costa Rica… Get FREE quotes from up to 6 international movers from The Relocator, Tips for Buying Property in the Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA, new campus in San Rafael, Alajuela in 2016, 11 Tips for Living in Ojochal, Costa Rica, 12 Things to Know Before Moving to The Dominican Republic, Expats Talk About The Biggest Challenges They Face Living in Latin America, 10 Expats Share Tips for Moving to Costa Rica, 5 Tips For Living in San Jose, Costa Rica, An Expat Talks about Culture Shock & Living in Montezuma , Costa Rica, An Expat Discusses Living in Montezuma, Costa Rica, 10 Expats Talk About What It's Like Living in Costa Rica, Top 5 Reasons Expats Move to Central America. There are nice living areas not far from the airport and City Mall, the largest mall in Central America. Compared with Belize, Costa Rica is actually expensive. People considering a move to Central America often narrow down their list to Panama and Costa Rica. Save up to 50% on your move to Costa Rica! are invited into the culture of Costa Rica to learn about the surrounding environment with programs designed to entertain and educate. Marino Ballena National Park is located in Utiva. Best Beach Resorts For Families In Costa Rica, Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort. The school offers classes in both Spanish and English and all students are exposed to both languages. Proximity to great hospitals and healthcare is one of the key reasons that expat families choose the Central Valley. "Heredia is large, by C.R. According to Wikipedia, Cuidad Colon is home to the University for Peace, which brings students and professors from all over the world to this United Nations-mandated university. ", Lakeside International School serves students from 3 to 12th grade. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Also they have two excellent accredited schools if you bring the kids. Located in a valley, it boasts a moderate climate, a public hospital, good shopping, movie theater, a variety of restaurants, a thriving expat community, entertainment venues and assortment of recreational activities. You can live well in Costa Rica for less than at home, but it is no longer a bargain here. In other words, everyone can be happy at the Andaz. "My wife and I chose Tamarindo for a comfortable place to live with an ocean view (condo), and decent amenities nearby: a variety of restaurants, a good grocery store, medical care, etc, and reasonable access to the Liberia airport (a little over an hour)," said another expat. For the best views in all of Costa Rica from a hotel, or perhaps the best in the world you have to stop by Hotel Three Sixty. Do I have to leave the country every 90 days? La Fortuna, in Costa Rica's northern highlands, is centered around an attractive park … … Locals operate on a spirit of pura vida, or pure life. The same thing with 2 condos next to mine. Find her @throughtraveler. I would also encourage any parent to be prepared to volunteer their time in support of the school because AIS depends on parent-volunteers to serve on various committees. Crime is relative. Compared to many of its Central American neighbors, Costa Rica is extremely safe. I was quite pleased with his educational experience. With its … You can live well in Costa Rica for less than at home, but it is no longer a bargain here. An expat in Jaco, Costa Rica shares 6 fun activities for expats (and tourists) to do in Jaco. The majority of expats in San Jose, actually choose to live not in the city, but outside of it. People either love or hate Jacó. This article answers these and many other questions. "Having been to both towns [Jaco and Puntarenas] in the past month, I would recommend you skip Jaco and go to Tamarindo if you want waves/surfing, or to Playa Hermosa about an hours drive north of Tamarindo if you want small waves. Condo lease and even bought a car Hermosa 's up and down the Pacific here. Asked about the surrounding environment with programs designed to entertain and educate we want to live, Rica. Destinations, wine and coffee trends the northwest known for its biodiversity and stunning beaches niece recently from. 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