Thanks to: QCOSTARICA Jan. 6, 2021 – Costa Rica was placed in the first place as a destination for retirees in 2021, according to the annual ranking by International Living (IL), surpassing countries such as Panama, Mexico, Colombia and Portugal.

Conditions such as the climate, the proximity of nature, the hospitality of the people, the social and political stability and access to health, weighed for Costa Rica to be considered the best destination for retirees. Photo: the Tenorio Volcano National Park by Melissa Fernández Silva

According to IL’s Annual Global Retirement Index 2021, which has been published since 1979, Costa Rica advanced from last year’s third place, when it was behind Portugal and Panama.

 

“The Retirement Index is the most comprehensive and in-depth survey of its kind. It’s the best way we know of to sift through the wealth of opportunity the world offers, bring some order, and help you pinpoint the best destination for you,” says the IL website. The index is informed by hundreds of opinions and real-life experiences — information— compiled by trusted sources in the best retirement destinations across the globe. We think of it as a tool for you, our reader.

 

Each of the 25 countries in the Index are ranked and scored across the following 10 categories: Housing, Benefits & Discounts, Visas & Residence, Fitting In/Entertainment, Development, Climate, Healthcare, Governance, Opportunity, and Cost of Living. 

“A country has to be affordable to be a great retirement spot. It’s that simple. And to assess how affordable each country is, we got our experts on the ground to fill out a comprehensive monthly budget. Everything from the cost of a liter of milk to a bottle of beer to a movie ticket was factored in,” says IL.

 

What is the Annual Global Retirement Index?

For this year’s classification, in the average of the 10 indicators, Costa Rica obtained a score of 85.2, which places it in first place. They are followed in the ranking by Panama, with 84.4, and Mexico, with 83.5.

Other notable positions followed are those of Colombia, Portugal, Ecuador and Malaysia.

 

In the index breakdown, however, Costa Rica lags behind most of the top 20 countries in cost of living. Costa Rica’s score in this regard is 84, compared to 87 for Mexico, 89 for Colombia, 93 for Ecuador or 91 for Malaysia.

The top 10 2021, and Costa Rica was 2nd in 2022....  In 2023, came in 5th...
T

 

The middle 10

 

 

The lower 5  
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Costa Rica’s qualities

By justifying Costa Rica’s position, the IL assures that the country offers a simple life, in a society where it is cared for, with a cost of living that it can easily afford.

“These are places where, as expats on the ground regularly report, it’s easy to feel healthier, happier and less stressed. As Washington state expats Tom and Diane Brown put it, speaking from their new home in Costa Rica’s Central Valley: We live very comfortably on our two Social Security checks and my pension. Here we can easily live on US$3,000 a month, including a gardener and a maid. We also save US$500 each month for travel,” the publication notes.

And it continues: “Costa Rica attracts millions of foreign visitors and residents throughout the year with its tropical climate; lower cost of living; friendly locals; affordable health care; vast real estate options; and, of course, its natural beauty”.

The high rating of the other factors affected the global index for Costa Rica to reach first place.
 

IL also includes statements from Kathleen Evans, International Living correspondent in Costa Rica:

On the narrow, volcanic isthmus of land between the continents of North and South America, there exists a country so rich in natural beauty, the adjective is actually in its name. “Rich Coast” or Costa Rica attracts millions of visitors and foreign residents throughout the year with its tropical climate; lower cost of living; friendly locals; affordable medical care; vast real estate options; and, of course, its natural beauty.

 

Earning the nickname “Switzerland of Central America” this peace-loving democracy shines in a region often plagued by political and civil unrest. Costa Rica abolished their army in 1948 and pledged that budget to education and healthcare. Resulting in a well-educated population and medical access for all citizens and legal residents.

This republic is internationally known for its safety, neutrality, and commitment to the environment—with roughly a quarter of its land protected as national parks and wildlife refuges. The current democratic government, under Carlos Alvarado Quesada, is considered progressive and LGBTQ equal rights are mandated—officially legalizing same-sex marriage in May 2020.  A rare policy to find in Latin America.

 

Once you have acquired your residency, you pay approximately 7% to 11% of your reported monthly income into the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social healthcare system (Caja for short) and the national medical program is available to you without pre-existing exclusions or age disallowance. Residents have the option to blend public healthcare with private medical care either through out-of-pocket self-insuring or with the purchase of insurance policies. You can purchase these through familiar names like Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA, Aetna, or a Costa Rican private policy. All at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S. You will find three JCI accredited private hospitals in the San José area, as well as numerous private clinics throughout the country. The public system has over 29 hospitals and nearly 250 regional clinics, making it easy to find healthcare no matter where you choose to settle.

 

A couple can live comfortably, but not necessarily extravagantly, here for around $2,000 a month. This includes renting a two-bedroom home with North American amenities, air conditioning, plus groceries, entertainment, transportation, and healthcare. If your monthly budget is closer to $2,500 to $3,000, you will find a relaxed lifestyle with every comfort you require.

 

One of the things you hear often from expats is how warm and welcoming the ticos (Costa Ricans) are. They are wonderful people, eager to share the magic of their culture, food, and traditions with foreigners. You will also find engaging international communities of expats who will help you through the process of acclimation. The vast majority of new arrivals say it is very easy to make friends and fit in here. Black Americans are also finding peace in Costa Rica away from the systemic racism associated with the U.S. The Costa Rican government’s official proclamation rejects all forms of racism and discrimination.

Pura Vida is a common Costa Rican phrase. Although it translates to “pure life,” this definition merely scratches the surface of a phrase deeply woven into Costa Rican culture, and used to convey anything from “hello” and “goodbye,” to “great news,” “cheers!” and countless declarations in between.

 

Expat, Nicole Rangel, explains it in this way, “What makes Pura Vida such a check-all statement is that it translates to more than just a greeting. It is a solution, an action, and a way of life. When you approach life with a Pura Vida state of mind, you are opening yourself up to the possibilities of life beyond what you experienced before. You are sharing together in this communal acceptance that life doesn’t have to be controlled or mandated, you can make it what you want, you can have friends you never thought you would have, you experience things you never thought possible because you are opening up to a life less complicated.

 

“That is why so many people come to Costa Rica and find the best version of themselves—they embrace a new appreciation on life. It is just a bonus that it is in such a beautiful setting,” she continues.

 

Most expats will confirm living a healthier lifestyle once they arrive. Costa Rica is an outdoor culture—with no shortage of physical activities from fishing, golfing, and horseback riding to hiking, surfing, and yoga. Plus, there are less processed foods, and abundantly healthy choices of locally grown fruits, vegetables, organic eggs, and endless seafood and grass-fed beef. It is no surprise to hear reports about expats having shed unwanted weight, taking fewer prescription drugs, and overall better fitness of mind, body, and soul.

 

This revelation should come as little surprise since Costa Rica possesses one of only five “Blue Zones” on the entire planet—located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste. These zones were discovered by National Geographic scientists and longevity researchers in the early 2000s. They consist of regions that have an unusually high population of centenarians (100+ year-olds). Ten times greater than in the U.S. The research confirms qualities such as healthy diets, natural calcium-enriched water, sunshine, active lifestyles, strong familial and friendship ties, and faith contribute greatly to their longevity.

 

Costa Rica, like all of Latin America, is predominantly Roman Catholic with approximately 75% identifying with Catholicism. However, you will not find the deeply rooted religious holiday traditions you find in other Latin countries. Costa Rica is considered quite secular. The government assures religious freedom for all. You will also find Evangelicals, Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and small numbers of Jews, Mormons, and Muslims. Expats who settle in larger international communities will find English-speaking churches—primarily nondenominational Protestants.

With a dozen official climate zones and hundreds of microclimates, there is someplace for everyone’s personal weather preferences. Many people love the temperate “eternal spring” climate of San José, the capital, and the surrounding Central Valley. Or the dry, hot beaches of Guanacaste, or the lush, green landscape of the jungles in the south and Caribbean side.

Like everywhere in the world, the pandemic has dealt the Costa Rican economy a harsh blow and put strains on the healthcare system. Even so, the country remains a good long-term bet as we move toward a post-COVID world, given its natural beauty, resilient population, and progressive vision.
https://qcostarica.com/costa-rica-ranks-as-the-best-destination-for-retirees-in-the-2023-global-index/

Most of you know by now that Costa Rica is not an island, but situated in Central America between
Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, BUT WAIT…

discovery: Costa Rica is, in fact, an island.  A previously uncharted network of rivers and lakes comprises the entirety of Costa Rica’s borders with Nicaragua and Panama.   “To be quite honest, we had never bothered to check before,” said Rodolfo Villegas, lead researcher at UCR’s School of Geology. “We always assumed people were confusing us with Puerto Rico when they called Costa Rica an island.”

However for the millions that have visited Costa Rica, or for the happy residents that live here, Costa Rica

is indeed an island of peace and tranquility in the sea of Central American political turbulence and poverty.
Plus the fact that it's so close to the U.S. helps to ensure interest in Costa Rica by North Americans forever and ever, no matter how bad the U.S. economy!

This “developing” nation has its reputation continually and romantically enhanced by:

• The inspirational example of a country that proudly lacks a military force.
• The evolving ecological consciousness and desire to be the leader in Eco-tourism; the large quantity of
  natural reserved & protected areas, and the popular carbon exchange programs. 
• The absolutely amazing amount of spectacular scenery (from its beautiful beaches, rainforests, volcanoes,
  to the endless variety of flora and fauna).
• The wealth of activities ranging from adventure sports both day and night, or the leisurely moments spent
  sipping sunrises during spectacular sunsets.
• The fact that all foreign property purchasers have the same legal rights as the Costa Ricans,
  (except for concession zone properties which we don't recommend for purchase!)
• But most of all, Costa Rica is a great place because of the incredibly friendly and warm-hearted people
  known as Ticos (males) and Ticas (females).​
   

WHY THE CENTRAL PACIFIC AREA with Jaco beach, Playa Hermosa beach,
and Los Sueños are the best places to invest in Costa Rica?   

1.  The continued success of the luxurious Los Suenos  Marina & Golf Resort, generally acknowledged to be the most successful resort community in all of Central America and located only ten minutes to the north of Jaco. Their high end condos, homes and villas have set the standard for gated beachfront communities and lent credibility to investing in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific area, with condos priced from $389,000, villas over $4 million, and homes valued over $8 million. Los Suenos is internationally recognized as both a world class fishing destination as well as offering a unique and respected 18 hole golf course with an enchanting forested backdrop. The Marriott Los Suenos, located here, is very popular internationally.

2. The availability of fee-simple 100% fully titled Jaco and Playa Hermosa beachfront condos, homes, villas
& ocean view lots-less expensive and safer than Mexico! Only 4% of Costa Rica’s beachfront is titled, and
this area contains a high percentage of this land.

3. The year-round tropical lush green beauty of the Central Pacific with the best beach climate anywhere
along the entire Central American Pacific coast!  No hurricanes, no tornados, no tsunamis, no droughts,
just lovely beach weather, year ‘round.

4. The new highway from San Jose to the Jaco area has been enjoyed for over 2 years now, because the
travel time on average is ONE hour 15 minutes to either the International Airport SJO or to the popular
western suburbs of Santa Ana-Escazu (featuring an IMAX movie theatre-only one in Central America;
Cima Hospital-partnered with Baylor;  Multiplaza West-the biggest mall in C.A.; PriceSmart-like Costco; 
major hotels, and dozens of excellent restaurants, including U.S. franchises.) 

5. Jaco Beach visitors are astounded at the positive changes over the past few years, beginning with paved
roads, more stores, more police, more options for fun!

6. Many new eco-activities, from extreme sports to more family oriented nature tours- from zip-lining to
butterfly & monkey exhibits; from birdwatching in the Dry Rainforest Park to visits to tropical Isla Tortuga,
and of course, Costa Rica’s #1 National Park, Manuel Antonio, continues to be a “must see”, and is only one hour away.            

 Jacó, (pronounced ha-CÓ) has always been one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica
due to its proximity to San Jose, vast amount of entertainment options and public services
provided.  NOW with the new road, Jaco beach is more popular than ever..

Jaco is located in Garabito, the eleventh canton in the province of Puntarenas in Costa Rica.
The canton covers an area of 189.7 sq.miles  (316.31 km²), and has a resident population of
over 17,000, however during weekends or holidays the area swells to almost 30,000.

Garabito's capital city is Jacó, and therefore life is easier when requiring government services
as they are almost all located in Jaco. 
The shape of Jaco Bay is unique and brings us cooler breezes and temperatures than either in
the north or south Costa Rican beaches... 
Also note that there are 2 bilingual, international and fully accredited schools in the area for
U.S. families. The Central Pacific Jaco area continues to offer more reasons for families to
relocate here. 
Also remember that CR Beach broker-owner Jeff has lived in the Hermosa
Bungalows since 2005; only 8 minutes from Jaco.

The New Freeway:  Having waited for more than 30 years for this miracle to take place, the
new highway, (called officially Highway 27 or Ruta del Sol) was inaugurated by the President
of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias on January 27, 2010.
The driving time has now been reduced to one hour fifteen minutes from the International Airport Juan Santamaria or from the shopping & dining mecca of Escazu. More importantly, the stress of driving to Jaco has been greatly reduced as one no longer has to deal with curvy
mountainous terrain.  Hooray!             

Will this result in increased equity and interest to this area ?  
Things are selling again, so our answer is yes, now is the time to buy!           

                                      Is this part of Costa Rica modern? 

Yes we have Cable and Satellite TV with all your favorites including CNN, Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, HBO, Sony, WB, National Geo., Bloomberg, Disney, etc.... 
Yes we have high speed and wireless internet, and plenty of land lines and 3-G cellular phone
services.    Yes we have modern grocery stores with the most incredible fresh produce and
imported goods. Yes we have a Quiznos, Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC; there are 3 Sushi bars; 
lots of "typico" restaurants with full meals (casados) for under $4; gelato ice-cream & TCBY
yogurt; & all types of restaurants serving the freshest fish caught in area waters, to satisfy
almost all "foodies." 
As a former restaurant owner, I am thrilled at our eating options here in Jaco, or in Costa Rica
generally.

in Costa Rica: 011-(506) 4700-1010 

TRY WHATSAPP, +1 (506) 8388-5055

SKYPE: crbeachjeff      EMAIL:  jeff@crbeach.com

 COSTA RICA: HOW NICE TO LIVE IN A PLACE THAT CONTINUALLY RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL TOURIST AWARDS!  

November 18, 2020
Lonely Planet has announced that Costa Rica has received their award under the “Diversity” category, specifically as the world's most Most Accessible Destination.

 

JAN 4, 2018

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2018/01/03/best-places-to-retire-abroad-in-2018-what-2-rankings-say/#72b67bdc2f96

Costa Rica jumped from #4 to #1 as the best retirement place to live in.....

or more local news:

https://news.co.cr/costa-rica-takes-first-place-best-places-retire-abroad-2018-index/69651/

March 21st, 2013   Costa Rica is the safest country in Latin America according to a study by publisher-analyst, Latinvex. It uses the latest available data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, The World Bank, Transparency International, Heritage Foundation and the World Economic Forum. 

March 10, 2013 Costa Rica has topped the charts for Traveler’s Choice 2013 on both TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet sites. Of the Top 10 Beaches in Central America on TripAdvisor, Costa Rica snagged eight spots, including # 1, with Manuel Antonio National Park on the central Pacific coast, only one hour from Jaco.

• April 15th, 2013  Costa Rica ranks first in Latin America and the Caribbean in the Index of Social Progress, which measures the degree to which countries meet the non-economic needs of its citizens, according to the Social Progress Imperative at the University of Oxford in the U.K.

• March 21st, 2013 Costa Rica is the safest country in Latin America according to a study by publisher-analyst Latinvex, using the latest available data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, The World Bank, and other sources.

• March 10, 2013: Costa Rica has topped the charts for Traveler’s Choice 2013 on Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet.

• June 15, 2012 Costa Rica achieves a Happy Planet Index Score of 64.0 and ranks #1 of all the countries analyzed.

• Costa Rica was number two for Latin America's Best Countries according to Newsweek 2010

ALAS, CENPAC NO LONGER EXISTS.....

Dec, 23, 2012  Jaco Municipality Making Major upgrades: The Municipality of Garabito has begun the long-anticipated job of installing sidewalks on Jaco's busiest streets. The work is moving along at a very quick pace and on the Pop's Road which means in time for the start of high season.  The Municipality of Jaco is making improvements around town including road improvements, additional street lights and a stepped up police presence, which all contribute to a prettier, cleaner, improved tourist experience.

July 2012   A new Jaco stadium will be built on the northern end of Jaco Beach and will hold 6-7,000 people, a tremendous upgrade from the current facility in Jaco. The Jaco Rays are a newer professional team that has quickly become a big draw for soccer fans in the Central Pacific. The stadium is not just to house the Jaco Rays Soccer Team, it will maybe  stage the Women's World Cup Under-17 in 2014, and other events and be one of the magnets to attract new buyers of condominiums and homes to the area.

December 15th, 2011  The new Jaco conference center and playhouse, Teatro Jaco is officially opened and are successfully presenting  bilingual professional staged events, from plays to comedians.

June 25, 2011  The Jaco Cinema Complex is now open with 4 movie screens, with prices ranging from $4-$7. HOORAY!

April 1, 2011 Jaco's brand new central park is opened with its first Arts and Crafts fair.
The Johannes Dankers Park will offer several shaded areas to sit and relax,  nighttime lighting, and there is a children’s playground welcoming families and all residents.

Top 20 destinations overall: Costa Rica, ninth, and the only Central American country in the top 20.  Adventure: Costa Rica came in second place in the adventure travel category, helped, no doubt, by loads of visitors zip-lining through its jungles.

Nature: The Americas dominated the top 10 for ‘nature’ with four countries gracing the list: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil and Canada. Costa Rica takes the top spot. As one of our authors puts it, Costa Rica boasts a ‘Disney-like cast of creatures – ranging from howler monkeys to toucans, as well as jungle, active volcanoes and stunning coastlines.'

June 1, 2012 Costa Rica again tops “ The Happy Planet Index” 
The Happy Planet Index (HPI) is the leading global measure of sustainable well-being, long, happy, sustainable lives for the people that live in them. The 2012 HPI report ranks 178 countries based on their efficiency – the extent to which each nation produces long and happy lives per unit of environmental input. The 2012 Happy Planet Index (HPI)  has Costa Rica topping the list as the happiest country on Earth, as they did in 2009.

Jan. 16, 2013   The “Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations Report 2013” places Costa Rica as the best country in Latin America for outsourcing operations and 13th worldwide, according to a private study released by global consulting and investment firm Tholons. 

October 24, 2012  COSTA RICA SWEEPS CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S 2012 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS    The Costa Rica Tourism Board is thrilled to announce that Costa Rica was the most celebrated destination in Central America in the 2012 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards released this week. The top honors went to the region’s favorite hotels and resorts, as voted by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler.

August 18, 2011: Costa Rica Ranks Best Country in Central America and the Caribbean for Foreign Direct Investment 2011-2012 .  Considering the country's  attraction of more than 227 new investment projects between 2003 and 2010, the Financial Times Group's FDI Intelligence unit has named Costa Rica the “Best Country of the Future for Foreign Direct Investment in Central America & the Caribbean” in its “FDI Countries of the Future” report.

Nov. 3, 2010  Costa Rica ranked number one value destination for winter 2010  by popular college student travel agencies: Smarter Travel, StudentUniverse, and STA in regards to great value locations for trips.

August 26, 2010: The magazine "Travel + Leisure" places Costa Rica at the top as the best country in the world for single travel,  taking into account several factors, among them basics for a foreigner to enjoy their stay in a country and security.

2009 Global Prosperty Index ranked Costa Rica #1 of Latin American nations out of 104 nations indexed.

May 25, 2009 Costa Rica is the safest country in Latin America for business and multinational companies, according to the latest Latin Security Index analyzed by FTO for the weekly publication Latin Business Chronicle, .

Prior Awards for Costa Rica:

2008   Costa Rica is the second best tourist destination in Latin America/Caribbean, by the
          World Economic Forum (WEF) 

2008   Readers’ Choice Award:  Best Destination for Ecotourism & Adventure.

2007   Travel Weekly voted CR:     Best Destination Latin America 

2006   Smarter Travel.com voted CR:  #3 Safest Destination for Women Travelers

2006   Magazine "Viajes y Turismo" granted Costa Rica the award "Best Nature Tourism"

2004   "Recommend"  (one of the top magazines for travel agencies),

           Readers’ Choice Award:  Best Destination for Ecotourism and Adventure.

           "Recommend" Readers’ Choice Award: Best Selling Destination for Latin America

2004   Modern Bride - Best Destination for Honeymoons (Culture)

2004   Travel Weekly - Best Destination for Latin America Travel Weekly -

           Best Destination for Tourism from the United States

2003   Recommend - Best Destination for Latin America.

Central Pacific Jaco Area Awards and Recognition:

1.   Billabong's 2009 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games was in Playa Hermosa Jaco beach, Costa Rica, July 31 till Aug. 9, 2009, 35 countries participated. It was a big success with an estimated 70,000 people in attendance!  

2. The World Travel Awards announced (Feb. 2008), that Jaco, Costa Rica won "the Leading Beach in Central America."

3. Costa Rica Blue Flag Beach Awards: Oct. 2008-201? Jaco received its first Blue Flag beach designation for its attention to general cleanliness, clean tap water, and other things APRIL 16, 2011    The town of Jaco is very proud to have won its 4th Blue Flag thank to the joint efforts of the Municipality of Garabito, Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce,  and the community’s  Interinstitutional Environmental Commission of  Jaco , the only one in Costa Rica. In order to receive the Blue Flag award, the quality of water, the solid waste management systems, the signaling of roads, the environmental education and public safety are all evaluated. The city council, local businesses and members of the community all worked together to ensure that the requirements were met for this award.

4. March 24, 2012-2018   Playa Hermosa of Jaco has again been awarded its Blue Flag beach designation. This award confirms what the area residents already know- that Playa
Hermosa is not only a world class surfing destination, but a wonderful beach to enjoy
for many non-surfers also: as a beachcombers’ delight, a sunset photographers’ dream, a couples’ romantic stroll; or a family day at the beach….. 

"LET'S GO SURFING NOW, 
EVERYBODY'S LEARNING HOW,
C'MON TO HERMOSA WITH ME"

CHECK OUT OUR NEW DAILY SURF-TIDE REPORTS
FROM PLAYA HERMOSA, ON OUR WEB PAGE

WEATHER-SURF-TIDES!

10 Reasons why Costa Rica is the Best Surf Destination in the World.
BY MARTIN REYNOLDS •http://www.surfcamppeaksnswells.com/2012/10/01/10

For almost 10 years I have been traveling around the globe, surfing some of the most well known (and unknown) surf spots out there. From the reefs of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula to the French beachbreaks of Hossegor, the long sandy pointbreaks of Australia’s Gold Coast to the legendary ‘Seven Mile Miracle’ on the North Shore of Oahu. The conclusion that I have come to after all of my surf exploration?
No where beats Costa Rica.
That’s a pretty bold statement, but here are 10 Reasons why…
 
#1. Consistency: Due to it’s geographical position, Costa Rica is one of the most consistent surf zones in the World. Being so close the Equator and facing, unobstructed into the Pacific Ocean results in Costa Rica receiving swells from both the Northern Hemisphere (November – March), and swells from the Southern Hemisphere (pretty much year-round). Boasting OVER 350 SURFABLE DAYS A YEAR!
#2. Variety: Being bombarded with waves is one thing, having the coastline to offer a huge variety of wave types is another. You can find gentle rolling beachbreaks, hollow sandbars, slow peeling pointbreaks, powerful reefs, long rivermouths, slabs and more along the ‘Rich Coast’.
#3. Water Temperature: Costa Rica sits between 8 and 12 degrees north of the Equator, this means a tropical climate where the water temperature requires only your boardshorts or bikini, all year round.
Best surf destination in the world Costa Rica
#4. Crowd Factor: Sure there are some busy areas, but there are plenty of uncrowded and even empty waves breaking every single day. Just a quick drive along the coast or to the next bay you can find great waves for just you and your friends.
#5. Natural Wonders: Costa Rica has bewilderingly diverse landscapes, flora, fauna and wildlife. Amazingly, Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet’s surface. Which is why Costa Rica is among the countries with the highest amount of protected land in the world; more than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is dedicated to national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges. You can see this in abundance in the water when surfing along side turtles, schools of rays and more.
#6. Accessibility: Costa Rica has 4 International Airports, dozens of Domestic Airports, hundreds of Car Rental offices, Private Transportation companies and great public transport offering air conditioned buses to all parts of the country. Even though the National language is Spanish, a lot of the locals speak good English (especially in the more touristy areas).
All this makes traveling to and around Costa Rica a breeze. 
#7. Cost: It’s not as cheap as most of the other countries in Central America, but it sure is cheaper than a surf trip through California or Australia, believe me. During the Green Season especially, the car rental prices are reasonable, the accommodation is cheaper too.
#8. Weather: Costa Rica only really has two distinct seasons, the Dry Season and the Green Season. The Dry Season sees smaller waves but accompanied by all day sunshine. The Green Season means more rainfall, amazing sunsets and consistent swells from the Southern Hemisphere. Win. Win.
#9. Locals. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica (where Peaks ‘n Swells is based) is recognized as one of only 5 global ‘Blue Zones’. This means that the local people tend to live longer, healthier lives. This Pura Vida lifestyle is a welcome break from city life, and a truly ideal pace to appreciate where you are.
Mango season is the season to visit Peaks n Swells
Mango season at Peaks ‘n Swells is probably the best time of year!
#10. Food. Fresh fish straight out of the ocean, Organic Markets full of beautiful produce, Celebrity Chef restaurants, Delicious local soda’s (typical Costa Rican food), Mangoes, Papayas and Coconuts falling from the trees and pretty much every type of cuisine that you can think of.
It is a combination of all of these factors that puts Costa Rica at the top of the list. It may not be the best destination if your looking for the most famous, isolated, or scariest waves in the world; but it does offer a huge variety of  fun consistent waves, in a tropical country that is friendly and easy to get around.
So where are you going on your next surf vacation? I’ll look forward to seeing you in CR…

Costa Rica crowned 2015 World Surfing Champion
ELLEN ZOE GOLDEN JUNE 8, 2015  
It’s official: Costa Rica’s Dream Team surfers are the best in the world.

They made history on Sunday by winning the overall gold medal in the International Surfing Association (ISA) 2015 World Surfing Games held at Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua. The medal and subsequent Fernando Aguirre World Team Trophy and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy anointed Costa Rica the world champions of surfing.

In addition, the team won another gold medal for coming in first place in the ISA Aloha Cup tag team event.

The overall gold was obtained with significant points earned by the brother and sister team of Noe Mar and Leilani McGonagle from Pavones, in the country’s Southern Zone, who were shredding the waves from start to finish.

Each of them made it to their respective finals, where four-time world medalist Leilani earned a silver medal for second place, while Noe Mar won the Open Division in less than 7 minutes of his heat, with two rides in the 8-point range before anyone had even scored a 3-point ride. He was also awarded a gold medal for his work in the water and became the individual world champion.

Not to be discounted were the performances of the rest of the team including Jason Torres  and Lisbeth Vindas, both from Jacó, who were noted for their short but moving run. Anthony Fillingim (Malpaís) made a great showing towards the win in the Aloha Cup, while Carlos Muñoz (Esterillos) looked to be a final hopeful — even the announcer said he was “putting Costa Rica surfing on the map; he’s one of the best surfers in the world.” Yet, his hopes were dashed because of a  controversial call in Round 9 of the Reparcharge Heats, when he thought he was interfered with by another surfer, but in fact the judges ruled that Muñoz inflicted the foul. Carlos was penalized with his wave score reduced and ended up in 4th place in the last chance Reparcharge.
By the finals, all of Costa Rica’s hopes were in the hands of the McGonagles.  And they delivered. The spray their snaps produced pleased the judges as it demonstrated power and speed, crucial elements to gain points.

“I knew that the rivals were going to be hard with the past world champion and another finalist from last year in that heat, I knew I had to start strong and got those two 8s,” explained Noe Mar. “Then I knew I had to risk everything and got that 9.93. Thank God for sending me good waves. This has taken a lot of hard work and ISAs to get here.”

Noe Mar is a former silver medalist, and sister Leilani’s silver in Nicaragua makes the 5th world medal to grace her neck.

Over the course of the 7 days, Costa Ricans flocked to the beach adding numbers to those cheering for the Tico Team. And it was just this crowd that hoisted Noe Mar to their shoulders for a victory lap before the team stepped up to the podium to collect all their hardware.

“Costa Rica put on some of the best performances all week long,” the ISA announcer said.

It was just those performances that finalized the overall results as Costa Rica #1, Portugal #2, United States #3 and Peru, last year’s champions, #4.

 ************   

Hermosa Break Description:

Powerful and consistent beachbreak that sticks out into the Pacific, assuring constant swell. You will rarely be surfing under head high here.

It can be perfect sometimes, delivering a nice barrel, but at other times you might see the barreling waves all over the place, but have trouble finding that perfect wave for yourself! 

Hermosa is actually a several miles long stretch of beach, and you can go surfing anywhere along beach. There are a few distinct areas people surf:

Cabinas: right behind the cabinas that line the beach, Cabinas Las Olas being an example.

The Gate: if you are coming from Jaco, right after you pass Cabinas Las Olas, turn right onto the dirt road.

The Tree: Drive down a little more past the gate, and you will see a huge tree on your right, probably with few surfer's cars parked underneath.

Tulin Rivermouth: Continue driving past The Tree for a while, and your surfing at Tulin. VERY powerfull rivermouth beachbreak, usually a little bigger than the rest of Hermosa. Park at the Minae offices, watch out for alligators and sting rays. 

Catching it Good

It closes out more at low tide, but can still produce a barrel. Better to go surfing Mid-high tide. Bigger during the rainy season (May-December).

Getting There

Take the paved road out of Jaco going south. After you pass Cabinas Loas olas, turn right onto the dirt road. Remember, CR Beach Investment Real Estate has some fantastic homes for sale in this area, including the Hermosa Bungalows, almost directly in front of The Tree. Prices start at $232,000 for a 1000 sq.ft, 2 bedroom, check our Home listings! I live there and its FANTASTIC!

Recommended Hotels/Surfcamps in the Area

Hermosa Beachfront Bungalows: www.hermosabeachbungalows.com or buy one!

Loma Mar Surfcamp: These guys have the entire area wired, and they run ROVERCAM.COM. They take you surfing everyday to the best breaks in the area (hint: not just Hermosa!), and then video your surf session! Very cool, 3 meals a day included, Highly Recommended!!!  

Famous Fabulous Fishing

is here in the Jaco, Central Pacific area of C.R.

                UPDATED 2013

Los Sueños Marina near Jaco Beach and the Quepos - Manuel Antonio area are the hot spots for Sport Fishing on the Central Pacific coast. Sailfish are the main targets for most anglers and they are seldom disappointed. Offshore fishing is normally done 12-20 miles out in blue water. Once in the blue water anglers catch Sailfish, Marlin, Tuna, Dorado and Wahoo. Inshore fishing is done around rocks, reefs, river mouths and estuaries. Anglers catch Roosterfish, Snapper, Jacks, Mackerel, Snook and more.

We are located in Jaco Beach on the Central Pacific Coast. The majority of our charter boats and vacation rentals are located in the Los Suenos Resort, Jaco Beach, Hermosa Beach, Quepos & Manuel Antonio areas. 

Give us a call or send us an e-mail if you have any questions about charter boats and vacation rentals or if you need a “live” fishing report.

Thanks for your time,

                      By Phone:

                             1-800-9SAILFISH toll free from the USA

                                   2643-1620 cell in Costa Rica

                     By Email:

                                help@costaricafishingreport.com
                              martha@costaricafishingreport.com

Fishing Species And Seasons

The Sailfish bite is above average year round. When the fishing is good, boats can average 20-40 Sailfish a day. When the fishing is slow, boats can average 5-10 fish per day. The best months are normally December through April, but Sailfish are caught all year round. more..
                                   

September, October and November are normally the best months for Marlin. But, big Blue Marlin and Black Marlin are always around and the boats that target them usually have some success. You may need to go a little farther and fish a little harder, but Marlin fishermen are used to that. more...

Yellowfin Tuna are found throughout the year on the Pacific coast. It’s not uncommon to pick up a 100 plus pound Yellowfin when fishing for Sailfish. June through September are normally the best months for Big Tuna. My best Tuna day we caught 20 Yellowfin Tuna. One weighed 20 pounds, one weighed 200 pounds and all the rest were about 100 pounds each. more...

The Dorado fishing is above average year round. June, July, August and September are the best months for the 5-15 pounders that congregate on the 
weed and trash lines closer inshore. The rest of the year, the bigger Dorado are further offshore in the blue water with the bait and the Sailfish, 30 to 50 pound Dorado are very common when fishing for Sailfish.more...

Wahoo can be a pleasant surprise anytime of the year. Not many fisherman target the Wahoo, they are usually caught while fishing for something else. There are a few offshore rocks around Quepos that consistently hold big Wahoo all year long. more...

These hard hitting fish are one of my favorite. The Roosterfish and Jack bite is good year round with June through September normally being the best months. Fish live bait along the reefs and river mouths or cast poppers on the rocks and hold on because they hit like a freight train. Jaco and Quepos have excellent fishing for Roosterfish and Jack. more...

There are several different species of Snapper on the Pacific Coast. The Snapper bite is good year round. Cubera Snappers in the 50 to 80 pound range are not uncommon. Fish the rocks, reefs and rivers mouths with live bait or poppers. The Snapper fishing is good along the entire Pacific Coast. more...

Snook are usually caught trolling or casting near the many river mouths that run into the Pacific Ocean. The IGFA World Record Pacific Black Snook was caught just south of Quepos. There are a lot of 20 to 40 pound Snook caught every year. The locals have known about these big Snook for years, now a few of the smaller charter boats are targeting them. The best months are normally July through November, but some of the biggest fish are caught in December. more...

Map Of Central Pacific Costa Rica

by Tico Times: Jerry “Bubba” Hallstrom:

 Costa Rica lost one of it’s good guys this week with the passing of Jerry “Bubba” Halstrom, of a sudden heart attack. Born July 14th, 1965, Jerry was only 45 years old and was known around town as “Bubba” from his famous fish taco restaurant, Bubba’s Fish Tacos, but even more so for his friendly personality and his generosity in the Jaco community.
Jerry was an avid fisherman and wrote a weekly fishing column in the Tico Times. Jerry also facilitated fishing trips, vacation rentals and booked fishing charters out of Los Suenos.

As a very loyal supporter of McKee Project Jaco, Bubba was very generous, leaving donations in our donation box at the clinic every time he was there. Bubba never left an animal in need without help - his house was full of pets, all of which were rescued from the streets. At Bubba’s they found love and respect and a new and wonderful life they never had before.
His family decided to make McKee Project Jaco a beneficiary for his memorial fund. They were in Costa Rica the first week of January, and presented a check for $500. This so very generous donation will go towards our adoption program, which at this moment has the most needs of all our projects. 

North American Anglers Contribute $599 Million Annually to Costa Rican Economy July 6, 2010 Inside Costa Rica, 

Tourism is Costa Rica’s top industry and new research shows North Americans traveling there in 2008 to fish generated $599 million - or about two percent of Costa Rica’s gross domestic product.

The study, conducted in 2009 by The Billfish Foundation, Southwick Associates and the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), revealed 283,790 anglers visited Costa Rica and their economic impact even overshadowed commercial fishing. It was estimated 22 percent of those tourists visited the country for the exclusive purpose of fishing.

From that $599 million the study also showed sportfishing generated almost $78 million in tax revenues for Costa Rica and 63,000 jobs. In comparison, the effect of commercial fishing for the same species sought by anglers generated approximately $528 million to Costa Rica’s gross domestic product. Commercial fishing contributed $68.6 million in tax revenue and created 57,000 jobs.

“We have already had the opportunity to present the results of this study to the incoming vice president and minister of tourism,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation. “And we will be making a formal presentation to a wider cross sector of government and business leaders this summer. The leadership in Costa Rica had no idea that their country receives more benefits from a sustainable recreational harvest than from the subsidized excessive effort in the commercial fishery.”

The comprehensive study included interviewing tourists at Costa Rica’s major airports to estimate the percentage who fished while visiting. The research focused on the expenditures and economic impacts of marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dorado; species that are the most frequent targets of commercial fisherman and recreational anglers.

It was estimated the 283,790 North Americans visiting Costa Rica in 2008 spent a total of $467 million. The survey revealed $329 million was spent on travel including lodging ($119 million), restaurants ($15.6 million), flights and fishing guides ($88 million) and land transportation ($6 million). These dollars then change hands multiple times in Costa Rica, creating significant benefits for the nation’s gross domestic product. In addition, visitors spent approximately $105 million outside of Costa Rica prior to arrival for airfare or other travel expenses, though these dollars are not included in the economic analyses.

About 3,700 of those visiting Costa Rica have their own boats in the country, whether permanently or temporarily, and they spent approximately $138 million for items such as fuel ($45.6 million), maintenance and repairs ($25 million), furniture and accessories for their vessels ($48 million), staff and crews ($2.8 million), marina fees ($16.6 million), and taxes and insurance ($1.8 million).

“TBF believes that only when decision makers understand the economic importance of good fishing opportunities for tourist anglers will billfish conservation get on the radar screen of government leaders charged with economic development as well as fisheries management,“ said Dr. Russell Nelson chief scientist for TBF. “And now thanks to the dedication of TBF members and generous donors who have supported our socio-economic research, we are making the point.”

Additional work conducted in the U.S. by Southwick Associates, Inc. estimated 7.5 million Americans fished outside of their country in 2009 with 3.6 percent of them traveling to Costa Rica. Among anglers vacationing in Costa Rica, 40 percent said they would not have visited the country if they could not fish. Those anglers, who represent 116,000 visitors per year and about $135 million in tourism income for Costa Rica, said the main factor in determining their satisfaction is “quality of fishing” followed by “relative peace and quiet,” and “fishing services, boat and crew quality.” The majority of anglers reported they visited Costa Rica to catch billfish including sailfish, marlin along with dorado. Inshore species such as snook and tarpon were less frequent targets.

“This was the first study done in Central America that compares the economic contributions of recreational and commercial fishing for the same species,” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, who coordinated design and methodology, management and monitoring of this research and generated information regarding U.S. anglers’ international travel activities. “We’ve completed similar work for Los Cabos, Mexico, and the results produced almost immediate benefits to fisheries management and conservation.”

That study found the Los Cabos area benefited by $1.1 billion to the economy. 

Based on the success of socio-economic research in Mexico and Costa Rica, TBF already has entered into discussions with the new administration in Panama to conduct similar studies in that country. 

Complete reports are available at: www.billfish.org

September and October are the height of rainy season in Costa Rica, as the recent weather has amply proven. Tropical storms at the end of September brought much of the country heavy rains and cloudy skies for more than a week.

We get these heavy rains every year, and the good news is that they mark the beginning of the end of rainy season. According to my records, the big rains last year came at the end of October, and in mid-October in 2008. Hopefully they came early this year, and it won’t be long before summer returns with sunny days, calm seas, cobalt-blue water and good fishing.

The heavy rains push the blue water and the bite farther offshore, and this can slow down the fishing. Before the recent downpours, the offshore fishing on the Pacific was good for marlin and yellowfin tuna, and the tarpon bite was good on the Caribbean coast.

 Central Pacific

The folks on the Macushla hauled in a big tuna.

The guys on the Macushla out of Los Sueños Marina fished offshore right before the rains and caught three blue marlin, two sailfish and a big yellowfin tuna.

Capt. James Smith and the crew of the Dragin Fly out of Los Sueños went out before and after the rains. Before the rain, they were doing well on blue marlin, sailfish and tuna. Afterward, they did well on sailfish, mahimahi and striped marlin.

The captain and crew of the J-Barrilete in Herradura Bay took a group of three anglers offshore for a full day of fishing, and they went seven for nine on sailfish and added a couple of small mahimahi for the dinner table.

Capt. Mitch Pearson on the Shotgun got in on some of the marlin action in front of Los Sueños, going two for four. He also caught a couple of sailfish and a handful of nice yellowfin tuna on a recent day offshore.

U.S. anglers Andre Mule from Florida and Chuck Pankow from Pennsylvania fished with the guys on the Good Day Too and caught three monster wahoo between 40 and 70 pounds.

Capt. Alex Holdin on the La Manta out of Quepos has had some good days down at a local hot spot called the 26 Rock, with a mix of wahoo, yellowfin tuna, small mahimahi, jack and snapper.

Capt. Chris Bernstel on the Kinembe II reports a good marlin and wahoo bite out in front of Quepos. The inshore fishing has been slow due to the heavy rains and dirty water, he reports.

COSTA RICAN CHARITIES WE BELIEVE IN!

 1.  In the early nineties I met a former Peace Corp worker who spoke of her involvement with many foundations and charitable groups. Finally in 1997, Gail Nystrom realized her dream with the founding of the              

Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation (CRHF)

(CRHF) works to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable populations in Costa Rica and now manages more than fifty projects throughout the country, focusing on education, community development, primary and preventive health care, and extensive support services for women, at-risk youth and indigenous groups. All needs that the CHRF addresses are defined by the local populations, thus ensuring a high level of commitment to each of our programs.

The work of the CRHF is carried out by a diverse group of volunteers from all over the world. Through the friendship and support of our volunteer network, the people in the communities that we serve learn to believe in themselves as they search for lasting solutions to their daily problems. CRHF volunteers are involved in projects ranging from counseling abused women and children in the greater San Jose area to helping indigenous groups protect their cultural heritage in remote mountain villages. Individual volunteers and volunteer groups from Canada, Europe, and the United States are placed in homestay families and provided with cultural orientation, work support, training and background, and logistical support for their individual needs as they complete projects of their own design.

Executive Director Gail Nystrom founded the CRHF in 1997  and has guided the organization since its establishment. Although the CRHF continues to evolve and adapt, the original Core Values remain unchanged:

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Our dream of creating an organization that works ethically and economically to solve real problems for real people has been developed with great care and made possible thanks to the sacrifices and dedication of many.  Over the years, we have been privileged to cause positive changes in the lives of thousands of people due to our combined efforts and creativity. Despite the many challenges that we have faced, we remain focused on our vision and committed to an unyielding standard of integrity and mutual respect. We have been strengthened by our work and are determined to continue growing and fulfilling our mandate. I would like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about our organization and express my heartfelt hope that you will join us.  Thank you for sharing our dream.  
Gail Nystrom, M.A. Ed. Founder and Executive DirectorPlease check out their website:    www.crhf.org    Telephone: (506) 8390-4192 or (506) 2282-6358    gnystrom@racsa.co.cr

Email:
fundacionhumanitariacr@gmail.com

Telephone: 
Costa Rica  +(506) 8390 4192

Group Volunteers

For information on group volunteers we recommend you email Gail Nystrom, the Director and Founder of the CRHF directly fundacionhumanitariacr@gmail.com .  You should include name and short description of your organization, possible travel dates, abilities or skills of the group and desired destination for community services.

Individual Volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering as an individual, we recommend you email fundacionhumanitariacr@gmail.com with a list of general skill sets, language abilities and a resume. We also recommend a personal statement including why you would like to work with the Foundation,  in what area (health, arts, education, childcare etc.)  and personal interests. Thank you for considering us for your volunteer experience!

E Mail

For more information about the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation, please email us fundacionhumanitariacr@gmail.com

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Additional Contact Information

La Fundación Humanitaria Costarricense
Apartado 458
Santa Ana 6150
Costa Rica