Is retiring in Costa Rica a good idea?

For most US and Canadian retirees with moderate pensions, yes, but with eyes open. The financial case is strong: $2,075 per person per month moderate, $2,405 comfortable, against the US average of $3,525. Social Security plus a modest pension funds a comfortable single life with savings room. The Pensionado visa accepts $1,000-a-month pension income, well below the average US Social Security benefit ($1,900 to $2,100 in 2026). Caja public healthcare is good for the cost; supplementary private cover runs $200 to $500 a month. Non-financial positives: stable democracy with no military since 1948, English widely spoken in expat areas, established communities in Atenas, Grecia, and Escazu, year-round mild climate, easy direct US flights. Trade-offs: import markups, patchy infrastructure outside the central valley, intense rainy season May to November, slow bureaucracy. People who stay long-term are usually those who lean into the slower pace. For the full retirement cost picture, see our Costa Rica cost of living page.