Costa Rica Renowned for its Health and Happiness

Posted by Arenal Hills on Mar 24, 2015 10:34:41 AM

The blue Caribbean waters, lush green forests, and scenic vistas draw thousands of visitors to Costa Rica every year. Some of these fortunate souls never leave this little slice of paradise. For all its remarkable aesthetic virtues, however, Costa Rica has also earned itself the title of “The Happiest Country on Earth.” In this entry, we’ll take a look at what makes Costa Rica so happy.

Widely recognized for its high quality of life and excellent public healthcare system, Costa Rica is often referred to as the “Switzerland of Latin America.”  In 1948, Costa Rica’s budding democratic government opted to disband its military and reallocate the funding toward public healthcare and education. Since then, Costa Rica’s healthcare system has thrived. In 2014, International Living Magazine’s Global Retirement Index listed Costa Rica’s healthcare system as one of the best in the world.

It’s no wonder so many Americans have opted to retire to this lovely little Caribbean nation. In Costa Rica, expats are able to enjoy all the amenities they had at home at a fraction of the cost. While real estate values are generally comparable to those found in the United States, property taxes, food, and health insurance are all far less expensive.

Still not convinced? According to the New Economics Foundation’s Happy Planet Index, Costa Rica is the happiest and greenest nation in the world.  The United States, in contrast, was ranked at number 105 on the list. And what makes Costa Rica so “green?” Roughly 95 percent of its electricity is generated by renewable resources. Not too shabby!

Ready to find out what all the fuss is about? Give us a call today and let us help you discover all that Costa Rica has to offer.

 

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Topics: Costa Rica In The News, Happy Planet Index, Healthcare, Life In costa Rica, Renewable Energy