Puerto Viejo as a Possible Retirement Spot

On my monthly relocation/retirement tours my clients have the option of visiting the Central Valley, Central and South Pacific beach areas and parts of Guanacaste. I do not offer tours to the Caribbean side of the country because the majority of my clients are not interested in living there. In fact, during the 22 years that I have conducted my tours I have not had a single client who has moved there. That is not to say that the area is not attractive, just a little bit off the beaten path. Expats who relocate there mostly live in the Puerto Viejo area.

Puerto Viejo, 12 miles south of Cahuita, is a funky town with a Jamaican-like ambience. This little town is a great place to retirees looking for a slow-paced lifestyle in a beautiful setting It is a great spot for lovers of the Caribbean lifestyle and ocean activities such as snorkeling and surfing. As one expat explains, “There are some lovely white-sand swimming beaches with good waves and crystal- clear turquoise water filled with tropical fish, swaying palm trees and a good laid-back vibe.”

Here is what one expat said about this area.

“My husband and I moved to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca sixteen months ago and we love it here. We had visited Costa Rica many times before we actually moved and initially bought into all of the bad press about this area and so never visited here. When we decided to make the move, we decided to check out this area for ourselves and decided it was the place we wanted to live.“

“The weather is mostly sunny and warm here and we use only fans for cooling. We don’t go out to eat much but if you have the money and the inclination, the restaurants here are excellent and there is quite a variety. Food in the grocery stores is somewhat expensive depending on what you want to eat, about the same as the U.S. goods here are also expensive and we either get what we need from the U.S. when friends come down or pick things up when we go to San Jose, which is not often. “

“We have not heard of or experienced any more or less crime here than we have seen or heard of in other areas of the country.

“I think the most important thing to do is come and experience this area for yourself and see what you think. “

Best of all as a reporter from International Living reports,”“Still, a couple can live the good life in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on $2,025 a month, or $24,300 a year.”