Good news for retired expats with disabilities; Costa Rica is an accessible destination

Under Costa Rica Law No 7600, Ley de Igualdad de Opportunidades (The Equal Opportunities Law for People with Disabilities), no person can be discriminated because they’re disabled if they are equally capable as another person. This law also promotes that public places and transport should have facilities that enable people with disabilities to access them. Act No. 9049 of June 2012, recognizing Costa Rican sign language as an official language.The law also ensures equal opportunities for the Costa Rican population in areas that include: health, education, work, family life, recreation, sports, culture and other dimensions.

Renown travel website Lonely Planet recognized Costa Rica in its Best in Travel 2021 Awards, “We decided to make this year’s Best in Travel different by recognizing places and people demonstrating a genuine commitment to sustainability, community and diversity”, reads the message of Lonely Planets’ CEO Luis Cabrera.

Costa Rica received the award under the “Diversity” category specifically as theMost Accessible Destination.“Combining virgin rainforests with smoldering volcanoes, seashell-pink sand and cities sparkling with colonial architecture, Costa Rica really has it all. A law which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and enforces a degree of accessibility in hotels and public places means it’s a fantastic accessible-friendly destination too”, Says the Lonely Planet website.