Moving Overseas

Costa Rica 101

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 19:20:55 GMT

The happiest people in the world live in Costa Rica…

The land of Pura Vida offers miles of sun-kissed beaches, fertile farmland, rolling mountains, and vast amounts of colorful culture…

It's safe and politically stable (not even an army), with a very low cost of living that includes top-quality medical care…

Costa Rica is one of the World's Top Place to Retire. And It May Also Be the Easiest.
Here's What You Need to Know…

Dear Reader,

My friend Donna tells a common story. She and her partner aren't wealthy people, but they've traveled a bit, looking for that perfect place.

In between their travels, they keep going back to Costa Rica to vacation. They're starting to wonder…is this their place? Costa Rica feels so welcoming and familiar… Can it be this easy?

Hi, I'm Dan Prescher. If you've been to Costa Rica, as many people have, then you understand its appeal…

It's a natural wonderland…a place full of exotic scenery and wildlife…where the sounds of the waves can lull you to sleep at night, and your morning wake-up is the call of monkeys and toucans…

It's a land of stunning beaches and lush jungles…rushing rivers and naturally warm thermal springs…fresh mountain lakes rimmed by regal volcanoes…rich farmland where anything grows…and vast amounts of colorful Costa Rican culture…

So it's little wonder so many tourists visit Costa Rica each year—the majority from the U.S. and Canada.

Maybe you've been one of them? If so, you know firsthand how much Costa Rica has to offer…

BIG NEWS: Costa Rica is Now Easier Than Ever

A new law offers even more incentives to expats, including reducing the minimum capital investment require for residency from $200,000 to $150,000, relaxing importation exemptions, and a special “Digital Nomad” law offers lucrative incentives to remote workers.

In both cases, not only is it easier to get resident visas but you won’t be considered a tax resident and required to pay any tax on foreign-sourced income. Keep reading for more details...

With so many uncertainties in the world today, Costa Rica is like a breath of fresh air.

Less than a three-hour flight from the U.S., it feels like a world away.

In some ways, it feels a bit lost in time…its small towns will remind you of the towns and neighborhoods you grew up in.

Fresh strawberries and cream are sold in roadside stands… Family life is valued…

Children of all ages can safely walk to school and back…Community centers are loud and lively places with daily art, music and cultural events… There's a town fiesta or celebration every week, it seems…

These are communities where neighbors watch out for and help one another. People treat one another with kindness and respect, especially their elders. In Tico communities, foreign retirees like us are welcomed as family…and treated as family.

"Tico," by the way, is what Costa Ricans proudly call themselves. And "Pura Vida" is the way they describe life in Costa Rica. Ticos live Pura Vida, the "Good Life." And you can, too.

Costa Rica is one of the World's
Best Places to Retire…

As I've said, if you've been to Costa Rica or you're pretty sure it's a place you'd like, you may already know something about Pura Vida.

And if you're thinking of retiring soon, you may be wondering how Costa Rica measures up—and why International Living ranks it as one of the “best places in the world to retire”.

The weather—From the temperate Central Valley to the beautiful tropical beaches, unless you're a snow lover, there's a climate for everyone. You will never scrape ice from your car or shovel snow. If you prefer a climate where all you'll need is couple of T-shirts and pairs of shorts, Costa Rica is your place.
Healthcare—Put any fears to rest. Costa Rica offers top-quality healthcare at an affordable price. When it comes to overall healthcare efficiency, says a 2018 Bloomberg report, Costa Rica ranks well ahead of the U.S.—critically important in this day and age.
And that's despite the fact that Costa Rica spends far less on healthcare per capita than the U.S. does.
A stable democracy. No other country in Latin America—or in the world, for that matter, has the peaceful history and democratic stability of Costa Rica, which doesn't even have an army—there is no need for one!
Comforts of home—In Costa Rica, you'll find world-class hospitals, modern shopping malls and supermarkets and big-box stores you know from home, with many of your favorite brands in stock. Reliable high-speed Internet is available just about everywhere. Public transportation is safe, reliable and plentiful.
Low, low taxes—You'll pay zero income taxes on foreign-earned income. If you buy a home in Costa Rica—your annual property taxes will be no more than $300-$500 in most cases.
Affordable real estate. Is there anywhere in the U.S. where you can buy a two-bedroom condo with a jaw-dropping ocean view for less than $279,000? Or rent a comfy home or apartment for $500 a month or even less? When you know where to look, you can find real bargains in Costa Rica…

In fact, when you know where to look…with the right kind of guidance…you can find the exact retirement lifestyle you're looking for…and it can be far more affordable than you've ever imagined…

Stick with me for more about the low cost of living you can expect in Costa Rica…especially when you settle in one of the up-and-coming destinations we've identified… And you needn't give up any of the creature comforts that make life so enjoyable.

There's more to consider, too. If you're worried about being far from family and friends back home, I've already mentioned the short flight times—less than three hours—from Costa Rica to the States (and only a little more than five hours to Canada).

When you live in Costa Rica, you will have more visitors than you can handle…I can almost guarantee that.

Who doesn't want to visit Costa Rica?

I can also pretty much guarantee that you won't be lonely in Costa Rica. I've already explained how welcoming the Ticos are.

You'll also find a built-in community of English-speaking expats—it's said that nearly 70,000 Americans and Canadians mostly retirees—currently live in Costa Rica.

But here's what sets Costa Rica apart from some other retirement destinations:

It's super healthy… Once outside the capital city, you'll find little pollution in Costa Rica—and lots of clean water and fresh air. Costa Rica is one of the only countries in the world to reverse deforestation. A staggering 99% of the country's energy comes from renewable, money-saving sources.
Adult literacy is practically 100%. Thanks to the well-educated, well-informed workforce, many international companies have offices, factories, and call centers here—contributing to the strong and stable economy. And when people have jobs, there is less crime.

With all this, it's no surprise that Costa Ricans are, in fact, the happiest people in the world.

That's according to sociologists from the Happy Planet Index who say Costa Ricans "report the highest life satisfaction and have the second-highest average life expectancy of the Americas (second only to Canada)."

And, as I've mentioned…

Costa Rica offers a surprisingly low cost of living.

➜ Retired expat couples in Costa Rica say they can easily and comfortably live on a budget of about $2,150 a month…sometimes less…and that includes their monthly rent and health plan.

Yes, there are some communities that are more affordable than others. I've already mentioned that in some places real estate costs are lower than others…not because they're less desirable, but because they're not on the tourist path. You'll find the same great beaches and mountain views, but at a far lower cost…

And of course, there are some tips and tricks that, once you know about them, can help greatly reduce your overall expenses.

For instance, when you become a legal resident of Costa Rica, you'll qualify for the Caja national healthcare plan. This is a huge cost-savings and "peace-of-mind" benefit for you. With some insider input, you can better navigate this system and save even more on your healthcare costs…

So How Do You Find Out if Costa Rica
is Right for You?

For years now, Costa Rica has been one of the most popular tourist destinations for North Americans. A record-setting 3.14 million international tourists visited Costa Rica in 2019. The majority from the U.S.

They come for the natural beauty. Nearly a quarter of the country is national park land and protected areas.

And they come for the beaches. There are plenty of those, on both Pacific and Caribbean Coasts.

And the country's Central Valley offers a nearly perfect climate…never too hot and never too cold.

Some of those tourists—like my friend Donna that I mentioned earlier—never want to leave.

They've dreamed of retiring to a place with beautiful scenery, better weather, and a far better cost of living. Costa Rica delivers on all that and much more.

Still, it's a foreign country. If you decide to live in Costa Rica you'll need a resident visa. And you're required to sign up for the Caja national health program. You'll need to decide where in the country you want to live, and if you'll rent or buy a home or apartment…

You'll want to decide whether or not to ship your household goods…to buy a car or not…what you'll do about insurance and taxes…how you'll manage your banking and financial needs…

You'll want to understand the rules for importing your pets to Costa Rica…what kinds of vaccinations are needed…and on and on…

Even though Costa Rica is one of the easiest places on the planet to retire to, there are many things to consider and plan for.

With something this important, you need reliable, up-to-date information you can count on, from a dependable, well-qualified resource.

That's where Kathleen Evans comes in.

In 2013, tired of the “corporate grind” in the U.S., Kathleen and her husband Steve moved to the lively beach town of Tamarindo.

There, she says they’re enjoying everything about the “Pura Vida” lifestyle.

As Costa Rica correspondent for International Living, it’s her job to travel Costa Rica from north to south and east to west.

She’s constantly on the lookout for ever-better places in Costa Rica to invest, to live, and to play.

She has contacts in every area of the country and she's on top of all the technical and legal stuff…the processes and requirements for getting visas and residency, for buying, renting, building, renovating, furnishing a home, moving your household goods, buying a car, bringing your pets, and so on…

Kathleen knows how much it costs to live in the many different communities of Costa Rica. And based on her own experiences and the experiences of hundreds of other expats she's interviewed over the years, she has a number of insider tips and strategies to help you save both time and money when you visit or live in Costa Rica yourself.

And if you think Costa Rica may be the place for you, Kathleen is committed to sharing her real-world, on-the-ground insights with you.

Of course, your very best course of action is to go to Costa Rica in person and spend a couple of months kicking around the country with her. It would take about that long for her to show you, firsthand, everything she's seen and everything she knows that can help you streamline your own move to Costa Rica.

Spending time one-on-one with Kathleen would certainly "fast track" your research, no question about it.

But, of course, that isn't a practical option.

Think how much it would cost… Even though Costa Rica can be a budget traveler's paradise, you'd soon rack up thousands of dollars in expenses.

So we asked Kathleen to do something to help facilitate your research. We asked her to create a personalized online virtual "retirement tour" of Costa Rica.

It's a way for you to gain access to her incredibly comprehensive and truly rich depth of knowledge and get "plugged in" to everything you need to know. A way for you to see for yourself, from the comfort of your own home or office, all that Costa Rica has to offer you.

It's an easy, streamlined, and most reliable way to get you from where you are now—to a better life in the perfect place in Costa Rica that's exactly right for you.

This is Your Invitation to Go "On the Road"
With Kathleen Evans

No matter how many times you've been there and no matter how many books you've read or online research you've done, what you don't know about Costa Rica may surprise you.

International Living has been reporting for more than 43 years now about the benefits Costa Rica offers retirees—and over the last several years, Kathleen has been asked to take on the most in-depth research-gathering project International Living has ever mounted on Costa Rica.

She's been challenged to dig deep…to round up all her insider intelligence and to assemble all this valuable information in one place…

It's a project we call Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle.

This has been no small undertaking. Even though Costa Rica is a relatively small country, it's large on opportunity.

In effect, Kathleen worked on this project for close to eight years now...the entire time she's been in Costa Rica.

And take it from me, no one is better suited for this kind of challenge. Kathleen is one of the most diligent researchers I know. She digs deep. She answers the questions you don't even know to ask…

Best of all, she makes sure the facts are reliable and verifiable. You can be certain that what Kathleen tells you is correct and current…and that's probably the most important element in all this…

Because you can't always rely on what you read online in expat forums or on the internet. You need a trusted resource.

Things change. Rules are adjusted. Laws are reformed. New policies are instituted. Here’s how to get the timely, updated information you need...

Just last year, in fact, the government signed into law two new programs that make Costa Rica even more enticing—with big incentives for retirees, investors, and digital nomads/remote workers.

Already there are many easy visa options available to you, including for retirees that want to rent.

But if you are applying for an investor visa by buying a home or investing in a local ag or infrastructure project, the amount required to qualify has now been lowered from $200,000 to $150,000.

In addition, you’ll be able to import your household goods, including two vehicles, planes or cars, duty-free. Your foreign-earned income (retirement pensions included) will not be taxed. And you’ll be eligible for a slew of other local tax breaks, too.

Additionally, a new “Digital Nomad Law” allows foreign nationals and their families a special visa to live and work in Costa Rica for at least a year with the ability to easily extend.

It, too, comes with a host of impressive benefits, excluding a full income tax exemption.

There’s more to know...and these are exactly the kinds of timely details and information you’ll get in Costa Rica 101.

It’s a complete resource reference of everything you need to know about moving to, investing in, living in, and/or starting a business in the world’s top overseas destination.

If you can name it, think of it, or wonder about it, Kathleen has you covered. Every issue is addressed, every challenge is covered, and every question is answered.

It's the next-best thing to actually exploring the country with Kathleen in person.

And it's the best way I know to not just "tell" you about all Costa Rica has to offer, but to "show" you so you can see it with your own eyes…from the comfort of your home.

With Kathleen as Your Guide, Put #1 Ranked Costa Rica on Your Short List Now

I've already mentioned the overall low cost of living in Costa Rica. And I should probably stress that Costa Rica isn't the world's lowest-cost destination.

But when it comes to overall value—everything you get at such a low price tag—Costa Rica is hard to beat.

It's a quality destination. Not to keep beating the drum, but it's a modern, First-World environment with all the comforts of home.

Still, it remains remarkably affordable. And as I've said, it very well may be the world's easiest retirement destination.

Low healthcare and health insurance costs have something to do with that. After all, if you save $5,000 to $10,000 a year…or maybe even more…on your health insurance costs, that money can go far in Costa Rica.

If you buy a home, you'll save thousands of dollars more on your property taxes. Last year, the average American spent $3,785 on property taxes for a home in the U.S.

In Costa Rica, you'll currently pay a mere .25 percent on the taxable value…which is usually only about one-quarter of the real value. In other words, you'll rarely pay more than $300 to $500 a year for your property taxes. Sometimes much less.

Costa Rica Really is Far More Affordable
Than You Think…

So how much does it cost to live in Costa Rica? The short answer is: whatever you want…within reason, of course.

As Kathleen says, if you focus on what's important you can live very well on a very low budget. You don't have to "keep up with the Joneses" here, she says.

"Your 'needs' will become simpler. You can live comfortably with a lot less stuff."

Most expats report they live happily and without sacrifices on $2,000 to $3,000 a month or even less.

For example, John and Caryl Buford live very comfortably near the Central Valley town of San Ramon on a monthly budget that typically comes in at about $1,500.

They own their home, so they don’t pay rent...but you can find rental properties in the Central Valley starting at about $500 a month.

“We live conservatively. We rarely go out to eat because she likes to cook and does it well,” John says, “We buy local produce and are not big meat-eaters. We own our house, so we're not paying rent. Our annual property taxes for six houses, now over 15,000 square meters of land, a four-story activities center with five apartments, and 13 residential lots was about $2,000 this year.”

As for their health plan: “For the both of us, we pay a total of 83,000 colones a month (roughly $150 US) for full hospital/medical, dental, optical, and prescriptions.”

I’ll share more about healthcare costs in just a moment.

But it's not just the cost savings you should consider…it's the overall improvement in your quality of life.

Here's a typical monthly budget, based on calculations for two people living in a mid-range, two-bedroom home in the Central Valley where the climate is so temperate you don’t need heat or air conditioning:

Housing (average rental):	$800
Electricity:	$50
Water and trash collection:	$10
Transportation—maintaining one car:	$130
Two cellphones:	$30
Cable TV:	$60
Internet:	$30
Healthcare: (Caja national health plan plus incidental doctor’s visits)	$250
Household help (once a week):	$40
Groceries:	$400
Entertainment/dining out:	$250
Miscellaneous:	$100
TOTAL:	$2,150

Your actual budget may be even less—some landlords include internet and other expenses like lawn care, water and trash pick-up. And, of course, if you pay outright for your home you won't have any rent payment.

You can see how affordable it is to live in Costa Rica.

You can afford to treat yourself with things you might not afford at home…like a maid and gardener, spa days, and more…

In Costa Rica, even the lowest budget affords a very good lifestyle. You'll enjoy guilt-free consumption at very low prices. For instance, splurge on a salon manicure or pedicure for just ($10 each), pay a maid to clean your house ($20 a day) or a gardener to do your lawn work ($5 an hour).

There are Three Destinations in Particular in Costa Rica Where You'll Find Good-Value Living.

When you make your home in Costa Rica, you can live very well for very little money, that's true…

But when you choose one of the lesser-known destinations Kathleen Evans has identified, you can live very well.

If you've been to Costa Rica, you may know the "Gold Coast"—the northern Pacific Coast where the popular beach town of Tamarindo is. That’s where Kathleen lives.

Even there, you can live affordably…but when you look beyond Costa Rica's more touristy destinations, that's where you'll find the bargains.

Kathleen's done a lot of digging, and along with the more tried-and-true communities popular with expats, she's pinpointed three special destinations—including an overlooked section of pristine coastline—that you'll want to take a look at if you're considering retiring or starting a new life in Costa Rica.

You'll find all the details in Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle.

Now…if you're doing your research on moving to Costa Rica, I know there's one more thing that surely must be on your mind…

What Can You Expect When
it Comes to Healthcare?

Remember, thanks to Costa Rica's national health program, your healthcare costs will be negligible. But should you desire elective procedures, you'll pay about one-third what you will in the States.

A facelift, for instance, averages $4,800 in Costa Rica, compared to $7,000 to $9,000 or more in the United States. A total hip replacement at a modern, private state-of-the-art hospital costs about $12,000 in Costa Rica compared to a cost of up to $43,000 in the U.S.

A dental implant costs an average $900 in Costa Rica compared to $3,500 in the U.S.

And don't worry at all about the quality of healthcare in Costa Rica. Hands down, the country's universal healthcare system is one of the best in Latin America and, indeed, among the best in the world.

The US. Would Do Well to Reform Its Lagging Healthcare System By Looking to Costa Rica’s Example, Says the Prestigious Commonwealth Fund: “With public frustration over the current system mounting, many in the United States believe that significant reforms are warranted. Costa Rica offers an example of an efficient health care system centered around a backbone of robust, community-oriented primary health care, characterized by strong and effective use of community health workers to improve access, quality, and equity.”

Once you obtain your legal residence visa, you'll be eligible (required, in fact) to participate in Costa Rica's universal healthcare system, the Caja.

For this coverage, a retired couple might expect to pay $50-$200 a month total for the two of them.

The Caja is affiliated with ten major public hospitals in the country and many small clinics in almost every community.

You can also buy private insurance—most plans cover dental work, optometry, and cosmetic surgery in the case of an accident.

Prescription drugs, certain medical exams, sick visits and hospitalization are covered at 70% cost, and surgeon and anesthesiologist costs are covered at full cost.

Private medical insurance in Costa Rica currently costs about $200 to $300 a month per person, depending on age and other factors.

And many doctors speak English and have received training in Europe, Canada, or the U.S.

Are You Ready to Learn More About How Easy and Affordable it Can Be To Retire to Costa Rica?

There's no better resource than Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle.

As I mentioned, Kathleen has worked on this for eight years now. She’s literally spent tens of thousands of hours on the ground in Costa Rica, doing research, collecting data, conducting interviews, and more…

Recently, she went into the studio to assemble a comprehensive series of 14 professional videos to bring her research to life. You can see, feel, and almost touch and smell Costa Rica.

You'll travel along with Kathleen as she introduces you to six distinct regions of Costa Rica…and to many communities in each of those that make for easy and affordable expat living.

And yes, you'll discover the three little-known areas that she believes are well worth your attention right now.

These are places your fellow expats have yet to discover in large numbers. Prices are low and opportunities are sky high.

To make a point here, this is no static report. It's not a manual…or a website…or a conference. Think of it more as a high-level "virtual conference," but much better…

Because instead of sitting in a room all day watching a parade of speakers up at a podium, you'll access these videos online from the comfort of your home, and you'll get to see and hear directly from Kathleen herself.

She's the best Costa Rica expert we know and in this Blueprint, she takes you by the hand and not only introduces you to "her" Costa Rica, but she gives you the tools to make it "your Costa Rica."

Along with the six in-depth "destination" videos Kathleen has produced eight more "need-to-know" videos with advice about Costa Rica that will save you time, headaches and boatloads of money.

Here's just some of what's covered in Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle:

Your best resident visa options. There are several you might qualify for, but which is the best for your personal circumstances? Video #10 in the series is devoted to this topic and ensures that you don't make any costly mistakes.
Your healthcare options. In Video #9, Kathleen gives you the full rundown on the options that make the most sense for you, including how to qualify and what the costs are. (You'll be pleasantly surprised at the low cost of excellent medical and dental care in Costa Rica.)
How to safely purchase real estate in Costa Rica. Legal processes are a bit different in Costa Rica and having the right guide to those rules and procedures is invaluable—and that's exactly what Kathleen offers in Video #12.

What about shipping your household goods and your car? Should you? Why might you be better off buying a car in Costa Rica? Believe me, this is the kind of insider information you need. Kathleen clarifies import taxes, explains how much cars cost, and the best kinds of cars to drive in Costa Rica… She explains whether or not you'll need a local driver's license and how to get one…
How to structure your finances…where to bank, how to pay your bills…
How to get mail delivered…
What about communicating? What kind of phone and internet service should you expect in Costa Rica…how to best (and cost-free) communicate with friends and family back home…
How to find a good doctor…where to get the prescriptions you need and how much they might cost…
How to bring your pets to Costa Rica…
What to expect in the way of taxes, both at home and in Costa Rica (not much, thankfully)…and much, much more.

Importantly, you'll discover how to save money when you live in Costa Rica. It's not just about shopping in the local farmer's markets or eating Tico-style food (delicious, by the way)…

In Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle, you'll find out what's true and what's not. The internet offers loads of information about Costa Rica. Websites and chat groups are full of misinformation—so it's important to get the most up-to-date information straight from someone who knows Costa Rica inside and out.

Kathleen Evans offers you experienced perspective, valuable judgment, and on-the-ground guidance that will save you time, money, and frustration when you head to Costa Rica yourself… You can be sure you'll be completely and reliably "in-the-know."

It has more to do with picking the right place to settle…choosing the right kind of home to live in, and so on…

Kathleen offers all her insider tips and insights that will have you on a well-planned, streamlined course…

Best of all, she even provides a step-by-step Action Plan. If you've wondered or worried about how you might ever pull it all off…making a move of this type…worry no more.

If you're thinking of retiring to Costa Rica…or spending some extended time there…maybe opening a business or just reinventing your life…this Costa Rica Blueprint is your very best resource.

It's the fastest, most efficient, most cost-effective way to get you quickly ramped up so you can get from where you are now to the idyllic spot in Costa Rica that's right for you.

And when you're ready to actually visit Costa Rica firsthand for yourself, you'll be able to use your time wisely—because in essence, you'll have already been there, with Kathleen as your guide. You'll know where to go, who to contact, and the questions you'll need to ask.

This Costa Rica Blueprint delivers insider access… It hands you on-the-ground solutions that would cost you a minimum of $10,000 to gather on your own. Probably more like twice that. (Kathleen has spent far more than that on this project.)

But you don't have to spend that kind of money…no way.

Kathleen has done all the work for you. And she's just saved you a ton of money.

We could reasonably ask $1,000 for this program, which reveals tips and secrets about Costa Rica you won't find anyplace else.

But we won't charge you $1,000 for access...even though it's worth every penny.

It's available now, for just $499.

Plus, there's more that comes with it…

You Also Get 7 Comprehensive Special Reports and a Complete Resource Rolodex.

These Are Not Available Anywhere Else.

As Kathleen was taping the videos she created for the Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle, she discovered there were a few topics that required some extra lengthy reporting…too much to record on video.

So those have been assembled in a series of special reports—delivered electronically to get them into your hands as quickly as possible.

This is the kind of information you'll definitely want at hand as you prepare for your move to Costa Rica.

Special Report #1: Costa Rica Scouting Trip itineraries and Travel Guide. If you've got one week, two weeks, a month or more to spend in Costa Rica, you'll want this guide. Kathleen and her Costa Rica team have planned all the details for you…from how to travel around to where to stay—hotels, short-term rentals and much more. You'll also discover where to play…dine…and more…even the popular hangouts where you can meet expats who may some day be your neighbors. Live links to websites and contact information is all there for your easy access.
Special Report #2: How They Did It: Meet Happy Costa Rica Expats. Speaking of expats, sometimes it just takes a little motivation. That's exactly what you'll get in this special report. You'll meet expats in ten different areas of Costa Rica, all living their dream lives in the tropical sun. They explain exactly how they did it (and how you can, too) and they share personal details you couldn't get unless you quizzed them yourself… Find out what they do for healthcare, how much they spend on a daily and monthly basis, what they do in their free time, and much, much more.
Special Report #3: Practical Matters: Taxes, Cost of Living, Residence, Moving Your Household Goods and Pets, and Doing Business. Yes, Kathleen covers all this in the video series, but as you can see from the lengthy title, this special report digs deep. You'll get comprehensive sample budgets and money-saving tips, a detailed tax primer, a full explanation of various visa options and a complete legal resource rolodex. And if you plan to move with pets or children, or you're thinking of starting your dream business in Costa Rica, do not leave home without this special report. Nowhere else can you get this kind of valuable, all-inclusive information.
Special Report #4: Spotlight on the High-Quality, Low-Cost Medical Care in Costa Rica. This comprehensive report explains the differences of Costa Rica's public and private healthcare systems and can help you make an educated decision about what to do for your personal healthcare needs when you move to Costa Rica. You'll get all the details (including costs) of the Caja public care coverage. There's also a rundown of the best private hospitals in the country and a list of some of the best local insurance providers—with full contact information. There's even a list of questions to ask about insurance policies you may be considering and a tutorial on how to find the best doctor for your personal needs.
Special Report #5: The Guide to Renting a Home or Buying Property in Costa Rica. When you move to Costa Rica, you'll need a place to live. And whether you rent or buy, that means contracts. Word to the wise: Do not sign a rental or purchase contract without first reviewing this crucial information. Everything is covered…from typical costs and how to find a rental to what to look for in a reliable real estate agent, where to get title insurance, the various title structures, the correct process for registering a deed, and much more.
Special Report #6: Something for Everybody: An In-Depth look at Costa Rica's Regions. If you want insider information about areas of Costa Rica that offer a combination of livability, affordability, beauty, and convenience—you'll find it within the 40+ pages of this special report. All the "personalities" of these locales are sliced and diced for you. You're sure to find a hidden gem that's perfect for you.

AND Special Report #7: Your Costa Rica Rolodex and Resource Guide. This is another document you won't want to leave home without. You'll find 16 pages of resources that you can rely on to help streamline your scouting trip and your move to Costa Rica. Websites, email addresses, phone numbers, costs for services…it's all there…from accommodation and restaurants to airlines and shuttle services…to attorney, healthcare providers, moving/shipping and real estate contacts, language schools and much more, including handy travel apps you can load on your phone or tablet to make navigating your way around Costa Rica as easy and inexpensive as possible.

All You Need to Do Now is Place Your Order

As you know, there's only so much you can absorb when you're reading about and researching a place.

You do a "Google search" and tens of thousands of links come up. It's so hard to know whose opinion to trust. And the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming.

But that's what makes this Costa Rica Blueprint so special—and so useful. Kathleen Evans shares her real-world insights directly with you via video. She cuts right to the chase, right there in living color, and she answers every question you have about Costa Rica. I guarantee it.

Our Rock-Solid, Money-Back
Guarantees Means No Risk for You

Guarantee # 1—I guarantee this Costa Rica Blueprint will help you find the perfect Costa Rica lifestyle that's right for you. A place where you can live better than ever… stretch your retirement dollars...and have the time and funds to travel, relax, and enjoy life...

Guarantee # 2—I guarantee it will deliver the real-world solutions you need to get from where you are now to where you want to be…so that in just a handful of months, you could have "boots on the ground" in a part of Costa Rica you love. But if you feel the solutions we offer aren't for you, we'll give you a full refund. In other words, the risk is all ours.

Guarantee # 3—Should you decide to ask for a refund, you've got a full 30 days to do it. If you don't feel that Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle can help you to a new life in Costa Rica, just let us know and we'll refund every penny. That's how confident we are in the depth and breadth of information this Blueprint provides.

The joyfulness of Costa Rica…the laidback lifestyle, reminiscent of a kinder, gentler time in history…and with the modern pleasures and amenities now available and so affordable…

All this makes Costa Rica hard to resist.

The good news, though, is that it's all within your grasp. You don't need millions in the bank to capitalize on the opportunities in Costa Rica—one of the best-value retirement options you'll find. With so much to offer.

In Costa Rica, you can have the life you've been dreaming of. You can have it all…and on a monthly budget of $2,150 or less.

If you're looking for a tranquil, safe place to live…for total freedom and a non-intrusive government (with no army!) that will welcome you with open arms…where you can actually afford top-quality healthcare…have access to farm-fresh, healthy food…and a great year-round climate…

On the beach or in the mountains…where you can live well for $24,000 a year or less...you'll find all that and more in Costa Rica.

And in Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle, Kathleen Evans shows you exactly how to make it happen…how you can settle into a far better, more affordable, healthier life and do it seamlessly, enjoyably, confidently…

Think about it: A handful of months from now, you could be sitting on your own terrace, a hot cup of Costa Rican coffee or a frosty, delicious drink in hand, watching toucans and parrots fly overhead or the sun set over the gorgeous blue ocean…

I hope you'll let us show you how…just ‘add to cart’ now and we'll get you started.

Sincerely,

Dan Prescher,
Senior Editor, International Living
February 2022

P.S. If you have any doubt that Costa Rica offers the very best lifestyle—at a very affordable price—your mind will definitely be changed after you've sifted through the 14 professional videos, the seven comprehensive special reports, including the hefty resource rolodex that make up Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle.

There are so many reasons Costa Rica is one of the world’s top retirement spot.

If you've always loved the idea of retiring in real comfort…where you don't have to worry about rising healthcare costs and crime rates, out-of-control government spending or crazy politics…

Then I encourage you to take a look at Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle. It was created with you in mind.

Follow the blueprint Kathleen Evans has created for you. Let her introduce you to the special places she's discovered. Let Kathleen share her expert insights with you and help you shave months…even years…off your learning curve.

Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle is like taking a whirlwind investment and lifestyle tour of Costa Rica.

Only instead of paying thousands of dollars for the travel fees and expert advice, we hand it all to you right there in the comfort of your own home for just $499 when you order Costa Rica 101: Your Blueprint to the Pura Vida Lifestyle now.

Remember, there's no risk to you. You have our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Moving Abroad: A Hero’s Journey

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 09:47:31 GMT

How to Move Overseas with Greater Clarity,
Confidence, and Much Less Stress

Design the Next Chapter of Your Life with Purpose, through
Moving Abroad: A Hero's Journey

This idea of going overseas is exciting and invigorating, but it can also be intimidating. It's uncharted territory for most people. After all, you've spend the last three or four decades leading a busy life: working long hours, raising kids, doing what is expected of you.

And now all of a sudden, you're facing this unknown. And even though you're eager to start something new…the prospect can be overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be.

Moving Abroad: A Hero's Journey will help you plot a path for yourself to a life that feeds interests you may have shelved years ago, a life where you and your partner are rediscovering each other and delighting in it, or you're rediscovering what makes you tick, a life that excites you, that feels fulfilling and satisfying.

So that's the end goal—and it's utterly attainable. But it doesn't happen by accident.

There's this gap between where you are right now and that place…that new, purposeful life. And Moving Abroad: A Hero's Journey is designed to help you navigate through it—to move in the direction of that new life with greater clarity, confidence, and much less stress.

This program helps you define yourself, your values, and what matters most in your life so that—no matter what happens and where you end up—you will move forward in a powerful and joyful way.

We've created a "system," really, to help you think about and plot out what you want this next chapter to look like. Not just where you want to be, but who you want to be, and how you'd like your days to look.

Expats often realize, once they're overseas, that their move wasn't just to another land, and their reward wasn't just successful adaptation to new experiences—but also a path to seeing a bigger picture of the world.

Of course, there will be challenges and difficulties along the way. But if you know they're ahead, you can be prepared to overcome them. And you can embrace this new adventure overseas with enthusiasm because you're ready for it.

Moving Abroad: A Hero's Journey is an online program you can complete in 8 weeks, but which is self-paced to accommodate your schedule and time, which means you can go faster or slower—it's up to you.

Overview Of Each Module

Each of the 8 modules, including the Welcome module, consists of lessons supported by videos, transcripts of the videos, exercises related to the lesson, detailed documents to guide you through the process, optional mind, body, spirit exercises, bibliographies and information on how that lesson relates to the experience of being an expat. All of these materials will be able to be downloaded so that you will have a written chronicle of your journey when you finish. There will also be an ongoing Hero's Journey discussion group, monitored by Beverly and Michael, where you will receive support from other participants as well as ask any questions that you might have. Our goal is support you on each step of the Hero's Journey so that you will emerge as the true Hero that you are.

Week One - Module 1: The Hero's Journey Intention

It's Time To Get Clear About What You Really Want!

The course will begin with a module devoted to what the course is, how it works and how to get the most out of the process of going through it. You will also be introduced to Dr. Beverly Nelson and Michael Bartlett, your LifePath Masters, and given an overview of the Hero's Journey. In a powerfully positive process, you will be guided to define and write your intention for what you would like to accomplish in moving abroad.

To assist you in your intention process you will go through a personal questionnaire to help you clarify your desires. After you have written your intention, you will then be presented with clarifying questions to help you complete the process, if you need it. We encourage you to then introduce yourself and share your intention with the Hero's Journey Community group for feedback and integration.

Week Two - Module 2: The Hero - Who Am I?

A Hero's Journey Customized Just For You

Module 2 is a deep dive into your nature, tendencies, strengths, weaknesses and likely responses (positive and negative) through each step in the journey. The Enneagram evaluation process identifies one of nine distinct strategies for relating to the self, others and the world.

Each of the nine Enneagram types has a different pattern of thinking, feeling and acting that arises from a deeper inner motivation or worldview. This identification is used throughout the Hero's Journey process to provide specific feedback for you regarding potential positive and negative responses to the various aspects of your journey.

Over the years we have used all of the major scientifically validated Personality Assessments. From them all, we have chosen The Enneagram as by far the most effective and useful for this kind of personal growth program. The Enneagram is a powerful tool for personal and collective transformation.

Stemming from the Greek words ennea (nine) and grammos (a written symbol), the nine-pointed Enneagram symbol represents the nine distinct strategies for relating to the self, others and the world. The Enneagram fosters greater understanding through a universal language that transcends gender, religion, nationality and culture.

The Enneagram, like the Hero's Journey, is related to Dr. Carl Jung's defined Common Unconscious and believes that, while we are all unique, we share common experiences and common unconscious relationships. The Enneagram is the first step in bringing this shared unconscious into your unique individual consciousness. This new individual knowledge and insight gained from the Enneagram provides a common language of experience for our journeyer to relate to themselves and to share with others in their life and the Hero's Journey Community.

Week Three - Module 3: The Call To Journey

Do You Hear It? Are You Ready?

The Call To Journey is the first of the five steps in the Hero's Journey and represents a yearning for new experiences and/or dissatisfaction with the status quo. In this module, you will identify your origins and flesh out your current story… the people, the places and the things that currently define you. Who am I now? What is my story? How did I get here? Is this my ideal life? If not, why not? Am I willing to begin to consider what my ideal life might be?

In this module, you will be guided to complete a powerful multidimensional exercise that will help you to identify the patterns, people and places that defined you and shaped your life, and how that relates to your new Hero's Journey. Your insights and realizations can be enlightening and profound. Share them with your Hero's Journey Community and get feedback and clarification to help you develop even deeper insights. This will help to prepare you to confidently depart your existing ordinary world and your limited self.

You can do this now with greater awareness and confidence. Your past life has been deeply clarified, understood and consciously integrated.

The potential of your new life is beginning to come in to view. You are now ready to prepare for your adventure into the unknown, the new world and your new self.

Week Four - Module 4: The Preparation

Clarification, Participation, Preparation

You will discover that as you gain clarity and consciousness about who you are, who you intend to be and what it is that you really want… Mentors/Allies inevitably appear in your life and offer support.

Please let us be clear about something… This is not some kind of magic or mumbo-jumbo (although sometimes it may seem like it:). As you become more and more clear about what you want, who you are and who you are in the process of becoming, all kinds of things in your life begin to change.

This includes how you relate to people, the conversations you have, your perceptions and insights as to who they really are and what you share in common. This is a very powerful position and from it you see potential and opportunities you would have otherwise missed.

You're just beginning your Hero's journey!

From this position of power and perception you identify and enlist support and allies and you begin to prepare for the encounter (the next step in the journey) which will be filled with obstacles and the decisions you will need to make to handle them. The quality of these decisions will be determined by your clarity and conscious awareness of exactly what your beliefs and values are now in your life.

You will do this with the aid of a Core Beliefs Inventory Questionnaire and Values Exercise where you identify the beliefs and values that create the foundation of who you are and make up the fabric of your life. Upon completion, you will identify the primary beliefs and values you will need to carry forward into the next step of your journey. Very importantly, you will also identify the limiting beliefs that you will leave behind.

Once again, we encourage you to share the experience of the process with your new Hero's Journey Community, receiving feedback and support from the facilitators and community members.

You are prepared, mentally and emotionally, for the step ahead… The Encounter.

Week Five - Module 5: The Encounter

You Develop Courage And Confidence

In this module, you will gain a completely new level of realization and acceptance that all journeys and all lives are made up of inevitable obstacles and challenges. You will begin to see that you are not alone and that everyone must deal with this normal part of every journey and every life.

You also begin to see and understand that what determines the quality of the experience of your journey is not what happens (external) but how you deal with what happens mentally and emotionally (internal).

Through a series of insightful and interactive exercises, you are guided to identify your unique core obstacle(s) (fears) that you have to deal with in your life and specifically in your move abroad. You are then shown how to identify which of your beliefs and values that you will use in dealing with your core obstacle(s).

This establishes an entirely new methodology and way for dealing with these and future obstacles and problems in your life! Courage rises up within you and you begin to feel and experience a new found strength.

You now have the opportunity to share your experience and insights from this process with the Hero's Journey Community group and receive support, feedback and to enjoy the experience that you are truly not alone. You will gain new insights, clarity and strength from this shared involvement and experience the significant increase of consciousness and awareness you have developed at this point in your journey.

You are stronger and make better decisions with clarity and confidence.

Week Six - Module 6: My Passions

A New Life Opens Up New Passions

It is a new day for the new self in a new world. There have been changes experienced, felt, internalized and expressed. It is now time for you to create and define your new being in the world. What do you really desire now? What do you want in and from this new world? What are your passions in this new life?

It is time to get absolutely clear about what really matters right now.
This clarity leads to great personal power!

In this module, we take you through a guided interactive process called The Passion Test where you create a list of 10 passions you now desire to experience in this new world that you are envisioning and creating. Through a simple to do but very sophisticated and interactive process your random list of 10 passions are prioritized to define your top 5 passions, 1 through 5.

Once your top 5 passions have been clarified and prioritized, you are guided through a process of developing "markers" as a way of measuring how you will know when you have achieved your passion and where you are in the process of achieving each of your top five passions.

Beverly and Michael are certified facilitators of The Passion Test and will expertly guide you through this process. The powerful effect of this new clarity in your life is liberating and profound. Your life will never be the same!

Week Seven - Module 7: The Homecoming

Bringing The Old World & New World Together

Your new self in your new world has been defined and established. You are now ready to integrate your Old World and your New World into One World and a Better World. You can now define what is serving your new self and what is not serving your new self in relationship to your newly clarified and prioritized passions.

You are taken through four highly specialized guided processes where you deeply reflect upon your newly clarified and prioritized passions in your new world. At the end of each guided process you are asked to create a "most important" lists in terms of:

Who Are… The most important people that populate or will populate your newly integrated life.
What Are… The most important things (activities and possessions) in your newly integrated life.
Where Are… The most important places (residence(s), geographical location(s) etc.) in your newly integrated life.

Spiritual Practices… The most important spiritual practices (religion, meditation etc.) in your newly integrated life. In each of the four areas listed above; you are then guided through a process of reflection and evaluation to define what, if any, changes you want or need to make in each of these areas. This will often involve changes to existing patterns of doing things, ways of being, nature of relationships etc…

Changes to the "the way things are" or "the way things have always been" can be challenging and really difficult for you and other people involved. To support you in these challenges and changes, we take you through a guided process of creating the powerful practices and affirmations that will strengthen and support you in making the changes you have defined for yourself and your world.

Your new world is in order. This Hero's Journey is coming to an end. It's time for the final step… The Recounting of the Tale!

Week Eight - Module 8: Recounting Of The Tale

Time To Celebrate Your Journey And Your New World… To Make It Real

Completion, Graduation & Celebration… it is time for you to claim your place in the world as the Hero of This Journey and of your life. This journey is ending and another is beginning… Do you hear the Call?

In this module you recognize and claims the powerful transformation you have experienced. You begin to look for ways to share your experience and the wisdom you have gained with the world. There is something about taking what you have experienced and internalized and putting it out into the world that makes it real.

To assist you in this process, you are guided through a process of defining and answering questions like …

What was the most important insight(s) in your journey?
What was the most valuable setback or obstacle and how did you transform it?
What have you realized about your original Intention for this journey?
What wisdom have you gained that you want to share with your community and your world?

You are then asked to create a new statement of intent for your next journey in this new world so that you can complete this journey and be ready to answer the next Call! You are a Hero! You will never settle for being less!

This journey carries with it the opportunity to become a better human being and to have a deeper knowledge of yourself. You really can become the hero in your own story—and we'd like to show you how. Register today and get started now.

Dr. Beverly Nelson And Michael Bartlett