Pacific Costa Rica Retirement

Costa Rica Retirement Tour - 8 Day Pacific Coast

The Central Pacific is one of Costa Rica’s jewels and perfect for retirement. It extends from Puntarenas in the north to the Barú River in the south. The closest and most accessible beaches to San José are found in this area. The beaches are sunny year-round, the weather is hot and the ocean warm. Whether you want to retire or just live in a tropical paradise, the Central Pacific Coast has something for your retirement dreams. Some of the outdoor activities the area offers are: golfing, sport fishing, yachting, canopy tours, river rafting, parasailing, hang gliding, mountain biking, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, bird watching and a lot more. There are even places to study Spanish and practice yoga in this area.

Here is one retiree’s take on the Central Pacific: "It was our experience that the west coast was very much like where we came from San Diego, California. The ocean was similar to that of California (but warmer). There has been a lot of American-style investment here. Prices, as you’d expect, are higher as you get closer to the water."

Costa Rica Retirement Sample Itinerary

Saturday

Arrive in San Jose. We will meet you at the airport and transport you to your Hotel. There will be a brief orientation on your way to the hotel.

Sunday

A buffet breakfast at the hotel. Then a 7:30 departure on our retirement/relocation tour for Costa Rica's gorgeous Central Pacific area. On the way you will receive a packet of materials and will be given orientation/mini seminar about the tour. Christopher will narrate and make comments about all of the points of interest along the way.

We will then pass through the beautiful mountain town of Atenas which has one of the best climates in the world according to Natioaal Geographic we will then cross Costa Rica's coastal mountain range and descend into the lowlands. There are breathtaking views along the way where you can see both the Central Valley and Pacific Ocean. Once in the lowlands we will stop in the agricultural town of Orotina at a typical Costa Rican restaurant for refreshments. We will make a stop to visit the Herrudura Plaza, the Supermarket and several properties in the area and then lunch or cocktail depending on time at the Hook Up marina restaurant. After, on to the five star Marriott Los Sueños resort marina and golf course, then we head on to our hotel in the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area. On the way we will pass by Jaco Beach know for its long beach and good night life and retirement opportunities.

Next comes the famous surfing town of Hermosa Beach, the fast-developing retirement area of Esterillos area, the town of Paritta, Palo Seco Beach and finally to Quepos where we will check into our hotel and then have lunch near the water. After lunch we will have an orientation about retirement opportunities in the area what we are going to see and do during the next couple of days. Then we will make an introductory visit to Manuel Antonio Park. We will then go back to the hotel. Around 5 PM we will journey to the Hotel Mariposa for cocktails and to view one of the most incredible sunsets in the world. You won't believe your eyes and will want to retire there on the spot! Dinner will be at the hotel and prepared by chef Andy.

Monday

Breakfast at the hotel and continue a tour of the town Quepos and talk about more retirement options in the area. The Quepos and adjoining Manuel Antonio area is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, popular for retirement and offers some of the most beautiful beach resorts in the world. Few other places in Costa Rica offer so much in one spot. You will find endless activities to keep you busy in this quaint beach town. Some of the areas most prominent features are white sand, paradise - like beaches, beautiful hidden coves, abundant wildlife, good nightlife, fine cuisine, unforgettable sunsets from many vantage points and even a chance to mingle with the Hollywood crowd at a five-star hotel.

The area offers other activities to keep you busy and happy during your retirement such as rafting on either the Naranjo or Savegre rivers, horseback riding, four-wheeling, hiking and canopy tours in the incredible mountains that serve as a backdrop to the area. Most foreigners live in and around the town of Quepos and along the road leading to Manuel Antonio National Park, just a few kilometers south and over the hill. The park is nestled on some 682-plus hectares of land. The park receives more visitors than any other park or reserve in the country. If you are a nature lover you can always explore the national park or go to one of its pristine white-sand beaches that slope down from tropical forests into the clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The park teems with paradisiacal flora and fauna.

Downtown Quepos is a charming beach community surrounded by forested hills facing the Pacific Ocean. It is replete with bars, boutiques, eateries, a mini-bookstore, good nightlife and a whole lot more to keep local foreigners entertained has everything for your retirement needs. Quepos is also known for its sport fishing scene and is the site of several yearly tournaments. Hotels, businesses and even an old airplane converted into a restaurant are scattered around the hills and line the highway between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Many of the hotels are situated on large properties that extend into the forest. It comes as no surprise that the area’s beauty, popularity and abundant activities have made real estate very expensive. Land prices are high due to the popularity of the area. Nevertheless people do choose this area fo retirement. The infrastructure is good here with a public hospital, an airport for small planes and limited docking facilities. Construction of a new 200- slip $11 million marina is underway.

From Quepos we will gradually work our way up the coast to our hotel in Jaco beach. On the way we will visit Manuel Antonio Heights in the foothills to the north of Quepos. It is one of the most unique and affordable projects in the country where you may find the retirement home of your dreams. The views will take your breath away. We will also visit beautiful Palo Seco Beach. This area is just starting to boom partially because it was always off the beaten path for many years with Jacó and Quepos getting being much more in the spotlight. But now all of that has changed. It is now a another great retirement option. We will check into our hotel and then go to lunch. After lunch we will have activities to keep you busy you will also have time to enjoy the beach. Dinner will be in Jaco beach or nearby Play Hermosa.

Jacó is conveniently located just 72 miles or about two hours from San José. This Key-West-like town is a very popular weekend retreat with ticos and tourists. A growing retirement community can also be found here. Jacó is by far the most developed beach town in the Central Pacific region and has excellent tourist infrastructure. An eclectic mixture of foreigners and locals gives Jacó a sort of cosmopolitan feeling. Boredom will not be a factor here for those interested in retirement. There are pizza parlors, international restaurants, handicraft shops, bars, discos and late-night spot where you can party until the wee hours of the morning. Water sports, especially surfing and sport fishing, attract scores of people to the area. You can also explore the natural wonders of nearby forests on foot, horseback or a canopy ride through the treetops.

The Jacó community’s new Plaza Coral Mall features 60 stores, a three-screen international movie theater, a food court and two formal restaurants. The new mall will cater to both tourists and local residents. Just two miles down the coast from Jacó lies Playa Hermosa. Do not confuse this idyllic surf community with the beach with the same name in Guanacaste. Hermosa (“Beautiful”), as its name indicates, is protected as a national wild life refuge. Because of good year-round waves, most people come to Hermosa to surf. Many international surfing tournaments are held here every year. However, there is plenty to keep non-surfers busy, especially at nearby bustling Jacó. Hermosa is also a prime retirement area and has a foreign community.

Tuesday

Breakfast and all day touring the best areas for retirement in and around south of Jaco.Lunch will be at the Los Suenos Marina At 5 PM we will venture to beautiful Villa Caletas to see another breath-taking sunset from a mountain top where you can view the Gulf of Nicoya and tip of the Nicoya. If paradise exists, this is IT! Again, you will want to retire here right on the spot after viewing this natural wonder.

Dinner will be in Jaco or neighboring Hermosa where you will be exposed to more of Costa Rica's mouth-watering cuisine.

Wednesday

Breakfast and summary of what we saw, did the last couple of days and the retirement options in the area. Next we will head north on the Costal highway or Costanera as it is know in Spanish. We will stop at the Nativa Resort which looks like something out of the movie Jurassic park with its lush tropical vegetation and spectacular views. nativa is the perfect place to spent your retirement. We will then head to the Tarcoles River to view the crocodiles. Anyone who wants to take a swim is welcome. We will then visit the town Orotina again for a pit stop and then over the mountains to San José with a stop in la Garrita area another area where retirees reside

Thursday

Breakfast at the hotel. At 8:00 the first day of a highly-informative relocation, living and retirement Seminar You will hear from some of the country’s foremost authorities in the fields of real estate, law, health care, moving, medical care, insurance, learning the language and more - everything that a person wishing to relocate to Costa Rica will need to know. A few people who have moved to and retired in Costa Rica will share their experiences with you. You will make new friends and begin to make a network of valuable contacts. A delicious buffet lunch is included. Happy Hour is scheduled after the seminar. Free evening.

Friday

Second day of the seminar with lunch included. You will hear more from the rest of Costa Rica’s experts including your retirement tour guide, Christopher Howard. Surprise group dinner at a local where you will meet and mingle people who have made the retirement move and savor more delicious Costa Rican cooking. All of our past clients really love the activity and especially enjoy being welcomed into someone's home. It is a real cultural experience you won't want to miss on this retirement tour.

Saturday

Transportation to the airport included for the participants on this month’s retirement/relocation tour.