Published on 12 September 2005 at 08:28 pm
Filed under: South/Central America:- Costa Rica Property Guides » Costa Rica for Real Estate Investors
International property investors have been attracted to Costa Rica for many years, but just recently real estate investment in the country has stepped up a gear and a clue as to why investor confidence is so strong can be found in the CIA World Fact Book - it now calls Costa Rica “a Central American success story” - and it’s a fact, this Central American country has been a politically and economically stable one for many years and as a result it is emerging as the next big retirement and holiday home destination.
Over the last 15 years in particular, Costa Rica has begun to see a significant positive shift in its fortunes - as a result of this fact inward foreign direct investment is flowing freer now as investor confidence is at an all time high.
A great deal of the foreign direct investment is being ploughed into the Costa Rican real estate market and this sector is being further boosted by the retirement market and by those seeking an escape from more restrictive taxation and reporting regimes such as those in the US and Canada for example.
For retirees, real estate investors or holiday home seekers this country guide to Costa Rica should introduce you to the country, its economy, people and general overall attraction.
The last vestiges of major unrest in Costa Rica were stamped out in 1948, since then the country has truly blossomed. The Republic of Costa Rica is a democratic country with no army and only a national police force required to protect it - as a result of its relatively neutral position it is occasionally referred to as the Switzerland of Central America. Crime in Costa Rica is low, the standard of living achievable is quite high, the local population are well educated and the government offers certain tax breaks to companies investing in Costa Rica meaning that it is an attractive country for many business owners and entrepreneurs as well.
Costa Rica - or ‘Rich Coast’ - is a stunningly beautiful country which is rich in abundant and rare flora and fauna. Although Costa Rica only makes up for 0.1% of the world’s landmass it actually contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity and the government of Costa Rica are aware of their country’s precious state and have made a great deal of land into protected sites and national parks to preserve the natural beauty and unique state of the country.
Costa Rica is bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and by Nicaragua and Panama. Its economy is mainly driven by agriculture, but recently the attraction of the country and its profile have been promoted extensively and tourism is really taking off now in Costa Rica which in turn encourages and develops foreign exchange which further boosts the economy.
In 1997 Costa Rica began emerging from a long period of recession and its recovery has been bolstered and shored up by the Costa Rican government’s commitment to a seven year program of economic expansion through the development of the high tech industry in particular. The government have also implemented a series of attractive taxation incentives as mentioned which are designed to increase FDI.
Anyone considering investing in real estate in Costa Rica and moving to live in the country full time can potentially benefit from these tax breaks which are available to some investors - and they can also benefit from the excellent standards of education, healthcare and welfare available locally as well as the good standards of living enjoyed across the country.
South/Central America:- Costa Rica Property Reports
Complete listing of all current property reports for region: South/Central America:- Costa Rica
