With the recent release of InterNations' Expat Insider 2017 Report, Costa Rica is again finding itself in high esteem in the international mindset.

Our great chosen country's most prominent recent showcase was at the 2015 Paris Climate Accord where '100% Pura Vida' was displayed in writing on the Eiffel Tower, with Costa Rica's national colors lighting up the structure. This was done to celebrate Costa Rica's environmental dedication and our ability to run our grid on mainly renewable resources year-round.

We are blessed again to be recognized as one of the best places to live in the world by the expat-renown publication InterNations. Costa Rica places second overall in the Top Expat Destinations for 2017, after newcomer Bahrain. According to the findings in the report, our tiny, tropical nation tends to receive the 'Greener Pastures' expats: those who are looking for a better quality of life, including a lower cost of living and a strong prioritize personal health.

This year, as with most others, Costa Rica can also be found at the top spot on the Friendliness Index thanks to the welcoming nature of the local citizen. Expats in Costa Rica find that it is easy to make friends, which helps expats to feel at home in the nation's pura vida culture. 63% of respondents say that their social circles consist of a mix of locals and expats, with roughly 40% of expats taking the time to learn the local language (Español Latino) and about 11% of adult Costa Ricans speaking English, with higher focus in expat centers like the Costa Ballena in the region of Osa.

Family life is important in Costa Rica and younger expats are increasingly coming to these shores to try a new way of living that brings the focus back onto the family. The quality of education in Costa Rica is high on the index, as is the availability of childcare and education.

And out of 65 nations on the list, Costa Rica comes in at number 14 for working abroad, showing that although it's not the easiest nation to get a work visa, it is well worth the trouble and the subtle pay cut to enjoy a better quality of life than can be found in the hustle and bustle world of 'back home'. Additionally, Costa Rica jumped 19 places from last year to 24th of the Personal Finance Index, with 68% of expats saying that they are generally satisfied with their financial situation.

In total, about 4% of Americans abroad find themselves in Costa Rica, which is the third most popular US expat destination after Germany (9%) and Mexico (5%).

From The Expat Insider 2017 Report about Costa Rica's 'Greener Pastures' expat: 36% living abroad for the first time 32% are retirees 64% give positive ratings for the cost of living 58% see personal health as a benefit 48% can see themselves staying forever

"Costa Rica offers the freedom to live a peaceful, happy life, surrounded by peaceful, kind and happy people" - A happy expat.

 By Alex Swift

[gravityform id="2" title="true" description="false"]