This guidebook was published to HELP people of all ages and budgets move to Costa Rica SUCCESSFULLY and make their dreams come true and was a candidate for the PRESTIGIOUS Benjamin Franklin Award for Publishing EXCELLENCE. It was also FEATURED on the cover of a special edition of Publishers Weekly, an international journal of book publishing and bookselling. Christopher Howard is Costa Rica's most read AUTHORITY on living and retiring in Costa Rica. He has resided in the country for 32 years and is a Costa Rican citizen. It is not surprising that he has first-hand knowledge and insight into all aspect of Costa Rica's culture, economy, language and its people. He has appeared on the NBC Today Show, CNBC World News, Fox Business News and is a frequent lecturer at international retirement seminars. "People who read this book before coming here often know MORE about Costa Rica than many long- term residents, according to the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR)." For the last fifteen years Mr. Howard has also conducted AWARD-WINNING relocation and retirement tours (liveincostarica.com) to supplement the information in his book, assist those interested in making the move seamlessly and to show future residents what it is really like to live in Costa Rica.
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Chris is the EXPERT on relocating to Costa Rica that is clear within a few minutes of reading his book or spending any time with him. For someone with his BOUNDLESS knowledge and experience, he is also incredibly down to earth. For the neophyte, he really boils things down and takes care in answering your questions and introducing you to every major facet of life in this beautiful country. There is NO better way to get introduced, settled and assimilated in Costa Rica than to have Chris as your point man. --Peronet Despeignes, Fortune Magazine
We highly RECOMMEND this guidebook to ALL of our members and to anyone thinking of living in Costa Rica. It is by far the BEST and most COMPLETE source of information on the subject. We have observed that people who read this book before coming here actually know MORE about Costa Rica than many long-term residents. Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR) --Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR)
Reading this book is like having lived in Costa Rica. Mr. Howard brings his readers a book that will become a CLASSIC. --Mary Ellen Botter, Travel Editor, Denver Post
We highly RECOMMEND this guidebook to ALL of our members and to anyone thinking of living in Costa Rica. It is by far the BEST and most COMPLETE source of information on the subject. We have observed that people who read this book before coming here actually know MORE about Costa Rica than many long-term residents. Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR) --Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR)
Reading this book is like having lived in Costa Rica. Mr. Howard brings his readers a book that will become a CLASSIC. --Mary Ellen Botter, Travel Editor, Denver Post
About the Author
Christopher Howard has resided in Costa Rica for over thirty years. He has an extensive foreign language background, having earned a B.A in Latin American studies and a Masters degree in Spanish from the University of California. Chris is considered by many to be a pioneer and innovator in Central America. During the time he has lived there he has written more than 10 books on living retiring and investing in several of the countries in the region. It is not surprising that he has first-hand knowledge and insight into all aspect of Costa Rica's culture, economy, language and its people. Because of his expertise, he is a frequent lecturer at investment and retirement seminars, has been a paid consultant for National Geographic, and has been interviewed on the NBC Today Show, CNBC World News, Good Morning America and in Newsweek Magazine. At present, the author writes columns titled Learning the Language for the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR) magazine El Residente, is a contributor to the news group Costa Rica Living and posts information about living in Costa Rica daily on his popular blogs at liveincostarica.com and costaricaspanish.net
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More About the Author
Christopher Howard has resided in Costa Rica for over 30 years and is Costa Rican citizen. During this time, he has had the opportunity to gather a plethora of information about living, retiring and investing in Costa Rica. It is not surprising that he has first-hand knowledge and insight into all aspects of Costa Rica's culture and its people. Because of his expertise, he is a frequent lecturer at numerous retirement and investment seminars. He has also appeared on the NBC Today Show and CNBC World Business News and was interviewed for Good Morning America.
Mr. Howard has extensive foreign language background, having earned a B.A in Latin American studies and a Masters degree in Spanish from the University of California. The author writes columns titled "Learning the Language" for the Association of Residents of Costa Rica's magazine La Voz, "Short Cuts for Learning Spanish" for the newspapers AM Costa Rica and Inside Costa Rica and the Costa Rica Living News Group.
Christopher has written 14 language and travel guidebooks about Latin America including 16 editions of the perennial bestselling "New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica", "Official Guide to Costa Rica Spanish" and the one-of-a-kind "Guide to Real Estate in Costa Rica."
Due to a multitude of requests from the readers of his guidebooks, Christopher Howard began to offer monthly relocation and retirement tours to Costa Rica starting in 1997. Since then he has personally helped thousands of people move to Costa Rica successfully through his one-of-a-kind licensed tours, seminars and private consultation services. Please see www.liveincostarica.com for more information about his unique tours.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Tom North
Format:Paperback
Costa Rica is a diverse and beautiful country with a beautiful culture. It is a wonderful place to consider for retirement and this is a very thorough book covering nearly all aspects of that important decision. My wife and I took Mr. Howard's Central Valley and Pacific tour 6 years ago and bought a charming but very simple house in the little town of Ojochal (mentioned in the book). I now have his latest revision and am amazed at the level of detailed information. This is not a book of sweeping statements. It has that as an introduction but it soon drills down to taxi fares, shipping services and rates, medical operations and costs/locations, residency requirements, and even a few recipes (Gallo Pinto - my wife's favorite - vegetarian).
The forward is a great introduction to "Why live in Costa Rica?". It introduces the options for climate (65ş F days - mountain valleys verses 85ş days coastal year round), economics, safety, alternative countries (not comparable), activities, medical, and US similarities that Costa Rica offers.
The first chapter of the book introduces the overall geography, culture (Pura Vida), government (4 branches - long standing democracy), and economics. This is followed by a chapter covering the 6 climate zones Costa Rica offers. Each section gives concrete examples of housing styles and costs, availability of services, a little history, and generally communicates the lifestyle advantages and disadvantages of each. Plaza Izcazu sort of a US yuppie set, Avenida Ezcazu CR's version of LA's Rodeo Drive ($$$). On the other side of San Jose but still in the very populace central valley is San Pedro, offering more of a college town atmosphere. Outside the central valley (San Jose) there are mountains and geothermal spas, costal beaches and surfing towns, further South there are remote rain forests and laid back little communities (and us).
These 6 zones are very different from each other and the descriptions are detailed including descriptions of the individual towns (a few restaurants, interesting sights / beaches / historical) and their personalities, housing costs, and and. There is enough information that you may be able to concentrate on a few for your investment / retirement (white sandy beaches, large resort hotels and condos, mountain views and cool air, or lush rainforest).
The last dozen chapters expand individual topics / considerations. The author provides a description of the lifestyle possible for different levels of income. Living on $1,000 per month is possible but limited, $3,000 per month allows travel, entertainment and house keepers. He gives budget breakdowns of these totals that include taxes (very reasonable - $175 per year), food, medical, travel, rent, utilities, and etc.
There is a great deal of detailed information that many long time residents in CR probably don't even know. For taxis he suggests the ones that are registered (painted red, yellow triangle on each door with the license number). He even gives charge details ($.85 1st KM, and $.85 after, $8.50 per hour, plus other rates outside municipalities - and important to look for the fare meter (marias)). A feature of this book that shows Howard's language interest is the inclusion of the Costa Rican Spanish translations for many topics ("Con la maria, por favor" to have the driver use the meter if you are in doubt). This level of detail permeates every subject area.
Financial information covers public bank deposits (no limit for amount insured) and private banks (higher interest), how to pay bills (internet is very common), how much to tip (waiter tip is generally included but most others are good to tip).
Making money (2 chapters) covers starting a business, investing in CR, available work (Intel, Amazon, HP, and many others are in Costa Rica), and some business Spanish.
Real Estate discusses the possibility of squatters rights (VERY rare but important), price comparisons, how to buy including financing, lawyers, and legalities, building (lots to talk about here - comment me if you like), beach zone laws, and so on for 60 pages of detailed info.
A chapter titled "Red Tape" has portions you need to know about basic auto insurance and personal property (including cars, boats, planes), and the justice system. There are notes on Wills and Estates, Embassy Service, legal terms and many less likely issues.
More in a sort of miscellaneous section - churches, pets, pharmacies (most US prescription drugs are over the counter - not barbiturates - not amphetamines), shopping, favorite restaurants (two wonderful ones that he took us to on our tour are not listed though- rats - one with coffee wood smoked chicken), and more than I can possibly include in this review.
The net result is the book contains a mountain of quality information. If you want just a beautiful book our favorite is: "Costa Rica: The Forests of Eden" by Kevin Schafer, Alvaro Ugalde, The sweetest little book covering the geological beginnings to early man is: "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made" by Adrian Colesberry, Kimberly Parsons, The best map BY FAR is: "Costa Rica: Waterproof Travel Map of Costa Rica" by Ray Krueger Koplin, Toucan Maps, and our favorite travel guide (resort listings, places to see etc. ) is: The Lonely Planet Costa Rica Guide Book.
There are two important pieces to me that have already changed since this book was printed. The new and beautiful road Howard mentions as nearly completed is now in fact completely done. This was only a few giant bridges when we were first there and now a new and wonderfully smooth highway goes all the way from San Jose out to and then down the pacific coast. Having to drive over the "Mountain of Death" is no longer necessary. The second new development may only apply to some areas but does include ours. We now have 3G phone including 3G internet service even in the little back reaches of our jungle community, WOW. It is necessary to get the chip from ICE - the CR phone company, and locally purchased 3G computer modems all work but the one I tried from here didn't. There is an ICE desk in the airport if you have an unlocked cell phone.
Nice book, nice country. Best for people who want to enjoy a new culture in a new environment, rather than just transplanting a piece of the US to a more affordable part of the world. But I'm pretty biased. Several friends have decorator homes and love the combination of comfort in exquisite natural surroundings.
The forward is a great introduction to "Why live in Costa Rica?". It introduces the options for climate (65ş F days - mountain valleys verses 85ş days coastal year round), economics, safety, alternative countries (not comparable), activities, medical, and US similarities that Costa Rica offers.
The first chapter of the book introduces the overall geography, culture (Pura Vida), government (4 branches - long standing democracy), and economics. This is followed by a chapter covering the 6 climate zones Costa Rica offers. Each section gives concrete examples of housing styles and costs, availability of services, a little history, and generally communicates the lifestyle advantages and disadvantages of each. Plaza Izcazu sort of a US yuppie set, Avenida Ezcazu CR's version of LA's Rodeo Drive ($$$). On the other side of San Jose but still in the very populace central valley is San Pedro, offering more of a college town atmosphere. Outside the central valley (San Jose) there are mountains and geothermal spas, costal beaches and surfing towns, further South there are remote rain forests and laid back little communities (and us).
These 6 zones are very different from each other and the descriptions are detailed including descriptions of the individual towns (a few restaurants, interesting sights / beaches / historical) and their personalities, housing costs, and and. There is enough information that you may be able to concentrate on a few for your investment / retirement (white sandy beaches, large resort hotels and condos, mountain views and cool air, or lush rainforest).
The last dozen chapters expand individual topics / considerations. The author provides a description of the lifestyle possible for different levels of income. Living on $1,000 per month is possible but limited, $3,000 per month allows travel, entertainment and house keepers. He gives budget breakdowns of these totals that include taxes (very reasonable - $175 per year), food, medical, travel, rent, utilities, and etc.
There is a great deal of detailed information that many long time residents in CR probably don't even know. For taxis he suggests the ones that are registered (painted red, yellow triangle on each door with the license number). He even gives charge details ($.85 1st KM, and $.85 after, $8.50 per hour, plus other rates outside municipalities - and important to look for the fare meter (marias)). A feature of this book that shows Howard's language interest is the inclusion of the Costa Rican Spanish translations for many topics ("Con la maria, por favor" to have the driver use the meter if you are in doubt). This level of detail permeates every subject area.
Financial information covers public bank deposits (no limit for amount insured) and private banks (higher interest), how to pay bills (internet is very common), how much to tip (waiter tip is generally included but most others are good to tip).
Making money (2 chapters) covers starting a business, investing in CR, available work (Intel, Amazon, HP, and many others are in Costa Rica), and some business Spanish.
Real Estate discusses the possibility of squatters rights (VERY rare but important), price comparisons, how to buy including financing, lawyers, and legalities, building (lots to talk about here - comment me if you like), beach zone laws, and so on for 60 pages of detailed info.
A chapter titled "Red Tape" has portions you need to know about basic auto insurance and personal property (including cars, boats, planes), and the justice system. There are notes on Wills and Estates, Embassy Service, legal terms and many less likely issues.
More in a sort of miscellaneous section - churches, pets, pharmacies (most US prescription drugs are over the counter - not barbiturates - not amphetamines), shopping, favorite restaurants (two wonderful ones that he took us to on our tour are not listed though- rats - one with coffee wood smoked chicken), and more than I can possibly include in this review.
The net result is the book contains a mountain of quality information. If you want just a beautiful book our favorite is: "Costa Rica: The Forests of Eden" by Kevin Schafer, Alvaro Ugalde, The sweetest little book covering the geological beginnings to early man is: "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made" by Adrian Colesberry, Kimberly Parsons, The best map BY FAR is: "Costa Rica: Waterproof Travel Map of Costa Rica" by Ray Krueger Koplin, Toucan Maps, and our favorite travel guide (resort listings, places to see etc. ) is: The Lonely Planet Costa Rica Guide Book.
There are two important pieces to me that have already changed since this book was printed. The new and beautiful road Howard mentions as nearly completed is now in fact completely done. This was only a few giant bridges when we were first there and now a new and wonderfully smooth highway goes all the way from San Jose out to and then down the pacific coast. Having to drive over the "Mountain of Death" is no longer necessary. The second new development may only apply to some areas but does include ours. We now have 3G phone including 3G internet service even in the little back reaches of our jungle community, WOW. It is necessary to get the chip from ICE - the CR phone company, and locally purchased 3G computer modems all work but the one I tried from here didn't. There is an ICE desk in the airport if you have an unlocked cell phone.
Nice book, nice country. Best for people who want to enjoy a new culture in a new environment, rather than just transplanting a piece of the US to a more affordable part of the world. But I'm pretty biased. Several friends have decorator homes and love the combination of comfort in exquisite natural surroundings.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The 16th edition of this guide stands out high above the other books on the same subject. It answered all of my question about living in Costa Rica and left NO stone unturned. I would go so far as to call it the "bible" for expats in Costa Rica. I found it to be packed with really good advice and tips the author gathered from living in the country for more than 30 years. The book is a balanced treatment of the subject in that it contains anecdotes by people who have actually relocated to Costa Rica so that readers can get other views of the country aside from the opinions of author. I liked the fact that Christopher Howard seems to be a straight shooter and doesn't try to sugar coat anything. There is a section of ads in the book for business which cater to expats. I actually contacted a moving company and doctor and both sources proved to be very helpful. Nowadays there is a lot of inaccurate information posted on the Internet about Costa Rica by unqualified individuals lacking experience. The Golden Door is a reliable source of information and is written by someone who does know a thing or two about the country.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Chris Howard is by far the world's greatest expert on retirement and living in beautiful Costa Rica. Whether you are someone who is looking for a new incredible life in a very exciting country, or the President of that country, Chris has that quiet and unique ease of friendship and professionalism to ensure that everyone feels right at home. I have learned so much about Costa Rica real estate, investing, security, and every day lifestyle planning, that this book has paid for itself more a thousand times over. I have personally traveled this fantastic country with Chris Howard and the experiences were eye opening and incredible. Investing in this incredible guide will help guarantee you the best chance of having a successful experience in acheiving your dream at the price you can afford. Just read the table of contents to discover for yourself why Chris Howard's guide is the one "must have" book. Please consider combining this book with joining Chris on one of his world famous relocation and retirement tours. They are so carefully planned to meet his customer's needs, you will thank me many times over for reccomending both so highly. Thanks Chris for your friendship, guidance, and for introducing so many happily satisfied people to one of the most magnificant countries in the world, Costa Rica!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best overall for those thinking about moving to Costa Rica
I think I've read about every book I could find on moving to CR, and by far Chris' book is the best overall. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Griff
5.0 out of 5 stars
The New Golden Door To Retirement and Living in Costa Rica
I'm still reading this book, I can't believe how comprehensive it is, I was expecting allot less for sure. Lots of advice on the nuts and bolts of relocating and visiting there. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Steve
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive guide for anyone who is interested in Central America
Superb reading for anyone contemplating a vacation or change of residence. Easy to read and comprehend. I would recommend it to anyone who loves learning about other countries. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Julian Weglarz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Realistic Reading
For anyone who needs "just the facts" Christopher Howard's "The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica" is a breath of fresh air. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Lynn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best overall book I have found on Costa Rica
I have several guide books on Costa Rica, a book on Costa Rica Real Estate (not Howard's), books on building in Costa Rica, and several books on retiring in Costa Rica. Read more
Published 24 months ago by B. Stenman
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Golden Door worth it's weight in Gold
five stars The Golden Door is worth its weight in Gold
I have lived in Costa Rica for almost 20 years. Read more
I have lived in Costa Rica for almost 20 years. Read more
Published on April 4, 2011 by rex
2.0 out of 5 stars
The new golden door to retirement and living in Costa Rica
Very disappointed with this book. Trying to read it was like watching a marathon infomercial. Whereas there is much valuable information for someone who is not familiar with the... Read more
Published on March 31, 2011 by meiping
5.0 out of 5 stars
Golden Door
I have lived in Costa Rica for over 15 years and have worked extensively in the areas of tourism and retirement related fields. Read more
Published on January 25, 2011 by Annie Drake
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Expert Shares His Knowledge
Cost Rica offers some huge advantages for retirees, and Christopher Howard brings us up to date in this clear and fascinating new edition. Read more
Published on January 24, 2011 by Don Ediger
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