Customer Reviews

The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica (12th Edition)

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[...] I have lived in Costa Rica for five years and continue to use "The New Golden Door" as a constant reference source. [....]
Mr. Howard continually refers to the Central Valley and San Jose because ALL of the major services and infrastructure are found there. [...] I have personally used many of the services listed in the ads and have found them to be excellent. The fact that Mr. Howard has honest advertisers is a real plus. I would have never found out about these services if I hadn't read this book.
[...]I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Howard and asked him about the typos in his book. He said that he was the victim of a bad proofreader.
I wouldn't hesitate recommending Mr. Howard's complete guide to anyone interested in living or investing in Costa Rica.

I was born in Costa Rica but left the country about 32 years ago for the U.S.when I was a child. Needless to say I became out of touch with life in my own country. I just returned to stay for good. Before returning, however, I read most recent edition of"The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica." After reading this incredible book it was as if I never had left my country. I was more than prepared for what I found here by the loads of information in the book. I have knowledge my relatives here in Costa Rica don't possess about the country. A great book even for the natives!

If you want a book with some great, pretty pictures of life in Costa Rica, I would recommend Insight Guide's "Costa Rica". If you want some real meat from someone who knows the ropes, then "The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica" is the book for you.

Yes, there's typos. I should probably take a star off for this. But the value of the information contained in this book more than makes up for afewmissing whitespacecharacters. Although the typos are slightly annoying, I have not found any of them to be critical.

I normally would have a problem with a book that has this many ads strewn throughout it, but in this case the ads, the urls, the email addresses, and the recommended resources Chris has selected are valuable tools which will save you days of time which would normally be wasted trying to find a reliable Costa Rican attorney, a good book on buying real estate in Costa Rica, or which insurance companies you can depend on.

I found the chapter on Red Tape: Dealing with Bureaucracy particularly enlightening and practical. Overall the book has helped me considerably in planning my retirement in Costa Rica.

This guide really shows the reader how to understand the culture and country from the inside out. It gave me all of the information and more when first I considered Costa Rica for retirement and possible investment opportunities. The advice in the book has has enabled me to start a new rewarding life life , buy a great home for a bargain, make a couple of solid investments and get involved in many interesting activities the country has to offer. I think anyone thinking of moving to Costa Rica would be lost without it.

I`ve been wanting to meet the author, Christopher Howard, ever since I purchased his book last August. Even though compliments are probably getting to be "old hat" to Mr. Howard by now, I feel that his book is the DEFINITIVE work on the subject. I have browsed through many books on Costa Rica, but I DEVOURED this one! Now I`m "chomping at the bit" to visit the country. Also, I`m willing to bet my retirement that Mr. Howard is "The Boss" when it comes to ALL information about Costa Rica. I hope to meet him someday to thank him for writing a book that has CHANGED my life.

"Never before have I been so thoroughly prepared for moving to a new location as I was after reading "The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living In Costa Rica". In fact, after arriving here, I was utterly and continuously amazed at how much valuable knowledge I had previously obtained through reading this book. Furthermore, I find it indispensable as a constant reference source for day-to-day operations. Subsequently I had purchased two similar, popular guide books and after several attempts at trying to read them, I find that they are incapable of holding my attention."

Steve
San Jose, Costa Rica
September 13,2002

I'm currently developing the largest real estate project in the Central Pacific area of Costa Rica. It is called Rancho Monterey. With a project of such magnitude I have surrounded myself with the most competent people in Costa Rica. Christopher Howard is one of the experts I have chosen to work with. Together with some of the world's top investment consultants, Christopher has been one of the speakers at our seminars. Mr. Howard has unparalleled knowledge about the country. I recommend his book to all of my clients who are interested in learning about the Costa Rica. I constantly use his guide as a reference source.

A few years ago I moved from to Costa Rica from Venezuela. If I hadn't read "The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica" I would have been lost. The information in the book made my move a lot easier. It helped learn how things really work here and provided some excellent business advice. This useful book is really a "Golden Door" since it's worth its weight in GOLD.

Full of useful information for first-time visitors who are thinking of living or investing in Costa Rica. A real value at any price.

I just read this book and hope to meet the author someday, so he can sign it! Don't get me wrong, I'm not a typical Autograph Hunter, since I work in Corporate Aviation. Thanks to the owner of the airplane and circle of friends, we fly the likes of Don Heneley, Ann Richards, etc. around. NEVER have I asked any of these celebrities to sign anything, the author of this book will be my FIRST!