Newfound Freedom for $1,600 a Month in Costa Rica

"If you had told me before retirement that I'd be living in paradise while saving money so I could travel more, I wouldn't have believed it," says Lynda Rice, 71, of her new life in Costa Rica's Central Valley.

She swapped her life in Prescott, Arizona for one with a more Latin flair, discovering a new home and newfound freedom—no longer living month to month like she had been doing for years.

In the first year of retirement, Lynda came across a Time magazine article about Costa Rica's coffee industry. Her fascination with the country was ignited. "I'd never even considered it before," she recalls, feeling drawn toward the country's lush landscapes she saw in the article's centerfold.

Then Lynda spent months researching the country. She wanted more than a vacation or sightseeing; she wanted to dive deep into Costa Rican culture and spend six months in the country on her first trip.

"I wanted to experience everyday life in Costa Rica," she says. "I decided on Grecia in the Central Valley because my son had written a book about his time in the country; he stayed in Atenas during his visit."

Lynda Rice found freedom in Costa Rica, living well in the Central Valley on $1,600 a month.

Before her trip, Lynda started chatting with a woman in an online forum who had already been living in Costa Rica for seven years. "Thank heavens for this woman because she showed me all the ropes. She hooked me up with a place to stay, a little casita. Since we had done enough back-and-forth, I trusted her."

Her friend also set up a taxi driver to pick her up at the airport. Lynda was grateful for her new connection, which made her feel safe—her number one priority.

Her next extended stay was in Atenas, as she had read it was one of the best places to retire in the world and was known for its mild climate. Yet Atenas felt too small for her. Lynda preferred Grecia because of its cooler weather and larger size, which gave her more options.

On her third trip, she solidified that Grecia would be her new home, and the rest is history.

"In Grecia, everyone talked about how you can choose from five ridges to live on, which all have fabulous views," she reminisces. "You just pick your attitude. The higher up, the cooler the temperatures. I love Grecia's central location. I can jump in a car and get to the beach in an hour and a half or Volcán Arenal in a few hours."

Best of all, Lynda lives well in Grecia on a monthly budget of just $1,600.

That budget includes the following:

• A two-bedroom, two-bath rental

• All food, including meals out and entertainment

• Buses and taxis to get around when she isn't walking

• Medicare payment in the US

• Insurance for her truck in the US

Lynda shares that Airbnb is the way to go when looking for rentals. They are always fully equipped with cooking supplies, sheets, and everything she needs.

As soon as she stepped on the patio of her last rental property, Lynda knew this was the place she wanted to call home—up on a ridge with an altitude of 4,700 feet. So, she called her landlord and asked for a long-term agreement.

She rents a fully furnished two-bedroom, two-bathroom rental, with cable TV, high-speed internet, water, electricity, garbage pickup, and yard maintenance—a rainforest surrounds her!

The sunset view from the deck of Lynda's home in Grecia.

Because Lynda is so healthy (knock on wood), she is comfortable paying out of pocket for medical care when needed. For example, when she dealt with a UTI a while back, she ended up paying $50 for the office visit and urine test and about $25 for antibiotics. People with ongoing medical needs might consider private insurance options.

"I've decided that I'm not holding back from having fun in my retirement," she says. "I love going out with friends, enjoying live music, and eating local, typical food. Some expats spend a lot of money here, but it isn't necessary. I do not buy anything imported to keep costs down.

"The taxis are so inexpensive here. I even use them to travel to other parts of Costa Rica. I have made friends with a driver who I trust. Good relationships with Ticos [locals] help you assimilate into the culture. I pay about $160 one way to get to Manuel Antonio. I usually share the ride with a friend, making it more affordable. We also love going to Baldi Hot Springs; we purchase a day pass and enjoy the tranquil environment."

Learning Spanish was a must for Lynda, although she didn't know any upon arrival. "To immerse yourself in the culture and build new relationships, you must learn the language," she says. "And there's no such thing as I'm too old. I'm an educator who did brain research. Age has nothing to do with your ability to learn a language."

A Tico family has even adopted Lynda as their grandmother. "Everyone is so friendly, and my social life is hopping. I find that people spend more time out together in community in Costa Rica than Prescott."

With each day, Lynda finds proof in Costa Rica that life is meant to be lived to the fullest—wherever the journey may lead.