Costa Rica Named a Best Place to Retire Abroad in 2026 (and Why Playas del Coco Fits)

Costa Rica has made Forbes’ list of the best places to retire abroad in 2026. In the annual roundup, senior contributor William P. Barrett named 24 countries and 96 towns that work well for U.S. retirees. The list is not ranked. Countries were judged on cost of living, healthcare, climate risk, and how welcome they make foreign retirees feel. Costa Rica has earned a spot on this list for years, and it is easy to see why.

We agree with the pick, with some additional local information. Forbes leans toward the inland Central Valley and the town of Santa Cruz. For retirees who move abroad for the beach, we think the Guanacaste coast around Playas del Coco is the strongest fit of all. More on that below.

What Forbes Likes About Costa Rica

Here is the Forbes case for Costa Rica, in short. We are summarizing their write-up, not quoting it.

• Beaches on two oceans and some of the richest nature and wildlife anywhere, with a laid-back pace of life.
• A low cost of living. Day-to-day costs can run well below the U.S. average.
• Low crime and stable politics. Flooding can be an issue in some areas, so location matters.
• Excellent, cheap healthcare in the larger cities. Legal residents can join the public health system, the CAJA, for roughly $150 a month.
• Spanish helps but is not required. You can get by in English in the expat areas.
• An easy path to stay. The pensionado retirement visa is renewable every two years and asks for proof of about $12,000 in yearly income. You can also stay up to six months as a tourist while you sort out a longer term status.
• Retiree friendly taxes. Costa Rica does not tax the foreign income of retirees.
• Close to home. Miami and Houston are about three hours away by nonstop flight.

Forbes points readers to San José, the Central Valley including Atenas, and the Pacific side near Santa Cruz. All are solid. But if the beach is why you are moving, we would look one step further west.

Our Take: Why the Coast Around Coco

This is where our own experience comes in. Santa Cruz, one of the Forbes picks, is a Guanacaste town a short drive inland from the coast. The beach towns just past it, on the north Pacific, are where a lot of retirees actually want to be. Playas del Coco is actually closer to the Liberia International Airport than Santa Cruz.

Here is why it works so well for retirees.

• Close to a major airport. Coco is about 35 minutes from LIR, which has nonstop flights from many U.S. and Canadian cities. That matters when family visits or you need to fly home.
• A real expat community. Coco has a large, settled community of North Americans and Europeans. You are not starting from zero.
• Year round infrastructure. Supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, and clinics are in town. A hospital, a PriceSmart, and larger stores are 30 minutes away in Liberia. English is widely spoken.
• A dry, sunny climate. The north Pacific gets a long dry season. Many retirees prefer that to the cooler, wetter Central Valley.
• A walkable beach-town life. You can handle daily needs on foot, and golf carts are common for getting around.

The area is also on the rise. A new marina is planned for Playas del Coco, and steady development keeps improving roads and services. You can read the full breakdown here: the official marina plans are now public.

Why Canadians Love Playas del Coco

Coco has become one of the most popular Costa Rican beach towns for Canadians. The reasons are simple.

• It costs far less. For the same warm, beach lifestyle, Costa Rica runs well below the cost of living back home in Canada. It is also much easier on the budget than nearby towns like Tamarindo and Nosara.
• The flights land right here. Many Canadian routes fly straight to Liberia (LIR), the airport just 35 minutes from Coco. When your flight lands that close, the nearest good beach town wins. That is Coco.
• The community is already here. Years of Canadian arrivals have built a real community. The Las Palmas area near Coco is full of Canadian retirees and expats, so newcomers find a ready made network.
• The seasons line up. The dry, sunny season on the north Pacific runs right through the Canadian winter. For snowbirds, that is months of sun from December into April.

We cover the growing list of direct flights from Canada in more detail here: Porter Airlines launches direct Canada to Costa Rica flights.

Retiring in Playas del Coco: The Practical Side

The Forbes points apply here just as they do to the rest of Costa Rica. A few notes from the ground in Coco.

• Cost of living. Expect to spend well below what the same lifestyle costs in the U.S., though imported goods and beachfront rentals are the exceptions.
• Healthcare. Legal residents can use the CAJA public system for a low monthly amount. There are private clinics in Coco and full private hospitals near Liberia, at a fraction of U.S. prices.
• Residency. The pensionado visa works the same here. Show about $12,000 a year in retirement income, and use the six-month tourist window to get started while you file. You can also gain residency by starting a business, investing in property, or making a lump-sum deposit with monthly drawdowns (rentista).
• Buying property. Foreign buyers have the same ownership rights as Costa Ricans on titled (fee simple) property. You do not need residency to buy.

Real Estate for Retirees in Coco

Where you land depends on your budget and how much upkeep you want. The Coco area covers a wide range, from build-ready lots to finished homes.

If you want to see current options, we keep a few select listings, from a build-ready lot with plans to a finished casita. Reach out and we will point you to what fits.

Playa Ocotal, minutes from Playas del Coco. Quiet beaches like this are part of the draw for retirees.

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