With the declining US Real Estate Market and the desire for a healthier lifestyle has many people flocking to Costa Rica. Costa Rica has much to offer:

• Strong buying for power for US citizens
• Quality properties at a great prices
• The oldest democracy in Central America
• A policy of preserving peace and the environment
• The ability to live naturally and orgainically

Retirement should be something you get excited about but for many Americans who have seen the value of their pensions shrink and savings dwindle retirement may not look so bright.  For Baby Boomers facing the end of regular earnings, the ability to make a retirement income stretch seems impossible. With limited savings, reduced home equity and an average Social Security benefit of around $1200 per month for an individual and $1750 for a couple, most retirees will have to cut expenses.  

Retirement can bring unique opportunities to even those on a budget. Once you retire you can simplify, downsize, re-prioritize and do some of the things that full-time work has prevented you from doing.

New Year's celebration in Costa Rica is large on music, lights, fireworks, dancing, and drinks. If you are in Costa Rica for New Year Eve head to the beach and you are likely going to joined by some locals to party with.

Fireworks illuminate the Costa Rican sky on New Year's Eve. Fireworks are set off many nights throughout December but the show on New Years Eve is spectacular and continues into late hours of the night. 

New Year's Eve is the time to celebrate with one's family members in private gatherings. Many business are closed so locals can enjoy being with their families and friends.

Frommer's guide books and websites help travelers explore destinations the way locals do by delivering candid and reliable information. Each year, Frommer's editors, authors, and experts from around the world create a top ten list of the best cities, islands, beaches, and other vacation destinations for the coming year. Their list steers clear of too-hot spots or places that are so under the radar you'll find yourself lost.

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica made this years list with other top destinations like, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Stockholm, Sweden and Atlanta, Georgia among others.

This what Frommer’s editors have to say about Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica:

Puerto Viejo is the hottest spot on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Surfers, backpackers, and Costa Rican cognoscenti treasure Puerto Viejo and its surrounding beaches, rivers, and rainforests. Still, very few visitors venture to the country's remote southern Caribbean coast, which is a shame. A tiny town fronting a small protected harbor, Puerto Viejo offers up excellent restaurants, rocking bars, and wealth of tour and adventure opportunities.

Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica's most popular National Parks. It is a wilderness area with great biological variety. The wildlife is rich and diverse, with eleven different defined habitats. These include high rain forest, littoral woodland, slope forest, swamp forest, cloud forest, herbaceous swamp and herbaceous lagoon.  Mammals, birds and fish are numerous.

Frequented by tourists from all over the world, the Parque Nacional Tortuguero is a significant turtle nesting site on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Tortuguero national park is roughly 50 miles north of Puerto Limon.

The habitats for which Tortuguero National Park is most famous are the coastal and marine areas. Strong Caribbean currents have provided a long, straight 22 mile expanse of beach which is a favored nesting ground for sea turtles.  Hawksbill, loggerheads, and Pacific Green turtles nest from July through October. The Leatherback , the largest sea turtle species in the world, nests from February to July.

Driving in Costa Rica may feel like total chaos at first, but once you understand the difference between what you are accustomed to and the driving habits of Costa Ricans, you will feel more comfortable. Renting your own set of wheels will give you more freedom in your travels if you are the type that doesn’t want to be constrained by bus schedules and want to travel at your own pace, with opportunities to stop and discover interesting people and places along the way.

Costa Rica is a small country and fortunately most tourist destinations are within a few hours drive of San José. If you are only staying in San Jose renting a car is not necessary and is not recommended. Taxis are relatively cheap and the drivers know where everything is. Driving outside of San José is considerably less frantic but still a quite experience. Driving to these destinations will take you through beautiful countryside and you can escape the tourist traps of some places. A car will also allow you the freedom to explore the Caribbean side of Cost Rica.

Before buying a car, you take a test. Relocation to a foreign country is no different; you need to take a test drive. Happy and well adjusted expatriates are often those who have made several visits over the years before finally making the decision to move permanently.

Ideally, you should consider spending at least a month or two getting to know Costa Rica. It's important to get beyond the tourist attractions and look for the real Costa Rica. Get to know the areas, the Costa Rica culture, the traditions and the lifestyle.

A friend of mine retired to Costa Rica from northern California at the age of 40. He lives in his debt-free small hotel, which is run by his hotel manager. He enjoys a healthy life eating his fill of fresh fruit and seafood. By moving to the Southern Caribbean part of Costa Rica, which is one of the world's best retirement destinations, he was able to afford early retirement.

Four years ago, he sold his Northern California home at a small profit. He took the money he made on the sale of his home and bought a piece of land in Costa Rica. He built a small hotel consisting of main house, where he resides, a lobby and five cabanas rentals.

Like many others these days, you may dream of alternatives to your current living situation. The idea of leaving behind the stress and expense of the States, Canada or Europe and heading south to the sun has great appeal.

Peaceful, beautiful, friendly Costa Rica seems to be your way to such freedom. Like any other life-changing decision you need to gather the facts and as much information as possible.

Costa Rica has it all: a year-round tropical climate, modern cities, Caribbean beaches, Pacific coastline, rain forests, lush valleys, mountains, volcanoes, and culture. It’s no wonder so many people are looking to relocate, retire and vacation in Costa Rica. Once you have vacationed in Costa Rica there is a good chance that you won’t want to leave this beautiful country. Here are some general guidelines for the different types of residency in Costa Rica and how to file the appropriate documents. There are two main types of residency in Costa Rica; Pensionado and Rentista.