Senior Citizen Travel Packages to Costa Rica

Are you an expat or aspiring expat in your senior years thinking about moving to Costa Rica? When planning for your golden years outside the U.S., Costa rica is a good pick. Those over the historic period of 65 are given the moniker "ciudadanos de oro" (golden citizens) and are a well-respected segment of Costa Rican society.

The toll of living in many areas in Costa Rica is a fraction of the Usa, while the quality of life is high. Budget-witting ex-pats can live comfortably in Costa Rica for less than $1,700 per calendar month. About basic staple foods, every bit well as fresh fruits and vegetables, are bachelor twelvemonth-round.

Life expectancy in Republic of costa rica is higher than in the U.S., averaging 79.half dozen years. Mortality is 18 percentage higher among men and 10 percent higher for women in the U.South. when compared to Costa rica.

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Residency through the Pensionado (pensioner'southward) program requires a monthly income from a retirement fund or pension of at least $1,000. There is no lower age limit, and the awarding can include a spouse. Children under 25 or those who are older with disabilities may be allowed as well.

Senior Benefits under the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social Plan

Expats that get residents or citizens of this country are likewise eligible for coverage under its health intendance system, Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (known as CAJA). Information technology takes approximately 18 months from application to approval for residency, so many employ private wellness insurance while pending their processing papers. (See the Seguro Social Facebook page.)

With CAJA, almost procedures are gratis or require a very minor copayment, although you lot must contribute a pct of your residency income each month.  If you are not working in Costa Rica, so the amount used to come up upward with the monthly contribution is based on the income you lot listed on your residency application.

Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social provides a estimator to assist y'all approximate the costs. Expats over the age of 55 do non demand to pay into the Costa Rican pension organisation, and then the IVM field on the calculator tin can be ignored.

The Ciudadano de Oro Card

Your senior status will also become you lot a Ciudadano de Oro card. Brandishing your Golden Years Membership does have its privileges. You'll exist ushered to the front of lines at the bank, government offices, and hospitals. Autobus trips less than 25 km are free. Those that are between 26 and 49 km, you lot'll become a 50 percent discount, while longer trips are discounted 25 pct.

Certain establishments give discounts ranging betwixt 2 and 20 percent. These businesses include optical stores, clinical laboratories, pharmacies, shoe stores, as well as article of furniture and appliance stores. You can observe the complete list of businesses and locations that provide a senior discount hither.

With your CAJA access card, you won't need to nowadays a credit card for emergency services. You'll also take free access to the Cruz Roja ambulance if y'all need it. Nigh generic label medicines can be obtained without charge, some without a prescription.

Drawbacks to Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social Programme

As with almost national healthcare programs, in that location are drawbacks to the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social.

The most troublesome is access to specialists. Although you will be able to see local physicians for most bug, when your physician refers you to a specialist, it might take weeks even to become an appointment. Then, depending on the grade of treatment, it might be months before surgery or an MRI can be scheduled. Specialists might not exist located near where you alive either. Express locations necessitate long travel times and possibly even overnight stays.

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Unfortunately, long look times are not necessarily confined to specialists. You lot could experience a delay in handling at your chief intendance physician'southward office or even in the emergency room, depending on the number of patients seeking care.

Long-term Care Facilities in Republic of costa rica

Costa Rica understands that there are activities their Gilt citizens might demand help with. Between 2010 and 2016, the state created 50 community care networks to serve about 10,000 elderly. This program involved more than than 5,000 older volunteers who were trained to make abode visits, facilitate health services, and provide other social services to vulnerable elderly.

While the volunteer network still needs some farther implementation, individual caregiver services have stepped in to fill up the gaps. It's possible to rent a full or part-time nurse or caretaker for a fraction of what it would cost in the United States. And then contained living in Costa Rica is a feasible choice for those in the retirement age range.

There are also day centers often called "Centro Diurno de la Tercera Edad." These community centers provide meals, activities, and main health care during the day. Some facilities specialize in the care and attention to those who have Alzheimer's.

Nursing Homes in Costa Rica

Nursing homes, known as "Hogares para Ancianos" or "Asilos de la vejez", are some other choice. Some nursing homes cater to ex-pats and have English speaking staff on hand. Others may not. It'south best to do an in-person visit to see how accommodating the facility is.

Retirement homes or assisted living facilities range between $i,000 to $5,000 a month per resident. Typically these communities provide meals, laundry, housekeeping, medical intendance, 24-hour nursing care, outings, and physical therapy, just it varies from place to identify.

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Some have a buy-in pick where you own your residence, while others provide long-term lease agreements. However, you lot should know that these communities can be extremely pricey since they are geared toward expats rather than native Costa Ricans. Over again, it'southward best to spend some time viewing different facilities in unlike parts of the country before committing.

Costa Rican Senior Care Summary

As with most Key and South American countries, elders agree a sacred place in society in Costa Rica. The regime has provided certain benefits to those in their Golden years to make things easier. Many elderly Costa Ricans alive with relatives and not at nursing homes when information technology'due south possible. Day centers are convenient respite options for family unit caretakers.

With the growing tourist interest in Republic of costa rica, retirement communities and assisted living facilities are cropping upwards all over. With quality wellness care coverage and a lower cost of living, Costa rica might be just the place for your Aureate years.

Farther Reading

Here are other books related to Costa Rica that may help inform you on what retirement and expat life is like in the state:

• The Costa rica Escape Manual
• Choose Costa Rica for Retirement
• The New Gold Door to Retirement and Living in Costa rica

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