It can be said that Costa Rica is the first few countries to have ever been developed into a tourist destination in the Central American region. It has been known for its fine beaches, excellent adventure opportunities, and endless skies that will offer you a world like no other.
In recent years, however, other Latin American nations have started to catch up and developed their very own tourism industries. Cost of living in this nation has also risen up due to its increased popularity. Ironically, it is the relatively cheap of cost of living that prompted expats to fly here. Then there's the issue of escalated crime. Foreigners are perceived here to be a good source of money by the petty thieves.
So it begs to be asked. Is Costa Rica still worth it? Is it still worth all the trouble of going here and the risk of starting a new life? Some would say that it is not worth it anymore, that it is better to go somewhere else. But I believe a lot of people would still say that their stay in Costa Rica is still worth all the troubles.
For one, the increased cost of living is justified by the better services that you receive. There is, overall, better healthcare, better education, a better quality of life, and an atmosphere that is generally friendlier to Westerners. The increased number of foreigners in the country had a positive effect on the general quality of life. There's a pressure to improve or become stagnant.
As for crime, well, sure there has been increased crime in the country, but that is the case everywhere in the world. It is very uncommon to hear bad news from Costa Rica in the global scene. You'll hear worse news in countries like Venezuela and Colombia, for instance.
Add to this the usual features that come along with the rest of the countries in the region, such as good weather, and you'll see that, yes, it is still worth living here.
