Uodated June 11, 2021
Costa Rica Ranks First in Central America and the Caribbean on the Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace!
When my wife and I decided nearly 20 years ago to relocate our family overseas from Vancouver Canada, safety was a big concern. In our search for a new home, we visited many countries that we enjoyed as tourists but realized quickly would not work as full time residences due to safely concerns. Either the country did not have a history as a stable democracy, or there were problems with the police/military, or my daughters got hassled when they were by themselves at a store or restaurant.
We wanted to find a place where our two daughters could feel comfortable and our family would have the stability to enjoy our day-to-day lives. When we toured Costa Rica for the first time, we knew we'd found a place where we would enjoy a safe and comfortable life with peace of mind.
That is not to say that there is no crime in Costa Rica. As in most countries in the world, we don't recommend leaving your laptop or purse in your car, or placing valuables or money near unlocked doors in your home, or setting your expensive cell phone or camera on a towel unattended while you're on the beach. We wouldn't do this in Vancouver, so we don't do it here.
As you can see from the map, Costa Rica ranks very highly on the Global Peace Index. On the other hand, we continue to enjoy a very high quality of life and according to the Global Peace Index (GPI 2021) by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), we made the right decision all those years ago. Costa Rica still ranks first in Central America and the Caribbean in the index, which assesses military spending, relations with neighboring countries, number of homicides, organized crime and respect for human rights.
Costa Rica's Public Safety Minister Gustavo Vega Mata stated he was pleased with the ranking and says the country, often called the "Switzerland of the Americas", will continue working hard to keep Costa Rica as a national and international model of peace.
Why not start enjoying a higher quality of life in beautiful Costa Rica? I look forward to helping you meet your investment goals here in peaceful Costa Rica and to sharing more of my family's story with you.
Chris Simmons
Canadian Chartered Accountant
Owner Three Costa Rica Re/Max Offices