| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 70,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| San José,Guanacaste,Puntarenas | |
| Languages | |
| American English · Costa Rican Spanish | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| American diaspora |
Americans in Costa Rica consists of immigrants and expatriates from theUnited States toCosta Rica, mostly retirees. According to the U.S. State Department, about 70,000 Americans live in the country.[1]
The buildup forWorld War II led to a significant migration of Americans to Costa Rica. During this period, Elizabeth Robinson Oreamuno established theUSA Woman's Club of Costa Rica which still exists today, albeit with a broader membership.[2]
Later, American retirees, many of whom arebaby boomers, flocked to Costa Rica’s tropical beaches to retire as they’re drawn to its biodiversity, the political stability, and its relative low cost health care. The number of Americans who collect theirSocial Security checks in Costa Rica has jumped 67% since 2002.
Many Americans also purchase vacation homes and, rather than leave the U.S. entirely behind, use the rental income to pay off the property in the interim and then retire to Costa Rica at a later date.[3]
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