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There are snowbirds in Tx where it's cheaper than in Az, and in Az where it's cheaper than in Fl. And there are snowbirds in places where it's cheaper than in Tx, and warmer in winter too. My winter retreat costs $120 a month if rented by the year, water included, no electricity. No big deal in winter, it's warm. In summer I wouldn't stay there, too hot and humid.

If you want it cheap, you'll get it, though you might not like it. Cheaper places cost that little for a reason. It can be climate, or remoteness, or political instability, or something else.

I recall a TV documentary about great Costa Rica and their public healthcare last year. A guy from BC was bitten by snake when walking down the alley - not in a jungle somewhere. Local doctors ordered an X-ray and couldn't tell what it was. It was getting worse... and worse... and worse... On the 2nd or 3rd day he grabbed flight home, paying whatever price there was. By then he couldn't walk, vomited. Went to Vancouver General emergency straight from the airport, within a few hours was diagnosed and told that he needed a shot of antivenom IMMEDIATELY. The hospital didn't have it, but they flew it from Seattle same day. The guy lived. Had he stayed in Costa Rica, things could've been different.

Almot wrote:
There are snowbirds in Tx where it's cheaper than in Az, and in Az where it's cheaper than in Fl. And there are snowbirds in places where it's cheaper than in Tx, and warmer in winter too. My winter retreat costs $120 a month if rented by the year, water included, no electricity. No big deal in winter, it's warm. In summer I wouldn't stay there, too hot and humid.

If you want it cheap, you'll get it, though you might not like it. Cheaper places cost that little for a reason. It can be climate, or remoteness, or political instability, or something else.

I recall a TV documentary about great Costa Rica and their public healthcare last year. A guy from BC was bitten by snake when walking down the alley - not in a jungle somewhere. Local doctors ordered an X-ray and couldn't tell what it was. It was getting worse... and worse... and worse... On the 2nd or 3rd day he grabbed flight home, paying whatever price there was. By then he couldn't walk, vomited. Went to Vancouver General emergency straight from the airport, within a few hours was diagnosed and told that he needed a shot of antivenom IMMEDIATELY. The hospital didn't have it, but they flew it from Seattle same day. The guy lived. Had he stayed in Costa Rica, things could've been different.

Our experience (technically our friends) was quite good. You never know, there may be more to the story. Costa Rican health care system also covers dental and vision (glasses). Like any country there are good and bad things. I highly recommend visiting Costa Rica for a couple weeks. Lots to see and do and they have their own brand of Latino culture. There is less of a historical emphasis and more of a nature and environmental emphasis to tourism in Costa Rica so don't go expecting to see an abundance of perfectly preserved Hispanic cities like Mexico.

Cheers.