Although recently there has been a streamlining of the immigration policies in Costa Rica, to stem the influx of unnecessary immigration into Costa Rica yet immigrating into this beautiful Central American country is not very difficult. Being a warm and hospitable country the immigration policies are not very strict, especially for North Americans. The agency dealing with immigration in Costa Rica is the Department of Immigration (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería), which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública). But there is also a National Immigration Council (Consejo Nacional de Migración y Extranjería) that deals with permanent residency matters. Thus moving to Costa Rica is a very viable option, especially for immigrants from North America.

Costa Rica is a Democratic Republic with a strong legal system. It adheres strictly to its constitution. The President is the Executive head of the nation and he is helped by a Legislative Assembly consisting of fifty-seven delegates. Costa Rica has eighty-one districts and colloquially they are called “cantons”

The economy of Costa Rica is agro-based. But in recent years Costa Rica has seen major expansion in the fields of heavy industry, electronics, pharmaceuticals, software industry and banking. Costa Rica is a tax haven because the Central Government gives tax exemption to persons willing to invest in the country. Hence if one wishes to work and settle down in Costa Rica he has a wide variety of jobs to choose from. The currency of Costa Rica is ‘colon’.

Tourism is an important medium of revenue for the Costa Rican Government. It is a tropical heaven, with lush green Rain Forests and breathtaking beaches. In this tiny country of size not more than 51,100 square kilometers i.e.19, 730 square miles lies an astonishing five percent of the world's biodiversity. It includes more than 800 species of ferns, 1,000 of orchids, 2,000 kinds of trees, and 200 species of mammals.

The capital of Costa Rica is San Jose. It lies roughly in the middle of the country on a highland. Costa Rica has coastline of nearly 2069 kilometers with an abundance of virgin beaches. Water sports are also an added attraction for adventurous tourists to come to Costa Rica. Other than the coast Costa Rica is surrounded by mountain ranges called the ‘Cordilleras’. After savoring the beauty and magnificence of Costa Rica one can enjoy the colorful lifestyle of Costa Rica. Although Catholicism is the main religion of the country, many local festivals are also celebrated with great joy and gusto. Thus settling down in Costa Rica is not only pocket friendly but fun also.

Costa Rica is thus an atmospheric treat. Mild tropical weather continues throughout the year. It is indeed a paradise on earth. It is a paradise for nature lovers as well as for people not so detached from worldly pleasures!! Being a melting pot of various cultures, the music the lifestyle and the people of Costa Rica like their county a freethinking and unorthodox. Costa Rica is not at all conservative, but education is given primary importance in this small Central American country. Thus Costa Rica is indeed a haven for people who want to relax and enjoy life.