Safety

We are retiring there in 2014, have purchased property and are building a house.  Petty crime is all over and as a Gringo you may be singled out.  No difference than living in a big USA / Canada city and looking "different".  If you use common sense and courtesy it is no different than where I am right now (Red Deer, Alberta).
Cheers .... Terry

Hi Terry!      We are from New Brunswick.  Thanks for the info.  We are in the process of looking around, not sure where we want to go yet.  If you have additionnal info. , we sure could use it.  We were never in Costa Rica, but I heard good reviews about that place.  By your date of birth, I see that you are our age!  Good luck to you folks!!  Mathilda