Costa Rica remains one of the safest and most attractive countries for foreign investment in Latin America. The Costa Rican government, its ministries and financial institutions maintain a decidedly pro-U.S. and continental stance in regard to financial security and tax laws. The economy is being transformed from its long-time dependence on coffee, bananas and cattle raising to one centered on microprocessor production and high-tech telecommunications services.

All individuals and private companies, local or foreign, can own land and property in Costa Rica. Few restrictions apply, the most important being physical occupancy and a 50-meter limit from the beach on oceanfront property. Potential real estate investors, and their lawyers, must first go to the National Registry for a title search, to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy for an environmental impact study, the local municipality for zoning laws and building permits, and then perhaps to other ministries and institutions for pertinent information.

As Costa Rica's economy continues to grow and expand, education and health insurance remain top priorities in the country. The country has an average annual growth rate in urban population of 3.5% and with a $1.9-billion-a-year tourism industry, Costa Rica stands as the most visited nation in the Central American region, with 1.9 million foreign visitors in 2007. Through a healthy primary education system, Costa Rica has a 92% primary school net enrollment and attendance, and a literacy rate of 96%. Showing its commitment to health insurance, 90% of Costa Ricans have some type of health coverage.