THE ADDRESS Magazine Summer 2014 | Page 120

it occupies less than 0.01% of the planet’s landmass. The government recognised early on that it had a responsibility to preserve the rich ecological beauty and diversity and imposed strict environmental regulations that mean most of the pristine shoreline and lush mountainsides will most likely never be developed. As one of the most economically and politically stable countries in Latin America, Costa Rica real estate is viewed as a safe haven. Costa Rica abolished its army over 65 years ago and redirected the funds to education 120 and healthcare. Its healthcare is top quality, and as a result it is a popular medical tourism destination. What has made medical tourism in Costa Rica so popular is H