This guidebook was published to HELP people of all ages and budgets move to Costa Rica SUCCESSFULLY and make their dreams come true and was a candidate for the PRESTIGIOUS Benjamin Franklin Award for Publishing EXCELLENCE. It was also FEATURED on the cover of a special edition of Publishers Weekly, an international journal of book publishing and bookselling. Christopher Howard is Costa Rica"s most read AUTHORITY on living and retiring in Costa Rica. He has resided in the country for 32 years and is a Costa Rican citizen. It is not surprising that he has first-hand knowledge and insight into all aspect of Costa Rica"s culture, economy, language and its people. He has appeared on the NBC Today Show, CNBC World News, Fox Business News and is a frequent lecturer at international retirement seminars. "People who read this book before coming here often know MORE about Costa Rica than many long- term residents, according to the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR)." For the last fifteen years Mr. Howard has also conducted AWARD-WINNING relocation and retirement tours (liveincostarica.com) to supplement the information in his book, assist those interested in making the move seamlessly and to show future residents what it is really like to live in Costa Rica.