Of all countries in the Americas, Costa Rica is one of the most friendly to foreign investors, particularly in terms of immigration.

Immigration law in Costa Rica allows foreigners to invest $200,000 so that they can obtain the benefit of residency. The investment can be in a property, lot, business, shares in a corporation, etc., and the amount can be various investments that add up to $200,000; for example: a house and a couple of cars that add up to that amount would fulfill immigration requirements, therefore it is easy and very accessible to qualify for this type of residency. Buying a vacation investment property in a beach community such a bellazo would count as qualification and would provide great yearly growth.

Although many foreign investors are attracted by the prospect of easy residency, there are several reasons that make Costa Rica the best country in Central America to invest in. The legal professionals at Immigration Experts, a specialty law firm in Costa Rica, recommends paying close attention to what reputable sources have to say about the investment climate in our country.

Following are five reasons you should invest in Costa Rica, and they are explained by very reputable sources:

1 – United States International Trade Administration

The United States is Costa Rica’s main trading partner, accounting for about 40% of Costa Rica’s total imports.

Foreign direct investment in Costa Rica climbed steadily from the year 2000 ($408 million) to 2008 (over $2 billion), falling back over the last three years to 2006 levels of roughly $1.5 billion. About 580 percent comes from the United States.

2 – The Globe and Mail, Canada

As one of the most economically and politically stable countries in Latin America, Costa Rica is viewed as a safe bet.

Its exports remain strong, tourism numbers are at record levels while the country has one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. Historically, Costa Rica has been a profitable real estate investment with 15-20 per cent returns recorded year-on-year from 2000 to 2008.

3 – Grupo Santander, Spain

In recent years, Costa Rica has consistently attracted FDI inflows in the high-technology manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, despite the departure of the American manufacturer Intel. This is thanks to, among other reasons, the establishment of Free Zones, as well as the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement. Colombian and Chinese investments have been growing steadily.

The factors that attract FDI are tax incentives, the country’s exemplary political and economic stability and a skilled labour force.

4 – Sun-Sentinel, South Florida

Tech services provider Auxis plans to invest at least $30 million over the next five years in the Central American nation. The investment easily can triple its Costa Rica workforce that now exceeds 200 people.

The investment highlights Costa Rica’s emergence as a hub for outsourcing of such back-office services as accounting or Information Technology help desks for major companies active in the U.S. and beyond.

5 – The Financial Times

Costa Rica has emerged as an attractive and safe destination for foreign investment. With a stable political and regulatory environment, business friendly policies and sound macroeconomic fundamentals—including a growth in GDP of 81% since 2000 and a reduction in poverty levels of 46% in the last 25 years—Costa Rica is determined to keep its place as one of Latin America’s investment hotspots.