A phone call to any place in the country costs the same. Housing in most areas is a fraction of what you are accustomed to paying. Property taxes are rock-bottom and there is no capital gains tax if you sell your home. Hired help is also inexpensive. Some of the neighboring countries like Nicaragua, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala are less expensive, but the quality of life and lack of infrastructure leave a lot to desire.
Safety is another concern.
Gunslingers and paramilitary police abound in both Honduras and Guatemala and violent crime is rampant. Belize City is said to be extremely dangerous. In Costa Rica there are a myriad of business opportunities awaiting creative hard-working individuals. It is relatively easy to run a global business from abroad taking advantage of easy Internet access, fax machines, cell phones and other improved means of communication. Small-time entrepreneurs are enamored with the prospect of being able to start a business on a shoestring.