Quality of Life: Costa Rica or the Canary Islands? Where Life Is Truly Better

Have You Ever Thought About Leaving Everything Behind?

"After years in the corporate world, I felt something wasn't right anymore. I wanted time. Space. Real life. The Canary Islands were on the list, but... something didn't convince me."

These are the words of Andrea, a former manager from Lombardy who now lives in Costa Rica with his wife. Like him, many Italians, when deciding to change their lives, face a crossroads: Canary Islands or Costa Rica? Two popular destinations, but profoundly different. And those who have already made the choice can tell you better than anyone else.

Quality of life: the difference is in the breath

Claudia, a freelance professional from Tuscany, shares:

"We’ve been to the Canary Islands. Beautiful light, sea, decent services. But we didn’t feel a real change. In Costa Rica, it’s as if everything slows down. The kids come out of school and head to the beach, I work with an ocean view. People know each other by name. It’s a different breath."

In the stories collected by Flor de Pacifico, there’s a common thread: those who choose Costa Rica don’t do it just for the climate or taxes. They do it because they want to start over. They want to feel part of something. They want to live, not just survive.

Healthcare: realistic, not idealized

The Canary Islands are part of the European healthcare system, true. But those who’ve accessed local care know that waiting lists can be long and personalization of services often limited. It’s an efficient system but not always flexible.

Costa Rica, on the other hand, surprises. The public healthcare system is among the best in Central America, and the private sector meets international standards.

"We were honest with ourselves," says Silvia, a retired doctor. "In Costa Rica, public healthcare works well, but waiting times aren’t quick. We chose a mixed model: public for routine visits, private when speed is needed. The costs? Much more affordable than in Europe."

Safety: don't just look at the numbers

No country is the same everywhere.

Those living in the Flor de Pacifico villages, in the Guanacaste region, speak of everyday tranquility, children playing outside, and often open doors.

"In San José, some areas are different. But here we feel safe," confirms Mario, a retired man from Emilia.

Costa Rica has made specific choices not measured by statistics alone: no army, investments in culture and healthcare, emphasis on social cohesion, and in many areas, a sense of genuine safety is present.

Infrastructure: building, not just using

The Canary Islands have well-developed infrastructure, supported by EU funds. But this stability comes with operational rigidity: little room for innovation, and a real estate market that is now saturated.

"There was nothing left to invent. Just adapt," says Nicola, who instead chose to invest in Costa Rica.

"Here you’re part of a transformation. You can take part. We, for example, contributed to a green project in our village: solar energy and rainwater harvesting."

Costa Rica is indeed undergoing expansion. Public and private investments are transforming the most strategic areas of the country, especially in the Guanacaste region, home to the Flor de Pacifico villages.

Real estate investment: there's still space

Most people we’ve met aren’t big investors. They’re families, retirees, young professionals who chose to put down roots where there’s still potential.

"We rented out our house in Italy, and with that money we pay the mortgage here," say Marco and Laura.

The numbers are clear: in the Flor de Pacifico villages, property appreciation reaches up to 10% annually. Tourism is stable, the climate is favorable all year, and homes are in demand.

The Canary Islands, on the other hand, have stable prices but modest appreciation. Properties have been owned by foreigners for years, and finding good investment opportunities is increasingly difficult.

The first step? Listen to the stories of those who've chosen

No one demonizes the Canary Islands. But many — after visiting — felt they weren’t the change they were looking for.

"It was too similar to Europe. And we really wanted to start over," many say.

Discover the real testimonies of those who have changed their life.

Every Saturday at 5:00 PM, at Villa dello Spino (Modena), you can meet people who have already made this leap.

They share their experiences, answer your questions, show photos, data, and life paths. And then, there’s dinner together — Emilian style.

Book your free meeting at Villa dello Spino. Fill out the form or call us now.

Flor de Pacifico: where the future truly begins.