Living in Costa Rica

Hi kenbeapal, it is possible to live on the beach for $1500 a month in my opinion.
But, this is assuming you can find a cheap rental of say $800 a month or less and live frugally, no car, no huge bar and restaurant habits, etc.

I hope others will pipe in who have recent beach living experience. I'm not really familiar with current prices at the beaches that offer what you are looking for.

If you don't mind living in a very populated beach area  you might look at Jaco', Tamarindo, Montezuma,  and other beaches. They do have night life and bars and restaurants around there. As to rents I don't know the prices, but I would suggest this idea:

Go there for an exploratory trip, ask around, and see if there might be a condo available or house, owned by a gringo who needs someone to watch over it for them. Remember that an empty condo or house is not a good thing, and if I had one here empty I'd rather rent it at a low price to a GOOD tenant then leave it empty. If you're a handyman at all you might offer a barter deal for doing maintenance and repairs etc...?

But these are the kinds of deals you get only by being here, feet on the ground,  meeting people and asking questions. Years ago I got free rent in a room in a  hotel in exchange for helping someone learn to use a computer.

If you could find a rental for $500 a month then you could live here. Assuming you are solo, which it seems you are, then $1500 a month is possible.

As for retirement, you'd either have to find a cheap place on a long term contract or buy a place. For the most part rents are up around $700-1000 or  more a month in general - maybe more at the beach ? (not sure). So retirement on $1500 at the beach, having to rent, could be a problem. If you are willing to rent a room and have a roommate that would make it more likely to find something I think...

Hopefully others will chime in with their opinions.
Good luck!

I also have been researching Costa Rica.
I  actually could have written that very same post.

I would like to know where to look for rentals preferably on or close to the beach if at all feasible on a fixed income of approx 1600.00/mth.

I would have to say 'no.' Your  post suggests that you are ' couple' and one really doesn't live as cheaply as one... and you can't, legally, work.

Living near the beach...not even on it... will cost more than in the interior of the country, Electricity tends to be higher as are groceries and you would like use more electricity especially using A/C.

The cost of living in Costa Rica is now much more expensive, than one may hope for. This would mean living without  a vehicle...except maybe a bicycle... possibly some very basic accommodations. You would need a decent amount of funds for emergencies.

If you are intent of applying for residency, you must be affiliated with CAJA the socialized medical system and the residency application process  could approx. $3000 for a couple, and could take a year or more.

If not applying for residency you must be prepared to exit the country every 90 days to renew your visa.