I have to agree, Costa Rica is a nice place and has a lot to offer.
i was checking things out down there some years ago, (late in the last millenium) i have come to the conclusion that you can do things there and enjoy Life but you have to physically stay there with it, especially if it is a house or farm.
I know of a situation where some europeans purchased a piece of property, cleared and subdivided it, then returned to europe to sell the lots, when they came back to CR, the land was occupied by squatters and the authorities refused to evict them.
Generally, Central and South America has some lovely spots at good prices and Costa Rica is one of the best all around, unfortunately rapidly growing populations and a depressed economy put a lot of pressures on these countries and affect public services and security.
I hope that Cuba will in the near future open up sufficiently to allow property ownership, it is ideally located with a good terrain and lots of natural attractions, so I am keeping an eye on that.