Published on Thursday, June 25, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff and wire services

Costa Rica has been ranked among the top five countries in the Americas for U.S. citizens seeking retirement, residency, and citizenship abroad, according to the Global Wealth Mobility Leaders 2026 Index published by Condé Nast Traveller.

The New York-based luxury travel magazine said the ranking is based on rising global demand for additional citizenship, residency options, and investment opportunities as affluent Americans pursue international diversification, citing analysis from residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners.

“Travelers are now building so-called ‘sovereign portfolios,’ or collections of residency rights, citizenships, investments, and business interests across multiple nations,” Henley & Partners said.

Parag Khanna, founder and CEO of data firm AlphaGeo, which contributed to the analysis, said the trend reflects a shift in how wealthy individuals approach mobility and long-term planning.

“The wealthy individual of 2026 is no longer selecting a single country; they are constructing a portfolio of jurisdictions,” Khanna said.

Henley & Partners reported that applications from U.S. nationals for residency and citizenship-by-investment programs, often referred to as “golden visas” or “golden passports,” doubled in 2025 and remain elevated in 2026.

The firm added that only 7% of applications come from Americans living abroad, indicating that demand is driven primarily by U.S. residents.

The report also found strong interest in Latin America and the Caribbean, with more than a quarter of applications targeting programs in those regions.

In the Americas ranking, the Cayman Islands placed first with a score of 74 out of 100, followed by Bermuda with 72, Uruguay and Panama tied at 71, and Costa Rica rounding out the top five with a score of 70.


The index described Costa Rica as “one of Latin America’s most attractive wealth mobility destinations, supported by political stability, strong institutions, a favorable lifestyle proposition and a reputation for neutrality,” according to the Henley & Partners report. It added that there is growing interest from North American and European families, reinforcing the country’s appeal as a secure and strategically positioned base for long-term residency planning and international diversification.

The recognition adds to a growing list of international accolades for Costa Rica’s tourism sector. The country recently secured three spots in the 2026 edition of Corona Beach 100, a global guide highlighting coastal destinations known for natural beauty, beach culture, and scenic landscapes.

In April, Costa Rica was also ranked as the safest country for solo female travelers in a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the United Kingdom’s national broadcaster.

Tourism continues to play a major role in the national economy. Costa Rica welcomed nearly 1.4 million air arrivals between January and May 2026. The United States remained the country’s largest source market, accounting for more than 812,000 visitors, according to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).

The country recorded more than 2.6 million air arrivals in 2025.

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