They had/have enough of an army and police force to defend themselves against and organized group of border crashers and possibly enough to delay an organizaed invasion from a neighboring country long enough to call in the OAS or USA for assistance. How that would ACTUALLY work out is anybody's guess, but neither Costa Rica or Belize (the other fully functional country in Central America) has every had to find out.
Both countries admit a limited number of refugees based on their ability to assimulate into the national culture and contribute. They also market themselves to U.S. retirees as a pleasant low cost destination for your golden years . . . a great way to earn money for them.
Places like Panama and Nicaragua, of course, do the same but lack the long history of stability against the ever present threat that a typical Latin American kleptocracy might just decide to steal most of your retirement real estate, bank accounts, etc.
A friend of ours who went on a cruise there said there are definitely two Costa Ricas. The Atlantic coast is dominated by resort hotels and larger retiree properties. The inland and Pacific side is dominated by locals with typical pastel covered cinder block houses (1000 sq ft or so) in neat little tracts. But their people are some of the world's happiest and friendly and exhibit little or no jealousy or even outright hatred of their wealthy neighbors.
They look at them as a source of business opportunity and even mentors. One such guy, a former Mormon missionary, set up a bottling company, employed thousands and grew so rich they he even bought and developed the top soccer team in the country.
Thank you for the post.
Many years ago I went as a young man to Costa Rica and spent most of our time on the Caribbean coast. (Muy Hermosa, in fact we went to Hermosa beach at a time when it was completely deserted.
The country was very inviting and except for other obligations in the states, I would probably enjoy retirement there somewhere.