gjpn
Canadian looking for information about Spain
Forum posts
123
Contacts
2
About me
Canadian
Lives in Estepona, Andalusia
Speaks English un poco Español
Registration: 11 February 2015
Move to spain by Julessanderson
Hello i am looking at a move to spain I am a British citizen by birth, but I have dual citizenship with the country I live in at the moment. I am of mature age and I am after some advice on what I could do untill such time I can retire.Kind regards ...
Visit as many places as you can to find places you might want to live. Spain is a big country with many different regions and climates. Read More
Mobile phone plans in Spain by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Staying connected while living in Spain remains a priority for expats, especially when choosing a mobile operator or to understand the local specificities of mobile plans. Here some elements to consider: How to choose your ...
Unless you need a Spanish phone number, just get a prepaid sim from Vodafone Ireland. I've had one for 10 years, roaming is free in all of Europe and customer service is in English. Read More
Working remotely for UK company with golden visa by petersteel
Hello, I am employed by a UK company and the work I do for the business relates to the UK (I am in medical sales). I obtained a golden visa in 2022 and started spending more time in Spain, working remotely. I am not spending more than 6 months of ...
If you're employed outside of Spain and spend less than 183 days in Spain, you're exempt from Spanish tax. I'm not sure what the issue is. You want to spend more time in Spain? Read More
Move to mainland and considering Seville by ajclayton456
Currently live in Canary islands but now want to move to the mainland. I am a Spanish resident and I am considering Seville. I am a single 63 year old female looking to start the next chapter in my life. Is Seville a sensible choice for someone with ...
Seville is a beautiful city but gets insanely hot in the summer. Over 40C is routine and seems to be getting hotter every year. I would suggest visiting there in July or August first before committing. Read More
Building repairs AFTER sale of apartment by Jinnybev
We just completed the sale of our apartment in Spain and the lawyer has come back saying that repairs to the building were agreed by the AGM 6 days before the sale went through so we have to pay! all the checks were done by the lawyer and our ...
Would it be fair to the buyer to pay for something that was agreed upon before they bought and was not disclosed to them? I'm not a lawyer, but my guess is that if you owned it when the repairs were agreed upon, you are most likely responsible for ... Read More
Solar Panels – Has anyone broken even on an installation? by joshua51
Hi there. Solar seems really smart in Spain...but I keep seeing adverts about people breaking even in as little as 2-3 years. Has any one genuinely experienced this? Probably a lot to ask but interested to know if anyone has counted up their bills ...
@jchiltonSo if you got the rebate, sounds like you would have had a 3 year payback period, after which your car and house power would be completely free. Sounds pretty amazing to me. Read More
Thinking of moving to Alicante/Valencia region by gjpn
Will be moving to Spain within the next few years. Originally planned on choosing the Andalucía region, but am now finding it is over-touristed (locals rebelling) and very pricey in comparison to the rest of the Med coast. I'm now looking ...
@joshua51This is exactly why I'm trying to avoid the smaller resort towns. The bigger towns would hopefully not be as impacted by overtourism. When I lived in Costa Rica, we had the same problem. Big parties of 20-somethings from the San Jose, ... Read More
Housing in Spain by seamus452
Hello, I wonder if someone can direct me to the most useful sites to search for homes in Spain, specficially Andalucia and the Costa del Sol.Thank you
Also try spainhouses.net Read More
At a crossroads in life! by jomiller5
Hi, can anyone give me some advice? I NEED to live in Spain soon! I hate these cold, dark mornings! I am a fully qualified secondary school teacher and the other half is a painter/decorator fixit man. I am very confused how to get to my dream as I ...
I can't really help, but I assume you mean 50,000, not 50 to start a business. Read More
Thinking of moving to Alicante/Valencia region by gjpn
Will be moving to Spain within the next few years. Originally planned on choosing the Andalucía region, but am now finding it is over-touristed (locals rebelling) and very pricey in comparison to the rest of the Med coast. I'm now looking ...
@gwynjThanks again for all the great info. Elche looks like a nice town and will definitely check it out. Read More
Help with planning Dec'24 to Feb'25 visit to Sevilla by jimoro
My wife and I visited Spain for a couple of weeks over the Christmas & New Years holidays last year and we fell in love with Spain... especially Sevilla.So we're planning to return for a couple of months next winter to get a feel for a possible ...
I would also plan a trip in the summer when the heat goes over 100F for months and see if that is acceptable. Inland Spain is insufferable in the summer. Read More
Thinking of moving to Alicante/Valencia region by gjpn
Will be moving to Spain within the next few years. Originally planned on choosing the Andalucía region, but am now finding it is over-touristed (locals rebelling) and very pricey in comparison to the rest of the Med coast. I'm now looking ...
@gjpn Valencia and Alicante are both great. UNESCO-listed Elche (where we live) also very nice, and close to Alicante-Elche Airport and several nice beaches. But Costa Blanca is about 200 km long, and most of it is lovely. There are plenty of ... Read More
Thinking of moving to Alicante/Valencia region by gjpn
Will be moving to Spain within the next few years. Originally planned on choosing the Andalucía region, but am now finding it is over-touristed (locals rebelling) and very pricey in comparison to the rest of the Med coast. I'm now looking ...
Thanks for all the quick replies! There are so many nice towns and cities that it makes the choice very difficult. The wealth tax outside the Andalucía is definitely a drawback. Read More
Thinking of moving to Alicante/Valencia region
Will be moving to Spain within the next few years. Originally planned on choosing the Andalucía region, but am now finding it is over-touristed (locals rebelling) and very pricey in comparison to the rest of the Med coast. I'm now looking ... Read More
Purchasing in a development by Justagirl8870
Please share your tips and advice for buying homes in developments in Costa Rica.
This. Buy an existing home. Don't buy dreams, because that's exactly what they're selling you. It's the wild west and nobody is accountable for anything. They will draw you along until you give up and then there will be more ... Read More
Purchasing in a development by Justagirl8870
Please share your tips and advice for buying homes in developments in Costa Rica.
1. Don't buy. Rent. The stats say you won't be here long enough to make buying worth it, and renting from your home country is a huge headache. 2. If you insist on buying, buy something that is already built and proven. Too many scammers ... Read More
Does anyone know more about Bellazo/Kalia? by jenn garden
Other than their own website I could only find information about them on Trip Advisor which had the same question I had, whereupon one poster criticized us for posting on Trip Advisor as it was not a travel but real estate question and advised us to ...
Advice everyone should heed. I would never buy anything in CR that I couldn't see with my own eyes. There are scammers everywhere in CR. Read More
Trying to Help My Dad Fulfill his Dream. Out of My Depth by Islander55
Hi there fellow Expats. Me and my Dad are in the process of moving our lives to Tamarindo, Costa Rica. in the 1970's my dad sailed to Costa Rica and fell in love with the people and the landscape and ever since dreamed of one day retiring ...
Sell it and avoid the headache of trying to get anything done in CR. Unless, of course, you like the feeling of banging your head against the wall. Read More
The pet culture in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hey everyone, Pets are an integral part of a lot of families. So much so that they would never consider moving abroad without them. Before doing so, it would be important to know the pet culture in Costa Rica just to make sure that their little ...
Some of the dogs I've seen in Costa Rica would bring a tear to the eye of a dog-hater. What people don't realize is that "Pura Vida" actually means "I don't care". I don't care if my dog barks all night, I ... Read More
Short term rental housing advice by Whigwam
Hello all, It’s time to take the Next step in my moving to Costa Rica. I’ve been taking short vacations in Costa Rica over the last two years. I’m looking to spend 3 months in Costa Rica starting January 10th. I wanted to spend ...
For your protection, I would look at AirBnB or VRBO. Read More
Caution in trusting Ticos by sporto505
Below is an AM Costa Rica article about yet another gringo who was killed for money by Ticos/Nicos who were alerted to a possible easy payday by someone who worked for the gringo. This has to be at least the 6th version of a familiar story all ...
I don't trust anybody in CR anymore. My wife and I are leaving immediately. It's not worth it. Read More
Paperwork for taking a dog to Canada
If you want to. I don't think it matters. You need to meet all requirements for entry. Read More
Paperwork for taking a dog to Canada
The requirements are here: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/dogs/eng/1331876172009/1331876307796 You can get them fulfilled by a local vet. Not too difficult. Read More
New members of the Costa Rica forum, introduce yourselves here - 2018 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Costa Rica forum? Dont know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more ...
Good idea. I would also advise you to not sell anything in Canada and forget about getting residency for at least 5 years.. Either rent it or store it. The odds are high you won't stay more than a few years. Everybody thinks they will stay ... Read More
Cat Supplies (Tamarindo) by guytp
Hi, We're moving to Tamarindo next June and will be bringing our 3 cats with us. I'm curious if anybody has any recommendations on where to source cat supplies locally. We currently feed Royal Canin Maine Coon cat food to them and get ...
Cat supplies are poor in CR. Most cats here live outside. Bring a litter box with you. Good quality cat food is available at any vet. They have Royal Canin, Hill's, etc. I recommend Dra. Karla in Villa Real. Forget Walmart. It's ... Read More
Bank loans in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, Finances and banking can sometimes be a headache for many expats, especially when it comes to taking out bank loans. Is it difficult for an expat to get approved for a bank loan in Costa Rica? What are the types of bank loans ...
Samramon, I have no doubt that your stories are true. However, you don't live in a touristy area. The Tamarindo area draws despicable people like a magnet. Tourists get ripped off here left and right by Ticos and Gringos alike. It's ... Read More
Bank loans in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, Finances and banking can sometimes be a headache for many expats, especially when it comes to taking out bank loans. Is it difficult for an expat to get approved for a bank loan in Costa Rica? What are the types of bank loans ...
You're absolutely right. They think we are all rich and stupid. Of course, when you're on vacation in a strange country, you don't know any better. I don't know how many times I've gotten gas here and the attendant tried ... Read More
Bank loans in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, Finances and banking can sometimes be a headache for many expats, especially when it comes to taking out bank loans. Is it difficult for an expat to get approved for a bank loan in Costa Rica? What are the types of bank loans ...
Bank loans are very hard to get here, expats and Ticos alike. I found out why the hard way. I loaned several thousand dollars to my Tico property manager, having known him for years and thinking he was a good credit risk. He offered me 50% ... Read More
Relocating to Costa Rica by ram55
My wife and I are planning to move to Costa Rica. We have a couple of question about relocating to Costa Rica. Is the cost to moving your furniture to Costa Rica and paying the import tax and moving cost or are you better to purchase the furniture ...
My advice is to put your stuff in storage and come here and rent for a couple of years before committing to bringing anything here. Most people don't stay for more than a couple of years and the cost to ship it back to the states would be high. ... Read More
House Sitting in CR by aconnors2003
Professional Interior Designer in Chicago, looking to move to CR. Have heard of families looking for reputable caretakers of their homes in the off season. Any ideas how to get the word out or other expat blogs you recommend to get to know ...
For me, it's 2 hours to the border, an hour to go both ways through the border, and 2 hours back home. Not sure why people make it more complicated than it is. You can literally walk out one door in Nicaragua and then walk back in the other. ... Read More
The proof of onward travel on Costa Rica by RichardHol
I have arrived on tourist visa, my company applies for a work visa. Something got stuck with the paperwork and I may not get it before my tourist visa expiration. I have arrived with one way ticket to Costa Rica and onward one way flight to ...
I regularly do border runs to Nicaragua and they ask me for proof of exit every time. I would save yourself the hassle of doing it in the lineup and get it before your trip. Read More
CR vs Mexico by 4theloveofsun
Has anyone here ever lived in Mexico? CR medical care and safety were two of the biggest attractions for me. I know there are areas in Mexico with higher crime rates, but there are relatively safe areas as well. Mexico has good medical, and the ...
Mexico is cheaper, Costa Rica is safer. Read More
The jobs that are the most in-demand for expats in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share some information regarding the job market for expats in Costa Rica. This information will be incredibly helpful to anyone considering moving there, so we're very grateful for your contribution. What are the types ...
In my experience, most people come here to open up their own business, usually a restaurant. As a non-resident, you're not allowed to work in the business, but that's a law that is constantly being broken. Within a year or so, the business ... Read More
Information please by Cannell747
I am looking at Costa Rica for retirement I can afford which isn’t proving possible in The US. I am a long term traveler. I am 70 yrs old, a three time cancer survivor who has a budget of $1000 a month. I have a people friendly dog who must ...
Living on $1000 per month here maybe possible, but it won't be pleasant. This is not a cheap country! Budget the same here as in America. Also, you have one-time expenses that will add up as well like flights home. A car will probably not ... Read More
Playa Potreo by cheekimunki30
I'm looking for a place in Playa Potreo. Anybody have thoughts on that location? Safety, friendly people, affordability, etc? Thanks.
The buses here go pretty much everywhere, so there's lots of buses going through Potrero. There are also pirate taxis to take you anywhere. No official taxis here. Read More
Playa Potreo by cheekimunki30
I'm looking for a place in Playa Potreo. Anybody have thoughts on that location? Safety, friendly people, affordability, etc? Thanks.
I live about 10 minutes away from Potrero/Surfside. I assume you are talking about Potrero, since Potreo is not a place I've heard of. In my opinion, this little community is probably the best in the area. You're close to the beach where ... Read More
Finger Printing by cheekimunki30
Hello! For Pensionado Residency it says El registro de huellas se realiza en el Archivo Policial que se ubica en San José, frente al Centro Comercial del Sur, carretera a Desamparados. Debe solicitar una cita por teléfono al ...
How much time has your father spent in Costa Rica? I wouldn't even think about residency until you've spent at least a few years here. The list of people who think they've discovered paradise and then flee the country a year or two ... Read More
Cost related to car owning and driving by RichardHol
Hello, I think I have an idea of how much used cars cost but I have no idea how much is to own and drive one. How much is the minimum mandatory insurance for driving a car? What does that cover? Do you pay per driver or per vehicle? Do you pay more ...
I just got rear-ended for the second time in a year. When the INS agent arrived, I asked what the Marchamo covered and he indicated that it covered medical only. I'm not sure what that means since most people here would have CAJA. It's ... Read More
Playa Lagarto area by Motten
We are looking to find out any information anyone has on a development we purchased a hectare if land in back in 2005.. it was in Bahía De Lagarto. We cannot get any information from the corporation, seller or attorney there who we purchased ...
The OP is asking for info on the ...1,400 acre development located in the Bahía De Lagarto, where they purchased 1 hct in 2005" and they have been unable to contact anyone who may have any info... Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon ... Read More
Playa Lagarto area by Motten
We are looking to find out any information anyone has on a development we purchased a hectare if land in back in 2005.. it was in Bahía De Lagarto. We cannot get any information from the corporation, seller or attorney there who we purchased ...
Is this some sort of joke? You bought 1,400 acres of land near Playa Lagarto 13 years ago and have not checked on the land, done any follow-up work, or staked your claim, and no one that helped you then can be contacted? If this isn't a joke ... Read More
New member by GuestPoster3044
Hello all, US born 62 yr old single male currently living in Bethesda MD. I had planned to work to 65 but I am now retired as far as full time work goes due to the closure of the company I had worked at for the past 7 yrs. I have been to Jaco CR ...
You might want to use the quote button. It makes it easier to understand who you are replying to. As to me promoting Panama? I did not do any such thing. All I did was reply to concerns over the lack of incentives for people to move to CR. I ... Read More
New member by GuestPoster3044
Hello all, US born 62 yr old single male currently living in Bethesda MD. I had planned to work to 65 but I am now retired as far as full time work goes due to the closure of the company I had worked at for the past 7 yrs. I have been to Jaco CR ...
The simple reason for all of the import duties and lack of discounts/incentives is that the CR government simply does not care about expats. They're happy enough with people moving here, dumping all of their savings into the country, and then ... Read More
Ed from Austin retiring to Costa Rica. by ezflaw
Hello. My name is Ed and I live in Austin, Texas. I am an avid birder and have visited Costa Rica three times over the past few years. I will be retiring in the next 18 months and am researching the possibility of retiring in Costa Rica. I ...
The act of encouraging gringos to live there because it isn't a "gringo gulch" seems like a premise that will eventually implode upon itself. Also, most posters here encourage potential expats to explore the country and find what ... Read More
Paying bills in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What bills do you pay? If you are renting, are bills included in the price of rent, and is this common practice in Costa Rica? How can you pay your bills (e.g. online, at provider's store, at the post office)? Which is the most ...
The only regular bill I have is electricity, which I can pay on my phone with the Banco Nacional app. I also pay my property taxes this way. The only reason I have to go to the bank to pay a bill is to get my Marchamo sticker. Read More
Iphone
Before you pay "a guy" to do it, I would first call the carrier it's locked to to see if they will unlock it for free or a low cost. Second, check the price on this website to see what it will cost. The "guy" will do the ... Read More
Teaching english as a second language in Costa Rica by GuestPoster678
Hi, I'm a single man living & working in Canada. To work in Costa Rica is appealing to me, I've heard/read that the quality of life is awesome. To teach english as a second language, I've heard that teachers are compensated around ...
This is definitely very helpful to know. Thanks. $1500 a month is like a baseline for a decent quality of living there.I think that would depend on the individual. Some things are cheaper here and some things are expensive. I would budget that ... Read More
Teaching english as a second language in Costa Rica by GuestPoster678
Hi, I'm a single man living & working in Canada. To work in Costa Rica is appealing to me, I've heard/read that the quality of life is awesome. To teach english as a second language, I've heard that teachers are compensated around ...
Many Ticos live on close to $400 per month, but it's probably not a lifestyle you would enjoy. Read More
What to expect when moving to Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Is there anything you wish you had known before moving to Costa Rica? For example, transportation, internet speeds, types of housing, aspects of the culture or social life. In your opinion, what's the most important thing to ...
Have you successfully done this yourself?Yes, numerous times. I'm in a gated community, so it might be easier for them to find. A house, who knows! You could set up your address in Amazon and try it yourself, just don't place the order ... Read More
What to expect when moving to Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Is there anything you wish you had known before moving to Costa Rica? For example, transportation, internet speeds, types of housing, aspects of the culture or social life. In your opinion, what's the most important thing to ...
Avoid sending through the postal service at all costs. There's a good chance of getting it stuck at Customs, although their methodology for what gets held seems to be a mystery. Some parcels get held and some don't, despite being similar ... Read More
What to expect when moving to Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Is there anything you wish you had known before moving to Costa Rica? For example, transportation, internet speeds, types of housing, aspects of the culture or social life. In your opinion, what's the most important thing to ...
You can get it shipped directly to your door, assuming you give them an address that they can follow to your door, challenging in this country. I've done this lots of times. And this is directly from Amazon without 3rd parties involved. Of ... Read More
What to expect when moving to Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Is there anything you wish you had known before moving to Costa Rica? For example, transportation, internet speeds, types of housing, aspects of the culture or social life. In your opinion, what's the most important thing to ...
Where did you get that idea? I've ordered from Amazon multiple times. They add the duties to your bill and you pay it to Amazon. Third party sellers on Amazon probably won't work, however. Read More
Looking for second home by Mel01
Hello ! I am retired USA expat. I am currently in Mexico but only renting here until November. After trip back to States for holidays and grandkids time I am thinking of getting a second home away from home away from home lol. Permanent residency ...
Your money will go a lot further in Mexico than Costa Rica. If you're comfortable there and like it, I would just look for a place on the coast in Mexico. What would you gain from moving here except higher prices and more flying time? ... Read More
Buying a vehicle in Costa rica by rocketman58
Would like some advice on buying a used car in Costa Rica near Playa Lagarto looking for 4x4 good shape. Suv.
My wife and I went to Purdy Motors in San Jose and bought a car there. They have English speaking salesmen and I thought we got a fair deal. They also gave us a 6 month warranty. They might not have older models, though, depending on what your ... Read More
Tico time by GinnyP
What can people tell us about this phrase? I've been told that things get done on "Tico Time" if that means monyada or tomorrow there. May be a problem with buildings - homes being done on time. What do you guys think of those? Ginnyp
I think that the phrase Tico time describes the general culture more so than just being late for an appointment. It could mean that something gets done a half-hour later, a day later, a month later, or, as is more common, not done at all! In my ... Read More
Artists
The best place to meet other people or sell your own goods is at the local ferias. Read More
TELEVISION IN COSTA RICA by mburk
I live in Jaco Beach and have cable but get very few English speaking or US channels. Can someone help me as to how to receive numerous TV channels please?
If you have a decent internet connection (at least 5mbps), I'd recommend getting Sling TV and a smart DNS. It'll get you NBC and most of the speciality channels. Read More
New to this forum by nikki08
[color=#235c95][i][/i][/color] Hello All! I am new to this! I hope this message turns out o.k....I am not computer literate at all, so unsure of how to navigate . I reside in North Fort Myers , Florida for the past 11 years. I will be ...
There's one just outside of Tamarindo. Read More
Best area to retire near the beach by kepakids4
We have been to Costa Rica several times and we think we have finally found the community that we wish to retire to in five years. Our community has to be near the ocean and the beaches must be somewhat gentle to swim in - not real rough like other ...
The road is atrocious to Dominical? I thought they put a nice new highway in a few years ago. No? As to the ocean, no it's not super calm but certainly usable if you know how to swim and are familiar with ocean swimming or boogie-boarding. ... Read More
Best area to retire near the beach by kepakids4
We have been to Costa Rica several times and we think we have finally found the community that we wish to retire to in five years. Our community has to be near the ocean and the beaches must be somewhat gentle to swim in - not real rough like other ...
You won't find many calm beaches on the Pacific coast, which is why I mentioned Conchal. It's about as calm as any beach I've found here. To get really calm waters, you'd probably have to go to the Caribbean side, which is ... Read More
Best area to retire near the beach by kepakids4
We have been to Costa Rica several times and we think we have finally found the community that we wish to retire to in five years. Our community has to be near the ocean and the beaches must be somewhat gentle to swim in - not real rough like other ...
I would recommend the Tamarindo area. The only area that's really touristy is Tamarindo itself. Depending on your budget, a long-term rental at the Westin Conchal would fit your wishes pretty nicely. It's right on Playa Conchal, one of ... Read More
Mistakes expats make in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you make any mistakes when you first moved to Costa Rica? What were they? How did you address your mistakes? Did you learn anything from them? With hindsight, what would you do differently? Are there any tips you ...
Dave, absolutely! I wasn't trying to say that you should pay them minimum wage. I have no idea how minimum wage employees live here. Most of the workers I know that are paid these terrible wages also have to pay for a bus to get to work and ... Read More
Mistakes expats make in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you make any mistakes when you first moved to Costa Rica? What were they? How did you address your mistakes? Did you learn anything from them? With hindsight, what would you do differently? Are there any tips you ...
I sure hope that is not an 8 hour day. $2.50 per hour? I was paid more than that 45 years ago. If that is what you pay, no wonder you have issues with Costa Rican labor. - Expat DaveActually the minimum wage for unskilled labor is $2-3/hour. ... Read More
Where in CR to live, based on schools & jobs. by Kahuna John
Hi. Our family is planning to move from the Pacific Northwest to CR this year, and we are currently trying to decide exactly where in CR to relocate, based on school and employment opportunities. We'll have the following kids with us: 1 high ...
If you're planning to physically work in CR, I'd rethink your plan. First, non-residents can't work here. Second, wages here are ridiculously low. Third, if you can't speak Spanish, your prospects are very limited. From my ... Read More
Why did you choose to live in Costa Rica over Panama? by Celadon
Hola, amigos! I've been reading "How to Retire Overseas" by Kathleen Peddicord, published 2010. She is/was the publisher and editor of "International Living," has written about living/retiring overseas for 25 years, and after ...
And why would I want to live in a country where a large portion of the year I have to wear thick clothing or else I'll literally freeze to death? We all make our own choices, and our choices might not be your choices, however, questioning ... Read More
Kolbi Sim Cards ? by lafdbuf
Has anyone purchased a Kolbi sim card and it was too small to fit into your cell phone? My Kolbi sim card is a "nano" size and my phone is a "micro" size. ICE had a cardboard adapter but the adapter was too small for the nano sim ...
Sim cards come to them in a credit card sized card with multiple perforations so that any size from full size to micro to nano can be used with the phone. If it came as nano sized as you say, it sounds like it was a used card. I would go to ... Read More
Locations to consider living in Costa Rica by briner
My wife and I are looking for feedback on locations that would provide the following: - very safe - reasonably priced - nearby to golf and beach (within several miles) Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. Ralph and Marian
I agree with Dave. Bad things can happen anywhere. Don't put yourself in a situation that makes you a target. This guy was walking around early in the morning with his expensive camera equipment. Do not show excessive wealth like flashy ... Read More
Why did you choose to live in Costa Rica over Panama? by Celadon
Hola, amigos! I've been reading "How to Retire Overseas" by Kathleen Peddicord, published 2010. She is/was the publisher and editor of "International Living," has written about living/retiring overseas for 25 years, and after ...
In my opinion, you get what you pay for. I would ignore IL's recommendations because they tend to assume that all the places they recommend are safe. Also, they rate the cost of living too highly. Would you really move to a country because ... Read More
Use Waze, skip GPS? by Celadon
Hola, amigos! Our March visit plans are taking shape! A question for Costa Rican dwellers: I purchased the "international travel pass" from Verizon which turns out to be essentially the same price as changing SIM cards etc., plus all ...
Waze is owned by Google and Google Maps even shows accidents reported in Waze. IMO, Google Maps is a much better app and I would use it over Waze, anyday. I find the travel times accurate, even in Costa Rica. Read More
Speaking Spanish in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hi everyone, It is widely agreed that speaking Spanish is essential for a successful integration in Costa Rica. Do you agree? Share your experience! Do you speak Spanish? If so, where did you learn this language? Where can one attend a ...
You will have difficulty living here without Spanish. In my area, you can go to mostly any restaurant and speak English, but that's about it. If you want to get something fixed, send a package, fix your crappy internet, or go to Tico ... Read More
Car seat laws in Costa Rica
Based on my experiences here, I'd say that best place is sitting on your lap so they can steer while you text. :D Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica by Susie5qt
Hi, this is my first writing on the forum. I am a frequent visitor o Costa Rica. I am wondering about the REAL cost of moving and living in Costa Rica. What should a monthly income look like for rent , food, transportation,etc? Thanks
Sounds about right. Expensive, but not that big of a deal in the big expense picture. I like this area for all the beaches, bars, restaurants, activities, and the expat community . Not sure what I'd do in the central valley. Buy a fruit ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica by Susie5qt
Hi, this is my first writing on the forum. I am a frequent visitor o Costa Rica. I am wondering about the REAL cost of moving and living in Costa Rica. What should a monthly income look like for rent , food, transportation,etc? Thanks
$140 to $700 for electricity in Tamarindo? I have a 2 bedroom condo and turn on the A/C whenever I'm hot, usually late morning to late afternoon. I hardly even use it in the rainy season. My bill has never gone over $120 and it's ... Read More
90 Day Visa in Costa Rica by canann
I have seen on other posts that sometimes a Costa Rican immigration officer may stamp a 30 or 40 day visa in your passport. How can I make sure the immigration officer I meet will stamp 90 days in mine. I have rented a house for 86 days and would ...
There's no such thing as a 3 day stay before you return. This applies to Ticos bringing back goods. You can leave the country for 5 minutes and then return as I've done many times. Read More
Contact for finding long term rental in Costa Rica by montanafamily
My family (wife and 3 young children) are planning to move to Costa Rica for 6 months. We don't know where we'd like to go except that we will be on a somewhat tight budget and want to expose the kids to Spanish language and Costa Rican culture. ...
I agree with you guys. Ignore anybody that says that "this place" is paradise. Find a rental and travel as much as possible to find what works for you. Read More
Purchasing a vehicle in CR ???? by jose1954
When I think of the cost of purchasing a vehicle in CR has anyone just cabbed it for the first 6 months or so then decided if purchasing made sense? I plan on looking for a rental in the Santa Ana, Escazu area and will do most of my day to day in ...
I live just outside Tamarindo. A traffic jam here is 5 cars at an intersection at 5pm when people get off work. What you lose here is the shopping and amenities that you get in the Central Valley, but that's why most people come here: to ... Read More
Purchasing a vehicle in CR ???? by jose1954
When I think of the cost of purchasing a vehicle in CR has anyone just cabbed it for the first 6 months or so then decided if purchasing made sense? I plan on looking for a rental in the Santa Ana, Escazu area and will do most of my day to day in ...
When my wife and I moved to CR, we wanted to slow down and get away from the crime and traffic, something San Jose has a great abundance of. To each his own! Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Costa Rica? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Costa Rica, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do ...
Like most posters here would say: come and stay as long as possible before moving here. It's not paradise. If someone tells you that, they probably have something to sell you. Most people who live here, Tico or Gringo, have something to ... Read More
New to Costa Rica and looking to buy real estate? by RudyLV
Hello my name is Rudy L., I am a tico citizen who lived in the US for a few years. I understand that moving to a new country can be scary and difficult, even more if you are trying to buy a house or lot. If you need help in finding the perfect ...
Anybody looking for real estate advice should be careful about who it is coming from. Many posts on these forums are subtly (and not so subtly) coming from real estate agents who are acting in their interest, not yours. Not that I have anything ... Read More
Best place to live on the Pacific Coast by tomrich
We are moving in August 2017 to Costa Rica and would like to get some recommendations on an ideal coastal town at the Pacific Coast, not too touristy and expensive and not too many expats and no highrises. Looking forward hearing from you all!
I would recommend the Tamarindo area. Not necessarily Tamarindo itself, but the coastal areas north (and to a lesser extent, south) of Tamarindo. I live just outside of Tamarindo and only go into that tourist trap when absolutely necessary. ... Read More
English tv help by dbarron
Hello. I am new here; sorry if this is an inappropriate question. But I have an old tv -- and a 3 yr old. He speaks only Spanish, refuses to speak English, even though I only speak English to him. Cabletica has changed all of my channels to Spanish ...
Hi, how do you get your roku to work with the unblock.us proxy? Do you have to go into ROKU settings or ? I ask because we want to watch Netflix US, not Netflix Costa Rica and we want to watch Amazon Prime too but Netflix recognizes we are in US and ... Read More
English tv help by dbarron
Hello. I am new here; sorry if this is an inappropriate question. But I have an old tv -- and a 3 yr old. He speaks only Spanish, refuses to speak English, even though I only speak English to him. Cabletica has changed all of my channels to Spanish ...
Great idea! Guess you didn't read through the thread. Read More
English tv help by dbarron
Hello. I am new here; sorry if this is an inappropriate question. But I have an old tv -- and a 3 yr old. He speaks only Spanish, refuses to speak English, even though I only speak English to him. Cabletica has changed all of my channels to Spanish ...
Yes, it uses your internet connection, so you will need at least a 5mb connection for an HD stream, but 3mb would do for lower quality. It has most of the specialty channels plus NBC and FOX for the package I have, add CBS and ABC from Cabletica ... Read More
English tv help by dbarron
Hello. I am new here; sorry if this is an inappropriate question. But I have an old tv -- and a 3 yr old. He speaks only Spanish, refuses to speak English, even though I only speak English to him. Cabletica has changed all of my channels to Spanish ...
I get tons of English channels through Sling TV on my Roku, but it looks like you don't want anything that complicated. This costs me an extra $25 per month plus the $5 for the service that fools Sling into thinking that I'm in the ... Read More
Temporary Residency for Sef-Employed Workers by Noelslager
Hello everyone! I have recently decided to escape the United States and have chosen to go for Costa Rica. My goal is to become a permanent resident and I was looking to apply for a self employed temporary residency until then. So my question is, ...
My advice would be to come here for a year and see if you like it before you even think about permanent residency. If you don't end up staying (like so many others), the money spent will be a complete waste. Most people around here end up ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Old clichés die hard, as the saying goes... and living in Costa Rica can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people. What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in Costa Rica? What are ...
The two biggest misconceptions I had before moving to Costa Rica are: 1) it's cheap to live here. It's not. It can be if you don't mind living in a Tico pizza oven, take the bus everywhere, don't eat out, and live on rice and ... Read More
Pet friendly? by Jenskiba
Hello, My husband and I are considering retiring internationally. We are just starting the conversation. However, I currently own my own business as a dog trainer. This means that dogs are an important part of my life and I'm trying to get a ...
You can absolutely bring your cats to CR. Note that the airline will only allow 1 cat per person on-board. Do not put them in the cargo hold, get a soft-sided carrier and put them under the seat. Also, when you get here, don't put them ... Read More
Pet friendly? by Jenskiba
Hello, My husband and I are considering retiring internationally. We are just starting the conversation. However, I currently own my own business as a dog trainer. This means that dogs are an important part of my life and I'm trying to get a ...
The cat we recently lost to kidney disease was taking a couple of drugs from our vet in Canada. We went to a couple of vets here and neither had heard of them, and couldn't even import them from the US due to restrictions on imports, ... Read More
Pet friendly? by Jenskiba
Hello, My husband and I are considering retiring internationally. We are just starting the conversation. However, I currently own my own business as a dog trainer. This means that dogs are an important part of my life and I'm trying to get a ...
I don't have a dog, but had 2 (now 1) cats. In my experience, the vets here do not have the same experience or expertise as those in North America. I would speculate that most of their day is spent handling pets that have either been hit by a ... Read More
Playa Lagarto Eco Developement by Brooksy
Looking for any info on this project which is being spearheaded by a Toronto based company called Recap investments...Any body else who has experience with this company and is or has bought land or housing there??? :/
I know nothing about the development, just going by what Bentley is saying. Agreed, he should be clear as to not mislead people about which development he is having a dispute with. Is there more than one development at Playa Lagarto? Read More
Playa Lagarto Eco Developement by Brooksy
Looking for any info on this project which is being spearheaded by a Toronto based company called Recap investments...Any body else who has experience with this company and is or has bought land or housing there??? :/
So this development was a scam? I've very sorry to hear that. I remember looking at their website and cringing. I hope everybody can get their money back. Read More
Moving 4 cats from SC to Costa Rica by K-RAE
I'm moving to Nosara, Costa Rica in August and need to move 4 cats with me. Where do I start?
What a lovely story. Where did I say I walked my cat? My advice to the OP is to ignore some of the elements on this forum and bring your cats. If you look after them, they'll be fine. You don't have to sink to the lowest common ... Read More
Moving 4 cats from SC to Costa Rica by K-RAE
I'm moving to Nosara, Costa Rica in August and need to move 4 cats with me. Where do I start?
Who says she is going to let her cats roam wild? I brought 2 cats here and they have done great. They stay inside and only go outside supervised on a leash. Outside cats in my development do fine because they grew up here and know how to ... Read More
Has anyone used UPS in Costa Rica? by Coloradomike
Has anyone used UPS? How can you use UPS when Costa Rica does not have any street addresses? Can you have it sent to a Post Office for pickup? I need an important document sent in rapid time from the USA.
Hi, Mike. Here's their website. I'm sure that has all the information you need. http://www.mbe-cr.com/ Read More
Best places to live in Canada by krismohan21
Folks, I would like to know the best places to live in Canada What I mean by that is 1. Semi-tropical weather 2. Little or medium rainfall 3. Warm weather conditions 4. Best and safe while you roam around 5. Places to settle down while you ...
I'm afraid you're looking at the wrong country. Canada is a frozen wasteland half the year except for some parts of British Columbia, and then you have the depressing rain and grey skies. There are no semi-tropical areas. I'd doubt if ... Read More
Has anyone used UPS in Costa Rica? by Coloradomike
Has anyone used UPS? How can you use UPS when Costa Rica does not have any street addresses? Can you have it sent to a Post Office for pickup? I need an important document sent in rapid time from the USA.
I used UPS once. It first went to Bogota, Columbia and then up to San Jose and then on a truck to me in Guanacaste. I addressed it as I would any letter and it got here fine. I had to pay taxes and duty to the driver in cash. If it's ... Read More
Nosara vs Monteverde
I would visit both locations multiple times before committing to either of them. Both are very isolated with terrible roads and limited services. It's great during the honeymoon phase because you are still on vacation, but after that, the ... Read More
Canadian Government Chaques by wiligin
I receive a semi annual Old Age Pension cheque from the Canadian Government...in Canadian funds. Until recently I was able to deposit this into a BAC account. They sent it for collection. Simple. Recently they stopped doing this saying that their US ...
Do you still have a bank account in Canada? Most banks allow a mobile check deposit through their smartphone apps. From there, you could withdraw the funds at a local ATM(less the fees). Read More
Running your Business/ working in it by Shaun Entwistle
Hi folks, as i said in recent posts we are hoping to move to CR and purchase a small business. Perhaps B&B or something similar. Question is how do you afford this when you cant work in your own business hands on. Could anyone who has dealt ...
I would recommend coming here and spending an extended vacation to determine whether you really want to be here and operate a business. Try to talk to as many business owners as possible and get a feel for the business climate in the area ... Read More
Netflix/Streaming by celferis
Hello: I noticed all the info I could find on the Internet and in this Forum is several years old, and I am sure the technology has changed. Does anyone have up-to-date info on best company to use to get the US version in Costa Rica? I saw US TV NOW ...
I guess I got in before they suspended new users. It's kind of a test period now (which is why it's free), but it works great and the paid service will probably be live by July. It doesn't work with Sling TV, however, which I hope ... Read More
Netflix/Streaming by celferis
Hello: I noticed all the info I could find on the Internet and in this Forum is several years old, and I am sure the technology has changed. Does anyone have up-to-date info on best company to use to get the US version in Costa Rica? I saw US TV NOW ...
Netflix has disabled the use of DNS spoofers, but https://borderlessinternet.com still works and is free until July. Read More