ExpatDave
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum posts
600
Contacts
18
About me
American
Lives in San Ramon, Alajuela
Speaks English & Spanish
Registration: 27 September 2011
Purchasing in a development by Justagirl8870
Please share your tips and advice for buying homes in developments in Costa Rica.
Justagirl, I agree with your statements and the legal options have definitely improved over the years; however, the court system here is another issue all together. I initiated a civil action three and a half years ago. Yes 3.5 years. A simple ... Read More
Moving from Mexico to CR by simonetossa
Hi guys! Mine partner and I have been living in Mexico for the last 3 years. We are located in Cancun and we supplier hotels with some specialty products. Because of increase of crime, tourism crisis and the fact we don’t like the weather ...
Hola Simone, I spent a lot of time in Mexico in the late 80's and the 90's. Unfortunately drugs have brought a lot of crime to the country. (Drove to Mexico City one year and down the Baja peninsula another in our Jeeps. Plus flew to ... Read More
The Adventures of Selling a Home in Costa Rica
We talk a lot and answer a lot of questions about purchasing a house in Costa Rica but I don’t recall detailed discussions on selling. So, sit back and I’ll tell my tale... Where to start, hmm, well, selling property in CR sucks! ... Read More
Just for fun: Food culture in Costa Rica by Diksha
Hello everyone, We all know Costa Rican food tastes great. Do you consider yourself a foodie? Share with us your unique food experience as an expat. 1. Name 3 best well-known Costa Rican street foods according to you. 2. Which are some ...
First, thanks for the chuckle. Ya have to live here to get the humor in this. Where else can you find a "deep fried omelet?" :proud I don't think it's being negative at all if you're simply stating facts as to the way ... Read More
Purchasing in a development by Justagirl8870
Please share your tips and advice for buying homes in developments in Costa Rica.
For the most part I do agree with you; however, a serious problem lies with "...you can have an existing home inspected...." Well, yes and no. There are NO licensed home inspectors in Costa Rica. There are a few individuals that have ... Read More
Purchasing in a development by Justagirl8870
Please share your tips and advice for buying homes in developments in Costa Rica.
Soooo agree with this. - Expat Dave Read More
Just for fun: Food culture in Costa Rica by Diksha
Hello everyone, We all know Costa Rican food tastes great. Do you consider yourself a foodie? Share with us your unique food experience as an expat. 1. Name 3 best well-known Costa Rican street foods according to you. 2. Which are some ...
Okay, I had to chuckle that no one was brave enough to respond to this one. Well, if you move to Costa Rica expecting spicy, delicious wonderful Latin American food, you will be quite disappointed. I will admit, this was maybe the one thing I ... Read More
Purchasing in a development by Justagirl8870
Please share your tips and advice for buying homes in developments in Costa Rica.
Sorry, I would have to disagree with this one... and I am currently selling my home. At the same time I am building a new home and three cabina's in the south. The problem with building an existing home here is that all the issues of CR ... Read More
Getting Medication in Costa Rica by Symmetry01
How do americans get the medications they need? What are the average costs of medications compared to costs in USA. For example, my wife needs Percocet for sciatica and that runs up to 30 dollars a month after our insurance coverage. What is the ...
Hola Earl, Welcome to Expat.com! As long as the prescription is in the bottle/package provided, and has your name on it, the script, you shouldn't have a problem at all. I take a medication that requires a script and it's prescribed in ... Read More
Southern Zone of Costa Rica by ExpatDave
Has anyone visited or lived near the San Vito area - near the Panama border? We're looking at a property a few kilometers outside of San Vito and would like opinions of the area. Ended up that we cannot obtain septic permits for the property ...
John, I sent you a private message so you should have that in your email. - Expat Dave Read More
Can I start a biz from scratch and work in it with "investor" status? by sambo77
Hello all, Had the liberating experience a few weeks back by realizing I don't need to stay in the house I built in the states until I take a dirt nap. Started "planning" a new chapter, and here I am. We are visiting CR in the spring ...
Hola Sambo77, Welcome to Expat.com! I would highly recommend Marco who's information follows. His credentials are remarkable and he has done some excellent work for me. He specializes in unusual and difficult residencies. His English is ... Read More
Looking for customs broker in Costa Rica that works with Dogs by cluppens
I need a customs broker that will broker two dogs for me in Costa Rica. I also need them to get the health import certificates.
Buenos dias Tulani, My daughter has used AIMI quite a few times when she helped others import their parrots. They should be able to help with the correct paper work and will go to the customs office with you to complete the process. As long as ... Read More
I'd need to purchase a motorbike here by Be Humble
Hello all. To make a long story short... some 8 years ago I traveled to this beautiful country for work. I was actually training my replacement as the company I was working for in Miami FL was moving operations to Costa Rica. While here, a ...
Hola Humble, Welcome to Expat.com! Obtaining your moto license is easy with your FL endorsement. A driver's license for a car and a moto are two separate licenses. You do not have to take any tests. Your girlfriend should be able to help ... 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 ...
Hola Sally, Welcome to Expat.com! I have experienced a lot of what you are saying and would be happy to help and explain a few things to you. I am going to send you a private post. - Expat Dave Expat.com Team Member 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 ...
Hola Jenn, Welcome to Expat.com! Well, first I'd have to say, from the bit of information that you provided, me, I'd run the other way. :idontagree: I would strongly advise anyone and everyone against purchasing property without ... 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 ...
Hola LLovesDex, Welcome to Expat.com! You can gain a lot of information by reading through recent and older posts in the Forum section. It will give you a better perspective on whether or not Costa Rica fits your needs. As mentioned already, you ... Read More
Life as a female expat in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, While moving to a new country and discovering new cultures is definitely an exciting adventure, everybody experiences it differently. It can be particularly different for women, in both positive and negative ways. What are some positive ...
If you read the original post/query, it's simply asking for a woman's perspective on their experiences in CR. Personal information is not only not being asked for, it is immediately removed if posted. - Expat Dave Read More
Embassy and banking issues by Guestposter6510
OK, so everything you are to read I have all the emails (and recorded phone calls to SS) between myself and the embassy to prove what I am saying?! I opened a bank account here with Banco de Costa Rica and when I tried to fill out the form to move ...
Engir, I would suggest that you telephone SS in the States asap. Yes, you'll be on hold for quite a while but my experience has been that they answer eventually. I had a semi-similar experience in the past due to the incompetence of the ... Read More
Retiring to Costa Rica? by Cyclist
Having done some research and considering the central mountains of Costa Rica are the Andes in Ecuador - seeking cool weather, a vibrant expat community, and the rich cultural environment and I'm looking to rent a small house with a yard for two ...
Hola Cyclist, That would probably be a great starting point for you. It is centrally located and has the large expat community that you said you were looking for. Spend time there, explore and let us know how it all turns out. Good luck, - Expat ... Read More
Life as a female expat in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, While moving to a new country and discovering new cultures is definitely an exciting adventure, everybody experiences it differently. It can be particularly different for women, in both positive and negative ways. What are some positive ...
Come on ladies, I'm waiting to hear your opinions here? :D - Expat Dave Read More
Retiring to Costa Rica? by Cyclist
Having done some research and considering the central mountains of Costa Rica are the Andes in Ecuador - seeking cool weather, a vibrant expat community, and the rich cultural environment and I'm looking to rent a small house with a yard for two ...
Hola Cyclist, Welcome to the world of Expat.com! As I always harp on, first read through the many posts on the site, both new and old to get an idea of what life is like here in CR. Do the same on the Expat.com site for Ecuador. There's a ... Read More
Dealing with loneliness in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, Expatriation can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit lonely at times. Please share with us some tips for dealing with loneliness. What are some potential factors that lead to loneliness when moving to Costa ...
Interesting reading and taking in the various posts above and other forum subjects. I know I say it a lot, but, ...glass half empty or is it half full? You can read from the posts who sees their lives half-full and those who choose to live a ... Read More
Is CBD oil legal in Costa Rica by rocketman58
We are moving to CR and hoping CBD oil and all its benefits is legal in CR and legal to import
The missing link here is... this is Costa Rica. Kohlerias is right, importing anything into the country, especially now, can have many hoops, dips and questions. Abut a year ago, customs was informed that they will enforce the laws on ... Read More
Dealing with loneliness in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, Expatriation can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit lonely at times. Please share with us some tips for dealing with loneliness. What are some potential factors that lead to loneliness when moving to Costa ...
Very well said - I'm in total agreement. :idontagree: - Expat Dave Read More
I'd need to purchase a motorbike here by Be Humble
Hello all. To make a long story short... some 8 years ago I traveled to this beautiful country for work. I was actually training my replacement as the company I was working for in Miami FL was moving operations to Costa Rica. While here, a ...
Hola Humble, Welcome to Expat.com! Really happy that was the "short" version. :D Okay, first, be very, very careful with a relationship with a Costa Rican woman. There ARE many, many wonderful, nice and honest Tica's here; ... Read More
Looking for rental in Atenas by peggyk
Hi all, I'm looking for help in finding a rental in or near Atenas. I'd like to rent short-term, a month or maybe two, to check out the area. Dates are flexible. I am looking for a stand-alone cottage or house. It can be quite small. Here ...
Hola Peggy, There are also quite a few on Craigslist Costa Rica. It looks like you can find a nice two bedroom for about $400-$500. In case you're unfamiliar with how to use it - go to "apts/housing" and then in the search window at ... Read More
Buying Materials, Furniture & Tiles by AlParco
Hi all, I think it is good idea for Newbie as myself to ask well experienced expats who have some experience :) As all of you know, the houses here in CS are made just functional, nothing fancy. So I would like to know from y'all. Did anyone ...
Hola Al, Welcome Expat.com! I feel like I'm missing something here? There are many multimillion dollar homes here with beautiful granite, marble and incredible tiles. Furniture the same, any high-end furniture you have in mind is available ... Read More
Russian speaking Rabbi
Priviet Anna, Welcome to Expat.com! There is a Russian Orthodox church in Costa Rica but I am not aware of any Jewish synagogues. But you might want to contact the Orthodox church to see if they know of any Rabbis here. ... Read More
Visa Application? by LolaNayeli
Hi.... I am moving to Costa Rica in 6 weeks to work at an international school. I have submitted all of the necessary paperwork, and have an appointment to pick up my visas for myself and my family at the Costa Rican Consulate tomorrow. I do still ...
Hola Lola, I would agree with kohlerias on this. Again, you should have your work visa in hand prior to working. I would approach this position with caution and make sure you get what you have been promised. There are unfortunately many ... Read More
Affordable attorney sought by holisticdoc
I am looking to hire a licensed Costa Rican attorney for a real estate closing and title registration. Please share your referrals of lawyers you have worked and who are trustworthy as well as competently experienced.
In what part of the country are you needing the attorney? - Expat Dave Read More
Health Insurance by ExpatDave
Health insurance, especially inexpensive health insurance is something we all seem to be looking for and have discussed several times on the Expat.com Forum. San Ramon had mentioned that he had seen an inexpensive health insurance policy that was ...
I agree with everything San Ramon is stating above with the exception of specialists. This may be the case with any particular office; however, keep in mind that there are many different facilities to choose from throughout the country. So you may ... Read More
Health Insurance by ExpatDave
Health insurance, especially inexpensive health insurance is something we all seem to be looking for and have discussed several times on the Expat.com Forum. San Ramon had mentioned that he had seen an inexpensive health insurance policy that was ...
I contacted Jackson's Care and they confirmed that the following email should be used and confirmed that I could post their email address: jacksoncare2017@gmail.com (The [at] symbols should be removed and an ampersat, aka: 'at symbol', ... Read More
Health Insurance by ExpatDave
Health insurance, especially inexpensive health insurance is something we all seem to be looking for and have discussed several times on the Expat.com Forum. San Ramon had mentioned that he had seen an inexpensive health insurance policy that was ...
Yes, preexisting conditions are accepted. They don't even ask. They are aware of my TBI, etc. and have treated issues related to the same. - Expat Dave Read More
Health Insurance by ExpatDave
Health insurance, especially inexpensive health insurance is something we all seem to be looking for and have discussed several times on the Expat.com Forum. San Ramon had mentioned that he had seen an inexpensive health insurance policy that was ...
Update on Jackson Memorial & Jackson Care Insurance I finally went to the doctor at Jackson Memorial in San Ramon, Alajuela for a physical and blood test. The doctor met with me for at least 45 minutes. The exam consisted of blood pressure, ... Read More
moving to Costa Rica by klafavor47
Hola Ya'll. My name is John and my wife is Karen. We have a house in Esterillos. I'm currently in Afghanistan as a contractor working on helicopters for the army. We both like golf, fishing, walking on the beach or in the mountains and ...
Re Netflix, Amazon, and others as far as that goes, I use Express VPN and I get U.S., Canada and UK Netflix and Amazon. I think it's about $60 per year, or you can also pay by the month. Send me a PM if you want more info. ... Read More
Banking in Costa Rica and the US by lafdbuf
I am looking for a bank that I can make deposits into from the US. I own a house in CR and have a Corporation. I am not a resident and have not started the process for residency, yet. I have a bank account in CR, but I cannot deposit money into it ...
Hola Angie, I understand who you are referring to and you are correct. There are many Gringos here who's glasses are forever "half-empty." No matter where they live they will be just as unhappy. You can choose to change who you are ... Read More
moving to Costa Rica by klafavor47
Hola Ya'll. My name is John and my wife is Karen. We have a house in Esterillos. I'm currently in Afghanistan as a contractor working on helicopters for the army. We both like golf, fishing, walking on the beach or in the mountains and ...
I'm guessing about 25+ channels were available in English. When I did watch it, it was for a few hours at a time in the evenings. I stay physically pretty busy during the day on various projects so I'm too exhausted to do much in the ... 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 ...
I would suggest the Housing section above, Craigslist, Ecuentra24, place ads on the various online news sites, create a simple website, etc.... Hope it works out for you. 👍 - Expat Dave 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 ...
Hola Dovela, Welcome to Expat.com! It will be done automatically when you cross each border. The bus will stop at the CR border, bus driver will explain at that time what you need to do. You then cross into either Panama or Nicaragua and the ... Read More
Getting Medication in Costa Rica by Symmetry01
How do americans get the medications they need? What are the average costs of medications compared to costs in USA. For example, my wife needs Percocet for sciatica and that runs up to 30 dollars a month after our insurance coverage. What is the ...
Hola Yan, Welcome to Expat.com! It is MUCH easier to get medication here than the States. I would suggest that you take whatever medication scripts that you have or just the medication bottles to several farmacias and just ask if they have them, ... Read More
Hello from California by Shmooze
We are looking at visiting the Tamarindo area in July to look for future retirement opportunities. I retired just over a year ago (retired early - late 50's). My partner has about 2 years left. We visited Panama last year so we want to check out ...
Hola Shmooze, Welcome to Expat.com! I would first encourage you to read through as many of the previous Forum posts as you can handle. You gain a lot of insight from these posts. Note the dates on the posts as some may be older and things may ... Read More
Banking in Costa Rica and the US by lafdbuf
I am looking for a bank that I can make deposits into from the US. I own a house in CR and have a Corporation. I am not a resident and have not started the process for residency, yet. I have a bank account in CR, but I cannot deposit money into it ...
True. Many trees have given their lives for the mountains of paperwork in CR. CAJA alone has amazing stacks of papers stuffed into folders. My favorite is "the stamps." For those that don't live here or are not yet familiar, many ... Read More
Banking in Costa Rica and the US by lafdbuf
I am looking for a bank that I can make deposits into from the US. I own a house in CR and have a Corporation. I am not a resident and have not started the process for residency, yet. I have a bank account in CR, but I cannot deposit money into it ...
The difficulty in this case has nothing to do with Costa Rica. You can thank the U.S Government on this one. You cannot transfer large sums of money via the ATM. - Expat Dave Read More
Parcel Forwarding From US to Costa Rica by Raiden001
Hello everyone, I would like to ship a couple of pairs of shoes that weigh about 10 Lbs from the US to Costa Rica. How much would the shipping cost with any major carriers? Thanks for your input!
Please let us know how it goes and the final cost if you don't mind. - Expat Dave Read More
Banking in Costa Rica and the US by lafdbuf
I am looking for a bank that I can make deposits into from the US. I own a house in CR and have a Corporation. I am not a resident and have not started the process for residency, yet. I have a bank account in CR, but I cannot deposit money into it ...
Smaller amounts of money such as Social Security are relatively easy to set up direct deposits once you have residency. Each bank will have different requirements as to what documents you'll need to set up the account. Large amounts of money ... Read More
Parenting in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Being a parent can be challenging, and even more so when moving abroad, but it can also be an enriching experience. Tell us more below about your role as a parent in Costa Rica. How are you experiencing your parental role in ...
I would very much agree with what you are saying with one caveat, I would not say that Costa Rica is any more of a challenge than most other countries. My daughter was close friends with a neighbor girl who spent a lot of time with us. We saw her ... Read More
Parcel Forwarding From US to Costa Rica by Raiden001
Hello everyone, I would like to ship a couple of pairs of shoes that weigh about 10 Lbs from the US to Costa Rica. How much would the shipping cost with any major carriers? Thanks for your input!
Raiden, Welcome to Expat.com! I have given up on shipping anything through the available shipping companies. By the time the import fees and taxes are added, it is just not worth it. I have friends that come and go from the States and have them ... 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 ...
Ditto. Sooooo agree with this. :top: - Expat Dave Read More
moving to Costa Rica by klafavor47
Hola Ya'll. My name is John and my wife is Karen. We have a house in Esterillos. I'm currently in Afghanistan as a contractor working on helicopters for the army. We both like golf, fishing, walking on the beach or in the mountains and ...
We used to use Claro for T.V. and most of their channels are U.S. stations and can be set to English. The cost was about $30 per month. - Expat Dave Read More
moving to Costa Rica by klafavor47
Hola Ya'll. My name is John and my wife is Karen. We have a house in Esterillos. I'm currently in Afghanistan as a contractor working on helicopters for the army. We both like golf, fishing, walking on the beach or in the mountains and ...
Hola John & Karen, Welcome to Expat.com! Well that would be the epitome of two different worlds. Little culture shock when you come back to Costa Rica? So do you guys plan to move here permanently at some point or ??? Take care, - Expat ... 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 ...
Buenos dias Grace Welcome to Expat.com! I would recommend that you first review/browse through the many posts in the Forum section. You can gain a lot of information from previous posts. Then feel free to ask whatever issues or questions you ... 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
Sorry, I guess I should have clarified. I actually spend about half of my time in San Ramon and the other half at the Sabalito property. There is an older house there that will eventually be the volunteer's housing that I stay at while working ... 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
Hola Wendy, The post that you quoted was referring to the Southern Zone. If that is the area you are questioning, I just purchased property there and will be moving down as soon as my current property sells. I purchased land just outside of ... Read More
Help with customs paperwork by Cathykorb
Hi my name is Cathy and I am looking for someone or company to prepare my paperwork to make my customs experience as stress less as possible. thank you
I am assuming that your referring to shipping via a container... I can personally recommend Michael with shippingcr.com. They give you the total price upfront and deliver to you door. - Expat Dave Read More
Help with customs paperwork by Cathykorb
Hi my name is Cathy and I am looking for someone or company to prepare my paperwork to make my customs experience as stress less as possible. thank you
Hola Cathy, Welcome to Expat.com! Question, are you talking about just flying here and you personally going through customs or shipping a container with your belongings, or ??? Have you spent time here already? - Expat Dave Expat.com Team Member Read More
How to deal with stress when moving to Costa Rica by Priscilla
Moving abroad is no easy feat. Everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress, so we invite you to share some insights regarding this topic. What are the main factors that contribute to stress when moving to Costa Rica (cultural adaptation, ...
Hola Rainbird, Welcome to Expat.com! I have a friend who's still living in SA and from her many stories, I can see how moving here could be quite a culture shock. It will be good when you no longer feel the need for the "bedside ... Read More
Cooking like a local in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, Enjoying the local food of your expat country is great, but learning to cook the dishes yourself is even better. Please share what it's like cooking like a local in Costa Rica. What are some of the most popular local dishes that are ...
:lol: Yep. I was thinking the same thing. Well, the answer would actually be the same for each question, breakfast-rice and beans, lunch-rice and beans, dinner-rice and beans with a bit of chicken in it. I did see a restaurant one time that ... Read More
Affordable, honest, bilingual real estate lawyer wanted by holisticdoc
good day all I am looking for real estate lawyer referrals, preferably people you have worked with or know. I would like to consult with candidates first to see which one is right for this job. Affordable, competent, and bilingual are required. ...
Of course not, please do. Just tell him that I'm the Dave that is purchasing Beto's property. Read More
Affordable, honest, bilingual real estate lawyer wanted by holisticdoc
good day all I am looking for real estate lawyer referrals, preferably people you have worked with or know. I would like to consult with candidates first to see which one is right for this job. Affordable, competent, and bilingual are required. ...
We have used the attorney below and have been more than happy with him. He is bilingual and his primary focus is real estate. He has been specializing in real estate for quite a few years. A friend of mine who owns a real estate company in the ... Read More
Intercultural relationships in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share some fun anecdotes and information regarding intercultural marriages and relationships in Costa Rica. This will provide some insight to current and future expats regarding relationship norms in mixed relationships ...
Hola Surffeaver, Thank you for your positive thoughts and comments. :top: The negativity of some is a bit much at times. - Expat Dave Read More
Health insurance for family members by RichardHol
Hello. We are moving to Costa Rica due to my work contract. I have learned that my wife and two children are not going to have a medical insurance paid by company (37+9+3 years). I would like to get an idea of how much is it going to cost for them ...
Lola, Be sure that your international insurance does cover you when/if you go home. We had international health insurance when we first came here and it covered us in any country in the world except the U.S. Personally I prefer and trust CR ... Read More
Cost of living 2018 in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, As per our annual tradition, we invite you to share your experiences and tell us more about the average prices of products and services in your town/city/area, so that we have updated information regarding cost of living and ...
Because we all live differently, that is a bit hard to answer. But, this is what I spend monthly on my adult daughter and myself: Electricity - average $100 (We use the clothes dryer only in winter, no heating or air conditioning needed and we do ... Read More
What to pack for San Jose move? by dcatosjo
We are moving to the San Jose / Central Valley area late this summer, and are going through stuff to see what to bring now, what to bring later, and what to get rid of altogether/ replace when we get there. We're on a budget, so we'd rather ...
Hola Lola, Welcome to Expat.com! Seeing that your coming from Maryland, let's just say that it will never get "that" cold. In the summer it averages around 85+ pretty much every day and 65 at night. In the winter 80 degrees most ... Read More
What to pack for San Jose move? by dcatosjo
We are moving to the San Jose / Central Valley area late this summer, and are going through stuff to see what to bring now, what to bring later, and what to get rid of altogether/ replace when we get there. We're on a budget, so we'd rather ...
You would definitely not find that here. Read More
What to pack for San Jose move? by dcatosjo
We are moving to the San Jose / Central Valley area late this summer, and are going through stuff to see what to bring now, what to bring later, and what to get rid of altogether/ replace when we get there. We're on a budget, so we'd rather ...
No idea why someone would say to bring laundry detergent. We have both American brands and of course local brands. Don't waste space and weight on that one. Maybe they were joking? :huh: - Expat Dave Read More
What to pack for San Jose move? by dcatosjo
We are moving to the San Jose / Central Valley area late this summer, and are going through stuff to see what to bring now, what to bring later, and what to get rid of altogether/ replace when we get there. We're on a budget, so we'd rather ...
That would be nice if they now allow regular stores to carry it. Thanks! Read More
What to pack for San Jose move? by dcatosjo
We are moving to the San Jose / Central Valley area late this summer, and are going through stuff to see what to bring now, what to bring later, and what to get rid of altogether/ replace when we get there. We're on a budget, so we'd rather ...
There are photography stores in almost any small town and many in the San Jose/Heredia areas that will print from digitals. If you have space to bring towels and sheets - YES, bring them! I have not found good sheets here at any price. And towels ... Read More
What to pack for San Jose move? by dcatosjo
We are moving to the San Jose / Central Valley area late this summer, and are going through stuff to see what to bring now, what to bring later, and what to get rid of altogether/ replace when we get there. We're on a budget, so we'd rather ...
We just bought a Canon all-in-one, color printer at Walmart for ¢25,000 - about $45. I was surprised how well it works for a cheap printer. If you want it for high quality photographs you would need to spend more. For everyday printing it ... Read More
What to pack for San Jose move? by dcatosjo
We are moving to the San Jose / Central Valley area late this summer, and are going through stuff to see what to bring now, what to bring later, and what to get rid of altogether/ replace when we get there. We're on a budget, so we'd rather ...
Hola Dcatosjo, Welcome to Expat.com! As far as your list goes, all of those are available here. Other things will just depend on what you like personally but may not find here. Mine is licorice. Nope, no licorice in this country. 😢 ... Read More
Health Insurance
Health insurance, especially inexpensive health insurance is something we all seem to be looking for and have discussed several times on the Expat.com Forum. San Ramon had mentioned that he had seen an inexpensive health insurance policy that was ... Read More
A Visit to the Central Valley by Ellen B.
My husband is retiring this spring, and we are looking at the Central Valley area as a potential place to move. Mosquitoes love me way too much so the beach area is a no go, plus the air conditioning bills would be super high. We plan to look at ...
Ohhh, that would explain a lot. 😎 - Expat Dave Read More
A Visit to the Central Valley by Ellen B.
My husband is retiring this spring, and we are looking at the Central Valley area as a potential place to move. Mosquitoes love me way too much so the beach area is a no go, plus the air conditioning bills would be super high. We plan to look at ...
Your post was and is posted just as you posted it. No one touched a thing. 👍🏽 🌝 ...and in no way did I find the need to personally attack you. Lighten up. 🙃 I've said it many times, there are many people, ... Read More
A Visit to the Central Valley by Ellen B.
My husband is retiring this spring, and we are looking at the Central Valley area as a potential place to move. Mosquitoes love me way too much so the beach area is a no go, plus the air conditioning bills would be super high. We plan to look at ...
Hola Ellen, Welcome to expat.com! I do understand you're wanting to initially look in the Central Valley towns. The majority of people looking into the expat life will initially feel more comfortable with established Gringo communities. It ... Read More
Getting Medication in Costa Rica by Symmetry01
How do americans get the medications they need? What are the average costs of medications compared to costs in USA. For example, my wife needs Percocet for sciatica and that runs up to 30 dollars a month after our insurance coverage. What is the ...
Does anyone know if Oxycodone is available here? If not, I'll check at the local pharmacy. - Expat Dave Read More
Exchanging dollars to colones...
The majority of the banks are government owned and the exchange rate is set by the government. You can track the exchange rate here: https://coinmill.com/CRC_USD.html#CRC=60 It's always better to use colones rather than dollars. Yes, you do ... Read More
Getting Medication in Costa Rica by Symmetry01
How do americans get the medications they need? What are the average costs of medications compared to costs in USA. For example, my wife needs Percocet for sciatica and that runs up to 30 dollars a month after our insurance coverage. What is the ...
Unless things have changed, no you cannot get a U.S. script filled here. I tried to have a script filled from the States, (Adderall), when we first moved here and it was a definite no. So you would need to see a doctor here to have it filled. ... 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 ...
Richard, When I read your post, I was going to respond immediately with pretty much exactly what Kohlerias said above. I would also suggest you really look into whether or not you're actually going to get a work visa prior to making ... Read More
Getting Medication in Costa Rica by Symmetry01
How do americans get the medications they need? What are the average costs of medications compared to costs in USA. For example, my wife needs Percocet for sciatica and that runs up to 30 dollars a month after our insurance coverage. What is the ...
Hola Rick, Welcome to Expat.com! Please note that the person you are responding to wrote that three years ago and only posted a couple messages. As to the "sharpest person," may I say from the rest of us... ouch. :lol: - Expat ... 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 ...
Spent a lot of time in Mexico but never lived there for more than a month. We have friends who moved from Costa Rica to Mexico. I'll check with them to see if it's okay for me to give you their email address and then send it to you via PM. ... Read More
uvita/ojochal internet by j_nathan
hello - just another typical request about internet services :| so we are currently visiting family that rents in the compo or coffee farm area outside san isidro they just acquired claro satellite tv/internet (through a tico) and the service ...
You may find the same issue with attempting to get Claro TV. We are permanent residents and we had to pay a year in advance for the first year of service. After that it was monthly. Not sure what they will allow with a non-resident. You may have ... 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 ...
Hola Nathan, Welcome to Expat.com! Hope it all works out for you guys and that you have a great Costa Rica experience. What part of the country are you living in now? What do you think of it so far? - Expat Dave Expat.com Team Member 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 ...
Hola Suzanne, Depending on your income..., from what you say you're looking for, I would suggest first looking in the Escazu and/or Santa Ana areas. It's a more expensive area compared to living outside the metro areas but has a lot more ... Read More
Real Estate Rental Article in CR Star by 4theloveofsun
[url=https://news.co.cr/im-getting-evicted-in-costa-rica-part-4-finding-a-4-bedroom-home-for-200-a-month/57738/]This article[/url] is about a year old. I'm wondering what the seasoned CR expats think in terms of the newspaper article contents. ...
Some people have stated in this forum that they pay $400-$800 or more each month due to the cost of running air conditioning. It's the price you pay for living at the beach. A lady up the road from us built a ridiculously huge mansion for ... Read More
Real Estate Rental Article in CR Star by 4theloveofsun
[url=https://news.co.cr/im-getting-evicted-in-costa-rica-part-4-finding-a-4-bedroom-home-for-200-a-month/57738/]This article[/url] is about a year old. I'm wondering what the seasoned CR expats think in terms of the newspaper article contents. ...
I would say that it is apropos for today as well. Personally, I would prefer to find a rental by "word of mouth" rather than Ecuentra24. Too many scammers on that site and Craigslist (Although I do use both). Once you are sure on the ... Read More
CR Retirement Relocation Tours by 4theloveofsun
Hi All :D I posted in the Healthcare forum first -- sorry about that. I should have done the PC thing and posted here first. It appears that advertising is strictly prohibited here (love that) so I will try not to mention names or a specific ...
As to the "tour companies," personally, I hold a low regard for the majority of them. Like lawyers, there is maybe one in fifty that are caring and are good people. Yes, you are paying for their knowledge and experience. At the same ... Read More
CR Retirement Relocation Tours by 4theloveofsun
Hi All :D I posted in the Healthcare forum first -- sorry about that. I should have done the PC thing and posted here first. It appears that advertising is strictly prohibited here (love that) so I will try not to mention names or a specific ...
One of the things that we all agree on. Rent first. Soooooooo many people make the mistake of buying when they first come down. They then regret it down the road when they are stuck in an area they don't like or that they want to return to ... Read More
Internet without limits
Hola Richard, I use CRwifi. It's okay for CR but compared to developed countries it's quite slow. It should be available in your area if you are not hidden down in a gully. My download speed is at best 2 mbps with no download limits. I ... Read More
Homemaker/Home Health Needs by 4theloveofsun
Hi All! I've been reading/researching/considering a move to CR for approximately 10 years. Recent life events are quickly turning my "dream" of moving into a potential immediate necessity. My mom passed away and she was my 85 yo ...
True; however, if she shows that her father and her husband are physically and financially dependent on her, their CAJA will be almost nothing. My daughter's is set up this way. Because she is disabled and dependent on me, (has to be confirmed ... Read More
Brand Name Medication by 4theloveofsun
Hi All! I take 2 different brand name medications. I've experienced problems with the generic versions by various manufacturers. My thyroid med, for example: the generic is Levothyroxine (tried 3 different manufacturers) does not relieve my ...
You would need to first find out if the medication is available at all. Some medication here are more expensive than the States. Others will be a fraction of what they cost in the States. You also need to check with several different pharmacies. ... Read More
Homemaker/Home Health Needs by 4theloveofsun
Hi All! I've been reading/researching/considering a move to CR for approximately 10 years. Recent life events are quickly turning my "dream" of moving into a potential immediate necessity. My mom passed away and she was my 85 yo ...
Hola 4thelove, The person who moved me down here came down with her mother who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. She needed a lot of care or watching over. Because of the low cost of labor here, she was able to hire a ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica 2015 by expat.com
Hi all, We invite you to talk about the cost of living in Costa Rica in 2015, with an updated price listing. Don't forget to mention in which city of Costa Rica you are living in. How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica? > ...
Hola Cragers, Please be advised that the post you are responding to is three years old. Older posts remain on the site as there is almost always useful information for people considering a move to CR. Sorry for the confusion. - Expat ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica 2015 by expat.com
Hi all, We invite you to talk about the cost of living in Costa Rica in 2015, with an updated price listing. Don't forget to mention in which city of Costa Rica you are living in. How much does it cost to live in Costa Rica? > ...
Hola Napa, I'm not sure if you are responding to an old post above or asking about a rental. Either way, you'd need to check the Housing section above, Craigslist Costa Rica or Ecuentra24 Costa Rica to find a current listing. This is not ... Read More
New Member
Hola Nancy, Welcome to Expat.com! I would recommend that you first look through the Forum section here. You can get many ideas of what life's like here and whether or not it might be a fit for your lifestyle. As mentioned above, you most ... 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 ...
Actually you would probably want to fly into the Liberia airport. I am not familiar with that airport at all so anyone else? How are car rentals set up there? And his questions on, "I was hoping to settle in around the middle of the ... 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 ...
Hola Craig, Welcome to Expat.com! Renting a car is great but renting it for a month may get quite expensive. You will want to have insurance on it. Also, take pictures of the rental if there are ANY scratches or dents in it at all prior to ... 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 ...
Many expats leave the country every 90 days to avoid the costs of residency. This is legal and/or tolerated by the government for now. You do not necessarily need to "fly" out however. Being on the budget that you would, you can take a ... 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 ...
You will still have many areas to choose from. The lower you go the warmer it will get so it will just depend on what heat and humidity you like. To live on $1,000 per month you will need to live in a more rural area where prices are lower. ... 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 ...
Hola Cannell, Welcome to Expat.com! I would invite you to scan through the many, many posts on the Forum that will help you navigate the questions that you might have. You can live on $1,000 per month here if you can live in the U.S. on the same ... Read More
Too old? by JimNorman
I was forced to retire at age 75 and am disabled. Is this too much of a challenge to relocate now?
Hola Jim, As several others have said, with mobility issues you would not find Costa Rica suitable. The sidewalks here are pretty much the worst I've seen in any country I've been to. There are large holes in the sidewalks, they can drop ... 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.
Here is the perfect example. Surffeaver enjoys the area a lot as many Gringos do. I on the other hand would pretty much hate every minute of life there. :proud Anyone considering a move to CR needs to experience various areas on their own and ... Read More