Gerald Twomey
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum posts
51
About me
American
Registration: 18 May 2026
Opening a bank account in Costa Rica by Julien
Hi all, is it difficult for expats to open a bank account in Costa Rica ? Which documents are required to open a bank account in Costa Rica ? How long does it take to open it ? Is there any restriction for expats regarding the services ...
I have a below the Mendoza line (to use a baseball metaphor, e.g., batting below .200) in banking.I have an account with a credit union with a very good experience there and a debit card: COOPEALIANZA in my provincial capital, with 50 branches ... Read More
Most common payment methods in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Moving to Costa Rica, even simple things like paying for groceries or a coffee can feel different. In order to help fellow expats and soon-to-be expats better prepare for their daily transactions, we invite you to share your ...
@Cheryl In C.R., everyone seems to have credit cards or debit cards and many use GOOGLE PAY or APPLE WALLET. Unfortuntely, I am blocked from using those features in C.R.I pay my rent in USD, and that's it for the Yankee dollar.Virtually every shop ... 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 ...
@lafdbuf NOTE: CAPITAL ONE 360, the THIRD-largest bank in the US, FORMERLY had the best exchange fees for ATM transfers. NO MORE.They bought out DISCOVER and the KOHL's department store credit card division, and DITCHED their MASTERCARD debit card ... Read More
Thinking about moving from Puerto Rico to Costa Rica by Joseph jacopelle
hello everyone please you can call me Joey I'm pretty informal I'm new here so I introduce myself you guys feel free to introduce yourself I could use some expat help that's for sure I'm clueless I know a little bit of Spanish from Puerto Rico just ...
Since 2020, the overall value of the US dollar has dropped 20%.Versus the Costa Rican Colon, in the past two years it declined from 511 to 450.For those who own vehicles, gas prices have spiked since the Strait of Hormuz closed.If one shops for food ... Read More
Quality of customer service in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Customer service can say a lot about everyday life in Costa Rica, and for many expats, it’s something that could take time to get used to. In order to help expats and soon-to-be expats to adjust to local expectations, we ...
Ticos tend to be pleasant, attentive, and helpful, In supermarkets where they still bag your groceries and some places will transport your packages to the curb and wait till your ride arrives.Some places have policies that are rather Byzantine ... Read More
Rental nightmares in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Finding a place to live in Costa Rica can be exciting, but it doesn’t always go as planned. From misleading listings and apartments that look nothing like the photos to strange landlords, hidden rules, unexpected roommates, ...
AN EXCELLENT SUMMARY:https://ticotimes.net/2025/11/02/canada-updates-travel-advisory-for-costa-rica-citing-ongoing-crime-concernsTheft remains a persistent problem nationwide. Tourists often face pickpocketing and bag snatching in crowded places ... Read More
Rental nightmares in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Finding a place to live in Costa Rica can be exciting, but it doesn’t always go as planned. From misleading listings and apartments that look nothing like the photos to strange landlords, hidden rules, unexpected roommates, ...
A few more items for ready reference might prove useful. NOTE the STEP -type warning from CANADA. Visitors and prospective expats should weigh this material into their calculus and all advisable precautions should be taken to "take a bite out of ... Read More
Rental nightmares in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Finding a place to live in Costa Rica can be exciting, but it doesn’t always go as planned. From misleading listings and apartments that look nothing like the photos to strange landlords, hidden rules, unexpected roommates, ...
Some posters on this site provide incomplete and misleading information about rising petty crime and violent crime in areas of Costa Rica. Interested parties should review this material attentively:The Wall Street Journalhttps://www.wsj.com ... Read More
Rental nightmares in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Finding a place to live in Costa Rica can be exciting, but it doesn’t always go as planned. From misleading listings and apartments that look nothing like the photos to strange landlords, hidden rules, unexpected roommates, ...
@edwinemoraResidency requirements loom as extremely complicated, whether for residency, pensionista, or digital nomad.Newcomers are better off "testing the waters" on a six-month (renewable) indefinite tourist visa and "stamping out" by crossing ... Read More
Rental nightmares in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Finding a place to live in Costa Rica can be exciting, but it doesn’t always go as planned. From misleading listings and apartments that look nothing like the photos to strange landlords, hidden rules, unexpected roommates, ...
@Cheryl Read articles like this one, and be VERY CAREFUL about where you rent: https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/costa-rica-drug-violence-political-earthquake-e2094f2eVet your prospective landlord before sending a SWIFT wire transfer as a ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
BOTTOM LINE: BE INFORMED. Take ALL PRUDENT PRECAUTIONS. AVOID compromising situations.Make the best of "PURA VIDA." Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
https://ticotimes.net/2025/08/18/costa-ricas-tourism-sector-alarmed-over-rising-violence-and-u-s-criticismCosta Rica’s Tourism Sector Alarmed Over Rising Violence and U.S. CriticismBy Tico TimesAugust 18, 2025Tourism leaders in Costa Rica are ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-san-jose-robbery-costa-rica-4589a94c3fcff4e003009da3c2dc58b86 people, including 1 American, slain at ranch in Costa RicaPublished 7:42 PM EDT, October 18, 2021NOTE: Costa Rica remains a great place with wonderful ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
https://cr.usembassy.gov/victims-of-crime/If you become a victim of crime:Report the crime to the OIJ* police, and if you need victim’s assistance, report to the American Citizens Services Section of the U.S. Embassy at 2519-2590 (from the ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2024/10/18/costa-rica-face-record-breaking-levels-crime-tourists/As Costa Rica welcomes record-breaking number of tourists, the country is battling rising crimeby Carly StoennerOctober 18, 2024In 2023 Costa ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
https://people.com/kurt-van-dyke-killed-in-costa-rica-home-invasion-11907471Armed Intruders Storm Costa Rica HomeThe 66-year-old hotel owner was found beneath a bed after masked men allegedly entered his home in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rican officials ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
To pretend that CRIME does not exist and does not impinge upon the health and well-being of expats and tourists represents a dangerous delusion. Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
Bar fight/street brawl in JACO, with expats assaulted (NOTE the video and accompanying comments"https://www.reddit.com/r/costarica/comments/18otryp/tourists_assaulted_by_locals_in_costa_rica/Jacó: Six bar guards mercilessly beat two gringos ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
https://nypost.com/2025/12/02/world-news/security-alert-for-popular-tourist-destination-warns-of-gangs-and-violent-crime-at-rental-properties/Security alert for Costa Rica warns of gangs, ‘break-ins and armed robberies’By Jorge ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
https://qcostarica.com/two-men-will-be-banned-from-travelling-on-a-motorcycle/Two men will be banned from travelling on a motorcycleThe ban is aimed at resolving shootings commited by passengers on motorcycles ShareRicoStory byRico7 March ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
https://ticotimes.net/2026/01/09/costa-rica-police-warn-of-rising-tourist-targeted-crimes-after-violent-incident< TICO TIMES, January 29, 2026Police in Guanacaste rescued four American tourists from a violent home invasion in Nuevo Arenal de ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/costa-rica.htmlNOTE: take 15 minutes and sign up for the US DoS STEP program:Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to crime.Advisory summaryPetty crime is common throughout ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
U.S. Tourists Robbed in Costa Rica — Viral Case Draws Wider ConcernA recent robbery involving two American tourists has become a flashpoint in Costa Rica’s ongoing debate over rising tourist crime, after a TikTok video went viral showing ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
If one buries his or her head and pretends that such things cannot happen or do not happen in Costa Rica, he or she does so at his or her own risk.Costa Rica is as safe as most other venues, but crime is spiking.One need only read the papers and ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
@edwinemora As they say in the USA, "Wake up and smell the coffee."To pretend that such violent crimes and more petty crimes of opportunity do not occur in Costa Rica is hogwash.People need to get serious about this material and let the scales fall ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
@daveandmarciaSurveillance cameras, safes with their doors blown off by shotguns or cut through with blowtorches, and scattered personal items left as the detritus of break-ins and robberies all attest to things that ACTUALLY happened and happen on ... Read More
Thinking about moving from Puerto Rico to Costa Rica by Joseph jacopelle
hello everyone please you can call me Joey I'm pretty informal I'm new here so I introduce myself you guys feel free to introduce yourself I could use some expat help that's for sure I'm clueless I know a little bit of Spanish from Puerto Rico just ...
@daveandmarciaCorrect, biut those who apply for the benefit at 62 will ONLY get 70& of their benefit going forward.If one waits till 654 (or 65, depending upon one's age cohort/Y.O.B.), he or she will derove a 100% benefit, and more if he or she ... Read More
Thinking about moving from Puerto Rico to Costa Rica by Joseph jacopelle
hello everyone please you can call me Joey I'm pretty informal I'm new here so I introduce myself you guys feel free to introduce yourself I could use some expat help that's for sure I'm clueless I know a little bit of Spanish from Puerto Rico just ...
One cannot apply for a SSDI benefit once he or she reaches 65-years-old.This benefit may age widely compared to the ACTUAL accrued Social Security monthly benefit based on averaged earnings for eligible quarters.The benefit will change when based on ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
@daveandmarciaIt pleased me to learn that the poster lives in a safe and secure neighborhood. (as do I).My TiCO neighborhood is every bit as safe as my hometown, where I grew up decades ago.Today, people who reside in my idyllic suburban USA village ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
Follow the bouncing ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
PS-- the TRUMP fixation on sending hellfire missiles into drug-courier submarines and cigarette boats has turned PUERTO LIMON on the Pacific Coast into a major export port-of-departure for cocaine and other drugs no longer emanating from Venezuela ... Read More
Crime in Costa Rica by snoutoz
Dear All, I have got a job from a recruitment company to relocate to costa Rica, I am Egyptian in nationality with my family , wife and two babies. I am soo afraid to move there because i hear about criminals and that costa rica has a high crime ...
@snoutoz C.R. is not a place where much violent crime flourishes.Most of it is petty crime (pickpocketing, smash-and-grab thefts of cameras, phones, and wallets in autos).Places like the MERCADO CENTRAL in the capital and the COCA COLA bus station ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
Thank you for the helpful, constructive comments/qualifications.As an intentional non-temporary or legal resident, I refuse to pay into the CaJA, which is a broken system whose downside I shall not articulate here. A waste of money for expats. Buy ... Read More
Navigating friendships as an expat in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Moving to Costa Rica reshapes many aspects of life, and friendships are often one of the biggest changes. Whether you're maintaining lifelong bonds back home, building new local relationships, or forming connections with fellow ...
@CherylIn my experience, TICOS tend to be reserved around foreigners initially, but very friendly once an overture is made. The attempt to speak Spanish forms a great ice-breaker. Showing interest in the local culture (politics, sports, art, ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@Gerald Twomey Sounds like you are a jaded cynic. Why not try adding something constructive to the dialogue? Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
Sounds like you are a jaded cynic. Why not add something constructive to the dialogue? Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@Gerald Twomey re.: This Latin-American-oriented travel insurance company in So. Fla., I paid $60.00/month for six months upfront, which I considered to be an excellent buy for fine coverage.They cater to TICO senior citizens traveling outside the ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@daveandmarcia STARLINK is a bit pricey in C.R., but if you are a DIGITAL NOMAD and rely on WiFI for phone service on a MOBILE/CELL phone or a hard-line MAGIC JACK phone, expect service disruptions/outages that will knock out your phone service, ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@daveandmarcia As usual, sage advice, but time-consuming and costly if you end up NOT STSAYING. E.g., you muat get APOSTILLES of documentation such as a birth certificate, issued within SIX MONTHS, from your USA STATE SEWCRETARY OF STATE, and an FBI ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@Gerald Twomey MEDISMART will give a 20% discount for pre-paying for six months of coverage.They have excellent English-speaking staff on their phone lines (dedicated to English-speakers, by pressing *9).They have many hundreds of excellent doctors, ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@edwinemora Real estate transactions are fraught with corruption and "Payola."Try to make friends with a TICO and have them accompany you to the bank or to the lawyer's office.Often, the locals are NOT looking after your best interests and will try ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@edwinemora Lots of corruption with TRAFFIC COPS, IMMIGRATION "fixers," and gang activity and murders near PUERTO LEON. I would not be incined to live there. Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@ciudadcolonapts You may also have trouble with wi-fi/internet/cell phone and might want to invest in STARLINK. Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@JBuonopane12 MAKE SURE that the AMEX 30-DAY insurance (used to be 41 DAY) covers Costa Rica and adjoining countries, and PRINT OUT a copy of the coverage to present at the rental coverage.Watch some of the S---- E------ videos for her partner's ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@cratedivision CONSIDER joining MEDISMART and get the monthly pay-as-you-go private medical, dental, and vision coverage.I pay $17.00USD/month for care, including a cancer care option. Excellent private doctors, inckuding many multi-lingual. First ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
It's a matter of dispute among posters on this site, but some prominent BLOGGERS with video sites claim that as many as 80% of expats leave within two years for various reasons: access to health care; missing family; noxious street crime (e.g., one ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@samramon People in the beach communities on the Pacific coast can pay upwards of $4,00.00 USD monthly, plus up to $450.00--$500.00 USD for utilities, especially if blasting A/C.Consider living in some of the lovely hill communities in ALAJUELA or ... Read More
Moving as a family to Costa Rica - all advice welcome! by brogan6
Hi friends! My husband and I currently live in Colorado and we are hoping to make the move to Costa Rica in January. We have a 1.5 year old and another baby on the way. We are trying to decide on a place to live as well as the best way to get ...
@brogan6 Since the end of COVID, it changed to every 180 days (SIX MONTHS) for "stamping out" on a tourist bisa. Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@Cheryl If viewers of this site express interest, I shall be prepared to document a comprehensive rundown of various elements of COL in CR, including: rent and utilities; food; medical coverage and expenses; food and household furnishings; local ... Read More