Gerald Twomey
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum posts
61
About me
American
Registration: 18 May 2026
My expat journey
Costa Rica
USA
Activity
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 ...
THE DAVI ATMs are user-friendly and in English and Spanish.I make two withdrawals of $400.00 each in successive transactions, and each time I'm charged a $5.00 transaction fee, in addition to an international currency transaction fee charged by the ... Read More
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 ...
Clarification on some TYPOS:DEPOSIT of $150,000.00 USDATMS issuing multiples of $20s (USD)/stike the counterfeit term, since the concern for not issuing $100.00 bills is NOT to be burned on counterfeit currency cranked out by the Russian mob in ... Read More
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 ...
Good luck opening a BANK ACCOUNT in C.R. unless:You are willing to deposit $.USD to float the system;You are married to a TICO/TICA.You own land or a business in C.R.You are a permanent resident.After run-arounds, misinformation, and several years ... Read More
Banking in Costa Rica by nbsvest
does anybody have info on rates foe money market or savings in Costa Rica?
REMEMBER: If you keep your cash as a liquid asset or CD in a US bank, thrift, or credit union, you have insurance protection under FDIC and are immune to the kinds of scams and hacks that can drain bank accounts. 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, ...
The vast majority of this surge in petty and violent crime in Costa Rica is drug- or gang-related. 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, ...
ADDENDUM: A 75-YEAR-OLD NEIGHBOR of mine took an UBER to the local CaJA (national health care system clinic/emergency care facility) in our normally tranquil canton. A car sped by, accelerated, and the passenger in the "shotgun" seat swiped a very ... Read More
Registering a business by newlance777
I was informed by a friend that it's possible to get some kind of residency if I register a local business in costa rica. I have only read on the government's website that this is possible with a 200,000 USD business visa investment. She insisted ...
Digital NOMAD is another common form of an expat VISA in Costa Rica, good for ONE (1) year and renewable ONCE [only] for a SECOND YEAR.The Inversionista visa only appeals to those with substantial investment income.I know people living in C.R. in ... Read More
Registering a business by newlance777
I was informed by a friend that it's possible to get some kind of residency if I register a local business in costa rica. I have only read on the government's website that this is possible with a 200,000 USD business visa investment. She insisted ...
Digital NOMAD is another common form of an expat VISA in Costa Rica, good for ONE (1) year and renewable ONCE [only] for a SECOND YEAR.The Inversionista visa only appeals to those with substantial investment income.I know people living in C.R. in ... Read More
Banking in Costa Rica by nbsvest
does anybody have info on rates foe money market or savings in Costa Rica?
IN THE USA, if one has considerable assets in BANK ACCOUNTS, he or she should diversify the deposits. When I was a young man, the FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORP. [FDIC] insured individual accounts up to $100,000 USD.NOW, the limit is $250,000.00 ... 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 ...
ALSO, whenever possible, TAP the CHIP on your credit card. Safer and almost impossible to HACK. Avoid inserting it into a payment card reading machine. Read More
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