Gerald Twomey
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum posts
51
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 ...
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