Residency cards are required for application to show proof of insurance
Starting Monday, a new requirement for foreign residents (expats or permanent residents), must show proof of insurance from the government Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. Often cited as a reason for the country’s stability over recent decades, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social is the safety net for health care and pensions. Permanent residents are foreigners who can legally work.
There are two categories of insurance coverage available to individuals not on a formal payroll, Independent Worker and Voluntary Insurance.
Independent workers or self-employment coverage is for individuals with economic activity of any sort. Legally any foreigner with such activity should be enrolled with the Caja, regardless of immigration status. There is an additional workman’s comp insurance that is also required, but is not administered by the Caja.
Voluntary insurance is meant for those not engaged in active work, living from income property, pensions, retirement plans like 401Ks, investments, etc. The voluntary will effect many retirees that are living in Costa Rica and who have been granted residency based on their income. Read more... (523 words, 2 images, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)
Buying this new Hummer H-2 in Costa Rica will cost you twice the amount if not more from a dealership in Costa Rica
When someone moves to Costa Rica, one major decision they will have to make whether to buy a car and/or just use the excellent public transportation system. If they plan on living in San Jose, it is a wise choice to use the public transportation until one gets the feel of things.
A common misconception among foreigners coming to Costa Rica is that you will save money by bringing a car here from overseas.
There are just a few of the drawbacks: Read more... (1211 words, 2 images, estimated 4:51 mins reading time)
- You still have to pay the import duties, which is the main reason cars are so much more expensive here. Plus insurance and shipping costs.
- You’ll have to go through the process of clearing the car through customs, either yourself (god luck) or with a customs broker (who will obviously charge you)
- If you buy a new car from a dealer in the US, the guarantee won’t be valid here.
This 2lb catch of Shark fins can be worth over $1000 in the Asia market.
Around early 1980s a friend wanted to open up a fresh fish exporting business in Puntarenas. He found a packing house and cannery, got some investors and was ready to start exporting fresh Dorado and canned tuna. One of the things that were puzzling to him was Costa Rica fishermen were catching sharks in their long lines and gill nets. Shark at the time was a worthless meat so they were either leaving the dead carcass and/or just cutting off the fin with would eventually kill the shark. Some of the boats had small piles of fins along with their catch of dorado and snapper. My friend through it was a total waste of good meat, which at the time, shark meat was becoming a more popular dish in the U.S.
With the TBA long battle and their success on banning exporting of billfish meat, management of billfish, and recently the mandatory monitors on commercial vessels, they may have to now get involved in the banning of taking shark fin. But will it happened? Read more... (578 words, 1 image, estimated 2:19 mins reading time)
Has Republican Scott P. Brown win "suddenly" stimulate Costa Rica economy?
In the last few years Costa Rica economy has really sucked with very few signs of recovery. That recovery worsen by Americas uneasiness with the current Presidential democratic administration mucho-trillion dollars tax, health and stimulus bill that will be absorbed by U.S. taxpayers.
To put it bluntly, Costa Rica Tourism which was already suffering became in greater peril when Americans suddenly begin really tightening their finances just to survive. With unemployment at 10%, foreclosures at a record high, it was no more vacations, less eating out etc etc.
One sport fishing account that has been operating in Costa Rica for almost 30 years, told me, has never seen the business this depressing since the Obama administration took over. One of his charter boats, the booking agent said they used to have 20-30 American clients that regularly came down to fish once a year. That dropped to only three – a lost of revenue of over $25,000 – a huge hit for a small company who still have to maintain the boat, pay taxes and general living expenses. Read more... (535 words, 1 image, estimated 2:08 mins reading time)
The Toyota 2007 Tundra is being recalled by the 1000s in the U.S. and many were shipped to Costa Rica by both dealerships and private owners.
Toyota has announced it will conduct another recall of 133,000 vehicles to update software in the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system (ABS). Toyota’s global recall ballooned to 8.5 million cars and trucks including 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems; the latest embarrassing safety lapse at the world’s largest automaker. Toyota is one of the preferred vehicles to rent, sell and own in Costa Rica.
So, what does this mean?
Obviously there is massive trouble for Toyota and has dampen the tiny paradise countries preferred vehicle. Following the failure of 20 camshafts found in the 5.7-liter Tundra pickup truck engine, Toyota is running apologetic TV ads and vowing to win back customers’ trust, but we have seen none of these ads in Costa Rica – in fact, just the opposite.
Reason: Costa Rica government does not enforce consumer auto recalls, this becomes a heaven or dumping ground for cars that have been deemed faulty, and a threat to consumer safety. Read more... (466 words, 1 image, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)
