This week an event took place that may became a disappointment in what the future of Costa Rica's society and culture may be. A few weeks ago we wrote about how the new Traffic Laws were causing problems with its loopholes and in some cases corruption (bribes) when an online chatter wrote, how an illegal passing cost her $100 to an open palm traffic policeman. It appears we were not the … [Read more...]
Archives for 2010
Net Neutrality For Costa Rica – Throttling Bandwidth Usages and Charging For It.
04/09/2010 by 1 Comment
If you've ever wondered why it takes so long to download or load certain Webpages or other files to your computers - it's all determined by the bandwidth of the connection between your computer and your and/or others Internet Service Providers (IPS). Bandwidth is a rate of data transfer that is measured in bits per second (bps). Your ISP makes its money by renting little "chunks" of that … [Read more...]
Building a House in Costa Rica – Eco Friendly
04/06/2010 by 14 Comments
If you are considering building or investing in a home in Costa Rica then you will find these articles both useful and informative. When I first began my primer steps, I searched the internet and papers and bulletins for information to give me direction and was not able to find any unbiased or truth or experienced information. So as an experienced contractor of 30 years in Canada, USA, and … [Read more...]
Hurricanes and Costa Rica – Cesar and Tropical Storm Alma Are About It
04/04/2010 by Leave a Comment
We get asked this all the time, "We are going to Costa Rica in 'some-month' ... are we going to get hit with a hurricane?" Fact remains, hurricanes rarely hit Costa Rica, the last one was Hurricane Cesár which came ashore on July 27, 1996 and killed 41 people and trashed the Pacific southwest in Costa Rica's worst national disaster in a decades. And then there was Tropical Storm Alma on May … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Developer Sues Bank Over Jaco Project
03/30/2010 by 1 Comment
Yesterday morning, the Internet was flooded with the Press Release FROM the developer of a Jacó condo and hotel project suing its lenders, seeking arbitration on $120 million that has caused what it claims was a successful project on the verge of falling apart. No doubt the $120 million was an eye-opener of what is at stake. The developer, Desarrollos Naturales de Costa Rica S.A., named Banco … [Read more...]
Costa Rican’s U.S. Expats May Be Paying Twice For Health Care
03/24/2010 by 7 Comments
With the passing and the presidential signing of the U.S. Health Care Reform bill and assuming that it does become a law (13 states filed lawsuits in the US, stating it was unconstitutional) Costa Rica expats may have a serious problem. They may be forced to carry health insurance in both the U.S. and Costa Rica, I guess you can say a form of double taxation. According to the health bill, ALL … [Read more...]
Costa Rica’s New Traffic Laws – Loopholes and Problems
03/19/2010 by 3 Comments
It has been a hell of month with the new traffic laws that took place March 1st to local drivers and the Costa Rican newspapers have been filled with it. The changes were to lighten penalties and lower fines, but in reality due to the numerous loopholes, the Transit Police are applying their own version of the law that has amounted to higher fines in some cases. Or, as one 'chatter in a … [Read more...]
Electrified Fences Growing In Popularity – Costa Rica Security
03/16/2010 by 1 Comment
When I was a kid, I went dove hunting with my dad and his friends, who also brought along their sons. As we were walking the fields, we came upon a fence with a sign, WARNING ELECTRIC FENCE. One of the older sons, pointed to me, "Yeah, kid, go touch that fence" with the warning sign, " it's just a fake sign ... see the bird sitting on the wire." Being naive at the time, I touched it and … [Read more...]
Wellness Vacations In Costa Rica
03/10/2010 by 4 Comments
During the last several years, a new generation of vacationers has been demanding more from hotels than ever before, and a new type of travel is rising in popularity. This new group of travelers desires more than before from their vacation, and so the tourism sector is providing many options, such as hotels and resorts with Yoga and focus on health at their core. Yoga, Wellness Centers and … [Read more...]
Santa Teresa & Malpais, Costa Rica – Beach and Jungle
03/06/2010 by 3 Comments
Welcome to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world: Malpais and Santa Teresa, known for their rugged jungle beauty, unforgettable sunsets, and especially the epic surf in Santa Teresa. The area has also become known as a hot spot for amazing cuisine in Costa Rica, since many amazing chefs have moved here from different parts of the world. The instant you arrive in Santa Teresa and … [Read more...]
Real Estate Investing Tips in Costa Rica – HMO, Deeds of Trusts, Taxes
03/05/2010 by 1 Comment
Costa Rica is nowhere different than any other country when it comes to real estate. In the early 2000s the hype of the countries cheap property, relaxing and eco-friendly environments sparked a real estate boom. And like the U.S, when the market busted several year ago, it threw many investors and home buyers into a world of financial ruin. Investments vanished when buyers gave huge sum’s to … [Read more...]
New Insurance Program Starts March 1, 2010 – Expats Have to Pay for Caja Policy
02/28/2010 by 6 Comments
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 … [Read more...]
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