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...]
Buying A New or Used Car in Costa Rica
02/25/2010 by 22 Comments
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 … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Shark Finning – Is It Being Monitored?
02/19/2010 by 9 Comments
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 … [Read more...]
Has Scott Brown’s Win Stimulated Costa Rica’s Economy?
02/13/2010 by 3 Comments
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 … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Toyota Recalls – Rental Cars and For Sale
02/10/2010 by 1 Comment
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 … [Read more...]
Laura Chinchilla Wins – Costa Rica’s First Woman President
02/08/2010 by 2 Comments
As millions were watching the New Orleans Saints betting the Indianapolis Colts, during Sunday's Superbowl, Costa Rica presidential candidate, Laura Chinchilla won the nation's presidency Sunday with a landslide victory in which she prevailed in each of the country's seven provinces. She is Costa Rica's first woman president. Thousands of Chinchilla’s supporters took to the streets to … [Read more...]
Costa Ricas Black Sand Beaches – Jaco, Tamarindo, Coco
02/03/2010 by 3 Comments
Costa Rica’s awesome and calendared coast offers something for everyone. Golden sand beaches, gray sand beaches, black sand beaches, and pink sand beaches can be found dotted all along Costa Rica’s lush coastal plains, making it a truly spectacular beach destination. Costa Rica boasts some of the top beaches in the world. Although black sand beaches are generally less known than their white … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Investment – Real Estate, Retire and Live
02/01/2010 by 14 Comments
My first time in Jaco (about 20 years ago) it was a sleepy and traditional Costa Rican town that did not even have a stop light. Three years ago the skyline was filled with high-rise construction on the feeding frenzy of developers and speculators investing in property. However, that has changed, most investors are doing damage-control, regrouping and wondering how to deal in the slump of the real … [Read more...]
Taking Your Dog, Cat or Small Pet to Costa Rica
01/28/2010 by 1 Comment
Okay want to take your pet to Costa Rica? In reality it is fairly simple and Costa Rica does not require a quarantine period as many countries do. For dogs and cats and other small pets, all you need to prove to both the airlines and Costa Rican customs officers that your animal is healthy. First, your dog or cat must be taken to a local veterinarian for a complete examination. This should … [Read more...]
Green Card Lottery Scam Increases In Costa Rica
01/26/2010 by 1 Comment
Since the internet is becoming more available to Costa Ricans so have the S & S's (scammers and spammers), as we wrote about how Costa Rica's internet fraud has increase. One of the things S & S'ers like is to target ones problems (like money) and claim they can help clear it up. In this case, it is a lottery scam, claiming winners will receive a Visa to the U.S. In other words, … [Read more...]
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