A couple of years ago we wrote about cell phones in Costa Rica and since that time, things have changed. About 2-4 times a week we get questions on whether or not someone personal phone will work in Costa Rica. So this is all about common questions and answers on Costa Rica cells phones. I HAVE A BLAB BLAB PHONE, CAN I USE IT IN COSTA RICA? One of the first things you have to remember, … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Private Investigator – Hiring, Wages, Free Trade
12/14/2010 by 2 Comments
If you think being a Private Investigator is how Hollywood has glorified it, think again. Most PIs will tell you, nowadays it's more leg work and lonely surveillance. The days of the Sam Spades and Philip Marlows may be over in the US, but not necessary in Costa Rica. With the industry now growing at a rapid rate, and the need for corporations and legal firms to use private investigators, the … [Read more...]
Costa Rica’s Non Smoking Policies and Laws
11/13/2010 by 3 Comments
If you smoke, you may have problems in Costa Rica. Back in May, 2009 the government imposed a tax hike on cigarettes which pretty much outraged smokers when the price jumped about 30%, then it followed with a year later the countries first international say “No” To Smoking Day. A few days later thousands of school children in Cartago gathered to unite against smoking at “Fello” Meza Stadium – … [Read more...]
Opening a Costa Rica Personal Bank Account
09/18/2010 by 7 Comments
Costa Rica does have its banks so if you’re looking to open a bank account in Costa Rica, most will offer services to foreigners, whether here as full-time residents, students or employees. Possessing a Costa Rican checking or savings account is advantageous for several reasons – namely the convenience of having an account in your country of residence. Say goodbye to those pesky international … [Read more...]
Hiring a Costa Rica Attorney – Business, Residency, Real Estate
08/06/2010 by 1 Comment
Costa Rican attorneys are the resource for legal advice and for the application of laws of Costa Rica. Lawyers, like the U.S, practice specialties such as criminal law, immigration law, domestic or family law, trademark law, offshore banking, investment and financial law to name but a few. In Costa Rica, lawyer is termed “abogado”, the Portuguese word for lawyer. The most common reasons to hire … [Read more...]
Golden Monkey Rock Ice – Costa Rica’s New Healthy Fruit Beer
08/01/2010 by 3 Comments
Costa Rica's national brewery, the Cerveceria Costa Rica, which is owned by the Florida Ice and Farm Company produces over 39 million gallons of beer a year. That amount does not include the imported beers like Corona and a few US beers. So, wanting to add more zest back in June they announced a new beer, the Golden Monkey Rock Ice. This is Costa Rica's first designer special beer for the … [Read more...]
Insurance in Costa Rica – INS – Rules of Engagement to Brokers
07/05/2010 by Leave a Comment
Every Costa Rican knows [since they can remember] the government monopoly of, oil/gas, electric, internet, and insurance has been one big headache after another. In Oct, 2007 when Costa Rica’s Free Trade Agreements (FTA) were signed, it looked like for the first time Costa Rican’s were going to get a break, when foreign companies could compete with government companies, especially for … [Read more...]
Attorneys Win, Investors Lose in Costa Rica’s Villalobos Suit
05/22/2010 by 7 Comments
We posted back in Aug, 2009 (Government Get Sued) and Dec, 2009 (Investors Suing Costa Rica Government) thats when the Canadian investors formed a group to sue the government of Costa Rica in an attempted to recoup money lost in the Villalobos Ponzi scheme they would probably lose ... they did in arbitration this past week. About 200 creditors had organized (out of the 6000 who had … [Read more...]
Hiring Costa Rica Workers – Payroll Taxes – Work Comp
05/07/2010 by 2 Comments
The scenario starts innocently enough. Expats come to the country and start looking for someone to help with household chores like maid or gardener service. If you are not living in a gated community where they have these services, it starts by asking around for references or putting the word out in their community. Try not to place an ad in some local paper or post one in a market down the … [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...]
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 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...]
Comments