Last week another U.S. father was in Costa Rica seeking a son for whom he had legal custody of. Unfortunately, the father so far has struck out, forcing him to hired a private investigator. This is just another case of a U.S. parent running out on a divorce decision and abducting their child. The case originated over a year ago in Boise, Idaho and the mother is believed to have fled to Costa … [Read more...]
Costa Rica’s Income Tax – Expat Rules Are Now More Complicated
11/27/2009 by 3 Comments
We were going to write about this six months ago, but when it comes to the government of Costa Rica, it can be heresy until it really happens. Or just a procrastration until something major happens like the bridge tragedy. But when talking to an U.S account doing business in Costa Rica, he pretty much cut our conversation short because he had an important meeting with his accountant. This … [Read more...]
U.S. Consulate – San José Embassy – Visa Problem
11/22/2009 by Leave a Comment
Attending a business meeting in Santa Ana a few weeks ago, one of the associates of a client rant and raved about his dealings with the U.S. Consulate at the San José embassy US Embassy. He was Costa Rican, his wife was American and they had two children. All they wanted was to visit the U.S for a few weeks to see her parents. The kids had no problem (the duel citizenship thing) but he was … [Read more...]
Chinese Drywall and Costa Rica Building Contractors
11/06/2009 by 3 Comments
With China investing in Costa Rica big time, there may be a problem with some of the building imports in the eco-minded country. When Costa Rica builders were busy a few years a go, many homes/condos and commercial projects were using Chinese imported drywall. In the US many class action lawsuits have been filed. If you Google, "Chinese drywall," the pages are filled with the problems it has … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Porteadores vs Taxis vs Government – Protest Today
10/28/2009 by Leave a Comment
For a long time now there has been clash between taxi drivers and porteadores (the informal taxi drivers) with the government caught in the middle. Porteadores have always provided the public's alternative to transportation, particular in areas where the formal or legal taxis would not provide service, but more likely in smaller towns. The service as "porteos" provided that personal … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Govenment to Repair Bridges after Tragedy
10/26/2009 by Leave a Comment
The Costa Rica government announced on Saturday that it is allocating us$15 million for the reparation of 10 bridges, two days after a tragedy that took five lives and sparked a barrage of criticism against the ministra de Obras Pública y Transportes, Karla González. Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, personally visited the site of Thursday's tragedy, reiterating his support of González, his … [Read more...]
Illegal Street Vendors in San Jose, Costa Rica, Crackdown
10/13/2009 by Leave a Comment
Years ago a renovation project spearheaded by the San Jose Municipality, labeled San Jose Posible, was design to give a total face-lift to the downtown area, adding more walking boulevards, planting trees, paining facades and offering incentives for Costa Ricans and residents to move back into the city. The Central Avenue Boulevard and its surrounding parks and plazas have been called the biggest … [Read more...]
Alico To Sell Insurance In Costa Rica – INS Competition
10/06/2009 by Leave a Comment
It seems that CAFTA may be working ... for over 50 years, American Life Insurance Company has been dedicated to working families in Canada and the US won conditional approval this week to sell insurance in Costa Rica. This company will operate under the name of Alico Costa Rica and the license is requested for the sale of policies in the category of personal insurance, including life, … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Government Wants To Tax Gross Gambling Income
10/04/2009 by Leave a Comment
Costa Rica has always been very lax on gambling. In reality it only took a business license and just about anyone could open up a casino. And with the US crack down on betting in 2007 hordes of online gambling and bookie businesses flooded Costa Rica. About every two to 3 years the government ties to put a new novel plan to generate revenue from these establishments. The last one (about 1 and … [Read more...]
Crime is Down In San Jose, Costa Rica
10/01/2009 by 1 Comment
When you read about Costa Rica on the chats, blogs, reviews etc, one thing that always is talked about is, "Stay out of San Jose, the crime rate outrageous, stealing, robberies, and the worthless of the police are no good as we posted on the armed robbery of a Tortuguero bus a few weeks ago. However, surprise! The Judiciary and the Ministry of Public Security reported this week, "the crime … [Read more...]
Costa Rica’s Caldera Highway Work Is Stopped by Environmental Panel
09/27/2009 by Leave a Comment
After many years it looked like the San Jose – Caldera new highway was going on schedule and be completed in February 2010. This much-awaited Autopista del Sol (The autopista, a concession highway where users pay a toll) that will dramatically cut travel time from the Central Valley to the central Pacific beaches. Since May, 2009, year Costa Ricans have experience delays, traffic chaos, and toll … [Read more...]
Costa Rica, Pavas Drug Dealers Set Free For Selling Crack
08/29/2009 by 1 Comment
Drug Trafficking in Costa Rica is a problem. As we posted a while back, unless something is done about it, Costa Rica could be another Mexico. And with the US pouring millions to fight drugs in the Central American country, is that money being used to fight drug traffic? Well, I guess you can say, not in this circumstances! I find the recent drug arrest not only bizarre but somewhat is … [Read more...]
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