Miss Starbucks? Now you don’t have to. Starbucks has announced their plans to expand further into Central America by opening a Starbucks coffee shop in Costa Rica. There are already six other shops in Central America and over 500 in Latin America.
Apparently this new store will be opened in downtown San Jose. It’s hard to imagine that this novelty will be anything but warmly welcomed by Costa Ricans and those of us who miss our Venti White Chocolate Latte or Peppermint Mocha Latte. Starbucks already buys coffee from Costa Rica so it’s only natural that they would open a store here eventually.
When is the much awaited date? May 2012. Starbucks has close to 11, 000 stores in Read more
Costa Rica has become quite the topic of conversation. So much so, that last December there were two articles written about retiring to Costa Rica.
The first in The Wall Street Journal recanted the experiences of two retirees as they planned and consequently moved to Costa Rica. Some interesting points were made here. An important point is the need for planning before moving here. However, I think one of the most important steps in planning may have been overlooked by the writer, Vicki Berrong. The process of applying for residency can be started before you even step foot on Costa Rica. If you start before you move this can actually make the process easier. For more information on permanent Read more
Choice? What Choice? It’s just ICE, right? Wrong. As of June 2, 2011 Ice is not the only player in the cell service game. Tuyo is the first private cell service provider in the country, offering new phones and a variety of services. This new company has been widely accepted and well received by consumers and has finally created much needed competition in the market. After Tuyo’s great start, ICE felt the pressure and launched a Father’s Day sale. Purchase ¢ 10, 000 in Kolbi Prepago minutes and get a free phone. In the past there was no need for sales. ICE had no competition. The introduction of Tuyo in May and Movistar and Claro in December has pushed ICE Read more
Now just may be the time to visit Costa Rica, if you can manage to make the trip that is. The economy is on a down-turn everywhere, including Costa Rica, making your vacation even more affordable. If you have been saving up to take a trip, now is the time to do it!
If you watch ticket prices at all, check out the fares on www.kayak.com, www.cheaptickets.com, www.orbitz.com and even www.expedia.com (which in my opinion never has that great of prices). All the fares are down a large percentage from what they were last year at this time. Everyone is trying to make the sale, even if that means lowering prices way down.
There are a ton of different ways to go about getting information regarding traveling to and living in Costa Rica. But how do you know the information is reliable? Plenty of you have e-mailed asking for information, but as you know… I don’t always find the time to answer, and sometimes I just don’t have the answers! I can, however, connect you with the people who do have the answers!
I, together with all the other Gringo writers (see my blogroll for affiliate sites) have worked to create a database that puts you in contact with the people you need to reach in Panama (and Guatemala, Costa Rica, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and more!)
If you are looking for legal services, real Read more
I think the writer at BirdingCraft.com put it best saying, “The upsides of living in a seismically active country are the hot springs and I suppose visiting active volcanoes. The downside is of course the possibility of having your house collapse onto your head or other nasty effects cause by EARTHQUAKE.”
It was a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at 2 pm and the death toll is now estimated at about 40. (Reuters)
Daniel Gallardo, the National Emergency Commission head, believes that the 14 bodies in addition to the 23 missing are probably it as far as fatalities go.
“If there are (more) people missing,” he said, “their families will advise us. It’s unlikely Read more
The vast majority of Latin America is expressing their excitement over the “election of change” in the United States with Obama being voted into office earlier this month. Costa Rica is no exception.
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias had this to say:
As a Costa Rican Democrat and I am very happy for what happened in the United States. The significance of this election is too big, not only for that country but also for the rest of the world.
He went on to compare Obama to JF Kennedy for his “idealism.”
Elections are right around the corner, and they are what practically everyone the world over is talking about. But, what effect will the election of Obama have on Costa Rica? And what if McCain takes office? Both scenarios have pros and cons for Costa Rica.
If McCain takes office and puts his plans into action to reduce the American tax burden wealthy Americans might be more inclined to spend their disposable income investing in Costa Rica. McCain also supports CAFTA, which would fuel trade and the outsourcing of labor to Costa Rica. McCain’s proposal of a Wall Street bailout could end with banks finding their feet again, supporting investment in Costa Rica. However, many Costa Ricans do Read more
The United States economy may be failing, but that is not affecting the Costa Rican real estate market. In fact, the Costa Rica market is flourishing. Add to a booming market the growing popularity of Costa Rica as a tourist destination and you have the perfect setting for investment.
With the real estate market in the States struggling, many investors are looking abroad for investment opportunities. Costa Rica is full of them. Even with the decline in the States, the local market has been virtually unaffected. Granted, prices have risen over the last few years, making it a more costly investment, but they are continuing to climb steadily, and as more people invest the profit turn around Read more
The United States Presidential campaigns are in full swing, and while most of the expat Americans living in Costa Rica came here out of irritation with the United States government we still have a right to have our vote.
For those who have yet to register to vote absentee or those who have not yet received an absentee ballot, but are eligible to vote, the Democrats Abroad of Costa Rica are here to help. The association is sponsoring a non-partisan voting opportunity to be held Saturday at the Aurola Holiday Inn in downtown San Jose, on the third floor.
Bring a form of identification, such as your US driver’s license or passport, the address in the Read more
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