The land of opportunity. In the past the United States has been synonymous with prosperity and opportunities for all. That is no longer the case. While jobs are scarce in the States, Costa Rica has plenty of work for those with certain skills.
Call Centers. In the central valley, hundreds of people go to work everyday as customer service representatives for large American companies. Native English speakers are usually preferred for high level managerial positions, sometimes even working from home and setting your own schedule. Jobs are available for part-time work and full-time work with pay usually starting at around $900 USD per month, (which is a really high-paying job for the average Costa Rican). If you have experience Read more
It’s that time of the year again. Starting Monday November 15, 2010 you can purchase your 2011 Marchamo. If you are new to Costa Rica you might be asking yourself, What is a marchamo? It’s the annual vehicular circulation permit issued by the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros). What are the requirements?
Current RTV (vehicle inspection). Your vehicle inspection is due between January and October depending on the last number of your license plate. License plates ending in 1 get inspected in January, those ending in 2 February and so on. Vehicles older than 5 years need to be inspected annually and those newer than 5 years are only inspected biannually. Public transportation vehicles still have time to
Is Costa Rica safe? I get asked that question a lot. The answer is yes. Costa Rica is a lot safer than other Central American countries. Costa Rica hasn’t even had an army since 1948, and the government has been fairly stable since then. Is Costa Rica perfect? No. Like anywhere else there are some areas that are safer than others. Living in a rural area is always safer than living in a large city. How can you tell if an area is safe before you move in? How can you protect your home and your family while living in Costa Rica?
Look for bars on the doors and windows. There are still lots of small towns in Costa Rica
What are the entry/exit requirements in Costa Rica? What should I do if I want to become a Costa Rican citizen? These questions can seem overwhelming and sorting through all the information available is a big job. Fortunately Costa Rica has very clear policies and the government websites have reliable up-to-date information on the subject.
Entry/Exit Requirements vary significantly depending on which country you’re from. The United States, Canada and Great Britain amongst several other countries do not need consular visas to enter the country and are allowed to stay up to 90 days. When entering Costa Rica you need to show proof of a return trip, whether this is your first time coming in,
Why are so many people investing in Costa Rica right now? In recent years, Costa Rica’s economic growth has been largely aided by foreign investors. Due to this Costa Rica is very open to anyone who is willing to invest in a venture that will further the growth of the local economy. Investors remain interested in Costa Rica due to high education standards, political and economic stability. Many are investing in property and tourism which bring in large profits both for Costa Rica and the investor.
Property prices are rising rapidly in Costa Rica, particularly land close to the coast. When considering investing in property consider areas that have potential for tourism or that are currently being developed for that Read more
If you visit the beach in Costa Rica, it is not uncommon to see foreign retirees spending their time sunbathing or taking a stroll around town. What makes Costa Rica retirement so popular? What are the laws regarding retirees entering the country? Should you buy or rent? Will you have access to proper health care?
The laws about entering the country are quite simple. The US and many other countries are granted 90 days stay in the country without getting a visa. If this is the case, all you need to do is travel to a neighboring nation and get your passport stamped, after which you are free to stay for another 90 days. Visitors from certain countries Read more
Some of the main questions for those considering living in Costa Rica are: Will I be able to find my favorite foods? Can I feel safe drinking the water? Where should I go if I get sick? The answers are simple and will probably put to rest any doubts about living in Costa Rica.
Will I be able to find my favorite foods?
When it comes to finding your favorite foods here in Costa Rica, it really depends on where you live. Stores like Pricesmart and Hipermas, located in the Central Valley, are very similar to Costco or Sam’s Club and sell bulk items. Other local supermarkets like MaxiBodega, Jumbo and MegaSuper, offer many popular foreign foods and goods. You
Real estate investment in Costa Rica is quite a project, but by keeping a couple of helpful tips in mind you can successfully venture jump through all the hoops and end up purchasing your own little plot of land in paradise.
In recent years more and more fradulent real estate dealings and investment scams. Therefore, it is important to keep your wits about you and don’t give anyone the benefit of the doubt. Many foreigners come to Costa Rica expecting things to run just as smoothly as they do in the States when it comes to business dealings, and sadly, that’s just not they way it is down here.
So, how can you protect yourself from being subject to a Read more
If you are white, and especially if you have blond hair, there is very little you can do to not stand out as a foreigner in Costa Rica. However, there are a number of things you can do that will make you seem more Costa Rican and not call attention to the already obvious fact that you aren’t a Tico.
When you greet a person, touch your cheek to theirs and kiss the air. Main mistake made by foreigners: actually kissing the cheek. To remember:Men kiss women, women kiss women, but men do not kiss men.
At smaller parties and gatherings greet everyone this way and do the same when saying goodbye. Main mistake made by foreigners: Only greeting the
The amount of time I could spend talking about the things you should or shouldn’t do when thinking of relocating are endless. I have been trying to shorten my list to include a few essential do’s and don’t’s for those considering making the move to Costa Rica. Here is what I have come up with.
DO take your time in deciding where you want your home in Costa Rica to be. (Or if you want to stay here permanently at all… this is not something to rush into.)
DON’T buy the first piece of land or first house you see.
DO Rent a place in that area before you buy!
DON’T expect things to be the same as they are
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