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I’d love for some of you to take this time to share some of your experiences of relocating to CR, such as shipping, import fees, shipping a car, finding a home, the unexpected, anything that might benefit those of us that are about to make the move.
Answer some of the questions you had before you moved. I know these have been addressed in some detail, but it would be both informative and entertaining to here “your story”.
Pura Vida
KenHello Ken, my wife and I shared our story with Scott, published in one of his articles, so I won’t repeat everything. Feel free to do a search on that. A couple of quick things I would suggest is to not bring a lot of things with you when you first make your move. You realize after you arrive how little you need a lot of the items, or that some can be replaced fairly easily here in Costa Rica. Many people bring furniture down that does not withstand the climate and in a couple of years it is ruined. We initially stored about 20 boxes of things back in California. On our first trip back 3 months later we eliminated about half of what was in those boxes. We did not ship a container or ship a car here so I can’t comment on that. We were fortunant and found a great place to buy almost immediately. I don’t always suggest doing that. Most people will tell, and it’s good advice to rent for at least 6 months in an area to see if that is where you like. You didn’t mention any details about your upcoming move. Perhaps people could better advise and answer questions if you shared some details. When, where, how much time have you spent in Costa Rica, and maybe what your expectations are.
I made a very good living whilst working on Wall Street and then had the big house with the swimming pool and many of the toys associated with ‘success’ when I lived in the Cayman Islands
Did they make me happy?
No!
Material goods and the tools that were supposedly going to simply my life and give me more leisure time, did exactly the opposite.
Today, I spend an enormous amount of time writing and doing things that will make not make me a dime. I make a fraction of the money that I used to make, have less toys and less complications than ever before and can honestly say that I have never, ever felt more free and content than I do right now and Costa Rica is a big part of that….
So if there was one thing I would encourage you to do it’s to simplify and downsize as much as you can before you get here and try to continue along that same path …
Scott
I agree with downsizing what I have. Most of the things I want to bring are the things I do for hobbies now. I have a fairly well stocked wood shop and stained glass studio I would like to bring, as well as some misc. electronics, a good bed and various household items. Since I will need a container, I will squeeze in some things I think I might use (gardening tools, kayak, fishing gear, etc.)
I presently work at the Space Center, but have found I enjoy renovating homes in my spare time, so that is probably one thing I will atempt when I arrive. I’m a young 46, and like to work, so I’m sure I will have my hands in a lot of different things as time goes by. I’ll be going back to CR in June looking with the mindset of moving and not that of a tourist. I’ve been a couple times before and when I leave, I just think of going back. I enjoy the simple things, and am very patient, so I don’t think I will have too much trouble adapting.
One question you may be able to answer Scott. Would I be better off bring my tools and machines as a Homeowner or a Business?
I am GUESSING here but would have thought that it would be far wiser to declare them exactly as they are – tools for your hobby otherwise you would probably have to pay significantly more customs duties.
Having said that, if you’re a keen woodworker, you may have more tools than a professional Costa Rican woodworker in which case the customs people may want to take a closer look at your stuff thinking that ‘maybe’ you’ll be working here amd ‘maybe’ they should be charging you more.
Plan ‘A’: Would be to bring them in as tools for your hobby and hopefully not pay duties but what would plan ‘B’ be? I’m not sure…
You should have all your tool purchase receipts with you just in case they do try and charge you some excessive duties.
This is unfortunately one of those irritating little questions where you will NEVER get a concrete answer from anybody, even the customs people or import/export specialists – I know! I’ve tried.
Scott
You are correct in assuming that my tools are for my hobby, but I do have quite a bit. I was just curious. I probably don’t have receipts for most, so I guess I’ll have to take my chances and hope I find a good import negotiator.
Ken,
My husband and I, both 44, just moved to CR one month ago. We went through the same thing. What to bring, and what not to bring. We decided to bring our computer and my husbands tools, including a chain saw on the first trip. We decided the least expensive and least troublesome way to get our STUFF here was by air and to pay the extra baggage charge. We flew on Martin Air, and their customer service is unbeatable! We had a total of 16 bags and our 70 dog and 30 lb carrier for an additional $825. Each extra 70lb is $75. The fee for the dog was $75. They made sure there was room for the dog before we bought our tickets. So, we would all arrive together. Everything could not have gone more smoothly. We were stopped in customs in San Jose. They looked in one suitcase that contained about 100 bottles of art paint, and stamped our passport indicating that we would not be able to bring in another computer for 6 months. No fees, no taxes that was it. And with a sincere, Mucho Gusto from the officier, we were off. We bought a new computer before we came, thinking we would be better off bringing one in, but saw the same HP at the local ‘walmart’ type store for about the same price. Really, don’t worry too much about all the stuff. Bring the essentials on the first trip, then decide what all you will really need before you do the whole container thing. Our TV is sitting on top of the dog carrier for now, we don’t have a microwave, and all is well, we don’t miss all the bells and whistles. Although I do miss TiVo! I will bring the box back to CR on the next trip! The first week we bought a cheap car, a 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser-diesel. It’s really a tractor disguised as an automobile. But, it is cheap to fix, easy to fix, and as the locals say, they are known to be able to climb trees.
Good luck with your move.
Debbie and Steve Legg
Debbie LeggGreat information! I have been looking for someone who has actually listed the cost of shipping items. My husband and I will be coming to CR for about 3 weeks in Oct., to see if we are going to relocate in a few years. We will be flying Martinaire airlines out of Orlando as well, and have a dog that will not be along on this trip, but good to know for the future. Would love to hear MORE of your story, and why you moved.
Hola,
We have been busy moving yet again, this time relocating within CR. We bought a 26 acre farm in Monterrey (also known as Santa Domingo). This beautiful finca has incredible view of Volcan Arenal from atop 4 rolling hills with springs in each valley. We plan to reforest the property and build on top of each hill. The vista is unbeatable and reforestating between each hill restores/saves the springs which all drain into the Arenal River about 2 km down the mountain. Careful planning of the reforestation will bring back animals to this area. We hope to build a community that promotes human nature and mother nature supporting each other not compeating with one another. The property has a small dairy operation, 2 barns and a Tico style farm house, that we living in now.
We have been thinking about this project, planning it, and dreaming about it for years, and now here it is, it is hard to believe sometimes.
Debbie and Steve LeggHola
Sounds like a wonderful way to enjoy your surroundings. To be able
to work on a reforestation project sounds so rewarding. Enjoy your
new home. My husband and I are from Canada and have purchased land
south of Dominical. I have been browsing this website often to get
lots of practical information. Where does Martin Air fly out of?
Thanks in advance.
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