Newbie to the Forum

Home Forums Costa Rica Living Forum Newbie to the Forum

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #171247
    VBloomberg
    Member

    Hello Everyone!

    My husband and I are taking our first trip to Costa Rica in June to research a possible relocation to the country. We are considering the move because we want to live where it is warm year around and the cost of living is considerably lower then the US. I have done a considerable amount of reading and viewing of videos on the subject of relocating to Costa Rica but would like to get some input from you folks.

    First of all we are not interested in living in the tourist area’s of Costa Rica…we are seriously considering the south pacific area and will concentrate most of our time in that area…Dominical, Uvita and even further south to possibly Golfito.

    1. First question: Is there a completion date for the new airport in Palmar Sur…my husband will continue to travel for his business and will need access to an international airport.

    2. Second question: We were also interested in operating a wellness retreat in Costa Rica so I would be interested in hearing what the business environment is in Costa Rica.

    3. Third question: I am aware that my experience in Costa Rica will be far more gratifying if I can speak the language but I am also aware the Costa Rican Spanish is somewhat different then your normal spanish, are there any resources available that will help to get a grasp of the language before a move down there?

    I believe that’s it for now and thank you in advance for your support!

    #171248
    costaricafinca
    Participant

    Welcome!
    First the airport is still in the planning process….
    You can open and operate a business here, but cannot perform [i]any physical labor[/i]. This must be done by local Costa Ricans or someone who has Resident status which one can apply for after three years in another category, such as Pensionado or Rentista.
    And if you are intending to operate a wellness retreat, that would likely be geared to tourists….
    Be aware there are many similar places already in existence.
    You really need to visit for an extended time, before you decide to launch a new business here. As you may have read on another recently posted topic, many business do not succeed.

    #171249
    maravilla
    Member

    and as for the spanish — it is not THAT different in costa rica when it comes to basics; yes, there are local expressions and colloquialisms, but spanish is spanish for the most part. Spanish spanish (as spoken in Spain) has a different pronunciation for some things, but don’t trifle about that — any good spanish course will give you the foundation for the language, the rest you will have to learn from living here. and yes, it is essential (regardless of what others may tell you). it will enrich your experience.

    #171250
    sandymae
    Member

    Ooooh do you know how to spell hot? Some parts of Costa Rica burns your skin just pronouncing the name of the town. A few visits about the country are a must.

    Don’t relocate to work. You’ll wonder why you didn’t stay home. It will be a challenge for even the smartest and most business savvy. You are not playing on the same field as “back home.”

    The language is a must. “Yo tengo” es “yo tengo” anywhere. You must learn your verbs. Your life will work much better and you will genuinely feel proud of yourself when you can walk into a grocery store and ask for a pound of bacon (or whatever more healthy item you might desire). We all learn new dichos everyday. The language is quite colorful and expressive. When you can understand and interpret dichos you know you have arrived!

    #171251
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    In years gone by many people spoke about the “new international airport” down south but as you’ll see from my articles I don’t think it’s going to happen…

    The first article was written in early 2006

    1. Costa Rica’s New International Airport to be Built in the Sierpe Valley – Maybe…

    [ https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/944.cfm ]

    2. Costa Rica’s Invisible New International Airport (??)

    [ https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/648.cfm ]

    A “local” airport maybe but an “new international airport”?

    IMHO, that won’t happen for 25 years… If then…

    Scott

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.