utilities in costa rica

[dsullivan]

My husband and I were talking about the house we want to build in CR, and he said that utilities are more there than here in the states. I didn’t think that was necessarily true, but said I would ask today. He thought the CR elecritcal power supply might not be able to support all the necessities US citizens are used to having. Is this true? How much do utilities run for say, a 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1600sf home, with computer, TV, dishwasher, refrig, stove, etc. I know it’s probably a little different for each household, but on an average.

Any feedback would be welcome.

Thanks,
Diane and Paul Sullivan

[vbcruiser]

Retired Couple – Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Electricity – $220. with the pool pump running 8 hours a day
Add: $100. per A/C unit if you run them. We have them, but don’t use them. We like it hot…but our visitors use the A/C in the cabina. Yep $80-$100 is accurate.

Water – Just went up 500%. We pay $25. per month. We recycle our water to use on the plants. My neighbours pay around $80. per month for water.

Property Taxes – $300. per year (will go to about $2500-3000 with new tax system)

Internet – $72. per month thru ICE (high speed)- lame service (slower packages are less)

Cable – $20 per month (Amnet)

Gas for Cooking – $10. per month

Telephones – Cell $10. per month

Regular line $6. per month

Fuel for the car – $60. per week (live in the booneys, you gotta drive)

Food – $400. per month

Private Medical $110. per month for two

Vehicle Insurance/permits – $180. per month

House Insurance $90. per month

This would be for April 2008. Hope this helps

[tracymartin]

Thanks VB, you are in the exact area where I plan to look for a home, I’m just going to print your reply, for my complete reference! Do you have any recommendation for a hotel in the area, so I can be close to where I am looking? I have heard Playa Grande has the best beaches-any other thoughts?

[xspire1]

I would recommend Sugar Beach Hotel. A quaint beachfront boutique hotel with about 30 rooms. See http://www.sugar-beach.com for more info. I have stayed there many times and it is very close to surfside, just north of Potrero.

[tracymartin]

Thanks, not to sound paranoid from reading all the WLCR crime data thread!-But I will be traveling alone, I don’t want to be too isolated or in an un-safe area, should I rent a car or is there taxi service available from this hotel? I checked out the site and the hotel looks wonderful, plus the onsite restaurant!hanks, Tracy

Edited on May 27, 2008 18:26

[xspire1]

It is a safe place. The hotel can arrange transportation for you (taxi or bus) or you can have a rental car brought to the hotel if you like. You will likely want to rent a car for a few days anyway to be able to have a look around. You won’t have any problems travelling alone in this area.

[vbcruiser]

tracymartin: Sugar Beach is fairly far from Playa Grande. If you want to be near Playa Grande you should stay in Playa Grande or Tamarindo. This is a great place in PG. http://www.hotelbulabula.com/

Sugar beach is closer to Potrero. About 45 minutes or so from Playa Grande.

[tracymartin]

Okay, I’m blond and do confuse easily so go slow, my question is: I want to live close to the prettiest, white-sandy beach, in a safe community-so for my visit to hunt for my house, where is the closest, safest hotel/resort that you recommend? Any input from Playa Grande folk and Potrero and Sugar Beach folk is welcomed.
To be honest, looking at a map, these places would appear only a few minutes apart, if dealing with flying crows! (hotel bulabula sounds good too, but again: address the blond).

[xspire1]

My apologies Tracy. In an earlier thread you spoke about wanting to life in Surfside, which is close to Sugar Beach. Hence the recommendation for Sugar Beach Hotel.

[tracymartin]

Yes X, Surfside is one of the communities I am looking into. Again, looking at a map, all these communities appear closer together, which is a point of confusion. I hope to visit a number of them to see where I want to buy. I have been reading about Potrero and it seems it is an up and coming area, where prices are not as high as in some beach areas, but I want to have a plan of action for viewing a number of spots, again-“pretty beach” is the basic criteria. So rent a car or taxi? Thanks to all for the input.

[vbcruiser]

tracymartin: Al the beach areas run just about together in this area from Playa Samara to the Papagyo. You really need to just pick a spot to stay at, then start your hunt. Good luck.

[FountainsGuesths]

I second that on Hotel Bula Bula! I’m going for my 4th stay there on the 25th of June!! It’s a boutique hotel so LOTS of cool touches including candles in the bathroom, next to the bed, a sarong for you to use, a nice pool, now WiFi, cool people passing through, easy to get to Tamagringo from via a water taxi on the Estuary but most importantly – GREAT staff and one of the BEST restaurants I’ve found in CR!! QUALITY food!! The BEST flavored fried calamari I’ve EVER tasted (& I lived in San Francisco for 17 years & have a biz in Puerto Vallarta, MX – both KNOWN for world class dining!!). The best Thanksgiving feast I’ve ever had also!!

[dsullivan]

Hi VB Cruiser,

Thanks so much for your reply…and all the details! Wow! Paul and I are shocked at how much more expensive things are there now. Gee whiz! Just 4 years ago, everything was a whole lot less expensive…everyone was saying we could live on $400-$1,000 a month easy. Not so, anymore! I wonder what that says for the future of Costa Rica and for the natives. We’re leary about building our dream home there now.

Although…before jumping the gun, how big is your home and where are you located? Maybe that has something to do with the high prices. When are property taxes going up? I can’t believe they’re going up that high! We were totally stunned. I would love to hear from other people to see if it’s the same in other regions of Costa Rica. We probably won’t have a pool, so that would cut some of the cost. Paul and I had our hearts set on building a place there when we both retired. We may have to rethink this option now.

Nevertheless, I do appreciate your email and all the information.

Diane and Paul

[grb1063]

Even at $1,486/month like vbcruiser, if house is paid or not, is a bargain!!! You could not live in Puget Sound for the equivalent lifestyle for a bare minimum of $5,000/month w/ a 50+ mile RT commute. $110 for health insurance….I wish!! My company (am part owner) pays $800 for myself & spouse @ age 44/37. Independently it would cost $1,200/month. A semi-serious abdominal surgery is $50-$80,000 now + $1,000/day hospital!! No wonder medical tourism is so big. Assisted living complexes in CR shuld become a huge business.

[dsullivan]

I know for many people that’s a deal…especially if you come from either the west or east coast. However, my husband and I live in a more moderate area and aren’t used to spending so much. Plus, we’ll be living on our retirement, which won’t be a huge amount. That was the reason we thought it would be perfect to live there in Costa Rica, so we could actually breathe and live a little. When we bought our property there in 2004, everything was so much less expensive…including utilities…which was the subject of my husband’s and my recent debate. (Looks like he won this one.) Of course, we would have moved there then if we’d been able, however that wasn’t, and still isn’t an option for us. We have to wait until retirement kicks in, which is not too far off. Here, we’d be strapped each month, and as many retired Americans are experiencing, wouldn’t be able to do much with our dollar. Our concern is that we may end up like that in Costa Rica as well.

I agree with you about assisted living, and my cousin and I had thought of starting an assisted living complex in Nosara, where she lives. A great idea for the future.

You didn’t say what you’re utilities are, and I’m interested in finding out fees in a variety of areas. Just a general idea is what I’m looking for, you don’t have to list everything as did VB Cruiser (which was very thoughtful and thanks again, VB, for that!). I’m wondering if property taxes are going up so high everywhere in the country, or is it mainly in the beach areas?

Thanks for your feedback.

[Author]

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