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this will give you an idea of the relative costs.
When you own a car in Costa Rica, it must pass a ‘fitness’ test RITEVE every year. That only costs 10,000 colones if everything is in order…if not it must be brought up to standard and tested again…the second time it is cheaper.
Every year in December, you must buy an annual sticker to prove that you have paid the tax and minimum liability insurance,called MARCHAMO The cost depends on the car but mine is 172,043.oo colones. A more powerful car would cost more.
The optional insurance, i.e.. fire, theft, collision costs 235,780.oo colones for a six month term for my car. They do not sell 1 year policies.
If you change that to Danish Kroner, I think you will find that the cost is somewhat similar to what you are used to.[quote=”sweikert925″][quote=”orcas0606″]I think is better to rely on Ticos to explain themselves.
Sometimes we need the help of someone who has met and solved the same conundrums that we foreigners face in a new country.
Such is Life in the Tropics…Roberta Hayes de Macaya
The Ticos…M.H. Biesanz I know this suggestion is repetitive, but the family has lived here long enough to appreciate the similarities and differences among cultures.
Butterfly in the City…Jo Stuart
***Plantas Ornamentales Nativas de Costa Rica*** and any of the books published by INBio, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad. http://www.inbio.ac.cr
These books are about the life force in Costa Rica with and without the interference of mankind. Moreover they are written with Spanish and English printed side by side and thus are a great way to adjust to a new language.[quote=”costaricabill”][quote=”wintex”]Hello all. Looking for information on border crossing, the easiest either north or south.
The absolute easiest way is to take a Nature Air return flight out of Pavas airport in either direction.Let us look at one requirement at a time.
Always first, in my mind, are the children. What ages are they?
Every village has an elementary school for children up to the age of 12. It has been my experience that children adjust very quickly and well to a change in environment, including language, as long as the home is steady and supportive.
If you are concerned about the academics that they might miss while out of the country, there are several sites on the internet that list requirements for each grade level and even assist parents in home schooling.
The time spent in school each day is not long and leaves plenty of time to practice mathematics and read history.
Consequently, were it my children, I would enroll them in the local school so that they could learn a new language and culture by immersion.
If the school lacks ‘things’ instead of paying exorbitant fees for a private school education, you could supply the local school with material things.
[
Go for it Snowbird. Sounds like an interesting journey already[/quote]1st part: My parents, with 3 children, emigrated from Denmark to Canada in the 1950s, not for political reasons but because the economy of most European countries had difficulty becoming re-established after the 2nd World War. Thus, a new culture, a new language was acquired. This was not difficult for me as a child (age 9) but required a great deal of effort on the part of my parents. [age 45 and 38]
We maintained much of the Danish heritage. This is encouraged in Canada, which is ‘a mosaic’ rather than a melting pot.
I am a Canadian citizen and proud of my country’s accomplishments but am also proud of the heritage given to me by the caring culture of the Scandinavian countries.
I grew up, was educated, and am now retired in Canada. How does this relate to Costa Rica?2nd part: I married another Danish immigrant to Canada and he liked to play soccer. As a more senior player, he and his team of recreational players joined a league called S.O.S.( Super Oldie Soccer) which had annual tournaments in various hosting countries. When the tournament was hosted by a Costa Rican team (1996), I happened to have a vacation coming and joined them for the trip.
As I departed from Juan Santa Maria airport, I felt as if the very air of Costa Rica reached out to embrace me. We stayed at The Best Western Irazu in San Jose and Best Western in Jaco. The Canadian team played in Heredia, Alajuela and Jaco. Although we lost the soccer games we were all enchanted by the country and the kind manners of the Ticos. In the bus, somewhere on the road between Atenas and Jaco, completely enamoured by the living fences, I said to my husband, “Someday when I retire, I would like a big garden and a small house in Costa Rica!”
He replied, “Why not?”
3rd part: research, research, research! Having gone through the process of changing countries of residence once, we knew that learning a modicum of the local language was essential. I took Spanish lessons in Canada, while still working, and returned to Costa Rica during vacations to attend language schools in 3 different locations to learn the pros and cons of various climate zones. While attending schools and living with a different family each time, I also learned something of the culture. I joined A.R.C.R. and attended several seminars. By chance, the year that I retired, World Vision Canada advertized requesting volunteers to teach English as a second language to the local people of Costa Rica. W.V. does not operate in the wealthy districts or tourist areas, so during my 3, 1-month, sessions I learned a great deal more about the culture and where I did/did not want to live.
This research led us to set requirements for a retirement home.ie: west side of central valley for the climate; in coffee growing area for fertile soil in ‘my’ garden; rural area for the wonderful people, but a short walk from a road with a bus route; house with water, electricity and telephone; maximum price.
We must have seen about 50 properties with several real estate agents before we found the right one. It is a little paradise! The lawyer from A.R.C.R. helped us with the paperwork and as foreigners, we are allowed to own property in Costa Rica.
4th part: Why am I only a ‘snow bird’? Canada is a lovely country, but for a Danish emigrant, there is nothing lovelier than May in DK, when the beeches are greening and the storks return (see Hans Chr. Andersen) and at that time it is raining in C.R. and still cold in Ontario.
Moreover, June, July and August are great summer months here in the Canadian north. The evenings are long, twilight is a great time to sit out in a garden or a park. September to mid-October is most beautiful around the Great Lakes with the colours of the maples, elms, birches, and evergreens; so I surely do not want to miss that show. Oct. 15 to Dec. 15 really ugly in the north but gets me there to the end of the ‘green’ season, when Costa Rica is most lovely and I can plant in the garden.
A genuine White Christmas needs snow and Grandchildren, so that is spent in Canada. Since I no longer ski, I have no use for snow in January, February or March. With a short visit to Granada, I can stay in Costa Rica till the end of April and then follow the humming birds north.
Problems adjusting? Not really. Some things take longer, but I have plenty of time. The personnel at the grocery store call me by name and no longer ask for I.D. when I use the credit card. At the BNCR the guard opens the door for me and asks how I’m doing.
I do the same and sit down to wait for my turn. I have grey hair and use a cane and the treatment here makes me think that they all loved their grandmother.
The paperwork was taken care of by the lawyer and I use the need to pay taxes in person and get the marchamo for the car as an excuse for an outing.
I volunteer at the local school, both during the day for children and in the evenings for adults, teaching and practicing English.
I attend a local church and greet my neighbours when I meet them. When I need repairs to the car of in the house, there is always a local tradesperson to help me.
Yes, I may pay a little more than a Tica would, but the hourly wage is still less than the minimum wage up here.
Carl, are you interested in the views of a ‘snowbird’? I am not an “ex-patriot” as I still feel patriotic to the other countries in which I have lived, and did not chose Costa Rica to get away from political decisions with which I disagreed.
If you care to know, I will send a more complete description of how the choise was made.[quote=”costaricafinca”]It seems to be correct, 12-13% of your declared pension. And yes, it is expensive.
HOWEVER, if you consider the Costarican worker who has paid the required percentage amount for his/her whole working life…you will only be paying during your retirement years,an amount calculated from your pension, which I assume is less than your earnings during your working years, it seems rather unfair to try to ‘get around’ paying the appropriate amount.[quote=”pharg”]USA vs. Costa Rica – the game that should not have been played.
Having been played, it should not count. FIFA could nullify the result.
NOt even Scots, Scandinavians, or Russians play in those conditions. I thought that FIFA was going to call it off when they stopped for snow clearance in the second half. The Costa Rican players were valiant! They outplayed the other team in the second half. Unfortunately, only the ball behind the (invisible) line counts.I am no expert at this..I usually just read the entries but felt that I could be of assistance in this case.
You have to pay taxes at the source so no matter where you spend your money, the tax must be paid in the country from which it comes. However, when (or if) you become legal residents of Costa Rica, you can apply to the Canadian Government to be taxed as a non-resident. Since you won’t be using the benefits ie. health insurance, old-age pension and suplements, the rate of tax is reduced accordingly. You will still be eligible for CPP as you have paid into it during your working life.
I doubt that the Teachers’ Pension plan will deposit into a Costa Rican bank, but your bank or credit union will forward the money, at a cost and with a delay.I like to bring my visitors from out-of-country to Playa Flamingo and stay at the Flamingo Beach Resort, have a drink at the Mariner’s Inn and watch the sunset over Playa Blanca while sitting on a log of driftwood. It is a place that has it all. It was even better when the marina was open, but you can still arrange for a sunset cruise on a small boat. Personally, I don’t like the larger resorts, but for those that do, there is also the Conchal nearby.
I am a retired old woman with grey hair and glasses. The only weapon I carry is a purse and a cane. I have always felt perfectly safe in Costa Rica. Sure…things get stolen, if they are available, don’t they everywhere?
If I hung my purse off the back of my chair in a restaurant, might it not be a temptation?
If I left my camera etc. on the seat of the car, would that not be an invitation?
People who carry weapons and threaten to use them frighten me more than someone who takes material things. Material things can be replaced but my life and health and that of my neighbour cannot!You asked about Quepos area.
If you like beautiful beaches…a protected and well maintained marina…lush rainforest up the hill/mountainsides…clean hotels (large or small, luxury or basic, by the ocean or with a view) with friendly and helpful staff…great restaurants with fantasticaly fresh seafood…streets, roads and paths that are good to use by foot or horse…accessible by land, air or water…trees, flowers, birds and animals of outstanding beauty…THEN this is THE place for you. I personally find it too hot for 365 days of the year, but visit for a few days at least once a year and frequently bring visitors from ‘up-north’ to enjoy the beauty and tranquility.1. CHICHARONES
2.Not being from the United States, I cannot answer that questions.
3. & 7. You make contact by communicating.
Try one or more language schools with ‘home stays’ in different areas of the country. Your family will show you the local scene and may even have an ‘uncle/aunt’ with a property to sell. Use the week ends to view properties for sale…there are English speaking real estate agents in all areas.
4. Local markets are usually held weekly, but grocery stores have most essentials.(Maybe not U.S.A. essentials?) If you are in the country, the neighbours probably have eggs and fruit.
5. ??
6. YES
7. LEARN THE LANGUAGE!! Attend at least one seminar by ARCR.
Visit different parts of the country.[quote=”costaricafinca”]Unless your kids are bilingual, the public school system won’t be a good idea. Even then, you will probably find them ‘lacking’.
THE CHILDREN ARE AT A PERFECT AGE FOR LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE! Consequently, the public school would be perfect for that. At those ages, they already are able to read English and can gather information from their mother’s internet in the subjects that may be weaker at the local school. Learning a new language and new social skills, ie non-competitive play, will enhance their lives and any specific facts and skills can be picked up with a little home schooling if required.While I tend to take it easy, I have tried the following with children (age 30-45) and grand children(age 7 – 14)
1.You have to go Zip-lining, any of the locations are great, some have longer and higher sections, some have more varied wildlife to see!
2.White water rafting from level 2 – 5 is available, deep-sea fishing snorkling, scuba diving and ocean cayaking are also lots of fun and can be easy or challenging.
3.Hiking in National parks, try Cangreja…not as well known but more rustic.
5. I don’t bike but some like mountain biking.
6. ATV trips all over.
Have fun!
