Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
[quote=”barbaracjohnson”]
I have an account in a USDOLLAR Banco Nacional. I’ve been able to direct deposit from my USA bank into BN immediately. That is, without any need to wait. [/quote]Can you please explain how you “direct deposit” from your USA bank into BNCR? I would really like to know how that works.
[quote=”srigsby”]
…… Anyone want ot buy a 500m lot in Playa Guiones??
[/quote]Don’t give up on your dream!!
All they were saying is take a more cautious approach and find a way to protect your money and your investment.
Hundreds of posts on this and other forums say “come rent first”. It is not bad advice.
Were you planning to make the big move as soon as the house is completed, or is this planned to be a vacation home?It would be interesting to see the floorplan. From the pictures it appears that the “outside under roof area” comprises 25-30% of the total area under roof, so assuming that to be true that leaves less than 800sf to house the 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, and living area. I know it can be done, but that is a lot of rooms for less than 800sf.
They did do some very nice adds to the house, with the wood ceilings, polished concrete floors, window trim, etc.
[quote=”debiruns”]…… If I bring stuff back with me and am asked to pay duty on it, does anyone know how I can use my $500 exemption? …… I just want to know how the exemption can be used. Thanks!!![/quote]
I’m not sure that you have received an answer to your question, and I’m not sure that this response will answer it in total, but from what I have read, seen and experienced:
1. you don’t “use” it, and
2. customs (aduanas) “applies” it.I’m not sure what item or items you are concerned about bringing in or what the value is. If we had that information it may be a lot easier to answer your question.
But here is what I would do:
a. Be prepared to heed David’s advice and make the case that everything you are bringing is for “personal use” (cat urine odor dispersant?).
b. Have all of your receipts, (hopefully any items that are obviously not for your personal use do not exceed the $500 limit, or $1,000 if that has changed).But –
c. If you are returning with say 14 new iPads, then it will be difficult to make the case that all of those are for your personal use. You could try and argue that they are for Christmas gifts, but that probably wouldn’t work so in that case you need to find the nearest restroom and relieve yourself because you are going to be there a while.
d. After a lot of head scratching and discussion among the agents, you and your luggage will be pulled aside, maybe into a private room.
e. They will go through every piece of luggage and pull out all of the items that look new, and then they will divide them into 3 stacks…. personal use (duty free), subject to duty, and then the last things will be the things they want (those are called “items that are illegal” to bring in to Costa Rica.)
f. then you will argue about the third stack (probably to no avail, but they may move a couple of things back to stack number 2.
g. then they examine your receipts and decide if their determination of value is the same as the actual receipts.
h. then they add up THEIR numbers, deduct the exoneration limit, put a big red stamp on the last page of your passport, and then tell you how much more you owe in duty.If their total is less than the current limit, you get the stamp and your on your way.
[quote=”bealman”]My wife and I plan to move to CR in Mid-October. I would like to open an account and have money wired, prior to moving and being physically present in CR. Is this possible? Thanks[/quote]
I think the chances of accomplishing this are somewhere between “Slim” & “None”, and “Slim” just went home.
These two instances happened in two separate weeks within the past 3 weeks. I did not go into the bank and sit with either couple, but in both instances they went to the bank on one day, were told what they needed (included was a copy of an electric bill from ICE – any electric bill, so in one case they used mine, in the second case they used another neighbor friend’s bill).
They went back the next morning and the next time I saw them they were all smiles and “mission accomplished”.
I could not believe it and in fact on both occasions I told them that they were likely to be disappointed.
So you don’t need to take my word for it, but it did actually happen – twice.
Very good advice in previous post!
Having said that, to answer your question, no, you need not be a resident in CR to open a bank account, checking or savings. It is not as easy as doing it in the States, but it can be done.
And opening a personal account is much easier than opening an account for a corporation. In the last 2 weeks we have had renters in our guest house each week, and both couples purchased property here and both opened accounts before they left CR.I have heard that because of all of the soaking and washing and cleaning and steaming and mixing, it takes almost 7 gallons of water to make 1 gallon of beer – therefore it MUST be good for you!
We have stayed at and left our car many times at Hotel Margarita Bed-and-Breakfast in La Garita.
Address: 100 Metros antes del INCAE. Entrada calle privada mano izquierda (Margarita de La Garita) en frente de porton anaranjado de Apartamentos Palma Real.
City: San Jose Airport – La Garita de Alajuela
Phone: Costa Rica 2433-1280, 8390-2132 – USA 1-800-360-1703 – NL 040-401-2001If you book one of their rooms (very nice and very affordable) on your way in or out of SJO, the parking is $3.00/day. Without a room reservation it may be a bit more, but you can check with Margarita at the above phone numbers. The parking is secure, but it is not covered. The taxi to the airport is about $16.00.
Right now their website makes it appear that the hotel is closed, but that is because the couple that owns the hotel have split up, he returned to Europe and he controls the web site.
I just spoke to Margarita this morning and she confirmed that she is indeed open, and business is good in spite of no website. Most of the people that stay there are returning guests, so they just call her direct.
Hope this helps.
Please notice David’s first phrase: [b]”Unless you are advised otherwise”[/b]
If there is any doubt, it never hurts to ask. Fortunately, in Samara we have very good water and (for the most part) a plentiful supply. However, having said that, it is not unusual for the water department to notify us that the pipes have been worked on or the tank or pump has just been repaired. When that happens, we generally are a bit cautious for a few days. If you are in a very small rural area, I would ask for sure because they may forget to “advise you otherwise”.[quote=”andynjen”]Thanks for all the help and advice. My wife and I have booked our flights (arrive 12 Oct – depart 24 Oct) and while we have a busy schedule planned – I think we can accomplish a lot. A couple days in San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Playa Samara to finish it off. We plan on staying with a friend in Cartago first (for the SJ portion) and then hostels or the like for the rest. Decided to drop the rental car idea and just take the bus/taxi/transfer options. Would love to meet up with anyone that replied (or didnt) when we are down there to say hello and see how you are enjoying your pure vida. :)[/quote]
It is indeed a challenging schedule but it will give you a taste of the different parts of the country so the next time you come back you’ll have a better idea of where you want to go and what you’ll want to do.
And there are plenty of options to getting place to place, as you mentioned. To and from San Jose, “the bus” is a great option, and in between the other venues, companies like InterBus have a very aggressive schedule – then, once you get to Fortuna, Monteverde and Samara, the local taxis are a great option.
Obviously, the rental car offers more flexibility, but they charge so much for insurance and drop off fees the price just becomes unreasonable. And if you aren’t using the car everyday, it is costing you money just sitting idle.
Over 75% of the folks that rent our guest house do NOT get a rental car for their entire stay. Some opt to get a small sedan for 1 day to drive from SJO to Samara. With basic insurance and the drop off fee that amounts to about $110, as compared to $220-$240 for an “on demand” (non-scheduled shuttle service, or $49/pp for a scheduled InterBus travel. The Alfaro “bus” departs downtown SJO at 12:30 daily and arrives in Samara before 5:00pm for $8.00pp. There is also a (very) early morning departure from Samara (4:30am) that arrives at SJO airport before 9:30am, in plenty of time for all of the mid-day departures for the US based airlines. I have taken several of our guest house renters down to the bus for that departure, it’s only about 3 minutes from my house so no big deal. Also, my wife and I have used that service. The only problem is that they stop half way for a coffee & potty break and that wakes me up! Well, in retrospect I guess that may be a good thing!
You have a good plan – stick with it![quote=”crhomebuilder”]I was returning from Atenas to Belén this morning and exited at Coyol which is the next exit east from Atenas on Route 27.
[/quote]
Actually, I think the La Garrita exit is the first exit to the east after Atenas, then comes Coyol – which if I am right makes it even better!!!
Thanks for the great info!
[quote=”jamesgoshen4″]Thanks CRB. What is the travel distance via car from Liberia to San Miguel. I would think that the route would be from Liberia to Nicoya to Carmona to Cerro Azul to Bejujo to San Miguel. No river crossings there…correct?[/quote]
I would think it would be about a 2 hour trip, maybe a little more depending on weather and road conditions. I have never taken that entire route so I’m sure you can get much more reliable information by contacting one of the local hotels, like Crystal Azul http://www.cristalazul.com/
Safe travels,
