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When we were robbed the thieves got in because we left a door ajar in the adjoinng garage for our 4 dogs that slept in there.
Last night, we went to a Tico friends home for a celbration as did our worker and his family, and he insisted we have a ‘guard’ stay on the fsrm. When, my husband went to drive the guard home, he was sitting with the rifle at his side…
We now have firearm in both houses.
As I am writing this, my husband has gone to look for our three dogs as there is no sign of them, and this is very unusual, so we have to go with our ‘gut feelings’ The worker had seen them chase a rabbit a few hours before so my husband has gone of on the ATV to look for them, but thankfully they have just returned, exhausted. Even the one that was bitten by a rattle snake two weeks ago.
I have had to re-write this post, as I had to stop to speak with the local police who had just stopped by to make sure everything was fine, and delicately inquire if we would be giving the annual ‘gift’ the the local police force.
Which we will have every intention of doing.As a point to mention, the telephone repairmen have also just arrived to repair the phone we called in about, 2 hours ago! Can’t beat this service!!
We live in the country as well, and we also were robbed last year and two of our dogs were poisoned then died. There was a ‘spurt’ of robberies, mostly aimed at Ticos, and since then there has been no problem after the ‘suspect’ was caught. We do have an alarm system now.
There seems to be more problems in the higher density areas.
But, there is no way I would live in a ‘gated community’.Unfortunately, the 1-2 house rule will never happen! So, it is up to each individual to think, in advance what they hope to achieve here if they purchase a large tract of land.
Many will go ahead and plant indigenous trees where previously the may have been cut down for cattle. And some will let it revert to nature, which then leaves this property a possible tinderbox. But, in either instance, upkeep costs money.
Whether you decide to plant fruit or veggies , is up to the individual, but it is a lot of retirees who come to Costa Rica and they may say ‘I am here to retire’ not start again, so some will choose to divide their land. Everyone who travels around the country, have seen the ‘lots for sale’ signs offered by both ex-pats (not just from North America) and Costa Ricans and since there are now so many, very few are actually being sold.
ICE will provide free indigenous trees, to reforest a tract of land and are liable to come and check that indeed these have been planted where you have told them and not resold.
We live on large tract and have planted thousands of trees both wood and fruit, have animals, veggies, and enjoy the rural lifestyle, but it’s not for everyone.Chetohrt, I just read your interesting article, and wanted to add that there it seems that there are no flights going into Limon right now, as they were having problems getting fuel.
I second what sprite wrote. Driving through the mountains in the Central valley is a feast for the eyes! With good roads, to boot! Actually, it is good roads from San Jose all the way to Limon, then they are bad.
From Turrialba-Puerto Viejo is 2 hours, San Jose-Puerto Viejo about 3 hours via Guapiles, but I prefer the beaches outside the town and towards the border.
In regards to the scenery around the the coast, it is to flat, very dusty and not ‘tropical’ looking as far as I’m concerned. The hotels and some house have nice landscaping of course.
Again, visit, a few times and take time to check out many areas of Costa Rica, during the dry and the wet seasons and then choose.
Only you know what you want.The Turrialba area is very nice. Scenery is fantastic and not hot, but not cold either. We live in the interior of Guanacaste, and find it’s great. Not humid like the beaches.
We were over there this past week, on business, and although there was 3 cruise ships in port, but there were hardly any tourists around, as the buses arrive to ‘whisk’ them elsewhere. The cruise lines warn that this area is dangerous. We drove further up the coast and still not many tourists around, and since this where the local income is derived from, the small restaurants/hotels, etc were ‘crying the blues’ due to the flooding and customers who had canceled as they could get in there..
Like all over Costa Rica, it is very easy to buy land and homes…but very difficult to sell.
With the price of construction materials going up, it would be cheaper to buy something already completed and would advise you to visit then rent over there before you purchase anything.
Look around the area you are interested in, because ‘what you see is what you get’.
Like anywhere, prices vary all over the country.I was trying to be polite.
I don’t like it at all.It is much dirtier, and in some areas it is full of drug crazy tourists. I personally, wouldn’t invest there, but ‘each to their own’.
The infrastructure is nearly nil. Lots more garbage. You have to realize that the Caribbean side was more or less invisible until the 1990’s. No power, services, etc. Yes, the land prices are less, but at what price? It is still without many services you would expect.
Hardly any stores, so you are required to travel to purchase most things.The culture is more ‘Hip hop’ with lots of folk who enjoy Reggae music. I have no problem with the African/Caribbean folk who live there, I just don’t like the druggies that hang out in some areas, but of course, others may like it.
You would need to judge this area for yourself.If you have just returned, did you not read about the disastrous flooding on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica? Check out the back issues of the online papers.
The rain lasted for over two weeks and they are still trying to clean up the mud that remains. Flooding in some areas of the Caribbean side happens every year, but then again, it happens frequently on the Pacific side as well.
The differences are huge, from the Caribbean side of Costa Rica to the Pacific side, in so many ways. From culture, weather to the infrastructure.
There is nothing resembling Tamarindo there.
Also at present there is a possibility of a new Residency Bill that could change things drastically, and will stop many who are considering the move to Costa Rica, in their tracks.
There are postings regarding this new bill, further down the Index page of this forum.
I would think that the park that ColinMIUS is contemplating developing is similar to the large parks in Arizona or California. Many millions of $$$$ would be required, on the chance that this could be successful.
The one in Belen has a good name, but ColinMIUS didn’t mention the area he is thinking of.I would highly recommend this company, ‘Correduria Adduanera’, in Puerto Limon.You can contact them via phone, 2758-7623. Roberto was our broker,and he speaks English. This is a very busy and organized office. They went ‘above and beyond’ their job, and we wouldn’t hesitate to pass on their information.
I can’t post the story, sorry, due to some ‘irregularities’ that occurred, not due to the broker.
Be aware though, if the vehicle you are intending to import is ‘the first of it’s kind’ to come into the country, you can expect delays.
To bring in a brand new vehicle, the duty will be 52%.Edited on Dec 09, 2008 08:09
Edited on Dec 09, 2008 08:10
There are hardly any ‘mobile homes’ here. Probably not 150! They are not manufactured here, so would have to be imported,and if new the duty would be very high, so cost may be prohibitive.
Water/sewage would be a major issue. Phone service would be a problem as well.
You rarely see a travel trailer here.
Have you been to Costa Rica?I never mentioned anything regarding to your quote ‘my chances of citizenship’.
Again you are being presumptive and jump to conclusions, as I am female.2bncr, I have lived here for nearly nine years and probably have a lot more land here than you do. But, I for one, do not jump to conclusions about people.
But although are obviously an ‘old timer’ you will never have the good manners of a ‘real Tico’.
We live in a rural area surrounded by locals. I speak Spanish, and yes, I do know the National anthem, and can even sing it, all by myself!Edited on Dec 08, 2008 13:46
We just completed the process and pick up a vehicle this past week. Our broker did a fantastic job, but if I told everyone what happened you wouldn’t believe it. So, for those who cannot take any stress, avoid bringing in a vehicle!
Also, take into consideration regarding the availability of replacement parts.
