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Since you speak Spanish, you’ll be able to understand and adapt to the Tico culture in a short period of time. Find where you most comfortably fit in and have fun enjoying your new friendships here in paradise.
Here’s a few things to keep in mind while you’re adapting to the local culture.
Foreigners who do manage to stay for a long time in Costa Rica do so because they possess patience and flexibility. People who become frustrated here and decide to go back home don’t do so because they couldn’t find their favorite beverage or a suitable appliance. They leave because they couldn’t adapt to the local culture
If you’re expecting things to be the same as in your home country then you’re bound to get disappointed. A move to another country allows you to start over with a new life and experience a new culture in a new environment.
Most foreigners have become accustomed to things such as promptness and efficiency. That’s our baggage from our industrial and technology driven world. The expectation that these things exist in Costa Rica is our problem not the Tico’s.Even after living here 15 years, occasionally some interaction with the locals becomes challenging. When this occurs, I simply remind myself; “If you don’t expect much, you won’t get disappointed” Then I step back, take a second look at the situation that is beginning to frustrate me and remind myself where I’m at, who I’m dealing with and why I’m here. Then the situation at hand doesn’t seem so irritating.
Sometimes the unexpected trials and wide differences in cultural understanding make the transition much more difficult than expected. Years ago I noticed several cultural differences that used to make my life in Costa Rica frustrating. The concept of time I brought along. The expectations of efficiency I had become accustomed to. Misunderstandings with the language I needed to learn.
Cultural differences in comprehending time can be attributed to the fact that Costa Ricans and foreigners place different values on time. People in traditional cultures tend to have similar attitudes towards time, and Costa Rica is still a more traditional culture. Industrialized cultures tend to think of time as money.
Tico’s live for the pleasure of ‘now’ and when necessary, take the time to exchange a little work for enough money to get by on.
We are continually bothered by what we foreigners view as a lack of punctuality on the part of Costa Ricans. Ticos will say, “I’ll be there manana”, but they usually don’t show up. Often they are not hours late, but days late, with no excuse, no phone calls, no apology. Things get done here in their own time, not in the time you want to impose.
New resident’s who can slow down and adjust to Tico time, have a much better chance of making a success of their new lifestyles.
Obtaining residency here usually takes much longer than expected. You need to hire a consultant to get a drivers license. The list of frustrations goes on and on. The bottom line is, if you are not able to slow down and adapt to the culture you’re probably going to end up back where you came from.Culture is embedded in languages, and misunderstandings often arise due to the way in which people of distinct cultures express and understand language content. Europeans and North Americans are very direct. In Costa Rica, the Ticos don’t say things up front. It’s part of their culture and is considered bad manners.
If you don’t understand the culture you get frustrated and some folks become angry and this offends the Ticos. Fortunately, Ticos tend not to follow verbal aggression with physical aggression, creating in reality a live and let live culture.Misinterpretations therefore arise because Costa Ricans view foreigners as “rude” while North Americans find Costa Ricans to be “indirect” or even “dishonest.” Many foreigners feel that they have had to learn to decode what their Costa Rican associates and friends are really trying to say. It’s not that Ticos lie more, it’s that they are trying to save face. They don’t want to disappoint you. If they don’t know the answer, they say to themselves “I don’t know but I want to give my best guess.” You have to learn to listen carefully and read between the lines. A simple word like “Ya” can mean “it’s already done”, I’m doing it right now, or I’ll get to it soon”
We’ve all faced new challenges in Costa Rica and those of us who have been able to acclimate enjoy the benefits. The country’s strong democratic tradition, innovative environmental programs, museums, cultural activities, ideal climate and affordable cost of living continue to make it a logical destination for multinational companies and retirees.
The option to live a lifestyle similar to that in a large North American city is here if you want it. Check out the selection and pricing in any of the major shopping malls or at the local supermarkets. Most products that are imported here from another country incur duties. These duties are built into the price you pay at the cashier. If you want to live and consume the same products available from overseas, they are available here but more expensive than those produced locally.
I prefer the old days before there were shopping malls filled with international retailers and restaurants. I don’t miss any of what these new franchises have to offer. I patronize typical Costa Rican businesses and my budget is much more affordable.
It’s nice to have options and that’s a philosophy I recommend. Plans tie you down. Options offer freedom. You don’t irritate someone because you exercised an option. But there are many times when plans did not materialize as expected and someone gets irritated. Keep your options open and your plans to a minimum.
Live like the Tico’s, adopt their attitude and adapt to their culture. You’ll probably live longer and happier!There are several large multi complexes, see below. Find out where your husbands work location is and we can suggest some communities with good schools for your kids. That way dad won’t be stressed out with his daily commute and you’ll find it easier to deal with the logistics of getting the kids to and from school.
Costa Rica Shopping Malls …
Plaza Real Cariari: Located on the highway to the airport about 20 minutes from downtown San José. Includes three levels with movie theaters and large food court. Department stores include Alyss, Blooms and Brand Fashion. Open everyday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. With 6 new US style movie theaters, http://www.plazarealcariari.com.
Multiplaza West: Located off the highway to Santa Ana, this upscale two level mall boasts 246 shops, a supermarket, movie theaters and a large food court. Department stores and shops include: Tommy Hilfiger, Liz Claiborne, Kenneth Cole and Cemaco. Open everyday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. http://www.multiplazamall.com
Paséo de las Flores Mall: Located on the road to Heredia, the Paséo de las Flores Mall is the most recently built of Costa Rica’s malls. This two level mall includes shops such as Aeropostale, Nautica, Brusini, Levi’s and Dockers. Fast food restaurants include Taco Bell, Burger King, Quiznos, Hamburger Factory, Pizza Hut and KFC. Open from 10:30 am to 9:30 pm.
Terra Mall: Touted as the largest mall in Central America, the Terra Mall is one of the newest malls on the Costa Rican shopping scene. Located off the highway to Cartago, the mall offers 125 shops including Guess, Kenneth Cole, Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Payless and the mega department store Alyss. Fifteen movie theaters and a VIP viewing lounge offer the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Parking is available for 1500 vehicles and a large food court includes a variety of local and international fast-food chains such as Spoon, Rostipollos, Oliva Verde, Inka Grill, Quiznos, Subway, McDonalds, Hooligans and Pops ice cream. The mall is open everyday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Mall San Pedro: The first true mall in Costa Rica, this three level behemoth lies next to the San Pedro traffic circle and includes numerous specialty shops, boutiques, a two level food court, a ten-screen movie theater and a disco on the top floor. Open everyday from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm.
Multiplaza East: Younger sibling to her sister in the west, this medium size mall offers upscale shops and boutiques, a food court, movie theaters and supermarket. Located on the road from Zapote to Curridabat. Open everyday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Outlet Mall: A three-level mall just up from the Mall San Pedro. Includes shops, small food court and movie theaters.
Plaza del Sol: Located in an exclusive section of Curridabat, this single level shopping center includes a small food court, 52 shops and a large supermarket.
Plaza Itskazú: A colonial-style strip mall with a hotel, a number of fine restaurants and upscale shops. Located across from The Multiplaza mall on the road to Santa Ana.
Plaza Mayor: This two-module shopping center offers two move theaters, a large supermarket, small food court and a number of small shops. Located on the Romhoser Boulevard about a 20-minute walk from the U.S. Embassy. Open everyday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Plaza Romhoser: This recently completed shopping center offers a wide variety of shops, food court, and supermarket. Located on the Pavas road about a half-mile west of the U.S. embassy.
Plaza Colonial: Located on the old road to Santa Ana, this small shopping center includes fashionable boutiques, shops and two movie theaters.
Centro Comercial del Sur: One of the oldest shopping centers in the country, the Centro Comercial del Sur includes two levels of shops, supermarket and a several fine restaurants. Located near the Desamparados traffic circle.
Mall International Alajuela: Located near the airport in Alajuela, this somewhat run down two-level mall includes a small food court, shops and a movie theater.
Hipermás: This Wal-Mart type mega-supermarket has expanded to include everything from clothing and accessories to electrical appliances and gourmet foods. Three locations: San Sebastian, Heredia and on the road to Cartago.
PriceSmart: Modeled after Cosco in the U.S., offers wholesale groceries and home products for card-carrying members. Three locations: Zapote, Heredia, Escazú.from the US Embassy’s MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS LIST. http://sanjose.usembassy.gov/medical.html
PSYCHIATRYDR. LUIS DIEGO HERRERA AMIGHETTI
Edificio El Malinche, Office #4, Second Floor Office #: 288-1532
San Rafael de Escazu, next to Rosti Pollos Restaurant Beeper #: 225-2500
Office Hours: 3:00 to 7:00 PM Monday to Friday Cellular #: 381-4563DR. JOSE ENRIQUE ACUNA SANABRIA
Clinica del Este, San Pedro Office #: 253-4302DR. CARLOS GARCIA CHARPENTIER
Clinica Catolica, Guadalupe Office #: 224-0435DR. STEVEN KOGEL
Call for an appointment Office #: 224-6176DR. LILLIA SOLÓRZANO SANDOVAL
Hospital CIMA Office #: 208-1702Here in Belen I see James Middlebrooks driving a large electric vehicle around quite frequently. His office and warhouse is located on the road across from Aqua Mania on the main road from Belen up to the expressway to San Jose near the exit at the Mall Real Cariari. His other office is located in Guanacaste just outside of Liberia on the road to Santa Cruz.
His company http://www.ElectricCarsCR.com has been in the electric cars and golf cart business in Costa Rica for over five years offering warranty, local parts, local service, and service contract all over Costa Rica on everything they sell. They are the exclusive distributor in Costa Rica for FAIRPLAY™ and EZGO™ golf and electric car products with factory-trained and authorized service personnel.
They supply less expensive, cleaner, and more environment-friendly transportation for people, products, and services.
Well said Fountains. You have made very valid and logical observations about getting around in CR without driving yourself. It’s a pleasure to read that someone else has gotten beyond the misconceptions of freedom from the industrialized nations. Limiting petroleum consumption is the first step to personal responsibility for the environment that we all share. Although taxis consume fuel too, we do not need to share the roads with them. Let them do the driving and then you can really enjoy the awesome scenery here in paradise and avoid the stress. Pura Vida!
The bottom line is that building costs per square foot or meter are determined by the building contract and construction specifications agreed to between the owner and the builder.
We all have expectations of how we would like to our home to look. But some of us are not able to clearly envision how all the components need to be assembled to achieve the end result we have imagined.
Photos help but detailed construction specifications are the best means you have to get your dream home completed to your expectations and the way you imagine it to be.
Before you sign a construction contract it is important to meet with your builder and thoroughly communicate your expectations of how you imagine your residence to be. If you don’t have a good building contract with detailed specifications you will probably end up spending more than you anticipated and get disappointed.
To avoid this inconvenience visit http://www.costaricahomebuilder.com and select the “documents” page then review the “construction specifications” in order to begin the process of selecting the items that you need to discuss and put in writing so your builder can complete your residence within your budget and to your expectations. With a good set of specifications you will be able to get the total cost for all the work to complete your residence the way you imagine it to be.
Plus if you select a builder with whom you can communicate and someone who understands the manner in which you’re accustomed to living, chances are you won’t be inconvenienced by the inconveniences that happen here in paradise.What the automobile most represents to most folks is freedom. The freedom of the open road and to be able to go anywhere you want, whenever you want. And that concept of freedom is a hard thing go give up. Just look at the number of senior citizens involved in traffic accidents in popular retirement states in the USA.
Many of us would love to get rid of our cars, if we could find a sensible alternative. That time may not be far off if you take the plunge and move to one of the very friendly communities here in Costa Rica. You can select from many compact pueblos with good public transportation and then your car-free life is not only possible, but very affordable.
Here in the small pueblos, without a car, you have access to everything you need, and you can save money and do your part to protect the environment as well.Keith. I am consistently asked to recommend builders in the areas outside of the central valley and would like to contact the young guy you know in order to talk to him. I was young once and appreciate the energy of entrepreneurs. Thanks, Tom
My concept of true luxury is not having to drive a vehicle. But for those of you who have the need to feel the open road in style, I have a few gas guzzling powerful vehicles registered here with CR license plates and 2008 RTV for sale.
1998 DODGE RAM 1500 , 2 WHEEL DRIVE, 4 DOOR, NEW V-8 ENG, 12,000 MILES ON NEW MOTOR, NEW TIRES, NEW SHOCKS, AUTOMATIC,STEREO, CD…$15,000 O.B.O. ENGLISH 239-6789, 896-5436
1999 FORD MARK III CONVERSION VAN, SEATS 8 PEOPLE, TV,VCR,STEREO,CD, 43,000 MILES….$19,000 O.B.O. ENGLISH 239-6789, 896-5436
Photos available from tom@welovecostarica.com
I’ll suggest a few companies that supply the high-end restaurants and hotels here.
EQUIPMENT
Tips, S.A., Pavas, San José, Tel: 290-2449, Fax: 231-6042
Almacén Keith y Ramírez, San José, Tel: 223-0111, Fax: 224-2412, info@kr.co.cr
Electrofrio, Heredia, Tel: 244-5530, Fax: 244-5830, http://www.electrofriocr.com
Punto Bar: Heredia, Tel: 263-0673, http://www.puntobar.comFOOD PURVEYORS
ALPISTE LIMITADA, Escazu, Tel: 215-3300 Email: alpiste@racsa.co.cr
BELCA Foodservice, Belen, Heredia, Tel: 293-4075LIQUOR SUPPLIERS
HOLTERMANN & COMPAÑIA, San José, Tel: (506) 297-1212, Fax: (506) 297-2145, Email: http://www.holtermann.co.cr, holterco@racsa.co.cr
CISA, Curridabat, Tel: 272-0982, FX: 272-5520, http://www.centenariointernacional.com
GRUPO PAMPA S.A, San José, Tel: (506) 296-0797, Fax: (506) 296-2736, Email: pampasa@sol.racsa.co.crLet me know if you need any additional information. I’m always happy to help an entrepreneur open a new cafe here! Tom
Most cracks that occur in exterior and interior stucco walls here in Costa Rica are usually the result of inexperienced tradesmen using the wrong materials and/or application procedures.
Additionally, the application procedures vary from product to product so this adds to the problem. Using the wrong materials and/or improper application procedures, can result in unsightly cracking, peeling or flaking of the plastered stucco walls and soffits in construction projects.
There are three basic kinds of cracks in plastered traditional concrete and synthetic sheathing products such as DensGlass and the difference is very important to understand.
1. Larger cracks that are not even from side to side – in other words, if you run your hand across the crack, and one side of the crack feels higher than the other side – This kind of crack means that something structural has failed or settled and may be a serious problem that should not be ignored. Common causes are inadequate structural support, foundation shifts or earthquakes. Probably the most important concern in construction projects where synthetic sheathing has been installed on exterior walls is the possible infiltration of water into the wall cavity where excess moisture could cause mold and affect the interior installations.
2. Little fine cracks that are even on both sides of the crack – that is, when you run your hand across the crack the surface feels smooth – This crack is fairly common in the construction that I have inspected here in Costa Rica. It is caused by traditional cement plaster drying too fast, and you will especially see it on walls that have been exposed to sun while drying. To properly dry concrete, you should keep it wet – as in spraying the newly plastered walls with water – for at least seven days depending on the climate. If this is done, there will be fewer if any cracks. These cracks are not a result of structural damage and can be covered up by using silicone type products manufactured by the local paint companies for this purpose. This type of cracking rarely causes interior moisture problems.
3. Lots of cracks that vary in width and are close together and usually curved in a group on walls – These are caused by poorly mixed concrete that contain too much or too little water or a mixture where contamination such as dirt or bad water entered during preparation. This same appearance can be the result of improper coatings being applied to inadequate synthetic sheathing.
For value and peace of mind you should consult with an experienced builder who understands which building products are best suited for the type of structure specified. A qualified builder also needs to know the proper installation procedures for the selected materials and he should have sufficient command of Spanish in order to train and instruct the local tradesmen how to install the products according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
In the case of exterior stucco coatings, the plaster product needs to be not only compatible with the exterior sheathing chosen and aesthetically compatible with your architectural design but also one that is 100% waterproof, sealing the interior walls form the outside elements. A good product that is waterproof is not only cost-effective in the short term, but in the long term, prevents costly maintenance expense caused by moisture, salt penetration and mold.
The sheathing materials and plaster coatings I recommend have been selected because they have been proven to be able to withstand the intense UV rays and seismic movements here in Costa Rica.
I train and instruct the tradesmen I work with to apply the exterior coatings according to the following four step application process which meets or exceeds most manufacturer’s recommendations.
1. Install fiber mesh or metal lath to the sheathing product.
2. Apply base coat for strength and adhesion.
3. Apply top coat for waterproofing and abrasion resistance.
4. Apply final texture coat to create the desired stucco appearance.Most often, depending on the exterior sheathing product used, if it is toweled over polypropylene fiber mesh or expanded metal lath in three coats it will last for many years. The mesh and lath give strength and quality-control of application, and the plaster coatings provide an aesthetically pleasing water proof barrier that won’t crack or de-laminate.
Here in Costa Rica the tradesmen are accustomed to installing the mesh only over the joints where the sheathing panels meet in order to save time and material costs.
Some condo purchasers in Costa Rica have found out the hard way that the exterior plastering products and installation procedures used on projects here have not bonded to the exterior sheathing properly nor have they repelled moisture nor prevented water intrusion into the wall cavity. The failure of the buildings exterior coatings and lack of flashing on windows and doors permitted moisture intrusion inside the walls which has caused the metal structure to rust as well as damaged the interior finishes. All of this damage has occurred within the first year of ownership so the future repairs will only become more frequent and costly to the owners.
There are permanent solutions to correct the problems rather than just temporarily repair the cracks. But you will need to hire an unbiased, and knowledgeable builder who understands the building system and knows the proper materials and application procedures that need to be used to permanently seal and waterproof the exterior walls.
If you discover cracks in the exterior stucco walls of housing that you are considering purchasing in Costa Rica save yourself time and money by hiring an experienced builder to conduct an inspection of the potential problem areas prior to closing. Damage caused by water intrusion into the wall cavity usually requires extensive interior remodeling and potential mold remediation. Remember, here in Costa Rica if it seems too good to be true it probably is. So don’t get pressured into purchasing housing that seems like a great deal but will end up costing you a lot more to repair than you anticipated.
jd. I understand the difference between traditional vs. synthetic stucco. I never recommended using the synthetic products primarily because of the fact that you can cut a whole in the exterior wall of any of the homes where the synthetic products were installed with a pocket knife. The stuff is like cardboard. When I build a home I want it to be strong and protective to the exterior elements. And then when you factor in the additional cost for Dryvit or R-Wall it never made sense to me. But I’m an old sticks and bricks kind of builder and we are now living in the high-tech era, so one must adjust. If you want a synthetic sheathing eye opener do a Goggle look up RE: EIFS LAWSUITS IN THE USA. I don’t enjoy reminding people that I was right. But these defective products cost a lot of people a lot of money.
Take a look at the following posting of how I have tried to describe some recent cracking problems with the application of improper plastering finishes on high-tech synthetic sheathing products here in CR and let me know what you think. TomSarcasm like humor can be enjoyed or overlooked. Ignorance like curiosity is why folks ask questions, and on this site, as a group, we are able to provide useful advice to those who seek it. Not everyone has the ability to be diligent and vigilant when moving to a third world country. Gracias a Dios we now have resources such as this site to help each other.
PS: Peg. How did you or your builder compensate for the inches of difference in the thickness of the columns and pre-cast panels in the interior walls of your pre-fab home?
This type of steel construction is a fine method as long as cost is not an issue and the steel is galvanized and then great care is taken to repeatedly coat the welded joints or torqued bolts with the highest quality anti-corrosive paint in order to avoid corrosion in the future. The flashing and the exterior sheathing being used is the most important part of this construction method because these products are what seal the interior cavity from the elements.
I built a large home in Ciudad Cariari in 2002 with steel construction and this method has some advantages but cost is not one of them. The costly factors involved with this method are expensive sheathing, flashing, insulation, drywall is needed for all walls and ceiling on the interior and of course all of the interior and exterior walls and ceilings need to be finished with expensive plastering products by experienced tradesmen that command higher salaries. Additionally, now a day’s most people have cellular phones and they do not function well inside of steel structures.
I prefer to build with steel because it is the finest method known to man as is evidenced by the fact that most skyscrapers around the world are constructed of steel because it is anti-seismic which is applicable here in Costa Rica. The steel itself is not the expensive part of this construction method. The exterior flashing, sheathing and plastering materials are expensive and must be installed by very experienced tradesmen who have been currently trained by the manufacturers of the products being used. That is difficult here because most contractors cannot send their workers to the USA for training and therefore the installations that are attempted here usually are lacking one phase or another of the recommended installation procedures and therefore the warranties are not honored by the manufacturers.
After 15 years of constructing housing in Costa Rica, I only recommend the use of materials that are widely distributed here and are accepted by the local Latino work force. If someone wants to try new methods down here I always wish them luck. But I do not operate my business on luck. It’s takes hard work and hand on experience to get quality construction completed up to the standards that most foreigners are looking for here in Costa Rica. Look for a follow up posting about exterior cracks on walls where a fine US product was installed where it was not designed for and then plastered with improper materials. The repairs will end up costing the owners a great deal of money because the entire exterior of several buildings of condos now need to be redone the right way the second time.
