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I know a few places that could consider an event of 75 to 100 to be viable. This, in my opinion, may be more preferable size venue for both musicians and music lovers. American music is in demand here, from blues to oldies rock and roll, amd combined with food, drink and dancing could be wonderful.
Be careful considering 500 to 750 people event in CR, its a different animal, full of traps as you probably already know.Yes. There are no real inexpensive beach places, but decent beaches are on the coast. Careful about any island since infrastructure and other things you are used to may not even be there. I have been to the Pacific side beaches, not the Caribbean yet. Everybody says visit and rent for 6 months before making any decision about location.
Wow, this one needs lots of scrutiny…read the claims very carefully. I may be wrong, but isn’t this where a major fault exists?
For me, unless you have something that REQUIRES you to learn Spanish, then you won’t. You will always depend on others. My application was designing and building a house. I learn best first with books and small classes, but the real way is to stay with a Spanish speaking worker or family in total immersion. Sounds scary but is 100 percent effective, try a combination of all 3 methods, and you will be on your way.
Electric Rates are very high in Costa Rica, especially difficult in the beach areas where air conditioning is essential. The new 2010 ICE electric rate increases (per ICE and published in La Gaceta, are here, effective January 1, 2010:
For residential service, the first 200 KW-hours costs 59 colones per KWH.
For the next 201 to 300 KW-hours, it costs you 107 colones per KWH used over 200.
Then for each additional KW-hour, it costs you 147 colones per each KWH used over 300.
This amount is called the Subtotal Energia.
There is also a public service charge (road lighting, intersections, public areas, night security lighting) that costs you 3 colones for each KWH used in that monthly period.
In addition, all residential accounts using more than 250 KWH per month are charged an additional 5 percent tax, which is the Subtotal Energia amount times 5 percent. Then the Subtotal Energia plus the 5 percent tax equals your Total Bill amount.Solar energy options are available and are becoming popular as the electricity rates have increased more than 40% over the past 3 years.
I am glad to review solar hot water heating options and photovoltaic electric panel solutions to supplement or replace grid power. The newer solar equipment is more efficient these days and systems are now being installed with pay back in several (2.5 – 4) years.
Tom in Portland,
Martin Coto and his crew are building a bamboo home near Poas. The bamboo looks great on outdoor porch ceilings, and I have seen it used indoor ceilings as well. It can be expensive as compared to concrete block.
Dave,
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences in Grecia over the last 3+ years on film. I shared it with my family and friends, to help provide a different perspective than I have been able to describe over my last 2 years of planning and visiting. When we are there around December 21, we hope to stop by for a visit. GlenAK John,
Take a look at http://www.europcar.com It’s off site 10 minutes from SJO airport, and best rates I found.
Yes, I have researched solar powered Direct Current (DC) system for a swimming pool pump, since the water circulation pump is one of the largest electricity consumers. This design does not require an inverter that changes DC power from the array into AC power for a standard pool pump. Inverters can be expensive at +/- 25% of system cost, so we save money by going with direct current.
I am still in the planning stages, and I found that for a 17,000 gallon per day DC pump, with 1.8 KWH solar array, filter housing and installation can be less than $6000. It includes installation, but not sure yet that this includes the PVC piping to interconnect everything. To get a better picture of size and capacity, the application was for a pool 1.25 meters deep, 3 meters wide, and 9 meters long, about 33 cubic meters of water total. Instead of paying $3000 for a similar AC pump system, if I pay $6000 for a DC solar system, and save $50 every month on electrical, the payoff period is (6000-3000) divided by 50 = 60 months, or 5 years.
Thanks pb. I am in touch with intitech, and there is another company out there http://www.interdinamic.com who quoted me a solar powered direct current (DC) pool pump system that I am reviewing. There’s also another company called Poderco that offers grid tie systems. Grid tie is a bit more complicated, requiring an inverter, but the DC system does not, so I am focusing on one of the largest electrical loads, the swimming pool pump.
RE: I keep seeing posts informing people that “pensionados can’t work in Costa Rica” as well as other tidbits of misinformation here in the forum.
David, this is interesting. What are you referring to as the “other titbits of misinformation” — it would be great to clear up any other questions. People on this board are genuine and provide great feedback to questions about Costa Rica. Keep asking.
>>Oh well, must not have been any other tidbits…
Edited on Mar 27, 2008 18:20
I am using 30 year guarantee laminated asphalt fiberglass roof shingles made by CertainTeed. Landmark 30 AR shingles, in the Burnt Sienna color, 10 year algae resistance, installed over marine plywood. It looks great, like slate tile, and it includes integrated ventilation shingles for hips and ridge tops. I can send a photo, installation design info to your email. Totally satisfied so far. GreciaBound 08
