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There is also a tackle shop just South of Jaco on the Costanera. It looks pretty serious, though I have never stopped in.
[quote=”DavidCMurray”]My recommendation would be always deal in the local currency, the colon. You’ll always get the right exchange rate and some places will give you a discount for cash.
If your ATM/debit card has the Plus or Cirrus logo on the back, it’ll work in any Costa Rican ATM and they’re everywhere. The private banks’ ATMS, at least, have English-language interfaces.
Be sure to tell your bank that you’ll be traveling in Costa Rica so you don’t get tangled up in their security systems. And, if possible, bring cards from two accounts just in case you lose a card, the ATM eats it, etc.
Don’t deal with the money exchanges in the U.S. or Costa Rican airports. They’ll prey on your ignorance and give you a terrible exchange rate. On the upper (departures) level at Juan Santamaria in San Jose there’s an ATM where you can get all the colones you need. It’ll feel like you’re right at home.
Too, by using the local ATMs, you avoid having to carry around a big wad of money.
And finally, don’t bring traveler’s checks. They take forever to clear, so banks and merchants may be reluctant to take them.[/quote]
There is also an atm on the lower level(arrivals) near the exchange kiosk and liquor store of the airport.
[quote=”DawnVA”]Ah, so my flight is booked for my first visit to CR! Here’s hoping to falling in love with CR so I can continue with my future plans that put me in CR permanently (still working on this permanent part)!
I am planning on visiting the end of April and would like to explore the Atenas, Grecia, Alajuela areas for the possibility of a future move. Heredia is not out of the question either. These are the areas I’m interested in based on what I’ve found in my research, but here’s what I am thinking and maybe you know of other areas that would be worth researching:
As far as living in CR, I am looking in the Central Valley for an area with a good mix of ticos and expats, but preferably more ticos. I do intend to rent, and will not own a car, so I would have to be within walking distance of bus stops/transportation. I would like to be with walking distance of a market/sodas/park/etc but I do not care to see any KFC’s or any other commercial establshiments within walking distance-however, would like to be accessible to these types of establishments within about 30 mins. I’m looking for a small town feel, but yet, not so remote that there aren’t neighbors for miles. I need to be in an area where I will be able to get internet and hot water (not sure if the remoteness plays into this, but I’m sure it does). I need to be within an hour of San Jose, and within two hours of a nice beach for relaxtion time. 1) What areas would you recommend for me to explore in April? With that being said, 2) what area would be a good central point for me to plant my feet in April to explore the areas I am interested in, or that are recommended? Also, my father and his significant other will be traveling with me and are interested in retiring to CR in the near future (they also have a fact-finding 2 week trip planned in June this year for their retirement research). As far as #2 goes, 3) any accommodation recommendations in these areas? Also, I’m not looking for a top notch resort during my April visit that mostly cater to those on vacation, as we will be on the go the majority of the time researching the areas. Thanks so much for your time and responses![/quote]David Murray has a pretty nice looking guest house in Grecia, you can find it by searching the site or perhaps he will chime in. This would be ideal as he could also offer you advice and help with your plans:D
(Hope you don’t mind me suggesting this DM?)I can’t seem to locate them. I have a feeling the project may have stalled with the recession. I will post if I do come across it. Then again “real sustainable” may not really be the case….
[quote=”redelvis”][quote=”*Lotus”]@redelvis. Thank you for that information. I have come to the same conclusion regarding price, it seems with products like “SuperBloque” or a fabricator of concrete walls the savings is only about 10% over cement block. That said the time frame can be a 1/4 once the product is on site to get your walls and roof up.
[/quote]There is definitely a difference between something of quality prefabricated offsite for the purpose of less construction waste than something prefabricated offsite for the sole purpose of cost savings. I would definitely continue with your due diligence.
I would hate to save money on an inferior product that would cost me more in lost energy efficiency in the long run due to improper fit. Also, bear in mind the strike-slip fault line located on the west coast as well.[/quote]
Yes I am continuing my due diligence. I am comfortable with the seismic resistance and quality of a few of the companies I have found. There are a few very talented, young architects building some interesting homes that I came across and an North American that was building a “sustainable” development near Manuel Antonio.
I will see if I can find the links, this was a few years ago. There is also a community of “loft style” modern homes on Calle Hermosa in Playa Hermosa. They look like they were built from steel frames, kind of cool.
@redelvis. Thank you for that information. I have come to the same conclusion regarding price, it seems with products like “SuperBloque” or a fabricator of concrete walls the savings is only about 10% over cement block. That said the time frame can be a 1/4 once the product is on site to get your walls and roof up.
I was intrigued by the prefab cement walls getting put up on my foundation, which can happen in about a week for a 500F2 guest house. Then hiring local craftsmen to do plumbing and electric and do some of the finish work myself. I am currently talking to a builder from my area(Playa Hermosa/Jaco) who uses traditional block construction and has sent me some sketches. I will also talk to another builder who has used the prefab “wall kits” to build his own home and compare price, quality, time.
I have also looked into Bamboo, but not a lot of homes have been built. There is one in Hermosa that is used as a Yoga studio and home that looks great. But I remember speaking with the previous owner a few years ago and his experience with cost was not a good one.Welcome back Don Diego. I still get a good laugh out of your story of the old and young bull…
My golf buddies really enjoyed it. lol.
“our typical Tico style home went up in 10 weeks, only two and a half months, and it looks a lot better to me than any pre-fab I’ve seen anywhere.”
The problem is you DON’T read the threads or look at the links.So you are not informed, just have an opinion based on a very limited experience. Why do you even waste your time posting about something you know very little about or care to know about by your own admission? I don’t get it? It is truly bizarre…
The thread was started not to hear uninformed opinions about prefab, but to share the experiences of people who have used the method and can share information about their building experience.
John and all: take a minute and click on the links and learn something. I mean you have enough time to post your cripes. None of my posts are advocating prefab as the only way to build. Unfortunately it has been arguing with people who admit they don’t read the posts, don’t open the links and have almost 0 experience with the process.
[quote=”bogino”][i]Maybe I’m wrong about this but why in the WORLD would you want to buy a “Pre Fab” home in Costa Rica? When I think of “Pre Fab” I just think of the GARBAGE that is built pretty much all over the U.S. I sure hope the Costa Rica landscape never gets to the point where it begins to resemble the military barrack type looks of many of these “Pre Fab” homes that are just thrown together and put up here in the U.S. That would ruin the charm and character of a very nice country.[/i][/quote]
I’m not sure what path we will take, but dude you are really living in the past/ignorance. If you simply took the time to look at some of my links or Google “prefab” you would see it is more than “military” style housing.
Just like traditional construction methods it’s quality varies on who is doing the work. Most “CAD” style homes built with traditional methods in the US are hideous. You may be referring to modular?
I don’t know if you have actually been to CR, but it is not a country known for progressive architecture or building standards. Have you seen a typical Tico style home? I have no problem with the tipico house, it serves the purpose of shelter to people who live on an income of less than $600 US dollars a month. Read the thread, Pre Fab in CR is about having the basic concrete walls pre fabricated, to save time, energy and some money. It is not for everyone, some come out looking cheap, some are finished to look amazing. Just like in any project its all about your budget. But prefabricated walls can be a good option for a person who is building a 2nd home and cannot spend 5-6 months here watching their home be built.
Its all about options.
Have a look here, see what Pre Fab actually can mean:
http://www.fabprefab.com/
http://www.rocioromero.com/Try and avoid the weekends. Even with some of the best roads in the world (New York), getting to the beach Friday-Sunday in season is pure hell!:wink:
And we have 4 lanes each way!!
I think you sound reasonable enough Dan, and hell if you did want to criticize the US, who cares? That is a hard earned right of every American, especially a Vet!
Dan I don’t live in CR but have spent quite a bit of time there and have many friends, Tico, Gringo who live there full time.
On 4K a month you will live a grand life, send the kids to school and be able to buy yourself a good used car. Now get down there and see if you like the place!
From NYC to SJO I just payed $283 round trip on Continental in December. I know from Florida the tickets are much less out of Miami and can be double on the West Coast(I may have that backwards?) so set up a alert on Kayak.com with all surrounding airports.
Pura Vida
[quote=”CostaRicaDreamin”]To all the fishermen out there, I’m looking for info on whether a person when they retire in Costa Rica do they have to buy a fishing license every year. And do they have to license the boat also. And if someone could tell me the cost if they do have to have a license. The only info I can find on the internet pertains to vacationers sport fishing. I am interested when I retire to Costa Rica to fish salt and fresh water. Thanks, John Ames[/quote]
Check the Fishing Column in the Tico Times, he has written an article on this, you can also email him questions.
I would look into Atenas and Grecia as well. They both have the weather you are looking for and great views! I am sure David will chime in, he lives in the area and can give you many more details. He also has a guest house that would be a great place to base out of on your trip.
Fairly short, less than 30 minutes to the coast and there are some very good spots for fishing and sea kayaking. Playa Herradura has a nice calm cove that has good in shore fishing and no waves(I have fished there off a small Tico owned boat). On one side you have Los Suenas and its very modern marina on the South side a Tico beach with a couple of good restaurants and bars.
Also the first time you encounter the ocean after leaving the mountains there is a nice calm cove with a few restaurants and fishing boats, no waves at all. Not sure what they call that “beach”.
