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Since you mention George’s tour, I’ll presume you’re interested in a potential retirement to CR. Do you like living in heat and humidty? If the answer is no, then George’s tour is terrific, and likely broad enough for you – you visit a number of different communities and areas in the Central Valley, all which have lower heat and humidity than the coastal regions. You will not find a better more comprehensive tour at twice the price. If the answer is yes, then George’s tour is probably not for you (although he has begun a South Pacific region tour, which I am not familiar with), and you should be looking for a comprehensive coastal tour. I’m a less heat and humidity guy, so I found George’s tour ideal for me.
Buena suerte,
JimI don’t have a first hand answer for you, so you might have to do some of your own investigation. We met a Tica last year who had moved back to CR after 20 years in the US. She shipped numerous boxes of possessions as air freight via Taca out of Miami for a relatively nominal sum. I can’t tell you what she paid, but it worked out to far less per cubic foot than $2500 for a 6x6x6 palet.
Bueno suerte,
JimDavid, do you have satellite interset via Sun Sat also, or are you on a dial up? Seems to me last time I read one of your posts re satellite TV, you were upsizing your dish to a 3 meter dish via Dr. Dish. It that’s correct, were you able to use that dish with Sun Sat, or did you have to get a new one? Inquiring minds and all that!
Jim ParishAlso in San Ramon there is a used book store and internet cafe called “Solo Bueno” with a relatively good selection of books – around a 1000 or so? They have a website; you could check them out.
There was a book store in Grecia with a limited inventory, but it went out of business last fall. There are quite a few Gringos moving to that area; I think it would be an excellent place to open a book store if you had a good inventory, fair prices, and a relaxing atmosphere – coffee, perhaps, and comfortable, inviting chairs, and so on.Jim P
David – what is your bureaucratic reason for passing on superblocque. Having only seen photos of a couple of buildings under construction with SB, my main objection from afar is that the joints in each course line up instead of having a running bond pattern. That strikes me as a weaker construction method. I don’t know if SB requires that or if what I saw was unusual. Having a 90 cm. block (35.43″) instead of an 18″ block would mean handling fewer, albeit heavier, blocks; could save on labor costs there.
JimGetting back on track: I haven’t used this service, but I have read positive feedback on a couple of forums; I have also read that it is expensive, but I don’t know that for a fact. Visit the website for more direct info about their services: http://www.guardianangelscr.com. Their emphasis is on helping folks navigate all the confusing matters that must be taken care of after one relocates – opening bank accounts, getting a phone hooked up, and so on and so on. The goal is to help eliminate stress at a time when there is plenty of stress just from the act of moving to CR.
From the Frommer Website: By Bus–Bus transportation around San José is cheap — the fare is usually somewhere around 15¢ (although the Alajuela/San José buses that run in from the airport cost 60¢). Escazú-bound buses leave from the Coca-Cola bus station, as well as from Avenida 6 and Calle 2, while buses for Santa Ana leave only from the Coca-Cola bus station. Alternately, you can pick up both the Escazú and Santa Ana buses, as well as those bound for Alajuela and the airport, from the busy bus stop in front of the Centro Colón shopping center toward the western end of Paseo Colón.
See this map for the Coca Cola location – San Jose Bus Station Map. http://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=454&Itemid=684&limit=1&limitstart=1 . Also marked “Pavas/Escazu/Santa Ana”
The simple answer – because it is. Shipping packages anywhere from the US is expensive. A few years ago, a small package to Japan cost us nearly $100.
As for fabric, probably the best route, if you buy it online, is to have it sent to a friend or relative to bring the next time they visit you in CR. Mail and delivery services in CR are not terribly reliable. It’s best to get a Miami address through , have things shipped there, and then for ARCR warded to a pick up point. See the ARCR website for further infoMy Spanish is virtually nunca, but I have this handy dandy Franklin Translator. Zarpe’ (“z” is pronounced like an “s”)is a conjugation of the verb “zarpar” meaning “to set sail”. So that last drink of the evening is the one just before you set sail for home? That’s just a wild a__ guess!
Jim PGringoTico: Thanks very much! La Sabana sounds like the one I saw as my plane took off from SJO. It would likely be the one my son would use if he comes, since our home base will be in Grecia. It’s nice to have some options.
And it’s especially nice to find people willing to help!
David, that was my initial response, also. But apparently his coach has given him specific speed/interval workouts that requires a track to accomplish his training goals. That kind of workout requires being able to run very fast for 400 – 600 meters at a time. I think that speed is difficult to run when you are running on a relatively uneven road surface and needing to be on the lookout for cars!
I’m the guy who’ll be walking (not running!)the roads looking for some cardiac benefits!
Pura vida,
JimScott, thanks a bunch for giving me the whole phrase. I can see why it was shortened! Even for a Spanish speaker, that’s a mouthful to have to shout every time you visit someone!
Jim P
David’s advice is excellent, but I just want to add a couple of things. Don’t use the money exchange windows at the airport; you’ll get a much better exchange rate at the ATMS – there is a Scotia Bank ATM right next to the exchange windows. And let your bank know before you leave that you’ll be using your credit and/or debit cards in Costa Rica, and the dates you’ll be there. That will save you the irritation of having your ATM withdrawals denied.
Pura vida,
Jim PLet me conjecture here a bit. Because of the weather, doors are often open when people are home. It’s considered impolite to just walk up to the door where you can look in and see what people are doing in their own home. In several areas of the Central Valley I’ve been in, the visitor calls “Upe! Upe!”, which is a contraction of Santa Guadalupe. I’ve only found one reference on line, but was told by another person that originally the visitor recited a long phrase naming a number of saints, ending with Santa Guadaleupe. The phrase was shortened over time to “Upe”. I’ve looked, but been unable to find any citation for the entire phrase. I’ve got one of those curious minds.
Pura Vida,
Jim P
