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bbrunsca: I began recieving my SS benefits at age 62 in Costa Rica which were deposited in Banco Nacional into a savings account. Yes, the US SS will do this for 6$ a month. I also kept working in CR to increase the amount of a future CR SS pension. The US SS became aware of this and because I retired before age 65 sent me a bill for 11K and asked for a check to pay them back. I appealed the decision but no answer yet and no SS payments. My advice is be carefull working in Costa Rica and recieving US SS benefits in CR. It seems that CR did not sign a reciprocal treaty with the US which makes this against the SS rules. No US SS, no job but CR SS. Live and learn. Pura Vida and life in the tropics.
Sprite,
Don’t you understand that Oscar Arias is working on his second Nobel Peace Prize by straightening out the little problem between China and Tibet. If you have any dollars left over maybe you could send them to me.After 4 yrs of college spanish, making as many latin american friends as possible, travel to Mexico and South America, tapes, books etc. and moving to Costa Rica, I find that the best way is a live in dictionary. Still a keeper after “muchos años”. Guess I should be pretty fluent after all that.
Has it occured to anyone that maybe the reason for the mysterious fluctuations in the $/ Colon exchange rate may be due to manipulation by some big players in the Costa Rican marketplace? In the later part of 2008 the colon strangely became stronger against the $ and the reasones given were that businesses were selling off their $s to pay “aguinaldos” and taxes. Did this only happen in 2008? I can’t remember this happening in other years. Normally, in other years there is a shortage of $s to finance year end shoppping. A relatively small amount of influx can have a big effect on the local market. A 2 or3% swing in a weeks time is a decent return.
If you have Money Gram services in Canada it may be the best way for the transfer. Cheap,safe and almost immediate. The only hassle is waiting in line at the bank in CR
If the property is anywhere in the central valley, 8$/m2 is a great price. Check out the prices in La Garita, Atenas, Grecia and many other areas to get an idea what is being asked.
Why would Costa Rica celebrate the inauguration of a US president??? Many Costa Ricans may be very happy about the new president but I doubt they will be dancing in the streets like they do when La Selección wins a game.
Alexgil and Scott, The name of the tour operator and manager (Aensa Aerotours and Mr. Luis Paulino Guzman) were in La Nacion, Sat., Jan. 10 on page 10. I also saw the interview of the owner making his outrageous statements and he din’t convince me. What a shame. The waterfall gardens and the whole Vare Blanca area are one of most beautiful in Costa Rica. I have been there several times but won’t be going back except maybe in my next life.
Alexgil,to say that the actions of the private heliocopter operators charging $500 or more to evacuate the earthquake victims was “pretty disgusting”
is an understatement. Mr Luis Paulino Guzman and Aerotour Aensa should be ashamed of themselves and ICT (Instituto Costarricense de Tourismo) should jerk their tourist license if they have one. They probably didn’t break any laws but their complete disregard for the suffering of the victims for a few dollars is morally reprehensible. Bad Karma. What goes around comes around. These people need all the help they can get and I second your plea for assistance.Sprite: George Washington and Fidel Castro in one breath!!! I’m amazed. Maybe you should ask your Cuban friends what “paredón” means.
Sprite, I hate to disagree but I haved lived in Costa Rica for over 35 years, speak fluent Spanish,have Costa Rican grandchildren and have a pension from the CR gov. so I can tell you from personal experience that MOST ticos are not the least bit interested in living under Cuban type socialism. As for the swill, it seems most US news is very sympathetic to the socialist cause. Fidel chose himself with guns and kept on doing so for 50 years.
