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dehaaij, I have known CR for almost 3 decades and lived there almost one so I know how slow and different the process can be. I get your point about relativity, but you seem to forget that a “relative lie” is still a LIE (by omission or misrepresentation–no matter) after all and I would venture to say that you may be misconstruing CR laws just because they seem to be more lax with them. CR has an enormous amount of laws on the books and some people are surprised when they’re put to work, but it does happen from time to time. You might want to check with their Chamber of Commerce (http://www.camara-comercio.com/?proc=home ). In any case, the point is that I’m glad there are people who will give the information as it stands, while clearly also explaining to all about this CR “relativity” and still manage to do quite well in business without taking advantage of unsavvy buyers — I don’t care what country you’re in, taking advantage of your market’s ignorance is not an ethical way of doing business…BTW, I was the one posting above that the airport may well just happen, the point is not that it absolutely won’t, THE POINT IS that people shouldn’t think that this is around the corner because if they’re holding their breath, they may just turn a very unsightly color blue and loose a lot of green ($) in the process…
What was written in that website mentioned above (and you can read below) sure as heck sounds like that airport is a SURE thing …I mean, May is just around the corner…Well, I don’t know who will fund this because that’s been part of the issue and then who will construct it…all things that should be in place if the construction is to TRULY start by May of this year…One thing is saying that there are plans (as in some unknown future date) and another to say it’s a done deal…
IF THIS IS NOT MISLEADING THEN WE MUST ALL REDEFINE THE WORD MISLEADING, I thought this definition from the http://www.thefreedictionary.com should suffice:
Adj. 1. misleading – designed to deceive or mislead either deliberately or inadvertently; “the deceptive calm in the eye of the storm”; “deliberately deceptive packaging”; “a misleading similarity”; “statistics can be presented in ways that are misleading”; “shoddy business practices”
I don’t mind going against the grain or against the popular view when I’m standing on principle or values, but I still haven’t figured out your reason for taking this position here…If anyone here in Jersey would have written this blatantly misleading statement for the purpose of promoting real estate sales, I assure you that they would have been brought up before their Real Estate Board and worse…
But you are right about one thing, ‘buyer beware’ applies anywhere and thankfully, they have this site and others like it where they can get reliable information even when it might not be the most conducive to real estate investments…That to me shows integrity and the fact that WLCR is willing to inform some very misinformed buyers out there and even show compassion to some unsavvy purchasers shows humanity.
Saying that Zona Sur which is an area that is quite beautiful, but incredibly remote & difficult to get to (and I know from personal experience since I spent many years working there) will now be made “internationally” accessible IS said with the intention to promote sales while preying on the ignorance of others and not serving the public in anyway…What do you suppose that says about them?
I agree that their methods certainly lack any ethical values (not only for their misleading statements, but for using Scott’s material and not giving him credit for it) and CR is really quite beautiful so you don’t need to make things up in order to get people interested in the place…Whether that airport will be completed within our lifetime, that’s a whole other issue and it seems to me that the smaller airports in the area are certainly sufficient for now, but I would like this area to develop slowly and consciously because Corcovado National Park and the nearby reserves stand to be greatly damaged if that’s not the case…
Well, I don’t think the possibility of a new international airport could be expected in the short run, but it may happen in the long run. In ’82 there was only 1 and now there are 2 Int’l airports in CR, why not 3, but I certainly wouldn’t be holding my breath or investing based on this…
If one of you lives in CR already, getting married there makes some legal sense. My niece married her Colombian fiance in CR rather than in the US (where he lived and she met him) because this actually made it easier for the whole CR residency paperwork he would need to complete, but if you both live abroad and wish to settle in CR, where you marry shouldn’t be an issue. You just need to have your marriage license authenticated by the CR Consulate where you live. It would also be a good idea to call them to get information that may be relevant to this…Oh, if it’s about the romance of it all, there are some hotels in CR that will arrange for your wedding while you’re there… Congratulations, no matter where you choose to tie the knot…
I can tell you that since the news first hit a few months ago, I was very worried and asked some friends from Puerto Viejo how the community felt. Don’t be so convinced that the whole community is against this. There are some that have been convinced that this will bring much needed work, business opportunities to the area and better their roads which if you know the area, you know just how dusty and hole ridden they are–mostly being dirt roads. However, even those that are for some type of marina are not keen on the size nor type of project they had proposed and are asking to see proof/written contracts as to the benefits they are being promised. For example, they were told that this would provide construction work, but since much of what they plan to do there would require great technical skill, the fulfillment of this promise is HIGHLY unlikely since this type of project is not typical for CR and so they asked them to provide the name of the construction company that will be working there and supposedly doing the hiring — something that they did not do (last I checked). The people in Puerto Viejo have been very savvy about dealing with some of the biggest transnational companies in the world and it’s my hope that they will not just roll over and will make sure that they’re environmental future is not flushed down the toilet for a few ‘golden’ economic opportunities they may perceive and maybe even gain for a few years. If there is any one group that I trust to keep vigilant about stuff like this in CR, it would have to be the PV contingency (and communities on down–town & business people alike)…They are currently getting together in PV and in Bribri, formally and informally to get the information and to make educated decisions…Growing pains are always difficult, but unfortunately, sometimes innevitable, but they certainly can be done more on their terms and with more real than just promised benefits…
You are very correct that this will be an ecological disaster. How do you cover over a beach and all of the coral in the adjacent sea without this causing a problem, not to mention that the risk for oil spills and other toxins that would invariably & uncontrolably become part of these waters and spread out (based on currents) towards some of the most beautiful beaches that CR has?? I can’t imagine loosing Playa Negra to this, but we’ll have to see how this story unfolds…
If you would like to get more info and offer any assistance in this matter, you can talk to Gloria Marchiori from Escape Caribeño Hotel via email: escapec@racsa.co.cr, http://www.escapecaribeno.com, 506-750-0103 — She’s an Italian expat that has lived & worked there for quite a few years now and is incredibly well informed and active in the community and you can also contact ATEC via email: atecmail@racsa.co.cr or 506-750-0191 which is one of the strongest community associations in Puerto Viejo…
You can always contact the CR Chamber of Commerce, but I don’t know how much good that will do–it will give you the opportunity to state your case. Let us know if you manage to get someone’s attention….
If you go to Montezuma don’t miss Sano Banano Restaurant, the amazing gathering of Howler & Capuchin monkeys at La Luz del Mono Hotel and surrounding areas and the walk up to both rivers on either side of the town. They have beautiful waterfalls, wading ponds, lush surroundings and you can leave your very own stone monument for the next explorer to find and admire, not to mention that it’s always fun to swim with colorful fish around you… 🙂
Your first night near the airport should not be a problem, there are plenty of accommodations nearby, a good idea since you should make copies of your passport (photo & stamped page) and make any necessary money exchanges, but considering this is CR’s peak season, you might want to have something set up before you leave for CR for Arenal and the Nicoya Peninsula (at least for the first days). There is a wide range of accomodations available in these areas and the more flexible you are, the more options you will have. Anywhere you go, it depends what your priorities are and exactly where you want to be. For example, in Arenal area there are smaller hotels, B&Bs right in front of the Lake with very reasonable prices, there is also Tabacon Hotel which has stunning hot springs and a great Spa, but is quite expensive and you can go to the hot springs without having to stay there or go to some of the other hot springs in the area (although their layout is my favorite, especially at night..) or you can choose to be at the Arenal Observatory Lodge which has always been my favorite, you have excellent views, walk to the waterfall and the old lava trails…There’s a slew of options, I was surprised last July to see so many more hotels and new homes available in the area. The Nicoya Peninsula has a lot to offer also and there are a few forested areas you should look into depending on how wild you want it to be (from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to Corcovado National Park and much in between). Anyway, lots of options and you need to get a good guide book which will give you some of the options–there’s just too many to mention here and you might want to just take a chance and check out the areas for yourselves. Have a wonderful trip!
I loved Antigua too and had a great time there, I found the locals and expats there incredibly warm & welcoming. Even though there are diverse indigenous groups in that city & certainly within Guatemala, the architure is from Guatemala’s Spanish colonization period and not a legacy from their indigenous groups so if what you’re looking for is arquitecture, CR has some little towns with great views, interesting architecture and different cultural flavors. If it’s indigenous you’re looking for, there are 8 indigenous groups and some of their original dwelling types can still be seen within some of their 22 different indigenous reservations which you could visit, but although there are plenty of non-indigenous within the territories, only indigenous are allowed to buy land/home within these reservations.
You can find colonial architecture in Cartago and the surrounding areas, also Barva de Heredia & some other towns in CR, but a lot of the older buildings have been lost or are in disrepair. You will not find as much in architecture as you did in Guatemala. However, there are still many old beautiful churches and ruins that you can still visit and enjoy their arquitecture throughout CR (Coronado, Ruinas de Ujarras, etc).
The Guanacaste/Northern Zone of CR has more influence from Nicaragua as it once belonged to them. San Vito in the Southern Zone has an interesting Italian heritage. Limon has Afro-Caribbean, indigenous, Chinese and more recently European influences that make some of those little towns from Cahuita on down such as Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva & Manzanillo have a distinct flavor from the rest of Costa Rica with Caribbean with Victorian trim architecture and people that couldn’t be friendlier. BTW, Escazu was not so different from other places in CR until fairly recently and actually had legends of witches that weren’t very welcoming–Interestingly enough, that didn’t stop the expat population from taking over the place and today it’s truly like traveling outside of CR. However, the expat influence can be felt from coast to coast in CR these days (some places more than others). You could also try rural living because there are plenty of little towns with names such as Puente in San Carlos, Atirro and Tuis in Turrialba and less rural places like San Ramon, Atenas, Grecia which are far from urban living, but have plenty of amenities available. If you were to be adventurous enough, there’s always la Southern Zone which you can be in Jimenez, Carate, Pavones, Punta Encanto (Enchanting Point) or some other MAGICAL little place in that very, very remote and very, very hot & humid area of CR that I just adore. Anyway, CR is small in size, but there is A LOT (too many to mention here) to see and you have to really do this in person to see if you, the place and the people that live there are a match for you….Best of luck!
Fredo, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this! 🙂 Amazing & entertaining reminder that we can have spunk and fun at any age! Thanks so much…
Thank you for the compliment soflodoug, but I just truly love CR and have done so since the first day I stepped foot in that country many years ago and when I see something harming it, I speak out. That’s not to say that the other posters here don’t also love CR, they just have different views, but you’re right, no need to beat a dead horse. Thankfully, Scott (the founder of WLCR), allows us ramble on with our views, but no need to test his hospitality and his good nature. In the end, this forum supercedes its goal to provide ample and diverse information to its members.
About your post, I can tell you that CR was better off 20 years ago regarding the crime situation and it’s still much better off than some places right now, even in the good old US of A, for many reasons that I won’t belabor here…So it’s not so much that CR is behind the times to other countries, it’s that they weren’t prepared for this future and now they’re working to amend this. I would also like you to consider that other countries that are indeed considered ‘more civilized’ by some practice quite ancient and barbaric forms of behaviors even to this day. In the end, aren’t we all just human beings trying to live well and be happy in our own very subjective ways no matter what level of economic development our countries of origin or circumstance happen to have?
Take care and I hope you only encounter law abiding Ticos/as from now on, they are the majority and they’re well worth making the effort to get to know…
Not necessarily…Although it is customary, in most places I’m familiar with, that the Realtor obtains his/her commission from the seller (homeowner or developer) there are legal arrangements where the seller is not willing to pay a commission and so there are Buyer’s Agent agreements that can be entered into where the commission will come from the buyer if the buyer in fact would like that agent to represent them throughout the transaction. Agency, whether buyer, seller or dual needs to be made clear and who will be responsible for paying the commissions so that there are no murky waters left behind to muddy up the transaction. The point is disclosure. It’s in the lack of disclosure that suspicion will and maybe should arise…
Being as you’re all talking about a Latin American country, I would like to share a very Latin American saying: “cuando el rio suena, piedras trae” which means that when you hear a lot about this, that or the other thing, there must be some truth to it…You might try reading the CR paper, talking to some police & court officers and wondering why they seem to agree that there IS a problem and that there is a need to address it EFFECTIVELY and the LAWS need to be CHANGED because people in fact DO feel INSECURE and with damn good reason.
So since anecdotes aren’t considered objective forms of information to some (as if objectivity is ever fully possible to achieve) and only numbers/statistics are important then we must address the chance factor. I guess then anyone that has been affected by crime in CR is just plain unlucky (as Sprite says) which means that it only happened due to mere chance and there is NO evidence of statistically significant numbers of criminal acts being committed each and every day in CR….Somehow, I think that 600 criminals (that they can identify) just in the San Jose area would differ with that assumption and think their work takes some effort and they don’t just by chance come up with other people’s belongings…Yes, we have to be intelligent about our safety, but the situation in CR requires more than that and bad things (like becoming the victim of a crime) happens to good and vigilant people all the time there and anywhere else in the world if the probability of being a victim of crime is strong enough. If some people want to stick their heads in the sand and make believe that NOTHING is going on and this is just about a bunch of hysterical people coming up with anecdotal information, then I am eternally grateful that the people that matter with regard to this issue in CR seem to disagree with you and are working towards changing something that is IN FACT very broken and in dire need of changing…I for one was very happy to read this article that a friend shared with me http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/enero/30/pais1404106.html
and also to realize this week that there are programs in their criminal justice system already in place & some coming on line to attack the rise in crime in CR (internal and on the streets)…Por dicha!Well, to be fair, the CR government has lots of juicy little numbers to justify the cost that all of this will entail, not to mention that they must also estimate the HUGE amount of people that NEVER report the crime because they’ve figured it’s currently more trouble than it’s worth to take the time to do this, but may I remind you that every one of those little numbers are representative of a human being and their families who not only were personally or indirectly assaulted by having their home/office/car burglarized, but when they recount their stories are now being told by some that this was their fault anyway…Interesting little twist some of those that haven’t been “formally” introduced to the criminals in CR become their advocates and prefer to badger the understandably frustrated and upset victims…
As for me, I’m just glad some nationals have had the good sense to not only point out the problems, but to start working to make CR an even more wonderful place to live and visit for all of us…
Homophobia, xenophobia, stereotypes/prejudices all rear their ugly heads in so many human interactions and you know it boils down to fear & true lack of knowledge of the “other.” The unknown is scary to most of us, and the minority unknown is even scarier because God forbid we be confused with one of “those” people. So while thinking we’ve got “them” down pat thru a label/a stereotype we feel better. We actually lie to ourselves by believing that while stereotyping others, we know them, but you know that the only way around this is to truly get to know more of “them” as the individuals that we ALL are until we realize they are just one of “us” (human kind). Unfortunately, all humans do this, even gays–although I do believe that people that tend to be placed in the role of the “others” often are much more sensitive about not doing this to the reigning majorities, but we can all stand corrected once someone is brave enough to call us on it. Thanks for pointing this out.
I may be wrong, but I believe lurker was not looking to insult the gay community while seeking designing help, even though he probably did just that. He thought he was just clarifying that he wasn’t looking for fru fru because some people confuse design sensibilities with this. He forgot that gay men are men too and masculinity is a social construct that is not the same (nor has it been the same) in all cultures. As a matter of fact, the gentleman I would have recommended for him is a retired architect that studied in the Rhode Island School of Design and creates incredibly non-fru fru, amazing apartments and is very much a very elegant, well educated gay man, but unfortunately for lurker, he is no longer in CR…
