[Sweetbeee]

[quote=”rosiemaji”]Technically, you still have to leave every 90 days because you could theoretically be rejected for any number of reasons.)

That’s interesting, when you leave every 90 days, is there a time limit for your return. Most countries don’t allow you to leave so it establishes that you’re a true resident. Please explain to me, I’d like to apply for residency but I can’t spend months on end in CR, thank all of you for your help.

BBG

[Sweetbeee]

Scott, this has been on my radar for at least a year now, my understanding of what’s going on is that it’s financed in part by both Chavez and Iran in case the US puts pressure on the Panamanians to not allow those countries to pass through “their” canal with goods and oil.

Needless to say, the Nicaraguan government is not buddies with us/US, so it seemed natural to build it there. I hear nothing about it in our MSM, least of all the environmental impact. You can ask 100 US citizens and maybe 3 would know it’s even happening. I look forward to hearing this group weigh in on it.

BBG

[Sweetbeee]

[quote=”2bncr”]So is this just more shameless real estate salespeople marketing or is there any truth to it?[/quote]

I’ve heard it for a while now, from what I heard, they were to build a new international airport at Palmar Norte, then they said they were to expand the existing airport, so far, I don’t think anything has happened on either front.

I am ambivalent about it as I want the convenience of it cutting out the long travel time from SJO, but I do side with the opposing group in that it does have an impact in both tourism growth and damage to the environment from tourism and air travel pollution and noise (I work for an airline so can vouch for it) and would damage the very delicate eco system in and around there.

The push for it to be there was to make it available to Northern Panama and Southern Costa Rica and I heard at one point that Panama would be pitching in for it as well. As it stands now, I’m still crossing country…..

[Sweetbeee]

So I guess what you’re all are saying is it’s difficult to do from here in the US. The Paypal connection seems good until you look at the fees, then it becomes less attractive.

It’s so inexpensive to use Moneygram to CR (9.99) but it must be sent and picked up by a person, like Western Union, so that won’t work either.

I’ll keep monitoring the situation, perhaps there’s a way.

BBG

[Sweetbeee]

If you’re looking for a low tech/easy to transport from the states alternative. There are these solar plastic pads or mats that move the water in based on the heated and cooled water naturally circulating through the black mats. I must admit I’ve never implemented them on a pool but you may want to look into it. We opted not to run our place on solar but instead on micro hydro, out place here in the states is all solar, but due to the rainy season, we felt it wasn’t a good return on the costs of the panels. Good luck to you.

[Sweetbeee]

What’s with all the Costa Cajuns on here? We’re from Lafayette and have a place between Dominical & San Isidro in the mountains. I guess we’re accustomed to the rain, greenery and great seafood.

As for cars, our place is a pretty rugged area, so we bought a 77 Land Rover, we love it. We’ve been able to bring our parts down so far, but for the older Series III models parts are hard to find in any country. We don’t live here full time so we’re back and forth more than full-timers so we just haul them down.

We should form a “Costa Rican Cajuns” group so we can all stay in touch. I know there’s another one of us down in Orontina (sp) he’s from Mandeville/Covington area… lots around Jaco because of the fishing.

Good luck to you.

B

[Sweetbeee]

[quote=”cancertomnpdx”]I would like to contact anyone who has either installed a PowerSpout or similar micro hydro turbine on their property. I am looking for people who are supporting a small house off the grid (600 to 900 square feet) and maybe outdoor lighting.

Thanks,
Tom in Portland, Oregon[/quote]

Hi Tom,
I’m assuming your water source has adequate head to produce enough electricity to power your house. We will be installing a micro/hydro system on our property and will be enlisting help locally but it’s not to be done in the immediate future. Where are you in CR? that makes a big difference on finding someone. Also, we are in touch with Craig at (http://www.wildnaturesolutions.com/hydro.html) he has a great unit and had a guy that used to install in CR. However, I tried to procure his services (installing) and it proved a bit much getting him from FL to CR to do the job, we left it where he was to get back to me with prices, etc. Crickets, crickets…..
Down in the south near Dominical and San Isidro is a young fellow at Fuente Verde that is into micro hydro, you may want to contact him, he seems to be representing the Power Spout. I wish I could be of more help but until we put ours in, we haven’t really pinned anything down. Do let us know who you use, if you’re in our area perhaps we could lend a hand on your project and vice versa. My sweetheart installs solar and is a helicopter mechanic by trade so the installation isn’t a problem, getting away from work in the US is why we need to get helpers. Keep in touch on this, thanks.

Bebe G.

[Sweetbeee]

“We know folks who have built a bamboo/thatch/waddle cabina and it’s actually pretty attractive. What shape it’ll be in in twenty-five or fifty years remains to be seen.”

You’re quite right David, and people used to say “They don’t know the long term effects of this or that medical procedure” to me back when, but my response to that is, “I’m damn near 60 y.o. now, I’m afraid I may not live to see “long term effects”, If I were in my 20’s I would worry about such things but at my age, not a problem…. (by the way, that was in regards to Lasik surgery and I believe it was the best money I EVER spent…

[Sweetbeee]

Hi Forum members,

I don’t weigh in often but do love all the info offered in this forum. Tiny houses and natural/alternative building is an area I’ve been involved with over the years, I’ve done some natural building in the US but in the dryer western states primarily, I’m a member of Tinyhouses group, the moderator is a dear friend, it’s a growing group in the US and I’m glad to see it catching on.

I would like to mention a couple of building styles that do work well in humidity, one is cob, that’s the mud that was used on the bamboo house mentioned earlier, it doesn’t contain concrete, it’s basically clay earth, fine sand and a binder, usually straw. It is finished and smoothed with a lime plaster.

Strawbale houses are plastered with cob often and resemble adobe or the early English homes in Devon with thatched roofs. These work well in humid climates AS LONG AS THE COB STAYS DRY with long overhangs and porches. They breathe and are great natural homes. There are a couple of gorgeous dome houses at Feunte Verde Finca down south, set on a hillside and seem to be holding up extremely well.

I truthfully don’t know what the outer surface is on those structures, my guess is they are dirt bag structures, but know they don’t have conventional roofs so I guess they are a cement stucco, I plan to go see them next time I’m in the area.

We have what would be a “tiny house” in Costa Rica, I looked everywhere for a bamboo house with a thatched roof, a rancho, and although it wasn’t occupied for over two years, has waist high thatched walls, wood floors, etc.

It looks like the day it was built (except for the thatch, the palm fronds look scruffy and tired but they keep out the rain). With absolutely NO maintenance it is perfectly suited to the climate and is resistant to the elements.

I guess the early inhabitants had it right when they built that way.

I can see a yurt being okay if exposed to the sun and not nestled in the woods, but it’s really not the right tool for the job, fabric breaks down with mildew, especially the thread holding it together.

I would go with bamboo but that’s me, I have many tiny house photos of small bamboo casitas you can write me and I’ll send you pics if you’d like, either way good luck.

[Sweetbeee]

Hi Group,
From what I read, and not knowing the ins and outs of CR and not knowing whom to trust, I went about buying a little differently I guess. I went to my bank in the US with whom I had a long relationship, and leveraged a US rental property for the money to buy in CR. My bank in the US would never lend against a foreign property so they felt comfortable having local collateral. I realize that is not feasible for people not having that situation, but it is one way to do it. Bear in mind though, I still had to jump through incredible hoops transferring that money from the US to CR, they have cracked down on money laundering and you have to account for every dollar you submit to the escrow company.
Good luck to you.

[Sweetbeee]

Hi Forum, might I weigh in a bit with websites, phone #s, and some definitive info regarding traveling with pets. I WORK for Continental as a Flight Attendant and just recently flew back from CR with 2 cats owned by some friends going back to Canada and had no problems whatsoever.

What I do know for sure:
-There are only TWO animals allowed in the cabin per flight. When you make your reservation, make sure they are aware of your pet and note on your passenger record that you will be traveling with an In-cabin animal so your animal doesn’t get bumped to cargo.
-The pet must stay contained during the flight, there are many people opposed to animals even flying on board and will use any excuse not to share the cabin with them, the good news is our airline will offer to accomodate THEM on a later flight, don’t allow them to force your animal out of the cabin to the belly if there is room in the cabin, stand your ground and refuse, usually that won’t happen and the customer balking backs down.
-Service animals have a whole different set of rules and are treated like passengers for the most part, regardless of their size, do ask for bulkhead to allow room for them at your feet. Don’t pay more for that premium row, that usually won’t be an issue.
If you must ship it:
-Our cargo for pets is climate controlled and the pilots and ramp personel are very aware of your pet through documentation and the animals are boarded LAST in the summer, right before we taxi to limit their exposure to the heat.
-All animals MUST have vet health documentation that is UNDER 10 DAYS OLD, no exceptions, that minimizes the chance that interim diseases could have been contracted.
-The animal MUST stay in its carrier during the flight, if it cuts up about it, unzip and slip your foot into the carrier, most times its just scared and wants contact with you, pet it with your foot, I always recommend that and it usually works. If there’s an empty seat next to you, put the bag in the seat, unzip it slightly and just slip your hand in and pet your animal to calm them down or hold the carrier in your lap and cradle the pet, but don’t take it out.
ALL OF OUR CRITERIA IS SET OUT IN OUR POLICIES at this website, you can track their itinerary via the web as well:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/default.aspx
MAKE COPIES OF ALL APPLICABLE POLICIES to prove to uninformed personel what the policy is or to ask where it says what they are saying IS the policy. They can change but have not for a while.
NOT ALL AIRLINES ARE ALIKE IN THEIR POLICIES.
Some airlines are now refusing snub nosed dogs due to respiratory distress they experience flying. Check that out so you aren’t turned down at the airport. Here are the phone numbers of the 24 hr. live animal desk, (USA 800.575.3335 or 832.235.1541)if you have questions call them, I feel sure they can clarify things for you. As an owner of two yorkies, I wish you luck traveling with your babies….if you have questions, email me and perhaps I can find your answer as I’m used to navigating our system.

BBG

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