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This is a very informative read on the health care system:
Tia
I have been to Grecia many times. It is a beautiful town with most of the amenities you would need.
Be prepared for a wet rainy season. Grecia does get it’s share of moisture. So carry an umbrella.
Population of grecia is not know to me, but it is a comfortable and small city. A great central park that is dominated by a beautiful, steel church.
About the Steel Church from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grecia:
A shipment of steel prepared in Rome was placed on a cargo ship bound for Greece. However, the destination was listed as “Grecia” rather than “Greece”. For some reason the shippers decided that the shipment was destined for Grecia, Costa Rica rather than the country of Greece (which is spelled “Grecia” in some languages). So, the steel shipment was sent to Grecia, Costa Rica. Taking this as a sign from God (because the steel came from Rome), the people of Grecia used the steel to construct a Catholic Church. The Church stands today in Grecia as a monument to that shipment.I have sipped and cupped the water from several areas of Costa Rica and it is safe to drink from the tap. Great to shower in… I still dread the thought of drinking the water of Mexico in this manner.
Electricity is 110v standard voltage.
Turn the tables on them.
Tell them you want to see the property without a down payment. Are they going to say no. I think not.
Ask them to pay your airfare if you don’t like what you see cpmpared to what they have developed.
It is true that they have a boiler room in Florida, mass e-mailings and about 6 to 8 websites that push their properties.
I would not like doing business in their manner as a potential buyer.
Read this information for the “Rentista” imigration law change:
Some answers to forming corporations in Costa Rica are on the front page of http://www.AMCostaRica.com today 10 April 2006.
For an inexpensive place for arrival and departure try the Dragon Fly Inn Bed and Breakfast. Dawn and Michael, US couple, are the best people who take care of you personally and I will use them forever. A small place without getting run over by many guests.
Dawn & Michael
http://www.dragonflyinncr.com/
From the States: 011-506-443-41-52Bill Maes
This is an informational page for building in Costa Rica. Great information here:
http://www.infocostarica.com/legal/buying3.html
Bill Maes
Edited on Apr 06, 2006 18:00
There are many homes that have been built from wood or block on the first floor and wood on the second floor.
I would suggest that you find an architect or engineer in the area of your build. You will need him to design the house and submit it for approval to build. You can ask him at the time of design for wood construction.
There are many different varities of wood you can use from fire retardant to bug resistant. Most of these are beautiful woods.
3″ PVC is not the problem… You will need to tell your architect/engineer to design your septic system to US standards. Most systems in Costa Rica are built very small. Grey water is generally dumped on the ground, while black water goes into their sub standard septic tanks and leach fields….
I met one of the principles, Ben Cart, on my last visit in March 2006. He was a pleasant man to speak with and was very knowledgeable about his various properties. As a 15 year resident of San Ramon, Ben knows what he is talking about for his properties.
The $2 a square metter will apply to a few of the lots in some areas, while other properties he owns will be in the $10 a square meter range. One in particular at $10 a square is the Magallenes property.
The Magallenes property is next to my development and the views of the Nicoya Bay and Pacific Ocean from that area are spectacular. The temperature range for the year is 68F to 82F at an elevation of approximately 3,200 feet. The humidity is real pleasant and with the afternoon rush of air from the ocean, it is real pleasant. The evenings at Magallenes will generally require a light sweater… and there are no fault lines even near the properties.
We I last talked with Ben, he was in ownership of eight properties and working hard to make everyone happy.
Visit with him and view several of his properties. He does have a small sales office on the Autopista, about 3-4 miles West of San Ramon.
If you have questions for this area you can write me at bill.maes@denver-homes.com
Bill Maes
Matt
There is only one cell phone provider in Costa Rica and it is a government agency, I.C.E. Most of the new service is provided on their newest GSM towers.
I do know of one US based carrier that has an agreement with I.C.E. to use their cell towers. It is T-Mobile.
You will need to call T-Mobile before you leave the States to have the service turned on. This is not a good idea, as your cost per minute is currently at US$2.00
There are three suggestions I will suggest:
1) Rent a GSM phone in Costa Rica for anywhere from $39 to $69 a week with unlimited calls within Costa Rica. Calling outside Costa Rica with this phone gets expensive. TDMA is going by the wayside.
2) Buy a 198 or 199 calling card to call outside the country with your rented phone. This will be about .13 cents a minute to call the States.
3) If you have a Costa Rican Corporation you can buy a cell line for the corporation at a basic rate of $6 a month for a maximum of 60 minutes. There are no other plans available and you will pay for extra minutes. Unlocked GSM cell phones are available on E-Bay. You will need the CR corporation CEDULA and the sales receipt for the GSM phone to receive a SIM card for your phone.
I did find that when I travel in and out of Costa Rica I can have my cell line turned on and off when needed and the monthly bill can be paid online through a CR bank as Banco de Costa Rica.
This should give a basic insight.
I traveled into and out of Costa Rica a total of two times in 2004, six times in 2005 and 7th March will be my second trip for 2006.
From the Costa Rica arrival jetway to CR Imigration and on through cvustoms, I have never seen any type of testing or questions asked when traveling to my favorite country.
A BIG bowl of jambalaya would be a great treat for your friends.
Take what you want into the country. I have done it many times without question. This trip includes a Playstation 2, Enfamil for a baby, Scotch, Jiffy Corn Bread mx and other assorted items.
Take what you want. The worst case senario would be confiscation.
Enjoy life and share…
Maravilla
I would like to start a discussion with you about your architect and builder. My development property is West of San Ramon about 10 minutes, near the autopista at Magallanes.
Will you send me an e-mail and we can have a discussion.
Thank you… Bill
My plans are for a move to Costa Rica in 2-3 years. In the last 2 years to date, I have made one word part of my thought processes in everything that I do with my daily lifestyle:
“SIMPLIFY”
Use of the word has been working well for me and I will never lose it’s meaning or use. It was difficult for the first few months and I still deal with not buying what I see. I am truly happy now.
Practice what I have in place and you too will see a markeable difference in your general life style and your attitude, as you prepare for the great country of Costa Rica.
Bill Maes
