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Hi Colleen,
Craigslist Costa Rica is where I found my first rental home. You can also try the real estate, property management, and vacation rental websites for the area you are looking at. A simple Google search for “AREA real estate” will yield plenty of results. Keep in mind that the list price is always negotiable, especially for longer term rentals.
Jason
Hi Xakan,
That’s a very specific question. But try this website: http://www.inbio.ac.cr/pila/
There is some contact information there – perhaps those people directly involved in the park could give you the details you are looking for.
Jason
Hi Colleen,
With that temperature range, you’re best best is the western Central Valley, including towns like Grecia, Atenas, or San Ramon, even Puriscal, Escazu, or Santa Ana. Any closer to the beach and the temperature goes up. The Central Valley is also where the country’s best medical facilities are located.
All that and you are just an hour or so from the beach, the Central Pacific coast to be specific.
Jason
Hi Vada,
You can find plenty of cheap rentals in the Central Valley – starting at $300 for apartments in medium-sized towns like Grecia or San Ramon. Homes – 2-3 bedroom – start at $500. That’s all furnished. You can look for rental through Craigslist Costa Rica, as well as real estate, property management company, and vacation rental websites for the area you’re interested in. There is always room to bargain – so don’t accept the list price.
Cable and satellite TV is widely available with some channels and shows in English. Highspeed Internet is also widely available, starting at $16.
Driving in Costa Rica is quite a bit different than the U.S. Drivers can be more aggressive, for one. It takes some getting used to but most expats are able to adjust.
Gas prices are high – more than $5 a gallon. Upkeep on cars tends to be cheaper than in the U.S. Insurance costs can be higher than the U.S.
As far as bringing personal items and a car from the U.S. versus buying new stuff in Costa Rica… it’s really on a case-by-case basis. You have to figure out what works best in your situation when you start planning a move.
You will have to pay significant customs duties on importing household goods and a car. On the flip side, cars are very expensive in Costa Rica, in some cases double what they would cost in the U.S. And often you can’t find the type or quality of furniture or appliances in Costa Rica as you would in the U.S. My advice would be to contact a shipper in Costa Rica who can help you estimate your shipping and customs costs. Do not work with a mover in the U.S. – they don’t know the process well enough in Costa Rica even if they say they do.
Jason
Hi Kenneth,
I would recommend you speak with tax professionals in both the U.S. and Costa Rica for a definitive answer on this one.
Jason
Hi Vada,
I’m not a golfer myself but I do know the highest concentration of golf courses is in San Jose, the capital, and its suburbs, as well as the northern Pacific coast. From what I’ve heard from golfers, greens fees in general do tend to be higher than they are in the U.S. I can give you can example. The course at Hacienda Pinilla, near Tamarindo on the north Pacific coast, charges $150 for 18 holes.
Medium-sized towns, especially in the Central Valley, will have access to multiple grocery and department stores and doctors. Walmart itself can only be found in San Jose and nearby suburbs and towns. But if you live in the Central Valley, it’ll never be more than an hour away. Plus, Walmart owns a chain of similar stores called MaxiPali throughout the country.
Jason
Hi Jerry,
Most of the traditional tennis clubs in Costa Rica are located in San Jose and its suburbs, including the Cariari Country Club and San Jose Tennis Club. On the coast, you’ll find tennis courts at resorts, hotels, and residential communities on the northern Pacific and Central Pacific coasts, including Hacienda Pinilla on the Gold Coast or the Hilton on Papagayo. If you live in the area, you can usually make arrangements to play on those courts.
Jason
Hi Malik,
As a resident you would be eligible for care through the Caja, Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system. After paying a low monthly fee based on income, your care is free. Prosthetic care should be available. There are also private providers. One I’ve heard of practices just outside San Jose – his name is Dino Cozzarelli. He’s an expat himself. In general any repair work will have to be done in San Jose – it’s the center of medical specialties in Costa Rica.
Jason
Hi Ken,
I haven’t personally used Anywhere Costa Rica, so I can’t really comment on the quality of their tours.
But they do seem to have a good reputation online.
I would recommend just keeping receipts of everything to make sure you get what you paid for.
Jason
Hi Binkley,
If you plan to split your time between the U.S. and Costa Rica, I would recommend buying a home in a gated community. These types of developments can be found anywhere in the country. Having a guard on duty at the gate will give you piece of mind and it’s a common arrangement. If you’re interested there are monitored home alarm/security systems similar to those in the U.S.
Jason
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