[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Larry,

Based on the description of what you’re looking for it sounds like you’re already in the right region to start your exploration. The Central Valley is a hub for expats who are looking for a year-round text book comfortable climate – many there as you may have already learned say they never need to use air conditioning or heat which also makes it really ideal for keep monthly expenses low.

Some popular expat communities in the region I would suggest as starting points include San Ramon, Grecia and Heredia. You may even find the Cartago area interesting, although you will find less expats there and more of a need to stretch your Spanish legs 🙂 Don’t worry too much about it – you will encounter friendly and helpful people pretty much anywhere you go and there’s plenty of opportunities for expats to sign up for Spanish classes or even private tutors so that’s something you could easily find access to once the time comes. If you find you need some immediate tools to help you with some Spanish during your trip I suggest the smartphone (or tablet) apps Google translate, Linguee and DuoLingo.

If the beach appeals to you at all – then I would point you toward the Central Pacific with Jaco as a sort of central starting point. That’s an area of the coast that still has access to lots of amenities and Jaco is just about an hour from San Jose so you also have relatively easy access to the city. Although the climate on the coast will be hotter, so again based on your description it sounds like the Central Valley might be a better fit for you.

Enjoy your trip!
Jackie
IL Coastal Correspondent

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Renee,

While I live along the northern portion of the Pacific coast I’ve interviewed southern zone expats for the magazine and the common sentiment regarding bugs seems to be the higher the elevation the less bug issues you will have. The great thing about that area is you can actually find quite high elevations that still aren’t too far from the beach so that’s certainly something to consider.

I also wanted to share with you our International Living rolodex contacts for real estate in the central and south pacific – they could be potentially good contacts to discuss popular home styles and what currently exists on the market to give you and idea of what people are already doing, which could also be an indication of whether or not the style of home you’re interested in would work in that area:

Central and South Pacific Coasts

2Costa Rica Real Estate, Plaza Itskatzu, Local 206 San José; tel. +506 2588-2332 and (866) 374-7798 (toll free in the U.S.); email: info@2costaricarealestate.com; website: http://www.2costaricarealestate.com. And in Jacó: tel. +506 2643-5100 and (800) 578-1773 (toll free in the U.S.); website: http://www.cb-jaco.com.

Century 21 Tropical Breeze Realty; tel. +506 8392-6122 and (800) 346-8142 (toll free from the U.S.); email: info@century21cr.com; website: http://www.century21cr.com.

Rainforest Properties, Apartado 34, Golfito; tel. +506 2775-0518; cell +506 8820-4628; email: rainforestproperties@gmail.com; website: http://www.rainforestproperties.com.

All the best,
Jackie
IL Coastal Correspondent

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Renee,

For this type of tour it will probably be best to try and hire a private guide who will work with you on crafting a customized tour of those areas. For me personally I don’t know anyone who specializes in this specifically, but let me do my best to give you some suggestions I think will get you started in the right direction.

This is a big company in CR that seems to offer custom private tours. I would suggest getting in touch and seeing what they might offer in that area:

https://www.desafiocostarica.com/blog/book-a-private-tour-in-costa-rica-for-the-best-one-on-one-service-with-desafo

This tour company also might be one to check with. TAM has attended International Living conferences in Costa Rica – to the best of my knowledge their focus is in Guanacaste and the Central Valley, however they do advertise to ask them about private tours, so perhaps they would be able to customize something for you?
Here is their website:

Home

And contact info: Email: tourcenter@tamtravel.com Tel: (506) 2293-5529

Also, if you happen to have booked a hotel in that area already for your trip or if you are planning on it, you could ask the hotel directly if they have a local guide they recommend as they will be most familiar with the immediate area.

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Doug,

Social Security Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States, so on the Costa Rican side there will be no requirement to keep that coverage.

However if you do want the option of traveling back to the States to receive coverage, you may want to consider keeping the coverage.

In terms of requirement by US law to keep your coverage, you will want to seek US-based legal advice.

Here are a couple of great resources to give you an overview of your health insurance options in Costa Rica:

What are my Health Insurance Options ?

Healthcare in Costa Rica

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Doug,

APHIS is the organization to check with on finding certified vets: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/find-a-vet/pet-travel-locate-an-accredited-vet

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Sandra,

The rules are very similar, but catered to Canada and you will deal with the CFIA rather than the USDA. Here’s the link of where to go to get started with the requirements for importing pets from Canada: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/exports/live-animals/health-certificates/pets/eng/1321265624789/1321281361100

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Micheal,

Our legal expert Roger Petersen shared a couple more pieces of info with me. He did confirm a $500 limit for travelers entering every 6 months (I thought 3 as you’ll see above, which he has corrected). He was able to confirm alcohol is separate, but you still can only bring up to the allotted amount – 5 liters as you’ll see on the embassy website. He also confirmed these rules apply when shopping in Paso Canoas, and you will be required to stop at the customs checkpoint in Costa Rica to complete a customs declaration form.

-Jackie

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Micheal,

Our International Living legal expert Roger Petersen also suggests visiting http://depositodegolfito.com/ to view all requirements with relation to Golfito.

Jackie

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Micheal,

It’s my personal understanding that you’re allowed $500 of duty free items when entering Costa Rica via any international border, every 3 months. I have reached out to our legal expert though to confirm this, if he gets back to me with different information I will let you know.

In terms of what’s considered duty free, you can find that information on the Costa Rican embassy’s website: http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/111

As you’ll see on that web page, it does include an alcohol allowance of up to 5 liters per person.

I do not have personal experience with bringing in duty-free items at Paso Canoas, but I would imagine as long as you have your duty free receipts and are under the limit, you should be okay. If I come across any other helpful info with regard to this topic I’ll definitely pass it along.

-Jackie

[Jackie Minchillo]

Hi Micheal,

I have not had any personal experience with shopping in Golfito. I was able to find this website with a little information regarding the process and allowances: http://www.golfito.info/golfito/dutyfreeshoppingingolfito.html The website does not indicate when it was last updated, but does provide some contact information – I might suggest reaching out, since Walter is in the area he may be able to offer some information regarding any recent changes: http://www.golfito.info/golfito/contact.html.

I have also shared this question with our legal expert and shipping broker – if either of them have specific information that will be helpful to you with regard to this question I will share it with you as soon as I have it.

Here is what the Costa Rican embassy has to say about items considered duty free: http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/111

And this is a helpful resource for import regulations beyond duty free: http://costaricalaw.com/costa-rica-legal-topics/customs-and-trade/costa-rica-import-duties-and-tariffs/

-Jackie

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