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JASON HOLLAND
ParticipantHi Mike,
I would definitely rent – you can find some good long term deals by going through a private owner or one of the smaller local or expat owned rental companies – about $500 – $700 a month. The big names (Hertz, Economy, etc.) generally don’t offer great rates even for a two-month rental. In my opinion it’s better not to have to worry about down time because of breakdowns, etc. and the hassles of trying to sell at the end of your trip.
To buy something like a reliable 4×4 would be at least $5,000, to give you an idea.
ParticipantHi Mike,
Unfortunately you no longer get to import one vehicle duty free into Costa Rica. I believe Nicaragua and Panama still have that advantage – but don’t quote me on that.
ParticipantHi Mike,
The first thing is the value of the car, basically based on the “blue book” value and all the features it has.
Then you look at your car’s age.
If your car is six years or older you’ll pay up to 79% of its value to import it. Three years or less, the rate is 52%. Between four and five years old – it’s 63%. You can calculate your car’s value here: http://www.hacienda.go.cr/autohacienda/autovalor.aspx. The site is in Spanish. No English language version yet.
American car parts are available in Costa Rica, although they are less common than Asian car parts.
There is a dealership that sells new Chryslers, along with some other makes: http://www.autostar.co.cr/
ParticipantJust to confirm, you tried: Panama@internationalliving.com
I noticed you had switched an “n” with a “v” in the address you listed.
ParticipantFor more info on insurance and evacuation, contact the companies in the Rolodex: https://internationalliving.com/country_clubs/costa-rica/rolodex/
And as far as finding out premiums for you and your wife with INS, you have to contact an INS broker. If you want to do that from the U.S. your best bet is to go through the Association of Residents of Costa Rica, who work with an insurance agency.
ParticipantHi Bill,
You’re right about the pre-existing conditions exclusion with INS, which is the private insurer in Costa Rica.
Keep in mind you can also pay cash in the private medical system. Costs are much much lower than the U.S. So many expats use a mix of the public and private systems. For example, they might see a private doctor and if he recommends a procedure, they get it done in the public system, where it’s free. Non-emergency procedures are subject to wait times. But if you have a serious case, they get it done more quickly.
Another insurance option is an international policy that covers you in the U.S. and Costa Rica – and most other countries. While you do need residency to buy Costa Rican insurance, INS, there’s no need to be a resident to have an international policy.
Medical evacuation policies are also good to have – they’ll fly you back to a hospital in the U.S. if needed. And they’re usually not that expensive. I have seen evac coverage available for up to a year at a time with no need to travel back home every 90 days. It’s not really intended for travelers – more for long-term expats.
Residency does take about 6 -8 months to secure – though sometimes it’s quicker, sometimes slower. It’s really case by case. It does help to have an attorney oversee your case.
ParticipantHi Bill,
The taxes apply pretty much anytime a vehicle is imported into Costa Rica from anywhere, so you’re right, cars in the country tend to be more expensive compared to the U.S. Used cars are taxed highly as well.
Oddly enough many of the Toyotas, Hondas, etc. sold new in Costa Rica aren’t made in the U.S. They’re manufactured elsewhere for sale in foreign markets like Costa Rica. In fact, you’ll find several models in Costa Rica that you won’t find in the U.S.
I did find a VW dealer in San Jose: http://www.volkswagen.cr/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/es_cr/concesionario/concesionario.html
VWs are pretty popular in CR but I’d say Asian automakers are most popular and as a result you’ll find the most qualified mechanics around the country.
I will be at the conference in Vegas this Sept 27 – 29. I’ll be speaking on stage twice and will be available in the exhibit hall at other times.
ParticipantHi Tom,
I don’t believe there is a direct route. So, you’ll first have to travel to another city closer to the border crossing, which is called Paso Canoas. I think there is a bus from Uvita to Palmar and from there you can catch another to Paso Canoas. From Paso Canoas there are regular buses to David.
This is a great website with bus schedule for Costa Rica and other countries. But be sure to call the bus company listed on the route as schedules change and they’re not always updated immediately on the site.
thebusschedule.com
ParticipantRenting is a great way to try out life in different parts of Costa Rica. Property management companies are a great way to go because they usually have a large and varied inventory of rentals and you can browse the listings online from home. Plus, in my experience they’ve been very responsive for repairs, etc. and often throw in services like maids and gardeners. Real estate agents / offices usually also have a large pool of rental properties so be sure to check those too in any region you’re interested in. One last place to check is Craigslist Costa Rica – a lot of individual owners have places for rent listed there. But as in the U.S. with Craigslist buyer beware.
ParticipantI don’t think there are different import taxes (is that what you were referring too?) for gas vs. diesel vehicles. The taxes are based on the “blue book” value of the vehicle and its age. Older vehicles pay a higher tax rate.
The only tax break are extended to hybrid and electric vehicles.
ParticipantHi Robert,
Are you looking for a university for your son? The Costa Rica Institute of Technology offers a computer science program – though I’ve not met anyone who’s been in the program.
Many foreign students in Costa Rica take online classes from universities in their home countries – so that’s an alternative.
ParticipantIt’s about $5.50 per gallon for gas and $5 for diesel.
ParticipantA new rule enacted last year requires that you be a legal resident (temporary or permanent) of Costa Rica. So you’ll need your Costa Rican “green card,” known as a cedula. You also need a passport. After that the requirements are a bit different for every bank. But in general you need a utility bill from your home (owned or rented) in Costa Rica, and letters of recommendation (one from your bank back home and one from your accountant in CR, a lawyer, or a current customer). Sometimes banks also want to see proof of where your income comes from – they’re cracking down on money laundering.
ParticipantHi Carolyn,
I can help – I wrote that article. 🙂
That particular service is called HideMyAss.com
But there are many VPN services out there that are pretty good – a Google search will yield many – just check out reviews too to make sure you get a good one.
Basically the VPN will show your computer as being in the U.S. no matter where you are in the world. This allows you to view some content that is restricted outside the U.S. due to copyright. As I stated in the article, some people use it to show they’re in the U.S. for telecommuting jobs that require them to be in the U.S.
ParticipantThere’s no better way, really – it’s personal preference.
But at least starting the process from home is a good idea so you can make sure you have all the required documents, which can be hard to get from your home country to Costa Rica. You can work with a lawyer in CR to make sure you have all the documents in order and then come down to submit them. The process can take months…or years, in some cases…so you could travel back home until it’s finished or stay in the country while you wait. If you have an application for residency submitted you get a special document that exempts you from leaving the country every 90 days and you don’t need to have a return ticket out of Costa Rica.
The best resource for help with this process if you’re applying from home is the Costa Rican consulate or embassy in your home country, although a Costa Rican lawyer can also be a big help.
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