rainagain
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum posts
312
Contacts
1
About me
American
Speaks some Spanish. I'm here 5 years and it gets better every day... hard during Covid because of masks and such... but I use Duolingo every day, and I volunteer to teach English to various classes in my village... that really helps my Spanish a lot. Plus, no other gringos here... so I'm immersed and th
Registration: 24 March 2024
Activity
Relocating to Costa Rica by kbtracy
Hi, our names are Kevin and Bonnie Tracy. We currently live in Mesa AZ. We are both retired military. We are considering relocated to Costa Rica. We will be visiting Costa Rica in August and will need some help with getting around and also ...
@jwboozeriii I'll 'second that' to John's post above, even though I initially wrote that driving is the best way to get around CR... having a Driver means that you can SEE the countryside and not have to watch the rode or GPS. And not just in the ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
How could you possibly know if 'most 911 operators speak English" ????? Of the three times I have called here... NOBODY spoke English. So that was bad 'generalized' information, from you, at the get go...Of course, 'general' information, or ... Read More
Relocating to Costa Rica by kbtracy
Hi, our names are Kevin and Bonnie Tracy. We currently live in Mesa AZ. We are both retired military. We are considering relocated to Costa Rica. We will be visiting Costa Rica in August and will need some help with getting around and also ...
@kbtracy Best way to get around if you aren't the backpacker 'type'... is to rent a car and drive. Using WAZE to navigate, I hear, is quite good.You really need to make a list of places that you want to go according to climate, community, price, ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@gst1212 ok. Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@gst1212 You sound upbeat; and intuitively staying away from SJ is smart... no reason to go unless you need Migration, Airport, or other big city things, like Medical stuff; decent furniture and some building materials. I haven't touched the place ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@gst1212 I think you'll need at least a few more 'YEARS' before some of that content will be 'usable'... but you were thorough and I think, after some thought, that you are a great example of being capable and resourceful; something that many ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@gst1212 Good Point.Since I have nothing up there except bank accounts now... I simply had my Niece's name put on each bank account. She's quite young and honorable and will outlive me. If I need her to wire funds, she does it quickly and I ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@bossanovagal Hi again... Organic farms... i really don't know. but a friend who runs a produce stand in Quesada told me that he sells from local farmers who don't use chemicals... and that is why his 'stuff' doesn't look like Perfect Pictures of ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
@bossanovagal Hey.... I just saw your post with the question regarding Caja monthly costs... sorry for the late response; I have a publisher deadline approaching...your question re: Caja costs... Hard to answer... but I believe you are right to ... Read More
Taxes for expats in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, When settling in and living in Costa Rica, you will also need to navigate the local tax system. In order to help newcomers and expats ease their tax-related experience, we would like to invite you to share your experience. What ...
@daveandmarcia Thanks Dave. I wasn't fully aware of your final point about the self-appraised property value thing... I will have to ask around as to how the locals do it and if they 'don't' (which would not surprise me at all)... I will go to ... Read More
How to adapt to the expat challenges of everyday life in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Adapting to everyday life as an expat in Costa Rica can be both exciting and overwhelming: different habits, systems, and sometimes even unexpected surprises! Simple things like paying bills, using public transport, or even ...
He was a real Hoot!! Like Edwin wrote above... no gloss; just the real thing.I met him in Quesada a few weeks before he died and there was no sign of anything unhealthy going on... he was more fit than I will ever be. I enjoyed being with him ... Read More
Do I need to travel to Costa Rica to sign documents? by Tufty
Hi everyonemy name is Steve. My brother lived in CR for many years but recently passed away. I live in the UK, and have been told I will either have to travel to CR to sign papers to get probate started, or someone will need to come to the UK to get ...
@Tufty I'm sorry for your loss. I hope he enjoyed CR as much as some of us.Can't you have the lawyers send it to you via DHL or similar?? and then you send it back?? You would have to find out what types of private mail carriers have service to ... Read More
Costa Rica, a welcoming destination to expats? by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Costa Rica, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc. To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share ...
@Cheryl I'll throw my two cents worth at your Questions. Good Topic... I would think many sitting on the 'expat' fence are wondering some of the same things....What was your first impression when you arrived?I would say the 'willingness' of the ... Read More
COVINTEC construction experience by costaricahomebuilder
The Covintec system sounds great and makes sense on paper but here in Costa Rica all the input I have received from contractors who have used the system over the last 10 years has been negative. I am looking for some positive input as this product ...
@gst1212 The people here almost never complain about the rain... somewhat refreshing. However, even after WEEKS of relentless downpours... some that can last 40+ hours; and include power outages and inundations of roads and frogs and snakes... ... Read More
COVINTEC construction experience by costaricahomebuilder
The Covintec system sounds great and makes sense on paper but here in Costa Rica all the input I have received from contractors who have used the system over the last 10 years has been negative. I am looking for some positive input as this product ...
@wri57 Yep... sometimes, after about a month of nothing but rain, I'll sit behind my house at night facing the mountains; when there's no traffic nor other human noises ... and just wait to hear trees fall up in the nearby foothills... it is eerie, ... Read More