The Living in Costa Rica Forum

Safety for foreigners in Costa Rica

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:06:45 +0000

The Canadian Foreign Affairs' department has just issued an advisory for canadians visiting Costa Rica to be extra careful due to the rise in violence and crimes against tourists. My wife and I have planned to pass 5 months next year in Costa Rica in the Nicoya Penonsula. How safe is it? Do we have to rethink our stay in Costa Rica?

Things in my suitcases?

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:20:39 +0000

On my next trip i plan to take along quite a few items. How will customs treat me with these items.

One suitcase will be full of my used kitchen items about 70lbs.

Florescent light bulbs (twisty kind)For the house i plan to rent. Take them yes or no?

Use convection hot plate?

Basically i plan to fly Business class on United which allows me to have to 70lb. suitcases free and the next 3 at 55lbs each for $150.00 each.

From what i have read this is better way to go rather than shipping less than a pallet. True?

Thanks for looking.

Correction: I want to bring my used "Induction Hot Plate".

Health care in CR versus free Canadian health care.

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:13:37 +0000

Any thoughts? Which one is better and why?

Made the move

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:33:09 +0000

Hi everyone,

Here is an update on my relocation. My household goods and Rav4 were shipped March 6 by ShiptoCostaRica.

I retired from my position as a software configuration manager on April 26.

My dog Gracie, sister Rita and I flew from Orlando April 30th. Rented a car and drove to my house in Florencia.

My household items arrived at the house 8:00 am May 2nd, with very few items being damaged/broken.

Called Charles Zeller about getting my car. It was released from Customs May 8th and an appointment was set up for the inspection. He doubted it would pass because of a sound from the muffler. He said if that is the case, he would get it repaired, and reinspected and then I would still have to wait another 4-7 days for the plates.

In the meantime, I hade to return my rental car back to the Europcar. I rode the bus to San Carlos, then from San Carlos to Florencia. Taxi from Florencia to the house, an all day affair!

My dog has not learned to pee facing uphill, she is afterall used to the flatness of Florida.

My sister leaves for the States May 30, that will be an eye-opener.

All in all, we have enjoyed the whole time, many laughs and many frustration's, but absolutely NO REGRETS.

If I had to do it again, I would NOT ship a car. Everywhere you look around here vehicles have signs on them for sale.

Speaking of foods ...

Sun, 19 May 2013 03:50:33 +0000

I and some friends have been on a search for dried pinto beans. We used to buy them at the Walmart in Escazú, but they haven't had them for months now. Have you seen them anywhere? Belca has them, but in a 50-pound bag for almost $100. A bit too much for my larder.

Another question: can you bring dried beans into CR in your luggage, or would they be restricted and confiscated? I'm talking about bringing maybe 5 or six 1-pound bags. Anyone know if there are restrictions on dried beans?

What do you use for regular tomato sauce? I can buy Del Monte tomato sauce at AutoMercado, but what can I get that is unflavored regular tomato sauce at other stores. I know there is something in a box but I don't remember what it is called.

On another note, I recently discovered that Del Prado brand natilla is more like the sour cream we know and love. They have 2 kinds, one is 12% unsalted, and one is 18% (more creamy) with salt. I wish they had the creamier one without salt, but there I go again—complaining. I find the 12% to be satisfactory for my beef stroganoff and baked potatoes, and probably for dips and things. (Now my stomach is growling.) I used to be able to buy Brookstone (or something like that) brand sour cream in AutoMercado, but no more.

I will continue to post new discoveries as I find them (things people have expressed a desire for) and hope others will do the same. Also, if someone wants information on a specific substitution, I will be glad to look it up in my wonder book on substitutions to see if I can help out.

Getting application for Costa Rica passport

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:30:37 +0000

I have an adult tico friend who has never had a passport. I have tried to download one but everything seems to be form if living abroad. Anyone know where can pick one up in Guanacaste area or where to download one on internet? Thank you.

Dealing with death in family in Costa Rica

Fri, 17 May 2013 02:07:16 +0000

While we were in Costa Rica very recently, a senior family member on my wife's side passed away , naturally and suddenly , at the family home. My wife is CR born, her family lives in CR. All are CR nationals.

The family resides in the country side , some 7 plus hours from San Jose by car and at least 1 hour away from the nearest hospital.

For those who live in San Jose or close to other cities, the following info may be less applicable to you as you have better access to public/private hospitals and other facilities.

BTW I am not posting names of any commercial entities involved.

We ended up using a rather well known ( locally ) funeral home company which offers packages, here is the cost breakdown:

- Wood Coffin: C 325,000.

- Transportation of body and casket: C 100,000.

- Embalming ( as we were told , first procedure good for 30 hours in general , depending on the body condition and body type, fat muscle % etc ) : C 120,000.

- Additional embalming fluid injection on site ( for extending beyond 30 hours ) : C 25,000.

- Fresh floral arrangement 50,000 ( 2 units )

- fees included transporting the deceased from the family home ( in our case ) to the funeral home where they performed the embalming procedure. Then transporting the body with the casket back to the house or place where the pre funeral visitation takes place, family home ( in our case ). Casket stand, candle stands were also provided. Transportation for bringing the casket from home to cemetery was included but we did not need it.

Apart from the funeral home costs, here are some other fee :

- above ground grave construction cost: C 110,000 minimum. Plus ornaments.

- cemetery grave site leasing fee : C 20,000 . good for for 5 years.

Here are other info :

a/ when death happens, even naturally , in your private dwelling, local police will have to be notified.

We initially called the ambulance. The red cross arrived , confirmed the death, and they then called the police.

b/ after the arrival of the police and confirming the death, the OIJ needed to be notified, and no one could remove the body until they arrived, that's la ley - the law.

The police then called the OIJ.

And usually, even for natural home death, OIJ would then have to transfer the body to Heredia for autopsy and certifying the cause of death , unless they are presented with a death certificate from a doctor noting that the death is natural.

The whole ordeal was quite stressful as the death occurred on a non business day, for one. Secondly, Tico traditional prefers to wrap up the funeral best within 2 days from the day of passing, given the body is available. So we had to get almost everything arranged and done within a very tight time frame. The paper work, phone calls, funeral arrangement, more phone calls to family relatives and friends in other parts of the country, visitation arrangement i.e. food and board. Barely had time for grieving during the first couple days. It was not easy. Somehow, everything got done in the end.

Hope the info can be helpful for some.

New Plates

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:24:01 +0000

I know that CR is going to alpha-numeric plates and there is a schedule for applying for new plates. If I understand correctly, they are continuing to issue the current plates until all of the numbers are exhausted. The new plates have a hologram and a window sticker with the plate number.

I already have one of the plates with the window sticker because my old one was damaged. Does anyone know if I will still need an alpha-numeric plate? It doesn't seem to make sense, but then it doesn't have to. I can't find anything relating to this.

Thanks,