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FAQ's |
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1.
Where is Costa Rica located?
Central American between Nicaragua and Panama
(between 8 and 11 degrees north of the equator. |
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2.
How large is Costa Rica?
Has an area of 50,895 square kilometers (about
the size of West Virgina). |
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3.
What is Costa Rica’s population?
Three million |
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4.
What is the official language in Costa Rica?
Spanish |
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5.
What is the official currency in Costa Rica?
Colones (Floats, currently $1 US = about 520)
in notes of 10,000, 5,000, and 1000 |
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6.
What type of government does Costa Rica have?
Costa Rica is a democratic republic. Costa Rica
has no army due to its peaceful history. Under the 1949 constitution,
all citizens are guaranteed equality before the law, the right to
own property, the right of petititon and assembly, freedom of speech
and the right of habeas corpus. National elections are held every
four years. |
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7.
How is the education level in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has achieved the highest literacy
rate in Central America. Its lieteracy rate rivals that of many
larger and more industrialized nations. Since the 1970’s Costa
Rica has consistently invested 28% of the national budget in education
–something which would not have been possible while maintaining
armed forces. |
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8.
Where can my children go to school?
Private Schools are the best option for foreigners
looking to educate their children in Costa Rica. The most well-known
schools are Country Day School, International American School, and
the Lincoln School.
Universities are different in Costa Rica in
that the public universities offer a higher quality education than
the private universities. The universities that are the most reputable
are University of Costa Rica and Universidad Nacional. |
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9.
Are there any health issues in Costa Rica?
You are unlikely to encounter any serious diseases
in Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are high and the health system
is excellent. No vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica as
epidemic diseases have been all but eradicated throughout the country. |
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10.
What is the climate like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a tropical country which contains
several distinct climatic zones. There is no winter or summer as
such and most regions have a rainy season from May to November and
a dry season from December to April. Annual rainfall averages 100
inches nationwide with some mountainous regions getting as much
as 25 feet on exposed eastern slopes. Temperature is more a matter
of elevation than location with a mean of around 72 degrees in the
Central Valley, 82 degrees on the Atlantic coast and 89 degrees
on the Pacific coast. |
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11.
What is the cost of living in Costa Rica?
Utilities: Water, power and telephone are still
very cheap in Costa Rica. For a family of 4, the monthly bills will
normally be:
- Water: $20 per month
- Electricity: $ 25 (without air conditioning, heating pool
- Internet: $ 15 RACSA (state ISP) Unlimited home user plan
- Internet: $30 Amnet Cable Modem
- Home Phone: $15 (limited local calling) depends on usage
- Cell Phone: $15 (limited local calling) depends on usage
Groceries : The rule of thumb
for groceries is that your bill will be about 2/3 of what it is
in the U.S. A lot depends on what products you buy. Some products
have price controls under what is called the "basic food basket".
Products imported from Latin America under free trade agreements,
or products grown locally or considered local cuisine (rice and
beans) will have a lower price than imported "luxury"
items.
Eating Out : Blue Plate Special
Downtown - $2.50 ("casado" at a Tico diner, includes juice
drink) Beer at local bar- $1.10, Super Deluxe Cheeseburger at Gringo
hangout in Jacó - $6, Fine Dining: dinner for 2 - $80
Automotive : In general, parts
are more expensive here and sometimes difficult to find. On the
other hand, labor is cheaper. So a trip to the mechanic here, might
cost about the same as what you'd pay in the U.S. Cars are still
seen as a luxury article; therefore they carry a high import tax.
Generally it’s not worth it to bring your car, since you’d
still have to pay the high taxes when you get it through customs.
Sell your car at home and buy another one here, it saves a lot of
time, effort and money. The SUV type car is a very handy car here,
though roads are in much better shape than they used to be, many
people love to take the car off road during the weekends.
Around the House : One of the
great things about living in Costa Rica is that you can afford to
have a maid and/or a gardener for very little money. By law, you
must pay your maid $140 per month, plus food and lodging. In return
she must only work 12 hours per day (up to 16 hours if you pay overtime).
You should also enroll her in the Costa Rica Social Security system,
so you would deduct 9% of her salary for this tax, but you must
also pay 11% to the "Caja". |
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12.
How are the banks & banking services in Costa Rica?
The banking system is quite different here than
what you are used to. Banks in Costa Rica are not as service minded
as the banks back home. If you want to open an account on your first
trip, please ask all the banks you have an account with to write
you a recommendation letter. The more the merrier. Ask your realtor
or your attorney to help you open a bank account.
If you are looking for a mortgage, again don't
expect the same services you are used to. Most banks will only supply
you with a mortgage if you have a residency or a local income. Mortgage
brokers do not exist in Costa Rica and banks are not used to realtors
get involved in their business. Scotia Bank & Banex recently started
a program for mortgages to foreigners, ask your Jade Realty agent to inform you about it. Mortgage rates change from bank
to bank, but generally is around 9% plus a one time charge (all
fees) of 2 - 3%. I've seen some banks lately lending as low as 7%,
but that's ever changing. |
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13.
Where should I live in Costa Rica?
Since Costa Rica has so many different micro
climates within its 7 provinces a lot depends upon where you are
coming from; when you come from a cold climate, you like warm weather
and when you come from the hot, you like the cool weather. Below,
I will describe a little of each area.
San José
The west side of San José is where most
ex-pats look for since it is the most well known area. That’s
mainly because the climate is somewhat warmer than the east side
and because the ex-pat community there is so large, there are more
available services (i.e shopping malls, hospitals, private schools)
than in most other areas and people like to stick together. The
most popular areas are Escazu, Santa Ana, Ciudad Colon, and San
Antonio de Belen. |
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Jacó Beach and
Quepos, Puntarenas
Jacó Beach and Quepos is the coastal
area closest to the Central valley (San Jose) and offers a lot to
anyone who loves nature. Growing very fast because the new freeway
is going to be built in a very short time, mainly the Jacó
area offers anything you need, including shopping and banking. Jacó
offers mountain properties, beach front properties and new resort
communities with great infrastructure. Quepos and Manuel Antonio
is a touristier destination and offers many resort condo residential
possibilities. The Jacó and Quepos area is much warmer and
more humid than the Central Valley.
Dominical and the South Pacific
The Southern Pacific region is dominated by
the magnificent Osa Peninsula, which includes the Corcovado National
Park--a 100,000-acre sanctuary of biological diversity and endangered
wildlife. The rugged peninsula also boasts the surf beaches of Pavones
and Zancudo, the duty-free port of Golfito, and Drake's Bay named
after Sir Francis Drake and his travels in 1579.
The main town as you descend onto this South
Pacific Coast is Dominical – a rustic yet well organised little
beach town with everything you need. It is a mere 40 minutes from
the main town of San Isidro ( inland ) and about 2 hours south of
Quepos – the main fishing town along this coast.
Down the coast from Dominical untouched beaches
and rainforests adorn the coastline along with quaint little villages
such as Uvita, Ojochal and Pinilla. This area is still truly tropical
and provides the true Costa Rican experience and as renewed infrastructure
and developments arrive to the region prices of real estate continue
to rise. |
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Guanacaste and Its Beaches
Guanacaste is divided in many different areas;
we have partners in some of them and work together with professional
realtors in others. Guanacaste is much warmer and dryer and therefore
many people who like the beach go there. The airport in Liberia
is getting more and more direct charters in from all over the world
and that is opening up this beautiful province of Costa Rica. Due
to large commercial investment like hotel chains such as JW Marriott
and Ritz Carlton in Guanacaste, investment opportunities are many.
The main areas are: Tamarindo,Samara and Nosara,
Playa Grande, Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, Playas del Coco, and
Playa Panama. |
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14.
Can I have a business in Costa Rica?
Most newcomers, retirees and business people,
are totally lost when they arrive and have no idea where to start
when setting up a new business in Costa Rica. Starting up a new
business in Costa Rica means researching commercial licensing, accounting,
mortgages, leases, investment opportunities, asset protection and
others. This can be a costly affair and can take a long time before
you really find out all you need to know.
To give you, the newcomer, such a complete package
and in such manner smooth the way for you so you can dedicate your
time to what you have to do: business, we have formed a strategic
alliance with one of the most seasoned law firms in Costa Rica:
Facio & Canas Abogados . With full independence of mind, this company
has agreed to assist our clients at preferred rates. They have a
long track record of serving International companies to get settled
offering a variety of services such as: forming a corporation, mortgage
negotiation, offshore asset protection, title search, and special
escrow services, immigration services, among others. |
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Toll Free: 1-866-599-1517
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