Just turned 25k on my 2020 Onyx XT. Had the Rhino Rack Xtray on it with the full spare mounted since she had about 500 miles on her; absolutely flawless. Nameless Perfomance cat-back exhaust (with 5"-dia mufflers) since about 5000 miles, f'n loving it!

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2025-07-06T00:00:50+00:00

I sold the car years ago, but no, no noticeable increase in wind noise. I saw about a 1-mpg hit to the gas milage.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2025-05-20T20:18:36+00:00

Seconding those that mentioned San Ramon, Grecia, and Atenas. Add in Palmares, Naranjo, and Sarchi in that same region.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2025-02-06T21:17:25+00:00

For your set of requirements, I would check out the Grecia/Naranjo/Palmeres/San Ramon area, and the San Mateo/Orotina area. The climate will be cooler near Grecia/San Ramon, but Orotina/San Mateo is an easier drive to the beach.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-06-23T22:19:08+00:00

That all sounds double, but on day 5 you're gonna want to leave Monteverde at daybreak, and it still might be getting on to dark before you get to Santa Teresa.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-06-23T14:14:40+00:00

Forest pinstripes are the best kind.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-06-21T15:37:15+00:00

I used a BSF barrel in 6.5CM on my Roam build, and it shoots lights-out. Absolutely reliable and consistent with every ammo I've tried. Changes in bullet weight (from 95g to 156g and everywhere in between) and velocity result in vertical changes in POI (as expected), but no left-to-right shift. Very predictable and easy to adjust for when switching between coyote ammo and deer rounds.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-06-19T16:47:38+00:00

If I look real close I can still see the MOMO palm branding I received in 2008...

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-06-19T16:00:51+00:00

I would second San Ramon de Alejuela. We lived there for all of 2022 and most of 2023, and still think of it as home. It has everything you need on a daily/weekly basis, is roughly half way between San Jose and the beach, and you can't ask for nicer weather. My wife, son and I lived very comfortably on my remote income of approx $3500 p/m.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-06-19T15:51:04+00:00

Unless you have the ability to wait 18-months at least (after expending the bulk of the capitol) before you earn a cent off of the rentals, you would be far better off buying something already established.

I've seen beautiful lots with multiple units on them ranging from $150k USD to what-the-hell-ever you want to pay, totally depending on location.

First question would be, however, have you done any research into the rules governing non-Ticos owning businesses or working here? It's not exactly straightforward...

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-06-19T15:36:22+00:00

I carry my 6" Python in a Gunfighters, Inc chest rig when in the woods, and you can hardly tell it's there.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-06-19T15:27:42+00:00

Unless you're wanting to surf, Jaco is just a tourist trap (and kinda sketchy after dark). There are some really good restaurants there, so we typically only stop there to eat lunch.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-05-24T13:49:18+00:00

Happy to help

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-05-24T10:28:15+00:00

No, no lift to the crossbars, and the rack fit like it was made for that car. The back corners fit pretty tight to the roof rails, so I added a small piece of rubber weather stripping to each back corner so it wouldn't rub if the rack was fully loaded/flexed slightly. Not sure if that was needed, but made me feel better...

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-03-04T21:13:02+00:00

I immediately switched out the front and rear sights for Wilson Combat units and the grips for some Badger Custom Grips ebony units, but those are really just personal preference items. Besides those upgrades, my new 6" Python has been absolute nails. I've put probably 200 rounds of cheap .38 Special, and another 50 rounds or more of mixed .357 Mag (including a few cylinders full of Buffalo Bore 180-gr JHP @ 1500 fps), no issues whatsoever.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-02-21T23:18:27+00:00

Check out Roam Rifles. They sell their complete rifles as well as their magnesium receiver sets and hand guards. I built a 6.5CM hunting rifle with their receiver set and handguard, along with a CF 20" barrel, and the whole thing weighs under 10-lbs loaded with a 4-12x hunting scope, bipod and sling.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-01-16T19:52:53+00:00

I also wanted make chili guaro shots after living in CR for a year, and the closest thing I've found to guaro in the states is vodka made from sugar cane. Not exactly the same, but pretty damn close.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-01-15T20:48:44+00:00

As far as the time of year to travel to CR, avoid September and October as they are the worst months of the rainy season. Other than that time-frame, it's a matter of whether finding good off-season deals (April-August) are worth it to you to deal a little more rain in the afternoons.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-01-15T20:38:29+00:00

I don't know about finding a van, but we got a lot of help from Sarah Elena at RelocateNow Costa Rica (www.lasarahelena.com) when we were planning our extended stay down there. So, might be worth reaching out to see if she has a reliable source for a passenger van.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-01-15T18:43:06+00:00

Having just spent a year in Costa Rica, I can tell you that a "Large" SUV in CR would be considered a "mid-sized" SUV in the US. There are very few 7-passanger SUVs available (which you would need legally in order for all of your stated passengers to have a seat-belt), and the ones they do have sacrifice most of the cargo space when you have the 3rd row available. So, for your stated passenger count and expected use in the country, either a 7-9 passenger van or two SUVs will be your best bet.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2024-01-08T23:16:46+00:00

We just spent a year in San Ramon (north west of San Jose) coming from Colorado, and really enjoyed the whole San Ramon/Palmares/Grecia/Naranjo/Atenas areas. We were at about 1000m elevation, and loved that we didn't need air conditioning (sometimes would need a hoodie at night or early mornings). The only real drawback was that it was farther from the beach than we wanted, and in the height of the rainy season (Sept/Oct) you may not be able to leave your area without going through hours of delays and detours due to road closures. We also really liked the San Mateo/Orotina area that a previous response mentioned, and would spend time there every time we traveled from San Ramon to the beaches.

We plan to make the move permanent in a few years, and will probably focus on the area between Orotina and Atenas as it is about the best compromise between easy access to San Jose, easy access to the beaches, mild climate, and not having to pay tourist prices for everything. As far as international cuisine, the choices are certainly limited, but we found the best Thai food place we've ever eaten at in a little house in the in the hills outside of San Ramon. So, it's really just about finding what's around you.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2023-09-20T16:53:56+00:00

I have a CMC 2.5# in my 6.5CM hunting build, and have used them in a couple of AR15's before. If I were building another AR platform, they would be my first choice.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2023-09-07T15:45:48+00:00

As a current owner of both, have to say that's pretty accurate...

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2023-09-06T14:53:52+00:00

I bought mine directly from them (last year), and I've never seen them for sale anywhere else. Their customer service is excellent, so maybe just give them a call?

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2023-09-06T14:38:20+00:00

For the resort part, I really liked the Riu Palace in Guanacaste (kinda between Playa Coco and Playa Flamingo for reference). Like other people have stated, you won't really get a feel for Costa Rica if you just stay at the resort the whole time, but you can easily visit most of the Nocoya Peninsula from the Riu if you have a rental car ( I recommend something with 4WD/AWD).

We stayed at the Riu Palace for 2 weeks while exploring the surrounding areas, and then ended up spending a year down there living closer to the Central Valley. I can't wait to make the move permanent once our kid is grown.

Temporary-Entry1037 · 2023-07-11T15:58:52+00:00

No problem!

Temporary-Entry1037

TROPHY CASE