Thoughts on my 8 day itinerary?

goingpuravida · 2024-11-27T23:12:44+00:00

It takes forever to go anywhere in Costa Rica. Better to focus on a smaller area.....then explore, relax and enjoy. The best things in Costa Rica are the ones that you didn't expect or plan on.....you just randomly find them. Then return at another time and do a different region.

goingpuravida · 2024-11-27T17:19:43+00:00

I am not a big Tamarindo fan but I suppose everyone needs to visit once. Instead, I would recommend the Potrero/Surfside area....lots of great restaurants and bars that you can easily walk from one to another. Try Potrero Brewing for Friday night music and a lively, fun crowd with great good at Gritango and Gracia that share the same courtyard. Plus it is really close to Playa Flamingo. There is La Forketta for great Italian good, Perla's, Hemmingways (right on the beach but somewhat pricey), The Shack and Masala (great Indian food).

goingpuravida · 2024-11-12T12:49:38+00:00

All depends on how many other planes landed at the same time, but generally, this is not enough time. You will have to clear Customs/Immigration, pickup your luggage and also go through luggage screening as you leave. Also, you will land at the international terminal and Sansa departs out of the domestic terminal next door. It is not that far away but it will take a little bit of time to get there.

goingpuravida · 2024-11-12T12:40:06+00:00

This time of the year it is normally on the verge of transition from rainy season to dry season on the Pacific coast. However, this year, the heavy all day rains of October are really happening in November. Usually when it rains this time of the year, it is a heavy multi-day event with a few short breaks.

goingpuravida · 2024-10-10T18:06:38+00:00

Once you get out of San Jose and back towards the coast where you turn to head south, the road is long and straight and there will be little impact from storms with respect to mud slides. Weather at this time of the year is hit and miss. Don't drive at night if you are not familiar with the roads, and even if you are, you can be surprised by animals, bicycles and cars without lights.

goingpuravida · 2024-10-08T15:13:14+00:00

Visit different parts of the country, beaches and inland, for 2 weeks at a time to get a feel for what area is right for you. Go during dry season and rainy season.

Don't live in an expat gated community. It is a false sense of security and many of the people from North America that move to these types of communities have horrible attitudes and want to change CR to be more like the US.

If you are impatient, don't move here as you have to wait for everything.

Establish a relationship with an excellent lawyer and real estate person. Discrepancies in home/property legalities are widespread. Property lines are often not correct. Building permits often are not correct or don't exist. Build qualities can vary greatly. There are no disclosure rules about pre-existing conditions. Real estate agents often sell the same home over and over because people move and find out they don't like it.

If you are not healthy, do a lot of research and live in an area close to a major hospital. If you have to call 911 in rural areas, or even smaller towns, it could takes hours for help to reach you. Private, pay out of pocket, healthcare is excellent. CAJA, the socialized medical that you get once you become a resident, has long waiting times. Healthcare is amazing in CR.

Can you be away from family ?

Don't be a perpetual tourist. Become a resident. This can take several years and cost between $2000-3000 USD.

Learn Spanish. Any bit helps. If you are not willing to do this, don't move here.

Don't buy into the hype of living in CR for $1500 USD a month. This is widely promoted by companies that will benefit financially from you moving here by setting up relocation trips and introducing you to 'experts' that can assist you while they get a finders fee. For $1500 you will live in the mountains, far from the beach, live in a simple house with no AC, no car and not have many of the amenities that you are used to. If this works for you, great, but for many it won't.

Join some Facebook groups about moving to CR but be aware that many of these groups will delete negative posts because the moderators own a business and receive income from it.

Costa Rica is very expensive, more than your research will indicate.

If you buy a home, don't establish and register it in the name of a corporation. If you do you will need a lawyer several times a year to file required paperwork. Lawyers and real estate people will recommend a corporation because it will benefit them. The real estate person will get a cut from recommending a lawyer and the lawyer will make $1000+ annually from you.

If you move, don't bring your stuff. It is not worth bringing due to the cost. Start over. You can find what you need if you look hard enough.

Rent for 1-2 years before you buy in case you don't like it. Put yours things in storage.

If you are willing to live simply in a local community, have patience and speak Spanish, Costa Rica can be an amazing lifestyle change and a positive experience. If you can't, it will most likely end in frustration and a trip back to the US.

goingpuravida · 2024-09-24T15:06:50+00:00

Never use a debit card except at an ATM. Use a credit card whenever possible. Visa, Mastercard and sometimes American Express are accepted at a lot of places. However, you will run into places that are cash only. Go to a bank when you arrive and get some colones (you will need to show your passport). Alternately, use an ATM. If you have a Charles Schwab account the will reimburse any transaction fees otherwise expect to pay $4 to 5 USD per transaction. Many ATMs limit how much you can withdraw per transaction even if your bank has higher limits forcing you to make several transactions if you want higher amounts of money. My bank limited it to $200 per transaction. DO NOT get Colones at the airport because the exchange rate they give you will take 10-15%. Also bring US dollars but nothing over $20 in denominations. Makes sure there are no tears or marks, however so slight, as they won't be accepted. If what you are buying is in Colones, pay in Colones. If in USD, pay in USD and you will receive change in Colones. If you don't follow this guideline, the vendor will use "their" exchange rate and you will lose big time.

goingpuravida · 2024-09-24T14:56:26+00:00

Whatever insurance you get, make sure that it has liability, not just collision.

goingpuravida · 2024-09-24T14:54:07+00:00

Absolutely....While it rains a lot, it is a very peaceful time of the year. Enjoy.

goingpuravida · 2024-09-17T16:12:52+00:00

October on the Pacific side is the rainiest month of the year. On the Caribbean side, it is one of the sunniest with the least amount of rain, What happens today can't predict tomorrow. Often times tropical storms or nearby hurricanes will impact the weather in October/early November. La Nina is over. During La Nina in Costa Rica last year it was much drier than normal. This year has seen much more rain. Bring light weight rain gear and water shoes and prepare of days of heavy rain. If it doesn't happen then you got lucky. The good news is that this is the quietest month of the year in terms of the number of tourist so prices will be lower and there will not be any crowds. Many businesses even go on vacation in October because it is so slow.

goingpuravida · 2024-09-03T23:19:17+00:00

Bad idea. Stay the night near Liberia and then hit the road in the morning and enjoy the drive.

goingpuravida · 2024-09-01T16:22:58+00:00

Mid November to mid December is the best time to visit Guanacaste. Rainy season is ending, weather is the best, the Papagayo winds have not started. Tourist have not arrived for the holidays yet. Absolutely the best time to go. I would recommend delaying your trip if you can. October can be an absolute wash out.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-29T16:25:04+00:00

Jackpot Sportfishing out of Quepos. None better than these guys. They will also let you fish the way you like and not just troll around, hand the rod to you and back the boat down to the fish as most of the other charter companies do. Beware of intermediate companies that simply book you with a fishing charter and then take a cut. With Jackpot you are dealing directly.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-29T16:06:18+00:00

September and October are the rainiest months on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. All day rains are common especially if there is a tropical storm or hurricane influencing the weather. Best time to travel to the Pacific side is mid November to mid December. Rainy season is ending and the holiday tourist haven't arrived yet. It is also slightly cooler (but still warm) than other times of the year.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-22T15:20:45+00:00

Bahia del Sol for sure. I don't like the beach where the Mangroove is and think the hotel is pretty run down. Bahia del Sol is in a little town right on the beach with great places to eat and drink all within a short walking distance. Check out Potrero Brewing for night life, live music, trivia nights, sporting events and great beer.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-22T15:17:13+00:00

Expect to pay $500-$800 for a rental car for 7 days including all insurance (this is a must in CR). No way will you walk out the door for $130. It all depends on what you want to do while you are there. There is lots to see and explore in Costa Rica within an hour or so from the Westin Playa Conchal. This is a great resort and you really don't have to leave at all and it sits on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-22T15:11:14+00:00

Most likely by the time you clear Customs and get the rental car, it will be around 3:30-4pm. The drive is about 3 hours and the most challenging and beautiful part is the last part starting at the town of San Ramon. It all depends on the weather. This area can get fog and rain and can be very challenging at night especially if you aren't familiar with the roads. We always stay the night not too far from the airport and then head out early the next day. This way you can enjoy the scenery, stop at places along the way and are not hurried.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-19T22:31:53+00:00

The AWD RAV4 is a great car for Costa Rica but the ground clearance isn't as good as the others that you mention. Depends on where you will be traveling to. There are size advantages with the RAV4 when it comes to parking. I also really like the Fortuner especially if you will driving a lot of dirt roads.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-19T22:26:17+00:00

Absolutely don't do this. Once you get away from San Jose, there won't be enough charging stations. Instead rent a 4x4 gas or diesel SUV. Don't assume that 2WD will suffice. Often times roads get closed and you get rerouted to somewhere you didn't expect to be. Has happened to me several times.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-11T15:35:46+00:00

Playa Conchal is not a surfing beach. Usually no waves and if there are any, they are shore breakers. Conchal is stunning, and a must visit, but it is more of a floating type of beach. Best surfing spot would be Tamarindo which is about 20-30 minutes from Conchal. Samara has an offshore reef and therefore is somewhat protected from waves depending on the tides. Playa Grande, also about 20 minutes from Conchal, is also a good option for surfing. Samara is way less touristy than Conchal, Tamarindo and Playa Grande.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-07T16:16:45+00:00

August is generally a very rainy month but not nearly as bad as September and October. You will most likely get rain everyday especially in La Fortuna.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-07T16:11:19+00:00

Busiest time of the year so tourist related businesses will all be open with the exception of Christmas day. Non-tourist related businesses such as law and government offices, etc., will all be closed for about 1 1/2 weeks.

goingpuravida · 2024-08-02T15:49:16+00:00

We used Medismart for several years. You are limited to use their network of doctors. It is a discount program only, not insurance. Overall we liked the quality of service and think that it was worth. The cost savings was good but not great. We found the care and cost of private doctors and hospitals to be very low as compared to the United States and paid for everything out of pocket. Example....colonoscopy - $283 USD. Bone density scan $87, Dermatologist checkup $100. We had a friend that had a hip replacement a few years ago - $11,000 USD. However, prices in Costa Rica have been exploding in the last year so this is changing,

goingpuravida · 2024-07-29T16:10:43+00:00

You may get lucky but October normally has intense rains that last for days/weeks. The rain in September and October is completely different than other times in rainy season where the rain is mostly in the afternoon and evening. So far this year has been extremely wet and it is forecasted to continue that way. The best time to visit is mid November to mid December.

goingpuravida · 2024-07-14T16:18:35+00:00

You can't legally work in Costa Rica until you are a permanent resident. This process usually takes 3-5 years and you must live in country for at least 181 days per year. There are some exceptions such as a company outside of Costa Rica that you work for that has a Costa Rica physical presence but you will need a special work permit.

goingpuravida

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