@Blackwatch
Canadian looking for information about Costa Rica
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Registration: 23 November 2021
Activity
Thinking of retiring to Costa Rica by GuesTPoster1307233
Hi All,My name is Millie and my husband and I are thinking of moving to Costa Rica. We are planning to travel there soon to scout places to live. We are interested in renting for now. Any advice on where the safest urban locations to look ...
If you want safe, warm urban living I would suggest looking at Merida Mexico. I have been to Liberia, San Jose and La Fortuna and they all seemed dirty and unsafe. Read More
We are now looking at a long-term rental by Alikat23
I'm Kathryn, a (semiretired) technical editor and science writer. My husband is Mark, a retired toxicologist/ecologist. We've been to CR several times and sold our home in California and moved here with our two cats 3 weeks ago. We've been staying ...
A long term rental seems to be the best option until you live there for a few years and really know you can handle the changes. I plan on starting off with a month each winter then 3 months upon retirement. I know I can definitely handle Jan Feb and ... Read More
Looking into to retire is CR by oshudofsky
Hello everybody,I am a Dutch single mom and will be retired at the end of 2024 and one of the countries I am looking into to retire is CR. Despite the great weather, nature, animals, etc. also because I will have just a not to large pension and the ...
@Blackwatch depends on a part of CR you live. The countryside, far from the gringo overpopulated areas the life is much cheaper and food healthier. A car, yes, it is very expensive to use here. New CAJA rates? I've decided to ignore them and don't ... Read More
Looking into to retire is CR by oshudofsky
Hello everybody,I am a Dutch single mom and will be retired at the end of 2024 and one of the countries I am looking into to retire is CR. Despite the great weather, nature, animals, etc. also because I will have just a not to large pension and the ...
It depends how you want to live. $1700 wouldn't support myself. It can be done but I doubt you can afford to own a car on that amount or save any money for return trips home or unforeseen things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kMFSdgvjwwThis is a ... Read More
Life in Tamarindo by johncrossley1
Hi my name is Adela Crossley, and I bought a home in Tamarindo, and will be moving from Canada to live in Costa Rica!How is life in Tamarindo?I will like to join an expat group
Tamarindo reminded me of Florida. Lots of Americans in their 60s and young drunks in their early 20s. Didn't want to swim at the beach due to copious amounts of horse crap on the beach and floating in the water. People asking you if you want to buy ... Read More
Criminal background disqualifies. by kosinakim65
What would disqualify an US citizen from obtaining a pensioners visa. If you have a link or knowledge of requirements I would be grateful for the helpthank you kim
You can't enter some countries if you have a DUI, let alone get a visa to live there. What might be considered a "misdemeanor" in the States is often called something else in a different country and the offense is treated as if you did it in that ... Read More
recommendations for towns/neighborhoods/places by MOLSON55
@Julien HOLA! I am planning to visit Oaxaca in April and then move shortly after. So excited! I am 68 yo, have a young German Shepherd, and would prefer to live somewhere with a yard and easy access to nature trails.(and relatively quiet) I ...
@aliceah Hi Alice, do you mind if I ask you a question about weather? You say it's hot there. I am considering Puerto Escondido as a retirement spot which is close to you. Is the weather and water as warm where you are as in Costa Rica? I am ... Read More
Moving dogs from USA to costa rica by laurenqmeeks
Hello all, hubby and I are trying to spend an extended period of time in Costa Rica and would like to bring our dogs along for the adventure. We have two large German shepherd mixes that are not service animals. the hitch of everything is that none ...
When I researched this I found airlines will not fly dogs in the cargo hold during warmer months at certain airports. There is a max temp limit. They also have a list of certain aircraft models they will not transport dogs because the planes do not ... Read More
Driving to Cancun with Pets by Cindye1010
We're considering applying for residency and moving to Cozumel and have two dogs (one small, one large). The rules for flying with pets seem somewhat difficult, so we're considering driving instead. The thought is to drive to Cancun, then ...
@Cindye1010 Did you make the drive? How was it?Last year all US airlines cracked down on emotional support animals. I do not know of any Mexican airlines that allow large breed dogs in the cabin unless they are a therapy dog and you have a letter ... Read More
Sending moto by air Montreal - Cancun by giardeleanu
Hello,I am sending my moto from Montreal to Cancun with Air Transat. The sender is asking to have a custom broker in Cancun.However, after conversation with the broker, I understood I don't need.To explain:I am sending my moto temporarily and ...
@giardeleanu I thought you have to import the vehicle if you are a temp or perm resident? Visitors can temp import I believe. Read More
DRIVING Texas to Playa Del Carmen by christo1985
Im planning on driving from AUSTIN Texas to Playa Del Carmen in the next few weeks.... Looking for any advice on doing the drive.. Good idea or Bad? Any feedback would be great thanks
Would be nice if they had a ferry going to the Yucatan. What drive would be safer? Puerto Vallarta to Texas or Tulum to Texas. Read More
Put in offer on Property in La Tigra by Stephano1
Hello Everyone. Brand new to Forum.. I have been reading posts all day and find them very informative. We took a vacation and included some house hunting while in CR Dec 2022. We fell in love with the country and property on the same trip. We are in ...
@Stephano1 Are you familiar with the CAJA and the different types of residency? This can be very expensive. I am not sure if your Airbnb rental income will increase your Caja payment each month but it would not surprise me.There is a 12.75% flat ... Read More
How Does Caja Work ? by dkor
Dear expats - I see there has been a lot of discussion about Caja, but I'm not quite finding the answers to my questions - so please forgive me if this has been answered before and I am just not finding it. My spouse and I are applying for ...
@TerrynViv Thanks again, very interesting all the ins and outs.I wonder if an RRSP would qualify as a "retirement fund" by the Costa Rican govt to satisfy the $1000/month Pensionado requirement? Read More
How Does Caja Work ? by dkor
Dear expats - I see there has been a lot of discussion about Caja, but I'm not quite finding the answers to my questions - so please forgive me if this has been answered before and I am just not finding it. My spouse and I are applying for ...
I have been through this very thoroughly over the last eight years and this is my understanding of what must be reported. Firstly only guaranteed income is what your Caja payments will be based on. In our original application I looked like ... Read More
How Does Caja Work ? by dkor
Dear expats - I see there has been a lot of discussion about Caja, but I'm not quite finding the answers to my questions - so please forgive me if this has been answered before and I am just not finding it. My spouse and I are applying for ...
@Henrych what sort of proof do they need? If I have 3 pensions and just report the lowest to keep the Caja down do they ask to see my Canadian income tax return? Read More