TravelWorldNow
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum posts
12
About me
American
Speaks English and some Spanish
Registration: 05 July 2023
Activity
Form Needed for Erasing CAJA Payments for the Months out of Costa Rica by mjgbenoit
My lawyer says I need to obtain a document from Immigration with my migratory movements to prove I was out of CR for a number of months and therefore didn't pay CAJA for the months I was not here. My lawyer is asking $170usd to do this for me but I ...
A number of months ago, My lawyer received an email confirmation from a caja official that indicated you just need to show proof of travel like boarding passes, that you were out of the country (no minimum # of months mentioned in email) to waive ... Read More
Expenses needed to live in CR by bhu11163
Am seeing a lot of posts on different sites saying in CR it is very expensive to live there. If living a modest single life how much might a person need per month to live there? Thanks!
last 7 years, I live in Barrio Los Yoses/Barrio Escalante in East side of San Jose. Eight universities, many embassies, indoor shopping mall (San Pedro mall) and one of the best areas for “foodies” with great variety of restaurants and ... Read More
Shared Housing in Costa Rica by Michael Trainor
Hi Everybody...... I am starting some CR living research in hopes of eventually getting a Pensionado visa within the next year or so.....I am currently planning a 1 - 2 week visit in early 2024 and then if CR looks like a good spot to retire to, I ...
@edwinemora I totally disagree! Many safe and great neighborhoods, like Barrio Los Yoses, Barrio Escalante, Barrio Dent. Been in Costa Rica for almost 30 years, never had a safety issue. Read More
Shared Housing in Costa Rica by Michael Trainor
Hi Everybody...... I am starting some CR living research in hopes of eventually getting a Pensionado visa within the next year or so.....I am currently planning a 1 - 2 week visit in early 2024 and then if CR looks like a good spot to retire to, I ...
Consider San Jose area. No car needed. Uber is super cheap. Frequent, quick and very cheap bus transportation to Pacific beaches (ie, Jaco $5 US one-way ticket. Read More
Please tell me of your costs and experiences by Michael Trainor
Hello,My name is Michael....73yrs young....have been looking for 2yrs (Internet) into first a visit to CR and if it is what it sounds like.....laid back...relatively inexpensive....socially inviting....I would like to obtain a pensionado visa and ...
@Michael Trainor one your application is accepted, you will receive a form “golden ticket” which will allow you to stay as long as your application is being processed (1-2 years). No 90 border runs. You can also come and go as you want. ... Read More
Travel to Costa Rica for 4-6 months research stay by Monday Usman
@Julien Good day!My name is Monday Usman, a Nigerian and a PhD student. I have been selected for a CLIFF-GRADS Scholarship to travel to University of Costa Rica for 4-6 months research stay. There is no Embassy of Costa Rica in Nigeria, please ...
Hi Adele,I have friend, born in Peru, resident of Costa Rica and has a 10-year USA visa. She now wants a Canada 10-year visa. Speaks perfect English. I looked up the paperwork for a 10-year Canada visa and does not look like it will be easy for her ... Read More
Best way to explore different areas in CR by bhu11163
What is the best way to explore different areas in CR. Thinking of retiring there. Do I hire someone,or try to look around on my ownThank you
No reason to feel “suffocated”. Short flights to Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala to go visit. Guatemala very under-rated… Guatemala City very modern and mostly safe, Antigua, Spanish colonial town next to volcano and ... Read More
Best way to explore different areas in CR by bhu11163
What is the best way to explore different areas in CR. Thinking of retiring there. Do I hire someone,or try to look around on my ownThank you
Most people bypass San Jose, which is a big mistake. Many great neiborhoods (barrios). Barrio Los Yoses, Barrio Escalante, Barrio Dent. Read More
Costa Rica reality vs fantasy? by marianne817
Hello all, I have been considering Central America for part-time relocation (maybe 4-6 months per year.) I am currently in Heredia, house-sitting for two weeks and will then work my way up the Pacific coast for two weeks until leaving for ...
I’m keeping my SRL. Also have INS liability policy and $5 million umbrella liability policy. I’m an American, and rent (VRBO and Airbnb) out my CR condo mostly to Americans. If something happens, I will get sued in the US. I sleep ... Read More
Email penpal insights about Costa Rica by bhu11163
Hello I’m new to this forum and am planning on visiting Costa Rica for the first time,and possibly moving there someday. I am retired,live alone,and hope to receive good insight into how it is for a retired single person to live there.Thank you
@Michael Trainor also consider Medellin Colombia. All my retired gringo friends moved to Medellin from San Hose. 40-50% cheaper than CR. Read More
Worst place to visit or retire to by hwrdsutcliffe125
My fiance and I were amped up about visiting Costa Rica and seeing if it was a place we'd like to retire to. 1st. It's no cheaper than the U.S. 2nd San jose is a nasty joke of a city mess. Drivers are rude. Worse than new York ...
Sorry to hear you had bad experience in San Jose. First off the 13% is the country’s VAT/Sales tax. Next, there are some very cool neighborhood (barrios) in San Jose. For example, Barrio Escalante is about a 15 minute walk from downtown. Over ... Read More
Worst place to visit or retire to by hwrdsutcliffe125
My fiance and I were amped up about visiting Costa Rica and seeing if it was a place we'd like to retire to. 1st. It's no cheaper than the U.S. 2nd San jose is a nasty joke of a city mess. Drivers are rude. Worse than new York ...
Sorry to hear you had bad experience in San Jose. First off the 13% is the country’s VAT/Sales tax. Next, there are some very cool neighborhood (barrios) in San Jose. For example, Barrio Escalante is about a 15 minute walk from downtown. Over ... Read More