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Perpetual Tourism

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CR2015
  4/21/2014 11:40 EST

Is it a good idea to plan to move to Costa Rica and live as a perpetual tourist? As a perpetual tourist, i realize i cannot get a job legally, but this status does allow me to rent a home, correct? and also what monthly expenses does one have to account for other than rent, electric, water, internet and cable.

puravida944
  4/21/2014 12:15 EST

That is what I have done. Even though I am married to a Tico I pay a fine every time I leave unless I have the time and money to leave every three months, Yuk. Last time it was three years and I had to pay about $400 fine to leave. So plan on that tax and remember that food is very expensive in CR. I have worked legally because American companies can hire 10% of their employees from America and running your own businesses is easier here than in America.
I have sold prepared food to my neighbors and my daughter sells used American cloths from a room in front of her house.

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Kohl
  4/21/2014 12:45 EST

When going to renew your tourist visa if going through Panama you must present a return ticket to your home country and show them proof of $500 each to prove that you have funds to live here,
You will have problems opening a bank account , without residency and if you do so, this won't permit transfers between other institutions.
You won't be eligible for CR healthcare but can pay for private doctors.
Fines now are now reported to be $100 per month

CostaCafe
  4/21/2014 13:19 EST

'Is it a good idea to plan to move to Costa Rica?" No, it's not something I would you suggest you do, unless you have the funds to support yourselves.
To get a furnished rental that includes a TV, washing machine, beds is probably going to cost $600 and up, a month. Getting a fully furnished place with dishes, lines will be even costlier. Getting an unfurnished place means the house is empty except for the kitchen sink....
You will need transportation, but in most places buses are good.
Cable is not available in every home nor is internet or hot water.
Internet access/ speed will depend on whether there is a land line/phone, so another monthly charge.

valentinaduran
  4/21/2014 13:46 EST

Hey Kohl..what exactly is the fine for? Thx

Kohl
  4/21/2014 14:04 EST

This is for overstaying a tourist visa, and is now being collected before one can leave the country.
When we came, many years ago it was legal to do this and the 'fine' was $1 per month...and you were required to go and pay it at immigration prior to exiting the country....else you were not permitted to re-enter.

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puravida944
  4/21/2014 14:17 EST

I have two bank accounts and receive transfers from America and Italy! What are you talking about?
They asked for my passport only!

Kohl
  4/21/2014 16:38 EST

Last year it was introduced that you are now required to have a DIMEX/cedula to be able to transfer funds/pay bills at a different bank not another affiliated bank.

Below are some of the links that provide more information on this issue.

http://insidecostarica.com/2012/10/05/the-dinex-card-you-probably-already-have-one/

http://www.costaricalaw.com/Immigration-and-Residency/costa-rica-dimex-residency-card.html

http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2011/december/01/costarica11120102.htm

shermanwc
  4/21/2014 16:48 EST

I opened a corporate account with Scotiabank in 2011 and a personal account in 2013. I do not have a Dimex/ cedula yet. I have made SINPE transfers to accounts at other banks from both accounts.

Either we were "grandfathered in" or the Dimex rule is not being applied consistently.

Kohl
  4/21/2014 16:55 EST

Grandfathering does enter into it, but it could also be the latter....especially if you try to open an account at BCR or BN.

shermanwc
  4/21/2014 17:11 EST

As a correction to my previous email, it appears that I ahve only made SINPE payments from my corporate account - not sure that I have tried from my personal account. But I do make payments to Cable Tica from my personal account.

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Kohl
  4/21/2014 17:14 EST

If you both use the same bank/account, there is no problem.

richardschlinder
  4/21/2014 17:26 EST

We are not saying you should come down.Your heart is in the right place.
You missed two important expenses. Transportation and food. Food is very expentsive compared to what you are used to.
Try this. There are farms and businesses that accept volinteers for work at a very low cost to you.They provide food and a bunk at a reasonable price per day or week or month.
E-mail my friend Joshua at
[email protected]. He has such a place and has many young people coming down to stay for variuos lengths of time.

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