Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Costa Rica Expat Forum

Just getting started!

New Topic Newest First
AnnaBeach
  8/24/2017 11:20 EST

I'm planning on making the move to CR this time next year and plan on coming this October to check things out. I just came across this site, which I can see is going to be a GREAT resource!

For now, if anyone can help me with ideas on a good place to stay in October that would

enable me to enjoy a little R&R/vacation time, but also a location where I can get around to check out potential apartments, etc. I plan on using only public transportation and/or biking so having to keep that in mind as well. Ojochal? Dominical? Tamarindo? Looking for a more "simple" lifestyle, so no need for top of the line luxuries, but safety is a top priority, obviously.

Thanks in advance for any advice and looking forward to learning more as I'm able to spend more time and peruse the Exhange!

shermanwc
  8/24/2017 13:29 EST

Have you visited Costa Rica before?

I would suggest Tamarindo for your first visit, as it is well developed and is very easy to walk to extensive restaurants, lodging, stores, etc, as well as a nice beach. It may also be less of a "culture shock" for a first-timer.

The other towns that you noted are not as big or developed, but you should definitely visit them during another trip, as each town has its own "vibe" and each person has their personal likes/ dislikes.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

LongHammer
  8/24/2017 14:53 EST

I do miss those luxuries. Like having hot water in the shower in a hotel. But in longer term rentals most of us get a suicide shower head for about $40 Little hint is they are much safer when the green ground wire is used. And even safer if you have a ground fault interrupter. Throughout Latin America when it comes to home construction it is always cheap over safety. And nothing suffers more than the wiring, though plumbing is a close second. I wish both were up to the quality they put into ceramic tiling.

Just my personal experience but I would forget Tamarindo unless you have a load of cash and near limitless credit cards. Even Hawaii is a cheap vacation by comparison. Very pristine beaches though.

lindyluvsCR
  8/24/2017 16:16 EST

How long do you plan to be in CR in October?

If you are firm on your choice to live on the coast, realize probably less safe in general than other areas. Also need a/c which usually means a bigger electric bill.

If you would be interested in a small city of 17,000 people in the mountains where you can easily make friends, with no need for a/c or heat, Grecia is a great place for a simple life. We have no car and been here for 2-1/2 yrs.

Be glad to meet you and introduce you to other expats and help with a place to stay or in finding one, and show you around on foot downtown Grecia.

Send personal message if interested.

PombinhaCoco
  8/26/2017 18:09 EST

LindyluvsCR,
I'm so glad that I didn't read any posts here
before I bought my condo in Playas Del Coco.
I really like the ocean and I knew that's what I wanted.
I watched some videos about Grecia and it seems a very nice place but to me there is something missing, the ocean.
Not everybody likes the same things!
We put window screens in our condo and we have ceiling fans and now that we are more used to the heat we only turn on one of the AC splits for a few hours during the night.
I love walking on the beach and buying cheap red snapper.We also had to find local grocery stores where the meat is much cheaper.
Most fruit we get from the fruit stand.
The condos here are selling like crazy.An American guy put his 3 condos for sale and in a few weeks a Canadian lady bought them.
The same thing with 2 condos next to mine.
Most tourists end up asking me information about applying for residency here.
I love this place!
Our pool and grounds are so beautiful!

lindyluvsCR
  8/26/2017 21:54 EST

Pombinha - I also love the ocean. But lived near it for a total of 15 yrs. I am not going to say I ever tire of the ocean, but kind of like loving pizza, as much as I love it, 15 yrs every day was enough.

Also, had a problem with the sand fleas. and bugs. For me more of a problem on coast.


But I know you LOVE the ocean and where you are, but we meet people who think it is too warm even here and go higher in the mountains where I would freeze and be miserable. So like you said everyone is different.

I also have a problem with the long bus rides winding up and down and get motion sickness easy. Take ginger. But I really would like to visit where you live some day. And would sooner if not so far away.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

shermanwc
  8/27/2017 12:29 EST

Like PombinhaCoco, my wife and I wanted to live by the ocean/ beach and would not even have considered an inland town. We chose Tamarindo and are happy here - but I understand that everyone's likes/dislikes are different. Yes it is a bit more costly - a sacrifice one must make if you want a walk to the beach and some conveniences - but it is less costly than anything similar on the coast in the USA. We also added screens to our condo and have fans throughout our condo - we try to minimize the use of A/C, mainly using it when the humidity is rather high.

lindyluvsCR
  8/27/2017 14:58 EST

Sherman - Just curious - 1) how high in farenheit (I don't know the spelling) does it get the hottest part of the day, and how low at night?

2) How many BR, and what is avg electric cost using a/c only when necessary like you do?(which is how we did it in Florida)

shermanwc
  8/27/2017 15:45 EST

Right now it is 88 degrees F and 58% humidity. We don't have our A/C on.
The high temp typically varies between 86 and 89 degrees during the daytime (a bit hotter in dry season). and humidity can get much higher. For lows, the coolest I have ever seen it get at night is 77 degrees F (just recently), a few degrees higher in dry season.

We have a 3 BR condo, about 1800 SF interior. Our most recent electrical bill was about $180 - near the low end for us. When we use the A/C a fair amount, over $300 is not uncommon. and once we reached around $400 (hot and humid month). I have heard that some condos here that are rented out, with A/C running constantly, can exceed $700/month.

lindyluvsCR
  8/27/2017 17:42 EST

Sherman - Personally it would make our budget tight. Could we do it? Maybe. But our electric bill is 17,000-20,000 colones - about $35 per month.

But of course, if a person would really want to take very frequent trips to a beach, they would probably need a car, and that expense would need to factor in.

POMBINHA - Would you be willing to
answer the same questions that I asked Sherman about the temperature ranges and electric bills?

I think it would be helpful to people making location decisions. And what is expensive to us, is not that big of a deal to others. All depends on priorities and budget.

And really, I am not trying to get the whole expat world to live here. We already have our share of looney tunes.

LongHammer
  8/27/2017 18:44 EST

I owned a 2 bed/one bath home on the Oregon Coast in Florence. Gated Community etc, two swimming pools, tennis courts and a gym. Bought it for $17,800 in 2001. Sold it for $23,500 8 years ago. It is for sale again For $41,200. Homeowners Association fee of $177 a month included water, sewer and electric. They sold and delivered propane. I only lived there four months before I had enough of a few problem neighbors, especially the HOA President who was drunk all the time and shooting birds, cats and whatever. Even at that price I had my fill of owning. I prefer the freedom of being able to leave at any time and any reason.
My electric is never even up to 8,000 colones. About 55 degrees at night, high 70's during the day. Not many flying insects. LindyLuvsCR makes sense as I wised up and don't recommend anyone to my locale, at least not within 25 kilometers or so. If I did, it wouldn't be long before a 3bed/2 bath house like I rent for $220 a month would be renting for $600 or more. Two armed guards on a business across the street 24/7, plus cameras. National Police Officer living next door. The house I rent is for sale for $130,000 USD. I don't think I have any worries on losing my rental.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

PombinhaCoco
  8/28/2017 18:43 EST

Shermanwc and Lindy,
I also love Tamarindo and I checked some condos there before we bought here.
My children always visit Tamarindo when they come.
I never know what the temperature is but this week seems to be between 83 and 90.
As you know we live in a gated community in a small 2 bedroom condo.
Our fees are 135.00 and it includes the garbage,water and electricity in the common areas.. As you know we have a guard 24/7.
However our electricity (inside the condo) goes from 60.00 to 80.00.
It depends how many soccer games my husband watches online with the A/C on.
However when my children came here at the same time we paid 110.00 for the electricity that month.
I never had a problem with sand flees and the mosquitos don't seem to like some too much.
My husband uses the mosquito spray 2 or 3 times a day..
Here we walk everywhere and when we buy groceries we come home by taxi which costs
1.000.00 Colones (2 dollars)
During the high season a lot of vendors come to our gate to sell bread,pastries,shrimp and other fish, fruit,eggs, etc...
Since some locals know that we like to buy red snapper, once in a while the guard knocks on our door to let us know that someone is looking for us with red snapper to sell.
I'm eating much healthier here and by the way, I lost 37 pounds.

shermanwc
  8/29/2017 09:47 EST

PombinhaCoco, I am surprised that your monthly electrical costs are so low, but I must admit that we are "always" using electricity. All of our appliances are electric: oven, stove, microwave, water heater, washer/dryer, dishwasher, fridge. We always have several fans running, two computers, wifi (modem and router), and stereo music playing, plus periodic recharging of cell phones. We don't claim to be trying to live on a tight budget, but we try not to be unnecessarily wasteful.

lindyluvsCR
  8/29/2017 10:20 EST

Pombinha - Hola!

Your electric is about the same as i F,lorida. Mosquitos think I am a chocolate cupcake with legs. I use a natural spray here if I am going to the park, but the chemical kind I have a problem with.

Good job losing some weight. If I let myself, I would weigh a ton. I love food too. Keep it in check with weight watchers points.

Have a blessed day.

PombinhaCoco
  8/29/2017 14:29 EST

LindyLuvsCR
We had a Canadian neighbor here who now has moved to the other side of town who
used to pay 30.00 in electricity.
She said she would only turn on the A/C briefly
before she went to bed.
However her TV was on all day long even when she was in the pool or shopping.

RobinB
  9/20/2017 13:20 EST

Hi Lindy. Just found the forum and signed up. We are taking a trip to Grecia in December and I may send you a message and see if you are free. We're thinking about the possibility of retiring there.

bradcr
  9/22/2017 13:21 EST

Hi, I'm staying at Vista Canyon Inn nearer to San Jose. The owners are wonderful and helping me with finding a more permanent rental. I thought it would be more conducive to obtaining my Pensionada Visa if I was closer to San Jose. Link http://www.vistacanyoninn.com

lindyluvsCR
  9/24/2017 23:36 EST

Brad - once you hand over all your papers to a lawyer, it takes months (took us 9 months) before you get your residency. There is no sense in living in SJ for that length of time unless that is really where you want to be.

After you put your papers in just takes a trip or two to SJ.

Kohl
  9/25/2017 08:01 EST

And if you have your residency and cedula in 9 months, that's what could be considered 'a miracle' by many. 8-)

lindyluvsCR
  9/25/2017 21:09 EST

Kohl - then we had a miracle. And I never called one time to bug the lawyer.

Kohl
  9/26/2017 08:24 EST

You sure did get lucky!

lindyluvsCR
  9/26/2017 11:44 EST

I don't believe in luck - I believe in prayer. The same way we decided on Grecia.

signer56
  9/30/2017 14:51 EST

You havent said which town you live in. Sounds like it would suit me just fine. Better than living in subsidized housing in Sarasota Florida!

beach1girl
  10/13/2017 20:32 EST

Hi AnnaBeach, have you read The Costa Rica No One Talks About? Since you are considering moving to Costa Rica, you may find helpful what this expat wrote about his experience in Costa Rica. Just visit https://www.francoissylvain.com/ Wishing you only the best!

PombinhaCoco
  10/14/2017 02:20 EST

Beach1girl
Are you trying to scare AnnaBeach about Costa Rica?
Just because someone wrote a book and told whatever he wanted to telll it doesn't mean that we all who live here have the same experiences he had.
I also had bad experiences in Canada, in Cuba, in Portugal and also here.
I didn't move to Mars because of that!
We can't be paralyzed by fear!
Remember that these people who write these books know that the more controversial they are the more money they make.
The best book to read is the Bible and the best decision we make is through prayer.
Like LindyLuvsCR said, I too don't believe in luck but in prayer!

LatinJazzCR
  10/15/2017 10:36 EST

You did mention simple lifestyle
Why not try the Eastern part of SJO
Its still less expensive then the western part of SJO -and you would get a true feeling of what CR is all about - I personally live in Cartago and here it is less congested then others - The Farmers Markets are the best for your shopping

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Costa Rica GuideLiving in Costa Rica Guide

Our Living in Costa Rica Guide is a primer on everything about living in Costa Rica: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, and more.

Costa Rica Forum Costa Rica Forum
Join our Costa Rica forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Costa Rica.

Contribute to Costa Rica Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.

Best Places to Live in Costa Rica Best Places to Live in Costa Rica

If you're dreaming about living in Costa Rica, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica in 2023.

Healthcare in Costa RicaHealthcare in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has both public and private healthcare systems. When you become a resident, you must enroll in the public healthcare system (CAJA). Many expats use the public system for routine healthcare and have private expat health insurance for specialists, surgeries and emergencies.

Cost of Living in Costa RicaCost of Living in Costa Rica

If you're moving to Costa Rica, you'll want to understand the cost of living in Costa Rica. Lifestyle, location and health insurance are part of the formula.

Moving to Costa RicaMoving to Costa Rica Guide

Moving to Costa Rica has become more popular among expats. Making this choice requires a lot of research to ensure the expat experience you hope for will be realized.

Real Estate in Costa RicaReal Estate in Costa Rica

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Costa Rica.

Pros Cons of Living in Costa RicaPros & Cons of Living in Costa Rica

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Costa Rica.

Retiring in Costa RicaRetiring in Costa Rica

Advice for people retiring in Costa Rica.

Visa and Residency Costa RicaCosta Rica Visa & Residency Guide

Applying for residency in Costa Rica can be a daunting process. Which type of residency is right for me? Do I need an attorney? Do I have to leave the country every 90 days? What is a cedula? This article answers these and many other questions.

10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica

If you've recently arrived in Costa Rica, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Costa Rica.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Costa Rica Network Contribute
Help others in Costa Rica by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.

RelocateNow Costa Rica
RelocateNow Costa Rica

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal