Costa Rica Forum

turriterror
Joined 2012
Posts: 1

12 years ago

Response to Bizibi's Post

12 years ago

I have lived in Costa Rica for a number of years and have lost a dear friend to the negligent hospitals here. They are completely dispassionate towards any foreigner. Should something go wrong from their negligence, they simply say "it's God's will." Not their fault or problem. The social medical in this country is very inexpensive, so you get what you pay for. Recently being hospitalized here for a few nights has left me feeling more sick than when I went in due to the filth, lack of any attention to basic human services (ie: no toilet seats, no toilet paper, not receiving meds when ordered, bullying nurses too busy on their cell phones to care about the patients, etc. etc. etc.) Although you will find many Ticos that patiently try to communicate with those not fluent in Spanish, it does not hold true in the public medical field. Private insurance here is available, although at rates most retirees can not afford, so anyone in the process of moving here beware. The robberies (yes, they lifted a child through the bars on my window to go in the house to let the adult in,) the cheating, unwillingness to be honest about anything and the inherent double standards here will leave you just a little short of "pura vida."

The realtors that want your business here, will, of course, be only too happy to post glorious words about this country rather than be upfront with you and share what it is really like.

If you are wondering why I stay if things are so bad, I, too, am "stuck" here since the economic downturn has made selling my properties here impossible. So, while everyone is saying "pura vida," just don't forget to keep one hand on your wallet and the other on your pulse. The upside, I suppose, is those just moving here can find tremendous bargains from the large number of us that just want out.

Incidentally, the inflation rate here is astronomical, so it is very expensive to live in Costa Rica.

Tired in Turri

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

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

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

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 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 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 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 Rica

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

Pros & 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 Rica

Advice for people retiring in Costa Rica.

Costa 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 Rica

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

Additional Information:

Visit our Costa Rica Index for a Full List

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

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