Properties in Costa Rica Blog

Monthly Archives: October 2015


Halloween In Costa Rica

Halloween In Costa Rica

October 27, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

Halloween is a major North American holiday and with Costa Rica’s growing number of US and Canadian born residents, the holiday has taken on a larger role throughout the country. In expat communities, traditional parties and trick or treaters can be found on the 31st of October. However, it coincides with Costa Rica’s traditional Masquerade Day. Both customs are tied to the Catholic holiday All Saints Day. Halloween is actually known as All Saints Eve. With both holidays involving colorful festive costumes and celebrations, the 31st through the 2nd of November in Costa Rica tends to be a lively time filled with celebration and paying homage to the departed.

Parades celebrating Masquerade Day are held throughout the country. Costa Ricans make large paper mache masks of mythical figures, famous people, and imaginary creatures that they wear similar to North Americans costumes. Groups of musicians referred to as Cimarronas, a term for self-taught musicians, play music as groups gather throughout town. People parade down the street celebrating, and local artists draw upon the tradition. For three days, Costa Ricans celebrate with festivities but the masks and parade really stands out as the main part of this long time tradition.

After the festive holiday on the eve before All Saints Day, November 1st through the 2nd, people throughout Costa Rica celebrate this Catholic holiday by decorating loved one’s graves with palms and flowers. Over the last 15 years, there’s been a big resurgence in the masquerade tradition. In part, due to the large number of North Americans celebrating holiday has fuelled a rediscovery of the country’s own different yet similar tradition. It’s another example of how Costa Rica is becoming a melting pelt of cultures from the around the world blending traditions and sharing histories. Happy Halloween and Masquerade Day!

1 Comment



Eight Tips for Relocating to Costa Rica

Eight Tips for Relocating to Costa Rica

October 16, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

If you are thinking about becoming a resident in Costa Rica here are the answers to the top eight questions foreigners ask when considering moving to this little bit of paradise long or short term.

Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account for Costa Rica residents is fairly easy. Citibank and Scotiabank both have branches here as do other international banks. There is also the local state sponsored bank. Banks work in both Colones, the local currency, as well as dollars. Some banks also offer Euros. While there is more paperwork involved in opening an account it is still fairly straight forward for foreign residents. The benefits of a state-owned bank include guaranteed deposits and an extensive network of branches and ATMs. You will need to present your DIMEX card, the identity card provided to all foreigners living in Costa Rica, make a minimum deposit, provide proof of residence through a utility bill, and proof of income. U.S. citizens will also need to complete several tax forms and documentation to inform the IRS you are opening an offshore bank account.

Importing Cars or Pets

Bringing a car into Costa Rica can be done for $1000 or less. Pets require a letter not more than two weeks old from date of entry into the country verifying that the pet is in good health and does not have any diseases and it up to date on required vaccines.

Healthcare

Foreign residents can get healthcare either through the government run universal healthcare system or through the private system. Either way costs are significantly lower than in the U.S. by a ⅓ to ⅕ what you’d pay for in the U.S. depending on the treatment.

Purchasing Property

Foreigners can easily purchase property in Costa Rica, and the friendly laws toward foreign buyers makes it one of the main attractive features for many residents. When purchasing a property in Costa Rica, you will benefit from working with a realtor who is familiar with the area and nuances as well as an attorney to assist you with the contracts and legal paperwork. Look for referrals.

Income Taxes

U.S. citizens must continue to pay income taxes. The US taxes on worldwide income, and Costa Rica will tax you on the income you make in the country. Depending on your situation you may have to pay taxes to both Costa Rica and the US. Seek out the counsel of any experienced tax accountant.

Dollars

Dollars are widely used in Costa Rica and you can also easily exchange dollars for the local currency, Colones. In short, you can use either currency here fairly easily.

Cell Phone

You can get a prepaid phone and card or swap out your sim card with one from a local service provider. It’s a fairly straight-forward process. Most people prefer to switch sim cards especially iPhone users.

Network with Expats

A benefit for North Americans traveling here for extended periods of time or moving here permanently is there is already a well established expat community here. It’s a valuable resource for exchanging information as well as getting support and forming friendships. Overall when it comes to moving to a foreign country, for North Americans, it’s fairly easy to assimilate and settle in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a warm, hospitable country with a laid back vibe and government policies are foreigner friendly for those choosing to relocate to this happy country. Follow the recommended tips when moving to Costa Rica, and your transition will be fairly smooth.

4 Comments



Dolphin and Whale Season in Costa Rica

Dolphin and Whale Season in Costa Rica

October 14, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

Dolphins and whales migrate heavily through Costa Rica’s southern pacific from July to October. It is the best time of year for whale watching and spotting these magnificent creatures as they make the epic journey across the ocean waters. All along the coasts of the pacific waters there are many special spots for whale watching. The Dominical is one of the favorite spots for whale watching as is deep in the Osa Peninsula around the Golfo Dulce. The magnificent Humpback Whales are easy to spot along the waters and known for their enchanting sounds and songs.

Costa Rica is known to have the most biologically diverse marine wildlife in the world, and the Osa Peninsula has been named the most biologically intense place on the planet. The humpback whales have one of the most incredible migration patterns of any creature on the planet. They travel across the northern and southern hemispheres. Travelling from the Antarctic to Costa Rica, a journey of 5000 miles twice a year, makes them the furthest migrating species in the world.

A large part of the Gulfo Dulce is where whales come to give birth, rest and nurse their young for a week before continuing on with their migration through the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Humpback Whales are among the many endangered species on the planet. Recently that population has grown to approximately 65,000 to 75,000. While still endangered the population is starting to recover. They are also the largest living mammal on the planet. The area is also known for being a significant migration spot for the Bottlenose Dolphins, Spotted Dolphins, Spinner Dolphins and occasionally False Killer Whales.

The whales choose Costa Rica as their ideal location because the shallow warm currents that lie above low oxygen and cold currents making the warm water swell up to create the ideal ecosystem for this creature with an abundance of food sources. There are currently strong efforts underway to make the Golfo Dulce a marine protected area to safeguard this breeding ground. It’s critical to the survival of these species facing huge threats to their populations as a result of environmental degradation of the world’s oceans and climate change. If you get a chance to watch these whales in their habitat, it is an incredible opportunity and a awe-inspiring magical experience.




The Meeting of Cultures

The Meeting of Cultures

October 5, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

Central America is a vibrant place known for its colorful diverse collision of world cultures that creates a rich melding of traditions and histories unlike anywhere else in the world. Here indigenous cultures combined with European and most recently North American has created a world unique to any other part of the world. Known for its strong latin influence, it is a hybrid of ancient cultures dating back centuries. Today it marks the emergence of a new culture after centuries of conflict and migration, a new cultural identity is beginning to take shape in these parts and the values it supports are attracting peoples from all over the world.

The original people of this part of MesoAmerica where the Mayans and Aztecs, as well as bands of smaller tribes throughout the regions. When the Spanish came to the area in the early 1600s, it marked the beginning of the areas tragic relationship with colonization and the melding of Spanish heritage into the indigenous heritage to transform it into what is now widely referred to as Latin American culture in the modern world. Throughout parts of South America, the early European influence is broader and deeper to include French and German immigrants to these territories. An effect strongly experienced and visible seen in Argentina, which may one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

Since the late part of the 20th Century Americans and Canadians have begun to flock to the shores of Central and South America along with increasing numbers of Europeans. It is creating a third major wave of immigration impacting and influencing these countries as the newest arrivals settle in bringing their own traditions and cultures with them. The effect is creating truly global urban centers throughout the major cities of South and Central America. Costa Rica is known for its rich diversity, as well as its troubled history with colonization and struggle for independence. However, this small country appears to be emerging as a positive example of the hybridization of many cultures, traditions and complicated histories. It is story of adaptation and hybridization after many years of struggle.



Google+ Facebook Linkedin Youtube Twitter Blog Instagram