daveandmarcia
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum posts
310
Contacts
4
About me
American
Registration: 03 February 2023
Activity
Joining In the Fray by Richtl
Hi Folks, I've been browsing this forum for awhile, and guess it's time to join in. My wife and I are in the process of moving from the Northeast US to Costa Rica. We've both lived in many places, and are entering this with few illusions. Also, I'm ...
edwinsamoron, I protest because there is a significant risk that someone unfamiliar with your prattlings will take them for fact. Tell us your sources. Give us the data. Then, what you write will be credible. Read More
Joining In the Fray by Richtl
Hi Folks, I've been browsing this forum for awhile, and guess it's time to join in. My wife and I are in the process of moving from the Northeast US to Costa Rica. We've both lived in many places, and are entering this with few illusions. Also, I'm ...
edwinsamoron, it maybe common rumor in whatever fantasy world you infest, but absent actual facts to support your assertion, it is not ". . .common knowledge {emphasis added} that just about all leave Costa Rica eventually and the majority in the ... Read More
Joining In the Fray by Richtl
Hi Folks, I've been browsing this forum for awhile, and guess it's time to join in. My wife and I are in the process of moving from the Northeast US to Costa Rica. We've both lived in many places, and are entering this with few illusions. Also, I'm ...
Bank recommendations: First, open an account at Banco Nacional or Banco de Costa Rica. There, you can have your Social Security deposited on the third off every month. Also, many, many commercial establishments here have accounts at one or both of ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
Don't believe everything you read and don't believe everything somebody says somebody said. Look for the facts. Ask for the data. Know the sources of those facts and data. Then, maybe, believe it. Read More
Taxes for expats in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, When settling in and living in Costa Rica, you will also need to navigate the local tax system. In order to help newcomers and expats ease their tax-related experience, we would like to invite you to share your experience. What ...
U.S. citizens pay U.S. income tax to the IRS worldwide regardless of the source of their taxable income. (If there is a local income tax that's applied, it can be offset on one's U.S. federal income tax return so that there is no double taxation.) ... Read More
Cost of living in Costa Rica in 2025 by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in in Costa Rica, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Costa Rica or already ...
Everyone wants to know how much it costs to live here. Well, the straight answer is, "It depends."In Costa Rica, there are many more opportunities to determine one's own cost of living than what we nordamericanos are accustomed to. For instance, you ... Read More
Building a Home In Costa Rica by SaturnHelios
Hello everyone, I'm planning on moving to Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica in the near future and I'm currently saving money to build a home, but I'm having some problems figuring out the cost of per square meter/m2 I found this website ...
True in Costa Rica and everywhere else . . . You've got to be careful to understand what is included in any price quote and what is not. The "unincludedes" can add up big time (or, as someone we all love and admire says, "bigly").We got two price ... Read More
SSA benefits letter apostille by Coladas
Hello all; does anyone have experience with getting a social security letter of benefits apostille? TIA.
If you Google "U.S. Embassy Costa Rica", go to that site and look for the link to the "Federal Benefits Unit". There, you'll find a link to a page where you can request a letter that documents your Social Security Benefit. They'll email it to you in ... Read More
Do I need to travel to Costa Rica to sign documents? by Tufty
Hi everyonemy name is Steve. My brother lived in CR for many years but recently passed away. I live in the UK, and have been told I will either have to travel to CR to sign papers to get probate started, or someone will need to come to the UK to get ...
If you're a citizen of the United States, the U.S. Embassy in San Jose has a notary service that is recognized in all States. If you're a British citizen, then either the British Embassy here in Costa Rica or the British government in Great Britain ... Read More
COVINTEC construction experience by costaricahomebuilder
The Covintec system sounds great and makes sense on paper but here in Costa Rica all the input I have received from contractors who have used the system over the last 10 years has been negative. I am looking for some positive input as this product ...
If you've not learned this already, whether you're using your MediSmart membership or paying full price, many, many pharmaceuticals are available over the counter in Costa Rica without a physician's prescription. Exceptions include strong pain ... Read More
COVINTEC construction experience by costaricahomebuilder
The Covintec system sounds great and makes sense on paper but here in Costa Rica all the input I have received from contractors who have used the system over the last 10 years has been negative. I am looking for some positive input as this product ...
Regardless which of MediSmart's goods or services you avail yourself of, there will be an out-of-pocket cost. What I've seen online tells me that the greatest discount you can expect is 80% from one of the medical specialties. Everything else will ... Read More
COVINTEC construction experience by costaricahomebuilder
The Covintec system sounds great and makes sense on paper but here in Costa Rica all the input I have received from contractors who have used the system over the last 10 years has been negative. I am looking for some positive input as this product ...
In your current status as a tourist, you should have no problem obtaining travel insurance which will cover you here. You'll need to shop around. MediSmart is a medical care discount program run out of Hospital Metropolitano. It's not conventional ... Read More
Latest updates in labor regulations in Costa Rica by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Labor laws and regulations are constantly evolving. Staying informed of these updates as an expat in Costa Rica helps you in navigating your professional experience and expat career. We would like to invite you to share the ...
Above, you wrote "Labor laws and regulations are constantly evolving."Could you please tell us what changes you are aware of? What laws have changed? Read More
HOW (step-by-step instructions) to apply for a pensionado visa by dwilhelms1
Hello all,I cannot find any information on a goverment or otherwise reliable-appearing site on how to apply for a pensionado visa. And the consulate in Denver is evidently closed. Any ideas on where to find such a place? Or is that not even ...
I think your paralegal friend could handle all of this without any participation from an attorney. Applying for legal residence is a simple and straightforward process as long as you adhere to the details. Read More
HOW (step-by-step instructions) to apply for a pensionado visa by dwilhelms1
Hello all,I cannot find any information on a goverment or otherwise reliable-appearing site on how to apply for a pensionado visa. And the consulate in Denver is evidently closed. Any ideas on where to find such a place? Or is that not even ...
rainagain, above you wrote, ". . . or you could even do it yourself... but that would most likely require excellent Spanish skills . . ." and you're right on all but one detail. The documents submitted to Immigration in support of a residency ... Read More