NEW !   SCROLL DOWN FOR NEW U.S. VETERANS' INFORMATION
posted Jan. 29, 2013!! 

JACO WOMEN'S GROUP HAS RE-FORMED

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Jaco womens group/ Grupo de mujeres de Jaco
From: centralpacific womensgroup <centralpacificwomensgroup@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, March 16, 2013 9:08 am
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Ladies, 
We would like to invite you to the next meeting of Jaco women’s group which will be next Tuesday, April 2 at 5pm at Club del Cielo Hotel (across from Morgan’s cove)
This month we need to choose our vision, mission, logo, board members and the fundraiser project for our community learning center:https://www.facebook.com/festivaldeportivorecreativoyculturaldeplayajaco
If you represent a company or have your own business please bring information to share between us so we can have our local networking.
Also remember: bring a book and take a book!
You can bring snacks to share between us too if you want!
See you all there 
 

Original Message --------
Subject: Festival Deportivo, Recreativo y Cultural Playa Jaco / Sports,
recreation and cultural festival
From: centralpacific womensgroup <centralpacificwomensgroup@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, March 13, 2013 6:38 pm
To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Ladies,
It is that TIME!
Today after a meeting with the Sports committee of Jaco they agreed to make a major event in Jaco. We all came to the conclusion of the name: Sports, recreation and cultural festival- Pro the Community Learning Center of Jaco "Training and educating our community for a better future".
Next Monday we will present this project to the municipality and we will look for they to consider as "community interest". 
Between Lidia, Gabriela and myself already have a whole list of possible sponsors and the agenda for that day.
Who wants to start working as volunteer at least twice per week calling and emailing people?
We need help, because honestly this is a major event that we might need to get the world know of us, specially that all the publishing says that it is pro the community learning center and no one before has ever  done anything like this in Jaco.
Of course the sports committee is going to work with us in the planning and as well with the activity.
So please if you want to participate as volunteer since now, please reply to this email.
You can follow the vent through Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/festivaldeportivorecreativoyculturaldeplayajaco
Date: Wed, March 13, 2013 6:38 pm

Veterans Affairs info to get you started:

http://www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/fmp/fmp.asp   Official Gov't Site 

http://www.amlegioncr10.com/Medical.html    Biggest vets group in Costa Rica, Escazu

http://www.amlegioncr10.com/B-Board.html   Easy to get there from Jaco.

http://www.veteranscarecostarica.com/who.html  They are in Heredia, far from Jaco

FOR CLINICA BIBLICA:

http://www.hcbinternational.com/web/ 

Wondering what to do in your spare time?

 

1.      Get a copy of your passport at the printers, upstairs from The Coffee Shop

2.      Walk on the beach, both north end and south end are the best.

3.      North end of Jaco at low tide enables you to visit Monkey Beach

4.      Learn to Surf or Paddle board

5.      Watch the Sunset from Villa Caletas or Hotel Nine 2nd floor bar

6.      Visit the Turtle Reserve in Playa Hermosa

7.      Check out the tide pools north end of Playa Hermosa

8.      Zipline in any one of the 5 local area companies

9.      Waterfall repelling

10.   Horseback riding

11.   Visit and hire guide for Carara National Park, short trails-lots of birds

12.   Visit the snake-monkey-butterfly farm in Pueblo Nuevo

13.   Take a visit to a tropical island, Isla Tortuga, combined with snorkeling

14.   Take a trip to Manuel Antonio

15.   Go fishing from the Los Suenos Marina, full or half days.

16.   Play golf at the Los Suenos 18 hole Iguana Golf Course

17.   Take the kids to Jaco’s Central Park, Johannes Danker

18.   Take the kids to the Jaco Public Library

19.   Go to Jaco’s Air-Conditioned movie theatre (4plex)

20.   Go to an event in the Teatro Jaco

21.   Get a massage

22.   Get teeth cleaning from a great dentist

23.   Rent an all terrain vehicle

24.   Visit waterfalls in Bijagual or Ocean Ranch Park

25.   Take a yoga class

26.   Visit a Gym and work-out

27.   Eat-Shop-Eat-Shop

28.   People watch from Los Amigos or Esmeralda or Gelateria or …..

29.   Walk around the Los Suenos Marina, checking out the yachts & visit great restaurants

30.   Attend the next Central Pacific Women’s Group

31.  Go on the Sunset  “Booze Cruise” leaving from Herradura at 3.30 back at 8

32.   Ask questions to an honest lawyer

33.   Speak to a real estate expert like Jeff or Colin at CR Beach Investment Real 
        Estate

 

 

NOW THE JACO LIBRARY IS HAVING MORE ACTIVITIES:

-          Children's Story Hour in English and Spanish from 3-4 pm every other Saturday (Feb. 18th, and March 3rd, 17th, 31st).

-          Weight Loss Challenge with weight loss coach Beth 8705-2687.

-          Monster Ink is partnering with the library. They will now be a printer ink cartridge refilling station. Bring in your empty ink cartridges to see what they have in stock and what they can refill.

-          English Classes with Genevieve and Julia             8986-9972      .

-          Spanish Classes with Rolando and Liana             8378-9978      .

For more information please contact Liana at             8378-9978      . The Jaco Library is located next to Century 21 office.

Check out:     www.jacochamber.com  

 

CENPAC

JACO-CENTRAL PACIFIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CAMARA DE COMERCIO DEL PACIFICO CENTRAL

Telf: 2643-2853

cenpac.chamber@gmail.com  

 

(we used to receive newsletters monthly like this, but the 
Chamber needs a volunteer to do this style again) 

Jaco's Current Events & Things to Do: Oct 10, 2012

CENTRAL PACIFIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAMARA DE COMERCIO DEL PACIFICO CENTRAL Telf.: 2643-2853 www.jacochamber.com   The new family of bills of 5000, 10 000 y 50 000 colones   The new family of bills from Costa Rica, are circulating in the national market now. The old bills can be used until the 31st of December.  After January 1st 2013, the old bills can be changed in the banks. The Central Bank Of Costa Rica included  in the design protagonist characters of democracy, political, economic, educational and cultural, as well as highlighting the importance of nature and the preservation of natural ecosystems in the country.   Hermosa Beach Clean Up!   On September 2nd, the team from Del Mar Surf Camp held a beach cleanup day in Playa Hermosa.  Since Hermosa Beach received many people for the Finals of the National Surf Circuit, Del Mar Surf Camp decided to make a day of cleaning the area. María del Mar Alfaro said that volunteers collected trash including cigarette butts, bottle caps, among others.  We commend the excellent initiative to work for our community.      New member!  CHILDREN `S CASUAL WEAR    The new clothing store for children from ages zero to seven years of age, CHILDREN `S CASUAL WEAR, is located in the Pacific Center Mall, local number 10.  Contact Information: Tel: 2643-3951 OPEN: From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   CENTRAL PACIFIC WOMENS GROUP The next meeting will be WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH at Hotel Cocal 25m west of Pops on I.C.E. street, Latitude Restaurant Time: 9-11am     HOTEL CLUB DEL MAR  Congratulations to Hotel Club del Mar, an active member of the Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce , for its achievements in this month to receive the Certification for Sustainable Tourism with two leaves, of  the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, in addition to obtaining a certificate of Excellence for 2012 with a score of 4.5 by the visitors in the network of "Tripadvisor" An example to follow, we wish them every success in each of their projects.         CENTRAL PACIFIC WOMEN'S GROUP MEETING---Sharing, Learning, Uniting   Date: July 18, 2012 Place: Hotel Cocal 25m west of Pops on I.C.E. street, Latitude Restaurant Time: 9-11am   MISSION To provide positive support to the community under the auspices of the Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce. This is accomplished through networking, social, cultural, and volunteer opportunities to all women in a bilingual and multicultural effort.   BUSINESS MEETING: (brief)Margo Sanders 1) Future program ideas elicited 2) Library: Liana Robinson Kids programs going great Fund raiser from Jaco Taco netted $300 Next fund raiser: July 25, 6:30pm, 3-course meal at EAT, $30pp   3) Treasurer: Lynn Gensemer $849 4) Turtle Refugio 90 baby turtles released already 5) Welcome to Carmen, the new Chamber of Commerce Director www.jacochamber.com 2643-2853   NEXT MEETING=NEXT LUNCH BUNCH-August 14, 2012 It's time to shake up our energy and take advantage of San Jose's culture.   1) 7am Jaco-San Jose bus ride, 2043 colones one way 2) 9:30-11:30 Bird's Nest walking tour with Stacey Auch, $22 http://www.toursanjosecostarica.com/birds-nest.html 3) Possible National Theater concert at 12:10, 1000 colones(time permitting) 4) Lunch at Jardin del Parque, a fantastic vegetarian restaurant that features only plants native to Costa Rica, approx. 4000colones. It comes highly recommended. 5) Bus ride back to Jaco 2043 colones   This trip, being a new format idea, was discussed with today's women. A positive response was received. Each woman will be responsible for getting her own bus tickets and meeting promptly at the station on Aug. 14. From then on, let the fun begin! Watch closely for updated information within the next week.   Future suggestions for a "meeting-on-the-go" are: 1) Trip to Manuel Antonio ($10 non-residents) ($2 residents) 2) Santuario de Lapas($15) & Orchid Tour($14): Aranjuez de Puntarenas   PROGRAM: Astronomy , by Jose Alberto Villalobos Morales javillalobos@ice.co.cr (email him if you want to receive the Internet Website for sky telescope magazine) Retired Professor of Physics from UCR Passionate astronomer   1) Brief introduction of the solar system 2) Astronomical events 3) The Milky Way 4) Astronomical Phenomenon of 2012 and the Mayan Perspective   This charming, enthusiastic gentleman bounced his way around the room trying to explain the 3 Mayan calendars and how they ultimately affect the modern day calendar. His wit and personality helped to bring forth his belief that in science all events are backed by proof. Therefore the archeologists and the astronomers do NOT believe the Mayan calendar's prophecy that the world will end this December 22. Here are some interesting facts: 1) In Costa Rica on April 16 and August 20, at 12 noon the sun is directly ahead and therefore you will not have a shadow. 2) The Milky Way is always visible in Jaco/Herradura on clear, dark nights. 3) The sun has an 11 year period of activity(flares, sunspots, etc.) and then a 11 year period of lesser activity. Come May 2013 the next 11 years we will note increased activity. Rest assure there are many people and sophisticated devises monitoring this activity. No solar storm is going to wipe out the earth. 4) Every 29.5 days we have full moons. 5) Only Venus and Mercury travel in front of Earth and therefore in front of the sun. There will not be another eclipse of Venus on the sun for 105 years.   On a very soothing and uplifting note(literally) his wife, Marie, ended the presentation playing the flute. Each song was connected to the stars, love, or the heavens in one way or another. Jose agreed to return to Jaco with his high-powered telescope in January or February of 2013 and do a star-gazing night program for us! 3 cheers for this enlightening couple.   REMINDERS: 1)  2) For email correspondence: centralpacificwomensgroup@gmail.com 3) Bring-a-book, take-a-book 4) Donation of 2000 colones for the meeting 5) Support Hotel Cocal as they provide the space & luncheon for free 6) Become a Friend of the Library!! 7) Ideas for future programs are welcomed.   THE PLACE TO MEET YOUR NEXT BEST FRIEND   Submitted by: Carol Angus, Secretary

 

 

 NOW THE JACO LIBRARY IS HAVING MORE ACTIVITIES. This month, some of the activities are:

-          Children's Story Hour in English and Spanish from 3-4 pm every other Saturday (Feb. 18th, and March 3rd, 17th, 31st).

-          Weight Loss Challenge with weight loss coach Beth 8705-2687.

-          Monster Ink is partnering with the library. They will now be a printer ink cartridge refilling station. Bring in your empty ink cartridges to see what they have in stock and what they can refill.

-          English Classes with Genevieve and Julia             8986-9972      .

-          Spanish Classes with Rolando and Liana             8378-9978      .

For more information please contact Liana at             8378-9978      . The Jaco Library is located next to Century 21 office.

 *********************

Lifeguards of Jaco are requesting the donation of rescue tubes, whistles, binoculars, 2 waterproof radios, personal equipment, megaphone, lycra, waterproof bag and glasses. If you want to collaborate with young lifeguard please contact Marvin Perez             8701-4457      .       .

*********************

THE FISHING ACTION CONTINUES with the second leg scheduled for March 21-24 AT THE 8TH ANNUAL LOS SUEÑOS BILLFISH SERIES 2012 at the world class Los Suenos Marina in Herradura. The tournament is catch and release.  Sign up by contacting Ashley Bretecher ata.bretecher@lsrm.com, Toll-free:             1-866-865-9759       or Direct: 011-506-2630-4005.       .

 **********************

THE BEST RACE OF THE SUMMER IS COMING SOON: JACO EXTREME CHALLENGE 5.0. On Saturday April 14th, the extreme athletic event sun + sand + asphalt will be held at 4:00 pm, starting in the Morgan's Cove Hotel. The registration fee is ¢ 8,000 before February 28th  and ¢ 10,000 from March 1st until April 13th. The space is limited to 3000 athletes. Delivery of packages will be the day of the event during the Running Expo from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. In Jaco the entries will be made by the Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce located in the Commercial Pacific Center in front of the Cable Tica office, tel.:             2643-2853      . For more information please visit www.atletismoextremo.com.THE CENTRAL PACIFIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND PROYECTO C.I.N.C.O (A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER) HAVE JOINED EFFORTS TO HELP THE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS IN NEED IN GARABITO. The project "Caring for a Heart" (Cuidando un Corazón) was created to help children who are attending school without full uniforms and with few school supplies. If you want to collaborate with school packets and learn more about the project please contact Proyecto C.I.N.C.O at  8385-6858, 2259-2972  or send an email educa1967@yahoo.es. Also, they will be having collections boxes in different places around Jaco where you can make a contribution. Any help would be most welcome.

**********************

MEMBERS NEWS

MACROBIÓTICA JACO NATURAL STORE OFFERS a great variety of natural products for the whole family, the best brands in essential oils, homeopathy, vitamins and more. Remember that the new concept of macrobiotics is located 300 meters south of the Hotel Best Western in front of Century 21 offices in Cristal Building. Hours are Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM. For more information please contact Marlys at             2643-3106       or by email to infomacrobioticajaco@gmail.com.

  **********************

OSMAN IMPORTS OF COSTA RICA, S.A. OPENS ITS FIRST LOCATION IN THE CENTRAL PACIFIC IN JACO. The new store is located at #1 F y M Commercial Center, 1 km North of the “I Love Sushi” restaurant; hours are 10AM – 6PM Tuesday through Fridays,  Saturdays and evening appointments  are by appointment only.

For info regarding memory foam mattresses, furniture, original art and other categories please call Ira Osman at             (506) 2643 2963       or Cell             (506) 8722 4390      ; SKYPE: irajosman.For information regarding Real Estate, please call Shirley Osman at             (506) 2643-2963.

**********************

Next February 24th, 25th and 26th at 7:30pm, Teatro Jacó will be featuring DO, RE Y MI DISONANTE by Arnoldo Ramos. Tickets cost is 5,000 colones ($10). The play will be in Spanish. For reservations please contact             2630-9812       or visit www.teatrojaco.com. 

 

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ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5TH FALCON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HELD THE FIRST ANNUAL RUN FOR EDUCATION. They are very pleased to announce that the event was a huge success and to congratulate the winner of this 5K charity run, Mr. Fabio Alvarez of Quebrada Ganado with a time of 16:22:15. In addition to a trophy, Mr. Alvarez was also presented with a round trip ticket to anywhere in the United States that Continental Airlines or United airline flies donated by United Airlines of Costa Rica. The winner of the 1K run was Fresley Rojas of the Herradura public school. With over 90 participants and the strong support of all the sponsors, this event raised over $6,000 to be invested in the education of the current scholarship students to attend Falcon International; Mr. Edier Gonzalez de Herradura y Miss Priscilla Brenes de Quebrada Ganado. Donations can still be made by contacting Falcon at             2637-7400    

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One of our members PROYECTO CINCO will be holding a meeting every Thursday from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Best Western Hotel, in which they will be talking about How to build good relationships with other people? The meeting will end on Thursday March 29th. It has no cost. For more information please contact Giovanni at             8385-6858       or             2259-2972       or send an email toeduca1967@yahoo.es. It will be in Spanish only.  

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PURE BREED BEAGLE FOR SALE. For more information please contact Barbara Zuñiga at            2643-2659       or             8340-0681    
        . **********************

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF GARABITO HELD AN ACTIVITY NAMED: Extinguishing Sorrows, Lighting Up Smiles!!! (Apagando Tristezas y Encendiendo Sonrisas!!!) in the elementary school La Hacienda. The activity was held on December 16th, 2011 and the firemen gave presents to all the kids who are students in La Hacienda. The kids enjoyed food, candies, ice cream, games and gifts.

We want to offer a very special thanks to Ileana Carballo who made the activity possible. And other special thanks to Jeff Fisher from CR Beach Investment Real Estate who donated money to buy the gifts.

NEW MEMBERS THIS MONTH / NUEVOS MIEMBROS DEL MES

 CONGRATULATIONS TO Larry Clapp & Carla DeVille! THEY ARE NEW MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL PACIFIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

CONGRATULATIONS TO Adobe Rent a Car! THEY HAVE RENEWED THEIR MEMBERSHIP TO THE CENTRAL PACIFIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Adobe is the largest local car rental company in Costa Rica with total protection and zero deductible insurance available and no hidden cost. Costa Rica’s youngest fleet. It was founded in 1990 and offers Sedán cars and 4x4 vehicles for rent for tourist or business purposes. Adobe is located in the Commercial Center Plaza Aventura in San José and Quepos. For more information please contact at             2542-4800       or send an email toventasgte@adobecar.com.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO Chaves Dental Care. THEY HAVE RENEWED THEIR MEMBERSHIP TO THE CENTRAL PACIFIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Enjoy your vacation and get your smile back. Now you can afford quality at a reasonable price by visiting their clinic. Whatever your needs they will provide you with dental treatment and care which will exceed your expectations. Chaves Dental Care Clinic is located next to Plaza Coral, downtown Jaco Beach. Check out Chaves Dental Care for your cosmetic dental needs and enjoy the benefits of getting your teeth capped, whitened or fixed while enjoying one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Chaves Dental Care Travel helps you arrange accommodation and airport pick-up. Treatments Offered are General Dentistry, Dental Surgery, Implants, Cosmetics, Root Canal Therapy, Orthodontics, Odontopaediatric and alot more... For more information please contact at             2643-3221      , send an email to info@chavesdentalcare.com or visit www.chavesdentalcare.com.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO Goods Protections Advisers. THEY HAVE RENEWED THEIR MEMBERSHIP TO THE CENTRAL PACIFIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Goods Protection Advisers was founded in 2006, provides all kind of insurances: Cars, Work Risks, Safe Home 2000, Comprehensive Home, Civil Liability, Global Life, Life In U.S Dollars, INS Medical, Equipment Contractors, Electronic Equipment, Business Fire Protection. Lda. Karla Campos is the insurance agent; her business is located in the Second Floor of Licorera Jaco, in Pacific Law & Consulting Firm offices on Pastor Díaz avenue in Jaco Beach. For more information, please contact at             2643-0127      ,             2643-2023       or send an email to kcampos@segurosscc.com or visit www.segurosscc.com. 

Tourism Doesn't Come Cheap -- but Costa Rica Comes Awfully Close 
So there you are: vacationing in Costa Rica -- ONE of, if not THE most bio-diverse location on Earth and home to panoramic beaches, rainforests and waterfalls, not to mention a seemingly endless variety  of flora and fauna and you're looking for things to do in Costa Rica that are FREE?

Sure thing! Excluding the obvious free activities like hiking, walking on the beach and sunbathing, there ARE free things to do in Costa Rica. It depends on where you go and at what time of the year and above all HOW you want to spend your time. Having established that, here are some free things to do in Costa Rica.

I. Festivals:
Let it not be said that in Costa Rica the locals don't know how to party! Every month during the year there is at least one festival being held and like all great festivals they are FREE! Within the context of the festival you're going to have to pay for food and drink - but the music, dancing and fireworks that are invariably a big part of every festival in Costa Rica is free-of-charge. And as we all know -- FREE is a good thing. Here are some noteworthy free festivals held throughout the year. Take your pick and schedule your vacation accordingly:

JANUARY:
- Palmares Civic Fiestas - Lots of culture here: folk dances, music, amusements and bullfighting.

- Alajuelita Fiestas - Honoring the Black Christ of Esquipulas, Alajuelita's Patron Saint..

- Santa Cruz Fiestas - dancing, marimbas and bullfighting.

FEBRUARY:
- San Isidro del General Fiestas - annual agricultural and industrial fairs with bullfights and a flower exhibition.

- Fiesta of the Diablitos - annual recreation of the fight between Indians and the Spanish.

- Puntarenas Carnival - Masks, music and plenty of sangria.

MARCH:
- Escazu - Dia de los Boyeros (Oxcart Driver's Day) - parade of oxcarts and the blessing of the animals and crops by local priests. Not to be missed - especially if you're a farmer.

- National Orchid Show - more flowers than you can shake a stick at.

APRIL:
- Holy Week - processions galore in all parts of country.

- Juan Santamaría Day - Commemorating Costa Rica's national hero -- a simple barefoot soldier who gave his life in the battle against William Walker's troops in 1856.

MAY:
- Puerto Limon - picnics, music and dancing. What more is there to life?

- Escazu - San Isidro Labrador's Day - another celebration honouring the Patron Saint of farmers

- Corpus Christi Day - May 29 - Religious celebration.

JUNE:
- Saints Peter & Paul Day - June 29 - More religion!

JULY:
- Puntarenas - Virgin of The Sea - fishing boat regatta which honors Puntarenas' Patron Saint, La Virgen del Monte Carmelo. Plenty of parades, dances and fireworks.

- Guanacaste Day - you guessed it: folk dances, bullfights, and music.

- Alajuela - Los Mangos Festival

AUGUST:
- Cartago - Virgin of Los Angeles - Honors Costa Rica's Patron Saint , "La Negrita" with nationwide pilgrimage and religious processions to the Basilica in Cartago.

SEPTEMBER:
Costa Rica's Independence Day is September 15th: witness the Freedom Torch as it is brought from Nicaragua by student relay runners the day before. Thrill to local "lantern parades" where kids carry home-made "faroles".

OCTOBER:
- Puerto Limon - Limon Carnival - Columbus Day is celebrated in style in the port city with week-long street dances, parades and music.

- Upala Corn Festival, Corn Queen contest.

- Tres Rios Virgen del Pilar's Day - celebrating yet another Patron Saint with parades and costumes made entirely of corn husks, grain, and silks.

NOVEMBER:
- All Souls day - Nov 2 - Day of the Dead.

- Central Valley Coffee picking contest, music and dancing

- International Arts Festival, plays, street theatre and other entertainment.

DECEMBER:
- Fiesta de los Negritos - very big event held in the Indian village of Boruca, and ancient Indian ritual is combined with honoring the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception.

- Nicoya Fiesta de la Yeguita - Processions, bullfights, fireworks, concerts.

- Festejos Populares (Year-end Festivals) - Dec 25-31

- Tope - Annual horse parade. Careful where you step!

- Carnival - Head to downtown San Jose for the biggest block party of the year!

II. Free Museums

- The Museo de Oro Precolombino (Museum of Precolumbian gold) is located under the Plaza de la Cultura in downtown San Jose. This impressive underground building houses the exhibit that creates a mysterious and dark background for the gleaming beauty of the golden pieces, which seem to float because they're suspended by transparent strings.The Museo de Moneda, or the Coin Museum, is located in the same building, and its exhibit includes information on coins, as well as interesting samples. And it's FREE.

- The Museo de Jade, or the Jade Museum.o Lcated in the INS building in downtown (in the National Insurance building. The exhibit in this museum is the largest American jade collection in the world. The collection is extremely valuable because of the rarity of the mineral and of the religious and historical significance that it has for the Indian population and for the Costa Ricans in general. Like the golden pieces, the jade artifacts also depict animal shapes.

- The Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle (Natural science) and the small Entomology Museum in the University of Costa Rica. The first museum is located in La Sabana and presents a taxidermy collection of various animals and a preserved fish and reptile exhibit. The small university museum houses a large collection of insects of Central and South America, including beautiful butterflies. 

III. Free Markets 

The most popular market in Costa Rica is Mercado Central (Market Central) and has to be seen to be believed. A variety of craft work , leatherwork and crafts not to mention some of the cheapest meals in San Jose town. Come to think of it, almost every town of any size in Costa Rica has a mercado central, where in addition to produce, fruits and meat, there are booths selling everyday items.

IV. Other Free activities

The Hummingbird gallery:
Next to the Monteverde Reserve entrance. Feeders outside attract dozens of hummingbirds representing about 7 species. 

V. Art & Artisans
Traditional Costa Rican artisans in Guaitíl hand throw Chorotega pottery while you watch, and the wood carvers of Sarchí transform rainforest hardwoods into every imaginable shape. Drums, baskets, textiles, and pre-Columbian reproductions are just a few of the things you'll want to take home with you. 

VI. Bird Watching
Botaurus pinnatus, Tigrisoma fasciatum, Tigrisoma mexicanum, Egretta thula, Egretta caerulea, Agamia agami, Cochlearius cochlearius- and that's just the most common Aredeidae. Avid birders know that Costa Rica is one of the top spots in the world, but you don't have to spend hours with binoculars glued to your eyes to see fascinating bird life in Costa Rica. Buy an Hermosa Beach Bungalow, and see hundreds of birds from your patio.

VII. Waterfalls & River Hiking

The number of spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica reflects rainfall averages of over 20 feet a year and the sheer drops of some of the mountain ranges. Some are visible from paved roads as you travel from place to place, but others require significant effort to reach. The surest way to find a falls with a deserted swimming hole at the bottom is to start walking upstream.

So there you have it: some truly fun things to do that are free! You're no doubt going to discover many more free things to do and see once you set foot in beautiful Costa Rica. Follow your instincts and not your pocket book and you'll come up with your own list of free activities in Costa Rica!

US Money’s Practical Check-off List for Overseas Home Purchases

 

   Costa Rica  Jaco, Central Pacific  
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Tips!

Moving to Costa Rica?
 We love living here and will gladly try to help you relocate to our "almost" Paradise.  
Remember the more time you invest in research,
the smoother the move!
if you want to learn about Medical Tourism, click here!

 

  WANT TO LEARN ALL ABOUT COSTA RICA
(from non-realtors) ???
WE RECOMMEND THE YAHOO GROUP, COSTA RICA LIVING.
I love this group because they have 5000 members that either have lived or currently live in Costa Rica or are thinking about it.
Want to research every possible question you may have? This is the source!
Often times their archive list will have the exact current information you seek!   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CostaRicaLiving   

If after researching the archives of Costa Rica Living, you still don't have the answer to your questions, please call us! Each of our Jaco sales executives have lived here for many years, and can answer almost anything. 

 

 

ONE OF THE MAIN CULTURAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE
U.S. & COSTA RICA:

 

Angry attack is the quickest way to get thrown out of an office

By Edward Bridges* Special to A.M. Costa Rica

 

A hot temper gets you the door in Costa Rica. If you lose your temper with a Costa Rican at a Costa Rican business, you may find yourself being asked to leave.

That is in contrast to an article Tuesday that pointed out cultural differences between Chinese and North American customer service workers. North American service workers are more likely to sabotage rude customers, while Chinese react by disengaging from customer service altogether, said the study.

Living in Costa Rica for more than 20 years, I have had the opportunity to view our North American culture objectively from a Costa Rican point of view.  Coming from a long heritage of screamers in my North American family line, I have often been asked by my Costa Rican daughters not to get angry when their friends are visiting because that is considered very abnormal and unacceptable behavior in Costa Rica and their friends will think I have a mental disorder. 

 

Working with many North American clients over the years, I have seen this numerous times.  Being a bully and threatening employees when things do not go well is not uncommon in our culture, and North American employees are trained to deal with hostile customers. Costa Ricans are not.  Their first response, if you lose your temper, is they will often ask you to leave the establishment or they will simply walk away and not return to deal with your complaint.  If you are dealing with government employees here, multiply this response by ten. They absolutely will not tolerate anything short of a completely polite and calm conversation about your problem.

 

My two oldest girls have worked in call centers in Costa Rica offering customer service to North American customers.  They found it amusing to report to me how crazy some North Americans are when complaining about a service or product on the phone.  This is something they are not used to at all in Costa Rica.  Ironically, they both learned how to sometimes get the customer to laugh at their own hostile behavior by responding in a completely polite and normal tone to often ridiculous complaints.  This is, perhaps, one of the reasons American companies prefer opening call centers here.

 

So if you want to get great service here, never raise your voice, even a little bit, when dealing with a Costa Rican employee.  Keep in mind, in most cases the employee was not personally responsible for the complained about activity or action.

 

I remember a Costa Rican business associate pointing out a common difference between our countries.  In Costa Rica when your phone call is answered by the secretary, Costa Ricans will often spend a minute or so greeting the secretary with social pleasantries like "How are you today, Jessica, etc."  In the U.S.A., such an approach will often irritate a busy secretary who just wants to put your call through and get back to work.  

If you promptly ask a Costa Rican secretary to connect your call, this will often be regarded as rude, but they will comply.   Or they may just tell you he is out of the office, when he is really there.

* Mr. Bridges of Desamparados has lived in Costa Rica for 20 years.

 

   Why Retire in Latin America?    By Rosemary Rein (Jeff will offer his opinion after each category!)

That was a headline on AOL News that caught our attention with this description of Costa Rica:

"It's got the good weather of Florida, but a much cheaper cost of living. And it's a lot more adventurous than Daytona. Politically stable, Costa Rica has a thriving industry of recruiting American retirees. Thousands of Americans are spread throughout Mexico, Panama and the rest of the region."

As residents of Costa Rica for 10 years, we are often asked the reason why we moved here in the first place .. so here's our Top 10 list for those of you contemplating your own adventure, living, working and or retiring in paradise.

10), Climate, Climate, Climate.. You can almost pick your preferred temperature in Costa Rica and we selected 72 degrees year round at our home in the Central ValleyMountains. But what about the Rainy/Green Season? Sure, we have about 2 hours of rain during our "winter" months each day, but most mornings are beautiful and sunny. That sure beats Fargo in Winter and Phoenix in Summer! We also happen to delight in that expected afternoon rain in green season for a few hours. In fact if you haven't experienced the sound of rain falling on a tin roof, with a good book, frankly, you haven't lived.

Jeff: Here in Jaco Beach we experience daily averages of about 78 degrees with only a few days yearly over 90. What I love about this area is that I am able to go with short sleeve shirt, sandles and shorts,  ALL year-round. And at home, day and night, I keep all the windows open. At night it cools down to 65. The rains keep Jaco green year-round and begin in May generally with about 2 hours of sporadic rain until October. That's the rainiest time of year in this area and when most Ex-pats like to go visit the States. October 2009 had the least amount of rain in years, but things are still green!

9) Nature Lover's Paradise: From rain forest to crisp mountains to experiencing the "Gifts from the Sea', Costa Rica is a Nature Lover's Paradise. Each morning Barry and I hike out our front door to the countryside where following a cow on the road is as common and much more delightful than interstate traffic.

Jeff: I love living at the beach, where I can leave my house unlocked, walk-out barefoot to the sand, and enjoy the peacefulness that Playa Hermosa offers. Obviously Costa Rica is a nature lovers paradise and you will discover the joys of the beach, the forest, the mountains, and rivers all in a single day if you so choose. The quality of surfing and fishing is of course world renowned. The most popular national park, Manuel Antonio is only one hour away, and our favorite volcano, Arenal, is only 3.5 hours. Want to be in a tropical forest? Go 10 minutes north of Jaco for Carara national park. White sandy beach? Check out Punta Leona!

8) Health Care: As Business Owners in the United States faced with staggering insurance costs, we sought out a location for retirement that would provide, quality, affordable health care. Costa Rica has U.S. Trained Dr

's with state of the ArtHospitals and Medical Facilities. It also has a thriving medical tourism industry. When we first moved to Costa Rica, private insurance cost $1400 annually for the two of us covering most of our medical costs and prescriptions. What this meant was state of the art care when hospitalized. Third World? I don't know about that. In my private hospital room, I had a flat screen t.v. dining menu options and a companion bed for my husband to stay with me. While our insurance has increased slightly as we have aged, I believe the care in Costa Rica unbeatable.

Jeff: When we hear all the horrors of the U.S.-Canadian medical system we smile, especially regarding the costs! Of course one must have the private insurance to insure care with respect!
Overall Costa Rica is a medical-dental destination for U.S.-Canadian residents due to the highly professional services offered here from 50% to 75% off the costs of similar treatments at home! Some Costa Rican hospitals are now working with U.S. medical plans-ask your provider! Another great advantage here is being able to go to a pharmacist without a prescription, and 90% of the time receiving what you need. And you can even buy just a couple of pills, not the entire box!!! As a 58 year young man, I pay $1650 annual for my international medical policy and recently my friend, his wife, and child were quoted $3100!

7) Adventure: We probably saw too many Raiders of the Lost Ark movies, but we wanted the next chapter in our life after the rat race to be a "True Learning Adventure!" Flying through the Forest Canopy, White Water Rafting are just two examples and we have a long list of adventures still on the list. Every day, daily living in Costa Rica is an adventure from exploring exotic fruits to rescuing a sloth. I have to say it beats going to Wal-Mart.

Jeff: Whether being a couch potato, surfer, boatsman, golfer or an extreme adventurer, the Jaco area offers more options than almost any other area in Costa Rica!  Driving for many in Costa Rica is also an adventure and we love the fact that the Jaco area has no traffic signals!  Drunk driving laws are now strictly enforced, and are no longer a joke.....

6) Social Community: We could keep ourselves entertained 7 days and nights a week with Costa Rica's busy and diverse ex pat community. There's a club for every interest (Birding, Hiking, Bridge, Gourmet Food and Wine, Volunteer Opportunities) just name it and it's here. Foreign residents find each other at social centers and hubs and groups like the Newcomers Organization that help with the transition of moving to a foreign country.

Jeff: Jaco has a great community of Expats from the States and Canada and there is no reason to be bored with all the groups and events going on. Don't believe me, just check www.cenpac.net or the Costa Rica Living group, or the Tico Times groups announcements.

 5) Safety: While we now look back to the good old days when there was virtually little crime when we came to Costa Rica. Sadly we are not immune to the increasing crime rates that you find almost everywhere in the world, much linked to the growing drug problem. Still crime tends to be more property related than violent and so we have added precautions like a home security system. What should be noted is there is more violent crime in most major U.S. Cities in one day, yet the media will spotlight any violent crime against U.S Citizens that occurs outside of her borders. Costa Rica, it should be noted, is also a peace-loving and stable country with no Army, often referred to as the Switzerland of the Americas.

Jeff: The world has gotten to be a more violent place, but I still feel safer here than I did in California. You just gotta be smart, and know that robberies occur more often here against Gringos because they know-believe that we will immediately replace all the stolen goods (whether we can afford them or not!)  Years ago guns were never used, now unfortunately they are a little more common. 
HOWEVER, I feel extremely fortunate that in my 16 years of living here, I have never been robbed nor burglarized!  (yes I am knocking on wood!).  Jaco has increased dramatically the presence of police so now in their new cars and trucks you will see the Municipal force, the Transit police, Tourist police and the OIJ,(FBI wannabees). It ain't perfect but its getting better all the time!

4) Cost of Living: Indeed there are financial benefits of being a U.S. citizen living in Costa Rica. One of the attractions for us in selecting and moving to Costa Rica was the (tax-free foreign earned income benefit --currently $82,400 for each person) Another? property taxes on our new contemporary home in Escazu, Costa Rica were a whopping $100.00 a year. That sure beat $6,000 a year property taxes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We indeed would pay more for better infrastructure and suppport to the people of our host country. There was also no heating or air-conditioning expenses to contend with and the real kicker indulgence for me was massages were $10.00 an hour. I remember saying "I'm so there" There is no doubt, that we could not afford our current lifestyle in the United States and while Costa Rica is unfortunately being increasingly discovered and developed, there are still affordable options for creating a quality lifestyle at a fraction of U.S. prices.

Jeff: Yes Costa Rica is the most expensive place to live in Central America. Yes gas costs almost double here compared to the States. However-how much do you pay for a maid or an electrician or plumber or mechanic or secretary? Maids average $3.00 an hour part-time or $250 MONTHLY  for a live-in. An electrician, plumber, or car mechanic will generally charge $10-$18 an hour for small jobs, and a bilingual secretary in Jaco will cost between $600 to $1000 monthly.

Regarding utilities: cell phones are incredibly cheap here-no charge for incoming calls; regular land-home phones are much less than the States; electric has just gone up tremendously, water is very cheap, and gas is 50% more expensive than the States (although still cheaper than Europe!) 
Food costs: "As a foodie" I have always been aware of what we have and don't have here in Costa Rica. A huge difference of imported goods has occurred over the past 16 years, to satisfy the most discriminating palate: from organic granola and soy milk to imported "hot links" or New Zealand rack of lamb or Alaskan King Crab. 
Fruits and vegetables are of course "dirt" cheap with great fresh picked flavors; the basics of rice, beans, breads, milk, chicken, eggs are similar to the States, and yes we do pay more for imported goods. Fish is widely available at almost half the U.S. price, although lobster and shrimp are not. Quality beef is not readily available, except to the discriminating shopper.   The newly passed free trade agreement with the U.S. should reduce all imported food costs-soon!

The really big savings is in the unbelievably low property taxes for your home, and the fact that there still are no capital gains taxes in Costa Rica!!! 

 3) Warm and Hospitable Costa Rican People. Pura Vida! "That's a Costa Rican expression that means "pure life". Sunday morning is our favorite day for walking in the barrio...Mothers and Fathers walking hand in hand with their children to church reminding us of our own childhood. "It's like the United States in the 1950's" . There is tranquility and a commitment to family.

Jeff: Ah, this is one of the great benefits of living here. There is NO overt "Gringo" resentment and the Ticos are genuinely friendly! The ones in the countryside will offer you all kinds of assistance when you are in need. "Salt of the earth kind of folks."  The ones from the city will look you in the eye, as the "fear" factor is so much less than the States! Smiles are easy to come by and the Ticos take great pride in their teeth, and in their clothes.  In the tourist areas Ticos are generally eager to demonstrate they know some English.

The Costa Ricans know that they are the "land of peace", the nation without an army, and they are fiercely proud of this fact. They are also incredibly patriotic although always distrustful of their government, and they resent any Gringo that comes down here thinking that Costa Rica is a territory of the U.S.  They know they have something special going on, especially compared to their neighbors!

 2) Connected: Today's Ability to Work and Live Anywhere. Yes, we have wireless Internet and low-cost phone service in Costa Rica that enables us to work from home on the deck with parrots flying overhead. It's not everywhere in the country and certainly not deep in the rain forest, but technology has enabled us to work and stay connected with our offices and families and friends. Just 2.5 hour flight from Miami and 3 .5 hour flight from Houston, we are closer to many relatives and clients than they are with others living within U.S. borders.

Jeff: At my beachfront place in Hermosa, I have a phone, cable t.v., high speed internet, and a Satellite dish. The picture quality is generally better than the States, (OK, this probably changed for the U.S. with the digital switch) and there are plenty of channels in English, and one in French, Italian, German, Chinese, and jibberish!

 

1) The Mangos, The Monkeys, The Magic: I love to watch visitors in our learning retreats discover their own magic here while staying amidst the jewels of the Costa Rican rain forest. Forever changed from their journey to paradise, their discovery is almost child-like. I developed the brand for my speaking and retreat business from the voices of those who have discovered their own passion here. On seeing lava flow from an active volcano, a child-like WOW would be uttered competing only slightly with the volcanic rumble.

Jeff: I drive along the beach to get to work, with beautiful greenery all around me. The mountains serve as a beautiful backdrop to the entire Jaco area and the Sunsets are Spectacular. Monkeys can be seen with the naked eye from my balcony, as well as 20 species of beautiful birds.
Is this paradise? For some it is, and for others like me, its close enough!!!.   C'mon down.............................

  Rosemary Rein is the author of "Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life" and a new book to be published in January 08 with Dr. Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard entitled "The Blueprint for Success and Survival".  Rosemary speaks internationally on Leadership, Customer Service and Creativity and sponsors personal growth and discovery retreats of Costa Rica. For additional information write Rosemary at rosemary@gowildgogreat.com

Updated June 15, 2010 from Inside Costa Rica;

We moved to Costa Rica in early 2000, after having visited a couple times a year since 1993. We knew from our first visit that we liked it here, but did not have the ability to retire at that time. I suppose my biggest complaint about the country would be that they have made the pensionado et al process so difficult and time-consuming, as well as expensive, including renewals, but I suppose that is true of all bureaucracies everywhere. The absolute worst was their requirement that my US car not only pass a smog-check, with the MECHANIC's signature notarized, then notarized again at the CR consulate in the United States, but then the very first thing that has to happen when the car enters Costa Rica is pass THEIR version of the smog check inspection!
(Jeff sez: this is why I recommend you buy your car in Costa Rica. It’s easier and your cash these days can enable you to sometimes get such a great deal that its like the taxes-duties are not included.)

 

At any rate, we moved here because we liked the weather, the people, and the cost of living. The first two are still fine. I also liked their laid-back way of life, though, and have emulated it, so I don't have a lot of patience with gringos who keep thinking that somehow the people HERE are supposed to change. I have a gringo friend who is always complaining about the way Tico's drive, especially the way they will stop in the middle of the street to chat with friends on the side of the road. Hey, I get to do it, too, then, and where am I going in such a hurry, anyhow? I don't care much for their habit of passing on blind curves, true, but if you passed only where it was legal you'd stay behind the same sugar-cane truck all the way from La Fortuna to San Ramon, just about. Considering the nature of the roads and the amount of driver training they get, I think Tico drivers are rather successful, on the whole. There are always the exceptions who drive too fast, or drunk, or pass dangerously, but every driving population I've ever encountered in quite a large number of the United States contains about the same percentage, seems to me.

 

Actually, I sometimes wonder where these complainers are driving, since my experience has been that Ticos are rather courteous in yielding right of way.
Even in congested San Jose traffic I've seen people manage to squeeze in off of a side street when they'd still be sitting there waiting for midnight in some US cities.
My wife once described Tico drivers as "intent"...you can have the right of way when it's your turn, but you have to be ready and waiting to take it, they're not going to sit there while you make up your mind. Strike while the iron is hot seems to be their motto. In rural areas, like where we live in La Fortuna, the other driver is as likely as not to graciously wave you ahead.

 

In more situations than you might imagine, I've been given what seems to me to be extra consideration in situations where I didn't understand enough Spanish to figure out what to do next. I don't think I've ever been refused help doing anything, and often offered it when I didn't need it. I'm 75 and my hair is, er, very very light blond, shall we say, and I make almost daily walks to the grocery store for exercise as well as necessities, and often when I'm walking home, puffing, some younger person--total strangers--will offer to carry a bag. I thank them, since I'm purposefully engaged in weight-bearing exercise for my health's sake, but they offer.

 

If fact, in general I have been so well treated in Costa Rica by Ticos that it has made me feel guilty about how little courtesy I unthinkingly missed offering to Spanish-speakers in my native California much of my life.
Frankly, sometimes I wonder how they manage to have such a friendly attitude toward gringos, since we sort of view a lot of them with some suspicion, ourselves.

 

If there's a perfect country then I haven't lived in it yet, and while there are a few things I could wish different about Costa Rica, perhaps, that's also true of the others, as well...just different things.
I like the “Pura Vida” attitude, the “si Dios quiere” philosophy, the fact that everyone you encounter, even strangers for the first time, shakes hands, from the kid who pumps your gas to the kids who stock the super market shelves, the bank guard as well as the bank manager, taxi drivers, waiters who unfailingly greet me by name and come by to say hello even not expecting more than the tip on the bill and many of them not even involved at my table. I enjoy their compliments on my disgraceful Spanish even while I feel ashamed it's not much better than it is.

 

Our 7-year-old is in the first grade and we're struggling learning Spanish while helping him with homework, while he tells us his teachers often call on him to help with their English, and on the whole we think the school system is pretty good, we're trying to help when we can to improve things.

 

So I can't be too sympathetic with the gringos I hear complaining when it seems to me there is so little to complain about compared with what is going on back in much of the United States, from what I read.

Pura vida, indeed! 

G. Calkins

 

 
Miscellaneous Tips: 

No we don't take "siestas" like in Mexico!

Most Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and do not close for lunch. Some Banks in tourist areas are open 9-6 everyday and saturdays 9-1, however this varies greatly with the bank and branch.

 Steps away from our office is a very good bank, Banco BAC for changing money. The rates are great, the hours 9 to 6 plus Saturdays and it is MANDATORY you bring your passport. Don't bother arguing because even the recommended plasticized passport copies (available at the Jaco copiers across from our office) won't work. Also, sorry to say, Traveler's Checks are not that convenient here. Credit-debit cards are widely used with many tellers near our office. (Yes it seems many things are near our office-since we are in the center of Jaco!)

Government offices are open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. usually.  Most commercial businesses open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m, (malls not found in Jaco are open 10-8),  but in tourist towns 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. until 7 or 10 p.m.   
Most restaurants open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm but closed between 3-5.
However most Costa Ricans eat early breakfasts with "Gallo Pinto", lunches between 12-3 usually are "casados"- beans, rice, salad, vegies, drink, and choice of chicken, or overcooked meat or fish for only $4  *gourmands need to say "termino medio" for fish, lobster, shrimp or meat at EVERY restaurant-because most
Ticos prefer "bien cocido". Ticos often have dinner after 7:00 and rarely are there early bird specials. However both sushi bars in Jaco have "happy hours" with reduced prices and great fish!   
There is a 13% general sales tax applied everywhere but grocery stores, and most restaurants do add a 10% service tax. It has been brought to our attention that the entire 10%  may not go to your waiter or waitress. So be aware of this when you see the propina line on your credit card slip. If you had great service, please tip generously (because great service isn't common here). Oh another tip: you have to ask for the check! The culture here feels it is rude to ask the Client if they want the check- so if you are in a hurry, ask for "la cuenta por favor."

 

 

 

 Communication & Language:  National or official languages:  

1^st Spanish spoken clearly

2^nd Spanish slang “pachuco”    3^rd Gringos butchering Spanish

4^th Ticos butchering English     5^th many Chinese dialects
6^th Italian   7^th German    8^th French

 

Literacy rate (2009): HIGHEST LEVEL IN CENTRAL AMERICA!

96% can at least read stop signs however 95% ignore them.

50% go to Colegio.  (colegio is called high school here, when they graduate they receive a “bachillerato”)  

 

Land lines with direct-dial telephone services, fax, telex, radio (119 commercial and 17 public service institutions):  

Approx. 90 TV Stations including Cable and Satellite   

Bilingual operator assistance for international calls dial:116  

Local information dial: 113  

Long distance information dial: 124  

Emergency dial: 911  

Internet cafes are available in most towns and hotels, high speed available in many locations.  
 

 

  The Ten Things I Have Learned As an Ex-Pat in Costa Rica (There are many more but these are the highlights): By Alexandra L.

 1) Patience is more than a virtue here. It is necessary in order to be happy here.

2) Resourcefulness: because I love it here I have found ways to "make do", to "create", and to substitute (while working in the kitchen,) that I never would have learned had I not moved here 13 years ago.

3) Awareness: because life moves slower here I have learned to look at the faces of people, at the roadside stand of flowers, at the landscape, and find new perception.

4) Through frustration and hardship, at times, I have learned to stick things out. The borders are close together here and I have learned to confront life because it is closer to me than any other place I have lived.

5)Listening. Spanish is not my native language. Therefore I have trained my inner ear, the one that not only listens to words, but listens to the meaning behind words...the hearing "eye". Thus communication for me has changed and deepened.

6) Affection: In the States, where my life was more hurried and more anonymous, I drew back from people more. The Costa Ricans have taught me it is ok to pause, to hug, to touch with kindness in a way I would have feared doing in the States. This affection is a tonic for me in my village, San Isidro de Heredia...that I crave when I am feeling down. Go buy a cucumber and get a hug and a quick joke from the vendors.

7) Letting go: A few years ago I stopped harping about things like Potholes, long lines, a lack of things I thought I needed to have here in order to be happy: Now I try to focus on what I can change and I leave the potholes alone and stare at the small houses, people walking, the far mountains with endless varieties of green.

8) Mystery: The occult and peculiar nature of a culture that I will never fully understand: I have come to more or less (!) realize that it is this very mysterious quality that gives the country its charm. I believe I will never come to grips with some of the attitudes here and I no longer try.

9) Humor. The Costa Ricans have great humour and wit, which is accessed of course through their language, so I don't catch it all. But I try to understand with my heart and thus I laugh with them and sometimes we are laughing about the same thing.  Except for when they drive, they carry the "pura vida" attitude.

10) My priorities. When I visited for two months in the States recently, and observed how life has become there, I came back to Costa Rica and saw what has become important to me here: Clean air, love in its myriad manifestations, a lifestyle less spent on pursuing money, family life (my employees on the finca, I came to realize, are my nuclear family, good health (which the U.S. cannot give me since I am one of the great Un-insurables in the U.S), quiet time apart from the bustle that one becomes acustomed to in a society like the U.S. where upper class people barely even raise their own children. Every Ex-Pat here will have his or her own list. Hopefully, there is something to be gleaned from all.

Written  in Escazu, Costa Rica 2007

 

ADOPT A TICO ATTITUDE AND ADAPT TO THEIR CULTURE  Posted by: "Tom"   Tue Apr 10, 2007

People spend hours on the internet learning about real estate, healthcare, transportation, and restaurants, but they often fail to invest in learning about the culture. This is a grave error because the majority of people who decide to go back home, don't do it because they couldn't find their favorite beverage or a suitable appliance. They leave because they couldn't adjust to the culture.

Those planning to live permanently in Costa Rica need to learn how to adopt a new attitude and adapt to the culture. The term "Culture Shock" has been used to describe the anxiety and feelings of disorientation experienced when people have to operate in a different cultural environment. That's when a person finds that the ways that things always have been done no longer work in a new culture. For example, the currency exchange, language, traffic and even the sense of humor change when a person enters another country.

Visitors to Costa Rica are often struck with how familiar things appear on the surface, and upon this assumption many make plans to stay permanently. However, the unexpected trials and wide differences in cultural understanding often make the transition much more difficult than expected. As North Americans, we have become accustomed to things such as promptness, efficiency and courteous drivers. That's our baggage from up north.

The expectation that these things exist in Costa Rica is our problem not the Tico's. I you're expecting things to be the same as in your home country in another then you're bound to get disappointed. A move to another country allows you to start over with a new life and experience a new culture in a new environment. That's why people move to Costa Rica.

A good percentage of North Americans planning to stay in Costa Rica go back. They cannot deal with the inefficiency. Obtaining residency usually takes much longer than expected. You need to hire a consultant to get a drivers license. The list of frustrations goes on and on. The bottom line is they are not able to slow down and adapt to the culture.

Culture shock affects people differently according to the coping strategies each individual employs in order to successfully adapt. After 15 years, I still have to remind myself; "If you don't expect much, you won't get disappointed" Then I step back, take a second look at the situation that is beginning to frustrate me and remind myself where I'm at, whom I'm dealing with and why I'm here. Then the situation at hand doesn't seem so irritating. Expats who do manage to stay for a long time in Costa Rica do so because they possess patience and flexibility.

Years ago I noticed several cultural differences that used to make my life in Costa Rica frustrating. Concept of time, expectations of efficiency and understanding the local language. North Americans are continually bothered by what we view as a lack of punctuality on the part of Costa Ricans. Costa Rican's will say, "I'll come over tomorrow", but they usually don't. Often they are not hours late, but days late, with no excuse, no phone calls, no apology. This used to bother me, and sometimes it still does. But I get over it much more quickly after living here 15 years.

For North Americans, a person is considered late if he/she arrives 10 to 15 minutes after the scheduled time. For Latin Americans, a person is considered late if he/she arrives 30 minutes after the scheduled time. North Americans often begin to feel tension if a person arrives 15 minutes late, while Latin Americans begin to feel tension if a person arrives 30 minutes after the deadline. These differences in concepts of time often cause misunderstandings between Costa Ricans and North Americans.

The cultural differences in comprehending time can be attributed to the fact that Costa Ricans and North Americans place different value on time. In the U.S., people live to work and time is money. Here in Costa Rica, time is gold. Tico's live for the moment and occasionally during the week take the time to accomplish some work. In Costa Rica, if you run into a friend, you stop and talk and ask "how's the family". Time is for you and not for you to be bound by it. Expats who can slow down and adjust to Tico time, have a much better chance of successfully acculturating.

For new expats arriving to Costa Rica, one of the most frustrating obstacles is dealing with what they view to be a lack of efficiency. In North America there is more efficiency, primarily in the services sector. This makes it particularly hard for North Americans to adapt to life in Costa Rica because they have grown accustomed to the speed and efficiency of services in their home country. If you have the financial ability to hire a consultant to complete these frustrating tasks for you, then you won't have to go through it and will probably be happier for it.

Culture is embedded in the language, and misunderstandings often arise due to the ways in which people of distinct cultures express and understand language content. North Americans are more direct.

In Costa Rica, the Tico's don't say things up front. It's part of their culture and is considered bad manners. Therefore if you don't understand the culture you get frustrated and some folks become angry and this offends the Tico's. Misinterpretations therefore arise because Costa Ricans view their North American counterparts as "rude" while North Americans find Costa Ricans to be "indirect" or even "dishonest."

Many expats feel that they have had to learn to decode what their Costa Rican associates and friends are really trying to say. It is not that Costa Rican's lie more, it is that they are trying to save face. Costa Ricans don't want to disappoint you. If they don't know the answer, they say to themselves 'I don't know but I want to give my best guess.' You have to learn to listen carefully and read between the lines. A simple word like "Ya" can mean "it's already done", "I'm doing it right now", or "I'll get to it soon.

Despite the numerous challenges and obstacles which expats face in Costa Rica, those who have stuck it out here are convinced that the benefits outweigh the hassles. The country's strong democratic tradition, innovative environmental programs, museums and cultural activities, and cheaper living costs continue to make Costa Rica a popular destination spot, particularly for tourists and retirees. And the option to live a lifestyle similar to that in a large North American city is here if you want it. Check out the selection and pricing in any of the major malls or at Super Saretto or Auto Mercado supermarkets. Most products that are imported here from another country incur duties. These duties are built into the price you pay at the cashier. If you want to live and consume the same products available in North America, they are available here. But in many cases those same products are less expensive in Florida. Perhaps if the new free trade agreement becomes a reality, this will change.

I prefer the old days before there were malls and Hooters. I don't miss any of what these new franchises have to offer. I patronize typical Costa Rican businesses and my budget is much more affordable. It's nice to have options and that's my new philosophy. Plans tie a guy down. Options offer freedom. You don't irritate someone because you exercised an option. But there are many times when plans did not materialize as expected and someone gets irritated. Keep your options open and your plans to a minimum.

Live like the Tico's, adopt their attitude and adapt to their culture. You'll probably live longer and happier! Pura Vida!

 You know you’ve become Tico (Costa Rican) when:

• You point with your lips.
• You snap your index finger against your second (bird) finger when you think something’s funny or incredible.
• You miss the chaos when you leave the country.
• You miss the way black beans in restaurants used to be whole and had a different flavor.
• Diay and puta come out of your mouth like you were born to them.
• You watch a Spanish language movie and you understand the body language that gives another layer of nuance to the acting.
• You start to prevaricate so somebody else can save face.
• You answer bien por dicha even when the other person doesn’t ask you how you were, but you were expecting them to, so you say it automatically.
• The sound of a gringo accent in Spanish makes your ears bleed.
• You get pissed off when your friend slams the door to your car.
• You go to an English speaking country and when you want to ask for a glass of water the first thing out of your mouth to a waiter in a restaurant is “mae, regalame….” and you don’t get why he’s looking at you funny.
• You are in shock and awe when someone shows up “on time”.
•  You are in shock and awe when YOU show up on time. You haven’t looked at your wrist in years to see what time it is.
• You forgot that there used to be a watch there…You haven’t had a tan line where the watch used to be in years….You don’t own a watch.
• You can even travel in other countries without a watch.
• You whip out the debit card for amounts less than a thousand colones…
• You call everyone “mi amor” or “cielito“.
• You know that 3 oçlock means 4, four oclock means 5 etc….
  thanks to: Christopher Howard M.A,    Author of The Guide to Costa Rican Spanish²*
   

 

The law was adopted unanimously by the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday and is expected to go into effect as soon as February 2010. 

 

 

 

Important Points From the Newly Approved Immigration Law:

1. Foreign visitors on tourist visas may stay in the country for up to 90 days, provided they prove they have adequate means of subsistence.

2. Foreigners who stay in the country beyond the time period granted by immigration authorities will be fined the equivalent of $100 for each month of residence in the country.

3. Foreigners will have to pay an additional $25 in order to renew residency in the country. 

4. Retirees looking to gain permanent residency in Costa Rica must show they receive a monthly pension of no less than $1,000. 

5. Rentistas (self-employed businessmen or foreign investors) must prove a monthly income of no less than $2,500 to gain residency. Currently, the minimum income is $1,000. 

6. Hotels and other hospitality sites must create a registry of people who stay at their establishments, which can be made available to immigration officials at any time.  

7. Individuals who provide work to undocumented foreigners risk being fined from two to 12 times the employee's base salary. 

8. To obtain residency through marriage, a couple must be able to prove cohabitation. This must also be demonstrated on an annual bases for a period of three years, if the foreigner wants to renew his or her residency. 

9. Foreigners may apply for residency from within Costa Rica.  

10. Police may not detain immigrants with questionable residency status for more than 24 hours.

 How Can I Get Residency In Costa Rica?   

There are several ways to get a residency here, with different types, such as Pensionado, Rentista or Inversionista. It depends on your individual situation; we recommend consulting a lawyer regarding residency.

For all residency requirements and updates we highly recommend: such as:  www.arcr.net  or   www.residencyincostarica.com.

The easiest? way is to fall in love and marry a Costa Rican. They recently have changed the divorce laws, so now, it no longer  3 years before one can file for the divorce. The government has NOW (Nov. 15, 2009) cracked down HEAVILY on obvious "fake" marriages-where husband and wife didn't even know their spouses name!
 If you are serious about falling in love with a Costa Rican, we suggest meeting your "soul mate" thru the very few reputable and legit Costa Rican "introductory services" (our favorite: www.spanisheyescostarica.com). 

What Do I Need to Open a Bank Account here?

Nov 3, 2009 By Explroe Costa Rica.com   

With a handful of state-owned banks and around 19 private commercial banks, there is no lack of options if you’re looking to open an account in Costa Rica.
All of these banks offer services to foreigners, whether residents, students or workers. The majority offer accounts in colones or dollars, and in some cases, euros. 

The first decision you must make is whether to open an account with a private
or a Costa Rica state bank.
State-owned banks guarantee all deposits and have the most branch and ATM locations. For example, Banco Nacional or Banco Costa Rica (BCR) offers the most ATM locations all around Costa Rica.
While there are a number of advantages to state banks, there is one very important downside to keep in mind: long lines. 

Patience is the first requirement when doing business with state-run banks in Costa Rica. If you simply do not have the time or patience to wait, consider one of the private banks, such as the Canadian-owned Scotiabank. In addition to much shorter wait times, many of the private banks are more likely to have a banker or teller that can assist you in English if your Spanish is limited.

 

What do you need to open an account?

Whether you’ve chosen a state-run or private bank to open a savings account, there are a number of guidelines:

 

1) Identification - All banks will require your passport if you’re not a Costa Rica resident, and may ask for an additional form of identification, such as a driver’s license (from country of origin is acceptable).

 

2) Utility Bill - You’ll also need to obtain a copy of a utility bill that confirms the address where you reside in Costa Rica.

 

3) Purpose in Costa Rica - This requirement varies bank to bank, but if you’re a retired Costa Rica resident, you’ll want to bring your residency card or some document from immigration or your lawyer that shows you’re in the process of obtaining it. Students should provide a letter from the institution where they study stating their purpose in Costa Rica, and any foreign workers should provide their orden patronal – a small document that reports income and proves payment into social security, or La Caja.

 

4) Initial Deposit - This amount varies widely, ranging from 3,000 - 25,000 colones, or $10 - $500 for accounts in dollars.

 

5) Letters of Reference - Most Costa Rica banks will require an average of two reference letters. They can be as simple as letters from your lawyer, or friends who have accounts in the bank where you are applying; stating your relationship and their confidence in your reliability. There is some variation in what is expected, but in general,  letters from other banks where you have made deposits before is most helpful
In fact, you can help facilitate the process if they can accompany you to the bank.

 

When doing your banking,  remember to try to avoid going to the bank the day before a holiday; the middle of the month payday period; and the end of each month’s pay period. The last friday of the month payday is the worst.
As long as you’re not rushed and have all your required documents, you will find most Costa Rica bankers and tellers to be very friendly and helpful;
however you must ALWAYS have your passport or cedula available.

Colones, por favor! 

COSTA RICA QUICK FACTS: 
Capital:(and largest city) San José

9°55′N 84°4′W / 9.917°N 84.067°W / 9.917; -84.067

Official languages: Spanish

 

Ethnic groups 80% Caucasian

15% Mestizo

3% Black

1% Amerindian

1% Chinese

Demonym: Costa Rican; Tico-men or all together, Tica-women.

Government Constitutional democracy

(Presidential republic)

 - President Laura Chinchilla (PLN)

   Independence from Spain (via Guatemala)

 - Declared September 15, 1821

 - Recognized by Spain May 10, 1850

 Area

 - Total 51,100 km2 (128th)  19,652 sq mi

 - Water (%) 0.7

Population

 - May 2009 estimate 4,509,290 (119th)

 - Density 85/km2 (107th) 220/sq mi

 

GDP (nominal) 2008 estimate

 - Total $29.664 billion[1]

 - Per capita $6,543[1]

Gini (2001) 49.9 (high)

HDI (2007) ▲ 0.854 (high) (54th)

Currency Costa Rican colón (CRC)

Time zone (UTC-6)

Drives on the right

Internet TLD:   .cr

Calling code +506

 

Please Pronounce the name of your new country correctly:
CO-Sta REE-Ca

not "casta rica" and not "costa"  for short.

Please feel free to contact us at info@crbeach.com for a big copy of the maps or try to save the maps in your "my pictures" and open them up with magnifier options! 

 

 

5.26 million Americans overseas struggle for rights

August 26, 2010 By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

 

The U.S. government estimates that there are 5.26 million American citizens living abroad. These are individuals who are not affiliated with the U.S. government or its military.

 

The estimate of U.S. citizen residents in the Western Hemisphere is 2.2 million. The number in Costa Rica varies depending on who is making the guess.

 

There are expat organizations that say such overseas Americans are second-class citizens. For example, these numbers are just estimates because the U.S. Census does not count Americans living over seas.

 

These Americans may be retirees, as are many in Costa Rica. But they also could be employees or managers in private industry, missionaries, spouses of a foreign national or persons in any number of other circumstances that place them outside the U.S. borders.

 

Europe has nearly 1.5 million Americans, according to the estimates.

 

One organization that is an advocate for U.S. citizens abroad is the Paris-based Association of Americans Resident Overseas, which says if all these Americans were placed in one state it would be the 17th most populous in the United States.

 

Yet these Americans are easily forgotten because they are scattered across the globe and they face a number of obstacles in what to their counterparts in the U.S. appear to be normal activities like transmitting their nationality, banking and voting, said the organization.

 

Another organization is American Citizens Abroad in Geneva, Switzerland. This advocacy group sees these roadblocks to Americans abroad:

 

• U. S. taxation of citizens working overseas, which has led to them being too expensive for companies to employ.

 

• U.S. tax burdens on foreign subsidiaries of U.S. corporations.

 

• The recently-passed Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act that complicates banking relationships abroad.

 

“As patriotic American citizens and observers from abroad of the U.S. economy, we are deeply concerned about the crucial need to increase the competitiveness of U.S. companies and to get more American companies on the export bandwagon,” said American Citizens Abroad.

 

The Association of Americans Resident Overseas agreed with the banking problem. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act is making overseas Americans pariahs in the banking world, the organization said. Existing U.S. accounts are being closed and new ones refused, and U.S. banks are citing the Patriot Act Know Your Customer rules as justification, it said. Due to the regulations, some banks overseas refuse to open new accounts for American citizens, and this seriously hampers the ability of Americans to live  and do business overseas, and is contrary to U.S. national interests, it added.

 

The Association of Americans Resident Overseas put fixing this problem on its 2010 list of goals.

 

Also listed was citizenship. All Americans should enjoy an equal right to transmit U.S. citizenship to their children at birth, including children born

to or adopted by a U.S. citizen abroad, the organization said. Children born abroad should be defined as “natural-born” U.S. citizens, it added. Their rights to transmit U.S. citizenship to children at birth now depend on where the U.S. citizen parent lives, the employer, and whether on not the parent is married, it said

 

Generally U.S. citizens born abroad have to have spent some time living in the United States in order to transmit citizenship to a child born later outside the country.

 

The organization also is lobbying for a Medicare program similar to the worldwide coverage provided by the Tricare for Life program for military veterans.

 

The organization also is fighting certain aspects of the Social Security laws that it says unfairly reduces Social Security pension benefits to Americans who have worked abroad during their careers. U.S. citizens working overseas should be able to contribute voluntarily to U.S. Social Security, it said. Self-employed overseas Americans should not be required to contribute to U.S. Social Security and Medicare in addition to social security programs where they live, it added.

 

Another organization working for expats is the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, Inc. Leaders of all three of these organizations come together to lobby the U.S. Congress and the administration once a year during what they call Overseas American Week.

 

Just how many are here?

 

One problem with counting U.S. citizens in Costa Rica is the definition. Should so-called perpetual tourists be counted?
How about ordinary U.S. tourists who find themselves here on the day the count is made.

 

Certainly permanent residents who are U.S. citizens should be counted.
But what of dual citizens?

Should a youngster born by chance in Los Angeles to Costa Rican parents be counted as a U.S. citizen even if he left California when a month old?

Costa Rica has a census scheduled next year. Workers are testing the census form by counting residents in Palmares this week. But if the count is anything like the one 10 years ago, there will be no clear report on foreigners here and their nationalities.

 

 

 

        "Pet Friendly Properties Jaco"
 

 

a division of CR Beach Investment Real Estate Costa Rica .......

•  

  Costa Rica can be considered a "pet friendly country" but there are still rules and regulations to follow regarding bringing your pet here and establishing residency. 
  Did you know that your pet must have only one international travel document from a veterinarian saying that they do not have rabies, and all of their vaccinations are up to date?  

  We have discovered that there are far too many animals here in Jaco-to spare! Thankfully dedicated and conscientious people collect, spay and neuter, and adopt out animals. We’ve turned to them several times in the intervening years, and have always been impressed.

  We expect them to guard the property while away at work, to greet us affectionately upon our return and to persuade us to go down to the beach for the watercolour sunsets, the refreshing breeze and the enjoyment of splashing through the warm ocean waves ‘en famille’.

   

  Our Goal

  As part of our CR Beach Investment Real Estate goal of finding your 'home match' in paradise, we will treasure knowing your pets’ special requirements as well. We assure you that your pet family members can make the journey and will adjust very nicely to beach living.

  Condos rarely accept animals as dwellers, but there are some that do. We know which ones they are and can help you decide whether that is what you are looking for.

  We can offer suggestions on gated community homes, lots or development tracts and once we know your time frame, we can help you make those crucial travel arrangements.

  Jeff Fisher, Owner-Broker of CR Beach Investment Real Estate had this to say “ We believe we are not barking up the wrong tree by appealing to true animal lovers who wish to bring their beloved pets  to Costa Rica. Many household pets have discovered living in Costa Rica is like being in “the Garden of Eden”  especially because of the truly excellent year-round weather. This new real estate division will ensure efficient home hunting for the pet owner  (which should make Fluffy quite happy!)  Our goal is to see you and your pets settle nicely into our community of friends.

   

  4 PAWS & A TAIL ARE INVITED TO PARADISE TOO!     Traditionally, Realtors have chosen to ignore the needs and even the presence of their Clients’ family pets and yet, Petfinder.com is always listed as one of the most frequently visited websites- maybe because there are more pets in this world than children (or better behaved?)

  So now with appropriate applause from our furry friends, CR Beach Investment Real Estate of Jaco, Costa Rica is introducing a new dimension in real estate services: Pet Friendly Properties Jaco!

   

  What we offer You:

  Help in knowing airline travel requirements;

  What you need for Costa Rican customs;

  Which limo service will be awaiting your arrival;

  Which hotel or condo to rent during your visit;

  Which “pet friendly” properties are perfect to purchase;

    Please scroll down for more pet travel requirements. Our main goal here is helping you find your perfect place to purchase or rent, that will earn your pets' “wag of approval."

   Any questions or comments? Please call our toll free number 1-888-782-1119 or in Costa Rica, 2643-4334   

   

    

  How do I bring my pet to Costa Rica?
  (info from U.S.Embassy)

  ________________________________________

   

   Health requirements for dogs and cats:

  Dogs and cats entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, and endorsed by a Veterinary Service (VS) veterinarian. The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to travel to Costa Rica.

  Health Certificate Statements:

  The dog/cat was examined and found to be healthy and free of any clinical signs of infectious disease.

  The animals were vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus.

  Vaccination Requirements

  distemper

  hepatitis

  leptospirosis

  parvovirus.

  rabies – for animals 4 months or older

 

Requirement:

The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to travel to Costa Rica.

Please use a State or Federal U.S. Interstate, and International Certificate for Small Animals. For other countries, please contact the nearest Costa Rican consulate.

Enclose rabies vaccination certificate.

The Health Certificate does NOT need to be signed by a Notary Public, nor does it have to be authenticated by the Consulate of Costa Rica.

 

Note:

Re: Dog lovers - arriving at SJO airport with dogs 

If your animals are coming in as cargo

(NOT as luggage -- there is a big difference) then do NOT plan to arrive on a weekend.

There is no one in customs to clear the animal

from the cargo area.

Your dog will be trapped in the cargo terminal all weekend,

until you can process the papers with the cargo customs people on Monday morning.

It happened to me, and if I hadn't hired Dr. Adrian Molino to help, my dogs would have been dead by Monday.

No exaggeration.

The cargo area is not free boarding --

your dog will not be fed,

your dog will not receive water,

your dog will get nothing unless you intervene.

Pay the extra cost and fly in during the week.

Don't risk it.

Linda Gray Oct 4, 2009

www.ranchotranquilo.biz

 

 

Animals exported in commercial lot numbers must be accompanied by an import permit.

  

Sending a dog or cat back to the U.S.

As far as, shipping the dog back to the US, we were told that the dog had to have a stool sample which was within the 5 day period of leaving.   But, when we had that done at the Vet, we were also told that CR requires a 1 year rabies (up-to-date). Our dog's rabies was good until 2010. She had to have another. Then, you have to go to the MAG (located at the SJO Airport, near the Cargo area to get the Vet's Certificate stamped. That is required by CR, not American Airlines.

   

 I found the additional links very useful:

 

http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consular/travel/pets.htm

 

http://www.dryfur.com/order_form.htm (scroll down to airline kits- read details the site provides about shipping dogs)

 

http://www.petrelocation.com/aphis-vet-health-certificate-form-7001-international-pet-transport (Form 7001)

 

http://www.prlog.org/10120856-bringing-pets-to-costa-rica.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our toll-free number: 1-888-782-1119  We look forward to hearing from you, Jeff  Fisher Broker-Owner

CR Beach Investment Real Estate 
Experience-Integrity-Selection 

Invites You To:  
"See our Beach" 
  before You decide!   

 

 

 

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We live here-we know-we love Costa Rica,especially the Jaco Beach, Playa Hermosa Beach,  Esterillos Beaches, Los Suenos Marriott Jaco Herradura, Punta Leona, and Bejuco beach areas, and now Manuel Antonio!

 

2006-2012© C.R. Beach Investment Real Estate  
Jaco Beach, Central Pacific
Costa Rica Real Estate Brokers & Property Consultants

 

      

 

Our toll-free number: 1-888-782-1119  We look forward to hearing from you, Jeff  Fisher Broker-Owner

 

 Updated Jan. 20. 2012

© C.R. Beach Investment Real Estate  
Jaco Beach, Central Pacific
Costa Rica Real Estate Brokers & Property Consultants