Mike
@Coloradomike
American expat in Costa Rica
Forum posts
33
Contacts
23
About me
American
Lives in San Pablo
Speaks English
Registration: 08 July 2015
Finding your bearings in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello, While technology has definitely helped us navigate ourselves more easily in most countries, it's not the case everywhere. How do you get to your destinations and navigate yourself in Costa Rica? Do you use gps systems such as ...
After living here for three years, I think that I know my way around pretty well. If I need to go somewhere, where I haven't been, I use Google maps. Read More
Pickleball Players needed by thorpel
My wife and I have recently relocated here from Washington state.聽We are looking for pickleball players.聽We have paddles, balls and a portable net.聽We play here in San Ramon on basketball and tennis courts.聽Tony and Celeste
Hello Tommy, My name is Mike. I am from Colorado. A friend and I are interested in joining you. I live in the San Jaquin, Bel茅n area. I just started playing and enjoy the game. My friend has played for several years. I have met some of the ... Read More
Pets in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Many of us in Costa Rica have four-legged friends. What about you? Do you have one or more pets? Share your experience with us! What are the formalities to import pets in Costa Rica? What about pet adoption procedures in the ...
I brought my little Shi Tzu with me. She had to have a physical and her shots up to date. I had to take her paperwork to the Department of Agriculture, to have the papers stamped. She was small enough, that I was able to bring her, with me onboard ... Read More
Dealing with homesickness in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Being an expat in Costa Rica can turn out to be a wonderful human, social or professional adventure... with potential moments of nostalgia and homesickness along the way. What are your personal tips to prevent ...
No, I have not. I have moved back to the valley from Jaco. I am in San Juaquin now. I enjoyed the beaches but being from Colorado, I enjoy the cooler evenings here in the valley. I am going to get married this month to a very lovely Tica. About the ... Read More
Dealing with homesickness in Costa Rica by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Being an expat in Costa Rica can turn out to be a wonderful human, social or professional adventure... with potential moments of nostalgia and homesickness along the way. What are your personal tips to prevent ...
I have been here for a little bit, over a year. I do not miss the states. This feels like my home. I will never go back. I feel that the country (USA) is going downhill. I feel sorry for my children and grandchildren, living there. Read More
Buying Health insurance in Costa Rica. Your opinion?
I am interested in purchasing some health insurance in Costa Rica. Interested in knowing different people's opinion with the company that they have purchased their insurance. Read More
OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT by mburk
I live in the US but purchased a condo in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica. Would like to open a checking or savings account there. What is needed and/or how hard is it to open an account?
I open up a bank account about a month ago with bank of Costa Rica and all I needed was my passport. Read More
Mold - please share your tips and tricks for dealing with it by samramon
We live in an area where we get a lot of fog as well as rain. Not as much as some others, mind you, but still enough to create mold problems. Examples: We had a bunch of stuff stored in cardboard boxes. We soon realized cardboard boxes invite mold! ...
I just moved back to the Valley, last week. I was living in the edge of the rain forest in Hermosa, Jaco. It was very humid there. I fought the mold, all of the time. I have been using water and vinegar and also the water and Clorox solutions. I ... Read More
Applying for residency
I have been living in Costa Rica for a year now. I am wanting to apply for my residency. I am interested in people's opinion, their experience and any recommendations for a lawyer to use. Read More
Has anyone used UPS in Costa Rica? by Coloradomike
Has anyone used UPS? How can you use UPS when Costa Rica does not have any street addresses? Can you have it sent to a Post Office for pickup? I need an important document sent in rapid time from the USA.
Hello, My name is Mike. Thank you for your information. I am trying to locate a UPS store that I can have some paperwork sent to me from my bank in USA. I went to the UPS web site and it located a store in Santa Ana. Mail Boxes Etc. MAIL BOXES ... Read More
Has anyone used UPS in Costa Rica?
Has anyone used UPS? How can you use UPS when Costa Rica does not have any street addresses? Can you have it sent to a Post Office for pickup? I need an important document sent in rapid time from the USA. Read More
Cashing Tax Refund Check by Coloradomike
Ok, I have a new question. I just received a small State Tax Refund check. I still a bank in the USA. So, I do not have a banking account in Costa Rica. Is there anyway that I can cash this check here. I know back in USA, I could go to any Wal-Mart ...
After I posted that post the next morning I remember that I can make a deposit into my checking account by taking a photo of the front and a photo of the back of the check with my signature with my phone. Just a few minutes that check was deposited ... Read More
Cashing Tax Refund Check by Coloradomike
Ok, I have a new question. I just received a small State Tax Refund check. I still a bank in the USA. So, I do not have a banking account in Costa Rica. Is there anyway that I can cash this check here. I know back in USA, I could go to any Wal-Mart ...
Good morning, thank you for the response. I just remembered when I woke up this morning that I can do a photo deposit by taking a photo of the check and I can deposit it that way. I have not done that in a long time so I forgot about it. It is a ... Read More
Cashing Tax Refund Check
Ok, I have a new question. I just received a small State Tax Refund check. I still a bank in the USA. So, I do not have a banking account in Costa Rica. Is there anyway that I can cash this check here. I know back in USA, I could go to any Wal-Mart ... Read More
Driving other of Costa Rica into another country
Ok, thanks for the information and advice Read More
Driving other of Costa Rica into another country
Has anyone experienced driving from Costa Rica to Panama? What are your thoughts and what paperwork do you have, to have to be able to cross the border. May 13th I need to do another border run for my 90-day Visa. Read More
Cremation
I have been thinking about the future. Has anyone looked into the process of cremation? I am interested in the process, cost and location for setting up Cremation. If you have any suggestions or information, please contact me. Read More
Building a house by joelrobin
Is it a good idea to buy property now and build in two or three years from now in Costa Rica? Or should we rent for a while and buy a house already built?
Hello everyone, I have been reading these posts about building homes in Costa Rica. If anyone is interested in some assistance, I am a retired general contractor from USA. I have worked in construction for 44 years. I have experience in ... Read More
Do you need to be a resident, to get a CR drivers license? by Coloradomike
My USA drivers license expires this October, 2016. I am wondering if I can get a CR drivers license and not worry about my USA drivers license.
Ok, Thanks for the information. Maybe in a couple months or so, I can come visit you. The first of May, I am moving to Hermosa, Puntarenas. I am thinking that, I will be closer and be able to visit. Thanks again, Mike Read More
Do you need to be a resident, to get a CR drivers license?
My USA drivers license expires this October, 2016. I am wondering if I can get a CR drivers license and not worry about my USA drivers license. Read More
Length of stay by Daniel_T
For tourists, I麓ve heard the individual immigration officer will determine the length of stay, and it can be one to ninety days. Does anyone know how typically the full ninety day visit is granted?
My first 90 days is coming this week. Do you have to make your border run prior to the 90 days do you have some leeway within your anniversary date? I have seen many people ask about where do you get your 90 days stamp. I am renting a home for long ... Read More
How a car accident changed my view on living abroad by justachicaincostarica
Last May I decided to pack up my things and get out of the cold (May isn't really cold, but it isn't always warm either) and head to Costa Rica! I love the beach. I love wildlife. I love nature. So the move wasn't such a hard decision to make. I ...
I read your post and thought that it was an excellent post. I have been living here in Costa Rica for a little bit over two months. I also AM learning my Spanish. I think communication is the number one priority. I have met many new friends in Costa ... Read More
my experience renting from Europcar in Costa Rica by samramon
[b][u]EUROPCAR REVIEW:[/u][/b] :mad: Just wanted to give some info on renting a car in costa rica. This is just based on my own experience, having rented a half dozen times or so, and so feel free to add your own experience or challenge anything ...
Good morning, I have a new question today. Can anyone give me any info on getting auto insurance? A good Company to use. I know that insurance is also expensive too. Thanks, Mike Read More
Driving in Costa Rica by Maximilien
Hi, What do you think of the way people drive in Costa Rica? How different is it from your home country? Respecting the road safety rules, driving etiquette such as general courtesy, speed excess聟 what are the characteristics of the driving ...
Good morning, Well, you said it all. It is like you said. Driving in San Jose is like playing a computer game.....fast reflexes. You never know what the vehicle next to you might do and especially, first thing in the morning, there are more people ... Read More
Can I only drive in Costa Rica for 90 days
Before I come down to Costa Rica, do I have to get a Visa? Can I only drive in Costa Rica for 90 days with my USA drivers license? I was planning on purchasing a vehicle when I get there. Read More
Moving to Costa Rica in a month. Want to bring my little dog.
Thank you for the reply. I did call and agricultural department and they did tell me that stuff. But I did notice that you said that she needs to get a physical within 10 days. Today is the 28th and I am planning on leaving on August the 12th., I ... Read More
Costa Rican cuisine by Priscilla
Hi, When living abroad, tasting the local cuisine is part of discovering the country. What is your favorite food in Costa Rica? What is the local speciality? Share with us the local tastes of Costa Rica and why not your best ...
I was about to make a statement about not having any good Tica food, until I read your last sentence. I have met some friends that go to each others home for dinner during the week and everyone brings something. It was always a feast. One of the ... Read More
relocation information by ricksage
Looking to retire in San Ramon and I definitely some information on furnished apts or houses. I'll be living on SS, $1400. A MONTH. I'LL ALSO BE USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. SO, information ABOUT THAT'S WOULD BE USEFUL.
Thank you for the information. Read More
relocation information by ricksage
Looking to retire in San Ramon and I definitely some information on furnished apts or houses. I'll be living on SS, $1400. A MONTH. I'LL ALSO BE USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. SO, information ABOUT THAT'S WOULD BE USEFUL.
If you can only drive for 90 days, and it takes a year to get your drivers license, you cannot drive your vehicle for nine months, until you can get your drivers license? So your car sits there and you pay insurance on it and cannot use it? Read More
relocation information by ricksage
Looking to retire in San Ramon and I definitely some information on furnished apts or houses. I'll be living on SS, $1400. A MONTH. I'LL ALSO BE USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. SO, information ABOUT THAT'S WOULD BE USEFUL.
I have a Passport that is current. I am wanting to move to Costa Rica, sometime in the beginning of August. Do Have to get a Visa to stay more than 90 days? Do get a Visa in the USA or in Costa Rica? I am planning retiring and renting. Read More
Moving to Costa Rica in a month. Want to bring my little dog.
Hello, My name is Mike and I am moving from Denver, CO to Costa Rica. I am just wanting any information in regards to bringing my little 10lb. Shi Tzu. I bought a ticket with Spirit Airlines but found out that they do not let you bring pets on ... Read More