Geckos don’t need a residency card. Costa Rica has been host to thousands of foreigners who have settled here for four centuries (if one counts the Spanish.) But before the 1990s, none of them were able to scuttle across the ceiling like spiders. That ubiquitous little Far Eastern lizard, the gecko, may have hitched a…
Should you select Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately when marrying a Costa Rican? It has become common for US Persons to find love abroad. You’ll often hear of an American moving to Costa Rica and marrying a young Tico or Tica. A U.S. citizen or permanent resident needs to consider a few tax…
Before you buy your retirement home, you have a chance to check out all Atenas homes for rent. When you retire to a new country you want to find out the advantages and disadvantages of living in certain areas first. The American-European Real Estate Group, the # 1 Costa Rica MLS, gives you now the option…
Playa Langosta real estate is among the most upscale in any Costa Rica beach community. I remember that in 1982, when I moved a client from San Jose to Playa Tamarindo with his whole household, Playa Langosta was in the middle of nowhere and there was nothing but trees and beach. It was not until…
The final part of the Caja Saga, a real story about a Canadian getting her Caja carnet. I recommend you read my other blogs about the Caja saga, as you will understand better what is involved for a Canadian to get your Caja carnet for your Costa Rican social security up to date nowadays. In the…
To invest in an existing hotel instead of building new, shouldn’t be a dilemma. Savvy investors know that to invest in an existing hotel or bed & breakfast in Costa Rica is a promising business venture. With so many areas of Costa Rica growing in terms of tourism, many property investors are looking towards acquiring lots…
Want to join the Caja del Seguro Social? I did, so I decided to tell you about it. When a foreigner wants to become a resident in Costa Rica, it is mandatory to join the Caja del Seguro Social. In the last two weeks, I have been telling you all about my adventure of getting…
There was no good quality assisted living in Costa Rica until now. I have spoken to a few US and Canadian based corporations about it over the years, but it simply never happened. I was impressed with the open house of Verdeza, a new assisted living facility in Costa Rica that will be inaugurated before…
How important are roofing membranes to a Costa Rican home? Costa Rica home builder Thomas Rosenberger, in two former blogs, has explained all about Costa Rica roofing and roof repairs as well as how to stop your roof from leaking. In this blog, Tom covers the use of impermeable membrane product on the roof surface…
Ever tried to get an authenticated marriage certificate from your home country? Well, I had to, and here is the story. Last week, I told you about the renovation of my Caja carnet in Costa Rica and the need for delivering an authenticated marriage certificate from my home country, Canada. I have found a way of obtaining…