Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes Public Health insurance is mandatory for foreign residents (CAJA), but private health insurance is also available. If you move to Costa Rica and get your legal residency, you will also have to apply for the C.C.S.S. The C.C.S.S. is the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social or the Costarican Department of…
Wondering what to do when you have a car accident in Costa Rica? If you are a tourist, citizen, or legal resident in Costa Rica, and you have a car accident, no matter how small or ugly the accident is: DO NOT MOVE YOUR CAR. If you are blocking traffic in the middle of a…
When living abroad as a US expat, you’re supposed to know what FBAR is. Do you? Filing a US expat tax return is a daunting task for many American expatriates. Although US citizens and green card holders are aware of foreign earned income exclusion, foreign housing exclusion, and foreign tax credit, many American expats do not…
Costa Rica has an amazing Senior Citizen Discount program. In my blog “what do Costa Rica expats want” I suggested a 65+ program for retirees without knowing such a program already existed. Other countries like Panama do have a senior citizen discount program widely advertised but the Costa Rican government advertises their program only to…
Not too many foreigners are familiar with the northern suburbs of San Jose. Costa Rica also has normal middle-class neighborhoods like any other country in the world has. When you read articles about Costa Rica real estate, you will always read about luxury homes for sale or homes on the golf course as well as…
Like in so many other towns in Costa Rica, there is an Escazu Farmers Market. We call it “la Feria del Agricultor” or just “La Feria”. Go native and do your fresh fruit and vegetable purchases at la feria. You will be saving yourself a lot of money. The Escazu Farmers market is held every…
Prospects like to know what Heredia real estate amenities are available in the city of the flowers. In case you didn’t know, Heredia city is called “La Ciudad de las Flores“. The real reason for that name is the presence of the Flores family in that part of the country. But La Ciudad de las…
I decided to write an article about how to donate your organs after you pass away in Costa Rica because I’ve had a lot of expats ask about it. But before you call me with any questions on how to donate your organs, read this article first. Actually, this is one of the most difficult…
Why would you need an exit visa for your car in Costa Rica? If the car is yours, why would you need an exit visa to cross a border with it? Unfortunately, if you ever plan to leave Costa Rica WITH your car, you need to go through the red tape of getting an exit…
Why does a Costa Rica real estate company publish a blog about Costa Rica funeral homes and cemeteries? Well, because we at American European Real Estate Group not only sell properties. We relocate and we hold your hand all the way through your due diligence. Our agents not only assist in your search for the…
Do you need the repatriation of a deceased family member? Most of us don’t want to hear this kind of information. But when you plan to live in Costa Rica, getting information about Costa Rica residency and Costa Rica real estate is not enough. When you read this article, do not call us to take…
If you have assets in Costa Rica you also need a will in Costa Rica. A will from another country is no good for your Costa Rican assets. Thousands of retirees move to Costa Rica every year and do not plan to die here. If you move to Costa Rica to retire, there is a good…
Learning Spanish, or at least the basics, is a must before you arrive in Costa Rica. Traveling to another country is always an exciting adventure full of new sights, sounds, and experiences. However, this experience can be challenging due to the sometimes subtle, and sometimes obvious differences in culture. Add in an unfamiliar language, and…
Why would anybody in his right mind purchase Playa Hermosa Guanacaste real estate also called Hermosa Beach Guanacaste? Playa Hermosa Guanacaste real estate is always a hot place for vacation rentals and vacation homes for expats and locals. Unlike many other beaches in Costa Rica, in Playa Hermosa Guanacaste you will find amenities for all…
A Southern Caribbean home can be your next vacation home, did you ever think about that? The Costa Rica Caribbean might not have come to your mind if you plan to retire, to start a new life in Costa Rica or purchase a vacation home on the beach, but it will be very beneficial to you…
The Costa Rica phone company (ICE) announces changes in important phone numbers. You really want to make sure you have those numbers, so you won’t have to look for them when needed. ICE, our government-owned telecommunications company in Costa Rica has competition now. So you can choose for the first time since the civil war…