ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
I’m NOT an expert (an "expert" 2 ME knows 101%-NOT me). I believe in sharin info•helping where I can! And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise. At least you have some basic info to get you started.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP:
Better yet - do you have extra time on your hands & looking for a volunteer project? Since this blog is a labor of love & RARELY does anyone share a donation (even though MANY have said how much it's helped them), I could REALLY use help updating info. Spanish speakers ESPECIALLY welcome since my VicLish can be somewhat limited at times!!

DONATE:
Has my blog helped in any way? Helped find something•brought more EASE? More exposure or business?
I welcome you to show YOUR appreciation for my efforts!
ANY size DONATION is APPRECIATED!
(see below other ways to show your appreciation)
The easiest way is with PAYPAL - Attn: LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com
(you do NOT need to have a PayPal account to do this - just a credit or debit card)
ADD INFORMATION:
Do YOU have/know of a Business•Event•News•Place•Things 4 Sale•Rent to add? Email:
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

OTHER WAYS TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THIS BLOG

• APPLE LAPTOP - Do you have a Laptop you're not using? Mine recently broke so I'm using a lender. Must be new enough to run current Skypes & have an SDCard slot.
• Amazon.com or GoDaddy.com Credit•Gift Certificate (attn: SarongGoddess@gmail.com)
• Something else to share?? A gift certificate or invite for your business? I'm open!! (at times I'll add other things here that I'm seeking)

Monday, February 14, 2011

BUS MAPS & BUS SCHEDULES in Costa Rica - How to Get Around Costa Rica by Bus

This is the best Map I've found so far that indicates where various Bus Depo's are BUT - it's OLD so I KNOW there have been numerous changes and I'm not a bus person so if you see this and know of some changes.  Email me at LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

In Costa Rica ALL roads lead to San Jose - 
meaning - most buses originate in San Jose and branch off to wherever.  RARELY at this point do they go to a city "next" to it if it's not ON the way (example - there are no buses that go from Escazu to Rohrmoser/Pavas - the next city North of them) - which translates to - if you're busing it - you GET to go BACK into San Jose to catch that other bus!!
Going exploring around Costa Rica by bus?  It's VERY CHEAP and pretty safe - though MOST do NOT have Bathrooms and many do NOT have Air-Conditioning (at least the cheaper ones and slowly I'm seeing more newer/nicer buses coming in.  FYI - if they say they have A/C or a Bathroom - it doesn't always mean it's working!!  Just be prepared to go with the flow in Costa Rica.  I need to stop drinking water a couple days in advance!).  

ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK before relying on ANYTHING you see in print as things are CONSTANTLY CHANGING in Costa Rica!! 

With that said - schedules seem to change around holidays/ends of seasons - ESPECIALLY Samana Santa/Easter  

MAJOR HOLIDAYS WHERE BUS SCHEDULES TEND TO BE EFFECTED:
Easter / "Samana Santa" - This is a HUGE holiday time - especially heading for the beach.  MANY buses schedules will change around the Friday the week before Samana Santa week.  Note that MANY buses do not have much service the Thursday and Friday before Easter weekend.

New Years Week before (and often the week before
Christmas also) -  Another HUGE holiday time - especially heading for the beach.  MANY buses schedules may change as early as the Friday close to the middle of the month (all depending on when these holidays fall each year) but at least a few days before the holiday & the day after or Sat. or Sunday.


(on one of my visa runs I called a certain bus company and got a time - but I'm quite intuitive and that intuition told me, MAYBE it wasn't correct, so I called back.  That didn't "feel right" as well so I called back again - 3rd different message.  So I decided to arrive about 15 minutes from the earliest time I was given and they had a 4TH DIFFERENT time listed.  So they gave me a little piece of paper with the "latest schedule" on it.  So the next morning - I rush to the Costa Rica border at Peñas Blanca to catch the bus back and guess what - I had missed "that bus" but 1 hour & the next one wasn't leaving for another 1-1/2 hours!!!  GRRRRRR!!!!!
Below are my FAV Bus Resources for them. 


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Traveling around Costa Rica by bus?  This is the OFFICIAL Costa Rica Tourism department (ICT) VisitCostaRica.com site's BUS SCHEDULE that has the Destination • Terminal Location, Company Name and Phone Number • Frequency • Time it Starts or Goes • Time it Ends • How Long it Takes (no prices)(it downloads onto your computer):  


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OTHER SITES WITH BUS INFORMATION:
AnyWhereCostaRica.com/transportation/bus
This doesn't even have the new/faster coastal route Dominical bus - BUT - they at least have the bus line's phone number.


TheBusSchedule.com/cr
Is a site where you input where you're departing from and where you're going to - BUT, so far I haven't had much luck with it. Also, I've found that if you don't use the "accents" (like tildees, etc.) it might not show up - so if you have an English keyboard - you might not have much success!! 
IF it does come up - they have the phone number and often the link to the bus company - BUT BUT BUT - just because it's the bus companies website does NOT mean it's current!!!


Costa-Rica-Guide.com/BusSchedule.html
This is a pretty cool one - ESPECIALLY because it has PRICES (though they're constantly changing but at least it gives you a base and I THINK this is OLD info).


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BUS TICKET PURCHASING SERVICE:
CostaRicaBusTickets.com 

 (this is a VERY helpful service - ESPECIALLY usedful for people not living in the metropolitan Central Valley area or coming from outside of Costa Rica [especially if you plan on entering Costa Rica with a one-way ticket which you can NO LONGER DO if you do not have Residency here - and you need that bus ticket proof you're leaving Costa Rica within 90 days] to for reserving•getting bus ticket though there is a fee involved of course since they're bringing you EASE into your life and taking care of it for you!)

PRINTED BUS MAPS
I've heard that at the Tourist Office in San José Centro (underneath the Plaza de la Cultura - next to the Museo de Oro), they have printed bus schedules which they provided for free on request.


If you'd like a contacts for English-speaking LEGAL/red taxi's, see my list here in my blog!!



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INFO on BUSES IN•AROUND ESCAZU:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/02/bus-schedules-map-escazu-santa-ana.html



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SEE WHAT THE BUS FLEETS LOOK LIKE
(so you know what you're catching if you need to run after it)
and learn more about the various buses around Costa Rica at
InfoBusCR.blogspot.com

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Did you know that some cities give 

FREE BUS PASSES to SENIORS

Read my article at:


LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/04/FreeSeniorBusPass.html



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Here's a GREAT FREE MAP of COSTA RICA
that you can print up yourself (NOT buses):
MapCR.com/information/8673/2/Costa-Rica-Free-Costa-Rica-Maps.html


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PLEASE consider making a
DONATION 
to help keep this site/me alive since Donations are my only source of income these days.  ANY amount of appreciation you'd like to show is welcome!
See the top right corner of this blog for how to do that.



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Please "SHARE" this link with all seniors you know could benefit from the information:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2011/02/bus-schedules-costa-rica.html




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Friday, February 11, 2011

TDMA Cell Phones SHUTTING DOWN by ICE as of Feb. 14, 2011 in Costa Rica

Do you still have an active TDMA Cell phone/line? 

Without FIRM advance notice (well - 1 full business day), ICE, the current phone monopoly, is FINALLY COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF ALL existing TDMA cell phones as of THIS Mon., Feb. 14!!!

I find it SAD as TDMA has been THE MOST reliable system I've found in this country (of course they'd shut off something that WORKS) and ICE is a FAR way from ironing out the kinks with 3G (don't EVEN get me started on the GSM system and how BAD that's been for MANY people [ask a taxi driver up in Escazu Centro that misses a LOT of his calls hence business/$$!!)!!!! 

YES - we KNEW it was coming but that’s NOT the point.

As of Wednesday ICE (at least at the new Sabana Sur office by the Comptrolaria) still had some FREE basic 3G phones for TDMA users that hadn't switched yet.    Bring your cedula or ORIGINAL passport with you.



HINT that MAY help you if you still have a cell phone in TDMA BUT NOT in YOUR Name:  
MANY people that aren't residents have purchased lines/phones from people.  Of course in times like this you can be screwed unless you can track the original owner down.  I know a few people that had been paying their cell bill online through their bank for years so they just took in a few years of bank statements in to ICE and were able to get an employee that were kind enough to switch it over to their name.  So MAYBE this MIGHT help for you (or not [more proof that life goes further when you're NICE to people!!  PLUS it makes YOU feel good to be nice doesn't it?!?!?!!!]).


Vicki

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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

HAMBURGERS•HAMBURGUESAS - Where to find GOOD BURGERS in Costa Rica


WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE HAMBURGER IN COSTA RICA???
  

It's NOT an easy task as beef in Costa Rica is well, let's just say, you don't move to Costa Rica for the meat!!!  
Added to the fact that MOST burgers are EXPENSIVE (ESPECIALLY after you've added the 23% IVA!!) - but SOMETIMES ya just GOTTA have that familiar old taste - a
GOOD BURGER!!!

Unfortunately my FAV one closed - Time Out Tavern
(owners Steven and Gary now own


Please share WHY and provide DETAILS like restaurant name, contact info, prices, location•directions, facebook page, website, etc.  Send PICS!!
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com


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Here are some other options on where to find a
GOOD HAMBURGER in Costa Rica!!




Maya Lounge is now DEFINATELY my FAV FAV FAV for their DELISH UNIQUE Burgers!LOCATION:
Ciudad Colon

BLUE CHEESE Hamburger


Hamburger with SHRIMP!!


Hamburger with PORK!!


Their "Basic" Hamburger



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MoJOE's
facebook.com/MoJoesCR
LOCATION:  Lindora•Pozos de Santa Ana


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JOHNNY ROCKETS
facebook.com/JohnnyRocketsCR
Old fashioned 50's-60's Americana-style burgers!


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PORKY'S BAR-B-Q

fb.com/PorkysCR  •  EXPRESS•DELIVERY  2-282-5057
36 - YES - that's 36 DIFFERENT KINDS of HAMBURGERS!!!
INCLUDING 2 that are 1kg each and 12,000-colones/$24 and for
15,000-c/$30 - their al Estillo Porky's that's 1kg de Carne, Pepinillos, Lechuga, Cebolla, Tomate, Tocineta, Quesos Americano y Provolonne, Huevos, Guacamole, Jalapeños y Salsas!!
AND - if you devour it all by yourself in less than 30 minutes it's FREE AND you get a certificate on the wall!!!

fb.com/notes/porkys-bar-b-q/reto-hamburguesa-porkys-de-1kg/474150912665597
I think THIS MUST be THE LARGEST selection of burgers in Costa Rica!!

m.menutabapp.com/restaurants/145550842192274

LOCATION:
Pozos de Santa Ana (behind AutoMercado in Lindora - 500 meters North of the church)


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Please "SHARE" this with ALL your friends that like BURGERS!!!!LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2011/02/best-hamburger-in-costa-rica.html
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EVENT - Feb. 11-27 - Little Theatre Group of Costa Rica presents "Steel Magnolias"

The Little Theatre Group of Costa Rica 
presents
"STEEL MAGNOLIAS"

Directed by Caroline Kennedy and Produced by Paula Friedman, "Steel Magnolias" is a 1989 American Comedy-Drama about the bond among a close-knit group of women from the small parish of Chinquapin, Louisiana.

The play is entirely set in Truvy's Beauty Parlor where these women come together every Saturday morning to discuss their news and exchange local gossip.  Filled with humor and heartbreak, these "Steel Magnolias" make us alternately laugh and cry as the realities of their lives and the strength of their individual characters unfold.
(more information on "Steel Magnolias":  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel_Magnolias)

The cast includes: Newcomers to the Little Theatre, Judy Ford, Samantha Black, Angela Lucas and Jenny Mclennan as well as "old hands" such as Lisa DeFuso, Susan Liang and Suzy Nagel.

WHEN:  February 11- 27th 
(Friday and Saturday - 7:30pm  and  Sunday - 2:30 p.m)

WHERE:  Teatro Laurence Olivier (2-223-1960 [do NOT call for tickets]) - Sala Garbo, Avenida 2 and Calle 28 (one block South of Pizza Hut on Paseo Colon) - San Jose  -  

DONATION:  6,000-c (newly increased after many years because of increased costs)


RESERVATIONS:  8-858-1446-Paula  or reserve online
Dinner-theatre options with on-line reservations.


FACEBOOK EVENT INVITATION:  


MORE INFORMATION ON LITTLE THEATRE GROUP:  


JOIN THEIR FACEBOOK GROUP:  



(tell them Vicki [aka the "Sarong Goddess" "Connected" you!!!   


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ICE - FREE 3G phones for outstanding TDMA to 3G Transfers in Costa Rica - ALMOST OUT!!

TDMA is NO LONGER IN SERVICE IN COSTA RICA 
(sad as it was THE MOST RELIABLE cell service!!!!)



Do you STILL have an ACTIVE TDMA phone line?  It's NOT too late to claim your FREE 3G phone from ICE!!!!!    BUT, they're RUNNING OUT on this batch and probably will BY the END OF THIS WEEK!!!


TODAY I went to ICE (the NEW one in San Jose - Sabana Sur - just 50 mts. up from the Comptroleria) to get mine - a basic (no camera BUT it does have access to internet connection if I choose to sign up for it for 7,000/month) Huawei nice small lightweight cell phone that I hear is almost as easy as the basic Nokia's to set up!!!  



I got to keep my original number that I've had for 7+ years!!


I said to MANY people about 2 years ago when they were threatening to shut down TDMA in a few months - just chill as I "felt" there was NO WAY they were going to force everyone to go out & BUY a $150+++ G3 phone - especially when some people are making less than $230/month - and that in the end - those that hold out WILL somehow get compensated!  

Sure 'nuf - 2 years later TDMA is still working (though it IS on it's way out) and STILL more reliable than GSM and 3G (though ALL 3 systems SUCK lately) & guess what - those of us that held out got a FREE phone and saved $150++!!

They happily programed the PHONE prompts ON the phone (that you see) in ENGLISH for me (what I look at but currently the whole system, the part the gal is chatting in Spanish is ONLY in Spanish but I heard they're working on it.  Plus I'm still having some challenges at times with Voicemail) but I'm working with someone there to get the prompts translated in English and will post/share them when it's done.

For these FREE 3G phones you DO STILL HAVE to have a LIVE TDMA Line along with Residency (hence a cedula) or a the EXISTING TDMA line in your Corporation so all I had to do was bring my passport and the old phone and 20 minutes later walk out with your BRAND NEW Huawei 3G phone!!

I hear that MANY of the smaller offices do not have these so you MAY have to go to San Jose - one of the 2 offices in Sabana.


PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE YOU KNOW THAT IS STILL WITH THE TDMA SYSTEM (ASK EVERYONE!!!)


It was a GOOD DAY!!!   THANX ICE (& HUGS to my angel!!!)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

New VISA RUN OPTION - Costa Rica to Managua, Nicaragua


NOTE:  NatureAir airline has relocated over to SJO-San Jose Airport!!!

The fly from SJO (via Liberia) to Managua, Nicaragua!!
 

They depart from San Jose at 6:30am (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and 1pm on Sundays.  Returning at 8:30am (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and 3pm (Sunday).
The flight takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.  

NaturAir goes
They’re also flying to Bocas del Toro, Panama - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - departing at 6:30am and travel the same days reverse at 9am for a 2 hour flight.


NatureAir is the ONLY local airline I'll take within Costa Rica - #1 - because they're the FIRST and ONLY airline in the world that show's their love for Mother Earth by being CARBON NEUTRAL http://NatureAir.com//carbonneutral ) and #2 - they're the only airline with TWIN Engines. 

2-549-7500-within CR  /  1-800-235-9272-US  /  http://NatureAir.com
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CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY Celebrations in Costa Rica

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS IN COSTA RICA - 2011


For more current information on places to Celebrate Christmas in Costa Rica go to


ChristmasInCostaRica.info

EVENT - Feb. 6 - Family Sunday - "Domingos Familiares" - TAI CHI on the Calle - San Jose, Costa Rica








FREE TAI CHI Class on Paseo Colon 

This is one of the on-going "Domingos Familiares" activities sponsored by the Municipalidad de San Jose to promote physical activity and recreation for the WHOLE family!!!


WHERE:  Paseo Colon - in front of Toyota - San Jose 

WHEN:  Sunday - Feb. 6 - from 10am to noon.


ESPANOL


"DOMINGOS FAMILIARES"

Clase de Tai Chi gratuita en Paseo Colón. 10:00am.
Actividades de la Municipalidad de San José
para promover actividad física y recreación para toda la familia.
Si tiene camiseta de Tai Chi póngasela y acompáñenos!!


CONTACTO:  8-829-0237  /  TaiChiCR@gmail.com

(photo from http://BambuDorado.blogspot.com)

RENTAL CARS - An Car Rental Agency with American/Canadian Standards of Customer Service & NO HIDDEN FEES (& GOOD PRICES!!) - in Costa Rica

Normally, when people ask me for info on car rentals I’m like “NO WAY!!” - you're on your own.  I’m pretty anti-driving in Costa Rica - in part because we have NO ADDRESSES and few signs and a BUNCH of other reasons (see my schpeel -
but also, BIG TIME, because I’ve heard of MANY consumers getting screwed over by too many car rental agencies (reasons - from being charged for damages they didn’t do - to the main thing - all those “hidden fees” in MANDATORY insurances or consumers not realizing what coverage they had was not with a 0 deductable!!) - UNTIL THIS company I just found!

#1 - Their slogan is “NO Hidden Fees" which is RARE as MANY people I’ve known that have rented cars have had VERY DIFFERENT experiences with MANY of the car rental agencies (ESPECIALLY the big boys).

#2 - They bring a level of CUSTOMER SERVICE we’re used to in the states/Canada (REFRESHING here!!).

CARS / FLEET:  
SEDAN  -  Toyoto Yiris Sedan 
(manual/stick - comfortably holds 4 people)
$50/day-$295/wk


COMPACT SUV 4x4  -  Diahatsu Terios
(manual/stick - comfortably holds 4 people) 
$70/day-$365/wk


MIDSIZE SUV 4x4  -  Toyota Rav 4 
(their only automatic vehicle or manual/stick - comfortably holds 5 people) 
$85/day-$445/wk 

All quotes come with Basic Insurance (3rd party, liability and Collision damage, 24/7 road assistance and waiver and have a 20% deductible plus they put a $950 hold on your card.  The FULL FULL coverage comes with a $0 Deductible and is an additional +$12-$18/day (CHEAP compared to others!).  They CAN work with atm cards.    Rates lower in Green Season - May 1-June 30 and Sept. 1-Nov. 30.  Minimum rental age 21.  

Express Service” - FREE PICKUP and RETURN to SJO and Pavas Airport/hotels in the metro area - Alajuela, Escazu, Santa Ana, West San Jose (note - there is a special tax for rentals at SJO Airport but they can save you that by meeting you outside the zone)

OPTIONAL SERVICES:  FREE ICE COOLER!  GPS (MANDATORY for driving in Costa Rica I’ve observed from MANY!!) - $8/day. Additional Driver - +$3/day. Cell Phones (unlimited in/out calls within CR!) - $5/day-$25/wk. Baby Seat/Boosters - $2/day.  

HOURS:  Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. and Sun. 9am-3pm (though they will deliver cars to SJO Airport till 8:30pm.

Each customer is treated as the special individual they are!!!  

CONTACT:  LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com for the contact info.


(make sure to tell them that Vicki "connected" you with them and e- me back your experiences/comments!)

A SPECIAL DOG GROOMER - DOGGI DIVINO - Escazu, Costa Rica



DOGGI DIVINO PET GROOMER


LAURIE SKLAR with DOGGI DIVINO Pet Grooming Salon is a U.S. trained dog grooming salon - established in 2006 and located in Escazu (between Centro and San Antonio), Costa Rica.

U.S. professional grooming products with a selection of
"GREEN" PRODUCTS that can be used for your pet depending on the needs of their skin and coat upon request. 


Doggi Divino works with all modern equipment, techniques, professional grooming products, Furminator de-shed treatments , Clipper Vac, aromatherapy, treats and LOVE supplied at all times!

People literally come from ALL OVER Costa Rica to have Laurie groom their "babies" because she does such a FABULOUS job, with LOVE!!!  Pets and their people leave HAPPY!!! (this is a message I've heard over and over from the MANY people I know that take their pets to Laurie!)
Doggi Divino is a private, cage free salon is in a country setting, not a pet shop or a vet. Only your dog is in the salon with her during a private appointment enabling your pet to be more relaxed and as stress free as possible.
Appointments are necessary as she gives your pet 100% attention with no other dogs waiting in cages proving a calm, low stress session for your pal.

Bath, fluff dry, haircut all included as well as a 
FREE BANDANA • BOW or FEATHERS for each pet!

LANGUAGE:  English speaking, Spanish and Dog all spoken.

Directions, pricing, referrals upon request. 

HOURS:  Monday - Saturday by appointment. 

Only the BEST for your pet! WOOF!


COMMENTS FROM VICKI:

I've known MANY people that have taken their pooches to Laurie at Doggi Divino in Escazu & they ALL RAVED about the results & treatment they got!!  A VERY DIFFERENT level of service than your average "groomer"!



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(remember to tell Laurie that Vicki Connected you and email me comments on your experience so I can share them!!)


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