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 And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise.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)

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

HINTS to help CALM your Pets Fear of Sudden Noises like FIREWORKS & THUNDER


The FIREWORKS around New Years Eve • Christmas Eve • Independence Day and the THUNDER of Rainy Season - are all VERY HARD times for many pets that don't understand what the sudden jolting noise happening around them is.

Below I share some techniques I've discovered on how to help your babies through this VERY TRYING time for many!!!  As I learn new tricks, I'll add them to it so if this is an issue for your dog or cat, you might want to Bookmark it and "Share" it with your friends that have this issue!!!

BEST Hospital for HEART PROBLEMS - Heart Attacks & Cardiac Care in Costa Rica - Hospital San Juan de Dios

 

Goddess forbid you or someone you know is having a heart attack or heart related issues, but if you are, MANY TIMES I've seen•heard from MANY people that the BEST HOSPITAL in Costa Rica for
HEART ATTACKS • CARDIAC CARE • HEART RELATED PROBLEMS•ISSUES
is

TICO LINGO - Common phrases used in Costa Rica

I saw this cool post on a website on

TICO LINGO

with some good hints on words and phrases to use or you might hear as well as some Living in Costa Rica hints•explanations like:

Monday, December 30, 2013

ILLUMINATED PAPER SKY LANTERNS - Where to find them in Costa Rica



With New Years Eve today and sense fireworks are theoretically "illegal" in Costa Rica (to say nothing about what havoc it wreaks on pets), I pose the question, where does one in Costa Rica find some of those COOL Illuminated Paper Lanterns (aka Illuminated Globes, Sky Lanterns, Khom Loy Lanterns from the Loy Krathong Festival in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province, in Thailand, the Kongming Lantern or Fire Sky Chinese Lantern) you see them in some of those AMAZING light festivals in Asia

Saturday, December 28, 2013

MY Experience Updating My Bank Information in Costa Rica

 

I went to Banco Nacional today (Friday - December 27, 2013) to find out the actual SCOOP on what I needed to get my bank account up-to-date so they wouldn't close it the beginning of the year 2014. 



I spoke with a branch manager so I could get FACTS (we'll his version of them) thinking I'd need to come back with all the stuff people were saying was needed but since I don't keep much $$ in my bank account in Costa Rica, I was done in 30 minutes!!!



Tuesday, December 24, 2013

WALMART HOLIDAY HOURS in Costa Rica

I've been TRYING and TRYING - LITERALLY for nearly 2 hours - to get through to WalMart in Costa Rica to get their holiday hours (others have asked and I JUST decided to save the $20-$40 restaurants are charging and make something with a friend because I don't do holidays but I DO like much of the food [just not the sitting around doing the fluff surface "visiting"]).

So after checking their website and Facebook page, calling ALL the WalMart's in Costa Rica and most of the time being disconnected (sometimes as soon as the # is dialed) NONE of which had ANY information on them, I finally got a response back from their Facebook person - at least for PART of my question - at least for the Christmas week.

CHRISTMAS EVE  -  Tuesday - December 24  -  Open till 9pm
CHRISTMAS DAY  -  Wednesday - December 25  -  9am-8pm
(Last year they were open their normal hours December 26 to December 30 - 8am-10pm)

NEW YEARS EVE  -  Tuesday - December 31  -  ???
NEW YEARS DAY  -   Wednesday - January 1  -  ???
(in 2012 they were open: 
New Year's Eve - Monday - December 31 - 8am-8pm
New Years Day - Tuesday - January 1, 2013 -9am-8pm
from my LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/12/open-closed-christmas-holiday.html)


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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Speedo Water Ear Plugs for Sale

 

Speedo Ear Plugs for the Pool • Ocean
$8

CONTACT:

EARPLUGS FOR SALE in Costa Rica - Escazu


EARPLUGS FOR SALE: 

Traveling with a snorer?
Do you have a hotel/guest house/hostel in a noisy area? Offer these EAR PLUGS to your guests as a gift or for sale!! They'll LOVE and BLESS you!!

11 sets individually wrapped though a bit bigger. One of the same loose.
7 pairs of thinner ones - loose (this is the one I use nightly!!).
$5 each pair.
OR - take all 18 sets for $35 (a great investment for a hotel that's noisy or on a noisy street!!).


Brand New SPEEDO pair of GOOD Swimmers EAR PLUGS - $15

Take ALL for $30


LOCATION:
Escazu


http://MovingSaleLeavingCostaRica.com


CONTACT:
8-378-6679  •  LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

SAXOPHONE • Saxofón - Yamaha Tenor Sax 275 for Sale•en Venta - located in Escazu, Costa Rica


FOR SALE • en VENTA

SAXOPHONE • Saxofón - Yamaha Tenor Sax 275

Yamaha's 275 series saxes offer a perfect introduction to the Saxophone•Saxofón. They are the entry level saxes preferred by teachers throughout the world. They are also ideal for advanced players needing a doubling instrument. Offering surprisingly high-quality features at a student model price, they boast durability, good tone, good tuning, easy playability, and perfect consistency.


This horn was purchased 4 years ago. Since then it has been used perhaps 50 hours, since my interest has shifted to keyboards. It is in new condition.

COMES WITH:
Standard Yamaha mouthpiece, PLUS an Otto Link metal mouthpiece 6*
(the Otto Link mouthpiece has MAYBE 2 hours of use)


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ESPANOL:
Los •Saxofón•Saxofones de la serie 275 de Yamaha son perfectos para introducirse en el mundo del saxofón. Son los saxofones de iniciación preferidos por profesores de todo el mundo. También son perfectos para aquellos intérpretes avanzados que precisan un segundo instrumento. Incluyen características de gran calidad por el precio correspondiente al de un modelo para estudiantes; ofrecen resistencia, un tono y una afinación correctos, facilidad de interpretación y una coherencia perfecta.


PRICE: 
Saxophone•Saxofón 
WITH Otto Link MP•MouthPiece - $1,650
($2,000+ in USA)


UBICACION•LOCALIZACION•LOCATION:
Escazu, Costa Rica


CONTACTO:
ENGLISH
(person with the saxophone in Escazu - but habla NO Español) - LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

ESPANOL•ENGLISH
(persona que tenga conocimiento sobre este instrumento•person with the knowledge on this instrument)
SoyEso@gmail.com  •   2-742-5310 • 8-561-0238


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GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!! Unique JEWELRY•JEWELS FOR SALE in Escazu

I have a few pieces of Unique JEWELRY•JEWELS FOR SALE in Escazu

Some real and some funky•cool costume!!!

GREAT Christmas Presents!!!
(even available Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!!!)

See what all I have in the pictures below and most have the prices/description below the photo. Want to see them closer? Click on the picture. Want to see them even BIGGER?!?!?! Look at the top left corner and there should be some other sizes there!!!

http://SarongGoddess.com/Other/JEWELS-4Sale


CONTACT:
8-378-6679  •  LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com






























LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/12/UniqueJewels4SaleCR.html
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TAMALE MAKING CLASS & TASTY TAMALES available for sale in Costa Rica

TAKE SOME TAMALES HOME FOR YOUR FAMILY and FRIENDS!!!
Additional Tamales were made from this class and are available for sale!!

FYI - These were SOOOO YUMMMM!!!  I'm not normally a fan of Tico Tamales, but based on MY taste buds, these were THE BEST I've had in Costa Rica!!  LOTS of "stuff" in them!!!  Each bite seemed to have a different taste!
(ok - I confess, I ate 3-1/2 in one sitting and today I'm going back to buy MORE!!!!!   Vicki)

PRICE: 
2,000-c per Piña (for 2)

LOCATION:Escazu (Trejos Montelegre - not far from WalMart)

CONTACT:
8-717-7490 - Benjamin

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This Tamale Making Class is over BUT
Pablo and Benjamin MAY be available to do a private class for YOUR group during the holidays or on a weekend.  Can't hurt to ask.
Contact Benjamin directly.



TICO TAMALE MAKING CLASS

Because so many friends have been saying they wanted to learn how to make this Tico Christmas tradition, Benjamin and Pablo are inviting you to join them at Joanna’s Eats NEW HOME to teach YOU how to make REAL TICO TAMALES and let you get YOUR hands all covered with masa and learn about this Latin family Christmas ritual!!!

INCLUDES: 
Hands-on Tamale Making instruction
(or you can watch if you want to) 
plus you get to make and take home your own custom made Chicken, Pork and/or Beef Tamales

2 “Piñas” 
(a “Piñas” is not as in pineapple as Vicki’s thought for 8 years- it’s the Tico word for 2 tamales wrapped together - so you are making 4 separate tamales for yourself)
(note you won’t be eating our tamales till around 3pm but there will be other Bocas and drinks available for purchase separately if you become hungry for lunch)

LANGUAGES: 
English and Spanish

WHEN: 
Monday - December 23, 2013 - 10am-5pm

WHERE:
Joanna’s new home in ESCAZU Trejos Montelegre (San Rafael)
(directions given upon RSVPing)


CLASS PRICE: 
10,000/$20 to cover your cost
(paid upon entry)


RSVP•RESERVATIONS: 
MANDATORY - BY Sunday at 9pm
(please ONLY reserve if you’re committed as they’ll be purchasing ahead of time for the people that RSVP or pay if you no-show)
8-717-7490-Benjamin  •  8-529-2509-Joanna  •  JoannasEatz@gmail.com   facebook.com/JoannasEatz
facebook.com/events/682405758466070
(tell them Vicki Connected you!!)

Minimum 5 people - MAX just 15 spaces available


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TAKE SOME TAMALES HOME FOR YOUR FAMILY and FRIENDS!!!
Additional Tamales will be available for purchase!!
PRICE: 
2,000-c per Piña (for 2)


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CHRISTMAS EVE BOCAS PARTY
WHEN: 
Tuesday - December 24 - 5-8pm

WHAT: 
Bocas•Appetizers - 2,000-c/$4 each plate


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Please "Share" with your family and friends!!!
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Saturday, December 21, 2013

"Runner Runner" - New movie about Online Poker (& Costa Rica???)

The movie about Online Poker - "Runner Runner" - SAYS it's about Costa Rica - BUT - it was NOT AT ALL filmed in Costa Rica - it's filmed in - Puerto Rico (let's confuse people between the two some more!!!).

This Movie Could Upset Online Poker in Costa Rica

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY HOURS at POST OFFICE•CORREOS in Costa Rica


YIKES!!  I never even thought about the post office having limited hours during the holidays since I've MAYBE received a dozen things in the mail since I moved to Costa Rica 8-1/2 years ago but be forewarned if you're wanting to mail things, expecting packages or wanting to pay for your P.O. Box which is due January 1, 2014!!

COSTA RICA POST OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS - 2013
Horario de Servicio de Correos de Costa Rica Fin de Año 2013

TIPS for U.S. ExPats TAXES - Good Site!

ExPat CPA
is a GREAT website with all sorts of FREE info on U.S. taxes for ExPats, FBARs, Offshore Voluntary Disclosures, and IRS audits. 



They also have a bunch of 
FREE TAX TOOLS at 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

DRIVING RESTRICTIONS • "INGRESO RESTRINGIDO" in San Jose for Christmas•New Years & Easter•Samana Santa

Because the Central Valley becomes like a Ghost Town during the Christmas•New Years and Easter•Samana Santa break
(a LARGE % of the population heads to the beaches or mountains since so MANY businesses CLOSE!!)

DRIVING RESTRICTIONS•"INGRESO RESTRINGIDO"
are LIFTED - so
ALL CARS have FREEDOM to move about in San Jose during the holidays

Help me ENHANCE some of my LISTS on http://LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com

I'm working on many new "Lists" for my blog
Living Life in Costa Rica
which often comes up toward the top of many Google searches

and hoping you can help me with DETAILS and contacts/leads on some of the more popular lists or new ones to add on to:

Costa Rica-Peñas Blancas - Nicaragua-Frontiera Border Crossing during the Christmas 2013-2014 Break - Open 24 hours on some days!!



The Christmas holiday mass exodus of OVER 150,000 people - mainly Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica returning home to spend with their family -
the Costa Rica - Nicaragua border crossing through Immigrations on both sides can take 3-6 HOURS starting around December 19 with the return days between January 1-5 or 6, 2014.

After MUCH SUCCESS last year, the Costa Rica-Peñas Blancas - Nicaragua Border will be open 24 hours a day on Sunday and Monday December 22 and December 23 (vs their regular 6am-12am/midnight) per the Dirección General de Migración (director of Immigrations). 

Not sure what they're going to be doing extended hours on the returning to Costa Rica dates as that is a MEGA NIGHTMARE though this year - January 2014 should be more spread out with New Years Day - January 1 being on a Wednesday (no way in HELL would you catch me near the border between December 19, 2013 and January 6, 2014!!!!)


WHAT ABOUT THE NEW $5 LAND TAX + $2 ADUANA TAX?
As of this posting, it's still on hold and so far EVERYONE (including the Ministerio de Hacienda who instigated it) is STILL mum on it if they're going to reinstate it on time to - NO COMMENTS (and this blessed event of OVER 100,000 people crossing over this border in this 2 week period is just DAYS away!!  Hope they don't miss out on this opportunity to bring in LOTS of $$ to help the government!!). More details at:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/11/New5ExitTaxCR.html


WHAT ABOUT CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEARS DAY?
Christmas and New Year's Day the border will only be open from 6am-6PM.


WARNING - IMMIGRATION POLICE
(which includes back up in traffic probably!!)
To help "speed things up", Immigration Police are going to be conducting inspections in Liberia of the buses going across the border since it seemed to help in the past. 

Now I don't know what that means for anyone that is OVER THEIR VISA so if you are and are trying to get in integrity with updating your visa, you might want to take the slow•cheap (withOUT air-conditioning or a bathroom and tighter seats) Deldu bus TO the Costa Rica border at Peñas Blanca, walk over, and catch whatever bus you need to get to go where you're going.  OR, if you're REALLY over, take a Liberia bus and catch a bus in Liberia taking you to the border to avoid the potential of getting thrown into Immigration Jail (luckily that's nowhere near as bad as regular jails in Costa Rica [I've visited/helped a few people that have been there]).
(I have some bus info on how to get to the Costa Rica - Nicaragua border on my site [that needs to get updated SOON!]):
 SanJuanDelSurNI.com/GETTING_THERE.html
which will soon be updated at:
CRNIBorderCrossing.com


DO NOT NOT NOT BRING ANY DRUGS INTO EITHER BORDERS!!!!
On that note, having done border crossings a couple times in the past few months, I've noted that the DEA (drug enforcement police) seem to REALLY be doing inspections of LOTS of the buses - either along the road or at the border so do NOT be stupid and have any drugs on you as I'm sure you wouldn't want to be spending any time in a Tico jail would you??


BE PREPARED FOR THE 3-6 HOUR WAIT AT THE BORDER!!
This time of year it can be REALLY HOT so bring plenty of water and at least some snacks and maybe some portable chair to sit it!!
Your Costa Rica cell phone should work even at the Nicaraguan border and they sell SIM cards for Nicaragua over on that side.
There is NO WiFi at the border!


ARE YOU A SENIOR CITIZEN?
At least on the Costa Rican side, Seniors (I THINK it's 65+) can just walk up to the front of the line - no wait (their family and friends WILL still have to wait!).


ENSURE YOU GETTING A 90 DAYS STAMP
Not everyone is getting a 90 day stamp when they enter/re-enter Costa Rica. 
Costa Rica has some specific things they're requiring from you now!!
Read about why SOME people have received Visa Stamps of LESS than 90 days at:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2011/12/people-not-getting-90-day-visa-stamps.html


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Share this link with EVERYONE you know considering crossing the Costa Rica border between December 19, 2013 and January 6, 2014!
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/12/CRNIBorderCrossingChristmas13.html
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Scammer trying to buy higher end homes in the Central Valley of Costa Rica

A realtor shared this warning about a Scammer - THIEF that is going around claiming he is looking to buy higher end homes in the Central Valley of Costa Rica.
(I'm not sharing her name for her safety)

At least ONE of the names he goes by is Jeremy K
(there's a celebrity whose first name starts with this K name.  It sounds like a popular yogurty kind of drink that's REALLY GOOD for you [different spelling]) 
(not posting the last name to protect my tush from slander). 


DESCRIPTION:
He claims to be 6'3' but the realtor says he is more like 6' or 6'1"
About 250 pounds. 
Short light brown/reddish hair.
Blue eyes.
Says he's a Swiss citizen
Late 40's
Speaks French, English, German and Spanish. 
No visible scars or tattoos.
He says he is Jewish.
Claims to be a Forestry Engineer, PHD among other things.


HIS STORY:
He claims to have $7 million in the bank which he inherited from his Grandfather.  
Says he is a "cash" buyer up to $500,000 U.S.
He will want to "do the deal today", wire the total price to your bank here, the U.S. or Canada, including all furniture you may be selling.
He will ask for your account number and routing number.  His email, passport number, etc. are ALL false.

This man is VERY smooth and quite believable, he will even speak with your Attorney.  


CELL PHONE #:
His phone number here ends in 7067
(covering my tush by not giving the WHOLE # which I DO have if you get a call from him) - which he of course does not answer after he's done his deed.



WHAT HE DID•TOOK
He responded to an ad for a house for sale on Craig's List.
She took him to look at 2 homes (he said he looked at an additional 3 homes in Roka Verde and Atenas).
He took a gun•pistol, IPod, I4 phone, gate remote control and a Notebook
(I'm getting more details on how that came down).
She said he was not violent with her.


HOW HE GOT WHAT HE DID
Unfortunately the realtor had befriended him (as MANY realtors do with potential clients) and invited them back to her place for dinner and drinks.  Luckily he did not do anything to harm them.


She said she "can NORMALLY spot a phony at 20 miles and this was the first time she has ever been taken in.  This guy is REALLY slick." 


WHAT TO DO IF HE CALLS YOU:
If he calls to meet you - PLEASE, IMMEDIATELY
CALL the OIJ (Organismo de Investigación Judicial
 [pronounced “O-E-ho-tah”] - Costa Rica’s version of the FBI)
800-800-0645
facebook.com/pages/Organismo-de-Investigaci%C3%B3n-Judicial/162025663834408
 to accompany you/bring him down!! 


HELP STOP HIM before someone else is taken in!!!
Keep your eye open for him!!! 


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SAFETY TIP!!!!
Since your life and possessions are more important than a little inconvenience on someone - especially since crime is on the rise BIG TIME (all over the world) and "looking at houses for rent or sale" is a GOOD way for criminals to scoop out a place, why not take a photo of EVERY PERSON that comes to look at your place.
I'd then IMMEDIATELY email/send it to someone - ANYONE - JUST after you take the picture - or post it on your facebook!!

And/or ask them to send to you BEFORE they come over for you to verify with your friend/"in" at Migracion - a picture of themselves along with the full name on their passport, passport number and country of issue or cedula number for locals.

I'll BET this will help weed out SERIOUS people from lookie-loos or criminals!!!

The life YOU save MAY be your OWN!!!


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PLEASE forward this warning to EVERYONE you know that has a place for sale or rent in Costa Rica!!!!
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/12/ScammerTryingToBuyHousesCR.html
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Lindora Road is going to be EXPANDING!!! (you think traffic is bad NOW . . . .!!!!)

 (photo from La Nacion - Rebeca Arias)

So you think the traffic on the road from the Pista del Sol in Santa Ana - through Bosques de Lindora (aka Pozos de Santa Ana - let's be honest) to the Panasonic intersection in Belen was a NIGHTMARE?? 

It's about to get WORSE AND - for 2 years (which will probably translate to ___ years - which MY observation is things RARELY open anywhere near the projected date in Costa Rica)!!!!

DEMAND FOR UPDATED BANK INFORMATION DATE CHANGED in Costa Rica


ANOTHER WTH Costa Rica!!!!
Don't you just love how "well" Costa Rica "communicates" such CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT information?!?!?  (NOT!!)  EVERYTHING in the past (well, that actually GAVE DATES) said this was REQUIRED to be completed BY Tuesday - December 31, 2013 (or risk accounts being closed) but NOW they're SUDDENLY saying we MUST have it in BY THIS Friday, December 20, 2013 (well - actually they gave us till December 22 - but that's a SUNDAY and banks are NOT open on SUNDAY in Costa Rica!!  Heck, few are even open on Saturday!)!!

This campaign to collect our information started in September and to date, few banks even have the information on their websites, let alone on their home page (as if it's not something real important) and EVEN THE bank association that released this DEMAND - Asociación Bancaria Costarricense - ASOBanca.fi.cr - does NOT have it on their Homepage!!!

Because I did not take the last demand seriously, I experienced first hand back in 2009, the closing of my business accounts with Banco Nacional as well as my account with what's now CitiBank (this one they wouldn't even let me get my $40 in the account OUT - till I provided the proof of where my $$ was coming from and it finally dwindled away after they started imposing monthly fees on the account.  If this wasn't a scam I don't know what was!!!).

So HEED the warning!!

Monday, December 16, 2013

LAST DATE to FILE BUSINESS & SELF EMPLOYMENT TAXES in Costa Rica -December 16, 2013

TODAY - Monday - December 16, 2013 - is the LAST DAY that businesses and the self-employed can pay tax without facing a penalty, as December 15th fell on a Sunday.

Those who miss the deadline face harsher penalties this year.

Statistics show that most people in Costa Rica procrastinate the filing of their tax returns.  In 2012, tax authorities received 76% of tax returns in the final two days before the deadline.    

Increases in penalties this year

An inaccurate tax return could mean a fine of up to 150% on the total amount left to pay, up from 25% to 75% last year.

Failure to file a tax statement at all brings a fine of up to 10 minimum wages.   Late payment of tax comes with penalties of 13% annually.  Additionally, the National Registry will not issue legal documents for corporations who are behind in their tax.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Costa Rica was ranked #6 out of the "10 Most Searched Travel Destinations!"

 According to the search engine Bing.com - Costa Rica was ranked #6 out of the
"10 Most Searched Travel Destinations!"

What they say about Costa Rica:

Saturday, December 14, 2013

BLOCKED INTERNATIONAL CALLS - Why Can't I Call Internationally or People Internationally Call Me

MANY a landlord has had a tenant move out and 2-3 months later when the phone bill arrived - were shocked by the $500-$1,000+ phone bill they left behind.  So if you're renting, a SMART landlord will BLOCK you from being able to make international calls (a SMART thing to do if one rents their house out).

BUT, what that ALSO means is that it ALSO BLOCKS ALL INCOMING INTERNATIONAL calls!!!

To unblock it - the person who's name is ON the phone MUST ONLY THEM go TO ICE with their cedula or ORIGINAL passport (NO copies) or if it's in the name of a corporation, the CURRENT (within less than 30 days) Jersonaria Juridica to change that (I have heard of 1 person that did it by fax).  If that phone's been handed down for generations as they often are - & the person has died - I was told by a friend at ICE that it's a VERY DIFFICULT thing to change which often involves going to court to change it (I asked as it happened to me with my old house I rented).  Ahhhh - life in "Paradise"!!!

Best thing to do - get SKYPE or something equivalent!!!  I have Skype, a monthly plan that gives me unlimited free calls to the U.S. (& Canada for the one I'm on) PLUS I have a U.S. # that was just $60 a year to get & I could pick the area!!  The cool thing is when I go to the states, I can forward that phone to my cell so no one knows the difference & since I get free calls - there's no extra forwarding fee!!!



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SENIORS - BANK TIPS•HINT for living in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica SENIORS are treated with MUCH respect!!  Not only can you apply for a Programa Ciudadano de Oro Card (the Gold Card for seniors - I THINK 65+), but a cool thing is you get to cut in line at banks, stores - just about everywhere (as well as pregnant women, gals with infants and people with physical disabilities).  At banks, there's a special window•caja for these people - often along with a few chairs - which USUALLY means you get served faster - BUT - SOMETIMES there are no special people in that line so they take the next person in the next line.

Well, that person could possibly be one of those messengers bringing 10 cell phone bills+++ - meaning the Special Line could be backed up for awhile.

Mel's hint - if you're at a bank where they give you a number - get 2 tickets - one for the Special Line as well as one for the REGULAR because SOMETIMES that line moves faster!!  (but you can still go sit and wait till your number is called!!)

(THANX for this tip Mel Goldberg!!)

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SEEDS•SEMILLAS - Where to Find Seeds•Semillas in Costa Rica

Where to find
SEEDS • SEMILLAS


If you're just looking for standard (possibly GMO) Seeds•Semillas - I find the CHEAPEST places are these Agriculture • Farm • Horticultural store (some sometimes also carry PET SUPPLIES) especially if they sell it in BULK (like MY FAV AgroEscazu has many of!)
Also, your local Ferreteria•Hardware or Nursery•Vivero may have some
EPA carries them but trust me, they ain't cheap!!

SUNFLOWER SEEDS • Semillas de Girasol - Where to find Sunflower Seeds in Costa Rica (to eat)

  
SUNFLOWER SEEDS • Semillas de Girasol 
are NOT an easy thing to find in Costa Rica and when you can, they tend to NOT be cheap!!!  I'm starting a list of where you can find them in Costa Rica!

ORGANIC SEEDS - Where to find NON-GMO Organic Seeds in Costa Rica



Where to find
SEEDS • SEMILLAS
 If you're just looking for standard (possibly GMO) seeds - your local Ferreteria•Hardware or Nursery•Vivero.
As I find more non-organic seeds I'll share them here.


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Where to find
ORGANIC SEEDS • SEMILLAS
in Costa Rica


It's VERY IMPORTANT to know that Costa Rica has one of THE HIGHEST usages of Pesticides in the world (CR has 51.2kg with #2 being Columbia at just 16.7kg - per NationMaster.com/graph/agr_pes_use-agriculture-pesticide-use - no thanks to the U.S. and "conditions" to "gifts"), and GMO's HAVE ALREADY seeped into the country (FYI - countries•cities can SAY they're outlawing GMO's BUT - isn't the land - ALL OVER the world - ALREADY infested WITH these GMO seeds??  Even cross-breaded with our seeds?).
So if you're of the conscious type - it's CRUCIAL that you
KNOW WHERE YOUR SEEDS ARE COMING FROM!!


With that said - if you're looking for
ORGANIC SEEDS



Ed Bernhardt
is THE MAN when it comes to ORGANIC SEEDS in Costa Rica at the
NEW DAWN CENTER

See some of his PRODUCTS at:


SEEDS
Native Sweet Chile Peppers - perennial bush, good production of sweet peppers.
Native Pumpkin Squash - Can be eaten young like zucchini or mature like a pumpkin.
Native Basil - Hardy variety with good flavor for salads and meals.
Sweet Cherry Tomatoes - The best tomato for the tropics. Grows well in containers too.
Jamaican Hibiscus - Beautiful flowers which make a flavorful tea (that I hear is GREAT for the kidneys) and has Edible leaves
Zinnias - colorful flowers for the garden.
Cosmos - orange variety.
Ed also has has written some great
BOOKS

on growing in the tropics++
“THE COSTA RICAN ORGANIC HOME GARDENING GUIDE”
“NATURAL HEALTH CARE FOR TROPICAL LIVING”

“MEDICINAL PLANTS OF COSTA RICA”

For more info on other things Ed does (he does a LOT) go to:


LOCATION:
Near San Isidro de General - aka Perez Zeledon (in the Southern Zone)

(TheNewDawnCenter.info  •  2-770-4229  •  TheNewDawnCenter@yahoo.com)
(PLEASE tell Ed that Vicki Skinner with the blog Connected you!!)


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Desiree Wells
Located down in the Southern Zone also, Desiree (aka the "PermaCulture Pilgrim") has seeds for EDIBLE FLOWERS and Medicinal Herbs like Ginger, cayenne, cayote culantro and freshly planted basil and more!
See a sample at:  facebook.com/desiree.wells.946/media_set?set=a.10201190188773670
facebook.com/IrieCycles
(PLEASE tell Ed that Vicki Skinner with the blog Connected you!!)



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SEED EXCHANGE & SWAPS


Cuttings • Plants • Seeds
Trade • Sell • Share
in Costa Rica
is COMING SOON!!
It will have a list of places to find Seeds to Exchange &/or Swap


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Do YOU know of any other resources for finding
TRUSTWORTHY - NON-GMO ORGANIC Seeds
in•around Costa Rica?
Please email me the DETAILED Resource info to
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

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Has this DETAILED information been helpful to you - brought more ease into your life, saved you time and/or $$$/¢¢¢¢?

Please consider showing your appreciation for it by
making a
DONATION
to keep this detailed blog going!

The easiest/best way is PayPal!
Go to the top LEFT corner of the blog for details.

ANY amount is appreciated since this is my ONLY source of "income" and FEW give back/donate!!!



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tinyurl.com/OrganicSeedsCR LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/12/OrganicSeedsCR.html
.153 9/23/15

Friday, December 13, 2013

MOVERS • MUDANZAS Y TRANSPORTES withIN Costa Rica (& some that even Speak English & give GOOD Conscious Customer Service)


NEED MOVERS FOR WITHIN CR (or the docks?)??!!  I found EXCELLENT MOVERS that have moved me once plus I've used them for moving other things for other people I was helping with Moving•Estate Sales, plus they have moved OVER 20 people I've shared their information with and EVERYONE's RAVED about them!!!

MY EXPERIENCE:
They moved me May of '06 from Pozos de Santa Ana to Escazu and they were AWESOME!! 

First off, AMAZINGLY, they showed up 30 minutes EARLY (
and of course I was not ready, even my other helpers were not there yet.  To me it's SMART to be their first one of the day and also NOT be on the last or first day of the month whenever possible).

They said they would have 4 guys
and SIX showed up (all hard workers - Sebastian [he was the hardest worker!!],  Rolando Drucer [he speaks English], Freddie, Harley, Eddie and Luis Fernandes)! 

They did an EXCELLENT fast job, NOTHING broken, NOTHING missing.  I tipped each guy $10 to $20 depending on how hard they worked, plus I bought LOTS of pizzas
and sodas for them so I know they were VERY happy.

They had a large 24 foot truck fully equipped with a dolly, a ramp, blankets, etc. to protect my stuff
and it initially was 85,000 colons (remember - this was in 2006 - plus it ended up being more because we ended up having to do a second load as I bought a bunch of things [beds and big plants mainly] after getting the initial quote, but they only charged me about $20 to $25 more).


Oh, and they are LEGALLY licensed
and insured (something you do NOT get with some movers and haulers so what happens IF something gets broken???  If you have ANYTHING of value [including emotionally•sentimentally of value] - is saving a few $$s going with the cheaper hauler worth that??)
 

I deal with their son Manuel•Manny who speaks GOOD English and GETS the concept of the level of CUSTOMER SERVICE that many of us have been used to! 


They have 4 different sizes of trucks for moving (10', 16', 24', 26') as well as trucks for Hauling and can assist with moving your Shipping Container WORTH of goodies from the docks even (meaning they unload it from the container and put it on their truck)!!  They usually bring a dolly (so you can get more done faster with less stress on the movers body!!) and their two largest vans have ramps.  They also have the service where they can come in and pack everything up for you.

If you agree to allow me to make the introduction, I'd love to share their information with you.  So send me an email to
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com
with the name of who is going to be moving, where from/to and approximately when and I'll be happy to share with you their information!


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HINTS FOR WORKING WITH PROFESSIONAL MOVERS:
#1  -  For the best results (for them being on time and the workers having the most energy) be the first move of the day.  That helps, as if not, sometimes the previous jobs take longer which is NOT the fault of the movers (that is often the responsibility of the movee!!!). 

#2  -  WHEN TO•NOT TO MOVE:  Also, if you don't have to, do NOT move at the end or beginning of the month as that's their BUSIEST TIME, hence they book up for that time in advance often, PLUS you have a better chance of there being delays!!




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LOCAL TRUCKS • HAULING
 Finding a local guy off the street can be cheaper BUT - they are usually NOT insured to move things and/or covered for breakage, etc. so are your things REALLY worth that risk, just to save a few $$s - especially since collecting on it in Costa Rica could take YEARS!!

FINDING SOMEONE TO MOVE • HAUL MY THINGS
I've often seen trucks hanging out around Hardware stores•Ferreteria's so go there and check them out.  Especially if you go later in the afternoon, you can see if the driver has alcohol on his breath as this can sometimes be an issue (I've observed that a few times when helping people find drivers).  Be as SPECIFIC as you can - NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING!!  If you need 2 people to move the table - YOU MUST ASK for 2 people - as sometimes they're just the driver (and the quote he gives is just for him)


$$$ SAVING TIP - GETTING THE LOWEST PRICE
Have one of your Tico friends that does NOT look like they have $$ or drive a nice car go and negotiate the price for you as MY experience (and what MANY have shared) is often they are NOT real negotiable and/or they see that "ALL gringos are rich" in us.  But if you have the $$ - ignore what I've said and spread the wealth!!

As with my tip on Professional Movers, IF you have some flexibility on the date, I think the best times to get the best/lowest price is when they REALLY NEED the money - ESPECIALLY say a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday - of a NON-pay check weekend. 
My logic with this is more people will be using them on a paycheck weekend and the driver probably wants to make sure he has extra $$ for that weekend.



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DO YOU KNOW ANY OTHER MOVERS TO ADD TO THIS LIST?
 Do YOU have any leads on movers that were EXCEPTIONAL for you as well as people that do LOCAL hauling and moving?
(note that the smaller people usually do NOT have insurance so good luck recouping any $$ if something happens!)

Please email me DETAILS (there's no such thing as "too much information" to me!!  The more details the happier I am!!) at:
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com


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WHERE TO FIND MOVING • PACKING SUPPLIES • BOXES, etc!!
Check out my article on ideas on where to find:
MOVING • PACKING MATERIALS - Where to find Moving Boxes, Packing Material like Bubble Wrap, Peanuts + in Costa Rica
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/09/moving-materials.html


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Please share this link with anyone you know looking to move within Costa Rica or that need help bringing their things from the docs!!
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VOLCANOS in Costa Rica - on LIVE WEBCAM!!! Poas Volcano & Turrialba Volcano

Below are links to 
"LIVE" WEBCAM's showing you what's going on at
VOLCAN POAS•POAS VOLCANO and 
VOLCAN TURRIALBA•TURRIALBA VOLCANO
in Costa Rica

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Is this a sign of things to come in the future in Costa Rica - "Prospects of a Villalta presidency terrify expat business leaders"

José María Villalta
Presidential Candidate that's gaining popularity


This might get an ExPat living in Costa Rica to think a bit deeper about their future in or doing business in/with Costa Rica depending on what happens in this election . . .