Instructions for Purchasing in Golfito
Posted October 18th, 2007 by Christopher Howard1. There is a website with information about purchasing in Golfito.
http://www.depositodegolfito.com/index2.php
2. You can only purchase up to $500/6 month period.. but that is for each member of the family and they can be put together for large purchases.
3. Plan to arrive the evening before, to directly to the deposito and purchase your tickets for the next day. You have to have the tickets from the day before to purchase. Then look at the stores, find what you want, if possible, pay then and arrange to meet with the folks in the store for transfer early the next morning.
4. Go to the stores the next morning early, have them transfer your stuff and get in line to go thru customs. Once you have paid customs, you get the stuff carried to one of the companies that delivers… I use Delgado, and they are part of the same complex, just around the corner from customs. You give them the information and turn the large items over to them and they deliver within 2 - 3 days, or you can schedule for a later time.
5. Don’t use a smaller or fly by night company to bring your things to San Jose. I did one time and found my Refrigerator sitting in someone’s yard in Taras, no fencing, and a 9 month plus pregnant woman the only one home… .and her not for long. She didn’t know when her husband would return from his next trip to Golfito. or when I could expect delivery (if ever). I arranged for other transport immediately.
6. IF you know what you want, have priced it in the US and CR and don’t become frustrated with the many different versions of it you will see in Golfito, you can save a lot of money. I saved at least $200 on my refrigerator, and my Washing machine was less than at Best Buy in the US… same model. You can dicker prices, especially if you get notes from stores on their prices and models and take that to another store.
7. It is frustrating, frightening at first, and a royal pain in the neck. I wouldn’t do it except for reallly big ticket items, and NOT at this season,. The lines are ferocious.
Other than that, it is open every day except Monday, Big buses arrive early with tons of folks, and there is a great place to stay on the left side as you enter Golfito that has a pool and very reasonable rates…. $15/night. Everyone should do it once.
