When I first got connected to the Internet about 14 years ago I remember that dial up was the only option available in Costa Rica. Since it was over the phone line there were frequent interruption when someone called the house and cut off the Internet. I was reminded how inconvenient and slow dial up is when I visited my sister last summer I Seattle, Washington. She has dial up only by choice. She doesn’t use the Internet frequently and feels high speed would be a waste of money.
On the other hand, high speed Internet has been available in Costa Rica for a number of years now. The phone company offers it as well as the private cable TV companies. I really don’t have many complaints about the high-speed Internet here. Once in a while there is a glitch but the same same thing happens in the States.
So in general Costa Rica’s Internet providers are offering good service. On all of my monthly relocation/retirement tours my guests are always curious to know about the quality of the Internet services here and their options. I make it a point to cover everything about the Internet and other relevant topics so that people on the tour understand what life in Costa Rica is really like.
Beware of the information and advice on the so-called “hobby web sites.” These include the growing number sites put up by expatriates in Costa Rica to share their experiences. On the surface many of these sites seem helpful but the majority of the people behind them are neophytes who have not lived here long enough to really be qualified to give good advice. Most of these individuals don’t even speak enough Spanish to really get an objective view of the country and culture.
There are even a few video-type blogs portraying people’s experiences who have moved here. While they are entertaining they shouldn’t be considered a true source of information. Unfortunately, the internet has now given every “Tom, Dick and Harry” with amateur computer and video skills a chance to be the star of their own reality show.
With a growing number of Americans relocating to Costa Rica there has been a proliferation of blogs and so-called hobby websites. Many of the blogs are useful because they give outsiders a view of what living in the country is like through other’s experiences. However, a lot of what people write is done by those who haven’t lived here for a long time and don’t speak the language well enough to understand the culture. Therefore you should take much of what is written with a “grain of salt” and view the writings as personal diaries.
The hobby websites are another toy of many people who move here. Like the blogs they tell about daily life here and what the country has to offer. It seems that almost every foreigner who has a computer makes their own blog or hobby website. Some who have advanced computer skills are even including videos about life here on their hobby websites. A few expats are even posting their videos on You Tube. Most of these efforts are very amateur and the people are not experts about relocating here. Nevertheless, the videos do provide a view of life here.
On my monthly relocation/retirement tours I try to have my guests experience as much possible of what Costa Rica has to offer in a short period of time, so that they can decide whether they want to make the move or not.
Absolutely! It can be almost like buying property in your home country if you use common sense. However, If you read the alarmist websites that preach that you can “lose your shirt ”or those that claim the have the “real scoop” on Costa Rica you will be too scared to purchase anything. Actually some of these alarmist sites have tones of racism because they imply that you have to be careful when dealing with Costa Ricans.
All you have to do is follow the advice below and you should be able to purchase property and minimize the chances of something bad happening.
- Have a good time-tested reliable attorney
- Make your attorney is 100% bilingual so that you can understand every step of the process of purchasing property.
- Have your attorney do the proper “due diligence.” Attorneys who handle real estate transactions can do this to ensure you are making a safe purchase.
- Don’t be an impulsive buyer. Also take your time and DO your homework.
- DO NOT trust people just because they are from the States, Canada, England or any other English-speaking country. Over the years I have come across many English-speaking scoundrels. So be careful!
- Read all of the guidebooks about purchasing real estate in Costa Rica. There are three at the present time. They will give you a basic understanding of the how the local real estate scene works. Be wary of any real estate guidebook that continuously hypes the services of its author. Finally, remember no book should take the place of a good broker and lawyer.
I always give the guests on my monthly relocation/retirement tours a lecture about the above to help them distinguish betweens myths and reality when purchasing property in Costa Rica.
Next Sunday is Costa Rica’s presidential election. Costa Ricans are really passionate about their elections. They approach the presidential elections with such enthusiasm that they celebrate Election Day as if it were a big party or national holiday. People wearing party colors, honking cars and bands playing Latin music all contribute to the festive atmosphere.
Last Sunday while conducting one of my monthly relocation/retirement tours we were passing through the town of Grecia and came across one of the presidential candidates and his entourage. Our bus had to slow down as presidential candidate Otto Guevara’s motorcade passed by. There must have been 50 vehicles with each one flying the flag of Otto’s party. All of the cars and trucks were packed with people dressed in the colors of the party. Everyone was screaming and chanting Otto’s name. The people on my retirement tour were thrilled to actually witness the campaign process in Costa Rica. They were really amazed at the enthusiasm and energy of the Costa Rican people. I was so happy my guests could experience this along with the rest of the activities of my tour.
I was also excited about the new addition to my tour. The new feature is a visit to a weekend farmer’s market. My guests really like this activity since they got to mix with the locals and see the huge variety of fruits and vegetables available year-round in Costa Rica. On the tour we also visit several supermarkets and stores to get a good idea of what products are available in Costa Rica. My tours are all about experiencing the country in all of its splendor.
When I first got connected to the Internet about 14 years ago I remember that dial up was the only option available in Costa Rica. Since it was over the phone line there were frequent interruption when someone called the house and cut off the Internet. I was reminded how inconvenient and slow dial up is when I visited my sister last summer I Seattle, Washington. She has dial up only by choice. She doesn’t use the Internet frequently and feels high speed would be a waste of money.
