On my retirement tours and at seminars people always ask about bugs in Costa Rica.Costa Rica is a tropical country in which bugs do thrive. Fortunately most bugs are found in the lowlands. I live in the Central Valley at a higher elevation and have never really had a problem with insects. In fact, my home doesn’t have screens. I get an occasional fly or a small invasion of ants but the situation is easily controllable. Cockroaches or cucarachas, or just cucas, can become a problem if you don’t keep your house clean and take the proper measures to control them. If your home does become infested by these annoying guys there are some steps you can take to get rid of them.

About four months ago I called the fumigator (fumigadora) because I started to see more cockroaches around my home. I found a company called Fumigadora Ecólogico. What they do is use insecticides which are odorless, biodegradable, that don’t stain and above al lare safe for humans and pets. Their products can be used to combat cockroaches, fleas, termites, scorpions, rats, ants and more. The cost of their service is around $40 which is a lot cheaper than in the States. In addition, you don’t have to leave your home while they are working. Anyway they sprayed my whole house and since then I have only seen a couple of roaches. They say the process should be done every couple of months but their products continue to do the job so I haven’t schedules an appointment. You can be sure if these critters reappear in large numbers I will call the exterminator.

I just read that there is an exciting new development which may make the extermination of cockroaches more effective and safer. Scientists have discovered that by using an anti-afrodisiac produced by young cockroaches who aren’t yet ready for sex, they can virtually keep cockroaches from reproducing. What a breakthrough that would be!

Most of my clients are of retirement age and have pensions. However, some retirees don’t want to vegetate and wish to start their own businesses. According to the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (the local Social Security System) during the last five years the number self-employed people has doubled in Costa Rica. Ninety-nine percent of these business are owned by Costa Ricans but this shows that small entrepreneurs can start a business here. It is interesting to note that the country came in first in Latin America and ninth in the world with respect to nations offering the greatest commercial freedom and protection for private business, according to Freedom and Development, a Chilean research institute. There are some opportunities for foreigners who want to start a business.

As a foreigner you are allowed to start your own business with only a few restrictions. If you plan to go into business here, it is very important to be aware of the local consumer market in order to succeed. Most of the country’s purchasing power is located in the Central Valley. A total of 75 percent of the country’s population resides in the central provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago. About 60 percent of the population is under 30 years old. Intelligent business people will try to meet the needs of this group.

You may have to adapt your idea due to the vagaries of the local market and different purchasing power. Don’t get any grandiose ideas since the country only has about 4.5 million people and a quarter the people are below the poverty line with little or no purchasing power. You cannot expect to market products on a large scale as in North America. Also keep in mind that only two out of three expats who go into business here succeed.

Despite the above, there are opportunities in a few areas. Costa Rica is ripe for innovative foreigners willing to take a risk and start businesses that have not previously existed. Start up costs for small businesses are less than in the United States or Canada. Many of the same types of businesses that have been successful in North America will work if researched correctly. There is definitely a need for these types of businesses. You just have to do your homework and explore the market. Be aware that not everything that works in the United States will work here.

Starting an internet-based business which depends of the U.S. will greatly increase your chances of success here. For example, I know a couple of Americans who started Spanish schools which bring groups of students here. I know a Canadian who founded an on-line newspaper. Another friend started a cell phone rental service for tourists. Whatever you do don’t expect to strike it rich. With luck you can make a good living here.

¡Buena suerte! Good luck!

Few people who retire in Costa Rica are aware that foreigners have rights as consumers. I always tell the people on my monthly relocation and retirement tours about their legal rights in Costa Rica. For example, foreigner retirees who buy property are entitled to all of the same rights and protection as Costa Ricans.

Foreign consumers are also protected. If you purchase something in Costa Rica and have a problem with the product you do have recourse. The la Ley de Promoción de la Competencia y Defensa Efectiva del Consumidor, which protects consumers against not honoring a guarantee, false advertising and the sale used merchandise which is advertised as new.

To file a claim against a merchant you have to do the following:

1. Call 800-266-7866 to see if you have a valid claim
2. If your claim is valid there are three ways to file:
   • in person: If you choose to do it in person you have to go to the office of the above institution located 200 meters north of Pizza Hut on Paseo Colón
   • by e-mail: consumo@meic.go.cr
   • or by phoning the number above

It is important to keep all receipts, original packaging, repair ticket, written guarantee, contract, the name and address of the company and most important, a detailed description about what the problem is.

I find myself having to revisit this topic once again to set the record straight. For the last couple of days on Costa Rica Living News Group there have been scores of threads about the cost of living here. Some people think it is inexpensive while others say that everything is expensive. The bottom line is that what you spend depends on your lifestyle and shopping habits.

Once you get settled here and know where to buy things you can save a lot of money. However, if you want to live like you did in the States and buy a lot of imported products at the high-end stores like the Automercado Supermarket, you will probably spend more than you did back home.

Here are a few things that are definitely less expensive in Costa Rica than in the U.S.

Water and electricity: I spend about $55 per month on both. You don’t need heat or electricity in the Central Valley

Transportation: Traveling by bus as many Costa Ricans do is dirt cheap. You can go to the farthest place in the country for under $10.

Domestic help: I pay under $20 a day for my maid who only comes once a week.

Fruits and vegetables: We grow everything here. By going to the weekend farmers markets or ferias you can save a bundle. Do what the locals do.

Medical care: The public health care system is dirt cheap. As a foreigner it will cost you anywhere between $25 to $50 per month depending on your income. The private health care system is also far less expensive than in the States. My yearly premium of under $2,000 which is far less than someone would pay in the States.

Dental work: and cosmetic surgery is a fraction of the cost of the U.S.

Education: A student at a public university pays less than $300 per year. My son goes to a private university and I pay less than $2,000 per year. In the States I’d be paying $30,000 to $50,000 or more.

Entertainment: A movie costs $4.00. I went to see a rock concert and sat near the stage the cost was under $100.

On my monthly relocation and retirement tours my guests always ask about the cost of living here. I give all of my clients sample budgets so they can se what you get for your money and the cost of living.

One of the major concerns for retirees and others who move here is mail service. With the advent of E-mail this is less of a concern than before. Nevertheless “snail mail” is still important especially when it comes to receiving or sending packages or other large items.

You need not worry in Costa Rica. There are several private mail services that will cover all of your needs. They give you a physical address in Miami just as if you were residing there. You can mail letters and packages from Costa Rica as well as receive items you order over the Internet. The last service has grown by leaps and bounds. Both Costa Ricans and Americans have come to use on-line shopping to purchase items that are not available in Costa Rica.

Aerocasillas is the mail company that I have used for the last fifteen years and I am happy to report that their service is excellent. Aerocasillas together with is main competitor, Jet Box, handle about 70,000 packages ordered over the Internet per month. Basically you can order almost anything from the United States except for firearms, chemicals and certain drugs by using one of these companies. I have even seen large car parts like fenders and windshields waiting to be picked up at my local branch of Aerocasillas in Heredia.

My clients send me checks from the U.S. and they always arrive safely and on time. This service is another benefit for those who choose to live or retire in Costa Rica. Living abroad becomes easier very year with the improvement of telecommunications and mail services like the ones I mention above.

I always make it a point to talk about this subject with the participants on my monthly relocation/retirement tours.