By Martha Bennett

Appliances are very expensive in Costa Rica because of the import tax. Large appliances are half the price in Golfito, comparable to U.S. costs. After pricing an American washer in San José at $600, I went to Golfito and bought a washer and dryer for $600. Golfito is near Panamá and used to thrive with the United Fruit Company. When this outfit left, the Costa Rican government allowed the residents to set up a free-zone to maintain their economy.

The procedure for buying appliances is not too difficult but there are steps to follow.

1. There are many excursions which take you there and set up your hotel arrangements. The cost is about $15 round trip plus hotel. You can drive there in about 8 hours. You may also fly, but this uses up your savings. You must stay overnight. This is one of the economy boosting rules. It is hot, but the area away from the freeport complex is quite beautiful.

2. At the shopping complex, get your boleto. This form is your permit to buy about $500 on each passport every six months. If you want to buy more, residents of Golfito will sell you their boleto for around $25.

3. Procede in an orderly fashion while shopping. The stores are numbered but they all look alike and you won’t want to hit the same one twice. Each shop will give you a paper with their price and store number. Discounts do happen but only for cash. It’s worth trying to bargain. Prices vary for the same brand of appliance so throw away papers with higher prices immediately. This saves confusion. If you can decide what you want on the first day, pay for it at once. You can pay the next morning, but lines are long and there are other things to do.

4. Go to your hotel and relax.

5. Return to the stores early, 7:30 a.m., to retrieve your stuff and pay if you haven’t. They inspect everything. For big items, there are boys with trolleys to gather everything in a waiting area. Then these boys will take your purchases through the gate where you need to show your passport, boleto and sales slip one more time. Do not lose any papers. Your life will be a nightmare. Tips are expected for trolleying your stuff around.

6. Outside, are trucking firms that will deliver your purchases the next day to a warehouse or directly to your house for less than $20. Everything is guaranteed and inspected again. Smaller items can go with you on the bus. If this sounds exhausting, it is. But remember, you can sell these appliances for more than you paid five years down the line. I don’t want to do it again, but I’m glad I did it once.