All restaurant bills carry a 10 percent automatic tip so most Tico’s don’t leave an additional tip. If service has been exceptional (which most times it is) leave another 5 percent, it’s not required or expected but nice if you have received good service. There will also be a 13 percent sales tax added to [...]
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Filed under: Living in Costa Rica
If your planning to move to Costa Rica you will need a reliable moving company. We use Ship to Costa Rica and they have been in business for several years and know their way around the customs confusion that comes with most moves. Charles Zeller is the owner and can be reached at shiptocostarica@racsa.co.cr. As [...]
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Filed under: Moving to Costa Rica
This year the celebration of Guanacaste Day was put off from July 25 to Monday the 31st so that Costa Ricans could take advantage of the three day weekend. This is a celebration for the annexation of Guanacaste when it was decided it would be a part of Costa Rica rather than Nicaragua. Thousands will [...]
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Filed under: Holidays in Costa Rica
There are several international insurance carriers that offer far more robust health insurance policies than INS. Some have lifetime limits of $5 million and they will pay no matter what country you are in when the expenses are incurred. Some even have reduced premiums if you specify that expenses will ONLY be incurred in one [...]
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Filed under: Health care in Costa Rica, Insurance in Costa Rica
An alternative to the INS plan is the CCSS plan. (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social) This is the government medical plan that most Costa Ricans have. The plan covers pre-existing conditions, doctor visits, prescription drugs, examinations, hospitalization, dental and eyes. There is no limit on annual amounts paid out by the plan. A doctor and [...]
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Filed under: Health care in Costa Rica, Insurance in Costa Rica
In almost every town or neighborhood there is a weekly farmers market. Offered up are mounds of onions and peppers, whole hands of bananas and row upon row of lettuce. Quality is often better and prices lower than in the supermarkets. It’s also a lot more satisfying than choosing from among plastic-wrapped cucumbers at the [...]
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Filed under: food, Health care in Costa Rica, Living in Costa Rica
As of April 30, 2003 all visitors to Costa Rica must have a legal passport from their country of origin. Prior to that date you could enter Costa Rica on simply your drivers license or some other form of ID. Visitors from Canada, the United States and most of Europe don’t need to apply for [...]
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Filed under: Residency in Costa Rica
Cable modem service is available only in and around the Central Valley. It has not yet spread to the outer regions. The two main companies are CableTica, and Amnet. Cable service requires the purchase of a cable modem. Prices range from around $60.00 to $100.00, and can be paid over time on the monthly bills. [...]
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Filed under: Domestic matters, Living in Costa Rica
The Costa Rican constitution of 1949 guarantees a host of rights for residents and foreigners alike. These rights include freedom of speech, press, and assembly, all of which are excercised on a daily basis and underline Costa Rica’s enviable place among its neighbors. Unlike many other Latin American nations, Costa Rica has no standing army, [...]
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Filed under: Living in Costa Rica
Of the many things you can do to enhance your trip to Costa Rica, the most important is to study Spanish, even if you learn just a few basic phrases. The country will open up to you in direct proportion to how open you yourself are to it, and making an effort to communicate with [...]
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Filed under: Living in Costa Rica
