7000 New Hig Tech Jobs Created In Costa Rica

An investment of more than $434 million and the eventual creation of more than 7,000 new jobs will result from foreign direct investment in high-tech industries announced in 2010, according to the Ministerio de Ccomercio Exterior.

The new jobs are roughly split amongst three categories, services (call centers), tech manufacturing, and life sciences.

The latter is usually referred to as medical instruments because that’s what has been the bulk of investment in Costa Rica, but the export promotion agencies are hopeful of attracting biomedical research as well.

Call centers provide more than 30,000 jobs to mostly

young people with English skills, though much Spanish- language support for large telecom companies in the United States is moving here. About 100 call center operators are now in the country, mostly in tax exempt free zones in Heredia. New companies include Teleperformance and National Instruments.

Medical instruments like heart stents and catheters are the main products associated with new entrants. Abbott Vascular recently announced a large investment. General Microcircuits is joining giant Intel in moving production here.

In 2011 a joint effort between the ministry and the private sector export promotion agency CINDE will take effect, with plans to seek investment from North America, Europe, and Asia.

Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence



If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
-- Henry David Thoreau

International Living Continues toTout Costa Rica



So why should you consider Costa Rica? It just makes sense for so many reasons.
After all, Costa Rica attracts more than one million visitors every year. Many already consider it to be the most attractive and diverse nation in Latin America. It's easy to get to and direct flights leave major airports in the U.S. every day.
Costa Rica has been the buzzword for overseas retirement and eco-travel for almost 20 years. It's a small, peaceful oasis of staggering beauty... a mysterious world of volcanoes and rare creatures found nowhere else on earth.
The cost of living is low (you can still live comfortably on as little as $1,500 a month)… you can enjoy warm, sunny, tropical weather all year… take advantage of a simple, straightforward residency program… and live among the best-preserved, most-spectacular scenery on the planet.
Costa Rica enjoys a stable government, plenty of foreign investment, a well-educated populace, first-rate (affordable) health care, and a thriving tourism industry. Many expats have started profitable businesses while living in this beautiful paradise.
It's no surprise when you consider the government support in these areas...

Continued Government-Supported Growth
“North Americans and Europeans are flocking to Costa Rica because of its biodiversity, peaceful lifestyle, democratic government, and growing economy. And, of course, there’s the climate... Many retirees we met are financing their retirement and keeping busy by starting businesses based on the booming real estate market... A property can net $20,000 to $100,000 a year in rental income, depending on housing type, style, and location.” ~ Kiplinger’s

With space running out in the most popular towns, the government is working furiously to open up previously inaccessible areas. But that’s not all they’ve been doing ...
Costa Rica now ranks as the most technologically developed country in all of Central America. The government has attracted several high-tech companies by offering tax holidays of up to 20 years. There are also many incentives for tourism companies.
The workforce is well educated and English fluency isn’t even an issue. Costa Rica offers investors and relocated businesses plenty of advantages. Among the companies to open branches there are Acer America, Baxter Healthcare, Intel, Panasonic, and many more.
The presence of offshore banks has grown exponentially in recent years. Within the last three years, the total amount of funds these banks have attracted has increased by 65%.
Yes, business is booming in Costa Rica, and there are several ways that you can profit from this boom—especially in the tourism sector.
You could:
Build and rent out your own eco-cabin: Because Costa Rica has become such a popular tourism destination, it’s desperately short of hotel rooms. So you could build your own rental cabin for as little as $5,000… and then rent it out for as much as $100 a day.
Some people have been reporting a 98% occupancy rate. At such levels as this it means your $5,000 investment could be making you $35,700 per year!
Build or buy two homes: Let’s say you build two houses – a large house and a small house. You could then offer to rent both houses out… and live in the house that isn’t rented. Since living expenses in Costa Rica are low – and rental prices are relatively high – with the right marketing strategy, you could easily make enough to live on... all while living in warm, tropical, beautiful Costa Rica full-time.
Build and sell properties: Because of the rapidly increasing land values throughout Costa Rica, you could buy a piece of land that’s large enough to subdivide, build a house on it, and sell the property for a good profit.
And, if that isn’t enough, it’s one of the few places where the dollar has actually risen in value in recent years! Americans now have about a third more buying power than they did five years ago. A dollar equals around 500 Costa Rican colones today compared to 360 back then.
Costa Rica could well be the most biologically diverse region on the entire planet. Every year more than one million tourists visit to explore some of the last unspoiled natural habitats in the world.
Covering only 1/10,000th of the world’s surface, it is home to more than 500,000 different species of plants and animals... including more than 850 bird species …160 known amphibians… 220 reptiles… and 10% of all known butterflies.

You’ll find high-elevation forests where clouds meander over the treetops … deserted black-sand beaches… lowland rain forests… mysterious mangrove swamps… protected coral reefs … expansive wetlands… and just about everything between.
And there are many exhilarating ways to explore its outstanding natural beauty:
Hike through a lush green coastal rainforest—and one of Costa Rica’s best places to spot wildlife. Keep your eye out for parrots, crocodiles, caimans, toucans, kingfishers, iguanas, and lizards…
Scuba dive or snorkel among thousands of colorful tropical fish and vivid coral reefs
Explore Costa Rica’s premiere ecotourism destination. Here you can find palm trees, orchids, primitive ferns, and an incredible variety of birdlife…
White-water raft down the exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping rivers…
Kayak down the Sarapiqui River, in the Pacific Ocean, or in the Caribbean Sea…
Surf world-class waves at one of the best breaks in the country and a draw for some of the best surfers in the world.
Enjoy horseback riding on the beach at sunset in Samara, Montezuma, or many other ideal places for horseback riding in Costa Rica…
Go sport-fishing for marlin, swordfish, snook, and tarpon in blue waters under blue skies.
Bird-watch and spot hummingbirds, scarlet macaws, toucans, kingfishers, trogons, and even the resplendent quetzal…
Mountain bike in a pristine nature reserve on the Nicoya Peninsula…
So remember to bring your digital camera, your sunscreen, your hiking shoes, your swimsuit, and your sense of adventure.

Quality Of Life... And Keep An Eye Out For The Rich And Famous
You might think that living in a country with all the advantages that Costa Rica offers would be expensive.
It isn’t!
The leading expatriate organization, the Association of Residents of Costa Rica, estimates that if a couple owns a house and a car they can live well on $1,500 to $2,500 a month.
When you shop at a supermarket in Costa Rica, you can expect to spend less than half of what you would in the U.S. The savings are similar at the country’s restaurants, nearly all of which serve food fit for royalty.
Taxes are low too. When you live in Costa Rica, there’s no tax on money made outside the country, and the highest income tax rate is 15%.
Annual property taxes are low, too. You’ll pay on a sliding scale from .25% to .55% of the value of your home or condo. And you pay only on the construction value…not the land value. According to a leading real estate company, if you pay $150,000 for a house, your taxes are likely to be just a few hundred dollars a year.
Best of all, when you go to sell your home in Costa Rica, you won’t pay a dime in capital gains tax. Zero, zip, zilch.
Plus, Costa Ricans readily boast that their country is so safe it has no need for an army. The country is so peaceful that schoolchildren oversee election parades, and there are more doctors here than there are police.
In fact, Microsoft founder and one of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates, vacations here with his family. Most recently, he and his family arrived aboard a private jet and stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel in Guanacaste for a week.
And that's not even the best part of living in Costa Rica...
Where Doctors Still Make House Calls!
Costa Rica’s health care is first-rate… yet shockingly inexpensive—on average about a third of what you’d pay in the U.S.


The leading expatriate organization, the Association of Residents of Costa Rica, estimates that if a couple owns a house and a car they can live well on $1,500 to $2,500 a month.
When you shop at a supermarket in Costa Rica, you can expect to spend less than half of what you would in the U.S. The savings are similar at the country’s restaurants, nearly all of which serve food fit for royalty.
Taxes are low too. When you live in Costa Rica, there’s no tax on money made outside the country, and the highest income tax rate is 15%.
Annual property taxes are low, too. You’ll pay on a sliding scale from .25% to .55% of the value of your home or condo. And you pay only on the construction value…not the land value. According to a leading real estate company, if you pay $150,000 for a house, your taxes are likely to be just a few hundred dollars a year.
Best of all, when you go to sell your home in Costa Rica, you won’t pay a dime in capital gains tax. Zero, zip, zilch.
Plus, Costa Ricans readily boast that their country is so safe it has no need for an army. The country is so peaceful that schoolchildren oversee election parades, and there are more doctors here than there are police.
In fact, Microsoft founder and one of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates, vacations here with his family. Most recently, he and his family arrived aboard a private jet and stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel in Guanacaste for a week.
And that's not even the best part of living in Costa Rica...
Where Doctors Still Make House Calls!
Costa Rica’s health care is first-rate… yet shockingly inexpensive—on average about a third of what you’d pay in the U.S.
World-Class, Affordable
Health Care
Hands down, Costa Rica’s universal health care system is one of the best in Latin America and, indeed, among the best in the world. Once you obtain legal residency in Costa Rica, foreigners are eligible (required, in fact) to participate in Costa Rica’s universal health care system, CAJA. It’s affiliated with ten major public hospitals in the country and many small clinics in almost every community.
You can also buy private insurance—most plans cover dental work, optometry, and cosmetic surgery in the case of an accident. Prescription drugs, certain medical exams, sick visits, and hospitalization are covered at 70% cost, and surgeon and anesthesiologist costs are covered at full cost. Private medical insurance in Costa Rica currently costs about $50-$100 a month per person, depending on age, gender and other factors.
And don’t worry about language issues—many doctors speak English and have received training in Europe, Canada, or the U.S.

The doctors, many of them U.S. educated and trained, rarely charge more than $50 a visit… and most of them charge less, even for house calls. That’s right! Many doctors in Costa Rica still make house calls!
Costa Rica has been named one of the top 5 destinations for health tourism worldwide. Thousands of people are now traveling to Costa Rica to have cosmetic surgery that is too costly back home.
“Patients can save as much as 80% on procedures done by medical professionals often educated and trained in the United States at hospitals increasingly accredited for meeting U.S.-like standards.” ~ Fresno Bee
Prescription drugs are also much cheaper in Costa Rica, especially at pharmacies outside the touristy areas of San José. And it’s good to know that you don’t have to worry about a prescription. Pharmacies don’t usually require them, except for strong painkillers that could become addictive.
Costa Rica’s health care isn’t just inexpensive... the quality is exceptional.
In fact, a recent study by the World Health Organization even ranked Costa Rica’s health services ABOVE the U.S.

Low taxes, high-quality low-cost health care, and booming property prices... Costa Rica is a land where dreams can still come true.

International Living The Greatest name In World Real Estate

Moran Real Estate almost 60 Years of Troipical Real Estate Excellence

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.
-- Oprah Winfrey

Expats on the move: Establishing residency in Costa Rica

Expats on the move: Establishing residency in Costa Rica

While health care debates, social security reform and higher taxes take center stage in Washington, D.C., more and more Americans seem to be seeking residency elsewhere in the world and the number one destination appears to be Costa Rica.

While health care debates, social security reform and higher taxes take center stage in Washington, D.C., more and more Americans seem to be seeking residency elsewhere in the world and the number one destination appears to be Costa Rica.
“We’ve seen a lot of passive inquiries about moving to Costa Rica and establishing residency there since starting our project,” commented Hacienda Matapalo Executive Vice President Brian Albury, whose company is building a 665-acre master planned gated community on the country’s South Pacific Coast. “But lately we’ve seen a dramatic upswing in serious interest – more so than any other time during this phase of our development.”
According to Christopher Howard, an authoritarian on Costa Rica and author of the recently released book "The New Golden Door To Retirement and Living in Costa Rica," there are more Americans living in Costa Rica per capita than any other country in the world. In an article on the Web site Costa Rica Outdoors, Howard wrote that Americans tend to feel more at home in Costa Rica than other Latin American country citing several reasons including health care, business opportunities, high yielding investments, tax breaks, real estate costs and security concerns.
There is much to know about establishing residency in Costa Rica. “For example, just like in the U.S. where there are several types of residency statuses, the same holds true for Costa Rica and whether we’re talking about a pensionado (retiree), rentista (legal resident), inversionista (investor), vinculo (relation to citizen) or any other classification, each has its own set of criteria.”

For this reason we recommend a good attorney to guide you through the process. We have used and recommended the same attorney for real estate and residency in Costa Rica for over 10 years, Gonzalo Viqyez {everyone knows him as Junior} and in all my years of doing business here I have not found anyone close to his efficiency, knowledge and attention to detail. You can reach him by phone at 506 8816 1681 or e mail at costaricanlegaladvice@gmail.com

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

Costa Rica 4th Most Competitive Tourist Destination

A recent study by the World Economic Forum has ranked Costa Rica as the fourth most competitive tourism location in the Americas. Canada, the U.S. and Barbados in the Caribbean are the top 3. Analyzing 14 areas of tourism and travel, the study ranked 133 countries of the world on a 6-point scale to create the “travel and tourism competitiveness index”. Costa Rica was given an overall score of 4.42, ranking 42nd in the world and 4th in the Americas.

The 14 areas of travel and tourism rated included environmental sustainability, safety and security, health and hygiene, infrastructure, natural resources and human resources. According to the World Economic Forum, Costa Rica ranks sixth in the world in the category of natural resources and 27th overall for environmental sustainability. The study applauded Costa Rica for its high percentage of nationally protected areas and its diverse fauna.

“Costa Rica counts on a large amount of natural spaces, which attracts many tourists who are hoping to travel to destinations that are developing methods to contribute to the protection of the environment,” said Juan Carlos Ramos, the President of CANATUR. “The results of this study confirm that the commitment to maintaining the environment should be a strategy for the country to continue to work to become a sustainable destination, making Costa Rica an attractive destination for people from around the world.”

On the other end of the scale, Costa Rica ranked 72nd in the safety and security of travelers and 103rd in ground transportation, including roads and ports. The study referred to ground transportation in Costa Rica as “somewhat difficult.”

“Without security, we cannot develop tourism,” Ramos said. “The government should think about and implement actions that will allow the country to be considered in the future as not only a destination that focuses on sustainability, but also a place where vacationers can have a peaceful stay.”

According to CANATUR, in 2009 Costa Rica welcomed over 1,922 million tourists, who generated over $2 billion for the local economy.
  

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Find your passion and make it your profession ... and you'll never work again.

Living and Working Part-time in Costa Rica…and Loving It

Living and Working Part-time in Costa Rica…and Loving It
By Rita Lucas

I first came to Costa Rica 11 years ago for my 25th wedding anniversary…and I fell in love with everything I experienced here.

I would leave the resort I was staying at, and wander the beaches to small villages to find great coffee and wonderful food. I loved the rural, simple, slower pace of life. And I loved the safety of being able to tour around and feel as safe as I do in Canada. Other things that suited me were the temperate climate, the friendly, helpful people, and the great “café con leche” (coffee with hot steamed milk).

When we got back to Canada, and into the cold dark days of winter…I decided "enough!" and purchased a lot near the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica near the village of Ojochal. I built a house as a B&B in the mountains up from the village.

I now spend at least six months a year in the wonderful rural area of Ojochal, leaving behind the cold winters of Alberta. Instead of the high pace of life and the high costs of winter…I wake up to the sounds of monkey, toucans and parrots in the trees and step outside to see blue morpho butterflies soaring through my rancho.

Getting around is easy on my quad—I use it most days to run errands, or to attend a Spanish or yoga class.

After spending a lot of time in Costa Rica over the past 10 years, I have found that you need to have a large amount of patience—things move slower than in North America. It is part of the charm…but can also cause us North Americans to get stressed when trying to get things done! I've learned how to stand in long lines and enjoy the people-watching that this can offer…and I've learned that proxima semana (next week) can mean anytime from a couple of days to a month, and be okay with that.

If I was living in Canada 12 months of the year I would have to work a lot more than I do now...I find that it is 1/3 of the cost to live in Costa Rica, allowing me to have more free time, to be semi- retired and have a flexible life.

I never forget that I'm living a dream that I used to only ever experience on vacation. It truly is the good life.

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The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create. 

Costa Ricas's Lake District Is Causing Quite A Stir

It's no wonder—spectacular views, the best food in the country, and seriously affordable property

Costa Rica's Best-Kept Secret
By Margaret Summerfield

It's Costa Rica's best-kept secret—and it caused quite a stir at a recent IL conference. Some attendees had been there before and couldn't wait to share what they'd found. Word is slowly getting out about this hidden hot spot...

I'm talking about Arenal, in north central Costa Rica. It's Costa Rica's lake country, and it ticks all the right boxes for a growing number of expats and retirees.


The weather hovers in the high 70s year-round. There's enough rain to keep the landscape fresh and green. Then there's the beauty of this place...the friendly expats...the gourmet food...and the bargain-basement property prices.

Arenal often reminds visitors of Lake Tahoe...without the crowds. If you love hiking, swimming, windsurfing, fishing, boating, bird watching, horse riding, or kayaking...this place is paradise. It's a secret part of Costa Rica, where you'll find gourmet food, good company, and property prices that seem to belong in a history book.

Let's start with the natural beauty. It's easy when you have the right ingredients: the country's largest lake (33 square miles), a lush landscape of soft rolling hills, lofty mountains, and a towering volcano. For much of the year, only fishermen and sailors break Lake Arenal's mirror-smooth surface; for a few months, stronger lake breezes bring in windsurfers.

The sharply pointed cone of the volcano reaches 5,300 feet. Yes, it's "live". That means a fiery display most evenings...and hot springs. Resorts offer a choice of outdoor pools, with different water temperatures, swim-up bars, and spa treatments—a perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day.

Throw in crashing waterfalls, deep caverns, and misty cloud forests...and a total of 790 square miles of conservation area, parks and reserves...and "unspoiled paradise" sums this place up.

The expat group is small, but very active, and welcoming to newcomers. They meet regularly, often at the Gingerbread Hotel. Once you've dined here, you'll know why. The chef, Eyal, serves delicious, fresh, gourmet food. He prefers to use locally sourced products. On the taste front, his food ranks alongside the top restaurants in Europe or the U.S.—and at much more wallet-friendly prices. It's by far the best food in Costa Rica.

The bargain-basement real estate is as mouth-watering as the food—homes start at less than $60,000.

This overlooked area boasts a wide range of properties, from local "Tico" homes, to lake-view or volcano-view home sites, to U.S.-style condos with a private marina overlooking the lake. They all have one thing in common: affordability. 

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Failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying. 

Lazy Days On Lake Arenal Costa Rica

I envied Jeff in his sleek wooden kayak, carefully handcrafted from fine Costa Rican laurel. What a talent and luxury of time to be able to build such a thing! Jeff's wife, Beth, floated languorously ahead and my husband, Dan, slowly tailed along behind. It was my coercion (albeit slight) that had convinced Dan to come, and I was glad to see how much he was enjoying himself. Plus, he cut a handsome figure with the volcano looming behind him.

Volcán Arenal is a picture-perfectly shaped volcano that looms almost 5,500 feet high. One of the world's youngest volcanoes (less than 7,000 years old), it is also one of the world's most active. It is not uncommon to feel or hear its rumbling and see its glowing spectacle of lights as it shoots orange-hot boulders into the night.

Scientists have established a safety perimeter beyond which it is safe to explore. You'll find many hotels and lodges just at the volcano's base from which to set off on foot or by horseback. Afterward, you can soothe aching muscles with a peaceful soak in thermal water pools.

Perhaps it's this sense of adventure, combined with the otherworldly beauty of the area that draws so many tourists here. And why so many of them choose to stay.

A small, friendly group of expats is now settling happily on the periphery of nearby Lake Arenal, formed by damming the river that flows around the bottom of the volcano. Most choose to live high on the mountaintops that afford impressive views of the shimmering lake and the volcano, safely off in the distance.

The 33-square-mile Lake Arenal is about as pretty as a lake can be. The Lake Arenal expats we spoke with say they came to Costa Rica in search of beach living, but after dealing with the heat, humidity and corrosive salt air of the beach, they headed for the mountains. And once they got to Arenal, there was no going any farther.

"This place is special," says Eyal Ben-Menachem, a transplant from Israel, by way of Chicago, who runs the famous Hotel Gingerbread near the town of Arenal and is a top-notch chef beyond compare. "I never want to live anywhere else."

Indeed, some say that the area is a very potent spiritual energy site with "ghost spirit path roads" running through the mountains to an ancient burial mound. There have been many reported UFO sightings in the area, including one as recently as October 6, 2006. A famous photograph purportedly shows a UFO entering nearby Lake Cote. (Do an internet search for all the mysterious details.)

The expats we met at Lake Arenal don't put much stock in these kinds of things. The area is special, yes, they say. But that's because of the perfect weather, the glorious scenery, and the nice, "no frills" kind of people who live here.

After an idyllic Sunday morning spent under the volcano with Beth and Jeff, floating effortlessly on the still waters of Lake Arenal, we understand perfectly.

If you go: Check out Hotel Gingerbread for accommodation and the finest food in all Costa Rica (according to multiple travel guides and our expanding waistlines): http://gingerbreadarenal.com. And be sure to save some time for floating with Beth and Jeff: http://arenalkayaks.com

                                                    Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of tropical real estate excellence 

                                                   International Living - The Greatest Name in Retirement Real Estate 

Direct Flights From London To Liberia Starting Soon

The British travel wholesaler via its Thomson Airlines will begin operations between London's Gatewick Airport and Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia Nov. 2.

The flights on Tuesday will be with a Boeing 767. The direct flight takes 11 hours, and the plane has a capacity of 258 passengers.

The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo said that the flights will generate an increase in British tourists.

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To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream, not only plan but also believe.

Coming Soon Direct Flights Chicago To Liberia Airport

Major vacation tour operator   plans direct flight

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Apple Vacations, one of the biggest U.S. wholesalers, is putting on a direct Chicago to Liberia flight starting Jan. 14. The flight will bring 190 vacationers to Guanacaste every week. This is the first time that the company has had a direct flight from Chicago, Illinois. The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo said that the flight is directed to middle- and upper-income vacationers who will spend $150 or more per night. The company promotes these three Guanacaste hotels on its Web site: Riu Guanacaste, JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa and Paradisus Playa Conchal. It also lists other hotels and also escorted tours and tours to San José. The company also is offering three- and four-night tours of La Fortuna and Monteverde, the institute said. The company also has tours to Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero and Turrialba. Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years Of Tropical Real Estate Excellence If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears.

The Growth and Expansion Of Nuevo Arenal

Banco Nacional, One of Costa Ricas oldest and largest banks has been a fixture in Nuevo Arenal for many many years and just recently completely renovated and expanded to meeti the growing business and population expansion. Great service from this branch.



The Arenal Soccer field and Catholic Church in the back ground. Almost every small town in Costa Rica has a soccer field. To the left of the church is part of the public school.

The new Arenal Gym, just opened and a real plus to a town this size has been a great success and an asset for all those who wish to stay in shape of all ages



Many small towns in Costa Rica have old fashioned meat markets. This is ours owned by the Sibaja Brothers who have been there for many many years and offer a variety of good fresh meats and will cut a particular cut to your specifications with pleasure



Muswanni, Arenal's newest addition, just opened and is part of a national chain of bakeries. The breads and pastries are excellent and although dieters beware, it is great to have them here

Banco Costa Rica just opened in Arenal Town. Reinforcing the conclussion that Nuevo Arenal and the Lake is on a fast track path for growth, discovery and expansion

Arenal Fruits and Vegetables, one of two fruit and vegetable markets in Arenal town that off a wide variety of fresh, inexpensive produce some of which is organic and a must for every food shopper several times a week

Super Compro, our recently expanded supermarket, offering a pretty good selection of products for a town this size and reflecting the expats here by offering products not normally offered in a local town.

Also rumored that PALI, a large supermarket chain is coming to Arenal town directly across the street from Super Compro, which will be a boon for competition and the variety of foods available here



Colono Hardware, also recently expanded to serve the booming construction trade at the Lake. Pretty good selection, part of a chain and what they don't have they can order for you

Moyas Restaurant and Video Rental Store. Moyas is a great place for a pizza or a wrap and has a great outdoor cafe feel to it. Reasonably priced and conveniently located. Video store is well stocked.



Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years Of tTopical Real Estate Excellence

After twelve years of therapy my psychiatrist said something that brought tears to my eyes. He said, "No hablo ingles."

Frontier Airlines Joins The Rush To Costa Rica

 

Frontier Airlines Announces New Costa Rica Route

Posted on: August 31st, 2010 by Charlie Mills

It now appears that Frontier Airlines is the first of many airlines that will be launching new routes to Costa Rica. Apparently the carrier is planning on running this as a seasonal service, which will run as of February 13 next year and will service Liberia, Costa Rica.
For those that do not know, Liberia is about four hours northwest of the capital, San Jose, when traveling by bus. It is one of the major jumping off points for beach resorts on the West Cost. Frontier Airlines, which is a unit of Republic Airways Holdings, said that it will operate weekly nonstop flights to and from its hub at Denver International Airport.
As of right now the airline already runs flights to San Jose. After this information was released, Republic Airways saw its shares rise 2 cents to $7.01 in morning trading at the start of this week.
So why are airlines now starting to add more routes to Costa Rica? Why are experts suggesting that more airlines will now start looking into offering Cost Rica routes? A lot of this has to do with the fact that the United States government is starting to relax travel restrictions to Costa Rica. This could mean that routes to the country could now be profitable for airlines to fly.
However, it is not yet know just how popular these flights will be. Most experts assume that they will be pretty popular, though. Apparently people have been asking airlines for a long time to add these kinds of flights and asking the government to relax its travel restrictions.

Moran Real Estate - Over 50 Years Of Tropical Real Estate Excellence 

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
 

Expats Rate Public Hospital Calderon Guardia As First Class

I have lived in Costa Rica for almost 20 years, and I had to use the facility of Hospital Calderón Guardia only three times, twice in the emergency room and just a few days ago for a four-day stay.

I had never been beyond the emergency room facility until this particular time, so therefore I wasn’t really familiar with any other part of the hospital except the emergency facility. My wife, Blanca, had three serious operations in this hospital on three different occasions and she always assured me that it's a top-rated hospital.

My opinion of this hospital now having a first-hand experience is the following.

It would rival any first-class rated hospital in the U.S., and I mean every word I am about to say. I was diagnosed with pancreatitis which can be very severe, and the pain, on a scale of one to ten, one being slight, ten being excruciating, was definitely a ten.

While in the emergency room facility, I was sent for several different tests, five x-rays, sonogram and several blood tests. It was determined that it was indeed pancreatitis and that I would be required to spend some time in the hospital for treatment and further testing.

I was admitted and brought up to the fourth floor in a large room shared with six other patients and an ample size bath facility and shower. Part of the patient’s room was shared with a duty nurse who occupies a desk and devices to perform her/his duties and still be able to monitor the patients.

The meal schedule is incredible. The breakfast is served and then a few hours later a light snack and beverage and then lunch is delivered around noon and then an afternoon snack and beverage, the evening meal is of course next and then a beverage before bedtime.

The staff which includes doctors, nurses, technicians, kitchen staff, cleaning crews, maintenance crew are extremely well organized, compassionate, intelligent, professional, and energetic beyond anything I have witnessed here in Costa Rica or the U.S. and would definitely rival anything in the States.

It was a pleasant surprise to me because as I have mentioned I had never been beyond the emergency facility and as all emergency and trauma facilities go anywhere in the world they are a bit chaotic and of course overtaxed with emergency treatment.

I would rate the doctors and the nursing staff and all the support staff as excellent and very professional and
dedicated far beyond anything I have seen in the States and others countries where I have lived. It almost seems that practicing virtues is part of their curriculum. I have never witnessed such compassion to all the patients suffering from every conceivable ailment or disease.

This hospital is, of course, part of the socialized medicine system which Costa Rica has demonstrated works with great proficiency both economically and socially. They could be a great lesson to the U.S. and other countries of the world. But of course most countries because of their own ego problems wouldn’t consider using a smaller country as a model to their own health care systems.



The first doctor who saw me said that it would take about 48 hours of no food for the body to heal my condition. He went on to say that the human body has wonderful capabilities to heal itself and that all they need to do is diagnose the problem and assist in the healing process, through proper medications, therapy, and or surgery.

A team of doctors would visit me at the foot of my bed, all eight of them, and ask me questions relevant to my case and then confer between themselves and make a group decision. It reminds me of the very popular TV show “Dr. House.” Only this is real life. Their diagnostic skills are world class and they would rival the fictional character Dr. House himself.

It is so incredible that a staff of doctors, nurses, and all the support staff can have such energy, dedication, caring mindset, compassion, all while maintaining very professional work ethics and still manage to have nice broad smiles on their face when you come in eye contact.

All I have to say is that Costa Rica is fortunate to have this wonderful hospital and its incredible staff from the administrator, doctors, nurses, technicians to the support personnel which makes this hospital run like a fine tuned and well oiled machine, and I hope the Costa Rica citizens as well as foreign visitors are very thankful for that. God bless the entire staff at Calderón hospital.
By Alan Charles Johnson*
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

Moran Real Estate - Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence 

Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway

What Is The Richest Country on Earth

Costa Rica is the "richest country on earth." That's the conclusion we've reached over the last three days of discussion here at the 2010 International Living Live & Invest in Costa Rica Seminar.

Nowhere else can you live as well, as long, or as happily... for as little money. Today was especially eye opening.

I'm Suzan Haskins, reporting to you from San Jose, Costa Rica, where the conference is taking place.

Over coffee this morning, I found myself talking to Geraldo and his wife, Carolyne, from Decatur, Georgia.

He's a former attorney and educator, easing his way into retirement. He's also a diabetic. And a few years ago, he had open-heart surgery. Today, he's fit and trim and raring to go. Go south, that is...to Costa Rica.

It's not health issues that are killing him, he says, it's health care costs in the U.S.

At home in the States, he's covered by Medicare. And that's not all bad. "But every time I go see a doctor, I have a co-pay," he says. "And I have to pay partial costs for the tests they're always doing. It ends up costing me at least $170 every time."

And if something major were to happen, it would be a big bite financially. After his heart surgery, for example, he had a bill of several thousand dollars.

So he's looking to move to Costa Rica, where his overall cost of living will be less...especially when it comes to health care.

At age 72, Geraldo isn't eligible for private insurance in Costa Rica. But he learned at the conference this week that if he becomes a resident here, he automatically qualifies for CAJA, Costa Rica's public health insurance system.

"I'll pay out of pocket to see the very best doctors in this country," Geraldo says. "And I'll save at least 1/3 over what I'm paying in the States."

And if anything catastrophic happens, Geraldo's medical care in Costa Rica will be 100% covered through CAJA.

Geraldo has already done the research on the quality of the medical care available here. And what he learned at the conference this week only made him more certain that he and Carolyne are making the right decision. (Several speakers mentioned that the World Health Organization has ranked the quality of health care in Costa Rica as higher than that of the U.S.!)

Geraldo and Carolyne were all smiles as they discussed their plans for the future. They have kids in Miami...and Costa Rica is a quick (just two hours) and inexpensive flight from there. Geraldo wants to buy some land and build a house here...maybe a big enough property where they can do a little farming.

"The cost of labor is low here," he said, "so I figure we can easily afford to hire

some helpers...both inside and outside the house."

Before they buy any property, though, Geraldo and Carolyne will "try the country out" for a while. They plan to come down and rent for three months or so.

For $600 a month, there are lots of rental options for quality living in Costa Rica, we learned this week. We heard from expats here who paid $600 a month to rent a brand-new, fully furnished three-bedroom home – with lawn service and internet included. They've now moved to the beach where they pay $1,000 a month for a home with a swimming pool and a big yard for their dogs.

In the last three days of this conference, we've learned exactly where and how to find the very best rental deals. Or, for that matter, where the best markets are to buy an income-producing rental property.

But to get back to where I started... if prices are so low and labor is so inexpensive, why do those of us in the audience at the Live & Invest in Costa Rica Seminar agree that this may very well be the "richest" country on earth?

Here's what the experts say...

5 Things That Contribute to a "Rich" Life in Costa Rica:

• This country is rich in biodiversity, which means GREAT weather. It offers just about every landscape, temperature, and topography (except snowscapes and who wants that?). From the cool temperate climate of the capital city and suburbs of San Jose to mountain cloud forests, pristine volcanic lakes, lush rainforests, and the world's most beautiful beaches...you'll find it all in Costa Rica.

• It's one of the "greenest, cleanest" countries in the world with little pollution and lots of clean water and fresh air. (Costa Rica is one of the only countries in the world to actually reverse deforestation!) You will be healthier here, I can practically guarantee it.

• A staggering 99% of Costa Rica's energy comes from renewable sources. I don't have to tell you what that means in terms of dollars...and sense!

• Costa Ricans are rich with happiness. According to sociologists, Ticos are the happiest people on the planet. The Happy Planet Index, an independent think tank founded to study environmental impact and human well-being, says: "Costa Ricans report the highest life satisfaction in the world and have the second-highest average life expectancy of the Americas (second only to Canada)."

• Maybe Costa Ricans are so happy because they have all the modern amenities anyone could want or need -- modern shopping malls, world-class hospitals, reliable high-speed Internet, you name it...

• And, importantly... despite the fact that this is one of the world's most peaceful countries, with one of the world's longest-standing and most stable democracies, Costa Rica has no military.  Instead of spending money on wars and armies, they spend it on education (adult literacy is practically 100%) and on universal health care, which, as I mentioned, every resident qualifies for. (Free health care is provided to 86.8% of the population!)

But, of course, there's more. Costa Rica (which literally means the "rich coast") isn't called one of the world's richest countries in the world for just these reasons. Despite all the fortune of Costa Rica's land, culture, and people, it may just be a place that allows you to live a fuller, richer life...on so many levels.

4 MORE Things That Will Contribute to Your Own Personal Richer Life in Costa Rica:

1. Low taxes. Costa Rica assesses no (zero) income taxes on foreign-earned income... and annual property taxes are laughably low...no more than a few hundred dollars in most cases. And there's no capital gains tax!

2. Affordable real estate. Despite what you may think... real estate prices in Costa Rica are low -- just as low, in fact, as in Mexico and other popular Central American countries like Belize and Panama. You can still find properties with an ocean view, for instance, for one-half to 1/10th what you'd pay for a similar property at home.

3. A low cost of living. Most expats report that they live quite happily and without sacrifices on a monthly budget of $1,500 to $2,500. 

4. It's easy to start a business here. So said speaker after speaker today at the Live & Invest in Costa Rica Seminar.

Starting a business in Costa Rica was one of our important topics today. Two expert speakers addressed that very issue.

John Collins, an expat from California, told us why he thinks Costa Rica is one of the best places in Latin America (if not the world) to start a business right now. He's successfully done just that...on Costa Rica's emerging southern coast.

In his presentation, he offered up seven "must-do" steps for starting a business in Costa Rica. These aren't legal things...they're tips John learned along the way. (Experience is everything, after all, and John was generous in sharing his.)

He also shared his top 10 ways to promote your business -- both locally and internationally. (Don't start a business anywhere today without understanding all this...like how to use new social media to your advantage.)

Juan Sostheim also shared his experiences. I have to say, this man is my hero. He's created an intentional, self-sustainable community in Costa Rica that has become a new world standard. If you don't know what that means, you need to listen to Juan explain his vision. I so wanted to speak to him after his presentation and congratulate him on what he's doing, but he had a huge crowd around him. Everybody, it seems, wanted to pick his brain.

But no worries, I have his contact info... And you can have it, too, by the way...along with contact details for every single speaker at this historic conference. And every single presentation, for that matter.

Today, for example, we learned more about the property-purchase process in Costa Rica. We learned about our options for moving our household goods here. We received a tutorial on all the little details that sometimes slip though the cracks...like traveling with our pets, how to best maintain daily communications with our family back home, how to handle paying our credit card bills, getting our mail...

                                International Living - The World Leader in Real Estate Values

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Pray that success will not come any faster than you are able to endure it. 

                                         

Costa Rican President Calls Costa Rica an "Economic Miracle"

Chinchilla sets financial goals,
calls Costa Rica an ‘economic miracle'

By Chrissie Long
Tico Times Staff | clong@ticotimes.net

The Chinchilla administration on Monday announced financial goals for the next four years, saying it aims to achieve $9 billion in foreign investment and $17 billion in exports.

“Costa Rica has been one of the most successful countries in Latin America in terms of foreign investment,” said President Laura Chinchilla, calling her country an “economic miracle.”

Chinchilla said that for each million dollars of foreign investment, at least 17 direct jobs are created.

“We have to understand that a united platform in favor of foreign investment and production of exports gives us not only access to markets, but also better levels of competition and higher economic welfare,” she said.

Foreign investment has increased an average of 12 percent each year since 1990, but fell by 34 percent during the crisis year of 2009. Former President Oscar Arias is credited with a 132 percent overall increase in foreign investment during his second four-year term, which ended this year.

Foreign Trade Minister Anabel Gonzaléz pointed to the telecommunications, tourism and energy sectors as some of the most promising target areas for investment.

Not only is Chinchilla looking to attract more money into Costa Rica, but she is also working to increase the country's exports by 22 percent during her term. For each percentage-point increase in exports, she said, 7,500 jobs are created.

Chinchilla said her administration will focus on improving infrastructure, streamlining regulations and continuing to educate the labor force to meet the target goal, which she stressed has been brought closer into reach by the recently signed trade agreements with Europe, China and the United States.

Direct foreign investment has increased an average of 12 percent each year since 1990, but fell 34 percent in 2009.

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An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit

Who Should Not Move To Costa Rica

Who Should Not Move To Costa Rica? By Christopher Howard, Liveincostarica.com After helping thousands of Americans and Canadians move to Costa Rica over the last thirty years through my books and monthly retirement and relocation tours, I have observed who are the best candidates for living successfully in the country. Don’t move to Costa Rica if…. (1) you expect everything to be like the U.S. (2) you think the locals should change and do everything like we do. (3) you don’t like warm weather or rain. (4) you have breathing problems due to high altitudes or have allergies (5) you expect to every product from the United States. (6) you are insensitive to the local culture. (7) you a smart ass, self-righteous and know-it-all “Ugly American.” (8) you are going to refuse to use Spanish and think the locals should speak English. (9) you are running away from the law in the U.S. You will be found sooner or later. (10) you want to get rich overnight. (11) you want to find a Latina woman for a low price tag and exploit her or if you have serious problems with the opposite sex. (12) you want to avoid paying taxes. (13) you want to work illegally under the table here. (14) you don’t want to go through the process of obtaining residency. (14) you want free medical care. (15) you want scam people. (16) you have a serious drug or alcohol problem. (17) you expect all of your emotional baggage and problems to go away just because you move here. (18) you are smarter than the locals and can beat the system. (19) you think you can become an expert on the country overnight. (20) you think it is easy to set up a business. (21) you can’t stand your fellow Americans. We have more and more coming here every day. (22) you think you are the savor of the locals and will civilize them. You should leave the Second Coming of Columbus Syndrome at home. (23) you are type of person who will give foreigners a bad name. (24) you think a younger woman will be attracted for your good looks and not your money. (25) you feel just because you are an American you should be entitled to something. (26) you have no sense of humor. (27) you don’t want to experience the country’s culture and people. (28) you don’t have a sense of adventure. (29) you don’t realize you are guest here. (30) both you and your spouse don’t see eye to eye about moving here. (31) you really don’t have enough money to live here. (32) have no goals. (33) don’t want to affiliate with groups like clubs, church groups, volunteer etc. (34) suffer from the “hammock syndrome” with nothing to do. You’ll end up tipping the bottle and get real bored quickly. (35) are a negative person who likes to complain about everything and everyone. (36) you have never traveled or lived abroad. Moran Real Estate - Over 50 Years Of Tropical Real Estate Excellence Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.

More Kudos On Lake Arenal From International Living

Costa Rica’s Lakeside Hideaway—From $33,500 International Living Postcards—your daily escape Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010 There’s more to Costa Rica than beautiful beachfront. As Dan Prescher reports here, there’s a freshwater world of wonders where you can still find some great bargain real estate. Costa Rica’s Lakeside Bargains—A Real Opportunity By Dan Prescher Mention Costa Rica, and most people picture surf crashing on miles of beautiful, sandy beaches or jewel-bright birds darting through mist-shrouded rainforest canopies. They don’t picture a deep, clear, 20-mile-long lake ringed by lush green hillsides and towering mountains, including the perfect cone of a 5,000-foot active Volcano *********************************************************** Lake Arenal is one of Costa Rica’s best-kept retirement and real-estate investment secrets. You can find tidy homes, magnificent lake-view lots, and mature, well-managed gated communities surrounding this beautiful lake. Yet on any given day a kayaker can share the glass-smooth, 50-square-mile surface of this idyllic body of water with only four or five others…plus a few onshore fishermen hand-lining for the plentiful and tasty guapote and other game fish. If this lake were in the U.S. or Canada, you’d have to fight for a place in line at docks, lakefront restaurants and bars any day of the week. But depending on your point of view, Lake Arenal is either blessed or cursed by being three hours from the airport at San Jose, two hours from the airport in Liberia, and two-and-a-half hours from the beaches of Guanacaste. This means you have to want to get to Lake Arenal, and you have to drive to get there. But once you do, you may never want to leave. Aside from being a stunningly beautiful region, real estate around the lake goes for a fraction of the cost it commands elsewhere in Costa Rica. And at 1,500 feet above sea level, with an average temperature of 78˚ F, Lake Arenal is, if anything, even more comfortable all year round than many other popular Costa Rican destinations. Traveling to Lake Arenal from the east, you’ll pass through the tourist-oriented community of La Fortuna, where you’ll find countless spas and hotels with thermal springs and pools, all heated by the volcano’s deep, fiery core. Once past the volcano and over the dam (the lake was formed as part of a hydroelectric project), the road takes you along the lake shore of steep wooded hillsides on one side and sweeping lake vistas on the other. Ten years ago this road was a challenge for a faint-hearted driver due to potholes and washouts. But it’s now well-paved and maintained, and along the road you’ll find a number of charming boutique hotels. You’ll also find a surprising variety of restaurants, including some that could give gourmet operations in New York and Paris a run for their money. There are definitely real estate bargains at Lake Arenal. Small, Tico-style houses near the several lakeside villages can be found starting at around $45,000. New construction averages $50 to $80 per square foot. Gated developments are perched on the steep hillsides all around the lake, and you can find excellent lake-view lots of nearly an acre in size from $33,500. What draws attention around Lake Arenal, especially for anyone familiar with lake developments in the U.S. like those around Lake Tahoe or Lake of the Ozarks, is the lack of condo projects. This presents an opportunity; managed, lock-and-leave lakeside condo properties are a niche just begging to be filled. International Living The Greatest Name In World Real Estate Values Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence It's true that we S"Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned." It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives t until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives