The title of this piece was derived from the weight of my only suitcase when I began my self imposed exile to the tiny nation of Costa Rica. I have been here for several months and was thinking that now would be a good time to start an informational record to share with those contemplating the big move. In the coming months, I will share with you some tricks to make your entry into Paradise much more fun.
Do you like bananas? Of course you do. Did you know that a lot of the bananas that you eat come from Costa Rica or one of it's neighboring countries? Did you know that these countries have just about no control of how bananas are processed and shipped. I became aware of the horrible chemicals that they use to sustain the crop. They won't tell you these things in fear of losing a great deal of money. If I were in the US and a big fan of bananas, I would ask my grocer to certify that your next purchase would be free of harmful pesticides. If they will not, find yourself another grocer
or another food of choice. Trust me, DDT is a bad poison. (tomorrow:the airport in San Jose)
If I haven't mentioned it, I will try to make 38.7 post to this masterpiece each and every month. Anyway, someone asked me today that if I left Jaco, which is where I currently reside. Great place. They asked me that if I left what would I miss the most. My Birds! A dozen or so of these beautiful creatures God ever painted.
they are everywhere. I do love them so. The great thing about Costa Rica is the beauty found around every corner . I would wager that each one of you reading this will find your very own favorite thing about Costa Rica, the very first day.
First thing you need to do is learn your money and how to pay and receive your change correctly. 1 MIL Colones = $2 give or take. 1 MIL Colones X 2 = USD
I personally think that if you pay in USD you will be shorted what you deserve in change. Just go to a bank where there is security and the best rates on exchange that you can find in Costa Rica.
Most of the time they will give you back a big load of coins as change. I think maybe this promotes tipping. By the way, tipping is not required and most businesses add 10% plus the tax.
The main aeroporto en Costa Rica is a modern clean and inviting place, until you get outside and find yourself being overtaken by a swarm of taxi drivers. Before you come try to prearrange your lodging and transportation before you get here and your first day will be much more enjoyable. Most hotels will provide you with transportation to and from the airport. Most from my experience have free breakfast and excellent service. Get away from the airport as quickly as possible and avoid a great deal of grief. When you leave, make sure that you are carrying $29.00 USD per person in your party for the EXIT tax. They don't really advise you of this tax until you are getting ready to check-in for your flight.
The locals, or Ticos and Ticas are generally a happy bunch, eager to earn some Gringo dollars. The real tourist season seems to be December through April so they all have to make hay while the sun shines. Tipping is not a big thing to the businesses down here but some take a 10% automatic tip which I am sure goes not to the servers. If you have served the public I am sure that you will appreciate what they do for you and act accordingly. If not, they don't seem to mind, outwardly.
If you like cool weather at night you might want to consider a higher elevation for your stay. The beach areas are rather warm for me at night but I have gotten used to it. For a comfortable nights rest one of the boutique hotels in and around coffee plantations are your best bet. If you don't mind the blazing heat during the day, you have a multitude of choices. I am not familiar at all with the East coast of Costa Rica but there is beauty to be found up and down the Pacific side of Costa Rica.
Regardless of where you travel to Costa Rica, your trip will probably begin with a plane ride. Run, don't walk to the Spirit Airlines web site. The last round trip that I made here cost me $150 round trip from Houston IAH. They are a no frills at all airlines and give you several options on which to spend your money. You can also fly out of Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) for around the same fare. I'm sure that if you come in the dry season, it will be a bit higher.
Anything which is imported, food wise, is very expensive in Costa Rica, so if you have an addiction to peanut butter you might want to bring along a supply to last you for your length of stay. Some of those special treats could wind up costing you 4 or 5 times what you'd pay in the States.
Speaking of food, you have a rather wide range of choices in the eating out category. They grow and eat a lot of rice in Costa Rica and they make it a lot of ways. For a reasonable price, you can visit one of the many cafeteria style places called SODAs. Going to a touristy place or KFC can wind up costing you and arm and a leg. Much like Spirit Airlines, they charge for everything, including water. When bananas reach a perfectly ripened stage, the merchant will drop the price to a nickel a piece.
They say that bananas are very good for you if you are watching your blood pressure.
Did I mention that letting yourself be a tourist first is a really good way to approach Costa Rica? You don't want to develop a let's get it done in a rush mentality down here. It simply doesn't happen that way this close to the equator. When you step off of the plane, you are on Tico Time and will be until to step back onto that plane. Go with the flow and you will be OK. Go out of bounds on this and you'll get push back and you're not here for that sort of thing.
You will want to know the choices before you in the way of your casa, your dwelling, your home. If you're on a fixed budget, you might be able to find a Tico house for around $100 USD per month plus utilities. Now before you get all lathered up about this , you should realize that a lot of work and a few bucks goes into this option. First, you are going to be in the sticks and away from most conveniences found in the little villages. I am a minimalist, so living where it is quieter, naturally beautiful, and safer has always appealed to me. To find these places, one must travel to an interesting spot , step off of the bus and immerse yourself in this life style. These inexpensive options are going to be found mainly in the higher elevations where the temperatures average 70 degrees year round, making your electric bill almost nothing. There will be no appliances or furniture in these $100 casas. While researching these homes, I found that most are on a busline making travel a breeze.
Never under any circumstance travel to El Salvador. It is always better to travel anywhere else with another person. Stay out of bad areas of all cities and you stand a better chance of getting into things that you don't want to get into.
Before you even think about actually moving here the first thing that you must do is thoughtfully consider each and every dedtail about why you want to live here or whether you can support yourself comfortably. Every detail, every thought, every reason. Once you have it all in one sock then you might want to come down and look at the place.
Under no circumstance should you or yours feed wild animals while you are in Costa Rica. It harms them.
Do you like bananas? Of course you do. Did you know that a lot of the bananas that you eat come from Costa Rica or one of it's neighboring countries? Did you know that these countries have just about no control of how bananas are processed and shipped. I became aware of the horrible chemicals that they use to sustain the crop. They won't tell you these things in fear of losing a great deal of money. If I were in the US and a big fan of bananas, I would ask my grocer to certify that your next purchase would be free of harmful pesticides. If they will not, find yourself another grocer
or another food of choice. Trust me, DDT is a bad poison. (tomorrow:the airport in San Jose)
If I haven't mentioned it, I will try to make 38.7 post to this masterpiece each and every month. Anyway, someone asked me today that if I left Jaco, which is where I currently reside. Great place. They asked me that if I left what would I miss the most. My Birds! A dozen or so of these beautiful creatures God ever painted.
they are everywhere. I do love them so. The great thing about Costa Rica is the beauty found around every corner . I would wager that each one of you reading this will find your very own favorite thing about Costa Rica, the very first day.
First thing you need to do is learn your money and how to pay and receive your change correctly. 1 MIL Colones = $2 give or take. 1 MIL Colones X 2 = USD
I personally think that if you pay in USD you will be shorted what you deserve in change. Just go to a bank where there is security and the best rates on exchange that you can find in Costa Rica.
Most of the time they will give you back a big load of coins as change. I think maybe this promotes tipping. By the way, tipping is not required and most businesses add 10% plus the tax.
The main aeroporto en Costa Rica is a modern clean and inviting place, until you get outside and find yourself being overtaken by a swarm of taxi drivers. Before you come try to prearrange your lodging and transportation before you get here and your first day will be much more enjoyable. Most hotels will provide you with transportation to and from the airport. Most from my experience have free breakfast and excellent service. Get away from the airport as quickly as possible and avoid a great deal of grief. When you leave, make sure that you are carrying $29.00 USD per person in your party for the EXIT tax. They don't really advise you of this tax until you are getting ready to check-in for your flight.
The locals, or Ticos and Ticas are generally a happy bunch, eager to earn some Gringo dollars. The real tourist season seems to be December through April so they all have to make hay while the sun shines. Tipping is not a big thing to the businesses down here but some take a 10% automatic tip which I am sure goes not to the servers. If you have served the public I am sure that you will appreciate what they do for you and act accordingly. If not, they don't seem to mind, outwardly.
If you like cool weather at night you might want to consider a higher elevation for your stay. The beach areas are rather warm for me at night but I have gotten used to it. For a comfortable nights rest one of the boutique hotels in and around coffee plantations are your best bet. If you don't mind the blazing heat during the day, you have a multitude of choices. I am not familiar at all with the East coast of Costa Rica but there is beauty to be found up and down the Pacific side of Costa Rica.
Regardless of where you travel to Costa Rica, your trip will probably begin with a plane ride. Run, don't walk to the Spirit Airlines web site. The last round trip that I made here cost me $150 round trip from Houston IAH. They are a no frills at all airlines and give you several options on which to spend your money. You can also fly out of Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) for around the same fare. I'm sure that if you come in the dry season, it will be a bit higher.
Anything which is imported, food wise, is very expensive in Costa Rica, so if you have an addiction to peanut butter you might want to bring along a supply to last you for your length of stay. Some of those special treats could wind up costing you 4 or 5 times what you'd pay in the States.
Speaking of food, you have a rather wide range of choices in the eating out category. They grow and eat a lot of rice in Costa Rica and they make it a lot of ways. For a reasonable price, you can visit one of the many cafeteria style places called SODAs. Going to a touristy place or KFC can wind up costing you and arm and a leg. Much like Spirit Airlines, they charge for everything, including water. When bananas reach a perfectly ripened stage, the merchant will drop the price to a nickel a piece.
They say that bananas are very good for you if you are watching your blood pressure.
Did I mention that letting yourself be a tourist first is a really good way to approach Costa Rica? You don't want to develop a let's get it done in a rush mentality down here. It simply doesn't happen that way this close to the equator. When you step off of the plane, you are on Tico Time and will be until to step back onto that plane. Go with the flow and you will be OK. Go out of bounds on this and you'll get push back and you're not here for that sort of thing.
You will want to know the choices before you in the way of your casa, your dwelling, your home. If you're on a fixed budget, you might be able to find a Tico house for around $100 USD per month plus utilities. Now before you get all lathered up about this , you should realize that a lot of work and a few bucks goes into this option. First, you are going to be in the sticks and away from most conveniences found in the little villages. I am a minimalist, so living where it is quieter, naturally beautiful, and safer has always appealed to me. To find these places, one must travel to an interesting spot , step off of the bus and immerse yourself in this life style. These inexpensive options are going to be found mainly in the higher elevations where the temperatures average 70 degrees year round, making your electric bill almost nothing. There will be no appliances or furniture in these $100 casas. While researching these homes, I found that most are on a busline making travel a breeze.
Never under any circumstance travel to El Salvador. It is always better to travel anywhere else with another person. Stay out of bad areas of all cities and you stand a better chance of getting into things that you don't want to get into.
Before you even think about actually moving here the first thing that you must do is thoughtfully consider each and every dedtail about why you want to live here or whether you can support yourself comfortably. Every detail, every thought, every reason. Once you have it all in one sock then you might want to come down and look at the place.
Under no circumstance should you or yours feed wild animals while you are in Costa Rica. It harms them.
