Marcharmo

The “Marcharmo” is the annual minimum liability insurance you are required to pay for all vehicles, motorcycles, or ATVs in Costa Rica.  You can pay the Marcharmo from November 1^st to December 31^st each year and the value is based on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.

The Marcharmo is not cheap and for a 2008 SUV I will pay around $800 this year, ouch!  Even an older car, motorcycle, or ATV can pay around $200.  This is a requirement and no way around it.  In fact anyone caught after January 1^st without the new decal on their front windshield will be subject to hefty fines and even getting your car impounded and towed.  Best believe the “Traficos” / “Transitos” or Transit Police will be out in full force around the entire country stopping cars at various check point searching for current Marcharmo stickers.

You can pay your Marcharmo online, at any local bank, or insurance office.   You can check how much you owe for Marcharmo and pay for it on the INS website.  In order to pay your Marcharmo you have to have all traffic tickets and parking tickets paid and if not; they will be added to the total cost of your Marcharmo.  You also have to have a current Revision Technica Vehiculo (R.T.V.) inspection sticker, which is the annual inspection every car, motorcycle, and ATV must pass to prove it is worthy of the road.

So pay your Marcharmo on time, or else your New Year will not start out too well!

How to Live a Self-Sustainable Lifestyle in Costa Rica

Living a more sustainable existence is a growing movement around the world; especially in modern times with so much wasteful pre-packaged goods and food products.  A self-sustainable lifestyle in Costa Rica is not the answer for all, but a select bunch will find their own piece of paradise and be able to virtually live off the land.  Joshua Kanter of United Country – Properties in Dominical discusses this eco-minded trend in the Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica.

Playa Dominical, Costa Rica (PRWEB) November 14, 2012

The planet’s population is growing at an alarming rate and there simply will not be enough resources for the future generations.  Therefore there has been a collective shift by many towards sustainability and causing less environmental impact.

-World population reached 7 billion on October 31, 2011 and is estimated to reach 8 billion by 2030 (wikipedia.org)
-Water scarcity affects one in three people on every continent of the globe (World Health Organization)
-The world’s richest countries make up only one-fifth of global population but account for 45% of all meat consumption, 58% of total energy use, 84% of paper use, and 87% of vehicle ownership. (United Nations Development Programme – undp.org)

Joshua Kanter of Dominical Property a local Costa Rica real estate and property management company, shares his perspective of this current and growing market:

Many of our clients today are looking for a home with acreage or large ocean view property with its own water source and land capable of providing fresh organic fruits and vegetables.  If a property can also support chickens or even some livestock, plus has an ample creek to make a Tilapia pond; then it becomes even more desirable among these types of customers.  We have even seen buyers on a budget create a sustainable lifestyle with an affordable home on a couple acres or turning some raw usable land into a personal producing farm

The Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica still has pristine rain forest and is teaming with wildlife, therefore eco-minded tourists and investors are logically drawn to this area.  This current trend is driving sustainable development projects such as; Osa Mountain Village which is a residential community that will have sharing of fruit and vegetable crops, as well as, poultry and Tilapia.  This model of development has potential in Costa Rica and around the world as resources become more and more scarce

Although escaping to Costa Rica’s tropical shores may not be for everyone; it is a realistic and viable option for those that seek a simpler life with less of an ecological footprint.

Contact:
Joshua Kanter, Agent
United Country – Properties in Costa Rica.
Website: http://www.DominicalProperty.com
Blog: http://www.DominicalProperty.WordPress.com/
Toll Free: 1-888-679-1227

How to Catch Fish and Shrimp with your Bare Hands

This past weekend in Silencio, a small local town where my in-laws live, it was a beautiful clear sunny morning on Saturday so we decided to take the kids to splash around in the river.  There happened to be an excavator digging a trench to re-direct the river because it was beginning to erode one of the banks near the road.  We went for a swim with the kids and watched as the huge machine did its work.  When we were just about ready to go the excavator headed upstream and at that moment dug out the temporary dam it had made and the river instantly changed course.  Well, talk about being in the right place at the right time.  A large section of about 200 feet of the river dried up and created small pools everywhere with river shrimp and fish splashing around.  I grabbed a bag from the car and we got all the shrimp and few large fish we could find; literally fishing with our hands! After bringing the catch back to the house we cleaned it up and prepared some fresh fish for lunch and saved the shrimp for lunch the next day. 

The fish was really tasty and river shrimp are like craw fish, but taste like lobster here!  Fun experience for us and the kids; as it is not every day you get to fish with your hands!

Become a Luxury Rancher or Organic Farmer

Ever dream of becoming a farmer or rancher, but could not give up the amenities of a luxury home and being close to a city.  Well, now it is possible live this dream in a 6,000 square foot mansion on a 30 acre horse farm within 45 minutes to the city of San Isidro, Costa Rica.  Located in a rural area surrounded by coffee farms and cattle ranches this property offers private tranquility with tons of usable land, horse stables, caretaker house, pastures, creek with two cascades, and borders the river “Rio General”.  Here is a detailed video of the home and property for your viewing pleasure….

https://vimeo.com/51543971

This estate home spared no expense in its solid concrete block construction and offers the finest finishes available.  Downstairs the home features a large office/study, great room with 30 foot high windows bringing in the views and natural light, and guestroom with an en suite bathroom.

There is also a huge open professional kitchen, living room and breakfast table, formal dining room, and an outdoor terrace and dining area.

You walk up Cristobal hardwood (a rare native hardwood) stairs to the two master bedrooms and baths.

The main master bedroom is very spacious and has bamboo wood floors, walk-in closet, and access to a wrap around balcony that enjoys the views and sounds of the cascade next to the house.

The en suite bathroom is literally the largest I have ever seen; and has a Jacuzzi tub for two, his and hers showers, his and hers vanities with granite counters, and even his and hers toilets!  The other master bedroom is just as spacious with bamboo floors and balcony access as well.  Across the hallway is another large walk-in closet and oversized master bathroom with its own Jacuzzi tub.

This property has potential for a retired couple or family that wants to live off the land and enjoy a country lifestyle.

The structures are in place to raise horses with a 6 stall stable, a coral, and plenty of pasture land to graze.

There is also Tilapia pond already built for a constant fresh fish supply.  You could raise free range chickens for laying eggs and for a food source.  Due to the extremely fertile soil near the river you could also transform this property in to an organic fruit farm and at the very least produce sufficient fruit and vegetables for your family or small community.   Could even get a couple dairy cows to produce your own milk and cheeses.  In just in case you cannot produce everything you need there are small markets close by and large supermarkets in San Isidro 40-45 minutes away.

There is an extraordinary amount of flat and usable land multiple additional homes could be built for a family compound or mini gated community.  Even numerous rental cabins and a Bed & Breakfast operation could be possible.  For more information click this link about this amazing Luxury Home on 30 Acres or visit www.DominicalProperty.com for more residential homes and farm listings.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

The La Paz Waterfall Gardens is one of the most visited parks in Costa Rica and located less than one hour from San Jose.  This is a great day trip from any hotel in San Jose with a beautiful drive through coffee farms and rolling pastures of grazing dairy cows.  You can also go on nearby coffee tours or visit Poas Volcano, but in order to do everything it would be best to stay at the Peace Lodge Hotel or another Bed & Breakfast in the surrounding countryside.  My mom was recently in town and we went to the park with our family for the day before she left.

Enjoy this video of the La Paz Waterfall gardens.

You first enter the park through the main lodge, restaurant, and gift shop and pay the entrance fee of $20 for local/residents and $35 for visitors.  Then down to the park with animals such as birds, monkeys, cats, and more.

You can enter a dome full of exotic birds and literally be inches from toucans and parrots.

The monkeys and butterflies were our daughter’s favorites.  They do get to see monkeys in the wild at our house all the time, but not the Spider Monkeys and still love seeing all kinds none the less.

The butterfly attraction is a stroll through a flowering garden with butterflies everywhere.  They also have all the different cocoons in their various stages for visitors to see the metamorphosis in person.

A close up encounter with a jaguar (only separated by a thick piece of glass) was a memorable experience and personally my favorite part of the park.  Absolutely amazing to see such a powerful creature so close, that most likely you will never see in the wild.

The reptiles and amphibians are part of the park, but the kids did enjoy the snakes more than I thought they would.  There was the largest Terciopelo (Fer-de-Lance) I have ever seen, and I am definitely scared of seeing of one of those in the wild.  We also got to see some of the exotic frog species first hand.

Throughout the well landscaped park there are flowers and gardens everywhere.  Even a small section of beautiful orchids and another area planted especially to attract humming birds.

The main feature is of course the waterfalls and you walk down a concrete trail and stairway through the jungle.  Do not worry; you do not have to walk back up because there is a bus that takes you back up to the front of the park.  The waterfalls are magnificent and you can get so close that mist sprays on your face.  Truly an unforgettable experience and some of the most scenic waterfalls in Costa Rica.  So forget buying post cards of waterfalls and animals; just take some pictures here to share with your friends and family.  For more information and directions go to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens website: http://www.waterfallgardens.com/

Costa Rica Independence Day, Pass the Torch

The Costa Rica Independence Day is celebrated on September 15^th every year with parades, flags everywhere, and activities in all the schools around the country.  On September 15^th, 1821 the Central American countries were given independence from Spain and this day is celebrated throughout the region.  The most popular celebration that everyone looks forward to is the “faroles” or homemade torches representing the light of freedom.

Each child brings a homemade torch and at 6pm on the eve before Independence Day they light their individual torches and take to the streets singing the national anthem and songs of independence.  It is a fun sight to see and we have gone the last few years to our niece and nephew’s parade, but this year our daughter is in pre-school and we are looking forward to seeing her school’s activities.  I have always thought this was not the best idea to give a bunch of kids a torch made of plastic, wood, and paper with a candle in the middle and let them parade around, but fortunately I have not heard of any accidents and all the years I have lived here.  It is fun activity for all and a sight to see these torches parading through the local streets.  The torches of Independence Day represent the spreading news of freedom throughout Central America (which took a month to reach Costa Rica in 1821), and there is even an annual torch that is carried town to town from Guatemala to Costa Rica.

On Independence Day the school kids gather to sing the national anthem and parade in the streets in their uniforms waving the blue, white, and red flags.  Then much like the U.S. Independence Day, families gather for some home cooked meals or BBQs and enjoy their time together.  I personally am looking forward to our daughter’s first Independence Day activities and performances.  We got her “farole” ready, but I may walk along side with a fire extinguisher just in case.

Learning Spanish…. “Donde esta la sopa?”

Learning a new language is very challenging and overwhelming at times, but if you can speak some of the local language it will help you transition to a new culture more smoothly.  This is true around the World and Costa Rica is no exception.  Although many locals speak some English and I know many foreigners that have gotten by for years without any Spanish skills; I still feel learning some of the language will only benefit you in the long run.  The locals will appreciate any effort to learn their language and are very helpful; often times they will want to practice their English while you practice your Spanish.

When I first moved here I enrolled in a Spanish school in Playa Dominical for 3 hours per week and for 3 months total.  This was not much in reality, but was a good base and I was constantly practicing with locals and of course my girlfriend at the time, who is now my lovely wife.  She helped me tremendously and that is the best way to learn by immersing yourself in the language and speaking it as much as possible.  I realize not everyone can fall in love with a local and learn that way, but before moving here you could get Rosetta Stone or go to Spanish class upon arrival.  Plus there are plenty of daily interactions and opportunities to practice.

One of the most important aspects of learning any language is to not be afraid to make mistakes and practice daily.  True story: after living here just a few months I knew enough Spanish to be dangerous and went to a local store looking for some soap.  I proceeded to ask the person helping me if they had any “sopa” (which was my way of saying words I did not know, just add an ‘a’ at the end and it may sound Spanish enough).  She then toke me to the soup aisle and I said no, “sopa” and begin to make motions like I was in the shower soaping up.  She began to laugh historically and then toke me to aisle with soaps, shampoos, and personal hygiene products.  Turns out the word for soap is “jabon” and my made up word for soap, “sopa” was way off and actually the word for soup.  But be careful not to ask for “jamon” when looking for “jabon”, because you will get some slices of ham instead of the soap you are looking for.  The moral of the story is: if you are too scared of saying the wrong thing, you will end missing chances to practice and learn from your mistakes.

The process of learning Spanish fluently will take a year or even more; so be patient, immerse yourself in the culture, and most of all have fun.  And if all else fails know that 90% of communication is non-verbal and good old hand signs and acting things out can go a long way!  Feel free to share any funny stories about when you learned a second language!

Dia del Nino

On September 9th Costa Rica will celebrate “Dia del Nino” or Children’s Day.  This is a day to celebrate children around the World.  It was created by the U.N. in 1954 in order to bring attention to children’s rights and healthy child development around the globe.  The official day of celebration in October 20th, but countries celebrate on various dates that are convenient for them.

Today, the last Friday before September 9th, most schools are providing fun outdoor activities for the kids to participate, as well as a special lunch.  The actual holiday will be spent with family and some parents will even give their children a gift.  I do not remember ever celebrating a Children’s Day growing up in the U.S., but seems like a fun holiday for all the kids and the inner kid in all of us!

Why it’s Safe to Live and Travel in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has been a favorite destination for tourists, retirees, and second home owners for many years.  It is perfectly safe to travel and live full time in this country.  Of course you have to use caution in certain areas of the San Jose due to crime concerns and use common sense to avoid petty theft when travelling with cash, passports, and electronics throughout the country.  In tourism areas there is always petty theft of thieves breaking into cars and taking wallets, cameras, and cell phones or snatching an unattended bag in a crowded public place.  In the capital city of San Jose crime is of greater concern and many home owners have bars on their windows and live in gated communities with 24 hour security.

I have lived here for over 7 years and been traveling here since 1998, over 14 years.  I have not ever felt unsafe or threatened.  Crime rates have increased during this time, but out where we live in the rural area around Dominical it is not as much a concern as in other areas.  There is also the C.A.P. (Crime Awareness & Prevention) on Crime of Costa Rica that was founded in Playa Dominical. They have taken many steps to reduce crime in the area and have even installed cameras at many local area establishments and near the beach.  Below are some good tips published by C.A.P. on how to travel safely around the country.

1. During your stay here use caution when contacting unknown people.
2. When swimming or playing in the ocean, make sure someone is watching your valuables.
3. Use caution when visiting remote locations or isolated beaches.
4. When in restaurants, markets, or other public areas NEVER leave your valuables unattended.
5. When you travel by car, always lock the doors, and never leave your personal items in sight.
6. When staying in hotels use the safety boxes to keep cash, jewels and documents protected.
7. Lock doors and windows in your place of lodging.
8. Keep a photocopy of all documents/passports in order to facilitate the retrieval of any lost item.
9. Don’t be a victim.  Be aware of your surroundings and know WHERE you are at all times.
10. Do not wear valuable jewelry that can draw attention to you.
11. In the city carry small backpacks in front of you.
12. Stay alert if someone approaches or pushes you, or you feel that you are being followed. Notify the nearest police officer or walk into the nearest public establishment.
13. To exchange money only use banks or authorized exchange windows.  You will need your passport for all bank transactions.
14. Use ATM’s that are located in public and well lit areas.  Avoid help from strangers.  Withdraw, count your money, and put it away before leaving.
15. If traveling by bus keep all carry-ons in your possession.  Verify you have all items before departing bus.
16. In the event of an emergency always call 911 first.  Ask for an English speaking operator.  Identify your local police station and/or town.
17. If during your travels you feel lost or experience any difficulties you can call 800-TURISMO.

Costa Rica is a safe and peaceful country with the exception of a few bad apples.  As long as you follow these suggestions above you should have a fun vacation or be able to live here tranquilly.  If you are interested in donating funds towards preventing crime, then visit the C.A.P. on Crime website for more information.

Why it’s Safe to Buy in Costa Rica

Buying real estate in Costa Rica carries similar risk as anywhere else in the World, but there are processes and legal procedures in place to ensure a buyer’s safety.  The following are steps you should take in order to eliminate any ambiguity in a real estate transaction.

• Use a professional and experienced realtor/broker that has lived and worked in the area for a few years in which they are selling real estate.  Make sure your realtor/broker has residency or citizenship, has the right to work in Costa Rica, and are in the country to stay.  Not just on extended vacation visa hoping to sell real estate in order to keep their vacation going.

• Anyone can sell real estate in Costa Rica without a license, so ask if they have at least completed the equivalent of the Real Estate Board’s course (Camara Costarricense de Corredores de Bienes Raices) and are affiliated with this national association.  If there is ever a law requiring a license to sell real estate in Costa Rica, membership with the CCCBR would be the logical first step.

• Also use someone that speaks fluent Spanish; as you would not buy property in the U.S. with a realtor/broker that does not speak English.

One of Paragon’s many Unfinished Projects

• -Avoid pre-development mega projects that have yet to show real construction progress and rely on pre-selling to generate the capital to develop.  There have been past real estate scams such as Paragon Properties Ponzi-scheme and more recently Hacienda Matapalo.  Hundreds of millions worth of deposits were taken and residential lots and homes were never delivered as promised.  Unless a developer can show they are financially capable of finishing a project or there are already finished homes and condominiums constructed, then be very cautious with pre-sale all inclusive type mega developments.

• Always use an established licensed and reputable attorney when purchasing real estate in Costa Rica.  An attorney can do the proper due diligence to study the history of the property and its title to make sure there is nothing out of the ordinary, all property taxes are up to date, and no leans or loans are pending against the property.

• Use a registered escrow account your attorney recommends or Stewart Title and never send a deposit directly to a seller.  Typically a deposit of around 10% is placed in escrow during due diligence, which is refundable if the property does not check out.  Then the full amount of the sales price is sent to the escrow account prior to closing.

  

• Stewart Title and Chicago Title both operate in Costa Rica and you can use them for title insurance and provide even more peace of mind over your investment.

• Avoid “Concession” properties unless your attorney can ensure you of its safety.  Concession properties are those directly on the beach in the Maritime Zone of Costa Rica and it is basically leasing the property from the government; as opposed to owning fee simple title outside of the Maritime Zone. There are many perfectly legal concessions, however, there are much more that are awaiting concession or are possession only properties and those are the ones to avoid completely.  If someone says they almost have their concession then use extreme caution and better yet look for a different property.

The purchase process should be a fun and rewarding experience; after all you get to go on a tropical vacation to look for the right property.  Just follow these steps, use caution, and enjoy!  Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about the buying process in Costa Rica.