www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Be careful of voodoo mathematics my friend.

From AM Costa Rica May 31, 2007



That certainly leaves open the question how many of that number came by air? As you know those that cross a land border are not subject to the $26.00 tax. I would doubt that 100% of the tax is directed to airport improvements or even to the International airports. Taxes have a peculiar propensity to leak into other areas that have little correlation with the initial justification for the tax.

Never let it be said that third world countries do not learn some political tricks from the economic giants of the world. Uncle Sam is emulated for more than we will ever know

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

It is what it is. Like a Ticos always say "If you don't like, Leave!" Complain, Complain, Complain. Us Gringos are just smarter than everyone else

I stand corrected. Sorry for the error. However my point is still valid.

Even at 1.7 million visitors times the $26 per person, that is over 40 million dollars a year (not 1.6 million). You can finance a lot of infrastructure with that sort of revenue stream, especially in Costa Rica!!!!

Are you arguing that this money is not subject to graft and corruption?

Costa Rica is a wonderful country, but it has its shortcomings. Unfortunately, corruption gets in the way of a lot of things getting done that should get done.

The roads in Tamarindo are another example. There is no excuse. With all the development there it is ridicules. There is certainly enough tax base there to pay for a paved road through town. Where are all the tax revenues going if they cannot justify paving a road in an area that is seeing such growth?

The road from Quepos to Dominical is ridicules. It is a long straight level graded road that would cost a minimum amount to pave into a beautiful highway. The money has been allocated 4 separate times. Where did the money go? You tell me! The answers are obvious.

It’s a problem.



Costa Rica is NOT a third world country!!! Not by a long shot. It is a developing country, second world.

Hey brother, I am not complaining! I agree with your point! If you don't like it: GO HOME GRINGO! On the other hand, you have to be realistic about what goes on here. It does you no any good to live with illusions, especially when it comes to investing in real estate.

I also like the following saying:

"Do you know the best way to become a millionaire in Costa Rica?

Bring 2 million dollars and after you invest it you will have million left."

Anyone who has lived here long enogh knows that there is a process to doing things here (A Long, painful one). Is it really that difficult to invest in real estate here? Knowing the area, Everywhere you look there is an issue and if you are looking to save a buck, 9 out of 10 times you loose it in the long run. Guanacaste has no water, Quepos is has horrible access, and Jaco is a dump. But the fact is, if you are buying real estate in Costa Rica, You cant come here with the Gringo mentality. Ticos and Gringos alike are looking to screw you over!! Most of the developers are criminals. In Jaco I know of 3 developments that are owned by ex commodity guys that all have criminal backgrounds in the States and are here selling Land! None of them have built a single structure on their land, but its cheap and it is pretty.

Amen brother!!!! There is a big washout coming from all the speculation going on. (I don't agree that MOST developers are criminals, however it only takes a few). When the bubble bursts here, it will make what is going on in the US market look like Ch*ld's play. Plain and simple there is not enough growth in the tourism industry to support all this new development, PERIOD! In fact, to the contrary, the numbers of tourists have recently been trending down and the airlines have reduced the number of flights into Costa Rica. This is an inescapable fact!!!! Real deals will be available for those that are patient and wait for the inevitable day of reckoning. If there are really 50 projects on the drawing board for Jaco, that day can not be far off.