www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Since Costa Rican laws frown on gringos and other foreigners coming to CR to take a regular, paying job, but welcome investors or those who wish to start a business that could actually provide jobs for Ticos, what do you think would be a business one could start in the San Jose area that would have a good chance of success, but wouldn't require hundreds of thousands of dollars in investment?
Any suggestions?
When I was there in January, I kept looking around for ideas. I was thinking: "What is some kind of service or merchandise that tourists like us would welcome and patronize? Or something that the locals would like -- some business selling some goods or services that are not plentiful there already, but which might be well accepted.
I have no desire to be in the restaurant business. And there are many restraurants there already.
There are already a thousand choices of tours and recreational activities.
But there is probably something I haven't thought of.
Yeah, we all want to open a chica bar and have access to lots of beautiful young Ticas, but you don't have to own a business to do that in SJO.

Same thing every other successful gringo in Costa Rica does...

online business

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heredia porn king

Sure, open up a:

Day care near the HDR.
Clothing store near the HDR. (Putas-R-Us)
Western Union branch near the HDR.
Internet cafe near the HDR with translation and RFM service.
PI service near the HDR. (hear the competition isn't too bright)
Sex shop near the HDR, with quality condoms.
Private security service near the HDR.
Photoshop service near the HDR. (to crop you in pics at la playa, volcano, etc.. when you never left the gulch)
Pawn shop near the HDR. (so we can buy back our stolen goods)

I'm not sure how much a large warehouse type of building would cost, but a general thrift store may be good. You could sell used furniture, clothes, toys, and all sorts of household items. This would be something like a Super Walmart, except the items would be used, so the items should be a lot cheaper, and everything would be located in one location. You could also try and hook up with local churches for donations of used items, as well as run adds in the local Tico newspapers for donations, or even offer to buy the stuff, at a lower rate than you would sell it for of course. You could even have a dollar only (c500) section for new stuff, like a General Dollar store has. Just a thought.
ShyOne

This is also something i've been thinking about. I've got several opportunities in the fire that i'm doing the due dilligence on. There's a lot of really good opportunities.

If you speak spanish, a great service to start would be a concierge service for gringo/a's, where you find stuff, arrange deals, run errands, etc.. Lots of gringo's really don't want to be bothered with that stuff.

Hate to burst your bubble but there are Tico's who provide that service and have great references.They have a great advantage in that they allredy have contacts in almost every government agency, bank, service, etc. Need some names check out the Yahoo group Costa Rica Living.

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

You think we could get this moved to the Living, Working, Investing and Retiring forum?

With the priceof housing approaching that in the United States, I think you should start a business selling mobile homes.

Looked into this:

light manufacturing is one of the biggest opportunities in Costa Rica. You have a great location. You are in the center of Central America. New trade agreements make business much easier. The population is well educated and under employed labor would be a huge opportunity.

A suggestion as for the types of things to manufacture. Molded plastic like ice chest, lawn furniture and storage containers.

Lee

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PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

I've looked into light mfg in CR ( I do it in the states, screw machines) still a lot of obstacles. Although they are educated, finding talented help is hard to find (was at a supplier fair in Nov) so I heard it from a lot of machine shops and molding shops. As we all know, the infrastructure sucks. Best bet, in my opinion, is to hook up with a local ( that you can trust) and they can help you with who to bribe etc., etc. The work force is very transient also, when it comes to mfg.......just like the old days in the USA.......toss them a quarter more an hour, and they jump.......
Good luck
Squidface

I'm sure you guys already know this, but here's a warning anyway.

Running a business in Costa Rica is a HUGE pain in the ass. It is nothing like running a business in North America, even in the same industry. You WILL deal with a mountain of bullshit.

Just be careful and make sure you have good lawyers

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heredia porn king

I've just decided to print and sell my own weekly newspaper outside the DelRey.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

I know it was said a little tongue in cheek but I think alot of those ideas have great potential!

I also agree with Fuzebox. Online business where everything is based in Costa Rica (or many other foreign countries) is the way to go.

The best idea came from my fellow CRT'er MadHatter. He suggested a Crispy Creme Donut Franchise between the Del Rey and the Presidente Hotel.

Can't you just see the chicas vacating the Del Rey when the sign lit up with sweetie for the hour in hand to get him to buy her something for her sweet tooth. It might also be something that would take the taste of old gringo out of her mouth. Just think, when you kissed her at the Del Rey, that white stuff in the corner of her mouth might be sugar - might not be.

I actually looked into it and learned the CR franchise was owned by a close friend of the Crispy Creme folks who is holding it for future investment. No interest in selling. Oh Well,

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Slut Puppy in Training

Is low self esteem a prerequisite for being a good Ho or is it a result? ;-)

Check with Dunkin Donuts. They are rumored to becoming to CR every few months, for the past five years at least, but still nothing. Isn't there also a Canadiam donut chain called Tim Horton or something like that?

With the government talking about adding 4000 police officers in the next few years there will be a goldmine in donuts.

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