www.CostaRicaTicas.com

For those use to seeing the President of the US ride around in his bullet proof limousine with flashing red and blue grill lights I think this story makes an interesting comparison to how things in CR are a little more "low key"

From Inside Costa Rica this morning.

President Gets New Car, "Old" One Would Not Pass Riteve
Following the report last week that thousands of government vehicles are on the bling and without "revisión tecnica" (the annual vehicular inspection), president Oscar Arias had to change his car as well, because the "presidential" ride that was used by former presidents Rodríguez and Pacheco, is "parked" and will be for some time.

Apparently, the 1998 Lexus that was inaugurated by Miguel Ángel Rodríguez is parked because it has bad brakes, a bad battery, is leaking motor oil and the upholstery is in poor condition.

The president decided to replace the "old" ride eliminating the risk of getting a fine or being rejected by "Riteve" - the state monopoly on vehicular inspection, with a new "KIA Opirus".

The new ride is the most luxury vehicle built by KIA, with leather seating, 8 air bags, a 3.5 litre engine and with only 800 kilometres on the odometre. The car costs ¢17 million colones (us$33.250 dollars).

The vehicle was first lent to the Cancillería (Foreign Ministry) last year and was donated by the government of Taiwan.

José Torres, vice-minister for the Presidencia, said the president will use this vehicle until a better one is found.

President Arias, said he would prefer to use his Jeep Cherokee to handle the "potholes".

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

I'm not surprised it's a Korean car......seems to be more of them in CR than anything.

Some motor vehicle oddities I've seen going down the street in CR:

1. A late model, bright red Corvette.

2. A late model Buick LeSabre.

3. A classic Chevy Nova.

4. A stake body truck with rear mud flaps that read.....HARRISBURG TRUCK BODY.

Zebra

The strangest oddity I ever saw was an SUV with NJ plates parked in th parking lot of the Key Largo.

Have seen both a Hummer and an Escalade with FL plates in San Jose. But as long as they still have US plates means the import fees and taxes have not been paid. Big time savings until they get caught.

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

President Arias, said he would prefer to use his Jeep Cherokee to handle the "potholes".[/quote]

I find this encouraging that Arias at least knows that the streets are in terrible condition. Now if we could just get him to acknowledge the muggings on the street from the DR to Chelles, maybe he would order a cop with a phucking machine gun to discourage the assholes.

Its legal to bring your US plated car to CR for 90 days (same as your personal visa) with option to extend another 90 days before either paying the taxes and plating in CR, or sending it home. Since roll on roll off services are available between $300-600 between FLA or Texas and Limon, some people choose to bring their own vehicles for a seasonal stay versus renting at what can be ridiculous rates during high season.

All very true Tman but there are those who bring cars in and never nationalize them. Go to a certain Escazu restaurant and see the US plates on the owners vehicle. Been over 2 years that I know of.

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

A quote that President Arias made in the article concerning his new wheels:



A picture from La Nacion:

http://insidecostarica.com/dailynews/20 ... cionpa.jpg

Seems El Presidente knows whats going on in the streets of San Jose.

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

I saw this the other day.

Below is from:
http://www.worldheadquarters.com/cr/vehicle_transport/

As a tourist, you are afforded the right to drive the vehicle for three months without paying taxes. The time begins when you enter the country, not when the vehicle enters the country. For example, if you enter Costa Rica on the 1st of October, but your vehicle enters on the 1st of November, you will only have two months to drive the vehicle, not three. This is very important to keep in mind. You will be required to pay a local tax, some additional fees, all of which add up to around $90.00 US (normally this is all part of the customs procedure). At the end of three months, you have the right to extend the right to drive the vehicle for an additional three months. In order to do this you must follow the following procedure (this is what the law stipulates):

You have to leave the country prior to the three month limit, anywhere for 48 hours. When you re-enter, they will re-stamp your passport, which will allow you to drive the vehicle for three additional months. If you wait until the three month period is up, theoretically you are required by law to pay the taxes on the vehicle. We highly recommend that you do not drive the vehicle if the permit has expired. Any vehicle being driven after the permit has expired is by law, an abandoned vehicle. The police have the legal right to confiscate the vehicle and not give it back. Most likely, they will compound the vehicle until the taxes are paid. Either way, it will not be fun.

Special Considerations:
Always keep the permission papers in the vehicle at all times. If you are pulled over and cannot produce the documents, they will detain you and most likely compound the vehicle.

Do not, under any circumstances, allow a local Costa Rican to drive your vehicle. By law, only the person(s) on the permission slip can drive the vehicle. It is illegal for a Costa Rican to drive a tourist vehicle; the transit police have the legal right to compound the vehicle. A hefty fine could result, or even worse, they could force you to pay taxes on the vehicle.

I wonder if you can drive into Panama before your 90 days and then return 3 days later. Does this start the whole procedure again?

Lionking

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"You can only keep a secret between two people if the other one is dead." Ben Franklin