www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello again,

Haven't checked in here since my last trip. Last time I was here was back in April when I asked the members about their opinions on visiting Costa Rica during Easter weekend, anyways I had a blast down there. Shout out to Don over at the Amistad, he definitely goes the extra mile for his patrons. Enjoyed my stay there more than at the Sportsmen the first time I visited Costa Rica.

So anyways, I'm planning on visiting again next month but had a few questions that I hope some of the members here can provide their 2 cents.

1.) How is Escazu? From Google the city looks quite posh, is the nightlife just as happening as San Jose and Jaco? Anyone been to Puerto Viejo who would recommend it? Heard a lot about it from people I met on my last trip.

2.) How is travel in late July? I'm guessing because it's the summer that it will be packed? I actually really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of Easter weekend. Now I don't expect it'll be desolate like that again but will it be like super busy with tons of mongers? There were definitely fewer women this last time when I went for Easter but still more than enough.

3.) Final question relates to ownership of land and property in Costa Rica. Can anyone point me toward a good resource for laws affecting a non-Costa Rican buying real estate? Escazu looks nice enough where I could see myself buying property for me when I go and to rent out when I'm not there. But also I see a lot of potential in other areas as well but just not sure how safe/wise it is to own land in Costa Rica. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!
(If anyone has any questions about Easter, I'll be glad to answer them.)

cannot answer your questions, but wanted to mention that Escazu is 'posh', but as you continue westward there are 'suburbs' to Escazu that the wealthier moved to when the 'riffraff' moved into Escazu. I have a novia that works as a nanny in Lindora, and the neighborhoods look like the best places in SFL.

If you need a realtor, send me a PM. (Also, the realtor is single and gorgeous, but a bit too Pura Vida for my tastes).

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

As for buying property in Costa Rica what many of us tell guys is: 1st thing-hire the best attorney you can find; 2nd thing- hire the second best attorney to watch the 1st, 3rd thing - hire the 3rd best attorney to watch both the 1srt and 2nd; 4th- don't plan on sleeping for a while because you will be busy watching all three attorneys 24/7!!! And even then 6 months later some other party is likely to try (and succeed) to siege your newly acquired property!!! So what is new IT IS A LATIN COUNTRY!!!

One other thing, and this is just my personal opinion from 20 years of experience here, property almost anywhere in Costa Rica, and especially in the Escazu/ Santa Anna area, is greatly overpriced (thinks to Gringos )

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Can any outside foreign investor buy property in Costa Rica? Or do they mostly buy it under the name of a Costa Rican citizen? I'm sure the corruption is as bad as you say, yet at the same time seeing all the ex-pats who run restaurants, bars, hotels, apartments, etc. in just the cities I've seen (Jaco and San Jose) tells me it's doable and safe as long as one knows what they're doing. Guess hire the 1st and 2nd lawyer from Costa Rica and then hire the third from the US to watch them?

Foreign investor is no problem-they welcome your money!!!! Solely based on personal observations, buying business property here seems to be less risky than buying residential property, as for as maintaining ownership goes; making a profit on said business investment--NOW that is a different story!!! For every one that succeeds, there seems to be 10+ that fail!!!! But then I am not sure how much of that can be attributed to lack of "business smarts"; you know the "drunk buys a bar", or the "horn dog buys a whorehouse" problem!!!!!!

Oh, and buying under the name of a Costa Rican (Tico) is a sure fired way to get "ripped a new one"!!!

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

A lot of gringos who operate businesses in CR rent the homes that they live in.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

An outstanding thread!!! Should be required reading for anyone who ever thought of buying here or any 3rd world Latin Country!! I personally learned the hard way 30 years ago in Mexico!!!!!

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

Supernoob asks : "1.) How is Escazu? From Google the city looks quite posh, is the nightlife just as happening as San Jose and Jaco? "

If you mean "our" nightlife, Escazu is more of a residential area with shopping and restaurants for middle class up to wealthy, "our" nightlife is no where to be found, there was or may still be some high priced establishment some people were talking about but other than that, it's more of just a nice residential area, Cima hospital, CR's version of WAlmart and a great mall are there.

I lived in Sabana Oeste for 2 years and would shop and sightsee in Escazu, it was a stones throw away. I could take the bus to San Jose, apx. 45 minutes or a cab for apx $6 to $7 bucks (2007-2009) it's probably more now. Escazu is more of a "suburb" of San Jose and for our hobby, you can go to Paseo Colon in the daytime but definitely have to go to San Jose for evening activities...

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

BB has been dealing with those shyster San Jose lawyers too much!! I have an excellent real estate lawyer if you need one.

If you buy property, it is best to open a corporation and place your property in it. The real estate lawyer can open and establish one for you for around $300.

I personally would never buy in Escazu because as the horndog Netgems pointed out...super overpriced. And Santa Ana is becoming that way. There is a nice little town next to Santa Ana called Ciudad Colon. Prices are reasonable and you have quick access to San Jose/Escazu. I also like the Sabana are but it is a bit pricy due to the proximity to San Jose.

"The horndog Netgems" What the ?? Why...Uh...Err...these scurrilous unproven accusations ....Oh what the hell, yes I am !!!!! And I'll be PROVING IT next week upon my arrival in San Jose June 18th thru June 22nd, me and my crew will be staying at the Rey but visiting SL and all the MP's, will be posting plans here for anyone who wants to join in, we're getting a good crowd of "horndogs" ready to earn that coveted title...

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

If any of your group are cigar smokers or not, stop by the Havana Humidor Room and say hello

What exactly qualifies you to call yourself a real estate agent in CR? Owning a pen?

Devo

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The most dangerous adversaries are the ones that come with a smile instead of a sword

Relatively speaking, about the same as the qualifications to be an abogado

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Thanx for the invite, we'll be there looking for some Cubans...

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...