www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Have you guys ever thought about starting a business in costa rica, I was in Costa Rica on November last year and i really liked the nature part of that country, i was considering in starting something over there, if you guys have any info please post it in here.

soto01...check your PM

Soto01,
Welcome to the board. Some of us already have a business (or businesses) in CR. But it's not something that you can do on a whim. CR has very strict guidelines regarding non-citizens working in CR. In short, they can't! You must know about all the restrictions as a business owner, plus employee's compensation, benefits, obligatory holiday pay, etc. It's very different from owning a business in the states.

At this point, I'm exempt from much of this, as my company in CR has no 'employees', but you have to be careful how you proceed with setting up a business, especially in a foreign land. Tman would be a good person to talk to about this subject.

Make sure you do your homework on this one.

Best of luck & welcome to CRT.

Mucho Gusto

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Soto - great advice from Mucho Gusto. I have not started a company in CR, but may do so in the future. I have started companies in about seven other countries and often found the differences in laws and work attitude overwhelming. I could not figure out how any company in Spain could make a profit with the number of paid holiday and vacation days. It helped that salaries were so low, but tough for an american to adjust to the notion that deadlines were not really deadlines. Oh well, I could go on forever, but I am just saying be prepared to work in a completely different environment.

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Missing CR

I know a gringo that started a rental car business in Jaco. He has 10 cars that he rents. He tells me that 50% of his business are Ticos and 50% gringos. He rents the cars from his house so he doesn't even have a storefront. Everytime I've been to his house, all of his car are rented. Since he only has 10, he tracks them on a big whiteboard that he has on his patio near the pool in his backyard.

He is the only employee. Usually, CR doesn't mind if you create a business even if it has just you as the only employee, but you can't work for another business (that is illegal). I guess they don't care if you are the only employee in a new business, because they might feel that you'll grow and hire a Tico or two or three, four, five, six, seven.... you get the idea.

It is different than the USA from what I've heard, but it isn't rocket science either. Just get a lawyer to help you with legal matters

Don't forget guys, we know a gringo that runs a hotel in CR and another that runs a MP. They seems to be doing well. It probably isn't without difficulties, but that's business.

I think there is a great need for dependable service oriented businesses in CR. The Ticos have a problem showing when they are scheduled so from what I've heard, it isn't difficult to out shine the Ticos in the same line of business as you.

I'd wouldn't discourage going into business in CR, however I would encourage you to choose the type of business you want to create carefully.

*

Hey guys, If anyone needs CR corporation formation info let me know and I will emial you want I have and save you some time. I have been "brain picking" different firms in town. They each send out process documents as well as costs.... The costs are all over the board.

oops, forgot email.

marc@marclingroup.com

also, a great resource is the Costa Rican/American Chamber of Commerice.

http://www.amcham.co.cr/

They have a diretory of American companies in CR... for 20 bucks.

Dang, I wish I had a hot Tica story to tell. My chick is X Columbian CIA. she is an expert at counter survalliance.

I know my spelling sucks.. Go Lakers

After interviewing a few different attorney and asking many questions, I finally made a selection to assist me with setting up a legal business in CR. I am using María Fernanda Chavarría Bravo, Cordero & Cordero Abogados Tel (506) 258-2525, Fax (506) 258-3820.

She is very bright and speaks solid English AND she is honest AND AND she is real cute. I am setting up a corportation to do recruitng.

I made my decision based upon her professionalism and honesty.

Oh, by the way, the Attorney office is located nice and close to Machu Pichu chu chu.

And her cuteness had nothing to do with your decision?

(She sounds great but...how do you know she's so great if you haven't used her yet?)

_________________

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

Beachdago wrote:



While I do not know the attorney María Fernanda Chavarría Bravo I do have experience with the firm.

They have been around since 1940 and are very well respected. When you walk into their office it is set up exactly like a US law firm. I found them to be very through and reasonable with their fees.

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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

Soto,

With similar thoughts in mind I picked up Living Abroad In Costa Rica by Erin Van Rheenan which you should easily find in a Borders or the like. I found it to be a decent introduction to the relocation process. They have some good info on starting a biz, a nice summary of labor laws, and some profiles of gringos who have done it. A good place to start, I think.

Phoenix

for a new expat entrepreur, before selecting line of business, might also be wise to understand matters regarding US taxes on foreign source income, and relatively favorable capital gains tax regulations in CR

check everything thoroughly!!