Geckos don’t need a residency card. Costa Rica has been host to thousands of foreigners who have settled here for four centuries (if one counts the Spanish.) But before the 1990s, none of them were able to scuttle across the ceiling like spiders. That ubiquitous little Far Eastern lizard, the gecko, may have hitched a…
Should you select Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately when marrying a Costa Rican? It has become common for US Persons to find love abroad. You’ll often hear of an American moving to Costa Rica and marrying a young Tico or Tica. A U.S. citizen or permanent resident needs to consider a few tax…
The final part of the Caja Saga, a real story about a Canadian getting her Caja carnet. I recommend you read my other blogs about the Caja saga, as you will understand better what is involved for a Canadian to get your Caja carnet for your Costa Rican social security up to date nowadays. In the…
Want to join the Caja del Seguro Social? I did, so I decided to tell you about it. When a foreigner wants to become a resident in Costa Rica, it is mandatory to join the Caja del Seguro Social. In the last two weeks, I have been telling you all about my adventure of getting…
There was no good quality assisted living in Costa Rica until now. I have spoken to a few US and Canadian based corporations about it over the years, but it simply never happened. I was impressed with the open house of Verdeza, a new assisted living facility in Costa Rica that will be inaugurated before…
Ever tried to get an authenticated marriage certificate from your home country? Well, I had to, and here is the story. Last week, I told you about the renovation of my Caja carnet in Costa Rica and the need for delivering an authenticated marriage certificate from my home country, Canada. I have found a way of obtaining…
Estimated Reading Time: 4 Minutes Public Health insurance is mandatory for foreign residents (CAJA), but private health insurance is also available. If you move to Costa Rica and get your legal residency, you will also have to apply for the C.C.S.S. The C.C.S.S. is the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social or the Costarican Department of…
Wondering what to do when you have a car accident in Costa Rica? If you are a tourist, citizen, or legal resident in Costa Rica, and you have a car accident, no matter how small or ugly the accident is: DO NOT MOVE YOUR CAR. If you are blocking traffic in the middle of a…
When living abroad as a US expat, you’re supposed to know what FBAR is. Do you? Filing a US expat tax return is a daunting task for many American expatriates. Although US citizens and green card holders are aware of foreign earned income exclusion, foreign housing exclusion, and foreign tax credit, many American expats do not…
Costa Rica has an amazing Senior Citizen Discount program. In my blog “what do Costa Rica expats want” I suggested a 65+ program for retirees without knowing such a program already existed. Other countries like Panama do have a senior citizen discount program widely advertised but the Costa Rican government advertises their program only to…
Not too many foreigners are familiar with the northern suburbs of San Jose. Costa Rica also has normal middle-class neighborhoods like any other country in the world has. When you read articles about Costa Rica real estate, you will always read about luxury homes for sale or homes on the golf course as well as…
Like in so many other towns in Costa Rica, there is an Escazu Farmers Market. We call it “la Feria del Agricultor” or just “La Feria”. Go native and do your fresh fruit and vegetable purchases at la feria. You will be saving yourself a lot of money. The Escazu Farmers market is held every…
Prospects like to know what Heredia real estate amenities are available in the city of the flowers. In case you didn’t know, Heredia city is called “La Ciudad de las Flores“. The real reason for that name is the presence of the Flores family in that part of the country. But La Ciudad de las…
I decided to write an article about how to donate your organs after you pass away in Costa Rica because I’ve had a lot of expats ask about it. But before you call me with any questions on how to donate your organs, read this article first. Actually, this is one of the most difficult…
Why would you need an exit visa for your car in Costa Rica? If the car is yours, why would you need an exit visa to cross a border with it? Unfortunately, if you ever plan to leave Costa Rica WITH your car, you need to go through the red tape of getting an exit…
Why does a Costa Rica real estate company publish a blog about Costa Rica funeral homes and cemeteries? Well, because we at American European Real Estate Group not only sell properties. We relocate and we hold your hand all the way through your due diligence. Our agents not only assist in your search for the…