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I would like to generate some discussion regarding the departure fees for leaving Costa Rica. Some posts have suggested the rate has increased from about $17 to about $40 US. Does this need to be in American currency? If so, this information could be very helpful.
The fee for foreigners has gone up to $27.00, if I recall correctly, but I know for sure it isn't $40. I think 40 may be for Ticos. Also, now you have to go to a special table inside the airport to get your fee paid. These tables are on either side to the left or right as you enter the airport inside, facing the check-in lines of the airlines. Allow time. I had to wait 20 minutes and it was a rather slow morning. I haven't inquired as to whether or not one can buy them in advance, which is what I used to do. I would buy my exit fee stamp when I landed, saving me the hassle at the departure. But now, they have a whole new system.
Lease, do not buy property in Costa Rica.
Today's A. M. Costa Rica has another article on why it is dangerous to buy property in CR.
Aside from being overvalued in a weak market, title problems abound. This cannot be overstated. You have been warned. It is not like common law countries that you may be used to. Agents are dishonest. Lawyers are more dishonest (gulp). Squatters are dishonest. People who watch and oversee your property are dishonest. Tenants are dishonest. Registration officials are dishonest. Sellers are dishonest. Tax officials are dishonest. There is no legal recourse. "Title insurance" will not cover you due to exceptions to coverage...
I have given this warning in the past, and people have argued the dangers are not true. I feel like beating my head on the wall.
They are taken by the romance of it all and buy anyway.
The below is from the paper:
Flaws in file may cost you your property
By Garland M. Baker
special to A.M. Costa Rica
On Nov. 22 all annotations over 1 year old will expire and be purged at the Registro National, Costa Rica’s national registry of properties. This could affect you and your property if for some reason its title is not clear or fully registered.
Here’s a little background. On Nov. 22, 1998, a new notary law was approved and took effect. Before that date all property (real and chattel) annotations would never expire. An annotation is a note on a property’s computer file that indicates a document is pending registration and is defective for some reason. A document can be incomplete for even simple problems, like not enough legal stamps were affixed, taxes could be due, or a number like a cédula (identification number) is incorrect.
The new notary law changed the time limit to one year that a document can be in a limbo un-registered state. However, to give everyone a chance, the old annotations (prior to Nov. 22, 1998) were "grandfathered" and given five years to be fixed. This extended period ends this November and approximately 150,000 unregistered documents with annotations will
be purged from the National Registry’s computers.
How does this affect you? If you purchased a property, car, boat, plane, or anything else that needs its title registered and it is not complete, it could be resold again by the original owner.
For example, a good friend bought a piece of property 14 years ago in Santa Ana. This property was part of a larger parcel that was subdivided.
The original document covering the subdividing of the property presented to the National Registry was found to be defective and for 14 years the transaction has been in suspense. If this registration is purged on Nov. 22, the original owner and/or heirs could place a new request to divide the property differently and re-sell the parcels.
What should you do? Anyone can obtain a printout of any property via the Internet at http://consultas.registronacional.go.cr. If annotations exist, a microfilm copy can be obtained to verify why the property was not registered.
There are a lot of pitfalls in buying property in CR. However to say not to buy any property (if you'll be living there or using it extensively) is nonsense.
I recently transferred a property and it was a complicated ordeal. The main reason being that the municipality had given back some "green space" land bordering the property. This required a survey and other BS. It took about 9 months to clear up. However, I gained about 15% more land, so it was worth it.
This cost a total of $300, including all the transfer fees, survey and lawyer fees.
Make sure you have a lawyer you can trust, and you have to make sure that everything is done correctly. You can't just send off a check to somebody and expect to have things work out.
I would not recommend buying real estate solely for investment in CR. It is expensive, and unless you will gain subtantial use out of it, you're doubtful to recoup your investment. As most people will tell you, go for a few years, get a feel for the scene and then rationally decide if purchasing is for you.
TACA sent me an e-mail advertising a 2-day fare sale from North America to Central America and vice versa. Looks like r/t fares from most places in the U.S. to SJO are starting at around 280 USD. Travel dates are February, March, and May. Act fast!
For those thinking of heading to CR, United has a fare sale through the 16th: Dulles to SJ, CR 139!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sample fares (M-Th, I think)
Boston – San José, Costa Rica
$199
Buffalo – San José, Costa Rica3
$189
Charlotte – San José, Costa Rica2
$189
Chicago – San José, Costa Rica
$169
Columbus, OH – San José, Costa Rica
$189
Detroit – San José, Costa Rica
$189
Hartford, CT – San José, Costa Rica2
$189
Indianapolis – San José, Costa Rica1,2
$189
New York City – San José, Costa Rica
$199
Newark – San José, Costa Rica
$199
Philadelphia – San José, Costa Rica
$189
Pittsburgh – San José, Costa Rica
$189
Raleigh-Durham, NC – San José, Costa Rica1,2
$189
Washington, D.C. – San José, Costa Rica
$139
A report like the last one leaves out a lot of important facts. These fares are ONE WAY, and not round trip. Plus you need to add taxes and fees on also. From some gateways these are good fares, but nothing orgasmic. About $330 for the lowest fares, up to $450 for the Boston flights
Anyone know anything about the service called Costa Rica GG Escorts?
Their site is http://www.costaricaescort.com/indexen.htm
Prices SEEM high, but Im not all that familiar with the cost of Chicas in Costa Rica. I am more into the "rent a companion" experience as opposed to the timed encounter experiences. But to each his own.
Hey Racker,
I used the GG escort service a few times. The girls are great. The lady who runs the service is Johana. She is a great person to talk with and she will work with you to get you the girl you want. If you ask her, she'll send you pic's of the girls she has available ahead of time, and you can pick from there. Yes, it is a little expensive, but each and ever one of the girls I've used with her have been 110% true GFE, and no rush or pressure. I relied on her service because several of my trips had me staying out by the airport, and as you know, there isn't much in the way of action out there. I highly recommend the GG service if you are willing to pay those prices.
If you want, you can PM me and I'll send you the last round of pictures I received from Johana.
I appreciate your help on this!
I will probably contact Johanna directly. Seems she has just what I am looking for if I am going to Costa Rica.
Racker,
One change. Thanks to input from another selective gentleman such as ourselves, there is a USERID and Password that you can use on their site to see all the girls they have to offer.
www.costaricaggescorts.com
Go to the "Members Area", and use:
UserID: costarica
Password: getaway
A virtual library of lust!!
And again, the lady who runs it, Johana, is so easy to talk to.
Best of luck, bud!
Thanks again, Member.
I truly appreciate it!
Did anyone read the story about the American Airlines pilot who went on the p.a. system of the plane he was flying to 1) ask those who were Christians to raise their hands and 2) then ask those Christians to share their faith with their non-Christian seat mates?
I read the one article I found pretty closely. Turns out the pilot had just come back from a "Christian fishing trip to Costa Rica" and was just flushed with the brotherly love he encountered during the trip. Wonder if he caught a lot of pink snapper?
I would like to visit either central or south America in late March or April and would like to ask you guys which country would fit my list of needs. I have read a lot of good things on this form about Argentina, Costa Rica and Peru but the exchange rate for these countries dont seem to be nearly as good as Columbia or Chile. I would also like to know the best web sites to get the lowest airfares to central,south America from the western US.
1. A country that has hot beautiful working girls that are very cheap(20-50 dollars all day or all night action)
2. One in which the ladies(both working and regular ladies)are crazy for white American men for GFE.One in which it is very easy to get dates at bars,malls,discos,coffee shops etc.
3. The country that has the best airfares from western US.
4. Cheap lodging.
This is a great form and you guys have given me a lot of very useful info.Thanks for all the great help you guys give!
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