General Info

[Stevewxly]

Hi Dave here,

I'm coming to SA in Jan. I start in BA and then going to COL. I intend on going to a 3rd country. Maybe CR. Could anyone please explain what CR is like compared to COL and BA. I have RTFF, but I think if someone who has been to 2 or 3 of these places, thry would be able to make a very accurite comparsion. Also what is the level of english spoken compared to COL and BA?

Thanks Dave

Dave
If you want an anwer to your questions, then I think you are going to have to drop the abbreaviations and spell out what you mean.

There are lots of standard abbreavations on Jackson's list...but when I checked it seems that not too many of yours are included on the list......so
unless you want to be SOL on your plans in CR, COL, & BA then please take the time to say what you mean in ' plain English ' - I believe you will get more good responses to your questions that way.

[Davekphp]

Hi Dave here,

I'm coming to SA in Jan. I start in BA and then going to COL. I intend on going to a 3rd country. Maybe CR. Could anyone please explain what CR is like compared to COL and BA. I have RTFF, but I think if someone who has been to 2 or 3 of these places, thry would be able to make a very accurite comparsion. Also what is the level of english spoken compared to COL and BA?

Thanks Dave

[Mr Jetsetter]

Aybolit

Multi Spa is a nice gym very near the southwest corner of Parque Central. Fully equipped weight room on one floor, bikes, treadmills and stepmasters on another. Weekly membership: 11,000 colones.

[RexG]

Thank you Steve for the info, that helped a lot!

A few more questions:

2) Any recommended one on one spanish instructors? I saw one spanish school online that is close to centro that charges 20 dollars an hour for 1 on 1 instruction. Sounds a bit expensive for central america (1 on 1 instruction in Ecuador was 4 dollars.

Thanks!

I really enjoyed taking Spanish lessons at Costa Rican Language Academy. I took group lessons for three weeks but there were only two students in my group. The school quotes private lessons at 19.80 per hour. It is located in San Pedro, about a 30 minute walk from Sportsmen's Lodge.

http://www.spanishandmore.com/

[Aybolit]

Thank you Steve for the info, that helped a lot!

A few more questions:

1) Any gyms in San Jose where I can purchase a week long pass to work out? (weights) near centro preferably or within commutable distance

2) Any recommended one on one spanish instructors? I saw one spanish school online that is close to centro that charges 20 dollars an hour for 1 on 1 instruction. Sounds a bit expensive for central america (1 on 1 instruction in Ecuador was 4 dollars.

3) Any feedback on masseuse Marisol who specialized in massages with HJ at the end who charges 25000 colones? Is that a reasonable price? This is her page: http://costaricamassage.ning.com/

Thanks!

[Stevewxly]

Although I am not an expert on this subject - Here is what I know and have experienced: the deal on cell phones for Costa Rica -

They are difficult to get, and are expensive.

I had a rental cell phone a year ago and use it for 90 days while in San Jose. It was rented online and I picked it up when I got to San Jose. I used it for without any problems.
The electric company ICE controls all cell phone usage in CR. Only residents or others with pensionado statas can get a cell phone line, and there are many, many more customers who would like to have a cell phones than there are lines or numbers to go around. So your option is that you will need to buy a new phone ( and they prices are about double of what you would expect to pay in the US/Nicaragua or Panama) and then you will need to find a Tico to sign for it and get it activated for you, or you can just buy a cell phone with a local CR number from a Tico - usually at an inflated price, or lastly you can rent one to use there...... and the price will be more than what would it would be elsewhere.

The rental price is actually not too bad....my phone ran about $ 50.00 a month for the basic service plus about 5 cents per minute for usage. So figure on about $ 75.00 to $ 100.00 a month to get and use a cell phone in Costa Rica. And this would be a basic phone without internet, gps, or any of the other premium services that we are accustomed to having on our cell phones in the US.

It is much more economical to get a cell phone in Nicaragua or Panama - where you can buy a brand new phone for around $ 20.00 and then buy a SIM card for another $ 10.00 to get started. Usage should run around $ 25-35.00 a month in either of those countries- depending upon how much you use the phone.....but cell phones are a whole different deal in Costa Rica.

Every ho you see, of course, has a cell phone because they all have disposable income coming from Gringos......easy come - easy go.
But for the most part - your average CR citizen can not afford a cell phone unless they have it for business or their company pays for it......and most companies there will not do this unless the employee is a higher up executive.

There just isn't any good cheap way to have and use a cell phone in CR......like there is in the other Central American countries.

You can do a search on renting cell phones in Costa Rica prior to leaving your home country for info -

[Fantasy]

Was also one of the Dentists I visited before deciding. I found him just as you described. Very nice guy indeed. I only chose Rita and her office because of her Credentials (She teaches twice a month in Miami) and I was a little more impressed with her office and equipment. Dr. Chen was a little cheaper on all procedures but I felt Rita was cheap enough.

[Stevewxly]

I would like to recommend Dr Sergio Chen in San Jose for dental work. His father was the orginal Dr Chen, who is now retired & of Chinese extraction - and his mother is a native Costa Rican. Dr Chen speaks perfect English also, so communicating with him is very easy.

I had two crowns put on by Dr Chen - two years ago for a very reasonable price - $ 100.00 for each crown. The crowns were a stainless steel core with a porcelain top. Both crowns have since proved to be excellent - no problems at all.

Dr Chen has a modern dental clinic in downtown San Jose, and can usually get you in and your work done in a day or two.
He does everything from crowns, dentures, tooth replacement, bridges, whitening, XRay, dental implants....you name it and he does it well.

Also he has his own laboratory on the top floor of his clinic so he can fit you for what you need, and then usually have the item manufactured that day and ready to install the next day....like crowns.....done in two visits.

His current prices are $ 150.00 for a standard crown and a little more for a Gold Crown if you desire. Full X Rays run about $ 40.00 - I believe.

One of my friends from Ohio recently had him do some dental work on him, and his total was less than $ 1,000.00 USD...but my friend commented that it would have been around $ 6,000.00 to $ 7.000.00 had he had the work done in the USA by an American dentist.

Dr Chen is highly competent and has done work on many, many Americans, Europeans, as well as the local Tico's.

Also Dr Chen is a GEM of a fellow.....I believe he is the most polite, humble & genuine caring medical professional that I have ever met. You will not be disappointed with Dr Chen, nor will you have to pay a great deal of money for his work.

I just broke a tooth this week, and will no doubt need to contact him to schedule another visit to have him repair that tooth. Would probably cost me around $ 800 to 900.00 in the US....he will charge around $ 150.00 for the tooth repair - may need a crown or root canal, or whatever.....I am not sure.
So far I am lucky - as it is not painful and I can probably wait a while before it needs to be fixed.


............................................


His contact info:

Dr Sergio Chen
Phone: 2222-0063 or 2233-2703

Email - schepu@racsa.co.cr

Clinic Location :

Calle 6, Ave. 4 y 6, 50 mts. Sur del antiguo Registro Civil, San Jose, Costa Rica ((( The clinic is approx. 6 blocks from the Parque Central on 2nd Ave. - or 6-7 blocks from the Royal Dutch Casino on 2nd Ave. )))

[Fantasy]

So many have ask about my dentist in Costa Rica that I decided to add a link to her website. I hope Jackson doesn't care, It is actually a way to get better prices from the "girls". They like a good looking smile and it seems to help their GFE attitude.

http://www.smileinparadise.com

[Soft Bob]

Yes the Mercado Central should be a good place to find fake luggage and handbags. Even fake toys and Barbie Dolls. There is no equivalent to our FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and I am sure the shops are flooded with fakes from China. Go into some of the shops along Central Ave. As well on your way to Mercardo Central.

Good lucK!

[Superman06]

I plan a trip to costa rica and had a few questions I hope you guys can help. I would like to know if in the market places if there are fake or counterfit coach bags or purses. This is kind of how I make a little profit when I travel to other countries. If not is there any kind of things I can buy there and bring back to sell!!! Please help me, any direction would help.

Geo

You might try Mercado Cenral. It's several block with all manner of merchandise. I've never looked for fake coach bags but I'm sure there available. Just wondering if their cheaper abroad than buying them at some flea market back home? Do you have to pay duty on faux items?

[Lowkey1]

I plan a trip to costa rica and had a few questions I hope you guys can help. I would like to know if in the market places if there are fake or counterfit coach bags or purses. This is kind of how I make a little profit when I travel to other countries. If not is there any kind of things I can buy there and bring back to sell!!! Please help me, any direction would help.

Geo

[Fuddzie]

In the past when I was going to the Dominican Rep I would bring sex toys such as dildos to use as tips. They really enjoyed receiving these things on more than one level. Bringing them in the country was never a problem as no one ever checked my bags. Would this be a good thing to do in Costa Rica?

[Lexb]

Or you could ask someone while you are waiting in the customs/immigration lines or after you clear same if they would like to split the cost of a taxi to downtown.

You could approach anyone but you would probably be more successful if you singled out a solo male traveler to ask.

[Soft Bob]

Yes the shuttle bus should be good, I think you have to book in advance unless you see it outside where they have come to pick someone else up.

If you are 2 or 3 persons being picked up from a couple of different flights you may find that you have to wait till they have picked up all the passengers. This could be upto an hour delay but should be acceptable. Also a little extra time dropping others off at different hotels before getting to yours.

Another thing to be aware of is NOT to change money at the arrivals money changing booth at the airport. You get the worst rate in the world. Go upstairs to the bank in the departures area or wait till you are at your hotel.
Keep a few $5 and $1 with you to use till you change money.