costaricalearn.com blog

Monday, June 30, 2014

Costa Rica Learn

Problems with Buying Real Estate in Costa Rica

Posted: 29 Jun 2014 09:12 PM PDT

This is a testimonial from Jean McNight
I wouldn’t recommend buying land in Costa Rica unless it is already developed and has infrastructure. I bought 2 pieces of property in different places in 2006. The developer abandoned both properties. One of the properties was taken over by a Mafiosa guy who burned down the caretaker’s house an locked up the access road. The other piece of property is trying to be developed by an owner’s group but the government is dragging their feet with a well drilling permit. Apparently a neighboring property has waited 5 years so far. Real Estate in CR and all the associated legal business is a cottage industry. There is no incentive to resolve ownership or development issues. You just keep paying the taxes and attorney’s fees until you decide to give up, and they sell the property again to some other fool.

I have written several post related to buying property in Costa Rica. And the main thing I emphasize is absentee ownership. Even if you property is “managed by someone”

You should NOT leave your property unattended unless you have someone living on it–someone that you know and trust.

And as Mr. McNight states raw land that is not yet developed–well that is a No, No.

Land and home prices in Costa Rica are highly speculative..making it difficult to determine the “market price for a property” There are no multiple listing like we have in USA to help investigate the going market price for property. And real estate sale persons are not licensed by the government.

Please read this: http://costaricalearn.com/learn-your-lesson-problems-with-buying-real-estate-in-costa-rica

Poas Volcano in the Central Valley Costa Rica- Big Tourist Attraction

Posted: 29 Jun 2014 09:00 PM PDT

The Poas Volcano is putting on a show. Here are some photos of it’s recent activity. This activity is not severe enough to cause any harm to tourist who come to view the beautiful geyser.

If you are vacationing in Costa Rica and want a wonderful day outing in the central valley, then take a tour to the Poas Volcano National Park. It is only thirty five minutes from Alajuela. The walk from your vehicle to the crater is around 10 minutes and the eco system is gorgeous with dozens of huge “poor man umbrella” plants along your path. There are two hiking trails within the park. One takes forty five minutes and leads you up to the picturesque old crater lake. The other path gives you a brisk hike through a dense rainforest and this one takes thirty minutes. Be sure to stop at the park coffee shop for a delicious cup of Costa Rican coffee. Also there is a small natural history museum of the volcano and its surroundings.

On the way back down from the National park stop at one of several “Tico” Restaurants for a delicious typical Costa Rican lunch . My favorite is Freda Fressa-a family owned small restaurant which serves very typical food such as rice and black beans with grilled chicken, fried plantains, tortillas, and cabbage slaw. Natural fruit drinks are also their specialty. My favorite is Papaya in milk made into a smoothie.

If you would like to arrange a day outing to the Poas Volcano National Park, contact Ann, The Costa Rica Expert. www.costaricalearn.com

vocano062614 290x300 Poas Volcano in the Central Valley Costa Rica Big Tourist Attraction

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Costa Rica Learn

Vacation in Costa Rica Plus Cheap and Excellent Dental Work

Posted: 17 May 2014 06:13 PM PDT

I just came back from spending two weeks in Costa Rica. My name is Denise Simms. I went primarily for extensive dental work which cost me one fourth of the estimate I got here in southern Florida. I was very very pleased with the results and with the dentist and her staff who were friendly, courteous, and professional.

I stayed at Xinia’s Costa Rica Vacation Homestay located 4 miles north of Alajuela in the Central Valley 6 miles from San Jose’s International airport. I learned about it through Ann Cabezas Creed www.costaricalearn.com

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Costa Rica Learn

It’s A Long Way from Abbeville, Alabama-USA to Gautusa, Costa Rica

Posted: 16 Jun 2014 05:49 PM PDT

It's a Long Way from Abbeville, Alabama, USA to Gautuso, Costa Rica

It was the first week of June and very hot. We traveled in a northeasterly direction out of the shadow of the mighty Arenal Volcano. Our destination was the small rural farming community of Guatuso in northern Costa Rica. The original inhabitants of this area were the Maleku. Today only six hundred and fifty of them remain making their living by hand carving wood in different shapes of animals, birds, and flowers and then hand painting them in very bright colors. These beautiful works of art are sold to tourist who come to hike the trail along the Blue River.
Yes, the River really is blue taking its color from the minerals in the water. The river has its birth place deep underground the Tenorio Volcano.

I along with my friend Paulette came to visit the Tujankir School located at the end of a long winding dirt road ten miles outside the small village of Guatuso. Here sixty kindergarten and grammar school students from the surrounding area attend along with four teachers. The student body is a mix of Costa Ricans, Nicaraguan immigrants, and Maleku Indians. Our mission was to deliver seventeen soccer uniforms and four soccer balls donated by the Abbeville United Methodist Church in Abbeville, Alabama. Also we delivered school supplies – card games, color crayons, writing paper, legos, and pencils and pens.

Dressed in their new uniforms the boys and also the girls eyes lighted up with great enthusiasm as they began to play a game of soccer. And we cheered from the sidelines.

Afterwards we were invited to a delicious lunch at the Tujankir School prepared by a young Costa Rican woman who welcomed us with a big smile.

The school was recently built, only one year before and painted a bright blue color. Bright sunlight filtered through large windows and into the classrooms. Children sat at wooden desk and used notebooks to copy lessons as the teacher spoke. They had no books.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Costa Rica Learn

Rainforest-Costa Rica’s Greatest Treasure

Posted: 12 Jun 2014 06:52 PM PDT

Joyce Kilmer. 1886–1918

TREES

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

COSTA RICA’S RAINFOREST

Twenty per cent of Costa Rica’s land mass is protected by national parks or wildlife preserves.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Costa Rica Learn

Denise Simms WRites about Xinia’s Costa Rica Vacation Homestay

Posted: 22 May 2014 01:50 PM PDT

Denise said, “I learned of Xinia’s Costa Rica Vacation Homestay thru a friend Ann Cabezas Creed. It was perfect for me because I was traveling alone to Costa Rica for Dental Work.

Xinia (fluent in English) provided a lovely place for me to stay-I had my own private room with private bath for $35 per day and it came with a tropical breakfast of delicious Costa Rican coffee and fresh tropical fruits and fresh breads and tortillas. Xinia drove me to my dental appointments and stayed with me. Which made me much less apprehensive about getting the dental work.

My dental work which was a superb job cost me approx one third of the quote I got in Florida. I had fillings, crowns, a root canal, and a partial bridge–all of which I am very very happy with. I highly recommend coming to Costa for dental work. Upon request I will be happy to provide the name of my dentist and her phone number.

The second week an old friend of mine joined me and we enjoyed Costa Rica. We went exploring to Arenal. Xinia drove drove us there in her comfortable van. We stayed at the Volcano Lodge for 2 nights and did the exciting zip line and hanging bridges walk. Later we went to Paradise Hot Springs and bask in the wonderful hot mineral waters. All of this was set up for us by Ann, The Costa Rica Expert www.costaricalearn.com “Vacation Planning to Costa Rica” and we were extremely pleased with her services. We recommend her to help you plan your Costa Rica vacation because she sure saved us a lot of time figuring out where to stay in Arenal and setting up our adventure tours while we were there.

Being there for 14 days I could practically write a book about all the fun things I did and how staying with an authentic Costa Rica Family was a unique experience.!

I left feeling completely satisfied and Xinia and her lovely family are now in my heart forever. .

You may stay at Xinia’s Costa Rica Vacation Homestay by contacting anncreed23@gmail.com for reservations

1484391 460470084055635 4891048183537957601 n 300x168 Denise Simms WRites about Xinias Costa Rica Vacation Homestay

Xinia, Rolando, and Denise

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Costa Rica Learn

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Posted: 20 May 2014 08:56 PM PDT

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Saturday, May 3, 2014

Xinia's Costa Rica Vacation Homestay- Dental Work and Costa Rica Vacation at Same Time

Xinia's Costa Rica Vacation Homestay is now taking persons who want to come to Costa Rica for dental work which is much much cheaper than in the US. For example Denise (from Florida) who is presently staying with Xinia got 2 root canals at a cost of $250 each. She uses a reputable dentist in Santa Ana. I will provide you with the dentist name if you request it. Along with references.

Xinia provides room and board and transportation to and from the dental office. Room is $35 per day per person for private room with private bath. This price includes a Costa Rica Tropical Breakfast. Xinia will transport you to the dentist office for a reasonable fee and wait for you while the work is done. She stops at the grocery while you to pick up special items you may want to eat after the dental work is done. She also will drive you to fun filled adventure excursion for a reasonable fee. For example to the Poas Volcano National Park and La Paz Waterfall Garden--all within thirty minutes of her home. Also Doka Four Generations Coffee Tour is 10 minutes from Xinia's house .

Also she can arrange for your excursion to Arenal Volcano area--most popular adventure tour destination in Costa Rica- (at prices better than any other tour agency!)

Or to the beaches if you like, either the NW Guanacaste Beaches or Manuel Antonio.

Also if you want to visit the Caribbean (Tortuguero Canals) Xinia can arrange that also (best prices!)

Xinia's Costa Rica Vacation Homestay is conveniently located 6 miles north of Alajuela on the road to the Poas Volcano. This is "coffee country". The climate is perfect--around 72 F year round. No heating or air conditioning needed. The hillsides are green with beautiful coffee trees--white in the spring with sweet smelling blooms and red in November and December with the ripened coffee beans which are hand picked December through February.

The San Jose International airport is only 12 minutes from Xinia's house and she will pick you up at the airport.

What better thing to do? Get a Costa Rica Vacation and dental work at same time.   With the personal touch and hospitality which Xinia offers. And you save A Lot of money on the dental work !

Costa Rica has its own dental school and the graduates are well trained.

So what are you waiting for ...Come visit Costa Rica and have GREAT TEETH when you leave and You will be be taken care of each step of the way. No hassles-no worries.

To read all about Xinia go to www.costaricalearn.com and click on Xinia's Costa Rica Vacation Homestay.

To make arrangements email Ann and Xinia at   anncreed23@gmail.com

And we look forward to hearing from you very soon!

Warm Regards,   Xinia and Ann