Comments for The REAL Costa Rica Blog

Comment on New Rules for Obtaining a Costa Rica Drivers License by Tim

Tim — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:13:10 +0000

Nice comment!

The only thing I would add is that if you leave after 90 days, it is now common that you may NOT get another 90 days when you get back.

CR is cracking down on perpetual tourism, and one of their tactics is to give those returning maybe 20 days and not 90 days. This seems to be especially true for those who have left and re-entered more than one time…

Tim

Comment on New Rules for Obtaining a Costa Rica Drivers License by Kelsey

Kelsey — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:27:51 +0000

Hi Anita,
We were in a similar situation. We have applied for residency but are not approved yet. Our 90 day tourist visas expired. However, we were planning on visiting the USA in the following week and were concerned about leaving and returning. After consulting with many people, including the lawyer assisting us with our residency application and the Costa Rican consulate in the USA, here is what I learned:
You do not need a visa from the USA or CR to leave and re-enter Costa Rica. Basically, until your residency application is approved you can stay in Costa Rica. However, remember that your driver’s license is not valid once your visa has expired.
If you leave and re-enter you will be given a new tourist visa, probably good for 90 days. This will then renew your driver’s license for the same period.
You do not need to leave for 3 days in order to be given a new visa. However, remember that you need to have proof that you will be leaving CR within the 90 visa period. Yes, this is even with your pending residency application. Beacuse while the residency application allows you to stay in CR, until it is approved you are traveling in and out of the country like a tourist.
We felt sure we would have problems at the airport either leaving or coming back – to make matters more complicated I had gotten a new passport after arriving here, so my entry stamp was on my old passport. But we had no problems. Hope this helps.

Comment on New Rules for Obtaining a Costa Rica Drivers License by Tim

Tim — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:31:09 +0000

Thanks Mark

Comment on Costa Rica Modifies Rentista Residency by Barry Bennett

Barry Bennett — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:34:05 +0000

Sorry Tim, a misunderstanding on my part. Two different ways of proof, which on one I more than qualify. For me though, I would need to be close to the ocean. I don, t know if 2000 a month would be enough. I make a little over 3000 a month but some has to be set aside for other things. Again I’m sorry about the mix up. Everything I’ve read about CR has been grand. It still is on my list of places to live.
Barry

Comment on New Rules for Obtaining a Costa Rica Drivers License by Mark Gnagy

Mark Gnagy — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 01:13:49 +0000

Those without residency who already have a CR driver’s license are allowed to renew their license. My residency “in process” and my CR dl expired last Nov. I renewed at COSEVI in La Uruca with no problem. I had ARCR call to verify this before I went.

Comment on My Readers Write – More Questions about Costa Rica by Tim

Tim — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:41:48 +0000

It is $1,000 per couple (family) for pensionados.

Comment on Costa Rica Modifies Rentista Residency by Tim

Tim — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:40:16 +0000

It is not bunk at all. All Costa Rica asks is for proof that you have sufficient assets to live here without mooching off the system. Very reasonable.

Comment on Costa Rica Modifies Rentista Residency by Barry Bennett

Barry Bennett — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:47:29 +0000

$60,000 to be put in a bank. Two years later another $60,000.00 to be a resident. I only bring home a little over $3000.00 a month, about 35,000 a year. Out of that I have to come up with $60,000 every couple years just to be able to call CR home. I guess I won’t be contacting you. Thanks for being straight forward. The people who can afford that kind of money needs a straight shooter like you so they can make educated decisions. I guess the people and different articals I’ve read about being able to live there comfortably for about $1500 is bunk.
Dead Dream

Comment on Costa Rica Modifies Rentista Residency by Barry Bennett

Barry Bennett — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:28:53 +0000

I’ve always wanted to retire somewhere close to the ocean. Even if I had to ride my bike a few miles to get to the beach, as long as I could smell the ocean I would be fine. Costa Rica seemed to be a place I could make that happen. Since I prefer less population and would prefer living out of town I thought CR would be a great place. I was almost tempted to contact you to see if $2000.00 a month would be sufficient. I make over $3000.00 a month. But, the BIG problem, there is no way for me to come up with $60,000.00 to start and then 2 years later come up with another $60,000.00, not happening. How do people who don’t make half that much in a year stay qualified to live there? A nice dream but one to forget for me. Thank you for being a no-non-cense type of person to let people know the real story.
Barry

Comment on My Readers Write – More Questions about Costa Rica by Brenda

Brenda — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:30:38 +0000

Hi Tim,

When you talk about pensionado requirements of $1000 per month, is that per person? My husband is retired and his pension exceeds that amount, but I am not retired and am many years away from being eligible for SS. Given this situation, would we qualify as pensionados?

Thank you for your blog/website….truly invalueable information!