Food and gastronomy in Costa Rica

Influenced by both its climate and its history, traditional Costa Rican cuisine uses profusely tropical fruits and vegetables, prepared with recipes that combine indigenous and European influences.

The food staples of Costa Rican diet are local agricultural products: rice, beans, vegetables, fruits and dairy products, many kinds of meat and native recipes based on corn. Costa Rican cuisine is mild and does not abuse of spices, something that surprises many as they often imagine it as spicy as Mexican food. Only some meat sauces use moderate amounts of chili.

Meat is often served with corn tortillas, potatoes, sweet potatoes or yucca. Plantains, similar to bananas but bigger, are often used as vegetables and are also another Costa Rican stale. They need to be cooked, and can’t be consumed raw. They are prepared in one thousand ways: boiled, fried, roasted…



The traditional breakfast is the gallo pinto, a mix of rice and black beans accompanied with corn tortillas, eggs and natilla (sour cream).

Probably, the most representative Dominican dish is the “casado”: beef or chicken meat with rice, beans, plantain, salad or mashed potatoes. In December, families elaborate the traditional Christmas tamales made with corn flour, pork and chicken meat, rice and vegetables.



Traditional desserts are: Pineapple empanaditas, chiverre, rice pudding, chiricalla, coconut cajetas and caramel custard.

Among drinks, the first place corresponds indeed to coffee: Costa Rica produces one of the world’s finest coffees.

Also remarkable, due to its indigenous origin, is the Chan, a milkshake made of the seeds of a local plant. Other drinks are: tamarind juice and many other milkshakes, called frescos here. There is also the horchata, made of boiled rice, roasted peanuts, milk and water with cinnamon, rum, sugar, cocoa and vanilla.

Spirits include the Chicheme, of indigenous origin, made of corn, ginger and black sugar. The Chinchiví made out of sugarcane juice. The Coyol wine, made with the fermented sap of the coyol palm tree. Every Costa Rican family loves Rompope, made with milk, cream, eggs, vanilla and liquor. Finally, anywhere in the country you can find Imperial beer.

Housing and Real Estate in Costa Rica

The real estate market in Costa Rica

Many foreigners, particularly retirees, seek to move to Costa Rica because o the tropical weather, political and economic stability, and the quality of its healthcare system. There is an ever growing community of expatriates, mainly American but with an important European presence, already living in Costa Rica. There is a flourishing real estate market targeting them, with buildings designed with their needs in mind, as Costa Ricans might not want the same product) and with all the desired services, including swimming pools and sports areas. Some of them are located in gated communities with controlled accesses.



Rentals in Costa Rica

Rental contracts in Costa Rica are one year long and can be renewed automatically and increase their price in a 15% if they are denominated in local currency. The law that regulates them is very comprehensive and provides protection for both owner and tenant.

Price varies a lot depending on regions and cities. Usually, a deposit is necessary, which will be refunded to the owner if everything is in good condition and provided the tenant gave a 30-day notice. Utility bills are, in general, not included in the price.

Most newspapers have a rental ads section, although many are focused on the local market. English language newspaper Tico Times is probably the best source for the kind of properties sought after by foreigners.

Purchasing a home in Costa Rica

The cost of a title property transfer is 2.75% including taxes. It is done via inscription in he Registro Nacional, which usually takes between 6 to 10 weeks. Every lien on the property, such as a mortgage, must be indicated.

Taxes in Costa Rica

These are the charges and taxes that will affect you the most if you are on short stay:
Import duties: it is allowed to import, tax free, 500 cigarettes plus three liters of wine or liquor.

Departure tax: around $17, to be paid when leaving the country.

There is a 13% sales tax applied in hotels, restaurants and other services and products, plus a 3% hotel tax on hotel bills. There is also a petrol tax included in its retail price.

Some basic goods such as food and books are exempt from the tax, and others such as electricity pay only 5%.

Restaurant tips are around 10%, compulsory and included in the bill. For all the other services, tips are voluntary and is given depending the service received. No tip is usually given in taxis.

If you are or intend to become a resident, this is a brief description of main taxes applied:
Income tax is 10% to 15%, depending on the income level, only on the income originated in the country, and social security payments are of 9%.

Import duties for vehicles and luxury items are very high. However, there is an exemption of $500 per person every six months for personal items. Industrial machinery and other non-luxury articles, though, enjoy a much better fiscal treatment.

Taxes relative to real estate

Property title transfers are charged a tax of about 2.75%. There is a municipal tax to properties called “territorial tax”, about 1% of the official value (which is much less than the market price). There are additional taxes for municipal services such as waste collection.

There is no such thing as a patrimonial tax. There are no taxes either over successions and donations, or over capital gains in real estate transactions, unless they are done often.

Corporate tax rate: 30%. Dividends are tax exempt for companies but not for individuals.
There is a retention over bank interests of 25%.

The tax year ends September, 30th for individuals, and any date can be chosen for companies. Both individuals and companies must fill their tax return in the two and a half months after the end of the tax year.

There are tax incentives to timber industry, export promotion, manufacturing and consumption.

Healthcare in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has an universal healthcare system which comprises in fact one of the best health infrastructures in Latin America. Its main problem are bureaucracy and waiting lists, but care when eventually provided is of excellent quality.

The System is finances via a 9% tax applied to every worker‘s salary, and an additional 18% to businesses.

There are also private hospitals of excellent quality and with reasonable prices, with English-speaking doctors with experience an training abroad. Some of these hospitals do accept private medical insurance from the USA and Europe. There is also the possibility of a complementary insurance provided by the state-owned insurance monopoly, the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros).



Most foreign nationals in Costa Rica go to one of the three big hospitals: the CIMA in Escazú [ http://www.hospitalsanjose.net ], Clínica Bíblica, in San José [www.clinicabiblica.com], and Clínica Católica, also in San José [www.clinicacatolica.com].

Money, economy and currency in Costa Rica

Costa Rican currency

The official Costa Rican currency is the Colón (pl. colones). There are bank notes of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 colones and coins of 500, 100, 50, 25 and 5 colones. The exchange rate fluctuates within a controlled range, although it is expected that the government’s control over the exchange rate will be gradually relaxed to leave the currency float in the market. The official exchange rate can be seen in the Costa Rica Central Bank web site: http://www.bccr.fi.cr



Banks

There are both state-owned banks (which usually provide the most favorable exchange rates, although service is worse and queues longer) and private sector banks, exchange offices and investment funds. There is only one insurance company, which is a state-owned monopoly.

Bank office hours are usually 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM non-stop, Monday to Friday. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and tourist spots. Dollars are also often accepted, except high-denomination notes. Traveler cheques can be exchanged in the banks showing the passport.

You don’t need to be a resident to open a bank account, although it is the policy of most banks to require so. Banks are subject to antilaundering money laws which require to verify the origin of the money in transactions above $10,000. There is nevertheless a bank secrecy law that forbids governments an other institutions to access customers’ identities without a judicial warrant. This has made of Costa Rica one of the countries preferred by investors to put their money away from unwanted eyes.

Economy

Agriculture is still the main pillar of the Costa Rican economy, and it is well known that Costa Rica produces one of the best coffees in the world. The second most important crop is banana, and also important are pineapple, sugarcane, oranges, rice and ornamental flowers.

The services, particularly tourism, are becoming increasingly important. This is one of the country’s greatest successes, as it has been managed in such a way that favors the conservation of biodiversity.

Costa Rica’s main customer is the United States. The country’s investment-friendly legislation, with unrestricted repatriation of profits, has allowed the set up of manufacturing industries in several sectors, including electronics, with Intel at the head of it.


Most usual forms of incorporating a company are Sociedad Anónima, or Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, although the limitations of the later one make it less usual.

At least 90% of the company’s staff must be formed by Costa Ricans, and at least 85% of the wages must go to them.

Visas and residency in Costa Rica

General rules for entry visas (non-resident)

1. No need for a consular visa, maximum stay up to 90 days.

Due to the existence of bilateral agreements, citizens of the following countries can enter the country without a consular visa for a stay of up to 90 days:

Germany, Finland, Poland, Uruguay, Argentina, France, Paraguay, Austria, Holland, Belgium, Hungary, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Israel, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Greece, South Korea, Japan, Romania, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, USA, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama.

2. No need for a consular visa, stay up to 30 days.

Citizens of the following countries are allowed to enter the country and stay up to 30 days with no need to apply for a visa:

Antigua & Barbuda, Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, Grenada, Republic of Ireland, Bahamas, Guatemala, Rusia, Barbados, Guyana, South Africa, Belize, Honduras, St. Kitts & Nevis, Bolivia, Iceland, San Marino, Bulgaria, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Chile, Kenya, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Dominica, Mexico, Singapore, El Salvador, New Zealand, Surinam, Slovakia, Monaco, Turkey, Vatican City, Venezuela.



3. With visa, stay up to 30 days.
Citizens of the following countries do require a consular visa prior to them entering the country for a maximum stay of 30 days.

Andorra, Malaysia, Belarus, Malta, Cyprus, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Thailand, Slovenia, Zimbabwe, Lithuania.

4. Restricted access.

For the rest of the countries, visas will be granted after individual study of every case.



Residency card

It is technically possible to apply oneself for it, although it is easier to put it all on the hands of a specialized lawyer, who will charge between $1000 and $1500.

Kinds of residency permits and requisites:

Pensioners and retirees:

If you earn at least $600 every month from your pension, or $1000 from your investments, then you have the right to apply for residence.

-Residency for investors
In order to apply you must first invest in a company or business in Costa Rica. There are some sectors, deemed prioritary, where the minimum required investment is about $50,000:
Ornamental plants, leather, spices, vegetable products, food and timber industry and tourism. For any other sector, the minimum amount to invest would be of about $100,000. One must live in Costa Rica during at least six months a year, and you don’t need to justify any level of income.

-Work permit.
If you have the required professional qualifications, acquired in an officially recognized institution, you can obtain a work permit or a temporary residency permit.

Pets

In order to introduce domestic animals into the country, you must provide a health certificate for them, issued by the Ministry of Health and filled in by a veterinary at the origin. With this document you get an authorization, valid for thirty days that you must present at the customs.

Remember that when returning to your home country, you’ll most likely need a new certificate issued by a Costa Rican veterinary.

Moving around in Costa Rica

By land

Costa Rica is a very small country. From the center of the territory, any point of the country can be reached in about five hours. The road network is extensive and complete, although maintenance is somewhat precarious and signaling is almost non-existent.

Busses

Bus transportation system is cheap and efficient, reaching destinations all around the country. Although some busses might be old, transport conditions are definitely better than in other Central American countries.

Most routes have San José as departure or destination point, although several bus terminals exist in the city, which an make a bit difficult to find the right one.



Taxis

Taxis are painted in red and must carry a yellow licence plate with the shape of a triangle painted on the side. They also should carry and use the taximeter, here known as maría, but they try to avoid using it when the customer is a tourist.

You will have to insist on using it, although it is compulsory for city trips (but not outside of the city, where the price must be agreed previously).

There are also unlicensed taxis, allegedly cheaper, although one must know well the fares before negotiating the price.

Driving around in Costa Rica

There are many rent-a-car companies such as EuropCar, Ada and Economy, at reasonable rates. You can drive with your country’s driving license during all your authorized stay in the country. If you are a resident, though, you must obtain a local license.

However, the real problem for non-native drivers are the local driving habits, quite anarchic, coupled with the lack of signaling and the poor state of the roads.

In case of accident wait for the transit police, no matter for how long you have to wait. And remember in case of being fined that local transit officers must not accept or receive any money, but they must give you your notification ticket instead.

Domestic flights

Costa Rica is a tiny country and can be crossed from one end to the other in just a few hours. However, comfort ant time savings might make interesting the possibility of taking a domestic flight.

Main local companies that fly between Costa Rican cities are: Sansa, domestic branch of the TACA group, which flies from the Juan Santamaría International Airport, and Nature Air , which flies from the Tobías Bolaños airport in Pavas, near San José.

Other companies such as Aero Bell, Helisa, Tropical, Pitts Aviation and Aero Costa Sol have fleets of small planes and helicopters which can be hired for trips or transportation.
As an example, a flight from San José to a resort in the Pacific coast might cost about $150 per person for non-residentes (Costa Rican citizens and legal residents pay less). The same trip by bus would cost only a few dollars, but it would be about five hours long.

Traveling to Costa Rica

Citizens from most countries in Europe and North America can freely enter the country with just a valid passport, and stay in it for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.

By plane

Most regular flights have the Juan Santamaría International Airport, near the capital San José, as their destination. However, there is an increasing number of flights that land in the Daiel Oduber International Airport, near the city of Liberia, and closer to the beach resorts of Guanacaste in the country’s Northwest.



Most American airlines fly to Costa Rica. From Europe, the Spanish airline Iberia, Dutch Martinair, German Condor an British Airways fly regularly to San José.

The local airline TACSA, belonging to TACA group, flies to several U.S. and Latin American cities.

By road

It is technically possible to enter the country by road from the USA, crossing Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, through the Panamerican Highway.

By sea

The ports of Puntarenas on the Pacific Ocean and Limón in the Caribbean are usual stopovers for cruise boats.

Costa Rica weather

The pleasant, moderate tropical climate of Costa Rica is one of the things that explain the country’s popularity among retirees from all around the world who wish to live in a sunny place. Temperatures in the Central Valley range from 18º C to 27º C (64-80ºF) throughout the year. They are higher, though, in the coasts: The Caribbean shore is, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 27ºC (77-80ºF), slightly cooler than the Atlantic coast, where they vary between 31 and 38ºC (88-100ºF).

Costa Rica’s climate has only two seasons: the rainy season (called “winter” over there), ranging from May to November in the northern regions, and from April to December in the south, and the dry season (“summer”), the rest of the year. Certainly, talking about seasons is very relative, as each one of them has a more or less prolonged transition period, and indeed the sun shines many mornings during the rainy season, while storms and showers aren’t that rare during the so called “dry” season.



On top of all that, Costa Rica’s geography favors the existence of microclimates, in such a way that temperatures may vary wildly from one city to another and even from a moment of the day to just one hour later. There are two coastal plains, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean respectively, and a central plain at 1160 meters (3500 ft) high, set apart from the coastal plains by two mountain ridges of about 1500 m (4500 ft) high on average each one.

This rugged topography ant the difficulty of communications are responsible for the extraordinary diversity of plants and wildlife in Costa Rica.

Some basic facts about Costa Rica

The Republic of Costa Rica is located in Central America and is the southernmost of the five countries that form the region.

It is bounded to the North by Nicaragua and to the south by Panama (which is not a Central American country): the Eastern shore (225 km or 140 miles long) belongs to the Caribbean Sea and the Western shore (1103 km or 684 miles long) is bounded by the Pacific Ocean. Both coastlines boast extremely beautiful beaches surrounded by palm trees.

Costa Rica is a small country: There are, from West to East, a maximum of 246 km (152 miles) from Puntarenas to Limón, and 534 km (331 miles) from Peñas Blancas, at the Nicaraguan border, to Paso Canoas (Panamanian boundary) at the south. Total surface of the country is 51,100 sq km (19,730 sq mi) for about four and a half million people. The highest peak is Cerro Chiripó, 3819 m (11000 ft) high.



Its geographical position places Costa Rica in the tropical region, although due to the rugged terrain there is a great amount of microclimates that makes out of Costa Rica a world class wildlife sanctuary. Actually, one fourth of the country’s territory is protected and belongs to one of the many National Parks. And even more impressive is the fact that, although the country’s extension is only a mere 0.03% of the earth’s surface, it boasts being home of no less than 6% of the known animal species.

Main agricultural products are: coffee, tropical fruits such as pineapple and banana, sugarcane, corn, rice, beans and potatoes; cattle raising and timber growing are also of importance.

The country is administratively divided in seven provinces: San José, where the capital is located, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia (all of them inland provinces), Guanacaste and Puntarenas (in the Pacific Coast) and finally Limón, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.