Comments for nocalcostarica.com

Comment on Traffic Crime and Punishment in Costa Rica by Artist Mocks Transit Police New Law in Debate

Artist Mocks Transit Police New Law in Debate — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:54:17 +0000

[...] in Costa Rica who is accustomed to driving has probably heard much of it before. Before the new law transit officers were often willing to accept a c10,000 bribe in lieu of a speeding ticket. The c20,000 per officer [...]

Comment on Back in the USA Pt 2 by Jim L.

Jim L. — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:40:52 +0000

Nothing beats getting together with musicians that you've played with "back in the day." I hope to get that very same opportunity whenever I get back to Tennessee (which ain't gonna be anytime soon, it appears.) Really glad this happened for you.

Comment on On the Waterfront by President Suffers Setback in Limon Port Privatization

President Suffers Setback in Limon Port Privatization — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:43:23 +0000

[...] the labor situation is complex, the upshot is that President Laura Chinchilla will have a long road ahead of her in [...]

Comment on On the Waterfront by Jim L.

Jim L. — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:17:26 +0000

My guess — the guns will be out soon in Limon-Moin, it's just the way things get settled around here.

Comment on Back in the US of A, Pt 1 by NoCalRefugee

NoCalRefugee — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:31:51 +0000

Cy… I try my best to avoid BS, at least the usual kind you find on internet. I am working on my own brand.

Comment on Back in the US of A, Pt 1 by Cy Bolinger

Cy Bolinger — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:46:10 +0000

Too much rain, too many high cost of living prices and growing, Lots of phony stuff about Costa Rica on the internet, real BS and growing! Well, welcome back anyway!
Cy Bolinger

Comment on Back in the US of A, Pt 1 by simply4fun

simply4fun — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:32:36 +0000

welcome home honey!

Comment on Costa Rica is in the ‘upper tier’ in Lottery Sales! That’s Good… Right? by Jim L.

Jim L. — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:06:07 +0000

Daydreams perhaps, pipe dreams for certain.

Comment on Real Estate Exhibitionists by NoCalRefugee

NoCalRefugee — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:01:18 +0000

Easy, I'm glad you had good luck. I can't say whether I am exaggerating or not since I don't have any statistics of how many people are happy with their real estate experiences here versus those who aren't. I do live with a real estate agent and I am close friends with several developers. I have watched some totally insane things here that could just not happen in the USA. True that there are plenty of problems in the USA too. I have bought and sold 4 houses in the USA without any real problems, and I have seen so many hassles here that from my point of view it's not comparable. Still, if you buy the right kind of property, i.e., a going condo, you are probably going to be just fine. If you buy undeveloped land… a very different story. But I'm glad your purchase was trouble free.

Comment on Real Estate Exhibitionists by safetypatrol

safetypatrol — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 06:39:27 +0000

….my suggestion is that anyone wanting to visit and/or buy real-estate in 'CR' needs to at least learn their language first..

Comment on Real Estate Exhibitionists by easycr

easycr — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 04:30:55 +0000

The exposition is in Heredia and 12 -15,000 people are expected according to La Nacion. It appears that the vast majority will be ticos with a smaller amount of "gringos". The advertisements seem to have the same basic marketing as the ads I am accustomed to in the US. Of course, it is always good advice that a buyer of real estate should be cautious and skeptical – however to label Costa Rica real estate as "…a minefield set on top of a toxic waste dump" seems exaggerated. The level of scams in CR real estate seem to be about equal to those in US real estate – different scams but in both societies there are unscruplous, greedy developers, sellers, "agents", etc. A "more highly regulated" real estate market such as the US may appear to be safer than in CR; however the damage in the US economy related to housing in recent years tells me it is not. And, by the way, I have no financial or other involvment in real estate in either CR or the US – I did my homework, bought a condo in CR and have had no problems in the four years since buying – but then I have always been a lucky guy…

Comment on Real Estate Exhibitionists by Jim L.

Jim L. — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:56:16 +0000

In order to purchase real estate here, as Warren Zevon suggests, better bring lawyers, guns and money.

Comment on The Benefits of Free Trade Agreements by Jim L.

Jim L. — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:07:01 +0000

We also got a big taste of disappearing drugs recently when Carol's generic pantoprazol went by the wayside, only to be replaced by name brand Zoltum at twice the price. As to the Free Trade Agreement, my understanding is that my old Ernie Banks card is of equal value as your old Willie Mays card which means we can swap straight up if we should so choose. Otherwise, the whole thing remains a big mystery to me. And we don't have a cell phone either.

Comment on Getting Rid of Crime and Oil Spills by Jim L.

Jim L. — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:49:17 +0000

John — Annually, the Costa Rican government gives a piece of the pie (re: Budget) to the Catholic Church because the Catholic Church is the recognized State religion. Talk about your separation of church and state.

Comment on Getting Rid of Crime and Oil Spills by John Dungan

John Dungan — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:37:19 +0000

The Pope on retainer? What does that mean?

Comment on Back to the USA by John Dungan

John Dungan — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:34:36 +0000

You had to go there, didn't you (In 'n Out)? What I wouldn't do for one trip to an In 'n Out…….
enjoy your trip.

Comment on The Benefits of Free Trade Agreements by John Dungan

John Dungan — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:28:59 +0000

I suspect you may well be right. But, what still puzzles me is how can any multi-national corporation be so greedy as to think they can realistically improve their bottom line by exploiting a tiny nation whose total population is only around four million? Think about how much any of them (cell phone provider, internet service provider, electric, whatever) would have to pay out up front, just to acquire the rights, then install their staff and their own infrastructure. Now, put that number up against any potential profit. Not a very pretty picture, imho.

Comment on Getting Rid of Crime and Oil Spills by @expatcostarica

@expatcostarica — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:21:28 +0000

I agree, do we get to fire the pope if the security situation in Costa Rica doesn't improve?

Comment on Informal Economy Costa Rica Style by Pilgrimage to Cartago Draws Half the Country

Pilgrimage to Cartago Draws Half the Country — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:24:18 +0000

[...] population to one location creates a huge economic opportunity, especially for those in Informal Economy providing transport and concessions along the route. Vehicles are prohibited from approaching [...]

Comment on Getting Rid of Crime and Oil Spills by Jim L.

Jim L. — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:43:47 +0000

It's my understanding that the Costa Rican government has the Pope on retainer — after all, the Vatican gets a piece of the annual budget. If the security of the nation depends upon divine intervention, fine by me, whatever works. The ball's in your court Benedict, let's see some tangible results.

Comment on Back to the USA by Jim L.

Jim L. — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:52:53 +0000

Have a good time Dan.

Comment on New Roads, Old Roads (and Bridges) by Bridge Collapse on Interamerican Highway Highlights Problem

Bridge Collapse on Interamerican Highway Highlights Problem — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:13:01 +0000

[...] in highway infrastructure, and this latest event on the Interamerican highway highlights the Growing Problem. // Share| Did You Enjoy This Article? Subscribe by Email to [...]

Comment on Looking Backward – Through Tinted Windows by Annual Pilgrimage to Cartago This Weekend

Annual Pilgrimage to Cartago This Weekend — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:35:36 +0000

[...] year is the 375th anniversary of the pilgrimage, and will be the first time the New Traffic Law is in effect. Municipal officials in Cartago have also prohibited street sellers from working the [...]

Comment on Back to the USA by Candie

Candie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:52:16 +0000

Can't wait to see you and give you a big hug!

Comment on Back to the USA by @expatcostarica

@expatcostarica — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:13:03 +0000

I agree on the over the counter dugs, and a battery charger set is another good thing to have in Costa Rica. The people here simply love expensive throw away batteries.

Last time I was in office depot I watched a young couple spend $1500 on a laptop computer that costs $400 in the United States. I also noticed they used a credit card. You have to love those 40% interest rates.

Comment on Meet the New Blog, Same as the Old Blog… by @expatcostarica

@expatcostarica — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:11:59 +0000

Tell the truth, you didn't want my boring technology articles in such proximity to your stuff, which is far more interesting. You even keep the theme!

Comment on Bartender Birthday Bar Bash! by Dave

Dave — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:04:19 +0000

Whatever happened to Gisela, the bartender at The New York bar? She was a real looker

Comment on Child Labor and Costa Rica by NoCalRefugee

NoCalRefugee — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:06:46 +0000

Casey,

Are you aware that the official governmental sex education policy is 'abstinence only?' Madame President is a self-proclaimed devout Catholic, which means she opposes birth control in any means, except not having sex. Since Ms. Chinchilla only had one child, I presume she abstained most of her life. I agree 100% too many babies for too little jobs is a big problem and it isn't going to go away without some sincere effort encouraging birth control, not trying to prevent it. Funding a decent public school system with decent sex education programs would help a lot, as would making birth control FREE to all. Won't happen though, with Santa Laura.

Comment on Child Labor and Costa Rica by Casey

Casey — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:21:49 +0000

… and before someone accuses me of not liking children, let me point out that we donate plenty of supplies to the kids in our neighborhood and provide free weekly English lessons for them as well, let them use our Internet connection for their homework (and music downloads, lol), etc.

Comment on Child Labor and Costa Rica by Casey

Casey — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:19:25 +0000

Sorry to be the spoiler in all this blame the government tirade, but I think it needs pointing out that the average Tico needs to take some responsibility here and stop having so many damn kids! I know, it's tradition, it's the Catholic way, but I would hope these kinds of Middle-Age beliefs would be overcome with a little help from the top. Costa Rica can simply not reconcile their eco image against families without sufficient income who continue to have 4, 5, 6, etc. kids. Instead of the government stepping up to this problem they spend millions making sure everyone and their gazillion kids have a small pre-fab shack to live in. Closing the door after the horse is long gone.