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On this page, you’ll find some essential information about life in Costa Rica. When through reading, you can return to the All About Costa Rica topic list.

• Crime and Personal Safety
• Dying in Costa Rica
• Getting Married in Costa Rica
• Handicapped-Disabled Services
• Phone Service in Costa Rica
• Tipping and Gratuities
• Whom to Trust

Crime and Personal Safety

Costa Rica is generally safer than most of its Central American neighbors. If any one group tends to be the target of petty theft, it’s tourists. So keep your money and valuables close to your body (as in a money belt) and stay alert. It’s also a good idea to photocopy your important documents and keep them separate from your originals. If you’re riding the bus, always keep your carry-on luggage in sight and if you’re riding in a car, don’t leave your belongings in it unattended.

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Dying in Costa Rica

If you come to Costa Rica to stay, the chances are your body will die here, so it’s important to know certain facts about the different cultural approach to death. When a body dies, the burial and funeral happens very quickly, usually within a day. Costa Ricans do not embalm bodies, so if this is something you desire for your body, arrangements must be made with a local funeral home to ship the body in its casket internationally, a process that can cost thousands of dollars. Cremation is also available, and costs a few thousand dollars as well. The legal aspect of creating a last will and testament to protect your assets applies, as well as making sure that your family and friends (both here and where you came from) know your intentions. As with all legal matters, we encourage you to consult with a qualified bilingual attorney.

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Getting Married in Costa Rica

It’s not uncommon that cupid’s arrow strikes and a Tico-foreigner marriage is born, which in due time can extend residency privileges to the foreign partner and allow them to live in Costa Rica happily every after. In 2008, the Costa Rican Immigration Department initiated a crackdown on the unscrupulous practice of marrying a Costa Rican national solely to acquire residency—resulting in deportation for many who married Ticos on paper only. Yet, these legal aspects are one ball game, and the cultural and personal aspects another. The ease of assimilation into a Tico family will depend on the family, as it would anywhere else in the world. It’s also important to note that marrying for money or security (known here as por intrés) is not uncommon. It’s wise to enter a marriage contract with eyes open and be sure it’s love, rather than just a mutually beneficial arrangement—because if it’s not love, this step could save a person many headaches down the road.

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Handicapped-Disabled Services

People with physical challenges can find accessible services and accommodations in Costa Rica. However, it is a wise idea to confirm their availability before you travel to a place. Perhaps the biggest factor to bear in mind is the weather, as the rainy season can make certain terrains difficult to traverse for anyone. Taxis are the recommended way to travel for handicapped and disabled persons.

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Phone Service in Costa Rica

Calling within Costa Rica is cheap—a brief local phone call will run you only a few cents. Hotels may charge a premium for even local calls, so be sure to check with reception before dialing. Public phones are pretty abundant in Costa Rica, as almost every small village has at least one and in the cities, you’ll find tons. If the phone is older and does not allow you to input coins, you will have to purchase a 197 or 199 local calling card (usually for sale at a store right near the phone). Cell phones are also abundant, though to buy a cell phone line as a foreigner can entail the process of waiting for a line to become available. It’s also possible to rent cell phones, an option that many tourists find convenient, though service can be spotty on the countryside roads.

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Tipping and Gratuities

Traditionally Costa Rican taxi drivers aren’t tipped, but maids, bellhops, tour guides are. As for standard practice in restaurants, a 10% service charge is automatically applied to all restaurant bills. The 13% sales tax, is usually accounted for the in the list price on menus and will be therein stated. If you feel you received above-and-beyond service, tipping a waiter or waitress an extra 5% is usually sufficient and much appreciated.

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Whom to Trust

Beyond the barriers of foreign language (if that is a factor for you), knowing whom to trust in Costa Rica is like knowing whom to trust anywhere else in the world. The majority of foreigners do best by doing business with service providers such as doctors, attorneys and realtors that have been recommended to them by someone they trust. However, if you don’t know anyone who has engaged services that you need, it is wise use your best judgment and if possible speak to several other clients of a service professional before you employ them. If a service provider is hesitant to refer you to their other clients for feedback about their services, it’s best to proceed to the next Yellow Pages listing.

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We hope this information has been helpful. If you still have questions about Costa Rica real estate and living or retiring in Costa Rica, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will respond to your questions as soon as possible and will be happy to assist you in any way possible.

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