Relocating to Costa Rica

7/12/05

I have applied for Rentista Residency in Costa Rica from Canada for my wife, my dog, and me. The internet has been a valuable tool in my relocation process. Much of the information you require is available from web sites such as costaricaem…, and casacanada….. However, when you begin to gather the paperwork you require, the details are not straightforward. Some things must be notarized, others must be official copies from your government. I expected the police check to take the most time, it took 15 minutes. My official long form birth certificate took 8-10 weeks as promised, but because my wife is adopted there was much confusion on the part of my provincial government. They sent her application back for a correction after I had received my certificate. In the space for the birth parents name we put a question mark, they wanted the word "unknown". Two weeks later, I asked for help from my provincial representative’s office. I should have gone there in the beginning, even though I wasn’t in a hurry. The lady in the office was wonderful, and things started to happen a little faster. Next, they said they didn’t want "unknown", but the adopted parents names. Finally, they told us we had filled out the wrong form, and sent us the right one. Point being, expect delays from your government. Make sure you leave any time sensitive documents, such as the police record check, which is good for 3 months, or your pet’s papers from the vet. which are good for 30 days, to the end when you have everything else ready to go. When I had all the paperwork together, I sent it to the Costa Rican Embassy in Ottawa. They sent back the banker’s letter I needed because it was not notarized, even though I had sent a complete list of papers I had, and which ones were notarized, and they said it was good to go. Expect delays from the Costa Rican government.

Next, with paperwork in hand, I started on the details for a flight for my dog and me. The wife would follow in 2 weeks. Air Canada was the only airline who would take my dog at all, so I requested a price. $700 for me, and $60 for each suitcase over 2, and $60 for each suitcase over 50 pounds, the internet site said. I phoned the reservations desk to see about the dog. $60 for the dog. Okay, I thought this was fair. When I phoned to book the flight, they said the dog must go Cargo, because it weighed 94 pounds and was in the largest size carrier, and it would cost $2100. With repeated checking, after finding out no other carrier would take him at all, I got prices of $60, $2100, $1862.84, and $1800. When we got to Air Cargo, the price was $800. Everyone I talked to at Air Canada reservations also gave me different rules and prices on my excess luggage. I believed the person who said no bags over 50 pounds were allowed, but they would take more than 2 if there was space. So I repacked, putting the highest priority items in 2 suitcases, and bringing 2 more I hoped to get on at the quoted rate of $60 each. Final cost, at the airport, $175 for each of bags 2 and 3. The lady there said it would have been cheaper to make them overweight. I don’t know if there is anyone at Air Canada who knows a definite answer, but no 2 people I talked to agreed with each other or their internet site. Expect surprises at the airport.

We arrived at the airport in Costa Rica and I cleared customs quickly, and started asking how to get my dog. Some very helpful people directed me to Air Cargo, and the taxi driver the hotel sent took me over. Since there were no parking spaces for the plane to unload cargo, it was suggested I go to the hotel where my friend was waiting, and return at 3:00. I checked in and talked with my friend while waiting for the taxi, but the taxi had a flat tire and was late. We arrived back at Cargo at 3:45, too late to get my dog out of customs. To prevent a grown man from crying, they gave me a special pass to allow me in to see my dog and walk him, but he would have to stay overnight. I got him out the next morning, with a few unexpected costs. All the people at the airport were very helpful, they spoke enough English, and I spoke enough Spanish, and everyone sensed my worry about my dog and went out of their way to help.

I found a small shack for sale in Punta Morales on the internet, and planned to make this my home in Costa Rica. The people I bought it from were bilingual, and they said they would help me get set up when I moved. This turned out to be a major understatement. Russ reserved a room for my dog and me near the airport where I stayed until I was able to get a car. Russ had also researched vehicles and recommended a Hyundai Galloper. It should be diesel and 4wd. We spent all day with his wife and 2 daughters shopping and found one we liked at Serim motors. I mention the name because when I found some things wrong we called and they told us to bring it in. When I went to the airport to get my wife, Russ picked us up at the dealer’s, drove us to the airport to get my wife, and my car was finished by 5 pm. 4 hours for repairs, no charge. Excellent!

Kattia, Russ’ wife, and his daughter Kiani, came with me to Punta Morales for a week. What an incredible favour. She got us cabins to stay in while my house was being built, helped choose a contractor, decided we should get a pre-fab house because of the speed with which it could be completed. Kattia designed it and did all the talking to contractors and suppliers. Everything fell into place because of her help.

Now, 3 weeks after my arrival, and 2 and a half weeks after Juan Carlos, an excellent contractor, began working on my house, the walls, roof, floors, including ceramics are complete. I am amazed every time I go over to my house, at least twice a day, at how much Juan Carlos and his small crew of 3 guys, Walter, Allan, and Jesus have done!

My wife Linda arrived in time to pick out colours for the paint, stucco, and ceramics, and is quite happy with Kattia’s design and the way things are going.

Kattia changed the name on the electric bill to mine, and got the requirements for wiring the meter, but left me on my own to order my new phone line because the ICE office is in a different town, Miramar, and when we first went there we were unable to do it. With great trepidation, I returned to the office to get my phone line. The man who helped me spoke no English. This is not a tourist area, and very few people here do speak English. Believe me, I speak very little Spanish, but with dictionary in hand, and many pertinent papers, we had at it. To our amazement, we had little trouble and the ICE man and I laughed, shook hands, and congratulated each other. He said it would take 15 days for the installation. Today, 3 business days later, I made a call from my new phone in my home. This is wonderful, far beyond my expectations.

My new neighbours, Marvin, who owns the cabina I am renting, Luiz, in the next cabina, Jose and his wife next door to my house, and Joaquin, the caretaker in a big cottage down the road have been wonderful. For instance, Linda, and I went for a walk with the dog on Sunday morning around 8 to see the house and buy cigarettes, but mostly just for a walk. The store with cigarettes sells beer, so after such a long hot walk, we bought 2. On the way home Marvin called from a bar called Mario’s. We went over and had a few beers with him and his friends, Franklin and Eddie. Then we all went to the river to swim. Linda in the cab of Marvin’s pickup, and my dog and me in the back, Franklin and Eddie in their car behind. The drivers weren’t drunk, but the rest of us were sure happy. After swimming we went to the bar by the river and had lunch and some more beer. Then they decided we should go back to Mario’s to sing Karaoke. My first time! More beer and lot’s of singing from everyone present. We finally got back to the cabin at 8 pm. It was a great day of fiesta. Totally impromptu, and I really felt I was back home.