GoDutch's Recent Blog Comments

Comment on Strawberry Fields Forever and Costa Rica real estate by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:22:01 -0600

Hi Dom, glad you're feeling homesick. You shoudl get out of Florida soon and get to paradise. The weather is awesome!! And teh strawberries even better. You can go to Arenal several ways. By Grecia is the long way, though a fun drive through Grecia and Sarchi, through Naranjo. Its easier to stay on the highway till you get to the turnoff to Naranjo an dthen go through Naranjo, Zarzero to San Carlos (Ciudad Quesada). You can also stay on the highway until you get to San Ramon and turn right through San Ramon. Hope to see you move back soon.

Comment on GoDutch Realty Costa Rica now International Living approved by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:15 -0600

Thanx Carlos, I appreciate it. And it's good to have such good friends in Florida even though you never even moved to that property in Santa Ana I sold you so many years ago. I'm glad you still read my blogs after all those years.

Comment on GoDutch Realty Costa Rica now International Living approved by Grampy

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:15 -0600

Congradulations!! You have always shown the utmost integity in real estate. Ever since our first meeting, you have been a hard worker, and treated me and my family with wholesome friendship, that will never be forgotten. Your friend, Carlos

Comment on Strawberry Fields Forever and Costa Rica real estate by Ticoman1

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:22:01 -0600

Ivo, your blogs make me homesick. I went to Poas on my first trip in 1996 and remember it being cold there that day. It was about 40F in October. Haven't been back. I wanted to ask you if Grecia is on the same road as Zarchi and Zarcero going toward Fontana/Arenal area. Or is it the next road down as you drive to Puntarenas that goes northwesterly toward Fontana. I've driven both roads and it's a beautiful ride. I've been busy lately. It hasn't translated into dinero yet, but should down the road. I'm planning a trip to SJO sometime in Spring. Don't know when yet. I have to meet with my CR distributor and have a lot of info that I have to translate first and need to get prepared for those meetings. I'm not there yet. But I can't afford to waste a trip, if you know what I mean. Happy New Year to you and Dany!!! I miss the crap out of you guys!!! Be well. Dom

Comment on New Costa Rica residency card important for banking by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:27:49 -0600

Thanx for the question Shell. Foreigners who have a property in Costa Rica and also have residency, will need their DIMEX residency card to do their banking. Foreigners who are NOT residents, are tourists to immigration standards, so they can use their passport. You do NOT need to be a resident to be able to own property in Costa Rica. The banks allow you to keep a bank account even though you are not a resident, if you can show "arraigo" which means "foothold". If you own a proeprty in Costa Rica, you have "arraigo". I hope this answers your question.

Comment on New Costa Rica residency card important for banking by shirley

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:27:49 -0600

I have a question about the DIMEX card. What happens to the foreigners that have property in Costa Rica but don't necessarily live here for long stretches and the property sits empty for months or have it rented out. But need the bank accounts here to pay municipal taxes, etc. Will they be affected by this new requirement? Shell

Comment on Fruits and vegetables are tastier in Costa Rica by shirley

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:51:24 -0600

I first came to Costa Rica sixteen years ago and stayed in an hotel which provided papaya for breakfast. I learned to love it. Once I returned to Canada, I had an urge to have one. I looked in the grocery stores and found a scrawny looking thing, since 'beggars can't be choosy' I took the thing home. What an awful thing, one bite and into the garbage it went. Glad to be back in Costa Rica and my papayas and all the other goodies. Shell

Comment on Why purchase Costa Rica real estate with the help of a real estate agent by Kathypeterson

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:35:54 -0600

Any foreigner, even the most savvy with the buying and/or selling of property, could be in for BIG trouble not using an experienced realtor buying or selling CR property. An experienced CR realtor can navigate the challenges and roadblocks that could be baffling to the rest of us. And no one can put a price tag on the service provided by Go Dutch outside of the actual purchase/sale process.

Comment on Costa Rica water is clean and affordable by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:01:27 -0600

Thanx for that comment Chuck. Many expats have an ice maker and water dispenser on their fridge and hate to pay high price for these small bottles of water. In today's market there are many water containers that keep the water cold for a long time.

Comment on Costa Rica water is clean and affordable by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:01:27 -0600

Chuck commented: I have seen many instances of people walking around with a bottle of water/ice in their hands. That is, they freeze the water in the bottle overnight so that it stays cold for a while after they leave the house. A while ago, I read an article about the plastics used in the disposable water bottles. They recommend that temperature extremes be avoided, Water should not be frozen in the plastic containers nor should water be left in the bottles sitting in the sun. The temperature extremes apparently release a carcinogenic substance from the plastic that has been linked to cancer. The containers are supposed to be quite safe otherwise. Chuck

Comment on Should Costa Rica traffic fines for speeding be lowered? by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:57:12 -0600

Thanx for your comment Chuck. Though you are totally right about the reasons why Sala IV is throwing this out, its too easy to throw everything that is done to make the roads safe (along with a zillion other things that get stopped by Sal IV) every time someone has a good idea but because we don't have a way of acceptance of the ticket. I borrowed the car of a friend in Holland and he got 2 tickets in the mail after I arrived back in Costa Rica. He doesn't have a clue where I went and he is responsible for the tickets I got. But at the same time, I sold a car to someone 10 years ago and he quit paying and the car is in my name. Impossible to recover the car, even though I own it. So the guy who never paid me can get all the tickets he wants and I will have to end up paying them. It's all screwed up. But does that make it right to not to discipline the dangerous drivers? How do we discipline them?

Comment on Should Costa Rica traffic fines for speeding be lowered? by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:57:12 -0600

Comment by Chuck Shannon: Sunday PM, October 23, 2011 Read your blog on speeding. I, like you, have mixed feelings about the amount of the fines. There is no doubt whatsoever that the reckless driving habits in Costa Rica need to be reduced considerably (other than the fact that the highway deaths help to lessen global overcrowding). Altho' we don't have any cameras out here in the stix, I am apprehensive of making one of my infrequent trips into San José to run afoul of the cameras. One of the other complaints that I read about in the letters to the editor in la Nación is that speed limits are not well posted and, many times, the drivers don't know what the speed limit is, although the 20 kph over the limit for a ticket should take care of most of those complaints. Why I am actually writing this is for a different reason: As we all know, most people have no fixed address to receive notifications and the advent of the cell phone adds to the inability to locate people. An additional problem is that many vehicles on the roads have been sold and the new owner has failed to make the title transfer (mostly because it costs money). Since the cameras only capture an image of the vehicle tag, the ticket is charged to the owner of that vehicle who may or may not be the current owner or the driver (in the case of company vehicles). Add to this, the cases of "pirated" tag numbers (gemelos) + some errors in reading the camera image and you end up with a bit of a nightmare. It appears that the owner of a vehicle only has 10 days to protest the ticket after it is listed in the newspaper. One vehicle owner saw his tag number published strictly by chance and, because his vehicle was in a repair shop for that full week, knew that it was an error. He claimed that he lost work and paid a lawyer for something that was not his fault. In other words, errors occur. Now, in North American law and usually down here, silence can never be taken as acceptance of an agreement. In this case, the agreement is the acceptance of the ticket. The fact that the acceptance was never conveyed to MOPT, makes it a non-legally binding obligation of the vehicle owner. This is my interpretation of why Sala IV is throwing out the tickets, the driver MUST be apprehended in the deed. Just because the driver doesn't know of the existence of a ticket and he loses all right to object in 10 days is neither reasonable nor legal. I had predicted a fiasco for these cameras when they first were being considered because of the notification problem. Like many things in Costa Rica (and much of the world), the bureaucrats never think things thru before instituting "solutions". Your tax dollars at work! Chuck

Comment on Costa Rica Retirement Dreams…? Get Real by Henfling, Ivo

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:08:51 -0600

Thanx Tee Tee, lots of people think that moving to Costa Rica is as easy as moving to another city within one's country, which is not. Most people don't realize that if they don't use a realtor when buying a property in Costa Rica, they do not only miss out on the expertise of an experienced realtor, they mostly miss out on the hand holding that you need to get going. The GoDutch realty clients do NOT go back within the two years of arriving here.

Comment on The nicest Costa Rica real estate closing of my life 3 by Bishop, Brooke

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:49:22 -0600

Very informative Ivo! Thank you! Brooke

Comment on Costa Rica Retirement Dreams…? Get Real by costaricacloseup

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:08:51 -0600

Ivo, I can't agree with you more and whether you're in Costa Rica or not you really need someone on the ground that understands the local nuances, methods and procedures, but especially in Costa Rica. Keep up the good articles :) Cheers, Tee Tee is Senior Editor of digital magazine www.CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com about Costa Rica

Comment on Costa Rica punctuality, also known as Tico Time by Andres Henfling

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:03:47 -0600

I’m tico and very proud of it but, I learned that in my business and life TICO TIME is not good or professional. Now it’s part of my day to day, sometimes people don’t like but ... Guess who don’t liked??

Comment on Costa Rica punctuality, also known as Tico Time by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:03:47 -0600

A great comment from Chuck: Several years ago, there was a program on TV about the SW US Indian. I think the actual locale was Arizona. It seems that the local Indian agent who, among other things, is in charge of getting jobs for the Indians in an effort to integrate them into modern society and get them off the reservations. The Indian agent obtained a job for one Indian at a local lettuce packing plant and the Indian was to show up for work the next day. Later the next day, the Indian showed up at the Indian agent's office. He explained he had been fired but didn't know why. The Indian agent went to the packing plant to get an explanation from the boss. The boss explained that he had told the Indian to be there at 8:00AM to load the waiting trucks and he had shown up mid-morning. The Indian agent explained that in the Indian culture, the shortest unit of time was a day, so in the Indian mind if he turned up at any time during the day, he was on time. Must be a bit of that culture here in Costa Rica. I learned a long time ago that if a Tico says "Jueves", you need to ask if it is this Thursday or the next. Chuck

Comment on Costa Rica punctuality, also known as Tico Time by iamkelley

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:03:47 -0600

I have learned to LOVE "Tico Time"!!! I don't focus on people being late. I focus on the fact that I don't have to rush about and no one will be offended that we weren't there right on time!

Comment on Costa Rica punctuality, also known as Tico Time by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:03:47 -0600

Thanx for those comments Tom. Tico's and other people who live in warmer countries, Italians, Spaniards, Brazilians, people from North Africa like Maroccans, are used to have the sun every day. The sun gives happiness, cordiality, pura vida. If you have the sun, you don't need much. You live the day and don't worry about cold winters and what you are going to eat and how to dress in those cold winters. This is what changes the punctuality of people to my opinion. When we live in the rat race, we want to slow down. And then suddenly, when we get to Costa Rica, time becomes important? Something is not right. Food for thought. And comments I hope!!

Comment on Costa Rica punctuality, also known as Tico Time by CR Builder

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:03:47 -0600

Sometimes the unexpected trials and wide differences in cultural understanding make the transition of moving to Costa Rica more difficult than expected. Years ago I noticed that the concept of time I brought with me from the USA used to make my life in Costa Rica frustrating. The concept of time I brought along. Costa Rican's and foreigners place different values on time. People in traditional cultures tend to have similar attitudes towards time, and Costa Rica is still a more traditional culture. Industrialized cultures tend to think of time as money. Tico's live for the pleasure of 'now' and when necessary, take the time to exchange a little work for enough money to get by on. We are continually bothered by what we foreigners view as a lack of punctuality on the part of Costa Rican's. Ticos will say, "I'll be there manana", but they usually don't show up. Often they are not hours late, but days late, with no excuse, no phone calls, no apology. Things get done here in their own time, not in the time you want to impose. New resident's who can slow down and adjust to Tico time, have a much better chance of making a success of their new lifestyles.

Comment on Is the security in Costa Rica indeed bad or are they exagerating by Grampy

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:01:31 -0600

Right on Ivo. Unemployment and the state of the ecomomy is fueling Crime & drugs all over the world.

Comment on Protect your Costa Rica property from rain damage by shirley

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:54:32 -0600

One more thing to be aware when buying property adjacent to a river or a creek is the smell. This is were a qualified realtor can give you some good advice. Some of these creeks are runoffs for a lot of garbage and contamination. Ironically, during the rainy season this contamination is not felt as it is being washed away very quickly BUT the opposite is true in the dry season as the flow slows down to a trickle. A local realtor will know these idiosyncrasies of a property that can be a real downer once bought. Shell

Comment on Protect your Costa Rica property from rain damage by Ticotom

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:54:32 -0600

Great advice Ivo. Many folks who wish to purchase a piece of paradise here in Costa Rica may not know there is an inspection service available to help them anticipate and avoid costly problems with the property they are thinking of buying, before they close the purchase. Many properties do not require a great deal of time to inspect, if they have been developed properly and legally registered in the Costa Rican National Registry of Property. However, there are many tracts of land sitting vacant throughout Costa Rica that are not buildable, because one of the government institutions has attached restrictions to them for one reason or another. Purchasers need to know this type of information before closing on property. Land Inspection Reports, inform purchasers of what will be required in order to construct the structures they have envisioned on a property. The costs of construction for required installations such as, access roads, retention and security walls, potable and irrigation water supplies, grey and black water drainage systems, utility connections and foundations are determined by a properties existing terrain, soil conditions and location. Some properties require environmental, engineering and soil studies as well as topographical surveys to insure that all infrastructure and building construction is completed properly and within the Costa Rican legal and zoning laws. During a Land Inspection, the existing terrain and type of soil should be examined in order to determine the most suitable location to construct the desired structure as well as what type of construction will be required to comply with local building regulations. Dedicated building lots that are properly registered in the national registry and located in deeded, established projects should not require an extensive inspection, however overall construction costs are determined by a building lots soil, size and location. My Land Inspection Reports are commonly utilized to begin the initial architectural design and engineering work that will determine the total cost of construction. I review the site plan and registration documents for the property that my clients are considering to purchase in order to insure that all legal documents have been filed and are correct in relation to the property being inspected. Additionally, if infrastructure needs to be installed, I make sure that the appropriate materials are being installed in the correct locations and according to the developer or seller's representations. I then organize photos taken during my inspection into a report and send it to the client so they will have a useful pictorial history of the property being contemplated and the photos can be utilized to begin planning for construction. When considering the purchase of property anywhere, it's better to be safe and not sorry.

Comment on Every time I travel, it reminds me how much I like living in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:41:25 -0600

Isn't it a weird experience, not really to be able to describe the need to get back to Costa Rica? I'd love to hear the comments of others why they love Costa Rica.

Comment on Getting old in Costa Rica can be better than ever soon by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:58:57 -0600

Chuck couldn't find the way to register and sent me this comment: Sunday PM, September 4, 2011 I have been in touch with the local Chamber of Commerce which is trying to ressurect itself here in Esparza. One of the projects that I have in mind is a retirement complex here in Esparza. I want to have a combination of self sufficient villa-type units + an apartment style building(s) which will serve meals to the residents. There is a property here in Esparza about 500 meters from centro which is a repo by a bank. The original plans can not be used because Esparza changed the plan regulador and the lots on the plans don't meet the new zoning. I'm trying to promote Esparza as a retirement destination. Same problem, no investors. Seems that people will throw their money at 10% per month promises but will not consider something that will give long term returns. Just a coincidence that you showed this. Chuck

Comment on Patience and freedom of speech in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:57:18 -0600

I forgot to tell that Ticos get to be in a hurry as soon as they get a steering wheel in their hands. Thanx for your comment Shirley.

Comment on Patience and freedom of speech in Costa Rica by shirley

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:57:18 -0600

As one who has lived in Costa Rica for nearly 15 years I have to agree with everything you've said. Yet, there's one place where the Costa Rican patience seems nil to nada and that's when driving. No sooner the light turns red, someone has to honk before you have a chance to put your foot to the accelerator. I think they honk out of practice. I've seen a fellow to my right honk eventhough he was first in line (akin to honking at yourself).

Comment on Every time I travel, it reminds me how much I like living in Costa Rica by shirley

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:41:25 -0600

It is amazing but indeed true. Costa Rica can drive the most sane of us into madness with its disorganization and bad planing. But damned if I'm not ten days away and I miss this madness. And I love so its weather. I remember standing on the subway station in Stockholm, Sweden a few years back, on July 15th. (middle of summer), at noon with a jacket on and shivering away. The thermometer said 10 degree Celsius (50 degree Fahrenheit). The only thought that entered my mind was 'what the hell am I doing here when I have Costa Rica'.

Comment on Parents in Costa Rica and their children by corvali

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:17:20 -0600

Hi Rudy, Lovely story here! This article shows how you can assimilate the easy way in your new homeland, when having kids. It creates solidarity between the parents and gives the kids a great feel of belonging, selfconfidence, warmth and friendship. My grandson, 11 now and living on one of the Canary Islands, plays soccer too and I, visiting them from Holland, went along several times with his other grandparents, mum and dad,to watch him play. I'm an observer too and I loved the camaraderie, the carpooling, the friendship between the parents and the amazing sacrifice of the parents. It's wonderful to raise your kids with any sport. I hope you go on with your observations and write about it! A grandma from Holland

Comment on Costa Rica and its natural resources used to fight the poor. by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:20:33 -0600

Mr. Vinzenz Schmack was born in Germany but has lived in Costa Rica since 1981

Comment on Costa Rica and its natural resources used to fight the poor. by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:20:33 -0600

Mr. Rod Hughes sent us the following comment: I enjoyed the article from La Nacion but, unfortunately, I think the writer tends to overstate his case. In the first place, the history of The Netherlands is far different from that of Costa Rica. That European country is a tribute to man's industry and thought, stemming back from Roman times. Something like 2/3 of its territory comes from salvage from the sea and, if there was ever a self-made nation, the Dutch have it. But the Dutch are a thoughtful people who plan and supervise themselves--if they hadn't, fierce North Sea storms would have washed most of the nation away. Costa Rica, on the other hand, has had an abundance of natural beauty which it set about destroying systematically in the last half of the 20th century. Such seemingly boundless riches caused a lack of foresight that reduced the forests to less than half of what they were as recently as 1950. Then, logic took hold, the government incentivized maintenance of nature and private reforestation began. Perhaps some Ticos, like recent converts, are fanatical about saving the environment but they distrust, with reason, the government's ability to balance nature with exploitation. In petroleum drilling, their case was bolstered by British Petroleum's mistakes in the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill. As far as Las Crucita mine is concerned, Ticos can point to the Bellavista mine that collapsed in July of 2007, despite ecologists' and residents' repeated warnings that the hillside on which its refinery was sited was unstable. The government did nothing discernible to supervise the development of the site or, later, to inspect it. Toxic chemicals used to refine gold are buried under tons of earth and rocks--whether the landslide will result in ground water contamination is still to be seen. The pendulum in the controversy between ecology and foreign investment tends to swing confusingly--but in general, the discussion is healthy and keeps business careful about environmental damage.

Comment on Costa Rica and its natural resources used to fight the poor. by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:20:33 -0600

a long time friend and someone I hope might still move to Costa Rica some day, though he's been thinking about it for 10 years, sent me a note about my wrong calculation of the amount of acres I translated the hectares into. It seems to be a Dutch mistake, as we think in hectares and not in acres. Thanx Marius for the note and yes, a realtor should know better.

Comment on A day trip to Nativa Resort - what a surprise by Ticotom

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:24:22 -0600

I have stayed at the nature preserve Nativa numerous times, courtesy of the famous Costa Rica'n photographer, Don Roberto; http://www.robcraigphoto.com He has a large condo for his friends to stay at and I mean large, like about 2000 sq. ft.. Very cool views !!

Comment on Home maintenance for the Costa Rica rainy season by corvali

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:06:15 -0600

Ivo, your information and knowledge is amazing! You should have been in real estate when we arrived in Costa Rica, would have saved us a lot of trouble! Corry

Comment on An oh so different gated community in Atenas – Roca Verde by liena

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:12:34 -0600

We are Rudy and Liena De Jong and moved to Atenas in September 2010. We have lived in various parts of the world, wanted to retire in Spain, but too cold in the winters. We spent a holiday in Costa Rica in october 2008 and fell in love with the country. I started to look at websites for Real Estate Agencies and found GoDutch Realty amongst various others. This company was up-to-date with their housing market and had no houses on their website which were not available anymore as I found out by various other Agencies. They just don't update their websitesand answerring questions was obviously too much for various Agencies. Ivo was from the beginning a perfect person to deal with. He asked what we were looking for, price wise and location. We wanted to be higher from sea level and he provided us with much and very usefull information regarding living situations, weather graphics, accessabillities and whatever we asked, he always answerred. when When we came to Costa Rica in Mai 2009 for 2 weeks he had a list of houses which would fulfill our wishes and went all the way to show us around. We stayed in a B&B in Atenas and every morning he came to show us around. We wanted to live in The central Valley,not sure which town. We lived 26 years in tropical countries, so knew what would be suitable for us. We went to various areas in The central Valley and house nr. 14 we saw, was situated in Roca Verde, Atenas. A really beautiful gated community with lovely houses. All build in a way that you don't see your neighbours houses. It is build in a mountanous area so views are spectacular and it is very quiet here so you can enjoy all the sounds of the many birds, awakening you in the morning. We bought our house there and all the paperwork was done in 3 days before we went back to Spain. Even had help to open Bank accounts. Perfect service!! One of the very good things of Roca Verde is, that you make easely contact with your neighbours and other compound inhabitants who happen to be very nice people. There is a variety of nationalities here, Costa Ricans, Americans, Germans, French and Dutch. Walking distance from the village and therefore gives you the feeling that you live in a tropical paradise with all amenities around you. The community has a guarded gate and therefore you feel very safe. The complex is beautifully landscaped and well cared for. It gives you a rich feeling to be able to retire here. We are very happy with our choice and would like to recommend it to anybody who thinks about living or retiring in Atenas. The village has lots to offer, many things, internationally and locally, are organised here and the intergration in the communuity is very easy. Low profile thus easy going. You can rightfully say: Pura Vida in Atenas!!

Comment on Do we have more dishonesty in Costa Rica than in other parts of the world? by corvali

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 21:17:43 -0600

A wonderful article Ivo! Love it! It'some good solid advice! Corry, a Dutch admirer of your blogs

Comment on How do we give directions in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:13:34 -0600

Rod Hughes commented: Your story on directions/addresses was delightful and SO true! In my 40 years in this country, I've spend 20 of them lost or uncertain. And I needed no compass after only a year here.

Comment on Special Travel Promotions for GoDutch Realty clients by domporto

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 09:31:33 -0600

Ivo, Do you have any deals for Arenal. My son may come the end of July. Dom

Comment on How to adjust to your new environment in Costa Rica by Bishop, Brooke

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:29:15 -0600

Amen Ivo, Spanish is key, and remembering that we are not in our native country, of course things will be different, some better, some not. I am so happy to have come here in 1999, and cannot imagine any other place in the world I would be happier. I still learn about a new flower, fruit, word, or food nearly every day! Even simple things turn into an adventure in Costa Rica!

Comment on How to adjust to your new environment in Costa Rica by corvali

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:29:15 -0600

By the way, I want your readers to know we all speak almost perfect Spanish now! Wonderful to see that nice invitation after 32 years back on your website! Good memories! Mom

Comment on How to adjust to your new environment in Costa Rica by corvali

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:29:15 -0600

I couldn't agree more with all the commandments. In 1980, leaving Holland with 2 grown up sons and 2 adolenscent girls to start a new life in Costa Rica was a huge adventure and that was what we were looking for. We certainly had plenty of bad days, mainly because we didn't speak any Spanish!On the other hand we had many, many good days and I've never regretted that decision for one minute, proved by the fact that you build yourselves a fine and respectable business and are still living there. For us it was a wonderful life experience which enriched and changed our lives in an incredible way. Curiously, even in the bad days, you never ever critised us for having taken that decision because you learned to make the best of it! Take care, mom

Comment on How to adjust to your new environment in Costa Rica by iamkelley

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:29:15 -0600

The first commandment is very true. My husband and I spoke almost no spanish when we moved here, but we made an effort to learn. We didnt use Rosetta Stone or classes. We just learned by conversing with people and google translate. Even if we butchered every syllable, they loved our effort and were enthusiastic to help us get it right.

Comment on Central Valley sewer soon to be organized by iamkelley

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:45:45 -0600

WOW, Ivo!!! This article was full of yucky visuals, but thanks for the info!

Comment on Central Valley sewer soon to be organized by corvali

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:45:45 -0600

Bowel movement? ;-) Ain't he cute? Mom

Comment on dishonesty in Costa Rica by kcjb

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:16:59 -0600

I find it interesting that an article about dishonesty would be written about TICOS' being dishonest in pricing, when we GRINGOS' try to put one over our Costa Rican Craftsmen. Case in point>>>> Hiring someone to do all sorts of slate work, concrete, and building of guest houses. Then when the craftsmen come for their pay, we say; "You made enough on the last job, I am not going to pay you $6000.00 for this one." And then these people run away from the craftsmen when he comes to collect, or they see him in Atenas at a store or on the street, and duck out the back door. If you don't believe this story, feel free to email me! It is all true, and the facts of who did this might amaze you!! Their local to Atenas, are in business, and refuse to pay for work done on one of their properties.

Comment on dishonesty in Costa Rica by iamkelley

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:16:59 -0600

Its sad but true, I don't think there is a place that doesn't have at lease one dishonest person in its population. We have been remodeling a house here and have received some outrageous quotes for things. I have found that by getting a few quotes and asking around, I eventually get the "tico" price! My neighbors have been a great resource for references and price checks! They know where to find good deals and who not to deal with.

Comment on Costa Rica real estate negotiable steal in Naranjo by iamkelley

Mon, 30 May 2011 17:32:16 -0600

We looked at this place when we were house hunting. It is a beautiful house and in a nice little neighborhood. The only reason we did not purchase is because we have children and 2 bedrooms wasnt quite enough for us. Who ever gets this place will love it!

Comment on Walmart in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 27 May 2011 10:41:19 -0600

A incredible comment sent in by Sandor and I will do the whole article in a separate blog this week. This is about a hidden camera investigation by CBS reporters in Sacramento, CA : Walmart tops the list of Fortune 500 companies, bringing in the most revenue. Our hidden camera investigation uncovered a practice that may be adding to those profits. It has some customers and consumer advocates outraged. You give someone a gift receipt when you’re not sure if they’ll like your gift. It could be the wrong size, a color they don’t like or maybe they just want something else. For many, the gift receipt takes some stress out of gift giving. It doesn’t state how much you paid, but you give it to them so they can get the full value if they return the item. We’ve learned that doesn’t always happen at Walmart. Read the article next week.

Comment on Should I use the Costa Rica Post Office or not? by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 14 May 2011 09:38:17 -0600

I just almost lost my PO box again, they don't even put an invoice in your PO box, telling you that you have to pay. If you don't they don't even warn you, they just take the PO box away from you. A client also sent me a check that never arrived because it was sent to my old PO box and it never occurred to them to just move it over to the new PO box. The check was lost.

Comment on The perfect Costa Rica real estate seller by Bishop, Brooke

Sat, 28 May 2011 22:25:58 -0600

Thank you for the great blog Ivo! It seems so simple, but many people don't get it!

Comment on An Escazu home with a heart and a soul by corvali

Sat, 28 May 2011 20:51:00 -0600

Dear Ivo, I always considered this house as the nicest place you ever lived in, except for the one you live in now. I adore the smashing bay window and specially the porch with it's possibilities is absolutely charming. The aerea Alto de las Palomas with the views is so attractive and and makes you feel safe and at home. As we lived there too the place holds good memories for me. a hug from your mom

Comment on Walmart in Costa Rica by Grampy

Fri, 27 May 2011 10:41:19 -0600

Ivo; Your comments regarding Walmart are spot on. I would like to comment on there presence in my area. Approxiamatly 10 years ago, Publix & Albertsons (high end) grocery stores were fighting it out undercutting each other and Publix won (in my area 32779 Zip). There are 3 Publix's with in 5 Miles of my neighborhood!. The closest Walmart was built 10 miles away. Most all the shoppers are middle to lower class. The prices are low, but have been rising. Publix on the otherhand has allways featured certain groceries on sale at the same price as Walmart. There are numerous markets that are doing fine (mostly latino, Sedano's, Bravo, Compare, etc.)Walmarts business has been flat and Publix is having an increase in business because they anticipate the needs of the shoppers.

Comment on Is residency in Costa Rica a must or not when you live here? by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 19 May 2011 18:50:26 -0600

Nikita also gave us a good solution to get the utilities without having residency: Get yourself an S.A. (LLC) with an attorney and yourself as the sole representative of the corporation, then all you need is the "personeria" and your passport and you can get everything hooked up. Thanx for these two great comments Nikita.

Comment on Is residency in Costa Rica a must or not when you live here? by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 19 May 2011 18:50:26 -0600

Nikita, our affiliate partner in Jaco Beach just sent me an email saying that if you're within your 3 months tourist visa, then there is no problem with the driver's license. I have different info, so if you need your driver's license, please make sure you check. They change their minds all the time.

Comment on Costa Rica immigration has way to go on making digital services happen by shirley

Sat, 21 May 2011 16:48:51 -0600

Along with my wife we left our resident cedulas in imigration for renewal. After several weeks we returned at a certain time given just be keept in a waiting line for several hours. When our time finaly arrive at the counter we were told mi wife's cedula was done but mine was lost. I had to come back for another time when I had taken new pictures of myself. Of course I had to stand in line for several more hours for this process. Horrible.

Comment on Should I use the Costa Rica Post Office or not? by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 14 May 2011 09:38:17 -0600

Maybe they work better when you send something from here because you will be paying them? I have no clue how they will get paid when they are on the receiving end. Maybe they don't and that's the reason for the bad service? Anybody knows how post offices work worldwide?

Comment on Are those earthquakes in Costa Rica scary or not by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 13 May 2011 21:21:57 -0600

Posted by Rod Hughes: Local tremors (minor earthquakes) are very common in Costa Rica and this one caused no damage. The Central Valley is a network of minor faults and many surround the active volcanos here. Local faults tend to shake briefly--the recent 5.9 that you're writing about lasted only about five seconds. It's this brevity, ignored in most news reports in favor of the Richter scale intensity, that I think keeps them from having a worse effect on structures. As you point out, construction is pretty good in this country generally speaking. My view has always been that even strong earthquakes do not often kill people--poor construction is the villain. Many houses are unfortunately built on unstable hillsides that can cave off with a relatively minor tremor. Most of the "adjustments" being made in our local faults are so minor that most people don't notice them--they only register below 4.0 on the scale on seismic instruments.

Comment on Pushy realtors when buying property in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 07 May 2011 17:49:50 -0600

TM Vatan wrote: Shirley, I believe I met your husband once when we were looking at houses in Cariari a few years ago. My daughter's school is there, but we decided that we preferred living in the campo. Why live in a city just like the US - we could just move back to our house in OC, so we moved up to the hills of Heredia. Your spouse, Shell Johanson, was a gentleman among realtors - which is saying quite a bit.

Comment on Are those earthquakes in Costa Rica scary or not by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 13 May 2011 21:21:57 -0600

Posted by Rosalind Stanco from Florida, who lives in Santa Ana now: Dear Ivo, Just want you to know how much I look forward to receiving your "blogs" and that I read every word. In this one where you talk about the earthquakes here and mention that people thinking of moving to CR may wonder why you bring up such a scary subject as it might discourage them, I tell everyone I meet if they are looking for a realtor to work with in terms of their considering moving here, to call Ivo Henfling because not only will he never apply any pressure to you but in addition and most importantly, he will be totally honest in terms of telling you all the "bad" as well as the "good" which Sam and I found totally unlike any realtors we ever dealt with in any part of the US, where generally all they care about is the comission they will earn if they can talk you into purchasing or renting something they show you.

Comment on Are those earthquakes in Costa Rica scary or not by iamkelley

Fri, 13 May 2011 21:21:57 -0600

If you find a place on this earth that doesn't have some sort of natural disaster, let me know! We have been living here for a little over a year now. The earthquake on the 13th was the largest one we have felt and yet both of my kids slept right through it. On the grand scale of things the earthquakes here are not as bad as other natural disasters I have dealt with. I lived in Miami when Hurricane Andrew hit and I have lived in Mississippi where I have seen numerous tornados. At the end of the day its just a matter of choosing the lesser evil.

Comment on Should I use the Costa Rica Post Office or not? by scotto

Sat, 14 May 2011 09:38:17 -0600

I have shipped 10,000+ books to the US, Canad and many other countries and have been THRILLED with how affordable and reliable the Costa Rica Postal Service has been.... Scott Oliver at WeLoveCostaRica.com

Comment on Do I bring my furniture to Costa Rica or do I buy new there by Ticoman1

Sat, 07 May 2011 18:46:38 -0600

Great stuff Ivo...

Comment on Do I bring my furniture to Costa Rica or do I buy new there by iamkelley

Sat, 07 May 2011 18:46:38 -0600

We did a bunch of research and decided it was better all around to ship our furniture down here. At the end of the day we spent less than we would have if we bought all new furniture. We also knew that the quality would be what we wanted it to be. My husband is a fairly large man and I found that a lot of the tico furniture would be either a tight squeeze or uncomfortable for him. We used a gentleman named Barry Wilson, of Ship Costa Rica. He provided EXCELLENT service and got all of our things (2 containers full) here with no problems. We also shipped our vehicle using his services.

Comment on Italian restaurant Sole Mio in Escazu by iamkelley

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:16:19 -0600

I love this place and the owner (Im pretty sure his name is Bruno) is a sweet heart!

Comment on Costa Rica Lasik eye surgery by iamkelley

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 10:00:27 -0600

I need to give him a call. Ethan and I both have terrible vision. I feel sorry for our kids. They will have "4 eyes" for a good part of their lives!

Comment on Costa Rica Lasik eye surgery by shirley

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 10:00:27 -0600

My wife has been considering the same thing for a while, but have it done in Canada. The cost there is $2000 Canadian per eye.

Comment on Costa Rica Lasik eye surgery by Win Canavan

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 10:00:27 -0600

Ivo: Loved your article on Lasik Eye Surgery. I am thinking of it myself. Keeping track of the glasses often is a nightmare. Frequently, I am looking around and someone will tell me they are on top of my head. My worst for glasses was in California. I went to take my Spanish final and found I had forgotten the reading glasses. I could read if I got the copy far enough away, so I stood in the back of the classroom and put the test on the floor. I could read every word. I passed the test, and even got an "A."

Comment on Costa Rica real estate and Catholic Church working harder than ever by corvali

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:29:05 -0600

Wouldn't it be more logical if Mr. Barrantes promoted confession after the Semana Santa? ;-) corry van lith

Comment on Costa Rica real estate and Catholic Church working harder than ever by corvali

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:29:05 -0600

Dear Ivo, I so enjoy your blogs! your mother

Comment on Italian restaurant Sole Mio in Escazu by corvali

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:16:19 -0600

No wonder your wife's still in love with you, that is an incredibly charming compliment about the cooking! Corry van Lith, Maastricht, Holland

Comment on Costa Rica forum has interesting topics by Laurel

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:52:41 -0600

Ivo, you have made some excellent points.Buying property here is very different from the US.Until a few years ago maps of properties were approved by the Catastro but not by the Municipality.Building permits are not issued unless the maps are previously approved by the Municipal government. I recently sold some lots in Heredia and several people told me they had difficulty finding lots in the area with road frontage, water, electricity that were small, and many of the bigger ones are not able to segregate. They might have a natural spring, or as you say next to a river and with the limits on river frontage combined with the limits from the road there's no room left to build! Congratulations on your website. I look forward to reading your blogs.

Comment on real estate in costa rica stable or not by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 07:30:50 -0600

Thanx for your thoughts Rudy. Most of the time, we are like a year behind anything that happens in the US, therefore I expect a slow recovery. Prices have not adjusted much in Costa Rica to my opinion, because: 1. The Costa Rican economy is thriving with the bad US economy as outsourcing is a solution for many US companies. Costarican salaries are a lot lower and good education of the Ticos allows for strong competition. CINDE, Costa Rica's Investment Promotion Agency says "Costa Rica has positioned itself as a key destination for operations of multinational companies in a variety of industries, such as Advanced Manufacturing, Medical Devices and Services. Over 200 global companies have chosen Costa Rica as an establishment location." 2.Costa Rica did NOT have as many new real estate projects going during the boom, due to slow construction permitting. So when the bubble burst, many developers who were still in the permitting stage, stopped their projects. 3. Some developers saw the bubble bursting and changed their tactics to smaller apartments that can also be sold to the local professional with no children, in the price range between $100 - $200,000 like Condado del Country in Sabana and Vista Real in San Rafael de Alajuela. Ask your GoDutch realtors about those oportunities. 4. The Costarican banks did not make the mistakes the US banks and banks throughout the world made. For years, Costarican banks have been ordering their appraisers to under-appraise the values and loans were never made for more than 80% of the appraised value. So it was never possible in Costa Rica to purchase a property with $1 down. This is what made the US the promised land, but also brought it on its knees (even though they still don't believe it themselves). 5. Costa Rica is still attractive to those US citizens who have money sitting in their IRA or 401K and that money is not doing anything. So those who will be retiring soon, can invest that money in real estate in Costa Rica now, by using their IRA or 401K and rent the property out those those who already moved but don't have the money to purchase a property. You are not allowed to live on the property owned by your IRA, but you are allowed to rent it out and the income will go to your IRA. When you are ready to retire, you can buy it back from your IRA as soon as you have sold your assets back home. Ask your GoDutch realtor about this IRA issue.

Comment on Easter week vacation rentals in Costa Rica by corvali

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:07:27 -0600

HOW CONVENIENT TO FIND EVEN BEACH RENTALS ON YOUR SITE. hONESTLY, i'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH INTERESTING BLOGS COVERING SO MANY ASPECTS OF cOSTA rICA AND ITS POSSIBILITIES, WRITTEN WITH SUCH GUSTO AND EVEN HUMOR. LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THEM EVERY WEEK! tHANKS! cORRY FROM hOLLAND

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

Published on CostaRicaLiving Forum: From: CostaRicaLiving@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CostaRicaLiving@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of family_vs_world Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 2:01 PM To: CostaRicaLiving@yahoogroups.com Subject: [CostaRicaLiving] Re: Expats in quiet Atenas rattled by home invasion there Sorry for the attitude Ivo, we have been taking it from all sides since the robbery. The part of your article that set me off on the wrong foot was the following: "...I would like to make you all aware that though it's no fun to be robbed, especially when you're with your family and they put a gun to your head. This is something that rarely happens unless you brag about what you have, invite the wrong people into your house, or frequent the places like bars and other fun places where you might meet the wrong people." I do not hold hard feelings, I've just been a bit defensive after all of this. I am not suggesting in any way that people should pack up and leave after an event like this, however looking out your window night after night is not a good solution either. I also agree that this can happen anywhere, and does.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

Sorry, that link was a hassle Here is the link to click

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

And for those who are in doubt if we are greedy realtors and don't spend time and effort helping people when they need it, I would like to refer you to our testimonial page which gives you plenty of testimonial what we are all about http://www.godutchrealty.com/Testimonials-offered-by-sellers-and-buyers-of-Costa-Rica-real-estate.html I sincerely hope you take the time to read that page.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

I insist that I feel bad for the victims and that I am not blaming the victims. I feel bad for them as it has happened to me too in the past, so I know how terrible it is. But that is not my point in my blog. My point is that it happens everywhere and that there are many ways to be cautious. That's all. In the Middle East people are dying, in Japan its a mess, its bad news everywhere and we are spending all this time over a home invasion. I sincerely apologize to all who I have hurt their feelings by saying things people don't want to hear. I hope everyone is happy now.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by jhflwrchld

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

Ivo, I appreciate your attempt to calm the nerves of those of us who are worried about the recent home invasion in Roca Verde (I hear there were also 2 in Lomas del Paraiso). I agree that it is our personal responsibility to be a cautious as possible. However, it appears that you are blaming the victims instead of the fact that poverty & drugs breed crime. Your comparisons with North America are not relevant. It is sad that this is happening anywhere. Your response to Robyn is particularily insensitive. If this terrible crime happened in your family would you consider is just "no fun" and "rare"? You seem to insult her for not knowing Spanish. Do you have your clients wait until they are fluent in the language before buying property from you? Maybe she is angry because some Real Estate Agents try to minimize the negatives. But, I think we should all be kept informed of what is happening in the community and not "hide" it.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by Bishop, Brooke

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

I think that the comments have gotten out of hand. The point Ivo was trying to make is that although it is extremely unfortunate for the people who were invaded, statistically speaking, we are still better off in Costa Rica than in many other countries in the world. No Place is perfect, there is no doubt about that, and we are in a country where there is little police force, no welfare, and an average income of about $11,000 a year. There are basic precautions you can do to protect yourself, but sometimes these violent acts are just random. One other thing, just because we are Realtors does not mean that we are greedy liars who will say or do anything to make a sale. Remember, we live here too. We have the same issues with crime as everyone else. The only difference is that many of us have been here much longer than our clients, we can only give our advice that has helped keep us from being victims, it does not make us insensitive, only experienced.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

Comment from aschambe@aol.com Ivo, I think you missed a critical point on your blog and the numbers you site. I think they need to be sized to fit Atenas. If this break in is a once in a while occurrence it is unfortunate for the individuals victims, by comparison to the US statistics this should have happened in Atenas 60 to 80 times. Maybe a direct comparison can't be made from larger cities to smaller ones, but certainly the number in cities the size of Atenas and the success of its people would bring more than one or two break ins per year in the US. I've has two instances in Costa Rica of theft in 5 years. I don't like it one bit and I don't think people should stand by and do nothing. They need to demand more of the authorities, take reasonable precautions and maybe add a home alarm. The last thing they should do is rant at the people who raise the visibility of the issue. Real estate people are just one of the many who have a stake in this game. Ardon

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

dear Robyn, You accuse me of being an insensitive person and everyone who knows me can assure you I'm not. I always help people when its in my power to do so. I feel terribly sorry for what happened to you and I understand you are angry. But you are angry at me for the all the wrong things. You show your hate for real estate agents and business owners. I don't know what a job has to do with this matter. I didn't do anything to you, your attackers did. You're attacking me for being a real estate agent, while you needed the help of a real estate agent in Jaco to help you because you never tried to learn Spanish while living in a Spanish spoken country. In my blog, I am not accusing anyone of anything, I am just trying to explain how most assaults and home invasions happen and to be careful and not to show off what you have. That doesn't mean that those who are attached have much or too much. In several private emails you have sent me, accusing me of being greedy, you show me you have nothing but anger to show for those who do not agree with your way of thinking. I can only recommend you go back to where you came from very fast and only home that this place is total secure and safe with lots of police to make sure that nothing will happen to you again. I feel sorry your adventure to Costa Rica was not what you expected. I DO exist that your attack and the home invasion in Atenas are things that happen anywhere in the word and don't have anything to do with Costa Rica and its people and that these happenings have been blown out of proportion. To me and many others, Costa Rica is the place we love, though we might not like every inch of it, but where we have the life we were looking for when we moved here. I hope you find a place on earth where you can be happy.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by nybor

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

i am sure you will not allow my letter to appear on your website. it might take money away from you.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by nybor

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

Your insensitivity is appalling. I am not sure if greed is your motive or you are actually oblivious. Since you are in real estate, i vote for greed. Here is a face of a home invasion to think about next time you try to sweep it under the rug and say it only happens to people flashing money or out to bars. http://www.amcostarica.com/032907.htm I was not wearing flashy jewelry, in fact they did not take my necklace off of me becasue it was so cheap after they raped me Ivo! Your only concern from reading your article is to keep your business going and not have customers afraid. well, they need to be very afraid of this ever happening to them. and since it did not happen to you, you get to act like it doesn't happen very often. What a lie!And there is not a whole lot you can do to stop it if the bad guys want your stuff. we had bars on all windows and doors, reinforced doors a dog and we were very aware of our surroundings. You owe this family an apology for your disgusting way you handled this home invasion. After my attack, guess who wrote the paper and said these things don't happen and it was actually my fault... you are right, real estate agents and business owners.

Comment on Bad traffic on highway Airport - San Jose by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:13:42 -0600

And the Platina fun goes on and on, now its the new concrete that is not holding. The pavement is falling apart. This story has been going on for like 5 years now. Who knows when they will try to fix it again.

Comment on Dota will soon export the first coffee with Carbon Neutral Certification by Henfling, Ivo

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:41:53 -0600

check with the Naranjo Coop, they might have a similar program.

Comment on On the day of the oxcart parade in Escazu by Henfling, Ivo

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:19:59 -0600

thanx, I will take you up on that invitation as soon as we're roaming your area.....

Comment on More work on the old road in Escazu by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 08:07:02 -0600

Yes Grampy, thanx for your comment and let me explain a bit more about this issue, because we DO pay taxes for this. I totally agree with you but the matter is not so simple. In a third world country, things like this need organization and because there are different institutions involved, its difficult to make them work together. Let me explain: All cars pay at the end of the year what we call a "marchamo", more about this here: http://american-european.net/properties/page-what-is--95.html which is a road tax. On top of that, we pay a higher price for gas here than in some other countries, because the extra part is supposed to go to maintenance of the roads, which doesn't really happen because it gets lost between different institutions. The reason there is not enough money is that each rainy season, the weather gets worse and worse and damages roads and bridges throughout the country. So its an endless story. But, in the case of the road in Escazu in this blog, the story is a bit different. The old road from San Jose to Ciudad Colon (which is the road they are working on) is a provincial road. So its not the city (even though it runs right through the city) who is responsible. The responsible people for this are the water company ( A y A ) and the construction company hired by the water company. I don't think they even asked the people who are in charge of the roads in the province for permission to open up the road to lay the water pipes (which is exactly where the problem lies). As long as nobody complains, nothing will happen. But the great news is that my blog came to the attention of an alderman in the City of Escazu and he put it in the last council meeting. That's a start. Even though they don't have the power to do much about it, we shall hope the protest will get as far to the Province. On the 23rd of February 2011, the government of President Laura Chinchilla has signed a project of a law called "General Law on Transfer of Competencies from the Executive Branch to the Municipalities" which will hopefully soon be approved by the National Assembly and will give the Municipalities the power AND the funds to fix the problems as noted in this blog. Again, Grampy, I want to thank you for your participation in this blog.

Comment on Plaza España - a Spanish restaurant in San Antonio de Escazu by Henfling, Ivo

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:42:13 -0600

glad you're all going soon. See you there then

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

Thanx familyvsworld for your comment and I totally agree with you that people should feel safe in their own home. But I don't agree with your "no matter what". We should all be able to leave our laptops on the table and I am not trying to justify a crime like this. You need to read my comments again. I am recommending that we should all be careful with what we do and not invite criminals into our homes or to forget to secure our homes as there is no safe place in the world anymore.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by familyvsworld

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

And if you are not flashing loads of cash, bringing strange people into your home, picking up on the local bar flys then what is your explanation? And if that laptop is sitting on your dining table should you not consider it to be safe when you are in your home in a gated community? There is no justification for a crime like this, no matter how you try to swing the facts around. People should be able to feel safe in their homes no matter what.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by tricojls

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

Thank you to give us some positives words about the home invasion we had in ROCAVERDE !

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by tuttocr

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon in that AE April newsletter. Home Crime Prevention is a hot topic all around the Globe. Cheers

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by fredmac

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

Excellent points. We can't let random, scary events rule our lives.

Comment on Armed Home invasion in Atenas by Bishop, Brooke

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:38:20 -0600

Great Article Ivo, I think that a lot of people living here do not understand that any Costa Rican will tell you that keeping a low profile about your financial status is a good way to avoid being robbed. It is a real shame that this happened, but just the fact that it is on every website about Costa Rica means that it is not a common occurrence, in this country. These small towns, Atenas, Grecia, Naranjo, San Ramon, etc. all have less than 10 police to patrol, so on a world wide scale, we are not doing too bad. One of the great things about Costa Rica is that the government allows us to live freely, and take responsibility for our own safety and life. You cannot expect the police or the OIJ of Costa Rica to protect you, any Costa Rican will tell you that. Be smart, think of your security, and remember, we are responsible for ourselves.

Comment on Plaza España - a Spanish restaurant in San Antonio de Escazu by Hendrik

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:42:13 -0600

Congratulations, very nice page!

Comment on Plaza España - a Spanish restaurant in San Antonio de Escazu by Grampy

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:42:13 -0600

sounds good, save some for me!

Comment on On the day of the oxcart parade in Escazu by corvali

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:19:59 -0600

Hello Ivo, Your blogs are always very informative, amusing even! I've lived in Costa Rica for many years and my interest in that beautiful country has never lessened. Every time I'm curious with what you come up this time. The description of your 'confrontation' with your urologist was unique and very helpful for many men I'm sure! Your sangria and tapas tip made me feel sorry for myself that I couldn't join you. There is a very good tapas restaurant in Maastricht though so you and Dany are invited.... Corry van Lith

Comment on Dota will soon export the first coffee with Carbon Neutral Certification by Bishop, Brooke

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:41:53 -0600

Thats Great! I hope other coop's follow their lead!

Comment on Greenlight Laser PVP for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Costa Rica by Grampy

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 12:39:42 -0600

Ivo; I just had a (TURP)Transurethral resectional of the prostate, procedure last January! Carlos

Comment on More work on the old road in Escazu by Grampy

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 08:07:02 -0600

Your county needs to raise some taxes and alocate them for road repairs.

Comment on A trip to Bocas del Toro in Panama by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:08:53 -0600

This is the video of the Little Devil's or Los Diablitos en Bocas del Toro:

Comment on Condominium buildings in Escazu and other parts in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:14:13 -0600

Comment on The sweetest spot in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:40:01 -0600

And Norma Herrera commented: que excelente idea Ivo, un cafecito....

Comment on The sweetest spot in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:40:01 -0600

Lynn Cummings commented on Facebook: Really delicious breakfasts too! Great food!

Comment on Bad traffic on highway Airport - San Jose by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:13:42 -0600

For those who understand Spanish, this was done during the past Oscar Arias's government, making fun, as usual of the "Platina Bridge", an issue that has been going on forever. This Tico found a way to show that even Hitler had a hard time with the Platina bridge already, and that was 65 years ago.......

Comment on Costa Rica Palmares Civic Fiestas celebrate 25 years this year by Henfling, Ivo

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 09:50:36 -0600

A small video taken By Brooke Bishop of GoDutch Realty - Grecia

Comment on Costa Rica - Open Markets and Mom - Pop Stores by Henfling, Ivo

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:06:17 -0600

Thanx for this great comment Rudy. I find that in many things Costa Rica is at least 15 years behind the US and many other countries in the world. You have found one of those things that make the being behind so nice. But we have the best of both worlds here. The pictures in Rudy's blog were taken in San Antonio de Escazu,only minutes away from Walmart, Pricemart, Multiplaza and other 1st world countries.

Comment on Valley views and gardens in Alajuela to die for by Henfling, Ivo

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 07:52:17 -0600

Andres just made a new presentation on this beautiful property for sale. Check it out here:

Comment on Treasury Commission approved tax of $ 200 to societies (LLC) by Henfling, Ivo

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:23:00 -0600

Most real estate agents and real estate attorneys recommend the transfer of the title of a property to be purchased into a Costa Rica Corporation, called and S.A. or Sociedad Anónima, which is the equivalent of an LLC in The United States, a B.V. in Holland and Anonym Gesellschaft in Germany. This is mainly done to protect the property against liabilities. Over the years, most S.A.'s that were not used anymore by their owners (because the property owned by the S.A. was sold out of the S.A.) were not canceled. So there are thousands existing S.A.'s in the Property Register that will be canceled by their owners as soon as the $200 will be collected. The above article does not say as of when the taxes will be collected. I think the government has no idea how many of the thousands of S.A.'s are owned by people who have long left the country or passed away. We will keep you updated on any news on this front. If you know you own old S.A.'s that are not used by you anymore, contact your attorney to eliminate these S.A.'s before they start the collection process.