Costa Rica summary

[Jim]

I am going back to the US at the end of December after 7 months here. Basically, I´m married and earning money to insure my retirement income. I retire in 6 1/2 years and probably will live in CR where my money goes further.

The things that were besr are:

(1) Costa Rica has incredible natural beauty. Seven volcanos, beaches, tropical rainforests, mountains, luscious verdent valleys.

(2) The thrill of living like a native in a foreign culture; renting an apartment, getting a job, commuting on a bus, experiencing the inconveniences when I didn't know what to do and the thrill of getting it right the next time.

(3) Totlally integrating myself into Costa Rican culture, speaking Spanish 24/7 , reading the local paper daily and learning how Costa Ricans (our allies) perceive the US in Iraq, the CAFTA, etc.

What I didn't like:

(1) Living on $750 a month in a third world country. It can be done but I'd prefer having a car and not looking at prices as much as I did. I used some saved money to do thin gs I wanted to do (rent a car, take trips, do touristy things) but it's a hard place to make a living.

(2) Costa Ricans are used to bering treated like cows, by their government officials,m by businesses who don't compete on price or give a darn about customer service.

Lots more is good that bad. You can live a really good life on lots less money in Latin America if you don¡t insist on buying lots of imported things.

Like Papa Suave has said, an average person here can find lots of nice looking women who want to go out with him. I'd recommend this to anyone with a sence of adventure and who loves foreign culture.

Jim

[Clay]

Jim, you could take that 750 to Honduras and live much more comfortably. It doesn't have nearly as many tourists changing or spoiling the latin culture

I like Costa Rica better than Honduras. I have been to both coasts of CR and to many of the Atlantic coastal and inland western areas of Hond. To me CR wins. As for prices, yes, Hond is cheaper and has some nice qualities, but the people of CR are friendlier. Just my 2 cents.
Pura Vida, baby!

[Jim]

This is the last time I try to live on $750 even though it can be done and was a great experience. It would probably be harder to earn $750 in Honduras also.

In all of Central America CR has higher prices, and more gringos wrecking the latina culture. It also has more infrastructure (as feeble as it is), loads of great tourist destinations (rainforest cable cars, rafting adventures, resorts and tons more). It rains a lot but is never hot or cold.

The above can be advantages or disadvantages. I probably would lean toward CR because of familiarity if nothing else.

Pura Vida.

Jim

[Clay]

When i as in Tela i had a 2# lobster dinner with ALL the trimmings and one beer for 3 bucks, oh did i forget it right on the carribean sea one step away from the sand

[RXD]

It is one of the most incredibly diverse and beautiful countries. It is the best tourist destination.Visitors can come here without the need of a Visa and can stay in the country for 90 days. It is famous among the most prominent birdwatchers in the world.

[edaviscr]

I don't think Honduras is safe for the time being due to the coup and aftermath and rampant poverty. I hear the Bay Islands are unaffected, however...