[Country Expert john michael arthur]

Hi Rod,

I am looking into this a bit further. I know if you are a resident you have options for this under the Caja. Without Caja I am sure there are resources, but I need to find out what they are. A lot of it will depend on where you live. If you are in a larger city (San Jose, Alajuela, etc) you will have more options.

I let you know if I can find out additional info.

[Country Expert john michael arthur]

Hi Michael,

1) it is my understanding that you must be a resident in order to get a CR drivers license. Therefore the tourist stamp is inconsequential. Are you a resident? If not I would love to hear more about your experience obtaining a license. This is a relatively new law (about 2 years) so if you are renewing, after 3 years, maybe you got your license under the old law.

2) Yes, a medical exam will be required.

3) Yes, the fines can be ludicrous here.

[Country Expert john michael arthur]

Hi William,

I am guessing you mean Playa Matapalo, near Quepos (there are actually several Matapalos, but no Montopolas)? If that is the case I imagine that is a lightly populated area, you may need to travel to Quepos or Manuel Antonio to find an English speaking church. Join the Southern Zone’s Facebook page. The members live in the area and will be able to help you out – https://www.facebook.com/groups/707768359266826/search/?query=matapalo.

Best of luck,

Greg Seymour
International Living Correspondent

[Country Expert john michael arthur]

Hi Sean,

I don’t know of any (affordable) long term parking facility anywhere– long term at the airport is $15 a day. But like many things here you can get creative. Perhaps the person/dealer you are buying it from will store it for a small fee. Or, if you know someone in the area (or can network to find someone) who is willing to keep it, that might work. Or, just wait until you arrive to purchase… unless, of course you found the perfect car already.

I will ask around for additional solutions and let you know if I find any.

Best of luck,
Greg

[Country Expert john michael arthur]

Hi Carol,

The police department will notarize it there. The apostille will come from a “Competent Authority” for us this was the Secretary of State in Texas. See this website – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/judicial/authentication-of-documents/apostille-requirements.html.

As for all the documents you need, see this website – http://www.arcr.net/residency/requireddocuments.html. Requirements change seemingly with whim a good attorney will help navigate the process, although you can do it yourself for much less if your Spanish skills are good or you have an interpreter.

Finally, note that the date of the notarization or apostille is important. The document can not be more than 6 months from being verified. For example, if your certified birth certificate has been sitting in a drawer since you were young it would be invalid for residency purposes. You would need to go to county records and purchase a new one… then hurry to Costa Rica to file it 🙂

Best of luck,
Greg Seymour

[Country Expert john michael arthur]

Hi Tim,

I am International Livings Central Valley Correspondent, Jason has changed roles and is now a roving editor and not based in CR currently.

It is my understanding that any monetary instrument(s) with a value of $10,000 must be declared. By declaring, you open the balance over $10k to duty. According to this website – http://www.dutycalculator.com/dc/185838341/business-industrial/gems-jewellery/gold-monetary-forms/import-duty-rate-for-importing-monetary-gold-from-united-states-to-costa-rica-is-5/ – that is 5% for Costa Rica.

Best of luck,
Greg

[Country Expert john michael arthur]

Hi Jim,

My wife and are were in the same boat a few months ago. We had our stamped paperwork but no cedula yet. We were required to purchase a forward on ticket when we checked in with Spirit in Dallas. The requirement seems to be more enforced on the US end than with CR – we have never been asked to see a return ticket from any agent in CR. On a separate occasion to the States with Southwest we were not asked about a forward on ticket. The adage “your mileage may vary” is very appropriate.

We now always just but a return ticket and front the extra money to buy a refundable one. Once we get in the country we have it refunded.

Best of luck,

Greg Seymour
IL Central Valley Correspondent

[Country Expert john michael arthur]

Hi Tim,

The answer is no, but with a VPN service… maybe. Services like Netflix have recently employed technology to identify VPN services and it is getting much harder to “trick” the providers into thinking you are in the US and deserve US programing. Some don’t care, so really the VPN is hit or miss.

Without a VPN this is what you can expect from Apple TV – https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204411.

Best of luck,
Greg Seymour

[Author]

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