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... Living in Costa Rica (8 day tour). Revised Version ...
by Christopher Howard M.A.
Author of The New Golden Door Door to
Retirement and Living in Costa Rica
ARRIVAL Day 1
Arrival. Ground transportation from the airport to the Hotel Presidente in downtown
San José. Welcome dinner. (optional since some flighta arrive late).
In the case of a late flight there will be a short orientation meeting.
Day 2
(Last FRIDAY to coincide with the monthly seminar at the Resident's Association)
Morning highly informative seminar at the Resident's Association. Lunch break
at Tiny's Gringo Sports Bar. Afternoon visit or drive by Clínica Bíblica,
Mall de San Pedro, Universidad de Costa Rica, El Hipermás, La Sabana,
Rohrmoser, new state-of-the-art in Escazú and Multiplaza and all of the
areas in San José where foreigners live . We pick up the dinner at the
beautiful Pico Blanco restaurant overlooking the Central Valley.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel. Bus trip around Central Valley to neighboring areas
where foreigners live: Escazú, Santa Ana, Alajuela, Heredia and others.
Lunch at La Cocina de Doñ Leyla where you will savor the best of Costa
Rica's typical dishes. Free night.
Day 4
Option 1: Calypso All Day Boat Trip on the Calypso to Tortuga Island (bus to
Puntarenas, then boat cruise to Tortuga, return to Puntarenas and then by bus
to San José. A light breakfast aboard the bus is provided. A delicious
lunch on the island is also included. Bring a towel, bathing suit and sunscreen.
This is by far the best all-day tour offered. It has to be seen to be believed.
Option2: Costa Rica Highlights Tour. Exciting one-day luxury bus tour including
a mouth-watering breakfast at a coffee plantation, trips to volcano and two
waterfalls, bird watching, lunch at Selva Verde Jungle Lodge and a jungle river
cruise.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel. Cafe Britt Tour: beautiful coffee farm in the hills
of Heredia overlooking San José. There is a short entertaining skit at
the end of the tour about the history of coffee growing. Very educational. Lunch
(your choice). Afternoon seminar with Speakers: Vernon Bell, a long-time resident,
author and home-stay owner Steve Hanson, Directorof Conversa Language Institute,
Edward Bridges, CPA and successful enterpreneur, and Martha Bennett, a local
resident and freelance writer. Free night.
Day 6
Breakfast at the Presidente. Downtown walking tour of San José with Chris
Howard and lunch at a local Gringo hangout and sports bar. Night on the town
with Chris Howard (your choice of spots).
Day 7
Breakfast at the hotel. Bus to the neighboring town of Cartago, Irazú
Volcano and beautiful Orosi Valley and Lake Cachí. Mouth-watering buffet
lunch at Restaurant in Cachí by Lake Farewell, meeting and dinner (your
choice). Final questions, answers and concerns.
Day 8
Breakfast at hotel. Transport to airport.
The above intinerary is only a sample from a recent tour and is subject to
change. Three-day mini tours and consultation sessions are also available for
those short on time. PLEASE check with Christopher Howard, the tour guide, for
prices at: crbooks@racsa.co.cr.
PRICE PER PERSON $1,499 * AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED
(Minimum group size is 2 people at this price.)
All itineraries subject to a slight change due to weather and availability of
certain tours.
SEMINAR PROGRAM (From day one of both tours)
9:00 Welcome by Robert Miller
9:10 Real Estate - Buying, selling & Renting by Mercedes Cast (Remax Reality)
9:30 Questions About Real Estste
9:40 Costa Rican Laws & Regulations by Lic. José Carter
9:55 Questions about Costa Rica's Laws
10:05 Residency by Lic. Romulo Pacheco
10:20 Questions about residency
10:30 BREAK FOR BRUNCH
10:45 Moving and Customs by Charles Zeller (ABC Mudanzas)
11:00 Questions about Moving and Customs
11:10 Insurance in Costa Rica by Dave Garrett (Garrett y Associates)
11:25 Questions about Insurance
11:35 Title Guarantee by Christopher Hill (Stewart Title)
11:45 Questions about Title Guarantee
11:55 Banking by Banco ELCA Tel: 258-3355
12:10 Questions about Banking
12:20 Health System in Costa Rica by Dr. Carlos Salazar
!2:35 Questions about the the Health Care System
12:45 Living and Retiring in Costa Rica by Grace Woodman (ARCR Member)
1:00 Closing Remarks
There will be a rafflle at the luncheon for a 5000 colón dinner certificate
compliments of LA FUENTE DE LOS MARISCOS
OUR ADVENTURE IN PARADISE
by Carol Burch
"Oh that's far too beautiful to be real," I muttered to myself,
while
examining the photographs in Christopher Howard's latest book. "These
photos can't be real, I'm sure," I commented cynically. It was October,
a
comfortable autumn day. But the days
were getting shorter and the nights colder. Cold, windy, bleak, winter
days were just around the corner. Summer and fall are enjoyable seasons in
northeast Ohio. And then there's winter...my thoughts drifted to the ice
storm of 1991. Downed trees and
powerlines closed many roads. Driving was trecherous. Stores were closed,
schools too, and cable TV was out. "How would you like to see Costa Rica?"
my husband Jim's question interrupted my thoughts. "Christopher Howard
is
leading a tour in January,"
Jim remarked. "Do you think you could get time off? "What are Costa
Rica
winters like?" I asked. "January is their summer, and in the Central
Valley it's 72 degrees year round," he replied. "If you like it we
could
live there comfortably on my pension. You
wouldn't have to work, it would be optional." "Even with the two
children," I asked.
"Yes," was his reply.
We departed from Cleveland and had an enjoyable, uneventful flight to San
José. Jim and I were weary of customs, but it proved to be easier than
car
trips to Canada. Costa Rican warmth and hospitality were immediately
evident; we felt welcome. Someone from the tour company was expected to
meet us, but we were flattered and amazed this it was Christopher Howard!
Our Costa Rica adventure had begun. On the way to our hotel Chris helped
us get our bearings and was more than willing to answer our many questions.
I was immediately struck by the absolute beauty of the country. Such
contrasts! It is even more beautiful that the photographs. The Hotel
Presidente was convenient and comfortable. The location was perfect for
touring the city on our own. Meals were delicious and reasonable, and in
close proximity to numerous "sodas" (small cafés), souvenir
shops, a
museum, the Central Market and casinos. Hotel security watched over us. We
were able to mail our postcards and exchange money at the hotel. They also
gave directions and called taxis for us. Imagine that at a Holiday Inn.
The streets felt safe too, unlike big cities in the States.
The Irazú Volcano Tour and trip afterwards around the lake in the
beautiful Orosi Valley had to be seen to be believed. The morning excusion
to the CoffeeBritt plantation in Heredia to see how coffee is grown and
processed was very educational. We were especially enthralled by our
catamaran boat ride to Tortuga Island. We lunched on the island with an
iguana, saw a school of playful dolphins jump next to our boat. and
marveled at Costa Rica's spectacular scenery.
We also loved the Banco de Mariscos restaurant in Heredia. It is touted
as the best seafood restaurant in the country. Their dishes are absolutely
delicious and a bargain. Tiny's American Sports bar was great fun. We had
a group luncheon there and enjoyed hamburgers and fries Costa Rica style.
The lectures and seminars were helpful and informative, especially the
representative from the Residents Association of Costa Rica. We have been
in touch with several speakers from the tour since our return to the
States.
Without Chris, we would have never met the realtors, movers, a C.P.A., a
business consultant and an attorney. The Clinica Bíblica Hospital offers
great medical care. Not wanting to miss any of the tour, I saw a doctor
there for a minor problem. The doctors and nurses spaek great English.
Bedside manner far exceeds what I'm accustomed to. The wait was short,
care great and fee minimal.
When we departed paradise, our flight from New Jersey was cancelled due to
the weather. The next flight was delayed for hours while all planes
de-iced. Both at the airport and at home we shoveled snow. Sniff, sniff,
good-bye for now, paradise.
Update : We are now in the process of selling our two homes in the States
and plan to move with the kids to Costa Rica before the new millennium. It
came down to a choice between Costa Rica and Florida and the former won out
easily. Florida's sweltering summers cannot compete with
Costa Rica's spring-like climate.
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