Maybe you are thinking of finding a safer haven outside the United States, Canada or Europe. Costa Rica seems to be a good choice for many along with Panama and Ecuador. Costa Rica already has over 600,000 foreigners who are either residents or snowbirds.

Rentals are expected to boom in the next five years with an increased baby boomer population happening in the US, Canada and Europe. With the new health care legislation in the United States, many are choosing to leave. With Costa Rica’s socialized medical system and incredibly low “Caja” payment (health care insurance), this country is looking pretty good. What if the “being considered “ Social Security law is passed raising the age to 75 and while there is a shortage of jobs for the young…what work is there for the aged between 65 and 75? Just keep on working past 65 or go try to find a job in a very high jobless market?

My monthly caja payment for medical, dental and eye-care is $13 a month. In the states it was well over a $1000 before I left in 2006. On a social security check of $849 I certainly could not afford that. Overall, I simply could not afford the expensive lifestyle of the United States.

Rather, I chose to move to Costa Rica. Health care was a major reason. Not only are the payments for insurance low, my living expenses are also minimal by comparison. Internet is $24/month, electric is close to $100, I have no mail and no paper waste, food is fresh and without corn syrup or soy in nearly everything and much comes directly from the soil or off the tree, everyone waves to you and is friendly, the plant life is amazing and on and on.

If one tenth of one percent of baby boomers decide to leave the United States over the next 5 years there would be an influx of 50,000 people over that time period. What if more decide to leave? Prices will go up as the demand for housing and especially rentals increases. Opportunities for rentals may decrease very quickly, so please consider this and don’t wait until you can’t open a foreign bank account or transfer your assets. When the population wakes up to the reality of what is really happening, I see many more Europeans, Canadians and Americans deciding to leave for all of the above reasons. In my next article I will elaborate on why you should rent and not buy or build when you first move to Costa Rica.

By
Rosemary MacGregor
Info@hemangotreespa.com
www.themangotreespa.com
506 2786 5300

If you are taking the coastal route from the airport, you need to leave the airport going toward San Jose and immediately get in the left lane and turn to your left at your first opportunity. This is the next block after leaving the airport. You will go around a very visible half block and get in the lane going parallel to the airport but going north. Get in the left lane again and take the one lane road (middle road). Do not take the freeway road. The middle road will broaden as you continue. Note the distance here as approximately 8-9 kilometers down the road where there are a lot of big green signs you want to exit to the right. There is an obvious road crossing the freeway. This is where you want to exit. If you don’t exit here you will go all the way to Puntarenas and the drive will take you another 2 hours. At this exit with all the signs, if they now have included a sign for Jaco great! If not, take this exit anyway. The sign for Jaco is at the end of the exit where you will turn left, cross over the freeway and then head for Jaco. At Jaco, (2 + hours away) turn south, (left) and proceed down the new Coastal Highway through Quespos, (1 ½ hours away) Dominical (40 minutes), Uvita (20 minutes), Ojochal (4 ½ kilometers), Punta Mala (1 ½ kilometers) to Coronado where you will see a big open restaurant “Costa Real” on your right, a blue “Soda Coronado” little store, and bus stop on your left. Turn here on to the dirt road and follow this road for 2.8 kilometers. You will cross a skinny sideless bridge, keep going, thru the Pueblo of Tres Rios (no sign but about 10 houses clumped together, go another 200 meters and look for the rock under the mango tree on the right. Go up that hill and take your first left. You can get up the hill in low or first gear but go slow and steady. If you try to accelerate you will spin rocks. If you have a 4×4, just go into that and head on up the hill.

The Mt. route. Your rental car company should provide you with a map telling you how to get thru San Jose. It is a pretty straight shot with one or two turns. The critical one is when you see the sign for San Pedro and round-about, get in the middle lane and half way around to the right. Most of the cars will take this route so basically follow them. Stay on that road for quite awhile. You will then see a little sign that says San Isidro. It is a small single lane turn off to the right. Take that or you will end up in Cartago and have to figure your way back. Now you are on the Cartago road toward the mts. This will be about an hour trip to the top of the mts. about 12,000 ft. altitude and then another hour or more down to San Isidro de General or also call Perez Zeledon. Look for the Golden Arches of McDonals. You will turn down the road to the right just before and next to McDonalds and continue straight thru San Isidro. This road will continue and turn into the road going up the next mountain and then down to the Coast and Dominical. When you get to the bottom of that road, turn left and proceed past Dominical (40 minutes), Uvita (20 minutes), Ojochal (4 ½ kilometers), Punta Mala (1 ½ kilometers) to Coronado where you will see a big open restaurant “Costa Real” on your right, a blue “Soda Coronado” little store, and bus stop on your left. Turn here on to the dirt road and follow this road for 2.8 kilometers. You will cross a skinny side less bridge, keep going, thru the Pueblo of Tres Rios (no sign but about 10 houses clumped together), go another 200 meters and look for the rock under the mango tree on the right. Go up that hill and take your first left. You can get up the hill in low or first gear but go slow and steady. If you try to accelerate you will spin rocks. If you have a 4×4, just go into that and head on up the hill.

The new traffic laws in CR are very strict and costly. If you get stopped by a police and are told you are speeding or whatever, ask the police for his “Cedula”, write it down, get his license number, name, etc. and tell him you are going to call it in. Refuse to sign a ticket unless you are in the wrong. They are targeting tourists and trying to get a bribe in lieu of giving you the ticket. There are also some false police…dressed in uniforms who are trying to extort money.

By Rosemary MacGregor
info@themangotreespa.com
www.themangotreespa.com
506 2786 5300

Wandering Jew

Tradescantia zebine

Spanish – cucaracha

This very attractive ground cover or hanging basket indoor plant does not have to take over your garden but can be cut and used for medicinal purposes.  All parts are non-toxic, but too much contact with the hands can lead to a contact dermatitis in some people.  This is a very pretty plant with its two inch shiny leaves with two silver stripes on the upper surface and a rich purple underneath.  Cultivation is very easy.  Just cut a few stalks and plant directly in a location that is more shady than sunny.

While mostly unknown as a medicinal plant, a few cultures have a very specific medicinal use for “the wanderer”.    In Chinese medicine it is called “Water Turtle Grass” and is used as a tea and drunk to clear the kidneys and for Kidney problems.  Another use is as a tea for health maintenance or as a preventive for cancer.

One reader claimed it was wonderful for carpal tunnel or arthritic pain.  Make a tea of several leaves.  When the water turns pink and then green, pour the water in a bowl, hold your hands or area of concern above the bowl allowing the steam to rise to the painful area.  Do this until there is no more steam and hopefully the pain will be gone,

Fold lore here in Costa Rica recommends using the tea or simply eating three leaves a day to lower blood sugar or dealing with diabetes.  Robert Beatham at Paradise Botanical Gardens tells of a fellow with diabetes who drank three cups of tea per day for several weeks, was able to stop injecting insulin and maintained his blood sugar by eating three leaves a day.

Macerating the leaves and stems produces a slimy juice that is used to stop a hemorrhage and for neuralgia of the face.

Of course, for those with or without Diabetes it is very necessary to monitor blood sugar when eating or trying Wandering Jew for any of the above uses.

Anodyne, antiherpetic, antiseptic, astringent, hemostatic

One can purchase either the whole seed or ground coriander. (There is a merchant at the San Isidro Fera (open market) near the entrance who sells the most amazingly freshly ground Coriander.) One tip for grinding your own coriander is to the heat the seeds slightly before grinding to enhance and alter the aroma. Since flavor is lost quickly in storage it is best to purchase the freshly ground powder or do it yourself in a coffee grinder.

Together with cumin, coriander is found especially in many Indian and mid-eastern foods. It acts as a thickener and flavorer. Some eat the seeds as a snack. The “sugarplums” of Christmas lore were really sugar coated coriander seeds.

Boiled in water, coriander seeds are used as a medicine for colds and when combined with cumin as a diuretic. Holistic medicine uses them as a carminative (to relieve gas) and as a digestive aid. Recent studies on mice have shown insulin-releasing and insulin-like activity. In other rat studies, coriander seeds have shown cholesterol and triglyceride lowering effects and at the same time raising HDL, the good cholesterol. When mixed with turmeric powder and mint juice, this combo can be applied to acne like a toner. Belgian wheat beers are sometimes brewed with coriander seeds. Yum! Because of its anti-oxidant properties, coriander has been used to prevent food spoilage. Caution: Some people may have an allergic reaction to coriander.

One of the most ancient of herbs, Coriander was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, in caves in ancient Israel, and Greece and is even mentioned in the Bible as “manna”. Today, coriander spans the culinary garden and globe.

Which comes first, cilantro or coriander? Coriander is the seed of the Coriandrum Sativaum, a member of the parsley family. To grow your own coriander, plant this seed in a temperate or cooler climate. Feed generously and water frequently. The plant will shoot up leaves, called “Cilantro” and then when stressed, as in hot weather, the plant will start to bolt, producing pretty white flowers, that, if left alone, will turn into coriander seeds.

HARISA: a Moroccan mix for stews, curries, chicken, veggies or flat bread.

Blend 6 hot little chilies (seeded), 12 garlic cloves, I T ground coriander, 1 T cumin, 1 T Himalayan salt, 1 T dried mint, and ½ c chopped fresh cilantro, If too dry to mix add part of ½ c. of olive oil. Store mixture in a jar and pour rest of olive oil over this base.

CARROT/CORRIANDER SOUP

Sauté 1 ½ cups of diced onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 T ground coriander, 1 tsp ground turmeric in 1 Tbs. butter until transparent. Add 4 cups chicken broth, ½ cup orange juice, 5 medium carrots, peeled and sliced, 1 med. potato and cook until carrots and potato are soft, Blend this to a creamy consistency and before serving, add ¼ cup heavy cream or milk and garnish with ¼ cup chopped cilantro. Serves 6

Based on these findings we can assert that one’s ENVIRONMENT and our perceptions of the environment, with their attendant emotions are key to healthy living and our survival.

Many are searching the world over to find a place that harbors those values thought by many to be important to healthy living and the sustainability of the planet. In my opinion, OSA Mt. Village is that environment and has the developers who display the attitude that beckons me to become a part of it. I became interested in this new eco-community as I began to hear more and more of its developing concepts and as I met more and more of the innovators. Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting with Jim Gale, the principle conceptual owner of this eco-development. He stated there were 35 other partners, all having varying interests and percentages.

I asked Jim what got him to this place. He told me of a coach he had in College who made him write down his goals. He surprised the coach by the loftiness of his main goal at that time…to become a wrestling champion. He achieved this in three years. He then spoke of various subsequent successes and failures, travel “in search of” to 42 countries, obtaining a Bachelor degree in Physical Education, a teaching degree and finally meeting a fellow in a bar and talking of wealth creation. The two of them started a mortgage company, which in three years netted 1.3 billion with 480 loan officers. He sold that company and created the Wisdom Foundation or WISE (the World Institute for Sustainability and Education) focusing on the synergy between man and nature. This has since become Jim’s passion.

I asked Jim to describe himself to me. We both are masters of NLP (Neurolingistic Programming) and if you know this system you can see that Jim is very much an external kinesthetic and Inspirational personality. He described himself as introverted but acts extroverted. He says he loves time alone, loves being in the moment, hates rules and being regulated, and makes decisions based on the most current information at hand. I found him to be very open, engaging, extremely positive, accepting of criticism, challenges, even inviting of criticism so he could learn more and grow. A truly amazing man! He very much lives in the moment as if each new morsel of information is the most exciting toy to be incorporated into his realm of knowledge and always with a warm smile on his face.

Now to this amazing development, OSA Mountain Village. This creation is poised to be on the leading edge of eco-sustainable places to live in the world. Jim and the other partners want to make this a model for other communities world-wide to copy. They readily admit they do not have all the answers, and have and may change directions as they proceed with new information or advice from experts. The overall concept is a community that respects and loves nature and wants to find ways to co-exist to the fullest and sustain the natural aspects.

Located in a setting atop the Costeña Mountain range of Costa Rica, overlooking rice paddies, mangroves, the Terraba River and in the distance the Pacific Ocean and the OSA Peninsula, on 750 acres or 307 hectares. The final footprint of any sort of development will only be 8 %. The rest will be left as is in primary forest. Building has and will only take place on areas that were already in pasture. (Isn’t it funny how this is the opposite of what is happening in the Amazon where the primary forests are being destroyed to create pasture land.) This location is considered “the Pearl” of Costa Rica and is located in reach of the new Southern Cortes Hospital and soon to be, international airport.

More specifically, the whole idea is to use sustainable tropical building concepts from block construction using the very soil excavated, use of local available wood that is overgrown and needs to be cut, like Melina, Cedro and Teak, permaculture or sustainable land use design, many layers or types of water reuse, being off-grid energy wise, using all natural pesticides, sustainable living practices, eco-education, investment possibilities, free food, entertainment, a general store, restaurants, carbon offsetting with fruit and other tree planting, animal rehabilitation, an old fashioned “little house on the Prairie” type of school, living intermingled with various Costa Rican families, and outdoor exercise options. While this list is long, the developers are open and eager for people to contact them and come up with other creative and innovative sustainable ideas. They have a web page devoted toward this endeavor. http://osamountainadventures.com/sustainable-development-intentional-community/available-business-opportunities/.

Let me talk about some of the above in a little more detail. Permaculture at OSA Mt. Village is a major focus. What is Permaculture? It is designing human settlements around proven systems of agriculture and culture. The model is relationships found in natural ecologies where land use is sustained. Currently, at OSA, hydroponics and vertical growing systems are already providing leafy greens, tomatoes and peppers. Besides growing as much food as possible for use of those living there, this food will be free, available in the store, or can be picked right off the trees around your home. In addition, courses in Permaculture Design (PDC) will be offered to teach sustainable living, all as part of reaching out globally in hopes of being copied worldwide. OSA Mt. Village has already graduated a number of individuals in their 10-14 day course. Of course all food produced will be ORGANIC, meaning no pesticides. Natural pesticide practices will be used. (see my blog on this: @ www.themangotreespa.com Natural Remedies and Tips for Bug Repellant, Insecticides, Herbicides and Pesticides. )

Energy solutions will be solved mostly by water recycling, hydroelectric production, individual solar or thermal panels, biodigesters to create natural gas for restaurant kitchens, and recycling of human and animal wastes. There are many sources of natural spring water, run-off, and the use of swales for water catchment in the dry seasons, all leading toward being off the public grid and power system within the next few years.

Education will be a big part of this heavenly Mountain-top living. A return to the “little school house” will be introduced. They are still looking for or waiting for the right teacher to show up. Classes will be overlapped depending on educational levels and no more than 8-10 to a class. The learning or educational center will be available for numerous educational venues from healthy living to the avoidance of harmful substances” such as those items producing EMFs, Television, microwaves and air-conditioning. At the same time it is not the intent of this community to tell people how to live their life, but to educate and help make good choices. The essentials of common sense will be provided.

Pets will be welcomed as long as they do not upset or alter the wild environment. A center for animal husbandry and rehabilitation is another part of the vision.

Everyone needs to fit in, like a jig saw puzzle, from the animals as pets, to the wounded animal that can’t fly away. People will be respectful of the land, of waste, of water usage, electricity, learning to fit into the natural environment in ways that may be new and conscientious. I asked how this village will not be another arrogant gringo creation taking advantage of the beauty and cheapness of Costa Rica and at the same time looking down on the Ticos. Jim responded that numerous Ticos will live in conjunction with the village, be given land and sites for their use and will very definitely be included as a part of the community. Classes will be offered to teach English and Spanish to foster communication between all.

Further community outreach has already been set up with a sustainable orphanage, providing homes for abandoned and homeless children. These kids will be given love, support, education, life skills, and opportunities needed to become productive adults. These children will receive the same healthy foods, and will learn how to operate the various sustainable entities in hopes of growing them up to become conscientious adults. The first phase of this project will be for the mothers who have become pregnant, need child support, day care and education themselves. Donations are most welcome.

Overall, in my assessment of this project, I have encountered a group of pretty amazing farsighted individuals who are here to develop a community that they don’t fear being copied, but a model to be shared and copied due to its healthy principles and focus. The love and caring for nature seems to be their main focus.

By Rosemary MacGregor, owner of The Mango Tree Spa.com
www. themangotreespa.com
info@themangotreespa.com
506 2786 5300

Please, if you would like to visit this wonderful site, contact me, you can stay here at the Mango Tree Spa and I will personally take you to the site and introduce you to the owners.

The setting of this gorgeous set of rental villas is on a hillside with surrounding mountains.  Cutting through the middle is the Coronado River that flows into the Terraba River with its surrounding mangrove forest and then the Terraba itself flows out to the ocean past the tip of Tortuga Island.

We are surrounded by jungle trees and hillsides with endless shades of green vegetation.  Behind the SPA hillside is the Costeña Mt. range that gracefully slips into the  Pacific Ocean.  This is the only place where that occurs in Costa Rica.  In front of the SPA is the Pacific Ocean peaking through the two sides of the mountain ranges that form the walls and sides of the Coronado River.  Between November and February, the sun sets right in this V-formation, giving us high season gorgeous sunsets.  The sun is invariably bright orange as it sets over the Pacific.

Behind the SPA and further up the mountain hillside are a couple of magnificent houses and a castle.  At least we call it “the castle” as it looks just like one.  In front and below the SPA is the pueblo of Tres Rios.  We can’t exactly see it but can often hear sounds of a dog, a rooster, kids splashing in the river or an occasional animal sound.

Ours is a western exposure so the sun rises behind us and sets in front in the evening Pacific Sky.

On the property itself, one will see numerous different plant species.  We have tried to diversify and plant many different plants for our guests to enjoy.  Because everything in Costa Rica grows so quickly we are always trimming and pruning the plants.  In front of each Villa we have numerous jungle trees, the Ilang Ilang sending up the aroma of  Channel #5, Indio Desnudio, Costa Rican Cedro, Nance, Cecropias, an African Tulip tree covered with orange orchid like flowers, pineapples, bananas, papaya, gayabas, ginger, torch banana, balsam, unusual hibiscus flowers and many, many others.  We encourage plant/garden lovers to visit this array of plantings.  Check on our website ( www.themangotreespa.com ) under “Gallery” to see many of our plantings.

From the rancho (open-aired eating/yoga/meeting place) the scene is panoramic in that you can see nearly all around the inside of the bowl of surrounding mountains.  Further up from the terrace around the Spa itself there is even more of a panoramic view.  No camera can do this view justice.

Stepping away from the Mango Tree Villas and SPA and crossing to the other side of the rivers offers a completely different perspective.  Now the Spa itself stands out like magic.  WOW!  You can see it in the pristine jungle and when you expand the view to the mountainside you can see a few homes perched at various levels.

By Rosemary MacGregor

info@themangotreespa.com

www.themangotreespa.com

506 2786 5300

You will be leaving from the South Coast of Costa Rica and taking the new  Coastal route as it is faster and gets you to the airport (Juan Santamaria) without having to drive through San Jose.

There are no posted directions for the procedures required for checking in.  When you enter the airport turn to your right and get in line to pay your exit tax or “Departure Fee”.  This can be paid with a Visa Credit Card, Colones or American Dollars.  The fee is $26 per person.  You will be given a receipt and will need to present this receipt at the airline counter so hang on to it.  Once you have paid, get in the line for your airline.  You will be given a customs declaration which you will need to fill out before you can check in.  Present your luggage to the custom agent and often times it will be opened and checked.  Take your luggage (If not a carry on) to the check in counter, present your ticket, passport and receipt for the departure fee to the Airline ticket agent.  You will receive a stamped boarding pass and now you need to proceed to security.  Your documents will be checked again.  Here you and your carry-on items will go through the scanner.

This whole process can take ½ hour or two hours.  It all depends upon which airlines, time of day and number of people in the airport. Once you are through security you will walk to your departure gate and past a number of very nice souvenir shops.  Here you can purchase nearly everything made in Costa Rica including bags of Coffee to take home as gifts.  There is also a brand new food court as well between the different gates.  Hopefully, you will have time to shop, eat and relax while waiting for your plane to depart.

When it is time to board the plane you will show your passport and boarding pass and your carry-on items will be checked once again.  The reason for this is that passengers from domestic flights can enter the international boarding areas.  It is recommended you give yourself between 2-3 hours.

Telephone: +506.437.2400  for Juan Santamaria airport.

By Rosemary MacGregor

Info@themangotreespa.com

www.Themangotreespa.com

506 2786 5300

Let’s create a scenario.  You have arrived in San Jose in the morning and would like to get to your Costa Rica rental the same day.  Getting through customs after getting your luggage and then getting your rental car will, on the average, take two hours.  Plan on this time frame.  If it is still before lunch, take the scenic route through the mountains.  First you have to get from the airport to the other side of downtown proper San Jose.  The first time is a bit daunting. Ask your car rental agency for a good map and instructions. Hopefully you have a GPS or a good navigator in the car.  A number of roads in downtown San Jose are one-way so you will do a bit of jigging and jagging.  The two tricky parts are the round-about going to San Pedro and making the turn to San Isidro to avoid ending up in Cartago.

These Mountains are named the Cerro de la Muerte or the mountains of death.  When you drive the mountain route with numerous hairpin turns and big trucks trying to pass you might think they have been named for this reason, but that is not the case.  This mountain road is fairly new (within the last 20 years).   Before its existence, farmers leading their cattle over the pass (up to 12,000 feet) would literally freeze to death as the mountains can get very cold at times.  A couple of years ago, it actually snowed.

The scenery and ambience is worth the trip.  Realizing that Costa Rica is a series of volcanic mountains is one of the first observations you will make.  Noticing that the fencing around homes ha sprung to life and is growing trees is another.  The joke in Costa Rica is you can’t cut up a tree and use it for fencing without the “cuttings” springing to life once again and if uncut will produce a fencing of trees.

Stopping at numerous restaurants at the top of the mountains will require a sweater as it can be quite cool.  At one restaurant at kilometer 91 you can opt for lunch and sit at the window looking out while 50 or more hummingbirds feed right in front of your face from feeders placed just in front of the windows.

One of my favorite dishes is the Tico sweet young corn pancake “Chorreadas”, layered with sour cream and cheese.  Very different and delicious!

On a clear day the scenery is breath-taking.  Sometimes it can be fogged in or rainy.  The road is in good shape as the government has repaired the many pot holes that existed several years ago.  The sounds of cicadas and insects are like an orchestra playing throughout the mountains and the plant life is truly amazing.  Looking at the Tico homes along the road will give you a sense of how these gentle people live.

After you reach the crest of the mountain, have stopped for a bite to eat, it is all downhill to San Isidro and the Pacific Coast.  The only eyesore is seeing the golden arches of McDonald’s in San Isidro. However, this is the landmark we use for making the turn through San Isidro to the Pacific, Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal, Coronado and Palmar Norte and on down to the OSA Peninsula.  The first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean is spectacular and almost brings tears to the eyes, especially thinking back on the first people to come to Costa Rica and what their amazement might have been to reach the other side and encounter the blue waters of the Pacific.

Ok, let’s switch gears here and say you have arrived by plane in San Jose around noon.  Again, please allow the same two hours to get out of the airport and have completed the rental process, It will be two or three o’clock and too late to do the mountain trip.  You don’t want to be going through San Jose after 2:30 when rush hour starts, so ask your car agency how to get to Jaco and the coastal route.  The new Caldera highway to Jaco is a time saver compared to the previous two lane road.  Once you arrive in Jaco it is a straight shot down the newly opened coastal highway all the way to Palmar Norte and the OSA Peninsula.  While this shorter way (about an hour less) is along the Pacific, you will only see occasional glimpses of the Pacific Ocean.  Mostly you will be driving through long stretches of African Palms and below the Costeña Mountain Range to your left.

Do stop at Jaco at the bridge to look at souvenirs and walk out on the bridge to see the crocodiles below.  Usually there are about 20 hanging around the sunny sides of the river.

You will pass by the outskirts of Quepos and Manuel Antonio and finally arrive at Dominical and the Costeña Mountain range where it has sided up to the Pacific Ocean and seems to slide right in.  The stretch of road from Dominical to Coronado is the only place where the mountains literally meet the Pacific.   The beauty of this is stunning and has been called by the Costa Rican government and the tourist bureau, “The Pearl of Costa Rica”.

Try to go one way on your trip to the South coast and go the other way when you have a little more time and before dark.   For more specific directions to my Spa/hotel and your Costa Rican villa rental, please check our blog entitled, “Directions to the Mango Tree Spa”.

By Rosemary MacGregor

info@themangotreespa.com

www.themangotreespa.com

506 2786 5300

First, you need to know that you can use the dollar in Costa Rica.  Smaller denominations work better.  If you ask for change from $100 in any small store you will most likely be refused.

In other words, you do not need to exchange your dollars at the airport.  Right now, February 2011 the airport exchange was 450 colones for one dollar.  They are buying and you are selling.  If on your return you wanted to sell your colones for dollars the airport exchange might be 550 for one dollar.  From this little example, you can see that exchanging at the airport is probably not your best bet.  Some clients came to Costa Rica and reported that this was the exchange at the airport 5 days ago.

If you went to the bank this week the rate of exchange is much better.  If you were to buy Colones the exchange would be 496 Colones for one dollar and if you were to sell back your Colones for dollars the rate would be 506.  So, it is obvious the bank is the better place to change money.

A lot of people will bring money to change or travelers checks to change, but you’ll get the best rates by withdrawing cash in colones with your ATM card ( every town has at least one ATM).

If you were to buy something from a store, the rate of exchange is going to be different with each establishment, but probably better than the airport and not as good as the bank.  If you pay in dollars you can expect change in Colones.

Currently, since the rate of exchange is pretty close to 500 to $1:00, many places will just make it easy on themselves and figure it that way.  This has not always been the case.  Store and hotel owners usually check the exchange every day as it constantly varies day to day and even within each day.

Banks are open between 8:30-3:30 or 9-4.  Saturday morning banking is beginning to catch on in a few areas.  Your ATM is available any time, but not always supplied with funds.  Travelers checks usually need to be cashed at a Bank with a once percent fee attached.  For nearly all transactions, you will need your passport.

By Rosemary MacGregor

info@themangotreespa.com

www.themangotreespa.com

506 2786 5300