Costa Rica News

What is FOMO?

What is FOMO When Buying Property in Costa Rica? - Costa Rica Star News What is FOMO? According to the popular website Wikipedia, Fear of missing out is the feeling of apprehension that one is either not in the know or missing out on information, experiences, or life decisions that could make one’s life better. FOMO is also associated with a fear of regret, which may ...

A much needed update on situations that stressfully impacted ex-pat migrants at the various stages of the residency process.

The Residency Process in Costa Rica 2022 - Costa Rica Star News By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica What follows is a much-needed update on situations that stressfully impacted ex-pat migrants at the various stages of the residency process. We are emerging from two mutually exclusive events. The end of covid (sort of) and the installation of a new....

Let us know where you think the best place to live in Costa Rica is ?
https://news.co.cr/best-areas-for-expats-to-live-in-costa-rica/83001/

How do you Choose Where to Live in Costa Rica? - Costa Rica Star News By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica How to choose where to live in Costa Rica. So, you are contemplating a move to Costa Rica after being intrigued by the promise of its unique beauty and livability. Going back to 1500, Christopher Columbus gave it the name which translates into “Ric...

The new President Rodrigo Chaves Robles Presidente 2022 -2026 certainly had an impressive speech.
Can he be the change Costa Rica needs?

https://news.co.cr/the-new-49th-president-will-make-it-easier-to-immigrate-and-move-to-costa-rica/82993/

The New 49th President Will Make it Easier to Immigrate and Move to Costa Rica - Costa Rica Star News By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica Until 2018, the immigration (residency) process was relatively straightforward. Even though the DGME (Immigration) mandate was to process correctly prepared and submitted applications in 90 days, they went past that deadline. Still, my application ap...

How do Expats feel with their Caja Premiums almost doubling in some cases?

https://news.co.cr/caja-rates-spikes-for-expats-seeking-residency-in-costa-rica/82984/

Caja Costs Spike for Expats in Costa Rica - Costa Rica Star News By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica CAJA sticker shock. For those who don’t yet know, one of the requirements for residency here in Costa Rica is that you must enroll in our national healthcare system (CAJA) upon approval of your residency application. You will be means-tested to ass...

Who is going to complain about Tax breaks?

https://news.co.cr/move-to-costa-rica-we-all-love-tax-cuts/82953/

Move to Costa Rica, We all Love Tax Cuts - Costa Rica Star News By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica We all love tax cuts. Therefore, it is understandable that many of you got very excited when you heard about the new laws governing importation and investment incentives designed to stimulate post-COVID investment in Costa Rica. It did not help that....

Costa Rica is looking to attract investment in the TV and Film industry by offering significant legal help.
https://news.co.cr/costa-rica-is-looking-to-attract-film-and-movie-producers/82950/

Costa Rica is Looking to Attract Film and Movie Producers - Costa Rica Star News On December 13th, 2021, Law number 10,071 came into effect, called LAW OF ATTRACTION OF FILM INVESTMENTS IN COSTA RICA. In this way, Congress declares of Public Interest the attraction of investments from the international film industry, its promotion and the generation of productive chains. What is...

Increased COVID-19 Coronavirus Warning for Costa Rica.

https://news.co.cr/the-worst-of-the-pandemic-is-coming-warn-health-authorities-in-costa-rica/82899/

Costa Rican Health Authorities Warn the Worst of the Pandemic is Coming - Costa Rica Star News Health authorities in Costa Rica warn that the worst moment of the pandemic in the country is expected in the upcoming weeks. Early this week the social security service (CCSS) reported they had over 2,246 patients that required hospitalization due to Covid-19, an increase “never seen before”. I...

Interested in buying a car in Costa Rica? This is what you need to know.
https://news.co.cr/everything-you-need-to-know-about-buying-a-car-in-costa-rica/82895/

Everything you Need to Know About Buying a car in Costa Rica - Costa Rica Star News Many foreigners who decide to live in Costa Rica, or come to visit seasonally, find that it is necessary for them to acquire a vehicle to get around. In this way, the high costs of renting a vehicle are avoided, since it is not an occasional visit. However, some have encountered bad experiences when...

Are you coming to Costa Rica for a vacation? This is what you need to know.

https://news.co.cr/costa-rica-changes-covid-19-entry-requirements-as-of-august-1st-2021/82890/

Costa Rica Changes COVID 19 Entry Requirements as of August 1st 2021 - Costa Rica Star News By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica There is a significant and welcome change to the entry requirements to Costa Rica. Good news for the vaccinated amongst you. The change is effective August 1, 2021. Those of you who can provide proof of complete vaccination with either the Moderna, P...

This is the best information out there about buying a property or house in Costa Rica.
https://news.co.cr/a-full-legal-cost-breakdown-and-guide-to-buying-a-home-or-property-in-costa-rica/82859/

A Full Legal Cost Breakdown and Guide to Buying a Home or Property in Costa Rica - Costa Rica Star News The current pandemic affecting the world generated an unexpected effect on the real estate market in Costa Rica. Despite travel restrictions and new requirements for tourists such as negative Covid-19 test or insurance with sufficient coverage in case of requiring extended stay due to illness; the t...

In Typical Costa Rica Fashion when there is a little pressure the government buckles and does what the people ask.
https://news.co.cr/foreign-tourist-drivers-licenses-in-costa-rica-have-been-extended-until-june-1st/82778/

Foreign Tourist Drivers Licenses in Costa Rica Have Been Extended Until June 1st - Costa Rica Star News By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica While unofficial at this writing, MOPT (Costa Rica Ministry of Public Works and Transportation) has issued a recent communication. The validity of foreign drivers’ licenses for TOURISTS with valid visas has been extended to June 1, 2021. This is in...

Welcome to the Jungle where decisions are made at the 12th hour.

https://news.co.cr/tourist-visas-extended-until-june-1st-in-costa-ricadrivers-licences-to-follow/82767/

Tourist Visa's Extended Until June 1st in Costa Rica: Will Drivers Licenses Follow ? - Costa Rica Star News By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica As mentioned again in my February 24 article here, throughout 2020, the Costa Rica government repeatedly extended visa expiry dates. That last extension, up until last night, was until today: March 2, 2021. They had announced that there would be no f...

Everything current you need to know and understand regarding Immigration and Residency in Costa Rica.
Do you need to leave March 2nd? What about your drivers license?

https://news.co.cr/complete-immigration-and-residency-update-for-costa-rica-where-do-you-stand/82758/

Complete Immigration and Residency Update for Costa Rica: Where do you Stand? - Costa Rica Star News By Laura Gutierrez of Immigration Help Costa Rica Tensions are running high as we continue to endure COVID and its impact on tourists and those seeking legal residency in Costa Rica. Readers under stress are least capable of absorbing reams of information, so I will be as concise as possible in addr...