GoDutch's Recent Blog Comments

Comment on The sweetest spot in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:40:01 -0600

Unfortunately, Robin has closed her doors and the bakery doesn't exist anymore.

Comment on The Polaco and the pulperia by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 11 May 2013 12:59:18 -0600

Thanks for your comment Win. Yes, Polaco means Polack and I assume they were originally Jewish people from Poland who moved here after WW II and made a living by selling from door to door. When San Jose started growing as a commercial center, they opened a store. Hundreds of the clothing stores in San Jose and other provincial towns are owned by the Jewish community.

Comment on The Polaco and the pulperia by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 11 May 2013 12:59:18 -0600

Win C. comments: Fun blog today. Very colorful. does Polaco mean Polack(Polish person)? The tradition must have come here from other countries. We had little grocery stores in my neighborhood back in NYC that did that kind of business. There was one on the corner of my street run by an Irish family. Other European things like men collecting rags, etc were a fixture back then too. Lots of products were sold door to door. I still have some brushes that my mother bought from the Fuller Brush Man. Coal, ice and milk were all delivered directly to the houses. I love stuff like this.

Comment on What do Costa Rica expats want? by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:57:39 -0600

Thanks Art for your comments. I agree with you, they confiscate firearms at some schools in Costa Rica. But because you need a license to carry, its a lot more difficult for a kid to get a gun than it would be if you could buy firearms anywhere. My point is that if you are a legal resident, you can have a gun. Of course we don't want you to be able to have a gun if you are living here illegally. In that case, your suggestion of a cane is a good one (or a walker).

Comment on What do Costa Rica expats want? by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:57:39 -0600

Art S. says: IIRC there was a teacher shot by a student and wasn't there talk about metal detectors for schools as every time there is a search of students they confiscate firearms. I wonder how many folks that use walkers could even begin to use karate???? Of course someone that has to use a cane could possibly whack an attacker while falling with n support. I know the criminals don't carry weapons such as firearms do they?

Comment on Your mandatory Costa Rica vehicle license plate change 2013 by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:55:18 -0600

CM says: We finally got our new plates in Zapote last Friday and our experience was much the same as that of Andres (without the Cosevi side trip). We were in the longer line to turn in our plates for 90 minutes. Thanks Andres for braving this first!!!

Comment on The retired gringo and the fisherman in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:48:22 -0600

ArturoGBermurdez comments: I truly believe this in the business aspect. A Tico will settle and have $5.00 today and not think about $20.00 down the line ....

Comment on The retired gringo and the fisherman in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:48:22 -0600

ArtEdwards65 comments: I think that story just backs up my thinking that "pura vida" is an attitude. "Why should I do more today to have tomorrow that I have now"? Folks that live in today, take care of today and a little for tomorrow. My father worked hard for tomorrow only to die when he was 62, he never got to enjoy what the fisherman had. I wish I had known more about living in today, I would have had what I have now a lot longer.

Comment on The retired gringo and the fisherman in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:48:22 -0600

ArturoGBermudez comments: Ivo so true.... I personally being a Tico but being raised in the North East corridor and then settling down here in CR, and as I get wiser, I do appreciate the both worlds and have been blessed to to the experience them both. Great story

Comment on Your mandatory Costa Rica vehicle license plate change 2013 by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:55:18 -0600

of course, that does mean you'll be without license plates for 4 days and you won't be able to drive legally during that time.

Comment on Your mandatory Costa Rica vehicle license plate change 2013 by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:55:18 -0600

thanks Jogi, that's a big help, I'm sure a lot of beach people will love you for this info.

Comment on Your mandatory Costa Rica vehicle license plate change 2013 by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:55:18 -0600

Jogi Gerner of ABC Real estate in Tamarindo comments: I went to the Post office and they offer a service where you first pay the ¢1,500 fee for the "tramites" for the registro and the new plates at the bank BCR. Then you give them the receipt and your license plates and you pay another 20,500 Col. for the shipping/post service. After about 4 days later you will have the new ones back. Niccccce ! Especially when you live as far as we do on the beach.

Comment on Your mandatory Costa Rica vehicle license plate change 2013 by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:55:18 -0600

You DO need to worry about your new license plates Art, unless you want to wait until the government does create the requirements for the new plates, which may never happen. Meanwhile, you can get ahead of the game and get your new plates using the requirements of getting new plates because your old plates are deteriorated.

Comment on Your mandatory Costa Rica vehicle license plate change 2013 by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:55:18 -0600

Art S. comments: If I read this correctly I do not need to worry about getting new plates of any kind unless my plates need to be replaced due to deterioration (or I buy a new car (highly unlikely).

Comment on Drivers in Costa Rica must provide email address now by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 10:56:45 -0600

We finally got to do it ourselves. I sent Andres to the COSEVI office to notify them of our email addresses because I wanted proof we had presented them. I figured that If I'd email the form, I wouldn't have the proof. Well, guess what. Andres presented the form and nobody was willing to sign for receipt. So they just took the form and said thank you. That said, save yourself the trip to any of the above mentioned government agencies to present the form. Just print the Spanish version, fill it out, scan it in and email it as shown in my blog. Don't forget to repeat the process every year :) or make it easy on yourself, just forget about the whole issue, they won't throw you in jail for it......

Comment on Parking your car in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 14:08:45 -0600

Yes Paula and Bueyster, you're both right about parking in a parking lot. Unfortunately you will generally only find public parking lots in a downtown area. AND when you go to the movies, the theatre or somewhere else during the evening and decide to have a couple of drinks after, you might find your car locked up for the night (and they will charge you for the whole night). So before you park your car in a public parking lot, check with the attendant at what time they close.

Comment on Parking your car in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 14:08:45 -0600

Paula comments: Yes, unfortunately these guachimans are not as expert as they'd like to be. We had a friend who was parked on the street near the National Theatre - there's expensive guachimans there (2000-3,000 colones) a pop. Anyway, the guachiman signaled him to back up to get out into the street traffic and he ended up backing up into another car - of course the guachiman wasn't to blame! Basically they have no legal status, hopefully they'll stop your car from being broken into but its "hit and miss". I've had friends who have had their cars broken into in front of the Laurence Olivier Theatre where the guachimans were expecting their 1,000 colones for watching the car. We the actors, stage managers,ushers, etc. were all expected to pay 1,000 colones to park our car on the street - and if you didn't pay that, like we did once (we once had the audacity to pay 500 colones) because we'd been there for only an hour, you get your car bashed in and we had to pay $500 to get it fixed. I agree - paid parking lots are far better, unfortunately the one parking lot in the area of the Laurence Olivier Theatre was often closed when we needed to be in the theatre.

Comment on Parking your car in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 14:08:45 -0600

El Bueyster comments: I suppose these "guachimames" are better than nothing, but a friend just had her car stolen at the Basilica while under the watchful eye of one of these informal guards. He of course saw nothing. Paid parking lots are still the best option.

Comment on Parking your car in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 14:08:45 -0600

Kathy P. comments: Hi Ivo,loved this blog about the Guachiman. As a passenger with a rare driver that did not reward this service, I have paid them myself while walking back to the car in preparation for leaving a restaurant. It is not done in the USA and this was an elightening word of advice for the future CR resident/car-owner.

Comment on Checkin’ Out Costa Rica | Part 2 by Henfling, Ivo

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:48:43 -0600

Walter B. comments: A comment about having cell phone usage in Costa Rica for a non-resident. The easiest way is to buy an unlocked cell phone in the United States. That's what I did. You can get a SIM Card from Kolbi at the airport when you land and this will give you a prepaid cell phone. The trick is to put money on the SIM Card within a 60 day period otherwise you lose your cell number and would need to get another one on your next visit. If I know that I will not be back within 60 days of making a deposit to my number I get someone in Costa Rica to do so for me. The deposit can be for as little as a 1,000 Colones.

Comment on Drivers in Costa Rica must provide email address now by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 10:56:45 -0600

Hi Len. This change in the license issue is only for notifying you when you get a ticket. I don't know how they will notify rental agents (in case of a rented car) or when it is a perpetual tourist driving on a foreign license. Or a Tico without a driving license (there are hundreds or maybe thousands of those on the roads). I guess they'll find out when they will have a box full of tickets and nowhere to send them to. A tourist must leave 72 hours by the way, to get a new visa.

Comment on Drivers in Costa Rica must provide email address now by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 10:56:45 -0600

Len P. says: Interesting article on the tougher rules for having a CR driver's licence. But is it really more difficult? The tourist gets a 90 day visa upon entering Costa RIca, and can use his foreign drover's licence during that visa period. The tourist must leave CR (is it for 3 full days? Was that confusion ever sorted out?). Then upon re-entering CR he gets a new 90 day visa and can use the foreign licence for the new 90 day period. The only catch would be that the tourist must at some point return to the "home country" to renew his foreign licence, rather than have a permanent CR driver's licence. Is this correct? If so, it is a bit more tourist-friendly explanation; I had the impression from your article that CR is deliberately making life difficult for tourists staying long periods in CR, not just forcing the perpetual tourist to get residency.

Comment on Driving in Costa Rica is different by DVVarona

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:32:38 -0600

Also, in downtown San Jose there are stop signs at intersections that have traffic lights. This was very confusing to me upon my first visit in 1996. Which one do you obey or do you stop when the light is green? I was later explained that the stop signs are only used (obeyed) when there is a malfunction with the traffic light.

Comment on Lets Deal with our Retirement in Costa Rica by DVVarona

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 13:32:07 -0600

I agree with your top 5 priorities as they are the same for me. I have a head start of familiarization of Costa Rica via my previous 29 visits spanning 17 years and I also speak the language. You will find all 5 priorities in CR and some a little easier attainable than in the U.S. My move will come before retirement, as sustainability becomes more difficult in the U.S. with each passing day. Good luck to you both! You picked the right country!!!

Comment on Drivers in Costa Rica must provide email address now by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 10:56:45 -0600

It will be fun to make people remember. Now we need a calendar with property tax, luxury home tax, corporation tax, email update and god what else. Back home, you get reminders in the mail and in CR you don’t. So, I guess I need to make a blog about a calendar.

Comment on Drivers in Costa Rica must provide email address now by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 10:56:45 -0600

Kathy P. says: Nice blog, but what a shocker about providing an email address if carrying a CR driver's license..........and updating it annually!! It will be fun to see how that works going forward in harmony with the cameras.

Comment on Driving in Costa Rica is different by DVVarona

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:32:38 -0600

Two way traffic roads will turn into one way roads and the only way to know this is to look down on the marked pavement. Typically, there will not be a road sign on the side of the road to alert you to this. I've gone down many one way roads the wrong way only because I did not look down on the pavement. And you better hope that the marking is legible.

Comment on Driving in Costa Rica is different by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:32:38 -0600

Tessa H. says: 1. The 3 honk rule, drivers give 3 rapid honks if you are crossing a street as they are speeding toward you - they are not going to slow down and definitely not going to stop - so, if you hear only 2 ...you did not make it. 2. Just because there are crosswalks marked on the street - does not mean you have the right of way. 3. It may be inconvenient, it is best to cross only where others are crossing. Usually only at signal lights but watch for vehicles turning through the crosswalk (refer to #1).

Comment on Driving in Costa Rica is different by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:32:38 -0600

Ardon S. says: Liked the article,you did a good job of noting the "interesting" behaviors but you missed one of the biggest issues: Headlights. They always drive with maximum brightness, regardless of whether they are in town or on the highway. They don't seem to realize that they are blinding the opposite driver. Probably 40-60% have misaligned headlights with at least one pointed into the eyes of the opposing driver. Then there is at least 15-20% who have at least one headlight out or mostly out. Combine all these with winding, very narrow roads with almost no shoulder and drainage ditches that are murder if you get into it and you have one of the worst places in the world, to drive at night. This doesn't even take into consideration all the pedestrians and bikers who love to wear black at night without reflectors that meander along the road edge.

Comment on An Introduction to Costa Rica as Seen Through the Eyes of an Ex-pat by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:30:38 -0600

Thanks Ticonuevo for taking the time to write this blog, even though every day must have been crammed with new experiences.

Comment on Enjoy incredible sunsets and birdlife in Atenas before even moving there by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 12:19:42 -0600

Ralph comments: That night picture off the patio and pool of your friends in Atenas is one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen. The folks with the birds! Now that setting would get me to come to CR. Wonder what the night scene looks like on our featured home. Still dreaming and that scene really lights my fires!!!!!!

Comment on Learn Spanish in Costa Rica and they will respect you too by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:54:33 -0600

Tom R. commented: I agree 100% with you blog today. Even if foreigners speak much less than perfect Spanish, the Ticos respect them for making the effort to try to communicate in the local language. My pachuco (slang; ed.) is pretty good and most Ticos that listen to the slang that flows from my mouth are impressed and they immediately want to talk more with me to see how much pachuco I really know. The strange thing is that when Ticos study English and can speak it pretty good, they still continue to talk in Spanish with me. It's like they're embarrassed to try to speak broken English, even though my Spanish is far less than perfect.

Comment on Learn Spanish in Costa Rica and they will respect you too by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:54:33 -0600

Ardon S. commented: There are also a few other great benefits to taking Spanish classes that should be noted: You meet other people, you learn about the culture and it gives you something meaningful to do.

Comment on Will foreigners in Costa Rica hurt from capital controls bill? by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:30:40 -0600

Rudy M. says: I think anyone living here now should get residency - in the future - if you do not have it - it will limit what you are able to do business -wise and other -

Comment on Will foreigners in Costa Rica hurt from capital controls bill? by Henfling, Ivo

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:30:40 -0600

Thanks Dom. The controls will probably be on the capital LEAVING Costa Rica and not the capital coming in, so indeed, the proposed bill will not affect you in any way.

Comment on Will foreigners in Costa Rica hurt from capital controls bill? by DVVarona

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:30:40 -0600

Ivo, Since i won't be planning on taking assets out of CR once I'm there, I don't see how this proposed bill would affect me. Am I correct on this assumption? Thanks, Dom P.S. Please let me know if this comment reaches you. If it does, the problems from posting a comment in the past should be resolved.

Comment on Luxury Home Tax Costa Rica 2013 update by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 13:54:19 -0600

(?) means: The interest shall be equal to the simple average commercial lending rates of state banks and, in any case, shall not be exceeded by more than ten points in the base rate set by the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

Comment on Luxury Home Tax Costa Rica 2013 update by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 13:54:19 -0600

If you have not declared the Luxury Home Tax at all, your will be fined 10 times the tax that you have not paid, plus the interest (?).

Comment on Luxury Home Tax Costa Rica 2013 update by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 13:54:19 -0600

If you declared the property 10% under the estimated value by the tax department, you will be fined with 5 times the tax that you have not paid, plus the interest (?).

Comment on Luxury Home Tax Costa Rica 2013 update by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 13:54:19 -0600

Late presentation and late payment fines: Officially, yesterday the 15th of January 2013 was the last day to present your declaration and pay your Luxury Home Tax. Unfortunately, like every year, the system couldn’t put up with so many people being on the system on the last day. So the Tax Department decided to give 1 extra day, today the 16th. A lot of people forgot about it and are now running like crazy to get their Luxury Home Tax declaration and pay it on time. I have tried to find information about late presentation fee and late payment fees are and have only been able to find this on the CINDE website: late presentation fee is 2 basic salaries and late payment fee is 10% per month. This years’ basic salary is ¢360,000 though this week that might also go up.

Comment on Pet culture and stray dogs in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 11:25:50 -0600

Rod H. commented: Excellent piece on Ticolandia's pet culture. Foreigners have taught Costa Ricans a great deal about how to care for a pet and no one does it better than the Dutch example. I think the Dutch people must lead the world in demonstrating anywhere they move to he native culture how to integrate a pet into your life. In Heredia, there is a Dutch enclave showing how to be good citizens, as well. Some animal shelters in this country are operated by Dutch people. You know whereof you speak!

Comment on Pet culture and stray dogs in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 11:25:50 -0600

Antoinette K. commented: Good morning Ivo, as always I enjoyed your blog. First I wanted to comment on the pet culture here. I find that most ticos just treat their pets as guard dogs and not like members of the family like a lot of us are used to. I live in the boondocks so poop has never been an issue for us. We do have an occasional visit from either a stray or a neighbors dog who comes just to hang out or play. My dogs have "girlfriends" that they wander off to visit occasionally. My neighbors know they are my dogs and it hasn't been a problem. I think dumping the dog is very common here. Out here most of the dumped dogs usually find someone who will feed them and will let them sleep. Our caretaker, Alfredo, has a dog that will show up from time to time to get a meal and to sleep in the little horse stable when weather is bad. There is a neighborhood cat that everyone seems to feed too. I dont know how common it is to put a pet to sleep here, but it seems to be a bit taboo. Secondly,I am jealous of your parrot, Louis. I have been looking to adopt a parrot or macaw since we moved down here. If you know of any place where I can do so please let me know :)

Comment on Pet culture and stray dogs in Costa Rica by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 11:25:50 -0600

Win C. commented: Very good topic for your blog. Dog poop is a pet peeve of mine! (pun intended). Anywhere you can send that blog; like to the mayor, etc. would be great! If you ever add anything to it, add the importance of spaying and neutering the animals. SASY is a big supporter of neutering and it has made a big difference; there are many less dog packs now than before. Most vets advocate it as opposed to putting the animals down. Changes take time. Look how long it took all of us to get the message about smoking. So picking up dog poop is not going to happen any time soon but ojala eventually it will. We just have to be patient and persistent. Keep spreading the word. Thanks again, I loved it.

Comment on Costa Rica English language churches and religious services by Henfling, Ivo

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 16:07:03 -0600

Michael commented: I am also a lifelong Catholic, who does not currently attend mass. But I love to make visits in the quiet of any empty church! And yes, unlike the U.S., churches are open and available to visit! Something that really touches me about the Ticos, and really, all Latinos, is how they make the sign of the cross as they pass in front of a church.........have you noticed? Yes, I cannot imagine facing this world of violence, hatred and daily bad news, without the knowledge of a loving and caring God in my life! Paz, buena salud y bendiciones de Dios a ustedes!!

Comment on 8 Unusual things housekeepers in Costa Rica do by Henfling, Ivo