Why you SHOULD visit the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

When you read about Costa Rica, you’ll read all about the beauty of the country and the vast array of flora and fauna. You'll read all about the mountains, volcanos, the lush valleys and the beautiful Pacific coast. 

Then you’ll be told how peaceful the country is but.... you'll be warned to watch your back when you visit a place called Limon.  As a matter of fact you'll probably be told that it's better (if you value your safety) to skip the entire Caribbean side.

DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!

Limon Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a population of over 4.5 million people 

of which 3% are black 

and almost all of them reside 

on the Caribbean side

The province of Limon is located on the eastern side of Costa Rica on the Caribbean Sea.  This side of the country is not heavily populated but a third of the people live in and around the capital-port city of Puerto Limon, or simply Limon.  I first heard of Puerto Limon when it was a port of call on a cruise we booked.  Limon is where the vast majority of Costa Rica's black people live and it is also Costa Rica's main port handling imports and exports.

Costa Rica (including its Caribbean side) is an ecological wonderland with a rich natural beauty that conservationists are working hard to protect. There are sprawling banana plantations and thick, tropical jungle bordering the lofty Central Mountains.

The Caribbean coast is steeped in history and culture

The Afro-Caribbean people of Costa Rica were never slaves but instead settled on the Caribbean coast as early as 1825.  Most can trace their ancestry back to the 10,000 or so Jamaicans hired by Minor Keith to build the Atlantic Railroad, and to later waves of immigrants who came to work the banana plantations in the late 19th century.

When the project entered the Caribbean lowlands, many workers died from exhaustion and malaria, which prompted Keith to aggressively recruit outside the country, bringing in large numbers of Jamaicans, Chinese, and even Italians to finish the job.  Seeking to minimize fixed costs, Keith planted banana crops along the lines as a cheap source of food for his work force.  After finishing the project, but losing money due to low passenger numbers, Keith placed bananas in the empty cars and shipped them to the United States as a (subsequently successful) business experiment.  Combined with the 800,000 acres of Caribbean land the Costa Rican government gave him and the success of the banana sales, Keith eventually founded and grew the enormously lucrative United Fruit Company.

Racist immigration and residency laws 

restricted black people to the Caribbean coast

Ever since that major development occurred in Limón, an undercurrent of political resentment has been felt between Limonenses and the central government. This is especially true for the Afro-Caribbean population, who, until 1948, had to obtain legal permission to leave Limón province, and were not recognized as citizens.   Roads and electricity were slow to come to most of the province (the latter did not arrive to Cahuita until late 1976), and the traditional disparity of resources – along with racism – created resentment among some of the Limón population. 

A diverse population and sense of community

Due mainly to the surge in tourism starting around the 1970s, Limón is home to a host of foreign expatriates. Among the most common are Americans, Canadians, Nicaraguans, South Americans (mainly Colombian and Ecuadorian), and Europeans (Spanish, Dutch, German, Swiss, and Italian) and indigenous groups (mainly the Bri Bri). 

The Afro-Caribbean influence is evident everywhere, from the lyrical speech and reggae rhythms to the colorful wooden bungalows that line the laid-back, coastal villages. The people mostly speak English and many are bi-lingual.

Why the untrue warnings about crime 

on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica?

The warnings about crime on the Caribbean side were expressed by every person and in every article I read as we were planning our trip to Costa Rica.  At first I believed them, thinking that it was the country's position on safety (they were trying to help keep their tourists safe).  I'm sure that's likely what most people think, so when they visit Costa Rica they hang out in the valley, visit the volcano and the super hyped up Pacific coast (the country's obvious tourism choices).

Tourism=$$
Do the math and follow the money!!

Yes, many of the people on the Caribbean side are poor and yes there is crime (mostly petty crime) but let's put this in perspective.  Do you really want to compare crime?  OK. I'll show you crime. The United States is the most violent nation on the planet.  Our country locks up more of its citizens than any other country.  Do you stay away from Chicago or New York?  I remember the  warnings and the reputation that the city of Oakland had when I lived there.  I moved smack dab in the middle of the downtown.  There were shootings and stabbings and lots of police sirens but I was careful and took precautions. I loved living downtown! 

It's very difficult to put crime in perspective 

when you only have the violent crime in the United States 

to use as a comparison. 

At the urging of my boyfriend, I contacted some people that actually live on the Caribbean side.  That's the way you find out the truth. You go straight to the source. Many of them were American expats who have lived on the Caribbean side for 20 years.  They tell a completely different story.  They tell a story of diversity, culture, beautiful beaches, great music, delicious cuisine, community and a laid back vibe. In other words, an undiscovered treasure! They love living there and most have no desire to return to the U.S.  They admit that there is some crime but there is crime everywhere. The crime in Limon is no more prevalent than the crime in any other big city including the capital city of Costa Rica -- San Jose. 

Now I get it.  This same kind of thing happened when I was going to Africa. Lots of scary warnings from the U.S. Embassy about crime and warnings not to visit. When I got there, nothing was going on. I didn't feel unsafe at all. 

The OTHER Costa Rica

Life isn't fair.  There are lots of things I already LOVE about Costa Rica but unfortunately we are still living in a world where race continues to be a big issue -- and sadly, Costa Rica does not even include the history of its own Afro-Caribbean people in the history it teaches. 

It's 2014 and whether it be Africa, the U.S, Costa Rica or a million other countries across the globe, black folks just can't seem to catch a break!  

White people will have to make their own decision about whether they venture to the "forbidden dark side" but I hope black people will not miss this opportunity to experience the other Costa Rica.  At this time we are considering making our home on the South Caribbean coast. Everything about this part of Costa Rica seems different: different culture, different history, different climate, and different activities.

BTW - Every second week of October, Puerto Limón hosts a festival called carnaval. The event's start is credited to local community leader and activist, Alfred Josiah Henry Smith (known as "Mister King"), who helped organize the first carnaval in October 1949.  

Hope to see you there!

Being Black in Costa Rica

I recently came across a site which in conjunction with American Airlines sponsors a website called Black Atlas. BlackAtlas was created as a platform to bring together and share the unique cultural perspectives of the African-American community in a meaningful and relevant way. 

I think it is an excellent idea

Here's their video on Costa Rica

Heres the problem I have with the video's coverage of the country and options for travel and living. The majority of Costa Rica's black population reside on the Caribbean side of the country. There is a vibrant population there.  If the purpose is to promote black travel why does Mr George not even make mention that there is even a Caribbean side? He refers to an Atlantic Ocean. This omission seems to be by design as it is the same attitude that is exhibited throughout the country.  Click here for much more on the topic.

Moving slow but Celebrating the baby steps - Black in Costa Rica

Back with a quick update!

I'm hoping this blog will prove to be an invaluable resource tool, as I look back on my preparation for retirement and relocation.  As an added bonus it may also help someone else. 

Costa Rican sloth photo source

But, I feel really good! 

We  have come a long way baby!  There are so many things to research to pull off a move like this.  Starting with the exploratory trip.  Yes, we still have a very long way to go but at least we are beginning to tie up loose ends regarding our first visit to the country.  I consider that progress!  We locked down a potential time slot to visit and set a deadline of September 15 for all those going to give their final confirmation. 

We’re working on our itinerary of stops and I have to say, I am really delighted with the information we've obtained through networking.  I can’t stress enough how beneficial it can be.  If I have a question I google first and then I head over to an online forum, Facebook or reach out to a fellow blogger.  The people are usually kind and helpful and they will often go out of their way to really help you.  I think of all the people I have contacted, only one or two have turned out to be duds (always expect that some people aren’t going to help you).  Don't take it personal.  Just keep on keeping on!   All the good advice, friendliness and support from the others totally outweighs the bad. 

So today I’m celebrating our progress thus far and giving a big shout out to all the people that have helped us by answering tons of questions (which I'm sure probably seem silly to them).  

Oh, maybe you are wondering why I posted the photo of the sloth today.  I don't f think I've ever really thought of seeing a sloth in my yard or slowly walking across the road or hanging from a tree overhead but it appears that is the norm in many areas of the country.  So, I've come to the conclusion that I better get used to this animal and I think a bit of research is on the horizon.  There is even a Sloth Sanctuary very close to the towns we are considering on the Caribbean coast.

So....stay tuned

and

Pura Vida
(a phrase meaning “pure life” that typifies Costa Rica's smart balance of nature and community)

A beach on every corner - Black in Costa Rica

I'm gathering information and collecting videos on Costa Rica as we make preparations for our upcoming visit.

One area we are considering is the Guanacaste region which is on the North Pacific Coast.  The town of Playas del Coco is the oldest beach community in the province.

Here's a video from the Frank & Sandy Show  

highlighting the 

"Top 5 reasons we love Playas del Coco"

Life is a beach - Black in Costa Rica

Uh, was it me who said (only a short week ago) that she didn't want to live at the beach and would not even consider it?

Well, I certainly can't deny that I said it because I put it in writing
but... today I am having second thoughts and have decided to consider at least one beach in particular.

That beach is located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica in the town of Puerto Viejo.

Saddled with a bad reputation, it is one of Costa Rica's best kept secrets! (I hear the locals would like to keep it that way)

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a coastal town in Talamanca in Limón Province in southeastern Costa Rica, known simply as Puerto Viejo to locals. It is very south and close to Panama. It is also home to the BriBri, the original inhabitants of Talamanca.

For some reason there has been a lot of misinformation and myth spread about the Caribbean coast.  It appears that the only reason for this has something to do with the fact that this side of the country is  home to the majority of the African-Caribbean population.  Until yesterday, I had not heard one good thing about this part of the country.  I first mentioned that I was considering visiting Puerto Limon (Costa Rica's largest port city) in 2013.  To any and every question regarding visiting or living on the Caribbean side the responses were always negative with added warnings about increased crime and advice to stay away from the area.  So, of course it made me very nervous and hesitant to venture over to that side of the country.  

But, had any of these naysayers lived in the area or even bothered to fact check their warnings? 

I tend to think not! It's more like an urban myth that just keeps on going. 

The reason I am reconsidering the beach town of Puerto Viejo is because I discovered that just about ALL of the information I had received was incorrect.

What I found out was that Puerto Viejo is the largest tourist destination on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.  It is multi cultural and diverse with an international vibe and laid-back, Caribbean-style.   Its appeal includes stunning, unspoiled beaches and abundant wildlife with a healthy mix of music.   The food is also supposed to some of the best in the country. 

This kool mix of people and blending of cultures and bohemian lifestyle speaks to me (to us).  Our group is ready to live off the grid!

My favorite travel guys!

Can't wait to check out this restaurant
(be sure to watch to the end to see the cool restaurant photos)

We spent most of the day researching information and I found at least 4 great hotels or beach houses that are available during the time we plan to visit. They meet my initial specs of being rated at least 4 stars.  My hotel does not need to be off the grid - as a matter of fact, I'm looking for all the luxurious comforts of home.  After all this is a vacation.

Our research dispelled the myth regarding the dreadful weather.  It turns out that although it is HOT and it does rain, this area is actually one of the driest in Costa Rica and most of the rain falls at night.

I'm looking forward to checking it out in person. Whether we ultimately decide to live there, remains to be seen.

There is one HUGE fact that still remains.  It is HOT !!!

Lesson: 
Don't believe everything you hear about the places you plan to visit 

(even when you think it is coming from so called "reliable sources") 

Stay open and research, research, research 

then check it out for yourself!

I'm Just Sayin! 

Connections in Costa Rica - Black in Costa Rica

We have been going hot and heavy with our research on Costa Rica.

Martina's Place Hostel Drake Bay

A couple of weeks ago we had a very informative conversation with Andy from Boomers Offshore (also on the call was Richard who has taken over Andy's Due Diligence Tours.  Richard's tours are called Fact and Fantasy Due Diligence Tours). We spoke for about an hour on the phone and we got a lot of our questions answered.  And..It was very nice to learn that the tours will continue.

After the call I ventured out again into cyber space to make more connections and find more people that we can connect with.  First hand information is always better.  I have another contact who lives in Costa Rica (most of the time), and he has been helpful beyond words! Everyone I have reached out to so far has been very kind and extremely helpful!  I found a number of websites that I had not seen before and I even reached out to one expat couple and I am attempting to connect with them by phone as well.  It would be really nice to have a number of people in country that we might be able to meet  when we go over on our trip.

Until then, we will content ourselves to continue researching on our own.

We now have a tentative trip date for 2015.  We will try to stay for 15 days. I think that will be enough time to at least get a good feel for the vibe of the country. We already have a lodging possibility lined up with a family friend who has a hostel on the Osa Peninsula (Drake Bay).  I have never met her but am looking forward to our meeting. I would like to see us stay in 3-4 locations in the country to get a bit of a feel for where we might want to put down some temporary roots when we go over in 2016.  We plan to stay for about a year and make our decision about next steps after that.

As I was thinking about the plan for the journey, it came to me that we need to familiarize ourselves more with the country as far as geography goes.  We have no idea where anything is. Every time a city is named we have to go to the map to see where it is.  So, I made up some maps along with facts about the different areas in Costa Rica.  At our meeting this week we are going to have a little quiz.

Shhh, the group members don't know there will be a test! (smiling) 

Thank you to EVERYONE who has helped us. We appreciate you!

and...Stay tuned for more updates

The search for the perfect paradise - Know the facts BEFORE you go - Relocation

It's going to be a lot of  fun researching the countries I want to relocate to. I'm super excited, but before we can get to the fun part, we have to tackle the serious issues.

Let's get this out of the way so we can move on!

What about Health care abroad?

For most retirees, access to quality health care is a really big concern. When relocating outside the U.S it is important to understand the cost and quality of care in the country where you plan to retire. Medicare doesn't cover health services once you're outside of the U.S.  Make sure that the health care is comparable to that in the U.S.  You can do this by researching physicians and facilities in your potential destination. Health care varies widely from city to city but you can find good options for both health insurance and health care overseas. Start by deciding whether you’re interested in purchasing international health insurance. The world’s biggest international health insurance carrier is Bupa International.  

There is also the option of health insurance in the country where you’ll be living. Costs can be very affordable (less than $100 per month). If you are going to be traveling form country to country this choice would not be a good option as it will only cover you in the country where you are living.  Some people also choose to go without health insurance at all, which can actually be a smart choice. In some parts of the world, medical costs are so low that it makes more sense to cover them out of pocket than pay to insure against them.

Another choice is private health insurance — which is often less expensive overseas. Some retirees plan to live in another country for the early years of their retirement and then come back to the states for the later years. Many who retire overseas are back by age 72.  But keep in mind, if you return home and sign up for Medicare, your premium will be 10% higher for each 12-month period you could have been enrolled but were not.

Tax implications?

Don't forget about taxes.  The IRS taxes U.S. citizens on income no matter where they live, and even if you give up your citizenship, you'll still owe income tax as a nonresident alien. The U.S. also has laws to collect income tax from retirees who move their assets to a foreign country. The good news? Many countries, such as Canada and Mexico, have tax treaties with the U.S. that prevent double taxation.

Federal taxes won't differ much no matter where you live, but your state and local tax will. Nine states, for instance, have no income tax at all, while others can take a real bite — California, for instance, charges 8 percent on taxable income over $38,004.

Cost of living really comparison?

When calculating expenses you will need to consider your entire budget. For example, relocation costs — whether moving your belongings or furnishing a home from scratch — may be higher than if you moved somewhere in the U.S. The cost of groceries, heat, electricity, cellphone service and transportation may or may not be less than what you're spending now. In much of Latin America, a couple receiving 2 social security checks can live comfortably on their Social Security checks. An estimate would be between $1,500 - $2,000 per month depending on the country.

What will you do with all that time you have on your hands?

Many retirees hope to work during their retirement, living in a foreign country may make employment more complicated. 

How will you manage your assets?

Finances can usually be managed long distance with no problem so expat retirees can keep their assets in the U.S., where the economy and political situation are relatively stable. You'll also want a local account to avoid currency exchange fees and ATM withdrawal charges.

See Kiplinger's 14 most pension-friendly states 

Retirement AARP Calculators

information source AARP

The search for the perfect paradise - Relocation

If you're going to relocate to anywhere and especially if you are moving overseas, the first thing you're going to need, is a plan!

I've been thinking about my retirement for about the last 6 years now. During that time I've pondered many places and the many things I want to do after I retire. Now that I am within the 3 year range, it's time to really get serious.  I began to finalize my plan by researching what the experts have said about what you should do before retiring and relocating. I then looked at my particular situation and tailored the steps to meet my own needs. 


Here's what I came up with for myself


1- Set realistic goals and manage your expectations

Decide what your priorities are and what is important to you. Everyone is different so be honest about what you want. For me it is important that I be near a city or town that has some of the comforts I am used to, like shopping, restaurants and cultural venues. I also want modern amenities in the house. I'm not really interested in living in a remote area away from people and I have no interest in giving up all of the comforts of modern living, however I know there will be trade offs. I'm probably not going to find all the conveniences of home. No place is a perfect paradise!


2 - Put together a list of possible locations

Once you have chosen your locations, go to the internet and do extensive research. Look at youtubes and other videos to get an idea of what the area looks like and what it has to offer. Use search terms such as "expat" and "relocation" to help you hone in on the videos that will pertain to your location. 


3 - Sign up on one or more online forums (or at least check them out)

Look for the forums geared to relocation to the country you are interested in moving to. There are plenty of them out there. Forums can be very helpful and you can gather a lot of information from people that have lived in the area for quite some time as well as people who are new or are just moving into the area. If you want to post questions you usually have to sign up on the forum, although many forums will allow you to look through previously posted questions. You just might get lucky and find your answers there.   

4 - Read travel blogs and websites, especially those written by expats

This is another excellent resource for collecting information. Following these sites will help give you a daily view of life in your prospective country. 

5 - Try to connect with people who live in the country where you plan to move

To me this is very important for several reasons.  First, it's another way to get first hand information about the places you want to go.  Second, there is nothing better than already knowing someone in the country in which you plan to move, even if you only know them through email. 

Be sure to share your plans with your friends and family. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that they can connect you with someone living in the country you are researching. This personal referral will go a long way.

6 - Last but not least

There's no such thing as the world's top retirement haven, and no one-size-fits-all Shangri-la. The only one who can determine the best place for you to retire is you!!

There's a lot of appeal to the idea of leaving the culture you grew up in and starting a brand-new life but retiring abroad adds a layer of complexity to virtually every aspect of retirement planning. Come back for Part 2

Retirement Countdown Starts Now - Black in Costa Rica

Decided I might as well start journaling my time to retirement.  Who knows, maybe the time will go faster! (fingers crossed)

As is stands now, there are exactly 22 months and 2 days till I can get out of the work-a-day rat race!

Right now, the beach lovers, have made living on the beach the focus of attention and so we have been looking at videos and trying to familiarize ourselves with the beaches of Costa Rica.  I have to admit, the beach was never very high up on my list as I am pretty sure that I will melt like a Hershey bar in the scorching heat...but on the other hand, could there be anything that says retirement more than a house on the beach?  So, I am keeping an open mind and going along with the group for now.

This weekend's research centered mostly on the town of Tamarindo. Tamarindo is located on the Nicoya coast on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacaste.  The area has a population of about 3.525, however the town itself has a population of about 500.  We watched a lot of videos about this popular destination spot with its beautiful beaches and even more beautiful sunsets. 

The area is very popular with surfers and there are a host of water sports and activities to engage in.  Since I'm not a water person, I am more interested in the boutiques, access to shopping, restaurants and how close we are to medical facilities.

We are in the process of doing our due diligence on Costa Rica. Anyone considering relocating (especially to another country) should be sure to do plenty of research BEFORE making a decision. There are several recommended Due Diligence Tours offered in Costa Rica where you can find out everything you need to know about the all important questions regarding relocation.

I will continue to post about Tamarindo as we proceed through our process of discovery.

One thing is for sure. Even if we don't end up living near the Guanacaste area, I HAVE to experience one of those sunsets for myself.  I saw enough videos to believe that those amazing sunsets actually do exist!

Our upcoming trip to Costa Rica - Black in Costa Rica

It's been a while since I've posted.  I've been busy over on my new blog Changing Direction. It's a fashion and lifestyle blog with an emphasis on the BabyBoomer generation.  If you have an interest please check it out.

To update you on things on the retirement front, we are still planning to check out living in Central America in about 2 yrs.  Right now we still plan to start our adventure in Costa Rica.  Hopefully we will make our visit between Nov and April.  The cruise to the Panama Canal is still on the agenda although I don't know if we can do both.

We have been researching rentals in the country and are finding the rents very affordable however we know we need to be in country to make a fully informed decision.

One of our group is pretty determined to live on the beach although I am really not too interested in beach living.  I like the beach and all but it is very hot and humid on the beaches in Costa Rica and also I've read that running the air conditioner can cost anywhere from $400-$800 per month.  I just feel that the money could be put to better use.  I would much rather live in a more temperate climate where I can go outside without melting.

One of the websites we were following is called Boomers Offshore.  They have been in Costa Rica for about 5 years and I just read that they are re patriating back to the US in August.  I really enjoyed their informative videos and will miss having 1st hand information from them.  Guess I'll have to find some other expat to follow.  I wish them much luck on their return to the US. They will be settling in Florida.

I've been glued to the World Cup and I am happy to report that Costa Rica and Colombia are doing a bang up job! Both still in the finals.

That's all I have for now but plan to share additional information as we move through the process.

In the beginning there was Pura Vida

When in Costa Rica you will hear and see the words pura-vida everywhere!

Pura Vida (pronounced POO-rah VEE-dah) literally means “Pure Life,” but the meaning of the phrase goes well beyond its simply translation. In fact, it has many loose translations to go along with its direct one. It's used to say, farewell, thank you, descriptor, and state of being. It represents the idea of living a peaceful, uncluttered existence amongst nature, family, and friends, and that life, no matter how much or how little you have, is wonderful.

But where did it come from?

In 1956, a Mexican film called Pura Vida featured Antonio Espino, as a character who unfortunately couldn't seem to do anything right. Wearing baggy pants, jacket sleeves long, three-cornered hat he uttered the phrase Pura Vida over and over again as a way to express his optimism. Fans of the movie began to use it in their conversations at home, and eventually it fully caught on and was used throughout Costa Rica in the 1970s.

Source: Jaunted.com 

So if you find yourself on vacation in Costa Rica try the phrase on for size.  It is totally acceptable for tourists to get in on the action while visiting.  Locals are very proud of Pura Vida, and will be happy to hear you use it.

“Pure life!”   “Excellent!”    “Full of life!”

San Francisco to Costa Rica

This could be the start of something BIG!

Thank you for visiting