http://www.cupotico.com/ A Web Site about Costa Rica with travel information maps hotels reviews and general information. en-us Copyright 2001-2007 Cupotico.com Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:51:18 GMT Travel admin@cupotico.com web@cupotico.com 40 Costa Rica is situated in Central America with Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. To the west lies the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean to the east. The tiny country (about the size of West Virginia), has the longest standing democracy, strongest tradition of peace, highest literacy rate (93%), and the best living conditions and infrastructure in Central America. It abolished its army in 1948. This history of peace, along with its diverse ecosystem and wonderful people, have made it a great destination.Costa Ricans are known as Ticos for their tendency to express nouns in the diminutive form by adding tico to the end of the word. For example, one momentito becomes one momentico to indicate a short time. Thus, Ticos.(By the way, don?t be fooled by a momentico or manana. Ticos move very slowly compared to North American standards. A friend here says that manana doesn?t mean tomorrow...it just means not today!)Although we are only a few degrees above the equator, the climate is very mild due to its high altitude. The days in San Jose, the capital city, are usually warm (in the 70s) but be sure to bring a sweater with you. The nights can get a bit chilly.The official language is Spanish. Currency is expressed in colones, although low-denomination dollars are widely accepted (just be sure you know the exchange rate, currently (Oct 07) at 516.5 colones to the dollar). The country is predominantly Catholic, although the Ticos enjoy religious freedom. The population of the entire country is around 4.2 million, although at least one-third lives in the Central Valley where San Jose is located.Costa Rica is in the Central Time Zone, however, they do not observe Daylight Savings Time.We have found that American Express is not widely accepted, although Visa is.Water in the city is potable. However, the sewer system is not the best in the world. Most public toilets request that you do not flush the T.P. Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/General/Quick_facts_about_Costa_Rica.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/General/Quick_facts_about_Costa_Rica.html Travel: Wed, 30 May 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/Moving and Living In Costa Rica/Relocating_and_Living_in_Costa_Rica.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/Moving and Living In Costa Rica/Relocating_and_Living_in_Costa_Rica.html Located in downtown San Jose Costa Rica are the headquarters of Costa Rica's largest banks: El Banco Nacional, El Banco de Costa Rica and El Banco Credito Agricola. The government guarantees all monies deposited in these state banks. Tue, 29 May 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/Investment Finance and legal/Banks_in_costa_rica_opening_a_bank_account.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/Investment Finance and legal/Banks_in_costa_rica_opening_a_bank_account.html Is your project concession or titled What is the total size of your project in Hectares and in Acres What is the building plan/structure of the site? What are the sizes of your lots/condos/houses? What is the total amount of land that will be left undeveloped? What are you going to do to improve/maintain infrastructure? What is the minimum lot/unit price, maximum? Where is your financing coming from? Do you currently have an office onsite at your project? How are you planning on selling? What commission % will you provide from your sales? What/who are your competitors/comparisons and what makes your project different from other similar projects How will you go about preparing marketing/logo/website etc. What does your development represent for you? What is the name of your project and what does it mean to you? Do you see your project more as a residence or for rental income? What are the benefits for people who live/vacation/rent there? Amenities? What are the key features of your project? What are the standard features that come in your units? Do you have a furniture packages? What is it like? How far is the beach from your project? What other activities are there to do in the area? Tue, 17 Apr 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/Buying In Costa Rica/Before_Investing_in_a_Land_in_Costa_Rica.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/Buying In Costa Rica/Before_Investing_in_a_Land_in_Costa_Rica.html Initial Exploration: Find land that suits the type of project that you are interested in developing. Something that suits your needs/intentions. Mountain/ocean view/beach front, lots, condos, residential homes, hotel etc. Find a lawyer to execute a legal check on the property Obtain permits, ICT documents, municipality permits, Minae approval, concession papers (if applicable), property title certificate from the public registry, financial statements, hotel management contracts (if applicable), condo association bylaws, water viability, electrical situation, Invue (plan regulador), geological survey, topographical survey, evidence of payment of municipal taxes Obtain architectural renderings and master plan Obtain construction company, building permits and construction schedule Obtain certificate of ?Sellers Legal Right to Sell?, ?Purchase and Sale Agreement? and Escrow Information/Account Information. Anticipate ground breaking date Begin development! Sat, 7 Apr 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/Construction Zone/8_simple_Steps_to_developing_in_Costa_Rica.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/Construction Zone/8_simple_Steps_to_developing_in_Costa_Rica.html Aside from its incredible beauty, great location, friendly locals and endless activities, Costa Rica has the most stable government and infrastructure of any Latin American or Caribbean country. Costa Rica has been called the Switzerland of Central America, because it is militarily neutral. In 1949, Costa Rica abolished its army, allocating defense monies instead to education and healthcare. As a result, Costa Rica enjoys a very high literacy rate, a talented and skilled workforce, and top-rated healthcare facilities. Fri, 6 Apr 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/Moving and Living In Costa Rica/Real_Estate_Frequently_Asked_Questions.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/Moving and Living In Costa Rica/Real_Estate_Frequently_Asked_Questions.html There are two ways in which to buy titled property in Costa Rica. The first is to buy property that is privately owned. This process takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks and includes change of registered name of property owner in the national registry. Wed, 4 Apr 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/Buying In Costa Rica/buying_titled_property.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/Buying In Costa Rica/buying_titled_property.html Ecotourism can contribute to sustainable development. In the artical Ecotourism Why It is Important I discussed ecotourism's economic and ecological advantages to Costa Rica and other destinations. But does ecotourism always help local economies and significantly preserve visited habitats and wildlife? This question is important because increasingly, the fostering of ecotourism is suggested by indigenous people in developing nations, by the nations themselves, and by international conservation organizations, as one of the best methods to preserve natural resources and biodiversity almost anywhere that they are threatened. Certainly it works to a degree - witness success stories in places such as Kenya and, especially, Costa Rica . However, as with any popular program that undergoes rapid growth, there are problems. Many people who monitor tourism - researchers and government officials - believe that in the rush to make money from ecotourism, benefits are often overstated and problems ignored. Fri, 16 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/Reserve/Ecotourism_and_Conservation.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/Reserve/Ecotourism_and_Conservation.html Loss of the world's rainforests and the plant and animal species they contain their biodiversity - is occurring at an alarming rate. People and governments are beginning to realize the scope of the problem and to take action. But the problems are long-established and severe, the possible solutions new, tentative, and difficult to introduce and enforce. To paraphrase one scientist who researches conservation strategies: It is difficult enough to change agricultural practices and implement conservation programs in the USA, a relatively rich, educated, technologically advanced, democratic country; imagine how much more difficult it must be for environmentalists in smaller, poorer countries to try to change longstanding agricultural and forestry policies, countries in which business concerns usually hold sway. Thu, 15 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/Reserve/Conservation_Programs.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/Reserve/Conservation_Programs.html Costa Rica holds a truly unique position among the world's tropical nations with regard to conservation. This small country simultaneously is among tile nations facing severe environmental threats and the nation that is perhaps most active in Conservation efforts. In this chapter I briefly describe some of the major threats to Costa Rica 's ecosystems, as well as the country's conservation programs and Initiatives. Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT http://www.cupotico.com/info/Reserve/Conservation_In_Costa_Rica.html http://www.cupotico.com/info/Reserve/Conservation_In_Costa_Rica.html