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[quote=”rosiemaji”]They had the Lantus pens in boxes of 5 but we only needed 1 pen and so that is all that we bought. They had no problem with taking one pen out of a box and selling it to us. I can’t remember exactly what we paid but it seems like it was around 15-20,000 colones for one pen which was significantly cheaper than buying a whole bottle of Lantus for around 80,000 colones. It was similar to what we would have to pay in a pharmacy in the US without insurance. We had no problem bringing all of my granddaughter’s diabetic supplies including about 5 bottles of insulin (Humalog) with us when we traveled to Costa Rica. She had all of it in a separate bag that we told TCA was her “medical supplies” and they did not count it as a carry-on bag (Spirit Airlines). They even had no problem with the 4 frozen juice boxes in the little cooler bag that contained her insulin. The juice boxes not only served to keep the insulin cool but were also a possible source of glucose if her blood sugar went low. If you travel back and forth between the US and Costa Rica, bringing your supplies with you for the length of your stay is a viable way to get your diabetic medications here.[/quote]
Well at 20,000 colones per pen that’s about $40.00 which means a box of 5 would be about $200.00 which is a lot better than here in the US where that same box averages around $360 (that’s without insurance of course). I was mainly interested in whether they even carried the pens there. Good information. Thx.
[quote=”rosiemaji”]Lantus pens and testing strips are available in Costa Rica. Last year, my granddaughter, who is a type 1 diabetic, came with us to Costa Rica and she ran out of her medtronic pump supplies while here. We had plenty of humalog and the pharmacy at the Maxi Pali in San Isidro carried Lantus pens. We only needed 1 pen to last her until we returned to the states and that is what we bought. If they carry the Lantus pens (as well as the bottles), it would be reasonable to assume that they also carry the Humalog pens as well. Not every pharmacy that we checked carried the pens. However, if you live nearer to San Jose than we do, you might find a larger number of pharmacies that do carry the pens especially the closer you are to areas heavily populated by Gringos. We did not need a prescription.[/quote]
I’m curious as to the cost of those Lantus pens. Did you buy individual pens or a box of 5? What was the cost? Thx.
[quote=”clayton”]I would have my builder create a schedule of values for the varying aspects and make weekly or monthly payments predicated on their completion, with photo’s or third party supervision. Run monies thru an attorney’s escrow account and let them handle weekly disbursements. Caja receipts are a must. Where are you building?[/quote]
I haven’t 100% decided yet, however, in all likelihood in the Atenas/Grecias area with preference leaning towards Grecia.
Seems like places such as Ecuador,Uruguay, Panama etc. merit further consideration. Perhaps the allure of Costa Rica is beginning to run its course.
I recall when I used to ask about price per square foot the first question was: “Built Tico Style or Built to American Standards?”. Answering that question would usually narrow things down a bit.
The Coastal sides (both) are persistently and brutally hot and in many cases humid depending on whether north or south. Many people actually enjoy that sort of climate. If that’s too much for you then the great thing about CR is that you can find a beautiful setting to live in in areas like Atenas..Grecia…Orosi Valley….Arenal…etc. and where the climate is excellent all year round and yet you’re never that far for the beaches (in some cases less than an hour)so that when you do want to spend a day or weekend there it’s mostly a short trip.
As far as a realtor, I myself have been working with 1 for 4 or 5 years now that is associated with a well known firm and provides me regular updates on potential properties. She knows I won’t actually be buying for another 2 years or so but continues to provide good service. Prior to your first trip, do some internet browsing and get set up with several brokers so you can view properties when you’re here and then keep poking around. Finding the right associate to work with you can be challenging and requires patience since many want an immediate sale otherwise they won’t be as inspired to work with you.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]You are only [i]entitled[/i] to use the CAJA facility in your [u]immediate neighborhood[/u] that you are signed up with. You cannot pick and choose which hospital, clinic or doctor you prefer.
If it was a [u]real[/u] emergency, in another district, I would suggest going to the nearest CAJA facility. It would depend on the staff whether they would provide treatment or not, although I expect they would. Very important to keep your most recent receipt in your wallet, showing your payments are ‘up to date’.Only CAJA hospitals are available to CAJA members, at no additional cost.
If you go to one of the private hospitals, you will, more than likely, be asked to pay a portion of the ‘bill’ up front before they will admit you.
If you go to a CAJA hospital, [u]without[/u] being a member, they are now requiring the same, unless it is a ‘life and death’ situation. This was reported recently in La Nación.[/quote]Are there “many” CAJA hospitals in San Jose then? Lets assume I were living in Grecia: what is the name of the CAJA hospital for that area? Thx.
Thanks but my question relates to a situation where a retiree is living in Costa Rica who’s primary insurance is through the CAJA system.
I don’t know that the issue is so much “[b]Tico[/b]” pricing versus “[b]Gringo[/b]” pricing as it has more to do with whether the RE market in CR is “[b]efficient[/b]” versus “[b]inefficient[/b]”.
My experience has been that the market is very “[b]inefficient[/b][u][/u]” in CR being that there is no MLS…Zillow…etc…etc. in addition to every Tom, Dick and Harry being a “real estate broker”.
What that means is that prices can vary [b]dramatically[/b] from one property to the next and it is very easy to “[b]overpay[/b]” if not careful.
The moral is: it pays to be very [b]patient[/b], do as much [b]homework[/b] and [b]due diligence[/b] as possible and look at [b]as many alternatives[/b] as possible.
Polls are a dime a dozen these days (and that may be generous). Why anyone even pays attention to that stuff anymore is beyond me.
Am just reading this thread for the first time. Had no idea electric rates had moved that much. Now I feel a whole lot better about my $700 (every 2 months) L.A. Dept. of Water & Power bill. Another reason, I’m guessing, why living in the Atenas/Grecia area is more compelling.
[quote=”Scott”]This thread is about travelling to Cuba…. I visit Guatemala regularly because my wife’s family are all from Guatemala.[/quote]
My FAVORITE rum is from Guatemala: Ron Zacapa.
I’ve been to Esquina de Buenos Aires several times. Always a very good experience. Not cheap but shouldn’t break the bank either.
I myself am not an “expat” yet but will likely be one within the next 5 years. In my case I was fortunate to be the son of a career U.S. Foreign Service officer.
As a result I was born and raised in places like Saigon, Lagos, Abidjan, Rio de Jaineiro, Kinshasa Congo etc. etc. Almost all my schooling up until 11th grade was in British and French schools.
Being raised amongst different cultures is in my blood and Costa Rica is the perfect fit for me. I speak fluent French and Portuguese and am conversant in Spanish.
There are so many positive attributes that CR has that make this a no brainer for me as far as where I want to settle down…Climate…Political Stability…Economically Affordable…Proximity to US to visit family and last but not least the sheer Beauty, Magnificence and Tranquility of CR.
For those that have experienced living and traveling abroad the decision probably comes a lot easier.
For those that have never traveled or lived abroad the conventional advice which is repeated over and over is travel to CR. Travel several times if needed. Try living there for 6 months or so etc…etc.
There are many great reasons to consider settling down in CR but the reality is that it is also not for everyone.
