 About
the ARCR
 About
ARCR
ARCR Administration S.A. (or ARCR) is an organization
serving foreign residents in Costa Rica as well as people
abroad who want to become residents of Costa Rica.
The ARCR serves members both prior to their move to Costa
Rica and throughout the years of residency here. Main
areas of activity are reflected here:
- Information on Living in and moving to Costa
Rica.
- Assistance with Insurance in Costa Rica.
- To inform interested persons about procedures for
becoming legal residents, and to assist and
advise them during the process.
- Social Activities for members to participate at.
- Seminars on different areas of interest in Costa
Rica.
- A discount program effective at many locations in
Costa Rica.
Thinking Of
Moving To A New Country?
Too many people make such a move
emotionally. While how a person feels about a country,
and it's physical attributes are important, it is also
important to look at practical items which may cause
frustration with your new home in the future. The check
list below is meant only as a guide for your move- you
will likely have additions to it, or perhaps some of the
listed items are not of concern to you. Substitute your
own questions. ARCR Administration will help you answer
them with regard to Costa Rica.
Thinking Of
Moving To Costa Rica?
We recommend that anyone considering moving to Costa
Rica, or any country for that matter, first come here as
a tourist. The longer you can stay the better. It is
important that in addition to knowing the logistics of
establishing residency and making the move, you get a
little taste of what life will be like.
Depending on your country of origin, you can remain in
Costa Rica with a tourist visa for up to three months.
With a driver's license from your home country and your
passport, you can legally drive. During this time, try to
get a feel for what day-to-day life will be like -- learn
first-hand that a different culture means different
responses to given situations. In the end, your ability
to adapt and approach life with a relaxed attitude will
probably govern your degree of happiness and satisfaction
with Costa Rican life.
What is it like to live here? Only your own experience
can answer that, since it is different for every person.
But some basic information may help you in your
investigation. At the present time, if you own a house
and car and have no debts, you can live well on US$1,500
per month, including maid and gardener services. Foreign
residents or tourists can buy or rent homes, condos, and
property in Costa Rica.
Property taxes are generally lower in Costa Rica than
in North America and many other countries. As a foreign
resident, you will not pay income taxes on foreign
pensions or income generated outside of Costa Rica, but
you may have to pay taxes on income generated in Costa
Rica. Businesses income, after expenses, is taxed, and
there is a 13% sales tax on goods and services, including
restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and so on. Bank
interest is non-taxable to the client, therefore if you
are told you will receive 6%, this is net.
For those considering retirement in Costa Rica, it may
be unwise to expect to earn a living, or to supplement
your income. Pensionados and rentistas are allowed to own
and operate a business but are not permitted to work for
wages for someone else.
Driving? Gasoline is now about $2 per gallon
(the exchange rate as of August 2001 was about $US 1.00
for 333 colones, and you can expect a devaluation within
a range of 10% - 20% annually). Most of the roads are
poorly maintained with an ample supply of potholes,
though the current government has done a lot of work to
improve this.
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