Where is pablo getting those numbers?, i am dominican married to a tica,i shipped 4 cars on different times to CR, just to ship the car to CR from florida i haven't pay no more than $1,500 + costa rica taxes,it varies on the car,is true,is a pain in the neck,but is not that difficult, just talk to an agencia aduanal,they will tell you,once you get the car to the shipper it will take like 30 to 45 days for you to be driving, recommendation, just ship japanese cars
Very useful info. Thank you Michael. When we moved down 3 1/2 years ago we brought our backpacks and our dogs. We sold all of our vehicles, our home, and everything we owned. At the time I wondered if that was the right decision. After living down here I now know it was the right thing for us. In my experience, nothing is easy or goes as planned here. We now have 2 cars and a home. Importing a car or buying a car here both require a lot of patience and a sense of humor. It's all worth it.☮
The best way to explain this is that if it's a vehicle worth shipping the government knows it's worth shipping and will take their outsized share of that. Every time I travelled to another country I just bought my vehicle in that country out of the classifieds. At least you know there are parts and service for the vehicle in that country and the price is competitive with the rest of the depressed market. You are buying in a poorer country so the asking prices will be lower.
Hey Mike! Yet another "Keeping it real" video! It's always amazed me how people make the choice to import their car... and other things to CR. Between the hassle and the major expense it's not worth it! I considered it but I only pay for a car once.... and importing a car to CR is effectively paying twice for the same used car after the expenses and import tax. I've seen so many people that HAD to have their car or truck from the US.... only to find that the parts aren't available and that a local mechanic for anything beyond normal maintenance is impossible to find. Also it's an issue when vehicles that spent years in the northeast and have been exposed to road salt suddenly are transported to the tropics... the rust explodes! I purchased a new car at the Toyota dealership.... got a warranty... have a dealership relationship that can supply parts, provide maintenance, and repairs as necessary. No doubt I feel I made the right choice!
Now this is the kind of video that beats the algorithm! No mention about the expat law for duty free 2 vehicle import? Is that still a thing that has not been implemented?
Hi Michael, Hi Pablo, Thanks so much for this great, informative video. Another factor that influenced our decision to not bring a car to Costa Rica is that we simply don't think we're ready to drive in the Central Valley. Maybe down the road, but not now. In the meantime, the cars we sold are being a blessing to the people who bought them.
In Costa Rica there is no Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, GMCl.. none of the pickups that are sold in the USA and in CR have the same engine here.. maybe the Dodge ones.. maybe!
So great video Michael, I was listening to everything mentioned and I agree, I had already done my own research about brining my car down when we moved down 2 years ago. So I do want to add a few things for insight. I ended up buying a brand new car in Costa Rica, near Liberia from a dealership for 25k (Geely) I have to say I love this car, and it far less than shipping my own car down from California, also, I would love to see a video on people who are supposed to get an incentive for purchasing a house down here, I belive this figures was $200k and now its $150k, maybe do a video on that as a follow up so that we can see does it make sense to ship your car if you have invested in the Country.
If inclined to buy property, best is buy a repo from the bank. Average sales time on a house is 12 years and sellers will not lower price until 12 years. And never buy property from an American or CCanadian. You will only be buying their problems at 3 or more times the market value.
Diego hit the nail on the head with his Mustang reference, the only time to ship to CR is if the vehicle has special meaning or is a specialty vehicle that is simply not available in CR. For example say you have a 67 Camaro that your father gave you or a Mustang you have put 40 grand into the engine and suspension. You also brought up one thing I am not sure of when you mentioned diesel vehicles. The reason you see few small diesel cars or pickups is modern US market vehicles are built to run on ultra low sulfur clean diesel fuel which is very expensive (40-50% more per gal/liter than regular gas)....this brings up at least 2 other issues, 1 will they even run on regular diesel fuel (I am almost sure most will not) and number 2, assuming that is the case is ultra low sulfur diesel even available in CR? Lastly you mentioned electric vehicles, with the cost of electricity in CR unless they have a special program where you get special pricing on the electricity the cost of "fueling" an electric in CR will likely mean that its more expensive to operate than a gas or diesel vehicle sold in CR. Great vid and as always, Keep up the good work! Richard Gavle
Out of curiosity, whatever happened with the new law that was supposed to allow new legal residents to bring a vehicle into Costa Rica without having to pay the import tax?
We read the same when imigrating to CR you are entitled to taxfree your personel effects ( houshold) including your car at the start, when you wait you loose this opertunity, You are only not allowed to sell it in the next 5 years.
Awesome video thanks for all the info. We've just bought two cars down here for definitely more than we'd pay in North America, but skipped the import headache.
Good information and let’s me know I won’t be shipping a car to Costa Rica anytime soon. Pablo’s the real deal and very passionate in what he does. Thanks for update Michael!
Y'all, listen to Pablo and Michael and save yourself the headaches I've given myself weighing whether to ship my truck down or not! I should have listened sooner, leaving the Ram 3500 dually and looking forward to a Toyota Hilux!
@@johnmiller9801 That really good economy. But when in Rome do as the Romans. A Dodge Ram wold be too much a target tor thieves. Best to go with the flow and have a Toyota Hillux. While crime is very low in Costa Rica in feneratl. all bets are off then something worth $70,000 or more is seen by someone working their ass off for $550 a month.
I have to say that i broutgh my cars and a motorcycle to CR and at least i saved 2k per car as if iwas to get them here, this is going back to 2014, as far as red tape it was not so bad, would I do it again? it depends if iM willing to wait at least 6 to 8 weeks.
What is the difference if you drive your vehicle down? Have one friend who did that years ago and it went smoothly. And my friend who imported recently is on month 4 of waiting for his vehicle to clear customs. ps. He didn’t use Pablo’s agency.
I really want to ship my Gladiator and once there are no import taxes it’s gonna be way cheaper but if that doesn’t go into affect in the next several months then I won’t have a choice but to get rid of it😢
Hey guys great video and information. Thank you!!!.... I am a bodyshop owner looking to relocate in CR/ semi retire.....anyway is the bodyshop business in CR a good bet?
I'm going to do further research on this. We are in the process of becoming Investors. My real estate mentioned NOT having to pay taxes. So, I don't know if that's for furnishings, or vehicles? I will ask her and our attorney tomorrow about Ley 9996. p.s. Our place will be fully furnished from top down, so that should take that stress headache away.
Good morning 😊 Pablo, Im going to drive my 2021 ram limited 2500 diesel from Toronto CA to Costa Rica , . How much would it cost me to plate it in Costa Rica? My wife is a tica and we are moving down there . Thank you 🙏
Has anyone run into issues with shipping a vehicle with modifications? I was told by this company that because the vehicle has bigger tires I can’t permanently relocate the vehicle there Any feedback is appreciated
I live in New Brunswick Canada and I want to ship a car two questions how expensive is it to ship from New Brunswick Canada or can I drive it to Florida and ship it from there
You talk import duties of gas or diesel cars in that case I read indeed 50 to 70 % but reading the government rules import duties on EV i read 17 %, is this on the new import price or the dealer price of that particular year.?
Yes but you first must have Residency to ship tax free. Otherwise taxes begain at $600 with the tax man's appraisal. I had a $88 flat screen TV and told it was worth over $600.. I busted the screen and tossed it in the trash rather than pay. Passport stamped on last page prohibiting any further import for 6 months. And yes I had the receipt for $88 from Target.
@@riskyron1416 ahh risk,day mite hate gringos,err weightinn,two tax,buy,tax,Anna,den retax,dah, tax, two,at list he didn't,burn passport,Anna,ship u back ,tah, gitt em ah, few mow 88 t.v.s an,gitt promoted two president of taxers, revenuers
@@silveradotow957 I have no problem. For more than 7 years I have passed as a Tico. Mainly as I blended in and accepted my new contry and culture. Plus in addition to a US Passport I have UK and Swiss Passports and use those. Much better than a US Passport and give me access to more countries. I am after the 2022 Tax year fully exempt from US Taxes and no other country has evert taxed my income. Plus mu wife is Tica, a University Professor and Administrator. I do not in any way associate with Americans or Canadians. When I left the US 10 years ago I wanted to leave completely, meaning the people,
Ii have a 2006 Honda CR-V and was thinking about having it shipped to CR. Ii has 174,000 miles on it but I take good care of it. I am planning on moving to CR between April and June. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA. Do you think I would have problems finding parts for repairs? How much would shipping and taxes be for this particular car? Thank you.
@@riskyron1416 Thank you for that info concerning my Honda CRV being too old to ship. I guess I should sell it here and buy one in CR. I know I have to make sure I don't buy a flood car. Thanks again.
@@joannetaylor8271 Do not drive in Latrin America.until you have Residency. In an accident your Driver's License and Passport will be seized. You then cannot go anywhere not even check into a hotel. Expect it to be 2 or 3 years to settle claim. You will be fine with Residency. I am 75 and lived past 5 years in Costa Rica. 10 years in Panama, Ecuador and Nicaragua and here. Been fine without a car. I mountain bike as well as walk 15 Kilometers a day. Most taxi fares are around $1.50 to $2. A taxi of 6 or 7 hours is about $80, a once a month trip to San Jose. I recently bought 2 EV's both exempt and having a 80cc 2 stroke gas moped being built. No driver's license required. Though the moped has a bigger than legal engine. 50 cc is the limit but the engine has no markings and I won;t admit to police what the displacement is. Hills where I live are often 30 to 35%. One is 41%. My driveway is 21% And buses in country are very good. One way to San Jose is $2.90 on a Mercedes Marcopolo Ejecutive. As to buying a car here, new is the only real option. Used cars are all on death beds and no warantee.. Best is the Toyota Hillux truck.
@@joannetaylor8271 Never saw a golf cart in Costa Rica. They do exist in Panama though as Ping has a big golf course and manufacturing plant there. Not at all sure of legal status of a golf cart. But my bet is prohibited. And again I find the average taxi fare between $1.50 and $2. Pirate taxis less but generally ubinsured. Besides the 7 year age limit, car would need have less than 135,000 kilometers on the odometer. Honda would be easy to find parts. But again vehicles over 7 years would have little to no parts available. For Costa Rica Citizens entirely different rules. Some have cars from as early as the 1950's. You will be arriving mid rainy season. Walk bike and pedal assisted vehicles are the only ones not requiring license. All my Costa Rican neighbors have 3 or 4 cars. Now while crime is very low here, tempting a thief with 3 or 4 vehicles is not wise at all. As American even less. I am well aware most here think because I am American I have guns. Not so. But Americans especially are always asking if I have any guns to sell. Nope! Nothing to do with them. Second question is they ask me for drugs, whether Marijuana or opiates. Nope! Nothing to do with them. Opiates prescribed by only 1 hospital and 3 doctors must prescibe. Better be a recent case of 3rd Degree burns to get it. And 7 to 10 day issue no refills. But they do have effective pain management without narcotics. October and November have the heaviest rains. At age 75 I take no medications at all. I live and eat pretty healthy and at 5 ft 10-1/2 weigh 183 pounds. Admittedly would like to be my ideal weight of 165 to 170.
You can. We drove my 2011 KIA Sportage down to Costa Rica in January 2022. Its not for the faint of heart. You have to do it for the adventure, lots of planning and patience. There is an element of danger, although not as dangerous as some might think if you know what you are doing. I'm nearly bilingual and read Spanish at a graduate degree level as I was a Spanish teacher and did an MA in Spanish, so that helped. Also drove with my Costa Rican husband, and we picked up a friend in Guadalajara that helped me drive. Had a flat tire going down the mountain from Puebla to Veracruz State and were stranded for about 3 hours until after dark and towe truck finally arrived. Towe truck driver told us there were bandits in that area after dark and we were lucky to be alive. Got Covid in Mexico and couldn't enter Nicaragua at that time because of positive PCR test even long after symptoms were gone. I had to do a power of attorney in Honduras for my husband to drive the car through Nicaragua and I met them on the other side having taken plane from Comayagua to San Jose. Dr. Said I was no longer contageous. Ive been driving it in and out of Costa Rica and leaving it in an Almacen Fiscal for the past year and Pablo's team is in the process of nationalizing my car right now.
@@ChrisP3000x As long as it's in North America or Central America and there is a road to where his car is he can drive to Costa Rica. Its pretty much the same process no matter where he's coming from, get a clear title, drive to the border, get a Temporary Import Permit and whatever else is required by that country, drive to the next border, repeat until you get to Costa Rica. The rest is just details.
Your car will be stolen and likely you will be raped and killed somewhere between Guatemala and El Salvador. Plus your car will go throuygh one emspection leaving the US, two in Mexico coming and leaving, again in Guatemala, again in Honduras, again in El Salvador, again in Nicaragua, then finally an entry inspection in Costa Rica. Not a good idea at all.
I did last year and Pablo is in the process of nationalizing my car now. Do it for the adventure. Don't do it to get from point A to point B. It would probably be the most stressful thing a person could do if they weren't into the overland adventure of it all or didnt speak much Spsnish. I read about one older lady who tried it alone and after a couple of days started having panic attacks and was so stressed out she was asking for help to drive the car back to the US. Driving in Mexico is not like driving in the US or Canada.
Import tax is same regardless of nationality. The only exception I'm aware of is for disabled Costa Ricans who are allowed to import 1 vehicle import tax free for their personal use. 8f they try to sale it then they have to pay the import tax.
Michael please Contact us ( Bill and Lily) In regards to shipping a container and possibly a car from the United States. Please pass this on to Pedro so that we can get additional details.
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Where is pablo getting those numbers?, i am dominican married to a tica,i shipped 4 cars on different times to CR, just to ship the car to CR from florida i haven't pay no more than $1,500 + costa rica taxes,it varies on the car,is true,is a pain in the neck,but is not that difficult, just talk to an agencia aduanal,they will tell you,once you get the car to the shipper it will take like 30 to 45 days for you to be driving, recommendation, just ship japanese cars
Very useful info. Thank you Michael. When we moved down 3 1/2 years ago we brought our backpacks and our dogs. We sold all of our vehicles, our home, and everything we owned. At the time I wondered if that was the right decision. After living down here I now know it was the right thing for us. In my experience, nothing is easy or goes as planned here. We now have 2 cars and a home. Importing a car or buying a car here both require a lot of patience and a sense of humor. It's all worth it.☮
The best way to explain this is that if it's a vehicle worth shipping the government knows it's worth shipping and will take their outsized share of that. Every time I travelled to another country I just bought my vehicle in that country out of the classifieds. At least you know there are parts and service for the vehicle in that country and the price is competitive with the rest of the depressed market. You are buying in a poorer country so the asking prices will be lower.
Hey Mike! Yet another "Keeping it real" video! It's always amazed me how people make the choice to import their car... and other things to CR. Between the hassle and the major expense it's not worth it! I considered it but I only pay for a car once.... and importing a car to CR is effectively paying twice for the same used car after the expenses and import tax.
I've seen so many people that HAD to have their car or truck from the US.... only to find that the parts aren't available and that a local mechanic for anything beyond normal maintenance is impossible to find. Also it's an issue when vehicles that spent years in the northeast and have been exposed to road salt suddenly are transported to the tropics... the rust explodes!
I purchased a new car at the Toyota dealership.... got a warranty... have a dealership relationship that can supply parts, provide maintenance, and repairs as necessary.
No doubt I feel I made the right choice!
I have used Pablo's service's before, he is a good asset to have.
Can you give me his email please. I have lots of questions
@@mojavemadness5334 any chance you got this info?
Me too, He is a crook, a liar and a thief. I lost my shipment with him.
Now this is the kind of video that beats the algorithm! No mention about the expat law for duty free 2 vehicle import? Is that still a thing that has not been implemented?
No, it hasn't been implemented... ugh
I think it finally came into effect the last week or so, right around when this video was posted
@@jerrystewart7080 so I heard, hopefully we get an update on it!
Hi Michael, Hi Pablo, Thanks so much for this great, informative video. Another factor that influenced our decision to not bring a car to Costa Rica is that we simply don't think we're ready to drive in the Central Valley. Maybe down the road, but not now. In the meantime, the cars we sold are being a blessing to the people who bought them.
Great breakdown. Much appreciated. I think this video answered most of my questions on the value of the project itself. Thanks
saludos from tejas
In Costa Rica there is no Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, GMCl..
none of the pickups that are sold in the USA and in CR have the same engine here.. maybe the Dodge ones.. maybe!
thanx for that. very helpful
I forgot to mention that I will be living in Coco.
So great video Michael, I was listening to everything mentioned and I agree, I had already done my own research about brining my car down when we moved down 2 years ago. So I do want to add a few things for insight. I ended up buying a brand new car in Costa Rica, near Liberia from a dealership for 25k (Geely) I have to say I love this car, and it far less than shipping my own car down from California, also, I would love to see a video on people who are supposed to get an incentive for purchasing a house down here, I belive this figures was $200k and now its $150k, maybe do a video on that as a follow up so that we can see does it make sense to ship your car if you have invested in the Country.
If inclined to buy property, best is buy a repo from the bank. Average sales time on a house is 12 years and sellers will not lower price until 12 years. And never buy property from an American or CCanadian. You will only be buying their problems at 3 or more times the market value.
Diego hit the nail on the head with his Mustang reference, the only time to ship to CR is if the vehicle has special meaning or is a specialty vehicle that is simply not available in CR. For example say you have a 67 Camaro that your father gave you or a Mustang you have put 40 grand into the engine and suspension.
You also brought up one thing I am not sure of when you mentioned diesel vehicles. The reason you see few small diesel cars or pickups is modern US market vehicles are built to run on ultra low sulfur clean diesel fuel which is very expensive (40-50% more per gal/liter than regular gas)....this brings up at least 2 other issues, 1 will they even run on regular diesel fuel (I am almost sure most will not) and number 2, assuming that is the case is ultra low sulfur diesel even available in CR?
Lastly you mentioned electric vehicles, with the cost of electricity in CR unless they have a special program where you get special pricing on the electricity the cost of "fueling" an electric in CR will likely mean that its more expensive to operate than a gas or diesel vehicle sold in CR.
Great vid and as always, Keep up the good work!
Richard Gavle
I believe his name is D'Angelo.
Another great video with superb information. Glad I sold my Jeep and Harley instead of shipping it down.
Definitely makes us rethink our plan!
There is an EV charger in Uvita..
I carry my own charger. Anywhere with a 120 or 220 AC outlet works for me.
As always excellent informative video
Out of curiosity, whatever happened with the new law that was supposed to allow new legal residents to bring a vehicle into Costa Rica without having to pay the import tax?
The same thing that always does in CR if it ever happens it will take years and years......Pura Shitta
We read the same when imigrating to CR you are entitled to taxfree your personel effects ( houshold) including your car at the start, when you wait you loose this opertunity, You are only not allowed to sell it in the next 5 years.
@@1bottlefed haha, isn't that the truth.
I hear the law (Ley 9996) was just passed so let's see what happens?
Awesome video thanks for all the info. We've just bought two cars down here for definitely more than we'd pay in North America, but skipped the import headache.
Good information and let’s me know I won’t be shipping a car to Costa Rica anytime soon. Pablo’s the real deal and very passionate in what he does. Thanks for update Michael!
Another great video.Keep them coming!
Michael what the video with pablo about the new law shipping household good duty free
Solid video. Saludos
Y'all, listen to Pablo and Michael and save yourself the headaches I've given myself weighing whether to ship my truck down or not! I should have listened sooner, leaving the Ram 3500 dually and looking forward to a Toyota Hilux!
Smart move. That RAM dually sucks gas in the US. Here itr would suck up about twice that cost.
@@riskyron1416 Actually, my 5.9L Cummins diesel gets 25 mpg regular driving, it's the width that looks to be an issue for where I'm heading.
@@johnmiller9801 That really good economy. But when in Rome do as the Romans. A Dodge Ram wold be too much a target tor thieves. Best to go with the flow and have a Toyota Hillux. While crime is very low in Costa Rica in feneratl. all bets are off then something worth $70,000 or more is seen by someone working their ass off for $550 a month.
I have to say that i broutgh my cars and a motorcycle to CR and at least i saved 2k per car as if iwas to get them here, this is going back to 2014, as far as red tape it was not so bad, would I do it again? it depends if iM willing to wait at least 6 to 8 weeks.
If not a car, what are some “must haves” to ship to CR when relocating?
Hi Michael, We will be in La Fortuna March 1 or 2 and I was wondering if you have some time to meet.
for sure... but you have to give me a day or 2 heads up through email. 😉
Another great video
What is the difference if you drive your vehicle down? Have one friend who did that years ago and it went smoothly. And my friend who imported recently is on month 4 of waiting for his vehicle to clear customs. ps. He didn’t use Pablo’s agency.
Question for Pablo since the Ley 9996 just passed what does that mean for shipping vehicles ? No Tax?
I really want to ship my Gladiator and once there are no import taxes it’s gonna be way cheaper but if that doesn’t go into affect in the next several months then I won’t have a choice but to get rid of it😢
13:38 casi decís “perdón” 😅
Which coast would the vehicle arrive when shipped and would I have to pick it up from somewhere or would it be delivered to my residence in Coco?
Great video, Michael! Thank you. Just curious: Are you wearing an Oura ring? I am thinking about getting one and always ask others' opinions on them.
Maybe Pablo can explain why 5000 stolen cars are being shipped out of Canada a month? No inspections people.
Why would Pablo need to explain that? He doesn't deal in stolen cars.
thanks mike!!!!!!!!
What are the hassles & expenses if I drive my car down?
You won't make it pass mexico 😂😂
Hey guys great video and information. Thank you!!!.... I am a bodyshop owner looking to relocate in CR/ semi retire.....anyway is the bodyshop business in CR a good bet?
I'm going to do further research on this. We are in the process of becoming Investors. My real estate mentioned NOT having to pay taxes. So, I don't know if that's for furnishings, or vehicles? I will ask her and our attorney tomorrow about Ley 9996. p.s. Our place will be fully furnished from top down, so that should take that stress headache away.
Good morning 😊
Pablo, Im going to drive my 2021 ram limited 2500 diesel from Toronto CA to Costa Rica , . How much would it cost me to plate it in Costa Rica? My wife is a tica and we are moving down there . Thank you 🙏
Good morning Love
🌺💞🌺
Question for Pablo.. how about taking my Hilux back to the USA? Hope I can get an answer, Thank you
what about a jeep
Has anyone run into issues with shipping a vehicle with modifications? I was told by this company that because the vehicle has bigger tires I can’t permanently relocate the vehicle there
Any feedback is appreciated
I live in New Brunswick Canada and I want to ship a car two questions how expensive is it to ship from New Brunswick Canada or can I drive it to Florida and ship it from there
I just received my residency, do I have to pay the import tax
So should I ship and sell tacomas in Costa Rica to make a profit?
You talk import duties of gas or diesel cars in that case I read indeed 50 to 70 % but reading the government rules import duties on EV i read 17 %, is this on the new import price or the dealer price of that particular year.?
Thought there's a container free,if moved to Costa r,to induce . moving
Yes but you first must have Residency to ship tax free. Otherwise taxes begain at $600 with the tax man's appraisal. I had a $88 flat screen TV and told it was worth over $600.. I busted the screen and tossed it in the trash rather than pay. Passport stamped on last page prohibiting any further import for 6 months. And yes I had the receipt for $88 from Target.
@@riskyron1416 ahh risk,day mite hate gringos,err weightinn,two tax,buy,tax,Anna,den retax,dah, tax, two,at list he didn't,burn passport,Anna,ship u back ,tah, gitt em ah, few mow 88 t.v.s an,gitt promoted two president of taxers, revenuers
@@silveradotow957 I have no problem. For more than 7 years I have passed as a Tico. Mainly as I blended in and accepted my new contry and culture. Plus in addition to a US Passport I have UK and Swiss Passports and use those. Much better than a US Passport and give me access to more countries. I am after the 2022 Tax year fully exempt from US Taxes and no other country has evert taxed my income. Plus mu wife is Tica, a University Professor and Administrator. I do not in any way associate with Americans or Canadians. When I left the US 10 years ago I wanted to leave completely, meaning the people,
Ii have a 2006 Honda CR-V and was thinking about having it shipped to CR. Ii has 174,000 miles on it but I take good care of it. I am planning on moving to CR between April and June. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA. Do you think I would have problems finding parts for repairs? How much would shipping and taxes be for this particular car? Thank you.
Yeah, especially the problem that a vehicle can be no older than 7 years old in order to import it. Meaning your car is 10 years older than allowed.
@@riskyron1416 Thank you for that info concerning my Honda CRV being too old to ship. I guess I should sell it here and buy one in CR. I know I have to make sure I don't buy a flood car. Thanks again.
@@joannetaylor8271 Do not drive in Latrin America.until you have Residency. In an accident your Driver's License and Passport will be seized. You then cannot go anywhere not even check into a hotel. Expect it to be 2 or 3 years to settle claim. You will be fine with Residency.
I am 75 and lived past 5 years in Costa Rica. 10 years in Panama, Ecuador and Nicaragua and here. Been fine without a car. I mountain bike as well as walk 15 Kilometers a day. Most taxi fares are around $1.50 to $2. A taxi of 6 or 7 hours is about $80, a once a month trip to San Jose. I recently bought 2 EV's both exempt and having a 80cc 2 stroke gas moped being built. No driver's license required. Though the moped has a bigger than legal engine. 50 cc is the limit but the engine has no markings and I won;t admit to police what the displacement is. Hills where I live are often 30 to 35%. One is 41%. My driveway is 21% And buses in country are very good. One way to San Jose is $2.90 on a Mercedes Marcopolo Ejecutive.
As to buying a car here, new is the only real option. Used cars are all on death beds and no warantee.. Best is the Toyota Hillux truck.
@@riskyron1416 Thank you. I welcome your advice. When I am in CR, I usually just drive a golf cart around town so I will just continue to do that.
@@joannetaylor8271 Never saw a golf cart in Costa Rica. They do exist in Panama though as Ping has a big golf course and manufacturing plant there. Not at all sure of legal status of a golf cart. But my bet is prohibited. And again I find the average taxi fare between $1.50 and $2. Pirate taxis less but generally ubinsured.
Besides the 7 year age limit, car would need have less than 135,000 kilometers on the odometer. Honda would be easy to find parts. But again vehicles over 7 years would have little to no parts available. For Costa Rica Citizens entirely different rules. Some have cars from as early as the 1950's.
You will be arriving mid rainy season. Walk bike and pedal assisted vehicles are the only ones not requiring license.
All my Costa Rican neighbors have 3 or 4 cars. Now while crime is very low here, tempting a thief with 3 or 4 vehicles is not wise at all. As American even less. I am well aware most here think because I am American I have guns. Not so. But Americans especially are always asking if I have any guns to sell. Nope! Nothing to do with them. Second question is they ask me for drugs, whether Marijuana or opiates. Nope! Nothing to do with them. Opiates prescribed by only 1 hospital and 3 doctors must prescibe. Better be a recent case of 3rd Degree burns to get it. And 7 to 10 day issue no refills. But they do have effective pain management without narcotics.
October and November have the heaviest rains. At age 75 I take no medications at all. I live and eat pretty healthy and at 5 ft 10-1/2 weigh 183 pounds. Admittedly would like to be my ideal weight of 165 to 170.
What would $30,000 Tacoma cost to ship from Florida if you are a resident?😮
Why can't I drive it to Costa Rica
How can anyone answer that question without knowing WHERE you would be driving from?
you can. Let me know how it goes😉 ps. don't do it.
You can. We drove my 2011 KIA Sportage down to Costa Rica in January 2022. Its not for the faint of heart. You have to do it for the adventure, lots of planning and patience. There is an element of danger, although not as dangerous as some might think if you know what you are doing. I'm nearly bilingual and read Spanish at a graduate degree level as I was a Spanish teacher and did an MA in Spanish, so that helped. Also drove with my Costa Rican husband, and we picked up a friend in Guadalajara that helped me drive. Had a flat tire going down the mountain from Puebla to Veracruz State and were stranded for about 3 hours until after dark and towe truck finally arrived. Towe truck driver told us there were bandits in that area after dark and we were lucky to be alive. Got Covid in Mexico and couldn't enter Nicaragua at that time because of positive PCR test even long after symptoms were gone. I had to do a power of attorney in Honduras for my husband to drive the car through Nicaragua and I met them on the other side having taken plane from Comayagua to San Jose. Dr. Said I was no longer contageous. Ive been driving it in and out of Costa Rica and leaving it in an Almacen Fiscal for the past year and Pablo's team is in the process of nationalizing my car right now.
@@JayRedden28 When telling a driving story, how is it not relevant where you are driving from?
@@ChrisP3000x As long as it's in North America or Central America and there is a road to where his car is he can drive to Costa Rica. Its pretty much the same process no matter where he's coming from, get a clear title, drive to the border, get a Temporary Import Permit and whatever else is required by that country, drive to the next border, repeat until you get to Costa Rica. The rest is just details.
what if I drive to Costa Rica?
I'd like to know this too
Your car will be stolen and likely you will be raped and killed somewhere between Guatemala and El Salvador. Plus your car will go throuygh one emspection leaving the US, two in Mexico coming and leaving, again in Guatemala, again in Honduras, again in El Salvador, again in Nicaragua, then finally an entry inspection in Costa Rica. Not a good idea at all.
How much to ship your car and stuff
Take a chance and maybe drive down.
I did last year and Pablo is in the process of nationalizing my car now. Do it for the adventure. Don't do it to get from point A to point B. It would probably be the most stressful thing a person could do if they weren't into the overland adventure of it all or didnt speak much Spsnish. I read about one older lady who tried it alone and after a couple of days started having panic attacks and was so stressed out she was asking for help to drive the car back to the US. Driving in Mexico is not like driving in the US or Canada.
Great information I know you’re hearing it from the horses mouth.👍👍
Importing a car sounds like a major headache and expense. No thank you.
Just buy a Toyota land cruiser in Costa Rica and you will be fine...
don’t import a car .
Costa Rican’s love the rip off gringos
Import tax is same regardless of nationality. The only exception I'm aware of is for disabled Costa Ricans who are allowed to import 1 vehicle import tax free for their personal use. 8f they try to sale it then they have to pay the import tax.
Americans love to rip off Americans. I have no problem with Costa Ricans, except you are wasting your time if you have anything to sell them.
Who is paying me the commission? I hooked you up ?
Michael please Contact us ( Bill and Lily) In regards to shipping a container and possibly a car from the United States. Please pass this on to Pedro so that we can get additional details.
you will need to email me 😉
@@TravelCostaRicaNOW ok