Posts tagged Costa Ricans
Receiving Mail in Costa Rica
Jan 17th
Costa Rican post office
New arrivals from the United States, Canada and Europe are often surprised that Costa Ricans do not rely heavily on the national postal system for receiving packages or other important mail. Deliveries through the Costa Rican post office can be slow and Customs clearances can be a hassle. Luckily, there are reliable options for getting mail from abroad:
Friends and Acquaintances
Whenever my friends visit the United States – or when their families and friends fly down to visit – they notify me a month or two in advance. If I have any pending purchases, I send them to my friend’s address, and they pack them up in a suitcase and bring them down for me. In return, whenever I fly home, I offer my extra suitcase space to them. Since I have many friends from the U.S., there’s almost always someone planning a visit within the next month or two.
Private Shipping Companies
Shipping companies like Jetbox, Aerocasillas and Mailboxes, Etc. are an excellent way to receive mail in Costa Rica. An account with each company gets you a U.S.-based post office box. When you want to ship something to Costa Rica, just send it to your P.O. box and the company will handle the rest: shipping to Costa Rica, Customs, and even home delivery.
Each company has varying rates depending on consumption. Free accounts do not include complimentary shipping, but are the best option for sporadic purchases. Companies or individuals that receive large amounts of mail are better off with paid accounts, which range from $15-$100 monthly and include shipments from 5.5-66 pounds.
To make the process even simpler, private shipping companies will handle the Customs process for you. If any customs duties are charged, they will pay the taxes on your behalf and automatically charge your debit or credit card. Additionally, if you purchase a big-ticket item of less than $500, for a reasonable fee (about $35), they will file exoneration paperwork and import your purchase free of duties. And for a small additional charge, most services will deliver mail directly to your door. All told, the entire process generally takes less than two weeks.
FedEX, UPS and DHL
These services are fast and efficient, but they’re also expensive compared to private shipping companies. A two-pound package shipped from the United States to the San Jose Greater Metropolitan Area costs upwards of $100; the cost with a private shipping company is approximately $25. However, FedEX, UPS and DHL offer direct shipping – from the U.S. to Costa Rica with no intermediary P.O. Box – and also provide additional services like shipping insurance and tracking numbers. Offices can be found in most major cities including San Jose, Escazu, Heredia and Liberia.
Making Friends in Costa Rica
Jan 16th
Join a local soccer game
On the afternoon of my arrival in Costa Rica, I had three priorities: hail a taxi to my apartment, unpack my bags, and find some food. The next morning, a new priority topped my list: make friends. I was excited for this new adventure, but knew that a few good friendships would be essential to enjoying my new home.
During my pre-move research, I had read that Costa Ricans are famous for being friendly. I was prepared for big smiles and helpful directions, but I had no idea how genuinely sociable Costa Ricans could be. About a year before the “Big Move,” I had used a free website to find two Costa Rican penpals.
We corresponded a few times a week and they were both a wealth of information, helping me identify the best neighborhoods, prepping me on what to expect, and giving me tips on how to obtain a cell phone. After my arrival, we met in person and became good friends – one even introduced me to my husband!
As wonderful as my penpals were, I couldn’t rely on them to find friends for me. I knew I had to expand my social network, but I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. I had no family in Costa Rica, no office job with coworkers as potential friends, and I wasn’t part of any student or alumni group. It was time to get creative.
As a member of Generation Y – also called the Net Generation – I grew up in a world dominated by the Internet and online social networks. So naturally, I decided to peruse the World Wide Web in search of groups and organizations that would introduce me to future friends. Three years later, I can happily report mission accomplished.
Most Costa Rican neighborhoods are full of friendly neighbors
Blogs: There is a huge network of English-language blogs written by expats in Costa Rica (such as ours!). Start by reading a handful, and seeing whose writing personality best fits your own. Leave a few comments. Send the author an email to introduce yourself and see where it goes. You won’t make friends with every blogger you contact, but if you make just one acquaintance, your time will be well spent.
Yahoo! Groups: There are several Yahoo groups populated by foreigners living in Costa Rica. Some, like Costa Rica Living, are general interest groups with thousands of members, while others, such as crgardening, cater to specific niches. Get a feel for which users seem like potential friends, and then email a few off-list.
Couchsurfing: Couchsurfing is an international hospitality community, and many members use the site as a social gateway. Couchsurfing’s Costa Rica network is very active and hosts regular get-togethers for all sorts of activities like potluck dinners, restaurant meals, and games. The community is on the young side – 20 to 35 is the median age – but there are some younger and older members, too.
Local Groups: What are your hobbies? Niche and interest groups are a great way to meet interesting people. An online search will reveal many Costa Rica-based groups; for example, the Little Theatre Group (Escazu) is ideal for live entertainment aficionados, while international communities like Ravelry (knitting & crochet) or Flickr (photography) have forums to find members near you. If you’re searching for a particular interest, try asking a blogger or posting on a Yahoo group – you’ll likely find that a group has already been established, or that there are other members interested in joining you in whatever activities you’ve suggested.
Church is also an excellent place to meet new friends
These methods can take time, and you can even begin before the move. Once you’re in Costa Rica, you’ll have an even easier time making friends – just step outside and meet your neighbors!
Smile: A smile on your face lets people know you’re approachable. You’d be surprised how many first meetings start with a smile and a friendly “hola.”
Learn Spanish: You don’t need to be an expert linguist to make Spanish-speaking friends. Learn the basics online, from a book, in a class, or from an audio lesson, and then get practicing. Costa Ricans are generally patient and kind to language learners, so even basic Spanish skills will be enough to get the friendship ball rolling.
Buy a soccer ball: Costa Ricans love soccer and every town has a soccer field. Take a ball to the main park and start a pickup game; by the end of the day, you’ll have a whole team of new friends.
Be neighborly: Ring your neighbors’ bells and introduce yourself. If you like to cook, take over something typical of your hometown or country. I’ve made cupcakes, banana bread, and even jelly for my neighbors, and they’ve reciprocated with fresh fruits from the backyard, typical sweets, and baked goods.
Read the paper: Local newspapers like La Nacion (Spanish language) and The Tico Times (English language) feature weekend sections full of upcoming activities. Look for something you enjoy, and while you’re there you’ll meet plenty of other attendees with similar interests.
Go to church, temple, or mosque: Join your local religious organization. You’ll discover welcoming locals and an established social network.
