how much are diseases like chaga, denguee or malaria an issue, especially for the guys living in jaco?

Did one of you guys have one of these diseases or do you know about cases in your neighborhood?

If you are interested in making the move to Costa Rica I have a room for rent in Jaco for the month of February 2012. I will have to make a visa run back to the states feb 1st and will be in the states for the month of Feb.
The apartment is in Vista Las Palmas, the nicest and tallest building in Jaco. The apartment is on the 14th floor and is three bedrooms 3 1/2 baths, 2,700sf total, with an amazing view from the balcony. You will be living with two other grinders, there is also two other apartments in this building that have poker players in them, in total there are 10 grinders in this building, and there are a few more scattered throughout Jaco. This is a great first stop if you are serious about relocating, you will immediately have a community of grinders who have been here for you and will help with showing you the ropes and answer any questions you will have and there is a lot to know when you move to a foreign country.
I have pictures of the apartment that I can send to you if you ask.

In all this is what you will get for $1400
Room with private bath and private balcony from Feb 1st –march 1st
Maid service (cleans, cooks, laundry, ect)
Two Different internet services (just in case)
Use of my surf board.
Electric, and all other bills included
I will be available to answer any questions and help you out as best I can.
You will be introduced to all the other grinders who live in Jaco.

If this sounds of interest to you PM me or reply to this post with any questions

Thanks

All this stuff is pretty rare. I just met someone who just got over dengue... apparently she was in sort of bad shape for 10 days but she's totally recovered now. Everyone knows someone who knows someone who's had one of these diseases, but I wouldn't worry about it... I don't use bug spray or anything and haven't had any problems.

Amazing thread thanks. spent pretty much all night reading this and then searching about costa rica. At first i thought i wanted to go to spain or portugal but now this seems like the best place!

I have a couple of questions which I hope havn't already been asked, apologies if they have.

The language is Spanish, but how close to the spanish that would be spoken in spain is it? Or is there no difference at all? The reason i ask is because i would like to learn some before moving.

How easy is it to meet people there if you literally just go alone?

How much is a pack of 20 cigarettes?

What is the law about cannabis and how easy is it to get? What happens if you get caught etc?

What are the police like in general in particular towards tourists or non locals?

Would a tall skinny english white person get strange looks walking around alone here?

Is there anywhere to play live NLH either $1/2 or $2/5? if so how often does it run and where exactly does this take place?

Any answers much appreciated, thx.

The language is Spanish, but how close to the spanish that would be spoken in spain is it? Or is there no difference at all? The reason i ask is because i would like to learn some before moving.
not sure though in Jaco most people speak English, it is helpful to learn Spanish but not necessary.

How easy is it to meet people there if you literally just go alone?
It is easy to meet people, the bars are packed people are generaly very friendly, you can always come to Vista Las Palmas in Jaco there are about 12 poker players who live in this building

How much is a pack of 20 cigarettes?
$2 for Marlboros a little less for the local brand

What is the law about cannabis and how easy is it to get? What happens if you get caught etc?
It is technically illegal, but a lot of people smoke here, there are drug dealers on the street offering it, but it is not recommended to purchase from them. It is generally pretty easy but you will need to know someone to get it from. Cost is $350-$400 an oz for the good stuff, there is also Mexican brick weed for cheap. The cops can search you without cause and might take your weed away if they find it. They are standing around close to the bars at night sometimes looking to harass people, they searched my roommate one night when he was walking home alone, he had nothing with him and they let him go without any problems.

What are the police like in general in particular towards tourists or non locals?
Generally they are cool with tourists and don’t give you too much trouble, but i have heard stories of tourists being harassed by the police. If you do run into trouble you can ask the cops if you can pay the ticket right now (kinda like a bribe) a local tico told me that.

Would a tall skinny english white person get strange looks walking around alone here?
No there are a lot of your kind here it is no worries, cabs are cheap and recommended at night

Is there anywhere to play live NLH either $1/2 or $2/5? if so how often does it run and where exactly does this take place?
There are some local games they don’t get off every night and I am not sure of the schedule.

good luck hope this helped you a little. if you do come to Jaco make sure to come to Vista Las Palmas.

Any answers much appreciated, thx.[/QUOTE]

thank you very much

i've just been looking at las palmas i hadn't looked at this place before but it looks pretty sick. on the website the prices are quite confusing...

there doesn't seem to be any 1 bed places so i assume moving here you would have to share with others? (not a problem, just interested)

is it correct that prices go up significantly in peak seasons? and also i've seen in this thread people saying u can stay for quite cheap but on the website all i can see is $2kish per week for 2 beds.

tbh, i would be hoping to pay no more than $1k a month for a place to stay inc bills. not bothered about it being balla or whatever. is this just not possible at las palmas?

The deal with Las Palmas is that it is mostly a tourist place that people stay for a few days or a week. They pay a lot to stay here for a short time and it is much more expensive during peak season which is starting now. We are on a one year lease and we do not pay more during peak. There are only a few of the apartments that are available for long term rental, if you can snag one it is recommended. Once you split things with a roommate or two the cost will be close to $1k per month but probably a little more. There are other places to stay that will be less expensive. But be careful that you are not out in the weeds, internet is sketchy at best in a lot of the rural areas, and people do not speak English out there. Jaco is basically one street where they speak English and have everything you will need, and the farther you are living from it the sketchy it gets for someone moving down there for the first time.
Good luck, keep in touch, there are a lot of grinders who are living in Jaco now, and there is always movement of people in and out of the building for varying reason (visa runs, return to the states, or move to another location in CR) I am going back to the states for the month of February and have my room up for rent to a grinder for that month, so if you know anyone send them my way, and tell them how sweet Vista Las Palmas is. lol

Is it a big deal to not have a return flight when coming to costa rica? It says that u might get turned down at the border unless u can prove your leaving in 90 days... anyone ever heard of this happening or did you guys just get one way flights?

My roommate had this problem. He only had a one way ticket and they made him get an return flight when he arrived at the airport in the states. It cost him twice as much as it would have if he bought a round trip tix instead of one way.

anyone get through no problem with a one way ticket?? I'd rather not have to set a date when I'm going to return home which is why im hesitant to book a return, or is it possible to have a flight from costa rica to somewhere else?

Same thing, My friend got stopped, made him buy a flight, i was let through even after confessing that i dont have a return flight (Didnt want to get separated friend)

Anyone in the Jaco / Herradura area have a monitor or 2 theyre looking to sell around new years time??

I'll be wanting to sell my 23" Samsung LED, but not until mid-March. I'm in the Puerto Viejo area but could meet you in San Jose. PM me if anyone is interested.

In Jaco, i can get you a 23".

sent you a PM