Shopping in Costa Rica

Most things are offered for sale in and around San Jose, much less so in the rest of the country. The Central Valley boasts many large, enclosed malls. Everything, which one could want, is readily available at competitive prices. There is a wide range of warrantee, service and repair companies to choose from.

Computer software sales and service is common, as are hardware repair facilities. There is a duty free zone in ‘Golfito’ in the South West of the country, where everyone is permitted to purchase up to $600 in goods from some 80 stores at low prices twice a year. It’s a weird setup, but once you understand it you can find some extraordinary deals.

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Private Schooling in Costa Rica

Private schooling is not necessary, as Costa Rica offers a free education system for all, through high school.

The official literacy rate is over 95%. There are many universities and technical training schools. Many university students have their tuition paid by grants.

English is taught in the public school system but the main language is Spanish. There are excellent bilingual and trilingual schools available with a principal language of English, French or German. Some schools are on the North American school year.

Can You Drink the Water?

In a word? Yes.

You can drink water from the tap throughout Costa Rica. You don’t need to sanitize or boil water like you might need to in other countries.

Sanitary standards are very high here. Pasteurized milk and dairy products are normal everywhere.

Is Health Care Affordable?

Health care is available to all permanent residents, at very little cost. 

The average per capita spending on health care in Costa Rica is about $600 per year, compared to nearly $6000 per year in the US. 

Furthermore, life expectancy in Costa Rica exceeds that of the US.  An outpatient hospital visit costs about $27 versus $377 on average in the US.

Health Care System in Costa Rica

The health care system is excellent. There is a plan for citizens and residents who have work permits covering medical care, hospitalization and prescription drugs. Citizens are also covered for dental care.

This is funded by employers contributing 22% of wages paid, and the employee contributing 9%. There is also private medical insurance, through the state owned insurance monopoly, which is inexpensive and covers 80% of medical costs. For those who wish, medical services and hospitals are available on a “pay as you go” system for those without medical insurance.

Medical care costs are very low compared to North America. Hospitals regularly do high tech operations such as heart & organ transplants. There are many specialists in Costa Rica, and doctors have their home phone numbers in the yellow pages for emergencies. There is an ambulance service in almost every town in the country, operated by the Red Cross. There is also a wide choice in dental care. No special shots are required to come to Costa Rica.

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