New York City is not for everyone and neither is Costa Rica.

Over the last 46 years, I have lived in ten different countries, visited thirteen others and now consider Costa Rica as home. However after visiting you may feel different.

Some people advised me not to discuss any negatives about Costa Rica but I feel that you need to know what this beautiful country is all about - the bad as well as the good because when you love someone, you also accept that they are not quite perfect too right?

I am naturally enthusiastic about Costa Rica but do not want to mislead you in any way, my goal is to help you enjoy the rich coast of Costa Rica – a place of stunning scenery, sunshine and smiles, a country I happily call home.

My home has never been burgled and the only unpleasant personal experiences I've had have been with foreigners here and not Costa Ricans.

I do not claim to be an expert in everything to do with Costa Rica but, I will promise you that if one of our VIP website members needs special Costa Rica real estate contacts or advice, we will do our best to find the right expert for the job.

Even if you only read this brief summary of tips and traps, you will be much better prepared than the majority of the people that visit Costa Rica.

1. Costa Rica is an incredibly fertile country but when you see a tree sticking out of the middle of the road, it's not because it is growing there. It's because the manhole cover was stolen and a concerned neighbor has placed a tree in there as warning for you to be careful.

2. For some inexplicable reason, you will rarely see people rollerblading on the streets in and around San Jose.

3. Please show some compassion when you see the driver in front of you weaving all over the road, he's probably not drunk, he's just trying to avoid the potholes.

4. The bad news is we do have tollbooths in Costa Rica. The good news is that they are typically only .75 colones (about US$0.16 cents) and in rush hour they open up the gates and let you drive through for free... Go figure!

5. You can hire a full time maid in Costa Rica for about $250 per month. My wonderful Costa Rican maid Lily comes in for two hours per day, five days per week and she receives about $20 for the week.

6. Did You Know? If you are coming from Canada or the US, there is no need to worry about electrical differences – there are none. You can use the same appliances in Costa Rica that you use in the US & Canada.

7. You can practically choose your own weather in Costa Rica (except snow). It varies from hot coastal lowlands to very cool mountainous regions. The temperatures in the Central Valley are ideal with evenings rarely below 60 degrees and days rarely above 80 degrees all year round. The dry season is usually from the end of November until early May.

8. Costa Rica has a number of truly magnificent volcanoes, the most active of which is Arenal. Needless to say volcanoes can be extremely hazardous to your health if.., you're really stupid! Your chances of being killed by a volcano are 1:80,000 over a lifetime but do NOT approach their vents, do NOT breathe in poisonous sulphuric gases and follow all safety guidelines.

9. Did You Know? Costa Rica was one of the very first countries in the all of the Americas to declare war on Japan after they attacked Pearl Harbour and on Nazi Germany. They may have been trying to make up for being a little late doing so at the beginning of WW1 when they declared war on Germany on May 23, 1918 (The USA declared war on Germany on April 6th, 1917).

10. Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) dropped anchor at Isla Uvita (just off the coast of Limón) in Costa Rica on September 18th, 1502.

You can find the remainder of your Costa Rica Living 124 Tips & Traps at my site. See Resource Box Below.

About the Author: Scott Oliver is a British citizen who worked on Wall Street for a decade and now lives in and loves Costa Rica. Scott is the author of How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa as well as Costa Rica's Guide To Making Money Offshore and is the founder of http://www.WeLoveCostaRica.com

Source: www.isnare.com