Cars are very cheap to maintain in Costa Rica. From the United States, cars are shipped into Puerto Limon. Good luck. Consequently, cars are very expensive to buy. Inspection (RITEVE): Car Buying in Costa Rica. If so, see what selection of pre-owned cars may be available to save you money and a lot of time! Nor do I have the time to go from dealer to dealer. You can start fishing around by submitting quotes online at sites such as: Remember to take into consideration costs such as storage, port fees, insurance, documentation, handling charges, customs inspections, demurrages (compensation you have to pay in case there is a loading or unloading delay), delivery, etc. Should I bring my car to Costa Rica when I move or should I just buy one there? I´ve bought and resold a number of cars in the recent years, so I've learned the best ways to buy a car in Costa Rica. Whichever day the last number of your plate matches is the day you must keep your car off the road (between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.). The older the vehicle, the higher the percentage, as Costa Rica does not want a bunch of broken down, Katrina flood cars, sitting on the side of the road like you see in Belize or Mexico. Meeting them is the next step. If you’re not working with a dealer, you will still need the help of a Customs agent to help you plan and prepare… And above all, you need to have patience! This can also work to your advantage, as second-hand cars already in the country may be specifically designed to suit the conditions, with appropriate engine tuning, tires, etc. Restoration More details . Once you have passed your RTV test, you get an inspection certificate and a sticker on the windshield — which is required in order to pay for the Marchamo. Check the Carfax history by looking at the VIN number to confirm when it was imported. As covered in this article, “Bringing a Car to Costa Rica,” importing a car from the U.S., while relatively easy, can be quite expensive. If the car has foreign plates, only third party damage is covered for the time the car is allowed in the country. If you are on a budget, rather than import, it is generally always more affordable to buy a car within Costa Rica. Essential Tips for Renting a Car in Costa Rica You are not required to carry an International Driving Permit.. All you need is a valid license from your own country of residence. Obviously everything talked about above screams “paperwork.”; however, it’s not so intense if you hire help along the way. Numbers ending in 0 are checked in October and November checks cars 1-5. Since car rental is so expensive we are thinking about buying a car and leaving it there. Are the right parts available here for maintenance and repair? card (cédula). options close. Buying or Selling a Vehicle in Costa Rica? A transfer tax of 2.5% and registration fee of .05% of the purchase price must be paid by the buyer, along with various documentary fees. It includes some liability insurance. Because of the high import fees, cars for sale also tend to be more expensive than the U.S., even for used vehicles. The car should be assessed according to the checklist used by Riteve SyC when evaluating the car at the roadworthy inspection (Revisión Técnica de Vehiculos - RTV). There are many different shipping companies to choose from, so it’s definitely worth checking out your options to find the best deal. All you need to legally drive in Costa Rica is a valid drivers license and passport. Buy Used Cars from Cerostress, by Budget Costa Rica Budget Car Rental has created a new used cars sales program called Cerostress , which gives our clients the support of a company with over 30 years of experience in the market. Once the car has arrived to the port, the agent will do the paperwork for you and calculate the taxes. As of January 1st 2009, regardless of whether you drove your car into Costa Rica or had it shipped, models 2007, 2008 and 2009 will be charged 52.9% of the import value at Hacienda. Used ATVs/Quads now available in Auto Moto Costa Rica-Wednesday, April 3, 2019 We have just added the new category “Used ATVs/Quads”, so that you can publish your ATV in order to sell it, or look for a second hand one to buy in Costa Rica. The older your car is, the less it will be taxed (old cars are roughly defined as 10 years or more) (www.vacationcity.com/costa-rica/information/import-export). if (end == -1) { The Marchamo is a permit you need to run your car every year. Book Now. If you enjoy surfing, you may want to get a truck or SUV. begin += 2; And cars hold their value very well. Costs & Calculations: Fax: (770) 532-4792. To Bring or To Buy! At this site you enter the specifications of your car to come up with a cost. 1= January, 2= February and so on. We're 3 of us and are planning to buy a car in Costa Rica and Drive up to Mexico..and then… Buying car in costa rica..? Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you a FREE REPORT – Costa Rica: The Land of Pura Vida. all; owner; dealer; search titles only has image posted today bundle duplicates include nearby areas nicaragua (mga) panama (pan) price. Points are deducted as offenses occur. The Back & Forth: The price for the new car PASS service is $450. TOP . Cars for sale, used cars and second hand cars in Orihuela and Torrevieja. Similar to real estate law, foreigners have the same rights as locals when purchasing a vehicle in Costa Rica. The government adds 53% to come up with the basic ‘cost’ of a new car in Costa Rica. Failing that, you’ll have to put up with higher interest rates (provided you find a dealer who’ll finance it for you). return unescape(cookie.substring(begin + prefix.length, end)); TROPICAL DESIGN CAMPERVAN Hola Again, before starting with this new post, we want to… Uncategorized 5 REASONS … I was shocked to discover that a 1988 Suzuki Samurai would set me back nearly $4000. Highly professional, customer service driven, great vehicles at good prices, with so many extras thrown in. Features, pros and cons of different vehicles. Recently the government cracked down on traffic violations by increasing fines substantiality. The tax for importing vehicles into Costa Rica is 52.29% for models that have been released in the last three years. Since Buying a Car in Costa Rica about 10 months ago, we have gone through many of the motions of car ownership, including taxes, insurance, maintenance, and of course repairs. In fact, you could pay close to the value of the car in import duties and fees. Knowing that Asian cars are quite popular here, we wanted to buy an Asian-manufactured vehicle so that getting parts wouldn’t be a problem. All you have to do is to visit this New Cars in Costa Rica 2017 link and click on which category of car you would like to investigate or, click on Búsqueda Avanzada (Advanced Search) at the bottom of the page and choose your own Marca (Manufacturer) and Modelo, Tipo (Type) and Precio (Price). The good news about selling your car is that vehicles retain their value in Costa Rica; new models depreciate slowly and many older cars sell for almost double their U.S. Blue Book value. Interesting question, no? Driving Your Car to Costa Rica: if (begin == -1) { Working with Andy took all the anxiety and difficulties out of the equation. Working together with used car dealerships and individuals sellers, we help you purchasing a vehicle in Costa Rica that suits your specific taste, needs and budget. Answer 1 of 8: We are planning to spend 3 months a year in Costa Rica during the winter. Mobile version. Not that they are all bad but some people have had bad experiences. Simply click on the “Blue Book” tab at the top of the page, then click “INGRESAR” (“access”). Feel free to contact me for more advice on real estate and the Costa Rica car buying process! Buying a New Car from a Dealership Fact the fact, new cars in Costa Rica run about 30% more than new cars in the U.S. We can help with your Vehicle Registration – Transfer Process. The Costa Rican government taxes at between 50-80% the value of the CIF (cost + insurance + freight) OR 50-80% the value determined by the Costa Rican Finance Ministry’s Car-Tica system (Ruggia, 2008). Causing a fatal accident 6 months 8 years jail, Causing a fatal accident while drunk 3 -15 years jail, Racing against other drivers 1-3 years jail, Driving drunk (BAC 0.75 g/l) 1-3 years jail, Driving faster than 150 km/hr 1-3 years jail, Driving without a valid license or permit $410 fine, Driving 20 km/hr above speed limit $310 fine, Ignoring traffic lights or signs $310 fine. If you go to Google first, the website can be translated into English for you. cars & trucks - by owner. This is more or less the import tax amount. Prices vary among locations and workshops, so you can shop around (www.costarica.com/Retirement/Cost-of-Living/Auto-Expenses). Having Fun Buying a Used And A New Car in Costa Rica. Costa Rica News Uncategorized The Truth About Shipping a Car or Motorcycle to Costa Rica See a map for the restricted area at www.livecostarica.net/?q=node/183. “Costa Rican Market Values” are applied by the government by basing values on the selling prices of used vehicles in C.R. Costa Rican newspapers such as La Nación, La Teja, Diario Extra, and The Tico Times (which is in English) are good places to start browsing for local prices. As you would anywhere, be sure to have a trusted mechanic take a look before you pay. Auto insurance is not mandatory, but if you buy it, prepare to pay a ton. Buying a used car anywhere is a gamble, but purchasing one in Costa Rica is especially tricky. • Vehicles retain their value in Costa Rica much longer than they may in other countries. The next best option is to purchase a car. Buying a car in Costa Rica, pre-purchase second hand car inspections by The CR Car Guy. With 14 years experience, we have a large range of quality cars, guaranteed to suit your needs. A car dealership guides a buyer through the paperwork process. While the Costa Rican government determines vehicle values, your best bet for assessing the value of your car is to research online classified sites within the country. Once you’ve picked out a car, hire an attorney to walk you through the process. I have been selling real estate in Escazu for over 20 years and can show you hundreds of happy buyers of real estate in Escazu and other areas. After a new car has been brought into the country it’s supposed to be registered at the tax office in San Jose within two days (www.costaricareisen.com/firmen/autohandel/info_eng.htm). Learn how your comment data is processed. Cars require general maintenance and safety inspections to ensure they are road worthy. You must renew this permit every year sometime between the first of November and the last day of December, but if you want to avoid a headache, don‘t wait till the last minute. It doesn’t matter which car the country is originally from, they will just put an extra stamp on your passport for your car. If you are looking to buy a home in Costa Rica or invest in a condo anywhere in the central Valley, or looking for any property for sale in Escazu, you need to call me. Upon your arrival we will pick you up from your hotel in San Jose and take you to the dealer to get your new car. www.costaricareisen.com/firmen/autohandel/info_eng.htm, www.costarica.com/Retirement/Cost-of-Living/Auto-Expenses. New rates for Costa Rica Luxury Homes tax (“Impuesto Solidario para el Fortalecimiento de Programas de Vivienda”). You will need a lawyer to buy a car in Costa Rica. Geely Otro Modelo; Hyundai Tucson; Nissan Versa; Ford F-150; News. Buying a good dependable used car in Costa Rica is not an easy thing. Even if you don't plan on driving off-road, unexpected road closures, flooding, mud slides can all happen at any time and send you on a different path, and many times, this will be on a dirt road. In 2015 we began a similar service for clients want to purchase a brand new vehicles. } We had heard horror stories about owners waiting months for parts to come in. To establish a value for the car being exported, you need to present the commercial invoice with the purchase value. Another way to obtain an estimate of duties is to send a fax or email to the Association of Residents (arcr@casacanada.net / www.arcr.net) detailing where you want to ship the car from, the car’s make, model, serial number (VIN), features, e.g. Posted by Russ Martin March 8, 2016 June 19, 2020 Posted in New Cars in Costa Rica Tags: car buying process, car information. It is imperative that before you sign any papers, you have the car checked out by a proper mechanic — and not the mechanic recommended by the seller. } The best car lots in the country are in and around San José, the capital. Also if you want another good option to buy a car in Costa Rica you can access “autos506 [dot] com”. If you can’t pay for your car straight off and want to finance it, you need to provide proof of income, or a good credit record from within Costa Rica. Look up what a 2010 Toyota Four Runner or Nissan Pathfinder goes for. This is one of the most asked questions by people planning to move here, and the answer is it is whatever you want, but you need to know the rules first and of course, the costs involved. Buying a good dependable used car in Costa Rica is not an easy thing. This brings you to a form where you can enter specifications to get a price estimate. Don’t worry this is rather common for any type of negotiations that you will do in Costa Rica. If you’ve financed your car through a dealer, chances are they’ll work out a policy for you and incorporate some kind of insurance fee into your re-payments (www.costarica.com/Retirement/Cost-of-Living/Auto-Expenses; Administrator, 2008; Lytle, 2008a & 2008b). Depending on the year and model of your car, this price can be multiplied by between 0.432 – 0.502 to establish the import value. The tax for importing vehicles into Costa Rica is 52.29% for models that have been released in the last three years. Only you know your individual needs. costa rica > cars & trucks - by owner... « » press to search craigslist. After all, you don’t want the hassle of hidden costs. Highly professional, customer service driven, great vehicles at good prices, with so many extras thrown in. Buying a car in Costa Rica, pre-purchase second hand car inspections by The CR Car Guy. Buying a car in Costa Rica can be complicated or simple. Thinking about buying a car in Costa Rica. What kind of car do you want to buy/import? Similar to real estate law, foreigners have the same rights as locals when purchasing a vehicle in Costa Rica. Buying a Car in Costa Rica Foreigners who’ve settled in Costa Rica quickly realize that they can’t bring their cars in from other countries, as they’re subject to extremely high import taxes. Any vehicle you want to ship into Costa Rica must also pass a EPA Smog Test, approved by a Local Consulate from the country of exportation. Auto Expenses Costa Rica Insurance. The Black Book: All you need to do is click on “Consulte su Marchamo aqua” (Consult your Marchamo here) and enter your vehicle type and license plate number. You can’t try and be sneaky by just making a value up, as Customs Officers follow a guide – The Black (or Blue) Book. You can pay Marchamo at MOPT, banks and online with Banco Nacional at www.bncr.fi.cr. Any difference higher than 30% would be due to higher prices the dealer pays to the factory, model popularity, or because of a better reputation locally. About an hour northwest of the city is Grecia, a small town known throughout the country for its used car lots that line the road from the PanAmerican Highway to its center. Garnica, Nov 21, pg 3). The month you need to go for inspection depends upon the last numbers of your license plate, i.e. While you CAN get around and enjoy Costa Rica by using public transportation, if you decide to purchase a vehicle, it is important to know a few things before you do. What I will do is give you MY cost. Anyone living in Costa Rica will tell you that the roads are rough and your car will take a toll. Is the car appropriate for Costa Rican roads, which are often unpaved, potholed and damaged during the green season? Read more at: Car Insurance: It is not within the scope of this article to go into detail about all these border crossings; however, there is a lot of information you should know if you chose to do this. As a result, many people choose to remain uninsured because the worth of their car doesn’t justify paying the high fees. This can also work to your advantage, as second-hand cars already in the country may be specifically designed to suit the conditions, with appropriate engine tuning, tires, etc. To help keep traffic under control, days from Monday to Friday are allocated numbers: Monday 1 & 2, Tuesday 3 & 4, Wednesday 5 & 6, Thursday 7 & 8, and Friday 9 & 0. Bring Your Car or Buy in Costa Rica? We wanted to avoid that situation. If you are caught doing this, your car may be confiscated and you can be sent to jail, deported and banned from Costa Rica for a number of years (Charles Zeller, shiptocostarica@racsa.co.cr, personal communication December 24, 2008). There are car dealerships for new cars (agencias de autos) in Costa Rica. There is a lot of negativity on them, whether it is about the people, the processes, petty crimes, experiences, and the systems here. Caution:  Sometimes Government websites are out of date and the best thing you can do is ask an expert or official. The kind of car you buy in Costa Rica will depend on who will be riding in that car and what activities you like to do. Share 0. Costa Rica have more than 200 established campsites throughout the territory, and 99% of the territory is completely passable through the year. Repairs that would cost thousands back in the U.S., cost hundreds here. However getting the lease approved was another story which I will get to, and buying the used one was a real treat! Since car rental is so expensive we are thinking about buying a car and leaving it there. www.autocarshippers.com/carshippingscam.aspx, www.1costaricalink.com/elresidente/oo-3-4-2001.htm, www.vacationcity.com/costa-rica/information/import-export, www.hacienda.go.cr/autohacienda/autovalor.aspx, www.therealcostarica.com/moving_to_costa_rica/bring_buy_car.html, Magical Montezuma – Beach Town with Plenty of Reasons to Return. Bring Your Car or Buy in Costa Rica? Vehicle ownership must be transferred with the help of a lawyer / notary by law, so If you’re buying or selling a vehicle in Costa Rica, you’ll want our help to complete the paperwork process that is involved in transferring a car’s title. In addition to brake, lights, indicator and wiper checks, exhaust emissions are also examined. Costa Rica News – Discounts from $400 to $3,000 can be expected on 2017 cars as model cars for 2018 arrive. Upon recently moving to Costa Rica my family and I needed a car. For more information see www.costarica.com/Retirement/Cost-of-Living/Auto-Expenses and Lytle (2008a). You can get the paperwork to register it from customs. Costa cars . You should also consider hiring a bi-lingual lawyer to guide you through the process (e.g. Buy a car More details. It’s almost always better to buy (or even rent) a car in Costa Rica rather than importing your own car because of the sky-high import taxes. Four-wheel drive is not necessary unless you live in an isolated area. Many expats warn newcomers about the high cost of housing and food. Once you’ve paid up, you can than take your car. Many find that it is easier to buy a new vehicle in Costa Rica than to import, even if it is more expensive. (www.vacationcity.com/costa-rica/information/import-export; Howard, 2008). If you lose all your points, you also lose your license for two years. Since 2006, we here at WheelsCR.com have helped our clients purchase reliable used cars from reputable dealers in Costa Rica. You can check prices online at portal.ins-cr.com/General/Marchamo. Working with Andy took all the anxiety and difficulties out of the equation. If you don’t have a commercial invoice you have to declare a value. var myCookie = getCookie("ILPOSTCA"); You may wish to import a particular vehicle, but if you’re not going to be able to find a knowledgeable mechanic and the right parts for your car, you might have to think twice. You can also email Charles Zeller (contact details under “Shipping a car”) and you can contact the National Auto Research by writing to: 2620 Barrett Road model year. Buy Used Cars from Cerostress, by Budget Costa Rica. Box 758, Apart from Toyotas, other popular brands in Costa Rica include Nissans, Hondas, Suzukis and Hyundais. The roads in Nosara are awesome (for mechanics, people who sell shocks and repair tires). https://internationalliving.com/buying-a-car-in-costa-rica-8-tips save search. For example, a $20,000 used car, depending on the age, may cost you from $10,000 – $17,000 in duties (Lytle, 2008b). make and model. For further information about the checklist for the RTV inspection, see the Information page, Vehicle Roadworthiness in Costa Rica Also go to www.crautos.com and although this site is in Spanish, but don’t be put off by it. If you plan to live in a rural area, an SUV with its high clearance is the way to go. Also you can check out these two websites:  www.crautos.com and www.wheelsCR.com. For examples of Canadian and United States evaluations you can visit www.blackbookguides.com. All trademarks at the best prices. Should I bring my car to Costa Rica when I move or should I just buy one there? Buying a car in Costa Rica, bring your old one or buy here is a major decision when you move to Costa Rica. If want a car for driving around San Jose, you may want something smaller and more gas efficient. If you enjoy surfing, you may want to get a truck or SUV. You have to go back to the Registro Público to have it renewed and there is no charge to do this (Administrator, 2008). Gallery. if (myCookie == null) { Buying A Car. You have to watch the expiry date of the paper plates while you’re waiting for your permanent metal plates, as you can get a fine (from about 10,000 to 20,000 colones or $20 to $40) if they run out and you don’t renew them. The do's and don'ts. The price, once again, depends on your car. But there are many affordable used cars available from a variety of sources. About Classic Cars. To read a case example of what quotes may entail, read Nicolas Ruggia’s article “Bringing in Your Four-Wheeled Baby”, The Tico Times, May 23 2008. document.write('