What I don't understand is why some products that are made in CR are much more expensive than the US. For example, they have a can dog food called Super Perro that is made in CR that cost around 450 colones ($1.10). I got pedigree in a much bigger can and better quality for 62 cents.
I brought back like 20 cans of that stuff for my dog.
I brought back like 20 cans of that stuff for my dog.
This is just an anectdote that demonstrates what I consider the incredible generosity of many of the Ticos.
While visiting on a business trip one of my colleauges suffered an intense migraine attack rendering him unable to stand or speak. At the hotel we were staying, the night manager drove us to the hospital in his car and arranged for my buddy to get treated, for which we paid not one cent, no insurance, no paperwork, nothing.
(Doctors basically took him into the emergency room and gave him a shot and gave us a prescription).
Don't think he would've gotten that type of treatment here in the States if he didn't have insurance papers.
CR is not perfect, but the States ain't by a long shot, either.
While visiting on a business trip one of my colleauges suffered an intense migraine attack rendering him unable to stand or speak. At the hotel we were staying, the night manager drove us to the hospital in his car and arranged for my buddy to get treated, for which we paid not one cent, no insurance, no paperwork, nothing.
(Doctors basically took him into the emergency room and gave him a shot and gave us a prescription).
Don't think he would've gotten that type of treatment here in the States if he didn't have insurance papers.
CR is not perfect, but the States ain't by a long shot, either.
Truth, simple economics makes prices high on most things in CR. When tariffs are sky high as they are down there, there is no reason for the local companies to compete on price. So margins are great and competition is nicely kept to a minimum. This concept really gets out of control in many countries too because the government will do things beyond just tariffs to "protect". They will put in regulations and requirements that make it impossible for other country products to get in economically. In the meantime the local producers make big fat margins and use them to fund the government and pay off their friends in high places. We call this "crony capitalism" and CR does it damn well and has for a long time.
Quick story.Recently my wife broke her leg.Went to emergency room.We were out of there in under an hour and a half.Total cost including xrays,cast,and Doctor bill,$250.The doctor spoke engish,was a graduate of Columbia,and had worked many years at NYU Medical Center.American,I love Manuel Antonio.I,m talking the beach inside the park.We probably have different ideas,on what constitutes a nice beach.I'll take isolation over a board walk any day.And for all:you can't compare the US and CR.As I have stated CR,is not for everyone.Nor is the US,as much as I loved NYC,don't think I could live there again.I know I couldn't live in Balt or Pitts again,although I love visiting all 3.
There are few countries with gas close to US prices, even our neighbors to the south charge about 50% more for gas despite being a large oil exporter.
In countries like CR or Mexico the tax is an easy target of class welfare. In CR and Mexico the cars are mostly owned by the rich and the middle class. The large lower class generally only dream of someday owning a car. Therefore if you put a high tax on gas you don't alienate a lot of people as you would in the US where people would argue it hurts the poor the most since gas is a higher percentage of their spending.
Funny thing is how in the US and in other first world nations, transit in the big cities is for every class, immigrant burger flipper is just as likely to ride the subway in NYC as a stockbroker who owns an SUV for weekend driving. If you go to a third world country, buying a car means you literally are choosing to never ride on a bus or subway again. I know people in Mexico City that live blocks away from the convenient and ultra cheap subway, yet have never taken it. Ask them why and they say "that is for the poor, I have a car".
In countries like CR or Mexico the tax is an easy target of class welfare. In CR and Mexico the cars are mostly owned by the rich and the middle class. The large lower class generally only dream of someday owning a car. Therefore if you put a high tax on gas you don't alienate a lot of people as you would in the US where people would argue it hurts the poor the most since gas is a higher percentage of their spending.
Funny thing is how in the US and in other first world nations, transit in the big cities is for every class, immigrant burger flipper is just as likely to ride the subway in NYC as a stockbroker who owns an SUV for weekend driving. If you go to a third world country, buying a car means you literally are choosing to never ride on a bus or subway again. I know people in Mexico City that live blocks away from the convenient and ultra cheap subway, yet have never taken it. Ask them why and they say "that is for the poor, I have a car".
not to be too negative, but Miami a pithole. Thanks I believe you will make alot of friends that way, especially from those of us that are from there, namely me. Also to give you some other products here that are more expensive than the States, like eggs, milk, ice cream, paint and I'm sure there are others. SO... why does this stuff cost more here?
I guess the answer to that has to be the same answer to why medicines are cheaper here than in the US which is where they are actually developed and manufactured?
Perhaps the farmers that produce eggs/milk/icecream have less help from the goverment than in the States where some sectors have huge subventions, it's hard if not impossible why somethings are cheaper "here" and more expensive "there"
The gas is not hard for me to figure out, since I can remember there have been at least 2 specific taxes imposed to it for........you guess it , fix the roads, of course that money never gets to where its suposed to and ends up in a different program so the roads remain as pathetic as they can get
Perhaps the farmers that produce eggs/milk/icecream have less help from the goverment than in the States where some sectors have huge subventions, it's hard if not impossible why somethings are cheaper "here" and more expensive "there"
The gas is not hard for me to figure out, since I can remember there have been at least 2 specific taxes imposed to it for........you guess it , fix the roads, of course that money never gets to where its suposed to and ends up in a different program so the roads remain as pathetic as they can get
