What is a real Costa Rica relocation seminar?

I have lived in Costa Rica for over 40 years. During this time there has been a whole gamut of relocation seminars, especially those that were selling real estate. However, most turned out to be “fly by night” operations trying to make a quick buck off naïve newcomers. Most have come and gone along with those who sponsored them and were newcomers themselves, with no experience, not even permission to work, or even no legal residency.

*All our tours offer a valuable two-day, one-of-a-kind seminar by the country’s foremost experts*.

There has only been one legitimate seminar that has withstood the test of time due to its excellence.

The Association of Residents of Costa Rica, or ARCR as it is more commonly known, has been sponsoring highly informative monthly relocation seminars since the 1990s. It has helped 1000s of people relocate successfully. Why has it endured? Because of the expertise and integrity of its speakers.

Expats originally formed the Association to help each other and guide newcomers so they avoid scams and weed out bad lawyers, movers, and other services that take the money and never fulfill their commitments.

It works like a better business bureau where expats share their good and bad experiences.

Let’s look at what a real relocation seminar is and what the ARCR’s consist of.

First and foremost is the combined experience of its expert specialists who provide insider information on a variety of indispensable topics. All were born here or have decades of “boots on the ground” in the country. They are also 100 bilingual and understand all of the nuances of Costa Rican culture.

Here is a list of whose who:

A lawyer who specializes in residency with over 25 years of experience. Many lawyers here claim they can get your residency but are not experts in said field. I have heard people who are trying to do their residency complain that their lawyer is always out of the office or that the process is taking too long.

A shipper and customs broker with 45 years of experience moving expats, since Costa Rica was discovered by them 40 years ago.

A realtor with 30 years of experience to help you find properties and rentals, and above all, help newcomers avoid costly legal mistakes by not researching the properties they buy properly.

A team of insurance agents with over 20 years in both the public and private sectors health care sectors, and also automobile, home, and renter’s insurance.

Renowned experts from the medical and dental professions give realistic costs of care and procedures.

A Spanish language teacher from a language school with a sample lesson of this method. In addition, another speaker who is the author of a best-selling book on shortcuts to learning Costa Rica-style Spanish.

A relocation tour expert with 30 years experience in the field who offers licensed relocation tours of the country and who is approved by the Costa Rican government’s Ministry of Tourism. In the past tours of this type were unsanctioned rogue operations.