Helpful Information
(Words with * are defined in the glossary, which will open in separate window)
Utilities
Electric connection:
Go to the ICE* office in Nosara and submit an application. You will need a copy of your escritura*, your cedula* residential or a personeria juridica* of your corporation, and a copy of your passport and your plano*. If you are transferring the billing name, you need a letter of authorization to transfer from the current name as well. Nosara is trying to become a “wildlife friendly” area, so please request insulated lines and “boots” on your transformers. Many animals suffer horrific deaths from electrocution.
Water installation:
Information about, and applications for, are available at the ASADA* (Water Company) office, 50 north of “Five Corners”. All water users are encouraged to become members of the ASADA* so that YOU may have a say in your water service. Please conserve water.
Telephone service:
Phones, both hard line and cellular, are hard to get and now ICE* has made it even harder. Non-residents of the country can not apply without a Costa Rican corporate cedula*. You must go to the ICE office in Nosara with a copy of your electric bill, a personeria juridica*, and a copy of your cedula juridica* or a copy of your residency cedula* to make the application for the phone. 3-G cellular phones work in all areas within the “project”. Billing names for telephones purchased with in existing name are difficult to change. Many new phone lines do come with high-speed internet. ICE now offers “pre-paid” cell chips to use in your US cell and all you need is your passport.
RACSA (slow internet connection):
There is an office in Nicoya to set up your Internet account. You need a copy of your phone bill, your passport and your credit card if you are going to charge the monthly fee. RACSA is on its way out since there are now so many high speed lines available.
Garbage:
We are fortunate to have twice-weekly trash collections, Mondays and Thursdays. It is recommended that you install an animal proof trash bin at the end of your driveway, or share one with a neighbor. The cement tubes with a metal lid seem to work better than the messy baskets.
There is recycling, in Nosara. Our water is safe to drink, so no need to purchase bottled water in plastics. There is a guarded recycle center in front of Café de Paris and a Recycle Center just past La Paloma, which takes just about anything. We do use returnable, deposit glass bottles for beer and soda and your food products can be used as compost or to feed the wildlife. Please collapse cardboard boxes. Plastic grocery bags fit nicely into many trash cans and should be reused as there is a ¢25 charge for the bags. There are currently various re-usable grocery bags available. Many stores are now using the biodegradable grocery bags.
Monthly charge for a single family home is $10 (a small price to pay for 8 pickups a month) and it is currently payable at the Mini Super Delicias del Mundo in the back office, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. It is easier to pay a year in advance so you don’t have to keep remembering or trying to find the bill.
It helps the collectors greatly if you collapse cardboard boxes and separate your trash into stong bags:
* Aluminum cans (crushed)
* Tin cans (cleaned and crushed)
* Plastic (crushed)
* Glass (caps removed)
* Food remains
* Other
.
SKY TV:
There is an authorized dealer in Arenales or call 08000521539.
Construction
Building permits:
These are usually obtained by the contractor (make sure they have all permits because you are the one who is liable if the building is in your name). If you do it yourself, go to the Municipality of Nicoya, take your plans approved by the College of Engineers, and a letter from the ASADA* stating that there is water available. You must conform to all required building regulations, sanitary requirements, MINAET* permits for tree cutting, well digging, etc. Please respect your neighbors, the wildlife (don’t cut off the monkeys’ passage through the trees), the roads for runoff if you fill your lot (for which you need another permit) and damage caused by heavy traffic and the community in general.
Tree cutting permits:
A permit to cut any tree over 15cm in diameter at a height of 130cm is needed. Again, please do not butcher your lot, work around the trees and the animal right-of-ways. Permits are obtained in the MINAET* office in Nicoya.
Well permits:
Wells can be dug within the project, but are also subject to approval of permits from MINAET*. Information is available at the ASADA* office.
Financial
Paying bills: 
All bills are due monthly, on various days, but generally the first of the month. Many bills (electricity, telephone, RACSA, DirecTV, Social Security) can be paid at most banks or online through Banco Nacional and Banco de Costa Rica. Some banks can only accept payments for some bills, check with your bank first.
Electric:Payable at the “new” hardware store behind the gas station or you can pay at the ICE office in Arenales or via internet. Phone:Payable at the ICE office in Arenales or at most banks or via internet.Water:Payable at the ASADA* office. Water can also be paid by calling the ASADA* office, 2682-0234, get theamount, make a transfer to Banco Nacional account # 100-01-013-4544-8 (be sure to indicate “waterand lot # in ‘concepto’) and FAX receipt to the office, 2682-0234, or copy and email toGarbage:Payable at Mini Super Delicias del Mundo in the back office, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. It iseasier to pay a year in advance so you don’t have to keep remembering or tying to find the bill.Social Security:Payable via Internet or in Nicoya.RACSA:Payable with credit card, Internet or bank deposit. SKY TV:Payable with credit card, Internet or bank deposit.Insurance:Through Jeannette at INS* in Nicoya or on-line.Property tax:Bills come out in January of each year and are payable at the Municipal office in Nicoya. Just take your name, or the corporate name, to the Muni office and pay. Bills are not mailed by the municipality nor doyour dues cover your municipal taxes.Luxury Home tax:Ask your attorney or accountant about this.Banking:
Banco Popular is located below Café de Paris and accepts VISA for colone cash advances
Banco de Costa Rica is located just before the Subi Baja next to the gas station and accepts Master Card for colone cash advances
Both are open Monday through Saturday. The hours are 9:00-3:00 weekly and 9:00-12:00 on Saturdays. Some of the national banks require that you have a Costa Rican corporation in order to open an account. Copies of all documentation, as well as a copy of an electric bill are needed. Banking in this country is frequently confusing and illogical.
Insurance
Jeannette Rodriguez works for INS* in Nicoya and is very helpful.
Workmen’s Compensation insurance:
All employees must have workers comp. You need a copy of the cedula* of your employees and a copy of your cedula juridica*. A monthly report needs to be submitted, either via Internet or sent to Nicoya.
House, car and health insurance:
Can all be handled through Jeannette 2686-7013, cell 8387-2376.
Medical insurance - Members of the NCA receive a discounted group rate for medical insurance and applications are available at the NCA office or the office in Nicoya. It is worth the annual membership fee.
Social Security for your employees:
Miscellaneous Services
P.O. Box:
Post office boxes are available in Nosara near the airport “terminal”. You need a copy of your passport and the cost is about $10.00 per year. Mail takes about 10 to 14 days to get here from the U.S. and vice versa.
Courier service:
If you need a US address, you can use Areocasillas. Mail is sent from San José on the Alfaro Bus once a week, or more if desired. UPS is now available at the Nosara Office Center in Arenales.
Residency and import information:
Association of Residents of Costa Rica, Ryan Piercy 2257-6646 can help you with your questions about residency, importing cars or containers and advise you of current laws affecting these. Attorney Andres Gonzales, located next to Toyota Rent a Car, has an associate who can help. 2682-1404 or agonzalez@iblconsultores.com.
Veterinarian Services:
Garza Vets, 2656-8293
Dr. Jiménez in Nicoya, 2686-6826
Dr. Dalay Delgadio in Nicoya, 2685-3492
Ernesto Acosta in Santa Cruz, 2680-0616
Frederico Patino in Esperanza, 2682-0735, or in San Jose, 2231-5276.
Many of come to Nosara on a regular basis to neuter strays at a discounted charge. There is a “Doggy Fund” for these strays which welcomes contributions. Call Sarah 2682-0808 or email her at nosaraanimalcare@gmail.com for more information. To take animals back and forth out of the country you need a certificate from a vet, which is not difficult to secure. There is no quarantine period for animals to enter or leave either the US or Costa Rica. Important Phone Numbers:
Visit our Phone Book:
telephone book:
our community:
About the NCA | Community Information | Maps Of Nosara | Telephone Books | Contact Us
Email the NCA: NosaraCivicAssociation@yahoo.com
Phone: (506) 2682-0008
Bocas de Nosara, Peninsula de Nicoya, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
All rights are reserved
FRIENDS OF NOSARA
is a not-for-profit corporation recognized as a public charity under Section 501(c) (3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Friends of Nosara are deductible as charitable contributions by US taxpayers. Our purpose is to support charitable, educational, cultural, civic and social activities and projects of benefit to the residents of Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. We will achieve our purpose through our own activities and by joining other organizations and institutions whose purposes are consistent with our own. www.friendsofnosara.org
Current Projects
David Kitson Memorial Library - Working with local schools and town associations to provide access to all to the world of books. Construction of the new library building is complete, behind the FUCAN (Foundation for the Cap citation of Nosara) - Working with the National Institute of ApprenticeshipOstional Refuge Protection - Working with MINAET to protect the Ostional Turtle Refuge, which abuts the Local schools - Working with the parent-teacher associations of the elementary and high schools toimprove the facilities. Escuelita de Nosara aka Escuelita de Verano - provides a vacation day camp for the children of Nosara whose public school holiday runs through the month of January. The Escuelita's mission is to inspire creativity and invoke passion for higher learning and development through the implementation of a diverse arts program. Through the demonstration of alternative ways of thinking, acting, living and believing it is hoped that bridges will be formed allowing and ultimately improving the future of the community. The program started with 7 children and has grown to over 150 this year.
Refugio de Los Animales de Nosara - Working with injured, orphaned or displaced wildlife, mostly Howler monkeys of the area, to rehabilitate and return them to their native habitat as quickly as possible. www.nosarawildlife.org
Sibu Sanctuary - Working as a step-down release center and sanctuary for wildlife that have been orphaned, injured, or displaced, whether by natural causes or by human encroachment. www.sibusanctuary.org
Nosara Animal Welfare Association aka Nosara Animal Care - provides no cost health care for homeless animals and for animals living with low income families who cannot afford the high costs of veterinary medicine. Their belief is that every animal equally deserves quality care from skilled and gentle veterinarians. They also have an adoption program to help find homes for rehabilitated street animals and for unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. www.nosaraanimalcare.com
Red Cross - Working with the local Red Cross, which receives very little government funding, to provide better emergency services to Nosara residences.
Asociaciones Desarrollo de Nosara y Esperanza - Working with the town associations to secure land and a community center.
Del Mar Academy Scholarship Fund - Providing scholarship to local qualified students to attend the private bi-lingual school. www.delmaracademy.com/scholarship-programs.html
The Surfing Nosara Foundation - concentrates on completing one project at a time that will benefit the children of Nosara. They are currently focused on helping the area's public schools.www.surfingnosara.com/surfing-nosara-foundation
How You Can Help - You can contribute to our projects by making a contribution to Friends of Nosara.
Please include a written designation of the project you wish to support (a notation in the memo section of your check, for example, would be sufficient).
Bronxville, NY 10708 Beach Dog CaféBermudez Loria Building CompanyBoca Nosara ToursCasa Romantica Hotel & RestaurantCasa Tucan Hotel & RestaurantCentury 21 R.E. NosaraCoconut Harry’s Surf ShopCondominios de las FloresCondominios las OlasCorky Carroll’s Surf SchoolDoctora Kattia Porras, medical doctorEco RealtyEl Punto Juan Surfo’sEnchanted Forest GymEstancia Hotel & RestaurantFrog PadGiardinoTropicale Hotel & RestaurantGilded Iguana Hotel & RestaurantGuiones Mini MarketHarbor Reef Lodge & RestaurantHarmony Hotel, Restaurant & Juice BarKayasol Hotel & RestaurantLa Costa RentalsLagarta Lodge & RestaurantLic. Andres Gonzalez, AttorneyLodge Vista del MarLuna AzulNosara B & BNosara Beach House HotelNosara Beach RentalsNosara Beach VillasNosara Home RentalsNosara Palma Real InvestmentsNosara QuadsNosara Spanish InstituteNosara SpringsNosara Surf ShopNosara Sustainable OperationsNosara Travel & Home RentalsNosara WebNosara Wildlife RescueNosara Yoga InstituteNova DevelopmentProyecto SelvamarRancho Congo HotelReef RealtyReef TravelRefugio Animales de NosaraRobin's Cafe and Ice CreamSafari Surf SchoolSibu SanctuarySolo Bueno HostelSu Casa ConstructionSuper Nosara, Grocery & LiquorSurfing Nosara R.E.Tica MassageTierra MagnificaTropicana DiscothequeVilla Mango B&BVilla Tortuga, House RentalVillas Canadiense Condo RentalsVista Del Parasio CabinasWanderlust RealtyTHANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
The board of directors of the Nosara Civic Association would like to thank all the members who have joined the association for another year and have shown their support for our community. Also, thank you to our businesses listed below for their “business” memberships. We look forward to working with you and serving the community. Business members are featured on our NCA map and in our brochure which can be found at various locations throughout Nosara.
Conversion Chart:
1 mile = 1.61 kilometers
1 meter = 3.28 feet
1 yard = 0.914 meters
1 square meter (m2) = 10.76 sq. ft.
1 manzana = 0.698896 hectares (7,000 m2)
1 acre = 43,560 m2
1 hectare = 10,000 m2
1 hectare = 107,600 sq.ft
1 kilometer = 0.6214 miles
1 foot = 0.304 meters
1 meter = 1.09 yards
1 sq. ft. = 0.093 m2
1 manzana = 1.73 acres
1 acre = 0.405 hectares
1 hectare = 2.47 acres
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
