The Legal Guide to Costa Rica

The very best source for a lay person to become aware of Costa Rican law and its application. Everyone who reads english and resides full or part time in Costa Rica needs this reference. In a country where an attorney must be hired by anyone purchasing a car,a non common law country where stare decisis and precedent do not apply, where it takes seven years to get a case to trial, You must be aware of the "LEY." Easy enough to read that legal students will probably be using it as a study reference. If you have any interest in the wonderful country of Costa Rica, you need to have this reference in your library! (anonymous)

This book is a "must read" for individuals desiring to reside, work, marry (or divorce), invest, study, purchase property or own a business in Costa Rica. The author successfully compiled a broad compendium of laws,legal processes and governance in this country. "The Legal Guide to Costa Rica" reads like a typical Intro to Business Law textbook and contains some dry passages. However, this should not give the serious Costa Rica aficionado or investor reason to put the book down. A lot of important legal ground is covered in just 348 pages. Even though the book may not have all the answers, it remains a handy "legal road map" and does a more than adequate job of preparing the reader to ask the right questions once in Costa Rica. A minor editing inconsistency was detected in the 4th edition update. On p. 176, the author writes that after 2003, the pensionado-rentista residency program (formerly administered by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute) is now the responsibility of the Department of Immigration. In subsequent passages describing the current application process (on p. 178), the author continues to make reference to "Tourism Department" instead of "Immigration Department." If living, investing or working in Costa Rica is in your future, I highly recommend "The Legal Guide to Costa Rica."

This book has been invaluable in understanding Costa Rica's laws and pointing out issues of concern. My family rented a home in Costa Rica and the lease was exactly as written in this book. We are looking at purchasing property and now know how to research online and what to look out for. I wouldn't be half as comfortable in Costa Rica without this book. A must-have for anyone serious about living, working or doing business in Costa Rica.

If you are moving to beautiful Costa Rica you must have this guide. It details in plane English the legal system in Costa Rica. It answers questions on citizenship, visa's, work permit, labor laws, and has sample forms of Costa Rican legal forms. If your planning on moving to Costa Rica and starting a business in Costa Rica you must own this guide, period. Great help on avoiding getting burned! The best part is the author is a Costa Rican born US Citizen educated in the U.S. including law school and lives in Costa Rica. He knows his stuff!