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Potholes to Paradise: Living in Costa Rica - What You Need to Know (Paperback)

~ Tessa Borner (Author)

3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Part diary, part travelogue, part advice column, Borner artfully walks readers through every step of their relocation to Costa Rica -- Tico Times, November 1st, 2001

From the Publisher

Co-owner of Posada Mimosa Bed & Breakfast, Tessa Borner hopes her "Potholes to Paradise" guide book will help others avoid the investment and adjustment mistakes she and her husband Martin made when they moved to Costa Rica from just outside of Toronto in 1994. The book retraces the couple's decision to re-locate to Costa Rica and build and operate their B&B in the rural Central Valley community of Grecia, about an hour northwest of San José.

And the 177-page, black-and-white result, illustrated with family photographs, is at its best when relating personal experiences - with builders, lawyers, real estate agents and the country's private Clinica Biblica Hospital, where Martin received triple by-pass surgery in 1993. The health section may be particualrly helpful to Canadians, with advice on urging a reimbursement from Canada's socialized medicine for treatment received in Costa Rica.

The Borners also provide valuable tips, based on their own foibles, for dealing with contractors and government bureaucracy. "We were away for extended periods while construction was supposed to be going on. Do not start construction unless you can be present at all times," she wisely advises.

Borner is a skilled writer who excels when telling her own story and is obviously in love with her new life in Costa Rica. The book provides valuable insight into this Canadian couple's experiences in Costa Rica - experiences that many foreigners, struggling with a new culture and language would also encounter.

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Product Details

Paperback: 177 pages
Publisher: Hillary Borner (July 31, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1895270219
ISBN-13: 978-1895270211
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #614,601 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category: (What's this?)
#78 in Books > Travel > Latin America > Central America > Costa Rica

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Customer Reviews

30 Reviews

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

3.7 out of 5 stars (30 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Potholes is Full of Potholes, April 8, 2003

By A Customer

I've lived in Costa Rica since 1981 and am a very successful buisnessman. I work in the field of real estate development. Many of my clients ask me for books about living and investing here. At one time or another I've read all of the books on the subject including "Potholes in Paradise." I really don't think it has a lot to offer the potential investor other than superficial information. I think potential residents and investors would be better off reading some of the other guides.

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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Save Your Money, August 25, 2003

By	Phil Holt (San Pedro, Costa Rica) - See all my reviews

The authors can't be serious! I really didn't get any benefit from this book. I just moved to Costa Rica and didn't learn much from it. It just doesn't contain enough info. for the potential resident. I read other books on the subject and prefer "The New Golden Door" and "Choose Costa Rica." The authors of these guides really seem to know the scoop.

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A waste of my time ..., February 1, 2006

By	Laurie Rando (Cherry Hill, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An overt advertisement for their business in Costa Rica, I found virtually no helpful information here. If you want to know the history of the people (and therefore understand things like squatters' rights), read "The Ticos". If you are investing in land or a business ANYWHERE, know the language and get a second legal opinion before signing at the X. Check crime stats on the web for free, and keep in mind that a city is a city - use good old common sense in all that you do. Make several trips covering different regions and grow your "network" each time you return. When it comes together, you'll be ready. Pura Vida!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Other books on the topic are 100% better
This is the first time that I have ever been motivated to write a review. There is virtually no useful information here which cannot be garnered from other more comprehensive and... Read more

Published on April 1, 2006 by Jacqueline Dzaluk

4.0 out of 5 stars I found it helpful
I did like that it was "part diary, part travelogue, part advice column" instead of so straightforward a text. Read more

Published on February 19, 2004 by J. J. Phelps

5.0 out of 5 stars Tessa Hits It Nicely
My wife and I read Tessa's book before going to Costa Rica with the idea that we might settle there as she and her husband did. Read more

Published on July 17, 2003 by Jim Bronson

5.0 out of 5 stars Pura Vida !
We had the pleasure of reading "Pothole to Paradise" and thoroughly enjoyed Tessa Borner's personal account of transition into Costa Rican life. Read more

Published on March 26, 2003 by Roger & Lynn Lasell

2.0 out of 5 stars I concur with the readers who gave it the same low rating
The table of contents makes this book seem more complete than it really is. The last forty pages are a diary, thus reducing the useful content to only 130 pages. Read more

Published on March 3, 2003 by Bob Helly

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Enough Information
I have spent a total of several years travelling around Costa Rica doing research. This book's large print and short length make it virtually impossible to cover the subject in... Read more

Published on February 20, 2003 by C .Baker

2.0 out of 5 stars Review of Potholes
Things seem to have changed since this book was written. There is some good info., but I was amazed how much isn`t accurate. Read more

Published on February 15, 2003 by Steve Carson

3.0 out of 5 stars Just another book on the same subject
This guide has some valuable material for the potential resident. Basically it rehashes the same subjects already covered in previous guidebooks about living in Costa Rica. Read more

Published on January 30, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Glad to know that there are potholes in paradise!
You just have to drive on the roads of Costa Rica to find out what potholes are. It is a dream for my wife and I to move down to Costa Rica and have been thinking about it quite a... Read more

Published on January 28, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading
"Potholes to Paradise" is a fantastic book. It is a must read for anyone thinking of going to live or do business in Costa Rica. The information is excellent. Read more

Published on January 1, 2003 by Jo Robertson

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