Getting a car and a pacemaker

Last week we decided to trade in our 12 year old car for a 10 year old Honda CRV.  Vehicles are very expensive in Costa Rica so we have opted to own a used vehicle instead of incurring the expense of a new vehicle.  With the limited driving we do, the pot holes and cost of insurance, it just makes more sense to go with a reliable, used SUV.

Some interesting highlights of the process included visiting the small town of Grecia, where seemingly the majority of used car dealerships  in Costa Rica are located.  

Once we selected a vehicle, we provided the information to our lawyer to complete the transaction for us.  Yes, the lawyer handles the paperwork for you when you buy a car.  Fortunately, we have a great inexpensive attorney (sounds like an oxymoron, but true).

In addition to getting a "new, used vehicle" we have had to really test the Costa Rica medical care system as my dad was advised by a cardiologist here that he would require a pacemaker.  We were very impressed with all of the doctors and nurses that attended to my dad at the CIMA hospital in Escazu.

Costa Rica is considered a top medical destination which helped us easily get approval from my dad's U.S. based federal insurance.  Presumably, the lack of malpratice lawsuit awards the size of lottery winnings helps to contribute to the reasonable cost and access to wonderful medical care here.