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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 18 2008, 1:23 PM EST (current) | adamkatz | 184 words added, 4 words deleted |
| Jan 17 2008, 9:43 AM EST | adamkatz | 301 words added, 170 words deleted |
Changes
Key: Additions Deletions
BOATING AND TRANSPORT
1) Is Rio San Juan navigatable from the Caribbean - what size of boat?
I've heard contradictory reports. But the latest info seems to be that the rapids have been replaced with locks, and that the river is indeed navigatable - but I still don't know what size of boat (keel depth) can move up the river.
I also don't know the fees and permits, if any, necessary to take our own boats up and down the river. I'll look for details when I get to San Carlos. And might even take a quick trip down the river myself.
2) Feasibility of transporting boat overland from Pacific
At the very minimum, there are boat loading docks here in Granada.
The website for the docks is here.
www.marinacocibolca.net
Tel: 228-1223, 0552-6330
gerencia@marinacocibolca.net
I talked with the people at the marina If we need a place to keep a boat before we get the island, this seems like the best place to store it. There is more than 6' of depth at the boat ramp, so small keeled sailboats can be put in here. The price for long term storage of a boat is US$0.40 per square feet (length x beam). They haven't had people living in their boats before, but they are open to the idea. I haven't yet talk to him about short term storage, but I do know have the email address for followup questions.
Next, I'll head down to Rivas and La Virgen and check out the docks there.
I found someone else, Gary, who is attempting to do the exact same thing - moving a 46' sailboat from San Juan del Sur to the lake. We'll be able to learn from his experiences.
3) Laws and regulations for houseboats on lake. Both for Granada, and for the island.
No one seems to know yet. Some guy named Alf knows about boats, but he's a bit hard to track down. Another guy named JJ, lived on a houseboat in the lake, but he's an odd character who won't necessarily help us.
A boat vendor told me that I need to get permission from "Ministerio de Transporte" here in Granada.
The expat who runs Zapatera Tours has apparently imported a boat from Florida. He's the guy who I really need to talk to.
There was a houseboat ("Casa Flotante") for sale, but when I asked the price I was told that it's "private". At least I got the number of the person selling the houseboat - they should know about the legal restrictions (552-7804, cell: 879-7232). I'll try calling this number if the Zapatera guy doesn't have the info we need.
According to Gary, the boat needs to be under Nicaraguan registry and authority needs to be given by both the navy and the department of transportation. It's not clear is all of this is necessary, or just overkill. Or if it's just necessary if you run a charter service. I can't imagine that all of the small boats on the lake are registered.
4) Depth on the edges on Lake Nicaragua. Is a keeled sailboat even practical?
All I know so far, is that at the docks in Granada there is a 6'+ depth. The average depth of the lake is about 25'.
5) Import taxes
It seems that there is a massive 60% import taxes on boats that is either based on the assessed value or purchase price.
Gary is trying to avoid this by applying for the 10-year tax free status given to foreigners investing more than $30,000.
6) Boats for sale in Granada, San Juan del Sur, etc.
I found a couple of boats for sale in Granada. They were expensive. A cabin cruiser was for sale for $25,000. And a small 8-person dinghy (that's optimistic) was for sale for $1200.
6)7) Boats for sale in Costa Rica
7)8) Investigating backroute to island
CULTURAL, POLITICAL, AND SAFETY ISSUES
1) Hospitals in Granada and Chantales?
There is a hospital outside of Granada. But it was recommended to get a private physician who can help you get faster service at the public hosptital.
2) What expats think of the new President, specifically their business relations with his government.
People are generally unimpressed. But I haven't heard specific problems yet.
3) General safety info / drug lords
4) Cultural problems - a bunch of gringoes showing up
5) Search out hippy/permaculture communes on Ometepe - if they exist, ask about their experiences
I found a guy from this project on couchsurfing.com.
http://www.projectbonafide.com
We'll meet up when I get to Omotepe.
There is a very expensive, invite only, earthship type community.
6) The _other_ art commune island on Lake Nicaragua.
How about that! There is another art commune on an island in Lake Nicaragua.
http://www.solentiname.org/content/view/21/29/
I'll need to drop by and visit it.
7) What about the water quality?
No specific details. But from everything that I've heard, it's crap (literally) near Granada. And it's fine away from the main towns.
OTHER PROPERTIESPROPERTY
1) On Ometepe?
2) Around Solentiname?
3) Zapatera
Apparently there is a 400 acre block of land for sale for $500,000. I'll look into it.
Apparently Zapatera is a protected natural reserve and any construction we did would be heavily regulated, so it doesn't look like a good alternate for us.
4) Why is our island called "Island of the dead"?
LEGAL
1) Check out property title
It just keeps getting more and more confusing. But we should be okay so long as we get title insurance, and read it carefully, when we purchase the property.
2) Lawyer Recommendations
Marlin Sanchez - Granada
858-1984
3) Legal status of Americans, and American companies, owning land
Tons of Americans own land down here. No problem at all.
3) Visa issues - how to get one? How to renew them? What about residency?
If you don't want to go through the hassle of getting permanent residency, here is how the visa system (apparently) works:
On arrival you get a 90-day visa. You can then extend that for another 90-days. After that, you have to leave the country for 3-days every 90-days, getting a new arrival on return. But this trip out of the country can just be a jaunt down to neighboring Costa Rica, and the 3-day limit might not be enforced. You might be able to cross over for an hour and then come right back.
Becoming a permanent resident is a bit of a pain in the ass. To quote Living in Nicaragua, "In essence, to become a resident you have to prove you do not pose a significant health risk, that you won't become an economic burden to the state, and that you are not a criminal." There is also a US$2500 deposit that they want in case they ever have to deport you - the $2500 means that you fly first class. Other than that, it looks not too expensive, just a stack of paperwork and a pain in the ass (if you qualify). That seems to be the word on that.
GOODS AND SERVICES
13) Availability of goods and services on the East Coast of the lake - boat transport, food, water, building supplies, etc. (prices for basic food and building supplies)
14) Availability of goods and services in Granada - boat transport, food, water, building supplies, etc. (prices for basic food and building supplies)
FYI - There is now a Costco in Managua. Though, you need a separate membership - you're US membership won't do any good.
15) Availability and costs of propane, and other cooking fuels for camp stoves
Propane looks like it's no problem here.
1) Is Rio San Juan navigatable from the Caribbean - what size of boat?
I've heard contradictory reports. But the latest info seems to be that the rapids have been replaced with locks, and that the river is indeed navigatable - but I still don't know what size of boat (keel depth) can move up the river.
I also don't know the fees and permits, if any, necessary to take our own boats up and down the river. I'll look for details when I get to San Carlos. And might even take a quick trip down the river myself.
2) Feasibility of transporting boat overland from Pacific
At the very minimum, there are boat loading docks here in Granada.
The website for the docks is here.
www.marinacocibolca.net
Tel: 228-1223, 0552-6330
gerencia@marinacocibolca.net
I talked with the people at the marina If we need a place to keep a boat before we get the island, this seems like the best place to store it. There is more than 6' of depth at the boat ramp, so small keeled sailboats can be put in here. The price for long term storage of a boat is US$0.40 per square feet (length x beam). They haven't had people living in their boats before, but they are open to the idea. I haven't yet talk to him about short term storage, but I do know have the email address for followup questions.
Next, I'll head down to Rivas and La Virgen and check out the docks there.
I found someone else, Gary, who is attempting to do the exact same thing - moving a 46' sailboat from San Juan del Sur to the lake. We'll be able to learn from his experiences.
3) Laws and regulations for houseboats on lake. Both for Granada, and for the island.
No one seems to know yet. Some guy named Alf knows about boats, but he's a bit hard to track down. Another guy named JJ, lived on a houseboat in the lake, but he's an odd character who won't necessarily help us.
A boat vendor told me that I need to get permission from "Ministerio de Transporte" here in Granada.
The expat who runs Zapatera Tours has apparently imported a boat from Florida. He's the guy who I really need to talk to.
There was a houseboat ("Casa Flotante") for sale, but when I asked the price I was told that it's "private". At least I got the number of the person selling the houseboat - they should know about the legal restrictions (552-7804, cell: 879-7232). I'll try calling this number if the Zapatera guy doesn't have the info we need.
According to Gary, the boat needs to be under Nicaraguan registry and authority needs to be given by both the navy and the department of transportation. It's not clear is all of this is necessary, or just overkill. Or if it's just necessary if you run a charter service. I can't imagine that all of the small boats on the lake are registered.
4) Depth on the edges on Lake Nicaragua. Is a keeled sailboat even practical?
All I know so far, is that at the docks in Granada there is a 6'+ depth. The average depth of the lake is about 25'.
5) Import taxes
It seems that there is a massive 60% import taxes on boats that is either based on the assessed value or purchase price.
Gary is trying to avoid this by applying for the 10-year tax free status given to foreigners investing more than $30,000.
6) Boats for sale in Granada, San Juan del Sur, etc.
I found a couple of boats for sale in Granada. They were expensive. A cabin cruiser was for sale for $25,000. And a small 8-person dinghy (that's optimistic) was for sale for $1200.
6)7) Boats for sale in Costa Rica
7)8) Investigating backroute to island
CULTURAL, POLITICAL, AND SAFETY ISSUES
1) Hospitals in Granada and Chantales?
There is a hospital outside of Granada. But it was recommended to get a private physician who can help you get faster service at the public hosptital.
2) What expats think of the new President, specifically their business relations with his government.
People are generally unimpressed. But I haven't heard specific problems yet.
3) General safety info / drug lords
4) Cultural problems - a bunch of gringoes showing up
5) Search out hippy/permaculture communes on Ometepe - if they exist, ask about their experiences
I found a guy from this project on couchsurfing.com.
http://www.projectbonafide.com
We'll meet up when I get to Omotepe.
There is a very expensive, invite only, earthship type community.
6) The _other_ art commune island on Lake Nicaragua.
How about that! There is another art commune on an island in Lake Nicaragua.
http://www.solentiname.org/content/view/21/29/
I'll need to drop by and visit it.
7) What about the water quality?
No specific details. But from everything that I've heard, it's crap (literally) near Granada. And it's fine away from the main towns.
OTHER PROPERTIESPROPERTY
1) On Ometepe?
2) Around Solentiname?
3) Zapatera
Apparently there is a 400 acre block of land for sale for $500,000. I'll look into it.
Apparently Zapatera is a protected natural reserve and any construction we did would be heavily regulated, so it doesn't look like a good alternate for us.
4) Why is our island called "Island of the dead"?
LEGAL
1) Check out property title
It just keeps getting more and more confusing. But we should be okay so long as we get title insurance, and read it carefully, when we purchase the property.
2) Lawyer Recommendations
Marlin Sanchez - Granada
858-1984
3) Legal status of Americans, and American companies, owning land
Tons of Americans own land down here. No problem at all.
3) Visa issues - how to get one? How to renew them? What about residency?
If you don't want to go through the hassle of getting permanent residency, here is how the visa system (apparently) works:
On arrival you get a 90-day visa. You can then extend that for another 90-days. After that, you have to leave the country for 3-days every 90-days, getting a new arrival on return. But this trip out of the country can just be a jaunt down to neighboring Costa Rica, and the 3-day limit might not be enforced. You might be able to cross over for an hour and then come right back.
Becoming a permanent resident is a bit of a pain in the ass. To quote Living in Nicaragua, "In essence, to become a resident you have to prove you do not pose a significant health risk, that you won't become an economic burden to the state, and that you are not a criminal." There is also a US$2500 deposit that they want in case they ever have to deport you - the $2500 means that you fly first class. Other than that, it looks not too expensive, just a stack of paperwork and a pain in the ass (if you qualify). That seems to be the word on that.
GOODS AND SERVICES
13) Availability of goods and services on the East Coast of the lake - boat transport, food, water, building supplies, etc. (prices for basic food and building supplies)
14) Availability of goods and services in Granada - boat transport, food, water, building supplies, etc. (prices for basic food and building supplies)
FYI - There is now a Costco in Managua. Though, you need a separate membership - you're US membership won't do any good.
15) Availability and costs of propane, and other cooking fuels for camp stoves
Propane looks like it's no problem here.
