What are some ideas for business opportunites in Costa Rica that do
not require much startup capital, and could be legally run by an
American there. I am looking for ideas that probably would not make a
person wealthy, but would certainly have a strong chance of providing
enough money to live well on.  Also, I am interested businesses that
would require me to live there (E.I.:not run from here).
Thanks!

Can you start by telling us what you are
NOT interested in doing?

I think the most obvious things would be
touristy things like gifts, local jewelry,
local artifacts (legal ones), or concessions,
food, snacks, drinks (sodas, water). Are you
wanting a store front, or would a kiosk be
ok. Or a cart? Fixed or mobile, etc, etc?

Since you are not there to run it, shall
we take into account 'shrinkage', loss of
product thru theft. Or things like problems
arising from loss by natural forces, acts
of god. 

Or... how bout opening a restaurant, with
local food, and fusion food, some american
dishes, etc?

let us know

-AI

Here are some more constraints: I **DO** want to move there (along
with my wife and daughter) to run it  (and of course live there). I do
not want a  business that would require more than 25k to start (for
example a resteraunt because of the large retail store front, cooking
equip, etc..). I do **NOT** want to run a gambling or porn site there.
I have been there to interview for jobs, and in fact been offered one
there at a gambling (or as they say there 'gaming') site. Those two
areas are not only saturated there-- they are typically run by pretty
shady group of people (not to mention could be outlawed at the whim of
the Costa Rica government if they felt so inclined).

Puravida,

I am not at all familiar with the residency requirements, business
laws, etc.

But if you are simply looking for general ideas, I can think of a few
typical things.

1. you could contract out the American teens to tutor Costa Ricans in
English, or vice versa.
2. if you have any professional specialty, you can contract yourself
out to local businesses.  I hear about some high-tech companies such
as Intel being there, which you can check out for positions, depending
on your skill set.
3.  You can provide travel services for rich Americans who want
high-end services.  Alternatively, cater to rich teens. You want to
focus on people who have money.
4. you can research and start exporting, say coffee and other Costa
Rican products, to the US. This only requires a lot of common sense.
5. you can import American products into Costa Rica

claudietta