Anyone in Costa Rica or Panama?

[BradShaw]

I am looking to open up a cheap outsource office. I am tried of paying these high salaries. Central America is perfect, since it is close to Dallas and one of my head guys here speaks spanish.

Anyone have any feedback on opening an office in either place? What sort of salaries should I expect to pay?

[Morgan]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

I am looking to open up a cheap outsource office. I am tried of paying these high salaries. Central America is perfect, since it is close to Dallas and one of my head guys here speaks spanish.

Anyone have any feedback on opening an office in either place? What sort of salaries should I expect to pay?

3 or 4 bucks per week at least.

[pxxx]

Nope, I am out in Jersey.

[WarChild]

Hit me up on ICQ: 97374780

I am very familiar with details for Costa Rica.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by WarChild

Hit me up on ICQ: 97374780

I am very familiar with details for Costa Rica.

this guy would be worth chatting to for sure

hit up Inabon he is from there..educated up here

7411212

[Steen2]

Varius holla!

[Pornwolf]

Originally Posted by pxxx

Nope, I am out in Jersey.

...Which is remarkably like central America.

[mahoney]

My friend lives in Costa Rica and says it's Amazing. Tons of hot girls.
What Adult companies are out of costa rica?

[Varius]

Originally Posted by Steen2

Varius holla!

You called?

Bradshaw, hit me up 520468 I can probably cover most of your Q's...we expanded to Costa Rica little over a year ago and have close to 30 employees over here now (the rest being in Montreal).

Some rates:

Programmer - $700-900/mth
Designer - $600-700/mth
Project Manager - $800-1000/mth
Customer Support - $400-500/mth

These are considered medium to high saleries, you can pay less depending who you hire...also keep in mind a costa rican works 48 hours a week on average, not 40

[Rick Latona]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

I am looking to open up a cheap outsource office. I am tried of paying these high salaries. Central America is perfect, since it is close to Dallas and one of my head guys here speaks spanish.

Anyone have any feedback on opening an office in either place? What sort of salaries should I expect to pay?

Brad,

If you do that, don't lose your head guy. Personally, I'd be real nervous only having one person on my team that could speak with the rest of the team. Keep in mind that all the contracts will be in Spanish as well.

Now the fun part... I had an office in Panama and had some pretty serious problems. Talent isn't that easy to find there and they aren't nearly as cheap as in other parts of the world. My intention here isn't to sales pitch you but I assure you that paying iWebmasters.com or a competitor is the same price or less than you'd spend opening an office in Panama or Costa Rica. If you really want to save money you need to get 10,000 miles + from the U.S. Those countries are close enough to still be pricey on global standards.

Lastly, our office shut down in an ugly way. Our staff kind of screwed us. I don't want to go into the whole story here but it involved the police and a whole mess of problems. We wrote a check and left Dodge as quickly as we could. You simply can't run it efficiently and safely unless you are there all the time and speak Spanish yourself.

[BRISK]

Philippines is where my guys are.

Good stuff.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

I am looking to open up a cheap outsource office. I am tried of paying these high salaries. Central America is perfect, since it is close to Dallas and one of my head guys here speaks spanish.

Anyone have any feedback on opening an office in either place? What sort of salaries should I expect to pay?

Oh Panama... Man, people there are L A Z Y! I had an office there about 2 years ago for one of my projects, and I was AMAZED by the stupidity and laziness of not only my employees - but also just about anyone else - from the cable company folks to top lawyers. LAZY! Good luck.

[Varius]

Originally Posted by Rick Latona

You simply can't run it efficiently and safely unless you are there all the time and speak Spanish yourself.

This part is definately true.....if he wants to open an office down here, he should come and get things setup and running in person. We are finally stable and have trained our staff well enough to work faster and more efficiently than is the norm in this country, but it took around a year to accomplish.

[SugarSusan]

Originally Posted by azguy

Oh Panama... Man, people there are L A Z Y! I had an office there about 2 years ago for one of my projects, and I was AMAZED by the stupidity and laziness of not only my employees - but also just about anyone else - from the cable company folks to top lawyers. LAZY! Good luck.

Sorry BUT!, not all the ppl here in PTY are LAZY !!!! so sad u didnt find a good staff for ur company!!!

[Giorgio_Xo]

Costa Rica! I will be moving there soon to open an office. I love the place.

[pornguy]

Hey. I am in Baja Mexico. Hit me up if you might be interested in somehting here. The prices are great. I would have to find the talent, as I dont have anything set up. but I know that the rates are good. And in this country you can even request a gender. Some people think that men make better programers. Some thing women do. But if you wanted to choose, you can.

[BradShaw]

Rick, thanks for the feedback. BTW, did you get my email? I wanted to order a few azns.

[BradShaw]

This part is definately true.....if he wants to open an office down here, he should come and get things setup and running in person. We are finally stable and have trained our staff well enough to work faster and more efficiently than is the norm in this country, but it took around a year to accomplish.

Anywhere I would set up an office, be it South America or Asia, I would be there personally to set it up and would have somewhere there from my office here.

[Rick Latona]

Originally Posted by BradShaw

Anywhere I would set up an office, be it South America or Asia, I would be there personally to set it up and would have somewhere there from my office here.

I've got a nice corporate apartment for you here in Manila if you want to come out here or send Greg out here to train your staff that you have with us. Email sent. If you cover your guys plane ticket we'll cover all of his/her expenses while they are here.

[BradShaw]

I would love to see the Phillpines, minus the killer flight. Can you send the country to me?

[BRISK]

Another bonus of the Philippines is the english speaking.

[DanZ]

Fillipines are really cheap but its strictly an asian oriented market
India is very cheap as well and big demend for work, but once again limited market to indian girls
look into central Russia. The price is at its best + you'll find girls who's European, Asian and Arabic looking there.

4 birds with one stone

[BRISK]

Originally Posted by DanZ

Fillipines are really cheap but its strictly an asian oriented market
India is very cheap as well and big demend for work, but once again limited market to indian girls
look into central Russia. The price is at its best + you'll find girls who's European, Asian and Arabic looking there.

4 birds with one stone

Do you know what outsourcing is?

[DanZ]

cheap labour

what are you referiring to?

[aka]

i just opened a compagny in costa rica in december ....

it takes like 2 to 12 months to create all those shit there .

im sure u will be able to find some good people there but it takes more than a 3 weeks vacation....

hit me up on icq 252764876 i can help u to open something there

[BRISK]

Originally Posted by DanZ

cheap labour

what are you referiring to?

Sounds to me like you're talking about girls for content instead of programmers and designers

[Webby]

Originally Posted by BRISK

Sounds to me like you're talking about girls for content instead of programmers and designers

The slight catch if that is the case is.. the production of porn is a criminal offense in Costa Rica.

This was a law introduced to kill a load of pedos doing whatever they do, but in passing into law, got corrupted and ended up applying to all porn production.

Adult webmastering is OK tho.




BradShaw:

These references to Costa Rica.... Costa Rica is "cheap" in comparison to industrialised countries, but is also the most "expensive" in Latin America. In Nicaragua (immediately north of CR) costs are around one third of Costa Rica.

Depends what you are looking for, - there are a fair number of graduates here (in Costa Rica) who are more than competent in webmastering activity and the salary scale is something like... $800 to $1500 a month.

I may just have been very lucky, but I think the people I've engaged here are hard working, honest and amazingly loyal.

[SleazyDream]

BULLSHIT


you heard the hookers were hto and cheap there and can't wait to ditch the wife for a weekend and go fuck some hotties on the 'assumption' you're going there for 'business'.

just make sure you wear a condom, you dont' want to bring anything back to the wife. I'm sure she has her cabina boy that services her wear one when you're out whoring.

[Webby]

Originally Posted by SleazyDream

BULLSHIT
you heard the hookers were hto and cheap there and can't wait to ditch the wife for a weekend and go fuck some hotties on the 'assumption' you're going there for 'business'.

Well.. there is that!!

It's ironic porn production is illegal, yet whoring is most acceptable.

[SplitInfinity]

I own a data center in Costa Rica... Have staff and can offer you some office space if you want it. :-)
I also have all english speaking tikis working for me.
:-)

Hit me up on AIM: NJesterIII

[bigdog]

brad hope your workers don't see this thread

[Webby]

Originally Posted by SplitInfinity

I own a data center in Costa Rica...

And which data center is this then???

[SplitInfinity]

:-)

ServerIsland.net
Were off racsa.

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by Webby

The slight catch if that is the case is.. the production of porn is a criminal offense in Costa Rica.

According to my lawyers in Costa Rica, where my production company is and I have made porn, there are no laws against making pornography in Costa Rica.

[Webby]

Originally Posted by SplitInfinity

:-)

ServerIsland.net
Were off racsa.

AH!! :-) Small world!

I can't wait for the day RACSA jumps into the sea and their monopoly ends. It's all purportedly owned by the govt but nowhere near that in real life and just filling the pockets of a few lucky people :-)

If it were not for RACSA and there was actually competition, Costa Rica would be a great place for a server farm. The laws are acceptable and the main cabling is already in place.

That time will come!! :-)

[Webby]

Originally Posted by WarChild

According to my lawyers in Costa Rica, where my production company is and I have made porn, there are no laws against making pornography in Costa Rica.

Don't trust your lawyers in Costa Rica!! :-) Over half of em are totally incompetent and the other half need it thrusting down their throats exactly what the scenario is and get on the phone and establish fact. (Tho this is common most places?)

There are definately laws regarding the production of porn - this is not new.

The law was enacted to stop pedos after a well publicised court case, but they also broaden it's scope to include all porn production.

In real life? :-) In the unfortunate and rare situation the law happens to walk in during the middle of a porn shoot, you have one option... Be nice and let em watch the shoot and if any suggestion comes up that this is an offense, - there are ways to cure that problem :-)

In practice, it is most unlikely - unless the talent talk too much locally - that it would ever reach the ears of the law.

If you are unfortunate enough to end up with a concientious officer, (I've never met one yet,) - then shit starts and you are immediately thrown in jail until such time as the OIJ (investigative arm of the law) decide to look at the file - that can take three months. Paperwork has a habit of being slow.

The other thing to watch for is leaving the country with digital material. It is very rare they check this, but this can open a can of worms. It has happened to others! :-)

[Webby]

WarChild:

Mmmm.. in fairness, there are some decent lawyers in Costa Rica. They are well known and respected, but I could them all on two hands.

[Webby]

WarChild:

BTW... hoping this ain't some small world scenario.

Your people are not by any chance the same folks that spent a while here (about a year back) and shot a load of stuff???

If so, the word is out - it sounds like too many people knew :-)

Thought I'd better say!!

[BRISK]

Webby, if I wanted to go live in Costa Rica for 2 months, where could I find a place to live that has high speed net access?

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by Webby

WarChild:

BTW... hoping this ain't some small world scenario.

Your people are not by any chance the same folks that spent a while here (about a year back) and shot a load of stuff???

If so, the word is out - it sounds like too many people knew :-)

Thought I'd better say!!

Could be us .. We were in Escazu about two years ago now. I'll be back shortly.

One of my lawyers, who set up my S.A. is an MBA and serves many large companies in Costa Rica. He didn't know if there were any laws or if we needed any permits. He looked in to it and said there were in fact none.

The other one, a partner of mine in another venture, was until recently a regional director for the Costa Rican FBI. He has never heard of laws prohibiting the making of porn in Costa Rica.

In addition, searching online produces no laws against pornography in Costa Rica. Can you point me towards something suggesting such a law does exist? Not even goverment websites claiming to contain all of the various laws lists any such laws.

What makes you believe it is illegal? Where can I find some official information supporting that?

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by BRISK

Webby, if I wanted to go live in Costa Rica for 2 months, where could I find a place to live that has high speed net access?

Nothing is ever done quickly in Costa Rica. Most of the central valley has Cable (Cable Tica or Amnet) access but it's by no means blazing. It does go up to 1mbps but it's pricey at that speed. Lots of areas in the Central Valley now have ADSL. It's roughly as fast as the lower end cable. In addition, ADSL is available in the beach areas of Jaco, Quepos, and Puntaranes.

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by Webby

WarChild:

BTW... hoping this ain't some small world scenario.

Your people are not by any chance the same folks that spent a while here (about a year back) and shot a load of stuff???

If so, the word is out - it sounds like too many people knew :-)

Thought I'd better say!!

You know, it probably was us. Everyone in Pubelo knows what we were up to. We were pretty straight forward about what we were doing.

Not too worried about anyone coming for me though. I was in Costa a month ago. Not to mention I've got good connections in Costa .. In law enforcment and tourism office.

[Webby]

Originally Posted by BRISK

Webby, if I wanted to go live in Costa Rica for 2 months, where could I find a place to live that has high speed net access?

Despite the RACSA monopoly, a large part of CR does have decent cabling - they are continually working on this and it is expected to be the best cabling in Latin America.

It depends where you want to stay... eg the best beach side is on the Pacific coast, but the cable there is not too good. On the other hand, the Pacific coast has some amazing places that you would never think existed on the planet.

For more practical (cabling) purposes, anywhere around San Jose (doubt anyone actually wants to live in San Jose!! *s*), and outwards is good. As a general guide, anywhere within Central Valley (where San Jose is), has decent cable.

There are some "known" places to live on the outskirts of San Jose.. check out.. eg Escazu. There are plenty places you can rent for a few months - it is a buyers market and I'd knock down any price down.

Prices are... roughly.. for a nice place, around $800 to .. well upwards.. but averaging $1000 for a three bedroom place. Tho I know of instances where folks rent a palace with pool for $1000/month, but that is usually on a longer term rental. These homes are not shacks, but of a standard we are used to and would accept.

It is worthwhile spending some time on the Pacific coast, but that is only about 2 hours driving time from San Jose.

[makefuckingmoney]

Hola..how can i help?

[Webby]

Originally Posted by makefuckingmoney

Hola..how can i help?

HOLA!! :-)

Where are you fucking around making money then??

[BRISK]

How hot and humid is it in Costa Rica in summer time?

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by BRISK

How hot and humid is it in Costa Rica in summer time?

It's rainy season in Costa during North American summer. Temperatures are a little cooler, and it rains every day although not all day. Temperatures can vary alot between the Central Valley and the Coasts though. San Jose is some 2000 meters above sea level.

[BRISK]

Originally Posted by WarChild

It's rainy season in Costa during North American summer. Temperatures are a little cooler, and it rains every day although not all day. Temperatures can vary alot between the Central Valley and the Coasts though. San Jose is some 2000 meters above sea level.

San Jose is 2000 meters above sea level, but it's also in a valley? How does that work?

[Webby]

Originally Posted by WarChild

You know, it probably was us. Everyone in Pubelo knows what we were up to. We were pretty straight forward about what we were doing.

Not too worried about anyone coming for me though. I was in Costa a month ago. Not to mention I've got good connections in Costa .. In law enforcment and tourism office.

That's what I like about this place!! Common sense prevails above any laws!

Yea... I heard there was this company doing some stuff - word spreads. We were wondering how the hell it was so open :-)

You are right - it has little to do with laws and bullshit - it's all about who you know here. As long as it ain't anything serious like murder and pedo shit, nobody gives a damn :-)

[WarChild]

Originally Posted by BRISK

San Jose is 2000 meters above sea level, but it's also in a valley? How does that work?

It might be closer to 1500 meters, I don't remember.

The Central Valley sits on a plateu that's higher than sea leve. Easy.