Costa Rica

Costa Rica Fruits

2009-07-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

A few thousand colons in Costa Rica provides
a bounty of delicious fruits

By Saray Ramírez Vindas
of the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Delights from star fruit to guavas to the prickly guyabana and the delicate naranjilla are on the market now, and you can get your daily dose of vitamin C with little trouble.

In water, milk or cocktails, the fruits give up their delicious tastes.

The rainy season brings pure water to revitalize the earth and improve the environment. It also gives a boost for some fruits. And this is a good time to explore fruity options.

Costa Rica has a long list of delicious tropical varieties rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and C.

Blending fruits with water to make a refresco is common in Costa Rica homes. Water is preferred for its lower costs, but the daring can try milk and even cream for some of the fruit. Watch out for seeds if a blender is to be used.

A reporter went to the Mercado Central of San Jose Costa Riica with a few thousand colons to seek out fresh fruit. Another option is the ferias del agricultor, but many markets are just one day a week.

At the central market there were at least guayabas, maracuyas, carambolas, naranjillas and guanabanas.

Here is what they are:

The guayabas or guavas are 1,100 colons a kilo, about $1.93. The baseball-size green fruit has five small protrusions on the flower end. Some fruits have up to 500 seeds but they can be eaten. They are Mexican or Central American natives now found all over the world.

The carambola is the starfruit now grown locally and available in most North American supermarkets but not at 600 colons a kilo, or a bit more than $1. The whole fruit, including skin, can be eaten.

The maracuyá is the passion fruit or what is called grandilla here in Costa Rica. They are available for 850 colons a kilo, about $1.50. The fruit can be several colors, but most here are yellow. There are plenty of seeds. They can be eaten but some folks like to strain them for juice.

The naranjillas (1,500 colons per kilo) are like tiny oranges, with lots of seeds and a dark interior. They can be eaten out of hand, and the juice is green. Unripe fruits are sour but can be eaten with sprinklings of salt.

The guanabana is the soursop, a giant fruit that frequently is cut up to be sold. It runs 1,200 a kilo ($2.10) at the market. The creamy meat of the plant is eaten out of hand or juiced. The black seeds, about the size of those in a watermelon, are not eaten.

Each of these fruits can be the subject of its own monograph. But the wise shopper will try new fruits and in different ways. Some can end up in jam as well as drinks. Others can be reduced to a sweet syrup.

Some fruits have a reputation as a medicine or a cure. But that is a whole different article.

Costa Rica Cuisine

2009-07-02T19:51:00.000-07:00

Cartago will show off complexities
of its cusine June 27

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

There is a lot more to the Provincia de Cartago Costa Rica than potatoes, and cooks of the communities will be out to prove this June 27.

The event is another of the culture ministry's efforts to capture the nation's traditions.

When most Costa Rican residents think of Cartago, the words chilly and potatoes leap to their minds. The province, centered around the Canton of Cartago is generally higher than communities in the Central Valley. Cartago itself at 1,435 meters is 274 meters (about 900 feet) higher than the bulk of San José.

That may be bad for sunbathing, but the weather is great for temperate vegetable crops, including the potato, carrot, onions and even the chayote. And these work their way into the area's traditional menus.

There are seven other cantons, La Unión, Jiménez, Turrialba, Oreamuno, Alvarado, El Guarco and Paraíso. Each has developed their own variations on food. After all, they have had plenty of time. Cartago was founded in the middle of the 16th century, and Spanish settled in the region due to the healthy climate. The city was the capital of Costa Rica until 1823.

The region is also known for its conservatism, so one can expect that the Spanish tradition will be a strong influence on the local foods.

The culture ministry's Centro de Investigación y Conservación del Patrimonio Cultural is putting on the contest in the Club Social de Cartago starting at 9 a.m.

The good part is that only a portion of the food contestants bring goes to the judges. The rest is offered to the public. Eventually the recipes will be compiled into a book as the centro has done with other sections of Costa Rica.

A similar event seven years ago in Costa Rica did have representative dishes of potatoes, including stuffed potatoes (papa rellena) and potato and cheese bread (pan de papa y queso).

But certainly there also will be pozol, that stick-to-the-ribs corn and pork soup or stew.

Contestants will compete in three areas, the main dish, dessert and drinks. There are money prizes for winners.

Honduran President in Costa Rica

2009-07-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

Honduran president in Costa Rica after arrest

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SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – A high-ranking official says that Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is in Costa Rica following his detention by soldiers in his homeland.

The official at the Costa Rica president's office was not authorized to be quoted by name.

He did not offer details on how Zelaya had arrived in this fellow Central American nation of Costa Rica, but he said Zelaya would probably seek political asylum.

Zelaya was detained by army troops early Sunday, shortly before he was to have held a controversial referendum on constitutional reform opposed by most of the rest of the Honduran government.

Diplomats from Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Costa Rica were seen gathered at a security base near the San Jose Costa Rica airport Sunday.

Costa Rica Named Happiest Nation

2009-07-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

London:

Costa Rica is very nearly paradise, not just for holiday-makers lounging on its beaches, but for its citizens who are extremely satisfied with their lot and also have a tiny carbon footprint.

The combination has earned Costa Rica first place in a new Happy Planet Index (HPI) published on Monday.

While leaders of the developed world attending G8 talks in Italy worry away at economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), deflation and their implications for economic recovery, the second edition of the HPI lauds alternative standards that provide a new twist on the old adage that wealth does not buy happiness.

Costa Rica stands out for the highest levels of reported life satisfaction, a long life expectancy of 78.5 years and because 99 percent of the Costa Rica energy comes from renewable sources.

Latin American nations generally fare well, bagging nine out of 10 of the top spots and Sub-Saharan Africa performs very badly, with Zimbabwe taking bottom place. It scores 16.6 out of 100, compared with Costa Rica's HPI total of 76.1, according to an advance copy of the report.

Somewhere in between are the world's wealthiest economies.

The United States is placed 114th out of the 143 nations surveyed, with an HPI result of 30.7 and was found to be "greener and happier" 10 years ago than today--as were China and India, ranked respectively 20th and 35th, with scores of 57.1 and 53.

Economic growth

"Following the siren's song of economic growth has delivered only marginal benefits to the world's poorest while undermining the basis of their livelihoods," said Nic Marks of the New Economic Foundation, a London-based "think and do tank" that pursues "real economic well-being" and is the brains behind the HPI.

"What's more it hasn't notably improved the well-being of those who were already rich, or even provided economic stability."

The aim, Marks said, was "to break the spell" and work towards "a high well-being, low-carbon economy before our high-consuming lifestyles plunge us into the chaos of irreversible climate change."

To measure the efficiency with which countries convert the earth's finite resources into their citizens' well-being, the HPI takes three separate indicators--ecological footprint, life-satisfaction and life-expectancy--and then carries out complex calculations.

First published in 2006 as "a radical departure from our current obsession with GDP", the HPI's sums have been criticised for not taking sufficient account of issues such as political freedom, but the index has also found followers.

Within two days of the launch of the first HPI, it was downloaded and read in 185 countries worldwide.

Among those who have taken up the idea are David Cameron, leader of Britain's opposition Conservative political party, and the European Commission has launched a programme "Beyond GDP" in pursuit of ways to measure progress better adapted to our age.

Anyone can calculate their own HPI though the Happy Planet Index website. www.happyplanetindex.org

Costa Rica Soccer Player

2009-07-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

Seattle Sounders FC has signed Costa Rica international defender Leonardo Gonzalez.

The 6-foot-1 left back will join up with the Sounders after CONCACAF Gold Cup action.

"It's nice to have to have a naturally left-footed player," said Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid in a statement after signing Goonzales from Costa Rica. "He can play left back, play center back in a pinch and he can also play wide and run the whole line for us. He is an attacking left fullback with good size and athleticism. He's very willing to get forward out of a defensive position and does a good job defensively." Gonzalez is one of the most capable defender from Costa Rica.

Gonzalez has 59 caps with Costa Rica, including three in the 2006 World Cup.

Costa Rica Real Estate

2009-07-01T00:57:00.000-07:00

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Costa Rican real estate prices have been rising for years, and as more foreign buyers look at investing in Costa Rica's very small country - just 32,000 square miles, with a total population of just 3.9 million. Prices in some areas are booming - and not uncommon to see prices double in a few years due to the location principle. Costa Rica has it all, from ocean views and beach front, white sandy beaches, to mountain views and huge estates. Ecolology is on the rise, so many properties border on ecozones. Another reason why people are buying and moving to Costa Rica, the cost of living in Costa Rica is inexpensive - and you can comfortably live on 1500-$2000 a month. However, if you are thinking of buying - a Costa Rica real estate agent or broker does not need a real estate license - anyone in Costa Rica can be a realtor. Just use common sense when searching for a agent or broker.

Costa Rica Real Estate
Homes for rent and sale in Costa Rica. Find vacation or investment property in Jaco, Guanacaste, Escazu, Golfito, San Jose and every other major city in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Real Estate
Find your property in the largest Costa Rica real estate database with more than 10,000 listed properties. Listings are daily posted by realtors and owners and a lot of them with mapping.

Costa Rica Health Services

2009-07-01T00:54:00.000-07:00

COSTA RICA HEALTH AND FITNESS

You are unlikely to encounter any serious diseases in Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are high and the health system is excellent. During the past two wet seasons there have been several outbreaks of the mosquito-borne disease dengue but so far there have been no reported cases of the more serious hemorrhaging dengue. No vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica as epidemic diseases have been all but eradicated throughout the country. However, if you are a blood donator in the U.S., you may have a problem donating if you have traveled in some areas of Costa Rica as a World Wide health precaution.

Several private hospitals and clients in San Jose offer emergency medical services to foreigners are reasonable prices. In most rural and urban areas, in case of medical emergency, the local red cross has ambulances ready to transport patients to hospital. These ambulance do not charge for their service. The 911 telephone emergency system has been operating for a while and works fine in case of emergency. One can rent a cell phone for their vacation at reasonable rates just to be safe.

Costa Rica is well known throughout the world for high quality, low cost health care and increasing and effective procedures like cosmetic plastic surgery or life saving operations like bypass and heart transplants, Its health care system--with well-equipped modern clinics and hospitals, and medical personnel trained in the finest international teaching centers--provides excellent medical service to citizens and foreigners alike.

Fitness has also been on the uprise. Numerous health centers, spas and gyms are opening up that offer personal trainers and beauty products. Most of the major hotels now have gyms. And they are getting known for their Wellness, Alternative Medicine and Recovery Clinics

Medical Tourism Costa Rica
Provides affordable high quality medical & dental care in Costa Rica. Proximity to USA & Canada, low crime rate & high medical standards make Costa Rica an ideal medical tourism destination.

Costa Rica Surfing

2009-07-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

SURFING IN COSTA RICA

Surfing is popular on both of Costa Rica's coastlines and has become a haven for American surfers. Many prefer Costa Rica TO Hawaii. The Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific side of Costa Rica is peppered with geographic features; rock points, sandbars, spits, reefs and other breakers generate the waves of a true surfer's paradise. Other places like Jaco provide everything from a point and reef break to beach. Most of the adventurous surfers rent 4-wheel drive SUVs so they can get to the best breaks on dirt roads. Over 50 Surfers Descriptions of Breaks

On the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, only the most savvy surfers will explore the breaks at Punta Cocles, Puerto Viejo's Salsa Brava, and Punta Uva. As indicated by the abundance of bars and restaurants that surround just about every popular break, it is very evident that surfers love to party. Costa Rica Surfing Spots

Costa Rica Gambling

2009-07-01T00:45:00.000-07:00

COSTA RICA GAMBLING, CASINOS, BETTING

Costa Rica has dozens of online companies that provide this tropical Central American country with leading offshore bookies. Bodog.com and BetUS.com are two of the biggest.

Whether it is an online sports betting operation or a brick and mortar, employees in Costa Rica are generally young, between 18 and 30, and earn from $600 to $1,600 a month. That compares with an average of $325 a month for the average Costa Rican worker. With the low and very laxed taxes and little Costa Rica government involvement, small casinos are now peppered throughout the country and in very remote areas. It is not surprising that you will find some tucked away and operating under thatch roofs or in some back-room with only a few machines. Just about any Costa Rica taxi driver will know where these are. But be warned: Enter at your own risk and do not expect the same odds that Las Vegas has. Each casino sets its own rules.

For example: The most popular Casino game in Costa Rica is 21 also called “Rummy”, which is similar to blackjack but with Costa Rica rules. You get two cards, you can then ask for another card or stay with the two you have if you have 21 or close to 21. As in blackjack, the idea is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, with face cards counting as 10 and aces counting as one or 11. All the rules just mentioned are just like blackjack. Here is where the game differs from the Las Vegas version: if your first three cards are the same, three of a kind, or a straight (6, 7, & 8 of the same suit), you have a ‘rummy’ and you are paid double. And if your three of a kind happens to be three sevens (which is 21), you get an even higher bonus. If you get 21 with two cards or get five cards without breaking 21, there’s no double bonus as you get in many other international casinos. Splitting pairs is allowed as is doubling down. In some, You may find yourself losing with a push with the dealer.

Most of the bigger facilities in Costa Rica will have the typical Vegas-style gambling machines, along with, Canasta (Roulette), Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Rommy Blackjack ,and Tute poker.

Costa Rica Fishing

2009-07-01T00:42:00.000-07:00

FISHING SEASONGS IN COSTA RICA

Costa Rica’s fish frenzy waters have marlin, sailfish, tuna, tarpon, snook, wahoo and more than a dozen spool-spinning freshwater species. On the Pacific, it is not uncommon to catch and release 20 sailfish and even a marlin or two – in just one day. Boat operators in Costa Rica now use the circle hook so they can release all billfish (at least those that are not contenders for a world record). Costa Rica holds over 250 world records! Even fly-fishing has set a record number of fish. Here are some of the fish and their seasons. Text and Flash provided by Costa Rica Sportsfishing

Click the Fish to learn more about it

Costa Rica Fishing The Caribbean Coast: Tortuguero, Barra del Colorado
Fishing along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast can vary from one day to another depending on the weather. When it rains, as it often does, fishing is difficult out in the ocean. If the rivers fall somewhat or the surf is low enough to let you outside the river mouths, you'll probably catch tarpon, some in the 150-pound range. Tarpon fishing out of the lodges in Tortuguero and Barra Colorado further north on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast is best from about May through October, while snook traditionally peak from October through December.
There are a lot of flat days in October and November when tarpon are abundant, and some of the best fishing has even been in June and July. But both species can be caught year round, providing the weather cooperates. Other species caught are guapote, goliath grouper, small tuna and for the lucky angler, the rare Atlantic sail. There are no roads into the area, and one can get there only by commercial airline and charter flights.

Tarpon
The prize gamefish of this area are always around, the best time being from May through October/November 300-500 yards offshore when the sea is flat, although you can also get them in the river mouths and the canals..

Snook
Record snook generally peak from March through May and again from September through the end of November.

Calba (Flat Snook)
These small and exceptionally tasty snook come from mid-November through late January, but can sometimes appear much earlier.

Billfish
When you can get outside to blue water you can find the occasional Atlantic sailfish and equally occasional Atlantic blue marlin throughout the year. Best time is from February through September.

Wahoo
Best from early February through mid June.

Dorado
Found just outside the river mouths throughout the year, most are caught when the runoff carries out the debris to form inshore trash lines.

Tripletail
January through June..

Other Species
Spanish and Cero Mackerel, Jack Crevalle and Barracuda are found close to shore any time the ocean is flat.

The North Pacific: Tamarindo, Flamingo, Guanamar/Carrillo
Tamarindo and Flamingo are the major sportfishing centers in the North Pacific. Boats with lesser-known captains also charter out of nearby Coco Beach, Ocotal, Potrero, Brasilito and elsewhere. The area further south – Nosara, Garza, Guanamar and Carillo – get more protection from the winds that normally blow late December though March and April. Many boats from Flamingo will fish out of Guanamar/Carrillo from mid-December to the end of March/mid April. For anglers fishing out of the Four Seasons Papagayo and other Papagayo hotels, there are excellent boats and captains who will come north from Flamingo.

Marlin
Caught every month of the year, with mid-November to early March exceptional, then slowing a bit from April into early June when the fishing picks up again, peaking in August and September.

Sailfish
Caught throughout the year, with May through August normally the top season. They may begin to thin out in September; the slowest months are from late August through November.

Roosterfish
They are around all year, but more are caught in the Bay of Papagayo area from November through March. Roosters like the structure of the shoreline and islands where they're found in 50 to 60 feet of water.

Dorado
More properly known as dolphin, these colorful gamefish are most abundant from late May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers, carrying out debris that forms weed lines close to shore where they like to lie. Troll past a floating log and you'll likely hook a dorado.

Tuna
Peak months are probably August through October, but there are always tuna throughout the year. Yellowfin and some big-eye tuna are often found well inside the Catalina Islands, 30 minutes or less running time from the beach, while schools of 12 to 20lbs are usually abundant farther out. There are often schools of 40 to 60 pound tuna, and there are plenty of the 200 to 400lbs caught every year.

Wahoo
They first appear when the rains start in mid-May, peaking in July and August. Most are caught around the rocky points and islands, but you will pick one up occasionally fishing offshore.

Fishing Costa Rica's Central Pacific: Los Sueños Marina and Quepos
Los Sueños Marina (just north of the resort town of Jacó), the finest marina on the Pacific coast south of Acapulco, and Quepos are the two fishing centers on the Central Pacific coast. Most anglers target billfish, and they are seldom disappointed. From December through March/April this area hosts one of the world’s great sail bites, although sails and marlin will linger throughout the year.

From both fishing centers, it’s no more than a 12 to 20 mile run out to blue water where most of the billfish action is found. Closer inshore there are tuna, roosters, wahoo, dorado, jack, mackerel, small cubera snapper and even snook that can be taken trolling just outside the breaker line of the river mouths. Some boats out of Quepos will go down on multi-day trips to the Drake Bay and Caño Island area, overnighting at one of the several lodges at Drake Bay. This southern region is best known for its wahoo, big cubera snapper and roosterfish, but there are also tuna, dorado, sails and marlin further offshore.

Marlin
October is normally the top month for marlin in this area, but action is also good in September, October and November, and occasional blues and even blacks can be found any time of the year, although they are usually out farther than anglers targeting sailfish are likely to be.

Sailfish
Mid-December to the end of April - when they begin moving north - is rated the best season, but big schools can move in about October and occasionally stay longer. A few sails are always in the area from June through September, mixed with the other species that are found closer inshore during these months

Dorado
More properly known as dolphin, these colorful gamefish are caught year around, but they are most abundant from May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers, carrying out debris that forms weed lines close to shore where they like to lie. Troll past a floating log and you'll likely hook a dorado. about October and occasionally stay longer. A few sails are always in the area from June through September, mixed with the other species that are found closer inshore during these months.

Tuna
Found throughout the year all along the Pacific coast, they are most abundant from June through September. Some are in the 10-pound range, but tuna in the 10-30lb range are more common, those in the 100 to 200lb range less so, and many of 200lbs and over are also caught.

Wahoo
Not common in the area around Los Sueños and Quepos, but some are caught in the late summer farther south, especially the Drake Bay area from June to early August.

The South Pacific Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay
Golfito (on the east side of Golfo Dulce), the largest town in Costa Rica's southern area, along with Puerto Jiménez on the other side of Golfo Dulce, and Drake Bay at the top of the Osa Peninsula on the Pacific Coast are the main fishing centers of this region. There are sails and marlin offshore during peak season, and plenty of exciting roosters, mackerel, amberjack, wahoo and big snapper closer inshore.

Inside Golfo Dulce, with its profusion of small coves and rocky islets, small barracuda and snapper, mackerel, sea bass and the occasional snook can be caught on light tackle. Off Cabo Matapalo in the Pacific, anglers will encounter sails, marlin, tuna and other blue water species, and inshore there are roosters that average over 30 pounds, wahoo, grouper, jack, barracuda and trophy-size Pacific cubera snapper.

There is also excellent snook fishing inside the Zancudo peninsula, and farther north, at the mouth of the Esquinas river.

Marlin
August through December is the peak season, but striped, blue or black are caught most any month when the water is warm.

Sailfish
All year, but best from mid or late May through July and in January and February before they move north.

Roosterfish
The region is very famous for its big roosters which can be caught virtually any month of the year.

Dorado
Best time is traditionally from late May through October along the weed lines, when the rivers are running full

Tuna
Best fishing for yellowfin of over 100 pounds is during the marlin and sailfish season, but tuna of up to 30 pounds can be found year-round.

Wahoo
Wahoo can be caught most any time of the year when you are trolling offshore for billfish or around the reefs off Cabo Matapalo.

Snook
Big snook generally peak from March through May and again September through the end of November.

Costa Rica Flights

2009-06-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

NATURE AIR RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD, May 29, 2009

Nature Air, the airline flying the Costa Rica flag, won the Tourism for Tomorrow 2009 award from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), thanks to its sustainable tourism efforts and its commitment to Costa Rica’s national heritage.

This recognition has been granted for many decades in order to stimulate efforts for environmental protection in the tourism industry of Costa Rica.

The choice was made based on efforts by Nature Air in reducing carbon dioxide emissions through the 100% carbon neutral aviation program which gets passengers involved in the involuntary emission compensation plan thereby reducing fuel consumption in the air and on land.

Nature Air has developed a unique bio-fuel service station and created the non-profit NatureKids foundation, which teaches English and environmental topics to local communities.

“The environment in Costa Rica is precious and we are grateful to receive this great recognition by the WTTC due to our conservation efforts,” stated Alex Khhajavi, founder and CEO of Nature Air.

“This award is an inspiration to us all at Nature Air and encourages us to continue seeking news ways to add positive value to social and environmental challenges that face us.”

The company has been involved in environmental issues since 2004, when it committed itself to establishing new standards for sustainable practices in the aviation industry, recovering 100% of its greenhouse emissions by means of rainforest conservation in the Osa peninsula.

The Tourism for Tomorrow award is a way that the WTTC stimulates sound practices within the industry. This council brings together business leaders from the tourism industry and works with governments and other participants in order to raise awareness about the importance of one of the greatest sources of wealth and employment in the world.

NatureAir of Costa Rica was created in 2000 and has grown staggeringly, going from 18,000 passengers annually to more than 140,000 in 2008.

It is the first carbon neutral airline in the world and the only twin-engine airline in Costa Rica with scheduled as well as charter flights offering 74 daily flights to 17 destinations in Costa Rica and Panama.

With respect to its energy conservation policy, it focuses on the use of bio-fuels (cooking oils), which operate all of its ground transportation.

Costa Rica Hotels

2009-06-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

SALVADORAN GROUP TO INVEST $15 MILLION IN HOTEL IN ESCAZÚ, June 5, 2009

The Salvadoran business group, Agrisal, will invest close to $15 million in Costa Rica on the construction of its first hotel outside of its own country.

Eduardo Quiñónez, director of Agrisol’s hotel division, reported that the hotel will operate under the Holiday Inn chain and will be located in Escazú Costa Rica, “very close to the CIMA hospital.” He failed to give the exact
location in Costa Rica.

“We undertook a thorough analysis and came to the conclusion that Costa Rica provided the best conditions for our first hotel outside of El Salvador. You have done an extraordinary job in positioning the country for tourism,” he stated.

He remarked that the first block will be laid in September, with the goal of opening its doors at the end of 2010. Its construction will generate up to 300 direct jobs and a little more than 150 permanent employees when it opens.

Agrisol’s arrival to the country did not happen alone. The Salvadoran group joined up with the InterContinental Hotels Group chain (IHG), which currently has four hotels in San José.
The agreement with IHG was signed in 2007, not only to open the Holiday Inn in Escazú, but also for another six hotels throughout Central America.

Costa Rica Flights

2009-06-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

SPIRIT AIRLINES TO OPEN RESERVATION CENTERS, June 5, 2009

Spirit Airlines opened its Reservation Center in Costa. The opening of this new office is located in Ultrapark, in Heredia, and more than 75 agents and support personnel have been hired to begin operation.

The company has trained its new customer service personnel to take calls in Spanish, make reservations, and deal with travelers’ questions.

“Without a doubt, this news comes at the right time because it shows a level of trust and reflects not only the reputation that Costa Rica has as a destination spot, but also the excellent preparedness of Costa Ricans,” said María Amalia Revelo, Assistant Manager and Marketing Director of the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT).

Spirit Airlines is a low-cost airline and ranks among the largest in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Currently, it operates 150 daily flights to 39 destinations with the newest Airbus fleet in America. It is based out of Miramar, Florida and employs 2,300 professionals.

Costa Rica Wild Life

2009-06-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

PLAYA IGUANITA TO BECOME A WILDLIFE REFUGE, June 12, 2009

In order to protect the land and sea ecosystems in the area, the Legislative Plenary opened debate on case 16 349 which would legally make Playa Iguanita a Wildlife Refuge. It is located in the Nacascola Peninsula Costa Rica and includes primary forests, dry tropical forests, mangroves, as well as a marine bay area.

The area has many tourist, educational and scientific attractions, and its proximity to Liberia and Carrillo Costa Rica make it a popular tourism development point for sustaining natural and cultural resources, in such a way that the refuge can be protected and, at the same time, maintain the local use of the beaches.

Studies have revealed 67 marine species (including those of commercial interests such as snapper, lobster, and the queen conch), 118 species of trees and plants, 110 species of birds, of which 27% are migratory, and 10 species of land mammals, including species that are decimated, threatened or at risk of extinction. Thus, recommendations have been made to increase long-term protection efforts in this area.

Costa Rica, through the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), ICT, and the municipalities of Liberia and Carrillo, have guaranteed keeping Playa Iguanita open for tourist and local use without creating obstacles for the Papagayo Gulf Tourism Project development.

They aim to guarantee the availability of Playa Iguanita for all Costa Rican residents, especially those from Guanacaste that, for economic reasons, cannot afford trips to tourist areas.

Costa Rica Flights

2009-06-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

CHARTER FLIGHTS TO SWAMP LIBERIA COSTA RICA AIRPORT STARTING IN JULY, June 12, 2009

The Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica will welcome charter flights from Canada, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, and possibly Madrid during the second quarter of this year.

The Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, said that the increase in charter flights to the airport in Liberia Costa Rica will help bolster the worldwide decrease in tourism.

Costa Rica Birds

2009-06-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

THOUSANDS OF BIRDS MAKE COSTA RICA THEIR FAVORITE NESTING PLACE, June 12, 2009

The climate, abundant food source, and rich forests, are optimal conditions that has made Costa Rica a special nesting place for hundreds of species of birds that many have come to admire for their beauty, exotic plumage, precious songs, and mesmerizing flights.

These very reasons contribute to the migration from Eastern North America to this area where they spend approximately six months feeding and taking advantage of the ideal conditions for their return flight to the north during their reproductive season.

For these reasons, the country enjoys a wealth of birdlife and, according to data from Julio Sánchez, president of Costa Rica’s Ornithologists Society, there are an estimated 900 species, 50 of which are indigenous to the country which makes them extremely valuable. Around 200 are migratory.

“We should be proud of the nature that surrounds us where such a spectacular variety of birds can be found in such a small area. Birdlife in Costa Rica is very abundant, and what is even more important is that 50 of these species are indigenous to the country like the Fiery-throated hummingbird, the cusingo, and the goldfinch,” asserted Sánchez.

Costa Rica Eco Tourism

2009-06-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

Featured ecoDestination - Costa Rica

"In Costa Rica we have a long tradition of receiving tourists with open arms. It doesn´t matter what you are looking for: adventure or rest; beaches, mountains, rivers or volcanoes… I invite you to share all the richness that nature spread in this tropical land full of contrasts. The Costa Ricans proudly and responsibly protect our biodiversity for our children and for you." - Carlos Ricardo Benavides, Ministro Turismo, Costa Rica (Minister's message from: VisitCostaRica.com)

Naturally Peaceful

Costa Rica, demonstrating its fierce dedication to peace and democracy, became the first country in the modern world to constitutionally abolish its standing army in 1948, and is today proudly the oldest and most stable democracy in Central America. Thirty-nine years after Costa Rica's declaration of peace with the world, the beloved leader of this peace-loving country, President Oscar Arias Sanchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. President Arias' efforts in promoting his "Peace with Nature" policy has inspired many Costa Ricans, who enjoy living with more trees per capita and per square kilometer than any other country in the world. Costa Ricans are also among the world's most enthusiastic tree planters, enriching their landscapes with a few million trees each year.

Pioneering Green Challenge

Costa Rica is also en route to becoming the first carbon neutral country by 2021. The famous vow by the Costa Rica government, delivered in 2007, to become the first carbon neutral destination, raised the standard yet again for the global ecotourism community.

Pura Vida

Literally translating to "pure life", if there were an official national moto of Costa Rica, this would likely be it. Trust us, by the end of your journey, it will be your favorite new expression. "Pura Vida is a word that identifies a Costa Rican wherever he or she may be. When you say "Pura Vida" the facial expression of the person changes and the person smiles. It is a word very meaningful to Costa Ricans. It reminds us of home and its' beauty." Read more about Costa Rica's national symbols.

Costa Rica Travel

2009-06-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

New terminal contract
approved for Liberia

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Liberia will be getting a new $35 million airport terminal under terms of an agreement approved Wednesday by Costa Rica President Óscar Arias Sánchez and his ministers.

The agreement between the Costa Rcia government and Coriport S.A., a consortium which has agreed to design and build the two-story structure and to operate the terminal at Daniel Oduber airportin northern Costa Rica for 20 years.

The company will have five months after the Contraloría de la República approves the agreement to submit a design. Once the design is approved, the company will have six months to build the structure, according to the agreement

The new terminal in Liberia Costa Rica will handle 1,500 passengers a day instead of the 900 now.

The first floor will house immigration officers, customs, equipment handlers, airline offices and the airport administration offices.

The second floor will be departure lounges and gates for boarding aircraft, according to the proposed plan. The structure will be 22,949 cubic meters or about 810,436 cubic feet.

Costa Rica Real Estate

2009-06-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

Cities in Costa Rica need more green buildings
Thu, Jun 18, 2009
Real Estate Buzz

Climate change in the world that has prompted many to turn trends more friendly to the environment, and construction is no exception.

Designing buildings more “green” requires not only investment, but of vision.

Luis Iturbe, representative for Latin America and the Caribbean of Icynene Inc., a company of foam insulation products, said the main patterns in the construction of buildings of this type.

How can a building be energy efficient?

An energy efficient building should take advantage of the characteristics of the environment that is built to be used as efficiently as the least amount of resources, especially energy.

Among the features there is shading, orientation, and painting, type of windows, doors and materials used in construction.

Who is responsible for the design?

The design must start at the design stage of the building, and that effort must involve all the professionals involved in creating it.

Costa Rica, in particular, what measures should be implemented?

It is important to have an adequate regulatory framework.

In countries outsie oof Costa Rica there are codes or regulations that require buildings to have adequate security to the occupants, the environmental impact is minimal and that the characteristics of energy efficiency are appropriate not only for today’s standards, but to comply with best margins efficiency.

Are there any buildings of this kind?

Yes, there are buildings with efficient and low environmental impact and energy, but it is necessary to disseminate the advances that other countries have with regard to this issue.

While Costa Rica has a wide variety of small buildings to serve the rural eco-tourism is also important in cities large buildings, both public and private, to adhere to the more commonly accepted practice in other countries.

At economic level costs, is more expensive?

In principle, create more efficient buildings could be more expensive, and that’s always the point that most conflicts occur at the building from the developer or investor of the construction and architect.

This conflict tends to fall when the developer, developer or investor is the person who will operate the building. The person who will operate the building as is usually the interest that the building is as efficient and less costly as possible; this may involve some initial cost or investment.

Ultimately, we must consider that cheap is expensive, as a necessarily inefficient building during its life will be more expensive than an efficient but at the installation of insulation, windows, doors, painting eaves and other elements might be considered expensive.

Which countries in Latin America take the lead in the topic?

As an example, Mexico has a legal framework and regulations for the construction of fairly complete, however in the field of application, it is in the hands of each of the country’s municipalities, which makes the task of dissemination and implementation of efficiency standards is more complicated.

Do you consider that Costa Rica may be a carbon neutral country by 2021?

The only way to Costa Rica to become a carbon neutral country in 2021, is to follow all the advances available to achieve that goal. It is absolutely necessary to have the regulatory structure and action.

Costa Rica Real Estate

2009-06-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

Prices of houses are frozen
Mon, Jun 22, 2009
Real Estate Buzz

In December 2008, Carlos Castro made six new homes for sale in La Aurora de Heredia Costa Rica. Four months later decided to lower the price of $ 80,000 to $ 75,000 to try to sell them faster.

Despite the discount, Castro has not been able to sell one.

Other developers have opted for another strategy: to keep the price down but the pace of construction and make deals.

According to the vice president of the Costa Rica Chamber of Real Estate Brokers, Francisco Barquero, sellers of homes are stepping up promotions to try to encourage buyers. For example, raffle a prize all buyers or eliminate the payment of legal fees in the transaction.

Demand and housing construction in Costa Rica fell in the last quarter of 2008 and continued in 2009 according to data from the Federal College of Engineers and Architects (CFIA) .. The main reason mentioned builders consulted are the lack of credit for consumers was limited by the increase in interest rates.

According to Castro, some people who meet the requirements of banks decide to postpone the purchase for fear of being unable to pay the debt before major economic difficulties.

Minor Briceno, president of Development and Construction (Deyco) of Costa Rica, explained that the difference is that before, for the same type of housing, were granted a loan to a family with an income of $ 3,500 and currently require $ 5,500 a month.

As a result, between January and April this year, with the CFIA has handled about 47% less square meters for housing is managed in the same period of 2008.

Stable and low

5.4% inputs for increased housing construction in June 2008 to May 2009. In the same period a year ago was 22.9%.

41,2% Percentage this year represent the total housing units in the building. Last year was 50.5%.

The crisis halted a growth trend in the prices of homes, whose values rose more than a year ago due to production costs and high demand caused by the facilities for obtaining loans.

However, since the second half of 2008 the prices tend to be unchanged.

One factor that helped stability was the slight decline in the price of construction materials from November 2008 until last April, as measured by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC).

Before that, in 2007 and 2006, there were increases in the cost of materials.

Precisely for that low, when it accounted for the last 12 months, ending in May, the average increase was 5.4%, while June 2007 to May 2008 was 22.9%.

Eduardo Gutierrez, general manager of technical development, is another of those who decided to cut prices on some homes. In a condominium residence that previously cost $ 140,000, now sell at $ 135,000. Also, now only work against customer orders.

Eduardo Feoli, general manager of Eurohogar, which now has three property projects for sale, he acknowledged he also had to make adjustments to the price low, but gave no details.

Other companies have decided to maintain prices. The adjustment was made in the inventory, since few houses are built and ready to deliver.

Briceño, in Deyco, is one that took this path and since last November kept the same values of condominium housing project in San Pablo de Heredia.

A slower pace of production allowed them to lower the costs of the company, said Briceno.

For Alejandro Gonzalez, general manager of Real Estate Casamax, the bonanza of previous years attracted developers inefficient now must sell at cost price to avoid losses.

According to Gonzalez, the company maintains an efficient cost structure and therefore in its residential and Imperial Treasury sold so far this year, 75% of the 30 houses that the condominium and unchanged prices.

“The secret to real estate speculation is not sustainable at the macro-economic changes in the market, maintaining low margins with high volumes of construction,” added Gonzalez.

The firm Urban Development, which has seven projects, not their values changed in the last 12 months. CEO Guillermo Bonilla explained that as far opted to have a small inventory in each complex of two or three houses.

The prognosis for the coming months and for next year is booked. Some see opportunities like Gonzalez. For him, prices will rise due to low supply of new houses.

Costa Rica Eco Tourism

2009-06-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hotel has received environmental approval
Wed, Jun 24, 2009
Real Estate Buzz

The Costa Rica hotel project Les Cascades received environmental approval from the National Technical Environmental Secretariat (SETENA).

The complex would consist of about 20 villas on a plot of two hectares. Only 4% of the land deal for this type of construction and no more than 10% in order to preserve the nature of the place.

Also build a social area with spa, conference center, stables and restaurants. This site is surrounded by trails.

Property within the two streams converge and a waterfall of 30 meters of drop. As a protected area and forest recovery process in the firm that owns Amarin has worked for three years to obtain all permits from the municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Setena in Costa Rica, among others.

This project is located in the province of Cartago, at the East Area of the Central Valley of Costa Rica in a country side and lush area called “La Estrella”, which means “The Star”. The Project has the approvals as a 4 star ranked eco-destination.

This is a natural protected area of +-118.462 sqm2 (1,274,650 sq. ft), aprox. 30 acres with a forest in one part, an abundance of fruit trees in another, and a river with pure natural and fresh drinkable water ( with certified analysis made by the National University laboratories ) which has been developed for taking care of the preservation of the flora and fauna of the region of Costa Rica.

This small river that runs on the property has a beautiful 25 meters or -+ 80 feet. drop waterfall facing the tropical gardens of the proposed hotel site.

It is also engaged in various professional fields to undertake environmental impact studies, marketing and operational viability.

This company is not responsible for the development project but it will sell all the permits to do so a second, held in this regard Evelyn Lindeperg, co-owner.

Costa Rica Birdwatching

2009-06-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

Birdwatching and sighting exotic tropical butterflies are two of the most popular pastimes of the many Natural History enthusiasts who visit Costa Rica. From my experience, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample the rich diversity of the tropics including the wildlife from the comfort of your own hotel, especially if you’re staying out in the countryside. From your own verandah, chances are you’ll see many species of birds and colorful butterflies, iguanas and the like, and if your hotel is located in a heavily wooded area, you may even be visited by a howler monkey troop. Whoop, whoop…

At night, if you listen carefully you may even hear the chirping of the resident gecko (or two) who lives in your room. Don’t be afraid, they won’t harm you. They earn their room and board by keeping the room free of small insects.

Now if you’re into exotic insects (of the non butterfly variety), you’ll be in “Seventh Heaven” as many of the ‘little buggers’ will be crawling around the hotel grounds doing their thing – sight unseen of course. It was just the other day that I was leisurely enjoying some hot Costa Rica coffee on the veranda of the Guayabo Lodge in Turrialba Valley in Costa Rica, when I had an encounter with a large, rather ferocious looking beetle. The creature was making his journey across a small table; unfortunately it didn’t see the table edge and the poor beetle took a dive overboard, landing unceremoniously upside down of the floor. With a little prodding, I flipped the bug over allowing it to continue it’s daily rounds. Strange but true! Costa Rica Awaits your visit.

Costa Rica Medical

2009-06-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Vandenberg Medical Team to Work With Costa Rica Doctors

A medical team from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, arrived in Costa Rica Saturday, as part of a medically-oriented humanitarian aid mission in the country.

Along with three specialists from other US Air Force units, medical personnel from Vandenberg’s 30th Medical Group will visit areas in Costa Rica that do not currently have medical facilities.

Working alongside Costa Rica medical professionals, the goal is to treat more that 4,000 patients while at the same time projecting a positive image of the United States and its military forces.

The team will be in Costa Rica for about two weeks.

Costa Rica Eco Tourism

2009-06-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

How Green Is My Costa Rica?
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Share Print CommentsBack in the dark green ages of 1994, I helped launch the first national magazine dedicated to a then burgeoning travel trend called eco-tourism. Short-lived though it was, EcoTraveler focused on environmentally, ecologically and culturally sensitive travel, and I was proud to be a part of it.

Now that style of travel also goes by other names, such as "sustainable" and "ethical."

But 15 years ago, ecotourism was a radical idea. Even those of us who came from and subscribed to the John Muir approach -- "take only pictures, leave only footprints" -- had to admit we expended tons of fossil fuel to fly to remote and pristine corners of the planet, and stayed at hotels that washed their laundry using soaps containing ingredients I didn't even want to know about, discharging waste waters into places I also didn't want to know.

The country that set the bar on what ecotravel meant and how to walk the eco-talk was Costa Rica. One reason was that the country had a lot at stake. It's a living zoological museum, a geographic terrarium. While the country represents only about 0.1 percent of the world's land mass, it contains 5 percent of the world's biodiversity -- it's home sweet home to more than 500,000 species, among the top 20 countries with the highest biodiversity in the world. Now more than 25 percent of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves. There are 32 national parks, 8 biological reserves, 13 forest reserves, and 51 wildlife refuges.

As I said, it has a lot at stake, as in $take: In 2000, Costa Rica earned about $1.25 billion from ecotourism, and it is estimated that 70 percent of the country's tourists visit natural protected areas.

In February The New York Times sent me to Costa Rica to write a story about real estate developments in the northwest corner of the country that's nicknamed the Gold Coast.

That 60-mile stretch of the Guanacaste Province had been the target of rampant brand-name hotel and residential development that, in the estimation of several peopIe I interviewed, threatened the very nature of what made Costa Rica appealing. Luckily the economic downturn may have inadvertently been an environmental saving grace. Jim Preskitt -- senior vice president of Peninsula Papagayo, a 2,300-acre luxury development anchored by a Four Seasons Hotel with its own collection of homes and lots for sale, the destination club Exclusive Resorts and a 180-slip marina that opened in December -- underscored that idea, pointing to a hillside across Culebra Bay from his executive offices. The forested hill dropped into the white-sand beaches of villages named Panama, Hermosa and Coco.

"That hill would have been dotted with a Rosewood, a Miraval and a One & Only hotel. But all those projects are stalled," he said. "Though we welcome the competition and the regional buzz, this slowdown may be nature's way of saying, 'Protect what you have.'" From where he stood, literally and figuratively, it struck me as a bold and courageous thing to say.

While overall the country still scores high green points Ethical Traveler, an organization dedicated to educate travelers about the social and environmental impacts of travel, recently recognized Costa Rica as one of the top 10 ethical destinations for 2008 -- I found that all that glitters is not necessarily green. For example, one of the country's most famous beaches, Tamarindo, featured in the 1994 film Endless Summer 2, the sequel to 1966's landmark "Endless Summer," last year had been stripped if its Ecological Blue Flag, a distinction granted by Costa Rica's water and sewage utility to beaches with excellent or very high sanitation and cleanliness. It was one of eight beaches that lost such certification. Tamarindo has since regained the blue flag.

Next week I return to Costa Rica, partly because I fell in love with the country, partly because I fell in love with its gentle people (and am falling for one particular sweet Tica, as the locals are called). Back in February, while I interviewed real estate developers and realtors, I jealously watched tourists leave for zip-line tours over canopied rainforests, nature hikes, spas and beach experiences. This time my Tica friend Veronica and I will indulge in some of that cool stuff, while I offer a green report card on Costa Rica, honest and personal reportage on how well this Central American country lives up to its claim as eco-tourism capital of the world.

If you have been to Costa Rica, you will understand why this is critical. If you have not been, but are simply a concerned custodian of the planet, you will also understand. In either case, I welcome you to join me here at HuffPo, with your comments and own experiences -- in Costa Rica, or anywhere that flies its eco flag. Pack your bags, bring your camera. We will leave only foot -- and blog -- prints behind.

Travel
Back in the dark green ages of 1994, I helped launch the first national magazine dedicated to a then burgeoning travel trend called eco-tourism. Short-lived though it was, EcoTraveler focused on envir...
Back in the dark green ages of 1994, I helped launch the first national magazine dedicated to a then burgeoning travel trend called eco-tourism. Short-lived though it was, EcoTraveler focused on envir...

Costa Rica Bridget

2009-06-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

Bridget in Florida and Costa Rica

Bridget is in Miami and Costa Rica this week:

Miami:
By day it’s sun-soaked beaches and the smell of sizzling Cuban food, and by night it’s balmy winds, bright neon and the beat of Latin rhythms. Miami is truly the place where the days are hot, and the nights are even hotter.

Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches: Miami follows Bridget as she gets an inside look at the Miami Beach lifestyle from Miss Miami 2009, Jenice Fernandez, Miss Suncoast 2009, Rachel Todd, and famous sun worshipper, actor George Hamilton.

Highlights include yachting through the Miami canals, hanging out at 5th and Ocean, racing through the Everglades, and partying Miami-style at the Fontainebleau.

Miami airs at 10pm E/P on Thursday, May 21 on the Travel Channel.

Cost Rica:
Just two hours from Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose, on the central Pacific coast, you’ll find Playa Jaco, a world-class surfing destination – and the country’s most popular beach.

Bridget and her friend, Amber Campisi (Playboy’s Miss February 2005) head to Latin America to get a taste of the ‘pura vida’ – the ‘pure life’ – in Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches: Playa Jaco Costa Rica.

The girls explore the laid-back beach community of Montezuma, take a breezy ride to the white sand beaches of Isla Tortuga, hit the waves kayak surfing at Playa Hermosa Costa Rica, and face off with a fiery ‘flaming cucaracha.’

Playa Jaco airs at 10:30pm E/P.

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Costa Rica Allure

2009-06-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

Sea Foam: Costa Rica university teaches students peaceful coexistence
David Lauderdale
dlauderdale@islandpacket.com
islandpacket.com/goincoastal
843-706-8115
Published Monday, May 25, 2009
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Thanks to June Cunningham of Hilton Head Island for sharing the story about her daughter's unusual graduate study in Costa Rica.

Catherine Wilson, daughter of June and the late Walt Wilson, grew up on Hilton Head Island attending Sea Pines Montessori school and graduating from Hilton Head Island High School. She was a Hilton Head Rotary international youth scholar in Bordeaux, France, her junior year and a Heritage Classic Foundation Scholar in 1996.

She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a NROTC scholarship. Upon graduation she was commissioned and served five years as a surface warfare officer and in the Navy's nuclear propulsion program. She was a lieutenant and Reactor Electrical Division officer on the USS Ronald Reagan.

After completing her service in the Navy, Catherine has traveled extensively; taught English as a second language in South Korea; lived, studied and worked in Cartagena, Colombia; and worked and received a graduate certificate from Florida International University in Miami.

June writes:

I just returned from a trip to Costa Rica visiting my daughter Catherine Wilson, and I wanted to share an experience that had quite an impact on me.

Costa Rica seems to be an alluring destination for many Americans these days, and I do not need to expound on the natural beauty and tranquility of this Central American country. Rather, I would like to shed some awareness on the school in which Catherine has chosen to pursue a master's degree in natural resources, environmental security and peace.

I was totally unaware of the existence of "The University for Peace" (La Universidad para la Paz) until Catherine brought it to my attention and told me she had applied there.

The university is authorized to offer academic degrees in the field of peace and conflict studies. Although the university system extends throughout 10 countries in North America, South America, Asia and Africa, "UPeace" has headquarters in Costa Rica, a country distinguished by a long tradition of democracy, the abolition of the army since 1948 and a strong interest in environmental conservation.

The school offers 11 master's programs ranging from international law and human rights to natural resources and sustainable development. The campus is situated in the mountains southwest of San Jose, and there are approximately 170 students from more than 60 countries in the world.

With the open air architecture of the school, students are able to study outdoors while enjoying the view of the Costa Rican Central Valley.

The university was established in Costa Rica in 1980 as a Treaty Organization by the United Nations General Assembly "to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace and with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence." What a wonderful mission statement in light of the complexities and challenges of our world as we know it today.

One of my first thoughts was to wish that every young adult could experience the connection and the feeling of peace I witnessed among the student body. As Catherine introduced me to one friend from Iraq, who stood next to a friend from Jordan, Egypt, Uganda, Kashmir, Korea, Cameroon, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Brazil, Darfur, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka, Iceland -- it went on and on -- I couldn't help but think how amazing it was to see the diversity and camaraderie among these young men and women.

Before the school closed for spring break, we were lucky to hear a lecture given by one of Catherine's professors and also attend a performance given by 10 students in the Human Rights and Peace program. The program was entitled "A Monologue, A Memory, A Rant and A Prayer." It addressed the abuse of women around the world and I found it most interesting in that some of the male students participated in the delivery of the monologues.

Oscar Arias, the president of Costa Rica, has a strong interest in the university and recently visited with the students. President Arias was a recipient of the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism and won the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end civil wars then raging in many Central American countries.

Statues of various world leaders who have promoted peace, including Ghandi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Leo Tolstoy and Yitzhak Rabin, dot the campus grounds and a sign above a flourishing tree says "planted by Secretary-General Kofi Annan." Another sign above a Tree for Peace says: "In commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide -- We Will Never Forget."

The first student Catherine introduced me to was Blanesta. Her parents are Afghans, and she was born on a plane en route to Switzerland. Her family was fleeing Afghanistan during the war in hopes they could stay in Switzerland if she were born there. Because nature took its course and she was born mid-air, when the plane landed they had to be sent back to their homeland. They eventually fled to Pakistan, then to India and finally to Canada.

Another young man, Francis Wani from Sudan, had never seen a computer and was turning in handwritten papers. Since this is unacceptable at a graduate level, he now has the challenge of not only the rigors of the course material but how to use what we consider a staple in all of our homes.

Those are just two of the stories of the many backgrounds of this diverse student body. Perhaps the one thing that really stood out for me during this brief visit to the university was the multicultural approach to studying the challenges of world peace and our environment.

All of the students at UPeace have one thing in common and that is to improve and give back to the world in which they have been born in a positive and productive manner. What a refreshing concept.

I am in hopes that by writing this article, it may touch someone's child or grandchild who possesses the same hopes and dreams as the student body at the University for Peace.

The Island Packet appreciates all written and photographic submissions from readers. All submissions become the copyrighted property of The Island Packet, which may use them for any purpose, including in print and online, without compensation to the submitter.

Costa Rica Nicaragua

2009-06-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

Nicaragua May Bypass Costa Rica On SICA Presidency Rotation

Nicaraguan president, Daniel Ortega, plans to hand over the presidency of the Sistema de Integración Centroamericana (SICA) to Guatemala's president, Alvaro Colom, instead of Costa Rica president, Oscar Arias, come July.

The Nicaraguan vice-chancellor, Manuel Coronel Kautz, says the move is due to Costa Rica's differing position than that of the rest of Central America, evidenced by Arias' skipping meetings held over the last six months, three of which were held in Managua.

Thus, Nicaragua feels it should skip handing over the presidency to Costa Rica, avoiding risking Central America's integration.

Kautz made the statement on a local Nicaraguan television channel, saying that Costa Rica is neither a member of the Corte Centroamericana de Justicia (CCJ), nor of the Parlamento Centroamericano (Parlacen).

The vice-chancellor continued with "costa Rica does not subscribe to the free mobility of Central America, known as CA-4, nor is it part of the single visa agreement for Central America.

According to Kautz, Costa Rica is not part of the political dialogue and co-operation between the Central American governments and the European Union.

Arias said last week the Central American presidential summits are a waste of time and fail to address important issues, failing to address the principal problems facing Central America.

The Arias comments could have been seen by Ortega as an insult, as he is the responsible for setting the agenda of the talks.

Kautz said that Nicaragua has to "think things over carefully" before handing over the presidency to Arias, especially following the comments made by the Costa Rican president.

The rotation of the presidency is based on article 3 of the Reglamento de la Presidencia Pro Témpore del SICA, which was signed in Managua on March 25, 2009, which clearly states Costa Rica is next on the rotation come July 1, 2009.

Costa Rica reiterated that it is respectful of the legal system in force in Central America.

Costa Rica Patti Blago

2009-06-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

Blagojevich's wife joins reality show

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Patti Blagojevich arrives at their home, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009 in Chicago. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Nam Y. Huh)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The wife of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is headed to the Costa Rican jungle to compete on a TV reality show that he was barred from going on.

Her spokesman, Glenn Selig, says Patti Blagojevich is "on her way" to Costa Rica for her spot on NBC's "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here."

Selig says it'll be challenging for the "big city girl."

A federal judge barred her husband from going because it would send him out of the country.

Rod Blagojevich faces federal corruption charges.

Patti Blagojevich has said she's participating because of her family's financial situation.

Both she and her husband are unemployed.

The show airs on June 1.

Other contestants include actor Stephen Baldwin and former "American Idol" contestant Sanjaya Malakar. Costa Rica Awaits her arrival.

Costa Rica Indigenous

2009-06-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

COSTA RICA: Indigenous People Sidelined in Plans for Dam
By Daniel Zueras

SAN JOSÉ COSTA RICA, May 27 (IPS) - The Diquís dam, the largest hydroelectric project in Central America, is worrying indigenous communities because Costa Rica’s state power company has excluded them from the decision-making process, in spite of international treaties that stipulate that they must be consulted.

Indigenous people in Térraba in the southern district of Buenos Aires, which has the highest population density for five of the country’s eight Indian tribes, complain that the national utility, ICE, has never consulted them about the project, as it is required to do under International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries.

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which held a session in mid-May, reminded governments of the need to cooperate with native communities as the owners of natural resources in their territories.

This is not the first project of its kind that the state electricity monopoly has tried to push through in the southern part of Costa Rica.

The first, the Boruca hydroelectric complex, began to be discussed in the 1970s but was brought to a halt by strong opposition from local communities, and by doubts about its location in an area of seismic activity.

The plan was for a dam that would have flooded an area of 25,000 hectares to generate 1,500 megawatts of electricity. In the 1990s, the Veragua project met with a similar fate. Both projects were located on the Río Grande river in Térraba.

The projected Diquís dam on the El General river would have a planned capacity of 622 megawatts that would supply the energy needs of one million people. The projected cost is 1.85 billion dollars, making it the largest public investment in infrastructure ever undertaken in Costa Rica. If everything goes ahead as planned, ICE expects the plant to come onstream in 2016.

The dam would flood 6,000 hectares, displacing 1,100 people. Within the affected area, 800 hectares is indigenous territory belonging to the Térraba people, which is why the tribes are requesting consultation on the project.

The huge plant was declared to be of national interest in February 2008 by the government of President Óscar Arias. It is part of ICE's strategy for expanding the country's energy capacity, now estimated at 2,100 megawatts, which it wants to double in the next 10 years.

This month the constitutional court turned down an appeal for protection, presented in February by community leaders who claimed the right to be consulted. The final text of the ruling has not yet been released.

Genaro Gutiérrez, leader of the Térraba indigenous Integrated Development Association (ADI), told IPS he was disappointed at the position taken by the constitutional court and said that if there was no change in 15 days' time, "we won't let the ICE workers into the site."

In his view, ICE is breaking the law in going ahead with the work. He said the ADI of the Térraba Indigenous Reserve in Buenos Aires is, by law, "a separate government, and consultation is necessary."

ADIs were set up on every indigenous reservation by the state National Commission for Indigenous Affairs (CONAI), and act as local governments, but they have been criticised as not being representative or participative enough, of imposing ways of organising different to indigenous people's own ways, and of being vulnerable to political manipulation.

The ADI headed by Gutiérrez presented a proposal to ICE requesting 10 percent – a "negotiable" proportion - of the profits of the hydroelectric plant, for development in the reserve. "We don't want to let them do good business and leave indigenous people out in a discriminatory way," Gutiérrez said.

The Térraba are divided over the project. Gutiérrez said they are not opposed to the dam being built. "What we want are reliable benefits for the development of the district and the indigenous community," he said.

"It's the government's project, not ours, and if they don't give us anything we won't let it happen on our territory," he added.

A different position is taken by Ditsö, a non-governmental organisation supporting indigenous peoples that helped lodge another appeal for protection, this time with respect to the environmental impact of ICE operations in the community of Térraba, which is still being processed.

Ditsö's communications officer, Marvin Amador, told IPS there are two opinions about the dam among the Térraba indigenous community. On the one hand are those who "have informed themselves" and are against the project, and on the other hand those who are for it, who "either are not informed, or are hoping to get something from it."

There is no consensus on the issue. Amador maintains that Gutiérrez cannot make the decision to negotiate with ICE "unless he consults the community; that involves the state, and Genaro is no longer a legitimate representative, he only still holds his position because of a series of flawed procedures."

He said both the ADI and its leader were discredited within the community.

The Ditsö spokesman was extremely critical of the constitutional court, and said that its dismissal of the first appeal for protection had "a very simple" explanation. "Ever since the government started to exert an influence, the court has systematically made decisions that openly run counter to" the country’s laws, in line with "vested interests," he said.

Ditsö is against the building of the dam, but Amador said the group’s goal was for consultation to take place and for the indigenous community to decide. Its opposition is due to the indigenous people being, once again, sidelined and forgotten.

"It is said that 80 percent of the energy generated will be exported," although ICE denies this. But even if the power is used for domestic consumption, "the indigenous people are being asked to give us their resources and heritage, in exchange for so-called development that will not reach the poorest of the poor," he said.

Ditsö says the Diquís project will have an enormous impact, socially and culturally, on the Térraba way of life. According to Amador, the dam will flood 50 archaeological sites, among them "ancient burial sites with a major spiritual significance."

ICE of Costa Rica did not respond to IPS requests for comment on the matter.

The mayor of the district of Buenos Aires, Feliciano Álvarez, told IPS that he supports the construction of the Diquís plant.

Álvarez said it would have a great impact on the area, and that the municipality is advocating "for the labour to be drawn from the local area." He also said he was confident that the project would increase local trade and lead to improved infrastructure.

Amador, however, was critical of that stance. "Agreeing with this kind of project depends on one's vision of what constitutes development," he said. (END/2009)

Costa Rica Jaguars

2009-06-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

Jaguar Mums Give Up Baby Secrets

Ongoing study in Costa Rica has revealed that females in the wild give birth every 22 to 24 months

By Matt Walker, Earth News

Jaguars are one of the most elusive of large animals, reluctant to be filmed or tracked in their natural habitat. But now biologists have finally managed to learn one of the big cat's secrets; how often it gives birth.

An ongoing study in Costa Rica, one of the last strongholds of the jaguar, has revealed that females in the wild give birth every 22 to 24 months.

Knowing the reproductive behaviour of the species will be vital information in helping to protect the species.

Numbers of jaguars, the third largest of all cat species and the largest in the New World, are declining.

The big cat is occasionally sighted in Arizona and New Mexico in the US, and populations remain within Mexico and south through Central America and into South America, including much of Amazonian Brazil.

But the species is listed as Near Threatened by the World Conservation Union.

If conservationists are to estimate how the last remaining populations of jaguar might grow, they need to know three things: how many cubs females have in each litter, how many of those cubs survive on average, and how often females give birth to new litters.

But most information about the reproductive habits of jaguars comes from observations in zoos, which may not reflect how jaguars reproduce in the wild. Even in captivity, researchers have been rarely able to document how often females give birth to new litters.

So Eduardo Carrillo and Joel Saenz of the National University in Heredia, Costa Rica and Todd Fuller of the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst, US embarked on an ongoing study of jaguars living in the Corcovado National Park in west Costa Rica.

The study began in 1990 after Carrillo saw a female jaguar walking with a single cub across a beach in the park during the day.

"At that time there were few jaguar studies and the lack of information was an important issue when making management decisions about jaguar conservation," says Carrillo. "So in 1994 we decided to radio mark jaguars. In 2003 we began using camera traps."

During the study, they found that jaguars in the park feed mainly on peccaries and marine turtles.

The diet surprised the biologists because an adult jaguar is capable of eating any animal that crosses its path, including people, though there is no record of a wild jaguar ever having attacked a person in the wild.

They also managed to follow a single female jaguar for three and a half years, by using the radio collar to triangulate her position and identifying her particular paw prints left in the mud.

In March one year, they saw the female being attended to by an adult male. By late May or early June she gave birth, and was seen accompanied by a single cub in July.

That cub remained with its mother for 19 to 20 months. Then some 22 months after she had first given birth, Carrillo noticed she was again pregnant, and was seen with a new cub a month or two later.

That confirms that wild jaguars seem to give birth once every 22 to 24 months, and that juvenile jaguars leave the company of their mother after 18 to 24 months, the team report in the journal Mammalian Biology.

Jaguars are thought to give birth to more than cub on average, though it is unclear how many usually survive until adulthood.

"One of the main questions about jaguars is their natural birthing habits," says Carrillo. "We have little knowledge about this until now."

However, despite the team's camera traps recording pictures of adult jaguars, the mothers are still proving protective of their offspring.

"We have pictures of pregnant females, but we have never taken a picture of a female jaguar with its cubs." Kudos to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Visit

2009-06-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Brazilian president arrives in Costa Rica for visit
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Costa Rica Tuesday for his first state visit to Costa Rica with an aim to strength the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

"The visit of the Brazilian president to Costa Rica is due to the strong will from both countries to deepen their ties in political, trade and cultural cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels," said Vice Foreign Minister Edgar Ugalde Ugalde, who welcomed Lula at the airport in San Jose Costa Rica.
Lula will meet with his Costa Rica counterpart Oscar Arias on Wednesday and a joint declaration is expected to be signed after their meeting.

He is scheduled to leave Costa Rica on Wednesday afternoon.

Costa Rica Coffee

2009-06-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

Costa Ricans have rich coffee history
June 3, 2009

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The law requires you to plant and grow coffee on your property. Not much, just a few shrubs that you will be asked to tend so that they produce coffee cherries.

Of course, that is not required of people in the United States. But at one time it was apparently the law of the land in Costa Rica.

While many citizens of Costa Rica would rightfully take umbrage at yet more government interference into their private lives and property, at least one nice thing did result from that old mandate in Costa Rica — the country and its citizens became very good at producing very good coffee.

Costa Rica is peppered with both large cooperative coffee plantations and small independent farms, big co-op mills that service the large farms and small micro-mills that the lone farmer and his family operate to process their own crops.

Costa Rica has an excellent climate and soil for growing coffee (along with fine cigar tobacco, a double bonus for the country). Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, the country benefits from warm tropical winds and rain. Volcanic mountain ranges also bookend a central highland plain area of rich volcanic soil. You could hardly ask for better growing conditions.

I recently enjoyed a cup of drip-brewed Costa Rican from the Tarazzu region, more or less in the center of the country, south of San Jose. This region is dense with coffee farms and estates, as it is deemed one of the best locations for growing coffee in a country rife with ideal conditions. The high altitude, rich soil and shade conditions favor a slow growth that helps produce outstanding Arabica coffee.

Coffees from this region of Costa Rica are generally described by the coffee terms "classic" and "clean," meaning that they are silky smooth, without defects and extremely well balanced. Sometimes the best examples of a clean cup are also so clean as to be almost uninteresting, with nothing that stands out or grabs your attention. Of course, a lot can happen from tree to cup to influence the coffee you end up drinking.

The particular Costa Rican Tarazzu coffee that I was drinking was not what I would describe as a classic cup. It was, however, quite good. I spoke with the barista and asked about the coffee. They did not roast their own coffee on site, but purchased it from a well-known, high quality roasting company that supplies coffee shops all over the United States. It had been roasted to an upper medium or full-city roast and was only a week off the roast.

The aroma was pleasing, not overpowering at all but light and fresh and hinting of garden cucumbers still on the vine. The drink was smooth, yet displayed a little brightness or acidity. It also impressed with a note of citrus and even a little nuttiness, almost like a blanched, unsalted peanut. The aftertaste wasn't so great, being a little too acidic for me to give it five stars out of five (that is, if I used a star rating system).

Overall, it was a very good coffee.

It struck me that it might have been the perfect coffee for the warm, sunny spring morning we had that day. Gone (hopefully) were the last remnants of winter, when I seem to be drawn to heavier, heartier and bolder coffees. Spring calls for a change of attitude and a change in coffees. I guess serendipity was with me that spring day.

David Smith is a co-owner of Stumpjack Coffee Company in Two Rivers. E-mail stumpjack@gmail.com.

Costa Rica Soccer

2009-06-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica Kickaround

*My scene-setting, USA-Costa Rica story from San Jose Costa Rica. To see how it was presented on the front of the print-edition sports section, click here.

*TV Alert! Less than 24 hours before the USA-CR showdown, ESPN execs abruptly moved tonight's coverage from ESPN to ESPN2. The good news is that they've added a 30-minute pregame show starting at 9:30 p.m. ET. The reason: The College Softball World Series. [UPDATE: According to a USSF press release, "The programming change prevents potential conflicts with ESPN's baseball coverage running into the U.S. game's time slot and was made possible by the Women's College World Series ending early."] Alert your neighbors, reset your TiVo/DVRs, don't blame the incorrect TV listings in today's newspapers. The network also encountered production issues in Costa Rica and did not send the announcing crew to San Jose. (They'll handle play-by-play from Connecticut.)

*With Frankie Hejduk out, Ricardo Clark has been added to the USA roster.

*More than 47,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday's USA qualifier against Honduras at Soldier Field in Tegucigalpa Chicago. [UPDATE: It's now at 50,000-plus.]

*Happy 20th birthday (yesterday) to the USA's Freddy Adu.

*On a side note: After guiding Virginia Tech to its first NCAA College Cup semifinals in 2007, Oliver Weiss has resigned as coach. Hmmm.....

By Steve Goff | June 3, 2009; 9:28 AM ET
Categories: College Soccer , Costa Rica , TV , U.S. men's national team
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Heidi Pratt Costa Rica

2009-06-22T06:21:00.000-07:00

Heidi Pratt Rushed to Hospital

Hills star Heidi Pratt has been rushed to a Costa Rican hospital with an undisclosed medical emergency, Usmagazine.com has learned exclusively.

Pratt's husband, Spencer -- who is competing with his wife on NBC's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here -- is traveling with her to the hospital, a source in Costa Rica confirms.

No further details have been made available as to the specifics of Heidi's condition or what it means for the series.

NBC could not be reached for comment.

Story developing...

Source

From OK! Mag:

Sources tell OK! that Heidi is suffering from what appears to be an infection and is currently undergoing tests at the hospital. OK! can also confirm er husband and co-star Spencer Pratt went along with her in the ambulence to the hospital.

http://okmagazine.com/news/view/14726

From Stephanie Pratt's twitter:

Im really saddened to hear that nbc felt it was ok to punish speidi so harshly-and torture them as if they were criminals-that Heidi was Rushed to the Costa Rica hospital and has an IV in her arm after being locked in a dark room for 3 days w no food or water. Pls pray she will be ok

Her family is flying out to see her in the Costa Rica hospital. I know they pulled some shitty antics-but really nbc?? Too far.

http://twitter.com/stephaniepratt

Costa Rica I Am a Celebrity

2009-06-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

Report: I'm a Celebrity's Heidi Is Hospitalized; Execs Call Torture Tale "Untrue"

Jun 8, 2009 10:08 AM ET by Matt Mitovich 39 Comments
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Heidi Pratt on I'm a Celebrity

Heidi Pratt was hospitalized in Costa Rica this weekend for a stomach infection after she and her husband, Spencer, were sent to an isolation chamber as part of the reality competition I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! , according to reports.

After repeatedly vomiting, Heidi was rushed to a local Costa Rica hospital with a gastric ulcer, her sister-in-law, Stephanie Pratt, told E! "She thought she was dying," she said.

Neither NBC nor TVGuide.com's production insider would comment on Heidi's reported hospital stay, but producers denied that she was ever placed in jeopardy on the Costa Rica show.

Heidi checked out of the hospital on Sunday and is now recovering in a hotel in Costa Rica, a source told Access Hollywood.

Heidi and Spencer's isolation experience was videotaped in full and will be detailed during Monday's special two-hour episode — as will the couple's overall fate with the show.

Also to be revealed will be the surprise quitting of a third contestant, according to our production source.

The Pratts were sequestered on Thursday in the "Lost Chamber" after they tried to quit the competition several times during the first week. The couple agreed to the punishment after they pleaded to come back to the show in which celebrities are dropped in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle to test their survivor skills, before viewers get the chance to vote them out.

Spencer's sister, Stephanie, claimed via Twitter that Heidi had been "locked in a dark room for 3 days w no food." She later told E! News that bugs were lowered in through the roof and onto the couple in the pitch black. "They treated them like they were criminals or terrorists," Stephanie Pratt said.

Although the conditions were intended to be uncomfortable, a setside source said the Pratts only spent 14 hours in the chamber, with food and water. They also slept through most of their isolation time, and emerged from the chamber in good spirits.

I'm a Celebrity's production company, ITV Studios, said in a statement that "all allegations of the celebrities being deprived of food and water are completely untrue."

All "press reports at this time are untrue. ITV has been producing this format around the world for many years and the health of the celebrity participants are of the utmost importance," according to the statement. "A medic and a doctor are present at the location at all times for all participants."

Costa Rica Surf Competition

2009-06-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games 2009 will be hosted in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica this August 1-8, 2009. The event, which will bring together the best surfers in the world in an Olympic-style competition, is set to be the biggest surfing championship ever held in Central America. The honor of hosting the 8th ever World Surfing Games is expected to solidify Costa Rica’s reputation as one of the world’s best up and coming surf destinations.

Last year’s competition, which took place in Costa de Caparica, Portugal, saw a turn out of more than 200 competitors from 28 countries. The Costa Rican team shined with their highest ranking ever, coming in 5th place at the event. The number of surfers and skill level is expected to increase for this year’s competition, which was scheduled to correspond with Hermosa’s peak surf season with waves ranging from four to eight feet with perfect barrels. The team to beat is four-time ISA Surfing Games champion, Australia, who racked up Gold medals in the last three consecutive events.

In August, each country will be represented by up to four surfers in the men’s Open category, two surfers in the women’s Open category and two long boarders. Costa Rica’s national team of eight surfers will be officially announced two days before the competitions begin. They will be selected from a short list of the country’s best surfers that have already begun training for the event.

This list features Carlos Muñoz, the 16-year-old who just won his first national championship in the men’s open division at the National Surf Circuit finals that also took place at Playa Hermosa Costa Rica. Joining him on the list are Diego Naranjo, Gilbert Brown, Jairo Perez, Jason Torres, Juan Carlos Naranjo, Cristian Santamaría, Anthony Flores and Luis Vindas in the men’s Open and long board categories. Two of the following women will also have the honor of representing Costa Rica: current National women’s champion Nataly Bernold, Lisbeth Vindas and Mariana Samudio.

The Costa Rica team also racked up a Bronze medal in last year’s surfing games in a special tag-team event called “Aloha Cup”. After coming in 10th place in this year’s World Junior Surfing Games in Ecuador, it is clear that Costa Rica has a strong future ahead of it in international surf competitions.

The president of the Costa Rica Federation of Surf (FSC – the hosts of the event) Jose Ureña said “I’m really happy for the opportunity that ISA and Billabong have given to us. To be hosts of this event is a like dream, to have so many countries enjoying our waves. It’s a unique occasion for us.”

Ureña hopes the event will help to further promote Costa Rica tourism, and particularly surf tourism to the region by putting the country’s waves on display for the global press. He also commented that local press has not covered the country’s international competitions in the past, so hosting the Surfing Games will help to increase local exposure as well.

The fact that Billabong is sponsoring this year’s event for the first time was also a big break for Costa Rica and the surfing world. Brand representative Graham Stapelberg promoted the decision to host the games in Costa Rica, saying: “I believe it is vital to provide a platform for these emerging surf regions. It is the only event of its kind where you get such a large representation of so many different surf nations”.

Visitor Logistics

Playa Hermosa is seemingly endless volcanic sand beach set 5 minutes south of the popular tourist destination of Jaco, and about two hours from the capital city of San Jose and the country’s main international airport, Juan Santamaria (SJO). The town itself features low density development, with one side of the town’s only road left untouched. The nearby town of Jaco offers more plentiful lodging options, though reservations must be made in advance.

The cost of a taxi from the airport to Jaco can vary between $80 and $150. Private shuttles can be arranged in advance, or public bus tickets can be purchased in down town San Jose at the Coca Cola bus terminal.

The competition will take place on the beach break in front of Hotel Terraza del Pacifico, at the north end of Hermosa. August conditions feature southern swells with waves averaging 4 to 8 feet in the warm Pacific waters. The month is considered to be part of the Costa Rica rainy season, with sporadic rain showers expected throughout the week of competition.

Event Schedule:

July 28-30: Team registration
July 31: Parade of Nations/ Opening Ceremony
August 1: Competition begins.
August 5: Start of Open Longboard
August 8: Contest ends/ Closing Ceremony

Costa Rica Art

2009-06-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

New York School Fest Celebrates All Things Costa Rica
By Pat Kinney

MORAVIA (New York) - Millard Fillmore Elementary School's Costa Rica Festival today will celebrate biodiversity, Costa Rican culture and history and the effects of our choices on our world economy and environment.

The public is invited to the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the school. There will be two performances of Jan Brett's "The Umbrella," as well as Latin American dancing, at 9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Throughout the day, second- and fifth-grade students will have displays and performances in their classrooms and in the hallways featuring the various ways they've explored Costa Rica.

Second-grade students have explored a unique Central American art form called molas. Each student created their own mola, using animal motifs found in Costa Rica. Students also created three-dimensional paper masks that explore the various adaptations of Costa Rica birds.

Second-graders have also been learning about the impact that non-sustainable choices have had on the rainforest of Costa Rica, creating displays that show the effects of damaging choices in land and water management on animals and the land.

Fifth-grade students in Trish Genson's class - who have been studying Costa Rican myths, fairy tales and fables - will perform two Costa Rican stories - "When Woman Becomes the Sea" and "The Sleeping Bread."

Jim VanArsdale's fifth-graders have been working with the school's stage band and teacher Chris Little to highlight the history of Costa Rican music, showing how the sounds and rhythms are present in our pop music today.

Jeff Porter's fifth-grade students researched pre-Columbian weapons and warfare, and they will explain what weapons that were used then. The class will also model costumes they have made and serve samples of typical Costa Rican food.

The Costa Rica project has been enriched by the talents of Holly Adams, a teaching theater artist, who has worked with the school for eight years on a variety of Arts in Education projects. Another guest artist, Jorge Cuevas, a teaching Latin American dance and music artist, helped the students learn more about the culture of Costa Rica.

The project was supported by an ArtStart Grant through Partners for Arts Education, the Millard Fillmore Elementary Student Council, the McDonald's Corp. through a MAC grant and Moravia Central School.

For more information about the June 10 event, contact the school at (315) 497-2670.

Costa Rica Weddings

2009-06-22T06:06:00.000-07:00

Sears and Bong wed in Costa Rica

Special to the Register

Laura Elizabeth Sears of Irving and Robert Spolec Bong of Dallas were married at 4:30 p.m. February 28, 2009, at Tamarindo Diria Resort in Costa Rica, with DR. Brent Gentzel of Kaufman officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Dr. Larry and Katherine Sears of Gainesville. She is a 1998 graduate of Gainesville High School and a 2002 graduate of Baylor University with a marketing degree. She is currently employed as a sales representative for Reef and Element in Dallas.

The groom is the son of James and Lynn Bong of Dallas. He is a graduate of Lake Highlands High School and a 2002 graduate of Baylor University. He is currently contractor and owner of Star Landscaping in Dallas.

Grandparents of the couple are Anna Jo and Virgil Sears of Lake Kiowa, Dr. Norval and Elizabeth Smith of Tulsa, Okla., the late Harry Wood, Jean and the late Robert Spolec of Dallas and Sylvia and the late Robert Bong of Dallas.

On the lush grounds of the Costa Rica Tamarindo Diria Resort over looking the Pacific Ocean was tropical flowers decorating a white tulle canopy.

Musician was a classical guitarist from San Jose, Costa Rica.

Vocalist were Jason Lewis, Taylor Vieger and Julie Gentzel.

Music included the classical guitarist playing Bach’s “Cannon in D” “In My Life” was sung by groomsmen Taylor Vieger and Jason Lewis, “How Beautiful” was sung by Julie Gentzel and Rob Brewing of Dallas read a scripture from Philipians.

The bride was given in marriage by her father, Dr. Larry Sears.

The bride wore a Cymbeline Saltine strapless dress with a sweet heart v-neck, ivory silk organza and taffeta, hi-low skirt, corset bodice with lace-up back and layered ruffles. She wore a birdcage veil with flower and feather accents. She carried calla lilies and white orchids with peacock feathers.

Matron of honor was Susanna Stone Bailey of Red Lodge, MT, best friend of the bride.

Bridesmaids were Stephanie McElreath Weiss of Naperville IL, long time friend of the bride; Bonnie DeBorde of Dallas, long time friend of the bride; Rebeca VanEs of Houston, college roommate; Brittany Smith of Euless, college friend; Laura Bong, sister of the groom; and Nadine Grosse of Grapevine, friend.

The attendants wore turquoise tea-length sleeveless dresses with black sashes with peacock detail.

Best man was John Yocum of Houston, best friend of the groom in college.

Groomsmen were Jason Lewis of Austin, college friend; Brian Roach of West Hollywood, CA, high school friend; Chad Lemons of Dallas, college friend; Taylor Viegar of Dallas, school friend; Alan Sears of Austin, brother of the bride; and Brian Sears of Gainesville, brother of the bride.

Ushers were Brian and Alan Sears, brothers of the bride.

The reception was poolside at the Tamarindo Diria Resort. It was decorated with tropical flowers and palm trees in tall containers.

Rehearsal dinner was held, at Mar y Sol, overlooking Flamingo Bay at sunset. All sixty guest were included.

After a wedding trip to Arenal and Dominical areas of Costa Rica the couple plan to reside in Valley Ranch in Irving.

They will also have a local celebration June 13th at Moss Lake.

Costa Rica Travel

2009-06-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

But The Rainy Season is Not So Caliente

A visit to Costa Rica is a memorable experience steeped in the wonderment and vibrancy of nature, and charged with the energy of a stimulating culture.

But there are some things you should know.

Any trip to an exotic land requires a healthy amount of planning and preparation. For instance, a visit to Costa Rica for an American includes a lengthy search for the necessary inoculations. Because the country is divided into eclectic areas...there are cities, rain forests, extensive waterfront beaches, and long stretches of primitive space...health concerns range from minimal to "maybe I better stay outta there." Malaria, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, and a host of other illnesses and diseases are waiting for you depending on where you visit in Costa Rica and how long you plan to stay. Some inoculations are recommended to be taken six months in advance.

And, of course, traveling abroad is replete with the necessary but annoyingly complex system of security that includes the standard quasi-strip searches, as well as Customs and Immigration procedures sometimes led by people you wouldn't let carry your groceries to the car.

But beyond these issues, there are key areas of interest you will need to consider before booking your tickets.

Areas to Stay - Costa Rica is a country of five million people, we were told by a helpful guide en route to one of many rain forests. A full 40% of those Costa Riica people are retired Americans and Europeans. That's two of the five million! Based on a several-day stay near the capital of the country, San Jose Costa Rica, it's safe to declare that a lion's share of the two million Americans and Europeans have found their way to the coast, where the beaches are glorious. They are most certainly not in and around San Jose, where squalor would serve as a compliment. The city of San Jose does have its landmarks. The National Theater is an outstanding historical space conjuring visions of Ford Theater at the time of Lincoln's Assassination. Gran Hotel Costa Rica is also a fixture of opulence in midtown San Jose. But as a rule, head west to Jaco and surrounding beach communities for exquisite resorts.

Costa Rica Trade Talks

2009-06-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

China, Costa Rica In Third Round Of Trade Talks

China pressed Costa Rica on Monday for a wider opening of its market in a third round of talks towards a free trade treaty which negotiators aim to complete this year, officials said.

Costa Rica - which gave up six decades of ties with Taiwan in favor of China two years ago - is the third Latin American country to negotiate a free trade deal with China after Chile and Peru.

Costa Rica's chief negotiator, Fernando Ocampo, said the government had consulted with companies to prepare an improved offer for China.

"We have entered the phase of discussing sensitive issues across the board," Ocampo said.

Zhu Hong, the head of the Chinese delegation, told reporters that China is urging Costa Rica to return to an earlier offer, which includes 70% of Chinese products entering the country tax-free over a five to 10-year period.

China, in turn, is offering a tax-free opening for 94.5% of Costa Rican products, excluding sugar, meat and coffee.

Trade between the Costa Rica and China have grown rapidly, from $91.1 million in 2000 to $1.6 billion in 2007, according to the Costa Rican government figures.

A major exporter of computer components, Costa Rica has dismissed fears of an invasion of Chinese products into the country as it seeks to diversify ties amid worldwide financial woes.

After the current round of talks, Costa Rican and Chinese negotiators are scheduled to hold three more rounds in September, October, and either November or December.

"We just celebrated the second anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Since then we've advanced a lot in all areas," Wan Xiaoyuan, the Chinese ambassador to San Jose, said at the opening of the three-day talks.

Costa Rica Trade Unions

2009-06-22T05:55:00.000-07:00

Costa Rican Employers Reject Unions

Costa Rican employers continued with their determination on Tuesday to veto the right of their employees to join a union, even in the face of possible Labor Code reforms.

Deputies in the Legislative Assembly are discussing changes to the legal regulations to allow a broadening of the prerogatives of citizens to form unions, both in private and public companies, so that this cannot be taken as a pretext for layoffs.

Representatives of the labor movement and legislators insist on considering changes under discussion as an obligation of Costa Rica before the International Labor Organization (ILO), which is a body that continues monitoring labor problems in this Central American nation.

However, many businesspeople believe the proposed changes would threaten the operation of their businesses in Costa Rica by placing alleged legal obstacles to layoff policies.

As champions of neoliberal practices, they maintain that in times of economic crisis these types of reforms might be counterproductive, even more so to entities with financial problems, which they argue need staff cuts.

In view of this reaction from businesspeople, General Secretary of the National Association of Public and Private Employees, Albino Vargas, considered that failing to approve the changes "would make a mockery of international labor regulations, including union freedom," amounting to a worsening of "the country's image with regard to labor issues."

Costa Rica Medical Tourism

2009-06-21T22:42:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica: Beaches, Volcanoes… & Healthcare? Part III
Antonio J. Acosta-Rua, PhD
Health Choices International
Part IV in our series on Medical Tourism and Healthcare in Costa Rica
Question #2: What is the quality of Costa Rica’s healthcare system?

The short answer is very good. It might come as a surprise to many, but a year 2000 survey conducted by the WHO (World Health Organization) of its 191 member states healthcare systems ranked Costa Rica 36th. This ranking placed Costa Rica among the top three in Latin America as well as ahead of 154 other countries globally, including the United States (37th), New Zealand (41st), and Thailand (47th). While some may debate as to what this survey actually measures or what these results mean (as I have), it does without question demonstrate that Costa Rica’s dedication to quality health, both from a cultural and political standpoint, has been confirmed by measurable outcomes.

Question #3: Doesn’t Costa Rica have a nationalized healthcare system?

Yes, Costa Rica does have a nationalized healthcare system, in which the government runs more than 30 hospitals and 250 clinics. This system has been in existence for almost 60 years and has been able to provide for many of the people of Costa Rica. Yet, Costa Rica’s nationalized healthcare system, like nationalized systems the world-over, has been plagued by the typical problems of long waits, rationing, slow and sometimes impersonal service, and dated hospitals. As a result, a more responsive parallel private healthcare system has been growing.

Question #4: Does Costa Rica also have a private healthcare system?

Yes, Costa Rica has a small, but rapidly growing private healthcare system which now is targeting the Medical Travel (Medical Tourism) market. Private healthcare has been available in Costa Rica for a very longtime, but historically has only represented a small portion of the healthcare sector. In the past two decades, Costa Rica has built an international reputation for inexpensive cosmetic and dental surgery. These are areas of healthcare typically not covered by U.S. insurance policies and thus must be paid for out-of-pocket by the patient. As a result, numerous Americans, and others, have come to Costa Rica for dental surgery (e.g. crowns, implants, etc.) and plastic surgery, finding typical savings of 40% - 80%. In addition, today there is an increasing trend of individuals coming for orthopedic and laparoscopic surgeries. This growing trend is related to the rapidly increasing cost of insurance premiums combined with ever-decreasing benefits in the U.S., or the rationing and long waits in the nationalized systems like in Canada or the U.K.

Should you have any questions that you would like to ask about medical tourism here in Costa Rica or in general, please email us at info@thecostaricanews.com

Costa Rica Medical Tourism

2009-06-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Medical Tourism: Comparable to How Competition Changed the U.S. Auto Industry

Mark J. Perry - February 6th, 2009

From The Heartland Institute’s report “International Medical Tourism Is on the Rise“:

“More people are engaging in medical tourism because of rising health care prices in the United States, said Greg Scandlen, director of Consumers for Health Care Choices at The Heartland Institute. ‘As more and more people have out-of-pocket responsibility, they’re looking around for the best deal, and out-of-country services in countries like Costa Rica are an incredibly good deal if you’re willing to travel,’ Scandlen said.

The rise in medical tourism is cause for alarm among some domestic health care providers, and it will end up forcing them to improve their services. ‘I’d compare this to the introduction of Volkswagens and Toyotas, what that did to American automotive manufacturers,’ Scandlen said. ‘It’s showing another way of doing business that the automakers in the United States were just too indifferent to adopt, so competition had to come from somewhere. It came from overseas.’

‘The American hospital model simply isn’t working well anymore, so patients will find someplace else,’ Scandlen continued. ‘Competition will assert itself, like it or not. If American hospitals don’t relearn how to run their businesses based on some of the ideas that are coming from overseas in places like Costa Rica, they will go the way of the automakers.’

American health care providers are especially concerned because much of their most-lucrative business is going overseas. The amount of profitability being exported far exceeds the number of people going abroad.

John R. Graham, director of health care policy at the Pacific Research Institute, agreed. ‘Medical tourism is a great opportunity to reduce U.S. health spending and allow more Americans to get high-quality care abroad,’ he noted.

U.S. hospitals have very high cost structures,’ said Graham, ‘largely caused by government regulation that inhibits competition and specialization, requiring general hospitals to be all things to all people. In the long run, as their “‘profitable” operations disappear overseas, American hospitals will face a crisis that will require policymakers to rethink how they organize the health care safety net.’

‘Quality and patient protections vary widely in other countries, just like they do within the United States,’ said Michael Cannon, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. ‘What we don’t get in the United States is price competition, but that can’t last forever, particularly with foreign providers offering comparable quality at a lower cost.’

‘Medical tourism can only grow to places like Costa Rica,’ Cannon added. ‘And that’s a good thing.’”

Costa Rica Medical Care

2009-06-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

HSA Clearing Corp Announces Costa Rica Medical Care

Working with the finest private hospitals and physicians in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Medical Care will help people save hundreds if not thousands of dollars on certain medical care procedures. According to a recent study by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, the number of U.S. residents traveling across borders for medical care is expected to increase 700% -- from 750,000 in 2007 to 6 million in 2010.

Lake Geneva, WI (PRWEB) March 4, 2009 -- HSA Clearing Corp. the leading provider of Health Savings Account educational services to financial institutions, employee benefit companies and health agents, is announcing a new division, Costa Rican Medical Care. The new division will provide medical tourism services specializing in only Costa Rica.

Working with the finest private hospitals and physicians in Costa Rica, Costa Rican Medical Care will help people save hundreds if not thousands of dollars on certain medical care procedures. According to a recent study by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, the number of U.S. residents traveling across borders for medical care is expected to increase 700% -- from 750,000 in 2007 to 6 million in 2010.

With health care costs skyrocketing out of control in the United States, medical tourism has become a very attractive option for cost-conscious consumers seeking quality care at an affordable price. While many medical tourism providers are recommending travel half-way around the world to places like India and Singapore (twelve time zones away), Costa Rican Medical Care is focusing only on the excellent care available in Costa Rica, a beautiful, friendly country much closer to home and in the Central Time Zone.

Costa Rica has the competitive advantage of geography, a stable economic and political system and an international reputation for the quality of its health care system "Educating people on ways to save on health care has always been our main goal, and now more than ever, people need help. There are millions of people who have to pay hard-earned money out of their own pocket. Some have a Consumer Driven Health Plan or an HSA, and some simply have no insurance at all." said Tim Morales President of HSA Clearing Corp.

"Many of our banking customers are self-insured. Having a cost-efficient alternative to high cost care in the States will mean lowering costs for these institutions. For example, a hip replacement can cost as much as $70,000 in the US. However, the same procedure in Costa Rica, including all tests, surgery, physician costs, rehabilitation, and follow-up care in the U.S., travel, lodging and meals in Costa Rica can run about $15,000 -- all costs included"

Costa Rican Medical Care program is simple and stress-free. We provide the consumer with answers to their questions and let them know the approximate cost of their total trip. Patients (and their companions, if applicable) are picked up at the airport by an English-speaking guide. Hotel accommodations are carefully selected to provide convenience to the patient. The guide will accompany the patient to and from the doctor appointments. Following the surgery and recovery, our counselors will arrange for any further rehab or care that might be needed, and contract with an in-home service in the U.S. to provide further care if needed.

Our people in Costa Rica have been providing these services for many years to people from around the world. Their facilities are modern and patient care is state-of-the-art. Most physicians are trained U.S. trained and use the latest available technology and equipment. Both the medical and tourism staff speaks excellent English.

"With the thousands of health agents, employee benefit firms and customers of our HSA bank and credit union network across the country, offering Costa Rican Medical Care will help many people get and stay healthy and save money at the same time", Morales continued. "You would be surprised by the growing number of insurance companies that work with many of these providers and we hope to introduce more."

Sampling of Costa Rican Medical Care Services

Bariatric Surgery, Angioplasty, Heart By-Pass, Hip and Knee Replacement, Ophthalmology and Medical Check Ups, Dental Surgery and Care, Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, are some of the many healthcare services we can recommend.

Costa Rica Pediatric Hospice

2009-06-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

First Inpatient Pediatric Hospice in Latin America Opens in Costa Rica

Antonio J. Acosta-Rua, PhD

With many supporters, friends and staff on hand, La Fundación Pro-Unidad Cuidado Paliativo, a Costa Rica pediatric hospice organization, proudly inaugurated Casa San Miguel Arcángel in Costa Rica, the first inpatient pediatric hospice facility in Latin America. Casa San Miguel Arcángel, situated in Vista de Mar Costa Rica a small community in the mountains just a few kilometers north of San Jose, will provide a peaceful setting for terminally-ill children in the final phase of their lives. As the third expansion project for La Fundación, Casa San Miguel Arcángel consists of three primary structures: a chapel, an on-site residence for medical staff, and a fully-equipped inpatient facility with accommodations for up-to three patients and their families. While it is usually preferred that terminally-ill children spend their last days in familiar surroundings like home, Casa San Miguel Arcángel of Costa Rica will provide a comfortable environment for those children whose home is not a suitable option.

With its colorfully designed home-like setting and beautifully landscaped gardens, Casa San Miguel Arcángel and its staff strive to help these children enjoy their life until the very last moment. This is done by managing the patient’s symptoms and pain in order to improve the quality-of-life while also providing a cheerful and comfortable environment in which to die peacefully.

“Though we know that many children will eventually die here, Casa San Miguel Arcángel is a place to celebrate life. Our goal… our duty is to assist these little angels and their families enjoy every last second of life that God has given.” María de los Ángeles Arce, President of La Fundación Pro-Unidad Cuidado Paliativo de Costa Rica.

La Fundación Pro-Unidad Cuidado Paliativo is the only pediatric hospice organization in all of Costa Rica. Founded in 1992, their mission has been to teach parents how to properly care for their sick children as well as to provide a comfortable environment for dying children and their families. The organization’s goal is not to heal but to manage pain and other symptoms thus improving the quality of life of terminally-ill children. The organization, in spite of having very limited financial resources, has cared for thousands of children and their families throughout Costa Rica.

In November of 2000, through the leadership of Dr. Lisbeth Quesada, the foundation was able to open its first permanent facility the Saint Gabriel Shelter which complemented their home-visit program. Saint Gabriel Shelter located in downtown San Jose is an intermediate place between home and the hospital for terminally-ill children and for those with life-limiting diseases. This day shelter allows parents to get a much needed respite while their children are receiving needed medical attention and being properly supervised.

In February of 2007, La Fundación inaugurated their first expansion project La Clínica de Cuidados Paliativos Dr. Gastón Acosta-Rua in Perez-Zeledón, the hard to reach southern region of Costa Rica. Like the Saint Gabriel Shelter, La Clínica de Cuidados Paliativos Dr. Gastón Acosta-Rua serves as a day shelter for families with terminally-ill children and their families. Additionally, this facility serves as a satellite base of operations for the in-home patient care teams that can now help children and their families as far south as the Panama border.

Though Casa San Miguel Arcángel was made possible through the help, assistance, and hard work of many people, La Fundación would like to give special recognition and appreciation to:

- Glenn Richmond and the Granera-Vincent family for their generous donation of the land upon which the facility resides

- Lila Moffat, for her donation of land in support of this project

- Acosta-Rua Family Foundation, for their annual support generated through its fund-raising event "A Sunset in Costa Rica" as well as for their support in opening both the Shelter Dr. Gastón Acosta-Rua in Perez-Zeledón and Casa San Miguel Arcángel

- Our many friends in Jacksonville, Florida for their yearly support

- The Diplomatic Dames of Costa Rica for their generous donations of medical equipment both to Casa San Miguel Arcángel and to the Shelter San Gabriel

- The Señora Costa Rica organization for their annual support through its yearly pageant

- Each and every Costa Rican person, company and institution who has very generously help this foundation both with time and financial support via the foundations many campaigns and projects

Should you wish to contribute to or learn more about La Fundación Pro-Unidad Cuidado Paliativo de Costa Rica please contact us at: info@thecostaricanews.com

Costa Rica Health Care

2009-06-21T22:28:00.000-07:00

Finding Affordable Health Care in Foreign Hospitals

WHEN Ben Schreiner, a 62-year-old retired Bank of America executive, found out last year he would need surgery for a double hernia, he started evaluating possible doctors and hospitals. But he didn’t look into the medical center in his hometown of Camden, S.C., or the bigger hospitals in nearby Columbia. Instead, his search led him to consider surgery in such far-flung places as Ireland, Thailand and Turkey.

Ultimately he decided on San José, Costa Rica, where just a week or so after the outpatient procedure and initial recovery, he and his wife were sightseeing throughout the country, then relaxing at a lush resort on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. He was home four weeks later, with no complications.

Mr. Schreiner is what’s known in the health care world as a “medical tourist.” No longer covered under his former employer’s health insurance and too young to qualify for Medicare, Mr. Schreiner has a private health insurance policy with a steep $10,000 deductible. Not wanting to spend all of that on the $14,000 his operation would have cost stateside, he paid only $3,900 in hospital and doctor’s bills in Costa Rica.

“I didn’t have to fork over my entire deductible,” Mr. Schreiner said. “What’s more, they bent over backwards there to take care of me — no waiting, a friendly staff, everyone spoke English. “

At least 85,000 Americans choose to travel abroad for medical procedures each year, according to a recent report by the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Treatment includes dental implants, hip and knee replacements, heart valve replacements and bypass surgery. The cost of surgery performed overseas can be as little as 20 percent of the price of the same procedure in the United States, according to a recent report by the American Medical Association.

Medical tourism is expected to expand quickly in the coming years because of rising health care costs in the United States, the increasing availability of international facilities with United States accreditation, and the fact that American insurers and employers are beginning to embrace the practice.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, for example, has started a subsidiary company, Companion Global Healthcare, to offer medical tourism services to individuals and businesses. Hannaford supermarkets in Maine recently added an international option for hip replacements to its health care plan, administered through Aetna.

At the moment, however, the bulk of medical tourism candidates are uninsured and underinsured individuals paying their own bills and looking for low-cost alternatives to American care. Medical tourism advocates argue that the quality of care overseas is often equal to or better than that of the United States. Many countries have high success rates, American-trained English-speaking doctors and the newest facilities, which are often built specifically to attract foreign patients.

But so far there are no comprehensive data that adequately compare overseas surgical outcomes or other quality measures to those used in the United States, said Dr. Sharon Kleefield of the Harvard Medical School and an expert on overseas health care quality measures. “No matter how high your hospital is rated, there are issues with regard to quality and safety when you travel for medical treatment,” she said.

The American Medical Association, also worried about the risks associated with overseas medical travel and the difficulty in getting adequate follow-up care, issued guidelines on medical tourism last June.

With those cautions in mind, here’s what you need to know if you are considering an international medical option: Determine whether you are a good candidate. “Traveling for surgery is a big deal,” said Josef Woodman, author of “Patients Beyond Borders: Everybody’s Guide to Affordable World-Class Medical Tourism.” Recovery time is often compressed, and a long flight home can cause complications like a blood clot. You’ll need to provide a thorough health history and have a physical stateside before you go to make sure you can withstand the trip.

Mr. Woodman also points out that not every condition should be treated overseas. “Orthopedic and nonemergency heart procedures have some of the highest success rates,” he said. “But with something like cancer, you need the ongoing relationship with your oncologist and health care team.”

Get a reliable middleman. Dozens of medical tourism facilitators and planners have sprung up in the past decade hoping to capitalize on the growing trend and simplify the process for consumers. “Unfortunately, plenty of unreliable firms have sprung up, too,” said Jonathan Edelheit, president of the Medical Tourism Association, a nonprofit organization made up of hospitals and facilitators that cater to traveling patients. .

Good firms, said Mr. Edelheit, will match your medical needs with the best overseas hospitals and physicians; make your travel, lodging, visa and local transportation arrangements; handle billing; and help arrange follow-up care when you return. Once you narrow down your search, ask each potential firm for references and former patients you can interview.

Check out quality yourself. Although medical tourism firms will say they work only with the highest quality international hospitals and physicians, you’ll still need to check the records for yourself. Don’t be swayed by the luxurious private hospital rooms, gourmet food and other amenities splashed on the Web sites. You want to be sure you’re going to a hospital accredited by the Joint Commission, the organization that reviews both American and international medical and dental facilities, using United State standards.

Be sure to read carefully, a commission spokeswoman, Elizabeth Zhani, warned. You may find a facility’s name on the accreditation list, but it may be that only an affiliated lab or ambulatory clinic is accredited, not the entire facility.

“Keep in mind that commission accreditation is the floor, not the ceiling,” said Dr. Kleefield. You’ll want to ask your own questions about the facility’s blood safety, medication safety, infection rates and unexpected morbidity rates for the procedure you’re undergoing, and discuss the data with your American doctor.

Just as you would in the United States, you’ll want to interview the physician handling your case before you arrive. Ask if he or she was trained in the United States and fluent in English, how often he or she has done the procedure you’re traveling for, and what the long-term outcomes have been. Conducting this interview on the phone or via e-mail beforehand will also help you establish a rapport with your doctor before you go under the knife.

Arrange your follow-up care in advance. “The biggest stumbling block with medical travel is getting care when you return,” said David Boucher, chief executive of Companion Global. Doctors will often balk at treating complications from an overseas surgery because they are unfamiliar with the procedures or prosthetics used or they are worried about liability.

Meet with your general practitioner and any specialist who may have been treating you before you go, said Dr. Ted Epperly, the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians: “They’ll be able to provide your medical records, either electronically or on paper, to your overseas doctors.”

Give your doctors in the United States specific details on where you are going for your procedure and contact information for your overseas doctors. And be sure to ask what medical records and information you need to bring home to complete your care. Finally, before you leave, do your best to arrange a phone or e-mail conference between your doctors at home and abroad so communication will be established before a problem arises.

The New York Times

Costa Rica Cosmetic Surgery

2009-06-21T22:26:00.000-07:00

Cosmetic Surgery in Costa Rica: Quality Health Care at a Price You Can Afford

Now you can finally get that procedure you’ve always dreamed of at an exceptionally reasonable price. With a wealth of skilled surgeons and state-of-the-art medical facilities, Costa Rica is internationally recognized as a top-notch medical tourism destination. Find out how you can benefit from some of the best cosmetic surgeons in the world, without breaking the bank.

Why Costa Rica?

With its beautiful scenery, friendly locals and temperate climate, Costa Rica has long attracted travelers in search of adventure and relaxation. What many are quickly realizing is that Costa Rica is much more than an eco-tourism destination. It is also home to highly trained physicians that provide quality health care at a fraction of the cost compared to the United States and Canada.

Each year a growing number of tourists visit Costa Rica to receive cosmetic surgery on what have been dubbed ¨medical vacations¨. In an era of rising health care costs and decreased medical coverage, the concept of combining surgery with travel has taken off.

The last decade has seen a boom in the health tourism sector in Costa Rica, especially in the area of plastic surgery. The country’s excellent reputation is directly linked to the professionalism of its internationally-trained doctors and array of cost-effective procedures. In fact, cosmetic surgery is so affordable that the total cost of a medical vacation in Costa Rica including airfare, accommodations and a few days of sightseeing is often far less than the procedure alone would cost in the United States. Plastic surgeries cost a third or even a fourth of what they do in the U.S., without compromising quality or results.

Modern Hospitals & High Standards of Care

Over a million Americans partake in medical vacations every year, and thousands are drawn to Costa Rica’s modern hospitals and private clinics which have Board Certified surgeons, many professionally trained in North America or Europe. They offer patients a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures using the latest technology, at affordable prices.

A face lift in Costa Rica costs around $3, 000 while the same procedure in the States costs anywhere from $7,000 to $15,000. International hospitals are staffed with fully certified bilingual surgeons that cater to foreigners seeking superior medical care. Additionally, the Costa Rica Board of Plastic Surgery offers prospective clients a list of certified and credentialed physicians who are members of the association.

Board Certified Surgeons

Our cosmetic surgeons are recognized for their commitment to cutting-edge techniques in all cosmetic surgery procedures. They have received extensive training in Costa Rica, North America and Europe. Most have been in practice for over a decade and specialize in procedures ranging from body contouring and breast reconstruction to brow and face lifts. Our doctors were some of the first to practice the SmartLipo procedure in Central America, beginning in 2005.

They offer personalized follow-up care, visiting patients several times after surgery to review progress and addressing any concerns. The surgery center has top-of-the-line facilities, including modern recovery rooms, a spa and wonderful post-operative care.

http://www.costarica.com

Costa Rica Economy

2009-06-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica's economy is 64.8 percent free
Costa Rica's economy is 64.8 percent free, according to our 2008 assessment, which makes it the world's 49th freest economy. Its overall score is 0.2 percentage point higher than last year. Costa Rica is ranked 11th out of 29 countries in the Americas, and its overall score is higher than the regional average.

Costa Rica scores well in investment freedom and government size. The economy ranks above average in six of 10 areas. Personal and corporate tax rates are moderate, and tax revenue is fairly low as a percentage of GDP. Other factors, including trade freedom, where it boasts a low average tariff rate, also score moderately well.

Costa Rica could improve its monetary freedom and financial freedom. State-owned banks dominate the financial sector. The court system, while transparent and not corrupt, is extremely time-consuming and complicated.

Background:

Costa Rica is a democracy but does not enjoy robust democratic capitalism. Since 1980, economic growth has been hurt by staggeringly high interest rates, heavy debt service requirements, 18 percent average annual inflation, and a bloated public sector. Former President Oscar Arias (1986–1990) was narrowly elected for a second time in February 2006 and pledged to break up state monopolies in telecommunications, utilities, petroleum, refining, banking, insurance, and social security pensions. His gradual and heavily regulated "openness" approach to privatization, however, has lacked momentum. Arias promises both to balance the budget and to ratify by referendum the already signed Central America–Dominican Republic–United States Free Trade Agreement in 2007. Costa Rica is the only CAFTA–DR partner for which the agreement is not yet in force. Hard-left Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has supported opponents of the agreement.

Business Freedom - 59.7%

The overall freedom to start, operate, and close a business remains limited by Costa Rica's national regulatory environment. Starting a business takes an average of 77 days, compared to the world average of 43 days. Obtaining a business license requires less than the world average of 234 days. Bureaucratic procedures discourage entrepreneurial activities, and the process for closing a business is relatively lengthy.

Trade Freedom - 81.8% Costa Rica's weighted average tariff rate was 4.1 percent in 2005. Despite an electronic one-stop import and export window and other improvements, customs processing procedures remain complex and bureaucratic. Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, some export controls, service market access restrictions, peak tariffs, export promotion programs, and issues involving the protection of intellectual property rights add to the cost of trade. An additional 10 percentage points is deducted from Costa Rica's trade freedom score to account for these non-tariff barriers.

Fiscal Freedom - 82.9%

Costa Rica has moderate tax rates. The top income tax rate is 25 percent, and the top corporate tax rate is 30 percent. Other taxes include a general sales tax and a tax on interest. In the most recent year, overall tax revenue as a percentage of GDP was 13.6 percent.

Freedom from Government - 87.4%

Total government expenditures, including consumption and transfer payments, are moderate. In the most recent year, government spending equaled 20.5 percent of GDP. A state-led economic development model has generated relative prosperity, but the complicated structure of state agencies is costly. Privatization is slow in the face of popular opposition.

Monetary Freedom - 67.9%

Inflation is relatively high, averaging 12.1 percent between 2004 and 2006. Relatively unstable prices explain most of the monetary freedom score. The government controls the prices of goods on a basic consumption list, including energy, petroleum, telecommunications, and water. An additional 10 percentage points is deducted from Costa Rica's monetary freedom score to adjust for measures that distort domestic prices.

Investment Freedom - 70%

Costa Rica has one of Central America's better investment climates and treats foreign and domestic investors equally. A few sectors, such as insurance, telecommunications, hydrocarbons, and radioactive materials, are reserved for state companies; a few others, such as broadcasting and electrical power generation, require participation of a certain number of Costa Ricans. There are no restrictions on land purchases, although some expropriation of land owned by foreign investors has occurred. Political and economic stability and a skilled workforce are inducements, but litigation and dispute resolution can be protracted and costly. There are no controls on capital flows, but reporting requirements are mandatory for some transactions. There are no restrictions or controls on the holding of foreign exchange accounts, readily transferable and available at market clearing rates, by either residents or non-residents.

Financial Freedom - 40%

The 15 private banks in Costa Rica's government-influenced financial system operate freely, but the three state-owned banks dominate the sector and account for 54 percent of assets. About half of the private banks are owned by foreign investors, and dollar-denominated lending is common. Nearly all Costa Rican banks have significant offshore banking operations. Credit is available on market terms, but the government retains considerable influence over lending, especially for projects deemed to be in the public interest. Accounting is transparent and compatible with international norms. The state-owned Instituto Nacional de Seguros monopolizes insurance, but other institutions may sell its underwritten policies. The pension system is partially privatized. Capital markets are small, and most trading involves government debt.

Property Rights - 50%

The judicial system can be slow and complicated. Contracts are generally upheld, and investments are secure, but it takes an average of more than 1.5 years to resolve a contract-related legal complaint. Resolution of squatter cases can be especially cumbersome; the system quickly recognizes rights acquired by squatters, especially when land is rural and not actively worked. Enforcement of laws protecting intellectual property rights is often ineffective.

Freedom from Corruption - 41%

Corruption is perceived as present. Costa Rica ranks 55th out of 163 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for 2006. The government does not assign nearly enough resources to enforce anti-corruption laws, regulations, and penalties. Some foreign firms have complained of corruption in the administration of public tenders.

Labor Freedom - 66.8%

Relatively flexible employment regulations could be improved for further employment opportunities and productivity growth. The non-salary cost of employing a worker is high, but dismissing a redundant employee is relatively costless. Regulations on modifying working hours are flexible.

The Heritage Foundation
http://www.heritage.org/Index/country.cfm?id=CostaRica

Costa Rica Free Trade

2009-06-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica Min: Ready To Begin China Free-Trade Talks
SAN JOSE (AFP)--Costa Rica is prepared to negotiate a free trade deal with China next year, the foreign trade minister said here Monday ahead of a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao next week.

"The ministry now has enough criteria" to support negotiating a free trade deal with China, Marco Vinicio Ruiz told journalists here, adding that the decision could be announced next Monday to coincide with Hu's presence, in the highest-level visit by a Chinese official to the country.

Ruiz dismissed fears from local businesses of an invasion of Chinese products on the tiny Costa Rica market under a free trade deal.

"It would be difficult for more products to enter than already enter" from China, Ruiz said, underlining the potential Chinese market of 1.3 billion people and China's GDP that has grown an average of 9% annually in recent years. The trade balance has favored Costa Rica up until now, with $848 million of exports last year, compared with $763 million of Chinese imports.

More than 90% of Costa Rica's current exports to China are in integrated electronic circuits, but the country also exports coffee, fruit and vegetables, jams, leather goods, switches and semi-conductors. China, meanwhile, exports products including textiles, footwear, iron and steel, plastic, machinery and equipment, vehicles and furniture.

A trade deal would increase Chinese imports by 10%, and exports to China by 16%, the minister said, adding that he would like to begin negotiations in the first quarter of 2009. Costa Rica, the only Central American country to hold diplomatic relations with China rather than Taiwan, would be the third Latin American country to negotiate a free trade deal with China, after Chile and Peru, which hasn't yet concluded its accord.

Costa Rica broke off more than 60 years of relations with Taiwan when it began diplomatic ties with China on June 1, 2007.

Costa Rica's congress meanwhile was due to debate Tuesday reforms of intellectual property laws, the last step before entering a free trade deal between the U.S., the Dominican Republic and Central America

Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement

2009-06-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

Ending 4-year battle, Costa Rica approves CAFTA
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rica is finally ready to join the Central American Free Trade Agreement after a four-year battle in the nation's congress.

Costa Rica signed the trade accord in 2004 along with the rest of Central America, the United States and the Dominican Republic. But its official entry in CAFTA has been stalled by lawmakers. They overcame the final hurdle Tuesday by approving laws dealing with intellectual property.

Costa Rica's president has applauded the move. His office is working on the final paperwork now. The deal takes effect in Costa Rica on January 1st.

Associated Press
Nov. 11, 2008

Costa Riica Money Transfer

2009-06-21T22:16:00.000-07:00

Xoom.com launches Money Transfer Service Directly to any Banco Uno, Banco Cuscatlan (now Citibank) Account in Central America

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- November 19, 2008 – Xoom.com, the fastest growing online money transfer company, today announced the launch of their Bank Deposit service to Banco Cuscatlan, Banco Uno, now Citibank, in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica. Consumers in Costa Rica can now use their home computer to send money to the bank accounts in Central America. Xoom.com electronically debits the sender’s US bank account and credits the recipient’s bank account in less than fifteen minutes.

We recognize that consumers are searching for more convenient and secure ways to send money to Central America and Xoom’s online Bank Deposit service meets these needs.” said Julian King, Xoom SVP of Marketing and Corporate Development.

“We are excited to offer this convenient service to the Central American community in the United States through our affiliation with Xoom.com, an innovative company that facilitates on-line money transfers safely. In Banco Cuscatlan and Banco Uno (recently acquired by Citibank) we pride ourselves in offering our extensive network to all the beneficiaries of family remittances.” said Jose Eduardo Luna, Head of Citibank Products in Central America.

With Xoom.com’s Bank Deposit service, money sent directly to a bank account in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica during business hours usually arrives in 15 minutes.

In addition to Bank Deposit, Xoom customers can send money to their beneficiary for Cash Pickup at more than 1,800 locations throughout Central America, including Remesas Familiares Cuscatlan, Aval, BAC Credomatic, Banco Ficohsa, Banco Agromercantil and other trusted local partners.

Customers can send money to Central America starting at just $2.99*, and can choose from a variety of ways to fund the transaction online, including a U.S. checking account , a credit card or with a PayPal account.

Sending money with Xoom.com is safe. Xoom provides money transfer services to deliver peace of mind for both senders and receivers. Xoom.com ensures that financial transactions processed through their system are highly secure as the company uses state-of-the-art technology to protect the client’s personal data.

Xoom offers money transfers to 17 countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay Uruguay and Jamaica.

Costa Rica Trade

2009-06-21T22:13:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica Wary of Trade With China

SAN JOSE -- Costa Rica's manufacturers are asking to be excluded from the free trade treaty the Central American country plans to negotiate with China in a process set to begin in January.

The head of the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica, or CICR, Juan Maria Gonzalez, told a press conference that there are very few sectors that can provide a profit for Costa Rica industry within the trade accord with China.

Gonzalez said that Costa Rica has much to lose by agreeing to a treaty of this kind with the giant Asian nation and should push for a partial accord in which the market is opened up only to certain sectors and products.

"An FTA (free trade agreement) puts all sectors on the negotiating table. A treaty of this kind with a manufacturing country like China limits the decisions on the future of local industry, and therefore we ask for the sector to be excluded" from it, he said.

The CICR says that a treaty with China "is not appropriate" because that country still has some of the bad habits of a centralized economy, including little experience with the regulations of the World Trade Organization and, above all, it has not been able to establish effective health and safety controls for its exports.

In addition, the "artificially low" prices of Chinese products would represent unfair competition for Costa Rica's domestic producers, the CICR says. EFE

Latin American Herald Tribune

Costa Rica Insurance

2009-06-21T22:11:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica: Major Insurance and Reinsurance Developments in 2008
15 January 2009
Article by M. Machua Millett

Although all of the Latin American jurisdictions had notable regulatory and market developments in 2008, Costa Rica stands out as particularly significant given the the fundamental nature of the developments seen there in the past year.

Opportunity and Risk in a "New" Market
While relatively small in comparison to the major Latin American insurance markets, Costa Rica is the largest insurance market in Central America (excluding Panama). The country also has a uniquely diversified economy for the region, has experienced rapid annual growth in the insurance market (between 15% and 46% annual growth in recent years) and still has a relatively low insurance penetration rate (2.6%). Prior to 2008, however, the country had maintained a government monopoly over the insurance market through the Instituto Nacional de Seguros ("INS").

In August 2008, however, new legislation was passed in Costa Rica and signed into law by president Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez that ended the more than eighty-year-old state-sponsored monopoly over the Costa Rica insurance business. While the new Ley Reguladora del Mercado de Seguros opens the insurance market to private competition from domestic companies and foreign companies with local branches, it also contains prohibitions and increased penalties that may come as a surprise to any foreign insurers that do not carefully review their activities in connection with any Costa Rican risks.

Costa Rica Telecommunications

2009-06-21T22:08:00.000-07:00

I.C.E., Costa Rica's Largest Telecommunications Operator, Awards Airspan Networks a $12.5 Million WiMAX Contract
I.C.E. Costa Rica Has Undertaken a Substantial Residential and Business Subscriber Expansion of Next-Generation Advanced Services in the Country With Airspan's WiMAX Productsbr> January 20, 2009: 08:00 AM ET

Airspan Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN), a leading provider of WiMAX-based broadband wireless access networks, announced today that I.C.E. (El Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) of Costa Rica, the country's main telecommunications operator, has awarded Airspan Networks a follow-on order worth approximately $12.5 million through its local partner, Datatell (Datatell 3000 de Costa Rica), for a network expansion and the deployment of several tens of thousands of CPEs (customer premises equipment).

The network, operating in the 3.5 GHz band, is made up of Airspan WiMAX Forum® Certified HiperMAX base stations and a combination of ProST outdoor installed CPEs and EasyST self-install desktop units. Together, the equipment will compose a large WiMAX network offering a broad range of next-generation applications.

"Airspan is excited to continue to supply I.C.E. of Costa Rica with solutions for their WiMAX network. We have been working closely with Datatell to ensure that I.C.E. receives the best comprehensive solution, not only for the actual WiMAX equipment, but also for network installation, management and maintenance as well as radio planning. We look forward to an on-going strong relationship with the company and to continuing to help them quickly achieve their growth objectives," stated Amit Ancikovsky, Airspan's Vice President and General Manager, Americas.

Eric Stonestrom, Airspan's President and Chief Executive Officer, added, "Incumbent carriers such as I.C.E. continue to select Airspan to solve their broadband connectivity needs. We are helping these operators quickly deploy field-proven networks whether overcoming challenging terrain, serving diverse demographics, or providing a quick return on aggressive business models." Stonestrom continued, "Despite the challenging economic times, the business case for wireless broadband connectivity around the world remains compelling. Airspan's combination of strong customer focus and award-winning products continue to create value for our customers."

About Airspan Networks Inc.
Airspan is a leading WiMAX pure player and the solution-provider of choice for some of the world's largest WiMAX deployments. Developing leading-edge technology for broadband access and IP-telephony, Airspan continues to supply operators around the world with best-of-breed solutions. With direct sales offices throughout Asia, EMEA and the Americas, a worldwide network of resellers and agents, and partnership alliances with major OEMs, Airspan boasts over 100 commercial WiMAX deployments worldwide. www.airspan.com.

Costa Rica Foreign Business Investment

2009-06-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

US Companies see Costa Rica as attractive for start-up and expansion

Costa Rica has seen a surge of foreign business investment and expansion interest this year. While there has been some scaling down, the need to find cost effective solutions for growth, Costa Rica has been attacking new businesses.

An example is Arcus, who is setting up a news solution center here in Costa Rica. This week Arcus announced the opening of a Near-Shore Solutions Centre in San José Costa Rica.

Arcus is investing more than us$2 million dollars to begin its operations in Costa Rica.

An internationally recognized talent management solutions company, founded in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Arcus announced that it is finalizing its expansion plans to open its Latin American headquarters in ULTRAPARK, in Heredia.

Arcus has signed a five year lease for space in ULTRAPARK and has applied for Free Trade Zone status.

As well, Arcus is one of the 27 companies attending the bilingual job fair this weekend with its eyes on hiring a staff of 70 in areas of desktop support specialists, administrative assistant, call centre agents, sales representatives, research specialist, recruiters, and project managers.

The bilingual job fair

The job fair consists 27 firms looking to hire 3,500 bilingual people will man booths at a free job fair Friday through Sunday in the National Center of Culture (CENAC) in downtown San José.

The fair, will feature call centers, medical device companies and firms that specialize in Web design, marketing, publicity and software development.

Companies such as Amazon.com to Procter & Gamble will send recruiters looking for engineers, accountants, programmers, multimedia and graphic designers, translators and people with finance backgrounds.

Costa Rica Business Tourism

2009-06-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica's pull factor for business tourism is set to get a needed boost this month

Costa Rica's pull factor for business tourism is set to get a boost this month, industy sector reports.

Latin America's congress consortium, COCAL, is hosting a major business event in San José Costa Rica from March 10 to 14, inviting some 250 companies dedicated to drawing conferences and other business events (see www.cocalcostarica2009.com/bienvenida.htm.)

Better than 14 percent of Costa Rica's travellers are here travelling on business, Leonel Bonilla said. Leonel Bonilla president of the Association of Professional Organizers of Congresses and Related Events of Costa Rica. He said, costa rica currently has “inadequate development in the business tourism field in relation to other Central American countries.”

Guatemala, Panama and El Salvador have concentrated their efforts toward attracting business events, building convention centers big enough to house major international congresses. These countries also have created specific policies directed at promoting themselves as prime business travel destinations, Bonilla said.

Costa Rica will take advantage of its “natural attractiveness, international prestige, strategic location and air travel accessibility” to improve its standing in the market, he said.

Several leading marketing companies, such as Day Group Services, has reported an increase in business inquiriers, and requestes for business cunsulting services from American based business looking to move operations here to Costa Rica, to take advantage of the many opportunities Costa Rica has to offer. These include an inexpensive, highly educated, young workforce, Free Zone, as well as an attractive, real estate market.

Costa Rica Technology Park

2009-06-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

China to invest in new technology park in Costa Rica

The global economy may be grinding to a halt, but investment from China continues to pour into Costa Rica.

Days after President Oscar Arias laid the first stone of the new, $83 million, China-financed National Stadium, the eastern power announced this week it would help finance a new science and technology park in Costa Rica. The park, the location of which has yet to be determined, will be modeled after a similar technology and development hub in Shanghai, China, which Arias visited in October 2007. According to Competitiveness Minister Jorge Woodbridge, the aim of the project is to develop Costa Rica's potential in several fields of technology, industry and science.

The project aims to “improve the level of competitiveness in the country,” especially in areas of innovation and productivity, Woodbridge said.

While some reports have estimated the project will cost $65 million, the minister said such projections were premature.

“We don't have an exact cost yet because (the project) will be divided into five phases,” he said. “This first (phase) will have a cost of $20 million, and includes biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology and mechatronics.”

Nanotechnology involves engineering at a molecular scale, while mechatronics refers to a combination of mechanical and electronics engineering.

Woodbridge added that the amount of China's investment is currently under negotiation, and the project would include financing and investment from Costa Rica's private sector as well. The project will also be a collaborative effort with the country's four public universities, the Technology Institute of Costa Rica, National University, University of Costa Rica and State University at a Distance.

Two locations, one in the eastern suburb of Curridabat and the other in Heredia, north of San José, are under consideration as potential sites for the park. Woodbridge said a time frame for development would be given once a location is selected.

By Patrick Fitzgerald
Tico Times Staff
www.ticotimes.com

Costa Rica Foreign Trade

2009-06-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Arias calls for Mexican Business Investment in Costa Rica

On his official visit to Mexico, Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, urged Mexican businessmen to take a look at what Costa Rica has to offer, to consider Costa Rica in their investments.

The Costa Rican foreign trade office, Procomer, signed a deal with its Mexican counterpart, Proméxico, with the objective of fomenting stronger trade relations between the two nations, increasing co-operation and exports.

"As you know, tomorrow (today) we will face in the field. Many Costa Ricans have come to Mexican soil, whispering the Mexican ranchera that says: “y volver, volver, volver…” (and back, back, back). But if tomorrow (today) we are contenders, the day after tomorrow will play again on the same team. The day after tomorrow, we will work together to ensure development and progress of our nations. The day after tomorrow, we will continue looking for better ways to protect our people from a devastating world economic crisis that we have created, but which affects us with particular cruelty by our commercial links with the United States. The day after tomorrow, we will again be two brotherly nations and you, the national teams of our private sector, in charge of ensuring greater exchange between Mexico and Costa Rica", said Arias to his audience.

Arias added that now, more than ever, both countries should exchange goods or end up exchanging problems and exporting people.

The Costa Rican president invited the Mexican businessmen to understand the benefits of Costa Rica to invest, a country with no army, with a high level of education of its people and a country who loves peace and one of the most open economies in Latin America and the oldest democracy in the region.

Valentín Diez Morodo, president of Comce, told the audience that despite a free trade agreement between Mexico and Costa Rica, Costa Rica only buys 5% from Mexico and sells it only 8% of its exports.

Arias said that many governments of Latin America have steered away free trade and direct foreign investment, with the rhetoric of anti imperialism and self sufficiency.

"The few countries were we believe in the benefits of free trade, we have to be heard. We have to deepen our economic ties and demonstrate, even though in a time of international crisis, it is better to walk together than separate", said Arias.

Costa Rica Trade

2009-06-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica focuses on closer commercial ties

ISTANBUL - Costa Rica is looking to develop closer commercial and political ties with Turkey, says Serhan Süzer, Costa Rica's honorary consul in Istanbul. Bilateral trade grew from $8.1 million to $57.2 million between 2000 and 2006.

The Republic of Costa Rica is looking to develop closer commercial and political ties with Turkey, according to the honorary consul of the Central American nation in Istanbul.

Serhan Süzer said that albeit trade between Turkey and Costa Rica has grown notably over the past eight years to reach the current volume of approximately $60 million a year, there is no free trade agreement between the two countries.

"We are actively working to increase trade volume between the two countries, which still is quite minor," Süzer told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review last week. "We are also keen to examine the potentials for a free trade agreement between Turkey and Costa Rica."

Closer political relations include plans for a Costa Rican official delegation to visit Turkey next year. "An official visit would strengthen bilateral ties further and create the right environment for closer cooperation in the future," Süzer said.

Bilateral trade between Turkey and Costa Rica grew from $8.1 million to $57.2 million between the years 2000 and 2006, according to Turkey's Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade. Trade volume between the two countries has largely been in Costa Rica's favor, whose imports to Turkey totaled $9.63 million in 2006, whilst Turkey's exports to Costa Rica stood at $47.5 million.

Süzer expects the range of exports from Turkey to Costa Rica to become more diverse in the future. At present, export items from Turkey include mainly steel and iron, engine vehicles, tomatoes, tractors and dry foods. "White goods, textiles, pharmaceuticals and beverages are among the products Turkish firms can export to Costa Rica and capture a market share there. We expect the number of Turkish firms exporting to Costa Rica to increase from the current dozen or so to 20 once the world economy starts healing. Several new entrants to the market have already showed their interest in the Costa Rican market," Süzer said.

Market for coffee imports Costa Rican firms, on the other hand, have a major opportunity to increase their trade volume further by taking part in Turkey's growing coffee culture, a market inadequately explored, Süzer said.

The main items imported from Costa Rica to Turkey currently include bananas, pineapples, cigars and information technology products.

"One major opportunity not yet explored enough by Costa Rican firms is exporting coffee to Turkey. Coffee is the third most important export of Costa Rica and known for its high quality throughout the world," Süzer said. "In Turkey, on the other hand, coffee consumption has been on the increase in the past years, but imports have been mostly from Brazil. This means notable business opportunities."

2009-06-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

Alvarion Bags $6 Million WiMAX Contract from ICE of Costa Rica
By Rajani Baburajan TMCnet Contributing Editor

Alvarion, a provider of Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX (News - Alert)) and wireless broadband solutions, has bagged a $6 million contract from ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad), a Costa Rica incumbent operator for telecommunications and electricity.

As per the agreement, Alvarion (News - Alert) will execute a turnkey project to offer broadband services, deploying its 4Motion solution with its WiMAX Forum certified BreezeMAX 2500 platform. The Costa Rica incumbent operator is using the 2.5 GHz frequency band.

The 802.16e network rollout is expected to commence in San Jose Costa Rica and the rural areas of Limon. Telerad is Alvarion's local partner for this turnkey project. The project will enable ICE to increase its network performance while providing customers with advanced means of communication.

As part of the project, Alvarion will offer thousands of customer premises equipment (CPEs), radio planning, system integration and configuration support, maintenance services at customer premises, training courses, and more to ICE.

“We are eager to bring the advantages of WiMAX to the people of Costa Rica and look forward to working closely with ICE to increase adoption in the country,” said Tzvika Friedman, president and CEO of Alvarion.

“We are committed to the growing market in Latin America and intend to leverage our vast experience in the region to offer exciting and innovative options for broadband communication,” Friedman added.

Meanwhile, Alvarion, which has delivered over 200 commercial WiMAX deployments worldwide, is strengthening its global presence. The broadband solutions provider has recently announced that Linkem, Italy’s wireless broadband service provider and nationwide WiMAX license holder, will deploy WiMAX across Italy using Alvarion’s 4Motion solution for the 3.5 GHz frequency band.

Commenced in October 2008, the first phase of the project provides voice and data services to businesses and vertical markets. In this contract, Alvarion’s offering includes BreezeMAX base stations, CPE, and WiMAX embedded PC cards.

Linkem holds WiMAX licenses in thirteen regions across Italy, which covers over 80 percent of the entire Italian population. Linkem will deploy mobile WiMAX networks in both rural and urban areas, and connect all thirteen regions to high-speed broadband access and services by 2013.

TMCnet.com

Costa Rica Insurance

2009-06-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica: Major Insurance and Reinsurance Developments in 2008
15 January 2009

Article by M. Machua Millett

Although all of the Latin American jurisdictions had notable regulatory and market developments in 2008, Costa Rica stands out as particularly significant given the the fundamental nature of the developments seen there in the past year.

Opportunity and Risk in a "New" Market
While Costa Rica is relatively small in comparison to the major Latin American insurance markets, Costa Rica is the largest insurance market in Central America (excluding Panama). The country also has a uniquely diversified economy for the region, has experienced rapid annual growth in the insurance market (between 15% and 46% annual growth in recent years) and still has a relatively low insurance penetration rate (2.6%). Prior to 2008, however, the country had maintained a government monopoly over the insurance market through the Instituto Nacional de Seguros ("INS").

In August 2008, however, new legislation was passed in Costa Rica and signed into law by president Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez that ended the more than eighty-year-old state-sponsored monopoly over the Costa Rican insurance business. While the new Ley Reguladora del Mercado de Seguros opens the insurance market to private competition from domestic companies and foreign companies with local branches, it also contains prohibitions and increased penalties that may come as a surprise to any foreign insurers that do not carefully review their activities in connection with any Costa Rican risks.

Costa Rica Telecommunications

2009-06-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

I.C.E., Costa Rica's Largest Telecommunications Operator, Awards Airspan Networks a $12.5 Million WiMAX Contract

I.C.E. of Costa Rica Has Undertaken a Substantial Residential and Business Subscriber Expansion of Next-Generation Advanced Services in Costa Rica With Airspan's WiMAX Productsbr> January 20, 2009: 08:00 AM ET

Airspan Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRN), a leading provider of WiMAX-based broadband wireless access networks, announced today that I.C.E. (El Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) of Costa Rica, the country's main telecommunications operator, has awarded Airspan Networks a follow-on order worth approximately $12.5 million through its local partner, Datatell (Datatell 3000 de Costa Rica), for a network expansion and the deployment of several tens of thousands of CPEs (customer premises equipment).

The network, operating in the 3.5 GHz band, is made up of Airspan WiMAX Forum® Certified HiperMAX base stations and a combination of ProST outdoor installed CPEs and EasyST self-install desktop units. Together, the equipment will compose a large WiMAX network offering a broad range of next-generation applications.

"Airspan is excited to continue to supply I.C.E. of Costa Rica with solutions for their WiMAX network. We have been working closely with Datatell to ensure that I.C.E. receives the best comprehensive solution, not only for the actual WiMAX equipment, but also for network installation, management and maintenance as well as radio planning. We look forward to an on-going strong relationship with the company and to continuing to help them quickly achieve their growth objectives," stated Amit Ancikovsky, Airspan's Vice President and General Manager, Americas.

Eric Stonestrom, Airspan's President and Chief Executive Officer, added, "Incumbent carriers such as I.C.E. continue to select Airspan to solve their broadband connectivity needs. We are helping these operators quickly deploy field-proven networks whether overcoming challenging terrain, serving diverse demographics, or providing a quick return on aggressive business models." Stonestrom continued, "Despite the challenging economic times, the business case for wireless broadband connectivity around the world remains compelling. Airspan's combination of strong customer focus and award-winning products continue to create value for our customers."

About Airspan Networks Inc.
Airspan is a leading WiMAX pure player and the solution-provider of choice for some of the world's largest WiMAX deployments. Developing leading-edge technology for broadband access and IP-telephony, Airspan continues to supply operators around the world with best-of-breed solutions. With direct sales offices throughout Asia, EMEA and the Americas, a worldwide network of resellers and agents, and partnership alliances with major OEMs, Airspan boasts over 100 commercial WiMAX deployments worldwide. www.airspan.com.

Costa Rica Banana Export

2009-06-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica expects EU offer on bananas next month
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Costa Rica expects the European Union to make a new offer on bananas next month in an attempt to resolve the world's longest-running trade dispute, Foreign Trade Minister Marco Vinicio Ruiz said on Friday.

Settling the row would end a decades-long dispute that has poisoned relations among dozens of countries and remove an obstacle to an overall deal in the World Trade Organisation's Doha round to free up global commerce.

It would also help foster trade ties between Europe and Latin American countries grouped in the Central American Customs Union, which is negotiating a trade deal with Brussels.

"It's been told (said) in this same week that the EU will make an offer, will do something, in February," Ruiz told Reuters after arriving in the Swiss ski resort of Davos for the World Economic Forum following talks in Brussels.

"I definitely believe that the EU wants to solve the problem," he said. Ruiz said officials from Ecuador, the world's biggest banana exporter, had heard the same thing. He met officials from Ecuador during his trip to Brussels.

Costa Rica is the coordinator at the WTO of the tropical products countries, a group of mainly Latin American farm exporters. The EU's banana import regime offers preferential access to its markets for the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, a large group of mainly poor developing countries that are mostly former European colonies.

Under WTO pressure, Brussels has tried to reform the system, but the Latin American countries including Costa Rica say it is still unfair.

The two sides reached a deal on the sidelines of a meeting of ministers last July seeking a breakthrough in the Doha talks.

But the ACP countries and the EU producers in the French Caribbean and Spanish Canary Islands objected to the deal. When the July talks collapsed, the EU walked away, saying it was linked to a Doha agreement.

The Latin Americans say it was a separate pact.

OBSTACLE TO BROADER DEAL

The bananas row could block the broader trade deal because Doha proposals would allow both slower tariff cuts on produce from poor ACP countries and steeper cuts on tropical produce from the Latin Americans.

The two groups need to decide which produce goes on which list. The Latin Americans have dropped some products that were under contention, but bananas remain a target for both groups.

Pressure on the EU to settle the dispute grew in November when the WTO's top court ruled yet again against the EU. Ecuador said last month it could exercise its right to impose trade sanctions on the EU if the row is not resolved.

The dispute is an embarrassment for the EU, which supports the rules-based trading system represented by the WTO.

Under the regime introduced in 2006, Brussels charges a tariff of 176 euros a tonne on Latin American bananas while letting in ACP fruit duty-free.

The WTO ruled this was discriminatory and said the previous EU regime, which admitted a quota of 2.2 million tonnes of Latin American bananas with a tariff of 75 euros a tonne, was still in force.

Last July's deal would have cut the tariff to 148 euros this month with further cuts to 114 euros by 2016.Costa Rica waits resolution.

Costa Rica Produce

2009-06-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

Costa Rican tomatoes bound for U.S. market

“Costa Rica is lining up to fill a gap between the winter and spring tomato greenhouse deal,” said Paul Mastronardi, executive vice president for Kingsville, Ontario-based Mastronardi Produce Ltd., which is marketing the imported tomatoes.

Mauricio Blanco, president of the greenhouse group exporting the tomatoes, the Association of Crop Producers under Controlled Medium, Alfaro Ruiz, Alajuela, Costa Rica, said 15 growers plan to ship tomatoes this season, and by next year, 22 more growers are scheduled to join the ranks.

Blanco said the tomato deal begins in May and ends in October.

The deal involves tomatoes from 25 acres this season, and growers are building 15 more acres of production for next season, Blanco said.

The association plans to export 100,000 kilograms — about 220,000 pounds — of tomatoes in the first six months, he said.

Costa Rica’s tropical climate gives it some advantages over Canada and Mexico, Mastronardi said.

“Canada and Costa Rica grow at different times of the year and Costa Rica can get product into the southeastern part of the U.S. faster than Mexico,” Mastronardi said.

Another advantage — Costa Rica has steady temperatures.

“In Mexico you could be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the day. That doesn’t happen in Costa Rica,” Mastronardi said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allowed imports of tomatoes and peppers from Costa Rica for three years, but it wasn’t until earlier this month that its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service approved a rigorous phytosanitary program, said Melissa O’Dell, public affairs specialist for APHIS, in an e-mail.

“We have shown for the past three years that we have good handling practices,” Blanco said.

Costa Rica Business

2009-06-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica Business

2009-06-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

Arias calls for Mexican Business Investment in Costa Rica

On his official visit to Mexico, Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, urged Mexican businessmen to take a look at what Costa Rica has to offer, to consider Costa Rica in their investments.

The Costa Rican foreign trade office, Procomer, signed a deal with its Mexican counterpart, Proméxico, with the objective of fomenting stronger trade relations between the two nations, increasing co-operation and exports.

"As you know, tomorrow (today) we will face in the field. Many Costa Ricans have come to Mexican soil, whispering the Mexican ranchera that says: “y volver, volver, volver…” (and back, back, back). But if tomorrow (today) we are contenders, the day after tomorrow will play again on the same team. The day after tomorrow, we will work together to ensure development and progress of our nations. The day after tomorrow, we will continue looking for better ways to protect our people from a devastating world economic crisis that we have created, but which affects us with particular cruelty by our commercial links with the United States. The day after tomorrow, we will again be two brotherly nations and you, the national teams of our private sector, in charge of ensuring greater exchange between Mexico and Costa Rica", said Arias to his audience.

Arias added that now, more than ever, both countries should exchange goods or end up exchanging problems and exporting people.

The Costa Rica president invited the Mexican businessmen to understand the benefits of Costa Rica to invest, a country with no army, with a high level of education of its people and a country who loves peace and one of the most open economies in Latin America and the oldest democracy in the region.

Valentín Diez Morodo, president of Comce, told the audience that despite a free trade agreement between Mexico and Costa Rica, Costa Rica only buys 5% from Mexico and sells it only 8% of its exports.

Costa Rica Business

2009-06-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

INTEREST RATES IN DOLLARS VS. COLONES OF COSTA RICA Due to the strong inflationary acceleration registered in the last years, the ability of the banking system in Costa Rica to compensate this variable has decreased considerably, producing what is known as real negative rates. This means inflation in higher than the rates offered by banks therefore, occurring a loss in value of the investment and the buying capacity.

Even, the rates in dollars offered by the banking system, when translated to colones don’t allow compensating the strong acceleration the prices had in 2008. Anyhow, this investments must have the devaluation rate added, that in average has been placed between a 7 and 8% in the last years. Due to this the investors can obtain a better result by changing its positions from colones to dollars, and investing in deposit certificates in dollars and then returning to Costa Rica colones. Definitely if your investment strategy contemplates the participation in the banking market, the deposits in dollars are the best option. Besides the average six months rate in dollars in offered by the local banks placed around 4,77% annually. A deposit certificate in a US bank at a similar terms receives an average of 1,75% annually, which makes it for investors much more interesting than investing money in those instruments in the national market.

THE BANKING MARKET In Costa Rica, this market has the particularity that it is mainly of “reportos” (repos), since around 85% of the daily volume traded in the National Stock Market, corresponds to these instruments, which are none other than the interchange of securities between individuals with a promise of returning in a future time. For the professional investor this is an excellent way to manage its excess of cash flow, with interesting returns in the short run in both colones and dollars. A company can obtain near between a 5 to 8% in 30 days in dollars, and a10-13% in Costa Rica colones in a term of ten to less days.

Coosta Rica Ecological News

2009-06-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

Eco News New Frog Species Discovered in Costa Rica

University of Costa Rica scientists discovered a new species of frog in a mountainous region of their country. The frog is about 2 cm. in length and lives in the Altamira-Valle de Silencio area of Costa Rica at an altitude of around 8,000 feet. The habitat there is rainforest with cool temperatures.

The frog was named Diasporus ventrimaculatus. Females are black and the males are orange, or grey.

“This differentiation in the skin of males and females was a feature that had only been detected in Costa Rica in the late golden toad of Monteverde,” said the biologist from the UCR, Gerardo Chaves.

Males typically make their calls in the early evening. Females don’t vocalize in exactly the same manner, but respond with vocalizations that sound like hissing. Currently the population is estimated at at least 1,000. They live at ground level between bromeliads and shrubs.

Costa Rica Health News

2009-06-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

Health NewsMedTrava partners with Hospital Clinica Biblica in Costa Rica

The MedTrava Group, a Texan medical tourism agency, has partnered with Hospital Clinica Biblica in Costa Rica to offer patients seeking overseas health care a high-quality, low-cost health care option that is only a few hours away from the US.

MedTrava offers all-inclusive medical, cosmetic and dental packages at savings of 50-80% over the skyrocketing costs of healthcare in the US. Based in Austin, Texas, the company has assembled a network of pre-screened, internationally accredited healthcare providers around the globe.

Poonam Dhawan of MedTrava says, “We are growing our network with providers that have the solid understanding and infrastructure to serve foreign patients and enable us to offer a greater selection of health care options of top quality medical care at substantially low prices – a welcome reprieve for our uninsured, underinsured and even insured clients. Adding JCI-accredited Clinica Biblica of Costa Rica to our network gives our patients another option that lives up to the high quality control standards. Given its proximity to the US and Canada, Costa Rica is an attractive medical tourism destination.”

Providing a comprehensive set of door-to-door services, the agency organizes every aspect of the patient’s medical journey overseas, from connecting with them with qualified providers, arranging the travel details, and even ensuring a personal patient care manager to assist the patient at the medical destination.

Hospital Clinica Biblica offers patients a wide variety of leading-edge medical procedures and treatments at affordable prices, just two and a half hours from Miami. It is an internationally accredited hospital based in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Restaurants

2009-06-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

Dining in Costa Rica
Home > Family > Holidays > Articles > Dining in Costa Rica

For travelers, dining in a foreign country can be a challenge, but for many – especially die-hard “foodies” – sampling the local cuisine is often an important part of the vacation experience. Dining in Costa Rica can be quite varied, basically because the country has traditionally been such a melting pot of cultures. That means you’ll find quite a variety of cuisine in restaurants located throughout the country, including traditional fare (called “tipico”), Chinese, African, and many others.

Dining in Costa Rica isn’t terribly different from dining in the rest of North America. Unlike Europeans, who tend to eat dinner late, Ticos – as native Costa Ricans are called – eat lunch between about 11 am and 2 pm and dinner between 6 and 8 pm, much like Americans and Canadians. Small diner-type restaurants – called sodas, which serve local food, generally stay open from about 11 am until 11 pm. There are some restaurants that remain open 24 hours a day, but those tend to be popular chain restaurants that you might find elsewhere in North America.

The city of San Jose is where you’ll find the most restaurants as well as the biggest variety. The capital city has everything from coffee shops to deli-type establishments where you can buy a quick sandwich to five-star restaurants that serve fine cuisine and the atmosphere to go with it. Other large cities have fewer choices and in the remote coastal and inland areas, it’s often difficult to find a restaurant.

Dining on Local Foods
Eating meals in Costa Rica needn’t be too adventurous as you can always find common food like pizza and burgers, if that’s your preference. However, there are some wonderful local foods that should be sampled while visiting the country, even in small quantities if you’re not too daring.

The staple of nearly every traditional Costa Rica meal is rice and beans, but not necessarily the kind you’d associate with other Central America countries, like Mexico – where the food is much spicier. You’ll even find rice and beans on the breakfast menu – look for gallo pinto – where you can have them with eggs, meat, or seafood. At lunch and dinner, rice and beans is again served with meat and often a cabbage salad and some fried plantains, all combined to form a dish known as a cosado. The ingredients of the cosado vary according to what the soda has on hand that day.

Ticos love their meat and Costa Rica is full of cattle ranches, providing plenty of good beef to supply the country’s restaurants. One of the most popular uses for beef is in a meal called Olle de Carne, which is similar to a hearty beef vegetable soup and usually contains potatoes, squash, corn, plantains, and yucca. Chicken is widely served as well and diners can find such favorites as Arroz con Pollo – chicken with rice and local vegetables.

Of course, with two coasts, dining in Costa Rica should include a sampling of the fine local seafood. Sea bass – called corvina – is a very widely-served fish as is tuna, mahi-mahi (sometimes called dorado), and red snapper. Shell fish isn’t as popular as much of it is exported out of the country and what’s left tends to be overpriced.

The fruit and vegetables in Costa Rica are top-notch as well. Some tropical fruits will be foreign to many visitors and should be enjoyed in moderation so as to avoid stomach problems. Expect to find mangoes, pineapples, various melons, passion fruit, star fruit, and plenty of bananas. Juices served in restaurants are usually fresh-squeezed and very tasty. Vegetables aren’t quite as plentiful and varied. One of the most popular salad items served on most menus is the palmito or heart of palm. Usually boiled and chopped, it’s generally mixed with other salad greens. Cabbage is also a common side dish as are tomatoes.

Desserts are pretty simple. As in Mexico, the custard-like dish known as flan is served often at restaurants and in the home, as are pound cakes, often accompanied by pieces of tropical fruit.

As far as beverages are concerned, most independent restaurants as well as those in hotels or resorts offer bottled water to their customers, even though the water supply in Costa Rica is generally considered to be safe. It’s best, however, not to take any chances. Diners can order sparkling water or the regular, non-bubbly kind.

Alcohol is served at many restaurants. Beer is quite popular, especially German varieties, but North Americans will find some Canadian and American brews there as well. South American wines are much more popular than those from the U.S. or Europe. Guaro, the national liquor of Costa Rica, is used in a number of different alcoholic concoctions, usually mixed with a soft drink like Coca-Cola or with tonic water for a very sweet flavored drink.

Finding a Good Restaurant in Costa Rica
Again, where you eat in Costa Rica might be determined by just how adventurous you are when it comes to dining.

Most of the country’s upscale resorts and hotels have very good restaurants, often the highest-rated in Costa Rica. Here you’ll find some local foods but also lots of steaks and chicken. Prices tend to be high at most of these establishments.

As is true for any destination, the best places for dining in Costa Rica are the sodas that come highly recommended by the locals. Ask any Tico where to dine and he’ll probably lead you to a small café in an out-of-the-way place that you might never consider had it not been recommended by a knowledgeable local. Often, the prices are quite low, the selection wide, and the food always fresh. You usually won’t find these places on internet restaurant guides and they’re often not indicated on any tourist maps. But if you give them a chance, you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised with the outcome and will walk away knowing that you sampled the best in local cuisine.

Costa Rica Hotel

2009-06-21T00:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Bergerac Small Luxury Hotel Costa Rica

This very popular, charming and intimate luxury hotel, with its wonderful tropical gardens, has 26 unique and attractive rooms many with their own private garden patios.

Created in the style of a small French Inn this hotel is highly recommended by Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet and all leading travel publications.

Located in Los Yoses, the old embassy district of San Jose Costa Rica, this beautiful hotel is only minutes from the attractions of downtown and is an excellent base for exploring the Central Valley and for traveling throughout Costa Rica

Accommodations available at the hotel include smaller standard rooms, superior and large deluxe rooms with patios

A free tour and travel service, together with advice and recommendations, is provided to hotel guests by our English, French and Spanish speaking senior staff.

Our reputation for outstanding and friendly service combined with the very relaxed and elegant ambience, is the reason why so many of our guests always return to this charming hotel in beautiful Costa Rica.

Please take a moment to review the full details of our small hotel.

Listen to what our guests have to say:

"We can not visit Costa Rica without returning to the Bergerac. From the minute of stepping through the door to the minute of leaving we were made to feel welcome, the ever helpful staff were always on hand to assist and advise. We were amazed at how peaceful a hotel in the centre of a busy city could be with beautifully furnished rooms surrounded by colorful tropical gardens. We spent a wonderful three weeks in Costa Rica thanks to the Bergerac staff having arranged an exciting trip for us along the Pacific coast. From booking our internal flights to the car hire and finding amazing jungle lodges for us to stay in they arranged everything for us. Thank you for making our visit such a memorable one - we will definitely be back.

Chris & Sue Perrett
Pyrford, Surrey, England
March 21th, 2007

Costa Rica Travel

2009-06-21T00:04:00.000-07:00

Southern Expeditions - Dominical Costa Rica

Southern Expeditions is located in Dominical Beach Costa Rica, in the Osa area, south of Quepos and Manuel Antonio. It has always been a famous surfing area, because of a steady swell and waves almost every day of the year. However, Dominical is now also quiet popular among ecotourists and people looking to discover the South Pacific Coast, including Caño island, Corcovado, Marino Ballena and many other areas.

Southern Expeditions now offers many tours:

Kayaking Marino Ballena
Corcovado 1 Day
Caño Island 1 Day
Kayaking Hatillo Mangroves
Scuba Diving Caño island
Crocodile Tour in Sierpe River
Whales and Dolphin Tours

Where to stay ?

You can stay at any of the Hotels located on the strip between Dominical and Sirpe and Southern Expeditions will pick you up at the hotel.

To contact Southern Expeditions:

www.southernexpeditionscr.com
E – MAIL: expedicionessur@racsa.co.cr
Tel: 506 7870100

Following a list of 3 of the most popular tours and its descriptions:

CORCOVADO 1 DAY TOUR DESCRIPTION

We depart early in the morning in our comfortable van from Dominical, taking the Costanera Highway along the Pacific Ocean for about 90 minutes to Sierpe in Costa Rica. We will stop there to have breakfast (not included).
We will then take a comfortable 90 minute boat ride through the largest area of mangrove swamps in Central America to Caño Island. The mangroves are inhabited by crocodiles, snakes, four species of monkeys, and a great variety of birds. Once through the Sierpe River mouth we'll boat past two of the most scenic areas in the country, Drake Bay and the Marenco Biological Reserve. We will hope to see Humpback, Pilot and Killer Whales along the way.
When we get to the park our bilingual naturalist guide will lead you on a 3 hour walking tour of a pristine primary forest. The hike ends at the rangers station where we will provide a delicious picnic lunch surrounded by rich natural atmosphere.
Departure Time: 6:00 am Return Time: 6:30 pm
What to Bring: Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock, sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera, plastic bags, extra water bottle, set of extra clothes, and atowel. And don’t forget your prescribed medicine if you take any.

SNORKELING CANO ISLAND Costa Rica TOUR DESCRIPTION

We depart early in the morning in our comfortable van from Dominical, taking the Costanera Highway along the Pacific Ocean for about 90 minutes to Sierpe. We will stop there to have breakfast at the Oleaje Sereno Restaurant (not included). Please bring money for the breakfast as it is not provided as part of the tour.
We will then take a comfortable 90 minute boat ride through the largest area of mangrove swamps in Central America to Caño Island. The Mangroves are inhabited by crocodiles, snakes, four species of monkeys, and a great variety of birds. Once through the Sierpe River Mouth we'll boat past two of the most scenic areas in the country, Drake Bay and the Marenco Biological Reserve. Along the beautiful coast we'll keep an eye out for Dolphins as well as Humpback, Pilot and Killer Whales.
After arriving at the island we will snorkel for an hour in the crystal clear waters, followed by a tasty picnic lunch. We offer several options for the second part of the trip: 1) Hike up the trails to the archeological cemetery where your professional guide will tell you about the significance of the stone spheres. 2) Another session of great snorkeling or 3) Stay on beach; as you prefer. Finally, we’ll start heading back to Dominical, returning you to your hotel.
Departure Time: 6:00 am Return Time: 6:30 pm
What to Bring: Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock, sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera, plastic bags, extra water bottle, set of extra clothes, and atowel. And don’t forget your prescribed medicine if you take any.

SCUBA DIVING CANO ISLAND TOUR DESCRIPTION

Departing early in the morning in our comfortable van, through the Costanera Highway, along the Pacific Ocean for about 1 ½ hour, up to the town of Sierpe. There, we'll stop for 30 minutes to get Breakfast (Not Included). After that, aboard a cozy & cover boat that will take us for the first 45 minutes, on Sierpe River, through the major concentration of Mangrove Swamps of Central America, meanwhile we maybe able to see some of the wildlife on the river sides, later, we get to the open ocean.
When we get to the diving spots our professional Dive Master will briefly go over with the first dive intinerary and some instructions to make your dive even more enjoyable. After the first dive is done, we'll be dropped off on the island for a delicious Picnic Lunch, than will take you out for the last dive always hoping that the second one will be better that the first one. After this second part of the tour, we'll head back to Dominical.
Departure Time: 6:00 am Return Time: 6:30 pm
What to Bring: Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock, sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera, plastic bags, extra water

WHALES AND DOLPHINS TOUR DESCRIPTION

Departing early in the morning in our comfortable van we'll drive down the Costanera Highway and along the Pacific Ocean for about 1 ½ hour to the town of Sierpe . There, we'll stop for 30 minutes to eat a tasty breakfast (not included). After breakfast we will board our cozy boat and cruise for 45 minutes down the Sierpe River through the largest Mangrove swamp in Central America , watching the abundant wildlife along the shores.
Once through the Sierpe River mouth and into the Pacific Ocean we will start our search for some of the 5 species of Dolphins, Whales and/or possibly the Sea Turtles that inhabit these waters. Your guide will illustrate the trip with interesting facts about these fascinating mammals and their Natural History. The spectacular views of Drakes Bay , Caño Island and Violines Island will amaze you. When you get hungry we will prepare a delicious picnic lunch and then get back to Dolphins and Whales watching. Around 3:00 p.m. will start to head back to Sierpe and to Dominical.
Departure Time: 6:00 am Return Time: 4:30 pm
What to Bring: Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock, sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera, plastic bags, extra water bottle, dry clothes to change into, and a towel. And don’t forget your prescribed medicine if you take any.

Costa Rica Soccer

2009-06-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica Hosts US in Key World Cup Qualifier

The U.S. Men's National Soccer Team takes on host Costa Rica Wednesday in a final round World Cup qualifying match for the North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region. The U.S. leads the group standings, but has never won a qualifier in Costa Rica, whose team could take over the top spot with a victory. The United States is trying to reach the World Cup for a record sixth consecutive time.

The match will be played in Costa Rica Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, where the team known as "Los Ticos" enjoys a strong home field advantage. The venue is infamously loud. The playing surface is artificial turf and its boxy design puts the seats at a steep angle, making it seem as though the 24,000, chanting, stomping, drum-beating fans are almost on top of the field.

While such an atmosphere could present an intimidating and nerve-racking experience for the visiting squad, U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley has a positive outlook about the game. He says a win in Costa Rica is a good example of something his team still wants to achieve.

"Costa Rica has had great success at Saprissa Stadium. It is loud, and they are very comfortable there. They have great confidence there. And certainly we are aware that we have never won there. We know these kind of games require a real commitment as a team, a good game plan, and finally just good efforts on the day. It is a big challenge, but one that we are very excited about," Bradley said.

As for the slick, plastic field, "players will tell you that the game is not the same on artificial turf. It think we always feel that the game is best, on a very good natural surface," he said. "The game on artificial turf depends on a few things. One is the quality of that turf? The second factor is, is the turf dry? Has it been wet down? Is it raining? These are all things that affect the speed of the game, the bounces, it affects how much give there is in terms of players, when they are cutting or going to the ground," he added.

Wednesday's match in Costa Rica is game four of 10 final round qualifying matches for the six-team CONCACAF region. Game five against third place Honduras is Saturday in the U.S. city of Chicago, where the Americans will have a heavy home field advantage. The United States has not lost at home to a regional opponent in 52 straight games since 2001.

Coach Bradley says the U.S. has had a good start in its qualifying matches, but the team is aware that Costa Rica and Honduras also have played well so far.

"We certainly view these two games as being very, very important. Quite obviously, Costa Rica and Honduras are tough opponents. We feel very strongly that we have a great opportunity now to put ourselves in a good position as we go into the last five matches," Bradley said.

Mexico, El Salvador, and the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago are the other three nations in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group. The top three teams will earn berths in next year's World Cup tournament in South Africa.

Costa Rica Travel

2009-06-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

4 Kms Does Not A 6 Lane Highway Make

After some 30 years of planning, start and stop and then start again, last week the expansion of the autopista Fernando Prospero and the highway to Caldera in Costa Rica, was officially inaugurated, although there still remains entire sections of first phase of the highway to be completed.

Many will agree that the expansion of the section between the Gimnasio Nacional (east end of the Sabana park) and Multiplaza in Escazu Costa Rica was badly needed. And that six lanes, three in each direction, would alleviate the daily congestion.

Before the beginning expansion and reconstruction of that section of the highway, transport officials hyped the frenzy about a six lane highway, which, unless we misunderstood the hype, the entire section between San Jose and Santa Ana was to have been six lanes.

Over the past 18 months, watching the progress of the construction, it was evident that this six lane highway would be a interesting one in Costa Rica.

So, lets take a short mental trip on the highway to see where are really the six lanes that were promised along the 18 kilometre section of the highway.

From the Gimnasio Nacional the Cirvunvalacion, the newly repaved highway, with nice shiny new lines, reflectors and a pedestrian overpass, is only four lanes - two in each direction. The same it was before all that money was spent to resurface a section of road that was not that bad to begin with.

On the west side of the Circunvalacion, the roadway now widens to three lanes in each direction, and continues to the Escazu intersection were the road widens to four westbound lanes, but only two are for through traffic. On the eastbound side, only two of the four lanes are also for through traffic, as two lanes are for traffic coming from Escazu Costa Rica.

Moving on, we come to the toll booths where the road now widens to 14 lanes or more, this to permit traffic in both directions to speed through 14 toll booths in each direction.

West of the toll booths, the highway becomes six lanes (once the bridge construction is complete), the only real six lane section of the highway, right up to Multiplaza, when the highway then narrows back to two lanes all the way to the Piedades de Santa Ana exit.

Thus, the only six lane section of the highway is about 4 kilometres. And in our opinion that does not a six lane highway make.

Yes, the road concessionaire has added some items like three overpasses - one at Sabana, the other two, one east and one west of Santa Ana (both still under construction) - bus bays, new signs and line painting that includes reflectors.

However, how long will they last if the past policy of no road maintenance is continued? And will the bus drivers, which are second to taxi drivers, as kings of the road, obey and make their stops at only the approved bus stops?

And then there are dozen or more access to and from the highway from local commercial centres and then the new Guachipelin intersection.

And to add insult to injury, drivers will be charged almost five times and more the old toll for basically the same highway and we suspect the same congestion, especially around the Escazu intersection, where lines weave traffic in a "go kart" type of course.

Drivers of passenger vehicles will pay ¢310 colones - in each direction - and then another ¢160, again in each direction, if continuing past Santa Ana.

The old toll on basically the same road, with the same dangers and poor design, was ¢75 colones at Escazu and only for westbound traffic.

We suspect that many will feel that the new tolls are too expensive and will opt for the only alternate route from Escazu to Santa Ana, the "calle vieja", which about the only time that it is not congested is early Sunday morning.

U.S. Aid Cut Nicaragua

2009-06-20T23:53:00.000-07:00

U.S. Aid Cut To Nicaragua Hurts

Managua - Since the United States decided last week to cut its aid for Nicaragua, leaders and government of the Latin American country have been under fire as the move affects the life of tens of thousands of people.

The board of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. taxpayer-funded operation to fight poverty in developing nations, announced last week it had cut 62 million dollars from a program for Nicaragua, citing concerns about democracy, rule of law and a free market economy.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega accused U.S. ambassador Robert Callahan of trying to unite "oligarchy political forces" in the country.

Meanwhile, Nicaraguan politicians and businessmen from the opposition blamed directly the president, who rejected the blame by saying that the opposition went to the U.S. to lobby for the aid cut.

Roger Arteaga, leader of the American-Nicaraguan Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), said what Nicaraguan businessmen from the opposition did was to lobby for the aid continuity.

The unfinished quarrel has no way to change the reality that thousands of Nicaraguan peasants are to be affected because they are not going to get credits.

When the 62-million-U.S. dollar aid for pending projects in Nicaragua was canceled, the construction of three highways and the handing in of some 30,000 title deeds were suspended.

Ortega announced that his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez would give about 50 million dollars, through the Bolivian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), to continue these projects.

More than 15 million dollars will be allocated to more than 140,000 families in the west of Nicaragua, 19 million dollars will be used to build highways, and a bit more than 16 million dollars will be used for the construction of two rural roads, Ortega said.

The Nicaraguans, mainly the opposition, ask whether Chavez' promise enough to continue the projects.

Eduardo Montealegre, a Nicaraguan politician, said the Venezuelan cooperation would be only on paper.

Montealegre also doubted the transparent management of the resources since the ALBA aid was said to be managed by a private company, whose character, according to him, would reduce the credibility of the aid.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation was created on Jan. 23, 2004, when Ortega was leader from the opposition. The U.S. program has also developed in countries like El Salvador, Honduras, and Bolivia.

"They (the United States) compromised with the people and with me, because I was not president of Nicaragua when the corporation was created," Ortega said.

The corporation has assisted the milk industry and tax collection programs in the west of Nicaragua, while its credits have benefited more than 5,000 businessmen on their careers.

Costa Rica Logistics Center

2009-06-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

Georgia Tech To Open Logistics Center in Costa Rica

The Georgia Institute of Technology on Aug. 20 will open a center in Costa Rica aimed at improving foreign trade by helping companies there get products to market faster and more efficiently.

The Georgia Tech Trade Chain Innovation and Productivity Center, which will be located in San Jose Costa Rica, is designed to teach graduate students and company executives how to improve supply chains and logistics. It will also serve as a research center in those fields, said Don Ratliff, executive director of Tech’s Supply Chain & Logistics Institute.

The president of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias Sanchez, is expected to attend opening ceremonies for the center as is Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson.

Tech is also considering opening other centers, starting in Panama and Chile, said Dr. Ratliff. “The plan is to have a network of these centers around the world starting with Latin America,” he said.

Tech already has a center in Singapore, the Logistics Institute Asia-Pacific. The Costa Rica program will be different in that it will have a stronger focus on improving foreign trade, said Dr. Ratliff.

Corporate supply chains and logistics have become complex, highly technical fields that might make an average consumer’s eyes glaze over but at the same time can make or break a company, particularly during economic downturns.

“Inventory ties up capital, and with the credit crunch, capital is hard to get,” said Dr. Ratliff. “There’s a lot of emphasis right now on not having a lot of inventory. If you don’t have a lot of inventory, you need to have a smooth running supply chain. The smoother the supply chain, the less inventory you need to have.”

The United States has long been a leader in supply chain management, with companies like Wal-mart Stores Inc. and Home Depot Inc. concentrating on it heavily, said Dr. Ratliff. Georgia Tech has been offering classes in the field since the 1940s.

Transferring that knowledge and experience to other countries will benefit all trading partners, including the U.S., he added.

“Supply chains and logistics are fundamental to trade,” said Dr. Ratliff. “It would be impossible for anyone to be good at trade that doesn’t have good supply chain and logistics capabilities.”

The new center in Costa Rica, funded by a private donor, will be housed in a building shared by the Costa Rican Chamber of Industries. It will have three full-time employees initially. There will be a constant exchange of students and staff between the center and Tech’s Atlanta campus.

“It gives a chance for Georgia Tech students to go there and for their students to come here, an interchange of faculty, all those kinds of things,” said Dr. Ratliff.

Costa Rica Restaurants

2009-06-20T23:44:00.000-07:00

Family Cottage-Turned-Restaurant
Offers English Charm in Santa Ana Costa Rica

To find a restaurant not overlooking a concrete jungle is a joy indeed. La Casita Inn of Costa Rica maintains the rural feel of Santa Ana, a typical country town about 20 minutes southwest of San José Costa Rica that has been hit by nonstop development. Over a period of time, I watched the renovation of this old country cottage and a new construction go up in the abandoned garden. Where a flock of sheep used to graze, an organic garden now flourishes and supplies the restaurant with fresh herbs and veggies.
See more...
Pizza, Pasta and Charm on the East Side

For a pizza lover, the name La Posada de la Pizza (Pizza Inn) will evoke delightful images of melted cheese, garlic, olive oil and floury crusts sliding together in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere here in Csota Rica.

Costa Rica Culture

2009-06-20T23:41:00.000-07:00

Violinist Visits to Promote Music Ed

World-renowned Japanese violinist Midori Goto will be stringing along Costa Rica music aficionados this month when she comes to the country for a week to promote musical education.

Virtuosa: Renowned Japanese violinist Midori Goto arrives in the country this week to promote musical education and to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica next weekend.

Photo courtesy of Culture Ministry

In addition to meeting with organizers of music programs and giving lessons to some gifted and fortunate students, Midori, as she is known in the classical music world, will be performing with the National Symphony Orchestra in two concerts at the National Theater next weekend. Both will feature Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Brahms' Academic Festival Overture.

Midori's visit is the result of a renewed investment in Costa Rica's music education programs, said Culture Minister María Elena Carballo.

“There is talent everywhere,” Carballo said, adding that music and art instruction are important for the development of intelligence and competence. “This is a way to develop the human capital of the people.”

Midori arrives June 22 in Costa Rica. Her itinerary involves visiting a number of National Music Education System (SINEM) programs around San José and attending a concert put on by children in the surrounding schools.

Five Costa Rica students will be given the privilege of being instructed by Midori on June 25.

“To bring a famous talent here to work with our kids … that is invaluable,” Carballo said.

Midori has played with some of the most distinguished orchestras in the world, and was named by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as a U.N. messenger of peace in 2007 for her work to promote peace through music.

She will perform with the National Symphony Orchestra June 26 at 8 p.m. and June 28 at 10:30 a.m. at the National Theater. Tickets range in price from ¢3,000 to ¢15,000 and are available at the theater's box office or by calling 2221-5341.

Midori is also scheduled to perform with the Youth Symphony Orchestra in a concert for SINEM program parents and students, June 27 at 2 p.m., also at the National Theater.

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Costa Rica Fishing

2009-06-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Action Up, Anglers Down

The weather on the Pacific coast has been typical of “green season” with mostly sunny days, light winds and the occasional evening shower here in Costa Rica. The rain seems to have slowed the fishermen more than the fish. Most captains are reporting good fishing but not enough anglers to enjoy it. It's usually a little slow on the charter docks from May through mid-June. Things will pick up again when summer vacations start in North America.

The fishing up and down the Pacific coast of Costa Rica has also been typical for the season, with more tuna, marlin and roosterfish being caught as well as some sailfish and mahimahi. The action on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica has been good for tarpon when the weather cooperates, and the fishing at Lake Arenal in north-central Costa Rica has been steady.

Northern Pacific

What a Release: Nice marlin release on the Kinembe II out of Quepos.

Photo courtesy of Chris Bernstel

Capt. Lee Keidel of Kingpin Sportfishing reports water temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit, with excellent water color and clarity. The fishing has been good for sailfish, mahimahi, small tuna and wahoo within eight miles of shore. Farther out, the offshore action includes some blue marlin, large tuna and scattered sailfish bite.

The Simmons family did two days of offshore fishing recently with Capt. Richard Chellemi on the Gamefisher II out of Flamingo. They caught six sailfish, seven mahimahi and a nice tuna on day one and a sail, four mahimahi and two nice tuna on day two.

Ralph Solano with Costa Rica Wild Fishing has had good luck kayak fishing in Potrero Bay. Recent catches include a 40-pound-plus cubera snapper and a roosterfish about the same size.

Central Pacific

I fished offshore recently with some friends from the U.S. state of Texas on the Fish Whistle with Capt. Brandon Keene. We fished about 25 miles out in front of Jacó and released 10 sailfish by 1 p.m. We spent the rest of the day using live bait around some logs and current lines, hoping for a blue marlin, but had no luck. A few days later, I went bottom fishing with Keene and his mate Carlos, and we caught a couple of nice roosterfish in the 30-pound range, as well as two dozen snapper and grouper from five to 15 pounds.

Capt. Walter Smith and the guys on the Sunny One caught a 450-pound black marlin using live bait down by a local hot spot that always seems to hold some nice black marlin.

The guys on the Super Fly took a group from the U.S. state of Alabama out for some offshore fishing, averaging six sailfish and a couple of mahimahi each day. That same group went inshore and bottom fishing with Capt. Dana Thomas on the Hoo's Your Daddy and caught a good mix of roosterfish, snapper and grouper.

Capt. Chris Bernstel on the Kinembe II reports some good fishing in Quepos, with a good marlin, mahimahi and wahoo bite as well as some sailfish and yellowfin tuna in the mix.

Capt. Dave Dobbins on the Blue Water II reports a good sailfish and tuna bite in the Quepos area. One lucky angler caught a 250-pound yellowfin on 30-pound fishing line, Dobbins says.

Southern Pacific

Capt. Bob Baker of Golfito Sportfishing reports lots of 10- to 20-pound tuna about 30 minutes offshore. There are a few sailfish, marlin and mahimahi around, but the tuna have been the main target. Inshore anglers have been picking up some snapper, grouper and roosterfish, while from shore some snook have been caught on crank baits.

Northern Region

Capt. Ron Saunders of Arenal Fishing says the weather has been nice and the fishing steady at Lake Arenal. Saunders reports six to 10 catches per day, with many taken on topwater lures. They'll catch mostly machaca one day and mostly guapote the next, he says.

Caribbean

Capt. Eddie Brown on the Bullshark in Tortuguero reports a recent cold front with choppy seas, but tarpon are still outside the river mouth in good numbers. Brown fished before the seas picked up and jumped eight to 10 tarpon per day with two or three releases. They've also been catching some snook in the five-pound range from shore and in the backwater near the river mouth.

Diann Sánchez of Río Colorado Lodge says the fishing continues to be good for tarpon outside the river mouth, despite the recent cold front. She says the cold weather has slowed things for a few days, but the bite will pick back up once it warms up and the sun comes out.

Costa Rica Travel

2009-06-20T23:33:00.000-07:00

No Turtles Needed to Enjoy Turtle Beach Lodge Costa Rica

Turtles, Schmurtles: Turtle Beach Lodge in Tortuguero, on the northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, is a great getaway even in turtle off-season.

In Tortuguero Costa Rica, you expect tourism to revolve around turtles. The turtle-shaped pool at Turtle Beach Lodge, a few miles north of the town on the northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, does little to dispel this expectation.

But a recent stay at Turtle Beach that was well outside the traditional turtle high season proved there is more to the lodge than just turtles. Located on 175 acres, the lodge embodies jungle seclusion. You can explore its garden and trail, take a canal tour or kayak on your own to a nearby lagoon – and if you don't see a turtle, well, it's not the end of the world.

Since 1999, the Lachenman family from the U.S. state of Indiana has owned and operated Turtle Beach Lodge, giving it something along the lines of an extreme makeover. Construction has been “basically constant” from the start, says Jesse Lachenman, 27, who runs the hotel while his parents are in the United States. The pool was built in 1999, the bar and restaurant renovated two and a half years ago, and new blocks of rooms have been added each year. Currently, a new boat dock is in the works.

For now, the lodge features 55 rooms, which Lachenman says “are all basically the same.” The few original rooms are smaller singles, while most others are doubles with at least two beds. The rooms are simple yet comfortable, and the bathroom showers are hot and powerful, a welcome surprise considering the lodge's relative isolation.

On our visit, my companion and I shared a corner room that had two queen-size beds as well as a couch that could double as a third bed. Towels folded in the shape of turtles awaited us on the beds. The rooms come with ceiling fans and are essentially half open-air with expansive, screened windows. Our corner room received a pleasant breeze to offset the jungle heat.

While Lachenman says Turtle Beach receives almost all its business straight from tour companies, packages can be booked on the lodge's Web site for itineraries of two, three and four days. Custom packages are also available.

“We can set up any kind of stay you want,” he says.

For most visitors to Turtle Beach, the journey begins in San José. The hotel picks visitors up early in the morning and transports them over to the Caribbean, with stops for breakfast and tours of Braulio Carrillo National Park and a banana plantation. Then, the voyage hits the water for the two-hour boat ride up the canals to Turtle Beach.

Costa Rica Schools

2009-06-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

Colegio Humboldt races to be
1st carbon-free school in Costa Rica

The children who attend the Colegio Humboldt, a German school in the western San José district of Pavas, have a bright and sunny future ahead of them.

Two German energy companies – Steca Elektronik and Sunset Solar – put the finishing touches on the school's new solar roof this week as part of its efforts to become the first carbon neutral school in Costa Rica. The system, which will generate between 5 and 7 percent of the school's total energy consumption, began generating electricity on Thursday morning.

The project, which was coordinated by the German Energy Agency (DENA), began in March 2009 and cost €90,000. Funding for the installation came from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology in Germany and a private German bank.

Aswin Linsenmeyer, an engineer for Sunset Solar, said the Costa Rica school should see a “return on investment” within 10 years.

The companies installed photovoltaic and thermal solar systems for the school. The photovoltaic system converts solar rays into electricity. Dirk Hasse, member of the school's executive director's board, said the photovoltaic system generates the perfect amount of electricity to power small machines like computers and printers in the school's offices.

The thermal solar system converts sun rays to heat, which is used to heat water. In Colegio Humboldt's case, the hot water will be used in the kitchen, dining hall and gym showers.

Hasse noted that aside from the emissions-free benefit, solar energy provides a great cost-cutting method.

In peak hours, electric rates in Costa Rica are higher. If a building can reduce the amount of energy it uses during these times, Hasse reasons, it can decrease the amount of electricity drawn from the grid and reduce the amount of money spent.

Hasse said, “Why spend so much money on energy when we have sufficient, free energy from the sun?”

Costa Rica Real Estate

2009-06-20T15:56:00.000-07:00

Buying overseas property has become very appealing to many Americans - they're looking at the option of cutting their cost of living by up to 80% by moving abroad.

Today, there are four million Americans living outside of the USA - and more look set to buy overseas property as an investment, second home, or as a place to live.

If you want to buy overseas property, you need to do your homework and look at the big picture.

Firstly, check with the U.S. State Department about the stability, and safety of the countries you may be interested in investing in.

Here are six tips for buying overseas property as an investment:

1. Get Local Help
If you're thinking about buying overseas property, you may want to enlist the help of a local real estate broker to help you with local laws and customs.

When buying overseas property for investment you can't know everything about the local law (unless you are prepared to spend a lot of time) so for the cash outlay, it's worth getting professional help.

2. Count on Paying Cash
To figure out what you can afford to invest in overseas property, assume you can only pay cash. You won't find many mortgage lenders offering you a loan in many countries, such as:

Mexico
Greece
Spain
Russia
Bulgaria
Slovakia
Plus many more countries - property is historically paid for in cash.

If you can't afford to buy property without a mortgage, you'll want to check countries that do offer mortgage facilities. Good choices are - Singapore, Hong Kong and South Africa - but you'll probably still need a 50% deposit for your overseas property investment.

3. Check your Rights
When you buy property in America, you get a warranty title that states that you are the owner of the property. However, if you buy overseas, sometimes the distinction isn't as clear - it depends on the country you're buying in.

For example, someone could come back and make a claim on the land even though you have bought it! This happens a lot in Eastern Europe where World War 2 displaced millions of people, many boundaries changed and fights continue for ownership of property, seized during and after the conflict - be careful.

Another example, is Nicaragua - even though you're a foreigner, you get the same rights as a Nicaraguan resident - but if the Sandinistas get into power, that could all change!

4. Look at the Big Picture
When you buy overseas property, look at how stable the country is now - and how stable it's likely to be in the future - things can change.

5. Property is Cheap for a Reason
If overseas property is cheap - there's a reason for it.

Overseas property investments are cheaply available in Haiti - but of course, you wouldn't invest there. This is an extreme example - but people have an obsession with cheapness - remember it's value and long-term growth potential you're after.

Of course, things can change but don't take a salesman's word for it - some areas will do well but most won't. If you're looking for hot overseas property investments, then they're available in most countries of the world - study all the facts and make up your own mind.

6. Buy in a Market with a Track Record
Don't buy overseas property investments on the basis that the market will take off - buy in a market that's already moving - i.e. prices are already increasing - and look set to continue.

Many property markets touted to take off never do. If you want to be a pioneer go ahead - but remember most of the early pioneers were killed!

You should look for a trend in motion - prices rising, and investment in the country on the increase - as well as good future potential.

Do your Homework
Do your homework when buying overseas investment property - and make sure you take a cool detached view. Study ALL the facts - from legal rights, to future potential - and you can look forward to some great gains.

Costa Rica Living

2009-06-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

People are migrating to Costa Rica in record numbers, and if you’re thinking of retiring, buying a second home, or starting a business - living in Costa Rica is much easier than you may think - and the benefits are huge - and affordable for everyone.

Why Live in Costa Rica?
There are many reasons people choose to live in Costa Rica - and they include stunning natural beauty, a slower paced lifestyle, low crime, great infrastructure - and you get a LOT for your money.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why more people are moving to Costa Rica than ever before:

Property
If you’re moving to Costa Rica, the first thing to consider is the cost of property - and the good news is that it’s cheaper in comparison to the US - with beachfront properties costing up to 75% less! The cost of a three bedroom home starts at just $60,000. Property taxes are minimal, and there’s no capital gains tax when selling your home - and overseas buyers have the same rights as residents, so you’re legally protected.
Hired help is also inexpensive – you can hire a full-time maid for as little as $150 to $200 a month.

Also consider this: A $30,000 home purchased 15 years ago is now worth $800,000 today. Therefore, you can also make money when living in Costa Rica - from the steadily rising property prices – making it an ideal place to buy a second home.

Cost
When you live in Costa Rica you get more for your money - and this is a major attraction, with just about everything being cheaper than in the US. In addition, there’s a favorable exchange rate - and lack of inflation means your money goes further.

The cost of medical care, food, general utilities and entertainment are substantially lower than in the US. You’ll pay up to 70% less for groceries – or you can dine out for about $12.00 a head. Utility bills are also substantially cheaper.
By living in Costa Rica, you get access to world-class healthcare at up to 70% less than back home - and medical insurance is cheap.

If you move to Costa Rica, you’ll find that you can have a comfortable lifestyle for around $2,000 a month.

Lifestyle
Many Americans who now live in Costa Rica, like the slower paced, friendlier lifestyle - where people have time for each other - but you don’t have to give up your home comforts.
Living in Costa Rica means, you can still get a lot of U.S. culture - including excellent shopping, cable TV, and cheap communications.

The infrastructure is simply excellent - and with regular flights to the US that take just 3 hours to most of the southern US cities - you need never feel homesick.

One major attraction of living in Costa Rica though is the weather. Fed up with freezing winters and scorching summers? Then consider this:

Temperatures of 80 degrees during the day, and 60 to 70 degrees at night, make it a comfortable climate all year round.

Living in Costa Rica gives you a wide range of recreational activities, including:

Golf
Fishing
Surfing
Diving
White-water rafting
Alternatively, you may just want to stroll through some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth - well, living in Costa Rica gives you all this and more.

Safety
Latin America is now very popular, but if you’re choosing a country in this area, then living in Costa Rica has advantages over its rivals. Neighboring countries such as Nicaragua, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala are cheaper - but the quality of life and infrastructure are not as good.

Furthermore, safety is a major concern - as petty crime, violent crime, kidnappings, as well as drug wars, are a problem in these countries.

In conclusion, living in Costa Rica gives you a better and safer lifestyle - with something for everyone. Living in Costa Rica is an adventure that can enhance your lifestyle. You’ll only be bored if you want to be - and Costa Rica suits people with ALL budgets.

If you’ve ever dreamed of living in paradise, then you should consider living in Costa Rica.

| Getting Rich in the New Real Estate Boom | Retiring in Costa Rica |
| Living in Costa Rica | Property in Costa Rica | Costa Rica Land for Sale |
| Buying Overseas Property | Costa Rica Property | Costa Rica Land Investment |
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Costa Rica Retirement

2009-06-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Quite simply, social security checks go a lot further in Costa Rica than they do in the US.

Geographical Location For many people retiring to Costa Rica, one of the major advantages is its geographical proximity to the U.S.
Costa Rica is only a few hours flying distance to the southern U.S. mainland. Flights from Costa Rica to the US and Europe are frequent - making traveling easy. In addition, the time difference between Costa Rica and most US cities is just a couple of hours.
Cost of Living Another reason for retiring in Costa Rica is that the cost of living is so much less than in the US.
For example, dining out will cost you around $12, and a maid will cost you just $150 a month. General household items are about 60% cheaper than in the US, and utility bills are also far cheaper. In fact, you can quite easy live comfortably on a couple of thousand dollars a month.
Tax Status When retiring to Costa Rica, one of the major advantages for Americans is its tax haven status - Americans retiring in Costa Rica do not pay income taxes on social security received from the U.S.
Cost of Real Estate When you retire in Costa Rica, you’ll enjoy affordable housing - houses of an equivalent standard to those in the U.S. are available at a far cheaper cost.
While real estate has risen in price over the last few years, you can find small, basic homes from around $80,000 – with a choice of homes to suit your pocket and your lifestyle. Costa Rican law and its constitution protect private ownership of land - and foreign nationals get the same rights as citizens. Costa Rica has a history of stability and democratic government.
The comfort of a stable political environment - as opposed to other Latin American countries, means retiring in Costa Rica gives you peace of mind, due to your legal rights. Of course, if you buy a house when retiring in Costa Rica you become part of the real estate boom, that has seen houses bought for $30,000 15 years ago, rise to around $700,000 today.
HealthcareFor many years, Costa Rica has provided healthcare services to visitors from around the world - where they’ve been able to get world class healthcare at a fraction of the cost of that available in the US and Europe.
When retiring in Costa Rica, most people take out the medical insurance offered by the government’s insurance company - this offers cover at just $900 per year for an adult male, aged between 45 and 50 - and this covers 80% of medical costs!In fact, the United Nations consistently ranks Costa Rica’s health services the best in Latin America - and in the top 20 worldwide.
When retiring in Costa Rica, it’s nice to know that as you get older, you can enjoy some of the best healthcare around - at a fraction of the cost of the US or Europe.
The Country Costa Rica is a very small country of around 32,000 square miles - and a population of only 4 million. Many people retire to Costa Rica for the slower pace of life - and because it’s one of the safest countries in the world. In addition, the infrastructure is first class.
Costa Rica is also a beautiful country with diverse scenery. With stunning sandy beaches, mountains, rolling hills, beautiful lakes and huge volcanoes - Costa Rica is truly a country of beauty and wonder.
Another attraction for many retiring to Costa Rica is the climate. For example, if you want the heat of the beach you can have it. However, if you like a cooler, less humid climate - then you may prefer the "Eternal Spring" of the Central Valley and San José. Here the average year round temperature is in the 80’s during the day – falling to the 60’s or 70’s in the evening.
You Deserve It!

Costa Rica New Highway

2009-06-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

Something just short of a miracle north of Dominical in Costa Rica. Or the sight that residents of the central Pacific coast never thought they would see,But despite a delay of 30 years, more or less, a contractor is paving the Costanera Sur just north of Dominical.The highway section from Savegre to Dominical is 22.6 kilometers (about 14 miles) and the responsibility of Constructora Solís-Sánchez Carvajal of Costa Rica. The contract is for $15.5 million. A similar project is under way between Quepos and Savegre. Consorcio Meco-Santa Fe has that job. The stretch is about 19 kilometers (about 13 miles) and will cost $16.4 million. Deadlines are by the end of the year if bad weather does not intervene.As residents point out, even when the highway is finally paved there will not be much difference because heavy trucks have been using the route for years, except during frequent washouts when traffic could be stalled for a day or more.The Costanera Sur in Costa Rica is one of the great scenic drives of Costa Rica. The road parallels the Pacific the whole distance from Dominical to Quepos. But it has been a gravel washboard. With some new and rebuilt bridges and paving, residents hope they have an all-weather road.

Costa Rica Vacation

2009-06-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio beaches waving the Blue Flags again. The four beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica have regained their Ecological Blue Flag status, the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications Ministry (MINAET) has announced.The Costa Rica Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) last month revoked the Blue Flags, which recognize cleanliness and eco-friendliness in the country's beaches, citing the risk of sewage contamination. But the move was predominately a precautionary measure, as AyA officials said at the time that beaches in the park “remained in good condition.”Health Minister María Luisa Avila gave MINAET an extension through the end of June to implement the plan, after threatening to close down the park because of the poor sanitary conditions.The Blue Flags were returned to the park's beaches after MINAET proposed a plan to rectify the sanitary conditions at the park itself, according to MINAET Vice Minister Jorge Rodríguez. The ministry of Costa Rica will install portable bathrooms for tourists while construction begins on new, permanent bathrooms and a sewage treatment facility for the park.

Costa Rica Hotels

2009-06-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

Jade Residences Condo Hotel & Beach Club, located in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica, began construction in March.
The property is located approximately one mile away from the Manuel Antonio National Park and eight kilometers from Quepos in Costa Rica.
The hotel will have 240 residential designs within an environment of a four-star hotel, along with hospitality services.
Jade is a trademark owned by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and is sharpened to The Registry Collection Exchange Program, the luxury exchange program offered by Group RCI.
Other attractions in this Costa Rica facility will be a private beach club with oceanfront cafe, a bar with lagoon shaped pool, cabanas and a wild river, a luxury resort pool with 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean, cabins and services swimming pool, a lobby with a nine-story atrium and a waterfall of more than twelve meters. This means there is investment in Costa Rica, despite the crisis today.
In addition, a health center, aerobic exercises and 185 meters square, Tico, an elegant Latin fusion food restaurant, a spa, and an area for meetings of more than 550 square meters.
Internal residential
The residential area will have four designs: The Forest - 49 square meters with a bedroom and a bathroom; Miramar - 100 square meters with two bedrooms and two bathrooms; Pacific Blue - 112 square meters with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and Buena Vista - 68 square meters with a bedroom and a bathroom.
Prices for pre-construction range from $ 250,000 to $ 750,000.
To date, Jade has invested about $ 200,000 in water-related improvements in Manuel Antonio. Have also begun local scholarships and training.
Is scheduled to be completed in December 2010.

Costa Rica Construction

2009-06-20T07:01:00.000-07:00

Companies seeking refuge in the segments as a primary strategy for growth.

First sale and financing of housing encourages recovery of both sectors, which begin to lose the fear of financial crisis.
The financial sector and construction are beginning to improve after a long period of losses.
Banks have lost fear, then to increase the credit risk in almost all areas of production. Now they have slightly improved interest rates and restore confidence in the building projects of prime necessity.
This has benefited the construction sector, which has begun to resume activity on their projects. This is concentrated in the Central Valley Costa Rica and the first housing developments mainly found Jaime Molina, president of the ICC project.
“The recovery in the construction sector is a relief for businesses in Costa Rica business and financial strategies to deal with the crisis announced in the world, with investment in projects that maintain quality, luxury and safety,” said Alexander Salazar, administrator of Cortijo Los Laureles, developed by the Real Estate Group Diursa of Costa Rica.
The hope is that in the short-term recovery of these sectors to achieve energize other productive areas, but it is hoped that this process will be slow.
One such case is that of trade, which overcame the dramatic fall he suffered in his business.
He is now in a stable and difficult to measure whether there is improvement or not because it is their low season in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Green Buildings

2009-06-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

Cities in Costa Rica need more green buildings

Climate change in the world that has prompted many to turn trends more friendly to the environment, and construction is no exception.
Designing buildings more “green” requires not only investment, but of vision.
Luis Iturbe, representative for Latin America and the Caribbean of Icynene Inc., a company of foam insulation products, said the main patterns in the construction of buildings of this type.
How can a building be energy efficient?
An energy efficient building should take advantage of the characteristics of the environment that is built to be used as efficiently as the least amount of resources, especially energy.
Among the features there is shading, orientation, and painting, type of windows, doors and materials used in construction.
Who is responsible for the design?
The design must start at the design stage of the building, and that effort must involve all the professionals involved in creating it.
Costa Rica, in particular, what measures should be implemented?
It is important to have an adequate regulatory framework.
In countries other than Costa Rica there are codes or regulations that require buildings to have adequate security to the occupants, the environmental impact is minimal and that the characteristics of energy efficiency are appropriate not only for today’s standards, but to comply with best margins efficiency.
Are there any buildings of this kind?
Yes, there are buildings with efficient and low environmental impact and energy, but it is necessary to disseminate the advances that other countries have with regard to this issue.
While Costa Rica has a wide variety of small buildings to serve the rural eco-tourism is also important in cities large buildings, both public and private, to adhere to the more commonly accepted practice in other countries.
At economic level costs, is more expensive?
In principle, create more efficient buildings could be more expensive, and that’s always the point that most conflicts occur at the building from the developer or investor of the construction and architect.
This conflict tends to fall when the developer, developer or investor is the person who will operate the building. The person who will operate the building as is usually the interest that the building is as efficient and less costly as possible; this may involve some initial cost or investment.
Ultimately, we must consider that cheap is expensive, as a necessarily inefficient building during its life will be more expensive than an efficient but at the installation of insulation, windows, doors, painting eaves and other elements might be considered expensive.
Which countries in Latin America take the lead in the topic?
As an example, Mexico has a legal framework and regulations for the construction of fairly complete, however in the field of application, it is in the hands of each of the country’s municipalities, which makes the task of dissemination and implementation of efficiency standards is more complicated.
Do you consider that Costa Rica may be a carbon neutral country by 2021?
The only way to Costa Rica to become a carbon neutral country in 2021, is to follow all the advances available to achieve that goal. It is absolutely necessary to have the regulatory structure and action.

Costa Rica Hotels

2009-06-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Marriott Residence Inn brand launches in Escazú

Hotel firm expands local presence by targeting long-stay guests.
Costa Rica is the first country outside the United States and Canada which states the format.
The signature Marriott hotel opened this week in Costa Rica the first hotel under the Residence Inn operating outside United States and Canada.
The complex of 109 rooms is located in Escazú within the project Escazú Avenue.
Format is aimed at the segment for long-staying guests. The hotel offers amenities most desired by the corporate market, but is also often chosen by tourists traveling with family.
Being close to the Cima Hospital attracts guests who visit the country for medical tourism, as well, executives who come to relocate to Costa Rica can spend time at the hotel while they find a house, “said Laura Miranda, manager of Marketing for Marriott Costa Rica.
Part of the factors that prompted the decision to invest in the country were the positive results that the company has succeeded with its three other brands in the country, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels and Resort and Courtyard.
The entry into operation in Costa Rica will be the platform for the expansion of the brand internationally.
The construction started in early 2008 and currently has 31 employees and will reach 45 by year-end.
The design was inspired by other lifestyle concept that promotes Avenida Escazú, which is a global trend that offers different services in one place, such as shops, hotels, residences, restaurants, cinemas and offices.
The architecture is contemporary and was designed by Architects companies Trejos Facio, Zurcher Arquitectos and Studio 506.
El diseño interno fue de Marriott y la compañía costarricense Fusión. The internal design and the Marriott was a Costa Rica company merger.
The hotel has suites, study with one or two quarters, fully equipped kitchen, Internet, breakfast, laundry and grocery shopping is complementary. In the common areas there is a gym, swimming pool and meeting rooms.
The expectation that the company is to position the hotel as the place of long stays and comforts at home.
Despite the current situation shows those hard times in the global economy, both Marriott International and local investors decided to continue with the project. “Through the years the growth of Marriott has always followed up despite problems or breaks in the economy,” said Miranda.
Residence Inn is seen as an alternative in these times, it is a moderately priced hotel in addition to many amenities including, said Adolfo Carita, general manager, Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose Escazu.

Costa Rica Jaco Condos

2009-06-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

Condos were delivered in early May.

The proposed mixed Jacó Bay, located in Puntarenas Costa Rica begins construction of its commercial area in December this year.
The total investment in the condominium complex, hotel and commercial will be more than $100 million in a total area of 1,000 square meters.
Jaco Bay Ramada Condominiums and Resort of Costa Rica will feature six local commercial suggested for a medical center, bank, spa, beauty salon, convenience store and laundry.
The sizes of the same will be flexible because the wall construction provides lightweight and easy to move.
The developer of this project is the national Zeta Group de Costa Rica, builds Escosa and markets the company Novatecnia.
The commercial area of Jaco Bay Costa Rica is intended to deliver in June 2009.

Costa Rica Boston Scientific

2009-06-20T06:43:00.000-07:00

Boston Scientific opens second plant in Costa Rica

Boston Scientific, a medical manufacturing industry, opened its second manufacturing plant in Costa Rica. Foreign direct investment may be down as a result of the financial crisis, but a long-planned project that will provide nearly 2,000 new jobs in Costa Rica’s Central Valley by 2011 has come to pass.
Boston Scientific, a top-tier producer of medical devices, opened its second production facility in Costa Rica Tuesday. It is a massive new investment that will provide new jobs to workers across the economic and educational spectrum during the next two years.
With its second facility – located in the Propark free-trade zone in Coyol, near Alajuela – the company has almost doubled its original 2004 investment in Costa Rica.
The nearly $30 million Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building – the first manufacturing building to be certified a “green building” in Latin America – is an airy and well-lighted, sprawling facility of 129,000 square meters.
The company, which already employs 1,700 workers in its Costa Rican operations, expects to double the number of employees during the next two years, said Jorge Perera, the company’s vice president of operations in Costa Rica.
The new jobs will range across the educational spectrum, from highly specialized engineering positions to trained, technical personnel who will piece together the intricate devices for which the company is known worldwide. Some 60 percent of the new employees will be technical workers who are not required to have university degrees.The other 40 percent will be positions that require higher education, Perera said.
d specialized, manual workers,” Perera said. “But it’s not just anyone. They need to have a lot of preparation, so we invest a lot in personnel training.”
At the elaborate opening ceremony, President Oscar Arias spoke of the innovative reputation of not only the company, but of the city of Boston, where he attended Boston University.
“(Boston) is a city where it’s not important the hat on top of your head, but the ideas inside it,” Arias said.

Costa Rica Conservation

2009-06-20T06:35:00.000-07:00

COSTA RICA CONSERVATION

While Costa Rica is lauded for its conservation ethic, environmental concerns remain in the country. Overdevelopment is tied to many issues, including pollution, degradation of ecosystems, deforestation, and soil erosion, while unsustainable fishing plagues coastal waters. Costa Rica wildlife is also directly affected by hunting as crop and livestock pests, predation and displacement by introduced species, and the illegal pet trade.
Alvaro del Castillo with a young kinkajou Many NGOs are working to address these issues. Most in Costa Rica rely on donations. Asís, a group that has developed a community outreach and environmental education program to reduce the number of animals injured, orphaned, and kept illegally as pets in the area around Arenal, a popular tourist destination. Instead of soliciting funds from donors, Proyecto Asís is largely dependent on revenue from its Spanish school and volunteer program. Both programs offer visitors unique learning opportunities and immersion in Costa Rica culture via homestays with local families. Alvaro del Castillo, the project's director, says Proyecto Asís, "deepens the cultural awareness of visitors, creating a more environmentally conscious global citizen." At the same time the initiative fosters greater awareness of environmental issues among local school children and communities. During a March visit to Proyecto Asís, mongabay.com caught up with del Castillo to learn more about the project and its mission.

Costa Rica Volcanos

2009-06-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

As an English tourist coming to Costa Rica, the thought of many volcanoes in such a small country is quite daunting. Well, I can tell you as English born and bred; I do not feel threatened by the volcanoes, living here in Costa Rica, I find them more fascinating. There are 7 historically active volcanoes in total here and all are as unique as the next:
ArenalBased in the province of Alajuela, Arenal was assumed extinct until July 29th 1968 when an earthquake caused the first eruption after 400 years of being dormant. The eruption lasted for several days and as it wiped out the
town of Arenal with all its crops, livestock, the eruption also took the lives of 87 people. It has been active ever since and erupts on average every 48 minutes. Eruptions are classed as not dangerous as they are moderate and very highly controlled. It has become a very popular tourist destination and at night, the spectacular sight of the lava can be seen spewing from the top of the volcano
BarvaAt 9,500 feet above sea level, it is the highest point of the Brauilo National Park and has been dormant for over 300 years now. The volcano is enormous with coffee plantations and small towns down its slopes. Towards the summit, the bio diversity of the cloud forest is not the norm of a normal volcano!
IrazúSituated close to the city of Cartago, Irazú has erupted at least 23 times since its first well-recorded eruption in 1723. It’s most famous recent eruption happened on the day John F. Kennedy began a state visit to Costa Rica in 1963 and it continued for 2 years covering the central highlands with ash. The volcano has been dormant since however earthquake reports show that there is magma still moving under the volcano. It is the highest volcano in Costa Rica and said that on a clear day, it is possible to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean on either side.
MiravallesLocated in the Guanacaste province Miravalles represents activity of an enormous eruption with lethal pyroclastic flows that occurred between 1.5 and 0.6 million years ago. Since then, the only activity has been a small steam explosion in 1946. There is still a high heat flow and it is the location of the biggest geothermal field in Costa Rica.
PoasIt has erupted continuously since 1828 and is in a state of constant mild activity. Most of the eruptions are caused by lava interacting with the water and rarely do eruptions happen above the summits lake. The lake in the crater has a pH of less than 1 and temperatures of up to 85 degrees. It is the only place in the world that can form a liquid sulphur lake on the earth’s surface.
Rincon de la ViejaThe volcano is in the Guanacaste province about 25km from Liberia. The name means “The Old Woman’s Corner” after a myth that a young girl’s lover got thrown into the volcano by her father so she lived her life on the volcano slopes and was credited with powers of healing. The first recorded eruption was in 1765 but pyroclastic flow remains show that eruptions date back to 3500 years ago. The most recent eruption was in 1998 and there have been many since with most eruptions happening in the crater with just smoke and ash billowing into the air.
TurrialbaNames after the area it is located on the Atlantic slop town, Turrialba is one of the few volcanoes in Costa Rica where the visitor can descend into one of the craters. The last major eruption was in 1856 and in 2001 there were reports of increased activity. Standing adjacent to Irazú volcano, they are both among some of the largest peaks in Costa Rica.

Costa Riica National Parks

2009-06-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

The Piedras Blancas National Park
Park Attractions
The Piedras Blancas National Park

This park protects the rainforests and beach areas inland of the Golfo Dulce near Golfito, Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It was once considered to be the Esquinas Sector of Corcovado National Park.Today, efforts are underway to conserve and protect the biological corridor which connects these two national parks. The rainforests, beaches and bays around the northern coast of the Golfo Dulce and the Osa Peninsula - see the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve.
Driving Directions
Travel to the south of the country on the Interamerican highway, about 180 miles from San Jose Costa Rica to Palmar. South of Palmar about 20 miles you will find the turnoff to the La Gamba Esquinas Rainforest, then Piedras Blancas National Park of Costa RicaThe rugged mountains and river basins of the Rio Esquinas and the Rio Piedras Blancas provide a dense evergreen forest that is home to rare tropical trees, birds, mammals and reptiles. This region is true rainforest, receiving up to 200 inches of rain in Costa Rica annually.

Costa Rica Telcom

2009-06-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica Telcom Market

Costa Rica's telecom market is one of the most advanced in Central America. Despite the economic slowdown, mobile telephony is expected to grow strongly in 2009, as the state-owned incumbent ICE prepares to face competition by cornering as much as it can of the market.
In fact, Costa Rica's telecom industry is undergoing a sea change, following a new General Telecommunications Law (GTL) that is gradually implementing liberalisation. The GTL has been described as the most advanced legislation in Latin America in its approach to technological convergence.
State-owned ICE and its subsidiary RACSA have been the monopoly providers of virtually all telecom services in Costa Rica except for pay TV. While ICE did better than most other Latin American operators in delivering basic fixed-line telephony, it proved inefficient in the provision of mobile phone services.
Costa Rica's fixed line teledensity is the highest in Latin America, only exceeded by some of the wealthier Caribbean islands. This is an impressive performance, and well beyond what could be expected given Costa Rica's other economic indicators.
Although it improved noticeably in 2008, penetration is still less than one would expect given Costa Rica's relatively high GDP per capita. Postpaid fees in Costa Rica are extremely low, but ICE still does not offer prepaid mobile cards, so popular throughout Latin America.
Costa Rica's broadband market is the most advanced in Central America, with the highest broadband penetration for this sub-region.
Key Highlights
A new regulator, the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel), was created in January 2009 to navigate the telecom market into its new era of liberalisation. As soon as it was established, Sutel began to receive requests from companies interested in obtaining telecom concessions.
A public spectrum auction has been scheduled for May 2010. Sutel expects the bidding process to begin in October 2009, and pre-qualified bidders to be announced in February 2010.
To prepare for competition, ICE has contracted an agency to carry out an identity and corporate image study. The operator intends to adopt a new image and re-launch its mobile services under a new, trendier brand-name.

Costa Rica Ambassador

2009-06-20T06:13:00.000-07:00

Cianchette's term as ambassador to Costa Rica ends

The term of office of U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Peter Cianchette (Chin-KEHT') has ended and he says he's looking forward to returning to his home state of Maine.

In a statement released Friday by the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Cianchette said his most memorable experiences include implementation of the Central American Free Trade Agreement betweeen Costa Riica and the U.S... He also cited the many security, educational, humanitarian and disaster relief efforts in Costa Rica that have benefited the people of Costa Rica and the U.S.
A South Portland businessman, Cianchette was nominated by President George W. Bush and became ambassador last year. He was the 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee and headed the Bush-Cheney campaign in Maine two years later.

Costa Rica President

2009-06-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

President: Oscar Arias

Nobel laureate Oscar Arias defeated former minister Otton Solis in closely-fought presidential elections in February 2006 in Costa Rica and took office in May. Mr Solis conceded after a manual count and a series of legal challenges.

Oscar Arias won re-election by a narrow margin
Oscar Arias promised to stabilise the economy and to clamp down on corruption in government. He says he aims to put Costa Rica on course to become Latin America's most developed nation.
The president champions the ratification of a Central American free trade pact with the US. Costa Ricans are divided over the proposed accord.
Mr Arias was president from 1986-90 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his role in talks that helped to end two civil wars in the region.
Born in 1940, he studied in Costa Rica and Britain. He is a divorcee and a father of two.
His predecessor, Abel Pacheco of the conservative Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), backed free market reforms. But he inherited a struggling economy and his privatisation and tax reform plans met with strong opposition in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica At A Glance

2009-06-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

COSTA RICA AT-A-GLANCE

Politics: Elder statesman and nobel laureate Oscar Arias took office as president in 2006
Economy: One of Central America's most affluent countries; Costa Rica voters narrowly approved a free trade deal with the US in 2007

Timeline
The opening of a large computer chip plant in the late 1990s was a fillip to the economy, but its fortunes have been subject to the fluctuating world demand for microchips.
Tourism is Costa Rica's main source of foreign exchange. Its tropical forests are home to a profusion of flora and fauna, including 1,000 species of orchid and 850 species of birds, such as macaws and toucans.
The Caribbean coast with its swamps and sandy beaches is also a big draw. But Costa Rica is trying to shake off its reputation as a destination for sex tourists.
While relatively free of crime, Costa Rica has been used as a transit point for South American cocaine and there have been allegations that drug-tainted money has found its way into the coffers of the two main political parties.
Once dubbed the "Switzerland of Central America", the country's self-image was badly shaken in 2004 when allegations of high-level corruption led to two former presidents being imprisoned on graft charges.

Costa Rica History

2009-06-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

The Twentieth Century Costa Rica

The orderly pattern was broken in 1917, when Federico Tinoco overthrew the elected president, Alfredo González. The majority of Costa Ricans, as well as the United States, opposed Tinoco, and he was deposed in 1919. Costa Rica cooperated with the United States during World War II and after the war joined the United Nations and other international organizations. Following the war, United Fruit started new plantations on the Pacific coast.
In 1948 there was a second breakdown of the political system. In a close presidential election Otilio Ulate appeared to have defeated a former president, Dr. Rafael Calderón. But the incumbent, Teodoro Picado, accused Ulate's supporters of fraud and obtained a congressional invalidation of the election. A six-week civil war ensued, at the conclusion of which a junta led by José Figueres Ferrer, a backer of Ulate, assumed power. Picado was exiled and the armed forces were disbanded, to be replaced by a civil guard. Forces from Nicaragua backed Picado, and the Organization of American States (OAS) was called upon to mediate between the two countries.
In 1949 a new constitution was adopted, and the junta transferred power to Ulate as the elected president. Figueres was elected his successor in 1953. In UN-supervised elections of Costa Rica in 1958, Mario Enchadi Jiménez defeated Figueres's candidate. Politics remained stable in the 1960s. The Irazú volcano erupted in 1963–64 and caused serious damage to agriculture; another volcano, Arenal, erupted in 1968 for the first time in hundreds of years, killing many. Figueres was again elected president in 1970, and Daniel Oduber Quiros was elected president in 1974, but the ruling National Liberation Party (PLN) lost its majority in the legislature for the first time in 25 years. In the late 1970s the country entered a recession and found itself surrounded by increasingly unstable neighbors.
In the early 1980s the PLN of Costa Rica returned to power. Oscar Arias Sánchez, the PLN candidate elected in 1986, worked to preserve his nation's neutrality. The economy continued to worsen, however, and in 1990 Rafael Angel Calderón Fournier of the Social Christian Unity party (PUSC) was elected to the presidency by a 3% margin. José María Figueres Olsen, the PLN candidate and son of José Figueres Ferrer, was elected president in 1994. In 1998, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría of the PUSC won the presidency; he was succeeded by fellow party member Abel Pacheco de la Espriella in 2002.
Costa Rica was shaken in 2004 by charges that Presidents Calderón and Rodríguez had received illegal kickbacks from government contracts and that, after leaving office, President Figueres had received large consulting fees relating to government contracts. Former president Oscar Arias Sánchez was elected to a second term in 2006. In Oct., 2007, Costa Ricans approved joining the Central American Free Trade Agreement (signed in 2004), but its accession was delayed until after legislation was enacted (Nov., 2008) that brought the nation into compliance with the accord.