Thursday, October 25, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Latino Fox News
A newly identified Latin plant is going Gaga.
Duke University biologist Kathleen Pryer has named a new genus of ferns found in Central and South America, Mexico, Arizona, as well as Texas after pop singer Lady Gaga. The genus of ferns, in this case 19 species, will carry the name of the Grammy Award-winning star.
According to Duke University, the fern has more in common with Lady Gaga than just a name.
“At one stage of its life, the new genus Gaga has somewhat fluid definitions of gender and bears a striking resemblance to one of Gaga’s famous costumes,” they announced. “Members of the new genus also bear a distinct DNA sequence spelling GAGA.”
[quote type=”large” align=”justify”] At one stage of its life, the new genus Gaga has somewhat fluid definitions of gender and bears a striking resemblance to one of Gaga’s famous costumes. Members of the new genus also bear a distinct DNA sequence spelling GAGA. – Duke University [/quote]
The gaga germanotta of Costa Rica honors the artist, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta. In addition, a newly discovered Mexican fern species is named Gaga monstraparva, which translates to “monster little,” after Gaga’s fans, whom she calls “little monsters.”
For the 2010 Grammy Awards, Lady Gaga sported a heart-shaped Armani Prive costume, which resembles the bisexual reproductive stage of the ferns, known as gametophyte. According to Pryer, the way the fern extends its new leaves reminds her of Lady Gaga’s “paws up” salute to her fans.
“The reason we named it after Lady Gaga was not sort of the same reasons recently you have seen, (such as) Beyoncé had a horsefly with a golden butt named after her,” Pryer told The College Fix. “That’s cute, but our reason to do it, we like to think it was rather deep. Lady Gaga is an amazing champion for equality and compassion, and we wanted to give her a scientific namesake that characterizes the struggle we have in biology for understanding diversity in humanity, in all of biology, and even in ferns.”
Pryer also admitted that she and her team are fans of Lady Gaga and listened to her music while they were investigating. The research was partly funded by the National Science Foundation.
Duke University officials unveiled the new Gaga fern group Tuesday.
(AP) San José – A powerful, 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck Costa Rica’s Pacific coast on Tuesday, swaying buildings and sending people running out to the streets in the nation’s capital of San Jose. There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centred in the Guanacaste region of the Central American country, 61 kilometres (38 miles ) away from the city of Liberia. It had a depth of 39.5 kilometres (24.5 miles), according to the report.
The region suffered a powerful earthquake last month, when a 7.6 earthquake rattled the same coast last month (on September 5), causing panic, evacuations but minor damage.
Seismologists both in the U.S. and Costa Rica said the quake is probably an aftershock of the Sept. 5 major earthquake.
“It is a very good likelihood that we are looking at an aftershock,” said USGS geophysicist Rafael Abreu.
Vanessa Rosales, president of Costa Rica’s National Commission for Emergencies, said “no one has reported serious damage.”
She said that tomorrow they will have a more comprehensive look at what the quake did.
Thursday, October 25, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: The Location Guide
Copenhagen-based Bacon has filmed in Costa Rica and found room for a George Clooney cameo, in a new spot for DNB Bank. The Treasure starts with a pirate chase and ends with a flash-forward to Clooney and his new wife finding the riches on a beach holiday.
Bacon considered locations all over the world before settling on Costa Rica for the pirate adventure that’s the focal point of the spot. The country’s Caribbean feel and the services of Sergio Miranda from Costa Rica Production Service convinced them it was the right move.
Mari Grundnes Paus was Production Manager on the shoot: “The main part of the commercial was shot in Costa Rica in a small town called Puerto Viejo on the east coast … We chose the location mainly based on the incredible nature that had a great combination of the beach and the jungle so close to it … the jungle looked so good.”
The three-day Costa Rica leg was affected by rainy conditions and the challenge of working with an uninterested 80kg snake that briefly appears in the final cut. Arming the pirates also caused a few headaches when the period weapons were being transported across Central America. A scene where the pirates cross a rickety rope bridge deep in the jungle involved a real bridge that was built on extensively by the team’s set designer. The chasm below it was digitally deepened in the edit suite.
Sergio Miranda comments: “They needed a pristine environment with a wild and exotic rainforest. Costa Rica’s Atlantic coast around Puerto Viejo is picturesque but not too developed and is only three-and-a-half hours from the capital, San José.”
Grundnes Paus adds: “We liked the Caribbean feel and look [of Costa Rica] and it also was undamaged and looked like it could have been the same for a couple of hundred years – it was believable that pirates would be somewhere around it.”
George Clooney’s cameo was filmed at Cabo on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in western Mexico. It was the most convenient spot for the film star as he has a house in the area. Diana Young produced for Bajala Production Services: “The permission to use the beach obviously involved the owners [of a nearby villa], in order to get access to this ‘private’ beach. In fact the beaches here are public up to the 20-metre mark of the high-tide zone.”
The heat was one of the biggest issues here, according to Grundnes, especially for the actress playing Clooney’s ‘accidental’ wife. She arrived on the beach direct from Denmark and faced the full force of the Mexican sun for her day on the sand. The Mexico and Costa Rica beaches were matched up later in post-production.
Surfers from around the world come to experience Tamarindo’s waves and pristine beaches that extend for kilometres. Photograph by: Martha Lowrie , For Postmedia News
With its 1.5-metre high waves and broad pristine beaches, Tamarindo is a surfer’s paradise. But it offers other natural – and commercial – attractions that draw visitors from around the world.
Several of the region’s quieter beaches along with an adjoining 21,800 hectares of ocean comprise a national marine park protecting exotic birds, plants and animals, including the world’s largest turtles.
Fiercely proud of its ecotourism industry, Costa Rica ranks fifth in the world and first in the Americas on the global Environmental Performance Index. Meanwhile, Tamarindo’s some 100 restaurants, ranging from Cuban to Sushi, proudly use local ingredients while shops feature high quality, reasonably priced handcrafted products from regional materials.
FRIDAY
Early afternoon A car rental representative meets us at Liberia’s spiffy new airport and drives us to the nearby agency office. Some tips: rent from a company that also has an outlet near your ultimate destination, as you may need repairs during your stay. Once off the main highways, en route to magical coves or rainforests, the roads are in such poor – but not hazardous – condition that your car is likely to experience some damage. (We lost our muffler cover and got a flat that were replaced locally by friendly rental agency staff). It’s worth it to buy extra insurance, even though it can double the weekly rental price, because you will likely need it. And rent as large a car as you can afford to reduce the impact of those bumpy side roads.
Tamarindo is a pleasant one-hour paved drive from the airport.
4 p.m. Settle in to your accommodations – there is a wide selection of rentals and hotels available on the Internet – and then head to the modern Auto Mercado/Supermarket on the edge of town
Grocery shopping here is a familiar North American experience, with a wide selection of wines and beer to go along with the fresh fruit, vegetables and baked goods. Prices are comparable or somewhat cheaper than at home. En route to the supermarket, women may wish to visit Papaya con Leche, a made-to-measure bathing suit shop beside the Hotel Diriá on Tamarindo’s main street. This shop is for both mothers and daughters. After choosing your material and design, the fitted suits will be ready in two days.
6:30 p.m. After unpacking the groceries and making an early dinner “at home,” a guide in an air-conditioned van picks us up for the 30-minute drive to an isolated beach after sunset to witness an “Oh-my-God” experience.
Stand silently in the moonlight as giant turtles emerge from the deep to lay their eggs. If you are visiting between October and February, you will be able to observe the majestic leatherbacks that can tip the scales at nearly 900 kilograms and are about two metres long.
Likely an inspiration for Darwin, these truly awesome reptiles have been around for more than 100 million years. Once the females reach mating age, they returning annually to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs. They lumber out of the water after dark, climb in slow motion up and beyond a dune, seeking a nesting spot safe from the tides. At first, our guide keeps us 100 metres away so as not to disturb the beasts. But we move in at close quarters once they start digging deep holes to deposit some 100 ping-pong-ball sized eggs. Then the turtles cover the eggs with sand and slowly, excruciatingly slowly, waddle down the beach to be swallowed by the sea.
9:30 p.m. Drop off at home. Cost of the visit is $35 per person.
SATURDAY
8:00 a.m. Breakfast at Le Petit Café, owned by Alison Thompson from Toronto.
A former business consultant at the Bank of Montreal who had been “visiting Costa Rica virtually online every night for several years,” Thompson learned the café was for sale on her first “real” visit to the country. “I slept on it and decided to buy the next morning,” says Thompson, who opened up on Canada Day, 2010. “I wanted a lifestyle change. This place is perfect.”
In a country where the coffee is excellent everywhere, Thompson’s stands out for its richness and hint of chocolate. For breakfast she offers a variety of homemade moist muffins ($1.85) and chewy Montreal bagels with cream cheese ($3.25). A breakfast burrito of two eggs, bacon and cheese is $4.50, including coffee. You can take home a pound of her Café Sánchez Classic ground arabiga beans for $8 (www.lepetitcafe-cr.com).
10:00 a.m. Surfing lesson from local legend Pedro Cruz, a former Costa Rican national champion who grew up on Tamarindo’s beaches.
After teaching at some of Tamarindo’s larger surfing schools, the irrepressible Cruz ventured out on his own two years ago, opening a small shop that also sells handmade boards.
“I love to teach,” says Cruz, eyes sparkling. His philosophy for wary beginners: “It’s all about building confidence.” If business is slow during the day, Pedro is unphased.
“If we don’t have lessons, we go surfing.” ($50 for a one-hour to 1.5-hour private lesson. www.pedrosurf.com.)
1:00 p.m. Beachfront lunch by the pool at Hotel Capitan Suizo.
The birds and monkeys in the trees are mere observers, unless you leave your food unattended. Try the cooling cucumber gazpacho soup or ceviche to start (www.hotelcapitansuizo.com).
3:00 Pick up a used paperback at the Jaime Peligro Book Store for beach reading.
For a truly tranquil spot, try Playa Langosta a few kilometres south of town, especially when the tide is out and the two-kilometre long beach is some 200 metres wide. This is protected parkland, and no development is allowed. Meanwhile, Playa Tamarindo beach in town is livelier, although it is still easy to find a quiet spot. Or rent a beach bike ($15 for half a day) at the Bike Shop from Kevin Bennett, a former commercial diver who left his native Arkansas less than a year ago with his wife Tammy for “a simpler life” (www.bikeshoptamarindo.com).
5:30 p.m. Drinks upstairs on the beachfront Nogui’s Restaurante. Watch the surfers ride the waves as the sun sets slowly into the water behind them. Tamarindo sunsets alone are worth the visit. Stay for dinner here, one of Tamarindo’s oldest and best restaurants. Fresh tuna is grilled simply over the barbecue, releasing the natural flavours ($11.50).
Pies are a specialty and have earned a deserved reputation among North American aficionados. Be sure to try the fresh banana cream. Oh, my. Most days, you can also get coconut cream, chocolate cream and apple-pineapple.
9:00 p.m. And now for something completely different. Stop in or spend the rest of the evening at Aqua Discoteque or gamble at the Hotel Diriá casino.
SUNDAY
7:00 a.m. Breakfast outside, overlooking the water at Sueño del mar, a luxury beachside B&B just south of town.
A sign in the sand beckons early morning walkers. The fare is cook’s choice and varies from day to day. But it is always three courses and is always excellent. Today, it’s vanilla muffins, a generous cilantro omelette on a brioche and sliced fresh fruit. With mixed fresh fruit juice and coffee or tea, it’s $12 per person.
8:30 a.m. Join a two-hour guided boat journey in a 1,000-acre park estuary just north of town.
We are surrounded by mangrove forest, with roots extending far above the water surface. See crocodiles sunning on islands and a sampling of the tiny country’s more than 800 bird species, including herons, hummingbirds, cuckoos, warblers and yellow-billed cotingas. Well into the estuary, we tie up and walk about 200 metres into the forest. Henry, our guide, bangs a large plastic water bottle filled with sand against a tree. In response, the noise of what sounds like an army of wild dogs, echos from the trees. We stretch our necks and see that the hubbub comes from a dozen of the appropriately named howler monkeys. (Tour cost is $35 per person).
11:30 a.m. Go for an ocean swim or an impromptu massage on the beach under the shade of a canopied Guanacaste tree.
For a more luxurious session, visit the scenic hilltop Los Altos de Eros hotel, which sends a driver to pick you up. A three-treatment, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. package, including lunch with wine overlooking the ocean and round-trip transportation, is good value at $250.
1:00 p.m. Light lunch at La Panaderia de Paris, where fresh croissants and pastries are also available.
A salade nicoise is $12 and baguette sandwiches range from $4.50 to $6. The Panaderia is mostly take-out, but there are beachfront tables just outside where we encounter regular Richard Shank, originally from Seattle. He first visited Costa Rica on holiday with a daughter who came here to surf. “At the end of our trip,” he says, “I drove her to the airport, dropped her off and stayed behind.”
That was seven years ago.
2:30 p.m. Time for last-minute shopping.
here are a number of quality stores amid the hawkers of T-shirts and other touristy fare. Among them: Doloros for women’s wear, Ban Bam Boo for clothing made of hemp and bamboo and Souvenir Guanacaste, which specializes in locally handmade wood products and jewelry. Large polished wooden salad bowls are a bargain at $45 to $65. And, before leaving Tamarindo, don’t forget to pick up that made-to-order bathing suit.
For those brave souls who are looking to swim or dive with sharks in their natural habitat, there are plenty of excellent areas around the world to fulfill this bucket list item.
Among the best locations is Costa Rica’s Isla del Coco.
According to Travelers Today even if you’re not looking to swim with sharks, the uninhabited location of Cocos Island is still a terrific travel destination with its breathtaking waterfalls.
Scuba divers come here to jump in the water with hammerheads, manta rays, whitetip reef sharks, and more. It is said to have the largest schools of hammerhead sharks. This spot in 300 miles off the west coast of Costa, so a 36-hour boat ride is required to get to this shark hot spot, but it’s worth it for shark fanatics!
The Isla del Coco (not to be confused with Playas del Coco) is an uninhabited island (except for a permanent ranger station) located off the shore of Costa Rica. It constitutes the 11th district of Puntarenas Canton of the province of Puntarenas.
It is one of the National Parks of Costa Rica, located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 550 km (340 mi) from the Pacific shore of Costa Rica, at 05°31′08″N 087°04′18″W Coordinates: 05°31′08″N 087°04′18″W. With an area of approximately 23.85 km² (9.2 mi²), about 8×3 km (5×1.9 mi) and a perimeter of around 23.3 km,[4] this island is more or less rectangular in shape.
Surrounded by deep waters with counter-currents, Cocos Island is admired by scuba divers for its populations of Hammerhead sharks, rays, dolphins and other large marine species. The extremely wet climate and oceanic character give Cocos an ecological character that is not shared with either the Galapagos Archipelago or any of the other islands (e.g., Malpelo or Coiba) in this region of the world.
Climate
The climate of the island is mostly determined by the latitudinal movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which creates cloudiness and precipitation that is constant throughout the year. This makes the climate in the island humid and tropical with an average annual temperature of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) and an average annual rainfall of over 7,000 mm (275 in). Rainfall is high throughout the year, although lower from January through March and slightly lower during late September and October. Numerous oceanic currents from the central Pacific Ocean that converge on the island also have an important influence.
Ecology
Cocos Island is home to dense and exuberant tropical moist forests. It is the only oceanic island in the eastern Pacific region with such rain forests and their characteristic types of flora and fauna. The cloud forests at higher elevations are also unique in the eastern Pacific. The island was never linked to a continent, so the flora and fauna arrived via long distance dispersal from the Americas. The island has therefore a high proportion of endemic species.
Piracy and hidden treasures
The first claims of treasure buried on the island came from a woman named Mary Welsh, who claimed 350 tons of gold raided from Spanish galleons had been buried on the island. She had been a member of a pirate crew lead by Captain Bennett Graham, and was transported to an Australian penal colony for her crimes. She possessed a chart showing where Graham’s treasure was supposed to be hidden. On her release she returned to the island with an expedition, which had no success in finding anything, with the points of reference in the chart having disappeared.
Another pirate supposed to have buried treasure on the island was the Portuguese Benito Bonito. Though Bonito was hunted down and executed, his treasure was never retrieved.
The best known of the treasure legends tied to the island is that of the Treasure of Lima. In 1820, with the army of José de San Martín approaching Lima, Viceroy José de la Serna is supposed to have entrusted treasure from the city to British trader Captain William Thompson for safekeeping until the Spaniards could secure the country. Instead of waiting in the harbor as they were instructed, Thompson and his crew killed the Viceroy’s men and sailed to Cocos, where they buried the treasure. Shortly afterwards, they were apprehended by a Spanish warship. All of the crew bar Thompson and his first mate were executed for piracy. The two said they would show the Spaniards where they had hidden the treasure in return for their lives – but after landing on Cocos, they escaped away into the forest.
Hundreds of attempts to find treasure on the island have failed. Several early expeditions were mounted on the basis of claims by a man named Keating, who was supposed to have befriended Thompson. On one trip, Keating was said to have retrieved gold and jewels from the treasure. Prussian adventurer August Gissler lived on the island for most of the period from 1889 until 1908, hunting the treasure with the small success of finding six gold coins.
Discovery and early cartography J. Lines (Diario de Costa Rica, May 12, 1940) cites Fernández de Oviedo who claims that the first discoverer of the island was Johan Cabeças. Other sources claim that Joan Cabezas de Grado was not a Portuguese sailor but an Asturian. D. Lievre, Una isla desierta en el Pacífico; la isla del Coco in Los viajes de Cockburn y Lievre por Costa Rica (1962: 134) tells that the first document with the name “Isle de Coques” is a map painted on parchment, called that of Henry II that appeared in 1542 during the reign of Francis I of France. The planisphere of Nicolás Desliens (1556, Dieppe) places this Ysle de Coques about one and half degrees north of the Equator. (See also Mario A. Boza and Rolando Mendoza, Los parques nacionales de Costa Rica, Madrid, 1981.) Blaeu’s Grand Atlas, originally published in 1662, has a colour world map on the back of its front cover which shows I. de Cocos right on the Equator. Frederik De Witt’s Atlas, 1680 shows it similarly. The Hondius Broadside map of 1590 shows I. de Cocos at the latitude of 2 degrees and 30 minutes northern latitude, while in 1596 Theodore de Bry shows the Galapagos Islands near 6 degrees north of the Equator. Emanuel Bowen, A Complete system of Geography, Volume II (London, 1747: 586) states that the Galapagos stretch 5 degrees north of the Equator
Cocos Island in fiction
The book Desert Island proposed the highly detailed theory that Daniel Defoe used the Isla dell Cocoze as an accurate model for his descriptions of the island inhabited by the marooned Robinson Crusoe. However Defoe placed Crusoe’s island not in the Pacific, but rather off the coast of Venezuela in the Atlantic Ocean.
Robinson’s neighbouring Terra Firma is shown on the colour map of Joannes Jansson (Amsterdam) depicting the northeastern corner of South America, entitled Terra Firma et Novum Regnum Granatense et Popayan. It belongs to the early group of plates printed by William Blaeu from 1630 onwards. The properly called Terra Firma was the Isthmus of Darien.[38] Crusoe’s two references to Mexico are against a South American island as well.
The Michael Crichton novel Jurassic Park centers on the fictitious Isla Nublar that is off of the west coast of Costa Rica. Isla del Coco may be the inspiration for this island. Supporting this argument is the Dreamworks Interactive game Jurassic Park: Trespasser (1998) which used Cocos Island’s topography as a substitute for the fictional island on which it takes place. Also, “Isla Nublar” is intended to mean “Cloudy Island”, and Cocos Island is the only island with cloud forests in the eastern Pacific. The book The Silent Sea (2010) of Clive Cussler, uses the mystic pirate tales but puts the island in US north Pacific cost.
The online travel magazine also recommends the other places like:
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is home to some of the most outstanding underwater wildlife. Those who snorkel or scuba dive here can find black tip and white tip sharks, as well as wobbegongs,a carpet shark named for its tapestry-like skin. The reef, which spans more than 1,400 miles is also home to 360 species of coral and over 1,500 species of fish.
Guadalupe Island, Mexico
Guadalupe, 160 miles off the coast of California, is a beautiful location to go shark diving. Its crystal-clear blue waters make it the perfect place to photograph and film the sharks that you encounter. The sharks that dwell here: Great Whites. This is an amazing location to get up close and personal with a Great white, while in the safety of a cage of course. These warm waters are also home to several species of tropical fish.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapgos Islands, 600 miles west of Ecuador, is home to colorful wildlife including iguanas, birds, and turtles, but it’s waters are also full of sharks. Here you can swim with hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, white tip sharks, and the gentle and ginormous whale shark. You will also find dolphins, whales, and seals in this location with thousands of different animals.
Gansbaai, South Africa
This fishing village, located near Cape Town at the tip of South Africa, is known for its dense population of Great white sharks. In fact, it is called The World’s Great White Shark Capital. The land is surrounded by seals which attract the sharp-toothed predators. Shark dives take place in an area known as Shark Alley. Another excellent, and less crowded shark diving spot in South Africa is False Bay.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas are a terrific location for shark divers at all levels of experience and this place has the greatest variety of shark species. First-time divers can dive with 30 Caribbean reef sharks at a time in New Providence while the braver souls can head to Tiger Beach off Grand Bahama to get up close with dangerous tiger sharks. Species range from Great whites to some of the tiniest shark species on earth. Some tours allow swimmers to dive with sharks without using a cage, while others, like those with tiger sharks, require cages.
Southern California, USA
Southern California is a great place for new, casual shark divers. Divers can take a cruise out on the water, usually around San Diego and they’ll be dropped off in areas where blue sharks, horn shark, and Pacific angel sharks reside. The waters off the Channel Islands are also an excellent location to explore shipwrecks, caves and other wildlife.
Palau Shark Sanctuary, Palau, Pacific Islands
This place was created as a safe haven for sharks to stop the practice of shark finning, or removing the sharks’ fins and discarding the body. This is the first shark sanctuary in the world. Commercial fishing isn’t allowed here, but shark diving is encouraged as it is a better way to boost tourism. Palau gives divers the opportunity to get close to whale sharks, tiger sharks, hammerheads, oceanic white tips, silver sharks, bull and silky sharks.
Maldives, Indian Ocean
These exotic islands aren’t one of the biggest travel destinations in the world, but it should be. The resorts offer plenty of activites for tourists to do including shark swims. Divers have the opportunity to swim with the largest shark in the world, the whale shark. Luckily, these fish, which grow up to 36-feet long, are among some of the most gentle creatures in the sea.
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
Many wouldn’t thing of Egypt as a great shark diving location, with the pyrmaids being the most famous attraction, but this city along the Red Sea is a popular site for divers due to its diverse shark population. Around this area, you can find hammerheads, black tip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, silky sharks and more.
Of 115 countries, Costa Rica came in first in Latin America and ninth in the world with respect to nations offering greatest commercial freedom and protection for private business, according to Freedom and Development, a Chilean research institute. As a foreigner, you can invest in Costa Rica and even start your own business with only a few restrictions.
If you plan to go into business here, it is very important to be aware of the local consumer market in order to succeed. Most of the country’s purchasing power is located in the Central Valley. A total of 75 percent of the country’s population resides in the central provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago. About 60 percent of the population is under than 30 years old. Intelligent business people will try to meet the needs of this group.
You may also think about targeting tourists and upper-class Costa Ricans. A wealth of opportunities is available in tourist-related businesses. Upper-class ticos have a lot of disposable income and the greatest purchasing power. They do not mind spending a little more on good quality products. Just look at their expensive designer clothing, their expensive imported automobiles and many palatial homes.
The majority of the country’s middle-class consumer values are now more akin to their U.S. counterparts. You can see this starting to take hold with a number of shopping malls being built around the Central Valley and the popularity of stores such as Radio Shack and mega warehouses like PriceSmart and Walmart (formerly Hipermás.) Middle and upper lower class Costa Ricans seem to want all of the goodies so much that sales of cellular telephones have temporarily exceeded the availability of cellular phone lines.
One group to target is the lucrative foreign-resident market. There are approximately 50,000 full-time foreigners living in Costa Rica. All you have to do is look for a product to fill their needs. Most yearn for hard -to-find-products from home and would rather buy them in Costa Rica than go to the United States to shop.
Costa Rica is ripe for innovative foreigners willing to take a risk and start businesses that have not previously existed. Start up costs for small businesses are less than in the United States or Canada. Many of the same types of businesses that have been successful in the North America will work if researched correctly. There is definitely a need for these types of businesses. You just have to do your homework and explore the market. Be aware that not everything that works in the United States will work here. Also you may have to adapt your idea due to the vagaries of the local market and different purchasing power.
Costa Rica’s local artisans make scores of beautiful handcrafted products such as furniture, pottery and cloth. With so many choices, a smart person can find something to sell back home.
These are some potential business opportunities worth exploring: building and selling of small homes for middle-class Costa Ricans or foreigners, an import-export business, desktop publishing, computer services and support, U.S. franchises, importing new foods, specialty bookstores, restaurants and bars, an auto body and paint shop, consulting or specialty shops catering to North Americans and upper-class Costa Ricans.
Costa Ricans love anything novel from North America. Many stores sell both new and used trendy U.S.-style clothing. Costa Rican teenagers dress like their counterparts in the United States and even watch MTV. U.S. fast-food restaurants such as Taco Bell, Burger King, Pizza Hut and McDonald’s are extremely popular. Real estate speculation can be lucrative if you have the know-how and capital.
Web-based businesses can be run from any place in the world. They don’t depend on the local market but the global economy. We know scores of entrepreneurs of all ages who run web-based business in Costa Rica.
Here are examples of foreigners who found success in Costa Rica.
An Internet Travel Empire
Robert and Steve Hodel Started an online travel company that caters exclusively to people traveling to Costa Rica. Their company, Tico Travel, sells over 5,000 tours annually.
A Place to Learn Languages
American David Kaufman is the founder of Conversa, Costa Rica’s oldest and most successful language school. David earned a Masters Degree in linguistics and served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. At his school’s two campuses, Spanish is taught to foreigners and English to Costa Ricans.
A Mail Service for Expats
About 10 years ago, Jim Fendell realized the need for a fast reliable mail service as an alternative to the regular Costa Rican mail system. Thus Aerocasillas was born. Today they offer similar services in Panama and several other countries in the region.
To read more about this subject see Christopher Howard’s “New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica”
It may sound a sexist or silly question but there is a reason. China, the world’s most populous country, with a population of over 1.3 billion and the world’s second-largest country by land area covering approximately 9.6 million square kilometres, has mandated that the nipples of contestants to beauty contests must be at least 20 centimetres (7.8 inces) apart. The mandate has sparked a storm of criticism on the internet this past Friday.
”Why more than 20 centimetres? I honestly don’t know who came up with these figures,” said a user on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter. “How can beauty standards include breast distance? Do they take women as toys?”
Judging women by such rigid criteria is so ‘out’!” said TV personality Yang Lan on the microblog.
The contest, aimed at crowning 10 university students in central Hubei province, drew criticism from traditional Chinese and modern Western standards of beauty, contest staff members were quoted as saying in the Global Times on Friday. Contest organizers had conducted research on the Internet to determine the criteria. In addition to considering traditional measurements like chest, waist and hips, the contest also said the space between candidates’ pupils should be 46 percent of the distance between their pupil and their ear.
China has hosted a slew of beauty pageants, including six Miss World contests, in the past nine years. Its candidate Yu Wenxia won the title when the international competition took place in northern China last month.
The breast gap requirement is really of no interest outside of China save for tiny Costa Rica, the Chinese satellite in the Americas. Some will argue since Costa Rica is being taken over by China, understanding and heeding to their (China’s) requirement is important as Costa Ricans love beauty pageants, official or not.
China’s influence of little Costa Rica grows every day. It started a few years back when former president and Nobel prize winner, Oscar Arias, during his second term made a deal with the Chinese for the construction of a national stadium. The stadium would be built at China’s expense and donated without any strings attached. And it was. Well sort of. The one little condition was that Costa Rica kick out – break diplomatic ties with Taiwan. And it did.
Following the breaking of diplomatic ties Tiawan, a country that wants independence from China, the Chinese began to pour more and more money into Costa Rica. More donations, more investments and more Chinese nationals looking west to Costa Rica.
The latest investment by the Chinese is a deal with the state refinery, Refinadora de Petroleo S.A. or RECOPE, where the Chinese will invest US$1.5 billion to bring cheap(er)a gasoline to Costa Rica, though we may never see the price reduction at the pumps as RECOPE is a major cash cow for the government.
A rendering shows how the Chinatown arch in San José will be after completion. The project is under construction and is expected to completed before the end of the year. Photo courtesy of City of San Jose / dpa
Not to be left off the China bandwagon, the city of San José began construction of a Chinatown smack in the middle of its downtown, that includes the typical gateway, the Chinese arch. Though the municipalidad de San José and its long time mayor, Johnny Araya, are getting the credit, the Chinese are picking up most of the tab.
If you still disagree that Costa Rica is fast becoming a puppet for the Chinese in this region of the globe, consider this: in August of this year Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla met in Beijing, and outlined how they planned to boost cooperation with each other. The countries are to explore ways of working together in transportation, power and other infrastructure development as well as strengthening exchanges in education, science and culture
China is Costa Rica’s second-largest trade partner, with trade volume totaling 4.72 billion U.S. dollars in 2011.
As part of the making of a satellite, Costa Rica will now also be China’s gopher to get the rest of Latin America in line. During the August meeting Wen told the media that his country will work with Costa Rica to create a new chapter in China-Latin America relations, voicing publicly his appreciation for Costa Rica’s active role in supporting China’s dialogue with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
The current head gopher, the president of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, hailed the progress of the relationship and said the free trade agreement has helped bilateral trade to grow. She said her country attached great importance to the opportunities provided by China’s development and hoped to boost cooperation in the economy and trade, infrastructure development, education, culture, justice and science.
Premier Wen’s policies to enhance Latin America-China relations were mentioned in his speech at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean in June.
But, I digress, back to the nipples.
Costa Rica has many beauty pageants. One of the most coveted is the Miss Costa Rica, as Ticas (Costa Rican women) between 18 and 27 representing their province compete to represent Costa Rica in the annual Miss Universe international competition. Costa Rica has participated in the Miss Universe pageant since 1954 and has sent 56 representatives in the pageant’s 60-year history.
Although a Tica has yet to win a Miss Universe title, in 2004 when Nancy Soto Martinez and again 2011 with Johanna Solano, came close making it to the top 10 finalists. And maybe, just maybe, if the Ticas heed to the Chinese mandate a Miss Costa Rica could actually take the crown. But not before China as a show of respect.
And lets face it – nobody likes a bad set of nipples. You could have the greatest breasts and weird nipples can ruin the whole rack. They gotta be the right size, the right colour, the right width, the right length – and they gotta be the correct distance apart.
Costa Rica get your measuring tape out. And remember, in this case, size does count, just as long as they are at least 20 cm apart!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Inside Costa Rica
The Health Ministry is looking to fight the cigarette smuggling business in Costa Rica, both through existing legislation as well as a new law.
Sisy Castillo, Vice-Minister of Health, said that Costa Rica’s anti-tobacco law and regulation provides legislation to fight the clandestine cigarette market.
Castillo said her ministry is considering an agreement with the Fiscal Police of the Hacienda (Treasury department), and acquiring a computerized system that will verify whether the products sold in supermarkets, mini-markets and other outlets are registered and have the corresponding permits to be sold in Costa Rica.
Besides being less expensive, illegal cigarettes contain more harmful substances, according to officials.
“(The system being considered) is very similar to the one that is used in countries such as Brazil and Turkey, which has produced good results. What it does is use a device very similar to a scanner, which is placed over the identification seal on the cigarette box. The cigarettes that enter the country in a legal manner will be recognized, whereas the illegal ones will be rejected, and will therefore be confiscated and destroyed,” said the Vice-Minister.
Castillo hopes to have the legislation prepared soon, to be submitted and revised before the Legislative Assembly. She expects to have the law for the “Fight Against Smuggling” passed by 2013.
President Obama talks with Maria Clemencia Rodriguez and her husband, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, as they arrive at the Casa de Huespedes for a Summit of the Americas leaders’ dinner in April. The Secret Service and the military were in the Colombian coastal resort to prepare for Obama’s participation in the summit.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – QNews South America | Source: Today Colombia
( The Associated Press / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS) Two U.S. sailors are expected to receive administrative punishments, but not be criminally charged, in connection with the prostitution scandal that engulfed U.S. Secret Service and military members preparing for a presidential visit to Colombia earlier this year, a senior military official said Friday.
President Obama talks with Maria Clemencia Rodriguez and her husband, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, as they arrive at the Casa de Huespedes for a Summit of the Americas leaders’ dinner in April. The Secret Service and the military were in the Colombian coastal resort to prepare for Obama’s participation in the summit.
The two sailors will be punished for hiring a prostitute and dereliction of duty for drinking within eight hours of the time they had to report for duty, the official said.
More than six months after the scandal erupted, and lengthy efforts to identify and locate witnesses and others involved, the two sailors were expected to be the final military members disciplined in the case. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to disclose sensitive legal developments.
In the military, nonjudicial or administrative punishments can take a wide variety of forms, from docking service members’ pay or confining them to quarters to assigning them additional duties for a certain length of time. In some cases, it can be a letter of reprimand in their files, but in other cases administrative punishments can be career-ending, or delay or prevent any future promotions.
Of the dozen military members initially implicated, seven U.S. soldiers and two Marines received administrative punishments for what was described as misconduct, and one Air Force member was cleared. Three of the soldiers declined the administrative punishments and have requested courts-martial.
A lawyer for one of the sailors had complained that his client, David Hawley, was not around at the time the prostitutes were alleged to be solicited. The lawyer, Jeremiah Sullivan, said the sailors were unfairly stripped of their security clearances and reassigned to other tasks for months as they waited to see if they would be charged. The names of the other military members have not been made public.
The service members were investigated for bringing apparent prostitutes to their hotel rooms in Colombia shortly before President Barack Obama arrived in the country for an April summit, according to the military’s investigation of the matter. The investigator’s report, released in early August, described the misconduct as consisting “almost exclusively of patronizing prostitutes and adultery.”
The scandal came to light after a public dispute over payment between a U.S. Secret Service agent and a prostitute at a Cartagena hotel spilled over into the hallway of the Hotel Caribe. The Secret Service and the military were in the Colombian coastal resort to prepare for Obama’s participation in a Latin American summit. Eight Secret Service employees implicated in the incident were ousted and three were cleared of serious misconduct; at least two employees were fighting to get their jobs back.
U.S. Southern Command, headed by Gen. Douglas Fraser, conducted the investigation into the military members’ involvement in the April incident.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Fijatevos
This week, BBC Mundo included Costa Rica as one of the top places in Latin America for technology start ups, in an article titled “What is the Silicon Valley of Latin America?”. This was a follow through based on an Economist article on Chile, dubbing it “Chilecon Valley”.
The BBC piece highlighted Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica and Mexico.
Chile made a strong case for being the Silicon Valley, the Economist article pointed out that Chile aims to take advantage of Silicon Valley’s one major weakness, the US immigration policies, that make it difficult for companies to hire skilled workers they need. Chile also has passed a net neutrality law, unique in Latin America.
Colombia, offered Medellin as a candidate, but their main claim is an office park called “Espacio”, which appears to be in the initiative stage, along with the proposal to install fiber optic throughout the country.
Brazil has several cities with hi-tech centers. Sao Paolo has Villa Madelena with several education and innovation centers. Recife has the Puerto Digital, a duty-free zone hosting training centers for Motorola, Microsoft and Ericsson. Florianopolis in the south of Brasil has been an incubator for several start-ups and boasts the Parque Sapiens, a $1.3 billion government project to promote science and technology.
Argentina could be a strong candidate, with Cordoba hosting 250 technology companies. However, most seem to be multinationals rather than start-ups, although the province does offer tax breaks for start-ups.
Mexico boasts the Centro de Software in Guadalajara, with 35 software companies, and also has the largest Intel design center in Latin America. The proximity to the US and the NAFTA agreement are also advantages.
Costa Rica is somewhat of a surprise on this list, given its relatively tiny size and population. BBC Mundo mentions Intel, IBM, Oracle y Amazon as companies having research centers in Costa Rica.
They also classify Costa Rica as a technology products exporter, and quote the R & D Director at HP as saying that the company chose Costa Rica because of the skilled labor force and its location close to California.
Duty free zones also are an attractive feature to the companies thinking about locating in Costa Rica.
Analysis: Clearly Brazil and Chile seem to be the winners in this “contest”, with start up stories rather than aspirations. But it seems clear that with a little initiative, Costa Rica is very close to competing fiercely. The government has done a good job of attracting hi-tech multinationals here through several administrations.
But we don’t see that there are incentives, subsidies or initiatives to locate start-ups here, or to promote locally grown hi-tech companies. What’s going on with the 2020 Carbon Neutral Policy announced by Oscar Arias, for example?
Alternative energy would be a natural fit with this project, and with Costa Rica’s green image. China has trillions in subsidies for this sector, a fact brought up by President Obama in the 2nd US Presidential Debate in the “tough-on-China” skirmish.
Costa Rica already has technical high schools and the ITEC University, from which many students have participated in international science fairs and have gone overseas to bring inventions to market. The UCR and UNA are leading research centers for Latin America in some areas as well.
It seems that some program to encourage technology start ups in the alternative energy sector would be fairly simple to implement. Obviously the administration would have a hard time finding money at this point to subsidize such a sector, but tax exemptions and breaks should be doable, not to mention the long-term opportunity to create jobs and economic benefits in what is a sure-fire growth industry.
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Bailarse a la justicia – to outsmart or avoid the law Carterazo – to have your wallet stolen or robbed, By the way bolsear mens to pick somebody’s pocket. Chayotera – signature. Firma is the correct word in Spanish for signature. Chuzo – a car. La nave is also slang for car. Chupas – lollipops. Paleta is the correct word in Spanish. Cleta – slang for bicycle. Comes from the word bicicleta. Enpalomar – to put in jail. Encarcelar is the correct word. Estar de vaca gordas – fat years, boom years or prosperous times. Gua Gua – slang for dog. Zaguate is also used here for dog. Perro is the correct word. Guata – water Herma – slang for brother or hermano. Jupa de agua – a flash flood. Cabeza de agua is the correct way to say this. Jupa is slang for someone’s head in Costa Rica. La vio ‘ofe” – a play on words that means things turned out bad. Should be “la vio feo.” Pelada de culo – a screw up (vulgar). Peques – children. The correct word is niños Peli – a movie. Short for película Reguero – a big mess. Robacelus – a cell phone thief. Soconear – to shake Tabo – jail Tama – short for the beach town of Tamarindo. The place is also somes times called “Tamagringo for obvious reasons” Yunai – the U.S.A. The correct term is los Estados Unidos or EE. UU.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Costa Rica Star
Costa Rica is becoming an even greener country than it already is; sometimes at an ecological cost for other countries, and often to the gain of a few savvy investors.
In the hills of Santa Ana, overlooking the city of Escazu and its ritzy suburbs, construction crews from the National Power and Electricity Company (CNFL in Spanish) have begun work on the future Planta Eólica Valle Central (the Wind Power Farm of the Central Valley). When completed, this project is expected to produce 15.3 megawatts of energy among 17 wind-power generators that will bring electricity to almost 6,000 families.
The Wind Power Farm of the Central Valley is just one of the projects that government-sponsored companies like CNFL, ICE and others are rushing to complete in order to achieve Costa Rica’s goal of becoming a carbon-neutral nation by 2021. In the area of creating electricity from renewable sources, public utilities are looking at new hydroelectricity projects in Pirris, wind-power farms in Los Santos that will power communities in El Guarco and Desamparados, as well as geothermic plants in Garabito, Moin and Pailas.
The Precious Rare Earth
Each wind turbine and electricity generator installed for the purpose of producing clean energy in Costa Rica will have at least one thing in common: hundreds of pounds of rare earth, a precious mineral that is made into alloys for the manufacturing of components used in everything from lasers to magnets, and from electrodes to the screen displaying the article you are currently reading.
Wind turbines and heavy-duty generators can easily contain hundreds of kilograms of rare earth alloys, more than likely extracted via massive open-pit mining operations in China, a country that currently produces 95 percent or more of the world’s rare earth minerals. This fact puts China, a country that is currently enjoying close ties with Costa Rica, in an enviable position in terms of geopolitical power -perhaps at a great environmental cost.
The Rise of Rare Earth
Three centuries ago, Swedish scientists began to isolate and discover the first of seventeen rare elements in the periodic table. French and American scientists would later conduct research on the properties of the rare elements.
As it is often the case in many scientific discoveries, rare elements have played an important role in the arms race. It is estimated that the United States military is a major consumer of rare earth, as it can be found in optics, precision-guided munitions, advanced electronics, and more. The U.S. has been researching the application of rare earths for martial use since the Manhattan Project -which developed early nuclear weapon technology- in the middle of the 20th century. Rare earth plays a crucial role in today’s modern armament, particularly in advanced weapons systems (PDF) such as the unmanned aircraft currently flying the unfriendly skies of Afghanistan and Iraq. For the record, Costa Rica also uses drone technology -for scientific purposes.
Rare earth elements have an important place in our ultra-modern lives. Think about self-cleaning oven technology, camera lenses, magnets, fluorescent lamps, superconductors, x-ray machines, etc.
Where to Find Rare Earth Minerals
Rare earth elements are fairly abundant in our planet, and just like many other minerals they are unevenly distributed around the planet. These elements can be extracted from alluvial sand deposits caused by the downstream flow of other elements, like water and lava, on the Earth’s magma (the top crust). Imagine all the geological changes that have occurred over millions of years; those changes increase the likelihood of widespread distribution of rare earth.
In countries like Australia, Brazil, India, and South Africa, rare earth has been extracted from sedimentary deposits. Rare earth production in those countries saw its heyday in the last century. In the United States, there is a massive rare earth deposit deep in the Clark Mountain Range of southeastern California. The Mountain Pass open-pit mine guaranteed American supremacy in rare earth production from the 1960s until the late 1980s. Since then, the U.S. has been greatly surpassed by China in this regard, due to depletion and the aggressive Chinese approach to open-pit extraction.
Afghanistan is a country that may be ripe for rare earth exploration. NATO security forces aren’t the only foreign interests combing the deserts and mountainous regions of the Graveyard Empire; the United States Geological Survey announced significant discoveries of rare earth deposits in the Helmand province just a few days after the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on American soil.
chinese rare earth dominanceThe Chinese Dominance of Global Rare Earth Production
Rough geological estimates indicate that China may hold between 35 to 40 percent of the planet’s rare earth reserves, yet she has exploited her Inner Mongolia mines relentlessly to produce the great majority of rare earth used in the world. There is a good chance that the rare earth elements used in the wind turbines and generators of our current clean energy projects come from China.
Rare earth exports have undoubtedly played a significant part in the meteoric rise of the Chinese economy in the last few decades. In the last two years, however, China has significantly scaled down its production and exportation of rare earth. Other countries have speculated that this drastic slowdown suggests strategic reserves and stockpiling in the face of rare earth depletion in other mines around the world and increasing demand. China has explained that she is curbing production to concentrate on anti-smuggling efforts, but other sources have declared that over-explotation has taken a huge ecological toll that the Asian colossus is secretly trying to contain.
rare earth mineral mineEnvironmental Impact of Rare Earth Mining
Modern rare earth extraction calls for open-pit mining techniques. Some of the rare elements produce radioactive waste when refined, and such waste always finds a way to enter natural sources of water supply such as aquifers, lakes and rivers. The environmental impact of open-pit mining includes erosion, major changes to biodiversity, and non-radioactive contamination of groundwater.
The known cases of ecological disasters caused by open-pit mining of rare earth include radioactive waste-water spills in Mountain Pass, a refinery project in Malaysia that has been blamed for birth defects and leukemia in the local population, and a widespread disaster in Baotou, a barren Chinese city that The New York Times once described as a place where the air smells and tastes acrid and metallic.
Rare Earth in Costa Rica
The high levels of volcanic and fluvial activity in our country make her a likely candidate for rare earth deposits. In recent years, geological surveys published by the University of Costa Rica indicate the presence of rare elements, particularly around protected and agricultural areas in the skirts of the Poas volcano (PDF), extending out to Sarapiqui and even out to San Carlos (PDF). Prospecting and further exploration have not taken place.
Speculation regarding China’s possible intentions to extend her rare earth empire to Costa Rica were prompted by the announcement of a possible petroleum refinery plant for CNPC, the Chinese oil company that is owned by the government. Former President and Peace Nobel Laureate Oscar Arias was a strong supporter of the project, which in the end fell through due to complex financial disagreements and pressure from environmental groups. That was back in 2007, and it fueled fear from eco-activists that such a project would be a stepping stone for rare earth prospecting. Oscar Arias would later nix the project.
In December 2011, China announced that instead of building a new oil refinery, her Development Bank would extend a loan to RECOPE to make improvements to its refinery in Moin, Limon. Fears of rare earth prospecting in Costa Rica can be taken with a grain of salt, as open-pit mining is not a welcome activity in our country, as evidenced by the high-profile Crucitas mining project case.
The Lucrative World of Rare Earth Investing and Trading
The importance of rare earth in the geopolitical stage makes it a very precious commodity that attracts the attention of investors and traders who are willing to plunge into the world of private markets. Unlike gold, silver and other metals, rare earth elements are not traded in public exchanges like the Chicago Board of Trade or the NYMEX. They are traded separately by element, but their pricing can be influenced by more than just market conditions. There are purity and source factors to consider.
Investing and trading in rare metals involves the exchange of kilograms of the element, although physical delivery is rare. The world of rare earth trading is highly speculative due to the many factors that can affect pricing. A kilo of near-pure Europium Oxide extracted from the polluted Baotou region in China is currently priced at $3,850. Europium is widely used in the manufacturing of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment in medical facilities around the world.
Respected financial analyst James Dines, author of a long-running newsletter for investors, called attention to the bullish patterns and emerging opportunities of rare earth investing back in 2009. Previous to that call, Mr. Dines had warned investors to turn abandon Internet holdings and look into raw materials and commodities like gold and oil. That was back in 2000. On his 2009 announcement, Mr. Dines highlighted the rare earth markets as extremely bullish, yet equally volatile. The factors that can make investing in commodities so lucrative -geopolitical instability, unprecedented demand, high speculation- are all present and accounted for in the rare earth markets.
So, the next time you turn on the lights in your nice home in Costa Rica, there will be a good chance that the electricity will come from a clean and renewable source of energy. There will also be a good chance that an unfortunate region of the world suffered ecologically for it, and that a savvy investor somewhere made a nice profit.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Inside Costa Rica
Last week in the United States, Energizer Holdings, makers of “Banana Boat” brand sunscreen, issued a recall for 23 varieties of its spray-on sunscreens because users were quite literally, bursting into flames.
So far, 4 users of the sunscreens in the United States and 1 user in Canada have caught on fire after applying the sunscreen.
One man in the United States described what happened. The man says after applying the spray-on sunscreen, rubbing it in, and waiting a few moments for it to dry, he went to turn over a hamburger on a barbeque grill, when he suddenly burst into flames.
Inside Costa Rica wanted to find out if news of the recall had made it to Costa Rica, so we sent a staff member to the AutoMercado in the popular beach town of Playas del Coco to see if any of the products were still on shelves here.
Indeed, our staff member was able to locate one of the products, a variety specifically marketed for children.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Fijatevos
Intellectual, writer, diplomat and sometimes caustic political analyst Alberto Cañas quit the Citizen Action Party (PAC) last weekend, a party he helped found, in a dispute with PAC hierarchy’s intent to hold a national convention.
Meanwhile, National Liberation Party candidate for presidential nomination Fernando Berrocal released to television still another attention-grabbing campaign ad, this one linking his weight loss with “will power” the nation needs.
As usual, Cañas pulled no punches as he termed the use of a convention to choose a presidential candidate as “stupidity.” Although he resigned PAC he discounted the possibility of his returning to the Liberation party which he abandoned two decades ago.
Cañas claimed that an open convention in which other parties could present candidates would assure that they would present weak candidates easily defeated in the 2014 national elections.
He likened the move to inviting the enemy into the PAC camp. But the 92-year-old writer and commentator said he would vote in 2014, but for the first time in his adult life would be without a party.
But PAC secretary general Margarita Bolaños denied that other parties would be allowed to choose the PAC standard bearer. She said those who signed up would be asked for economic support for the campaign.
Both she and party leader Otton Solis lamented losing Cañas who had been a powerful voice in the early years of the party. Solis said he would talk with Cañas but would not back down from the national convention stance.
The resignation of Cañas underscored the recent internal discord within PAC, which during its first years showed remarkable harmony. Solis himself distanced himself from the party steering board during several clashes several months ago.
Discord was further stimulated when the Supreme Elections Tribunal filed a criminal complaint against the party for allegedly fraudulent claims to reimbursement for 2010 campaign expenses. (See previous articles.)
Meanwhile, the Berrocal campaign for Liberation nomination again raised memories of the quixotic campaign for the presidency during the last century of colorful candidate G. W. Villalobos, who toured the stump on horseback and took quirky positions on the issues.
This time, Berrocal claimed the country needed will power, and the chubby candidate vowed dedicated himself to being the symbol with his own weight loss program. “The only thing I have to lose,” he proclaimed, “is weight.”
A month ago, Berrocal hit national television with a series of ads that seemed to take on deficiencies of his own National Liberation party The ads were controversial and, if their main intent was to attract attention, they succeeded handily.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – QNews Central America | Source: Prensa Latina
The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama denounced human rights violations by the police in Colon province, and reasserted there would be a strike for 48 hours starting on Monday. The Chamber said in a communiqué that the strike can be extended until the Panamanian government suspends its measure to sell land from the Colon Duty-Free Zone.
The communiqué said the decision was made after the approval of Draft Bill 529, which caused a spiral of violence in Panama.
The entrepreneurs will not accept the government’s disregard of the position by the people of Colon, and repudiate the excessive use of force against those who protested peacefully.
In the communiqué, they expressed their grieve for the death of a child and the disrespectful statements by the President of the National Assembly, Sergio Galvez, who sent opponents to go home.
The Chamber of Commerce set as a condition to end the strike the derogation of the law, signed by President Ricardo Martinelli.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – QNews Central America | Source: Prensa Latina
Nicaragua will end 2012 with a 5-percent growth of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to estimates by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), while some structural backwardness must be still overcome. ECLAC thinks that 2012 prospects´ main support lies in the increase in exports and investments, showing better dynamism in job generation.
From January to September 2012, the FOB value of exportations increased 16.3 percent in contrast to the same period in 2011, since incomes reached 2,74,100,000 USD, according to official statistics.
The private secretary for National Policies in the Daniel Ortega administration, Paul Oquist, considers that Nicaragua is undergoing a process marked by job generation, and the reduction of poverty and inequality.
From 2007 to 2011, the country doubled exports and tripled investments, while the number of employed people went from 2.89 million in 2006 to 2,934,000 in 2011.
Compared to other Central American countries, Nicaragua shows the greatest structural backwardness in its economy, particularly in the agricultural sector, which guarantees the main income from export.
Saturday, October 20th, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: /PRNewswire
Three years after his disappearance in Costa Rica and the Dixon family is no nearer to finding out what happened to their son.
Michael was last seen leaving his hotel in Tamarindo, Costa Rica on 18 October 2009. The British and Costa Rican response to the incident has been bugged by incompetence and false hope from start to end.
The Foreign Office did not tell the family that the hotel had reported him missing because “people choose to go missing all the time.” The family only found out Michael was missing one week later when he did not show up to work.
Last year the Dixon family met Jeremy Browne, former British Foreign Minister for Central and South America, to seek his help in organising a British police mission. One year later and no progress has been made.
As the Dixons prepare for a fourth Christmas without Michael, the FCO has now informed the family that it does not know the name of the person responsible in Costa Rica to make it happen.
The Dixon tragedy is not an isolated one. Since 2009 there have been at least nine other EU and US citizens who have gone missing or been murdered in Costa Rica. But the country is still depicted as a safe haven for tourism.
The Dixon family continue their appeal to the local community in Tamarindo to speak out if they have any information about what happened.
“We realise that the Costa Rican police has no intention of resolving these cases of missing tourists and this is why our last hope is for someone to come forward. Three years on, all we really want to know is what happened so that we can try to come to terms with losing our loved one,” Michael’s brother, David Dixon, said.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/18/4921004/costa-rica-3-years-on-family-refuses.html#storylink=cpy
Saturday, October 20th, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Tico Times
Costa Rica is known worldwide as a tourist country. It has become one of the favorite destinations for hundreds of foreigners, not only to visit, but also as a place to live. This has created a new market that has caused the construction industry to grow incredibly fast during the last two decades. New architecture, engineering and construction firms have been born. Some have become so successful that they are currently competing in the international market.
However, these companies are challenged by international enterprises that also compete in the local market. Some examples of multinational foreign firms working in the construction industry in Costa Rica are Gensler Architects, Turner Construction and Emerson, among others. Most of these corporations operate in many other countries, providing them better opportunities to establish in bigger markets.
We have been exploring how Costa Rican architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) firms could introduce themselves into China, to create new businesses. Nowadays, the People’s Republic of China is a huge open market, which offers vast opportunities for the construction industry. The Chinese market can catapult these companies to an international level and boost them into larger competition to achieve bigger goals.
Fortunately, Costa Rica has new policies directed at promoting globalization and removing barriers to big markets. Costa Rica and China’s Free Trade Agreement entered into force on Aug. 1, 2011, making China the second largest trading partner for Costa Rica.
Today, the People’s Republic of China has a population of more than 1.3 billion, and 9 percent gross domestic product, maintaining steady growth since 1978. China has become the world’s largest foreign direct investment receiver from 2006, according to the World Bank.
Saturday, October 20th, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Bloomberg
The Inter-American Development Bank will provide a $200 million loan to help build a hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica’s Limon province.
The loan from the Washington-based lender will help design, construct and operate the 305.5 megawatt plant, the IDB said in an e-mailed statement today. When finished, the plant will represent about 10 percent of the Central American country’s total electricity generation capacity, according to the statement.
The plant will be Central America’s biggest renewable energy project.
Saturday, October 20th, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Costa Rica Star
As a result of flooding caused by heavy rains on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, as well as a report issued by the National Meteorology Institute (IMN, in Spanish) on Thursday, the National Risk Prevention and Emergency Response Comission (CNE), declared a “green alert” for the Pacific and Central Valley areas.
The heavy rains, as well as bad waste management, caused rivers to overflow, and creeks and sewage systems to collapse due to the accumulation of garbage. This caused streets and houses to flood in various communities in Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Alajuela and Heredia.
The National Emergency Response team was on call most of the night, on alert and receiving information on incidents, as well as evaluating the needs of those affected. Most of the reports were of house floods
According to the CNE, several rivers in Guanacaste caused floods in Filadefia (Carillo), Santa Cecilia, El Guabo, 27 de Abril, and La Garua (Santa Cruz). Houses in Puntarenas, in the towns of Piedras Blancas, Dominical, Bahia Ballena, and Agroindustrial (Golfito) were also flooded.
CNE also received incident reports from Perez Zeledon.
In Alajuela, there were problems with the collapsing of sewage systems and creeks. In Heredia, flooding occurred in Flores, San Joaquin, and San Lorenzo.
Authorities of the National Emergency Response said, “We are currently in the rainiest month of the year, and, according to the report from IMN, the situation will remain similar … and strong rains will continue until Friday.”
The Institution also reminded citizens who live in areas close to rivers and creeks, or areas where landslides may occur, to remain alert and obey instructions from response authorities.
Saturday, October 20th, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Fijatevos
While a drought is causing worry about low water levels at hydroelectric dams, in Santa Cruz the weather appeared to be trying to make up the deficit all at once.
Torrential rains hit the area for 30 consecutive hours Thursday, causing rivers to overflow their banks and a thousand Santa Cruz canton residents to flee their homes.
Red Cross administrator Miguel Brenes said six refuges set up in Santa Cruz sheltered 54 families. The town on the Nicoya Peninsula of Guanacaste province, was recently damaged by a massive earthquake.
The Meteorological Institute said the cloudbursts were caused by a tropical depression in the Caribbean. The low barometric pressure in the area pulled water-ladened rainclouds in from the Pacific, drenching the coastal area. Rainy conditions continued Friday.
Elsewhere in the country, the rains closed roads and caused rivers and usually dry ditches to overflow. On the central and southern Pacific coast at Osa and Golfito, as well as Perez Zeledon, Alajuela and Herredia cantons, flood conditions prevailed.
But the Santa Cruz area was most affected, with 34 communities and 595 homes flooded, three bridges washed out, highways temporarily closed nearly 500 persons fleeing to refuges.
However, damage was minimal outside of the Pacific area. The National Emergency Commission reported that some rain-soaked areas were cut off from aid. Some 20 families in the ironically named Rio Seco (dry river) area were forced to take refuge in the home of an understanding neighbor.
Saturday, October 20th, 2012 – QNews Costa Rica | Source: Fijatevos
Brace yourself for a longer than average dry season — and a higher than average series of electric bills.
This was the ominous prediction from Environment Minister Rene Castro this week. The water level of the Arenal Reservoir is at “alarmingly” low levels, he warns.
On Oct. 15, the level of the water behind the 157 megawatt Arenal dam generators was at 536 meters above sea level — four meters below the estimate by the national power company ICE.
The figure rivals the record low during the dry season of 1994-95 when it sank to 539 meters, below which the generators cannot function. Castro blames the cyclical “el Niño” phenomenon.
El Nino’s resultant droughts affect the driest zones of the country such as Guanacaste province and the northern zone. Castro noted that during the depth of the dry season this year (February, March and April, ICE spent 400 billion colones in petroleum fuel to augment hydroelectric generation.
In fact, the diesel generators at Garabito power station, reserved only for the dry season, haven’t stopped generating since then. And this month is the rainiest of the year before November’s downpours taper off.
But, trouble is, there have been all too few downpours. Yes, there have been rainstorms but shorter duration than, say, in 2010. And 2013 presents an even grimmer picture, with more sprinkles than satisfying rains.
The public service regulation agency Aresep envisions the next rate hike starting in November. ICE has asked for a 15% hike to pay for imported petroleum.
ICE has two hydroelectric dams under construction but each is behind schedule. To save power, turn off all unnecessary lights. And their geothermal projects are just starting the bidding process.
There was a time in Costa Rica in the not too far distant past when you couldn’t drive more than a kilometre or two (a mile for the non-metrics) without literally hitting a pothole or two or three…the pothole situation was so bad that mechanics laughed all the way to the bank and auto parts supply outlets enjoying bonanza times. Car dealers also enjoying the “huecos” for it meant shorter times between new cars.
At one point, t-shirts with the slogan “I survived the potholes of Costa Rica” were being gobbled up at US$25 a pop by
“I survived the potholes of Costa Rica” were a popular souvenir for visitors to Costa Rica.
foreigners visitor our fair country to take back home as souvenirs. Around the water cooler – OK local bars – pothole stories were a centre of conversaction, even contests of who could run into the biggest or nastiest pothole sprung in between Imperiales’, with the potholes getting bigger with each round of beers.
There wasn’t a dinner conversation that didn’t include a pothole story or three as the pothole was also a common topic among friends and family. Newspapers reported some of the more bizarre potholes, television news sprang into action to record images of the latest pothole.
Most in Costa Rica, rather than hide in shame about the situation, being known around the world as the country without an army, democratic and even called the “Switzerland of the Americas”, as it had become the country with worst roads in the region, the pothole became something to be proud of, a national symbol, cultural icon if you will, something that could be called our won.
OK, maybe it is an exaggeration of some, but not too far off for those whole live it.
But that all changed. Not so quickly the potholes disappeared as “cuadrillas” (work crews) popped up everywhere, filling holes everywhere. A pothole here, another there, soon there weren’t anymore potholes and nothing to talk about.
That emptiness, however, was quickly replaced by the Virilla or “platina” bridge. But that is another story for another day.
For the last several years Costa Rica has been pothole free compared to the pothole ridden roads of the past.
Today, all of a sudden potholes are everywhere, like the latest in San Pedro, forcing the closure of the Circunvalación over the La Hispanidad (Fountain) bridge this weekend. Further east, a local businessman has offered to pay out of his own pocket the repair of a hole in the bridge that has completely cut off all his customers. I could fill pages and pages of stories and photos of potholes, some pretty nasty, while others not so, but enough to damage the suspension of vehicles and cause of traffic congestion and accidents.
Unfortunately the situation will only get worse and Costa Rica once again becomes the leader in the worst roads in the Americas, even worse that the poorest country in the continent, its neighbour to the north, Nicaragua.
One of the reasons for this is that it is NOT within the priorities of the current administration. In fact the Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT) – the transport ministry – has been without a minister for months, only for the Presidenta to appoint an old hand in the matter, former MOPT executive, Pedro Castro.
Lack of investment in maintenance of the infrastructure and corruption and politics within the MOPT are another reason the pothole situation will go unchecked. Hey, these are the same people that can’t co-ordinate line painting after a road has been repaved. Take for example the autopista General Cañas, it was months after repaving of the country’s most transited road to get painted lines. The latest is the Sabana norte. And then there are the bridges. La Trocha debacle. I can go on and on.
Looking at the positive side of the pothole situation and instead of considering them a nuisance, potholes reduce speeding, Let’s call them “reverse” speed bumps. And best of all, they cost nothing to create.
The pothole is also a booster to the economy, auto mechanics can once again live life, car sales increase, auto parts suppliers can expand their operations, all this meaning more government revenue from sales and other taxes.
Also, a drive from San José to Guanacaste, for instance, doesn’t have to be boring anymore, as you can get the whole family involved in the “spot the pothole”. The drive can be interesting as one dodges potholes. And if you one and hit it, well, just think of the fun it is change the tire. Oh wait, the spare is flat (or the jack is missing), great the adventure gets more interesting and longer.
Sundays friends can get together to go on a pothole hunt. Even maybe pitch in a fill a pothole or two. The pothole can even bring you fame, get you on television.
Face it, the pothole is here to stay and can bet that it will soon take its the place along side of the Gallo Pinto, the Dijay, Mae and Pura Vida!
The Mother of All Potholes!
This sinkhole occurred on the autopista General Cañas at the end of June 2012. The repairs are still a couple of months away from the writing of this article.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that 34% of Facebook users are spending less time on the site than they were six months ago, while only 20% are spending more time on the site.
Meanwhile, the poll also found that 80% of Facebook users have never bought a product or service as a result of advertising or comments on the site.
Some other findings:
– 44% of the survey group said the troubled Facebook IPO has made them feel less favorable about the company.
– 46% said the Facebook IPO made them feel less favorable about the stock market in general.
– About 40% said they use Facebook every day.
Facebook shares this morning are on the mend, up 62 cents, or 2.3%, to $27.52.
Millions and more: Numbers larger than the millions can get problematic in both English and Spanish. Traditionally, a billion has been a thousand million in U.S. English but a million million in British English, and Spanish has followed the British standard, with a trillion being a thousand billions in either case.
Thus 1,000,000,000,000 would be a billion in British English but a trillion in U.S. English.
Precise Spanish, following the British understanding, uses mil millones for 1,000,000,000 and billón for 1,000,000,000,000, while trillón is 1,000,000,000,000,000. But U.S. English has influenced English outside the U.S. and Spanish as well, especially in Latin America, so there can be confusion both in Latin America and among English speakers outside the United States about exactly what a billion or billón is.
In Costa Rica a billion is referred to as mil millones.
One million (1,000,000) or one thousand thousand, is the natural number following 999,999 and preceding 1,000,001. The word is derived from the early Italian millione (milione in modern Italian), from mille, “thousand”, plus the augmentative suffix -one.
1,000,000,000 (one billion, short scale; one thousand million or milliard, long scale) is the natural number following 999,999,999 and preceding 1,000,000,001. In scientific notation, it is written as 109.
In a few days the new traffic law, passed by legislators in September, will be signed by the Presidenta, published in La Gaceta and be in effect.
Interesting is that the same inspectors who will be responsible for upholding the law have found errors in the approved text and will have to make amendments.
One of the errors is the missing of a sanction (fine) for not obeying the instructions of a traffic official. Article 93 of the approved text on “General Rules” requires a driver to “immediately comply with the verbal or written instruction of a transit authority” which can include asking a driver to pull over (stop) by either a hand signal or a sign.
Well, the writers of the law fogot to include the a fine for not obeying, thus leaving the decision to stop or not on the goowill of the driver.
Another error uncovered was that legislators did not include the action of a transit official to seize a vehicle and/or its license plates if the vehicle fails a roadside gas emission test or is making excessive noise (from a muffler, speakers, etc).
The law only allows for a fine of ¢47.000 colones and the rolling chimeny or loudspeaker on wheels, only to repeat the offence over and over.
The intent of the law, we are to undestand from transit authorities, was to temporarily take the vehicle out of circulation until the situation is rectified.
Yet another error is in the seizure of vehicles involved in accidents causing injury to a person or persons. The approved text allows the seizure subject to the physical space at the Transito patios (lots). For years the situation – the piling up of seized vehicles for years on end – has over saturated all the transito lots.
In the coming days, as officials review the approved text more closely, there could be even more errors that will need to be fixed.
Costa Rica, a Latin American country, plans to sign an investment protection agreement with India to boost bilateral trade, especially in the service and manufacturing sector. It would soon put in place a framework for economic cooperation with India, with any eye on the country’s IT sector.
In the Capital to participate in the OECD forum, Costa Rica vice president Luis Liberman told FE: “We value India’s education & training system, and are keen on seeking India’s cooperation in IT sector. We will soon start discussions on a framework agreement on economic cooperation.” Costa Rica is also leaning on to India for skilling its workforce in technical areas such as auto mechanics, electronic goods.
In an interview, Liberman said: “are here apart from attending the OECD meet to explore diverse instruments and initiatives intended to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. There are two major agreements on the table including including a Bilateral Agreement for the Protection of Investments and an Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation.” Costa Rica wants these agreements to be finalised, paving the way for a comprehensive treaty.
Responding to a question about the global financial meltdown, the 65-year-old Liberman, who led Scotiabank Costa Rica until 2009 and heads President Laura Chinchilla’s economic team said, “The situation could impact everything. We are not yet at that point of the meltdown. As a country we are open to trade and services. Infact we have opened as many markets as possible. In 2008, we were affected but we got over it and are working on Free Trade Agreements with several countries.”
While inviting Indian companies for investment in Costa Rica, Liberman said their country could be a destination for the Bollywood films. He said companies investing India will have to adhere to the stringent environment rules. The delegation including Minister of Science & Technology, the Dean of Costa Rica’s Tech University and of the National Training Institute, will also be visiting Bangalore and Mysore o visit IT companies and educational institutions as well.
Costa Rica is looking to spark India’s interest in a joint venture in carbon-neutral agriculture as well as adaptation of Costa Rican technology for the Indian aerospace industry. Interestingly, Costa Rica has discussed the possibility of using experimental plasma engine thrust engine in space programmes.
What started out as a project to install an exhibit at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in 2011 in Toronto, the organizers of The Bra Project – a project to raise awareness of breach cancer started in a remote region of Canada’s Near Hope, had no idea of what was to come.
A new ad campaign to promote breast cancer self examinations features superheroes Wonder Woman, Storm from the X-Men, Cat Woman, and She-Hulk, all showing women how to examine their breasts.
With the importance of early screening, the mission of The Bra Project was to raise funds to buy a brand new CA$650.000 digital mammography machine in the community of Parry Sound, Ontario.
As part of the fundraising effort the The Bra Project started the process of publishing a book on art-bras, believing they had an amazing finale to their fundraising. A true triumph for a small hospital foundation in Ontario’s “cottage country”.
As the book was going to press an artist from Costa Rica uploaded her art-bra on the The Bra Project website. That was October 2011.
It would be two months later when Alejandra Gutierrez responded to a request to be part of the book. Working with three other artists in San José, Alejandra had taken the months to gel over in her mind the idea, with a resounding “Yes!”.
Breast cancer in Costa Rica is a leading cause of death among women. According to date from the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) – Costa Rica’s Social Security – in the past 15 years, the incidence of breast cancer among Costa Rican women has increased 67% while the number of deaths has increased 22%.
Theses are shocking statistics for a small country of less than 5 million inhabitants.
To bring public awareness to the problem a number of organizations dedicated to breast cancer awareness programs take advantage each month to hold public events, typically a run or walk mainly concentrated in San José with thousands taking part.
The Anna Ross Foundation race took place on Sunday, October 7, 2012 with 100% of the proceeds going to help fight breast cancer in Costa Rica. The Fundación Dra. Anna Gabriela Ross was born on October 4, 2003 to provide psychosocial support for people with cancer. Dr. Ross saw first hand the importance to have a support network for cancer patients and the need for a group to provide such support.
Following the Anna Ross Foundation race a week later was “Corre Por Mi”, when on October 14, runners ran either 4km or 8km from downtown San José to the La Sabana and Pavas, ending at the National Stadium.
While the Ross Foundation has the support of the Automercado supermarket chain, while the Perimercado supermarket chain helps Corre Por Mi with the fundraising collection.
While the Ross Foundation and Corre Por Mi are local, this Sunday, October 21, McDonalds Latin America unit is promoting 5km race that includes cities like San Pablo in Brazil, Medellin in Colombia, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Caracas in Venezuela and San José in Costa Rica. More than 60.000 women in Latin America are expected to take part in the event.
In Costa Rica the race will start at the McDonalds in Pavas, west of the U.S. Embassy to the McDonalds in La Sabana, diagonal to the Gimnacio Nacional, not to be confused to the new McD in front of the National Stadium.
Back to the The Bra Project, Costa Rican artist Alejandra Gutierrez, was able to secure the sponsorship of the upscale supermarket chain, Automercado, mounting two extraordinary installations: one a gallery and the other in the grocery aisles of Auto Mercado. The organizers also hosted a symposium on the project.
Lynn Atkinson, founder of The Bra Project, was invited to Costa Rica to take part. Here is what Lynn wrote in the local online publication, CottageCountryNow.ca , “I was awestruck to witness our project spreading its tentacles to people in desperate need of help thousands of miles away. On a very basic level, the room in the near two-century-old hospital (the San Juan de Dios) that will benefit from money raised in the Bra Project will improve the lives of patients. Beds, reminiscent of those in filmstrips from WWI will be replaced with clean, digitally adjustable and comfortable beds. Plumbing, lighting, flooring will all be remodeled to enhance the recovery of women after surgery. Every person in Parry Sound who participated in our Support the Girls Campaign can claim a part of this victory for women in the eight-bed breast cancer surgical recovery ward of that ancient public hospital”.
What also surprised Lynn was that the project has also taken on a new life, evolving in the Costa Rican world where a machismo culture dominates. “While clearly a breast cancer project, some of the artistas used their art-bra submissions to tell of a world of inequality and violence. Their personal stories are evolving the project into a platform for human rights”, Lynn writes.
The La Nacion, Costa Rica’s leading print and online newspaper, reported on the October 5th event in Santa Ana, titled “Un sostén por la vida” (a bra for life).
At the event professional and amateur Costa Rican artists presented 51 pieces of work of a garment that holds more than two breasts, art that was inspired by stories of women who overcame obstacles and did not let adversity derail the living life.
Following the lead by Costa Rica in Latin America, The Bra Project reports that a retired Panamanian businessman is attempting to bring the project to his country. Connections have also been made in Argentina and other countries, including Germany and the United States.
Photo Gallery
Links to breast cancer aware efforts in Costa Rica:
Relocating to another country is a significant decision that should be given careful thought. When pondering about such a move, one can easily come up with a million questions about what to expect; something that can be attributed to the many complexities we have assigned to our modern lives.
Like many other developing countries around the world, Costa Rica has seen her fair share of change and transformation in the last few decades. It could be argued that foreigners who relocated here 20 years ago had a lot less to consider than those who are planning such a move these days. Our country is still an idyllic place to live in, but in keeping with our Western neighbors Costa Rica has managed to become a bit more complicated than she used to be.
The ten following pieces of information below are not meant to be conclusive by any means. They are just ten important things that anyone may want to consider before moving here. Some of the topics below have already been covered in previous articles, and some -like taxation- are in a constant state of flux. The Costa Rica Star strongly recommends to anyone who has detailed questions about legal issues such as immigration, investments, real estate, and taxation to consult an attorney who is admitted to practice in Costa Rica. Assistance with several of the subjects below can be provided by organizations such as the ARCR -for a fee.
A sensible word of advice for anyone who is planning to move here, or to any other nation for that matter: the worst time to undertake a country relocation is while experiencing severe emotional turmoil, such as depression. In that case, a person should get well and find emotional balance before embarking in the adventure that moving to a foreign land always becomes.
1 – Immigration
Our new immigration laws present a number of opportunities for residency: through familial relations, business capital investments, guaranteed individual income, retirement, representative of a business enterprise, and temporary employment. Citizens of Group One countries can engage in perpetual tourism, something that could get old very quickly. The immigration process involves a combination of reasonable fees, forms, document authentications, appointments, translations, and other proceedings enshrouded in old-fashioned bureaucracy that some may consider overburdening.
Work permits for non-residents require sponsorship from a domestic enterprise and are subject to restrictions. Not all residents are allowed to get on a company’s payroll, but all have the opportunity to start their own business and enjoy any income proceedings thereof.
2 – Idiosyncratic Mindset and Social Habits
People in Costa Rica are known to be friendly, gregarious, jovial, non-confrontational, and relaxed. Foreigners who are accustomed to a lifestyle underscored by efficiency and achievement may find the glacial pace of Ticos unnerving at times. Patience is a must-pack item for all visitors, especially in a country where people take time to raise orphaned baby sloths.
Ticos are generally tolerant, sociable and family-oriented. They love social networking, but are known to take years to cultivate deep friendships. Ethnicity and nationality do not preclude dating or romance, although old-fashioned class divide still lurks in some circles. Women tend to be ultra-feminine and expect courtship, while men do not easily fall into the Latin American macho stereotype.
3 – Governance, Political Ideology and Religion
Costa Rica has a rich background in peace, democracy, diplomacy, unarmed conflict resolution, and socialism. The main political factions lean to the right, nevertheless the Libertarian Movement has been gaining popularity. Our Constitution establishes the Roman Catholic faith as the state religion, but freedom of worship is guaranteed. While the population is probably 80 percent Catholic, religions such as Scientology are growing.
4 – Housing and Real Estate
Foreigners have essentially the same rights as Ticos to hold title to real property. Home prices run the gamut, the real estate profession is not under the oversight of the government, and For Sale By Owner transactions are common. Properties can be registered in the name of business entities to certain advantage (please see our Week in Review of January 28th for more information). Tenants have significant rights over landlords, and monthly rent prices are always open for negotiation. Monthly housing costs are lower than in many parts of North America and Western Europe, but higher than in other parts of Latin America.
5 – Education
Costa Rica used to enjoy the highest literacy rates in Latin America, but that honor now goes to countries like Uruguay and Chile. Free education is guaranteed by the government from grades 1st to 11th (or 12th in the case of vocational high schools). Tuition rates in private schools vary widely. Most private schools focus on bilingual education.
Tuition at the crown jewel of higher education, the University of Costa Rica, is either free or very reasonable for the hard-working students who are able to secure an admissions spot. A large number of private universities dot the educational landscape, some offering considerably low tuition rates.
6 – Health Care
Public health care is guaranteed for all residents, and all workers are expected to contribute to the system. Emergency medical care is freely provided for all, regardless of status. Tourists cannot contribute to La Caja, as the public health care system is known, but are able to obtain services at some public hospitals with prior approval, and only if they can be accommodated.
High-quality private health care options are growing, and their low cost is attracting many medical tourists. The National Insurance Institute (INS) is a former government entity that offers a variety of medical insurance policies at reasonable prices.
7 – Food, Dining and Household Goods
Costa Rica’s fertile soil and perfect climactic conditions make it a paradise for year-round fruits and vegetables. The best selection and prices can be found during the weekends at the farmer’s markets across the country. The country isn’t known for its cuisine, which isn’t particularly elaborate, but the emphasis on freshness makes it very palatable.
Some of the best dining options are Caribbean and South American restaurants.
Shopping for groceries and household goods can feel like a bargain hunting or highway robbery, depending on the chosen venue. Wal-Mart is the largest retail chain in the country, responsible for about 50 percent of all grocery and household good purchases. When it comes to electronics and appliances, it really pays to comparison shop. Newcomers should not be afraid to try new brands like Mabe and Atlas (respectively from Mexico and Brazil), as they offer high quality at low prices.
8 – Cell Phones and Internet Access
The recent breakup of the former monopoly held by the government-backed ICE is allowing more flexibility in terms of wireless services. The Costa Rica Star has an entire series of articles dedicated to wireless options in our country. Cable and DSL broadband Internet subscriptions will soon get cheaper. According to a report in business news daily La Republica, cable company Amnet will begin offering 512 Kbps packages at about $13 per month in the next few weeks.
9 – Taxes on Imports and other Excise Considerations
The price tags of both new and used vehicles seem exorbitant due to the excessive taxation imposed upon passenger cars: close to 80 percent in some cases. The maximum tax on imported motorcycles is 34 percent. There are some cases that merit exemptions, such as plug-in electric vehicles and cars that will be put into service as taxicabs.
Costa Rica has never been considered an offshore tax haven, but it has enjoyed fairly low taxation on everything except imports and value-added tax (currently at 13 percent). That may soon change due to pending legislation. One very significant tax advantage is expected to remain unchanged: taxation on foreign income will stay at zero.
10 – Public Transportation and Mass Transit
The import taxes, tolls, cost of vehicle maintenance, and high gas prices do not seem to placate Ticos’ appetite for passenger vehicles. This trend is transforming what used to be a pedestrian and mass transportation paradise into a daily gridlock.
Getting around by bus is still one of the best ways to truly experience the country. The bus system is inexpensive and fairly modern. Those images of chicken buses popularized by old Mexican movies are simply not seen in Costa Rica.
An inter-province train system is connecting parts of the Greater Metropolitan Area, and is expected to expand in the next two years, eventually making trips to both the Caribbean and the Pacific. Taxis round out the ground transportation options, and fare prices can be considerably alleviated by being split among passengers.
Relatives of kidnapped and those who have disappeared meet in Bogotá to tell their stories three days before the start of peace talks between the Colombian government and the FARC in Norway.
BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Three days before the start of negotiations between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), victims of the armed conflict came together in Bogotá to demand justice and peace.
Representatives of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the country’s largest terrorist group are scheduled to begin peace talks in Oslo, Norway, on Oct. 17. Weeks later, the talks will continue in Havana, Cuba.
Sebastián Sánchez Lozada, 16, travelled approximately 800 kilometers (497 miles) to Bogotá to protest the FARC’s kidnapping of his father, Mario Sánchez, which occurred a decade ago. “They accused him of helping the traditional political parties, which was the main reason they took him,” he said. (Daniel Esteban Rico Plazas for Infosurhoy.com)
Sebastián Sánchez Lozado, 16, traveled about 800 kilometers (497 miles) from San José de Fragua in the department of Caquetá to the nation’s capital of Bogotá, to protest the FARC’s kidnapping of his father, Mario Sánchez, which occurred 10 years ago.
Even though he was very young at the time, Sánchez Lozada remembers why his father was taken.
“They accused him of helping the traditional political parties, which was the main reason they took him,” Sánchez Lozada said. “We haven’t heard anything since then, even though we’ve asked the FARC to give us evidence that he’s still alive.”
The story of Sánchez Lozada’s father is one of the many that were told at the First National Meeting of the Victims of the FARC, which brought together hundreds of people in Bolívar Square in downtown Bogotá.
The meeting was organized by the NGO Free Country Foundation, the Association for the Missing, the Mothers of Candelaria movement and the radio program “Las Voces del Secuestro” (The Voices of the Kidnapping).
“The relatives of the victims support talks with the FARC, but we also need to find out what happened to their parents, children, spouses and siblings who were kidnapped years ago and about whom nothing is known,” Clara Rojas, the executive director of Fundación País Libre, said during the NGO’s convocation for the meeting on Oct. 14. “The voice of the victims must be included in the talks.”
The loved ones of those abducted by FARC and other armed groups stood side by side with former hostages intent on reaching a common goal: to be heard.
One by one, they took the stage where the journalist Herbin Hoyos of Caracol Radio’s “Las Voces del Secuestro” gave them a microphone so that they could let the public know, in a few seconds, who they wanted released.
A tent was erected at the south end of the square by the Technical Investigation Team (CTI) of the Public Prosecutor’s Office to handle missing persons reports.
Rosa Emilia Aguirre is seeking information about her son, Duvorne Rodriguez, a modest farmer who, due to the lack of work in the department of Caquetá, moved to the department of Cauca to take a job picking coca leaves. Guerrilla fighters took him because they did not know who he was and believed he could fight for their cause.
Aguirre never heard from her son again.
When she recounts what happened, she breaks down into tears.
Sigifredo López, a former Assembly representative from the department of Valle del Cauca who was kidnapped in 2002 along with 11 other local representatives, also participated in the meeting in Bolívar Square.
The commander of the group that had kidnapped them ordered the shooting of all 11 of his colleagues. Seven years later, he was freed by his captors but was subsequently accused by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of planning the kidnapping.
A court cleared him of all charges.
“Right now, we have to remind the government that the roundtable for these talks must stand on four legs: the government, the guerrilla fighters, the victims and civil society. Without all of these groups, there can be no fair peace process. Anything else would result in talks with significant gaps,” he said.
Alexi Vargas was last in line. Her sister, Amanda, was taken years ago by the commander of the 14th Front of the FARC and has never returned.
Vargas said the victims must be heard as part of the peace process.
This year, according to the Free Country Foundation, there have been 170 kidnappings, 17 of which were carried out by the FARC. Clara Rojas, the NGO’s director, said there are many kidnappings about which they have no information.
However, she added her NGO has received information about the kidnappings of five or six foreigners, as well as cases of abductions in neighboring countries.
“Thirty years ago, it was estimated that there were 24,000 kidnapping victims,” said Rojas, who was kidnapped by the FARC in Caquetá in 2002 and released six years later. “In many of these cases, what happened to the victims was not known. In the past 10 years, that figure has dropped to about 600 cases, but we still lack a lot of information, so the estimate could go up.”
Prisoners wait in line for food at a Panama prison. The country has 13,600 inmates spread over 23 prisons in a system designed to hold 7,400. (Alberto Lowe/Reuters) Source: Infosurhoy.com
PANAMA CITY, Panama – The legal maxim “justice delayed is justice denied” is becoming a thing of the past in Panama.
The Accusatory Penal System (SPA), which was introduced last year, has increased efficiency in the Panamanian justice system by 70%, according to official figures.
Prisoners wait in line for food at a Panama prison. The country has 13,600 inmates spread over 23 prisons in a system designed to hold 7,400. (Alberto Lowe/Reuters) Source: Infosurhoy.com
Under the previous inquisitorial system – which is still in place in two of the country’s four Judicial Districts – a legal proceeding took an average of 172 days. Under the SPA system, the average has dropped to 58 days.
“Panama’s new legal processing system is based on a model that’s been being implemented over the course of the past 10 years or more in several countries throughout Latin America,” said Ramsés Barrera, the secretary general of the Attorney General’s Office of Panama. “The aim is to quickly resolve criminal complaints to reduce congestion in the courts.”
Procedural delays and subsequent overcrowding in several prisons led to reform. In 2011, the country opted for a more expeditious and simpler system, specifically in conflict resolution.
“The written inquisitorial system, which is still in effect in part of the country, is totally inefficient,” said Magaly Castillo, executive director of Alianza Pro Justicia, one of the organizations that promoted the judicial reform and is monitoring the implementation of the SPA. “There are hundreds of cases filled with papers that take months to process, which is why we have citizens who have been locked up without trial or awaiting sentencing. That’s part of what the new system hopes to eliminate.”
There are 13,600 inmates spread over 23 prisons in a system designed to hold 7,400, according to Panama’s prison system.
Given the overcrowding in its prisons, Panama has joined – nearly 20 years later – numerous Latin American countries that have adopted similar strategies to provide a more efficient justice system.
The first was Argentina in 1991, followed by Guatemala (1994), Costa Rica and El Salvador (1998), Venezuela (1999), Chile and Paraguay (2000), Ecuador and Nicaragua (2001), Honduras (2002), the Dominican Republic (2004) and Colombia (2005).
“This system prevents detention without conviction as much as it can and respects the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven,” Barrera said.
Phased implementation
Panama’s Accusatory Penal System, which became operational on Sept. 2, 2011, is being installed gradually in the country’s four Judicial Districts.
A province’s population, its volume of crimes and the workload placed upon the public safety institutions were factors in deciding when an SPA is installed.
The Second Judicial District, which covers the provinces of Coclé and Veraguas, was established in 2011. On Sept. 2, 2012, the system was implemented in the Fourth Judicial District, which includes the provinces of Herrera and Los Santos.
In 2013, the program will be introduced in the Third Judicial District, which includes the provinces of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro. Finally, in September 2014, the program will arrive in the First Judicial District, which is home to the provinces of Panamá, Colón, Darién and the indigenous region of Guna Yala.
The idea, according to SPA’s implementation coordinator Arlene Caballero, is to observe and measure the results obtained in the districts with lower crimes rates so officials can identify areas that are in need of improvement. When it comes time to apply the system in areas with higher crime rates, such as Panama City, the SPA will have the best chance to be successful.
“This process goes hand-in-hand with a plan to settle pending cases that were registered under the previous inquisitorial model to remove the existing backlog in the courts as quickly as possible,” Caballero said.
The new system gradually has changed the way justice is served in Panama. Previously, it was common for judges to issue rulings in cases in which they did the prosecutor’s investigative work, causing the perception that judges were biased.
“Under the SPA, the Public Ministry, working with a prosecutor, investigates crimes and brings a charge if there is sufficient evidence, and it’s the judge who decides whether the accused is guilty, based on the evidence,” Barrera said.
Now, the presiding judge acts impartially, ensuring the prosecution and defense have the same opportunities to present their cases and no human rights are violated, Caballero said.
The SPA also relies heavily on oral testimony to reduce the time spent on conflict resolution.
The parties and witnesses testify before the judge, who issues sentences verbally, eliminating the written tradition of the inquisitorial system and bureaucratic processes that accompany thick case files.
The importance of mediation
During its first year, the mediation process and alternate conflict resolution measures have expedited the resolution of conflicts within Panama’s new judicial system.
“Alternate methods are essential to the new system, given that many of the proceedings end satisfactorily for the victim and the offender, without having to go through all the steps of the judicial process,” Barrera said.
In simpler cases, such as a breach of family duties, alimony and personal injury, the involved parties can, with the assistance of a mediator, quickly reach an agreement for the plaintiff to be compensated.
This way, a contribution is made to relieving the congestion of the judicial system, allowing officials from the Public Ministry to dedicate their resources to investigating more complicated cases, such as murder, narco-trafficking and fraud.
However, Barrera said reconciliation is not applicable in all cases or advisable in all circumstances.
“There needs to be an analysis of the situations and concrete characteristics of each crime,” he said.
From Sept. 2, 2011 to July 31, 2012, the following 420 case complaints were resolved through alternative procedures, according to Barrera:
– 134 cases agreed upon a form of restitution;
– 55 dropped the case;
– 36 ended through reconciliation;
– 164 suspended the process, subject to specific conditions;
– 31 led to plea bargains.
“What characterizes this system is that it avoids, as much as possible, detention without a conviction. It respects the principle of presumed innocence absent the proof of guilt,” Barrera said.
The new system has been received positively, Castillo said.
“Without a doubt, it’s a management model that offers greater respect to the victim, with short oral hearings that provide a rapid and precise resolution to conflicts,” Castillo added.
SPA’s greatest challenge will begin in September 2013, when it is implemented in the Third Judicial District, Castillo said.
“In Chiriquí there are currently 1,014 prisoners being held in a facility that was designed for 300,” Castillo added. “This province, which has one of the highest crime rates, is where we will really begin to evaluate the effectiveness of the new penal system in reducing prison overcrowding and easing the judicial backlog.”
A brief 5.2 tremor shook the Central Valley and Central Pacific Coastal Area of the country without causing damage. Seismologists say it had no relation to the Sept. 5 quake that caused severe damage o n the Nicoya Peninsula.
The epicenter was 11 kilometers — about 8 miles — southwest of the coastal town of Quepos in the Pacific Ocean. It was the first such quake for this Central Pacific area in 13 years.
This country sits (uneasily) at a point of subduction (see this Wikipedia article on subduction) of the Pacific Cocos seismic plate moving north meeting the Caribbean plate moving southwest. Although the small quake at Quepos was also caused by plate collision, it did not have the force of “the Big One” on the Peninsula.
In fact, the Friday quake was not even felt in the towns of Nicoya and Santa Cruz on the Nicoya Peninsla, where homes were damaged Sept. 5. However, the Monseñor Sanabria Hospital at the Pacific port of Puntarenas, severely damaged Sept. 5, was evacuated as a precaution.
That hospital is only partly used due to structural damage to brick columns that support the muilti-story section. and a new hospital will replace it. (See previous articles.) But no new damage was reported.
The previous tremor in the area came Aug. 20, 1999 and was much more severe, a 6.9 tremor. It was, however, like the Friday quake, of brief duration.
Costa Ricans tend to be a bit blase about quakes. But a 6.9 magnitude is a serious one. It must be remembered that the 1972 quake that devastated Managua, Nicaragua, registered just 6.2 on the Richter Scale.
That quake caused up to 20,000 deaths and mobilized rescue efforts from the United States and elsewhere. But the heavy loss of life and severe damage there was largely due to shoddy construction.
Managua is built on unstable soil left by the withdrawal of waters from the nearby lake, The U.S. embassy, for example, was built to resist ground movement, its foundations shaped like a boat hull so it rode out the quake.
But buildings on either side collapsed on top of it, negating the advantage. The lack of construction regulations which raised questions about government competence, plus blatant government theft of rescue supplies was the final straw, touching off the revolution that eventually topped the 42-year-old Somoza dictatorship in 1979.
