Politician Antonio Alvarez (Desanti), the perennial would-be presidential candidate, won his case before the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) which last week ordered removal of a cell phone post in front of his house.
Of the 30 suits filed before Sala IV to have cell phone towers removed on the grounds of environmental damage, the Alvarez suit is the only one granted. There are six similar suits still under study.
The offending post was installed barely three months ago on the sidewalk in front of Alvarez’s home in Curridabat. The town’s mayor, Edgar Mora, expressed surprise at the court’s ruling, calling it “very strange.”
Mora added that it would be ridiculous if, after having rejected so many complaints, Sala IV would rule that an environmental impact study would have to be made for every cell phone post installed.
Among many residents, the proliferation of cell phone transmitting installations has been viewed with suspicion but test cases have been cleared by the environmental agency SETENA.
The installations, ruled SETENA, do not emit rays dangerous to nearby residents or wildlife. Moreover, the installations have negligible impact on nature.
On the other hand, Alvarez said he was surprised that SETENA did not do a study. “This is altogether too obvious,” he said, “Moreover, it’s worrisome that a municipality would not have the legal knowledge in such an elemental subject.”
Mora was not the only one caught by surprise. Claro regulations manager Victor Garcia charged that deactivation of the Alvarez installation would disturb service in Curridabat. He protested that the Mexican telecommunications company has followed the rules to the letter.
Walther Herrera, member of the telecom watchdog agency SUTEL, also lamented the court decision but admitted that only Curridabat’s city government had omitted an environmental study.
Commentary: Curridabat likely believed that since all the other cell installations had passed muster, surely theirs, identical to the rest, would pass environmental studies as well. SETENA is notoriously slow in giving the environmental green light and the municipal council likely wanted to save time.
In other countries, such roadblocks do not exist. In the United States, only wilderness areas lack cell coverage. Studies are not necessary for each cell installation any more than they would be required for a power or telephone line.
Indeed, we can’t resist observing that Alvarez’s reasoning reminds us of the suspicion that “new fangled” electricity aroused in the early 20th century. Salesmen traveled back roads to sell home owners plugs to put in unused outlets so the mysterious waves would not affect family members.
Indeed, we wonder if Alvarez filed his complaint to pander to older voters when he was running for nomination for president on the National Liberation Party. He has since settled for a top deputy post in exchange for his support of the candidature of San Jose Mayor Johnny Araya.
Source: Fijatevos
In Costa Rica when we say complete it should not be confused with finished. A case in point is the Virilla or “platina” bridge. We can give a lot more examples, but there is not enough space on the world wide web to do so. So, lets stick with this one and maybe a more recent one, like the San José – Caldera.
The photos shows the “completed” condition of the bridge today.
When in Costa Rica we say completed, it means, well for the most part it is finished. That is there are still things to do, but in general the work is done and over with. This applies not just to road construction, but to about every part of life and activity in Costa Rica.
Is your homework complete? Yes, but one more page to finish it. Did you complete your shopping? Yes, but one more store to visit to finish. Is the road repair complete? Yes, but we still have to pave it to be finished.
I think you get the gist of the difference between “completed” and “finished” in Costa Rica.
So lets look at some of the more recent “completed” and “finished” differences that effects everyone and everyday life in Costa Rica, its roads.
Such is the case of the Virilla or “platina” bridge as it is commonly known. The contract called for a “completed” date of February 21, but that did not mean it would have to be “finished”.
Generating controversy, though nothing will ever be done about it – is the San José – Caldera that was “completed” and inaugurated on January 2010, but still not “finished”. As a matter of fact, the road is closed as of today for three weeks between Atenas and Orotina that will include some, but not all, of the “finish” work.
I was one of the many invited on the January 27, 2010, to “officially” mark the “completion” of the highway. The ribbon was cut by then president Oscar Arias and lots of government officials, marking the completion of the highway that took some 30 years.
But was it or is finished? Noooooooo….. there is still lots to do like the building of pedestrian overpasses.
But the completion means the concessionaire can charge tolls to recover its costs and make a profit. Convenient, eh?
Back to the ‘platina” bridge.
Today, Monday, February 21, marks the “completion” day of the work. But anyone can see that the bridge work it is still not finished. Far from it.
Obvious to the naked eye are the missing parts of the guardrail, the concrete median between the opposing lanes that is now pylons, the signage, the painting of the lines on the pavement and still, we believe the final asphalt coat, just to name a few. What unfinished work lies under the bridge, hidden from sight is only known to the experts.
To the inexperienced in the ways of Costa Rica this would never be acceptable. Hey, it shouldn’t be either. But in Costa Rica, and that is the way it is.
In this case, as is in all the cases respecting road work, the ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) – the government agency responsible for road construction, re-construction, maintenance and the lack of, is ok with it.
Today they accepted the bridge. No ceremony, no one standing around saying, ok, its is done, not even a ribbon to cut. The contractor removed its workers from the side, citing the date on the calendar. Now, it will be up to the MOPT to finish it, whenever they get around to it.
You see this body is overburdened with projects and little money and manpower. Just look around your own area and you can surely make a list – a long list – of “completed” projects that have yet and surely may never be “finished”.
I suppose we can be thankful to this group that at least tries, starting all sorts of projects here and there that one day. In the past it didn’t even do that.
We leave you with the fact that this article is complete, but not finished.
The streets of San José, as in most towns in Costa Rica, each block is assumed to be 100 metres, although some blocks may be much longer and some may be shorter. So if someone tells you to head down the road 500 metes, they mean five blocks.
A worker carries the first street sign to be installed in Costa Rica in the avenue central in San Jose. Costa Rica, unveiled plans on Thursday to install its first street signs, so residents will not have to cite local landmarks like fast food restaurants and gas stations. Photograph by: JUAN CARLOS ULATE , Reuters
There are no North American type addresses in Costa Rica. And although most urban areas are laid in a grid pattern with calles (streets) running north and south and avenidas (avenues) running east and west, most likely there is no street sign or marking to indicate the name of the calle or avenida. And if by chance there is, it is faded or rusted to the point it is totally unlegible.
To navigate the streets of downtown San José like a pro all you need to know is that the bulevar (boulevard) is the Avenida O or better known as Avenida Central, and all avenues to the south are even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8 etc) and all to the north are odd (1, 3, 5, 7 etc).
As to the Calles, Calle O or Calle Cental is the one that runs in front of the Catedral Metropolitana – Metropolitan Cathedral and all calles to the east are odd and to the west even.
However, the foreging this is of very little help, for knowing the landmarks is most important.
The way it was in downtown San José circa 1981
For instance locating the Racsa offices which are located on the southwest corner of Calle 1 and Avenida 5 is better described: from the Correo (post office), 200 metres (2 blocks) east and 100 metres (1 block) north.
Most directions are that straightforward. Of course knowing your north/south and east/west and knowing the location of the post office – your starting reference point – is imperative.
A typical direction is based on a landmark. The Holiday Inn, the Caja, the Parque Central that is different than the Parque Nacional or the Parque La Merced. The Mercedes Tower, which is now the Scotiabank tower, the San Juan de Dios (the hospital), the Cementerio (Cemetery on Avenida 10) or the Muni (Municipal offices down the street from the cemetery) are all landmarks used for giving directions.
For the average Josefino (resident of San José) this is pretty straight forward. But for visitors, foreigners from another country or Ticos (Costa Ricans) not familiar with San José, this is a nightmare. Especially when the landmark references have changed, but are still being referred to as they once were.
Take for instance someone who has never been in San José how will they know that the “banco negro” is the main offices of the Banco de Costa Rica on Avenida 2. The “negro” or black reference dates back to when the bank building was a dark green (never black, though it looked black at night). The building face today has since been remodeled and now is aluminium (or aluminum) grey with a large horizontal flag of Costa Rica.
Years ago the obscure building at the south/west corner of Calle 1 and Avenida 3, currently housing a government office of some time was once the home of the US Embassy in San José. Some will still use the embassy as a reference. The US Embassy today is located in Pavas, some 8 kilometres west of downtown San José.
Or take the common case of using the Oscar Arias house for an address in Rohrmoser. How is the average person to know where Don Oscar lives?
An changing the exterior colour of a building or any other type of major renovation can through off any direction. The orange coloured house with the black gate has since changed to blue and the gate is white. Of what happens if one day Don Oscar decides to move?
Over the years there have been plans to modernize the system, not change the street names, but rather erect street signs.
This task has fallen on the post office, the Correos de Costa Rica, which for whatever reason has never able to get the job done.
Correos de Costa Rica building
You would think that the post office would have an interest in getting an address system in place and do away with one that is not three paragraphs and squarely based on landmarks.
Well, you see the post office doesn’t deliver the mail. No siree! Oh sure if you have lived long enough in San José you may have seen a mailman or two. But they, like the fire hydrants, are few and far in between.
Utility bills are delivered by the utility companies, thus the reason why you are asked for a utility bill when opening a bank account or applying for any type of credit. They, the utility companies, know exactly where the meter is located. Important letters and notices are delivered by private courier on motorcycles or on foot.
Mail is delivered to postal boxes at post offices or satellite locations like in Plaza Mayor, where the boxes are hidden and not property identified below the escalator of phase 1 (the Automercado).
There is a plan in place, one that was recently introduced and with the help of private companies, to place street signs at every corner. The plan has begun in downtown San José. It is unlikely, however, to reach the suburbs anytime soon. Or that many Costa Ricans want the signs, preferring the directions “”a la Tica”.
So, in conclusion, to navigate the streets of Chepe (as San José is often referred to) here are a few simple tips:
1. Allow lots of time to get to an appointment to an address you have never been to before.
2. Always carry the phone number of the person or office you are going to, to ask for more exact directions based on your current (lost) location.
3. Don’t rely that the address you are looking for has a number. Make sure you get specific landmark references, ie colour of the building, what is next to it, across the street, number of floors, etc.
4. Ask a taxi driver to take you or lead your way if you are driving.
5. Don’t assume that 100 metres is that, it refers to one block, be it 50 metres or 200 metres. An address with 50 metres is half a block and 25 metres a quarter block. If you are told 200 metres, don’t pace them, it is simply two blocks. So, why not say one, two or hald a block? Too simple.
6. Keep in mind that the reference point may have changed. The age of the person or the lenghth of time living in San José may mean reference points that no longer exist, like the Mercedes Tower on Paseo Colón. An older Tico will refer to the “Palace”, while a newcomer to San José will day the KFC, which is exactly the same place, diagonal to the Parque Central.
Watch the Reuters video below as the news of Costa Rica”s new street signs as covered by the international press.
7. Rorhmoser is in Pavas, but Pavas is not Rohrmoser. San Pedro every ones, but where is Montes de Oca? Alajuelita is not Alajuela. Make sure you write down or read the directions very, very carefully.
8. Using McDonalds as a reference point is always good. In the few square miles bounded by La Sabana on the west, Paseo Colon on the north, Avenida 10 on the south and Calle 9 on the east there are, count them, seven (the number) Mickey D’s. You could use KFC or Taco Bell or Burger King. All together they add up to less than the number of McD’s which is your better bet.
9. Everyone knows the Hotel del Rey or Key Largo, the original pickup bar for Costa Rica, located in the heart of historic Barrio Amon. Suggest you leave this one for last, don’t want to be labeled a “gringo verde” (a term used for a pervert, usually an older man looking for a young girl). Also many Ticos, though they know will not admit to it.
10. And last, if you are qless (clueless) or totally lost ask three people for directions and pick the two of the tree, moved in that direction and ask three more, repeat until you get close or actually find it.
If all fails, well there is tomorrow. Pack it in, start fresh mañana.
The airport departure tax is $26, payable in cash (dollars or colones) or with Visa. (Paying the tax via credit card means the transaction will be processed as a cash advance and incur additional fees.)
The tax is payable by everyone (tourist, resident or citizen) every time they leave the country by the air. It must be paid and a receipt obtained before reaching the airline counter. Some hotels collect the tax and issue a receipt to their guests, but usually add a service charge of up to US$3 or more.
Process
Paying the tax at the airport is a simple as presenting your travel document (usually your passport) at the Bancrédito counter located in the international airports. A receipt will be given for each passenger which must fill out and hand over to the airline before a boarding pass can be issued.
The tax only applies when you leave the country by air and does not apply for land exits for which there is no fee.
Legal Basis
The airport departure tax is based onLaw N 8316, governing the rights of leaving the country, published in La Gaceta N 205 on October 24, 2002; establishing a single tax and definitive concept of the right of exit from Costa Rica, which will have to be paid by all the persons who leaves the country by air.
Enjoy the beaches of Costa Rica safely. Take great care at beaches that drop off steeply as you enter the water. This is an indicator not only of large waves that crash straight onto the shore but also of strong currents. Watch what the locals are doing before you venture out into the waves&whether you’re swimming or surfing.
Thunder quaked, and with every step, I slid down the slippery jungle path nearing the edge of the canopy as rain poured through the trees. Howler monkeys groaned in the distance. One of my travel partners brought out a dry bag and enclosed his camera gear in of it. “I never travel without one of these,” he said. Wise, especially in Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park.
Fickle weather conditions in Costa Rica show no mercy to hikers, especially those who scrimp on accommodation and charter planes and rely instead on tents and their own two feet. The budget traveler’s best investment: a rain jacket and a strong will.
When to Go
Costa Rica has two seasons: the dry season (November through April) and the green season (May through mid-November). In August, I found the day to be divided in half: morning sun and heat with afternoon and evening storms. So, during greener months, schedule activities earlier in the day and keep your fingers crossed during the afternoon.
The rainiest months offer discounts on activities and accommodation. Many places, however, close in October when conditions worsen, so be sure to call ahead before booking.
Insider Tip: Don’t want to spring for a dry bag? Ziploc, or other plastic bags are a must. They’ll keep your camera dry on the trail and also will hold mud-soaked shoes away from clean clothes in your suitcase.
How to Get There
The journey to Corcovado National Park is part of the adventure.
Sansa Airlines has daily direct flights from San Jose to either Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, two of the Park’s main access points. Driving to either location is possible with a 4WD vehicle depending on the time of year. Roads can be perilous due to flooding and rain damage, so proceed with caution. Also, Drake Bay is not entirely accessible by car. You must first reach the town Sierpe then take a boat the rest of the way there. Tracopa bus line is another option for frugal travelers (it’s around $9 roundtrip).
Once in the Osa Peninsula, you have options to reach the park depending on how rugged an adventure you seek. The easiest, most expensive option: fly. For around $300 each way, Alfa Romeo Air Charters will get you directly to Sirena Ranger Station in minutes.
You can also access Corcovado from Drake Bay by boat. Tours depart Drake Bay Wilderness Resort at 7:30 am headed to San Pedrillo Ranger Station. The ride is 20 minutes. The more intrepid adventurer can boat one and a half hours to the Sirena Ranger Station, which has longer, more advanced hikes. Alternatively, you can walk the coastal trail to San Pedrillo station, just make sure to check tidal maps beforehand. Some areas become inaccessible during high tide.
From Puerto Jimenez, the most accessible entrance points to the park include the towns Carate to the south and La Palma to the northwest. Each town can be accessed by bus, taxi, or car.
Insider Tip: To fly, you must pack lightly, officials weigh you and your baggage before embarkation. Check websites for restrictions.
Where to Stay
Accommodations in and around Corcovado Park depend upon your budget and tolerance.
Daring travelers can stay in the Sirena Ranger Station dorms for $8 a night or camp on the grounds for $4. Advanced reservations recommended. These accommodations are not, I repeat not, for the faint of heart. Colossal Golden Orb Spiders claim this territory, so remember to shake out your sleeping bag and boots, and the bathrooms are, well…
The Danta Corcovado Lodge, Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, and Finca Exotica are a major step up while still reasonably priced, or at least within range of what you would expect to pay for a hotel. These accommodations are also scenically immersed in the jungle.
For a price, expect to be pampered at either Luna Lodge (Carate) or La Paloma Lodge (Drake Bay; considerably more pricey). Each place has its own list of activities like yoga, spa treatments, or day trips to Caño Island.
Insider Tip: Some lodges rent rain boots, useful for muddy trails.
Photo credits: Corcovado Park via Shutterstock; Sirena station courtesy of Flickr/Christian Haugen; Drake Bay Wilderness Resort courtesy of Flickr/Kradlum
The prison of San Lucas Island, which operated between 1873 and 1991, housing the most dangerous criminals in Costa Rica, seeks to grow as a tourist destination with its dark history of torture and the natural wealth that surround it.
The island San Lucas, which is 472 acres, is located three kilometers from the coast of Puntarenas, Central Pacific of Costa Rica, and is visited by tourists interested in learning about the history of the prison and the torture and inhumane conditions that the inmates faced.
The site is not yet suitable to receive visitors, so there are projects underway to restore historic buildings that are severely damaged by the passing years.
The general manager of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), Juan Carlos Borbón, told EFE that the government hopes to restore the chapel in no later than year and a half, with an investment of two million dollars.
The captaincy building was restored last year through a Japanese grant, which also includes work in the future such as the reconstruction of the pier, the building of a house for the guards, an environmental education center for tourists, and a sanitation and water treatment plant.
Bourbon noted that with these projects completed and the prison in better condition, San Lucas expects to have a maximum of 800 visitors per day, and thus promote the island as a place of great historical and natural wealth.
Ronald Montero, a guide on the island of San Lucas, explained that the prison began operating under the orders of Dictator Tomás Guardia (1831-1882). First, “political undesirables” were sent and then the country’s most violent criminals.
Each of the seven cells of the prison held up to 70 people who slept on the floor and were allowed only one hour of sunlight a day.
San Lucas Prison famous graffiti. Photo: famous graffiti,
Until 1950, inmates who disobeyed orders were punished in two places, “the hole” and “the iron”. It was common to hear them scream and beg for help, Montero clarified during a tour of the site.
“The hole” said the guide, is a hole two meters deep in the common courtyard, which you enter through a small space barely fitting one person, but underneath is an enclosure nine feet in diameter, where the temperature reached 60 degrees Celsius.
According to Montero, “the iron” was a kind of cell that unruly prisoners were sent to which held a combination of storm water and sewage. Limes were thrown in by guards to prevent odor, which made the space an unbearable chemical cocktail.
The true story of what happened in that prison is written in the novel “The Island of Lonely Men,” published in 1972 by Costa Rican Jose Leon Sanchez, who was imprisoned there from 1950 to 1988.
One of the main attractions of the prison is the hundreds of writings which can be seen on the walls of the cells, as well as pictures with high sexual content, one of ex-futbolista Pele.
Two of the most representative drawings of the prison walls are known as “red bikini girl” and “comfort girl”, two life-size works depicting beautiful women who inmates fantasized about.
According to Montero, the red bikini girl has blood lines with the nurse who treated inmates and was killed by them, but that version has not been proven.
All these stories are part of the tour on the island; it is also possible to walk through the tropical dry forest which is the Wildlife Refuge Isla San Lucas since 2001.
The island has indigenous archaeological sites, huge biodiversity as well as lush beaches where there were interest to build resorts.
That initiative was rejected by the Government in 2003 in order to preserve the nature of the dark past for a country recognized for the protection of human rights.
Experts from Costa Rica and the Spanish company PharmaMar, dedicated to marine biotechnology research, beginning in February will seek new cures and treatments for cancer in organisms living in Costa Rican waters.
The Spanish company will work for five years in the territorial waters of Costa Rica thanks to an agreement with the National Institute of Biodiversity (INBio), promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex).
A spokesman of the INBio explained that the Costa Rican and Spanish specialists will develop innovative studies on macro-organisms, especially sponges, both in the Pacific as well as the Caribbean to support the discovery of innovative drugs with anti-tumor activity.
The director general of the Institute, Carlos Hernandez, said in a statement that the agreement, signed last September, enables both organizations to work together and to the mutual exchange of knowledge, each in their specialty.
“Being able to take part in trainings provided by PharmaMar, learning about modern strategies for the discovery of new drugs, are some of the elements included in the agreement,” explained Hernandez.
The explorations, added the scientist, will be an opportunity for both entities to examine the chemical composition of certain species of macro, and perhaps in the future micro-organisms, not only for potential anticancer applications but also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.
Scientists do not need to take complete specimens to study, but only samples to analyze their chemical composition and active ingredients and from there try to develop drugs.
If successful, Costa Rica will share the rights with the company, and would get a share of the profits.
Director of Research and Development at PharmaMar, Carmen Cuevas, said that this agreement will transfer knowledge.
It will also serve to catalog the species found in the waters of Costa Rica.
“This joint effort will ultimately help to have a better understanding of marine biodiversity in the country,” said Cuevas.
PharmaMar was founded in 1986 and belongs to the Zeltia group. It is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the search for innovative marine-derived treatments.
In their 25 years of operation, the company has accumulated more than 125,000 specimens of marine organisms, they have discovered 700 new chemical entities and have identified 30 new families of compounds.
During that period, PharmaMar has applied or have been granted over 1456 patents, and has spent $650 million on research and development.
Costa Rica’s Health Ministry confirms it will ask for a repeal of the anti-smoking law following the announcement by the United States office of the Surgeon General that smoking is fine as long as you only do it when you drink.
Greg Paulson, U.S. Deputy Surgeon General, in a live press conference explained that no one has ever gotten cancer from just bumming a couple of cigarettes at a party.
Paulson said that studies reveal that as long as you don’t actually buy the cigarettes and if you smoke while consuming alcohol, the risks of getting lung cancer almost negligible. “Its just common sense”, says Paulson.
The Deputy Surgeon General said that only when you smoke deeply it can kill you, but an occasional smoke will not. In fact, a couple of cigarettes helps reduce stress and stress will definitely kill you.
The announcement comes at heels of a previous announcement by the Office of the Surgeon General that drinking and driving is OK if you ate a lot that day or if you drive a route you take all the time sober.
Costa Rica’s Health minister confirmed that the recently passed anti-smoking law will be repealed. “Costa Ricans can go back to smoking everywhere and apologized for the stress induced by the anti-smoking period, that it was based on erroneous data”, said the minister.
As to be able to buy just one cigarette which was banned by the anti-smoking law, Health officials say they things will go back to the way it should be, buying only one cigarette at the corner stand and not be held hostage to the tobacco companies’ insistence of selling 20 packs.
One Health official who asked to remain anonymous said that there is discussion on possible legislation to force tobacco companies to package only one cigarette, paving the way for supermarkets and bars to sell individual cigarettes. But matches would still be sold in packs (no individual sales), though lighters can be sold individually.
Costa Rica’s tax department, piped in saying that though the anti-smoking law will be go up in smoke, it will not eliminate tax on cigarettes by the new law. In fact, the law called for a tax of ¢20 colones on each cigarette, so it works out well for them.
And that is all good news for Costa Ricans who do enjoy the occasional cigarette and love to drink and drive.
The Rentista Residency Category (based on investment income) is of major interest to many persons contemplating moving to live in Costa Rica.
This Category requires the following documentation for each Applicant, which must be issued current within six months of the Application date, as submitted to the Costa Rican Immigration Department:
1. An original Birth Certificate, issued by the State, or Province in which you were born, and authenticated by the Costa Rican Consulate which has jurisdiction. In the case of U.S. citizens, the Certificate must be certified by the Secretary of State.
2. If applying with a spouse, a Marriage Certificate issued in the same manner as paragraph #1.
3. A Criminal Records Search conducted by the police in the jurisdiction where you reside and authenticated by the Costa Rican Consulate.
4. A notarized copy of all pages of your Passport (this can be done by a Costa Rican Notary, which saves the authentication process).
5. A Financial Responsibility Letter from a recognized financial institution indicating a monthly income from investment sources of at least $2,500.00 U.S. per month, notarized and authenticated by the Costa Rican Consulate if issued in a foreign country.
6. Registration with the Embassy of your home country in Costa Rica.
Fingerprinting will also be necessary by the Costa Rican Police and the subscription to the Costa Rican Public Health Insurance, following the grant of Residency.
The documentation will have to be translated into Spanish by a recognized interpreter and formalized into an Application by a Costa Rican Notary, prior to submission to the Immigration Department.
An interesting change to the Application requirements for this Category under the new Regulations to the Law, just published at the end of January, 2011, is that the period for establishing a monthly income of $2,500.00 U.S. per month, has been reduced from a five year to a two year period (Regulation Article 76 e).
This has the effect of reducing the investment funding required for this Residency Category from the previous requirement of a $150,000.00 U.S. funded investment to a $60,000.00 U.S. funded investment. This change will open-up an opportunity for many would-be Applicants that didn’t previously exist.
Purchasing property in Costa Rica requires a higher level of due diligence in order to avoid the pitfalls that are presented. A Purchaser requires the assistance of both a skilled Realtor and Attorney/Notary, in order that the proper inquiry is made prior to any Purchase Agreement being entered into.
As Realtors are not licensed, or regulated by the Government in Costa Rica, it is particularly important that a Purchaser do their due diligence of the Realtor that they choose. There are many good Realtors in Costa Rica, but it is important to choose both a competent Realtor and a Realtor who is knowledgeable in the area of Costa Rica where you intend to buy. No MLS system exists in Costa Rica and the knowledge of listings in a particular area are usually only those personally known to the Realtor that you choose.
Although Attorneys and Notaries are licensed and regulated by their professional bodies, it is equally important to choose an Attorney/Notary who specializes in property purchases. Following the initial negotiations to establish the price and a closing date for the purchase transaction with the Seller, the Attorney/Notary acting for the Purchaser, will prepare the Purchase Agreement setting-out the terms of sale.
The Purchaser and Seller will sign this Agreement and the Purchaser will usually pay into escrow with their Attorney/Notary, a deposit of approximately ten percent of the purchase price, to be held subject to various specified contingencies being satisfied, following which the deposit would become firm and non-refundable to the Purchaser.
When purchasing an existing house, or condominium which has been constructed and the property has a registered title in the National Registry, the Attorney/Notary will conduct a Title Search of the property in the National Registry to determine if there are any liens, or other annotations on the property, such as mortgages, which need to be cleared from the tile at closing. In addition, a review of the property Survey Plan will be made. If the Survey Plan exceeds ten years from the date of issue, it is advisable to have a Land Surveyor conduct a check of the property boundaries to determine if there are any irregularities such as encroachments.
When purchasing raw land for building, it is particularly important that the Attorney/Notary conduct additional due diligence, such as obtaining a copy of a Land Use Permit (Uso de Suelo) from the applicable municipality to determine the use to which the land is zoned and to insure that appropriate access to the property may be made from a public road, or that an easement exists connecting the property to a public road. Depending on the type of development being considered, inquires may have to be made of the Government Environmental Agency (SETENA), the Government Housing.
It’s July of 1990, and the two Germany’s have just united, marking the end of the Cold War, and capped with West Germany’s soccer World Cup victory over Argentina.
As the images of the defeated players travelled the world (who can forget Diego Maradona’s tears?), in New York, a Latin American company was symbolically ending the lost decade. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since that summer when the Telephone Company of Chile (CTC) managed to get listed on Wall Street, for an amount that seems quaint today – $75 million.
Two decades later, developed countries are in the middle of an unprecedented crisis and investors are turning to Latin America. With its positive growth rates, large investment projects, controlled inflation, rising commodity prices and political stability, Latin America and its companies have become very attractive.
Companies like Ecopetrol from Colombia, Pacamayao from Peru and Cencosud from Chile have shown this by ringing the bell in the most important stock exchange in the world, as well as by attracting investors to local stock exchanges.
How can we take advantage of the momentum and transform it into a structural change?
For Jorge Errazuriz, the Chilean president of Celfin Capital who worked on the CTC listing, Latin America has to believe in itself more. He also says that the ideal situation would be for more of the investments to happen through local stock exchanges, something that is already taking place.
And it is not only foreign investors who are taking note. There are many new investment funds popping up around Latin America and investing in local projects, particularly in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru, which are considered the largest markets in the region. Taken together, these markets are capitalized at $3.9 billion.
The rest of Latin America, on the other hand, is generating little interest, given the size of their stock exchanges and the number of companies listed. “They are what’s called borderline economies, which implies that the liquidity, rules and regulations are not attractive or stable enough for investors to invest without major risks,” explains Daniel Velandia, a Colombian economic researcher.
Integrated markets and synergy
Velandia says there is a lot of opportunity in the Latin American Integrated Market (MILA), which includes Peru, Chile and Colombia. The three countries have complementary strengths; Chile has financial and retail companies, Colombia has energy companies and Peru mining companies. Although Colombia and Peru have relatively few listed companies, the integrated market can generate a lot of positive synergy. It could get even better, if Mexico decides to join the MILA.
However, experts agree that the MILA hasn’t taken off yet, due to a lack of standard practices among the different countries. According to Errazuriz, the countries in MILA should act like their financial markets were part of a “United States of Latin America.”
“All of the markets should be interrelated, so that someone here could buy stock in Mexico with the same ease as if he or she were in Mexico,” says Jaime Humberto Lopez, president of the Colombia Association of Stock Exchange Agents.
As attractive as it is, the region still faces risks that derive, at least in part, from its own success. An example that illustrates the challenges for the region, according to analysts, is the situation in Brazil, where a revaluation of the currency caused volatility in the markets.
For Sandra Manuelito, an economic affairs officer at CEPAL, the resistance among Latin American companies to list themselves on the stock market is another limiting factor. “Many of the companies in the region belong to families or small groups, and listing on the stock market means opening up the company and sharing control,” she explained.
Companies are also reluctant to make their information public, which is one of the conditions to listing on the stock market. The different actors in the financial markets have to convince companies of the advantages of being listed in the stock exchange.
Up to a certain point, that is working, because investors are clamoring for new offerings. But in spite of it all, both analysts and stock exchange directors agree that they should avoid artificially accelerating the transition.
Juan Pablo Cordoba, the president of Colombia’s stock exchange, sums it up well, “We’re talking about a major structural change, about how to convert this global economy into a source of financing and growth.”
Costa Rica’s Deputy minister of Culture and Youth Karina Bolaños has achieved international fame after learning that an erotic video ran the social networks. In it, Bolaños appears in her underwear and dedicating a somewhat racy message to a man while hugging a pillow and hinted viewers one of her nipples.
“Here I am alone, wishing, waiting to see you. I swear if this pillow was you,..” said the deputy minister from her homemdae recording.
Bolaños was dismissed from her post while the video continued to circulate worldwide.
Since Karina has been interviewed stark naked only covered by a white sheet by the Spanish magazine Interviu.
In the interview the former Deputy Minister told the tale of how she was extorted with that video. For better or for worse it did bring her fame, including the cover of some of the most famous magazines in Spain.
Bolanos said she made the video in 2007 when she was separated from her husband, a Costa Rican congressman. She claims the video was stolen by a computer engineer hired to install security cameras, who then tried to blackmail her. Bolanos, 39, had the job since 2006.
Since we have not heard much of Karina.
WARNING: VIDEO and PHOTOS CONTAINS CONTENT THAT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL READERS
Have you ever dreamed of the perfect place to live or retire with a great lifestyle? You have found it and Christopher Howard will introduce you to it.
Costa Rica is a unique tropical retirement paradise which offers inexpensive living and retirement; affordable first-world medical care for retirees; the opportunity to start over; lots of great outdoor sports for retirees; every imaginable activity for Boomers, retirees and other expats to stay busy and happy; stunning scenery with sun-soaked, beautiful beaches and spectacular mountains.
Add to all this a peaceful nation with political stability and year round spring-like weather in the Central Valley, the friendly people who actually like Americans and it is easy to see why Costa Rica has become tops on the list of expatriate and Baby Boomer retirement havens. More Americans live and retire here per capita than any other country outside of the United States. They can’t be wrong!
Christopher Howard is a straight-shooter who will will show and tell you about the upside and downside.
A place to retire with DIGNITY where you can live your retirement dream
FIRST-CLASS health care at a fraction of the price you pay at home and mecca for medical tourism. Costa Ricans have a HIGHER longevity rate than the U.S. and The World Health Organization rates Costa Rica ABOVE the U.S
YEAR-ROUND spring-like weather in the Central Valley
LOW utility bills and home taxes (.25 percent of declared value)
UNTARNISHED international image. How often do you hear bad things in the news about Costa Rica? Only good news!
Latin America’s oldest and most STABLE democracy
NO army and NO terrorism. Costa Rica has NO enemies. Money spent on “cradle to grave” universal health care and education.
VALUE real estate investments. Costa Rica is considered one of the world’s BEST emerging real estate markets and HIGHLY-DESIRED warm weather destination like Hawaii. Many properties are in locations with BREATHTAKING views
MORE Americans residents proportionately than any country in the world
A TIGHTLY-KNIT large expatriate community
The ONLY country in Latin America with a time-tested organization in place that helps retirees with everything you need to know to make the move from A to Z
EXCELLENT quality of life
GOOD communications with high-speed internet in many areas
Tax SAVINGS
OPPORTUNITIES for entrepreneurs of all ages
Super FRIENDLY people who like Americans
MANY people who speak English (Chris will give you short cuts for Speaking Spanish)
1000s of activities to stay busy and HAPPY. Costa Ricans are the HAPPIEST people in the world and it just may rub off on you.
A nature lovers Disneyland
AFFORDABLE hired help
The pure BEAUTY of the country
Fantastic beaches and WARM water
Latin America’s #1 tourist destination according to Travel Weekly Magazine
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Driving in excess of 150 km/h on Costa Rica’s roads can land the driver up to three years in jail the loss of their driver’s license. The sanction is part of the new Ley de Tránsito that the country will see go into effect in the coming weeks.
Driving at such a high speed does not come with a monitery fine but rather with a prison term as called for in Article 254bis of the Penal Code.
If speeding less than the 150 km/h the fines are as follows:
– Driving over 120 km/h (but not exceeding 150 km/h): ¢280.000 and six points
– Driving 40 km/h over the posted speed limit: ¢189.000 and four points
– Driving over 25 km/h in a school zone or hospital: ¢94.000 (no points)
– Motorcyclists driving in between vehicles at a speed over 25 km/h: ¢94.000 (no points)
– Driving slow enough so as to cause congestion (tortuguismo): ¢94.000 (no points)
– Driving 20 km/h over the posted limit: ¢47.000 (no points)
– Rubber necking or mirones (slowing down to see an accident) so as to cause congestion: ¢20.000 (no points)
The new traffic law is waiting the signature of the president, an act that is to schedule to occur this coming week, and the publication in La Gaceta, the official government newsletter.
San Jose’s “Barrio Chino” (Chinatown) has received its gateway, a pagoda-like roof affair hovering over the street known as Paseo de los Estudiantes.
The half million dollar structure designed by a Costa Rican architect, Mariano Ureña, (who is not Chinese or even Chinese/Costa Rican) will be the crowning touch on a project begun during the Arias Administration.
The entranceway to the street will be 40 feet high and 50 feet wide, large enough to permit passage of the country’s largest fire engine in case of emergency.
The design has a heavy Tang dynasty influence except that eight concrete spheres are incorporated in it to evoke an idea of pre-Columbian spheres which most archaeologists attribute to early indigenous tribes.
The original idea of the barrio in southeastern San Jose is to group Chinese businesses there in tribute to the rich cultural heritage brought by Chinese immigrants.
The district had a few Chinese restaurants in the area but no more than other business districts. Signs of blight were appearing in the district once filled with hardware stores that have now moved to malls.
However, not far from Paseo de los Estudiantes, two of the best Chinese restaurants in the country have done business for years — the Tin-Jo and the Don Wang.
San Jose’s Chinatown is expected to be finished in November.
Quick thinking by two observers. who risked their own lives. rescued an indigent from an attack by two pit bull guard dogs in Desamparados Thursday, reported the national newspaper La Nacion.
Jose Luis Jimenez, 30, was collecting discarded aluminum and plastic to sell to recyclers from the Cucubres River bed when the two dogs guarding shops on one river bank attacked him.
Jimenez was rushed to San Juan de Dios Hospital for deep bites on arms and legs and was reported in stable condition after surgery to his left arm where the most damage had been inflicted.
But undoubtedly the attack would have had even more serious — even fatal — consequences if an unidentified high school student and maintenance man Marvin Machado had not rushed to rescue Jimenez.
Disregarding the risk to their lives, the pair administered a swift blow to the nose of the largest dog with a stout stick. The dog retreated. The smaller dog decided to discontinue the assault.
An official at Monseñor Sanabria High School had warned Jimenez not to continue along the riverbed due to the dogs that guarded shops on the river banks. But Jimenez ignored the warning.
One high school official said the dogs run loose during the day. They are prevented from entering school grounds by a wall but he asked, “What would happen if a student falls into the river?”
The dogs were identified as a cross between pit bulls and American Staffordshires but this was undoubtedly a misidentification. Ticos tend to identify any large, aggressive dog as a pit bull.
Moreover, other breeds are often incorrectly called pit bulls including Rottweilers.
But Desamparados, a southern suburb of San Jose, has a real problem with dog attacks. Most attacks have been from dogs trained (read, “made vicious”) in order to contest other canines in illegal fighting rings.
Quick thinking by two observers. who risked their own lives. rescued an indigent from an attack by two pit bull guard dogs in Desamparados Thursday, reported the national newspaper La Nacion.
Jose Luis Jimenez, 30, was collecting discarded aluminum and plastic to sell to recyclers from the Cucubres River bed when the two dogs guarding shops on one river bank attacked him.
Jimenez was rushed to San Juan de Dios Hospital for deep bites on arms and legs and was reported in stable condition after surgery to his left arm where the most damage had been inflicted.
But undoubtedly the attack would have had even more serious — even fatal — consequences if an unidentified high school student and maintenance man Marvin Machado had not rushed to rescue Jimenez.
Disregarding the risk to their lives, the pair administered a swift blow to the nose of the largest dog with a stout stick. The dog retreated. The smaller dog decided to discontinue the assault.
An official at Monseñor Sanabria High School had warned Jimenez not to continue along the riverbed due to the dogs that guarded shops on the river banks. But Jimenez ignored the warning.
One high school official said the dogs run loose during the day. They are prevented from entering school grounds by a wall but he asked, “What would happen if a student falls into the river?”
The dogs were identified as a cross between pit bulls and American Staffordshires but this was undoubtedly a misidentification. Ticos tend to identify any large, aggressive dog as a pit bull.
Moreover, other breeds are often incorrectly called pit bulls including Rottweilers.
But Desamparados, a southern suburb of San Jose, has a real problem with dog attacks. Most attacks have been from dogs trained (read, “made vicious”) in order to contest other canines in illegal fighting rings.
The Cerveceria Costa Rica (Florida Ice and Farm) – Costa Rica’s brewery – has complained that vast amounts of beer are entering Costa Rica at very low prices.
The complaint, originally made to the Directorate General of Taxation so that this institution could verify that the correct taxes were paid on these imports, was later presented to the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) as a suspected case of dumping or unfair competition.
An article in Nacion.com reports that “The Treasury Office to which the Directorate of Taxation belongs confirms the complaint and said that the Comptroller of Taxation is conducting a review of the profit margins in order to follow up with the importers, wholesalers and retail sellers. The Treasury Office added that the Directorate General of Customs, another of its dependent offices, will check the prices and recommended that the interested party redirect the complaint to the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) for investigation into the theme of dumping or unfair competition. ”
“The numbers reflect a significant increase in beer imports. It 2008, the country imported this product for a value of $5.9 million. It dipped to $3.9 million the next year because of the impact of the economic crisis, but last year it amounted to $6.9 million. Between January and April of this year (latest data available), imports of malt beer were valued at around $2.65 million, according to the web Page of the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer) citing data from the Central Bank. ”
Cerveceria Costa Rica is a brewery in San José, Costa Rica, known as the home of Imperial.
Florida Ice & Farm Co. started in 1908 in La Florida de Siquirres, Costa Rica. It was started by the Lindo Morales brothers. At first, the company used to make ice for the banana ships that would come to Limón.
In 1912, the Lindo Brothers bought the Cerveceria y refresqueria Traube, which had been started by Jose Traube, in Cartago. From then on, FIFCO’s main business went from producing ice, to producing beverages, and through its main operation, it would be later known as Cerveceria Costa Rica.
World Egg Day is celebrated across the World on the second Friday in October. Whether you celebrate World Egg Day every year, or this will be your first time, make sure that this year on Friday 12th October, you get cracking and help to make this World Egg Day the biggest and the best ever.
The egg is one of the most important foods in Costa Rica, not only for its cheap cost but also for it nutritional value. This is no yolk. Eggs certainly are what they are cracked up to be. Aside from high cholesterol, eggs are a healthy food. High in nutrition, and low in fat, people all over the world enjoy eggs. And, they celebrate eggs on this day.
According to the Cámara Nacional de Avicultores, on average 2.5 million eggs are consumed daily in Costa Rica – that is 75.000.000 a month or 900.000.000 yearly.
To celebrate the day, the Cámara is planning a variety of activities in the Juan Santamaría park in downtown Alajuela, one of which providing 3.000 egg breakfasts at 7:30am.
Other activities will see competition for the fastest egg packer and the largest chicken egg.
To crack open the eggs Costa Rican athletes participating in 2012 Olympic games will lend a hand.
Don’t have egg on your face, by forgetting this special day. We can think of a dozen reasons to enjoy World Egg Day to the fullest. We know eggs-actly how people begin this special day…. with eggs for breakfast. And, there’s ohh so much more you can do with them.
Ways to celebrate World Egg Day:
First and foremost, eat some eggs today. You can have them for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Learn more about the health benefits of eggs.
Have an Egg Hunt. Who says egg hunts are only at Easter!? More on Egg Hunts.
Hold a debate with the question: “Which came first, the chicken or the Egg?”
Have an Egg throwing contest. It’s a big sport in Great Britain.
Read an eggy story to your child. We suggest reading “The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg”.
Decorate some eggs.
Find out how many things are made of, or contain eggs. You might be surprised.
Origin of World Egg Day:
Although their website did not make the claim, we believe this day was created in the United States by the International Egg Commission. This organization promotes the egg industry. They have a wealth of information on eggs, and about World Egg Day.
On November 3 Costa Ricans will take part in the Lady Gaga “The Born This Way Ball” concert tour being held at the Estadio Nacional (National Stadium) in La Sabana park.
The fan club, “Club de Fas en Costa Rica de Lady Gaga” posted on their Facebook page that Costa Rica WILL have the Monster Pit.
Originally the Monster Pit was not part of the show. However, on Monday a official statement by RPMTV, the promoter of the concert, said that the Pit would be in our country.
The Monster Pit is part of the design that has been used in most countries in Europer, Asia and Oceania.
On February 6, 2012, Gaga tweeted that the central area within the stage will be known as “The Monster Pit”, which is regulated to general admission fans who were the first to arrive. Every night, the Haus of Gaga will also choose fans from the Monster Pit to come backstage and meet Gaga. On Lady Gaga’s official website, the rules of eligibility for the Monster Pit are described in more detail.
According to “Gagapedia”, here are the Monster Pit eligibility details:
– Due to venue capacity issues, only those with GA floor tickets will be eligible to earn Monster Pit access.
– For safety & security reasons, fans won’t be permitted to line up at the venue before 8am local time the day of the show; those with GA floor tickets can line up in the Monster Pit eligibility line. The afternoon of each show, Monster Pit access wristbands will be distributed to GA floor ticket holders who have arrived first, waited the longest, and are dressed to “Ball.”
– The first person in line for the Monster Pit will receive a key.
– A very limited amount of Monster Pit passes will be held and distributed at random each night for those who do NOT have GA floor tickets; these will be awarded to fans who arrived first, waited longest, + dressed to “Ball” but who do not have GA floor tickets.
Monster Pit key
The first person in line for the Monster Pit is awarded a key, which symbolically opens the Monster Pit for each date. They are called the “Holders of the Monster Pit key”. After each show, Gaga’s team uploads a picture with the holder on LittleMonsters.com, who are all meant to sign them on their respective keys. On dates with venues that are to small for the Monster Pit, the first person on the General Admissions line is awarded the key.
The Born This Way Ball Tour is the third concert tour by Lady Gaga to promote Born This Way. Gaga first announced the tour on February 19, 2011 during the first night of the third version of The Monster Ball Tour. Gaga stated that she originally intended to start the tour at the end of 2011. Gaga also stated during an interview with Fuse, that she wanted The Born This Way Ball Tour to be more like a continuation of The Monster Ball Tour; however, the continuation concept was not used.
Now there an easier way to get to Costa Rica and that is with Q, an on-line destination for those who want to get the most out of Costa Rica.
The Q mission is to add to their knowledge of the country, helping them enjoy its pleasures and cope with the complexity. From the one-time visitor, to the seasonal visitor to those adopting Costa Rica as their new home, Q has everything.
Over the coming days we will be populating the site with a lot of Qinteresting topics, news and more. We hope you enjoy our site and welcome your comments. Write to editor@qcostarica-082020.mystagingwebsite.com
Of the 30 suits filed before Sala IV to have cell phone towers removed on the grounds of environmental damage, the Alvarez suit is the only one granted. There are six similar suits still under study.
