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.
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.
