Archive for May, 2008
Thursday, May 8th, 2008
Costa Rica nationalized its health care system shortly after abolishing their military in the 1940′s. The World Health Organization (WHO) cites that healthcare costs in Costa Rica are only a 10th of the cost of comparable care in the US though Costa Rican life expectancy is longer than that of the US. Costa Rica is home to over 30 hospitals and more than 250 government sponsored clinics throughout the country. The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) is the agency responsible for providing health services in Costa Rica. Although CCSS covers Costa Rican nationals, it also provides affordable medical service to any foreign resident or visitor. Residents, both national and foreign, can also buy health insurance from the state monopoly Instituto de Seguro Nacional (INS). Expats may also join the CCSS by paying a small monthly fee based on income. Costa Rica’ private network has over 200 affiliated doctors, hospitals, labs, and pharmacies. Since most Costa Ricans as well as residents have access to free or extremely affordable healthcare, the country rates higher in delivering quality health services to their population than does the US.
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Thursday, May 8th, 2008
The ultra-modern 85,000 square foot Hospital De Osa located in the town of Cortez, in Puntarenas, Costa Rica is now open. The hospital is the newest in Costa Rica and features multiple treatment facilities including a state of the art emergency room, a pediatrics wing, a neurology center and an obstetrics and gynecology center. The hospital will also provide family and internal medicine as well as a clinic for routine and preventative medicine. The location was chosen due to the large influx of Americans, Canadians and Europeans moving into the area and to replace the aging facility in Cortez believed to have been built by the United Fruit Company.
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Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
The decision to set up plants in Costa Rica made by companies such as Deshler (auto devices) and Microcell (mobile phone assembly and repair) promoted the image of this Central American nation as an ideal site for high-technology manufacturing. This also led to the establishment of an organization to attract foreign investment in the advanced manufacture sector, meaning auto, electronic, air and space, and aeronautics industries. So far, the efforts had been focused on the service, medical supply, and electronics industries, sources of the Costa Rican Coalition of Development Initiatives (CINDE in Spanish) and the Foreign Trade Promoter said.
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Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu is scheduled to arrive in Costa Rica Tuesday for a three-day visit that includes a meeting with President Oscar Arias, who broke ties with Taiwan to recognize China last year, Arias’ office said.
Before his talks with Arias, Hui will meet with parliament speaker Francisco Pacheco.
Hui will be accompanied by top officials from China’s ministries of hydraulic resources, trade and foreign affairs, the Costa Rican foreign ministry said.
China promised to finance the construction of a new, 60-million-dollar stadium in Costa Rica after San Jose switched allegiance to Beijing last June, ending 63 years of relations with Taiwan.
The 35,000-capacity stadium will replace the National Stadium, which will be demolished.
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Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
For the second time this year, Costa Rica’s Central Bank escaped binging on dollars in the exchange market, according to information released by the finance company Aldesa.
The financial institution has been forced most weeks to absorb dollars, preventing the colón from bouncing below the established lower exchange limit.
A flood of dollars in the Costa Rican market pushes up the value of the colón, something the Central Bank tries to control by purchasing those dollars and issuing colones.
That action, however, tends to increase inflation – something the Central Bank has committed to controlling for 2008 – fueling speculation that the bank will choose to lower the bottom limit on the exchange rate instead.
In 2008 alone, the Central Bank has purchased $1 billion off the exchange market. That marks a steep increase over 2007, when it bought roughly $1.4 billion the entire year.
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Monday, May 5th, 2008
“Grave Digger,” a Chevrolet, takes a nose dive in the Monster Trucks show at Costa Rica’s Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in Tibás last Thursday as part of a car-crunching three-day event, which organizers said sold out in advance. The eight total monsters also included “Batman,” “Superman,” “Blue Thunder” and “Toro Loco” (Mad Bull).
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Monday, May 5th, 2008
The U.S. Department of State again has certified Costa Rica to export shrimp to the United States. The country is one of 41 entitied so certified.
The certification means that Costa Rica has taken measures, mainly requring the use of sea turtle excluders, to reduce killing sea turtles by shrimp trawlers. The excluder lets the turtles swim out of the net if caught.
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Friday, May 2nd, 2008
As lawmakers celebrated the beginning of their third year in office yesterday, hopes were high for greater political consensus.
Bickering over free trade paralyzed the Legislative Assembly for months last year, allowing lawmakers to pass just 47 laws during the past 12 months, one-third fewer than during the previous period.
“Now there is renewed hope that lawmakers can reach accords that have eluded us,” said Assembly President Francisco Pacheco, who was re-elected yesterday for a third term.
Every year on May 1, lawmakers elect a new directors board, the assembly’s party leaders speak, and the president gives a State of the Union address.
The National Liberation Party (PLN) won five of six spots on the directors board, which runs daily sessions and appoints staff.
The next two years will be tough for the Arias administration, as an economic slowdown in the United States and surging prices threaten to drag down the economy and increase poverty.
Still, tough times may inspire lawmakers to compromise on bills, after two years of mudslinging over the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States.
On the legislative agenda this year are proposals to fight crime, speed public concession projects, eradicate shantytowns and increase penalties for traffic violations.
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Thursday, May 1st, 2008
The immigration department will use a telephone call center to set appointments for foreigners who must renew their residency documents.
In addition, the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería also will schedule appointments for foreigners only in the month in which their documents expire.
Foreigners have benefited from two decrees and an immigration regulation. These actions extended the life of their residency document automatically and without official processing. The downside was that some institutions, such as banks and government offices, and some private companies, such as airlines, did not recognize the automatic extensions.
At the same time the immigration department was trying to work itself out of a mess involving devices that issued new plastic identity cards with ink that rubbed off.
The problem with the documents have been remedied, according to immigration officials, and they are issuing the plastic card for all types of residency. The plastic contains a photo, a user’s signature and biometric data for positive identification. The card resembles the cédula carried by a Costa Rican.
The cards are produced by machinery and a patented process from Lasercard, a California company that also makes the green cards for the U.S. government.
The immigration department established the telephone number 900-1234567 for foreigners who wish to renew their documents. A press release cautioned that the telephone had to be capable of making 900-line calls.
The telephone system will operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Foreigners also can make appointments in person at the immigration offices in La Uruca from 8 a.m. to noon weekdays.
Mario Zamora, the immigration director, said that he was counting on the cooperation of foreigners to seek renewal appointments only in the month that their current document expired. The department is now taking appointments for those foreigners whose documents expired in May of any year.
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Thursday, May 1st, 2008
San Jose isn’t just the capital of Costa Rica, it’s also the nation’s largest city. With an estimated population of 1.6 Million people, San Jose is a genuine metropolitan area offering a little something for everybody.
#1 San Jose
Fans of the fine arts will have no shortage of places to go, Costa Rica’s high education level means museums abound. If you’re traveling with the little ones, El Museo de los Niños (The Children’s Museum) offer exhibits about children’s culture, science, music, and geography. Recommended for children up to 12. If anthropology is your thing, be sure to check out El Museo de Oro Pre-Colombiano (The Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold) where you can see how Mayan artisan crafted fine gold before the arrival of the Spanish.
#2 The Central Valley Volcanos
Costa Rica’s Central Valley is home to two of the most spectacular Volcanoes in Central America. Volcan Irazu is only about 20 miles from Cartago, the country’s former capital and is part of Irazu Volcano National Park. Volcan Poas is an hour and half drive from from downtown San Jose and features a main crater 2 kilometers in diameter! The crater creates a beautiful blue-green lake and numerous waterfalls can be found nearby.
#3 Arenal & The Hot Springs
No, it isn’t the name of a boy band, Arenal is Costa Rica’s most visited volcano. Dormant for 400 years it’s been erupting since 1968. This immense natural wonder heats several nearby hot springs for weary travelers to sit, soak, and relax. Nearby Tabacon features hotels, restaurants, bars, and of course, access to the hot springs. Prices for the springs range from $20 to $60 depending on the time of day and duration, most include free lunch and dinner. This hot spot is very popular and making reservations is recommended.
#4 Papagayo
A newly expanding area on the northern pacific coast of Costa Rica, Papagayo features many all-inclusive resorts but much of it remains untamed wilderness. Nature lovers will be in their element here as lush forest meets gorgeous beaches. Playa Grande and Playa Coco are just two of the many sand and surf getaways you can find in the north pacific coast region of Costa Rica.
#5 Jaco
Less than two hours from San Jose you’ll find Jaco, a laidback town just north of Puntarenas. The area’s main attraction is its awesome surfing, with consistently huge waves Jaco can be heaven when you want to Hang Ten. Whether you’re riding a rip curl or just lounging on the sand with some cold Margaritas and hot mamacitas, Playa Hermosa is the place to do it. With tons of local restaurants, specialty sodas places, unique stores and lodging for every budget, you’ll find no shortage of things to do here.
#6 Monteverde
A lush tropical rain forest that is home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 2,500 species of plants including 420 kinds of orchids, Monteverde is a paradise. Take coffee tours to watch how genuine Costa Rican coffee is grown and harvested, enjoy the Sky Walk suspension bridge, or get your thrills on the zip line in the Cloud Forest.
#7 Manuel Antonio National Park
Not to be out-done by the hundreds of other natural wonders in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park lies on the pacific coast about 7 kilometers south of the town of Quepos. Things to do here include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, fishing, and sea kayaking.
#8 Corcovado National Park
If you’re the hardcore adventure type, be sure to check out Corcovado National Park. Dubbed as the most raw, challenging and rewarding parks in Costa Rica, it is truly the mother of all parks. Hiking to Sirena from here will take 6-8 hours of solid hiking, and with little shade and lots of sand expect blisters. The interior route along Los Patos is more mountainous, shaded, and beautiful. Buses depart daily from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez, a popular starting spot.
#9 Tortuguero
Although Costa Rica only represents 0.03% of earth’s surface, nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity lives here, it’s no surprise that Tortuguero makes our list as well. Ecotourists will no doubt love the rainforest in this tiny town named for the most important green turtle nesting site in the entire western caribbean. Tortuguero is accessible by boat and plane only.
#10 Puerto Viejo
Last but not least is Puerto Viejo, located in the Limon province. A lazy little beach town with crystal clear waters, great surfing, and exotic flora, this quaint fishing village a great place to relax. Puerto Viejo Costa Rica is for those travelers that like their vacations relatively basic. Mountain biking, kayaking, and snorkeling are available here, but don’t expect many paved roads or other amenities.
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