Costa Rica information, activities and news
The arrival of tourists in Costa Rica continues increasing, in spite of the hardships of U.S. economy and the more expensive plane tickets resulting from the upward trend of fuels. During the first five months this year, the number of visitors increased by 133,000 (16 percent) as compared to the same period in 2007. The U.S. remains the leading source of tourists (54 percent), followed by Europe with 17 percent.
One of America’s most popular and often controversial comedians, George Carlin, died in Santa Monica, California. He was 71.
From the early 1960′s, through the beatnik, folk and hippie eras, to today’s cutting edge humor, George Carlin has entertained generations of Americans. He starred in several movies, wrote a popular book, “Brain Droppings,” appeared in several television series and was a guest 135 times on legendary talk show host Johnny Carson’s Tonight show. But George Carlin will be best remembered as a wise and witty stand-up comedian. (more…)
Banco Nacional launched a new product that caters to the euro-toting crowd, combining the functions of a savings account with that of an interest-bearing investment tool.
Dubbed Inversión a la vista en euros, the product will join similar ones the state-run bank already provides in dollars and colones.
“The objective is to offer interested clients a greater diversification in currency for their investments and an additional alternative for the management of their funds,” according to Violeta Fernández, Banco Nacional’s corporate relations director.
Those interested would have to maintain a €2,000 limit. All withdrawals must be for at least €500. Interest rates range from 1.15 to 1.40 percent.
Oscar Arias is the current president of the country of Costa Rica. He first assumed office on May 8, 2006 and is currently serving his second term. He had first been elected president on May 8, 1986 and served until May 8, 1990. For more information on Costa Rica, check out ToucanEstate.
President Arias is best known as one of the driving figures behind the end of the Central American civil wars during the 1980s. For his efforts, Oscar Arias Sanchez received the Nobel Peace Price in 1987.
Aside from that, President Arias was also awarded the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism. The Economists for Peace and Security also accepted him as a trustee. President Arias is a member of the Board of Directors of International Criminal Court ‘s Trust Fund for Victims. (more…)
