Costa Rica information, activities and news
An earthquake of from 5.6 to 6.0 intesity took place about 4:55 p.m. Thursday off the coast of Panamá in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was about 77 miles south of David, Panamá. It was about 100 miles southeast of the tip of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica.
Flower vendors could not keep up with demand yesterday as the giving of flowers, mainly roses, is a tradition on Mother’s Day.
Florists and flower kiosks on Avenida Central will be open today. As well, street vendors will be out in full force to meet the demand.
Of course, the price of flowers is much higher today than at the beginning of the week. A rose is going for as much as ¢1.500 colones, three roses for ¢3.000, a half dozen for ¢5.000. The prices are at least a 1/3 higher that at the beginning of the week.
Costa Rica has a great tourist industry. They are welcoming and friendly and in most cases they are honest and genuine. But human nature being what it is, sometimes we end up getting less than we bargained for. The following are just a few tips on what to look out for before you pay out of pocket.
In most cities these days, when the local cops aren’t busy they park in a discreet spot and scrutinize drivers to see if they can catch them in an infraction. One person I read about got stopped for speeding and the cops told him that it was an expensive ticket. The cop told them that for $100 he would look the other way. Later he was told that he could have settled the ticket at any Bank of Costa Rica. (more…)
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is a city of about 400,000 inhabitants. While it may lack the flashiness and glamor of other Latin American capital cities, San Jose exudes an aura of genuineness and warmth. In this humble city, you will not find an abundance of fancy shopping centers, ornate architecture or showy monuments and statutes. At its basic core, San Jose is a workingman’s town, a little rough around the edges but comfortable like a snug coat.
To really get a feel for Costa Rica’s capital city, I suggest that you go sometime around noon to the city’s Central Park located at the end of Paseo Colon, one block East of 2nd avenue – you’ll see a cross section of businessman on their lunch break, tourists enjoying the pleasant spring like weather, performing musicians and mimes as well as artists and craftsman selling their wares. Unlike other Latin American cities, you’ll encounter very little begging. Surrounding the plaza are a number of outdoor cafes, where you can sit down and enjoy a strong cup of coffee or espresso while you take in the Pura Vida vibes of Costa Rica.
If you want to see fancy boutiques, trendy restaurants and bars, I suggest that you spend some time in San José’s upscale suburb of Escazu. This is the stomping ground of the ‘Gente Plastico’ and highbrow expatriates.
