Top 10 Costa Rica

Property development in Costa Rica is reaching out to previously inaccessible areas and offering investors different choices, according to a new guide.

The opening of previously non developed areas along with government investment could create a property boom, according to the publication, Costa Rica - The Owners Manual.
Developments underway or starting soon include the largest full-service marina in Central America, new hospitals, a new airport and new roads.

The massive government approved projects underway will catapult this area on to the world stage with blistering speed. Massive, government infrastructure projects like this don’t come around often. The last time we saw something similar was 10 years ago, a few miles down the coast, when property prices exploded by over 800%,’ it says.

Costa Rica has been popular with US retirees for almost 20 years but is only now coming into the mainstream. It has a stable government, plenty of foreign investment, a well-educated population, first-rate health care, and a thriving tourism sector.

With space running out in the most popular towns, the government is working furiously to open up previously inaccessible areas. Costa Rica now ranks as the most technologically developed country in all of Central America. The government has attracted several high-tech companies by offering tax holidays of up to 20 years. There are also many incentives for tourism companies,’ the book continues.
The workforce is well educated and most speak English. Costa Rica offers investors and relocated businesses plenty of advantages. Among the companies to open branches here are Acer America, Baxter Healthcare, Intel, and Panasonic.

The presence of offshore banks has grown exponentially in recent years. Within the last three years, the total amount of funds these banks have attracted has increased by 65%,’ it says.

Attractions include diving and snorkeling, walking, white water rafting, fishing and kayaking. Property consultants reckon that high in the Central Valley you can still find bargains but even on the Pacific Coast, the current Mecca for property investors, it’s still possible to find small fishing villages and unspoilt stretches of beach.

Forward Alvaro Saborio scored on penalty kick in the first minute of the second half to give Costa Rica a 1-0 victory against El Salvador on Wednesday in the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying.

Saborio got his chance when Salvadoran Alfredo Pachecho was penalized for knocking down midfielder Alonso Solis.

El Salvador had dominated for most of the first half. Eliseo Quintanilla had a chance to score in the 40th minute, but goalkeeper Ricardo Gonzalez blocked him.

Costa Rica now leads Group C of Conacaf after a tie between Suriname and Haiti.

Costa Rica faces Suriname Sept. 6 in the second elimination round.

Costa Rica now has an added internet connection, guaranteeing fast and continued connectivity to the rest of the world.

The new connection to the Columbus Network undersea fibre optical cable in the Atlantic gives ICE more direct access to broadband internet and allow the state institution to more simultaneous connections.

The direct route with Columbus represents and investment of us$80 million dollars by ICE that connects to the Colombia to Florida Express Route, that links links Cartagena, Colombia to Boca Raton, Florida.

Columbus Networks’ Colombia-Florida Sub Sea Fiber Project, dubbed “CFX”, includes more than 2,400 kilometers of deep-sea repeated high-capacity fiber optic cable. It also includes a new landing station in Cartagena where other regional communications providers are co-located for interconnection with Columbus Networks.

CFX is the largest network expansion project the company has undertaken since Columbus Communications acquired the company in September 2005.

Columbus Networks is a wholesale service provider that offers advanced, high-speed bandwidth capacity to telecommunications companies and Internet Service Providers. Columbus Networks is the 94 percent owner and principal operator of the Americas Region Caribbean Optical-ring System (ARCOS).

The ARCOS cable network interconnects the United States and 18 countries in the Pan-Caribbean Central America providing the regions only fully redundant, ring protected cable network.

Veragua, a new nature-themed adventure park, was inaugurated on August 1, 2008 in the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. The park doesn’t only offer adventure, it is also a research center. What better place for such a than amid the exuberance of the flora and the fauna of this region! The park is located about 40 minutes away from the city of Limon, on a 4,000-acre private reserve and surrounded by genuine primary rain forest!

www.veraguarainforest.com | info@veraguarainforest.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel. +(506) 296-1501 | Fax +(506) 296-1451

Less than 1 hour away from the Port of Limon in the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Veragua Rainforest is the ultimate nature-themed park that offers everything you want to experience in the authentic rainforest!

The adventure includes interactive live exhibits of snakes, frogs, and butterflies in an unparalleled set-up, walking trails, an open air gondola ride through the rainforest canopy, a spectacular waterfall, and a real science station where you can see researchers discovering new species.

With world class facilities, astonishing natural beauty, and a commitment to conservation and scientific research, Veragua Rainforest is the place to visit if you want to get the most complete, exciting, and educational Costa Rican rainforest experience.

The Dalai Lama, leader of Tibetan Buddhists was set to visit Costa Rica this September however fears of causing a dispute with China have led to the high profile trip being cancelled. It was due to coincide with the exiled leader’s visit to America and several Latin American countries where he was expected to make a series of public presentations and deliver religious messages to crowds.

Nevertheless the visit has been cancelled by Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias who describes the Dalai Lama as a personal friend, yet due to worries that the visit may provoke political problems with the President of China who is also expected to enjoy a stay in Costa Rica in October.

Relations between China and Tibet has long been ridden with problems following Chinese occupation of the region almost 50 years ago which forced the Dalai Lama to flee the country to India where he has remained since, attempting resolve the differences between Tibet and China. The current Beijing Olympics 2008 has again turned the spotlight to the ongoing dispute amid a series of public demonstrations for Tibetan independence.

However it would appear that there are no ‘hard feelings’ between the Holy Leader and Costa Rica. In fact the Dalai Lama has previously talked over his admiration of the Costa Rican political set up following his stay in the country back in 2004. For a demilitarized nation to continue to have a stable economy and be committed to peace and the protection of the natural environment is said to have impressed the leader and have given him inspiration of a vision of Tibet for the future.

Nevertheless whilst the continuing row remains between the two areas it would appear that President Oscar Arias is not willing to take the risk of upsetting mighty Chinese Government.

Nery Brenes struggled for years to get the funding to race professionally

Nery Brenes has the Olympic hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders, and he is just 22 years old. He will represent Costa Rica in the 400 metres in Beijing. According to his coach, Walter Salazar, he’s the best athlete ever to have come from the country.

Nery was born in the impoverished port town of Limon, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.

It is a town being consumed by gang violence. Around30 people have been killed there so far this year.Walking beneath the huge trees of Limon’s tattered central square “Right now this town is going through a difficult time.

“There are a lot of deaths. Young kids killing young kids. There is a lot of drugs. So I’m just trying to be like someone that they can see improving life.

“What’s that Liverpool song - ‘You’ll never walk alone?’ I want kids to feel that from me - that they have someone who can be their support.” Read the rest of this entry »

Costa Rica vs El Salvador Live CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier Today

Watch Costa Rica vs El Salvador live in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifier as the two favourites for this group have struggled before reaching this stage. Costa Rica have qualified for the World Cup before and they try to do it again in this live CONCACAF World Cup 2010 qualifying football match on TV and online by winning this match and the group to advance to the next stage. But based on their recent form, they are no longer as good as in the past and will struggle away from home. They should still be able to win this live commentary CONCACAF World Cup qualifier soccer match between Costa Rica and El Salvador at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa quite comfortably though. Read the rest of this entry »

The Heredia commuter train may be running by December if the government is able to keep its promise and the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (Incofer).

The train service between Heredia and San José which comes at a cost of some ¢2 billion colones will help ease traffic congestion and if all goes well it should be running by the second week in December.

“The budgeted amount to get the Heredia trains moving reaffirms our commitment to a comprehensive energy policy that protects the interests of the country and users. I am very pleased that with these resources we can realize a tool that will allow thousands of Costa Ricans to leave their car at home and mobilize in a secure and economic environment”, said Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias Sánchez.

The rehabiliation of the train service between Heredia and San José is one of the measures announced by the government as part of the national contingency plan to alleviate the energy crisis generated by the unsustainable rise in the cost of oil in the world. Read the rest of this entry »

Costa Rica has been chosen as the host of the most important surfing tournament on the planet. The Costa Rican Surfing Federation (FSC) informed it will host the 2009 International Surfing Association’s (ISA) World Surfing Games (WSG), which will be sponsored by Billabong.

Jaco Beach, on the Central Pacific, will be the epicenter of world surfing, as a record-breaking 40 countries are expected to attend.

Cos Rica beat out favored candidates, including Brazil and South Africa.

Costa Rica’s selection will be made official a this years World Surfing Games, which will be held in Portugal next October.

According to a communiqué by FSC, organizers chose Costa Rica, among other reasons, because of the organization capabilities the local surfing federation has demonstrated, and the fact that the Ticos have been present in the past few world games with full teams. Additionally, Costa Rica’s location makes it convenient for many delegations from the Americas to take part in this event for the first time. And, of course, the quality of the country’s waves played an important role in the decision, as Costa Rica has become a favorite surfing spot in recent times. Read the rest of this entry »

Sykes in Costa Rica is looking to hire some 200 people and will be holding a job fair Saturday.

The company is looking for client support personnel to help customers use the company’s software, network and information systems.

Professionals specialized in Cisco systems and customer service agents who are fluent in English are the main jobs available.

Arturo Barboza, spokesperson for Sykes, said that the job fair will be held at their offices in Global Park in La Aurora de Heredia.

More information on the job opportunities are available at Sykes or calling at 2298-2123 or 2298-2235.

As a tropical nation Costa Rica has an extremely fascinating ecosystem. To be able to study this from a birds eye view is what makes the Canopy Tours so popular in the area. Cranes and Climbing gear combine to create a fascinating adventure for the tourists as they rise above the sky and view the Arenal Volcano or any other area in Costa Rica. There are numerous companies that offer Canopy and Jungle Tours and yet, the experience you have directly correlates to the company you choose.

So to make choosing easier we have gathered together reviews of the Top 5 Canopy Tour Companies in Costa Rica. Read the rest of this entry »

Pedestrian imprudence is the reason for many deaths on Costa Rica’s roads. According to figures releases by the Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT), 33 people lost their lives between January and July this year.

The numbers are alarming and top deaths of cyclists, becoming the number three cause of traffic accidents.

The number two cause of traffic accident deaths is drunk driving with 35 deaths and speeding, causing 55 fatalities in the same period.

Officials of the Policía de Tránsito say that many of the pedestrian fatalities could have been avoided if they had used the overhead passes, cross at traffic lights and at corners.

Pedestrians frequently dash across busy highways like the General Cañas in the areas of the Plaza Cariari and the Fernando Prospero in Escazú or dash out into traffic stepping off a bus, not paying attention to the oncoming traffic.

It is also common to see people begin to cross a road, aware of an oncoming vehicle, but unable to properly calcuate the speed and distance of the vehicle or believing that a vehicle can come to a full stop in an instant.

And not uncommon for people to cross the highway under the pedestrian overpasses in front of the Cariari Plaza, or hospital México or CIMA. Although the MOPT has erected a divider fence to frustrate pedestrians, holes in the fences have been made or take the time to walk around the fence and made a mad dash rather than use the overhead pass.

Tránsito officials say that many see road safety as a subject for drivers and not all that use the public roads.

The New England Revolution announced on Monday that the club has signed Costa Rican defender Gabriel Badilla to a Major League Soccer contract to play for the Revs pending U.S. P-1 Visa approval.

He will occupy one of the team’s seven available international roster spots. Per MLS and club policies, terms of the deal were not released.

“We’re pleased we are finally able to bring Gabriel to the Revolution,” Revolution vice president of player personnel Michael Burns said. “He is a strong, versatile defender who has gained tremendous club and international experience at a young age. With so many extra games on our schedule this season, Gabriel will give us added defensive depth as we prepare for a busy fall.”

Badilla, 24, comes to the Revolution from Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica’s Primera Division, where he has spent his entire professional career. He made his debut with Saprissa in November 2001 and has appeared in more than 130 matches for the “Monstruo Morado.”

He has helped Saprissa earn five national championships, including each of the last four. Badilla was also a member of the Saprissa team that earned a third- place finish at the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan following its 2005 CONCACAF Champions Cup title.

Badilla is also a member of the Costa Rica National Team, with which he has earned 12 caps and competed in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

A physicist and a conservationist from The University of Manchester are heading for the rain forests of Costa Rica – in a bid to understand more about a deadly fungus that is killing amphibians around the world.

Physicist Dr Mark Dickinson from the Photon Science Institute and Andrew Gray, Curator of Herpetology at the Manchester Museum are using equipment more commonly used for medical diagnosis to see inside the skin of South American tree frogs.

Infrared reflection spectroscopy and photography does not cause harm or distress and allows images to be obtained from the surface and within the tissue of the frogs

Manchester researchers believe these spectroscopy techniques could hold the key to understanding the alarming global decline in amphibians.

Now the researchers are taking their work outside the lab and into the field. Dr Dickinson, Mr Gray and former Manchester zoology student Stephanie Dawson will spend just over two weeks in Costa Rica. Read the rest of this entry »

The project to develop a marina at Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean, was filed. The facility was to be developed by Grupo Caribeño Internacional whose chairman, Jan Kalina, said that the $40-million, 100-berth marina was objected by several organizations, “a minority from outside Puerto Viejo”. However, he pointed out, the firm might renew the project some time in the future.