Archive for September 11th, 2008
Surfing in Costa Rica
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Finding some the nest surfing spots in Costa Rica should not be that hard. Before visiting you should take the time to look on the Internet and find out what is the best time and where is the best surf in Costa Rica.
Year Round Surfing
You may already know that surfing in Costa Rica is pretty much great year round. That makes for a great vacation any time! You may want to do some research before getting your surf on. You should know that Costa Rica’s summer months run from mid December to April. That is a big difference compared to the U.S. Costa Rica’s summer temperature can get very hot and usually do not have the occasional rain shower as the U.S. Does. You should also know that crowds for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter can get pretty big and fierce!
When visiting Costa Rica you will notice that they are not the home to huge waves but the consistency is what makes them such a great place to surf. During the months of December through April you will feel a strong off shore wind that combines with an ideal swell that makes for some of the best surfing possible. The best way to make sure you are getting the best surf in Costa Rica is to try to visit two different places to keep up with best breaks in surfing. You may prefer to get a rental car so you can travel back and forth between the two places to make sure you can watch and get the best surfing possible. (more…)
Five students robbed at gunpoint in Costa Rica
Thursday, September 11th, 2008After just a few days exploring their new home in Costa Rica, five Elon students spending a semester in the country were faced with the harsh reality of being targeted as tourists on Aug. 30 when they were held at gunpoint and robbed by three local men.
None of the students were harmed, but among the items lost in the incident were backpacks, cameras, iPods, wallets, money and credit cards. None of them were carrying travel documents at the time.
Laurence Basirico, dean of International Programs, said the students had just returned from a portion of their orientation at Poas in La Paz before a bus dropped five of the seven Elon students studying abroad there off at the grocery store. This is where their shopping is usually done. (more…)
USAID Provides Flood Assistance to Costa Rica
Thursday, September 11th, 2008In response to the effects of Tropical Storm Hanna, the U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an initial $40,000 to the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, for air support to transport relief commodities and personnel to affected communities.
On September 5, U.S. Ambassador Peter Cianchette issued a disaster declaration in response to the flooding in Costa Rica. From September 2 – 5, the passage of Tropical Storm Hanna caused heavy rains and serious flooding in the western part of the country. The flooding particularly affected Guanacaste Province, including the communities of Carrillo, Santa Cruz, Islona, Corralillo, Bolson, and La Guinea, as well as the cantons of Montes de Oro and Puntarenas. According to the Government of Costa Rica’s (COCR) National Emergency Commission (CNE), the flooding affected an estimated 38,000 people and caused 1,000 individuals to evacuate residences. Flood-related landslides resulted in the closure of roads and the destruction of the water system in Puntarenas Canton, according to the GOCR Ministry of Public Works. The CNE requested air support to transport medical supplies and personnel to flood-affected communities until flood waters recede and roads re-open.
USAID will continue to monitor the situation and will provide additional support as needed.
Costa Rican President views Russia-Venezuela’s exercises as natural
Thursday, September 11th, 2008The news given by the Russian government about conducting naval manoeuvres along with Venezuela in Latin American waters is “the logical reply” to the US decision to deploy part of its anti-missile shield in Eastern Europe, said on Wednesday Costa Rica’s President Oscar Arias.
“It is the logical reaction in the face of provocation which means the deployment of anti-missile shields in these two Russia’s neighbor countries,” said in reference to Poland and the Czech Republic the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in a conference held in Madrid, AFP reported.
“Nobody will believe the story about protection from Iran,” said Arias in reference to Washington claim to deploy the anti-missile shield.
“Americans could be more careful and try, if needed -I think it is not- to locate them elsewhere.”
Legalizing homosexual unions is an attack on marriage, asserts Costa Rican archbishop
Thursday, September 11th, 2008Archbishop Hugo Barrantes Urena of San Jose in Costa Rica has called on the country’s lawmakers to defend the institution of marriage and not go “against correct reason” by approving same-sex marriage.
Speaking before a congressional committee that is discussing a proposal that would legalize homosexual marriage, Archbishop Barrantes warned that such a move would “obscure the general perception of fundamental moral values and would provoke the devaluing of the institution of marriage.”
“The Catholic Church considers all persons to be created in the image of God and worthy of respect,” he continued, “and she rejects all discrimination against the dignity of the person. Thus, the Church distinguishes between respect for all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, and rejection of homosexual acts, which are objectively contrary to God’s plan for the human being.” (more…)
Foreigners Come to Costa Rica for Better Prices
Thursday, September 11th, 2008It’s a well-known fact that Costa Rica is a popular vacation spot, but the small country is also a favorite for real estate investments, medical tourism, and even high-tech needs. In fact, CNBC and ABC have called it “the hottest country” on the planet for these services, a title that simply explains a very complicated phenomenon.
Cosmetic surgery in the United States is a very expensive proposition, and many procedures cost well into the 5-digits. On the other hand, Costa Rica’s highly-educated and specialized medical professionals can offer the same procedures at 60 percent less. “It’s much less expensive than in the United States and the doctors are very able. I got a face lift and liposuction… Without a doubt, I will recommend Costa Rica to my friends and family,” 62-year-old Kay Demars said.
Demars is an example of the country’s growing pool of medical tourists, who come to Costa Rica in search of high-quality, but less expensive, plastic surgery accompanied by luxury recovery centers in a beautiful environment. With its pristine beaches, lush forests, and up-to-date facilities, Costa Rica is the perfect destination for these needs, and several facilities have already dedicated themselves completely to attending to foreign patients. “We try to make [our patients] feel at home. The attention that they receive, care, special diets, and tranquility is what we call holistic service,” owner of Las Cumbres Inn recovery center, Elke Arends, explained.
Tourists don’t just come for a bit of cosmetic refreshment; many come to Costa Rica for serious medical procedures, including joint replacements and dental surgery. Such surgical procedures are much less expensive here, and many patients are attracted to Costa Rica for the same reason as their cosmetic surgery counterparts. Agencies around the world, but mostly centered in the United States, dedicate their time and purpose to finding suitable international hospitals for the procedures. “Everyday more people get involved in this. It’s more than medical tourism, I call it trips for health,” Clínica Bíblica orthopedist, Óscar Oeding, said.
In addition to investing in themselves, many Americans head down to check out the Costa Rica Real Estate market to consider making an investment. In fact, CNBC’s On The Money called the nation “the hottest real estate market in the world,” which is certainly believable after a quick review of the country’s home market. Areas like San Jose, Libera, Santa Cruz, Sámara, Jacó, and Quepos are among the hottest markets, both in the Central Valley and along the coast. “Some come to sell, others come to live,” vice president of the Costa Rican Chamber of Real Estate Agents, Francisco Barquero, explained.
Most medical patients and investors leave Costa Rica happy and satisfied, a good indication for future business. Good deals, good service, good quality: all the characteristics that Americans (and others) are taught to value are offered by both the medical and real estate industries. Now that’s a match made in paradise.
9/11 In 7 Minutes
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
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