Archive for October, 2008
Friday, October 31st, 2008
Two gunmen shot and killed a woman this week execution-style and critically injured her sister and another woman after the assailants kidnapped the three, all dealers at the White House Hotel’s casino.
According to an account in the daily Al Día, the two men were waiting outside of the casino, in San Antonio de Escazú, west of San José, when the three got off work and into Arelis Marín’s car just after 1 a.m. After following the car for 200 meters, the men shot at the women’s car, forcing them to stop. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 31st, 2008
The National Control of Advertising Board in Costa Rica ruled this week that radio ads promoting the abortion pill as “emergency contraception” are illegal and ordered them pulled off the air.
The decision was made after the Association for the Defense of Life denounced the radio ads promoting the morning-after pill and sponsored by the “Costa Rican Demographic Association.”
The Association argued that the Ministry of Health did not grant approval to the pill because of its anti-implantation effect on a fertilized ovum.
“Such an effect is not compatible with Costa Rican law, which protects life from the moment of conception,” the Ministry of Health said.
The copy for the radio ad reads: “Did you forget to take the pill for two days or more? There’s another option. Use emergency contraception. A message from the Costa Rican Demographic Association.”
The National Control of Advertising Board ruled in favor of the Association for the Defense of Life and ordered the ads be pulled immediately.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Friday, October 31st, 2008
U.S. agents and Costa Rican police yesterday raided Red Sea/Sentry Global offices in downtown San José, seizing documents in an investigation of a $100 million U.S. fraud scheme, according to wire reports.
The raided offices house branches for the firms Red Sea Management, Sentry Global Trust, Sentry Global Securities and Global Financial Logistics, AFP news agency reported.
The raid is in connection with an FBI sting in New York that led to the arrest of Jonathan R. Curshen, who is the Caribbean island St. Kitts and Nevis’ honorary consul to Costa Rica, on fraud allegations in September.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Friday, October 31st, 2008
In Costa Rica, the most advanced country in Central America in terms of human development, indigenous people tend to be neglected and forgotten.
The country’s native peoples have the highest poverty rates and lowest levels of human development, and their views and interests receive little attention from the government.
The single-chamber parliament modified a clause in the Biodiversity Law and approved the amended legislation in the first reading on Oct. 16, without having consulted the country’s indigenous people, despite a constitutional court ruling that they had to be consulted about the change.
Under International Labour Convention (ILO) 169, the “Convention Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries”, to which Costa Rica is a signatory, governments must consult indigenous communities prior to undertaking any activity or passing any law that directly affects them or their land. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Thursday, October 30th, 2008
A recent article published in the Costa Rican newspaper, La Republica, stated that the North American traveler is looking to cut back on their travel plans. These cut backs refer to anywhere from traveling to closes destinations, staying less time or simply not traveling at all.
However, Costa Rican authorities are confident that the country’s proximity to the U.S, a good dollar value as well as a low budget variety in accommodations and attractions will attract tourists. Although the expected tourism influx may not be met, Costa Rica will still have a good high season. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Thursday, October 30th, 2008
Costa Rica’s high court has prohibited the cutting of a certain species of tree, in part because a highly endangered type of parrot uses the tree almost exclusively for nesting.
With one decision, the Sala IV constitutional court protected the mountain almond tree and the great green macaw, specifically in a sprawling area in northern Costa Rica. However, the court also ordered the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energa to spread the word to all its regional officials, thus protecting the tree throughout the country. The Sala IV also ordered the environmental courts to monitor compliance with the decision. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
Costa Rican young people are increasingly dependent on cellular phones. A University of Costa Rica survey found that the growing addiction to this means of communication is bolstered by the fact that youngsters do not only communicate among them spontaneously and freely, but also because this way they are able to avoid their conversations from being overheard, particularly by adults.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
Costa Rica is a small coastal country of Central America. This affluent country lies between Nicaragua and Panama and is the most admired holiday spot in Central America. People come from far and wide for vacationing in Costa Rica.
Eco- Diversity
Costa-Rica is diverse in terms of climate, topography, Flora and Fauna. You will find vast difference in climate, in very small distances. While vacationing in Costa Rica, you can visit its sultry beaches, rain forests and cloud forests. Hundreds of species of birds and animals are the treasure of the country. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
The hotels in Costa Rica are facing low occupancy, mainly because of the crisis of the economy of the United States. The drop in the arrival of visitors this year goes from 5 percent to 50 percent depending on the region and as compared to 2007, according to a survey by the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
Costa Rica is taking advantage of multiple resources to attract tourists. One of them is whale-watching on the Pacific coast, as the country’s waters are recognized worldwide for the ease with which these majestic mammals can be seen there.
The friendly use of whales as a tourism attraction is an activity that’s rapidly expanding in most Latin American countries, but Costa Rica is a special case.
Humpback whales are the species that visits Costa Rica’s coasts from August-October (Southern Hemisphere whales) and from December-April (Northern Hemisphere whales). Drake Bay and the Caño Island National Park in the southern Pacific coast are natural mating sites for these whales between November and March. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
Gorgeous Tica girls will be able to take advantage of their sun-kissed good looks in the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Costa Rica 2009 bikini modeling competition. The selection of Costa Ricans will take place Nov. 15, 2008, between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the San Pedro Mall. A total of 12 finalists will be selected and whisked away to Flamingo beach, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, in the last week of November.
These girls will star in a television show to be broadcast on the local Canal 7 in January 2009. The one hour special will present details from all parts of the competition, running from the initial auditions to the selection of the winner at the prize ceremony in the Flamingo Marina Resort hotel. It is a possibility that the 12 finalists will participate in the making of a calendar, as did the previous candidates of the 2008 competition.
Requirements for entering are as follows: 1) a “svelte” bikini body, 2) Costa Rican nationality, 3) minimum age of 18.
The 2008 competition saw 300 girls participating in the casting, the 12 finalists being: Mariana Alfaro, Karla Chaves, Andrea Durán, Kimberly Fray, Yendry Lobo, Eilen Man, Vanessa Mathiew, María José Montero, Melissa Salazar, María Solano, Johanna Tasso and Kimberly Zúñiga. Kimberly Zúñiga took first place. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Monday, October 27th, 2008
Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, and his Panamanian counterpart, Martís Torrijos, met Friday to sign the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) – free trade agreement – between both countries.
The meeting was held in San José and signing the document were also the ministro de Comercio (trade ministers) of both countries, Costa Rica’s Marco Vinicio Ruiz, and Panama’s Severo Souza Gómez.
With the signing of the trade deal, 91% of Costa Rican goods can now enter Panama duty free. Panama is Costa Rica’s fifth export destination. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Monday, October 27th, 2008
The increase in construction costs, the uncertainty of the international real estate market and the collapse of US bank Lehman Brothers has put the construction of St Regis Costa Rica to be put on hold.
The St Regis Costa Rica project was being financed by the now collapsed US bank Lehman Brothers. The decision to put the St. Regis project on hold was made this week.
St. Regis® is a chain of luxury full-service hotels, resorts and residences, developed by the Starwood Real Estate Group. Starwood is one of the world’s largest hotel and leisure companies. Starwood brand names include luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and residences such as the Sheraton, Westin and FourPoints — to name a few.
News of another prominent Costa Rica real estate development put on hold comes just days after AOL Founder announced that his Costa Rica-based real estate project is now on hold.
We expect other Costa Rica real estate developers that are financed by US banks to make similar announcements, very soon.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Monday, October 27th, 2008
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are looking for two men who are breaking into apartments and shipping the items they steal to Costa Rica.
Detectives said they think the men have broken into about 50 apartments, primarily in south Charlotte.
“Anywhere from 4 until 9, 10, 11 at night, which, yeah, was unusual. I guess you’d say they had to be casing the houses because most people are home during those time periods,” said Detective Ole Swinson.
Investigators worked with customs officials to retrieve some of the items that were on the way to Costa Rica. They said flat-screen TVs, jewelry and guns are worth a lot more down there. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Monday, October 27th, 2008
The turtle has always been a symbol of longevity, knowledge and peace to many. To our Pre-Colombian ancestors, the turtle was believed to have healing powers and represented deity.
Today, a small group of Costa Rican specialist and environmental supporters have called to public attention the dark future of the turtle’s already fragile existence. The growing residential and commercial development taking place in Costa Rica’s coast has indirectly affected the survival of the species.
In a recent environmental and wildlife study, researchers have released alarming figures in which they basically show the reality of the disappearing sea turtle. The most shocking statistic was for the province of Guanacaste where tourism has flourished in a dizzying manner. (more…)
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
