Archive for July, 2009
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
While Costa Rica has become a hot destination for tourists and property investors alike, Limon, one of the country’s provinces, still remains largely undiscovered. It is not that Limon lacks the goods that can make it a vacation blockbuster. Endowed with beautiful sandy Caribbean beaches and impressive rain forests, it is indeed gorgeous.
Travelers who make it to Limon won’t be bored, especially if they are the kind who enjoy nature and aren’t bothered too much by lack of up to snuff infrastructure. Tourists can hang out on undeveloped beaches, hike in rain forests, surf, and fish. They can also visit Costa Rica’s last remaining indigenous Indian tribes, the Bribri, the Cocles, and the Talamanca Cabecarv. Still, the province has yet to become a destination in terms of property development. “Limon has not been as popular for investment as the Pacific Coast,” said Ellie Watland, a real estate agent from Costa Rica Tropical Paradise Properties.
About Limon
The Costa Rican province of Limon has a population of approximately 340,000 according to a 2001 census and covers an area of 3,548 square miles. Not only is it remote and relatively under-developed, it is also culturally different from the rest of the country. For some travelers, these two factors can add to its appeal.
From a cultural perspective, the Jamaican population in the area gives it a different feel. “Limon is almost like another country because of its strong Jamaican influence. Years ago, Jamaicans were brought to the province to supplement the labor force,” said Watland. As a result, you can hear ‘patois’ spoken, as well as Spanish. Carnaval is celebrated each year.” Even the typical Limon cuisine is different from the rest of Costa Rica. “There is a strong ‘Rasta’ image to the area,” said Watland. (more…)
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
For patients with high blood pressure, there’s no evidence that aiming lower than the standard 140 over 90 millimeters mercury (mm Hg) will do any good, according to a review of previous studies.
High blood pressure is linked to heart attack and stroke, and so the idea that “lower is better” has recently caused some doctors to recommend pushing blood pressure targets to 135 over 85 mm Hg. (The higher number in a blood pressure measurement is the systolic pressure, while the lower number is the diastolic pressure.)
However, in seven trials involving more than 22,000 patients, there were no differences in the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death between people who reached 140/90 and those who reached 135/85.
Dr. Jose A. Arguedas, from the University of Costa Rica, and his colleagues published their findings in the Cochrane Library, part of the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews.
To refine the findings, Arguedas’s team calls for more research on groups of patients with particular conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease.
SOURCE: Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, 2009.
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Monday, July 27th, 2009
Costa Rica is the site of the 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games scheduled for August 1 – 8, 2009. The parade of nations and opening ceremonies will occur on July 31, 2009. The games will be held in Playa Hermosa, just south of the popular resort town of Jaco. Playa Hermosa is located approximately two hours from San Jose, which is the capital of Costa Rica and 90 minutes from the International Airport.This is the first time an international surfing championship will be hosted by a Central American Country. The location of Costa Rica makes it accessible to many nations. Costa Rica is known for their surfing and placed fifth at last year’s international competition in Portugal.
This is also the first year that Billabong has sponsored the event. Billabong is a leading name in the surfing world and has invested $2 million dollars in this event, which they believe will be one of the world’s most important surfing events this year. Billabong marketing Vice President Graham Stapelberg said, “I believe it is vital to provide a platform for these emerging surf regions. It is the only event of its kind where you get such a large representation of so many different surf nations.”
Jose Ureña, president of the Costa Rica surfing federation said, “I’m really happy for the opportunity that ISA and Billabong have given to us. To be hosts of this event is like a dream, to have so many countries enjoying our waves. It is a unique occasion for us…We will witness something incredible for our country, especially surfing. We will have a massive audience supporting the national team.” Fox Sports and ESPN are expected to cover the event.
Playa Hermosa is at its peak during the month of August for surfing. The waves are 4 – 8 feet with perfect barrels. This is a black volcanic sand beach, which is beautiful and considered one of the best places for surfing in the world. The headquarters for the event is Hotel Terraza del Pacifico. If you plan to attend, it may be easier to find hotels in the tourist city of Jaco.
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Monday, July 27th, 2009
The Internet was first starting to get popular in 1990’s, at the same time Las Vegas was an extremely popular tourist spot for gamblers. By 1995, the first online casino was created. Within one year, three online casinos were in existence and up and running. What is interesting though is that many of the customers at these online casinos were American, but none of the online casinos were based in the United States. This was due to US legislation that prohibited such activities as gambling online in the States that only continued to get worse, ultimately leading to the screeching halt of online poker and casino play in the US by the UIGEA. Since Costa Rica was close to the United States, it ended up being the choice for offshore operations by many online casino operators.
Today, Costa Rica is home to many online casinos and poker rooms, but the truth is that Costa Rica has had a very long history of live gambling anyway. As well, the country has a very dependable technology, knowledgeable workforce, and the most important requirement of any successful online gambling site, an online-gambling-friendly government.
The US government has tried to get involved in the Costa Rica online casino industry, but has ultimately failed, as Costa Rica fought back, filing arbitration with the World Trade organization, which allowed them keep their rights to online gambling.
Even though Costa Rica is not currently doing that well in the tourism industry, they still are banking from online gambling, and their economy is thriving because of it. For example, at least 10,000 jobs have been created due to the online gambling industry online in Costa Rica. They also have a very considerable share of the billions of dollars in revenue that the online gambling industry generates.
Though economic times are very unstable and uncertain right now around the world, online gambling is still a successful and thriving business with a strong foundation and unlimited potential for growth. And Costa Rica knows the importance of this industry to their well-being, as they are very committed to the cause of keeping the monopoly on online gambling in the Caribbean.
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Monday, July 27th, 2009
Teachers are asking the ministerio de Salud to reconsider the decision to return to classes on Monday. In a letter to the ministra de Salud, María Luisa Ávila, the Asociación de Profesores de Segunda Enseñanza (APSE), demonstrated its discontent with the decision as Costa Rica is still adding up victims due to the AH1N1 flu virus.
The teachers union voice their concern on Friday when ministra Ávila announced that the mid year school break was over and school would continue on Monday, July 27, after a three week recess.
The mid year school break was to be over on July 20 after a two week vacation, however, Salud (Health) officials decided to keep the schools closed one week longer to avoid propagation of infection of the AH1N1.
Beatriz Ferreto, president of the APSE, explained that they (the teachers) have not received any training whatsoever on dealing with the pandemic and cannot accept any responsibility for not complying with the guidelines established by Salud officials.
Ferreto added that like the suspension of the “romeria”, the schools should also continue closed.
The ministerio de Salud cancelled this year’s walk to Cartago (the romeria) in fear of mass spreading of the AH1N1 flu virus, Salud officials saying that a possible 20.000 infections could occur of the 2 million or so expected romeros (walkers).
“There is no justification to re-open the schools as parents have not protected their children and have taken them to many places where they could have been infected”, said Ferreto in her plea to ministra Ávila.
The ministero de Salud explained that the decision to return to classes on Monday is based on the fact that the spread of the virus in the population of those under 19 years of age is lower than anticipated, thus lowering the risk of infection and spreading the virus.
To date the youngest person to have died from the AH1N1 virus, one of 17 deaths, was 21 years of age.
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Monday, July 27th, 2009
Ousted Honduran pres. faces charges if he returns
If ousted President Manuel Zelaya succeeds in returning to Honduras, the government that deposed him vows it will be as a prisoner.
Zelaya still faces the same arrest order that prompted soldiers to detain him in a June 28 coup. That order, sought by the independent attorney general and endorsed by the Supreme Court, charged Zelaya with four constitutional crimes, including treason, that carry combined penalties of up to 43 years in prison.
The embattled interim government — facing international condemnation for removing Zelaya in a coup — has since scrambled to find evidence of other crimes to justify his overthrow. The accusations, which vary from embezzlement to drug-running, so far have produced no public charges and seem to change from day to day.
“They are floating a lot of accusations, just throwing a lot of stuff at the wall to see what sticks to justify what happened,” said Christopher Sabatini, senior director of policy at the Americas Society/Council of the Americas in New York.
Zelaya stepped inside the Honduran border Friday, but he quickly retreated to Nicaraguan territory, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed. The interim government said it didn’t bother to arrest him because he barely entered the country.
Zelaya returned to the border again Saturday. (more…)
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Sunday, July 26th, 2009
The popularity of investment in this nation with its picturesque coastline and rain forest views properties is still on an upward trend. For those who are researching information on the property in Costa Rica, the good news is that this is still a lucrative investment to make.
There are other neighbors who are as cheap as Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Belize and Honduras, but definitely not as popular. The reason for this is that there is not so much safety and security in the investment in these countries as there is in Costa Rica. This is because the property in Costa Rica shows that the government of this nation is conducive to foreign investment and gives foreigners who buy property here, the equal rights which are the same as those local people .
Another attractive property information in Costa Rica is the low tax rates that are charged by the government. Capital gains you incur when buying and then reselling the property for huge profits, it also has much lower taxes in the United States. This makes the Americans come to buy large properties or to live or to rent and maintain a second home or vacation home.
What makes buying a property here is also the risk that is involved with investments. The government encourages people from other countries to invest in their properties and gives them equal rights and compared with local people. Apart from this, property taxes are low and the tax paid on capital gains is not so much as in other countries. Information on property in Costa Rica is even better than it is in many neighboring countries because of these benefits.
The cost of property in Costa Rica is a good 70% less than it is in America. America with only 3 hours away is not too difficult to reach the mainland as and when you feel like it. Life is Costa Rica is also cheap and you can have a good lifestyle for a lower price. Information on property in Costa Rica shows that investing in a vacation home and rent it to visitors to pay the short term.
There are a variety of exclusive and expensive properties are more affordable than a good buy here. Beachfront and ocean view properties are more expensive, but the view of the slopes is also worth the money paid for it. The scenic beauty is great all around and you can live anywhere and still enjoy the beautiful view. Information on property in Costa Rica is mostly about the environment in this country and weather conditions.
Information about property in Costa Rica shows that buying the cheapest property is not always a good investment. The ocean view and beachfront properties that are more expensive and you better benefits later will be easier to sell since they are in demand. Buy something that is not the main property will be difficult for you to sell and the benefits are not as much.
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Saturday, July 25th, 2009
Costa Rican fighters snatched all three international mixed martial arts (MMA) titles that were up for grabs in stunning style at Fite Nite’s Night of Champions on Saturday at the Villa Olímpica in the southern San José district of Desamparados.
Of the event’s 13 fights, which included boxing and MMA – a full contact combat sport that allows a variety of martial arts and other fighting techniques – the final three gave six Latin American fighters a shot at hoisting the prized gold Fite Nite belt above their head and wearing it proudly out of the ring.
In the first of the night’s championship fights, Costa Rica’s Ludwing Salazar squared off against Elton Brown from Panama in the 170 pound weight class. Brown dominated the first round with strong upper-body clinches and ferocious fist assaults. (more…)
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Friday, July 24th, 2009
Mexico are through to the final of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, having beaten Costa Rica 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 final result.
Costa Rica were in fact the better side in the opening phase and got close to scoring when Alonso’s shot bounced off the right post on 12 minutes.
From there on, the Mexicans began to gain terrain as a more balanced battle formed at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
In the second half, Mexico even began to dominate and earned a penalty as Costa Rica captain Freddy Fernandez handled the ball in the area. However, Miguael Sabah’s following spot kick was easily saved by keeper Keilor Navas.
But the four-times Gold Cup champions did score what appeared to be the winner with two minutes left in regular time, as some defensive chaos ended with Guillermo Franco striking it home.
It wouldn’t be the end of the game though as Costa Rica levelled three minutes into added time, with a great finish from Froylan Ledezma.
No more goals were scored in extra time and penalties were needed to decide which team was to face the USA in Sunday’s final.
Ledezma, who had saved his team by scoring the equaliser, missed the only penalty in the shoot-out. Carlos Vela scored the decider, leading Mexico to the final.
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Friday, July 24th, 2009
Honduras’ deposed president set up base near his country’s border to prepare a return home, urging soldiers to ignore an arrest order against him and shrugging off warnings that his homecoming could provoke violence.
Manuel Zelaya drove a jeep to Esteli, a town just 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of the Honduran border, where he shut himself inside a hotel Thursday night to plan a strategy for reclaiming the presidency from the interim government that sent him into exile.
He said he would make a second bid to return home as early as Saturday, saying U.S.-backed mediation efforts had broken down. The interim government vows to arrest the president if he sets foot in Honduras, and imposed a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew along border areas.
The 56-year-old ousted leader, wearing his trademark white cowboy hat, was accompanied by the foreign minister of Venezuela, whose leftist President Hugo Chavez has been the most vociferous critic of the June 28 coup.
Zelaya said he would spend Friday studying how best to enter Honduras—whether by land, sea or air. He urged Hondurans to gather wherever he decides to cross and called on soldiers to stand down when they see him. (more…)
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Friday, July 24th, 2009
Every few years the Costa Rican government comes up with a novel plan to either tax or license online gambling firms operating in that Central American nation. Each time, the attempt has failed. In two weeks Costa Rica will try once more.
The nation is home to more online gambling companies than any other in the world, most of which cater to the North American sports bettor, casino and poker player.
The Costa Rica Finance Ministry will send a bill to the Legislative Assembly proposing a 2 percent tax on income earned by the gambling industry. The government believes it can generate $85 million as a result.
The problem: When Costa Rica began charging a licensing fee some years back, only a handful of the most reputable Internet gambling firms paid. Others did not. One that did – Legendz Sports – ended up leaving the country.
Then there was previous tax proposals that would have punished the bigger more successful wagering firms by taxing based on number of employee stations.
Adam Williams of the Tico Times reports there are officially 46 online gambling businesses operating in Costa Rica. Unofficially there are probably a few hundred more however. Therein lies the problem.
Should the bill pass, a regulatory body will be put in place to ensure that gambling locations and affiliates are licensed and honor the new tax. But just like in Vegas, gambling in Costa Rica’s land-based establishments and online has seen a drastic drop in revenue over the past year with the current global economic crisis.
Jorge Hidalgo, vice president of the Costa Rican Association of Casinos, said the industry is among the hardest hit by the recession. “Activity has fallen about 35 percent, and in addition to that we have fewer work hours and have had to let go about 500 employees,” he said.
The bill is anticipated to reach the Legislative Assembly on Aug. 3.
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Friday, July 24th, 2009
Guillermo Ochoa stopped Froylán Ledezma on Costa Rica’s third penalty kick of the shootout, and Carlos Vela converted the decider to send El Tri into the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, taking the tiebreaker 5-3 over Costa Rica following a 1-1 draw Thursday night at Soldier Field.
Mexico has been to the Gold Cup final five times, with its only loss coming two years ago at the hands of the Americans. They will meet the U.S. on Sunday at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.
Mexico squandered several chances to put this game away in the second half and in the first period of extra time. But when it counted most, Ochoa and his teammates came up big, making each of their penalties and getting that one critical save.
Ledezma had stunned Mexico by tying the game in the 93rd minute, slipping behind the last defender to latch on to a header from upfield and finishing past Ochoa to make it 1-1.
Mexico had appeared to settle matters just five minutes earlier, as substitute Guillermo Franco beat the Costa Ricans’ advancing offside trap. Costa Rica goalkeeper Keilor Navas got a piece of Franco’s volley, but the shot trickled over the line before Navas could fish it away.
Miguel Sabah had a chance to give Mexico the lead in the 58th minute after the referee awarded a penalty kick for handball inside the 18-yard box. But Sabah’s low shot was not hard enough, and Navas guessed correctly to stop it.
Each team scored on the first two penalties, and captain Gerardo Torrado made it three straight for El Tri. That put the pressure on Ledezma, whose blast was stopped by Ochoa diving to his left.
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Friday, July 24th, 2009
There are a mere seven days and counting to the inauguration of the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. The entire country, and the area of Jaco and Playa Hermosa in particular, is preparing for the biggest surfing championship ever held on the shores of Central America. With the confirmed participation of more than 35 national teams, it will indeed be the largest surf even in the history of the sport. From July 31 to August 9, the world’s top surfers will convene in front of the Hotel Terrazas del Pacifico, the best surf spot in Costa Rica with perfect barrels and waves reaching up to 8 feet.The event promises to be one big beach party for surf aficionados and curious visitors alike. Throughout the duration of competition, which is set to start on Aug. 1 at 7 a.m., the area in front of the beach will come alive with cultural presentations, extreme sport demonstrations, dance shows, competitions, live music and more! The fair has been dubbed the Expo Planeta Aventura and is set to showcase the top names in Costa Rican adventure activities, sustainable tourism and extreme sports.
A series of stages, restaurants, bars and stands will run the distance from the street to the beach where the real spectacle will take place non-stop from Aug. 1 to the 8th between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The competitors will be divided into heats of 4 competitors of the same category. Two heats will run at a time in which the surfers have 20 minutes to ride between two and 12 waves and best display their ability level. A panel of 6 judges will distribute points according to wave selection, quality and difficulty of the maneuvers. Only the two best rides are added together to get the surfer’s score. Only the top two surfers in each heat will move on to the next round of competition. (more…)
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
More than 80 exhibitors in Web design, graphic arts, industrial products and use of space will be showing their skills at the Hotel Real Intercontinental in Escazú starting today at 10 a.m. The event runs through Saturday.
The exposition is jointly sponsored by the Ministerio de Cultura y Juventud and the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio. The displays will be accompanied by various seminars.
The exposition is an initiative of the culture ministry’s Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo.
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
Extension Of School Vacation May Be Announced Today
The latest victim of the AH1N1 in Costa Rica is a 42 yearl old woman, who suffered from asthma, diabetes and obesity. The ministra de Salud, María Luisa Ávila, confirmed the death of the woman is the 13th person to die from infection of the virus.
The death is the first outside the Central Valley.
The woman, according to Ávila, was admitted to the Tony Facio hospital in Limon last Thursday and on Friday was given treatment for the infection, although she was not confirmed of being infected, due to being in the high risk group
Ávila explained that on Wednesday the laboratory tests revealed that the woman was in fact infected.
The ministra de Salud added that two deaths are still under investigation, one with suspicion of having been infected and the other a probable, which could increase the number of deaths to 15. The ministra explained that one of the two women was 63 years of age, while the other 47.
On the subject of preventing infection, ministra Ávila said that the decision to continue the mid year school vacation for yet another week would be made today, Thursday.
Public school children and teachers were to have returned to classes on July 20, ending the two week mid-year vacations.
However, due to the AH1N1 crisis, the vacation was extended to July 27 and now could be for one week more.
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