Archive for August, 2009
Monday, August 31st, 2009
The Juan Santamaría International (San José) airport has been certified by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States as a “secure” airport.
The TSA was created following the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Centre iN New York to protect the US’s transportation systems.
“There is merit to the Seguridad Pública authorities, who have been involved in training staff through Curso Básico de Seguridad Aeroportuaria (Airport Security Basic Course), and choose qualified staff,” said the head of the Policía Aeroportuaria (Airport Police), Glen Pacheco.
viceministro de Seguridad, Oldemar Madrigal, added that it was good to see that implementing measures bearing fruit.
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Monday, August 31st, 2009
The Instituto Costarricense de Electridicad (ICE) assures that there will be no black outs due to the lack of rain this rainy season. ICE president, Pedro Pablo Quirós, that the state institution will not have any problems with supplying the electrical needs of the country.
Quirós said that the institution has the financial resources to continue generating electricity, resorting to bunker and diesel fuel generators, as the heavy downpours this year have been minimal.
ICE counts on the heavy rain for hydro electric generation during the rainy season. However, this year, August has been a practically dry month in compared to past years.
Francisco Garro, director of the Demanda Eléctrica del ICE, assured that the rate decrease that takes effect on Setpember 1, will not affect electrical generation.
The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) - national weather service - explains that the lack of rain this season, especially in the Central Valley, is due to the effects of the El Niño.
September and October are traditionally months with heavy downpours. However for this year the IMN is predicting ligther than normal precipitations.
Evelyn Quirós, an IMN meteorologist, Costa Rica has had one of the most severe, intense and prolonged heat waves.
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Monday, August 31st, 2009
It is best take a close look at bank charges, especially when using automated teller machines (ATM’s) of competing banks, as the charges could be as much as us$3 for each transaction. The charge and the amount also depends if a debit or credit card is used to make a withdrawl.
The banks defend that the high cost is due to commissions charged by competing banks and operators of the ATMs.
In Costa Rica there are several networks providing ATMs, the state banks Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) and Banco Nacional (BN), for instance have their own separate networks. The private banks generally fall into two groups, the ones using the “Red Total” operated by the BAC San José and ATH, which connects a number of major private banks like HSBC, Citibank and Scotiabank.
Each network has their own set of guidelines for charges of use by their customers and different for customers using competing plastic. (more…)
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Monday, August 31st, 2009
It’s been nearly three weeks since the search began in Costa Rica for a missing doctoral student from Chicago. On Sunday, the Red Cross ended its rescue efforts, at least temporarily.
On Aug. 11, 28-year-old David Gimelfarb set out for a solo trek through dense Rincon de Vieja National Park, a popular location. His SUV was found by park rangers. Authorities do not suspect foul play.
Roma and Luda Gimelfarb of Highland Park are in the Central American country helping in the search for their son. They saw rescue teams come and go. For several days, the British organization ResQglobal had a team assisting in the effort, but the group pulled out over a week ago.
According to a Facebook page dedicated to Gimelfarb’s rescue, his parents have now hired a group of about 40 local people familiar with the terrain to continue the search.
Park rangers also are assisting in the search.
Friends at Adler School of Professional Psychology, where Gimelfarb is a doctoral student, set up the Facebook page; it now has 2,100 members.
On Sunday morning, Gimelfarb’s mother said on Facebook that “it is not time to give up hope. We must keep looking for David.”
To raise funds to help in the search-and-rescue mission Gimelfarb’s friends are holding a benefit at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dollop, 4181 N. Clarendon. The open-mike event is a tribute to Gimelfarb’s love of the arts, writes his friend Chris Shaw on Facebook.
“David draws, writes poetry and silly songs,” Shaw says. “And Dollop is one of his favorite hangouts in Chicago.”
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Monday, August 31st, 2009
Costa Rica May Introduce Bill to Tax Online Gambling This Week
According to the Tico Times and other sources, EOG has learned that the Finance Ministry is planning to introduce a bill that would tax online gambling entrepreneurs who reside in Costa Rica.
The bill is scheduled to reach the Legislative Assembly this week and a vote will be forthcoming in the middle of August.
For so many years, online sports betting has been unregulated and untaxed in Costa Rica, making this country the mecca of online gambling worldwide.
If gambling is taxed in Costa Rica, upwards of over 100 million dollars is expected to be generated.
“The principal idea of the bill is to regulate activity. “Gambling is something that we are currently not monitoring and, thus, not taking advantage of. If we can regulate it, it could create millions more dollars for the economy.”
The largest and most established sports betting operation in Costa Rica in terms of bet sizes taken, BetCRIS, Chief Executive Officer, Mickey Richardson, said, “They (The Costa Rican Government) needs to understand our business and the consequences before passing such a law,” “Hopefully nothing will happen. I think they would ask for our input and then we might be more supportive.” It is estimated that the online gambling industry employs as many as 10,000 or more people both directly and indirectly in the nation. “The industry pays above average salaries and contributes substantially to household incomes,” Richardson said.
Although some prominent online gambling businesses have hinted at leaving and heading to Panama if such a bill gets passed, it remains to be seen.
It has been my experience that change occurs slowly in Costa Rica, so although a bill may be introduced next week, it may takes years before we see it executed.
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Monday, August 31st, 2009
President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica has joined the trend in Latin America of calling for a new constitution that would expand executive powers and get rid of “unnecessary checks” on the president’s authority. Although Arias has less than 9 months left in office and can’t run for reelection, his brother and current minister of the presidency — a primer minister of sorts — has openly said he’s interested in running for president in 2014. A new constitution with expanded executive powers would fit him just fine.
Arias’ call has been received with broad skepticism. La Nación, Costa Rica’s leading newspaper, said that trying to make the government more efficient through a constitutional convention was like “killing a mouse with cannon fire.” The newspaper also said that the idea of dismantling the checks and balances on executive power sounds like an effort to create an “imperial presidency.” Maybe we should send our colleague Gene Healy to study the case.
However, the most disturbing aspect of Arias’ call was his harsh criticism of the media. Borrowing from the script of Rafael Correa in Ecuador and Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, Arias described news outlets as “corporations interested in making a profit” that don’t necessarily pursue the “public good.” He asked the media to “tone down” its criticism of government officials, and said that journalists “should understand their role within a higher framework.” He complained that news outlets claim to represent the public interest, without any control or accountability.
That a politician with a thin skin complains about media criticism is hardly news. However, the fact that Arias did it while calling for a new constitution that would change the institutional and legal framework of Costa Rica (including the role of the media) should be interpreted as a threat to freedom of the press.
Most people outside Costa Rica see Arias as an accomplished democrat who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to bring peace to Central America during the 1980s. Most recently he attempted to mediate the conflict in Honduras after Manuel Zelaya was (legally) removed from office. However, many people in Costa Rica fret about what they perceive as an increasingly controlling style of governing by Arias and his brother, intimidating the media, bullying the opposition, crowding key government posts with allies and cronies, and now hoping for a dynastical succession in 2014.
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Monday, August 31st, 2009
We’ve all heard stories about tourists who fall in love with Costa Rica and rush to buy property during their one-week vacation. While many find what they seek, others are disappointed with their hasty decisions. They didn’t know about some common-sense “how-to’s” that would have made their experiences more satisfying.
Costa Rica rightfully ranks high as a favorite place for foreigners to live, vacation and invest. The dream of owning land and building a home continues to lure buyers from the United States, Canada and Europe. They are attracted to Costa Rica’s lush tropical environment, laid-back lifestyle, political stability, warm people and economic growth. In an uncertain world, Costa Rica likely will remain – and even strengthen – as one of the world’s top real estate values and most livable countries.
What makes the difference between heartache and satisfaction in the property-buying process? Many factors are involved, with time and patience as the common denominators. My advice is, take your time to gather information and compare properties. Tempting though it may be, don’t rush into any purchases without all the information. (more…)
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Friday, August 28th, 2009
It was May of 2007, when Trish Stressman was paralyzed from the chest down during an ATV accident in Mexico with her husband.
“I was like ‘Scott let’s go see the seagulls’ and we wanted to drive out to them and see them fly,” said Stressman. “That’s the last thing I remember.”
She was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital where she said doctors told her, “‘This is horrible,’ before I went into surgery they told me when I was all alone in my room I would never walk again.”
Confined to a wheel chair, she continues to fight two years later.
She said doctors in the US told her this is as good as it would get because she burst her T6 vertebrae.
“And a chip of it hit my spinal cord, now I’m paralyzed from the chest down,” she said. (more…)
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Friday, August 28th, 2009
Like a spoiled child not happy with a parental decision, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) is seeking to overturn the decision of the Autoridad Reguladora de Servicios Públicos (Aresep) to reduce electrical rates by 7.2%.
The state institution (ICE) wants the decision by the regulator of public prices and services (Aresep) annulled.
ICE’s president, Pedro Pablo Quirós, said on Wednesday that the institution will be asking the Aresep to take a step back on the approval.
ICE considers the reduction, which affects all distributors of electrical energy in the country, including the Compañia de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL), an ICE subsidiary, as well as the Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia, Jasec, and other electrical distributors in the country, will negatively affect the economics of the institution and the distributors that could result in black outs.
Quirós said that a formal request will be made today.
According to ICE it will lose some ¢10 billion colones in revenue in the last four months of this year if the reduction takes effect next month as ordered by the Aresep.
The Aresep decision came after a request by the Cámara de Industrias y la Asociación de grandes consumidores de energía based on costs savings by ICE in 2009.
The Cámara said in its filing that the ICE expenditure for bunker and diesel fuel used to produce electricity was much lower that the state institution had forecast and consumers should benefit.
Originally ICE said it would be spending ¢97.9 billion colones while a new calculation revealed that the cost was actually ¢45.5 billion colones.
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Friday, August 28th, 2009
If you have been thinking of obtaining your Costa Rican drivers license now is a good time to do so, for come September 23, 2009 the fine for driving without a license or an expired license will be ¢106.800 colones and points that will be added to your license if and when you obtain one.
The current fine is ¢2.600 colones plus costs.
The new Ley de Tránsito which is expected to take full effect on September 23, will require everyone behind the wheel of a vehicle to have a Costa Rican drivers license.
This requirements includes foreigners living in Costa Rica, with the only exception is for visitors who can drive with the license from their home country as long as they are within the “tourist visa” period and a passport to confirm such. The tourist visa period for North Americans and Europeans is 90 days, while 30 days for most other countries.
And as such the lines at the Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi) of the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) in La Uruca and other regional centers, have been long for the past week.
The long lines include first time drivers, those with expired licenses and some foreigners deciding to obtain their Costa Rican drivers license.
The number of people at the La Uruca Conavi offices has been more than 1.000 people daily as for such the Conavi will remain open up to 6pm daily (two additional hours).
License renewals can also be obtained at the Banco de Costa Rica branch in La Uruca and other branches, but only with an appointment. To make an appointment at the BCR the number is 800 227-24-82.
Foreigners who want to obtain their Costa Rican drivers license, however, must personally visit the Conavi offices in La Uruca and regional offices, presenting their home country drivers license and passport with the entry stamp and a medical certificate, which can be obtained easily from medical offices located in the vicinity of the Conavi.
Costa Rican drivers licenses will only be issued, without the written and driving test, to foreigners while in their “tourist visa” period, after that they must present proof of the written examination and the driving test.
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Friday, August 28th, 2009
The State Department signaled Thursday the Obama administration is ready to take tougher action against the defacto leadership in Honduras because of the political impasse over President Manuel Zelaya’s ouster in June. An Organization of American States diplomatic mission to Tegucigalpa this week returned empty-handed.
Officials here say Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to make a formal determination as early as Friday that the ouster of Mr. Zelaya was an extra-legal coup, action that would set in motion deep cuts in U.S. aid, and other steps against the interim government.
Obama administration officials have been saying since the democratically-elected Mr. Zelaya was arrested by the Honduran military and deported to Costa Rica on June 28 that the action amounted to a coup, despite the fact that officials of the successor administration maintain they acted within the law. (more…)
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Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Costa Rica is an eco-tourism paradise with rain forests, exotic wildlife, volcanoes and much more. This little Central American country is also an interesting place to scuba dive. Most of the diving in Costa Rica is done on the west coast Pacific Ocean side with an area up in the Guanacaste region located in the northwestern part of the country and another south of the capital city of San Jose near the middle of its west coast. If flying into San Jose, one would have to do some internal traveling to get to either of these two locations.
The Guanacaste area is a bit easier to get to especially if one could arrange a flight right to the town of Liberia in northern Costa Rica. There are some seasonal charter flights from North America directly to Liberia. The town of Playas del Coco which is used as the main base for divers is a short cab ride from the Liberia airport. There are restaurants and small hotels in Playa del Coco including a few American owned scuba dive operators. These dive operators usually have special package deals available which include both diving and accommodations with one of the local hotels. Everything in town is within easy walking distance.
I made a trip for scuba diving here during the late fall season. The operator I used was Rich Coast Diving. The local Costa Rican divemasters from Rich Coast they took all of the scuba equipment including tanks down to the beach every morning by pickup truck. (more…)
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Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Costa Rican football officials are reissuing tickets for next month’s critical World Cup qualifying match against Mexico, fearing the market is flooded with counterfeit tickets.
The Sept. 5 match is crucial to determining which team reaches next year’s World Cup in South Africa. Costa Rica leads CONCACAF qualifying with 12 points, but the United States and Honduras are right behind with 10 and Mexico has 9. The top three automatically advance.
“We have received information about counterfeited tickets,” the Costa Rican Football Federation said on Wednesday. “The rumor is pretty solid, which is why we made the decision.”
Fans will be able to trade in old tickets for new ones from Thursday at Saprissa Stadium, where the match will be played. Holders of duplicate tickets will face questioning from police and judicial investigators.
A few days ago the newspaper Diario Extra reported counterfeit tickets were on sale, some for more than the official prices.
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Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on expensive beachfront hotels to find a gorgeous sunset view in order to impress that special someone. Here in Costa Rica there are many beautiful, secret and secluded places to have a romantic dinner, candlelight picnic, or simply watch the sunset fade into the horizon. Here are three breath-taking, secluded secret spots in Costa Rica that will definitely turn your Costa Rican Adventure into the romantic experience of a lifetime.
#3) Lookout point on the road to Irazu: When travelling up the mountain to visit Volcan Irazu in Cartago, Costa Rica, there is a lookout point about ¾ of the way there. On a clear, warm night you can see the lights from the city when you look down and the sparkling constellations when you look up. Bring a blanket and some snacks, maybe a portable radio with some slow, romantic Spanish music and enjoy the sights together!
#2) Playa Cocles: If you are looking for a beautiful yet nearly deserted beach, Playa Cocles is where you want to be. Everyone visits the neighbouring beaches Playa Cahuita or Puerto Viejo, leaving this beautiful beach to be forgotten. Watch the sunrise on this beautiful Caribbean beach, have lunch in the white sand, or have some alone time in the evening in a secluded area of this low traffic Playa.
#1) Sunset view of the Pacific Ocean: On the main road to Manuel Antonio, just before turning left up to the road of hotels and cabinas, you will notice that you can go straight instead of turning left; however the path looks like an industrial only zone. It is not. Follow that road about a kilometre or so to the end, and you will find an empty lot where a hotel used to be. The old hotel is completely gone, and all that is left is the old floor. This space sits directly on the coast, with beautiful water and fish on three sides, along with large beautiful rocks and amazing greenery in the distance. Surprise your significant other with a romantic dinner on the shore as you watch the sunset together and take some breath taking photographs.
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Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
Nicaragua will reroute a river on the border with Costa Rica that has been at the center of a lengthy dispute between the two Central American countries, the Nicaraguan government announced Tuesday.
Eden Pastora, president of the committee for development of the San Juan River, said the dredging project will begin at the end of September and cost $1 million.
“The goal is to recover the 1,700 cubic meters per second of water that was lost after Costa Rica rerouted it toward its Colorado River between 1945 and 1950,” Pastora told The Associated Press.
For nearly two centuries, the San Juan River has been the source of disputes between the neighboring nations and of international intrigue over a potential canal route across the isthmus.
Costa Rica’s foreign relations department said in a statement Tuesday that a ruling by an international court “forcefully denies Nicaragua’s pretension that it has the right to dredge the San Juan River.”
The United Nations’ highest court last month set travel rules for the San Juan River, affirming freedom for Costa Rican boats to navigate the waterway while upholding Nicaragua’s right to regulate traffic. The judgment ended a four-year legal battle.
Under an 1858 treaty, the entire river belongs to Nicaragua up to the Costa Rican bank, but Costa Rican ships have freedom of navigation for commerce.
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