Archive for October 21st, 2009
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
The pro-animal organization SASY, which stands for Stop Animal Suffering — Yes!, will hold its annual charity auction Nov. 8 from 2 to 6 p.m. The event is designed to raise money for animal welfare programs throughout Costa Rica.
The non-profit organization said it raised more than $40,000 in 2008 and channeled the money to many spay and neutering animal clinics. Tickets are 15,000 colons a person or 25,000 a couple for the auction that will feature 200 high-end luxury items, the organization said. The venue is the InterContinental Hotel in Escazú.
Those interested in attending can call 2249-3722 or e-mail sasyauction09@gmail.com.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
The area known as Paseo de los Estudiantes in downtown San José has been chosen as the site for “Barrio Chino” (Chinatown), in an official ceremony that included Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, Municipalidad de San José mayor, Johnny Araya and the mayor of Beijing, Guo Jinlong, to place the cornerstone for the project.
Chinatown will include restaurants serving oriental food and retail stores selling oriental artifacts, medication and other products.
The area in the Catedral district between Avenidas 2 an 14, in the area now known as Paseo de los Estudiantes will become Barrio Chino that will include a pedestrian boulevard.
China’s ambassador to Costa Rica, Wang Xiaoyuan, stressed that this is another example of the close ties between China and Costa Rica, who began diplomatic relations in July 2007 after Costa Rica breaking off relations with Taiwan a month earlier.
The government of China will be contributing us$1 million dollars to the project, while the municipalidad de San José will contribute us$300.000 dollars.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
The Autoridad Reguladora de Servicios Públicos (ARESEP) has once again sanctioned the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) for excessive charges, this time for its 900 service.
According to the Aresep, ICE will have to pay ¢305 million colones to Radiomensajes and ¢1.5 billion colones to the Sate for excessive charges to the service that ICE says is not a public service, rather a commercial service and outside the scope of the Aresep.
The sanction stems from ICE’s action of overcharging Radiomensajes that provided business the 900 service line, charging customers ¢700 colones for participating in various contests.
Radiomensajes purchased the infrastructure from ICE which also added the cost of each to call to customer’s monthly bills.
In the deal, ICE would keep 28% of the revenue from the service although the Aresep says the authorized rate for ICE is only 4%.
ICE, as usual, said it will appeal the Aresep decision very closely before making any payments to anyone.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
After a record arrivals of 2.51 million in 2008, a steady annual increase since the 2.06 million in 20006 and 2.29 million in 2007, Costa Rica recorded a drop to 2.29 million for 2009. Arrival numbers are forecast to tick up again in 2010, and to grow at an average rate of 2.2% until the end of our forecast period in 2013.
The majority of tourists visit Costa Rica during the peak season (January-May) and come from the Americas – the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America .
Arrivals from the country’s three most important source markets – the US, Nicaragua and Canada – increased steadily during 2004 to 2007. However, looking at the inbound tourism data by region, although 2008 continued to trend upwards in North America and Latin America, the report is forecasting arrivals numbers from both regions to decrease by 9.73% and 7.81%, respectively.
The next most important source markets in terms of arrivals are, in order, Panama, Mexico and Spain.
The main growth drivers for the industry are ecotourism and health tourism.
Costa Rica has 32 national parks, eight biological reserves, 13 forest reserves and 51 wildlife refuges. That said, the industry is forecast to suffer slightly in 2009 due to the ongoing recession, particularly in the US, and the AH1N1 flu virus.
The planned development of the Caribbean Limón province, the continued expansion of the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia and the growing amount of chartered flights from Europe all have the potential to drive growth in the market.
Costa Rica’s tourism industry is a major contributor to the economy, accounting for about 7.8% of GDP in direct terms in 2008 and nearly 3% of total employment in 2006 – 49,000 individuals – according to data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Collective government expenditure on tourism was an estimated su$29.7 million in 2008, a 4% increase year on year. Collective government expenditure is forecast to slump slightly in 2009 to us$27.9 million, bouncing back to us$29.6mn in 2011. Expenditure is then forecast to rise to us$33.1 million by the end of the forecast period in 2013.
The government has created a tax on inbound airfares to the country. The fee is us$15 per airfare and replaces the 3% hotel tax.
Part of the revenue from the tax, which is expected to be more than su$80 million per year, will fund some of the activities of Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) – the Costa Rican Tourism Board, including marketing, promotion and planning.
The change in taxation came about due to the increasing amount of condominium and other private rentals that were not included under the umbrella of the hotel tax. New hotel developments are ongoing in the country, with major international companies including Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Barceló constructing hotels near the beaches and in urban centres.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
Another day, another proposal rejected in the negotiations between representatives of ousted President Manuel Zelaya and interim President Roberto Micheletti.
The renewed talks all but broke down Monday.
In responding to a bid last week from the Zelaya camp for Congress to decide whether the deposed leader will finish his term of office, Micheletti’s negotiators proposed that they decide Zelaya’s fate after seeking official opinions from Congress and the Supreme Court. Zelaya’s negotiators soundly rejected that offer in fewer than two hours.
“That proposal is insulting,” said Víctor Meza, Zelaya’s top negotiator.
Meza said Zelaya’s team had no counterproposal and instead demanded the interim government make a better offer than the previous two. Micheletti negotiators had previously offered to let the same Supreme Court that ordered Zelaya’s arrest on June 28 decide whether he should return to power.
Meza said both proposals were “offensive.”
“The dialogue isn’t broken, but it’s being obstructed,” he said.
Before Meza issued his response, Micheletti negotiator Vilma Morales stressed the need to take all the time that’s needed in negotiations to reach a solution. She said she opposed Zelaya’s attempts to exert pressure and set deadlines for negotiations.
Zelaya temporarily suspended talks in reaction to Micheletti’s first proposal before they resumed Monday. On numerous occasions he has set and subsequently pushed back deadlines for an agreement to be reached before his team will pull out of talks.
“Deadlines don’t work with dialogue,” Morales said.
Armando Aguilar, another Micheletti negotiator, said Monday’s offer is the best compromise between the two original proposals.
“They didn’t accept our proposal, we didn’t accept theirs,” Aguilar said. “So the third option is to put the decision back under the control of this commission.”
Meza accused Micheletti of using the negotiations as a political instrument to win time as the countdown to the Nov. 29 presidential election continues.
Both commissions say they’re in agreement on every issue between them except Zelaya’s return to power. Zelaya already said he will give up his campaign for a constitutional assembly to rewrite the 1982 constitution, which critics saw as an attempt to abolish presidential term limits.
“Mr. Zelaya conceded all he could to help dialogue,” Meza said.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
Are you tired and worn out? Do you need a break? If so, then, there is no better place than the amazing waters of Costa Ricas breathtaking beaches and lakes. If you really want to experience the grandest vacation getaway you can ever imagine, take a plunge and explore the wonders of Costa Rica, check- in to its world- class hotels, and the rest, as many people say, is a saga.
With 46,768 species of different animals and insects such as orchids, birds, butterflies, and freshwater fishes, Costa Rica is a place where nature abundantly sits on its 51,100 sq. km. land area.
Bordering the North Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is home to luscious tropical rain forests, lovely beaches, coral reefs, mangrove swamps, cloud forests, volcanoes, and a large set- up of lakes and rivers. With these remarkable features, Costa Rica is one of the worlds most wonderful vacation destinations.
So if you have not yet experienced the best vacation in the world, then, going to Costa Rica will definitely make you see how magnificent Gods creation were.
With its great warm temperate climate and abundant nature, you can do many things while you enjoy your grand vacation getaway in Costa Rica.
Of course, to make the most out of your break, it is best to take note of the recommended activities in the area. These things will surely make your time in Costa Rica something worth remembering all your life.
Here are 5 things you must experience on your Costa Rica vacation -
1. White water rafting
Costa Rica provides a number of the worlds best white water rafting rivers. These remarkable types of waters will let you dive into the unknown tropical boondocks of Costa Rica.
So whether you are a novice or a skilled white water rafter, an adventurer or a nature aficionado, it is extremely important to experience white water rafting in Costa Rica. You will never know the kind of experience that awaits you if you will not try it.
2. Aerial adventures
With its abundant tropical rain forests, Costa Rica can give you one of the worlds best natural parks. Also, the best way to enjoy these extraordinary features is to try the Aerial Adventures. This refers to a chairlift- style trip that was built for optimum wildlife and bird viewing.
Aerial Adventures is the ultimate alternative to cable rides, especially if you are one of those few people who gets scared with hanging cables mounted on top of the trees.
3. Beach escapades
If you think you have already seen the best beaches in the world, think again! If you have not yet visited Costa Ricas lovely beaches, then you are nearly missing half of the bets things life has to offer.
When you have your vacation in Costa Rica, it is a must that you try and experience plunging into its exquisite beaches.
Costa Rica has a long range of glamorous beach resorts and first- class hotel accommodations. For example, in the Caribbean Coast, you can go to Cahuita, a miniature Oceanside community, with a beautiful national park attached to it. This place can give you the best snorkeling and swimming experience.
While on the Pacific Coast, you can visit Playa Samara, one of Costa Ricas stunning white sand beaches. It is blessed excellent coral reef situated in tranquil, shallow Costa Rica waters.
4. Wind surfing
With the strong Tradewinds blowing within the region, wind surfing has been one of the most sough- after activity every vacationer would like to experience.
Among the many lakes situated in Costa Rica, Lake Arenal is one of the finest windsurfing sites in the world. Compared to Columbias River Gorge and Lake Garda of Italy, Lake Arenals Tradewinds creates winds with extraordinary strength.
In fact, reports say that all through the dry season, the average wind speed amounts to 33 miles per hour. Only the professional windsurfers can manage this speed.
Hence, with great equipments and superior wind surfing ability, you will definitely enjoy this fun activity while you stay in Costa Rica.
5. Fishing and Scuba diving
Fishing and Scuba diving will never be the same again if you will experience this in Costa Rica. With its famous, Manuel Antonio National Park and Quepos, you can only be assured of a remarkable vacation near the waters.
QueposManuel Antonio is the place that created Costa Ricas world recognition. Blessed with many kinds of fishes, anglers will surely have a grand time catching the best inshore and blue water fishes in the world. You can also have a taste of fresh water fishes at Lake Arenal.
If you want a more extreme adventure, you should try scuba diving. With Costa Ricas great coral reef, you will surely enjoy your time under water.
All of these things are definitely some of the best activities you must experience on your Costa Rica vacation. Otherwise, it will just be like your other vacation trips.
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