Archive for November 12th, 2009
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
In 19 hours after being caught by police, two men were sentenced to 4 1/2 years prison by the Tribunal de Flagrancia, setting a clear precedent and breath of relief for those looking for quick justice.
The case is of two men, Otoniel Aragón Solís and Marlon Ortega Sancho, who on Monday night were apprehended by police some 300 metres from the Spoon restaurant in Pavas, across from the US Embassym they had just robbed.
The men were caught with the take from the restaurant still in their possession, after in the company of a woman, subdued the security guard and threatened with violence the patrons of the restaurant. Employees and patrons were forced to the ground and over their wallets and purses while the restaurant’s cash register was emptied out.
The Tribunal de Flagrancia is a court dealing with such cases, where the criminals are caught “de forma in fraganti” (red handed) and a quick trial is warranted.
Yesterday’s trial and sentencing is a record for speediness in the Costa Rican judicial system that can take years on end for a case to go before a court.
The quick decision of the Tribunal de Flagrancia is also a hope for the future of such trials.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2009
The 2010 Marchamo – annual vehicular circulation permit – goes on sale beginning Monday, November 16, confirmed the president of the INS, Guillermo Constenla.
The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) will have 1.277 points-of-sale that include banks all over the country to collect on 1.1 million registered vehicles.
The INS is the collector of the Marchamo that includes the compulsory insurance for the vehicle, property tax and a host of other charges attached to the circulation permit.
Owners of vehicles can check what they owe and a breakdown of the different charges on the INS website. (note the INS has yet to update the page to include the 2010 marchamo).
Typing in the vehicle’s plate number and type will inform the amount due. However, the 2010 cost is not yet online, it will be starting Monday.
For 2010, the insurance portion of the marchamo will increase 16% and will vary pending on the claims history of the vehicle.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2009
Group 4 Securicor (G4S) is holding a job fair looking to hire 100 people as security officials. The job fair is being held at the between 8am and 4pm at its San Pedro offices.
Berónica Narváez, head of G4S Human Resources, said the salary range is between ¢250.000 and ¢280.000 monthly, plus benefits. Candidates must have a high school diploma, be able to present work history and references and an up-to-date criminal report.
The company is located 75 meters South of the Subaru in Los Yoses.
For more information, those interest can call 2280 4770.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2009
Costa Rican television might become a lot clearer in the next few years, as representatives of several communications businesses came together to announce the “Arrival of the Era of Digital Television” at a presentation at the Hotel Marriott in San Antonio de Belen last Thursday.
The forum, which was hosted by the consulting firm Deloitte and the Chamber of Info-Communications, announced that a panel of representatives from several Costa Rican sectors would decide the type of digital television package that would be implemented. The panel will select a digital television (DTV) package and present it before the Executive Branch by March 30, 2010.
The announcement of the “Digital TV” era met some resistance Monday when University of Costa Rica (UCR) Dean Yamileth González advocated for a more open debate about digitalization.
“This should be a public debate that presents a transparent process of digitalization,” González said. “There needs be strong communication of the decision to the people of the country.”
The possible integration of digital television in Costa Rica follows a growing trend worldwide. In the past three years, several countries have integrated digital television nationally, including the United States, which implemented nationwide DTV on June 20, 2009. But after the switch, many homes were unable to watch their televisions because the sets were unequipped to receive the digital signal.
At the presentation Thursday, it was announced that, in order to receive the DTV signal, households must purchase a digital-ready television or a signal converter to wire into their current television.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2009
Lacking proper research is often a common mistake to expats or tourists which they would later regret. Doing your proper homework and research on a country you are keeping an eye on is essential to your successful living on that potential paradise.
Costa Rica is one of the most sought after and most research retirement paradise on the net so here is what you need to know more about Costa Rica that tourism websites fail to provide.
Relocating to another country or city entails a set of rules that you should remember, or probably tips that you are recommended to do. These tips will definitely help you get a better glimpse of Costa Rica and enjoy the life here.
First of all, you should try to learn some Spanish first before moving here. The general language here is Spanish and not English, so you might find yourself having some difficult time if you don’t understand what the locals speak. You don’t even have to be all technical about it. Just learn the essential phrases and you can learn more from there.
Also, before deciding that you really want to move to this Central American nation, make sure that you are really decided about it. Give yourself some time to reflect. Don’t be impulsive about it because it’s relocation we are talking about, not the brand of your bag.
If you have really decided that Costa Rica suits you, it is also recommended that you do your homework first and learn as much information about the country. Knowing the local immigration laws and other important legislation can do you a long way to living a problem-free life here. For starters, you can check out the Tico Times for latest information.
We also recommend that you rent yourself some property first before purchasing real estate. Try renting for a few months, then transfer to another community and rent again. Do this for a couple of communities so that you will find out which particulr environment suits you. From here, you can already decide if you want to purchase a particular property or not.
Finally, also make sure that you are covered by your health insurance here in Costa Rica. If you are not covered, then maybe it is time to switch policies and go for something inclusive.
The tips I mentioned above are basic tips that every expat should take care of before going to any other foreign country. They are not specific to Costa Rica at all. By learning these tips by heart, you can be assured that you will have minimal expat-related issues here.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2009
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) said it will begin selling 3G cellular lines in the second week in December and away from its traditional practice, there will be no need to register before going to an ICE agency to get connected.
The announcement was made by Adolfo Arías, director of ICE’s División de Servicios.
To get the most out of the 3G service, a user has to have a 3G phone.
Retailers in Costa Rica are readying their stock of 3G phones to be connected to the 950.000 lines ICE will be making available.
A 3G phone is basically very similar to a GSM phone, using the same bands for transmission. Where it differs is in its ability to transmit large volumes of data and at high speed, which allows the sending and receiving of video files, video chat, photos and music, among many other features.
3G phones also include WiFi allowing connection to the internet and use “Windows Office” tools, as well as being great entertainment devices to play music, watch video, high resolution cameras for photos and videos and play video games.
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Thursday, November 12th, 2009
Experience Nature at its Best with Reckless Abandon and Plunge Into SKINNY DIP, Nov. 18 on Travel + Escape
- Forgetting the buttoned-up social conventions of everyday life, host Eve Kelly unleashes her carefree spirit and seeks to experience the dip of a lifetime! -
Forget your bathing suit and slip into your birthday suit! Releasing her inhibitions, globetrotter and extreme adventurer, Eve Kelly, travels the world in search of nature’s most exotic swimming holes, grottos and hot springs in the premiere of the six-part series SKINNY DIP – following the huge success of last year’s one-hour special. Beginning Wednesday, November 18 at 10 p.m. ET/11 p.m. PT on Travel + Escape, SKINNY DIP follows the 25-year-old Newfoundlander as she approaches unsuspecting strangers and challenges them to a dip in the buff in some of the most stunning natural springs on Earth. Kelly braves the fierce winter of the Canadian Yukon for an old-fashioned polar dip, traipses through volcanic geysers in New Zealand to test the waters of organic pools and hikes the exotic Costa Rican rainforest all for the chance to experience the ultimate SKINNY DIP!
Situated at the end of a steep mountain climb or down a deep gorge in the spray of a waterfall, natural swimming holes become a time and a place of their own, as everyone who has ever soaked in one will attest. Undaunted by the demanding trek required to get to nature’s most hard-to-reach pools, Kelly finds the challenges and hazards a truly invigorating adventure.
You don’t have to be a nudist, an exhibitionist or a college student to enjoy taking a skinny dip. People of all ages, genders and body shapes enjoy nude swimming, and one of those people just happens to be Eve Kelly!
Along with her, Kelly enlists a band of strangers from the local community to join in on the physically challenging journey. But however difficult – even menacing at times – their expedition is, an unforgettable encounter with nature is the promised reward.
Highlights from SKINNY DIP include:
SKINNY DIP: “Yukon”
Wednesday, November 18 at 10 p.m. ET/11 p.m. PT
Intrepid Kelly braves the fierce winter of the Canadian Yukon for an old-fashioned polar dip. Accompanied by five friends and 40 dogs, she prepares to take it all off in search of the perfect place to skinny dip.
SKINNY DIP: “Costa Rica”
Wednesday, November 25 at 10 p.m. ET/11 p.m. PT
Kelly and a group of new friends set off on an exciting and sometimes frightening adventure in the Costa Rican rainforest and search out the most beautiful and exotic watering hole for the ultimate skinny dip. (more…)
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