Archive for February 24th, 2010
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
Starting Monday, with the new Traffic Law in effect, Costa Rica will be home to one of the world’s highest fines for talking on a cellphone while driving: ¢286.065 (approx US $520).
Still, that’s not the highest fine available — not using proper child seats and boosters, driving without a license or with an expired license will set you back a lofty ¢381.420 (approx US $693), higher than an average Costa Rican monthly wage.
Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly has been working to reduce these prohibitive fines for the past 6 months, but haven’t been able to amend the Traffic Law in time. This means these high fines will be in effect for at least 15 days before being reduced, and possibly for another month. Owing to the rampant corruption of Traffic Police forces, the bribe amounts will increase accordingly, so expect many motivated traffic cops patrolling the streets looking for cellphone users.
Some of the new fines are below. Some of them are interesting given that they are part of normal Costa Rican driving behavior (such as those involving pedestrians and the car’s horn).
¢381.420 ($693): driving with blood alcohol content between 0.5 and 0.75 grams per liter (over 0.75 is punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison among many other punishments), driving over 120 km/h, not using child seats and boosters, riding a motorcycle without a helmet, driving with no license or expired license.
¢286.065 ($520): driving over 25km/h in school and hospital zones, talking on the cellphone, speeding, making U-turns, not having yearly mandatory insurance, not wearing seatbelts, not yielding to pedestrians at intersections.
¢190.710 ($346): littering on public roads, not having up to date Riteve car inspection, driving without reflectors (where applicable), driving on the beach.
¢152.568 ($277): driving without a windshield, unnecessary use of horn, parking where prohibited.
(Small note for Jeep users: driving with your windshield folded down should be OK because you are technically not “driving without a windshield” — it just happens to be folded. Don’t try doing that on freeways or without sunglasses though.)
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
Costa Rica is a thriving vacation destination, especially during the Spring Break. Many college students and couples flock to San Jose, Costa Rica for a memorable nature trip.
You will find Costa Rica’s amazing eco-system as well as its wonderful beaches along the mountain ranges between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. In Northern Costa Rica, in Guanacaste, there encompasses both interior and coastal areas, lush forests, arid plains, golden beaches, estuaries and rich mountains teeming with life. In fact, several of the most beautiful and largest nature reserves are situated here. This is along with spectacular beachfront resorts that provide scuba diving, fishing, golfing and windsurfing activities.
The wonderful Tabacon Hot Springs and active arenal volcano are also in close proximity to the coast. San Jose, its busy capital, is just three hours away to all these fascinating sites. In fact, about half of the entire population resides in San Jose, offering famous beach destinations like Jaco Beach and Puntarenas. You will also find oriented hotels and thrilling activities like golf, horseback riding and surfing among others. Costa Rica really has everything going for both its residents and guests.
Costa Rica is a haven to tourists on spring breaks, but also visited in other seasons. Going here can provide you with more excitement and culture as compared to a trip to Key West or Cancun. Whatever it is you are looking for, from natural landscapes to surfing activities, pristine beaches, throbbing nightlife and flavorful local culture, the country has it all.
Airline packages are more affordable in spring also. Airfare only costs about $350 to $550. Your expenses during your stay can only be as low as $25 per day. It is really a worthwhile dream vacation.
Costa Rica showcases the best of Latin America, offering a rich history, culture and food combined with the comforts of home. Not only is this place gaining praises for its thriving eco-tourism industry and stunning natural attractions, it is also highly regarded for being one of the most highly developed as well as safest nations in the continent. Contrary to speculations, the roads here are well-traveled and safe. With tourism as their biggest industry, their educational levels are quite high.
A Trip to San Jose
As Costa Rica’s capital city, it is considered as “the vibrant heart of the country.” It offers world class museums, beautiful architecture and the finest nightlife Costa Rica can offer. Hotels near Park Central have quality, convenient and valued services. A good example is Costa Rica Backpackers Hotel located at Avenue 6 Calle 21/23. You can call them at 221-6191. Another one is Casa Leon situated at Avenue 6 Calle 13/15. You can call them at 222-9725. In terms of nightlife, you can go to San Pedro or El Pueblo for a wide array of student bars.
More Facts about Costa Rica
The capital and largest city of Costa Rica is San Jose.
Costa Rica is noted as the only country without an army. This is because it was abolished in the year 1949.
Christopher Columbus and Columbus discovered Costa Rica during his 4th as well as final voyage towards the New World.
Nicaragua borders Costa Rica to the north while Panama borders it to the south.
Although they were not able to subdue its natives, Costa Rica was discovered last September 18, 1502.
In English, Costa Rica means “rich coast.” This is because the Spaniards became impressed with the gold ornaments that were displayed by the natives, claiming that it was the richest coast they have ever encountered.
Spanish is the main language of the locals. This is because it evolved from the Spaniards.
In the year 1821, Costa Rica was declared an independent nation. In fact, its separation with Spain was very peaceful.
For a brand new vehicle, a local of Costa Rica needs to shoulder 100% of its tax. This means that if a resident there will buy a $20,000 car, he will be able to have for a total of $40,000, including taxes.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
Eleven tropical rain-forest countries Tuesday agreed to commit on sustainable forest management at a ministerial meeting held in Indonesia’s Bali province.
The tropical rain-forests are home to diverse biological species and storehouses of genetic resources. They also serve as sources of livelihood and a repository of cultural heritage, the group, also known as F-11, said in a joint press statement.
Looking forward to 2010, the ministers emphasized that the forthcoming global climate talks must include the issue of forest as an integral component.
Indonesian Foreign Minster Marty Natalegawa told reporters that the meeting was very useful and productive as it gave opportunity for member countries to share their experience on forestry issues.
‘We have discussed various topics related to forestry matters, including biodiversity, climate change and sustainable forest management,’ said Marty.
Papua New Guinea Forestry Minister Belden Namah said all ministers in the meeting supported initiatives of forest management practices.
‘We support initiatives taken by the F-11 in the area of sustainable forest management,’ said Namah.
The forum also agreed admission of Guatemala, Suriname and Guyana to the association.
The F-11 consists of Indonesia, Brazil, Gabon, Costa Rica, Congo, Cameroon, Colombia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
The Caribbean Tourism Industry is delighted to learn that effective immediately Canada has approved more flights to the region according to Canadian government officials.
Canada’s transport minister, John Baird, and minister of international trade, Peter Van Loan, said the country has successfully concluded an expanded air services agreement with Cuba “which will allow more airlines from both countries to immediately operate scheduled air services to any Canadian or Cuban cities.”
Transport minister Baird said two additional Canadian Airlines were able to apply to the Canadian Transportation Agency to offer new flights between Canada and Cuba. He also annouced that an additional Canadian airline will immediately offer new flights between Canada and Trinidad and Tobago.
“In the past few years, the governemnt of Canada has moved at an incredible pace to negotiate new or expanded international agreements and this current agreement provides even greater options for Canadians travelling south,” Baird said in a statement.
“Over the past four years, we have worked to provide airlines with more flexibilty to increase the number of convenient flights and cheaper fares to help travelers, businesses, shippers, and the tourism industry,” the minister added.
Meanwhile minister Van Loan indicated that Canada is “leading the way in creating better trade and travel links throughout the Americas and the world.”
“This agreement builds on the agreements we have signed or updated since 2006, which now totals nearly 50 countries including Barbados, Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico,” he said.
Baird said Westjet and Sunwing will operate scheduled intetrnational air services between Canada and Cuba and that Westjet will commence flights to Trinidad and Tobago in May.
Several caribbean countries including Jamaica are expecting increase business from Canada this winter season.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
On International Mother Language Day, the regional representation for South and Central America of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) stresses the need for effective measures to halt the extinction of native languages across the region, as well as to encourage their use.
The opportunity to use and transmit beliefs and traditions in one’s mother tongue represents not only a cultural right, but an essential tool for ensuring knowledge of human rights. According to UNESCO, 90% of the world’s languages will disappear in the next 100 years.
South America is one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world. According to the UNESCO Interactive Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, there are more than 248 languages in Latin America that are currently considered severely or critically endangered, including: 14 in Argentina, 4 in Belize, 35 in Bolivia, 178 in Brazil, 8 in Costa Rica, 6 in Chile, 64 in Colombia, 12 in Ecuador, 1 in El Salvador, 23 in Guatemala, 7 in Honduras, 143 in Mexico, 8 in Nicaragua, 8 in Panama, 12 in Paraguay, 57 in Peru, 1 in Uruguay, and 34 in Venezuela.
The Regional Offices of the OHCHR stress the urgency to adopt measures to implement national and regional linguistic policies. At the same time, they call on States to encourage intercultural bilingual education as well as the production of digital contents in native languages.
The Regional Offices of the OHCHR point out that such rights are enshrined in Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, The ILO’s Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognize the right of indigenous people to use, revitalize, stimulate and preserve their language.
These instruments establish the responsibility of States to adopt measures to ensure access for indigenous peoples to education in their own culture and language, as well as their responsibility to adopt effective measures to protect and guarantee the exercise of such rights in political, judicial and administrative instances.
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