Archive for March 26th, 2010
Friday, March 26th, 2010
Costa Rican police have seized more than a tonne of cocaine transported from Colombia and arrested four Colombians, a Nicaraguan and two Costa Ricans, a minister said.
Two boats laden with 525 kg of cocaine and two vehicles loaded with another 520 kg were seized along with GPS trackers and an AK-47 assault rifle from the men, Security Minister Janina Del Vecchio said Thursday.
Police said the drugs were to be shipped to North America or Europe.
According to official figures, close to eight tonnes of cocaine have been seized in Costa Rica in 2010. Almost 100 tonnes of cocaine and $17.5 million in cash have been confiscated since May 2006.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Friday, March 26th, 2010
The 257.000 customers who are still connected to the TDMA network will have only a few weeks more of service before the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) permanently discontinues the service.
The state telecom is making an urgent call to all those users to switch over to either the GSM or 3G networks before the TDMA service goes off line.
ICE is expected later today or by the end of the week the exact date when the TDMA service will be over and done with.
Adoldo Arias, director for telephone services at ICE, explained that TDMA customers can move over to the other networks easily and should do so as soon as possible.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Friday, March 26th, 2010
The Telecom regulator has set a new rate to support the 911 emergency system. Presently the charge is a fixed 79.56 colons per line each month, but will become 1 percent of the total telephone bill.
Presently 79.56 colons is about 4 percent of the fixed-line basic rate of 1,850, and 1.5 percent of the minimum cell phone rate. The rate has been the same since the 911 system became operational in 1996, according to Carolina Mora, communications director for the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones.
The increase is needed to make the 911 system financially self-sustaining, since its budget for 2010 is 5.75 billion colons. At the current rate, the approximately 2.6 million active phone lines produce 2.5 billion colons per year.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Friday, March 26th, 2010
Costa Rica’s first female President-elect Laura Chinchilla on Thursday announced future ministers for the social sector, completing the 21-member lineup of her cabinet.
According to Chinchilla, this would be the first time in Costa Rica that more than 40 percent of cabinet members are women.
Chinchilla, who will take office on May 8, said that Maria Luisa Avila would retain the post of health minister, while Leonardo Garnier would continue as education minister.
Chinchilla recognized Garnier’s work during the administration of President Oscar Arias, as Garnier reduced the number of student drop-outs.
She appointed Hernando Paris as Justice Minister, Sandra Piszk, who had been Defender of the People, as Labor Minister, and Fernando Marin as Social Welfare Minister.
The Culture Ministry will be headed by Manuel Obregon and the Housing Ministry by Irene Campos.
The Physical Education Ministry, to be created during Chinchilla’s administration, will be under the charge of Guiselle Goyenaga.
The president-elect will also create the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Governments, of which Hojancha Mayor Juan Marin will be in charge.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Friday, March 26th, 2010
What do you want from your Spring Break? Some of the typical answers from American and Canadian college students include things like:
Sunshine Good nightlife A beach scene A chilled atmosphere Spring Break Parties Inexpensive food and drink Surfing and water sports
For all these and many more, Costa Rica checks all the boxes. It has only very recently become popular as a Spring Break destination, and it offers a slightly different experience than is typically associated with the usual Spring Break zones like Florida and Cancun. Because it’s not first and foremost a Spring Break destination (as is the case with the others), it’s not so densely and highly built up with hotels and resorts. While it can be hard to move at the height of Spring Break in many of the typical resort areas, Costa Rica’s crowd tends to be smaller and less intense.
That’s not to say that there’s no party atmosphere, however! In fact, just the opposite. The less densely-packed beaches and bars provide many more opportunities for meeting and getting to know other groups and new people, and going to a beach bar party in Costa Rica is often likened to going to a house party back home – intimate, fun, and friendly. The same goes for Costa Rica’s nightclubs, live music venues, and smaller reggae clubs, each with their own unique identity, but all with that laid back Costa Rican charm and atmosphere.
Costa Rica’s beaches are world famous, and once you’re there it’s easy to see why. It’s very often described as a tropical paradise, and you’ll understand this description when you’re laying on a sun-drenched beach, iced drink in hand, taking in the fun-filled beach scene around you! There’s always lots going on, from action-packed water sports (including some of the best surfing and kayaking found anywhere!) to wildlife-rich hiking trails and quaint towns to explore. Whether you want a Spring Break spent lazing on the beach, or the opportunity to try out some new activities with new friends, Costa Rica Spring Break will be sure to satisfy your expectations.
Eating out is inexpensive in Costa Rica – another good reason for making it your Spring Break destination of choice rather than the places that have more of a reputation as tourist traps, where you’ll find it much more difficult to enjoy good food on a budget. Restaurants and bars here serve everything from traditional Costa Rican cuisine (rice and beans with chicken, meat or fish), to seafood, to popular North American fare, and whether you’re a meat lover or a vegetarian, you’ll be able to find tasty and filling food without hurting your bank balance.
Accommodation is clean and cheap, and there are a number of excellent party hostels where it’s possible to spend your entire Spring Break without even noticing that you haven’t left the hostel grounds! Check out what this alternative Spring Break destination has to offer, and join those who already know that a spring break vacation in Costa Rica is a fun-filled and unforgettable experience!
Costa Rica is a great option for adventure seekers that want something different for Spring Break. Options include rappelling, horseback riding, zip-lining, and whitewater rafting. Hike to the Arenal Volcano and see the lava flow. You can choose among a variety of extreme spring break adventure activities to fill your days. Why not try surfing or paddle through an estuary tour on a kayak. If you want something a little less strenuous go on a snorkeling adventure to see all that the gorgeous Pacific Ocean has to offer.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Friday, March 26th, 2010
Some of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica are close to the small yet bustling town of Jaco. Two hours away from San Jose, and easily reached by car or comfortable, cheap, ubiquitous buses, Jaco is located on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast in the northern part of Puntarenas province. This is a party town.
About a two hour drive from San Jose, this bustling town sits on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. For many years, it has been one the most popular beaches in Costa Rica, in large part because of its nightlife. Its reputation as a fantastic “party beach” is now well known.
Over the years, many tourists have made this a favorite location for their visits, citing its casual, relaxed, laid back, friendly, party atmosphere. There are lots of great beaches nearby, some of which are very tranquil, all of which are gorgeous. Jaco has boomed over the last half dozen years or so. Where there was once a quiet little road (except at night) road through town, today there are towering high rises and resorts, and lots and lots of bars, restaurants, and shops.
The costs of vacationing in Jaco match any budget. Today, you’ll find accommodations catering to the most well-heeled all the way down to those economy budgets (think hostels with cold water—but cheap)! And, of course, there is no lack of choice for eating, partying, or sleeping. You’ll also find those ubiquitous tourist traps where you can shop for that special gift for your (jealous) friends and family who couldn’t make the trip.
Jaco Beach sits directly in front of Jaco and is very, very popular but , in my opinion, nearby beaches just a couple of miles or kilometers away, are much better. There are fewer people and the waters are some of the purest on earth. The best beaches are awarded Blue Flag ecological certifications for cleanliness. When you vacation in Jaco, I strongly recommend going to spectacular Hermosa Beach, a couple of miles south of Jaco. Though it is not good for safe swimming due to its currents, it is pristine and pure with some of the best surfing on the planet. How good is the surfing? Think world class. Indeed, this July professional surfers from more than 35 countries are descending upon Hermosa to participate in a week of world surfing championships. Watch them during the days or party with them at night in Jaco.
Costa Rica is one of the smallest countries in the world but it is world-famous for its many places to go and things to do. When you vacation at Jaco, you’ll be close to innumerable activities. Head over to one of the fabulous volcanoes. Go windsurfing at Lake Arenal. Learn to surf. Visit fabulous Corcovado National Park, described by National Geographic as the most biologically intense place on earth. Take your life in your hands and bungee jump into a deep gorge just outside Jaco. Zipline through tropical forests, whitewater raft, go sea kayaking. Or just lay back and enjoy the beach and romantic sunsets.
Consider chartering a boat for a trip to Costa Rica’s world-famous fishing grounds. Huge marlin that can swim 70 miles an hour and leap 10 feet from the water await. Sometimes the schools of tuna or sailfish are thick. Whales travel from Antarctica to breed in the warm waters—as do their cousins from the Arctic. Think you came a long way? Imagine swimming thousands of miles!
First discovered by Christopher Columbus, today Costa Rica is discovered anew by folks from every place on the planet. Though it is only the size of West Virginia, one of every five species of plant and animal is found here. Travel Costa Rica when you visit Jaco. Bring a camera and your sense of adventure.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
