Archive for July 16th, 2010
Friday, July 16th, 2010
The price of a liter of gasoline is cheaper today, as the first price reduction took effect at 12:01am following the publication of the approval in La Gaceta. The next reduction, approved earlier this week, will take effect next month.
This morning, the price of a liter of super gasoline is ¢604 colones (down from ¢618), regular ¢562 (down from ¢586) and diesel ¢496 (down from ¢518).
The reduction was approved last month by the Autoridad Reguladora de Serviciso Públicos (Aresep) and due to the dropping dollar exchange and the drop in oil prices on international markets.
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Friday, July 16th, 2010
There are several really outstanding Costa Rica hotels; however, I’ll be featuring only a few of our favorites in this article. One of the essential decisions we need to make when planning vacations or trips is to determine where we are likely to stay once we’ve finally reached our destination. Costa Rica is a famous tourist destination that offers hotels that vary from Five Star to rather cheap and affordable ones depending on the traveler’s needs.
One of the most beautiful hotels is the Four Seasons also known as Peninsula Papagayo Resort in Costa Rica. This 5-star luxury hotel lies at Papagayo, a peninsula northwest of Guanacaste Province which is only 30 minutes away from the Liberia International Airport. Its natural and unparalleled beauty made it one of the famous resorts in Latin America and the world. Four Seasons Resort is famous specifically for its breathtaking view, unspoiled beaches, luxurious swimming pools, endemic spa, and rich tropical dry forest and of course, its renowned golf course which was also awarded as Costa Rica’s leading Golf Resort. This resort is best for travelers and backpackers who don’t mind throwing in the extra expense for a taste of luxury and exhilarating adventure.
Gaia Hotel is another one of Costa Rica’s illustrious and internationally renowned hotels. Situated in Manuel Antonio, Gaia is strictly for adults, a boutique, resort and a 5-star hotel all in one. It is also considered a reservoir where the native orchids and natural wildlife of Costa Rica take refuge. Travelers will savor the tranquil and pristine state of Gaia.
Trapp Family Lodge in Costa Rica is only 15 minutes away from the Monteverde Reserve. It has 20-rooms and unlike, the other luxury hotels mentioned above, this cozy but delightful inn boasts a comfortable rustic atmosphere that allows travelers to feel the warm hospitality of the inn. In Outdoors, you can view the abundance and natural beauty of flora and fauna. Its facilities include a comfy restaurant and wooden bar overlooking Monterverde’s tropical rich forest.
The Arenas Del Mar is a splendid beachfront boutique hotel and resort located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. This hotel and resort is also located near the Manuel Antonio National Park. It is best for travelers whose priorities are to explore more than just a sophisticated resort experience but also nature at its best. It tends to put into balance luxury and comfort, nature experiences and sustainability. Tourists will normally enjoy an exciting trip to Manuel Antonio and Quepos to explore its natural beauty and wildlife. Activities that are offered includes whitewater rafting, kayaking, rainforest hiking with experienced guides, catch and release fishing, boat and canopy tours and horse back riding. The hotel facility includes a restaurant that has a great view of the Pacific and the Manuel Antonio Park, a gift shop offering different kinds of souvenirs and business center.
Buena Vista Lodge in Costa Rica allows you to connect more with nature. This travel lodge and adventure is only an hour away from the Liberia International Airport and only an hour and a half minutes from the Pacific. You’ll get a closer look and explore the natural beauty of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Activities offered among tourists includes a great deal of hiking and nature tripping, bird watching, horse ride to a breathtaking waterfall and tours since Buena Vista Lodge has its own museum featuring reptiles, amphibians and even an amazing collection of snakes.
The of Monteverde is just a few hours from San Jose, Costa Rica and is situated in the Tilaran mountain range in the Puntarenas Province. Monteverde actually features at least three ecotourism areas namely the Cloud Forest Reserve, the Town Center of Santa Elena and the Cerro Plano. The Cloud Forest Lodge contains comfy bungalow type rooms that have its own private terrace. An amicable restaurant and bar gives you a breathtaking view of the Nicoya Gulf and a vast mysterious forest.
La Mansion Inn is another boutique hotel situated in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica and only two kilometers away from the Manuel Antonio National Park. It offers you another taste of both nature and luxury with the finest food and services.
Occidental Grand Papagayo in Costa Rica is an all-inclusive luxury hotel that is located just 35-minutes from the Liberia International Airport. This hotel offers the best relaxation for tourists and guests as you can have a fine view of the Pacific Coast’s famous sunset. For those who’d rather stay in one place but have everything needed to experience a delightful and unforgettable vacation, the Grand Papagayo is the place suitable for your needs. Amenities include a free form pool where you can enjoy a cool dip, high class restaurants and tranquil beaches.
The Flamingo Beach Resort is located near Guanacaste in Costa Rica. It offers new comers a ravishing escape with the solemn waves and pristine white sands of the Flamingo beach considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. You can experience great adventures and luxury with accommodations that vary in sizes and explore some exotic plants and wildlife all at the same time.
The Springs Resort and Spa is famous for its natural hot and cold springs as well as its amazing view of the Arenal Volcano. The resort lays a thousand feet on top of the Arenal Valley which is just 6 kilometers from the active volcano but is no way near the danger zone. Two of the famous springs in this resort include the Las Lagunas meaning “The Lagoons” and the Perdido Springs meaning “Lost Springs.”
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Friday, July 16th, 2010
TORONTO – A man convicted in a scheme to smuggle nearly a quarter-billion-dollars’ worth of cocaine into Canada has won a new trial because the judge failed to issue reasons for a key ruling in the case.
James Kenneth Frost, 58, is serving a 16-year prison term for his role in a nearly decade-old drug-smuggling caper off the shores of Costa Rica.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Nola Garton imposed the sentence in May 2007 after finding Mr. Frost guilty of drug trafficking.
“Unfortunately, no reasons have been delivered to date, more than three years after the impugned ruling,” said the Ontario Court of Appeal in quashing the conviction.
The lack of reasons made it impossible for “appellate review,” said the appeal court in its decision released this week. Judge Garton concluded that Mr. Frost was part of a group of mostly middle-aged Canadian men who were attempting to smuggle 1,360 kilograms of cocaine in a 52-foot sailboat destined for British Columbia.
The court heard the cocaine was obtained from Colombians, after a plan fell through to obtain a large quantity of marijuana to smuggle into Canada. Acting on a tip from the RCMP, the U.S. Coast Guard stopped the Sin Rumbo about 1,800 kilo-metres off the coast of Costa Rica in May 2003. The captain of the sailboat, Wesley “Stinky Foot” Trimble, was the only person on board. (Mr. Trimble was prosecuted in Costa Rica, and his conviction was also overturned on appeal.) After the Coast Guard discovered the drugs, five artillery shells were fired from the U.S.S. McCampbell to sink the Sin Rumbo, for reasons that remain mysterious.
It was the fifth-largest single seizure of cocaine in the history of the RCMP, after a multi-million-dollar investigation dubbed Project Outer Limits. The high-grade cocaine had a street value of more than $230-million if converted into crack cocaine.
An associate required to remain in Colombia as a “hostage” under the terms of the deal was killed by the drug cartel when the smuggling plan was foiled. The RCMP charged Mr. Frost and six other men after an investigation that included evidence obtained from dozens of wiretapped calls. Two of his alleged associates pleaded guilty and received lengthy prison sentences.
When the trial of Mr. Frost began in the spring of 2007, his lawyer argued there was an “expectation of privacy” on the sailboat. Mr. Frost was seeking details about communications between U.S. and Canadian authorities as part of a planned legal argument that the search of the boat violated the Charter of Rights.
Following seven days of evidence, Judge Garton issued a six-sentence ruling that dismissed the defence arguments. She convicted Mr. Frost a few days later. “I am obviously going to have to take some time to write my ruling on this. I don’t know how long at this point,” the judge said in court in May 2007.
Defence lawyer Phil Campbell said in written arguments filed with the Court of Appeal that “it cannot possibly be clear to [Mr. Frost] why his only line of defence failed at the outset.”
“This does not constitute a fair shake, and falls below the standard of justice the public is entitled to expect.”
The federal Crown asked for the appeal to be put on hold so that Judge Garton could write her ruling. The appeal court denied the request because of what it said was already “inordinate delay.”
Mr. Frost, who has no prior criminal record, is serving his sentence in a medium-security prison in Ontario. His trial lawyer, Allan Lobel, said Mr. Frost intends to seek bail, pending a retrial. A spokesman for the federal prosecution service said it is reviewing the Court of Appeal decision. “We have 60 days to indicate whether we are going to appeal,” Dan Brien said.
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Friday, July 16th, 2010
Exotic tourist destinations in Costa Rica are absolutely great for rain-forest vacations especially for nature lovers who are just as excited to explore the plethora of plants and animal species in the country. Most of the area in Costa Rica is known to be surrounded by evergreen and lush forestation. It encompasses specifically protected areas usually national parks and conservations, wildlife refuges and biological reserves.
As one of the most bio-diverse destination, Costa Rica rain forest offers lush and verdant plants throughout the year. Avid nature lovers wouldn’t be able to resist the wide array of animal species that they can find almost anywhere in this country. These reserves have created the best habitat for mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fishes.
Costa Rican rain forest is also known as cloud forest in Costa Rica. Monteverde is perhaps one of the top tourist spots that are almost found in every single travel website that features the best places to go once you visit Costa Rica. Santa Elena and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the perfect destination for avid nature lovers. It encompasses more than a hundred species of mammals, about four hundred species of birds, two thousand five hundred species plant and more than ten thousand species of insects. The resplendent quetzal is the primary reason why most tourists frequently visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. In fact, the quetzal can be seen during its nesting season which from March to April.
Let’s not forget to mention the Manuel Antonio National Park which is another famous destination to witness the spectacular beauty of Costa Rica nature. It is perhaps considered the most popular and visited tourist spot in the country. It was built back in 1972 and started off with an area of 682 hectares that allows it to be the tiniest but most diverse national parks in the country. What’s really noteworthy about this park is because it showcases magnificent beaches and especially lush rain-forests. Located in the Puntarenas Province along the central coast of Costa Rica, it’s considered really accessible by bus or car when you travel to other top tourist destinations namely Jaco. Jaco which is another famous beach in Costa Rica is located only 69 km from the south. The Manuel Antonio Park is also 7 km from Quepos is also a town where tourists receive a wide a selection of hotels and resorts, accommodations and restaurants.
Also one of the best places that depict the Costa Rican nature is the Tortuguero National Park which also features Costa Rican rain-forests and is another tourist destination but not really as visited compared to the Manuel Antonio National Park. However, one of its best highlights is the significant turtle nesting site in Costa Rica where the endangered green turtle settles. It is located about fifty miles north of Puerto Limon. It is also interesting to know that more than 22 miles of beach strip from the mouth of the Tortuguero river is considered protected. Extending about 19,000 hectares, it is primarily the nesting site for leather-back sea turtles, hawsbill sea turtles and of course, the loggerhead sea turtles. Other creature you’ll see in this park includes jaguars, monkeys, macaws, tapirs, different bird types, reptiles and other mammals.
There’s certainly a huge amount of beautiful Costa Rican rain-forests that are waiting to be explored and relished once you visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Manuel Antonio National Park and of course, the Tortuguero National Park. Tourists can witness not only the Costa Rica rain forest plethora of living things but also experience thrilling adventures such as the Sky Trek, canyoning, zip lining, horseback riding and so much more!
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