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July 05, 2008
On Rio Niño, Fish Gone Wild for Colorful Flower Ties
UPALA, Costa Rica (The New York Times) — The trees on the banks of the Rio Niño, with names like roble de sabana, corteza and mimosa, flower with many yellow and pink blooms. When the wind blows, the blossoms drift into the river, where machaca, a type of tenacious and sharp-toothed fish, seize upon the nectar-rich flowers.
Read
July 03, 2008
Costa Rica Cenbank Says Sold $600 Million in Reserves
San Jose, Costa Rica (Reuters) --- Costa Rica's Central Bank sold $600 million in international reserves between April and mid-June to boost the colon currency, the bank said on Wednesday. Read
July 02, 2008
Costa Rican Congress Approves Ending Its 84-year-old Insurance Monopoly
(The Associated Press) SAN JOSE, Costa Rica: Costa Rica is saying goodbye to its 84-year-old insurance monopoly as it opens the industry to national and international competition. Read
July 01, 2008
Canadians Have Their Party Today!
(Inside Costa Rica) As many Americans get ready to celebrate their 4th of July on Tuesday, they know little of the Canadian anniversary celebration that is today, July 1. And like Thanksgiving, Canadians again beat the Americans to the punch. Read
July 01, 2008
Real Estate Growth in Costa Rica
(WeLoveCostaRica.com)
According to the Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos de Costa Rica in 2007 Costa Rica saw 8,500,000 square meters of new construction which employed about 152,000 people. Read
July 01, 2008
Costa Rica Real Estate Investing - In the Path of Progress
(WeLoveCostaRica.com) Where to invest? How much to invest? For how long? What's the risk? How easy is it to sell? Who will guide me along the way? Read
June 30, 2008
A Comprehensive Hotel List for Costa Rica Now Available Online
San Jose, Costa Rica (PRWEB) June 28, 2008 -- Costa Rican Hotels (http://www.costarican-hotels.com) recently launched its informative website at which users may have access to a complete list of accommodations as well as daily information about Costa Rica. Read
June 30, 2008
Costa Rica’s ‘Treasure Island’ Among New 7 Wonders of Nature Favorites
(Infocom) — The subject of maritime tales, legends of treasures buried by pirates and even the inspiration for Hollywood films such as Jurassic Park, Costa Rica’s Isla del Coco (Cocos Island) is inching closer to becoming part of modern history as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Read
June 28, 2008
Real Estate Investing in the Path of Progress. First buildings completed in Forum II
(WeLoveCostaRica.com) The new Forum II is on 6.5 hectares of land less than a kilometer away from Forum I. Construction is going ahead based on the needs of foreign companies doing business in Costa Rica and the success of Forum I. Read
June 27, 2008
Contacts with Cuba
(La Nacion) The months of tension between the governments of Oscar Arias and Raul Castro seem to have come to an end. Read
June 27, 2008
Food Concerns
(La Nacion) The Government of Costa Rica is resorting to the Central America Economic Integration Bank for the funds needed to finance a program to stimulate the growing of basic grains. Read
June 27, 2008
Coffee to Czech Republic
(La Nacion) The Foreign Trade Promoter disclosed that a Czech-Costa Rican company, NAVCAFE, will market coffee in the European nation. Read
June 27, 2008
Drop in Remittances
(La Nacion) Costa Rica’s income from remittances dropped to almost $108 million this year’s first quarter, the smallest quarterly amount recorded since early 2006. Read
June 25, 2008
Global Warming Moves Costa Rica Coffee Land Higher
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Costa Rican coffee farmers are facing threats from climate change but the rising temperatures are also expanding high-altitude regions where the country's most prized beans are grown. Read
June 25, 2008
Costa Rica Minimum Wage Up to $346.40 per Month
(The Tico Times) Costa Rica's National Salary Council on Monday green-lighted a 6.58 percent increase on minimum wages in the private sector for July 1, which the Labor Ministry says should help "recuperate the purchasing power" of the nation's lowest earners in the face of a rising living costs. Read
June 23, 2008
Costa Rica Bank Offers Account in Euros
(The Tico Times) Banco Nacional launched a new product that caters to the euro-toting crowd, combining the functions of a savings account with that of an interest-bearing investment tool. Read
June 23, 2008
Central America: New Distribution System
(Latin Business Chronicle) Producers looking for competitive advantages need to study carefully the Central American market dynamics. Read
June 23, 2008
Costa Rican Tourism Forges Ahead
(©The Moodie Report) COSTA RICA. Foreign arrivals to Costa Rica in the five months to the end of May 2008 increased +16% from the same period in 2007, according to the Ministry of Tourism in San José. Read
June 20, 2008
Costa Rica Tourism Increases Despite U.S. Economic Woes
(Costa Rica Pages)
When the U.S. economy began showing signs of weakness, many speculated as to whether American tourism to Costa Rica would also begin to decline. However, in news that reassures as much as it delights all that are involved in Costa Rican tourism, statistics show that not only have visits to the country not decreased, but they have actually increased in the past year. Read
June 20, 2008
Tourism Boom Threatens Costa Rica Eco-Paradise
TAMARINDO, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Pungent brown sewage spews into the Pacific ocean. In the background, cranes put up hotels and beachfront apartments. Read
June 20, 2008
Trade Opening
(La Nacion) Costa Rica is the second country in Latin America that meets the best conditions for trade and business, according to the World Economic Forum, which ranked 118 countries. Read
June 19, 2008
Gas Pains Push Costa Rica Government Plans
(The Tico Times) Government officials warned Costa Ricans yesterday that the nation's oil bill by year's end could be double that seen in 2007, and they forecast more measures to stanch consumption. Read
June 18, 2008
A Third of Costa Rica Employers Plan to Hire Next Quarter
(The Tico Times) Most Costa Rican employers do not intend to expand their workforce within the next quarter, according to a nationwide survey released last week by Manpower. Read
June 17, 2008
Costa Rica Capital Could Be 1st Digital City in Central America
(CostaRicaPages.com) From small coffee shops to upscale restaurants, San Jose’s store owners know just how important it is to provide their increasing number of mobile customers with the digital services that they love so much. Indeed, many local San José businesses already proudly display the ubiquitous “WiFi Hotspot” stickers on their front doors. According to many area companies, non-profit organizations, and public institutions, Costa Rica’s capital city is well on its way to becoming Central America’s first “digital city.” Read
June 17, 2008
Spanish Companies to Invest $1 Billion in Costa Rica
Three of Spain’s biggest hotel chains have announced plans to expand in Costa Rica promising to bring more than $1 billion dollars in development. Read
June 16, 2008
Men Nabbed with $372K Say They Just Wanted Bananas
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Two men caught with $372,000 in cash near the Costa Rica-Panama border told police that they just wanted to buy some bananas. Read
June 14, 2008
Economist Intelligence Unit Country Report
The report provides a full overview of the current political and economic situation in Costa Rica and gives the reader an up to date summary of the latest developments within the country. Read
June 13, 2008
Trade Balance Deficit
(La Nacion) The gap between imports and exports of goods and services –the trade balance deficit– has widened in 2008. Read
June 13, 2008
Services and Production
(La Nacion) The growth in the service sector helps the continued growth of the production of Costa Rica, which has slowed down in the last two years. Read
June 13, 2008
Climate Change
(La Nacion) Great Britain will donate $2.3 million to fund a study of the economic impact of climate change in Central America, the British ambassador to Costa Rica Thomas John Kennedy disclosed. Read
June 13, 2008
Avalanche
(La Nacion) Ashes, lava, and gases made up the materials of an avalanche on the slopes of Arenal Volcano, which in the coming weeks reaches 40 years of continuous activity. Read
June 13, 2008
Donation for Victims
(La Nacion) The Inter American Development Bank donated $200,000 to the National Emergency Commission (NEC) to ease at least part of the suffering of the victims of tropical storm Alma. Read
June 13, 2008
Pan American Highway
(La Nacion) Even though the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation re-opened traffic on the southern Pan American Highway, the number of vehicles was much smaller than on any regular day, authorities report. Read
June 13, 2008
Costa Rica's San José Airport Called "Special"
(Inside Costa Rica)
Costa Rica's Juan Santamaría (San José) airport is a "special" airport, special not for being "of a distinct or particular kind or character", but rather for it being one of the more dangerous airports in the region. Read
June 13, 2008
Costa Rica Cost of Living in Escazu & Santa Ana
(WeLoveCostaRica.com) What's the cost of living like in Costa Rica? Read
June 10, 2008
Upward Growth in Store for Costa Rica’s Capital
(Costa Rica Pages) Despite being considered the most cosmopolitan city in Central America, Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose is all but void of skyscrapers and modern building facades. Read
June 10, 2008
Costa Rica Hosts Meeting of UN’s International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development
NewswireToday - San Jose, Costa Rica, 06/09/2008 - Members of the Marrakech Process meet to discuss regional and national initiatives to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production. Read
June 10, 2008
Fresh Tourism Initiatives in Costa Rica Presented at Expotur 2008
NewswireToday - San José, Costa Rica, 06/10/2008 - EXPOTUR 2008, Costa Rica Travel Mart and Central America's prominent travel trade show, closed on a positive note in San José with the participation of hundreds of national and international buyers and sellers. Read
June 09, 2008
Fresh Del Monte Buys Costa Rican Firms
(The Miami Herald) Coral Gables-based Fresh Del Monte Produce has purchased Desarollo Agroindustrial de Frutales, a producer of bananas in Costa Rica; Frutas de Exportacion, a provider of gold pineapples in Costa Rica; and an affiliated sales and marketing company, Caribana. Read
June 06, 2008
First Tropical Storm
(La Nacion) Alma became the first tropical storm of the hurricane season and the first ever to form on the Costa Rican Pacific Ocean. Read
June 06, 2008
Chinatown in San Jose
(La Nacion) According to a plan promoted by the Municipality of San Jose and the Chinese-Costa Rican Chamber of Industry and Commerce, part of the southern area of the capital city of Costa Rica will be dedicated to Chinese business, food, and culture; in other words, a Chinatown in all senses. Read
June 06, 2008
Mega-Marina in Limon
(La Nacion) SolerPazos Group, a Costa Rican firm, plans to develop Isla Moin, a project that would harbor 600 condominiums, 100 villas, and over 100 houses, as well as a marina with 100 berths for yachts and mega-yachts and a de-luxe hotel. Read
June 04, 2008
Relief Reaches 80% of Alma's Worst Victims in Costa Rica
(The Tico Times) Relief workers persevered yesterday, making headway to reach residents of some of Costa Rica's hardest hit communities after Tropical Storm Alma drenched the region last week killing at least four people. Read
June 04, 2008
Costa Rica Looks to Go Smoke Free
(The Tico Times) The country is one step closer to passing a smoking ban in public places, including bars. Read
June 04, 2008
Western Union to Double Its Size
(The Tico Times) Western Union deepened its hold in the country yesterday when it announced an expansion of its service sector, effectively doubling the size of its workforce on Costa Rican soil. Read
June 02, 2008
Living in Costa Rica’s Santa Ana, a San Jose Suburb
(Costa Rica Pages) The best thing that has happened to me in Costa Rica was to start living in Santa Ana. I did not know it so well then, but I had some friends living there and always really liked the place, if only for its warmer and drier climate. Read
May 31, 2008
Ticos Survive TACA Airline Crash
(Inside Costa Rica)
Airline officials confirm that 24 Costa Ricans were among the survivors of the TACA airplane that crashed in Honduras on Friday. Read
May 30, 2008
Only 500 Wardens
(La Nacion) Twenty-six percent of the territory of Costa Rica is protected, but there are only 500 wardens for the prevention of deforestation, poaching –particularly of endangered species–, and the misuse of wilderness areas. Read
May 30, 2008
Bio-Fuels
(La Nacion) As part of the efforts to be less dependent on oil, starting next October, only gasoline with ethanol and diesel with bio-diesel will be available at Costa Rican gas stations. Read
May 30, 2008
Costa Rica Living in the Central Valley: Santa Ana Is Home for Me.
(WeLoveCostaRica.com) This is the second in a series of three articles on desirable towns west of San Jose. When I was still living in Florida, preparing to make Costa Rica my home, I decided I wanted to live in Santa Ana. My online research and a two-week visit to the Central Valley clinched the decision for me. Read
May 30, 2008
Dole Standard Fruit Company of Costa Rica Honored with Prestigious Industry Excellence Award
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dole Food Company announced today that for the second time in its history, Dole Standard Fruit Company de Costa Rica S.A. has been presented the “2007 Overall Excellence Award” bestowed by the Costa Rican Industry Association. This is the most prestigious honor that a company can obtain in Costa Rica. Standard Fruit also won the award in 2000. Read
May 30, 2008
Costa Rica May Soon See a Mega-Marina in Limon
(Costa Rica Pages) SolerPazos Group has announced that it will go ahead with plans to build a marina in Moin, Limon on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Isla Moin, as it will be called, will become the first mega marina in Costa Rica and will include a luxury hotel, 600 condominiums, 100 homes and 100 ocean view villas amid its 113 hectares and 2.5 kilometers of beach front land. The marina itself will have 500 spaces for the yachts and “mega-yachts”. Read
May 30, 2008
900 Trapped In Cerro de la Muerte Rescued
(Inside Costa Rica)
Some 900 people had to endure the cold, rain and mud for almost 40 hours after being trapped since Thursday in the area known as Cerro de la Muerte, on the Intermaricana Sur highway between San José and Perez Zeledon, due to some 15 mudslides that blocked and closed off some 10 kilometres of the highway. Read
May 29, 2008
Tropical Storm Alma Lashes Central America
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Tropical Storm Alma lashed the coast of Central America with heavy rains and high winds on Thursday after becoming the first such storm of the eastern Pacific season. Read
May 29, 2008
Tropical Storm Alma Dumping Down on Costa Rica
(The Tico Times) The National Emergency Commission (CNE) has issued a red alert, its highest alert, for Guanacaste and the Central Pacific as the unrelenting rains from tropical storm Alma flood the coast. Read
May 28, 2008
Real Intercontinental to Invest $40M in Costa Rica Tower
(Costa Rica Pages) In the Escazú Guachipelín neighborhood, you’ll find beautiful homes, intimate neighborhoods, friendly neighbors and now, one more addition: the Hotel Real Intercontinental has begun construction of a tower worth $40 million. Read
May 27, 2008
Embattled President of Costa Rica's Olympic Committee Agrees to Leave Post
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Associated Press) The embattled president of Costa Rica's Olympic Committee has finally agreed to step down. Read
May 23, 2008
Record Birthrate of Leatherback Turtles in Costa Rica: WWF
SAN JOSE (AFP) — Nearly 900 endangered leatherback turtles were born at the Junquillal beach on Costa Rica's Pacific coastline in recent months thanks to community workers that scare off poachers and protect the eggs, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature said Thursday. Read
May 23, 2008
Costa Rica Cenbank Intervenes as Currency Slides
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, May 23 (Reuters) - The end of the tourism season and a seasonal drop in trade has caused a shortage of dollars in Costa Rican markets and sent the local colon currency plummeting to a new life low this week. Read
May 22, 2008
Doctors Tell Costa Rican Leader to Rest Voice
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Doctors have ordered Costa Rican President Oscar Arias not to talk for a month due to a cyst on his vocal cords, his office said Wednesday. Read
May 19, 2008
Britney Spears relaxes on the beach in Costa Rica
(NOW) Britney Spears has been snapped enjoying the sun in Costa Rica. Read
May 19, 2008
Costa Rica Demands Fairer Trade Deal with EU
(The Tico Times) Costa Rica lobbied European authorities for greater access to the EU market this weekend at a summit in Peru for heads of state from Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean. Read
May 17, 2008
Brit in Costa Rica
(X17online.com) Britney hits the beach in Costa Rica during her vacation with Mel Gibson! Read
May 16, 2008
Report: Britney Spears, Mel Gibson Depart Together for Costa Rica Vacation
LOS ANGELES (FOX News) — Britney Spears and Mel Gibson, along with the pop princess's father Jamie, left together Tuesday morning for a mini-vacation in Costa Rica, "Entertainment Tonight" reported. Read
May 16, 2008
More Cost of Living Increases for Costa Rica
(Costa Rica Pages) Costa Rica’s Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) has asked the Public Services Regulating Authority (Aresep) to approve a 19% increase in the price of water for its customers. In Costa Rica, that could mean an increase of $2 per month for the average family that consumes about 22 cubic meters of water, totaling about $13/month for water. Read
May 16, 2008
Costa Rica Congress Approves Telecoms Opening
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, May 15 (Reuters) - Costa Rica's Congress has approved the opening of the Central American country's telecommunications sector to private investment in cellular phones and Internet services. Read
May 16, 2008
Relief for the Poor
(La Nacion) Women who are heads of family and who are living in extreme poverty will benefit from a relief program which was announced by President Oscar Arias. Read
May 16, 2008
A Map for Tourists
(La Nacion) Through a satellite map of Costa Rica, tourists will be able to access the most accurate information of the places they visit, as well as the ways to reach them. Read
May 15, 2008
Costa Rica Banks Raise Interest Rates
(The Tico Times) In response to Costa Ricans' voracious appetite for credit in recent months, state banks hiked interest rates by an average 1 to 1.5 percent for loans in colones and 0.5 percent for those in dollars. Read
May 13, 2008
Costa Rica Plants More Trees to Become Carbon Neutral
SAN JOSE (AFP) — Costa Rica will plant seven million trees in 2008 to soak up as many greenhouse gas emissions as it produces, in a bid to become the world's first carbon neutral nation, a top official said Monday. Read
May 08, 2008
China to Give Costa Rica 200 Patrol Cars, US$10 million
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica: A Costa Rican official says China has promised to donate 200 patrol cars and US$10 million (€6.4 million) to the Central American country. Read
May 07, 2008
Chinese vice premier in Costa Rica to boost ties
SAN JOSE (AFP) — Costa Rica and China inked deals worth 50 million dollars Tuesday during a three-day visit here by Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu aimed at broadening relations with San Jose. Read
May 05, 2008
Chinese Vice Premier Due in Costa Rica
SAN JOSE (AFP) — Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu is scheduled to arrive in Costa Rica Tuesday for a three-day visit that includes a meeting with President Oscar Arias, who broke ties with Taiwan to recognize China last year, Arias' office said. Read
May 03, 2008
President Arias More Popular in Costa Rica
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Comparing to last year, more people in Costa Rica are satisfied with the government of Óscar Arias, according to a poll by Demoscopia published in Al Día. 44 per cent of respondents think the president has done a good or very good job in leading the country, up 5.4 points since July 2007. Read
May 01, 2008
Costa Rica to Stimulate Local Food Production
(The Tico Times) Acknowledging that Costa Rica's dependence on imports is partly to blame for rising prices here, Agricultural Minister Javier Flores said the government would substantially increase local production of rice, beans and white corn by offering credit, insurance and technical assistance to Tico farmers. Read
April 30, 2008
Costa Rica Bill Proposes to Remove Energy Caps
(The Tico Times) Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly is sitting on a bill that would eliminate caps on electricity production by regional producers, a move President Oscar Arias' administration hopes will help the country's power supply keep pace with growing demand. Read
April 30, 2008
New Costa Rica Police Force to Hit Inner-City Beat
(The Tico Times)
San José is slated to see its own police force next week after Costa Rica's public security minister, Janina del Vecchio, announced the creation of the Metropolitan Police. Read
April 30, 2008
Banco Elca Chief Alvarado Is Convicted of Fraud
(AM COSTA RICA) A three-judge judicial panel found the former chief of Banco Elca guilty on four counts and sentenced him to a total of 23 years in prison Wednesday. Read
April 29, 2008
Mainer Confirmed As Ambassador to Costa Rica
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Bush's nomination of businessman Peter Cianchette of South Portland as ambassador to Costa Rica. Read
April 28, 2008
U.S. detention of top Costa Rica Prosecutor Ruffles Diplomatic Feathers
(The Tico Times)
Costa Rica suspended legal cooperation with the United States and sent a protest note to the U.S. Embassy after Chief Prosecutor Francisco Dall'Anese was held at Miami International Airport on Wednesday in what U.S. authorities called a “routine security check.” Read
April 28, 2008
Costa Rica Gets Its First Lutheran Bishop
Costa Rica's first Lutheran Bishop, Melvin Jiménez, was consecrated at a ceremony at the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica in San José yesterday morning.
Read
April 28, 2008
Costa Rican Gov't: No Rice Shortage Here
Amid soaring world prices on basic food, Costa Rica's government moved to allay fears that a food crisis could hurt families here, releasing information that suggests grains such as rice are plentiful. Read
April 28, 2008
Costa Rica Property: The Medical Tourism Factor
Costa Rica has been named as one of the top destinations for health tourism, a growing industry of people travelling abroad to have cosmetic surgery that is too costly back home. Other countries in the top 5 were Malaysia, Panama, India and Brazil. Read
April 27, 2008
The Wonders of Costa Rica
(Minneapolis Star Tribune) ARENAL NATIONAL PARK, Costa Rica—A crown of streaming clouds flowed off the cone of Costa Rica's Arenal volcano. A sound like thunder shook the air. Read
April 26, 2008
Falling Dollar Will Likely Stop Its Tumble in Costa Rica
(Costa Rica Pages) It’s good news for some, disappointing news for others: Paula Gutiérrez, President of Costa Rica’s Central Bank, believes that the U.S. dollar will not continue to lose value against the Costa Rican colón. Read
April 24, 2008
Contentious CAFTA - A Turning Point for Costa Rica?
(Council on Hemispheric Affairs) Five of the six countries, including Costa Rica, which signed the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States, have now ratified it. Oscar Arias, Costa Rica’s Nobel Laureate president, signed the agreement in November 2007, after the pro-CAFTA forces in his country won a hard fought election by a margin of approximately 3 percent. Read
April 22, 2008
Dole Food Company, Inc. Announces Earth Day Agreement to Offset Carbon Emissions from Transport of Bananas and Pineapples in Costa Rica
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dole Food Company, Inc. announced today that its operating division in Costa Rica, Standard Fruit Company de Costa Rica S.A., will purchase carbon offsets from the Costa Rican Government’s program in amounts equal to the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the inland transport of Dole produced bananas and pineapples. Read
April 21, 2008
If Only the Dollar Were Stronger
(The New York Times) THE dream of retiring to a Tuscan villa or a beachfront home in Costa Rica almost always hinges on how to pay for it, but rarely do graying expatriates plan well for another pocketbook issue: the value of the American dollar. Read
April 18, 2008
Google Denies Plans for Costa Rica Office
(The Tico Times) Following a media frenzy over its alleged intent to open an office in Costa Rica, the Internet giant Google yesterday denied having such plans. Read
April 18, 2008
Chinchilla is Arias’s Pick for 2010 Costa Rica Elections
(Costa Rica Pages) Costa Rica’s Vice-President and Minister of Justice, Laura Chinchilla, is being groomed to take Arias’s place in 2010, when his presidential term ends. Though his endorsement is not [yet] official, Arias’s numerous flattering comments, and Chinchilla’s presence at many public activities has the political circle abuzz about the possibility of her running to become Costa Rica’s first female president. Read
April 18, 2008
Costa Rica Offers Tax Breaks for Energy-Efficient Cars
(Costa Rica Pages) The Costa Rican government plans to reduce the taxes paid by energy-efficient and low-emission cars. This tax break will cover hybrids, electrics, and those that are powered by biofuels such as ethanol. Automobiles in Costa Rica currently pay between 35% to 53% worth of consumption tax. The tax rate varies based on the car type, engine size and model. Read
April 18, 2008
Costa Rica Lightly Optimistic
(La Nacion) According to the most recent UNIMER survey for the daily La Nación, 36 percent of the respondents believe that their family’s economy will improve in 2009, while 26 percent believe that it will worsen. Read
April 18, 2008
Slower Growth
(La Nacion) The International Monetary Fund slightly reduced the estimate for the Costa Rican Gross Domestic Product in 2008 to 4.1 percent. In 2009, economy is expected to grow 4 percent. Read
April 18, 2008
Casino Restrictions
(La Nacion) The Government ruled that casinos will operate only eight hours a day from now on and that players not be served free drinks. Read
April 18, 2008
Bill Gates Here
(La Nacion) Microsoft cofounder and one of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates, 53, came with his family for vacation in Costa Rica. Read
April 17, 2008
Google Clicks on Costa Rica for Regional Office
(The Tico Times)
Google Inc. is to open an office in Costa Rica, according to a government press statement yesterday, making this country a springboard for the internet giant's big plans for Latin America. Read
April 16, 2008
Brazil, Costa Rica and Jamaica Announce Miss Universe Representatives
VietNamNet Bridge – The three countries that have won high prizes at international beauty contests have just announced their representatives for Miss Universe 2008 to be held in Vietnam this July. Read
April 15, 2008
Costa Rican and Regional Leaders Meet to Discuss Economics
(Costa Rica Pages) More than 500 business, academic and political leaders from 46 countries and 7 Latin American presidents are meeting today, April 15, and tomorrow, April 16, 2008, at an economic forum in Cancún, Mexico. The III World Economic Forum in Latin America (a regional version of the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland) aims to establish strategies that will counteract the impact of the U.S. recession on regional economies and maintain regional growth. This year the forum is looking at the Chinese and European markets as potential allies for Latin America. Read
April 14, 2008
Long-Lived Costa Ricans Offer Secrets to Reaching 100
(National Geographic) At the age of 101, Abuela Panchita is still a social butterfly. The centenarian, who lives on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, has a solid support network of friends and family, which includes a son in his eighties who visits her every morning on his bicycle. Read
April 14, 2008
Cleveland, Costa Rica Strike Import Deal
(The Houston Chronicle) CLEVELAND — The city and Costa Rica have struck a deal to use Cleveland's Lake Erie port as an entry point for coffee, tea, pineapples and other imports from the central American nation. Read
April 14, 2008
Personal Journey: Learning about life revered in Costa Rica
(The Philadelphia Inquirer) When we agreed to join friends for a 12-day tour of Costa Rica, we knew so little about the country that we had to locate it on a map. The natural Wonders of Costa Rica sounded like a mellow adventure, especially since we were sharing it with others who were "60-plus." Read
April 11, 2008
Offshore Banking in Costa Rica Sees Record Growth
(Costa Rica Pages) The presence of offshore banks in Costa Rica has grown exponentially in recent years. Read
April 11, 2008
This Weekend: Rice, Beans and Everything Between
(The Tico Times) There's no shortage of things to do this weekend in the Central Valley, with arts festivals, national hero celebrations and outdoor food frenzies taking over the streets. Read
April 10, 2008
Costa Rica: Prices Are Luring Canadians
(The Toronto Star) When Tara Parsons, the site manager at the Shipyards Development in Collingwood agreed to check out real estate opportunities in Costa Rica for two of her Ontario clients, she had no intention of buying a home there herself. Read
April 10, 2008
Chinese Influence Grows in Costa Rica
(Costa Rica Pages) In current news, we hear of heated Free-Tibet protests in London and other major cities around the world, condemning China’s infringement on human rights. Once again, China is on everyone’s mind and a favorite topic of discussion. For better and for worse, China’s role in the world’s economy and society is prevalent, and its impact on a local level can also be felt. Read
April 09, 2008
Costa Rica Most Technological Country in Central America
(Costa Rica Pages) According to a recent report by the Foro Económico Mundial (World Economic Forum), Costa Rica is the most technologically developed country in all of Central America. Read
April 09, 2008
Salvadoran Prez Visits Costa Rica
(The Tico Times) President Oscar Arias and El Salvador's Antonio Saca signed an accord yesterday promising to cooperate on tourism, technology, trade and regional integration. Read
April 07, 2008
Costa Rica Sees Unseasonable Downpours
(The Tico Times)
Throughout much of central and Pacific Costa Rica, the weekend could be described in a word: wet. Read
April 07, 2008
Historic Battle Saves Costa Rican Freedom
(World Coin News) Juan Sanatamaria Day is a holiday in Costa Rica. It occurs April 11. It is a date that could be celebrated by other Central American countries. Historically speaking, the countries of Central America do not have many joint celebrations. Even though they share a common history in some respects and are part of a small region where the idea of national borders has not always been well-enforced or widely respected, the nations are very different in certain ways. Read
April 07, 2008
Costa Rica and Europe Increase Trade
(Costa Rica Pages) Costa Rican entrepreneurs and their Dutch counterparts met this past week at the hotel Ramada Plaza Herradura in San Antonio de Belén, Heredia Province. Read
April 06, 2008
Costa Rica Jams World's Worth of Spectacles into Small Space
(Minneapolis Star Tribune) ARENAL NATIONAL PARK, Costa Rica -- A crown of streaming clouds flowed off the cone of Costa Rica's Arenal volcano. Read
April 05, 2008
Costa Rica Bans Burger King Commercials For Violent Content
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (FOX News) — The Burger King is safe, at least in Costa Rica. Read
April 05, 2008
Costa Rica’s Cost of Living is on the Rise
(Costa Rica Travel News) Though Costa Rica is not the incredibly inexpensive country that many wish and believe it to be, most retirees and area residents find it to be affordable: expats in Costa Rica can easily live with $10/month cell phones, rents below $500 monthly, affordable and fresh food from the Costa Rica ferias (farmers’ markets), and utilities that cost a fraction of what they did “back home.” Read
April 04, 2008
Security Minister Resigns
(La Nacion) After a surprising agreement with President Oscar Arias, Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal left his post vacant. Read
April 04, 2008
US Passports
(La Nacion) An average four U.S. passports are stolen in Costa Rica every day, according to a report from the American Embassy in San José. Read
April 04, 2008
Space Cargo
(La Nacion) Alliant Techsystems (ATK), world leader in the launching of cargo to space and in chemically fuelled rockets –whose systems are used in the launching of space shuttles–, entered an agreement with the local AdAstra Rocket, led by Costa Rican-born former NASA astronaut Franklin Chang, to carry the latter’s plasma engine to space. Read
April 04, 2008
Forest Fires
(La Nacion) During the last two weeks, over 600 hectares (1,482 acres) of the Guanacaste National Park in the Costa Rican northwestern Pacific have fallen victim to four fires, allegedly started by poachers. Read
April 04, 2008
More Turtles
(La Nacion) The Las Baulas Marine National Park in the Costa Rican northwestern Pacific saw a larger arrival of spawning turtles, from 58 in the preceding season to 78 in the most recent one. Read
April 04, 2008
Food Costs Skyrocket
(La Nacion) The prices of food increased 22.7 percent during the last year. Read
April 03, 2008
Costa Rica telecom market seen opening soon
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Costa Rica, one of the few Latin America countries still with a state-run telephone sector, is expected soon to open to big foreign players as part of a trade deal with the United States. Read
April 02, 2008
Costa Rica's Arias wary of inflation
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Costa Rican inflation in 2008 will likely exceed the central bank's 9 percent target because of international food and energy prices, President Oscar Arias told Reuters on Wednesday. Read
April 02, 2008
Costa Rica's March inflation slower, at 0.39%
(The Tico Times) Inflation eased during March, with consumer prices increasing 0.39%, down from last month's 1.11% price hikes. Read
March 31, 2008
Four U.S. passports stolen a day in Costa Rica
(The Tico Times) Some 1,348 U.S. passports were stolen in Costa Rica during the 2006-2007 fiscal year – equal to almost four a day, the daily La Nación reported. Read
March 31, 2008
Costa Rica’s Electric Bill Could Go Up 75%
(Costa Rica News) The ARESEP - Costa Rica’s Public Services Regulating Authority - is reviewing increases of up to 75% in electricity rates. Read
March 31, 2008
Costa Rica’s Green Season Almost Here
(Costa Rica News) The National Meteorological Institute (IMN) has released reports that show that Costa Rica’s green season is just around the corner and that the country should be alert and aware of possible flash flooding that may come with the earlier than expected rains. Read
March 30, 2008
Costa Rican minister steps down over FARC comments
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Costa Rican Security Minister Fernando Berrocal will step down on Monday after accusing unnamed politicians of having close links to Colombian rebels, the government said. Read
March 28, 2008
Record Popularity
Halfway his second term as President of Costa Rica, and in comparison to the preceding four administrations, doctor Oscar Arias enjoys record support from the people, since 50 percent rank his performance as “good” to “very good”, while only 14 percent say it is “bad”. Read
March 28, 2008
Confidence Index Peaks
The confidence index –0.0 to 3.0 range– for the Government increased from 2.36 in August 2007 to 2.55 in March 2008, the highest point since January 2003. Read
March 28, 2008
Public Debt Decreases
The public debt recorded a spectacular reduction over the last five years. Read
March 28, 2008
The Road to China
Decoration plants and coffee lead the trade that Costa Rica activated upon establishing diplomatic ties with China and the opening of a Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER in Spanish) office in the world’s most populated nation. Read
March 28, 2008
$2.1 Billion in Fuels
Costa Ricans are burning fuels at a $6-million daily rate, for an overall $2.1 billion at the end of the year, $600 million over the $1.5 billion forecast by the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (RECOPE in Spanish). Read
March 28, 2008
1,600 Pounds of Cocaine
The police confiscated 740 kilos (1,600 pounds) of cocaine a in van driven by a Costa Rican, 28, identified only by the family name Valverde. Read
March 27, 2008
Costa Rican Island Prison To Become Tourist Destination
(Costa Rica News) The island of San Lucas, 40 minutes away from the Port City of Puntarenas, in the Gulf of Nicoya, is soon to become a popular tourist destination. Read
March 26, 2008
Costa Rican President: Dalai Lama Asks for Help Initiating Dialogue with China
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (The Associated Press): Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Arias said Tuesday that the Dalai Lama has asked him to help start talks with China over unrest in Tibet. Read
March 26, 2008
Costa Rican President's Popularity Reaches New High
(The Tico Times) President Oscar Arias is more popular now than at any other point during his term, according to the polling firm Unimer. Read
March 26, 2008
Foreign Drug 'Mules' Busted in Costa Rica
(The Tico Times) The number of drug-trafficking “mules” being foiled at the country's airports has spiked in recent months. A mule is slang for a person who trafficks drugs on their person, often in their stomachs or rectums, as they cross borders. Read
March 26, 2008
Dengue Fever Reduced in Costa Rica
San Jose, Mar 26 (Prensa Latina) Costa Rica showed a reduction on the index of dengue fever affected people Wednesday, according to the last record by the Costa Rica Public Health Ministry. Read
March 25, 2008
‘U.S. Crisis Will Affect Growth, Exports, Tourism’
SAN JOSÉ(IPS) - The possibility of a recession in the United States is already causing repercussions in Costa Rica, where exports and the value of real estate in tourist areas are expected to contract, according to the president of the country’s Central Bank, Francisco de Paula. Read
March 25, 2008
Guide to Property Investment in Costa Rica
(homemove.co.uk) Costa Rica is one of those areas dream holidays are made of, but also represents a very promising place for property investment due to its strong market. Read
March 22, 2008
Over-the-top tropics
A crown of streaming clouds flowed off the cone of Costa Rica's Arenal volcano. A sound like thunder shook the air. Read
March 19, 2008
Costa Rica Phone Numbers Add 8th Digit Tomorrow
This year, Easter Week, or Semana Santa, is focusing on a rather non spiritual matter. Read
March 18, 2008
Costa Rica couple says they didn't know safe contained FARC money
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Associated Press): A couple who agreed to store a safe in their home for a Colombian man in the late 1990s said Tuesday it belonged to senior rebel Rodrigo Granda, and that they also briefly hosted late guerrilla commander Raul Reyes in their home. Read
March 17, 2008
Semana Santa Has Begun in Costa Rica
‘Semana Santa’, Costa Rica’s version of Spring Break when just about the entire country comes to a standstill, began this past Monday. Read
March 17, 2008
President Arias Believes Costa Rica is Ready for a Female President
As President Arias helped celebrate International Women’s Day last week the Costa Rica president said that he would like to hand over his presidency to a female candidate when the next elections come around in 2010. Read
March 17, 2008
Renewable Energy Powers Chirripó Internet Access
Visitors of the Crestones shelter in the Chirripó National Park can now chat online as Internet Access is reaching Costa Rica’s most inhospitable areas. Read
March 17, 2008
Costa Rican politicians seek more info on guerrilla ties
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Associated Press) — Costa Rican lawmakers on Monday demanded the government provide more information on allegations that Colombian guerrillas have ties to local politicians and have stashed hundreds of thousands of dollars in the Central American country. Read
March 16, 2008
Feds target 'sex tourists'
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. government is cracking down on Americans who allegedly travel abroad to engage in sex with children. Read
March 14, 2008
ATA Flight to Costa Rica Canceled Before it Began
(Costa Rica Pages) The newest direct route between Miami and San Jose, Costa Rica was discontinued before it ever began. Read
March 14, 2008
Steinberg Offers Costa Rican 4 Escudos
(World Coin News) Steinberg's, Inc. has released its Winter 2008 price list, "Gold Coins of the World." Read
March 14, 2008
Minority of Costa Ricans Speak Fluent English
(Costa Rica Pages) Of all the countries of Central America, Costa Rica is on top in regard to call centers and industrial parks. Read
March 14, 2008
Costa Rica Government Announces Better Security Plans
(Costa Rica News) Some have criticized the government here in Costa Rica for being to lax when it comes to petty thieving and minor offenses in the community, but now the government wants to crack down harder on these types of crime and more as they aim to pass a new bill through the Legislative Assembly. Read
March 14, 2008
Effects of the U.S. Recession on Costa Rica Real Estate
(Costa Rica Pages) For those who have been in the country long enough, it is maybe a relief to see how the crazy pace of development and investment seems to have slowed down since the housing market in the United States collapsed. Read
March 14, 2008
A Faster World on the Horizon for Costa Rica
(Costa Rica Pages) Costa Rica has always lagged behind the major technological heavyweight countries of the modern world such as the United States, Japan and the majority of Europe, but recently, it has taken major steps to minimize the gap and become a more technology savvy nation. Read
March 14, 2008
Growth without Equality
(Latin America Press) Gap between rich and poor grows in the "Switzerland of Central America." Read
March 14, 2008
Orchid Exposition in Costa Rica this Weekend
(Costa Rica Pages) Costa Rica is the reigning “Orchid Champion” of the world, with an amazing 1,600 species taking root within her borders. Read
March 14, 2008
U.S. Drug Smuggler Caught As Swallowed Capsules Burst
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - An American in Costa Rica was caught smuggling nearly a pound of cocaine (0.4 kg) in his stomach after he went into convulsions on a plane bound for Miami, police said on Friday. Read
March 14, 2008
Rare Leatherback Turtles Gain Protection in Costa Rica
(National Geographic News) As dawn breaks on Playa Grande, the light reveals shallow sand pits where leatherback sea turtles laid their eggs the night before. Read
March 14, 2008
Costa Rica-Nicaragua Commission Takes on Ecotourism
(The Tico Times) GRANADA, Nicaragua -- Costa Rican and Nicaraguan tourism and environment officials sat down behind closed doors yesterday to lay the groundwork for opening up the border for ecotourists traveling between the countries and protecting binational ecological corridors. Read
March 14, 2008
Costa Rica Gets Mixed Grades in U.S. Human Rights Report
(The Tico Times) Costa Rica got a host of high marks on a human rights report card published recently by the United States. Read
March 14, 2008
Costa Rica: The Safest Country in Latin America
(La Nacion) According to the Index of Latin American Security, by FTI Consulting Ibero-America for Latin Business Chronicle, based in Miami, Florida, Costa Rica is the safest place for multi-national business and firms. Read
March 14, 2008
Costa Rica: Second in Tourism
(La Nacion) Costa Rica is the second best tourist destination in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which evaluated 130 nations. Read
March 14, 2008
Arias Criticizes the European Union
(La Nacion) The President of Costa Rica Dr. Oscar Arias criticized what he defined as the hypocrisy of the European Union, because it talks of free trade while subsidizing its farmers. Read
March 14, 2008
Another Volcano Discovered in Costa Rica
(La Nacion) In the virgin tropical forest in the vicinity of San Carlos –northern Costa Rica– scientists found a dormant volcano. Read
March 14, 2008
8-Digit Phones
(La Nacion) As of this March 20th, all telephones in Costa Rica will have eight digits. Read
March 10, 2008
Costa Rica, United States Settle Online Gambling Dispute
(The Tico Times) Costa Rica and the United States have reached a settlement on a trade dispute caused after the U.S. enacted laws designed to target online gambling. Read
March 07, 2008
Cost of Food and Fuels Up
(La Nacion) In the last 12 months, the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased 21 percent. Read
March 07, 2008
Earlier Rains
(La Nacion) The National Weather Bureau announced the transition from the dry season to the rainy one earlier this year, as a result of the influence of the phenomenon known as La Niña. Read
March 07, 2008
Hundreds of Ticos Deported
(La Nacion) The United States has deported more than 200 Costa Ricans in recent months, because they simulated migratory moves between the two countries. Read
March 07, 2008
Canadian Visa
(La Nacion) Bearers of a Canadian visa will be admitted to Costa Rica. Read
March 07, 2008
At the Roman Forum
(La Nacion) Costa Rican sculptor Jorge Jimenez-Deredia continues an outstanding career in Europe. Read
March 07, 2008
Costa Rica Guaro Gets a New Face and New Markets
Costa Rican guaro (the national liquor of Costa Rica) sold under the brand name Cacique will be distributed in record numbers this year thanks to a new pact between the liquor’s producer, the National Liquor Factory (Fanal) and Centenario International, S Read
March 05, 2008
Government Opposition Sinks New Casino Project in Costa Rica
Plans by Russia’s largest casino operator Storm International to open a new hotel and casino in Costa Rica in 2008 have been all but abandoned following a concerted political campaign in the central American country against the investment. Read
March 05, 2008
Costa Rica's Carbon Neutral Airline
(Smarter Travel) Leave it to tiny Costa Rica to up the eco-quotient ahead of the curve. Read
March 05, 2008
The Path (El camino)
(Variety) Two hapless Nicaraguan children set out on a journey to find their mother across the border in Costa Rica in "The Path," an impressively assembled feature debut for Chilean-Iraqi helmer Ishtar Yasin. Read
March 05, 2008
Indigenous Groups Oppose Dam in Costa Rica
- ICE is planning a new hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica
- The Arenal Dam is Costa Rica’s biggest hydroelectric energy source Read
March 05, 2008
Costa Rican Government Taking Action on Insurance Fraud
(Costa Rica News) The Costa Rican government look set to take on action on a host of high profile figures that work in Costa Rica, most notably former president Miguel Angel Rodriguez, in relation to allegedly accepting $2.1 million in payment from intern Read
March 05, 2008
Costa Rica's 'Green' Season to Clock in Early
(The Tico Times) After spurts of rain in February, meteorologists forecast this month will likely remain "dry" as the temporada seca, or dry season, dictates. Read
March 04, 2008
Costa Rica Urges Feuding Neighbors to Take a Deep Breath
(The Tico Times) Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno called for dialogue yesterday to cool tensions over a Colombian air strike in Ecuadorian territory that killed Raul Reyes, the No. 2 leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Read
February 29, 2008
More Funds for the Environment
(La Nacion) The National System of Conservation Areas increased its budget fro 2008 by 28 percent, in comparison to last year’s. Read
February 29, 2008
Ties with Israel
(La Nacion) The Israeli Ambassador Ehud Eitam, tried to soothe the likely deterioration of the relations between his country and Costa Rica, resulting from the establishment of relations between the Central American nation and the Palestinian Authority. Read
February 29, 2008
German Investment
(La Nacion)
A delegation of German businessmen visited Costa Rica aiming at eventual investment here. Read
February 29, 2008
$72.5 Million for Limon
(La Nacion) The World Bank pledged granting Costa Rica $72.5 million for the modernization of the Caribbean city port of Limon. Read
February 29, 2008
Plane Lost 65 Years Ago
(La Nacion) The debris of a Vultee BT-13 Valiant belonging to the Chilean Air Force and lost in 1943 were found in the Costa Rican Central Mountain Range. Read
February 29, 2008
A Sea of Black T-shirts
(La Nacion) Saprissa Stadium in San Jose hosted a concert by Iron Maiden. Read
February 29, 2008
Cell Phones in Costa Rica to Die
(Costa Rica News) From the start of this coming Sunday starting at 12.01am mobile phones in Costa Rica will be cut off from their service. Read
February 28, 2008
Costa Rica Says Finances Set to Resist US Downturn
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Feb. 28 (Reuters) - Costa Rica expects to maintain healthy government finances despite a downturn in the economy of the United States, its main trading partner, Treasury Minister Guillermo Zuniga said on Thursday. Read
February 27, 2008
Costa Rica Dry Season to be Cut Short by La Niña
(Costa Rica News) Costa Rican meteorologists expect the rainy season, or the Costa Rican winter, to come early this year to the Central Valley and the Pacfic due to certain climate conditions including La Niña phenomenon. Read
February 27, 2008
Missing WWII Plane Found in Costa Rica
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Farmers in the mountains of Costa Rica found a Chilean air force plane that disappeared during World War II while flying from Texas to Chile. Read
February 27, 2008
Implementation of CAFTA in Costa Rica delayed until Oct. 1
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (The Associated Press): Costa Rica has until Oct. 1 to implement the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the U.S., the president said Wednesday. Read
February 25, 2008
Will a Recession in the US hurt Costa Rica?
(Costa Rica News) With house prices plummeting in the US and the Credit Crunch only crunching even more, should Costa Rica be taking precautionary plans to diversify its tourism advertising and trade to other countries world-wide? Read
February 25, 2008
AJC Criticizes Costa Rica Recognition of Palestinian State
(American Jewish Committee) The American Jewish Committee is dismayed by the decision of Costa Rica to establish diplomatic relations with the “State of Palestine.” Read
February 25, 2008
Costa Rica's Youth Struggle with Age-Old Problems
(The Tico Times) Young people in Costa Rica have trouble finishing school and finding jobs. Many distrust politicians, and gender lines still divide them. Read
February 25, 2008
Costa Rican Electronics Retailer Buys Competitor
(The Tico Times) Costa Rica's largest electronics group has purchased one of its few remaining competitors. Read
February 24, 2008
Costa Rica's Jade Museum to Get New Home
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the National Insurance Institute (INS) have announced plans to create a new home for the Jade Museum, a popular San José tourist attraction. Read
February 22, 2008
$600-Million Investment
(La Nacion) Minister of Tourism Carlos Benavides announced that the Costa Rican Board of Tourism (ICT in Spanish) is handling applications for tourist developments, which overall mean a $600-million investment in the sector this year. If the ICT declares Read
February 22, 2008
Arrival of Tourists Up
(La Nacion) The number of tourists in January increased 13.7 percent as compared to the same month last year, according to early data from the ICT and the Costa Rican Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR). Read
February 22, 2008
Trade with the European Union
(La Nacion) The Central American nations aim at emplacing special protective mechanisms for key productive sectors in the Association Agreement with the European Union. Read
February 22, 2008
Procter & Gamble Center
(La Nacion) From a facility in Costa Rica, 250 people have the responsibility to advise Procter & Gamble branches throughout the continent for any deals they launch on finance, information, and distribution, so that they will be as efficient and dollar-ea Read
February 22, 2008
Central Bank Buys Fewer Dollars
(La Nacion) The Central Bank of Costa Rica has lowered the purchase of dollars so far this year. Read
February 22, 2008
Record Number of Text Messages
(La Nacion) On Valentine, Costa Rican cell-phone messages topped over a record 83.7 million, more than 30 million above the corresponding number for last New Year’s Eve. Read
February 20, 2008
Costa Rica on Castro
The news yesterday that Fidel Castro is stepping down as Head of State of Cuba has been a front-page story around the world. However, some governments, such as Costa Rica's, downplayed the significance of his departure. Read
February 18, 2008
Delta begins nonstop flights from New York-JFK to San Jose and Liberia, Costa Rica
NEW YORK, Feb 18, 2008 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) Today announced the beginning of nonstop flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and San Jose and Liberia, Costa Rica, starting today and tomorrow, respectively. Read
February 18, 2008
Voting 101 at U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica
(The Tico Times) As the U.S. presidential race heats up back home, many expats here are wondering how they can make their vote count in the Nov. 4 election. Next week some U.S. citizens abroad in Costa Rica will be better informed. Read
February 18, 2008
Costa Rica’s Attorney General Weighs in on CAFTA Deadlines
(The Tico Times) Costa Rica can enter a free-trade agreement with the United States now, then spend up to three months passing laws that put the country in compliance with the treaty, the Government Attorney's Office said Friday. Read
February 18, 2008
Costa Rica Tourism Continues to Increase
(Costa Rica News) At the turn of the year the Costa Rican tourism board were worried that this year might be a slower growth year for tourists visiting Costa Rica with regards to the delicate conditions of the United States economy, however new figures in Read
February 18, 2008
Doubletree Adds Hotels in Costa Rica
(DallasNews.com) Doubletree Hotels & Resorts rang in the new year with new properties in Costa Rica – the first full-service Hilton family hotels in the country. Both properties have undergone extensive renovations. Read
February 18, 2008
Delta flies nonstop JFK to Costa Rica's San José, Liberia airports
(The Tico Times) Delta Air Lines announced the launch of nonstop flights between New York's JFK International Airport, and San José and Liberia international airports, in central and northwest Costa Rica, respectively. The flights are scheduled to begin t Read
February 18, 2008
Tourism in Costa Rica remains strong despite U.S. economic downturn
(The Tico Times) Tourism growth continued to be strong in January, despite fears that an economic slowdown in the United States might put a damper on this year. Read
February 16, 2008
Top World Banana Productivity
(La Nacion) Costa Rica produced an average 2,593 boxes of bananas per hectare in 2007, thus retaining its world leadership in banana productivity. Read
February 16, 2008
Telecommunications Sector Opening Up
(La Nacion) The opening of the telecommunications market –which hitherto has been state-controlled– is but one debate away, since the Legislative Assembly approved it in a first of two votes. Read
February 16, 2008
India Seeks Alliances in Costa Rica
(La Nacion)
The world’s information and communications leader, India, boasts of such a high demand of computer programs and technical support services that it is seeking alliances with Costa Rican firms in order to properly handle that demand. Read
February 16, 2008
$200 Million in Software Exports
(La Nacion) A survey by the Costa Rican Technology Chamber (CAMTIC) of the 500 technology firms in Costa Rica found that they are exporting $200 million worth of software a year. Read
February 16, 2008
A New U.S. Ambassador
(La Nacion) A banker from the Northeast was nominated by President George W. Bush as the next U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica. Peter E.