Costa Rica's first woman president, Laura Chinchilla celebrates her landslide victory - photo by API
As millions were watching the New Orleans Saints betting the Indianapolis Colts, during Sunday’s Superbowl, Costa Rica presidential candidate, Laura Chinchilla won the nation’s presidency Sunday with a landslide victory in which she prevailed in each of the country’s seven provinces.
She is Costa Rica’s first woman president.
Thousands of Chinchilla’s supporters took to the streets to celebrate her victory (as did those in New Orleans) before the official voting results were announced. Chinchilla promised to strengthen democratic institutions, pay more attention to economy, fight poverty and crime, and let the women of Costa Rica be more active in politics.
The 50-year-old protege of current President Óscar Arias Sánchez promises that security and continuing the fight against drug traffickers would be her No. 1 priority. Costa Rica has been becoming the new hub of drug traffickers.
Ms. Chinchilla is a former minister of security has always stressed personal security in the face of the country’s rising crime rate, which has somewhat discourage tourism. However, back in Oct, 2009, the crime rate in San Jose has fallen with the crackdown on street vend0rs/
Polls had predicted that Ms. Chinchilla of Partido Liberación Nacional would get about with 41 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff, but she got a whopping 47 percent.
As vice president to Arias she headed a committee that was supposed to produce a citizen security bill, but the bulk of the measure submitted to the legislature was a plan to keep homeowners from having more than two weapons, which got gun owners outraged.
Ms. Chinchilla is strongly establishment. She is the daughter of a former head of the Contraloría de la Republica, the nation’s bugetary watchdog.
However, her win is being criticized by casino and gambling operators which is a major draw for tourism at hotels and popular beach resorts area like Jaco and Tamarindo. Chinchilla has been known to called these gambling establishments “Centers of Prostitution” that help promote Costa Rica’s ongoing sex-tourism. It is pretty much a known fact that 20-30% of all tourism is for the gambling and the legalize prostitution.
The casino and gambling operators augue, she appears to overlooked the nation’s nightclubs (strip joint) clubs, massage parlors and escorts services where prostitution and similar establishments stand out like sore thumbs in the country.
Ocean View Property
Jaco's black sand beach sure does not stop the sun-worshipers
Costa Rica’s awesome and calendared coast offers something for everyone. Golden sand beaches, gray sand beaches, black sand beaches, and pink sand beaches can be found dotted all along Costa Rica’s lush coastal plains, making it a truly spectacular beach destination. Costa Rica boasts some of the top beaches in the world.
Although black sand beaches are generally less known than their white sand beach counterparts, if you are looking to change things up a bit from the typical tropical vacation, they can be a wonderful alternative.
Black sand beaches are volcanic in origin and are formed very differently from their white sand counterparts which are coral in origin. Therefore the grain size and color of the sand vary, even on the same stretch of beach. Lava, erupting onto a shallow sea floor or flowing into the sea from land, may cool so rapidly that it shatters into sand and rubble. The result is the production of huge amounts of fragmented volcanic debris.
Golfitos black sand beaches are some of the most secluded, the jungle goes right to the edge of the water in many places.
The famous “black sand” beaches of Hawaii, such as Punaluu Black Sand Beach, were created virtually instantaneously by the violent interaction between hot lava and sea water. Costa Rica is no different than Hawaii, a country that has over 200 identifiable volcanic formations. However, only 100 or so show any signs of volcanic activity, while just five are classified as active volcanoes.
Black sand beaches are becoming more and more popular, particularly among travelers who are looking for an experience off the beaten path and ecotourism enthusiasts.
Costa Rica best known black sand beaches.
The northwest Pacific region where Tamarindo is located has many black or gray sand beaches.
Coco Beach – 36 km from the city of Liberia has Dark sand beach
Ocotal – 3 km south of Coco Beach has White and gray sand beaches
Pan de Azúcar – 75 km of the city of Santa Cruz, has dark gray sand beach.
Flamingo - 1.15 hour from the city of Liberia has is black sand beach and is a big tourist town.
Brasilito - 55 km NW of the city of Santa Cruz, Guanacaste has dark silvery grayish sand.
Tamarindo - 1 km south of Grande Beach has Brownish sand
Witches Rock – famous surfing spot is off the gray sand beach of Playa Naranjo.
Langosta - 3 km south of Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste has Brownish sand
Portete Beach – at Port Limon where bathing is possible. Nice safe small dark sand beach with smooth clear waters .
Cahuita Black Beach - Known as Playa Negra because of its dark black sand is about 5 kms to the south of Playa Avellanas
From Puntarenas, and heading South is where most of the black or dark sand beach are Jaco, Golfito and Quepos all have black and/or grayish sand beaches.
Real Estate costs are down, now may be the best time to buy, invest or retire in Costa Rica.
My first time in Jaco (about 20 years ago) it was a sleepy and traditional Costa Rican town that did not even have a stop light. Three years ago the skyline was filled with high-rise construction on the feeding frenzy of developers and speculators investing in property. However, that has changed, most investors are doing damage-control, regrouping and wondering how to deal in the slump of the real estate market. Many have given the property back to the formal owners or banks. Those that invested 5-8 years ago are looking at the same property values today. And those with bucks are holding on knowing that anytime the market will change.
That time is now and the most to gain are the ones that made small investments and had the holding power.
The Costa Rica real estate market is slowly but surly correcting itself. One of our accounts between mid 2007 and mid 2008 sold 10 properties and since sold zero when the market came to a screeching halt in mid 2008. This was a time when Costa Rica banks stopped lending money to developers. However, that account in the last 4 months has seen a surge in real estate inquires and hits the website under various Costa Rica real estate keywords and others are experiencing the same. There are many inquires on condos and land and it is a buyers market.
A good sign the market is coming around.
As always cash talks. Property values are down and any investor that has a fair amount of bucks there are a bunch of eager sellers that will make any deal, many are now accepting some sort of mortgage terms to carry back the balance. Some are making deals like, I provide the land, you build, and we split the profit. This may be the best time to buy in Costa Rica property.
Even if property values go up and down, it is still one of the best investments a person can make and here are some reasons why.
Costa Rica’s living expense is cheaper than the U.S, making it a desire place to retire and live. The country has good year around climate and it is close to the United States. I have seen air fares as low as $400 round trip. There are also direct and daily flights from Europe.
Many developments are gated communities, which offer good security and peace of mine to those that want to retire. Home owner fees can be as little as $25/month with pool, recreation room, 24/7 security and lawn service.
Probably one of the biggest draws is the Costa Rica’s medical costs, and it is getting better all the time with costs as low as 80% cheaper than that of the U.S. And some U.S. insurance companies are now providing coverage for Costa Rica. In April, 2010, Costa Rica hosts the first medical tourism conference, which is getting the attention of those in the medical insurance fields. Plastic and Orthopedic Surgery and diabetes cure are just a few of the medical draws.
Costa Rica is one of the biologically wealthiest nations in the world. Its unparalleled and impressive scenic beauty reinforced by a consolidated system of protected wildlife areas and eco-businesses. The country’s varied natural environments include lowland rainforests, coral reefs, sultry swamps and lush cloud forests. Each is home to a wealth of animal life. It is one of the best eco-friendly countries in the world.
The Costa Rica government is socially and politically stable.
Your pet may be put into one of these pet containers for the flight to Costa Rica.
Okay want to take your pet to Costa Rica? In reality it is fairly simple and Costa Rica does not require a quarantine period as many countries do. For dogs and cats and other small pets, all you need to prove to both the airlines and Costa Rican customs officers that your animal is healthy.
First, your dog or cat must be taken to a local veterinarian for a complete examination. This should be done a minimum of two weeks before departure. The animal must be free from all infectious and/or contagious diseases, including rabies (the rabies shot must be no sooner than 30 days prior to departure and no later than 1 year).
The examination report must also identify the animals name, specie, breed, sex, color and name, in addition to the owners name and address. This examination report (health certificate) must be on business letterhead and signed by the veterinarian. The health certificate must also include that the animal has been vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus.
When this process is completed the papers must be forwarded to the Costa Rica Consulate in your area. Upon receipt of that material, the Consulate will prepare Certificate #10-SC, which is filled out by the Consulate; you are not required to fill out this form. Providing that the required health documents are completed properly this certificate will be completed, signed, sealed and sent to you for your departure.
However, when doing this, make sure they do it in a timely fashion, so there is not a mad rush at the last moment. In addition, a fee of $50.00 US dollars is required for two stamps which are placed on this Certificate; the price may vary depending on your location.
When flying it is recommended that you notify the airline personnel regarding your pet and make sure the documents they require are fulfilled. Not all airlines are the same. It is important that the compartment in which your dog is place is properly heated during the flight; some airplanes have special compartments set aside for animals. And some allow the animal to be seated with the owner.
When you arrive in Costa Rica, the customs officer will do a visual inspection of your pet (for which you will be charged a few US dollars), and look over the health certificate and the authorization from the Costa Rican Health Ministry. If all is in order, you’re set to go, and then the real problem can come up and that is to find find a pet-friendly taxi, which strangely enough is not easy to do.
If you’re missing any documents or the officer decides your pet looks ill and might transmit disease, the animal will either be temporarily released to your care (kind of like being released on your own recognizance) or if the official thinks there’s a real health risk the animal may find itself in a state kennel for up to 30 days, until you work out what to do next, which is, arrange for the necessary paperwork. If this happens, you will be required to contact a local Costa Rica vet and get their blessing and expect to pay around $100US for their examination.
Upon departing Costa Rica you will have to complete a form which is supplied by the Department of Health, or more specifically the Department of Zoonosis. This office is located behind the Hospital of San Juan Dios on Avenida 2nd. The form is titled “Solicitud de Permiso” and requires much of the same information necessary to bring your pet into the county.
All the requirements are on the back of the form, however, they are in Spanish; there are no documents provided in any other language. So if you do not speak or read Spanish make sure that you get in contract with someone who does otherwise you may be detained at the airport and/or you may have a problem leaving Costa Rica with your animal.
This fake visa form even claims that they will give you an airline ticket to the U. S.
Since the internet is becoming more available to Costa Ricans so have the S & S’s (scammers and spammers), as we wrote about how Costa Rica’s internet fraud has increase.
One of the things S & S’ers like is to target ones problems (like money) and claim they can help clear it up. In this case, it is a lottery scam, claiming winners will receive a Visa to the U.S. In other words, Internet spammers are using the U.S. green card lottery as a ploy to make money.
A typical mailing tells a recipient that he or she is a winner in the U.S. Visa Lottery Program and asks them to fill out personal information, like passport number, telephone and in some cases banking info. - either way, they can also use that personal information for ID thief.
The scam email looks official and claims it is in partnership with the U.S lottery program and it even comes flaunting the Seal of the United States of America. The spammer’s initial request is somewhat appealing starting with $750 processing fee for an individual and $1,100 for a family.
One of the reasons why this Scam is so appealing, it is no secret that the U.S Embassy continues to give frustration and just plain rudeness to those Costa Ricans seeking U.S. Visas and why this scam hits right at the belt for those seeking one. Stories are so wide spread, that AM Costa Rica has started to post them on their website. So it is easy to see how these con men capitalize on the hopes, and millions of fraudulent emails have been sent out because of this.
There is a real Visa program. It is called the diversity lottery program, and it is designed to provide immigration visas to individuals from countries that are underrepresented in U.S. population. But it does not have a secretary general, as does the bogus program promoted by the spam.
As with all scams, this visa lottery scam seems too obvious to fool anyone, but so are advance fee fraud scams (Nigerian Scam), that have so far skimmed billions of dollars off gullible Americans, Western Europeans and now targeting Central America marks, particularly Costa Ricans.
There also are companies that charge for helping applicants fill out the required diversity lottery documents, many of these are legitimate, but the U.S State Department notes that the government charges no fees. Costa Ricans are eligible to participate in the real U.S. lottery that gives away thousands of immigration visas each year. However, do not expect to get a Visa if one wins, only one out of ten are approved.
Below are some informative links on this
Green Card Scam, and State Government Visa,
