Construction jobs normally held by Costa Ricans are being replaced by Nicaraguans
Contrary to belief, Costa Rica is no longer a Third World country. Its advancement in technology growth (4th in the world for micro chip processors), high literary rate (over 90%), standard of living, health, education (all three highest in all of the Latin Americans) is just a few modern identities that have jumped them into bordering a first and second world country. Unfortunately, with development (growing pains) comes it problems and one of them is the increasing traffic of immigrants, particular Nicaraguans. And with the world-wide economy at destructive levels, this is reality that may effect Costa Rica’s overall growth.
Like the US with its legal and illegal Mexicans, Costa Rica is following in the US footsteps with Nicaragua who are increasingly being accused of taking lots and lots of jobs from Costa Ricans. Back in Dec, 2008, Costa Rican police arrested a man allegedly trying to bring 40 Nicaraguans to work illegally in sugar cane fields in the northwestern province of Guanacaste. And this is just the start, Police arrest smugglers, smuggling human cargo almost everyday now, not counting how many they send back going through immigration trying to get in legally. Read more... (543 words, 2 images, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)
I usually do not like to hype a single travel agency in Costa Rica, because there are so many that provide excellent services, like the ones in our directory. However, due to the increasing S & Ss (scammers and spammers) bad trips I’ve read about on many chat rooms and blogs, I thought I’d write about one person that provides the Royals Royce treatment. If you want to be pampered, spend more time with the family or spouse/mate, this is the only way to go.
When my boys graduated from college, I wanted to treat them to an adventurous father-sons bonding in Costa Rica without the hassle of wheeling and dealing with some travel agent. So, I contracted Mark from Americana Sport Fishing, who does custom travel packages even if you are not an angler. After I told Mark what I had in mind, he sent me an itinerary via email and it brought a major smile and thumbs up.
Golfito, Costa Rica
Our vacation package was a week of ball-busting tourism. Mark started us off with a personal driver that picked us up at the San Jose Airport when we arrived late Saturday from Houston, and took us to Hotel Presidente, which is right in the center of downtown San Jose. Read more... (768 words, 3 images, estimated 3:04 mins reading time)
San Jose, Costa Rica
Time and time again, people asked the question, “I got 2-3 days in San Jose, what can I do? ”
I know that San Jose does get a bad rap and is not the perfect town, but if you can get away from the surfing, eco-tours and sportfishing, you will find yourself in a Latin culture that is full of arts and entertainment. Shopping for furniture, jewelry, coffee (a best seller) rum, leather goods, and woodcarving at reasonable prices is just the start.
Exotic Wood Bench, made from local craftsmen
The Farmers Market is another cool place to spend an afternoon, where you’ll find the typical fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, and spices. Mercado Central (right in the center of downtown) is a local flea market operated since 1880. You can find just about anything at bargain prices and I recommend going to it. I’ve dubbed it, “OST or One-Stop-Tourist.” However, be careful in these open-markets there are a lot of pickpockets, so might want to read our blog on Safe Traveling in Costa Rica. Read more... (450 words, 3 images, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)
In remote areas, Police responds is slow since departments consisted of one or two rooms including the force.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “The man with the most sense is the man with common sense.”
When traveling and vacationing in Costa Rica use common sense like, don’t flash a wad of money, especially when in a crowded marketplace, thats asking for trouble. And avoid the shaky parts of town (red light district) and never walk down some small alley no matter which part of town you are in, either in the day or night time.
Many travel with money belts and there is a variety you can buy online (keyword: money belts). My friends that surf always have some sort of small waterproof bag they carry with them with about 40-$60 in twenties. And everyone always puts their money in the hotel’s room safe along with their Passports and other important papers, like airline tickets. Credit and debit cards are good, but you do get charged a conversion rate and sometime a service charge that can be as high as $10 a transaction, it all depends on the card and where the ATM machine is. In a Casino the fee is going to be a lot higher then in a hotel. Travelers checks are ’somewhat’ helpful, but it can cost you to cash them and not everybody takes them. Read more... (509 words, 1 image, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)
Club Vertigo's Rocking Night Action in San Jose
Costa Rica for spring break? Humm – not a bad idea! It may not be as wild as Cancun, Mexico with it’s crazy parties, infamous umbrella drinks, wet T-shirt contests and drunken beer-guzzling nights, but what really defines, “Exciting!” to your personal taste?
Mexico has always been the choice for Spring Breakers, but now with increasing problems (spearheaded by the Media and read this State Department Warning) with the drug wars, Costa Rica sounds more like the perfect destination if you are looking to party in a tropical setting and most important, FEEL SAFE!!!
Travel Agents have jumped on the bandwagon offering vacation packages for as little as $400 for a weeks stay that includes, hotel, meals and of course, that famous complimentary cocktail upon arrival, but unlike Cancun, this one will have some “serious” alcohol in it!!
So it may not be a 5-star hotel, but who cares, you probably won’t sleep there anyway.
Do you have this in Cancun? Read more... (719 words, 3 images, estimated 2:53 mins reading time)
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