Costa Rica Porteadores car vandalized by protesters
For a long time now there has been clash between taxi drivers and porteadores (the informal taxi drivers) with the government caught in the middle.
Porteadores have always provided the public’s alternative to transportation, particular in areas where the formal or legal taxis would not provide service, but more likely in smaller towns. The service as “porteos” provided that personal “door-to-door” service, where a private individual or company is contracted to pick up a person from one point and/or transferred goods to another, for a set or agreed upon fee. In other words, an unlicensed service, where taxi drivers and commercial drivers have to supply documents, like insurance, business permits and under go a vehicle inspection.
Legal taxi drivers look at the Porteadores as scab labor, and Porteadores look at themselves as people trying to make a living. Obviously, Porteadores have angered license taxi operators, drivers and associations and have pressured the government into producing legislation against the porteo.
February, 2009 Costa Rica Protest - Porteadores and Licensed Taxis - photo by Nacion Read more...(592 words, 3 images, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)
The Costa Rica government announced on Saturday that it is allocating us$15 million for the reparation of 10 bridges, two days after a tragedy that took five lives and sparked a barrage of criticism against the ministra de Obras Pública y Transportes, Karla González.
Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, personally visited the site of Thursday’s tragedy, reiterating his support of González, his transport minister during his term.
The money will come from a us$65 million World Bank loan approved this year for dealing with emergencies and which could be available to the ministerio de Obras Pública y Transportes (MOPT) in the coming weeks.
The country’s two leading Spanish language newspapers, La Nación and Diario Extra,strong criticism of Gonzalez, seconded by members of the opposition parties who demanded her resignation due to the bad state of the bridge that collapsed last Thursday as a bus went over it.
The bus fell from the bridge, which dates back to the 1920s, into the Tárcoles river in Turrubares, west of San Jose, leaving five dead and dozens injured. Read more...(497 words, 2 images, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)
Costa Rica and China have made another deal, now there is going to be a China Town in San Jose, like the one in Mexico as the photo shows
China continues to wine and dine Costa Rica, now the government of China will be contributing US$1 million dollars to help construct a Chinatown or Barrio Chino. Of course Costa Rica’s Government or municipalidad de San José will fork out about US$300,000 to help finance the project.
This announcement came in an official ceremony that included Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, Municipalidad de San José mayor, Johnny Araya and the mayor of Beijing, Guo Jinlong, to place the cornerstone for the project.
The area in the Catedral district between Avenidas 2 an 14, now known as Paseo de los Estudiantes will become Barrio Chino that will include a pedestrian boulevard. This new Chinatown development will include restaurants serving oriental food and retail stores selling oriental artifacts, medication and other products.
This is just another bonding that Costa Rica is doing to close it ties between China. China and Costa Rica started their diplomatic relations back in July 2007 after Costa Rica broke off relations with Taiwan a month earlier. Read more...(460 words, 2 images, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)
When someone mentions Jaco, Costa Rica, the instant thought is the Wacos. Besides probably the most visited beach in Costa Rica, its closest beach to San Jose, great and almost “sinful” night life, surfing, unique shops and an assortment of art galleries make Jaco a must for almost all itineraries that cater to all types of people.
In Jaco walking down the street, you will find an array of characters, from the black-socked tourist, families, surfers, backpackers, eco-gurus, drifters, hookers, con men, locals, druggies, the rich and famous – to the down and out and that’s just a start.
Jaco will, if not, has become the largest seaside community in Central America, and with said, development projects have sprouted up faster then Mid-West corn fields. Investor opportunities for all levels range from low-priced cracker-jack condos, view and back jungle lots, to luxury condos, villas and estates that are the envy of any country.
The Jaco day and night life is very diverse. At Los Suenos Marina, million dollar yachts berth alongside of local fishing skiffs. The success of Los Suenos Marina clearly show the waconess, when they sold out all of their slips. International and high-dollar restaurants compete for customers of taco stands, French cafes, bistos and fast food restaurants like Kentucky Fried Chicken. Bars are every few feet it seems that host live music that range from Latin, rock and roll, disco, blues and Jazz. Read more...(403 words, 2 images, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)
Exchanging money is simple, but do it at the Hotel, banks take time and never exchange money on the Black Market
When exchanging your money, you can either utilize the services at many of the Costa Rica banks, or what we like to suggest, is the services of your hotel – most will exchange your money providing that you are staying there.
The rate they offer usually is be a bit below that offered by banks, however, changing money at the local banks requires plenty of time due to bureaucratic handling procedures. At the hotel, it usually takes about 2-3 minutes once you get to the attendant.
The date of this post the bank’s exchange rate 588 colons to one US dollar and most hotels figure on around 550-560 colons to one US dollar
Beware: There are several money exchangers that offer their services around the downtown area of San Jose, as well as at the international airport. Several of these companies present themselves as legitimate business practices, however, as the majority are not and they will rip you off for the exchange rate. Generally speaking, I do not suggest you take advantage of these services. Read more...(401 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)
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