We get emails all the time about traveling in Costa Rica, so we thought it might be a good ideal to point out some of our top 20 tips about a vacation and/or maybe retiring in Costa Rica.
One thing you must understand is the culture and society; manners and respect play an important role and sometimes a simple misunderstanding can become a big deal.
Costa Ricans by nature do not like auguring and confrontation; so knowing about the basic life, culture, customs, and laws of a country can help you to be prepared and have an enjoyable vacation.
1) Costa Rica legal system is based on Napoleonic law; Guilty until Proven Innocent. If you get into a confrontation, do not tried and bribe the officer. Give respect and unless you are portraying the ugly American, you should not have a problem.
2) The most cost efficient transportation is the community bus, shuttle bus, taxi and then rental car, which is the most expensive. If you do rent a car, the new vehicle laws have changed. Get caught passing on a double yellow line, and expect to pay around a $500 fine. Read more... (871 words, 2 images, estimated 3:29 mins reading time)
San Ramon Social Club - on Weekend nights there are 2 Latin dance clubs
Costa Rica to some may seem out of touch with the world, but there are many clubs and societies that offer opportunities for continued friendship, and service the wants and needs of expats from all around the world. These groups range from AA to Womans Clubs, and at numerous locations all around Costa Rica to share common educational backgrounds, self-help programs and interests.
American Legion Post 10, call 228-1740
Bridge Club meets every Tuesday call Ace at 228-6254; Dart Club meets every Wednesday; the Computer Club meets the third Saturday of every month call 2293-4383
Aikido Club Costa Rica Aikikai
Dr. Heinrich Schäfer, 1er Dan, Aikikai — Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, tel. 235 7545
Asociación Deportiva Aikikan de Costa Rica
Miembro de Federación Latinoamericana de Aikido
under Yoshimitsu Yamada shihan, 8vo Dan, New York/Tokyo
http://www.nyaikikai.com http://www.aikiweb.com http://www.prodanza.com
Contact with the dojo: Estudio ProDanza: 290 2273 / 91, Adolfo 241 6527, Abraham 257 6170
Practice: Ttuesday 8 pm, Thursday. 8 pm, Saturday 2 pm; Adv.: Saturday. 1 pm. Read more... (679 words, 2 images, estimated 2:43 mins reading time)
A move to Costa Rica is not just a change in lifestyle or an extended vacation. It is very much, a learning and growth inducing experience. This is true for me and for many others, as they have testified. The course taken by our learning (and our life) is directed by our intentions associated with the move. Some have come to escape the rat race, others to find solitude or a soul mate. And most everyone comes with the intention of finding a better life in paradise.
I’m big on intentions. I believe thoughts create reality, like attracts like, and what we send out comes back to us. In fact, intention is the most powerful tool we humans have.
My intentions in coming to Costa Rica were all of the above and more. Many have come to fruition and some are still in process. Recently, several situations have been cause for reflection on my intentions for my life here in Costa Rica. Read more... (2156 words, 2 images, estimated 8:37 mins reading time)
The small surfer town of Esterillos has had a major change - one that the townfolks are not happy about.
Maria used to send her eldest daughter, 13, down the hill to the supermarket to pick up vegetables and other products about twice a week. Her daughter had to pass the yellow house on the corner. But now Maria walks the 3/4 mile round trip herself, leaving her daughter in a newly installed locked house. She fears for her daughter’s safety; she does not want “this evil” – convicted pedophile Joe Baker lives in that yellow house – to know she even has a daughter.
Esterillos is one of those traditional Costa Rica beach towns with palms and almond trees lining the beach. Its crystal clear blue ocean is an invitation to take a swim. A person driving south from Jacó or north from Quepos can easily miss the turnoff sign. A few Americans and Canadians expats live there, and the town knows everyone. The only thing the police worry about is an occasional drunk. For a long time it was sort of a secret surf spot to a chosen few; but lately there have been a couple of changes. Read more... (1006 words, 2 images, estimated 4:01 mins reading time)
Joe Baker was released after serving about 10 years of a 24 year sentence from a Puntarenas Prison for exploiting underage children.
Updated on 5/27/10 – TicoTimes Editors note: Joe Baker has a Facebook account, please NO THREATS, but might want to let him know how you feel….
In June 1999 Costa Rica passed a law against the sexual exploitation of minors. “With this law, we say to foreigners who want to come here to abuse our children that they will find a jail cell waiting for them,” said then President Miguel Angel Rodriguez at the signing ceremony.
Rodriguez later added that those convicted under the law would serve the full sentence with no chance of appeal or early release.
In July, 2007, President Oscar Arias toughened the country’s laws against sexual exploitation of minors, banning possession of child pornography and extending the statute of limitations for sex crimes against minors. The government finally had become particularly sensitive to suggestions that foreign tourists came to Costa Rica to sexually exploit underage children, and wanted the world to know that pedophilia has serious consequences and will not be tolerated. Read more... (583 words, 2 images, estimated 2:20 mins reading time)
