Costa Rica productions companies are no strangers to movies, and have a ton of resumes to prove it - probably the most well-known film, filmed in the country, was author Michael Crichton best seller thriller, "Congo," which to me was one of the best books I have ever read. And Costa Rica is no stranger to gambling, a country where it is legal and after the crackdown on online betting in the … [Read more...]
Shipping and Moving to Costa Rica – Cars – Personal
06/14/2009 by 17 Comments
Okay, you want to pull up stakes and move to Costa Rica ... now what is it going to cost? It's important to understand that shipping anything to Costa Rica, expect the unexpected, because Costa Rica is known for its very high import duties. The two shipping ports are Limon (Caribbean side) and Puntarenas (Pacific Side). After several garage sales and dealing with idiots on Craig's List, … [Read more...]
Wal-Mart – Costa Rica Monopoly Going Green
05/13/2009 by 20 Comments
Back in Feb, 2007 U.S. retail mega-giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, said they would spend $49 million to open 14 new stores in Costa Rica and all within a year. The business hype was simple, it would create 1000s of new jobs, keep the government happy with additional tax revenue, keep prices down, and provide Costa Ricans with some of the US luxuries (like electronics) … [Read more...]
Mac, Apple, Macintosh Repair Technicians
05/03/2009 by 10 Comments
Yes, I know Mac is better, but not quite true in Costa Rica, that is if you have problems. Always check your warranty before you bring your Mac (or any other computer for that reason) to Costa Rica, regardless if you bought the extended warranty package. Most Warranty Agreements DO NOT cover the computer outside the US. If work has to be done, expect to pay 2-3 times the amount and expect a wait. … [Read more...]
Costa Rica, Rod Blagojevich and Robert Vesco
04/16/2009 by Leave a Comment
When I heard that the ousted major of Chicago, Rod Blagojevich, who pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering and fraud charges last Tuesday is trying to become a contestant in a reality show to be filmed in Costa Rica, my head shook slowly, dropping to my chest. I understand that Costa Rica’s economy is bad right now (tourism down 50%) but really, is Costa Rica that hard up? It appears the … [Read more...]
Costa Rica and China – Caribbean Refinery, Investments, Bonds and Aid
04/08/2009 by 1 Comment
Is China using its $1.8 trillion in foreign exchange reserves, the world’s largest such cache of foreign currency, to further its political and diplomatic goals, despite promises that it would not do so? Are they using these reserves to win the support of the people, by first building the $84 million, new National Soccer Stadium in Parque La Sabana for the Costa Rica Sports and Recreation … [Read more...]
Costa Rica, San José Nightlife – El Pueblo
04/01/2009 by 1 Comment
In the past few years, tourists have dubbed San Jose the "Get In and Get Out Fast." It is not the place to vacation because of the increase of crime. And why go to a rat-race, dirty city (when you probably just left one) when you have the best beaches and recreations in the world within a few hours drive? However, many can't wait to spend their vacation time in San Jose. And why? - San … [Read more...]
Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans – Tension between Labor and Immigration Law
03/25/2009 by Leave a Comment
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 … [Read more...]
Free Trade in Costa Rica – Is it working?
03/08/2009 by Leave a Comment
Back in Oct, 2007 Costa Rica (by a close vote (53/ 47) approved a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States. The vote split the country, with supporters arguing it would bring economic development, and critics warning (mostly labor unions) that it would hurt the little guy, like farmers and small businesses. This trade agreement was suppose to expand Costa Rica's access to the US market … [Read more...]
Investing in Costa Rica
02/25/2009 by 6 Comments
Dubbed as the" Silicon Valley of Latin America" Costa Rica has become in the last five years more appealing due to its investment-friendly climate and government policies on attracting foreign investors. With world-wide economy at a downfall especially the U.S. commercial leaders like, Microsoft, GE, Abbot Laboratories, Continental Airways and Intel Corporation continual to make sizable … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Gambling – Online Betting Casinos Bookies
Costa Rica has long been one of the more loosely regulated jurisdictions for online casinos and sports books. Operators need only a business license from the government to set up Internet gambling servers. And because of this, you can just about count on that every online bet is being funnel through Costa Rica. Online betting websites like Bodog and BetUS are two of the biggest in the World, … [Read more...]