Costa Rica Fire Department – Lack of Funds

When it comes to fires, search and rescue, protecting life and property and when disasters strikes there is no public and volunteer respectable service as a cities or nations Fire Departments. So when Costa Rica's Finance minister, Fernando Herrero Acosta proposed a new tax plan this week to allocates a percentage of tax money for Education, social programs, security and justice for a total of 68 … [Read more...]

Costa Rica Private Investigator – Hiring, Wages, Free Trade

If you think being a Private Investigator is how Hollywood has glorified it, think again. Most PIs will tell you, nowadays it's more leg work and lonely surveillance. The days of the Sam Spades and Philip Marlows may be over in the US, but not necessary in Costa Rica. With the industry now growing at a rapid rate, and the need for corporations and legal firms to use private investigators, the … [Read more...]

Stalking in Costa Rica – Stop Violent Predators Against Women

Recently we received the above video  that was on a website,  Stalking in Costa Rica. The video was very disturbing in parts.  The sender asked us for our help in spreading the word on this violent crime on women, and cyber awareness to this one particular grave situation in a hope to bring justice against this violent predator who was first talked about in Rip Off Report a few years … [Read more...]

Costa Rica’s Non Smoking Policies and Laws

If you smoke, you may have problems in Costa Rica. Back in May, 2009  the government imposed a tax hike on cigarettes which pretty much outraged smokers when the price jumped about 30%,  then it followed with a year later the countries first international say “No” To Smoking Day. A few days later thousands of school children in Cartago gathered to unite against smoking at “Fello” Meza Stadium – … [Read more...]

Tropical Storm Tomas Pounds Costa Rica – Roads Closed Bridges Out

Tropical Storm Tomas pounded Costa Rica with strong winds and heavy rains that triggered hundreds of landslides, power outages, and road closers all over Costa Rica. The storm hit the Quepos area very hard. The country’s National Emergency Commission said in an e-mailed statement, torrential rains have left Costa Rica in emergency status; mudslide in Escazu (suburb of San Jose) killed 20 people … [Read more...]

Costa Rica Jewish Community – Schools & Synagogues

Costa Rica may well be Israel’s best friend among the states of the world, unswerving in its friendship since 1948 and the only state to maintain its embassy in Jerusalem. A green and eco-friendly land, approximately twice the size of Israel, Costa Rica lies some ten degrees above the equator, between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, rising from tropical beaches through rain forests to … [Read more...]

Poaching of Costa Rica Sea Turtle Eggs – Turtle Poll

If you are over 50, have traveled a lot or lived in Mexico or Central America, particularly the coastal areas, you ate turtle. Sea Turtle is an awesome tasting seafood, whose bright-red, bloody meat would turn angel white just seconds after hitting a fry pan that was lightly seasoned in olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Turtle meat and eggs are a delicacy and a way of life in many countries, … [Read more...]

Traffic Cameras To Be Installed in San Jose

This week, I had to laugh when I learned that sometime before the end of this year the Policía de Tránsito (traffic police) are expecting to put in cameras to control traffic and ticket offending drivers in various parts of San Jose. The areas targeted for this is Parque La Paz, the autopista General Cañas and the autopista Florencio del Castillo and other "unnamed" locations. Cesar Quirós, … [Read more...]

General Traveling Tips to Costa Rica

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 … [Read more...]

Expats Clubs and Societies in Costa Rica

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 … [Read more...]

Sexual Predator Joe Baker Takes Job at La Felicidad Hotel in Esterillos, Costa Rica

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 … [Read more...]

U.S. Pedophile Released From Costa Rica Prison 15 Years Early

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.... Update on 8/18/10 - After many complaints,  Mr. Bakers account at Facebook was deleted. 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 … [Read more...]