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...]
Police, Medical Emergencies, and Hospitals in Costa Rica
07/27/2010 by 7 Comments
General Medical and Police Services Medical care in San Jose is adequate at the public hospitals, but super at the private hospital. Areas outside of San Jose have more limited medical services, and road conditions increase driving times to hospitals for routine or critical medical care. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash or credit card payment for medical services. Local … [Read more...]
Actor Steven Seagul Leaves Costa Rica Disappointed
06/11/2010 by 7 Comments
This week we pretty much express some disappointment at the way Costa Rica’s government was handle things like banning stem cell research and helping pave the way for ID thief. However, we have to give them the thumbs up in how they gave the cold shoulder to Hollywood martial-arts actor/producer, Steven Seagal. About 2-three times a month we get tabloid junk. It has always been our policy to … [Read more...]
Corrupt Costa Rica Traffic Policeman Arrested – Riot Starts
04/16/2010 by 1 Comment
This week an event took place that may became a disappointment in what the future of Costa Rica's society and culture may be. A few weeks ago we wrote about how the new Traffic Laws were causing problems with its loopholes and in some cases corruption (bribes) when an online chatter wrote, how an illegal passing cost her $100 to an open palm traffic policeman. It appears we were not the … [Read more...]
New Insurance Program Starts March 1, 2010 – Expats Have to Pay for Caja Policy
02/28/2010 by 6 Comments
Starting Monday, a new requirement for foreign residents (expats or permanent residents), must show proof of insurance from the government Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. Often cited as a reason for the country’s stability over recent decades, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social is the safety net for health care and pensions. Permanent residents are foreigners who can legally … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Copyright Protection – Government Involvement
01/04/2010 by Leave a Comment
Sometime ago we wrote about how San Jose is cracking down on street vendors. The biggest complains were, hassling of customers in front of stores, illegal aliens, and the big one, selling of pirated CDs and DVDs and counterfeit products like designer clothes. For some time now Costa Rica has been under fire for their lack of enforcement of pirated software, movies and music, even if the … [Read more...]
Costa Rica, Child Custody and Abduction Laws
11/30/2009 by 8 Comments
Last week another U.S. father was in Costa Rica seeking a son for whom he had legal custody of. Unfortunately, the father so far has struck out, forcing him to hired a private investigator. This is just another case of a U.S. parent running out on a divorce decision and abducting their child. The case originated over a year ago in Boise, Idaho and the mother is believed to have fled to Costa … [Read more...]
U.S. Consulate – San José Embassy – Visa Problem
11/22/2009 by Leave a Comment
Attending a business meeting in Santa Ana a few weeks ago, one of the associates of a client rant and raved about his dealings with the U.S. Consulate at the San José embassy US Embassy. He was Costa Rican, his wife was American and they had two children. All they wanted was to visit the U.S for a few weeks to see her parents. The kids had no problem (the duel citizenship thing) but he was … [Read more...]
Costa Rica’s Drug Smugglers Problem – Crocodiles
11/13/2009 by 2 Comments
As Costa Rica slowly but surely becomes the new hub for drug trafficking, and with San Jose now the place to smuggle containers of drugs to the US, it now appears that drug smugglers have a new problem, which is not the US DEA, local police or competition, but crocodiles! It’s no surprise that the Central Pacific between Puntarenus to Quepos with the hot tourist spot of Jaco between has … [Read more...]
La Ruta de los Conquistadores – Costa Rica Bike Race Shut Down
11/10/2009 by Leave a Comment
When I was in Jaco last week, the town was gearing up for an intense coast-to-coast bike across Costa Rica's rugged terrain known to all as La Ruta de los Conquistadores. To date, more than one decade later, “La Ruta” is considered to be the most difficult Mountain Bike multi-day race on the planet. However, this Costa Rica's coast-to-coast bike race which is suppose to begin in Jacó Wednesday, … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Porteadores vs Taxis vs Government – Protest Today
10/28/2009 by Leave a Comment
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 … [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...]