Years ago a renovation project spearheaded by the San Jose Municipality, labeled San Jose Posible, was design to give a total face-lift to the downtown area, adding more walking boulevards, planting trees, paining facades and offering incentives for Costa Ricans and residents to move back into the city. The Central Avenue Boulevard and its surrounding parks and plazas have been called the biggest … [Read more...]
Crime in Costa Rica – Does it Get Reported?
10/10/2009 by 2 Comments
The other day we received an email wondering, why we require a "real name" in the comments part in regards to our post on Armed Robbery on a bus in Costa Rica. The emailer thought that the use of the "real name" would be caused for retaliation, and then asked, Why is there not a website were people who have been victimize can post their tragedy without retaliation? He or she went on … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Government Wants To Tax Gross Gambling Income
10/04/2009 by Leave a Comment
Costa Rica has always been very lax on gambling. In reality it only took a business license and just about anyone could open up a casino. And with the US crack down on betting in 2007 hordes of online gambling and bookie businesses flooded Costa Rica. About every two to 3 years the government ties to put a new novel plan to generate revenue from these establishments. The last one (about 1 and … [Read more...]
Crime is Down In San Jose, Costa Rica
10/01/2009 by 1 Comment
When you read about Costa Rica on the chats, blogs, reviews etc, one thing that always is talked about is, "Stay out of San Jose, the crime rate outrageous, stealing, robberies, and the worthless of the police are no good as we posted on the armed robbery of a Tortuguero bus a few weeks ago. However, surprise! The Judiciary and the Ministry of Public Security reported this week, "the crime … [Read more...]
Required Legal, Rules, Regulation, Documents For A Costa Rica Wedding
09/24/2009 by Leave a Comment
Many engaged couples looking to have their wedding in Costa Rica are not aware of the required documents, rules and regulations pertaining to marriage in this country. For instance, only a Catholic Priest or a Costa Rica Lawyer can marry a couple in Costa Rica, a Protestant Pastor may not. Here is all the up-to-date information needed to have a civil ceremony in Costa Rica. If neither the Bride … [Read more...]
Cocaine Cargo From Costa Rica Prompts Wiretapping
06/29/2009 by Leave a Comment
A few weeks ago we posted about Costa Rica slowly but surly becoming the new hub for drug trafficking. Mexican authorities in the port of Mexico's Puerto Progreso last week found frozen sharks stuffed with 894 kilograms of cocaine. The sharks were unloaded from a ship whose voyage originated at the Costa Rican port of Caldera. This is just one of several recent cocaine busts in the last few weeks … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Drinking Age – Driving and Fines
06/19/2009 by 3 Comments
Someone sent me this video, and I know it is not of Costa Rica, but still pretty unreal of how drinking a tad to much can make you look like an idiot. Real or Fake, make a comment! I can not tell you how many times in Yahoo Answers, those under 18 ask, “What’s the drinking age is in Costa Rica? adding, “Do they check IDs?” To answer both, the official drinking age in Costa Rica is 18, … [Read more...]
White Roofs – Energy Savings in Costa Rica
05/29/2009 by Leave a Comment
One thing about being the admin of Costa Rica's largest directory, we get a lot of emails, about everything under the sun (no pun intended on this post) – from where to buy the best airline tickets, to hot nightclub action, to just rant and raving. And then we get the curious or concern like the posts on Costa Rica bedbugs and Swine Flu. One thing for sure, we are not short of posting material … [Read more...]
Costa Rica’s New Reality – Patti Blagojevich
05/23/2009 by Leave a Comment
The first lady of ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Patti Blagojevich is now going to take her hubby's place on being on the NBC show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here," (which got canceled due to poor rating) to be filmed in Costa Rica. If you remember (ugh, like it is one of those most important things in your life) a federal judge barred Rob Blagojevich last month who faces … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Cigarettes – New Tax Hike
05/21/2009 by 1 Comment
It seems that Costa Rica's government is following in California's and other US States footsteps by proposing a new tax on cigarettes to increase their revenue. Yes I know - cigs are bad, unhealthy, lead to lung cancer, and blab blab blab... This law would limit smoking in some work places, public recreation, and cultural areas and near health centers like hospitals, clients and wellness … [Read more...]
Driving to Costa Rica – Pan American Highway
05/09/2009 by 26 Comments
Okay, so I have heard all the bad stories (carjackings, robberies and even murders) about driving from the US to Costa Rica. However, if you like the adventure (which it is a lifetime experience) it's an expensive (about 3-$5000) trip, and time consuming (about 3-4 weeks). It is not great idea for a couple of hot females or an elderly couple to do this. First the trip is long, the roads are often … [Read more...]
Costa Rica’s Sex-Tourism Is Growing
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- The slumping global economy is having a stimulus effect on Costa Rica's famous sex-tourism industry, as a growing number of unemployed women -- from Colombia to the Dominican Republic -- flock to San José to seek a living in the world's oldest profession. In popular prostitution hot spots such as the Hotel & Casino Del Rey and Key Largo, local prostitutes compete … [Read more...]