Author Archive for expatcostarica
Expat Group to Put Cap on Crime
A group founded by expatriates in the southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica has become a political advocate for public security in Costa Rica. CAP, which stands for “Crime Awareness and Prevention” and describes itself as a non-profit group of community members is organizing a petition to present before President Laura Chinchilla and the legislative [...]
Bridge Collapse on Interamerican Highway Highlights Problem
The recent collapse of a stretch of road on a bridge over the Rio Seco on the Inter-American highway is expected to keep the vital route closed for at least three days. Along with the road went a fiber optic that is causing the failure of Internet and ATM machines in the northern region of [...]
Annual Pilgrimage to Cartago This Weekend
This weekend an estimated 2 million people or about half the country will journey to Cartago and the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. The annual pilgrimage represents devotion to the Roman Catholic faith, which is the official state religion of Costa Rica. While some of the faithful come in the days prior to [...]
Wild Bill Cortez Transfered to Panama
William Dathan Holbert and Laura Michelle Reese arrived on Thursday in Panama City to face multiple homicide charges of as many as nine people in an apparent murder for property theft scheme. Many of the victims are expatriates, who according to Don Winner in Panama were lured by the prospect of selling their properties in [...]
Jazz Cafe in San Pedro Longtime Favorite
The Jazz Cafe has for a decade been a popular night spot on the east side of San Jose in San Pedro. The location, when coming from downtown is just before the San Pedro Mall and taxi fare usually runs under $4. There is another location in the western suburb of Escazu, however San Pedro [...]
Federal Judge Blocks Arizona Immigration Law
A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction that blocks sections of a controversial measure against illegal immigrants in the state of Arizona. The law which enjoys widespread popular support in the state would require law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of persons arrested. Many Latin American countries, Costa Rica included have officially [...]
Dengue in Guanacaste and Grecia
The annual rainy season in Costa Rica brings an increased risk of Dengue, and this year the country has seen a 300% increase in cases according to Teletica News. While it is a good idea to take precautions against mosquitoes, which carry the disease the outbreaks of Dengue are normally limited to specific areas in [...]
President Declines to Halt Las Crucitas Mining Project
The Costa Rican government officially declined to reverse the presidential decree that declares the mining project in Las Crucitas de Curtis as being in the national interest. The decision would seem to clear any legal impediment to the open pit gold mine operation, which the nation’s highest court (Sala IV) had approved in April. The [...]
Panama Fugitive “Wild Bill” Cortez is America’s Most Wanted
Their names are William Dathan Holbert and Laura Michelle Reese, and while they might turn out to be the Bonnie and Clyde of property theft their criminal resumes begin in the United States. Captured on the border crossing near the mouth of the Sarapiqui river by a Nicaraguan army patrol Wild Bill Cortez and his [...]
Manhunt for “Wild Bill” Cortez in Costa Rica
The real estate business is tough due to the global recession, and now one real estate speculator is on the run in Costa Rica for allegedly murdering expatriates in Panama with the motive to steal their property. The man known as William Adolfo Cortez Reese or “Wild Bill” was spotted in Turrialba a few days [...]
