All Entries in the "Local News" Category
Controversy Continues with Steven Seagal’s Visit to Costa Rica
When Steven Seagal arrived in Costa Rica last year he enjoyed an appointment at Casa Presidencial, however last week he didn’t receive the same treatment from President Chinchilla. Although the president was too busy Seagal was able to see the Minister of Securitry, José María Tijerino and the director of the Judical Investigative Police (OIJ), [...]
Social Media Can be a Double Edged Sword
A recent article in A.M. Costa Rica talks of the how the country must adapt to social media and the implications are obvious if you have ever asked an expat about shady dealings in Costa Rica. Internet social networking amplifies this kind of person to person connection exponentially for those interested in investing, vacationing or relocating [...]
Hogar Crea has Fundraiser in Morazan Park
The charity group Hogar Crea has taken over Morazan Park for the weekend and is putting on music and other entertainment to draw attention to its cause. Unfortunately there isn’t much in the way of live music, and the event rather resembles a low budget telethon. There are also plenty of men in yellow t-shirts [...]
New Law Assigns Responsibility for Solid Waste Disposal
Costa Rica generates an average of 11,000 metric tons of solid waste per day, and a new law will hold municipalities, businesses, and individuals responsible for the solid waste they generate. Specifically, importers and producers of electronic items must provide a means for disposal of the items they introduce into the country, and municipalities will [...]
Internet Social Network Pressures Local Officials in Coronado
A group of people from a mostly rural area of Cascajal in the mountains above San Jose have created a Facebook Profile to call attention to deficient roads and the recent closure of the community’s only high school due to the deterioration of the buildings. The profile which translates to “The Shames of Coronado” has [...]
Pay Raise is Pressing Matter for New Costa Rican Government
The newly elected legislature is demonstrating to the people their priorities with a 35 to 20 vote in favor of a pay raise. The proposal would double the salary of hard working representatives to the equivalent of about $8,000 per month. As you can expect the proposal is drawing criticism from the public and rightfully [...]
Private Company Kept Accident Details Confidential
Autopistas Del Sol, the concession holder of the new route to the Pacific can effectively black out media coverage of accidents through its control of emergency services on the highway. This discovery was revealed by the local news channel, Teletica as they investigated a crash of a motorcycle into a massive boulder at night on [...]
National Culture Shock: Booster Seats and Designated Drivers
The stiff transit law passed last years is continuing to have ripple effects on the automobile culture in Costa Rica. A recent Supreme Court (Sala IV) decision would require that taxi drivers equip their vehicles with child safety seats, and political factions are still wrangling over the blood alcohol limit. The issue with child safety [...]
Immigration Officers Are Taking Passports Now
Imagine you plan your vacation to Costa Rica, and take extra special care to make a photocopy of your passport and keep the original locked away in a safe place. One evening you are enjoying a meal at a restaurant in San Jose when a group of heavily armed police enter the establishment and demand [...]
Inauguration of Female Costa Rican President Might Disappoint Feminists
The official state religion of Costa Rica is Catholicism, abortion is a criminal act punishable by two years imprisonment, and while the nation has State Funded Health Coverage a women can not get the morning-after pill at a state clinic. The country’s legal system is also completely silent on the subject of same sex unions [...]
