Costa Rica, Real Estate, News, Travel

Costa Rica’s best coffee is from Naranjo

2013-05-21T15:07:00.001-06:00

Costa Rica’s best coffee is from Naranjo / News Briefs / More news / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times:

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Twenty international judges evaluated more than 30 Tico coffee samples and determined that Costa Rica’s best coffee is produced in Naranjo, Alajuela, at 1,650 meters above sea level, and in San Marcos de Tarrazú, south of the capital.

Two coffee processing centers, or beneficios, located in these cantons took the top spots in the "2013 Costa Rica Cup of Excellence" Friday evening.

Of the 30 samples tested, 22 surpassed the minimum qualification of 85, needed to participate in a worldwide online auction that will take place on June 19.

Oldermar Arrieta and his wife, Marlene Brenes, are the owners of “Beneficio Vista al Valle" in Naranjo, where they sell their coffee. Now they expect to sell it across the country.

They were extremely happy for the win, especially since the company is 100-percent family-run. The couple operates the farm and beneficio with only the help of three children.

Last year’s Cup of Excellence was won by Beneficio Brumas del Zurquí, from Heredia. Representatives of Costa Rica in the global auction were able to obtain up to $45 a pound for their coffee.

Judges said they were impressed with the quality on display at this year's competition, especially since a decrease in international coffee prices and losses caused by coffee rust fungus have affected many coffee farms in Costa Rica. It is estimated that more than 90 of the farms affected are run by small farmers.

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

New app teaches Costa Rican biodiversity

2013-05-21T15:06:00.001-06:00

New app teaches Costa Rican biodiversity / News Briefs / More news / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times:

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What am I looking at? A new app developed by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute and the National Biodiversity Institute helps users identify wildlife species.

Interested in Costa Rican biodiversity? A new app claims to be the easiest way to find out about Costa Rican species.

TOUIT is an easy-to-use guide that allows users to access information about 500 species commonly spotted in Costa Rica, with high-resolution images, information and maps.

A new mobile app specifically for Costa Rica

Using Geopositioning tools, the app finds a user’s location, then coordinates and issues a list of the most common species found in that particular area, including amphibians, mammals, reptiles, birds, spiders, scorpions, plants, insects and fungus.

The app was launched this week by the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio) and the Costa Rican Electricity Institute. It works on mobile phones using Android and iOS operating systems.

TOUIT takes its name from Touits costarricensis, a bird that flies from sea level up to 3,000 meters.

“The main goal of the app is to educate people about Costa Rican biodiversity so that they know what we have and [can] help to preserve it,” Maria Auxiliadora Mora, INBio’s information technology manager, said.

TOUIT is free and is available in English and Spanish versions. Download it at www.touit.cr.

Guanabana from Costa Rica

2013-05-20T10:26:00.001-06:00

I took this photo of a couple of guanabanas at the BM Supermercado in Uvita, Costa Rica. Guanabanas are easily grown in the Osa (southern pacific) region of Costa Rica. Many people believe, and there appears to be research to support it, that guanabana is a great cancer fighter. I love to have a daily 'guanabana en agua' smoothie. It is delicious!

Photo (c) Nick Halverson

Here's a video I made in San Buenaventura de Osa of one of my neighbors showing me how to prepare it to eat.

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Gallery: 5 rainforest adventures in Costa Rica | CNN Travel

2013-05-20T09:48:00.001-06:00

Gallery: 5 rainforest adventures in Costa Rica | CNN Travel

Costa Rica -- home of the three-toed sloth, spider monkeys, fer-de-lance snakes, 894 types of birds and a half million more plant/bird/mammal species.
With 4% of the entire world’s biodiversity packed into a small territory, it’s only natural that Costa Rica trips gear toward seeing as much of the country’s biodiversity as possible.
Thanks to a government that's historically been hyper-sensitive to environmental sustainability (Costa Rica aims to become the first carbon-neutral country by 2021) and a year-round tropical climate, Costa Rica is the preeminent eco-travel destination on the planet.
But visitors shouldn’t expect to see howler monkeys or furry cowatees at every turn -- on their own, anyway.

Even the most independent travelers will admit that a trained guide can be one of the most important elements of a Costa Rica trip.

Through rainforests, “cloud forests,” rivers and dives, these five Costa Rica activities are better with a guide.

1. Rainforest walks

The best way to experience a rainforest? Go for a walk among its spectacularly high treetops.

After biologists discovered that approximately 90% of all rainforest organisms live in the treetop canopy, they built suspension bridges to explore and study the complex ecosystems up high.
The Sky Walk offers guided two- to three-hour tours on six different suspension bridges at Monteverde, a small town in Puntarenas known as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Costa Rica. National Geographic dubbed it “the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves."
Spanning canyons and drainages, the bridges can take up to 12 people at one time.
The boardwalk at Cinco Ceibas is Costa Rica’s newest attraction. The private reserve and adventure park is three hours north of San Jose and offers an interesting perspective of the rainforest basin.
The reserve has an extraordinary mile-long wooden boardwalk and personable guides who explain the details behind the green cathedrals of life. The guides also serve another useful purpose: protecting visitors from deadly insects and venomous snakes, such as the fer-de-lance.

2. Diving off Cano Island

Approximately an hour's boat ride from Costa Rica’s southern Pacific Coast, Cano Island is a tantalizing destination, especially since most of it is off-limits to visitors.
Only a tiny section of beach and a handful of dive sites are open on the protected island, which means it’s also home to some of the world’s healthiest coral reefs and best diving.
Rapidly changing currents bring in an abundance of big fish (sharks, rays, large grouper), but it takes experienced dive masters to point out the more elusive moray eel, tiger snake, puffer fish and sea anemones.
The dive center at the Jinetes de Osa Hotel leads various dive trips; 506 2231 5806 (in Costa Rica), 866 553 7073 (in United States)

3. Birding at Corcovado National Park

A pocket of untouched beauty, Corcovado National Park in Drake Bay is described by National Geographic as the “most biologically intense place on earth.”
Guides can help spot many of the recorded 894 species of colorful birds hidden throughout the dense treetops and shrubbery.
They also provide expensive telescopes.
Reservations with the park’s administration must be made at least one month in advance. Official reservation confirmation is required by guards at various stations throughout the park.
Corcovado National Park, Edificio de ACOSA, frente al aeropuerto de Puerto Jimenez, Peninsula de OSA, Costa Rica; +506 2 735 5036

4. Kayaking

Costa Rica has no shortage of raging whitewater rapids and deep rainforest canyons to paddle.
Water temperatures stay around 21-24 C (70-75 F) year-round, even in the rainy season (May-November), so it's never a bad time to pop into the water for a swim.
Multi-day rafting trips are highlighted by intense hikes and camping, with pit stops for fruit picking, photo ops and rope swings.
Rafting guides are a must. Not only do they know where to go, what fruit to eat and necessary safety measures, they're good for pointing out sloths, toucans and other creatures above.
Costa Rica Descents offers a number of raft trips, from day trips to longer excursions.

5. Horseback riding

Horses have long been an integral part of Costa Rican culture.

With many cattle ranches that have been breeding their own horses for generations, Guanacaste (one of the first areas conquered by the Spanish) has a pronounced cowboy culture.

Throughout the rest of the country, locals often use horses as transportation and hold frequent horse parades to show off the best animals and riders.

Horseback riding is a popular, inexpensive and low-impact way to explore the country, from riding on the sandy beaches of Puerto Viejo de Limon to galloping along the stunning Lake Route from Arenal to Monteverde

What makes a coffee gourmet?

2013-05-06T12:44:00.001-06:00

I tried to use the Blogger button to easily link this article but it kept giving me an error. Here's the original article: http://www.cafebritt.com/did-you-know-gourmet-coffee?

Coffee drinking is one of the most widely spread traditions across many cultures in the world. It is gourmet coffee?

found in a myriad of varieties, flavors and at many price ranges. What constitutes the variety in coffee and what makes a true

The foundation of a gourmet coffee is a good bean. About 70% of the intrinsic quality of the coffee bean is
determined by the genetic characteristics of the seed. The other 30% of the coffee quality is determined by the ecosystem in which the coffee is cultivated. If you have a quality bean growing in an ideal environment you then need experienced processing of the bean for consumption. Together,
these factors produce the best gourmet coffee.

The Plant

There are two main types of coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are considered the premium and best tasting beans. Robusta is a less expensive bean but flavor is sacrificed for cost. It also differs from Arabica in that it is much easier and faster to grow and is more resistant to disease and weather. Though some blends mix the two types of beans, the best gourmet coffees are made from 100% Arabica beans. In Costa Rica, it is forbidden by law to grow any bean but the Arabica variety.

The Altitude & Climate

Arabica beans require unique growing conditions. The plant is very susceptible to disease and pests. For the plants to thrive they need a high altitude of at least 1,200 meters and an average temperature of 20° C (70° F). In the few places in the world where these strict conditions are met, Arabica beans thrive and vary due to other environmental factors including the climate, latitude, altitude and the regional soil type. Arabica beans are especially prolific growing in Costa Rica’s enriched volcanic soil. Each of these factors will affect the aroma, body, flavor and acidity of the brewed coffee.

The Processing

Once an Arabica bean is grown in an ideal environment, it must still be handled correctly to bring the
best gourmet coffee to your cup. Harvesting by hand is important so that only the ripe coffee cherries are plucked and used for processing. The cherries must then be water processed and sun dried by experienced farmers before they are roasted. There are a number of levels of accepted roasts, the lighter showing off more of the natural bean’s character, where the darker roasts bring the beans natural oils to the surface creating a more intense flavor. Whatever level roast, it is important the beans are not burned or over roasted, which covers up the bean’s natural flavor. Finally, well cared for beans must be packed in a container that will allow coffee to “breath” and expel its natural gases but prevents external agents such as humidity or air to get in. This proper packaging, such as Café Britt's, maintains freshness from the plantation to your cup.

Enjoying Gourmet Coffee

Knowing all the factors that are necessary to create a gourmet coffee helps one appreciate it. Once you invest in gourmet coffee, you can follow a few simple steps to get the most out of it. First, grind fresh beans and brew them in a French Coffee Press for best results. Conduct taste tests with different blends and determine which you prefer for your daily cup, with afternoon sweets and after dinner. Exploration and experimentation of gourmet coffees is half the fun for a coffee connoisseur.

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Dazzled by the diversity in Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park

2013-05-02T13:52:00.001-06:00

Dazzled by the diversity in Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park | Troy Media

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Digital parking meters begin operating this week

2013-05-02T13:51:00.001-06:00

Digital parking meters begin operating this week / News Briefs / Obama in C.R. / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

Some 1,500 digital parking meters began operating on Monday in the central canton of San José, starting at 10 a.m.
The new system for parking on public roads, implemented by the municipality, aims to eliminate the parking ticket system in the central canton of the capital.
Digital parking meters accept debit and credit cards, and those not wanting to use personal bank accounts can pay by sending an SMS from cellphones.
In order to use cellphones as a payment method, motorists must first create a parking account at a local bank, which will assign a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Public officials inaugurated the new parking system at 10 a.m. in a brief act in front of the Foreign Ministry in downtown San José.

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Obama schedule for Costa Rica visit is set

2013-05-02T13:50:00.001-06:00

Obama schedule for Costa Rica visit is set / News Briefs / Obama in C.R. / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

In addition to his participation in the summit of presidents of the Central American Integration System (SICA) on May 3, U.S. President Barack Obama will join Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla in an event on Saturday with businessmen from the region, organized by the INCAE Business School and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Communications Minister Francisco Chacón said that Obama and the Central American presidents will arrive in the country on the afternoon of May 3. The Air Force One will land at 2:05 pm.

Chinchilla and members of her Cabinet will then hold a bilateral meeting with the U.S. delegation at the Foreign Ministry, known as the Casa Amarilla, in downtown San José at 3 pm. They will then hold a press conference.

The SICA summit will take place in the late afternoon at the Culture Ministry (CENAC). The presidents will then meet for a working dinner.

Friday will be a day off for public employees in seven cantons in three provinces, as Transit Police will block off many routes that the presidents will use to attend the various events.

In Alajuela, public workers will have a day off in the Central canton, and in Heredia in the canton of Belén. In the capital, the day off applies for bureaucrats at public offices in the Central, Escazú (west), Montes de Oca (east), Goicoechea (north) and Curridabat (east) cantons.

Chacón said it is still unknown whether a delegation of businessmen or commerce authorities of his Cabinet will accompany Obama.

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Talks with Obama to include hydrogen from Costa Rica and U.S. natural gas

2013-05-02T13:49:00.003-06:00

Talks with Obama to include hydrogen from Costa Rica and U.S. natural gas / News Briefs / Obama in C.R. / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

Costa Rican Environment Minister René Castro announced Wednesday that two key discussion points for the upcoming visit next week of U.S. President Barack Obama – along with other Central American leaders – include U.S.-backed local hydrogen production and a Central American agreement to import natural gas from the United States under CAFTA.

Costa Rican officials plan on showing Obama their progress on experiments using hydrogen fuel for local transportation. The research is moving forward at Ad Astra Rocket Company laboratories, a company created by local hero and Tico astronaut Franklin Chang.

Supported by the Environment Ministry (MINAE) and the National Oil Refinery, researchers have tested hydrogen in traditional combustion engines in tractors and buses to determine if it is applicable in national and international transport sectors.

“We think we can take the next step, which is to move the technology from the lab to field tests, and eventually commercialization, not only in Costa Rica, but also around the world,” Castro said.

The U.S. company Cummings is also supporting the research.

“We think the U.S. government might take interest in this and support us, because our efforts could lead to providing the world a clean [fuel] alternative for the future,” Castro added.

The technology also could bring more jobs and investment to Costa Rica, he said.

Towards a deal on natural gas

Another energy-related issue that officials hope to take up with Obama, who will visit Costa Rica May 3-4 as part of a summit of the Central American Integration System, is a regional agreement to import more low-cost natural gas from the U.S. under the Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA.

The U.S. has large natural gas reserves, and the Obama administration hopes to wean that country off its dependence on petroleum in coming years.

“To obtain a mutually beneficial agreement, Central America will have to negotiate as a unit, as each country is small and the investment needed in infrastructure, ports, gas lines and everything else that’s required to adapt to new energy is very large,” Castro said.

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

U.S. supports clean energy initiatives in Costa Rica / News Briefs / Obama in C.R. / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

2013-05-02T13:49:00.001-06:00

U.S. supports clean energy initiatives in Costa Rica / News Briefs / Obama in C.R. / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

U.S. Ambassador Anne S. Andrew and University of Costa Rica Vice Rector Carlos Araya on Thursday presented awards for Costa Rican initiatives to develop renewable energy and other environmental themes.

Some 20 projects entered the Clean Energy Regional Contest, announced last year by the U.S. State Department and financed by the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). The effort aims to encourage clean energy technology and policy.

Five winners were announced at the University of Costa Rica’s Planetarium in San Pedro, east of San José: the University of Costa Rica, with a project that will introduce the use of alternative energy including solar, wind and biomass in the coffee industry in Central America; the Academia de Profesionales Solares de las Americas, which will train professionals on how to use solar energy in their businesses; Purdue University, with a plan to promote the use of solar energy in the Caribbean; SNV, a nongovernmental organization that will introduce the use of biogas in livestock and coffee sectors; and Yo Emprendedor, an association that motivates entrepreneurship, with a project that will help a new generation of business owners develop green companies.

Winning projects will receive up to $210,000 in grants.

“Our countries [the U.S. and Costa Rica] are taking steps to reduce our dependence on hydrocarbons and to promote clean-energy technologies and policies, as well as energy efficiency in all sectors,” Andrew said.

The U.S. State Department also donated $1 million from ECPA to Michigan State University – which is working with the University of Costa Rica – to develop solar bio-energy from waste products.

Cell Number Portability Starts November 30

2013-04-28T17:32:00.001-06:00

Cell Number Portability Starts November 30 - QCOSTARICA - QCOSTARICA:

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ICE finally signed the portability agreement
Consumers will own their phone number

Despite the stall, the telecom regulator, the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel) confirms that the state telecom, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) on Friday signed the cell phone number portability agreement.

Thus, starting November 30, cellular telephone customers can switch operator and keep their number.

Claro, Movistar, Tuyo Móvil and Fullmóvil had already signed the deal earlier this month. The portability issue was hinging if ICE would play nice in the telecommunications playground or continue with its stall tactics.

Sutel spokesperson, Eduardo Castellón, said that starting on November 30, the consumer – and not the operator – will own their cell phone number.

The number portability register and transfer will be managed by the company, El Corte Ingles.

Costa Rica launches new tourism publicity campaign in U.S. and Canada

2013-04-25T06:27:00.001-06:00

Costa Rica launches new tourism publicity campaign in U.S. and Canada / News Briefs / Current Edition / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times:

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A push to draw more tourists to the land of "pura vida" includes breathtaking video spots to be shown in North American movie theaters, a new iPad app and plans to use social media networks Pinterest and Instagram.

The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) soon will be launching a new advertising campaign in 1,345

Costa Rica's ICT is launching an advertising campaign
in North America to increase Costa Rica tourism and
awareness.

movie theaters across the United States and Canada to promote the country’s most important tourist attractions.

The ICT signed a contract with international advertising agency 22 Squared, the ICT said Wednesday at a presentation with local tourism operators.

In a press release, ICT said the plan gives continuity to the "Gift of Happiness" campaign that is currently being aired in these two countries. That ad campaign was developed by the same agency.

Screenings will continue through early 2014 in theaters in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Atlanta, Palm Beach, Dallas, Houston, and Montreal.

The plan also includes the creation of an iPad app called "Go Costa Rica," and the posting of information on social platforms Pinterest and Instagram.

The messages aim to increase visits during the green season, which in Costa Rica runs May-October, and to promote tourist destinations in the capital, San José.

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Central America Real Estate Growing Steady

2013-04-25T06:25:00.001-06:00

Central America Real Estate Growing Steady | The Costa Rica News:

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Central America real estate continues to see positive growth despite global economic concerns.

Costa Rica beach of Uvita

Central America has made steady progress in the past decade towards social development and economic growth. Central America is home to some of the poorest countries in the world, but despite that there has been economic progress and positive growth indicators.

Area such as Honduras and Guatemala still struggle with stability and security issues so home/properties in real estate has not seen significant growth, but the several business sectors have seen growth.

All the countries of Central America are susceptible to fluctuations in commodity markets. Costa Rica is the most susceptible to economic condition in the USA, especially the tourism industry. When times are tough for North Americans, they travel less and Costa Rica’s tourism industry highly sensitive to this.

Central America has become a popular retirement location for many Americans. Lower land and construction costs, low cost of living and the tropical environment have made the region very popular with retiring couples, as well younger people looking to reinvent themselves in an emerging market.

Instability in the American markets has caused many baby boomers to look to Central America to make their retirement money go further.

Ocean and Mountain View homes can be purchased for a fraction of what they would cost in the United States and Canada. In Central America the real estate industry has little regulation or oversight, however Panama is an exception recently passed a law requiring real estate agents to be licensed. Costa Rica and Panama are the only Latin American countries other than Brazil to have regulated oversight.

In spite of the European economic crisis and the uncertain future of the United States economy, Panama was the only Central American countries in Latin America to make the Latin America Top 5 Economies list, along with Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Bolivia continued to grow at a solid rate in 2012, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing between 5 and 10 percent in each country. This growth persisted even as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina encountered difficulties maintaining sustained growth.

Within Central America, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama have positioned themselves as the top three picks for retirement, each with its own unique set of pros and cons.

With 73 million U.S. baby boomers set to retire over the next 10 years, these three countries are expected to see significant growth, in the near future.

The Costa Rica news (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Pirate Tales of Costa Rica

2013-04-24T07:56:00.001-06:00

Pirate Tales of Costa Rica - My Destination Costa Rica

Tall tales of tall ships carrying priceless treasures have been repeated throughout history and have spurred many treasure hunters to risk life and limb searching for lost gold silver and religious symbols adorned with jewels. Costa Rica is rich in pirate history with some of the most recognized pirates claiming to have buried vast treasures on it's shores. Looking at a map it is easy to see that Costa Rica is a likely place for these marauders to hide their booty. The miles of rugged coast, offshore islands, and protected bays make for perfect hiding places. Isla del Coco or Coco Island is by far the most famous place in Costa Rica's pirate history. The tiny island that Jacque Cousteau called "the most beautiful island in the world" and was also on the short list to become one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" may be hiding more than just natural beauty within its rugged landscape.

Wafer Bay, Cocos Island Costa Rica

One of the most famous lost treasures is the "Treasure of Lima" Like most treasure hunts in Central America this story begins with a European country, in this case Spain, trying to hold onto to its colonies in the new world and the riches they gained from them. In 1820, Lima Peru was under Spanish rule, but the South American Independence fighters were threatening to take over the city and revolt was in the air. The viceroy of Lima decided that in order to safe guard the riches of Lima he needed to export it to a Spanish stronghold in Mexico. He enlisted William Thompson, captain of the Mary Dear to carry out this task. They loaded jewels, gold, silver, heavily adorned candlesticks, and two life sized gold statues of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus aboard the ship. The viceroy's most loyal guards were also sent to watch over the vast riches on their journey to Mexico. The Mary Dear left the harbor without incident, and all seemed well until temptation got the best of Thompson and his crew. One night they killed the Spanish guards and changed course to Cocos Island (Isla del Coco) located 340 miles off the pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Spanish Gold

Another pirate was roaming the waters around Isla del Coco at the same time. The infamous Benito "Bloody Sword"' Bonito had left the warm waters of the Caribbean to escape pursuit from other pirates and the warships of Britain and Spain. He was known to have vast riches buried in the West Indies from past exploits so to avoid capture he rounded Cape Horn in his brig "Ralampago" or "Lightning" and headed to the waters of the Pacific off the coast of Central America. As they were sailing north up the west coast of South America, they spotted a Spanish Galleon loaded with riches from the New World. They easily boarded her and loaded all the treasure onto the Ralampago. The newly acquired load was too heavy to allow safe and swift navigation, so the crew set sail for Cocos Island to stash their new treasure before pursuing more booty on the high seas. Upon arrival at Isla del Coco, they decided it was a perfect base of operations for their new territory in the Pacific. There were bays that could hide their ships, good defensive locations they could use to protect themselves, ample supplies of fresh water and feral pigs to eat. Once the treasure was offloaded they set sail again looking for plunder. They came across a fishing boat and learned that the revolutionary war plaguing South America had spread to Mexico. They hatched an igneous plan of sending their most trusted crew members into the Spanish port town of Acapulco to learn more about the war and gain knowledge of how the Spanish intended to protect their riches. Benito's crew mingled and drank with Spanish crews and learned that the wealth of Mexicos government and elite citizens was going to be loaded onto two ships headed for Spain. Benito Bonito lay in wait outside the port of Acapulco and sure enough, 6 weeks later he spotted them. He immediately came along side of the first vessel and without warning fired canons into her hull killing almost half her crew. Benito commanded a portion of his crew to board her and take control. Then he set his sites on the second ship which had turned around and was trying to escape capture by heading back to Acapulco. The winds were not with the escaping ship and Benito quickly captured her and killed everyone on board. Once the treasure was safely aboard the Ralampago, he turned toward his new base in the Pacific, Isla del Coco. It is said that Benito buried 300,000 lbs of silver, 733 gold bricks each 4x3 inches and 2 inches thick, 273 swords with gold hilts and massive amounts of other precious trinkets.

Benito was fairly well established on Cocos Island when Captain William Thompson and the crew of the Mary Dear arrived in 1821. The two crews and their captains decided that, by joining forces, they would be able to sack more boats and soon they were sailing together. This arrangement was short lived as they got into a battle with the frigate Espiegle. When the battle was lost Benito took his life by shooting himself in the head. The rest of the crew was taken to Jamaica where all but Thompson and his first mate were executed for piracy. The two survivors told of the riches buried on Cocos Island and promised to show their jailers where it was hidden. Upon returning to Cocos Island, the two prisoners escaped into the jungle. The Spanish guarded the island and searched for the two pirates for months but never saw them again. A few months later a British whaling vessel arrived on the island seeking fresh water. Thompson was able to talk the captain into taking the pair to the Costa Rican port town of Puntarenas. The two men became ill and died soon after but not before Thompson befriended John Keating and gave him a map showing where the treasures of Cocos Island was hidden.

Isla del Coco - Cocos Island

John Keating found a few investors and hired captain Boag and his ship the Edgecomb to take him to Cocos Island to pick up the search for treasure. The story gets cloudy here, but legend has it that only Keating and Boag went ashore and found the vast treasure. They tried to swindle the investors and the crew of the Edgecomb saying that they did not find anything, but the crew found gold on them and demanded that they show them the treasure. Once again a search party wandered onto the island and once again the persons who knew where the treasure was hidden escaped into the jungle leaving the rest of the party searching aimlessly. The Edgecomb left the waters of Isla del Coco leaving Keating and Boag stranded for a few months until another ship anchored just offshore. Keating was the only one still alive at this point, and he talked the ships captain into taking him off the island.
The fact that Keating returned to St. Johns Newfoundland with enough money to start a business and live in luxury until he died confirms the legend of the lost treasure and has spurred hunters to search Cocos Island ever since. The most famous and long lasting of these treasure hunters - and whose research was most widely used for this article - was a German named August Gissler. Armed with accounts and maps from John Keating he spent nearly 20 years (from 1897 to 1908) searching for the treasures that so many pirates reportedly buried on Isla del Coco (Cocos Island). While he did find 6 gold coins, he never found the gold, silver and jewels that today would be worth over $160,000,000. A list of famous figures that have tried their luck on Cocos Island include President Franklin Roosevelt, Sir Malcolm Campbell, and Errol Flynn. In August 2012 another expedition armed with the latest technology started their journey towards Cocos Island, we look forward to hearing their stories and hope that the mystery of the Lost Treasure of Cocos Island is finally solved.

photo credits - captain jack sparrow (by Rick Galvan) - le geni, just arrived 6 am & a gorgeous waterfall on isla del coco (by jonrawlinson)

Rock Carved in 1846

Tico companies to promote Costa Rica at travel fair in Brazil

2013-04-23T09:41:00.001-06:00

Tico companies to promote Costa Rica at travel fair in Brazil / News Briefs / Current Edition / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times:

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A group of 13 Costa Rican companies will participate in the first edition of the World Travel Market Latin America 2013 (WTM), to be held April 23-25 in São Paulo, Brazil.

The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) will accompany the companies to increase marketing efforts in South America.

According to Tourism Minister Allan Flores, Costa Rica’s participation in the fair “is part of government strategies to capture relevant markets.”

One of ICT’s main goals is “to schedule appointments with Brazilian wholesale market representatives for negotiating cooperative campaigns, answer questions from visitors and members of the press and to measure trends occurring in the market,”the minister said.

WTM Latin America will feature more than 1,150 exhibitors including tour operators, tourism agencies, public institutions, airlines and wholesalers – mainly from Brazil, Latin America and the United States.

Brazilian arrivals to Costa Rica have remained constant in recent years. According to the ICT, of 15,071 Brazilians who visited Costa Rica in 2012, 69 percent were vacationers, 21 percent came for business, 6 percent visited relatives and 4 percent indicated other reasons.

Construction of condominiums grew 130% last year

2013-04-21T22:08:00.001-06:00

Construction of condominiums grew 130% last year - Inside Costa Rica | Inside Costa Rica:

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Construction of condominiums grew 130% last year

April 9^th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The high cost of land, resource use, and security are just some of the reasons for the high growth in the number of square feet dedicated to the construction of condominiums between 2011 and 2012.

According to the Costa Rican Chamber of Construction, condo development grew by almost 130% in the last year, while single-family home construction grew just 5%.

During 2012, some 870,000 square meters of condominium construction occurred, while the year previous that number was 387,000, according to the chamber president, Gonzalo Delgado.

Delgado said most condominiums are targeted at upper middle class families, but there are plans for projects for lower-income families.

Delgado believes that condos will be “the way of life” in the near future.

Contrary to condominiums, the construction of hotels and offices showed negative growth during the same period.

Tico hero helped Boston blast victims

2013-04-18T06:44:00.001-06:00

Tico hero helped Boston blast victims / News Briefs / Current Edition / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times:

'via Blog this'

Images of Costa Rican Carlos Arredondo running alongside and helping a critically injured man during the Boston blasts on Monday made hundreds of newspapers and TV news shows around the world.

Other pictures show Arredondo, 52, carrying a small U.S. flag covered in blood. He was one of hundreds of thousands of bystanders who attended the Boston Marathon, there to watch National Guardsmen run the race in honor of fallen soldiers, including his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Alexander Arredondo, 20, who died in battle in Iraq in 2004.

Carlos Arredondo was a hero in Boston's bombing

His other son, Brian, committed suicide in 2011 at age 24. Carlos himself was seriously injured when he accidentally set himself on fire while trying to burn the van of military officers who came to inform him – on his 44th birthday – that Alexander had been killed by a sniper in Najaf, Iraq.

Carlos survived, and he and his wife, Mélida, became outspoken opponents of the Iraq war, traveling the country in his fallen son's truck to promote peace. The Tico Times profiled him in 2012.

The Washington Post reported that just seconds after the blasts Arredondo “ran across Boylston Street, jumped the security fence and landed in the middle of fallen bodies.”

“Stay still, the ambulance is here,” Arredondo told a man whose legs had been blown off. Another picture shows Arredondo running down Boylton street while pushing the injured man in a wheelchair, yelling “Ambulance! Ambulance! Ambulance!” According to Reddit and Mother Jones, that man is 27-year-old Jeff Bauman, Jr., from Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He is in critical, but stable, condition at Boston Medical Center after having both of his lower legs amputated. Arredondo likely helped save his life.

“When the smart thing to do was run away, many ran into the smoke instead,” The Washington Post reported, referring to Arredondo and others who rushed to help victims despite the potential for further explosions.

Arredondo is a Tico who has lived in the United States since 1980. On Tuesday morning, the Arredondo family received dozens of calls from U.S. media, including major TV personalities such as Katie Couric.

He said he had acted out of instinct, using training he had received as a fireman and a rescuer of injured bullfighters in Costa Rica.

After delivering Bauman to emergency personnel, Arredondo went to find his own wife, who waved her American flag, as a signal to him, in front of the Boston Public Library. They both returned to their home in Roslindale, an outer area of Boston. Arredondo, who is visibly shaken in a video interview (see below), said he continued trembling throughout the night.

Also on Tuesday, citizens started a petition to grant Arredondo the Presidential Citizens Medal for exemplary deeds. The goal is to reach 100,000 signatures by May 16.

Video Playa Pinuelas Osa Costa Rica

2013-04-16T12:35:00.001-06:00

Playa Pinuelas is located in the Osa (south Pacific) region of Costa Rica, near kilometer marker 172 on the Costanera Highway. It is a part of Ballena National Park system and between Uvita and Ojochal.

Playa Pinuelas is a great beach for families. The water is easy to swim in, the beach is long and safe, and there is a shower to rinse off with after a day at the beach.

Pura vida!

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

United Airlines inaugurates new non-stop flights from Chicago and Washington to Costa Rica

2013-04-15T16:00:00.001-06:00

United inaugurates new non-stop flights from Chicago and Washington to Costa Rica / News Briefs / Current Edition / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

United Airlines on Saturday kicked off new weekly year-round service between its hub at Washington-Dulles International Airport, in Washington, D.C., and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to San

San Jose's Juan Santamaria's International Airport
Photo (c) Nick Halverson

José.

New flights on Boeing 737 aircraft with a capacity of 154 passengers each will join the airline's schedule to Costa Rica from Houston and New York, the company and the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) said in a joint press release.

Tourism Minister Allan Flores said the new flights to Washington and Chicago "allow the country support strategies to attract tourists, not only from the United States but also from Europe and Asia."

Salvador Marrero, United Airlines executive director for Central America, said that Costa Rica also benefits from the new destinations for commercial and industrial reasons, since "headquarters of several major companies based in Costa Rica are located in the four destinations that United has from San José."

In 2012, Costa Rica recorded 2.34 million visitors and $2.2 billion in income from tourism, both record figures for the country.

A week in Costa Rica in a video

2013-04-15T08:34:00.001-06:00

I put together the following video from photographs that I took during an eight day visit to Costa Rica in April 2013. It is a short three minute video and has beautiful snapshots from Playa Ventanas, Playa Uvita, Ballena National Park, Las Villas de San Buenas, San Buenas Golf Resort, food, friends and sunsets!

I hope you enjoy. Pura vida!

Nick Halverson

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Blue Flag program outlines broad environmental goals for next five years

2013-04-15T05:23:00.001-06:00

Blue Flag program outlines broad environmental goals for next five years / News Briefs / Current Edition / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

Since 1995, the Blue Flag program has helped Costa Rica clean up polluted rivers, beaches and oceans and mitigate the effects of climate change. It has convinced business owners and communities of consumers to use less electricity, fossil fuels, water and paper. And it is constantly expanding with new environmentally responsible initiatives.

This week, members of the National Blue Flag Commission, which oversees the coveted Blue Flag award program, announced goals for broadening the program in the next five years.

By 2017, the commission hopes to increase the number of local committees participating in the program by 66 percent, from 2,216 to 3,681. They hope to boost the number of beaches flying the Blue Flag from 114 to 124. And they plan on registering 290 homeowners in a new category – sustainable housing – which represents a 700 percent increase in the next five years. The commission already has awarded 40 Blue Flags for sustainable housing since the category was created.

“The Blue Flag program has shown in its 18 years that it is an excellent tool for development, and improving public health and well-being in harmony with nature,” Blue Flag National Commission coordinator Darner Mora said on Tuesday, at a conference at San José’s Hotel Crown Plaza.

A sustainable project

The Blue Flag program awards beaches, communities and schools that uphold certain environmental standards. According to the commission, the program helped reduce electricity consumption in 2012 by the equivalent of 33,996 tons of carbon dioxide. Also, fossil-fuel use decreased by 942 tons, water consumption by 112,920 cubic meters, and paper use by 5.7 tons, the commission said.

As the tourism industry grew in Costa Rica in the 1990s, beaches became popular destinations for tourists, real estate speculators and hotels hoping to cash in. The result was increased pollution and degradation at some of the country’s most precious coastal areas.

The Blue Flag program was created as a response to the destruction by convincing communities, organizations and businesses to protect natural resources. That helps draw more sustainable business.

“The program’s philosophy is to award those who do things well, and to make them an example for others to follow,” commission member Alberto Quintana said.

It started with beach-protection efforts, but today, the Blue Flag program has several award categories that include communities, schools, protected nature areas, watersheds, climate-change mitigation, sustainable homes and special events.

A commission administers the program and is composed of various government agencies, including the Costa Rican Tourism Board, Environment Ministry, Health Ministry, Costa Rican Electricity Institute, Education Ministry, and several others.

Some 1,500 schools in Costa Rica proudly display the Blue Flag. The commission hopes to boost that number by 1,000 in the next five years.

The commission also hopes to train more municipal officials in environmental conservation, so that they can guide their communities through the process.

“Local governments should participate in the Blue Flag program to improve public health in their communities,” Mora said.

On Tuesday, Mora also announced two projects to help finance the program in coming years: public and private sponsorship programs to help with logistical support and to buy needed items, and a funding partnership with Banco Nacional.

Another major goal of the commission in the next five years is to clean up the heavily polluted Virilla-Tárcoles river basin. The Tárcoles River, which originates in the Central Valley and empties into the Pacific Ocean, is the most polluted river in Central America. It flows through five of Costa Rica’s seven provinces – San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago and Puntarenas.

“The [Virilla-Tárcoles] watershed is the most polluted in Central America. Although there is liquid waste, it’s mostly polluted with solid waste. The only way to clean it up is through education and getting people involved in the project,” Mora said.

To win a Blue Flag, communities must form a committee, register with the commission and present an annual plan with specific steps to protect natural resources.

At the end of each year, candidates must demonstrate progress to commission members, who issue the awards.

Companies also use the program to meet social responsibility goals through waste-treatment and water and energy conservation, Quintana said.

For more on the Blue Flag program, see: www.banderaazulecologica.org.

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Costa Rica's dolphin superpod orgy featured in Vanity Fair

2013-04-15T05:18:00.003-06:00

Costa Rica's dolphin superpod orgy featured in Vanity Fair / News Briefs / Current Edition / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

It appears the secret is out.

Costa Rica's incredible spinner dolphin "superpods," along with Tico Times "The Big Blue" columnist Shawn Larkin, have been featured in a recent Vanity Fair story written by entertainment executive Tom Freston. Freston accompanied Larkin into the open ocean and encountered thousands of spinner dolphins leaping out of the water and having sex with each other. After all, a superpod is basically Burning Man for dolphins, Freston writes.

Shawn Larkin

"It turns out that dolphins are one of the most promiscuous animals on the planet," he wrote. "They don’t mate just for reproduction. They enjoy sex. It’s a social binder for them, like a handshake. On a good day a dolphin can have sex 50 times. Dolphins do it with everyone . . . old, young, big, small, even family members. Homosexual behavior is common, as is masturbation; dolphins have even been known to make advances at human beings. The dark side of the dolphin—the turd in the superpod—is that sometimes dolphin sex can be violent and nonconsensual. Rape and gang rape happens. We did not see any of that, though. This seemed to be a law-abiding lot."

Tico Times also recently sent correspondents down to check out the superpods. Somehow, we ended up crewing a sailboat for three days while a video journalist for a popular broadcasting corporation obtained footage for an upcoming superpod documentary. Stay tuned!

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

Costa Rica to host sportfishing World Championship

2013-04-15T05:18:00.001-06:00

Costa Rica to host sportfishing World Championship / News Briefs / Current Edition / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

Some 200 international competitors will seek in Costa Rica the honor of becoming the XII Sportfishing World Champion from April 14-19.

Marina Pez Vela, at the central Pacific port of Quepos, will host the "2013 Offshore World Championship," known by fans as the “Olympics of Sportfishing.”

The event involves 65 teams from 30 countries, and Costa Rica's central Pacific was chosen because it offers optimal conditions: calm water, top-quality accommodations and tourist attractions, as well as enough charter boats perfectly set for fishing, organizers said.

The global competition has been held in Hawaii (twice), and Los Cabos, Mexico, for the past nine years. Last year’s edition brought together a total of 209 fishermen.

Sportfishing is a popular activity in the country. According to a 2011 survey by the Costa Rican Tourism Board, 73,281 tourists that arrived by plane that year came to fish in Tico waters.

Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

FAQ about El Sabor Restaurant Week in Ojochal

2013-04-14T09:13:00.000-06:00

Hello All, here is some FAQ's about El Sabor's Restaurant Week.

· Where do I buy a ticket?

o You can purchase meal only tickets at participating Ojochal Restaurants. We will also be selling them in the BM’s in Uvita Starting Tuesday, April 16^th.

· How much are the dinner tickets?

o $40 per person, per dinner.

· What does the ticket get me?

o Dinner at a participating restaurant of your choice. Typically 3 courses. Dinner is excluding drinks. Menus can be found here Facebook.

· Can I purchase with my credit card?

o No, not for the tickets. When you dine in the restaurant, you can use your credit card for additional purchases, such as drinks.

· Do I need to redeem my ticket at the restaurant I purchased it at?

o No. You can redeem the ticket at the restaurant of your choice.

· What if I bring my children? Do I have to pay $40 for them?

o All restaurants will have a children’s option for less money.

· Do I need to make reservations at the restaurant?

o Yes. Please make sure to make a reservation to ensure there is space on the night you choose.

· What other events are going on?

o During the day we will have a wine tasting and a chef competition. Attendance is open to everyone. For the wine tasting, there will be a $10 entrance fee. The chef competition is free.

· I read there are receptions at various restaurants. Can I attend those if I am not going to dinner?

o Yes. Please join us at any of the receptions. At the receptions you will find special drink prices or complementary bocas and the like.

· Can I join the chef competition? And is there a charge for competing?

o Yes. Anyone is welcome that is not a professional chef. You can message us and you are in! There is no charge for competing.

· Do you have packages including hotel stays?

o Yes. Just click on reservations above and it will direct you.Costa Rica real estate, travel, news and information.

As an ex-Pat You Better Pay Your Taxes if you live in Costa Rica

2013-04-09T11:18:00.001-06:00

Costa Rica improves fiscal transparency by adopting international tax information agreement / News Briefs / Current Edition / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

Costa Rica moved forward on Friday with a comprehensive multilateral agreement on tax cooperation and exchange of information that allows the country to improve fiscal transparency.

The agreement will take effect in Costa Rica on Aug. 1, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group composed of 34 countries, announced on Friday.

The convention, which was developed jointly by the OECD and the Council of Europe, is a global instrument for international tax cooperation and exchange of information. It provides a multilateral basis for a wide variety of administrative assistance, including information exchanges on request, simultaneous tax examinations and assistance in the collection of tax debts.

“Costa Rica continues to make significant progress on transparency and exchange of information,” OECD Secretary General Angel Gurría said.

Finance Minister Edgar Ayales, who met with Gurría, noted that, “the ratification of this convention is another milestone in Costa Rica’s longstanding commitment towards tax transparency. Through the application of this convention and recent amendments to our domestic legislation, we look forward to contributing to the cross-border fight against tax evasion.”

President Laura Chinchilla signed the Fiscal Transparency Law and the Law for Strengthening Tax Administration last September.

Any country can sign the convention, which entered into force on June 1, 2011.