The organizer of the Jaco Arts Festival has returned and will be a fixture of this community. This event is a mixture of the last arts festival but with more activities for the kids and culture. The last festival really took Jaco by storm since the few activities that were offered for kids were well attended and very popular. So popular was the party that Garabito has kept the organizer here to manage other events such as this one.

From the looks at the site today, it seems that the festival will run right through Semana Santa. Check website for details of times and event confirmation.

http://www.festivaldejaco.com/ more…

YES! Claims the local goverment and the AyA, wich is the abbreviation for the Costa Rica water and sewer ministry. After the latest round of water tests in and around the river mouths and various locations up and down the beach, the AyA determined that the beach in Jaco is safe. Was that a long sentence or what? 

As many of us know who live here in Jaco that the rivers that spill into the ocean are heavily polluted with septic wastes that are untreated. Just walking by over a river here in town, you can smell the terrible odors that are associated with untreated sewage. Luckily for Jaco and all of the surfers, the government realized they needed to get firm with violators who are polluting the rivers. Last year, Jaco was in the news because of very high levels of bacteria coliforms in the water tested at the beach. The result was a media frenzy here in Costa Rica and an embarressment for many in the tourist trade. After all, Costa Rica stands for ecological protection and sustainability. What one preaches they better practice when they invite the media to the dance. 

The tourisim minister, the tourism council, and even local leaders were humbled in light of the dangerous bacteria levels becoming public knowledge. There is nothing like potential loss of face here in Costa Rica to motivate a public official or council. Many people questioned AyA’s motivations for releasing the test results to the media without consulting the local government first. Some say it was the word war between the Garabito municipality and the AyA on who was going to take care of the drinking water for the community that led to the public disclosure of the test results. more…

Let’s hope it is better organized than last years fiasco. If you were here last year, the location of the event was held in a marsh. That is what it turned out to be after it rained for many days and who can blame the rain, the event was held during the rainy season. After all, Jaco is located in the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica.

This year the events organizer seems to have learned his lesson from last year and moved the date to take place during the tico summer which is now. Plus, this years event is being held at the all new and unfinished “Recreational and Ecological Park” on Pastor Díaz donated by the Chinese government after Costa Rica abandonded long time friend Tawaiin.  

As this post is being written, workers and event organizers are working furiously to not bump into each other while each does what they need to do. While sand is being fitted between the cobblestones, the tents are being erected above them at the same time. Let’s hope for the sake of Jaco and the municipality that its namesake arts festival will go as planned.

For more information, you can visit the Jaco Arts Festival site

That’s right, even this “G” rated site could not pass up this party concept blazing across the world and landing in Jaco, Costa Rica. Apparantly, nightclubs and bars are using the United States Presidential Inauguration and a play of words as a way to promote their establishments by offering freebies to patrons who offer to shave their groin hair on Tuesday, Jan. 20th.  Hence, the play on words “No More Bush!” While this is a hilarious idea, the reality for me is much scarier. With visions of Zohan’s sisters taking off their skirts revealing their monstrosity’s…oops this is a “G” rated site. 

Well I will certainly report back if there are accidental circumcisions whether  primary or secondary due to the level of alcohol intoxication during the procedures. I will also check with the Police Department to see if there is an increase in pubic related disorderly conduct complaints and with the Health Department for increase in complaints of…okay enough of that angle.

Sorry but I will not be posting photos of these events but maybe there will be some links to share from the various Jaco nightclubs here like Plankton, Liquid, or Le Loft. Check back next week for the results!

Once a sleepy and quiet farming town, Playa Jaco today is an international destination for surfers of all rank from all walks of life. As a result of the surfing attraction, Jaco’s infrastructure has been built up over the years to provide capacity for general tourism which has been the fastest segment of growth for Costa Rica in the last 5 years.

Today, the central pacific coast of Costa Rica is the fastest growing area in the country and this is a sweet and bitter event. Many town folk miss the “pura vida” ambience of the town and the beach which is now packed with hotels, resturants, shops, and people from all over the world. Other town folk are happy to see progress and technology brought to this area which has been under developed and incapable of maintaining the growing population of tico’s. As a result, power outages, inadequate water supply, medical care, water treatment, general policing of civilians has been under-served. With the increasing tourism revenues, the municipality called Garabito has been able to begin the needed upgrades to these deficient areas.