Just after everyone was getting back to normal after this mornings earthquake, and a little aftershock another big earthquake this afternoon got those nerves jumping again. This time it is the same region but slightly inland, so I am not sure if this is an aftershock or a separate plate displaced by the this mornings event. So far they have given this one a 5.9 magnitude.

Again, this quake had the un-nerving lateral movement like you are walking on a hanging bridge. These two big quakes have been smooth in the sense of the lateral movement would slow down when it reached the edge of the wave and then return in a smooth way. The earthquake on Jan. 8th was lateral but very short and rapid lateral movements which is very damaging. Any surfer who has had a big wave close on them and put them through the “rinse cycle” knows what the fast lateral movements feel like.

Here is the current link for data This link is only good for 30 days after the event.

Here is the map location of the latest:

View Larger Map

Initial readings say the epicenter was located in the San Carlos region, 22 miles NW of San Jose, Costa Rica. The actual coordinates for the epicenter are 10.220°N, 84.280°W, if you have a GPS or Google map service you can use these to view the location.

Here on the beach some people like me stay tuned to the NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and while I physically felt the earthquake with the usual feeling of standing on a rope span bridge, I am glad to say that NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was immediately updated and notified me in seconds. I love how technology and real life can be meshed to create a safer world. more…

Despite the downturn in the economy and the airline route reduction, low cost carrier Jet Blue is adding San Jose Costa Rica to it flight schedule. They will operate direct flights from Orlando, Florida to San Jose, Costa Rica starting March 26th, 2009. This is good news for tourism in Costa Rica because in order to increase visitors, Costa Rica needed more airline carriers to add Costa Rica to their routes. 

Peter van Hussen, General Manager DayStar Properties expressed in order to fill the capacity of vacancies in Jaco we will need to work with the airlines to add more flights. This solution requires careful coordination and negotiation with the different carriers. State officials have long known that attracting airlines is a balance of incentives and ability to service the arriving flights.

This is a great news for surfers who vacation here in Costa Rica.  Many surfers who live on the east coast of the United States often use Jet BLue to take weekend trips to the beaches of Florida to surf. With the addition of this route, weekend surfers will be able to get connecting flights in Orlando and surf the beaches of Costa Rica.

Surf in Jaco will let you know which hotels here in Jaco and Costa Rica will offer specials for Jet Blue customers. We will work with the local hotels here in Jaco to offer special discounts for our visitors and Jet Blue customers. The good news for Jaco hotels and Costa Rica in general is that Jet Blue does not have any plans in the near future to open up any other Central American destinations.

According to sources, ICT or the Costa Rica Tourism Institute and Alterra which has the management contract for Juan Santa Maria Airport fought hard for this new route and is proud of their results.

With the USA and western Europe economy suffering the worst economic depression ever recorded, the Costa Rican tourism officials had their fingers crossed entering the start of High Season.  The ICT which is the official agency that promotes tourism here in Costa Rica made a public relations event out of the 2,000,000th customer visting here.

Many hotels and industry have been hurting in Jaco as a result of the lower tourist numbers but most agree that their real money comes in during the high season. So everyone in Jaco was crossing their fingers and hoping it would be equal to last year at least. But if you are a regular here in Jaco you know the tourists are here in droves. Even the nationals are visiting Jaco in large numbers since the national schools are on vacation.

Chuck from WOW Surf told me last week that he is very busy and is not complaining. Taco Bar, a local favorite, serves fresh fish tacos has been jammed the past few days as tourists feast on the salad buffet and fresh fish. Even the shops that sell anything from a fish comb to ceramic wind chimes have been selling their wares to eager tourists.

I wish I could say the municipality was ready for this but they were not. Luckily for Jaco, tourists do not factor this when deciding whether or not to visit us. But the muni could have waited to dig up the “Pop’s” calle until after the high season instead of leaving it as a dirt road filling the main street with plenty of dust that tourists have to cover their mouths and shield their eyes when near. Jaco’s, Chinese funded, park is still not complete while tourists try and shoot photos of the large Iguanas that used to inhabit the refuge.

Check back next week for our new photo gallery and virtual tours of Costa Rica’s most famous tourist attractions.

Been putting off your holiday plans? Read on for a solution!

Fancy spending Christmas on the beach? How about New Years on a sunset cruise, or toasting with your spouse in a one bedroom bungalow on the pristine Nosara coastline? If you are still looking for a tropical Christmas getaway, a holiday jaunt to Costa Rica is still within reach! Despite the discouraging impression a quick scan of hotel availability pages might give you, Costa Rican Vacations reserved their holiday inventory months in advance for last minute shoppers just like you. Now, the luxury travel agency has slashed prices, offering discounts between and 0 on all their Last Minute Holiday Availabilities.

Costa Rica has always been a favorite destination to visit during the holidays thanks to its close proximity to the United States, along with the ideal Christmas climate, which coincides with the beginning of the Costa Rican summer. With tourism being one of the country’s largest industries, you won’t be welcomed by closed doors, restaurants and shops either. Costa Rica thrives over the holiday season, catering to visitors and residents alike who want to take advantage of the great weather and vacation days from work to explore this beautiful country.

Want to start the New Year off right with the tranquil atmosphere at the Nosara Harmony Hotel, where organic meals, yoga lessons and fresh air and ocean breezes will leave you feeling truly rejuvenated? Why not try a spa room at the Xandari Plantation resort, an eclectic hotel that is a great retreat for the nature lover.

Also on the menu for a perfect holiday season are hotel packages that will have you enjoying a full week in your own luxury condo in the Los Sueños Resort Community. With 0 to 0 off, it is hard to say ‘no’ to the idea of having the entire resort at your disposal, with 5-star restaurants, an international marina, casino and more!

For the busybody among you, the all-inclusive stay at Reserva Conchal for four nights over Christmas is the perfect getaway to recharge your batteries in indulgent luxury while hardly missing a beat back at home. Of course the 0 discount won’t hurt either!

All these options and more can be found on Costa Rican Vacation’s Last Minute Holiday Availabilities web page. Act now and you can still snag some great flight prices, like a 0 round trip out of Miami during peak season. With dropping prices on flights to Costa Rica along with these great savings, it would appear that the stars have aligned to make your tropical holiday dreams a reality.