On and on and in ever increasing numbers to justify their existance ICT or the Costa Rica Tourism Institute, released more statistics today that says “Costa Rica is increasingly a surfing destination for international travellers seeking a surf vacation. ” Does anyone find this odd? Where have the “officials” at ICT been living? I know where, at the lavish tourism shows being wined and dined by somebody and in turn wining and dining someone else. In the perpetual international wine and dine circuit where nothing gets done but the appearance of being busy and on a tight schedule.

Lucky for most of the ethical people and “international travellers” we did not have to rely on ICT to tell us about Costa Rica’s surfing opportunities. Nor did Billabong who has sponsored their first ISA World Surfing Games scheduled to take place in Playa Hermos, Costa Rica this summer.  Imagine what Costa Rica would have turned into if not for the wine and dine circuit participants of ICT figuring out that Costa Rica is a surfing mecca. Maybe they want to get their hands on some of the cash that will be flowing for a period of ten days during the World Surfing Games or maybe they needed another reason to join a different wine and dine circuit. more…

The latest news out of San Jose, Costa Rica says “Central American leaders” are calling for a joint credit fund and single currency throughout the region. Who these purported leaders are has yet to revealed. These “leaders” claim this idea has been a product of the world financial crash with the aim of maintaining some kind of fiscal stability in Central America.

There are fears that the current crisis will prevent foreign investment in Costa Rican and other Central American economies which will further worsen the problem. In an effort to combat this problem, a 41 point economic blueprint has been put together and signed by leaders and representatives in all Central American countries. What is not clear is how a single currency could increase foreign investment during a global credit crunch. But these are shrewd “leaders” who know how to manipulate foreign governments for grants, donations, loans so they might have a trick up their sleeves. more…

 A new law was signed yesterday by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias that will make big changes in the penalties on traffic violations. These traffic violations include drunk driving, speeding and driving without a valid license. Even forgetting to wear a seatbelt, holding a cell phone, or ignoring traffic lights carry a hefty fine.

On average, one person dies in a road accident in Costa Rica every day and so authorities hope that by bringing in this new law the accident statistics will be dramatically reduced. Oscar Arias commented on the laws stating “I know this law is harsh, but rather than get scared, we should thank law makers for passing it. We have let drivers get away with too much”.

With the new law in place, drunk drivers automatically lose their license for 2 years and could face imprisonment for up to 3 years. Cars driving over 150 mph will also face the same penalty. Other related laws restrict certain car modifications in an attempt to target the informal drag races that continue to go on in San Jose’s streets and have cost several lives.

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Three Russian warships have anchored on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua days after having passed through the Panama Canal. The Russian warships arrived on Friday on a humanitarian mission in the region for 4 days in order to help heal the destructions of the recent storms. However it appears that this anchoring in Nicaraguan water was not authorized by the Nicaraguan Congress and that the opposition party of Ortega considers it a violation of their National Sovereignty. Reports indicate that Ortega himself gave permission for the ships to anchor on Nicaraguan waters, something that only the country’s Congress can allow. The Russian ships stated that they were there at the request and authorization of President Ortega. more…

60,000 telephone lines for 150,000 people. It doesn’t quite add up! But this is what is being offered by the Instituto Costarricense de Electridad (ICE) on Monday, Dec. 8. The Electricity Institute is Costa Rica’s only telecommunications service and currently enjoys being the only player in the market, much to the dismay of its neglected customers.

To get a telephone line in Costa Rica, one must fit several requirements including being a permanent resident or citizen as well as produce proof of an address via a utilities bill. This process leads to several complications for numerous expats and tourists who visit Costa Rica in their thousands each year yet are unable to communicate with friends and family via their mobile phone. more…