Many people have been asking about what the town of Nosara or Playa Guiones look like. Here is a brief video of the town and its beach that is a favorite surf spot for everyone who visits Costa Rica. Thanks to Maluca Videos for yet another quality video. 

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

These days it is becoming chic and hip to be considered green in the surfing world. Today, many surfers, shapers, surf brands, and offical surf organizations either directly or indirectly support many green initiatives.

Living and surfing in Costa Rica, the original mecca of sustainability and green initiatives one cannot help but be conscious of the effects of irresponsible use of our natural resources. There are hundreds of organizations located in Costa Rica with a mission of ecological conservation.

Today, you can find upwards to 50 sites dedicated to “eco-surfboards” or surfer based environmental activisim groups. What makes this movement different from others is that it is truly global activism at its core. While surfings history is localized in the different countries, today surfers have the disposable income to travel the world seeking the ultimate waves. As a result, local surfers have teamed up with international surfers to fight for whatever issue they have. From “Save the Waves Coalition” to the “Surfrider Foundation” all have a common interest and that is surfing. If you know a surfer, one thing you can bet on is that they live and breathe for the waves. When you combine this committement to the sport and the issue at hand, you will have a formidible activist organization. more…

Palmares Festival completed the schedule of international artists that will be performing during the festival which begins next Wednesday Jan. 14th.  The festival is a 12 day event which is actually a combination of parties thrown by different associations. The Palmares Festival is the largest festival in Costa Rica and draws hundreds of thousands of people from Costa Rica but also international tourists.

A massive concert by Puerto Rican urban music group Calle 13 will close the festival on Sunday, Jan. 25th at 12pm. For those who know the band, Residente and Visitante will be singing to a smaller paid crowd on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the mainstage of Imperial Bar. 

Residente of Calle 13

Other notable line-ups for the festival include:

Friday, Jan. 16th – Los Pericos, a reggae nouveau music group
Location: Marlboro Bar mainstage

Saturday, Jan. 17th - Mexican ranchero artist Ana Barbara
Location: Bull Stadium – paid concert

Saturday, Jan. 17th – Deep Dish live performance
Location: Marlboro Bar mainstage

Sunday, Jan. 18th - Kumbia Kings and ex-lead vocalist Pee Wee
Location: unknown

Thursday, Jan. 22nd - DJ Roger Sanchez for spin fans
Location: Marlboro Bar mainstage

Friday, Jan. 23rd - Argentinian music group Miranda! is back!
Location: Marlboro Bar mainstage

Check local papers for additional information or you can try this site which did not work for me but is published as a source for information about the event

Every year thousands of tourists visit Costa Rica with ideas of experiencing adventure, tropical rain forests, wild animals, and surfing. While the majority of these adventures are safe and relatively low risk, it is the alternative activities or spontaneous decisions that pose very high risks. What are some of these alternatives? Suffice to say, anything in which your participation when gone awry could cause grave injuries. Why?

While Costa Rica boasts the traditional 911 emergency number, it is nothing remotely similar to the USA, Canada, or European systems. To demonstrate differences, just a few basics about the other countries system: US,CA; rapid response under 10 minutes, stabilization for transport and trauma care at hospital, European;rapid response under 10 minutes, stabilization & trauma care brought to scene. All have Enhanced-911 services; callerID with physical address, coordinated radio command & control of fire-police-EMT. And all come equipped for the job.

In Costa Rica, while authorities may claim rapid response is a high priority it does not exist. Furthermore, the noted basics of the other countries systems does not exist here. When you dial 911 in Costa Rica, you are sent to a central office in San Jose where they attempt to coordinate a response.

Red Cross Central Operations upgraded in 2001 from donation by Japan

Often, when they call the local Red Cross or Cruz Rojo there is no answer. If you become incapacitated during the call, no luck locating the origin of the call, hence, no location information. When a response is received and the Red Cross arrives they often are ill-equipped to deal with any emergency other than their training. Equipment is often non-functional, or non-existent and hospital transport can be upwards to 2 hours depending on your location and that meter begins after they arrive on the scene which can take up to an hour. more…