The year 2009 was filled with ups and downs worldwide from the Swine Flu epidemic to the lingering economic crisis, political change and a global dedication to Green practices. In Costa Rica, the top news stories of the year brought international attention, wide spread mourning as well as hope and progress to the country. Below is a list of the top ten headlines of 2009 in Costa Rica:
A road project that was first designed more than 30 years ago, is about to be inaugurated as a reality in Costa Rica. The 77km highway from San Jose to Caldera is expected to cut 45 minutes off travel to the Central Pacific Coast, which is currently accessible via Aguacate along a one lane winding mountain road that sees frequent traffic from accidents and over-weight tractor trailers. By paying a series of tolls totaling 1,120 colones, (~$2) commuters can reach Jaco from San Jose in an hour or continue on to Manuel Antonio for a total travel time of under 2 hours (the trip is currently over 3 hours long). The route can also be used for cars heading north, shortening travel time to Liberia and beaches like Tamarindo and Flamingo by an hour.
The debate over a public health care option in the United States is difficult to follow for the millions of global citizens that already enjoy some form of public health care coverage. A country that is perceived to be one of the most powerful in the world does not have a solution for the 15% (more than 45 million) of its own citizens who are denied health coverage or can’t afford it. A 2009 Harvard study found that one person dies every 12 minutes in the country due to lack of access to health care. In the land of opportunity, medical debt is the principal cause of personal bankruptcy, and in many cases, the person subscribed to private health insurance.
Costa Rica is a hot spot for tourists that will come for a few days, enjoy the beaches, soak up all the culture they can in a week, and then trot back off to their hometowns. However, if you’re a foreigner coming to Costa Rica to stay for longer than a few days, it can be hard becoming adapted to another way of living. Although Costa Rica is obviously a popular tourist spot, there are a lot of things great things to do for people who are actually living in Costa Rica and want to be fully immersed as a citizen of the country instead of just being tourists on a long vacation.
My biggest “thing” about traveling abroad or to any unfamiliar city is being a tourist. I hate when friends come back from experiences abroad and they have a camera full of pictures of places I can open up an encyclopedia and see. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to see the historically significant places in different countries. The first time you’re in Paris, you have to see the Eifel Tower. Visiting New York? Go to the Statue of Liberty, and in Costa Rica, visit the beaches. But whenever I go to a foreign land I ask about the people – the people who make up the vibrant culture, the people whom without, the country would just be a monotonous land of rain forests and pretty beaches.
The excavation site is located just north of Guapiles in route to Limon.
An indigenous cementery was uncovered within a two hectare plot of land in Guapiles, Costa Rica, about an hour and a half east of San Jose. The cementary, which was constructed by the Huetares tribe during the pre-Colombian era, was discovered while doing environmental studies that are required to obtain a construction permit for the building of a new high school in the area.
Three of the greatest modern legends in rock music are set to perform in Costa Rica in the coming months to the delight of the country’s large punk rock and heavy metal following. Punk rock veterans NOFX and Green Day and heavy metal great Metallica will headline this wave of rock music that kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 12 with NOFX performing at the Autodromo La Guacima in Alajuela at the Skatedra Tour.
The 4,900 mile regatta started with severe weather capsizing the multihull Actual (above, left).
The 9th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic sailing race kicked off this past Sunday, Nov. 8 with 2 of the fastest and most modern sailboats in the world and their crew waving goodbye to an audience of more than 10,000 people in Le Havre, France. Their destination: the sunny port town of Limon, Costa Rica.
Costa Rican Vacations, a luxury travel agency in Costa Rica is offering discounted vacations for U.S., UK and Canadian veterans and active duty military personnel from now through Veteran’s Day.
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Costa Rican Vacations is honoring the proud men and women that have served the United States, Canada and UK in times of war and peace with a flat discount of 11% off vacations booked before Veterans Day on 11/11 of this year.
Costa Rica’s winding rivers, volcanic tendencies and diverse topography conspired to offer some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Dotting a landmass the size of West Virginia, no matter how remote these moving water sculptures may be, they are still accessible given a bit of determination.
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