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Another Milestone
Photo by Alberto Font | Tico Times
Tax Reform Win:
Will It Matter?
By Matt Levin and Laianer Arias
Tico Times Staff
Bickering, contentiousness and holdups
have defined tax reform debates from its
original incarnation in early 2011, all the
way up until the bill’s passing through the
Legislative Assembly’s first round of voting
late Wednesday night.
Proponents, led by the ruling National
Liberation Party (PLN) are celebrating the
bill’s passage. But in upcoming months,
that vote might not even matter.
The backbiting will outlive Wednesday’s
vote and looks to unravel the process. In the
interim, the country edges toward financial
trouble.
Attention now turns to the Consti-
tutional Chamber of the Supreme Court
(Sala IV). Two motions challenging the
bill’s constitutionality filed by the Social
Christian Unity Party’s Luis Fishman, who
claimed there were errors during the first
debate voting procedures, could force the
process to start over.
“This whole procedure has been rushed,
In Limón, a Sustainable
Community Takes Shape
By Matt Levin
Tico Times Staff
POCOCÍ, Limón – Luis Hernando’s shirt
droops unbuttoned over his lean frame. The
shirt ends are tied together at the bottom,
giving the clothing a U-shape that exposes
José Delgado, the oldest known living person in Costa Rica, celebrated his Hernando’s tanned torso. Hernando, 44,
112th birthday last Saturday with friends from the Hogar de Ancianos in labors each day in one of the hottest, stickiest
regions in Costa Rica, in the Caribbean can-
Piedades de Santa Ana, southwest of San José. “Chepito,” as everyone calls ton of Pococí. His work, however, is unlike
him, says he never had vices and now enjoys drawing and taking sunbaths. that of most Costa Rican farmers.
He is pictured here with caregiver Sister Clara Astúa. Hernando heads the only carbon-neutral
community in the country.
BUSINESS REGION WEEKEND
British Businesses Launch Guatemalan Documentary Discovering the Used
New C.R. Chamber Helps ‘Nail a Dictator’ Bookstores of San José
After years of pondering the idea, U.K. business She was 29 when she began filming Guatemala’s A walking tour of these seemingly unremarkable
owners and Tico leaders joined the U.K. Embassy bloody civil war. Today, filmmaker Pamela Yates’ stores unearths literary gems at great prices. The
in inaugurating the United Kingdom-Costa Rica footage is helping tell the truth about those Tico Times will show you where to look.
Chamber of Commerce. responsible for genocide.
Page 94 Page 74 Page W14
Since 1956
carelessly treated,” said José María Villalta,
of the Broad Front Party. “The [PLN’s] only
hope is that the Sala IV says they are right
and the bill is fine just like it is.”
Legislative President Juan Carlos
Mendoza agreed, saying he was “sure there
are errors” that the Sala IV will find in the
way the bill was drafted, which will force
lawmakers to revisit articles again. Mendoza
broke with his own Citizen Action Party
(PAC) to vote against the bill.
Until the Sala IV rules on those actions,
the bill will not go to a second vote. The
court has 30 days to issue a ruling. If the bill
passes a second vote, the legislation goes
to the president to be signed into law. The
delays – Fishman has threatened to file fur-
ther legal actions – could extend through
the end of the year if no compromises are
reached.
The primary goal of the fiscal reform
package is to make tax collection 1.5 per-
cent of gross domestic product. The most
significant change proposed to accomplish
that is an increase from a 13 percent sales
Page 34
La Florita, a pueblo consisting of a lit-
tle more than 100 hectares of subsidized
land, emphasizes sustainable practices and
efficient crop-growing. Inside Hernando’s
own greenhouse, cilantro, chilies and other
herbs and spices sprout up from the soil.
Ornamental flowers of orange, red and pur-
ple decorate his lawn’s border. Cacao beans
dry on his porch.
Banana plantations and patches of yams,
cassava and squash thrive on the surrounding
farms. Among the vibrant harvest, the farmer
recalls the monumental shift in thinking that
Page 54
ALSO INSIDE
Region 7-8 Letters to the Editor 12
Business & Real Classifieds 13
Estate 9-10 Puzzles 15
Editorial 11 Weather 16 32 PAGES
Weekend
Community Connection W2
Exploring Costa Rica W4
Calendar W6
Movies W7
2 | NEWS | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012
IN THE NEWS
Bob Dylan to Play Heredia
The legendary Bob Dylan will play Costa Rica
for the first time on May 5, promoters Evenpro
announced Wednesday afternoon.
Dylan, 70, will play in Central America in
Heredia, north of San José, in the Palacio de los
Deportes in front of an audience of 6,000 fans. This
will be the first performance in Central America by
Dylan, one of music’s most influential stars.
Ticket information will be announced in upcom-
ing days, and tickets will be sold through www.
specialticket.net.
The concert is not yet listed on Dylan’s website,
but he will be on a Latin America tour in upcoming
months, with stops in Brazil, Argentina and Chile.
Where’s the World’s Deadliest Country?
Honduras, which the United Nations deems the
world’s deadliest nation, has a homicide reported
every 74 minutes, a government panel reported.
“In 2011 alone, the number of deaths soared
to 7,104, or one person killed every 74 minutes,” a
National Human Rights Commission annual report in
the Central American country of just over 8 million
found.
The World Health Organization says the aver-
age homicide rate is 8.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. In
recent years, Honduras’ murder rate has been as high
as 10 times the average rate.
Honduras leads 207 countries with its murder
rate this year, at 82.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
Honduras is followed in the region by El Salvador
(66) and Guatemala (41.4).
Leftists Deterred in El Salvador Elections
The leftist government of Salvadoran President
Mauricio Funes suffered a setback in weekend legisla-
tive elections, which gave right-leaning candidates a
narrow victory, analysts said Monday.
Funes’ Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front
party, formed by former rebels and in power since
2009, got 31 seats in the 84-member unicameral
Congress, four less than in the current legislature.
The opposition Nationalist Republican Alliance
(ARENA) took 33 seats, and another conservative
coalition named GANA and led by ex-President Elias
Antonio Saca took 11 seats.
ARENA, which ruled El Salvador for two decades
following the country’s civil war, campaigned on a
tough anti-crime platform that resonated with many
voters tired of rampant crime. About 14 people are
murdered every day in El Salvador, which has a popu-
lation of 6 million.
While unemployment dropped during the Funes
administration, young people continue to immigrate
to the United States. A staggering one in three
Salvadorans now live in the U.S., providing remit-
tances of more than $3.6 billion in 2011, about
one-sixth of GDP.
Tico Wins World Track Title in Upset
Costa Rica’s Nery Brenes won the world indoor
men’s 400-meter title on Saturday in a championship
record of 45.11 seconds. Brenes pulled off the upset
while the favorite in the competition placed last.
Demetrius Pinder (45.34 seconds) and Chris
Brown (45.90 seconds) of the Bahamas completed
the podium, while Grenada’s world outdoor champion
Kirani James could only finish in sixth and last spot.
Brenes broke the track record at Ataköy Athletics
Area in Istanbul, Turkey.
TICOTIMES.NET
For breaking news updates, see www.ticotimes.net
–Tico Times and Other News Sources
Drug Trafficking Case Winds Down
By Andrew Kasper
Tico Times Staff
Three suspected members of a drug traf-
ficking ring accused of orchestrating a flight
that crashed into Costa Rica’s Rio Torres in
October 2010, leaving one of the two pilots
dead and 177 kilograms of cocaine sitting in
a riverbed, are now awaiting their verdicts
from a criminal court hearing on the case.
The Guatemalan pilot of the doomed
drug flight, Otto Monzón, was apprehended
at the scene and has undergone a long
recovery in San José’s Hospital Mexico. The
crash left him with a fractured face, blind-
ness in one eye, limited vision in the other,
and an amputated leg due to a post-surgery
infection.
Two other men on trial, Mexican citi-
zens Rubén Martínez, the registered owner
of the plane, and Elvis Mendoza, were
apprehended the same day of the crash, Oct.
10, 2010, near Costa Rica’s northern border
at Peñas Blancas, while allegedly trying to On Trial: Left, defense attorney Gloria Navas speaks with her client, Guatemalan
cross illegally into Nicaragua. They were
pilot Otto Monzón, during a drug trafficking trial in San José this week.
stopped by a border agent who said they
appeared suspicious, carrying five cellular Monzón lost his leg, most of his eyesight and fractured his face when his drug-
phones and a substantial amount of cash loaded plane crashed in 2010. Right, defendant  Elvis Mendoza watches the
near an unauthorized crossing point. The proceedings.
border agent alleged in his testimony that Photos by Andrew Kasper | Tico Times
Mendoza attempted to bribe him to let
them go. and using circumstantial evidence to link with a white handkerchief, Araya delicately
Prosecuting attorney Glenn Calvo, in his all three to an organized drug conspiracy. attempted to place the blame on the other
closing statements this week, characterized Defense attorney Segismundo Araya, repre- two suspects.
the trio of suspects, Monzón, Martínez and senting Monzón, said his client wasn’t aware “This man was tricked,” Araya said. “He
Mendoza, as the transporter, mastermind of the cocaine that was stashed in the plane’s is one more victim of drug trafficking.”
and logistics coordinator of the operation, wing. The weight of the cocaine in the wing Martínez presented himself to the court
respectively. Calvo said the men operated apparently caused it to plummet to the earth as an upstanding businessman operating in
out of Costa Rica, transporting drugs to shortly after taking off. Costa Rica. He said he was in the country
Guatemala in modified planes with secret Araya claimed Monzón was contracted looking for further business opportunities,
compartments and specialized equipment. by Martínez to fly from Guatemala and such as opening a Mexican restaurant in
The planes allegedly landed and took off then return, but was tricked into returning Playas del Coco. He said he and Mendoza
from Tobías Bolaños International Airport with the cargo of cocaine. He said Monzón were looking for a bite to eat and a coffee
in Pavas, a western district of San José. wouldn’t have identified the stashed drugs while waiting to cross the border when they
Calvo asked Monday that the panel of in a standard pre-flight look-over. He added were apprehended.
three judges hand down harsh sentences for that no pilot with more than 30 years of fly- Law enforcement had issued an alert
all three men. If they are found guilty and ing experience – which Monzón possesses for the two men the day of the crash, and
Calvo’s guidelines followed, Monzón could – would overload a plane in the manner that prosecutors claimed that instead of taking
serve 12 years, Martínez 20, and Mendoza caused the plane to crash. their scheduled departure flight from Juan
17. The judges will make a decision in the In the courtroom on Tuesday, as Monzón Santamaría International Airport outside of
coming week. sat in a wheelchair, head hung, with his pant San José, the two men attempted to flee to
Defense attorneys and Martínez accused leg rolled above medical bandages on his Nicaragua when they realized the plane had
the prosecution of painting broad strokes amputated leg, frequently dabbing his eyes crashed.n
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Fiscal Reform’s Fate in Court’s Hands
3Page 1
tax to a 14 percent value-added tax.
This would result in additional charges
on services like private education and pri-
vate health services, and for professionals
including lawyers and engineers.
For now, President Laura Chinchilla can
enjoy a minor victory by moving the key
issue of fiscal reform past the first debate,
even if that triumph could be fleeting.
Members of Chinchilla’s party lashed
out at stall tactics and legal actions taken by
the opposition to try to hinder the current
bill’s progress.
“It has all been a game here,” Luis
Gerardo Villanueva, of the PLN, said. “This
whole thing has been nothing but a bunch
of games, with the only purpose of making
us slip up.”
Costa Ricans resisting more taxes pro-
tested outside the assembly on Wednesday
as representatives prepared for the vote.
Shortly before 8 p.m. lawmakers voted
on the bill, with 31 in favor and 19 against.
The votes for the bill all came from two
parties – the PLN (22 votes) and PAC (8
votes) – except for a sole vote from evan-
gelical lawmaker Carlos Avendaño.
Tico Climber to Hike to
The Top of the World
Andrew Kasper | Tico Times
To the Top: Tico climber Warner Rojas,
39, will scale Mount Everest in May.
Escazú native Warner Rojas hopes that
in coming months he will become the first
Costa Rican to reach Mount Everest, the
world’s highest mountain at 8,800 meters.
To give the matter a local perspective,
Everest is more than twice the height of
Costa Rica’s tallest peak, Mount Chirripó,
and just under the cruising altitude of a
commercial jet headed for Juan Santamaría
International Airport.
Rojas has already gathered his equip-
ment and is leaving the country Friday,
headed for Kathmandu, Nepal. He will then
spend a few days preparing before ascend-
ing to base camp in early April at the foot of
the colossal mountain.
From May 5-25, Rojas said he and his
expedition will wait for the proper window
of weather and make a push for the sum-
mit, where he hopes to have the opportu-
nity to pin the Costa Rican flag. He said the
best weather in the Himalayas is usually in
May and June.
Rojas is travelling with a group of seven
climbers. A seasoned mountain climber who
has climbed Everest five times will lead them,
Rojas said. He will also have the assistance
12246
of a Sherpa, a Tibetan who lives on Everest’s
Chinchilla formed a historic alliance
with PAC leader Ottón Solís to receive the
extra votes. The compromise included tax-
ing firms inside free zones and a reduced
value-added tax for health and education
services.
Five parties voted against the bill, includ-
ing all the members of the Libertarian
Movement, the Social Christian Unity Party,
the Accessibility Without Exclusion Party
and the Broad Front Party. Two members
of PAC – legislator Mendoza and Carmen
Muñoz – also voted against it.
The vote came long after legislators
moved to “fast-track” the process, which
intended to bring the legislation to a vote
last December. Instead, the bill faced more
changes, and since last January lawmakers
filed some 7,000 motions against various
articles in the bill.
Assembly members reached an agree-
ment to dismiss 3,000 of those motions this
week so that the bill finally would be voted
on – six months after the fast-tracking
decision was made. And it is the legality of
the fast-tracking method that Fishman is
challenging.
Passing a fiscal reform bill has remained
a necessity since Chinchilla took office in
high southern slopes in eastern Nepal.
Rojas said the expedition will cost
$80,000, which is covered by sponsors. The
National Insurance Institute is contributing
to the cause.
In preparing for the grueling climb,
39-year-old Rojas has been on a recent
tour of Andean peaks, but said Everest is
a totally different mountain. He said no
matter how much preparation goes into
the feat, a lot is left up to chance, including
weather and how one’s body reacts to the
frigid cold temperatures and high altitude.
President Laura Chinchilla met with
Rojas Wednesday to wish him luck and bid
him farewell on his journey. She signed the
flag that – if all goes well – will be placed at
the summit.
–Andrew Kasper
Government Seeks
Water Rate Hike
Jessenia Calderón, president of the
Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute
(AyA), announced Monday that AyA is
seeking a water rate hike from the Public
Services Regulatory Authority, a govern-
ment agency that sets public utility rates.
If the increase is approved, a family
consuming an average of 15 cubic meters
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THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | NEWS | 3
2010. The legislation that succeeded this
week was the third version of the reform.
Finance Minister Fernando Herrero pre-
sented the original document on Jan. 23,
2011. More than a year later, a middle
ground stays tentative (see Editorial, Page
11).
Economic disaster could befall Costa
Rica if reforms do not take place, say
experts. Government debt is nearing 6
percent of GDP, and the gap is expected to
widen, possibly to 10 percent if reforms are
not passed by 2014, according to Central
Bank officials.
Tax increases could generate an addi-
tional $850 million in annual revenue.
“Currently, we are financing about ₡1
trillion [$2 billion] with debt,” Herrero told
The Tico Times “We are paying salaries
with debt. It is like paying for dinner with
a credit card. You can do it sometimes but
not permanently” (TT, Dec. 16, 2011).
The finance minister praised the
reform’s approval “as an essential step in
the government’s efforts to adequately pro- Francesco Vicenzi | Tico Times
vide funds for public services.” Political Battle: Fiscal reform is a
But whether the legislation has any
chance of being enacted in the near future top priority for President Laura
will depend on Sala IV judges.n Chinchilla’s administration.
per month of water would pay ₡4,517
($8.75) instead of the current average
43rd public meeting, held this year in San
José, President Laura Chinchilla told the
monthly cost of ₡3,928 ($7.50). audience “the Internet should not be viewed
AyA statistics show that more than 50 as a threat, but as hope, a world of hope.”
percent of users consume an average of 15 “In our philosophy, we are global. In
cubic meters of water per month. our outlook, in our thought processes, in
The biggest rate hike will affect users our daily life, … in public meetings like
who consume more than 16 cubic meters of this, and in our operations, we are global,”
water per month, as AyA eliminated subsi- Chinchilla said Monday.
dies for consumers in that usage range. AyA Although the weeklong conference
sets subsidies so that families who use less began on Saturday, Chinchilla attended
have more affordable rates. official opening ceremonies Monday for an
–Tico Times activity that brings together 1,700 people
from around the world to discuss topics
such as ethics and governance of the net-
President Chinchilla work of networks.
Opens ICANN Meeting Rod Beckstrom, CEO of ICANN, said
the presence of Chinchilla at ICANN dem-
During the welcoming ceremony this onstrates the organization’s ongoing com-
week for the Internet Corporation for mitment to “internationalization.”
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4 | NEWS | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012
Local Climbers Advance in Int’l Competition
By Clayton R. Norman
Tico Times Staff
The reigning champions of rock climb-
ing in Central America live in Costa Rica.
Now they’re taking their titles to Santiago,
Chile, to compete against the best climbers
in South America.
Sierra Allen, 20, and Aziz Ftis, 22, won
the women’s and men’s divisions, respec-
tively, at the Antigua Boulder Challenge, a
bouldering competition held in Antigua,
Guatemala, that drew competitors from
across Central America. They are competing
Friday in the Bouldering Masters competi-
tion in Santiago, Chile, a competition spon-
sored by The North Face outdoor clothing
company with a $2,500 prize for the top con-
tenders. Because of their wins in Guatemala,
The North Face is flying Allen and Ftis to
Santiago to compete.
Bouldering is a form of rope-less climb-
ing that focuses on executing physically diffi-
cult and mentally demanding movements on
a stone face or artificial climbing wall.
Bouldering competitions pit numerous
climbers against routes, also called “prob-
lems,” designed for extreme difficulty on
artificial climbing walls with plastic holds.
The climbers are scored on the number
of attempts it takes them to finish a series
of problems, each with a five-minute time
limit.
Allen, originally from the town of
Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory, Canada,
lives in Providencia de Dota, in southern
Costa Rica, with her parents, who started
coming to Providencia for winters 15 years
ago. In this rural community, a 14-kilo-
meter drive through cloud forest on a dirt
road that turns off of the Inter-American
Highway near el Cerro de la Muerte, they
discovered a valley full of boulders. Allen’s
father, Eric, a long-time climber, started
establishing routes on the rocks, eventu-
ally convincing his daughter to take up the
sport.
Where other competition climbers
spend hours each day in the gym prepar-
ing for events, Allen takes a more pura vida
approach.
“I’m horrible at making myself work
out,” she said. “I’d rather go climb rocks for
fun. I don’t train in the gym, but I go climb-
ing every day.”
The forests around the valley where
Providencia sits happen to not only be stud-
ded by boulders, but also teeming with
parasitic strangler figs that grow up and
around the trunks of other trees, eventually
killing them and leaving towers of woody
vine standing in the forest. In many places
in Costa Rica, guides take tourists to climb
12816
Clayton R. Norman | Tico Times
Workout: Left, Aziz Ftis eyes a route during the 2011 Costa Rican Bouldering
Championship last December. Ftis, 22, is a current Central American boulder-
ing champion, along with Sierra Allen, 20, right, who climbs on boulders in her
adopted hometown of Providencia de Dota, in southern Costa Rica.
up the insides of these towers. Allen and her
father use ropes and scale the outside of the
strangler figs just like a rock face.
Climbing the trees, which can reach
heights of more than 30 meters, helps her
develop endurance, Allen said. She also
trains on boulders near her home, climb-
ing as many problems as she can in a day.
She added running to her regimen since her
victory in Guatemala, but admits that under
normal circumstances, she hates it.
Allen said her goal for the upcoming
competition is “just to go and have fun, to go
and not get too competitive.”
“I enjoy sharing a sport that makes me
really happy and keeps me healthy with a
community of climbers,” she added.
She also explained that Alex Johnson, a
full-time professionally sponsored female
climber from the United States is going to
compete in the Bouldering Master competi-
tion, so she’s not necessarily expecting to
take top prize.
“Basically, she’s going to crush us,” Allen
said.
Ftis, the son of a Tica mother and a
Libyan father, works at a travel agency in
San José when he isn’t climbing. He takes a
Courtesy of Sierra Allen
more technical approach to training than his
fellow co-champion.
“In this case, because it’s a bouldering
competition, I try to get familiar with the
five-minute blocks. I work on a route [in
the climbing gym] and try to finish it in less
than five minutes. Then, I take five minutes
of rest and try another problem so that it
is very similar to the competition. I also do
repetitions of the same problem five times
with predetermined rests to improve my
conditioning.”
Much of Ftis’ training and some of his
anxiety about the competition are focused
on time. In a bouldering competition, he
explained, competitors have five minutes to
try each route and then five minutes to rest
in between.
“It’s important to train in a way that’s
similar,” Ftis said, “so that your body gets
accustomed to that rhythm, and at the
moment of the competition it won’t be a
shock to your body.”
He also tries to take regular trips to climb
outside on natural rock in different areas
around Costa Rica, and goes on 90-minute
runs on mountain trails once or twice a
week.
“Climbing is a developing
sport here and the climb-
ers, we’re a small group,
but we’re like a family”
–Aziz Ftis
His main concern for the Master’s
competition is about getting enough rest
beforehand. He arrives in Santiago around
3 a.m. on Friday morning, he said, and the
competition starts at 2 p.m.
Ftis started climbing at 15, after years of
skateboarding, surfing and riding BMX.
“Some friends introduced me to climb-
ing,” said Ftis. “And I saw it was a sport
that is really physical, but also has a mental
component. That’s what grabbed my atten-
tion.”
“In my first years climbing, it was more
for play or for fun. Now, it’s a passion, a
lifestyle,” he said.
Allen talks about climbing as a life-
style, too. She recently quit her course
work in computer science at Simon-Fraser
University in Vancouver, British Columbia,
in Canada, to move back to Providencia.
She now takes online classes.
“I feel so lucky to have had Providencia,”
she said. She loves exploring new boulders
and nabbing first ascents – being the first
person to climb a new route or problem.
She also loves the area around Providencia,
which now hosts an annual bouldering fes-
tival, thanks in part to Allen’s family, and is
chock-full of unclimbed boulders.
Her strategy for the upcoming compe-
tition, besides enjoying herself, is to use the
scant few minutes of time she gets to see
each problem before climbing it, to form a
mental image of the sequence of the route’s
movements. After that, she said, on her first
attempt she’s going for broke.
“My first attempt is my best,” Allen said.
“I put every thing I have into it.”
If that doesn’t work, she said, it’s time
to figure out a different sequence.
Ftis said he’s focused first on qualifying
for the finals in the competition in Chile
and then on placing in the top three spots
– hopefully in the number one slot. But, he
said, climbing is less about these competi-
tions than the tribe of climbers.
“In Costa Rica,” he said, “we’re very few,
the loyal ones. Climbing is a developing
sport here and the climbers, we’re a small
group, but we’re like a family.”n

SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Sustainable Farming Community Flourishes
3Page 1
the community has undergone in the last
several years: a transformation from slash-
and-burn farming and rampant pesticide
use to carbon neutrality, eco-friendly tech-
niques and even profits.
“We poisoned the land with insecticides
when we didn’t have the knowledge of alter-
natives,” Hernando said. “Then we learned
new strategies for working and alternate ways
to manage. In my case personally, I’m work-
ing in a way that’s completely different.”
La Florita began as a project between
local campesinos, the government and
EARTH University in Guácimo, about a
20-minute ride from the community. The
Costa Rican government donated property
with the intention that over time, farmers
would pay for the land by creating a sustain-
able community that grew and sold its own
crops.
EARTH University members had been
working with La Florita farms for several
years before Costa Rican Anyelo Moya and
Honduran Tony Arévalo proposed the car-
bon-neutral idea as a class project. They
completed the process of turning the farm-
land into a carbon-neutral development
near the end of 2011. Some 7,000 trees were
planted last year thanks to a contribution
from the Costa Rican Electricity Institute.
The farming community cannot afford
the $8,000 review to certify the land as car-
bon-neutral. However, EARTH University
professor Allan Chávez said that land is up
to recognized standards (EARTH University
has been certified carbon-neutral since
2001). He sees La Florita as a model for
Costa Rica, a country that imagines achiev-
ing carbon neutrality by 2021 (TT, Oct. 2,
July 8, Jan. 13, 2011).
The professor visits the community
every Wednesday with university students as
part of a hands-on program on communal
and professional farming. La Florita visitors
glimpse a population that flourishes with
minimal chemical use and focuses on inno-
vative processes. For example, the blue bags
that protect bananas from pests do not use
pesticides. Instead the bags are covered in an
onion glaze that repels bugs.
“The program allows students to figure
out and to sense and understand the true
dynamics of the market of production and
its processes,” Chávez said. “And [students
get] to coexist with these producers day in
and day out.”
A dozen of the 29 families in La Florita
have their own greenhouses. Twenty-seven
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Renewable Energy: Allan Chávez, EARTH University program development cer field will be christened there at the end
coordinator, explains how manure from a pigpen is converted into heat energy of this month with a massive pig roast.
through a tool known as a biodigestor.
families maintain a biodigester (although
not all are up and running).
A biodigester is a tank that converts
organic wastes into biogas, a renewable
source of electrical and thermal energy.
Students can construct the bulky devices
cheaply and with a few simple materials.
The devices cost about $300-$400 to make
and save each family more than $400 a year,
Chávez said.
A long hose carries methane gas from
the biodigester into Luz Mery Calderón’s
kitchen. Calderón turns a knob and dem-
onstrates the slender blue flame that shoots
up from her stove. In her backyard, pigs
kept inside a pen produce the manure
that falls into the biodigester and becomes
energy that cooks all the food in Calderón’s
home.
Calderón, head of La Florita’s women’s
association, has prepared a hearty lunch
using materials produced in the community
and her biogas stovetop.
On a dining table, she places plates of
rice and beans and a side of ayote (a type of
squash) minced into a picadillo with herbs,
spices and bits of pork. She positions a
helping of thick, steamy slices of potatoes
in the center of the table, and pours glasses
of the milky-colored guanábana, or sour-
sop fruit. Dozens of ripened papayas pile
12846
THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | NEWS | 5
Matt Levin | Tico Times
Reforested trees, planted as part of the car-
up on the cement floor outside her house.
After the meal, Calderón gives a papaya
to Chávez to take to his mother before he
leaves for the day.
Chávez and the students continue to
watch the community evolve. Carbon neu-
tral, by no means, equals perfect. A local
pineapple grower is sparring with the La
Florita farmers about insecticide contamina-
tion, while another neighbor has started to
roil residents with unsanitary practices.
In a field a couple blocks behind
Hernando’s house, the future blooms. A
newly constructed recreation area and soc-
Government Approves
Higher Gas Prices
The Public Services Regulatory
Authority (ARESEP) approved on Tuesday
new fuel prices by applying automatic
adjustments for January and February
plus tax-based variations.
The measure increases per-liter prices
by ₡724 ($1.40) for “super” gasoline,
₡706 ($1.37) for “plus” gasoline and ₡645
($1.25) for diesel.
Earth University
N
Earth
W E
University
S
Guápiles
Braulio
Carrillo Guácimo
National to Limón
Park
COSTA RICA
San
José
Enlarged
Area
San José Pacific Ocean
Secondary Road
Roy Arguedas Arias | Tico Times
bon-neutrality project, encircle the vastness
of the meadow. The image represents La
Florita’s still-expanding success.
“Some things continue working well. On
other issues, others try to obstruct us, but the
idea is to be a community,” Hernando said.
“The idea is to look for solutions to these
problems so that we can keep working without
endangering or contaminating the land.”n
The Tico Times is committed to bringing you
stories about sustainable lifestyles. Look out for our
upcoming monthly special section with stories about
sustainable living in Costa Rica.
January automatic-adjustment calcu-
lations are based on international price
variations from Dec. 29 to Jan. 12 at an
exchange rate of ₡507.45 to $1. The esti-
mate for February is from Jan. 26 to Feb. 9
at an exchange rate of ₡512.19 to $1.
ARESEP’s decision to raise fuel
prices was sent on Wednesday to the
Government Printer for publication in the
official newspaper La Gaceta. New rates
will be published on March 21.
–Tico Times
 6 | NEWS | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012

Documentary Targets Lucrative Arms Trade

By Clayton R. Norman
Tico Times Staff

With an estimated 900 million fire-

arms and seven of the world’s 14 deadliest
countries, Latin America and the Caribbean
represent one of the world’s most violent
regions.
The film “Maras, NiNis y Malandros:
Una Guerra no official” (“Maras, NiNis and
Malandros: An Unofficial War”), directed by
Tica filmmaker Erika Bagnarello of Costa
Rica Filmworks and produced by the Arias
Foundation for Peace and Human Progress,
explores the culture of violence in three
of Latin America’s deadliest cities. A com-
mon thread that connects mass graves of
drug cartels in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, El
Salvadoran gang wars in San Salvador, and
daily shootings on the streets of Caracas,
Venezuela, is the ease of access to firearms.
The soldiers of the unofficial war in the
film’s title are “NiNis,” young people, mostly
poor, that neither study nor work. Costa
Rica’s State of the Nation report for 2011
indicates that 12.3 percent of Tico youth
between the ages of 12 and 24 fall into this
category.
The film doesn’t specifically touch on
violence in Costa Rica, but filmmakers said
that doesn’t mean the country isn’t affected.
According to the United Nations Global
Study on Homicide, all Central American
countries, including Costa Rica, have mur- Courtesy of Costa Rica Filmworks
der rates higher that 10 per 100,000. A
homicide rate higher than 10 per 100,000 Guns = Violence: A still shot from the film “Maras, NiNis y Malandros: Una Guerra no official” highlights the ongoing
is considered an epidemic of violence. The gun problem in Central America. Residents in Latin America and the Caribbean possess some 900 million firearms.
same report found that firearms are respon-
sible for 42 percent of all homicides com-
mitted globally. That could change in July, when U.N. mem- ror among civilian populations. Irresponsible Drug traffickers use the Central Ame-
“We have quite a bit of material from ber states convene to finalize the creation transfers of conventional weapons can desta- rican and Caribbean region as a transship-
here in the country,” Bagnarello said when of an internationally binding Arms Trade bilize security in a region … and contribute ment point for drugs, and deadly battles over
asked why Costa Rica wasn’t shown in the Treaty (ATT). The treaty idea has gained to human rights abuses.” shipment routes are driving violence, par-
film, after a recent screening of the docu- traction since former Costa Rican President The United States is the world’s largest ticularly in the “Northern Triangle” region of
mentary at San Pedro Mall east of San José. Oscar Arias, founder of the foundation that arms manufacturer. A report by Swedish El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
“The things we see in other countries we see bears his name, first floated it in 1997. International Peace Research Institute and “Maras, NiNis y Malandros: Una Guerra
reflected here in this country, too.” The U.N. will hold a fourth and final shared by Controlarms.org, a global alliance no official” makes clear that the violence
The things they see, Bagnarello said, round of preliminary discussions on drafting that advocates for arms industry regula- plaguing the region stems from the flow of
are corruption, impunity and easily acces- a treaty this month to set the agenda for the tion, shows that from 2004-2008, the U.S. drugs from south to north and is bolstered
sible firearms. The 50-minute film drives July conference. accounted for 31 percent of global transfers by the flow of guns south from the U.S.
home the point with scenes of carnage from “Getting the ATT signed is very impor- of “major conventional weapons” – a cat- In recent months, Costa Rican authorities
Ciudad Juárez. In San Salvador, viewers tant,” Bagnarello said. “There’s nothing that egory that includes aircraft, artillery, mis- have seized more than two tons of cocaine,
witness a gang beating and listen to a gang regulates the arms trade for us. It is a free siles and other weapons. Between 2004 and and also have seen some 215 Austrian-made
member saying it is easier to buy a 9 mm day for the arms industry, and [the ATT] at 2007, the U.S. sold more than $51 billion in Glock 9 mm pistols stolen from a Traffic
handgun in his neighborhood than a carton least will create a protocol where there is no weapons. Police warehouse in downtown San José.
of milk. From Caracas, a mother tearfully control.” Central America is located between a Agents of the Judicial Investigation Police
describes watching her son shot to death The U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs major producer of cocaine – Colombia – and recovered 56 of the stolen guns, but 159
on a sidewalk, and viewers learn that more doesn’t mince words about the unregulated the world’s largest consumer of illegal drugs remain at large (TT, Feb. 3).
than 30 million rounds of ammunition are global arms trade on its website, saying: “In – the U.S. An estimated 22 million illicit drug In order to gain more control over small
produced each year in Venezuela. all parts of the world, the ready availabil- users live in the U.S., which also happens to arms in the country, Costa Rican authorities
Currently no legally binding interna- ity of weapons and ammunition has led to be the world’s single largest distributor of announced last month the implementation
tional regulations of the arms industry exist. human suffering, repression, crime and ter- firearms. of a strict new gun control measure. Some
24,000 legally registered firearm owners live
in Costa Rica, and the country saw 276 gun
Since 2002 homicides in 2011 – half of which, according

SUNSAT TV
to officials in the Public Security Ministry,
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Celso Gamboa, Costa Rican vice minister

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These are steps in the right direction,
Supplies
Providing ALL of COSTA RICA with but as “Maras, NiNis y Malandros: Una
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0055
0008

Historic Film Traces Guatemala’s Bloody Past
By Natasha Pizzey
Special to The Tico Times
GUATEMALA CITY – On March 1,
2,000 Guatemalans rose in a standing ova-
tion as credits rolled for the nationwide pre-
mier of a U.S. documentary film about their
country’s long fight to pin down a former
tyrant charged with genocide.
“Granito: How to Nail a Dictator” tells
the story of Guatemala’s brutal 36-year
internal war, which left 200,000 dead, and
the subsequent quest for justice in a climate
of ingrained impunity.
The film’s narrative is guided by filmmak-
er and lead protagonist Pamela Yates, who
said she wanted “to appeal to emerging film-
makers” by sharing her own experience. In
“Granito,” she merges her own story with that
of Guatemala’s recent history in an explora-
tion of both historic and personal memory.
Yates, determined to show the optimism
she saw in a leftist guerrilla movement
against the repressive military state, filmed
her first documentary in Guatemala in the
early 1980s. At the time, the Guatemalan
government, led by dictator Efraín Ríos
Montt, was at the peak of its scorched-earth
strategy to wipe out any perceived support
for the guerrillas.
The results were countless massacres of
Mayan communities concentrated in the
western highlands. Years later, after the sign-
ing of the Peace Accords in 1996, a U.N.-
backed truth commission pinned more than
93 percent of the deaths on the army and
labeled them acts of genocide. Yates filmed
the devastation the army caused in Mayan
communities by spending months traveling
with guerrilla groups.
After getting that side of the story, Yates
managed to cross over enemy lines and secure
unheard-of access to the Guatemalan army. As
she explains in the film, Yates believes it was
her 29-year-old, innocent Gringuita appear-
ance at the time that enabled her to penetrate
the ranks of the usually secretive army, who
agreed to take her on a helicopter patrol.
During that patrol, guerrillas shot down
the helicopter, nearly killing the passengers
onboard. After the incident, superstitious
army officials decided Yates had brought
them good luck, so they decided to allow her
unprecedented filming access. She recorded a
series of revealing interviews with key mili-
tary men who were behind the massacres.
Some of the footage was used to tell indig-
enous leader Rigoberta Menchú’s emblem-
atic story in “When the Mountains Tremble.”
That film was an international success, and
Menchú later became the first indigenous
person to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Because Guatemala was under a repres-
sive government regime at the time, “When
the Mountains Tremble” was so explosive
when it was released that it was watched
only clandestinely, until Yates returned in
2003 for the film’s first public screening.
After that screening, which took place
two decades after she had first filmed in
Guatemala, Yates was approached by a
human rights lawyer who hoped the film’s
outtakes would contain incriminating evi-
dence against Guatemalan military generals.
The lawyer was building a case in Spain
against Ríos Montt and four other former
generals at Menchú’s request.
After the conflict ended in 1996, human
rights activists were divided about how to
move forward. Many army commanders
remained in high-level government posi-
tions. Ríos Montt ran for president in 2003.
The army’s continuing power, in addition
to Guatemala’s 98 percent impunity rate,
led many to believe that prosecution in
Guatemala for war crimes was impossible.
Meanwhile, inspired by Spain’s 1998
indictment of former Chilean dictator
THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | REGION | 7
Courtesy of Dana Lixenberg Courtesy of Newton Thomas Sige
Search for Justice: Left, the Caba family stands in front of their home in the Ixil highlands of Guatemala. The army massacred
95 people in their village in 1982 during the Guatemalan genocide. Right, Pamela Yates films in the Guatemalan highlands in
1982. Footage is being used as forensic evidence in a Guatemalan genocide case – the story told in her current film, “Granito.”
Augusto Pinochet for human rights abuses, Plan Sofia, which outlined how the army be jailed, and it would be a happy ending.”
in 1999 Menchú organized an effort to bring planned and carried out its scorched-earth Despite that setback, the team’s efforts
charges in Spain against the alleged authors of plan under Ríos Montt. are now paying off in an unexpected way:
Guatemala’s bloodshed, including Ríos Montt. Doyle said the documents detail a func- Ríos Montt is set to be tried for genocide
Yates jumped on board. After several tioning hierarchy within the army, incrimi- in Guatemala (TT, Feb. 3, Jan. 26). Evidence
months trawling old boxes of 16 mm film, nating Ríos Montt as the alleged intellectual turned up during case preparation in Spain,
Yates and her team found crucial film evi- author of the massacres. Even so, she said, including the “Granito” clip, was added to
dence against Ríos Montt to take to court. “chain of command cases are very, very the Guatemalan case against the general.
Not only was it the first time that a former tough to prove.” A trial against him has been set for April.
Latin American general would be charged Yates’ hunt through her own film archives Yates couldn’t predict the Guatemalan
with genocide, but also it was the first time revealed a crucial piece of evidence: Ríos reaction to “Granito,” but when she heard
that documentary footage would be submit- Montt appearing in one filmed interview the audience laugh at her ’80s interview with
ted as evidence in such a case. in which he claims to have total control of Ríos Montt, she said, “They know him, and
The filming of “Granito” began there. the army. “If I can’t control the army, then they got it.”
Granito, which means grain of sand, is a what am I doing here?” Ríos Montt boasts. After the screening, María Elena López,
Latin American analogy for collective social That clip, combined with the work of other 41, who travelled 200 kilometers with friends
change. The belief is that change does not granitos led to Spain’s indictment of the from their Mayan village to see the film, said,
happen from individual efforts, but rather former general. “We came here to learn about the historic
from collective ones. The granitos in Yates’ But Guatemala blocked Ríos Montt’s memory of our country. If we can’t learn it,
film are activists, lawyers, campaign organiz- extradition order from Spain. Yates said it we’re condemned to repeat it. … What we
ers, scientists and academics who worked to was a blow to the team, as she thought they want now is for our legal system to bring
“nail” Ríos Montt. “would be triumphant, [the generals] would justice for the genocide.”n
Two of the most compelling charac-
ters in the film will be awarded the presti-
gious ALBA-Puffin International Award for
Human Rights Activism for their work in
Guatemala. In their drive to put Ríos Montt
On March 8, 2012 Koen Boogaard
behind bars, Fredy Peccerelli and Kate Doyle
appear unstoppable. lost his battle with cancer
Peccerelli, a 41-year-old forensic anthro-
pologist, is Guatemala’s answer to the fic-
tional film character Indiana Jones. As found-
at age 78
ing director of the Guatemalan Forensic
Anthropology Foundation, he has exhumed
thousands of remains of people who were
disappeared or murdered during and after the
K oen moved to Costa Rica from the Netherlands with his
wife and daughter in 1979. Planning to retire he bought a
house in the then quiet little beach town of Tamarindo.
conflict. Although many victims’ families cel-
ebrate Peccerelli’s work, he receives frequent Retirement went out the window when he became one of the
death threats, presumably from those who are
legally targeted by evidence he collects.
first people to realize Tamarindo’s potential. He sold land
“In 2003, when Ríos Montt ran for [pres- with the promise that if the buyer did not like it he could
ident], we would get threats saying ‘If the
general doesn’t win, we’re gonna kill you,’”
give it back, no one ever did.
Peccerelli said.
Peccerelli and Yates testified at a hearing
In later years he became an involved member of the Dutch
against Ríos Montt in Spain. Alongside them community in San José, hosting many a tennis tournament.
was Doyle, 51, a senior analyst at George
Washington University’s National Security He was the consummate business man and stayed active
Archives in Washington, D.C., in the U.S.
Doyle has spent years studying declassified until just a few weeks before his death.
military documents that detail the strat-
egies behind the Guatemalan conflict. In A memorial will be held in June in
2009, when Doyle was in Guatemala, she
his hometown of Gorinchem.
0060
was handed a document that seemed so sig-
nificant that she left the country before even
reading it. She’d been leaked a collection of
Guatemalan military documents known as
 8 | REGION | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012
Suspect in Argentine Singer’s Death Captured
By AFP
GUATEMALA CITY – The prime sus-
pect in the murder of Argentine folk singer
Facundo Cabral arrived early Wednesday in
Guatemala to stand trial for the crime, hours
after a plane from Colombia was turned back.
Alejandro Jiménez, a Costa Rican national
known as “El Palidejo” (Paleface), left Bogotá
on Tuesday afternoon aboard a Colombian
National Police aircraft headed to Guatemala
City, a police spokesman told AFP.
But before he landed, Colombia’s attor-
ney general announced that Costa Rica had
demanded guarantees from Guatemala that
Jiménez would not be subject to the death
penalty.
Jiménez, 38, is alleged to have master-
minded the attack by gunmen that killed
Cabral, in what is thought to be a case of mis-
taken identity, as he was being driven to the
airport in Guatemala City in July of last year.
Colombian Federal Police Chief Oscar
Naranjo told reporters the murder plot
included four alleged accomplices, all of
whom have been arrested.
Jiménez arrived at a Guatemalan Air
Force base around 1 a.m. The suspect was met
by Guatemalan Interior Minister Mauricio
López and later transferred to a maximum-
security prison 20 km east of the capital to
await a preliminary trial hearing.
Naranjo said Jiménez, who was captured
by police in northwestern Colombia last
weekend, is suspected of being the “author,
prime suspect or mastermind” in the mur-
der of Cabral. Jiménez, a wealthy business-
man, also is accused of being a supplier and
money launderer for the Sinaloa drug cartel
in Mexico.
Paths Diverging for Region’s Economies
By Clayton R. Norman
Tico Times Staff
Central American countries are follow-
ing increasingly diverging paths in terms
of economic growth and public finance,
according to a new report issued by Fitch
Ratings, an international ratings agency.
The report, “Central America’s Fiscal
Dilemma: Growth Versus Debt,” describes
two different types of economies in the
region: dynamic, export-oriented service
economies and slow-growing remittance-
based economies.
Costa Rica and Panama fall into the for-
mer category and Guatemala and El Salvador
the latter.
“Central America is unlikely to regain its
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helping your community’s businesses grow?
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Earn generous commissions in your spare time!
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José Miguel Lam | AFP
Nabbed: Alejandro Jiménez, alias “El Palidejo,” is escorted by Interpol agents
upon his arrival at a Guatemalan Air Force on Wednesday. Jiménez, a Costa
Rican and the prime suspect in the murder of Argentine folk singer Facundo
Cabral, right, was captured in Colombia on Monday.
The extradition happened a few hours be tried in Guatemala and not Costa Rica,
after Guatemalan prosecutor Ricardo as the Guatemalan murder charges are more
Guzmán made a request to Colombian serious than Costa Rica’s charges of money
authorities. He described his extradition laundering and suspected drug trafficking.
request as “an urgent petition.” Guatemalan police said Cabral, 74,
Costa Rican Attorney General Jorge appears to have been an unintended victim
Chavarría said he would prefer Jiménez to of a murder attempt against businessman
pre-crisis growth rates,” said Lucila Broide, Central America. Regional economies are
director of Fitch Ratings, in a press release. also characterized by “modest debt burdens
“Protracted slow growth in the U.S., weak- compared to peers” and recurring structural
er fiscal positions, moderate credit growth deficits due to low tax-revenue bases and
and expected high oil prices will constrain “rigid expenditure profiles,” the report said.
regional growth over the next two years.” Despite these similarities, two distinct
The report projects aggregate economic paths for economic development and public
growth in the region will slow to 4.2 percent finance have appeared in the region.
next year – down 0.5 percent from the 4.7 The debt burdens of Costa Rica and
percent aggregate growth seen in 2011 – Panama decreased “significantly” from 2006
and recover slightly to 4.5 percent growth to 2010 due to unexpected growth and sur-
in 2013. Panama, the report noted, is the pluses, the report indicated, despite both
region’s fastest-growing economy while El countries having run overall fiscal deficits
Salvador is seeing the slowest growth. during the time frame. Fitch predicted that
According to Fitch, over-reliance by growth in the two countries will continue to
regional economies on the United States as favor the governments’ debt standings, but
a major source of hard currency, with the the agency also suggested shoring up fiscal
exception of Panama, threatens growth in policy.
Meanwhile, Costa Rican President Laura
Chinchilla’s tax reform plan is showing prog-
Counseling ress in the Legislative Assembly (see story,
Stuck? Confused? Page 1).
Beset by violence and social problems,
Depressed? Self-loathing?
Addictions? Relationship problems? El Salvador and Guatemala saw debt bur-
dens increase over the 2006-2010 period.
An empathetic ear, open heart and soul
wisdom to help you find The governments of both countries have
demonstrated fiscal restraint, but economic
Empowerment and Clarity
growth has not been strong enough to com-
“Life is not a pensate for primary deficits in their largely
problem to be remittance-reliant economies, according to
solved, but a Fitch. Solving ongoing security and social
process to be problems may require more government
explored and spending.
a path to be A recent report from the International
walked’’ Monetary Fund and the Honduran Central
Bank pegged that country’s public debt at the
Jim Molloy M.A. end of 2011 at $5.7 billion, Honduras Weekly
Ph: 8725-1295 jimmolloy@ice.co.cr
Escazú - sessions available online by Skype
reported. Approximately 56 percent – $3.2
for those outside of the Central Valley
billion – is external debt, with the remaining
Reasonable rates $2.5 billion held internally. The 2011 end-of-
Mayela López | AFP
Henry Farinas, who had refused to sell night-
clubs to Jiménez (TT, Aug. 9, July 15, July 9,
2011). Cabral, who Farinas had hired as a
performer, was riding in the same car as the
businessman when the assassins opened fire.
Farinas was injured but survived and is
now a witness in the case.
Argentina held three days of national
mourning after Cabral’s death. Fans turned
up in droves to pay final respects as the
singer’s coffin was displayed in the theater
district of downtown Buenos Aires.
A global nomad who claimed to have vis-
ited 150 countries, Cabral sang largely about
peace, love and everyday pleasures and pain.
His songs include the 1970s hit “I’m Not
From Here Nor There” and are frequently
sung by other Spanish-language perform-
ers. He was declared to be a “World Peace
Messenger” in 1996 by UNESCO.n
year figure represents an increase of $379.9
million in external debt and an increase of
$563.8 million in internal debt, Honduras
Weekly reported. Honduran President Porfirio
Lobo’s administration said the country’s debt
load, which equals approximately 37 percent
of gross domestic product, is manageable,
Honduras Weekly reported.
According to the Fitch report, the
Dominican Republic splits the middle
between the two divergent paths described in
the document. There, high growth has been
supported by a competitive tourism sector
augmented by a strong reliance on remit-
tances from abroad. Fitch indicated that the
country’s debt burden increased from 2006
to 2010. The report also indicated that the
debt burden could have decreased, but the
government issued debt to the tune of 4
percent of the country’s GDP to recapitalize
the central bank for funds it lost in a 2003
banking crisis.
The World Bank reported in December
it expected remittances to developing coun-
tries worldwide to reach some $351 billion
in 2011, with that number expected to grow
to $441 billion by 2014. Remittances to Latin
America grew by 7 percent in 2011, accord-
ing to the World Bank.
Regionally, the Fitch report indicated,
Panama has seen the most dynamic growth
in recent years and has received two credit-
rating upgrades since 2008. Costa Rica’s
credit rating was upgraded in 2011 and the
Dominican Republic’s ratings were given a
“Positive Outlook” that year. El Salvador’s
credit ratings, on the other hand, were down-
graded in 2009 and Guatemala’s sovereign
ratings haven’t changed since 2006, accord-
ing to the ratings agency.n

A R T | C U LT U R E | E N T E R TA I N M E N T | M arc h 1 6 - 2 2 , 2 0 1 2
Treasures Await in San José’s Used Bookstores
By Bruce Callow
Special to The Tico Times
S
cattered throughout the gritty, nonde-
script streets of Costa Rica’s capital are
hidden treasures that not many people
outside of local circles ever visit. They are San
José’s used bookstores. Each of these stores
has something unique to offer, and several
have extensive English-language book collec-
tions where great bargains can be found.
After accidentally discovering one of
these charming, down-to-earth bookstores
last year, I made a New Year’s resolution to
investigate whether more like it existed in
downtown San José. I was not disappointed,
finding a total of nine used bookstores in
central San José.
This is the type of investigation one car-
ries out on foot. In a car, you likely would
not even realize you were passing in front
of some of these inconspicuous centers of
culture. To the untrained eye, some of them
might appear more like a flea market or
garage sale. But don’t let the exterior fool
you; it’s what’s inside that counts, and where
the treasures lie.
Recently, with a few tips from well-
informed locals, I set out to find as many of
these mysterious bookstores as I could. Con-
veniently, most of them are in the eastern sec-
tor of downtown, making walking from store
to store quite easy, once you know where they
are. The people who run the bookstores are as
INSIDE
Goodbye Weekend
Editor, Meg Yamamoto
Page W24
Book Emporiums: Clockwise from above, Ronald Chinchilla, owner of Expo-10
used bookstore in San José; Darren Mora at Mora Books; art and English fiction
at 1324 Books. Photos by Alberto Font | Tico Times
interesting as the stores themselves and have
plenty of entertaining anecdotes to share with
customers. Some of their personal knick-
knack collections decorating their stores are
worth a visit alone. One of the stores is so
hidden that customers must often ring the
doorbell to be admitted. Two of the oldest
are marked by charming medieval-style signs
– not things you would normally notice in
rushed commutes in and out of San José.
As I made my way around the various
bookstores, the discoveries I made somehow
reminded me of the magical world of Harry
Potter, a world that exists parallel to our
own, yet visible to only a privileged few. I
was struck by how many times I had passed
by some of these places in a car or bus with-
out realizing they were there.
Here are some highlights of San José’s
used bookstores:
Expo-10 – Features a backroom dedicated
to used English-language books that owner
Ronald Chinchilla will proudly show you.
Don’t be fooled by the exterior of this place;
the variety here is impressive, including an
extensive collection of National Geographic
magazines in English for ₡200 (40 cents)
each. There is also an amazing collection of
phonograph records that is like a museum
in itself.
Beer Tasting at Stan's
Irish Pub
Page W34
CENTRAL AMERICA’S LEADING ENGLISH-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER
Location: From Clínica Bíblica Hospital,
225 m east, on Avenida 14, between Calles
5 and 7
Phone: 2221-8307, 8714-7792
Mora Books – A true cultural icon and Costa
Rica’s premier used English-language book-
store since 1991. Owner Darren Mora is also
a radio DJ, concert promoter and music con-
noisseur. You will know you are in his store
by the USS Enterprise ship from Star Trek
hanging from the ceiling. Mora Books also
has a great collection of comics and DVDs.
Location: 75 m north of Parque Morazán,
beside the Aurola Holiday Inn
Phone: 8383-8385
1324 Books – Located just below La Cuesta
hotel on one of San José’s funkiest streets,
this recently opened bookstore specializes
in English fiction. It also features an artistic
expression and reading area. It is a perfect
spot for art shows and book launches.
Location: Avenida 1, between Calles 11 and
15, beneath La Cuesta hotel
Phone: 8342-1258
Libros Azul – Though its English-language
book selection is not extensive, this is a
charming and well-managed bookstore pop-
ular with the Costa Rican university crowd.
Tamarindo: Not Just a
Party Town
Page W44
Location: 300 m south, 50 m east of the
San José cathedral, on Avenida 10, between
Calles 1 and 0
Phone: 2221-1504
Libros Gandhi – Not many English books
here, but worth a visit if you are in the
neighborhood.
Location: 50 m east of the former Jara
pharmacy
Phone: 2223-6631
El Erial – One of San José’s classic used
bookstores, opened in 1943, this one is not
to be missed. Owner Manuel López will be
pleased to show you his collection of framed
photos documenting how the bookstore, and
San José, have evolved since the 1940s. Some
English-language titles can be found here.
Location: Avenida 6, between Calles 8 and 10
Phone: 2222-8097
Libros Coto – Another of San José’s old-time
bookstores, specializing in Spanish literature
and educational books.
Location: Avenida 6, between Calles 8 and
10, next to El Erial
Phone: 2222-5815
El Ahorro No.1 – If you are looking for Star
Trek books (especially ones written by Wil-
liam Shatner), this is a good place to visit.
The store also has some interesting histori-
cal stuff in English; I purchased Anastasio
Somoza’s autobiography, written in 1980, in
English here.
Location: 200 m south, 50 m east of La Mer-
ced Church
Phone: 2223-3806
Libros Usados – You may have to ring the
doorbell to get in, but visiting this place is a
unique and worthwhile experience. Owner
Carlos Díaz stocks many Costa Rican tourist
guidebooks at good prices.
Location: One block east of El Ahorro No. 1
Phone: 2223-3806, 8630-3190 n
Lux Aeterna Comes to
Costa Rica
Page W84
W2 | WEEKEND | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012
Community
Manuel Antonio/
Quepos Tidings
The Costa Rican Electricity Institute
(ICE) and Kids Saving the Rainforest have
teamed up to stop wildlife electrocutions.
ICE plans to put a total of four kilometers of
insulated electrical wires, plus one kilometer
of underground electrical wire, on the main
road from Quepos to Manuel Antonio, as
well as covering 50 transformers with protec-
tors so that wildlife will not be electrocuted.
Present at a recent meeting between the
two organizations were ICE’s Gilberth Por-
ras, Jaime Bolaños, José Ricardo Carvajal,
Roxana Masís and Guillermo Costillo, and
Kids Saving the Rainforest’s Pia Martin,
Rocío Pérez and Jennifer Rice.
The Farmacia Económica, next to Super
Más, now has a GNC counter with lots of
great vitamins. Speaking of that area, has
anyone heard the rumor that a McDonald’s
restaurant is going into the building on
the corner of Main Street, past Farmacia
Económica and Super Más? If you know
anything, please contact us so we can let the
community know.
–Jennifer Rice
jennifer@kidssavingtherainforest.org
–Anita Myketuk
labuenanotacr@gmail.com
Flamingo/Potrero News
In Surfside/Potrero, El Coconut Beach
Club provided live entertainment March 6,
with SAB, the Rock ’n’ Roll Outlaw and Don
Carlos playing rock and blues. March 7, at
Marie’s in Flamingo, SAB was back by popu-
lar demand, with fellow Canadian musicians
Brent Bailey on keyboard, guitarist Brody
Post, drummer Levi Post and Don Carlos.
Coming up for St. Patrick’s Day, March
17, is a big annual party at Marie’s featuring
SAB with Brent Bailey and Don Carlos, and
of course corned beef and cabbage and green
beer. Also, on March 23, Donnie Walsh and
the Leatherbacks will give the final concert of
the season starting at 8:30 p.m.
A yard sale will be held March 17 at La
Perla’s in Potrero to raise money for the dog
clinic to spay and neuter cats and dogs in the
area. Dawn Scott and a few volunteers will
be accepting donations of items or money
for this event. This is a good time to clean
out your closets and help a great cause. For
more information, contact Sherry Creamer
at 2654-5449 or 8968-4187.
–Babe Hopkins
tbabehopkins@gmail.com
Arenal Report
The two spay-neuter clinics held recently
in Tilarán and Nuevo Arenal treated just
over 100 animals, including many strays as
well as household pets. Coordinators Gloria
Dempsey and Judy Reisman were assisted by
many volunteers who helped with everything
from patient registration to postoperative
recovery. Special thanks to Ed and Leslie
Woods, who each worked two 10-hour days
to keep things running smoothly.
A group from the nondenominational
organization Led2Serv returned to the Nuevo
Arenal area with director Vanessa Puleo.
Permanent residents Jeff and Allyson Spen-
cer assisted to complete a special project: A
Community Connection welcomes reports from readers about happenings in their area of Costa Rica. Send reports and/or photos to Weekend Editor Ashley Harrell at aharrell@ticotimes.net.
local Tica, well known for her kindness and
willingness to help others in need, could not
afford to paint her own home. In just three
days, the group painted the entire house
inside and out. The paint and materials were
provided by a donor who asked to remain
anonymous. Visit www.led2serv.com for
more information and to view pictures of
local projects completed by the group.
Patrick (he’s no saint) Hughes promises
some rousing Irish drinking songs, wearin’ o’
the green and even green beer at the Sunset
Grill for St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March
17.
–William & Jean Priest
jean_pri@msn.com
Coco Capsule
Fisher-Wienberg, the popular new con-
signment store 50 meters beyond the large
anchor at the entrance to Las Palmas on the
Mapache road, is currently featuring and
selling the works of three international art-
ists. Canadian-born Coco resident Dareen
(Dee) Burk’s artistry primarily focuses on
large close-ups of flowers, similar to those
she has donated for charity auctions and
that have encouraged heated bidding. More
recently, she has been focusing on the color-
ful wildlife of the area, capturing several of
our beautiful birds on larger canvases. Her
expansive use of color reflects the exuberance
of her personality.
Store co-owner Linia Wienberg, a
native of Sweden but now dividing her time
between Denmark and Coco, has an abstract,
almost dreamy style, with wide swashes of
color intermixed as if hiding some puzzle.
And there is a puzzle: Within each piece of
identically sized canvas, there is, somewhere,
a creature familiar to those of us living here.
The catch is that the abstractness of the art
gives little clue as to that creature’s belonging
on land or in the sea or sky, giving the viewer
the opportunity to use a full range of imagi-
nation while enjoying the art.
The United States is represented with
an entirely different medium in the work of
Matt Dunn, a young Tampa, Florida, native
now living in the area. His expertise in art is
with jewelry, particularly stones set into sil-
ver, leather or wood or simply strung togeth-
er. He works in a variety of styles, perhaps
reflecting his many athletic interests and pro-
viding options for a wide variety of buyers.
Co-owner Sue Fisher said the store has
done well since opening. She is maintaining
a list of those in need of specific objects so
as to contact them when those objects are
brought in. This clean, well-lit store is a wel-
come addition to our community.
–Kent Carthey
kcarthey@aol.com
Sarapiquí Stories
The community of Sarapiquí is thankful
for the many volunteers who are choosing to
come and share their gifts of knowledge.
Cassandra and Rachel are students doing
their health internship in the small rural
community of San Miguel. It is amazing
how, unknowingly, they have already con-
tributed to our community just by sharing
their eating habits and daily exercise routines,
teaching us how to better use our local food
groups. They are in the process of setting up
information about better health and food
Connection
practices for school-age children in the area.
We are also thankful for the volunteer
efforts of the Peace Corps, whose programs
empower local community members.
Sarapiquí offers many successful, locally
run programs if you are tired of traveling
without a purpose or want to donate your
gift of knowledge.
–Gloria Oliu
gosarapiqui@gmail.com
Tamarindo Talk
Great news for Tamarindo car owners: A
gas station is being constructed on the road
from Villarreal to Huacas, and looks to be
completed within three months. The new
facility is owned by Jorge Enrique Rodríguez,
a civil engineer with over 30 years of experi-
ence in managing gas stations.
The annual Robert August Surf ’n’ Turf
returns to Tamarindo March 29 to April 1,
with 100 percent of proceeds going to the
nonprofit CEPIA to benefit the children of
Guanacaste. This charity event gives you the
opportunity to spend quality time with the
legend who put Tamarindo on the surfing
map with his “The Endless Summer 2” seg-
ment on the town.
Activities begin with a registration cock-
tail party March 29 at Witch’s Rock Surf
Camp’s Vaquero Restaurant, with dinner, a
live band and a silent auction. The next day
is the surf contest at Playa Avellanas, and
another silent auction during the day, fol-
lowed by a cocktail dinner at the Diria Hotel.
March 31 is the golf tournament at Hacienda
Pinilla. On April 1, everyone is invited on
the Marlin Del Rey catamaran cruise, and
that night will be the awards ceremony at
Vaquero Restaurant. For more information,
email sarahlong.robertaugustcr@gmail.com
or cepiacostarica@racsa.co.cr.
Bistro Langosta restaurant has reopened
for dinner. For reservations, call 8530-4121.
–Ellen Zoe Golden
ellenzoe@aol.com
Jacó Happenings
Siria Herrera of DayStar Properties
shared the following story: Christopher
Meg
Yamamoto
departs:
A sad farewell to
Meg Yamamoto,
who served as
The Tico Times
Weekend editor
for more than
seven years. Meg
will be moving
back to Vancou-
ver to play profes-
sional ice hockey
or open a poutine
restaurant or
something. We
love you Meg!
Good luck out
there.
Tico Times
Skurka and Nicholas Oviedo-Torres,
13-year-old students from Long Island, New
York in the United States, put together a cool
project here in Jacó. The two boys are best
friends and avid soccer players. On Chris-
topher’s last visit to Costa Rica, he noticed
that most of the Tico kids playing soccer
were not wearing cleats, and he realized that
for many Costa Ricans soccer cleats are too
expensive. Upon his return to New York, he
shared this with Nicholas, and together the
two boys decided to address the situation.
Already veterans of a successful costume
drive, the boys decided to have a soccer-cleat
drive. The boys contacted their soccer club,
the East Islip Soccer Club, and set up collec-
tion boxes at the soccer fields for the cleats.
With the support of the club president, John
Davis, the boys were able to collect hundreds
of cleats, and with the help of DayStar they
have made sure the cleats will go to students
at the Escuela Líder Central de Jacó.
The McKee Project held clinics in Tár-
coles and Jacó in February. Thanks go to
all of McKee’s sponsors as well as veteri-
nary teams from the U.S. that included Dr.
Robin Stronk and her husband, John, Dr.
Richard Righter and his wife, Shirley, and
Dr. Lee Wilson, who came all the way from
Alaska. They worked with Jacó’s Dr. Wendy
Villalobos, assistant Doris Schluckebier
and Leo Hogan, Kristen Luke and Celina
Grefenkamp, who took care of the animals
after their surgeries. Also, congratulations
to Alfonso Guzmán from San José, who
received McKee’s Golden Paw Award.
For tourists who fall in love with one of
our homeless dogs or cats and want to take
them home as a new family member, World
Pet Travel helps make the process smoother.
Transporting pets into and out of Costa
Rica, safely and stress-free for both owners
and pets, is their specialty. For information,
contact Angela at 1-859-402-2240 or 8832-
2450, or email meow@worldpettravel.com.
Looking to try something different?
Pancho Spangenberg is holding boxing
classes at Corpus Gym Jacó. Classes are
Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 a.m.
For more information, call Pancho at 8671-
5386 or Corpus Gym at 2643-1491.
–Christina Truitt
christina_truitt@yahoo.com
 THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | WEEKEND | W3

Stan’s Irish Pub a Refuge for Lovers of Beer

By Clayton R. Norman “People in Costa Rica aren’t used to malt used in the brewing process gives Leffe
Tico Times Staff trying good beers,” Salas said. “I wanted to Oscura its dark coffee color, Jensen said, and
have events like this in order for them to be unlike many dark beers Leffe Oscura tends

“W
hen I die I want to decom-
pose in a barrel of porter and
have it served in all the pubs
in Dublin,” the Irish-American playwright J.
P. Donleavy once remarked.
Insalubrious as the idea is, lovers of
smoky pubs likely recognize something
familiar in Donleavy’s beyond-the-bitter-
end loyalty to his public houses. A pub is a
refuge, a port away from the storms of life
outside – beer, smoke, food and friends are
the bulwarks.
Stan’s Irish Pub, located 125 meters west
of Casa Presidencial in the southeastern
Zapote district of San José, offers such a
port from the daily grind in the nation’s
capital. With more than 75 beers available
and drink specials every day, sweet release is
never in short supply. Smokes, for the time
being, are still sold from the bar and one
assumes there are no dead authors lurking
in the beer kegs.
“I never liked clubs,” said Stanley Salas,
owner and manager of the bar. “I wanted
to have a relaxed atmosphere where I could
have a supply of quality beers, where I could
sit and talk with my friends. That’s what I’m
trying to bring to my customers.”
Besides the warming comforts of stim-
ulating conversation, Stan’s offers a wide
range of activities held in an event hall
found after wending one’s way through the
dim and inviting bar out front. On March
3, Stan, a former Green Beret in the United
States Army, held a beer and food pairing in
the event hall.
exposed to a wider variety of beers.”
Apart from the country’s go-to brews –
Imperial and Pilsen – Salas said there has
never been much of a beer culture here in
Costa Rica.
“It’s a way to teach our customers about
different kinds of beers and different kinds
of food they can pair with them,” Salas said.
“People in Costa Rica are just now starting to
try beers from outside or recently from guys
like Costa Rica’s Craft Brewing Company.”
The theme of the March 3 beer-pair-
ing get-together was Belgian beers. Charles
Jansen, of Distribuidora Isleña, which brings
Belgian beers to Costa Rica, officiated the
event while rattling off a mind-blowing col-
lection of Belgian beer facts.
“Belgium has more the 700 brands of
beer,” Jansen explained to a crowd of about
70 people convened at long tables in Stan’s
event hall. “That includes 100 active brewer-
ies, 53,000 bars and restaurants and an aver-
age annual consumption of 100 liters of beer
per capita.”
Jansen’s beer enthusiasm was infectious
as the food and beer pairing kicked off.
“Marvelously sweet,” Jansen cooed over
a glass of Tuborg Gold, a lager/pilsner served
with an herbed chicken tender and a splash
of green salad. The combo started the night
off with something light and crisp, but still
flavorful. At 5.5 percent alcohol by volume
(ABV), Tuborg Gold is technically a Dutch
beer, but none of the attendees seemed to
mind.
A few minutes later, as Jansen continued
Alberto Font | Tico Times
Brew Happy: Stan’s Irish Pub hosted
a Belgian beer tasting and food pairing
March 3 in San José's Zapote district.
spilling over with beer lore, the second pair-
ing arrived – a nicely sized knob of pork ten-
derloin with a berry glaze and a side of steak
fries served with a glass of Leffe Brune.
At 6.5 percent ABV, Leffe Brune, or Leffe
Oscura as it’s known here, is a high-fermen-
tation beer, meaning it is fermented in a
temperature range of 15-25 degrees Celsius
for a period of three to seven days. Toasted
more to the sweet side than the bitterness
usually associated with dark beers. He sug-
gested substituting the beer for a glass of
pinot noir.
As Stan’s staff hustled to bus empty
plates and foam-ringed glasses from the
tables, Jensen held an impromptu pop quiz
on beer-brewing, handing out beer glasses
to guests able to supply the correct answers
from early in the expert’s spiel.
The third pairing turned things up a few
notches with the strongest flavors and stron-
gest beer of the night.
“Duvel,” Jensen said, “has a round, dry
flavor in the mouth with a long bitterness.”
Stan’s guests noshed on black-pepper-
corn beef and cabbage salad, washing things
down with the 8.5 percent ABV brew.
The fourth and final pairing ratcheted
up the sweetness and dropped down the
alcohol content for a dessert wrap-up. Jensen
selected a Hoegaarden Rosé, at 3 percent
ABV, paired with lime cheesecake.
After the pairings, as guests discussed
their impressions of the different beers’ fla-
vors and qualities, Stan and Jensen signed
certificates vouching for each guest’s com-
pletion of the “Tasting and Pairing of Bel-
gian Beers.”
Stan said he plans on holding anoth-
er beer tasting and paring in August, and
an exposition of home-brewed beers from
Costa Rica is also in the works. Before then,
he’s gearing up for Saint Patrick’s Day with
a celebration that will begin Friday on St.
Patty’s Eve and continue on the 17th.n

In Ojochal , Puntarenas, Costa Rica

El Castillo del Sur The Costa Rican Massage Experience

All inclusive
Weekend!
12661

(506) 27 • 86 • 55 • 43
12953

12814
12163

Los Yoses • Escazú • Heredia • La Uruca

What awaits you at

Guadalupe Missionary Baptist?
•Services in English
•Fellowship
•A nice balance of contemporary songs and traditional hymns
•Bible taught with fidelity
•Spiritual growth from learning the word of God
•Blessings from applying the word of God
For information call 8848-3987 or 2222-4757, ask for Kent.
We are located 3 blocks E. of the Guadalupe cemetery, corner church.
12529

12454
 W4 | WEEKEND | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012

Exploring Costa Rica

Tranquility in Tamarindo: Who Knew?
By Ashley Harrell
Tico Times Staff

T
o those looking for the fullest experi-
ence of the booming beach town of
Tamarindo, here is my advice: Go to
the party in Playa Tamarindo, but stay at
Sueño del Mar in nearby Playa Langosta.
Located in the northwest province of
Guanacaste, the two beaches are separated
by only a 15-minute walk or a three-minute
drive – but their ambience is worlds apart.
Tamarindo is all about frenetic commerce
and salty revelry with its abundant bars,
restaurants, surf shops and casinos. Langosta
is Tamarindo’s tamer, laid-back neighbor to
the south, where a good time is watching the
sunset from a hammock on the quiet, jungle
shore of the Pacific.
Each night, guests at Sueño del Mar – a
bed-and-breakfast that’s been around for
nearly two decades – do just that. Then
they might take a dip in the pool, head to
town for a bite or socialize with other guests
before retiring to one of just six accom-
modations. All are uniquely adorned with
locally crafted hardwood beds, hand-painted
sheets and colorful handmade crafts that the
owners have collected from around Central
America. Every room includes a private out-
door shower dripping in tropical foliage.
The spacious and plush units – two of
which are casitas with multiple beds and
kitchens – feature arched wooden doorways,
vaulted ceilings and undulating white stucco
walls. A honeymoon suite with the second
floor to itself and two stairway entrances
comes with an enormous hammock, two
traditional rocking chairs, an iPod dock and
a bottle of wine.
Downstairs, the full kitchen hosts a
three-course breakfast each morning. The
breakfast – made from scratch with fresh,
organic ingredients – is free for guests but
open to everyone. It includes homemade
granola, pancakes or a savory omelet, tropical
fruit, and mouthwatering breads and cakes,
accompanied by passion fruit mimosas and
Bloody Marys with pickled asparagus and
celery salt made by one of the managers. Dream Escape: The honeymoon suite at Sueño del Mar (top) comes with a view of the property’s beachfront backyard
“It’s pretty easy,” explained Dutch hotel
manager Susanne Koomen. “You toast the (bottom left) and a complimentary three-course breakfast (bottom right). Photos courtesy of Sueño del Mar
leaves of the celery stalk and sauté them on
the fire. Then you crumble them up and add Koomen once owned her own restau- starfish and other small marine critters.
some seasoning and garlic powder.” rant in Tamarindo, and many of the other For the couples and families who travel
staff members, including general manager to Sueño del Mar, these simple pleasures of Sueño del Mar
Eduardo Villa, have restaurant backgrounds. Playa Langosta often wind up trumping the
N
That expertise can be tasted every morning, action to the north. But for those who can’t
and the B&B’s website, www.suenodelmar. resist the call of the night, Tamarindo’s party
com, generously provides recipes for some scene is just a stroll down the beach.n W E Sueño del Mar
of the breakfast favorites.
Although the ocean air is unkind to Going There S Villareal
crops in the area, Sueño del Mar regularly International guests can fly into Daniel Oduber
Tamarindo
attempts to grow its own produce. They’ve International Airport in Liberia, capital of Guanacaste, Playa Langosta
seen success with chili peppers and passion which is a one-hour drive from Sueño del Mar. The
Santa
fruit, Koomen said, and the staff also makes B&B’s private driver will retrieve up to eight people there 27 de
Abril Cruz
Avellanas
a point of composting as much as possible. for $80. You can also fly into Tamarindo’s tiny airport
They have a black water treatment plant on from Liberia or San José on domestic airlines Nature Air
the property, and they recycle. (www.natureair.com) and Sansa (www.flysansa. San
“We’re pretty green,” Koomen said. com). Driving from San José takes about five hours. José
San
José
Local wildlife seems to agree. For those Rates range $150-$325 plus 13 percent tax and Enlarged
Area
interested in encountering howler monkeys, include a three-course breakfast, air conditioning and Enlarged
Area
Pacific Ocean
geckos, iguanas, blue jays and many other use of snorkeling equipment, boogie boards and wire- Pacific Pacific Ocean
Secondary Road
bird species, Sueño del Mar is a great place less Internet. The B&B plays frequent host to weddings Ocean Inter-American Hwy
Secondary Road
to do it. The B&B also provides snorkel gear, and honeymoons. For information and reservations, call
12912

which is best used at low tide for spotting 2653-0284 or visit www.suenodelmar.com. Roy Arguedas Arias | Tico Times
Hangin’ Out
Family Vacations in Costa Rica

Special Section | March 16-22, 2012

Mónica Quesada | Tico Times

S2 | FAMILY VACATIONS SPECIAL SECTION | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012
From Beaches to Treetops, Costa Rica Offers
By Tico Times Staff
W
hether you’re looking for rain for-
est, beach, educational or adven-
ture trips, Costa Rica offers some-
thing for all ages. Here’s a selection of attrac-
tions around the country to get you started
in planning your family vacation.
Central Valley
The capital of Costa Rica has grown
up quite a bit in the past decade. While
many tourists only have San José on their
itineraries as a hub between the airport and
the country’s jungles and beaches, there’s
plenty of culture and history to enjoy in
the capital.
Children’s Museum
Why go: This prison-turned-museum
designed for kids but enjoyable for adults
offers all sorts of hands-on exhibits, such as
an earthquake simulator and a radio studio.
Location: North end of Calle 4
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.;
Saturday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Price: 15 and under, $1.60; over 15, $2.20
Contact: 2258-4929, ext. 123, www.
museocr.org.
National Museum
Why go: Recently remodeled, the museum
showcases the region’s ancient history, from
pre-Columbian works of stone and gold up
to modern times, with classes on traditional
dance and Costa Rican customs – plus
throw in a brilliant Butterfly Garden.
Location: Calle 17, between Avenidas Central
and 2, east side of Plaza de la Democracia
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30
p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Price: Nationals, $3, free on Sundays and
every day for kids up to 12 and students;
foreigners, $8, or $4 for students
Contact: 2257-1433, www.museocostarica.
go.cr
Gold Museum
Why go: The building consists of three in-
depth exhibits, the Gold Museum (1,600
handcrafted gold pieces from A.D. 500-
1500), the Numismatic Museum (5,000
money-related objects) and the temporary
exhibit room (rotating exhibits by local and
international artists).
Location: Calles 3 and 5, between Aveni-
das Central and 2, underneath Plaza de la
Cultura.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:15 a.m.-5 p.m.
Price: Nationals, $3, $1 on Sundays; for-
eigners, $11, or $8 for students
Contact: 2243-4202, www.museosdelbanco
central.org
Parque de Diversiones
Why go: It’s no Disney World, but this
theme park contains waterslides, roller
coasters, go-karts, train rides and a re-
creation of Costa Rica at the beginning of
the 20th century.
Hours: Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Price: Pass, $12.80; parking, $5.60, $2.80
after 2:30 p.m.
Location: Northwestern district of La
Uruca, 2 km west of Hospital México
Contact: 2242-9200, www.parquediversion
es.com
INBioparque
Why go: The National Biodiversity Insti-
tute’s theme park highlights the country’s
ecological diversity with interactive displays
Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah: Zip line through the canopy at Selvatura Park in the
cloud forests of Monteverde, in north-central Costa Rica.
of frogs, tarantulas, exotic flowers and fierce
bullet ants, among others.
Location: Santo Domingo de Heredia, 500
m south and 250 m east of the Red Cross
Hours: Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-
Sunday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Price: Nationals, guided tour $8.70; foreign-
ers, half-day tour (includes lunch, transport
and guided tour) $44, ticket and guided
tour $24
Contact: 2507-8107, www.inbioparque.com
La Paz Waterfalls
Why go: Three years ago, the area near Poás
Volcano was hit by a major earthquake, but
at last all is back together at this park with
gorgeous waterfalls and views and a wildlife
park featuring a hummingbird garden, but-
terfly farm, monkey house, orchid garden
and a rescued jaguar.
Lodging: The park has its own on-site lodg-
ing, the Peace Lodge. Each room comes
with its own waterfall.
Location: Vara Blanca, an hour and 20 min-
utes northwest of San José
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Price: Adults, $35; kids 3-12, $20
Contact: 2225-0643, www.waterfall
gardens.com
Ronald Reyes | Tico Times
Poás Volcano National Park
Why go: The popular and beautiful volcano
is located not far from the country’s pri-
mary airport.
Location: An hour and 20 minutes north-
west of San José
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Price: $10
Contact: 2482-2424
Cartago
The classic colonial capital, east of San
José, has old ruins, national parks, botanical
gardens, historic churches and archeological
sites.
Irazú Volcano National Park
Why go: This volcano presents a view of
both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans on
clear days, and of an awesome crater.
Location: 30 km north of Cartago
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Price: $10
Contact: 2200-5025
Turrialba Volcano National Park
Why go: The country’s most active volcano
since Arenal went dormant, Turrialba last
erupted in 2010 and often can be seen
spewing ash and smoke.
Location: 10 km north of Turrialba
Price: Free
Contact: 2268-8091
Guayabo National Monument
Why go: This archeological site dating back
to 1000 B.C. features mounds, tombs and
still-functioning aqueducts.
Location: 17 km northeast of Turrialba
Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price: Adults, $6; children, $1
Contact: 2559-1220
Ujarrás Ruins National Monument and
Orosi Church
Why go: These ruins date back to the mid-
1500s, and are enclosed by an impressive
park.
Location: Northeast of Orosi, near Cachí
Lake
Orosi Valley
Why go: The country’s oldest church can
be found here, right in the middle of some
magnificent scenery.
Location: Less than an hour east of San José
Contact: 2552-4823 for Tapantí National Park
(admission $10, open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily)
Northern Zone
The focus of this region is La Fortuna
and Arenal Volcano. With everything from
thermal springs to zip lining and whitewa-
ter rafting, this is one of Costa Rica’s most
popular destinations.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Why go: Sure, it’s inactive now, but hiking
this impressive volcano is still an excellent
feat.
Location: 3.5-hour drive from San José
Hours: Day tours are available at 8 a.m., 2
p.m. and 3 p.m.
Contact: 2479-8811, www.arenal.net
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Why go: A huge wetlands for migratory
birds, fish, reptiles and plants.
Location: 120 km northwest of San José
Hours: Monday-Friday. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price: Free
Desafío Adventure Company
Why go: This La Fortuna-based adventure
company also has offices in Monteverde
and Sámara. Options include canyoneering,
rafting, hiking, spelunking, kayaking, fish-
ing tours, zip lining and more.
Location: Offices in La Fortuna, Monte-
verde and Sámara
Contact: 2479-9464, www.desafiocostarica.
com
Monteverde
Welcome to the cool climate and famous
cloud forests of this popular tourist destina-
tion. The area, settled by Quakers, includes
rural tourism and various zip-lining courses
through the misty mountains.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Why go: A fantastic chance to hike into a
cloud forest and possibly see a resplendent
quetzal. Guided tours are available and rec-
ommended, as are night tours.
Location: 6 km southeast of the town of
Santa Elena
Hours: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price: Nationals, $5, $4 for students, $3 for
 THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | FAMILY VACATIONS SPECIAL SECTION | S3

Vacation Fun for the Whole Family Founded in 1956 by Elisabeth Dyer
kids 6-12; foreigners, $17, $9 for students Publisher 1972-1996 Richard Dyer
and kids 6-12
Contact: 2645-5122, 2645-5564, www.
Costa Rica 1981 IAPA - Pedro G. Beltrán Award for distinguished
service to the community
monteverdeinfo.com NICARAGUA Caribbean 1985 Special Citation Maria Moors Cabot Awards
Sea 1990 National Conservation Prize
Selvatura Park 1995 IAPA Grand Prize for Press Freedom
Why go: Check out the hanging bridges Tortuguero 1998 Salvation Army Others Award
Liberia National Tourism Chamber Media Award
and ride the zip lines through the misty Coco
Lake Arenal
forest. Arenal Volcano
In memoriam - Linda Frazier (1945-1984)
Flamingo
Location: Monteverde Cloud Forest Vol. LV N. 2160
Tamarindo Monteverde
Reserve Publisher Dery Dyer Advertising
Hours: Depends on tour schedules NICOYA Editor David Boddiger Marco A. Calderón
PENINSULA Weekend Editor Meg Yamamoto Edwin Ramírez
Price: Quarter-day, half-day and full-day Limón
Online Editor Laianer Arias Jeannette Campos
packages available Nosara Puntarenas San José
Business Manager Olman Chacón Ricardo Rojas
Contact: 2645-5929, www.selvatura.com Cahuita Public Relations & Sales Cindy Vargas
Montezuma Puerto Viejo Manager Kathia Lorena Coto
Circulation Manager:
Costa Rica Sky Adventures Malpaís
Jacó Manzanillo Staff Writers & Contributors Diego Herrera
Why go: Take a Sky Tram to the top of the Esterillos Ann Antkiw, Ed Bernhardt, Kate
forest and zip line around it, or walk over Quepos Manuel Galante, David Garrett, Julie Finance
Antonio PANAMA Godfrey, Néstor González, Susan Rigoberto León
some hanging bridges. Dominical Hall Liang, Ashley Harrell, Rod
Location: Monteverde Cloud Forest Hughes, Andrew Kasper, Production Manager:
Reserve Gaby Kyriss, Shawn Larkin, Mayra Sojo
Matt Levin, Vicky Longland, Roy Arguedas
Hours: Depends on tour schedules Pacific Ocean Dorothy Mac­Kinnon, Jennifer Verny Quesada
Price: Several tours available N McLennan, Clayton R. Norman,
Contact: 2645-5238, www.skytrek.com Jack O’Brien, Todd Staley, Customer Service
OSA
Mitzi Stark, Jeffrey Van Fleet Max Bejarano
W E
PENINSULA Martha Gamboa
Creepy Crawlers Photography
Clara León
Alberto Font
Why go: Bugs and stuff are cool, especially S
Fernando Quirós
Bernardino Madrigal
Inter-American Hwy.
around Monteverde. Mariel Salazar
Options: Monteverde Butterfly Garden Systems
Edwin Cárdenas
(2645-5512, www.monteverdebutterfly Roy Arguedas Arias | Tico Times
garden.com), Frog Pond (2645-6320), Ser- The Tico Times (USPS 002-579) is published every Friday
pentarium (2645-6002), Monteverde Insect landscape: Santa Rosa (sanctuary for sea home to Orosi (the most diverse), Rincón
for $65 per year by The Tico Times S.A.,
Avenida 8, Calle 15, Apartado 4632-1000, San José, Costa Rica.
World (2645-6859, www.monteverde turtles), Barra Honda (spelunking site), Palo de la Vieja (the most active), Miravalles Tel. (506) 2258-1558
insectworld.com), Bat Jungle (2645-7701) Verde (wetlands home to 20,000 water and (known for its geothermal energy) and Periodicals postage paid in Miami, FL
migratory birds). Tenorio (home to the sky-blue Río Celeste) Postmaster – Send address changes to:
Guanacaste volcanoes. The Tico Times-SJO 717,
P.O. Box 025331, Miami FL 33102-5331.
Volcanoes Copyright Convention: unauthorized reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
The largest province in the country has Why go: The Guanacaste mountain range is Page S44
it all, from beaches to tropical dry forest to
national parks to volcanoes. Sportfishing,
canopy tours, bird-watching, surfing and
scuba diving are all popular activities in
this region.

National Parks and Protected Areas

Why go: Four national parks dominate the

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2582-2100
cosmetic-dentalcare.com
Kamuk Hotel & Casino
Address: Quepos Center, beachfront, 100 mts. North
Santa Ana, Lindora from park, Quepos Costa Rica
P.O. Box: 18-6350
Tel: (506) 2-777-08-11 Fax (506) 2-777-02-58
info@kamuk.co.cr www.kamuk.co.cr
12804

For reservations in U.S.A. & Canada: 1-800-528-1234

12647

0004
S4 | FAMILY VACATIONS SPECIAL SECTION | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012

Family Vacations Include Ecotourism, Adventure

3Page S3
Beaches
Why go: Who doesn’t love the beach? Top
spots include Papagayo, Hermosa, Coco,
Conchal, Tamarindo, Flamingo, Avellanas,
Brasilito, Nosara, Sámara and Carrillo.

Central Pacific
Costa Rica’s most accessible beaches can
be found here, along with the extremely
popular Manuel Antonio National Park.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Why go: Perhaps the country’s best-known
national park, it has superb beaches, nature
trails and abundant wildlife such as mon-
keys and sloths.
Location: 10 minutes north of Quepos
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price: $10
Contact: 2777-5185

Rain Forest Aerial Tram

Why go: The beach town of Jacó might be
overrun with development, but the nearby
tram provides an up-close look at the area’s
wildlife by allowing visitors to glide silently
through it on 18 gondolas.
Location: Just outside Jacó
Hours: Depends on tour
Price: Adults, $55; kids and students, $27.50
Contact: 2257-5961, www.rainforestadven
ture.com
South Pacific
Home to some of the most diverse eco-
systems in the country, this region offers
visitors the chance to see crocodiles, tapirs,
whales and dolphins up close.
Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge
Why go: Hire a guide, take a zip line or go it
alone in this top-notch spot for bird-watch-
ing, hiking and canopy exploration.
Location: North of Dominical
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Price: $6
Contact: 2787-0003, www.haciendabaru.com
Ballena National Marine Park
Why go: One of the best places in
the country for camping on the
beach, watching whales offshore,
diving and observing sea turtle
nesting grounds.
Location: 16 km southeast of Dominical,
near Uvita
Contact: 2786-5392, www.marinaballena.org
12789
Slothful: Young two- and three-toed sloths hang out at the Sloth Sanctuary, a rescue, research and rehabilitation center
between Limón and Cahuita on the southern Caribbean coast.
Corcovado National Park
Why go: Flora and fauna not found any-
where else on earth can be seen in this iso-
lated national park that’s perfect for hikers
and nature lovers.
Location: Osa Peninsula
Price: $10 ($3 per night camping)
Contact: 2735-5036
Limón
Head to the Caribbean for a completely
different feel. Groove to the Afro-Caribbean
beats and enjoy some delicious coconut rice
and beans and other traditional foods. The
coastline features some of the country’s most
beautiful beaches.
Rain Forest Aerial Tram
Why go: Take a 2.6-km tram tour in an open-
air gondola through the rain forest canopy.
Location: About 50 minutes from San José
on the highway to Limón, in Braulio Car-
rillo National Park
Hours: Depends on tour
Price: Adults, $55; children and students,
$27.50
Contact: 2257-5961, www.rainforestadven
ture.com
Tortuguero National Park
Why go: This system of canals teems with
all sorts of animals, most famously turtles,
with species – leatherbacks first and then
green turtles – nesting between March and
October.
Location: 90 km north of Limón
Price: $10
Contact: 2709-8086
Cahuita National Park
Why go: Check out the largest coral reef in
Costa Rica, or bask on white-sand beaches.
Location: 40 km south of Limón
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.;
Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Price: $10, or voluntary donation
Contact: 2750-0398
Sloth Sanctuary
Why go: Get up close and personal with
lovable two- and three-toed sloths, includ-
ing babies.
Francesco Vicenzi | Tico Times
Location: 35 km south of Limón
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Price: $25, $15 for kids 5-11
Contact: 2750-0775, www.slothsanctuary.
com
Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife
Refuge
Why go: This refuge near the
southeastern border with Panama
is famous for having the best-
preserved coral in the country,
as well as ancient rock
formations and turtle nesting sites.
Location: 73 km south of Limón
Contact: 2750-0398
Beaches
Why go: Some of the country’s
most beautiful beaches can be found
on the southern Caribbean coast. Check
out Cahuita, Puerto Vargas, Cocles,
Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo,
with the towns of Cahuita and
Puerto Viejo serving as the hubs for
visitors to these beaches.n

Wildlife Spotting, Guaranteed, in Costa Rica
By Vicky Longland
Special to The Tico Times
W Squirrel monkey, Saimiri oerstedii
ith its amazing biodiversity and
impressive species count, and with
26 percent of its territory under
conservation, Costa Rica is the place to come
and observe wildlife. Right? Well, yes and no.
The country’s national parks and reserves
provide protected habitat for all these ani-
mals to feed, roam and just “be.” However,
some people come away disappointed not
to see tapirs, jaguars and anteaters as shown
in many a TV nature program. Spotting ani-
mals in the wild can take patience, the right
time of day and weather conditions, and a
slice of good luck.
But with some planning, you can ensure
that you and your animal-mad kids have
great visual encounters with some of Costa
Rica’s emblem creatures. To help you do
that, we’ve put together the following list
of reserves, rescue centers and parks where
close animals encounters are assured. Note:
Your best bet for good sightings in the two
national parks mentioned here is to get there
early, before the crowds and the heat of the
day send most creatures deep into the forest.
ZooAve – San José de Alajuela, north of Juan
Santamaría International Airport, 2433-8989,
www.zooavecostarica.org, open 9 a.m.-5
p.m. daily, entrance ₡3,900 residents, ₡7,500
tourists, ₡2,000 children
Despite the name, this is not a zoo but
a private bird and animal refuge, breeding
and rehabilitation station. Native species
are reintroduced into protected wild zones.
Good for scarlet and green macaws, toucans
and quetzals, but ZooAve also features jag-
uars, pumas, monkeys, tapirs, turtles, igua-
nas, peccaries and some non-native species.
Toucan Rescue Ranch – San Isidro de Here-
dia, 30 minutes north of airport, 2268-4041,
www.toucanrescueranch.com, open daily by
reservation only, entrance ₡4,000/₡2,000 resi-
dent adults/children, $15/$7.50 nonresident
adults/kids
A private rescue facility to study, rescue
and if possible rehabilitate toucans. Also a
captive breeding program for all five toucan
species found in Costa Rica. You can also
see owls, macaws, whistling ducks, porcu-
pines and kinkajous. Funding comes from
an adoption program, tours and two small
guesthouses ($115 per night for five guests,
including tour).
Refugio Herpetelógico de Costa Rica – Alto
de las Palomas, old road between Escazú and
Santa Ana, 2282-4614, www.refugioherpeto
logico.com, open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-
Sunday, entrance ₡2,000 adults, ₡1,500 seniors
and kids under 12, nonresidents $14 adults,
$11 students, $7 kids under 12
For biologist Rodolfo Vargas, the “snake
refuge” started as a personal project to receive
confiscated animals from the Environment
Ministry or the local fire service. But he
White-nosed coati
Mónica Quesada | Tico Times
Croc Watch: Tourists check out the crocodiles that live under the Tárcoles River
bridge, on the way from San José to Jacó on the central Pacific coast.
needed funds to maintain the increasing
variety of snakes, reptiles, monkeys, parrots
and turtles in his care, so he opened to the
public last year. The star is Sobek, a huge
crocodile, whose front feet were amputated
by farmers to stop him wandering into their
fishponds. Tours are offered in English or
Spanish, and you can become a Friend of
the Refugio.
Curú Wildlife Reserve – Nicoya Peninsula, 6
km south of Paquera ferry, 2641-0100, www.
curuwildliferefuge.com, open 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
daily, entrance $10
Still a working farm but with 80 per-
cent given over to protected forest and the
reserve, Curú embraces a sandy sea cove with
safe swimming. The reserve features a long-
term program to reintroduce scarlet macaws
and spider monkeys in the area, as well as
eight trails to look for capuchin and howler
monkeys, agoutis, basilisk lizards, white-
tailed deer, peccaries, coatis and otters.
La Marina Wildlife Rescue Center – San
Carlos de Alajuela, 8.5 km northeast of Ciu-
dad Quesada, between Palmera and Aguas
Zarcas, 2474-2202, www.zoocostarica.com,
open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, entrance $8 adults,
$5 children
This privately funded center opened in
1957 to care for confiscated or injured ani-
mals, and boasts a highly successful, world-
recognized Baird’s tapir breeding program,
with the latest tapir born in October. The
12-hectare facility has a new jaguar com-
pound donated by Jaguar Motors. Some 50
green and scarlet macaws have been reintro-
duced into the area near La Marina, and 200
animals are reintroduced into the wild each
year. Some 450 species can be found here,
either in captivity or free to roam the grounds.
Oddities include African lions and ostrich.
Tárcoles Bridge – 25 km south of Orotina,
where the Costanera highway crosses the Tár-
coles River
Lots of crocodiles bask under the sun in
the shallow river waters under this bridge on
the road to Jacó. It is good for birdlife, too,
with herons, frigate birds and often scarlet
macaws. Warning: The bridge walkway is
narrow and trucks rumble close by, so keep
children well under control. The best side to
park is the north side, as it is a closer walk to
view the crocs. Like it or not, people some-
times encourage them to hang around by
feeding them raw chicken or meat.
THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | FAMILY VACATIONS SPECIAL SECTION | S5
Mónica Quesada | Tico Times
If crocodiles are your thing, you can take
a boat tour with Jungle Crocodile Safari,
starting from nearby Tárcoles village. Four
two-hour tours per day are offered with
bilingual guides to explore the Tárcoles River
and its reptilian populations (2637-0338,
www.junglecrocodilesafari.com, $30 per
person, bottled water or juice provided).
Carara National Park – Just past Tárcoles
River on Costanera highway, 8383-9953, open
7 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, last entry 3 p.m., entrance
$10 adults, $1 kids under 12, $2 Costa Rican
residents, registration at ranger station
This park features unique transition for-
est where Mesoamerican dry meets Amazo-
nian humid rain forest, with an abundance
of wildlife from both ecosystems. Three
well-shaded short trails start at the main
entrance, ideal for younger feet. Look for
scarlet macaws and toucans, and spider,
howler and capuchin monkeys. A fourth trail
leaves from the road two kilometers north of
the main entrance, to Laguna Meándrica and
a lagoon viewpoint. Freelance guides will
help you spot creatures for $20 per person.
Restrooms, a picnic area and drinking water
are available, but no food.
Jaguar Rescue Center – Playa Chiquita, 6 km
south of Puerto Viejo on the southern Carib-
bean coast, 2750-0710, www.jaguarrescue.
com, Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. and 11:30
a.m., entrance $15
Note: You will not see any jaguars here.
In 2007, a baby jaguar whose mother had
been killed was passed on to the center’s
owners, primate expert Encar García and
naturalist Sandro Alviani. Too traumatized
and dehydrated, it didn’t survive, but they
named the rescue center in its honor. Jag-
uar does rescue, care and reintroduction of
monkeys, wildcats, sloths, raccoons, anteat-
ers, marsupials, porcupine, deer, reptiles and
owls. You can enter the baby howler monkey
enclosure to get up close and personal.
Sloth Sanctuary – From Limón, 30 km south
toward Cahuita, 2750-0775, www.sloth
sanctuary.com, open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. daily,
entrance $25 adults, $15 kids 5-11
This is the world’s first rescue, research
and rehabilitation center for two- and
three-toed sloths. Buttercup, the matriarch
sloth, was rescued in 1991 and still rules at
the center. Tours include a short introduc-
tory video, a visit to the sloth enclosures
and a canoe trip to look for white-faced
What Might You See?
Mammals
White-faced capuchin monkey, Cebus capucinus
Mantled howler monkey, Alouatta palliata
Spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi
Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni
Brown-throated three-toed sloth, Bradypus
variegatus
Paca/tepezcuintle, Agouti paca
Central American agouti, Dasyprocta punctata
Jaguar, Panthera onca
Neotropical otter, Lutra longicaudis
Kinkajou, Potos flavus
Northern raccoon, Procyon lotor
White-nosed coati, Nasua narica
Baird’s tapir, Tapirus bairdii
White-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus
Collared peccary, Tayassu tajacu
White-lipped peccary, Tayassu pecari
Birds
Resplendent quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno
Collared aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus
Fiery-billed aracari, Pteroglossus frantzii
Chestnut-mandibled toucan, Ramphastos swainsonii
Keel-billed toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus
Emerald toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus
Scarlet macaw, Ara macao
Great green macaw, Ara ambiguus
Reptiles
Basilisk lizard, Basiliscus basiliscus
Green iguana, Iguana iguana
Ctenosaur, Ctenosaura similis
Boa constrictor, Boa constrictor
Bushmaster, Lachesis muta
Eyelash viper, Bothriechis schlegelii
Fer-de-lance, Bothrops asper
Black river turtle, Rhinoclemmys funerea
American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus
Spectacled caiman, Caiman crocodilus
and howler monkeys. The Sloth Sanctu-
ary can get busy with cruise ship tours, so
check first.
Cahuita National Park – 43 km south of
Limón, 2755-0461, open 6 a.m.-5 p.m., last
entry 4 p.m., entrance for donation fee and
registration at Kelly Creek station, or $10 from
Puerto Vargas
The easy beach and forest trail here is
about 9 km from the Kelly Creek station
in Cahuita to the Puerto Vargas ranger sta-
tion and back to the highway. Buses go past
every hour to return to Cahuita. The Río
Suárez has to be crossed and can reach 1
meter deep at high tide – you will get wet!
There are beautiful white-sand beaches at
each trailhead (others are protected turtle
nesting areas) with snorkeling close to shore.
Chances are excellent here to see howler and
capuchin monkeys, iguanas, toucans, herons,
ibis and, if you are early enough and quiet,
agoutis, coatis, raccoons and sloths. Rest-
rooms and drinks are available at the ranger
station. Best time to visit is March-April or
September-October for drier months.
Quetzal’s Paradise – Inter-American High-
way, Km 70, southeast of San José, 2771-4582,
www.quetzalsparadise.com, three-hour tours
$10 per person
At 2,650 meters, hunting for the resplen-
dent quetzal can be a bracing challenge, but
if you want to spot this emblematic bird of
Central America, this is the place. The best
season to see the male sporting his ridicu-
lously long tail feathers is April and May.
Accommodations are available.n
 S6 | FAMILY VACATIONS SPECIAL SECTION | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012
Family-Friendly Hotels Abound in Costa Rica
By Clayton R. Norman
Tico Times Staff
S
emana Santa is fast approaching, and
with a week’s worth of leisure time
on their hands, lots of Tico families
will be looking for holiday getaways that
kids and parents alike will enjoy. Luckily, in
Costa Rica, family-friendly accommodations
abound. Here are just a few suggestions.
Many of the country’s big resorts – such
as the Barceló chain’s all-inclusive Pacific
beach resorts in Tamarindo and Tambor
(www.barcelo.com) and Marriott’s resorts
in the Central Pacific and Guanacaste (www.
marriott.com) – include some variation on
the “kids’ club” theme, offering child-care
services and an assortment of activities with
kid appeal.
Plenty of non-megaresorts are also
family-friendly. In San José, the Hotel KC
Colaye (www.kchotelcolayesj.com, 2231-
2324) has an outdoor pool and sits just a
few blocks east of La Sabana Park and the
National Stadium. The park offers outdoor
recreation from jogging trails to basketball
courts to shady spots for a family picnic,
and the National Stadium is the biggest
venue in the country to take in a concert or
a sporting event. Kids under 12 stay free at
KC Colaye.
In Cartago, east of the capital, Hotel Río
Perlas (www.rioperlasspaandresort.com,
2533-3341, 2533-2543) offers four ponds
and two lakes for trout fishing as well as a
thermally heated swimming pool, a regular
swimming pool and a kids’ pool. Natu-
rally heated, private and covered Jacuzzis are
offered, too. Take the kids on a hike along the
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hotel’s bird-watching trails or rent bikes and
go for a ride.
Poco a Poco Hotel and Spa (www.hotel
pocoapoco.com, 2645-6000) in north-cen-
tral Costa Rica’s Monteverde will organize
excursions for the whole family to see the
area’s abundant attractions, from cloud
forest tours and butterfly viewings to coffee
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tours, zip lines and more. The hotel features
an indoor heated pool with swim-up wet
bar and an adjoining kids’ pool. There’s
also a “Kids’ Club” play area. All rooms have
DVD players, and movie rentals from the
hotel’s library run $3 per night. Kids under
11 stay free.
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pool, luxurious rooms and spa services at
Hotel Magic Mountain (www.hotelmagic
mountain.com, 2479-7246, 2479-7248),
near the foot of famous Arenal Volcano in
northern Costa Rica. Kids 10 and under
stay free. For off-site adventures, Magic
Mountain can organize horseback riding
tours, sportfishing for guapote on Lake Are-
nal and hikes to the volcano. The hotel will
also arrange day trips to the cloud forest of
Monteverde or the Caño Negro wetlands,
among other excursions.
On the central Pacific coast near Que-
pos, Hotel La Isla (www.laislahotel.com,
2779-9016) is a beachfront getaway with
plenty of open areas for playing. Beach
volleyball and soccer are regular here, and
ping-pong and billiards tables are available
for playing, too. Enjoy lying with the family
on the beach, surfing or just splashing in
the pool. La Isla can also arrange snorkeling
or diving tours, sportfishing charters, tours
of mangrove forests and horseback riding.
Kids 5 and under stay free, and kids 6-12
stay for half-rates.
In the Guanacaste province, on the north-
ern Pacific coast, Hacienda Pinilla (www.
haciendapinilla.com, 2680-3000) offers a
luxury getaway with numerous family-ori-
ented activities. The resort’s 4,500 acres
include three miles of coastline encompass-
ing Langosta, Avellanas and Mansita beach-
es. Its three-story Beach Club, which sits
right on the sand with a pool, bar and ocean
views, features a kids’ club on the main floor.
Horseback riding, nature trails and aquatic
activities are available as well as golf, tennis
and, of course, surfing Little Hawaii break at
Playa Avellanas.n
meetings@horizontes.com
www.meetingsbyhorizontes.com
Tel: (506) 2222-2022 ext. 118 or 132
STANDARD
 THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | FAMILY VACATIONS SPECIAL SECTION | S7

Easter Holy Week: Processions, Food and Pranks

By Mitzi Stark In San José, the procession leads to the Met- items. Pan casero, a sweet, flattish bread, is made of straw and old clothes on a wooden
Special to The Tico Times ropolitan Cathedral. also a Holy Week specialty, and is even bet- frame, and stuffed firecrackers inside it. All
Easter Sunday gets less attention than the ter if baked with leña or wood fire for the across Costa Rica, Judases were marched

S
emana Santa, or Easter Holy Week, this previous days and is almost anticlimactic, slightly smoky taste. Encurtidos, vegetables from house to house, scaring some and
year spans the week from Palm Sunday, but churches do have processions of the Res- pickled with vinegar, mustard and bay leaves, angering others. At dawn, the Judases were
April 1, to Easter, April 8, and is the urrection, which are joyful and accompanied accompany all dishes. Heart-of-palm salad burned in the church plaza, the explosions
most solemn religious week of the year. With with music. and tuna salad with seashell macaroni are from within waking up one and all.
schools, factories and businesses closed, it is also on Tico tables this week. In time, Judas Night led to vandal-
for many a vacation week, and while beaches Easter Eats ism and violence, and it is still prohibited
and mountains attract a lot of Ticos, there Judas Night in some places such as Barva de Heredia,
remain strong feelings for the religious, tra- Special foods are a part of Holy Week. north of the capital, where fires were set
ditional and social values incorporated in The most common are bacalao, or dried cod Saturday night before Easter is Judas and windows broken in the night. However,
Easter processions and observances. fish, which is made into soup for Friday and Night, both feared and celebrated. Years ago, people wanted to revive the tradition, and
On Palm Sunday, Domingo de Ramos, Saturday, and chiverre, the oversized pump- it was a night of pranks when young people neighborhoods and communities now have
parishes enact the Bible story of Jesus enter- kins sold in markets and stands around this stole plants and furniture from porches and Judas burnings under supervision, often
ing Jerusalem for the Passover, when crowds time, which is cooked into a sweet jam eaten carried their booty off to the plaza in front of early in the evening, with cimarrona music
cheered him by waving palm branches. All plain or used in empanadas and other baked the church. They also built a Judas, an effigy for all to enjoy.n
Catholic parishes give out sprays of palm
leaves. In many churches, the scene is acted
out with members of the parish playing the
roles in Biblical dress and, if possible, with
Jesus riding a donkey.
Holy Week is not a week for parties and
pleasure, but rather for reflection. Churches
are open for confession and meditation.
Thursday is the procession of the Last Sup-
per, when Jesus and his apostles met for
the Passover seder and Jesus announced his
coming agony and death. Processions head-
ed by Jesus, the apostles and the Marias start
at a given point and walk in silence to the
church where the supper scene is enacted.
Processions are held at different hours in
different parishes. (In my area, they are no
longer held at night because of traffic. Years
ago there was no traffic on Easter Thursday
and Friday.)
Friday’s processions are the most elabo-
rate and solemn of the week. A drum
cadence sets the pace, and everyone – adults,
children, families together – joins in. Small
altars are set up along the route to represent
the 14 Stations of the Cross, and the pro-
cession halts in front of each for a passage
from the gospels, read or acted out. Led by
Roman soldiers, the Roman court, Jesus
carrying the cross, his followers, the two
thieves who were also crucified, Veronica
and Simon, the procession ends with the
crucifixion, with Jesus and the thieves roped
to crosses, and the final words from the gos-
pel. This takes place on the church lawn, the
soccer field or wherever a crowd can gather.

Harmony Reforma | Tico Times

Passion: An Easter Holy Week proces-

sion outside of Mercedes Norte Church
in Heredia, north of San José.
2007
S8 | FAMILY VACATIONS SPECIAL SECTION | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012

Garlic for the Mediterranean Potted Garden
H
ere’s another
HOME
GARDENING
healthy herb
for the Medi-
terranean potted kitch-
en garden I highlighted
in my last article (TT,
Feb. 17). Garlic, Allium
sativum, is another
plant that was brought
to this continent by the
early colonists, along
Ed Bernhardt
with rosemary, basil,
oregano and thyme. A
member of the onion
family, garlic has been used for centuries as
food and medicine.
Fresh garlic in the diet has been shown
to reduce high blood pressure and choles-
terol, fight bacterial, viral and fungal infec-
tions, prevent parasites, and aid in the treat-
ment of asthma, arthritis, cancer, colds, flu,
insomnia, liver problems, sinusitis, ulcers
and yeast infections.
In Costa Rica, garlic has been grown
commercially in the intermediate regions;
however, much of the garlic now found in
markets is imported.
Gardeners have found that growing gar-
Hotel Costa Rica: Turtles and the Circle of Life
Chapter 7 of 8
“T
he turtles
are ready,”
said the
voice on the hotel
phone.
“Where will they
Steve Church be?” I asked.
“Turtle Beach.”
“Duh,” I muttered and hung up.
This was a day we’d waited months for:
the release of 150 baby turtles back to the
big ol’ blue.
It is a sad thing, and one of the few cul-
tural clashes I had witnessed here, but the
fact was many locals in the southern part of
Costa Rica still consume turtle eggs as fast as
they can dig them up.
I witnessed day after day, while buying
fish at the dock, evidence of dozens of small
sharks caught on longlines, de-finned and
tossed back to die. I saw day after day the
shrimp boats slowly plying the river mouth a
quarter mile offshore, their dragnets tearing
up all life on the bottom of the sea, 40-foot
swaths at a pass.
It’s a sad and complicated dilemma.
After all, does being a visitor in any culture
give you the right to cast judgment on local
custom? Probably not. Does being a world
citizen make it your and everybody’s respon-
sibility? Probably so.
Costa Rica, after all, is not the only coun-
try in the world to harbor these practices. In
fact, Costa Rica is one of the few countries
that strives to make progress in protection,
with more land in parks and stronger envi-
ronmental agencies than most of the world.
But still, destruction of the locals’ own habi-
tat continued on a daily basis, unabated.
I understand it’s pretty hard to look at
the future when you and your kids are hun-
gry today, but the reality is that already at
the mouth of the Térraba, one of the richest
feeding grounds in Costa Rica, the fish are
disappearing. The future?
So, in light of this, some of the local
folk, both Tico and Gringo, have banded
Grow Garlic: Gardeners have found that growing garlic organically is difficult,
but you can do it successfully in containers.
lic organically is difficult, but you can suc-
ceed in growing garlic in containers around
the house, in spots where they receive full
sun and no rain. You can use 10- to 12-inch
garden pots or recycled plastic containers
together in Ojochal to protect what they
can, and one of their endeavors is digging
up turtle eggs before they are consumed,
planting them in a protected environment
and then releasing the baby turtles into the
sea. Only about 2 percent of the young tur-
tles will then survive to make their decade-
long circumference of the Pacific, returning
to this exact beach to lay their own eggs.
Tourists around the world would pay big
bucks to watch this miracle of nature, a
cash injection to the local community. The
future?
A band of 35-40 folks from all walks
gathered on Turtle Beach. The sky was bril-
liant blue, and a slight ocean breeze knocked
back the heat just enough. The mood was
jubilant. Here was a group of folks, rich
and poor, young and old, Tico or Gringo, it
mattered not, no one noticed. The common
thread was that they were doing something
good for the world.
The young turtles, piled 30 to a five-
gallon bucket, clawed and clambered over
their two-inch siblings in their effort to get
on with their lives. When held, they strained
against your fingers with tiny flippers, their
eyes not only deep with the knowledge of
ages but burning with the fire of life, an
intense ambition to get on with their fate
and future.
A dozen children were allowed to release
the babies 50 yards up the beach from
the inviting waves. Immediately the tiny
creatures headed in the direction of the
water, fanning out across the sand. Hun-
dreds of gulls circled overhead, diving on the
hapless little reptiles. Many were becoming
exhausted.
The children bent to help them on their
way, to shelter them from the gulls.
“You mustn’t help,” quietly admonished
Johnny, the Tico who had hatched the eggs.
“They are imprinting the beach. In this
50-meter crawl, they are learning who they
are and where they came from, so they can
return to their home.”
Finally, the first tiny turtles reached the
18979
sea, only to be picked up and tossed end
THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | WEEKEND | W5
Photo Source: Wikipedia public domain
with holes in the bottom. Planter boxes are
also good for this purpose. A 5-centimeter
layer of gravel is placed on the bottom and
the rest is filled with a screened potting mix
of compost and loam soil. Plant four to
for end back on the beach by the power-
ful waves. Again and again they struggled
against the waves, finally reaching deeper
water, only to be picked off by ravenous fish
darting through the gin-clear waves.
In the 20 minutes it had taken to get from
where they had been released to the relative
safety of deep water, probably 25 percent had
lost their lives – and this was with the protec-
tion of 35 waving, encouraging humans.
But hope for the remainder made it one
of the most incredible days of our lives.
A few months later, we were five miles
out to sea, returning from a snorkel adven-
ture on Caño Island. Sitting in the bow of the
leaping speedboat, I began to notice hun-
dreds and hundreds of seabirds – gulls, boo-
Casa Buena Vista
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A private home lodging located in Manuel An-
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ocean/ jungle view.
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$25 for one. Rooms with A/C are $10 more.
HIGH SEASON RATES - $50 for two people or
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Prices Include full breakfast.
www.casabuenavista.net
US Tel. 510-356-3781
CR tel. 011-506-2777-1002 or 2777-0292
Fax. 011-506-2777-1946
12545
five garlic cloves, with the pointed end up,
at the soil’s surface. Be sure to water them
once a week.
Growing garlic is easier when you can
control watering, since excessive rain can
cause the bulbs to rot in the soil. So be care-
ful not to overwater, and don’t locate your
potted plants in shady, damp areas.
Compost tea and seaweed extract help
increase the growth and vigor of garlic
plants, while additions of efficient micro-
organisms, or EM, and products with citrus
seed oil extract help prevent bacterial and
fungal infections. Both these treatments
are good preventive measures for all your
garden plants.
You’ll find that having several pots plant-
ed with garlic can be very handy for picking
young garlic leaves for your salads. These
leaves provide a mild garlic taste and the
benefits of chlorophyll too. If you prefer to
grow bulbs, don’t pick the leaves so the garlic
bulbs can mature.n
For more information on tropical home gar-
dening contact Ed at thenewdawncenter@
yahoo.com. We have a newsletter to share
with you.
bies, cormorants – standing on the water!
Upon closer inspection, the birds, spread
across the ocean as far as one could see, were
standing on the backs of TURTLES! Huge,
grinning, green-backed turtles inches under
the surface, their flippers steadily pushing
the water as they made their way toward
land, and on each one stood a solitary bird
… doing what? Giving directions? Backseat
driving? Hitching a free ride? Or welcoming
home one of the great circles of life?n
To be continued. Find previous chapters at
www.ticotimes.net. U.S. writer and for-
mer humor columnist Steve Church owns El
Castillo hotel and villa on Costa Rica’s south-
ern Pacific coast (www.elcastillodelsur.com).
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serengeti@racsa.co.cr
W6 | WEEKEND | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012
*New this week. Listings are in chronological order. E-mail Calendar submissions to aharrell@ticotimes.net by 11 a.m. Monday, five days prior to date of publication.
FRIDAY
*Santa Ana Onion Fair: Onions, marching bands,
fireworks, a “greasy pole” contest, March 16-18, all
day, in the vicinity of Santa Ana's Catholic church.
*St.Patrick’s Day Eve Party Fundraiser: Benefits
the American Legion Charities, March 16, 4 p.m., Wel-
lington Pub at Equestrian Estates north of San Rafael de
Heredia, contact Randall or Mark at 2267-6071.
“Tango”: Directed by Oscar López Salaberry and
Gabby Retana, March 16, 7 p.m., Café Liberia, Liberia,
Guanacaste, 2665-1660.
Gentleman Diversity Tour: German reggae artist,
March 16-17, 8 p.m., Club Vértigo, Centro Colón, Paseo
Colón, San José, 2549-5030,www.labolete ria.co.cr.
National Symphony Orchestra: With guest conduc-
tor Gum Nanse of South Korea and Russian-American
violinist Philippe Quint, March 16, 8 p.m.; March 18,
10:30 a.m., National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5, 2221-
5341.
*Celtic music for St. Patrick’s Day Eve: A live
show with professor Carlos Torres, March 16, 8 p.m.,
Stan’s Irish Pub, Zapote district, San José, 2253-4360.
*Sasha Campbell: R&B and hip-hop music, March
16, 9 p.m., Jazz Café Escazú, opposite CIMA Hospital,
2288-4740, www.jazzcafecostarica.com.
*“Los de la Bajura”: A band from Santa Cruz
performs traditional music of Guanacaste, March 16,
10 p.m., Jazz Café San Pedro, next to Banco Popular,
2253-8933, www.jazzcafecostarica.com.
*Party at the Evelyne House of Shame: With 40
Costa Rican artists including Christophe Haleb and
Francesca La Zouze, March 16-18, 7 p.m., Evelyne
House of Shame in La Antigua Aduana in San José.
2012 International Arts Festival: “Ruta de Museos
y Galerías,” 600 works of art exhibited in 17 San José
venues, through March 25; 2,000 artists from 28 coun-
tries, guest of honor Korea, March 15-25, La Sabana
Park, Parque La Libertad, venues around San José;
opening concert with Calle 13, March 16, 9 p.m., La
Sabana Park; closing concert with Alan Parsons, March
25, 7 p.m., La Sabana Park, www.festivaldelas
artes.go.cr.
*Redbone Celebrity Fishing Tournament:
25th annual event will raise money for cystic fibrosis
research, March 17-22, Crocodile Bay Resort, Puerto
Jiménez, redbone.org, for more information contact
Susan Ellis at susan@redbone.org.
2012 National Surf Circuit: March 24-25, Palo Seco
de Parrita; April 28-29, Esterillos Oeste; May 19-29,
Dominical; June 16-17, Jacó; July 21-22, Santa Teresa;
grand finals, Aug. 24-26, Playa Hermosa, Central
Pacific, www.surfingcr.net.
*First National Trout Expo: Organized by trout
farmers of the Cerro de la Muerte region, March 24-25,
La Trinidad de Dota, Km 63, Inter-American Highway
South, 2231-2344.
*Mutt’s Party: Spay and neuter program fundraiser in
conjunction with AHPPA, March 24, 12:30 p.m., Zamora
Look for Calendar updates online
throughout the week, as well as a list of
clubs and organizations, religious services
and classes, at:
www.ticotimes.net/Weekend/
Events-Calendar
Calendar
Ronald Reyes | Tico Times
Saturday night, the Ricardo Sapris-
sa Stadium in Tibás hosts X-Nights
2012, a freestyle motocross compe-
tion, at 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Enamorate de tu ciudad: Arts, cultural and
educational shows and classes, urban sports,
handicraft exhibits, food, cotton candy, chess tables,
concerts, clowns, Saturdays, through Dec. 1, 10
a.m., Parque España, Parque Morazán, Jardín de
Estates, Santa Ana, contact Leigh Monahan, 2269-9707,
monahanleigh@gmail.com.
*Facebook Workshop: Training on the new timeline
for business pages launch, organized by Magnifico
Marketing, March 22, 6 p.m., Restaurant Tin Jo, San
José, 8926-9867.
*Lux Aeterna: California dance group performs in FIA,
March 23-24, 8 p.m., Teatro de la Danza, San José.
Hike: La Cangrejita-Mastatal, Puriscal, with Caminatas
Shkuk, March 25, 6:15 a.m., 2223-3186, 8306-6354.
Professional Women’s Group March Meeting:
Meet and greet, March 28, 6 p.m., Restaurante MYA,
Plaza del Rey, Escazú, www.pwgmarch2012.event
brite.com.
Jungleman Trail Run: a marathon, half-marathon,
10k and 5k run, March 31, 8 a.m., starts on Tamarindo
beach and finishes Junquillal, put on by La Ruta Adven-
tures, reservations@larutaadventures.com.
Costa Rica vs. Honduras Soccer Match: April 11,
3 p.m., National Stadium, 2206-7770, www.special-
ticket.net.
Jacó Extreme Challenge: 10K race, April 14, 4 p.m.,
Morgan’s Cove Resort, Jacó, 2643-3147, www.reto
jacoextremo.com.
Colette Dionne: Textile art, sculpture, through March
21, Naranja Art Gallery, Playa Ballena, Km 169, highway
between Uvita and Ojochal, Southern Zone, anjason
nenberg@gmail.com.
“Vanguardia Popular”: Portraits by José Díaz and
María Montero, through March, Contemporary Art and
Design Museum, Av. 3, Ca. 15/17, 2257-7202.
“Vinculaciones”: A collection of art from Beatriz
Parra, Carolina Parra, Elizabeth Thompson, Leonor
Parra, Mario Parra, Randolph Gómez and Xavier Vil-
lafranca, through April 14, Sophia Wanamaker Galleries,
Barrio Dent, 2207-7554.
Carlos Hiller and Tony Jiménez: “Mangroves and
Beyond,” paintings and sculptures, through April 15,
Daniel Oduber International Airport, Liberia, Guana-
Paz and Parque La Merced, www.face book.com/
enamoratedetuciudad.
*American Football: March 17, Rhynos vs. Car-
tago Dragons, 2 p.m., Toros vs. Raptors, 7 p.m., Cuty
Monge Stadium, Desamparados, www.fefacr.org.
*Guadalupe Urbina: opening concert for the “Grand-
mothers, Shamans and Midwives” exhibition, March 17,
4 p.m., Hidden Garden Art Gallery, 5 km west of airport,
Liberia, Guanacaste, 8386-6872, 8386-6968.
X-Nights 2012: Freestyle motocross competition,
March 17, 7:30 p.m., Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, Tibás,
2549-5030, www.laboleteria.co.cr.
Hérnan Jiménez: stand-up comedy, March 17-18, 8
p.m., Jazz Café Escazú, opposite CIMA Hospital, 2288-
4740, www.jazzcafecostarica.com.
*Rock music of James Getman: March 17, 8 pm.,
Stan's Irish Pub, Zapote district, San José, 2253-4360.
*“Peregrino Gris”: March 17, 10 p.m., Jazz Café
San Pedro, next to Banco Popular, 2253-8933, www.
jazzcafecostarica.com.
SUNDAY
*Ecological and Educational Walk: a five-hour
walk through Suárez Aserrí, Fila Cedral and San Ignacio
de Acosta, March 18, 6:30 a.m., south of San José, for
more information contact guide Luis Boza, 8306-6354.
Tarja Turunen: Finnish symphonic metal singer,
March 18, 7 p.m., National Gymnasium, La Sabana
Park, tickets at Insomnio stores, 2207-2025, www.
mundoticket.com.
caste, 8386-6968, 8386-6872.
“Edificio Metálico”: Group exhibit by national and
international artists, through May 5, TEOR/éTica, Barrio
Amón, Ca. 7, Av. 9/11, 2233-8775.
*Victoria Cabezas: “Propio y ajeno,” mixed media,
runs through May 5, Contemporary Art and Design
Museum, Av. 3, Ca. 15/17, 2257-7202, www.madc.
ac.cr.
*“The Disasters of War”: 82 prints of Francisco
de Goya on exhibition, opens March 17, through May
10, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Calderón Guardia Museum, Barrio
Escalante, Av. 11, Ca. 25, 2222-6392.
“Felines in Costa Rican Archaeology”: Stone,
gold and ceramic pieces from 300 B.C.-A.D. 1500,
through October, Central Bank Museums, beneath Plaza
de la Cultura, 2243-4224.
Festival Imperial 2012: Music festival with Maroon
5, Björk, LMFAO, Thievery Corporation, Cypress Hill,
Moby, Gogol Bordello, The Flaming Lips, Skrillex, TV
on the Radio, Major Lazer, Manchester Orchestra, Felix
Martin and Al Doyle, La Mala Rodríguez, Ximena Sari-
ñana, A-Trak, Akasha, Sonámbulo, 424, Bomba Estéreo,
Porter Robinson, Huba & Silica, Zopilot, The Great Wil-
derness, Color Noise, Patiño Quintana, March 24-25,
Autódromo La Guácima, Alajuela, www.festivalimpe
rial.com, www.laboleteria.co.cr.
“Poetas de España, Poetas de América”: Recital
with music, by Dionisio Cabal, March 28, 8 p.m.,
National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5, 2221-5341.
*Los Hermanos Rosario: A concert by the Domini-
can merengue band, March 28, 9 p.m., Fiesta Casino,
Alajuela, www.fiesta.cr.
Rock Legends: Concert by Mike McCready of Pearl
Jam and his band Shadow, Duff McKagan of Guns N’
Roses and his band Loaded, March 30, 9 p.m., Luxe
Lounge, San Rafael de Escazú, next to Play store, 2288-
4949, www.publitickets.com.
Latin Strings Ensemble: A string cuartet performs
“a tour of the Latin soundscape,” dinner begins at 6
p.m., performance at 8 p.m., Hotel Cuna del Angel, 4.5
miles south of Dominical, for additional information
email info@cunadelangel.com.
The Met: Live in HD: Operas broadcast live in high
definition from the Metropolitan Opera in New York
City, Massenet’s “Manon,” April 7, 10 a.m.; Verdi’s “La
Traviata,” April 14, 10:55 a.m., all at Eugene O’Neill
Theater, CCCN, Barrio Dent, 2207-7554.
A Tribute to the Beatles: The Philharmonic Orches-
tra, April 14, 10:30 a.m.; April 15, 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.,
Melico Salazar Theater, Av. 2, Ca. Ctrl./2, 2257-6005,
www.teatromelico.go.cr.
Maelo Ruiz: The Latin Grammy nominee performs
salsa, April 14, 8 p.m., Salón El Lago, Grecia, www.
specialticket.net.
Sodom: German thrash metal band, April 15, 6 p.m.,
Peppers Club, Zapote, 2206-7770, www.special
ticket.net.
Barón Rojo: Spanish metal band, April 19, Club 212,
San Joaquín de Flores, Heredia, tickets at La Casa de
las Revistas and Insomnio stores, www.todoticket
cr.com.
“Rock and Roll All-Stars”: Gene Simmons and
other old-school rockers, with emcee Charlie Sheen,
May 3, 8 p.m., Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, Tibás, tick-
ets go on sale March 3, 2206-7770, www.special
ticket.net.
“The Mouse Trap”: Agatha Christie all-time longest-
running classic, produced by the Little Theatre Group,
directed by Ann Antkiw, March 16-April 1, Fri.-Sat.,
7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m., Laurence Olivier Theater, Av.
2, Ca. 28, 8858-1446, www.littletheatregroup.org.
“Alice in Wonderland”: Pantomime production by
Beachnuts Theatre Company, March 23-25, 7 p.m.,
amphitheater, Tamarindo Diria hotel, Tamarindo, tickets
at Jaime Peligro Bookstore in Tamarindo, Café Mocha
in Haucas.
“El Mercader de Venecia”: Narrative show by Juan
“Cuentacuentos” Madrigal, March 30-April 1, 7 p.m.,
Juan Santamaría Museum, Alajuela, Av. 3, Ca. Ctrl./2,
2441-4775.
“Esqueleto con Sombrero”: A 30-minute interactive
play featuring Santi the skeleton, through June, Wed.-
Fri. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Sat.-Sun. 11:30 a.m.,
12:30 p.m., and 3 p.m., Children’s Museum, north end
of Ca. 4, 2258-4929, www.museocr.com.
18th Anniversary of the Children’s Museum:
Family activities, April 22-29, Children’s Museum, north
end of Ca. 4, 2258-4929, www.museocr.com.
Photo courtesy of Vicky Longland
The Little Theatre Group's produc-
tion of Agatha Christie's captivating
whodunit, “The Mousetrap,” opens
Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Lau-
rence Olivier Theater in San José.
The play runs through April 1.

*New this week. In general, movies in English have Spanish subtitles, animated and children’s movies are dubbed in Spanish with no subtitles, and foreign-language films have Spanish subtitles.
Note: Showtimes are subject to change. Theaters that fail to send us their schedules by deadline may not be listed.
SHOWTIMES
CCM Alajuela, Mall Internacional, Alajuela, 2442-
6100, www.ccmcinemas.com
El Fin: In Spanish, 5, 9:20 p.m.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: Dubbed, 12:30 p.m.
(Sa-Su), 2:40, 4:50, 7, 9:10 p.m.
John Carter: Dubbed, 12:30 (Sa-Su), 3:20, 6:10, 9 p.m.
The Resident: 12:40 (Sa-Su), 2:50, 7:10 p.m.
This Means War: 12:45 (Sa-Su), 2:55, 5:05, 7:15, 9:25 p.m.
CCM Cariari, Plaza Real Cariari, Ciudad Cariari,
Heredia, 2293-3300, www.ccmcinemas.com
Black Gold: 12:30 p.m. (Sa-Su), 3:15, 6, 8:45 p.m.
El fin: In Spanish, 12:30 (Sa-Su), 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 8:30 p.m.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: 12 (Sa-Su), 2:10, 4:20,
6:30, 8:40 p.m.
John Carter: Dubbed, 12 (Sa-Su), 2:50, 5:40, 8:30 p.m.
Safe House: 11 a.m. (Sa-Su), 1:30, 4, 6:30, 9 p.m.
This Means War: 12 (Sa-Su), 2:15, 4:25, 6:35, 8:45 p.m.
CCM Heredia, Paseo de las Flores Mall, Heredia,
2237-6263, www.ccmcinemas.com
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: Dubbed, 10:40 a.m.
(Sa-Su), 12:50, 3, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30 p.m.
John Carter: 3-D dubbed, 10:40 a.m., 12:30 (Sa-Su), 1:20,
3:20, 4, 6:10, 6:40, 9:20 p.m.
Safe House: 11:30 a.m. (Sa-Su), 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30 p.m.
This Means War: 12 (Sa-Su), 2:15, 4:25, 6:35, 8:45 p.m.
Underworld: Awakening: 9 p.m.
CCM San Carlos, Plaza San Carlos, Ciudad Que-
sada, 2460-6202, www.ccmcinemas.com
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: 12:30 p.m. (Sa-Su), 2:40,
4:50, 7, 9:10 p.m.
John Carter: Dubbed, 12:30 (Sa-Su), 3:20, 6:10, 9 p.m.
This Means War: 1:30 (Sa-Su), 4, 6:30, 9 p.m.
CCM San Pedro, Mall San Pedro, 2283-5716,
2280-9585, www.ccmcinemas.com
Black Gold: 10:30 a.m. (Sa-Su), 1:10, 3:50, 6:30, 9:10 p.m.
El fin: In Spanish, 11:10 a.m. (Sa-Su), 1:10, 3:10, 5:10,
7:10, 9:10 p.m.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: 2-D, subtitled, 12 p.m.
(Sa-Su), 2:10, 4:20, 6:30, 8:40 pm., 3-D, dubbed, 10:30
a.m. (Sa-Su), 12:40, 2:50, 5:05, 7:20, 9:30
John Carter: 2-D, subtitled, 12:15 p.m. (Sa-Su) 3:05, 5:55,
8:50 p.m., 3-D, dubbed, 10:40 a.m. (Sa-Su), 1:20, 4,
6:40, 9:20 p.m.
Safe House: 11:30 a.m. (Sa-Su), 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30 p.m.
The Help: 12:30 (Sa-Su), 3:30, 6:30, 9:30 p.m.
This Means War: 10:45 a.m. (Sa-Su), 12:55, 3:05, 5:15,
7:25, 9:35 p.m.
Underworld: Awakening: 12:30 a.m. (Sa-Su), 2:35, 4:40,
6:45, 9 p.m.
CCM San Ramón, Plaza Occidente, San Ramón,
2447-7120, www.ccmcinemas.com
Hugo: Dubbed, 12:15 (Sa-Su), 3, 5:45 p.m.
John Carter: Dubbed, 12:30 (Sa-Su), 3:20, 6:10, 9 p.m.
Safe House: 1:30 p.m. (Sa-Su), 4, 6:30, 9 p.m.
Underworld: Awakening: 8:30 p.m.
Cinemark del Este, Multiplaza del Este, Currida-
bat, 2280-0490, www.cinemarkca.com
Beauty and the Beast 3-D: Dubbed, F, M-Th, 4:30, Sa-Su,
4:45 p.m.
Black Gold: F, M-Th, 1:30, 4;05, 6:45, 9:25, Sa-Su, 12,
2:40, 5:20, 8 p.m.
El fin: In Spanish, 8:45 p.m.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: 3-D, dubbed, 1:55, 4:10,
6:30, 8:50, (Sa-Su), 11:40 a.m
Hugo: 3-D dubbed, 1:35, 4:15, 6:55 p.m. (Sa-Su), 11 a.m.
John Carter: 2-D dubbed, F, M-Th, 3, 5:50 p.m.; Sa-Su,
12:10, 3, 5:50 p.m. 3-D dubbed, F, M-Th, 1:50, 6:25,
9:10 p.m.; Sa-Su, 11:10 a.m., 2, 6:40, 9:30 p.m.
Safe House: F, M-Th, 2, 4:20, 6:40, 9:15 p.m., Sa-Su,
11:20 a.m., 1:50, 4:25, 7, 9:25 p.m.
The Help: F, M-Th, 3:45, 9 p.m.; Sa-Su, 1:15, 6:20, 9:20 p.m.
This Means War: F, M-Th, 1:45, 3:50, 6, 8:10 p.m.; Sa-Su,
11:30 a.m., 1:40, 3:50, 6, 8:10 p.m.
Underworld: Awakening: 2-D subtitled, F, M-Th, 1:45, 6:50
p.m.; Sa-Su, 11:15, 4:20. 3-D dubbed, F, M-Th, 9:30
p.m., Sa-Su, 9:35 p.m.
Cinemark Escazú, Multiplaza Escazú, 2201-5050,
www.cinemarkca.com
Beauty and the Beast 3-D: Dubbed, F, M-Th, 5:30 p.m.;
Sa-Su, 6 p.m.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: 3-D, subtitled, F, M-Th,
2:15, 4:40, 7:05, 9:25 p.m., Sa-Su, 12:20, 2:40, 5, 7:20,
9:45 p.m.
This Week’s Movies
Beauty and the Beast 3-D (La bella y la bes-
tia 3-D): The 1991 animated Disney classic in 3-D.
Directed by Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise.
*Black Gold (El principe del desierto): At the
onset of the 1930’s oil boom, an Arab prince must
align with either his conservative father or his hip, lib-
eral father-in-law. Starring Tahar Rahim, Mark Strong,
Antonio Banderas. Directed Jean-Jacques Annaud.
El fin: In this Costa Rican production, two old friends
analyze the meaning of their lives as the end of the
world draws near. Starring Kurt Dyer, Pablo Masís.
Directed by Miguel Gómez.
*Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (Vengador
Fantasma): The devil is trying to take human form,
and Johnny Blaze is called from Eastern Europe to
handle the situation. Starring Nicolas Cage, Ciarán
Hinds. Directed by Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor.
Hugo (La invención de Hugo Cabret): An
orphaned boy living in a train station in 1930s Paris
unravels the mysterious backstory of a disgruntled
toymaker. Starring Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz,
Christopher Lee. Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Jack and Jill: A successful advertising executive
and family man in Los Angeles prepares for his most
dreaded event of the year: the Thanksgiving visit of
his identical twin sister. Starring Adam Sandler, Katie
Holmes, Al Pacino. Directed by Dennis Dugan.
John Carter: A Civil War veteran is inexplicably
transported to Mars, where he becomes reluctantly
embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions among the
planet’s inhabitants. Starring Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Col-
lins, Willem Dafoe. Directed by Andrew Stanton.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (Viaje 2:
La isla misteriosa): In this follow-up to 2008’s
“Journey to the Center of the Earth,” a teen partners
with his mom’s boyfriend to find his grandfather, who
is thought to be missing on a mythical island. Starring
Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine.
Directed by Brad Peyton.
*Safe House (Protegiendo al enemigo): A young
CIA agent is supposed to be looking after a fugitive in
Hugo: 3-D subtitled, F, M-Th, 6:05 p.m.; Sa-Su, 3:20 p.m.
Jack and Jill: F, M-Th, 2:05, 7:20 p.m.; Sa-Su, 12:45,
6:25 p.m.
John Carter: 2-D dubbed, F, M-Th, 2, 5, 8 p.m.; Sa-Su,
12:30, 3:30, 6:25, 9:20 p.m. 3-D dubbed, F, M-Th, 2:25,
9:10 p.m.; Sa-Su, 12, 3, 8:30 p.m.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island: 3-D dubbed, F, M-Th,
3:15 p.m.; Sa-Su, 12:15 p.m.
Safe House: F, M-Th, 2:45, 6:30, 9:20 p.m., Sa-Su, 1, 3:45,
6:45, 9:40 p.m.
The Help: F, M-Th, 4:15, 9:35 p.m.; Sa-Su, 3:10, 8:45 p.m.
This Means War: F, M-Th, 2:10, 4:30, 9:15 p.m.; Sa-Su,
12:05, 2:20, 4:40, 9:15 p.m.
Underworld: Awakening: 7 p.m., F, M-Th, 9 p.m., Sa-Su,
9:35 p.m.
Cinépolis Desamparados, Multicentro, Desam-
parados, 2218-0815, www.cinepolis.co.cr
Black Gold: 10:45 a.m. (Sa-Su), 1:30, 4:15, 7, 9:45 p.m.
El fin: In Spanish, 8 p.m.
Ghost Rider: 3-D, dubbed, Spirit of Vengeance: 10:15 am.,
12:45 p.m. (Sa-Su), 3 p.m., 3-D, subtitled, 5:15, 7:45,
10 p.m.
Jack and Jill: 11:15 a.m. (Sa-Su), 1:15, 3:30, 5:45, 10 p.m.
John Carter: 2-D subtitled, 11 a.m. (Sa-Su), 2:15, 5:30,
8:45 p.m., 3-D subtitled, 9:30 p.m. 3-D dubbed, 10:30
a.m. (Sa-Su), 1, 3:45, 6:30 p.m.
Safe House: 11 a.m. (Sa-Su), 2:15, 5:30, 8:45 p.m.
Cinépolis Terramall, Terramall, Tres Ríos, 2518-
0002, www.cinepolis.co.cr
Black Gold: 12 p.m. (Sa-Su), 3, 6, 9 p.m.
El fin: In Spanish, 2:30, 4:50, 7:10, 9:30 p.m.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: 2:30, 5, 7:30, 10 VIP,
3-D, dubbed, 11 a.m. (Sa-Su), 1:30, 4 p.m., 3-D, sub-
titled, 6:30, 9 p.m., 2-D, subtitled, 1, 3:30, 6, 8:30 p.m.
Hugo: 2-D dubbed, 12:30 (Sa-Su), 3:20, 6:10, 9 p.m. 3-D
THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | WEEKEND | W7
Devil Returns: Johnny Whitworth stars as Blackout in “Ghost Rider: Spirit of
Vengeance,” a 3-D superhero film based on the eponymous comic book.
a safe house, but an attack sends the unlikely pair on
the run. Starring Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds,
Robert Patrick. Directed by Daniel Espinosa.
The Artist (El artista): In 1927 Hollywood, silent
movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of
talking pictures will sound the death knell for his
career, while young dancer Peppy Miller is set for her
big break. Starring Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John
Goodman. Directed by Michel Hazanavicius.
The Help (Historias cruzadas): An aspiring jour-
nalist during the civil rights movement of the 1960s
sets out to document the stories of African-American
maids working for white families in her Southern town.
Starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer.
Directed by Tate Taylor.
The Iron Lady (La dama de hierro): A look at the
life of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,
dubbed, 11:30 a.m. (Sa-Su), 2:20, 5:10 p.m.
Jack and Jill: 1, 3:20 p.m.
John Carter: 3-D dubbed, 12 p.m. VIP (Sa-Su), 3, subtitled,
6, 9 p.m. VIP, 2-D subtitled, 4:20, 9:30 p.m.
Safe House: 1:30, 4:10, 6:50, 9:30 p.m. VIP, 2, 4:40, 7:20,
10 p.m.
The Artist: 5:40, 8:10 p.m.
The Iron Lady: 11:30 a.m. (Sa-Su), 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30 p.m.
This Means War: 2:30, 5, 7:30, 10 p.m.
Underworld: Awakening: 2, 7:20 p.m.
CitiCinemas Grecia, Plaza Grecia El Ingenio, Gre-
cia, 2444-1779, www.citicinemascr.com
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: subtitled, 6:50, 8:45
p.m., dubbed, F, M-Th, 3, 4:55 p.m., Sa-Su, 12:30,
2:30, 4:30 p.m.
John Carter: 3-D subtitled, 8:20 p.m. 3-D dubbed, F, M-Th,
3, 5:40 p.m.; Sa-Su, 12:30, 3:05, 5:40 p.m.
Safe House: F, M-Th, 3:35, 8, 8:25 p.m., Sa-Su, 1:10, 3:35,
6, 8:25 p.m.
CitiCinemas Jacó, Plaza Coral, Jacó, 2643-2100,
www.citicinemascr.com
The Artist: 35 mm, 1:30 p.m. (Sa-Su) 3:25, 5:20, 7:15,
9:10 p.m.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: 1:30 p.m. (Sa-Su), 3:25,
5:20, 7:15, 9:10 p.m. John Carter: 35 mm, 1:25 p.m.
(Sa-Su), 4, 6:35, 9:05 p.m.
This Means War: 1:35 p.m. (Sa-Su), 3:30, 5:25, 7:20,
9:15 p.m.
Multicines Liberia, Plaza Liberia, 1 km before
Liberia, 2665-1515, www.multicinesliberia.com
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: 2:30 p.m. (M-Th), 4:30,
6:40, 9 p.m.
Hugo: 3-D subtitled, 2:30, 4:40 p.m. (M-Th), 12, 2:10, 4:30
p.m. (Sa-Su)
Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
and the price she paid for power. Starring Meryl Streep.
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd.
The Resident (Invasión a la privacidad): A
beautiful young doctor moves into the perfect Brooklyn
loft, but soon gets the unnerving feeling she is not
alone in her apartment. Starring Hilary Swank, Jeffrey
Dean Morgan. Directed by Antti Jokinen.
This Means War (Esto es guerra): Two deadly
CIA operatives and best friends wage an epic battle
against one another after they discover they are dating
the same woman. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris
Pine, Tom Hardy. Directed by McG.
Underworld: Awakening (Inframundo 4: El
despartar): The continuing saga of female vampire
warrior Selene, who leads her clan in a battle against
humankind. Starring Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy,
India Eisley. Directed by Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein.
John Carter: 3-D, 12 (M-Th), 3, 6, 9 p.m.
Safe House: 2:30, 4:40, 6:50, 9:10 p.m. (M-Th), 12, 2:10,
4:30, 6:50, 9:10 (Sa-Su)
Underworld: Awakening: 7, 9 p.m.
Multicines Plaza Paraíso, Plaza Paraíso, road to
Paraíso de Cartago, 2592-3133
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island: Dubbed, 2:30, 4:15, 6,
7:45 p.m.
The Resident: 2, 4, 6, 8 p.m.
This Means War: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 p.m.
Nova Cinemas, Avenida Escazú, east side of CIMA
Hospital, Escazú, 2299-7485, www.novacinemas.cr
Black Gold: 11 a.m. (Sa-Su), 4, 6:40, 9:20 p.m.
Hugo: 3-D subtitled, 6:30, 9:15 p.m. 3-D dubbed, 11:30
a.m. (Sa-Su), 3:45 p.m.
John Carter: IMAX 3-D subtitled, 6, 8:45 p.m. IMAX 3-D
dubbed, 11 a.m. (Sa-Su), 3:15 p.m., 3-D subtitled, 6:45,
9:30 p.m. 3-D dubbed, 11:45 a.m. (Sa-Su), 4 p.m.
Safe House: 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (Sa-Su), 4:30, 6:45,
9:20 p.m.
The Artist: VIP, 4:15 (Sa-Su), 6:30, 8:40 p.m.
The Iron Lady: VIP: 4:30 p.m. (Sa-Su), 6:45, 9:20 p.m.
This Means War: VIP: 4 p.m. (Sa-Su), 6:15, 8:30 p.m.
Sala Garbo, Av. 2, Ca. 28, San José, 2222-1034,
2223-1960, www.salagarbocr.com
The Artist: 3, 5, 7, 9 p.m.
Variedades Theater, Ca. 5, Av. Ctrl./1, San José,
2222-6108, www.facebook.com/TeatroVariedades
John Carter: 3-D, F, 12, 2:30, 5 p.m., Sa-Su, 12, 2:30 p.m.
M, 2:30 p.m. T-Th, 2:30, 7:30 p.m.
The Woman in Black: F-Su, 8 p.m.
FIA Movie Festival: Sa-Th, 5 p.m
Harold Lloyd film series: M, 7:30 p.m.
W8 | WEEKEND | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012
Spotlight
Lux Aeterna to Perform at FIA, Inspire Youth
By Andrew Kasper
Tico Times Staff
H
e is known as one of the pioneers of
the break-dancing scene, and a revo-
lutionary choreographer. He back-
flipped into a pair of Levi’s jeans for a nation-
al commercial, and was featured in a Run
DMC music video and the movie “Step Up 2:
The Streets.” His name is Jacob “Kujo” Lyons,
and he and his California dance troupe, Lux
Aeterna, are coming to Costa Rica.
The group of five dancers will be per-
forming at the 2012 International Arts Festi-
val, but they’ll also be hosting private work-
shops in low-income neighborhoods sur-
rounding San José. The overall goal, Lyons
said, is to entertain while also helping at-risk
youth. Lyons enjoys sharing the knowledge
and inspiration that helped him – and many
others like him – rise out of poverty. The
original hip-hop movement was cultivated
out of poor areas with gangs, drugs and fre-
quent violence, he said.
“The message that we bring is the same
message of hip hop in the 70s: make some-
thing out of nothing, and more importantly,
something beautiful out of nothing,” Lyons
said. “In these places where there is poverty,
crime and other problems there needs to be
beauty.”
Lux Aeterna will host workshops and
public performances at the Liberty Park
Foundation, a complex of community out-
reach and education centers in the 32-hect-
are park that borders the communities of
Desamparados, Curridabat and La Union.
The foundation, funded by the Culture and
Youth Ministry as well as private donors
and other public grants, aims to provide
free activities for thousands of people liv-
ing in the area. Those activities can include
anything from art to science and now hip
hop dance.
Lux Aeterna is being brought to Costa
Rica through sponsorship by the U.S.
Embassy and a U.S. State Department pro-
gram called Arts Envoy. In recent years, the
same program brought to the country other
acts such as a New Orleans jazz group and
another set of urban dancers from the his-
torically black Hunter College. According to
U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer Oscar
Ávila, Lux Aeterna’s potential to have a posi-
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Hanging Out: Lux Aeterna performs at Teatro de la Danza March 23-24.
tive influence on Costa Rican youth through
dance is one of the primary reasons the
group is coming.
“We were trying to find … a group with
very high artistic quality that can stand up
to any group in the United States, but also
12484
on the Arts
Lyons, speaking from personal experi-
ence, hopes dance can help others in the way
it helped him. He is completely deaf in his
right ear, and hard-of-hearing in his left. He
was bullied over the disability while growing
up in Los Angeles, and dance was his escape.
It provided him physical fitness and a sense
of fulfilment, and became an outlet for his
anger and frustration. His difficulty hearing
eventually resulted in a unique dancing style
that helped him make a name for himself.
“It was new and unorthodox,” Lyons said
about his technique. “Not everyone liked the
way I danced, but they all remembered me.”
Those were the days when Lyons was
breaking into the break-dancing scene. Now
he and his group have expanded their rou-
tines to include head-spins, handstands and
hip-hop moves. The routines Lyons and his
group will be showcasing in Costa Rica are
centered on contemporary dance and the
circus arts, and they will mix a wide range of
dance specialties with acrobatics.
“We think we’re the only group in the
world where the artists are trained in all of
those things,” Lyons said. “It’s a lot of work
to do in one show. It’s a challenge, and it’s
meant to inspire as well.”n
Courtesy of Lux Aeterna
[a group] very accessible to youth,” Ávila
said. “They started as break dancers in the
street without any formal training, and they
ended up a very famous group, essentially
starting from nothing like a lot of these
kids.” Courtesy of Lux Aeterna
Dreaming
of Bamboo
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by Brian
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12951
 THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE | 9

Business Real Estate

Business Leaders Form New U.K.-Tico Chamber

By Matt Levin
Tico Times Staff

Sharon Campbell began hosting break-

fasts at her residence with British business
leaders in Costa Rica in August 2011. The
social gatherings intended to understand the BritCham:
needs of the local business community. Members of
The British company owners met regu- the newly
larly with Campbell, the United Kingdom’s
ambassador to Costa Rica, to talk over meals formed United
of English sausage or Costa Rican gallo pinto. Kingdom-Costa
A little more than six months after the Rica Chamber
breakfast get-togethers started, the group
turned out one of its original goals. On
of Commerce,
Thursday, U.K. business owners and Tico BritCham, pose
leaders joined the embassy in inaugurating for a photo this
the United Kingdom-Costa Rica Chamber week.
of Commerce.
“I think this is pretty spectacular prog-
ress in terms of the initial discussions that
we had with the companies to actually be in
a position that we can launch the chamber,
and sign the documents,” Campbell said
during an interview with The Tico Times Courtesy of BritCham
on Tuesday.
The 15 founding businesses include for Costa Ricans. Campbell cited the U.K.’s first time last October during a goodwill tour the U.K. accomplished a similar achieve-
British Motors, Volcafé, British American expertise in the creative sector, environmen- of Latin America (TT, Oct. 28). ment.
Tobacco Company, security company GS4 tal sector and in education as areas British In addition, Campbell said more foreign- “There’s clearly a sense of moment here
and the Poás Volcano Lodge. Membership businesses can aid Costa Rican institutions. run businesses seem to be looking for more in Costa Rica that companies want to group
will be available to anyone interested in The U.K. is an industry leader in low-carbon alliances and coherency in the Costa Rican together, want to form chambers,” Campbell
business matters between the two countries. products and in reducing carbon footprints. business world. She mentioned that earlier said. “They see that there are opportuni-
The chamber gives British industry lead- The country also can help outmoded class- this year the Dominican Republic formed its ties here, but [they] want to work as a
ers a unified voice for business matters in rooms in Costa Rica take on new technology own business chamber. A short while later collective.”n
the country when they lobby government and courses.
ministries in Costa Rica or back home. In the creative division, Campbell ref-
Kenneth Waugh, director of Volcafé, erenced Vitec, a video company with a
the coffee division of London-based ED&F main plant in Costa Rica, which recently United Kingdom-
Man, said interest in forming a chamber announced plans to double its manufactur- Costa Rica Chamber Economic Indicators
has ebbed and flowed throughout the years. ing capacity in the country. Of Commerce Founders March 9-March 15 | Current Values and Percentage Changes
An influx of U.K. businesses in recent years Luisa Pastor, director of U.K. Trade and U.S. DOLLAR
• Amega Corporation MOST ACTIVE STOCKS
made the initiative a popular idea again. Investment, said Vitec builds state-of-the- EXCHANGE RATE*
The meetings at the ambassador’s residence art equipment for clients like Hollywood • BATCA
BUY: ₡503.69 SELL: ₡514.99
solidified that proposal. producers and National Geographic docu- • CSC
“We were understanding that we all have mentary filmmakers. Teaching the Costa • Richard Jones (Drum Cussac) Stock Volume Average Price
the same problems, we all have the same Rican workforce how to build cutting-edge • ED&F Man (Volcafé) FIFCO Unknown $880.00
goals,” said Waugh, whose company ships a technology can have far-reaching effects in • G4S – Valores
third of Costa Rica’s coffee exports. “And we the country’s own growing audiovisual and • G4S – Wackenhut
were discussing what is the best way to go film industry. • HRG Costa Rica Average loan INTEREST Rate
forward and find a solution for them.” “[Vitec] has machines nobody else has • Moore Stephens London Colones 18.48% Dollars 10.23%
The chamber’s key points of emphasis in this country,” Pastor said. “So they need • RECRESCO
INFLATION *Wednesday’s
will be on protecting investment for British to start by showing Costa Ricans how to use • International House FEB. 0.28% Central Bank
businesses in Costa Rica and making it easy those machines.” • Motores Británicos reference rate.
Last 12 months
for U.K. citizens to start up an enterprise The announcement of the chamber coin- • Poás Volcano Lodge 4.05% See
here. Other significant issues include bilat- cides with a greater push to strengthen rela- • Paul Gallie www.ticotimes.net
eral agreements, taxes and representing local tions between the U.K. and Latin America. • Floranova ACCRUED ’12 1.12% for daily updates.
interests in multinational companies. British minister of state at the Foreign Office, SOURCES: Central Bank (www.bccr.fi.cr)
Organization leaders see ample benefits Jeremy Browne, visited Costa Rica for the Source: British Embassy & Bolsa Nacional de Valores (www.bolsacr.com)

U.S. James Brohl, C.P.A. & M.B.A.

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 10 | BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012

Visitor Data Reliable, Says Tourism Official

By Clayton R. Norman
Tico Times Staff
When is a tourist not a tourist? In a
country where the visa run is a working
expatriate’s rite of passage, that question isn’t
quite as solipsistic as it seems at first blush.
The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT)
and the Association for the Protection of
Tourism (PROTUR) can’t seem to see eye-
to-eye on the proper way to tally up the
number of international visitors to Costa
Rica.
In recent weeks, PROTUR President
Boris Marchegiani – also president of the
Gaia Hotel and Reserve in Manuel Antonio,
on the central Pacific coast – accused the
tourism board of inflating the number of
tourists visiting Costa Rica, and claimed
that the country’s tourism industry is losing
competiveness. ICT policies, Marchegiani
said, have favored investment in large-scale
tourism development led by multinational
corporations to the exclusion of Costa Rica’s
small- and medium-sized businesses.
PROTUR was formed in 2010 to address
issues facing the tourism industry, includ-
ing a low exchange rate, increased costs for
electricity and water, and employee pay-
ments into the Social Security System. The
organization counts as members the owners
of more than 500 tourism businesses across
Costa Rica’s seven provinces (TT, April 15,
2011).
Marchegiani leveled his accusations at the
board in a presentation before the Legislative
Assembly’s Tourism Commission on March
1, in which he questioned ICT’s statistics and
suggested reforming the board to include
more representation from regional tourism
chambers (TT, March 9).
“What I’m suggesting is a democrati-
zation of the tourism industry through a
component of mixed public and private
enterprises comprised of three segments: the
government, representatives of the vertical
sector, which is to say hotels and restau-
rants, and representatives of regional tour-
ism chambers,” Marchegiani said.
ICT, he said, has focused on investing in
large-scale tourism developments, which are
less integrated into local webs of goods and
services than smaller tourism businesses.
Marchegiani said large-scale investments are
funneled into three or four geographically
specific tourist hubs.
“The whole rest of the country devel-
oped 35 other tourist destinations, mostly
through small- and medium-sized business-
es built with Tico capital,” Marchegiani said.
“Why shouldn’t 80 percent or 90 percent of
the tourism industry be represented on the
board?”
ICT General Manager Juan Carlos
Borbón responded to the PROTUR presi-
dent’s accusations via email, saying, “ICT
sees this regularly and as no more than a
way of using the information provided by
ICT [to promote] the interests of a particular
business group.”
The crux of PROTUR’s complaint about
tourism board statistics is that of the 2.1 mil-
lion visitors ICT reported for 2011, 659,562
entered the country more than once during
the year. Additionally, some 594,000 visitors
entered Costa Rica in 2011 via border cross-
ings. PROTUR suggested those visitors are
incorrectly categorized by ICT as tourists
when travel is more likely work-related.
Borbón did not directly address the issue
of separating out Costa Rica’s “perpetual
tourists” – foreigners who live and work in
the country and make periodic visa runs
every three months – but he defended ICT’s
statistics.
“The ICT provides a wealth of infor-
mation generated from Immigration
Administration data,” Borbón wrote.
“General indicators are calculated to
measure the level of growth or decline in
tourism to the country as a whole, but
beyond this, the objective of a figure of this
nature is to establish a measurement of tour-
ism for the country based on ways of mea-
suring tourism that are standard at inter-
national and inter-annual comparisons, in
a series beginning almost in 1950,” Borbón
stated in the email. “Additionally, it is a
number that allows comparison with other
destinations and regions, and even global
data provided by the United Nations World
Tourism Organization.”
The U.N.’s World Tourism Organization
defines visitors and tourism in the following
The Numbers
Game: Officials
in Costa Rica’s
tourism sector
say they fol-
low industry
standards when
reporting the
number of tour-
ist visits to the
country.
Tico Times
manner: “A visitor is a traveler taking a trip
to a main destination outside his/her usual
environment, for less than a year, for any
main purpose (business, leisure or other per-
sonal purpose) other than to be employed
by a resident entity in the country or place
visited. These trips taken by visitors qualify
as tourism trips. Tourism refers to the activ-
ity of visitors.”
That is from the 2008 International
Recommendations for Tourism Statistics
published by the U.N. agency.
John Kester, program manager for tour-
ism trends and marketing strategies at the
U.N. tourism organization, said the number
of times people enter the country in a given
year doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t fit
the definition of tourists.
“It isn’t a unique number of people
[measured by the U.N.’s recommended ways
of keeping statistics], it’s what we call visitor
arrivals,” said Kester.
The agency indicated that almost any
reason a person has for travelling outside of
an area of residence constitutes tourism. The
one main exception to that rule is travelling
for work.
“If [travelers] are Nicaraguans coming
to work in Costa Rica, then in principle they
should be out,” Kester said when asked about
PROTUR’s objections to the ICT numbers.
“If you are a Costa Rican living in Nicaragua
and you come to Costa Rica to visit your
family and friends, even if it is multiple times
in a year, then you should be counted in the
visitor count. But coming for work, normally
not.”
Kester and Borbón both indicated that
tourism statistics are largely generated
to facilitate analyses by businesses in the
industry (see Letters, Page 11).
“Everyone is responsible for making
their calculations from the data provided,”
Borbón wrote. “What data show for a par-
ticular private-sector group comes from [the
group’s] own business analysis and is par-
ticular to that reality. ICT data are generated
under quality standards, but it should be
understood that they require interpretation
by private actors.”
But Borbón also noted that 4 percent
growth in the tourism industry that the
board reported for 2011 is “a general indi-
cator of the tourism activity and does not
necessarily mean its distribution is uniform
throughout the country.”
In terms of hotel occupancy rates –
another data point Marchegiani questioned
in his presentation to lawmakers – Borbón
said ICT’s numbers are only “general and
serve as indicators at the national level”
because of “limited response in the business
sector to provide sufficient reliable informa-
tion on hotel occupancy to let us know the
real situation in the country.”
Looking over ICT data provided to the
U.N.’s World Tourism Organization, Kester
said he didn’t “really have much indication
to doubt [the] data too much.”
“With this data it always depends on
what angle you want, what point you want
to make with it,” he added.
ICT’s numbers indicate almost 437,000
international arrivals to Costa Rica from
Nicaragua in 2011. Kester said it is important
to remember that number represents any
Ticos living in Nicaragua travelling back to
Costa Rica to visit friends and family, activi-
ties that constitute tourist visits.
In response to PROTUR’s other allega-
tions against the ICT, Borbón said the board
has specific policies geared to helping small
businesses. Proof of this, he indicated, is
in the fact that 2,427 hotels in the country,
or 98 percent of hotels, have less than 100
rooms and an average size of 14.6 rooms per
hotel. Borbón said that between 2000 and
2010, the number of “hosting businesses”
in Costa Rica grew by 48.2 percent, and the
average number of rooms per hotel during
the period was roughly 16 rooms per hotel.
Asked about reforms to the tourism
board, Borbón said, “The ICT is an institu-
tion that works and has always worked with
chambers, municipalities and other orga-
nizations that are an important part of the
model of sustainable tourism development
in the country.”
He said ICT programs collaborate with
more than 70 tourism chambers throughout
the country, and many focus on increas-
ing “local participation in the develop-
ment of industry and strengthening local
capacities.”n

Land Measurement Chart

1 HECTARE
CONVERSION CHART
10,000 sq. meters / 107,600 sq. ft. 1 mile = 1.61 kilometers
• Logistics solutions in Door to Door 100 mts.
328 feet
1 kilometer = .6214 miles
1 meter = 3.28 feet
• Moving and Shipping 1 MANZANA
1 foot = .304 meters
1 yard = .914 meters
1 vara = .836 meters
• Any shipment any size 7,000 sq. meters / 75,600 sq. ft.
1 square vara = .698896 m2
1 meter =1.09 yards
• Storage, Commercial 1 ACRE
83.8 mts.
275 feet 1 square meter =10.76 sq.feet
1 square foot = .093 sq. mts.
Courtesy of Paradise Properties

1 manzana = .698896 hectares (7,000 sq. mts)

• Warehousing, Customs 4,049 sq. meters / 43,560 sq. ft. 1 manzana =1.73 acres
1 acre = 43,560 sq. feet
www.InterMoves-SGCR.com 1 acre = .405 hectares
63.6 mts. 1 hectare = 10,000 sq. mts.
Tel. (506) 2241-2147, Fax (506) 2241-2260, 209 feet
1 hectare = 2.47 acres
N. American toll free; (866) 491-6816 1 hectare =107,600 sq. feet.
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
La Florida de Tibás, San José, Costa Rica
12835

“But with GOD all things are possible” Mt. 19:26 13026
 THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | OPINION | 11

Editorial

Is a Flawed Plan Better Than No Plan?

T
he recent first-round approval in the Legislative Assembly of a fiscal reform bill Another difference from fiscal plans adopted by past administrations is the proposed
promoted by President Laura Chinchilla is not the proverbial light at the end of new tax on professional and trade services that have previously been exempt, instead of
the tunnel for Costa Rica’s troubled state of public finances. Not even members of taxing only consumer goods, which has been the cornerstone of prior economic policy,
Chinchilla’s own government believe it is. experts say.
The administration’s main argument in defense of the fiscal reform package has been The government also is hoping to tax education and health services – an option that
that if the plan is not approved, there will be no other recourse to reign in the country’s fis- wasn’t even on the table a decade ago. Not surprisingly, representatives from those sectors
cal deficit. say the current fiscal reform plan could jeopardize the quality and availability of health and
The bill’s path to approval has been torturous to say the least since it was first unveiled educational services.
in January 2011 by Finance Minister Fernando Herrero. Although the plan was top priority Another factor that cannot escape discussion is the role of the Constitutional Chamber
for lawmakers during its nearly nine months in existence, it of the Supreme Court, or Sala IV. Not only is the court
failed to generate consensus between Costa Rica’s various in the driver’s seat on tax reform, but its judges have also
political factions. In its current form, the bill has provoked reviewed other key pieces of legislation, including a traf-
The plan was revised in three different versions before fic bill – another of Chinchilla’s priorities – and an anti-
its current form, which lawmakers approved in a first round opposition from various sectors of society, smoking bill.
of voting on Wednesday. Its initial passage this week was many of whom say the government’s fiscal The court has the power to stall Chinchilla’s fiscal plan
possible only because it was supported by lawmakers from indefinitely, which would send ruling party lawmakers and
Chinchilla’s ruling National Liberation Party and a group crisis shouldn’t be solved with new taxes cabinet members back to square one. Lawmakers have con-
of allies in the Citizen Action Party who struck a deal with fessed that currently there is no Plan B.
PLN. There are two troubling aspects of the current fiscal
In its current form, the bill has provoked opposition from various sectors of society, reform situation: First, lawmakers must wait for a Sala IV resolution before they can pro-
many of whom say the government’s fiscal crisis shouldn’t be solved with new taxes or by ceed to a second round of voting. To a degree, the court is essentially legislating, a troubling
raising existing taxes, but rather by improving tax collection. pattern. Second, if the court rules the bill to be flawed and determines that it contains sub-
From the outset of tax reform discussions, the country’s construction and agricultural stantial errors – as opposition legislators claim – Chinchilla seems not to have a second plan
sectors have been skeptical, saying the bill would not promote economic growth in its first for immediate action to put the brakes on Costa Rica’s increasing fiscal deficit. Central Bank
few years of implementation. officials say that deficit will continue to grow without intervention.
Who will be most affected by the tax bill if it’s passed? The consensus is consumers, given For Chinchilla, the fiscal reform bill is an enormous political gamble. If it fails, and if the
that its main feature is a 14 percent value-added tax. However, it is evident that the proposed court rules the bill unconstitutional in its current form, her administration could be judged
tax measures would also affect trade, Tico buying power and the creation of new jobs. a failure. Worse, future generations of Ticos will be left holding the bag.

Letters

Tourism Board’s Numbers ing – which results in an 84 percent drop

in game fish stocks – lack of ocean-rescue
as the hotel industry, including dealing
with underage prostitution. This practice
Founded in 1956 by Elisabeth Dyer
Publisher 1972-1996 Richard Dyer
Only Part of the Picture programs, lack of first responders in emer- has been an additional downfall for some
gency situations, lack of zoning plans, prior of our local hotels, and rather than uniting
Dear Tico Times: lack of favorable interest and amortization our efforts to counter these illegalities and
1981 IAPA - Pedro G. Beltrán Award for distinguished
rates, lack of experience in the hospitality addressing the local woes, some of us blame
service to the community the ICT for inflating numbers without really
Some of the industry comments cited in industry and lack of local groups working
1985 Special Citation Maria Moors Cabot Awards together in the interest of the entire region. focusing where we should be focusing our
the recent article, “Are Costa Rican Tourism
1990 National Conservation Prize Stop the finger pointing and take a good efforts. This, of course, is much easier than
Board Numbers Inflated?” by Clayton R.
1995 IAPA Grand Prize for Press Freedom look in the mirror! sharing some of the blame, taking responsi-
Norman (TT, March 9), made me shake my
1998 Salvation Army Others Award head in disbelief. My experiences – and those of some bility for inaction or being afraid to step on
National Tourism Chamber Media Award As a person who has been part of the of our major local hotel operators – in some local toes.
mixed committee that councils the Costa dealing with ICT are nothing but positive.
In memoriam - Linda Frazier (1945-1984) Rican Tourism Board (ICT) from a tour- Of course, there will always be room for Harry Bodaan,
Vol. LV N. 2161 ism industry perspective on where to spend improvement, but my experience has been President, Chamber of Commerce,
the ICT’s annual marketing budget, I assure that the ICT staff is genuinely interested in Industry And Tourism, Canton de Aguirre
Publisher Dery Dyer Advertising you that the tourism minister and the ICT what they are doing and are willing to listen Manuel Antonio
Editor David Boddiger Cindy Vargas staff are very much aware of the shortcom- to our suggestions.
Weekend Editor Ashley Harrell
Online Editor Laianer Arias
Edwin Ramírez
Milton Mora
ings of these numbers, and are very aware
that the 2.1-2.2 million entries in Costa
The fact is hotel and residential develop-
ment in most parts of the country has been Why Private Hospitals
Require Payment Up Front
Business Manager Olman Chacón Jeannette Campos
Public Relations & Sales
Rica have little to do with the actual num- out of control, and every Tom, Dick and
Manager Kathia Lorena Coto Circulation Manager: ber of tourists visiting this country. The Harry with a little cash to spare and – for
Diego Herrera numbers cited come from the Immigration the most part – no experience in the hotel Dear Tico Times:
Staff Writers & Contributors
Administration. industry were able to build a “retirement
Ann Antkiw, Ed Bernhardt, Kate Finance
Galante, David Garrett, Julie As a hotel owner who has lived and dream,” in some cases with catastrophic Private hospitals in Costa Rica have
Rigoberto León
Godfrey, Néstor González, worked here for 17 years, I know better than consequences resulting from below-average long required patients to pay or demon-
Susan Hall Liang, Rod Hughes, Production Manager: to trust these types of numbers. To blame occupancies and unrealistic expectations. strate ability to pay before providing care.
Andrew Kasper, Gaby Kyriss, Mayra Sojo the ICT for the demise of the hotel industry Additionally, in the area of Manuel The recent incident involving Elissa Merritt
Shawn Larkin, Matt Levin, Antonio, Quepos and Matapalo in the
Roy Arguedas in Costa Rica is ridiculous. The problem and CIMA Hospital in Escazú (TT, Feb. 13)
Vicky Longland, Dorothy Mac­Kinnon,
Jennifer McLennan, Clayton R.
is investors relying on the ICT to justify Aguirre Canton, on the central Pacific has raised some questions about the prac-
Customer Service
Norman, Jack O’Brien, Todd Staley, construction projects instead of doing their coast, there are more than 140 rental houses tice of requiring payment before providing
Max Bejarano
Mitzi Stark, Jeffrey Van Fleet Martha Gamboa proper homework. How naïve to think that competing unfairly with the mostly small services.
Clara León even the right amount of national tourism hotels, inns and legal guesthouses. Only 12 Mrs. Merritt had a serious accident
Photography
Alberto Font Bernardino Madrigal entries should be taken into consideration of these houses are properly registered with while riding an ATV on a trail near Jacó.
Fernando Quirós Mariel Salazar when trying to establish regional investment the municipality, and only two more are in The accident left her with three broken
projects. process of obtaining the proper paperwork. bones, including a compound fracture. The
Systems
Edwin Cárdenas
A feasibility study should be based on House rentals in our area rent for as much Costa Rican Red Cross rescued Merritt and
what local needs are in consultation with as $15,000 a week with little to no benefits brought her to a clinic in Jacó. Officials at
the Costa Rican Hotel Association’s regional contributed to our local causes, increasing the Jacó clinic said they were not equipped
The Tico Times (USPS 002-579) is published every Friday
for $65 per year by The Tico Times S.A.,
analysis reports, the National Tourism our local tax base and allowing us to take to assist her, and she was moved by ambu-
Avenida 8, Calle 15, Apartado 4632-1000, San José, Costa Rica. Chamber, local chambers of commerce and care of infrastructure programs, school pro- lance to CIMA in San José. Upon arrival at
Tel. (506) 2258-1558 local hotel owners, to determine current grams or the police department. CIMA, hospital officials asked for a $5,000
Periodicals postage paid in Miami, FL market conditions and outlooks. Most of Where suite rentals were once a flour- payment before treating her. This require-
Postmaster – Send address changes to: this feedback would show that problems ishing business in some of our more upscale ment by private hospitals of payment before
The Tico Times-SJO 717, services has irked a number of people here
facing the tourism industry have little to hotels, nowadays people opt for “less
P.O. Box 025331, Miami FL 33102-5331.
nothing to do with the ICT, but rather with expensive,” non-registered rental houses in Costa Rica and elsewhere.
Copyright Convention: unauthorized reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
lack of infrastructure, insecurity, overfish- that are not subject to the same oversight Page 124
12 | OPINION | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012

Your Shot NESTOR G.

Photo by Mitzi Stark

Janet Montoya, 17, is one of several women bueyeras (oxcart drivers) who – along
with the men – took over the streets of Escazú this weekend. More than 200 Costa
Rican oxcart teams participated in the annual event southwest of the capital to pay
tribute to the country’s rich campesino heritage and colorful wooden oxcarts.
Email your photos to letters@ticotimes.net

More Letters

We have been involved in two situations
with private hospitals in Costa Rica where
payment for services was required up front.
The first case involved a North American
friend, John, who purchased trip insurance
with medical coverage before coming to
Costa Rica. While here, John became very ill
with stomach pains, and his Tica fiancé took
him to the public hospital in Heredia, north
of San José. John was admitted and placed on
a gurney in the emergency room for observa-
tion. No request for payment was made.
We arrived a few hours later to see how
he was doing, and he was still on the gurney.
John did not look well and we decided to
take him to a private hospital, La Católica
Hospital, in Guadalupe in northern San José.
Upon being admitted, John showed
hospital staff his medical trip insurance.
The hospital, however, wanted assurance
that its bill would be paid in the event that
the medical insurance would not cover all
of his expenses. John was being prepared
for surgery and I was asked to sign a note
for $7,000 to guarantee payment of his hos-
pital bills. I signed the note and the hospital
operated on John later that day. John later
submitted his hospital bill to his U.S. medi-
cal insurer, and the insurer paid the Costa
Rican hospital bill in full.
Another older North American friend,
also named John, fell while walking in our
neighborhood. John had a large gash in his
leg and we took him to a nearby doctor’s
office, where the doctor cleaned the wound,
stitched it up and gave him an antibiotic
shot. A few days later the doctor visited
John and decided that his leg was infected.
The doctor suggested that we take John
to Clínica Bíblica Hospital in San José. John
was moved by ambulance, and upon admit-
tance, he was asked to provide evidence
of his ability to pay. John was unable to
provide such evidence, and my Tica wife,
Rules for Letters and Perspective
The Tico Times welcomes your contributions. Letters to the editor must be 500
words or fewer and include the name of the writer, as well as a return address
and phone number. Perspectives must be 900 words or fewer and include a short
biographical sketch and contact information. Submissions should be original. Send
your contributions to letters@ticotimes.net, fax: 2233-6378, or mail to: Apdo. 4632-
1000, San José, Costa Rica.
Bivina, provided her cédula (ID) and debit
card to guarantee payment. John assured us
that his family in the United States would
reimburse us for his medical expenses.
Having helped our other friend with his
medical bills, and having been given assur-
ance of reimbursement from the second
John, we were not concerned about step-
ping up to guarantee payment of his bills.
John was in Clínica Bíblica Hospital
for a week, where the doctors operated on
his leg twice to prevent the infection from
spreading. The doctors later told us that if
we hadn’t brought him to the hospital when
we did, they would have had to amputate his
leg. John’s doctors and hospital bills came to
more than $17,000, which my wife paid.
We submitted the paid hospital bills to
John’s sons, who insisted that we also pro-
vide a copy of our bank statement, confirm-
ing that we had paid his medical bills. They
were also looking to see if we had received a
referral fee or kickback from the doctors or
the hospital. We had not.
At no time did John’s sons offer to pay
his medical bills. Instead they suggested
that John reimburse us at the rate of $573
per month from his $1,500 monthly Social
Security and private-pension income.
When we protested that it would take us
30 months to be repaid for John’s medical
bills, at zero percent interest, the sons broke
off discussion. John’s sons then arranged
for him to leave the country, and he flew to
California a year ago, leaving us holding the
bag on his $17,000 medical bills.
It’s no wonder that private hospitals
in Costa Rica ask for payment or proof of
ability to pay up front. These hospitals don’t
want to be left with unpaid hospital bills
when Gringos skip the country!
James Twomey
Santo Domingo de Heredia
Thanks for reading.
With Due Diligence,
Investing is Safe
Dear Tico Times:
I used to be a subscriber of your paper
in the past and an advertiser as an attorney
and CPA, offering my services to foreign-
ers wanting to invest in Costa Rica, which
I have done for the past 25 years. I stopped
reading it for a while.
Two weeks ago, some complimentary
issues were dropped at my office, so I
grabbed one, and the first thing that struck
me was the “Warning to our Readers”
quarter-page house ad, virtually scream-
ing in alarm to potential investors to think
twice before gambling their money in this
country. It really puzzled me. At first, the
warning pretends to be a sound piece of
advice to investors, but it ends with the
lapidary affirmation that “investing in Costa
Rica can be much like gambling, and read-
ers should keep that in mind and invest
accordingly.”
This just deserves a reply. In the first
place, let me tell you that investing in this
country is just like investing anywhere else,
including the United States and Europe.
Scammers and swindlers exist in New York
as in San José and London, and the reason
why many North Americans sadly have
been fooled here is mainly because of their
own greed that blinds them in sight of huge
and abnormal profit margins.
This is precisely what happened more
than 10 years ago with the infamous cases
of the Villalobos brothers, Luis Milanés, and
The Vault, to name a few, who offered up to
50 percent returns in dollars, just to disap-
pear as soon as they had gathered enough
fools. I publicly warned against these thieves
in this same paper, but investors were so mes-
merized and allured that they went totally
blind and deaf, and yes, they lost everything,
including their lives in some cases.
If you are a foreigner – not just a North
American – planning to invest in Costa
Rica, all you need to do is exactly the same
thing you would do in your homeland: Be
prudent and skeptical, get sound advice
from your lawyer and accountant, do back-
ground research on whoever is offering
investment opportunities, and be extremely
cautious if what you are offered seems too
good to be true, because it normally is.
Investment regulations in Costa Rica are
world average – no more, no less. The prob-
lem is that after we have been scammed,
we tend to blame the government for not
protecting us, in a vain attempt to cover our
own lack of judgment. The obvious warning
signs were there, we just looked the other
way because the gains seemed so high.
I have advised investors for more than
25 years on many business and legal issues,
and none of my clients has ever been
scammed. This isn’t because I am a better
attorney than the rest, but because clients
asked before investing, received the required
relevant information and made proper deci-
sions. That can hardly be called “gambling.”
Mario Valverde Brenes
Guachipelín
Health Trumps Smokers’
Rights, Says Reader
Dear Tico Times:
As of this writing, 58 percent of respon-
dents to your online poll about a proposed
law that would regulate smoking (see www.
ticotimes.net) voted “No, what about
smokers’ rights?” To them I say my right to
protect my health trumps your right to drug
yourself –and let’s be honest, that’s what
nicotine is.
Fred Tomlin
San José
Non-Smoker:
‘It’s About Time’
Dear Tico Times:
Could it be true? Will Costa Rica actually
turn smoke-free? You’d think that new leg-
islation against smoking would be big news,
but the bigger news is that a country that
prides itself on its natural wonders and clean,
outdoor living would take so long to do what
so many other “less-green” countries have
done – tell smokers to “butt out” in public.
Janette Melrose
Denver, Colorado, U.S.

Email us: classifieds@ticotimes.net
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we will contact you with a quote. Deadline: Tuesdays at 4 p.m.
100 Animals
101 Adoption
102 Animal Services
103 For Sale
200 Employment
201 Jobs Offered
202 Jobs Wanted
300 Health Services
400 Investments
401 Business For Sale
402 Financing
403 Miscellaneous
404 Business Opport.
405 Business Services
600 Lost and Found
700 Miscellaneous
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702 Furniture/Housewares
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704 Memberships
705 Computers For Sale
706 Pawn
707 Phone Rentals
800 Music
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900 Personal
901 Men Seeking Women
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903 Personal
904 Mother’s Day Greetings
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906 Women Seeking Women
907 Greetings
1000 Real Estate For
Rent
1001 Apartments
1002 Comm. Property
1003 Condominiums
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1006 Rooms
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1100 Real Estate For
Sale
1101 Apartments
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1400 Transportation
1401 Airplane AHPPA’s outreach program
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1500 Vehicles
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1503 Miscellaneous No donation is too small.
1504 Motorcycles
1505 Rentals
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1600 Wanted
1601 Wanted
1602 Help Wanted
Classifieds
100 ANIMALS
101 Adoption
2 PUPPIES, FEMALES.
2 months, vaccinated,
dewormed. Need a home.
ANIMAL DE ASIS.
Adoption events every Please call: 2232-8641
weekend. We have dogs
and cats of all sizes,
colors and shapes. ANIMAL DE ASIS. Adoption
events every weekend. We
2267-6011
have dogs and cats of all
animalesdeasis.com
Donations welcome. We sizes, colors and shapes.
2267-6011 animalesdeasis.
are a No-Kill, Non-Profit
organization. com Donations welcome.
We are a No-Kill, Non-Profit
organization.
DOGLAND is a No-Kill,
Non-Profit organization
located in San Ramon,
Costa Rica. Dog adop- DOGLAND is a No-Kill,
Non-Profit organization
tion, Dog Sponsorship,
Dog Boarding, come and located in San Ramon, Costa
meet the 160 residents Rica. Dog adoption, Dog
of our Dogland. We rely Sponsorship, Dog Boarding,
on private donations to come and meet the 160
stay open. Call Helene at residents of our Dogland.
8371-3825 We rely on private donations
pacifico@racsa.co.cr to stay open. Call Helene at
www.meetyourdog.com 8371-3825 pacifico@racsa.
for more info. co.cr www.meetyourdog.
com for more info.
FUNDACION NATZ DE
LA INDIA. Dedicated to FUNDACION NATZ DE
LA INDIA. Dedicated to
educational programs.
educational programs.
Donations are welcome.
fundacionnatzdelaindia. Donations are welcome. fun-
org Tel. 2280-6398 dacionnatzdelaindia.org
and fundacion Natz de Tel. 2280-6398 and fun-
la India dacion Natz de la India on
on Facebook. Join us! Facebook. Join us!
LOVABLE Black male NEED TO Find a loving
home for Lucy, small/med
pup wants loving family,
size, 6 yrs old, vaccinated,
gentle, smart & playful.
2282-4787 sweet & excellent watch
dog. 8314-0805
Need a home for 102 Animal Services
your kittens
or puppies?  Tel 2290-4303
Lost or found a
dog or cat?  MANSA SYSTEMS (www.
Just contact us
with your mes-
sage, including
Bringing loved
when and where
the animal was ones together
lost or found Around the corner
and a complete Around the world
description and CR 8832-2450
photo and we’ll USA 859-402-2240
post it free in
meow@world
print and online.
pettravel.com
Another community
service from
FREE
CLASSIFIEDS
FOUND a wallet?
Need a home for
your kittens? Lost
& Found items
and giveaways
can be adver­
tised FREE in Tico
Times Classifieds.
Just call us with
the stray population of your message
dogs and cats. You can be-fore Tuesday
help with this program
noon.
Another
BNCR
100-1-040-000431-9 community
spaycostarica@yahoo.com service from
www.animal
sheltercostarica.com THE TICO TIMES
DOGGI DIVINO GROOMING
Clean skin + coat = Happy!
By appt: 2289-2162 WOOF!
103 For Sale
DOBERMAN PUPPIES, 8
week old, mother & father at
house. Beautiful, big, male
& female puppies. Shots &
worming. Ready to go now.
Cobano (506) 8701-2076,
2642-1052
200 EMPLOYMENT
201 Jobs Offered
AMERICAN degreed certi.
teacher 4 Eng, Science &
Math. Elementary bilingual
school in Cobano. Resume
to: rovahi@yahoo.com
CLUB VERTIGO, looking
for fun and responsible
waiters bartenders and staff.
Is it you?
Email job@vertigocr.com
HELP WANTED!!
Immediate openings.
Pleasant telephone sales,
work from our Rohrmoser
office. Incoming calls only,
good starting salary plus
daily cash bonus, plus
weekly bonus. Paid weekly.
Good English required.
Call Tom at 8723-8528
HIRING FRONTERS, must
speak American English.
Central location, great hours,
no night, no weekend work.
Good pay package & good
advancement opportunities.
Call Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
mansasys.com), a San
Francisco based IT services
firm is looking for experi-
enced IT Business Analyst
who are native English
speakers. Role is to man-
age & deliver IT projects
that involve Salesforce CRM
implementation & custom
development by working a
global delivery team. Prior
experience as IT Business
Analyst is Mandatory. If
Interested, please send your
resume at
careers@mansasys.com
PHONE OPENERS with
paid cards, IPO, Forex, stock,
closed down boiler room
type, I pay cash.
1 (646) 527-9702,
tintin612004@yahoo.com
300 HEALTH
SERVICES
301 Health
Services
GRINGO DOCTOR,
licensed in CR for 25 years.
All illness, prostate, memory
etc. Tel: 2290-5854
Ask about our rates. Print ads go online for free at www.ticotimes.net/classifieds!
Affordable Recovery
Alcohol & Drug Dependency
•Residential treatment
•Assessment •Day treatment
Continuing care
•Relapse prevention
•Programs in English
•Modified Minnesotta Model
•IAFA approved
•Reasonable rates
Located in Rohrmoser
In Costa Rica 8348-6369
Toll free in the US
1-866-804-1793
HAIR
PIECES
Repairs, tapes, mainte-
nance, natural or synthetic
hair. Call Maria 2256-4347
MASSAGE: Therapeutic,
relaxing, Deep Tissue. Hotel
& House. Tel. 8361-3162.
PSYCHOLOGIST
DrLucindaGray.com
2203-4954
Counseling
Stuck? Confused?
Depressed? Self-loathing?
Addictions? Relationship
problems?
An empathetic ear,
open heart and soul
wisdom to help you find
Empowerment and Clarity
“Life is not a
problem to be
solved, but a
process to be ex-
plored and a path
to be walked’’
Jim Molloy M.A.
Ph: 8725-1295
jimmolloy@ice.co.cr
Escazú - sessions available
online by Skype for those
outside of the Central Valley
Reasonable rates
400 INVESTMENTS
401 Business For Sale
SUCCESSFUL PIZZERIA,
7 yrs in Moravia, neg. price
great, clientele. T: 8375-4287
404 Business Opportunity
EQUITY PARTNER- New
beach front development
10%. Owner needs Equity
Investor (share) or Lender
(10% interest 4 yrs loan)
from $2-$8 million: To
develop the best Beach
Front Project in CR. We
have just started 2012
brand new. Our Developer:
www.engineers.cr: Property
has 2 beaches, Coral reef,
Guanacaste, hottest area
beside 5 star Hotel Riu new
Palace. $30 Million Title
Insurance with Chicago.
puntagordabay@me.com
OPPORTUNITY!!! Hotel
in Guanacaste, Papagayo.
Ecological and close to
beach. 20,000m2, 30 bdr,
good clientele, $650,000.
8881-1417, 8343-8265
THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | CLASSIFIEDS | 13
Call us: 2258-1558
700 MISCELLANEOUS
702 Furniture/Housewares
Rustic Stove
Cast Iron
San José
Tel. 2226-0870
2226-5844
703 Miscellaneous
www.
DishCR.com
8821-8976
LIQUOR LICENSE, Pavas
Rohrmoser. Sale or rent.
$900/mo or sell $90,000.
Call 8843-2550,
8390-5015
800 MUSIC
801 Music
BLUES & ROCK Jam
Session / open mike,
every Sunday from 3-6 at
MotoPsychos Bar & Grill in
Rio Oro, Sta Ana. 1.8 Km
West of the Red Cross,
Santa Ana. Erik 8843-2550
900 PERSONAL
901 Men Seeking
Women
HANDSOME AMERICAN
living in PZ looking 4 slim
attractive, honest woman,
25-35, some English.
Info:daydreambeliever@
kc.rr.com
RETIRED AMERICAN
looking for fem 25-35,
attractive, thin, w/ job, some
English Info/pics:
wmrbare@aol.com
902 Women Seeking
Men
1 ON 1, MEET Quality CR
Women. Ed: 8391-1617
LFL92CR@gmail.com
1000 REAL ESTATE
FOR RENT
1001 Apartments
APT SAN Pedro, UCR,
malls, 1 bdr, quiet, furn,
Internet $440. T 8887-4487,
8707-7799 villalakshmi.com
APTS full furn. Utilities
incl. Internet (4mb). Start
$380mo, $130wkly.
Tel: 8399-8904.
vistalin@racsa.co.cr
vistalindaapartments.com
APTS Linda Vista 1 bdrm
apartments. Santa Ana area,
near Forum. Fully furnished,
utilities included. Long &
short term rental.
www.LindaVistaCR.com
BELEN, 1 bdr, kit, refri, bed,
cable, park, secure, $365
util incl. 2443-7631
BRAND NEW, close to UCR,
apt in condo for single or
couple. 1st floor, parking,
secure. $500/mo.
8819-1705, 2225-1462
CIUDAD COLON Furnished
studio apts. Utilities includ.
T: 2249-4736, 8896-5510
www.costaricanapts.com
EFFICIENCY FOR RENT
in Escazu. Fully furn. utilit.
includ. $600/mo. 8830-0396
ESCAZU, FURN. 2 bdr, 1
bath, 2 car garage., living/
dining, $400. No pets.
Tel. 2268-3611
ESCAZU. Furn & unfurn.
Apts., homes, condos. Rent
or sale. Bob 8301-3966
BIRDS! TREES!
An oasis of green in
Sabanilla, only 10 min.
from UCR. Completely
furnished one-bedroom
apartments in an en-
closed, safe compound.
Direct phone, laundry,
parking, gardens. Exce-
llent bus service. Cable
TV, Internet & maid ser-
vice available.
$425/$475/$525 mo.
2273-3173
2273-3837
8663-0354
RESID. AREA. Central, incl
amenit. fully furn. 1 bd, 1ba.
$400/mo. 8980-4197
ROHRMOSER, FURN.,
3 bdr, 1 ba., electric gate,
tel., $500, 2268-3611
STA ANA center. Apt. fully
furn, 2 bdr., cable, Internet.
Safe parking. $650.
8557-0899, 8380-2360
TIBAS 4 REINAS, 3 bdr,
furnished, liv-din, kitchen.
Tel. 2240-1894, 8610-6088
1002 Commercial Property
SANTO DOMINGO,
Heredia, 60m2, $900 month.
Tel. 2244-0818
1003 Condominiums
Del Palacio
Luxury
Condos in
La Uruca
Gated Comm. Full sec.
New & luxurious. 2
bdr, 2 full bath, fully
furn, beautiful. In­­
clu­des: covered par-
king, rancho, pool,
full laundry rm., TVs,
stereo & electronics.
Covered, parking,
terrace
Special at
$999 a month with
application and
yearly contract
Home Owners Fees incl.
15 min. from Airport,
10 min. from San José.
rickraid2005@yahoo.com
rickraid@aol.com
(506) 2290-5264
8866-1088,
8850-8870
ESCAZU & SANTA ANA.
Furn. or unfun. From $1,000
& up. T: 8567-4661
mymasesoras@yahoo.com
ESCAZU, 2 bdr, 2 bath,
Jacuzzi, laundry, parking, fur-
nished, $850. 2289-5482,
balconesdeescazu.com
STA ANA, Avalon Country
1bdr, lux, new, furn.
$950 neg. 8347-5546,
2239-3804
alberto.jimenez@racsa.co.cr
1100 REAL ESTATE
FOR SALE
1103 Commercial Property
FOR SALE
Eco-Tourism
Project
with Spectacular
Views of
Poás Volcano
3Newly Refurbished
Restaurant, Villas,
Events Hall &
Botanical Gardens
3Turnkey Operation
& Trained Staff
3Only 40 mins from
Int. Airport on newly
paved highway
From $895,000
Price Negotiable
T (506) 2482 2629
Email for
Sales Brochure
info@caciquita.com
www.caciquita.com
Facebook Name:
Inversiones
Varablanca
14 | CLASSIFIEDS | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012
1005 Houses
ATENAS, known for hav-
ing the best climate in the
world. 2 and 3 bdr houses.
Starting from $500/ month.
3 bedroom also for sale,
US$185,000. For more info
8803-3038/ 8986-9173,
tanyadhamm@hotmail.com
or atenaslindasvistas.com
C. COLON, mtn house,
furn/unfurn, 2 bdr, garage,
terrace, BBQ, Internet,
panoramic view, fruit trees,
green areas. T: 8354-8361
ESCAZU, furn/unfurn,
$600 & up. Apts, Condos &
houses. Tel. 8373-6036
ESCAZU, TREJOS MONT.
2 bd, 2 ba, 2,200 sq. ft., 3
levels, views, patio, garden,
modern style, high ceilings,
lots of glass, furnished.
Rent $1,650 or sell $295K.
8997-1799/ Ron
FLAMINGO, Bahia de los
Piratas. 2 bed, 2 ba, ocean
view. $1,100/mon $139/
night email:playa.real@
hotmail.com
HEREDIA mountains.
Million-dollar view. Secure,
fully furnished 2 bdrm, 2
bath cabin with bonus room.
Hot water, washer and dryer.
Cable and water included.
$500 per month.
2266-0539
HEREDIA, SN RAF. 3 large
bdr., separate studio, 3 ba,
2,000 m2 lot. $750.
View celigar@ceppacr.org
LA GARITA, Alajuela, 10
min from airport, 4 bdr, 2
bath, warehouse, terrace,
garage, h/w, secure, garden
$650. Spanish 2434-1346
LOS ARCOS, 3 bdr, 2
bath, 2 car gar, elect gate,
$800mo w/2
FL. 2235-6742
SAMARA BEACH. House
on hill. Wonderful view. 2km
from town. $450 furnished.
(506)8819-1657,
nmora@interbusonline.com
SAN ANT-Coronado, semi-
furn, 3 bdr, 2 bath, garage.
T: 8811-6396, 8884-1760
SAN ANTONIO, ESCAZU,
$3,000/ month. Also house
in Concepcion, Heredia,
$1,700/ month. More info.
under houses 4 sale.
Call: English 2288-6459/
8342-6236.
Spanish 8815-0854
SAN LUIS Sto Domingo.
Heredia. 2 bdr., 2bath, fully
furn, gar, cable, BBQ, green
area. $500. 8935-5698,
8820-0034 or 8895-5273
feza08@hotmail.com
TRES RIOS x Walmart.
4 bdr. 3.5 ba., 2 car gar,
laundry, TV rm. garden. sec
24/7. $1,300. 8812-0038
1100 REAL ESTATE
FOR SALE
1101 Apartments
BARRIO AMON nice view,
next to Casa Amarilla, 250
m2, 1 floor, 3 bdrm, 2 ba,
$260,000. Cel: 8384-6519
CARIARI VILLA just in
front of Golf Course, luxury
renovated, fully furn, flat, 1
bdr, 1 bath, 24/7 secure,
$145,000. Call 8910-9314
ESCAZU, Bello Horizonte,
apt in condo, 174m2, spec-
tacular view, TV room, 2 bdr,
3 bath, Jacuzzi, balcony,
nice kitchen, $285,000.
Tel. 8382-8467
1102
Beach Property
MAL PAIS, Cóbano
Puntarenas, ocean view,
3 terraces in different lev-
els, 5,806m2, 600m from
beach. $320K Neg.
Tel. 8382-8467
1103
Commercial Property
ESTABLISHED BEAUTY
Salon & day spa. 5 years.
In Sabana Oeste.
8867-6042
LOS YOSES lot 1,312 m2,
office or condo. $2. 3 mil.
9622-6000 / 8646-7745.
POZOS SANTA ANA. Bar/
Rest. Country style, large
park and excellent clientele.
Email: ventabar7@gmail.
com
1104 Condominiums
MORAVIA, next to
Automercado 1 level floor, 3
bdrm. 2.5 ba, gardens, pool.
$155,000, 8384-6519
PARAISO, Cartago Beautiful
bungalow in condo, 4,200
m2 nice wooded property,
24 hr security, $130/m2.
Owner financing $250,000.
English (506) 8954-2919,
Spanish (506) 8861-7353
1106 Farms
30 HECTARE (75 ACRES)
FARM. Rolling hills, multiple
streams, Las Mesas, Parrita.
$2,300/acre $167,000,
Tel: 8384-9460
jcsccr48@gmail.com
GUANACASTE-STA CRUZ
lot 354m2, w/ 3 bd house, 1
mini apt. Near beaches and
tourist area. $90,000. Tel:
2261-1312 / 8893-9132
MAGNIFICENT 260 acres,
Talamanca mountains, PZ.
giant views, waterfall, hydro-
electric, 2 bdr. house, year-
round access, Distress sale
price $375,000 firm! CR
8824-8113, 2771-8478
angelsdad@mac.com,
http://web.mac.com/
angelsdad
RIO CELESTE, spectacular
view, +250 birds species,
private access, close to
Tenorio Natl Park. 5 Has
from $40,000. 2221-5998
emmo0707@hotmail.com
STA CRUZ, Guanacaste!
Marbella farm front sea,
1km from beach. 40HA
or less. 2639-9418,
8570-4886
1107 Houses
ALL LOCATIONS, excellent
prices. Jaco, Garita, Grecia
Alajuela, San José.
8980-4197
BEAUTIFUL, Sta Catalina-
Rohrmoser, $130,000.
8841-0665, 2296-6747
HEREDIA, SN RAF. 3 large
bdrs, separate studio, 3 ba,
2,000 m2 lot. $750,000 or
bst offr celigar@ceppacr.org
INVESTMENT PROPERTY
Medellin, Colombia.
Historical District Home.
Year 1800. Perfect for B&B
213-291-7947. $449,000.
ab@getlostincolombia.com
www.xploringcolombia.com
Historic Hotel in the area
www.hotelmariscalrobledo.
com
LAGO ARENAL VIEW,
home 950 sq ft, 2 bed, 1
ba. Includ. all furn, major
appliances, car, fireplace,
nice upgrades shelves &
cabinets. 1,600 m2 lot, fully
fenced w/ gate, 150 sq ft
patio. Plus covered 200 sq
ft. front terrace, landscaping.
Quiet neighborhood between
Tilaran & Nuevo Arenal.
T: 2692-1052 / 8703-3747
LIBERIA. American style. 3
bdr. 2ba, sm. gated comm.
w/pool, furn., above average
quality,$250K.
Includ. diesel sport uti
001-780-690-8238
ONE OF THE NICEST
homes in all Escazú, for sale
at an amazing price. 550m2
const, 1,635m2 lot, 5 bdr,
4.5 bath, 2 offices, enter-
tainment area, add’l rooms,
enormous kitchen. Best
views. $795,000. Firm.
2288-3615 for appt to view.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND
that when advertising in
any media you are publish-
ing key information about
yourself, your property and/
or your services. Be careful
to screen the respondents to
your ad. Most of our readers
are genuinely looking for the
goods and services offered
in our classified section.
However, there may be some
who don’t have good inten-
tions. Be cautious.
SN FRANCISCO HEREDIA
3 brm, 2 ba, 2 gar, 2 flrs,
Safe community. $160,000.
Tel: 2237-4420 /
8822-4987
SOUTH Caribbean, Cahuita
lot 592m2, const. 123m2,
$129,000. T: 8308-4194
TIBAS, Llorente, Res.
Monte Rey, 3 bdr, 2 bath,
furn kit, granite counter,
ample laundry rm, 3 car
garage, 197m2 lot, 227
m2 const. Tel. 8686-8163,
8683-8179 anytime,
2430-6947 weekends
1108 Lots/Property
270± acres, huge water-
falls, ocean views. 30 min.
to beaches & new Quepos
Marina, ultimate privacy
conserve. Giant water sup-
ply & hydroelectric potential.
$240,000, possible terms.
(506) 8380-4007
A TRUE PEARL near La
Fortuna for sale or trade,
15,600m2, $240,000.
8847-9797,
www.ocio.cr/farm
ALTO LAS PALOMAS,
Escazu, 2,100m2 lot, Condo
Cerro Alto. Incredible view
to Central Valley, mountain
& the sea! water/light $380/
m2. 8382-8467
BUY OSALAND FOR CASH
in www.peninsuladeosaland
preservations.com
ESCAZU, near Country Day,
flat, beautiful view, 1,280
m2, $235,000. 2291-5247,
8831-5346 / 8868-0646
PAQUERA RIO GRANDE,
11,700 m2- Near road, 3
beaches & Tambor.
$23 m2 Tel: 8567-4661
mymasesoras@yahoo.com
1110 Rent or Sale
ESCAZU x SANTA ANA,
1,385 mts land, 4,000 sqft
const, 3 bdr, 4 bath, private
secure, big hillside view &
much more, $2,000 mo
lease, $330K sell/obo may
fin lease/purchase or trade.
r12cr@yahoo.com
1111 Quintas
CAHUITA, 5,000m2, ocean
view, sec./ maint. $20,000.
T: 8588-9760/ 8573-0494
1200 SERVICES
1203 Construcction
Drilling
and Well
service
My business is only with The
Tico Times Classified ads.
My apartment buildings
are always full.
–Carlos Rodríguez
(Vista Linda Apts) Owner
1211 Legal Services
COSTA RICA Law Firm.
English spoken, since 1999
gbarrantes@lawyerofcostar-
ica.com. T: (506) 2257-7318
1214 Classes
DANCE CLASSES in
Grecia, American Ballroom
Dance Classes. 2444-5592
1215 Appraisals
TOPOGRAPHERARIAS
office offering services in
surveying, cadastre, land
valuations, condos, muni
paperworks. For more info:
http://topographerarias.es.tl
1300 TOURISM
1301 Accommodations
ApartHotel
Santa Lucía
SANTA ANA
www.costarica-hotel.
com
• 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom
• Fully equipped
and furnished Daily,
apartments weekly &
with Hotel monthly
Services
rates!
Phone: (506) 2282-5236
Email: stlucia@ice.co.cr
B&B 25 minutes to SJO,
700sf spectacular
mountain views.
casacielocostarica.com
EASTER VACATION rental
Playas Coco/Hermosa. Fully
equipped. Tel: 2670-0997
1303 Bed & Breakfast
BiBi's B&B cTV, Inter, sgl
$30, Dbl $45. 2244-7324
jptwomey@foxinternet.com
1309 Tours
REEF RUNNER DIVERS
(506) 2750-0480
PADI Scuba diving,
dolphin tours, snorkelling
& sunset cruises.
www.reefrunnerdivers.com
1500 VEHICLES
1501 Autos
2003 BMW X5, 92,000
Km, diesel, auto, gold color,
$25,000. 8382-8467
1502 4X4’S
07 Ssang Yong, 4 door,
SUV. Mercedes Benz turbo
diesel, 4x4, full xts, like new,
$16,900. 2244-0084
09 Jeep Cherokee Sport,
auto, 32K seller pays all Sky
Slider Roof, fresh from USA
$29,777obo 8811-7697
1980 TOYOTA JEEP. New
turbo diesel engine, comp.
restored, ac, ps, pw, full xts
$23,500. 2244-0484
2002 MAZDA pick up
X-cab. 4x4. Automatic, full
xts, low miles, exc cond.
$16,900 8388-6202.
2006 TOYOTA 4Runner
turbo diesel, intercooled,
autom, full xts, low miles,
great cond. $31,500.
Tel. 2244-0484
1505 Rentals
*CARS FOR
RENT*
$135-$235 a week
Everything included!
Also SUVs available.
Call Andy or Aaron
(506) 2282-7013
Over 20yrs serving the
English speaking community.
4x4 FOR RENT, from
$45 a day w/ free miles &
insur. CR (506) 8891-1313
www.506carrental.com
AMIGOS RENT A CAR. Aut
4X4 hire $280/wk 5 seat.
SUV¥s 2269-4702/
8932-2235
DAILY!
Sedan $45
4
4x Compact Suv. $68
4
4x Mid size Suv. $79
Incl. Insurance!
Toll Free 1-800-580-3691
(506) 2296-9232
costarica-rentalcar.com
CARS $135 wk. $500 mon.
Furn. room $100 wk/ $300
month. Call Jim: 8825-9694
SASSO Rent a car. Quality
4x4 for less. 8827-2627.
www.sassorentacar.com
TUCAN RENT A CAR
Low rates. 8840-8501
www.tucanrentacar.com
1506 Trucks
FOR SALE CHEVROLET,
Suburban, small V8, AC, 1
owner, power seats, nice
tires, 2 batteries, passed
Riteve 3 years. $9,000
8860-2632
US305-551-5629
BEWARE OF
SCAMS!
Please be careful when answer-
ing ads for giveaways. If you are
asked to send any money for a
free item, don’t do it and please
let us know immediately!
 THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012 | PUZZLES & WEATHER REPORT | 15

Easy

Fill in the grid

so that
every row,
every column
and every 3x3
box contain
the digits 1
through 9
with no
repeats.

Last Week’s Solution

CROSSWORD #640

Across 65. Mixture of metals 40. Divine messenger

1. Stubble remover 66. Actor-songwriter Novello 42. Lead down the aisle
6. Western friend 67. Uncool type 45. __ de Cologne
10. Sight 68. Actor Alain 48. Ageless, in poesy
14. Open-mouthed 69. Watch over 50. Mountain nymphs
15. “... sting like __” 70. Slacken 51. Military quarters
16. Mrs. Charles 71. Outlet 52. Vamoose
17. Scouting mission 53. Still in the game
18. Stocking flaws DOWN 54. Stonecutter
19. Coagulate 1. __ avis 56. Digging tool
20. Hindu retreats 2. A lot of time 58. “Take __ Train”
22. Sink 3. Father of John the Baptist 60. Othello, for one
24. Achieve 4. Seaport on the Douro river 61. Congenial song ending
26. Largest of the Dodecanese 5. Soprano Scotto 64. Conversational stopgaps
islands 6. Zoroastrian
27. Frog’s place 7. __ Dhabi –Michael Curl
29. Rob of “Melrose Place” 8. Cleave
31. “Vive le __!” 9. Camel country
32. Fifty-fifty 10. Contained
34. Circus barkers 11. Unbroken SOLUTION #639
38. What I love, in song 12. Inclined
41. Beat in a gunfight 13. “Bullitt” director
43. Galileo, e.g. 21. Won a game of chess
44. Intelligence 23. Treasure container
46. Actress Farrow 25. Maiden name preceder
47. “__ Kick out of You” 27. Snare
49. Tasmania’s capital 28. Pueblo Indian
52. Young salmon 30. Convince with smooth talk
55. Logging on requirement 33. Outlet
57. Short drama 35. Bony-plated beast
59. Starts of tourneys 36. Hideaway
62. One of Bart’s sisters 37. Quite a hit
63. Mother of Zeus 39. Train storage area

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 16 | NEWS | THE TICO TIMES – March 16-22, 2012

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