Approved Law Banning Smoking At Bus Stops And Work

The new smoking ban will prohibit smoking in the bus terminals and train stations, public transport units, at ATMs and at work.

In addition, impose a tax of 20 ¢ per cigarette sold in the country. 60% of the money raised will turn to the Social Security Fund for the "diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases related to smoking."

Yesterday, with 46 votes in favor and four against, the deputies approved the first reading of the General Law on Control of Snuff and Adverse Effects on Health.

Details of the law. The bill approved yesterday does not allow smokers with lit cigarettes at ATMs, elevators, bars, casinos, nightclubs, restaurants and shopping centers.

In the area of ​​broadcasting, Article 12 of the rule prohibits "any form of advertising, promotion and sponsorship of snuff and their derivatives.

Sample Itinerary for Visiting Costa Rica

Beach at Manuel Antonio National Park

I have found when talking with people who are going to visit Costa Rica for a short time, maybe less than a week.  They don't realize that the driving times between the different areas is longer than you would think.  This is due to a variety of reasons such as road conditions, speed limits, traffic, and many roads are just 2 lanes.

When visiting for a short time of less than a week it is possible to fly into San Jose which is actually Alajuela and visit 2 -3 different areas of Costa Rica depending on your flight times.

For example if you arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport at about noon time you could visit 3 areas.
Day 1 Quepos (Manuel Antonio area)
Day 2 Quepos

Day 3 Quepos / Monteverde

Day 4 Monteverde

Day 5 Monteverde / La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano area)

Day 6 La Fortuna

Day 7 La Fortuna / back to the airport* for your flight home

Please note it is recommended that you arrive at Juan Santamaria Airport 3 hours prior to your flight.

As you can see with the above itinerary you only spend 1 full day in each area.

Please visit http://www.learnspanishandmore.com for information about tour operators to arrange tours and sightseeing.

Church in La Fortuna in fron of Arenal Volcano

The Farmers Market (Feria)



Farmers Market in Coronado



A trip to the farmers market (feria) usually always reaps a bounty of good fresh produce at a good price.  Most all towns in Costa Rica have a farmers market (feria) on Saturday or Sunday.  You should know you prices though to ensure you are buying at a good price.

You should go through the farmers market (feria) first observing both quality and prices and then go back to purchase from who was offering the best bargain.

When looking for bargains you should go to the farmers market (feria) late probably an hour before they close.  You have to make quicker decisions then though as prices can change quickly as the vendors are trying to get rid of all their products.

Remember that you should also know the prices at your local supermarket also, because sometimes they are the better value.

Calle 13, Alan Parsons to headline 2012 International Arts Festival / Arts & Leisure / Weekend / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

Calle 13, Alan Parsons to headline 2012 International Arts Festival / Arts & Leisure / Weekend / Costa Rica Newspaper, The Tico Times

http://www.learnspanishandmore.com/

Costa Rica Has Something For Everyone

 Whether you are a tourist our a Costa Rica resident, Costa Rica has something for you.  Sure Costa Rica has plenty of adventure activities such as whitewater rafting, canopy tours, canyoning, 4 wheeling, etc.  Costa Rica also has activities for those who like to take things at a more leisurely pace such as birding, botanical gardens, butterfly gardens, a leisurely hike, etc.  The national parks and museums are also a good way to spend the day and not spend a lot of money.  Most of your adventure activities cost the most while a visit to a museum might cost less than $10 and usually less for legal residents.

Another thing to enjoy is a cultural activity that many Costa Ricans and residents enjoy is the 3:00 pm coffee break.  Why not go to your local coffee shop (cafeteria) or pasteleria (bakery) and enjoy a good cup of coffee and some bread or pastry.  Who knows you may meet some new friends.

Spanish Lessons is another good way to immerse yourself into a culture.  There are many Spanish schools in Costa Rica.  Most offer a variety of programs from full immersion programs to resident programs to online classes in the comfort of your home or office anywhere in the world.  Central Valley Spanish School is located just outside of San Jose and they can offer you classes at their school or assist you with other schools in Costa Rica as well.  Their web address is http://www.centralvalleyspanishschool.com/

For more information about activities visit http://www.learnspanishandmore.com/





Whitewater Rafting on the Rio Pacuare




Rainmaker Reserve



Church in La Fortuna, Costa Rica with Arenal Volcano in the background

 

Expoconstrucción offers homes from $ 40,000

Housing projects for different types of pockets are present in the Expoconstrucción, which begins today, as there will be homes from $ 40,000 to over $ 2 million, organizers of the fair.

Thus, the fair bet to diverse population segments and takes aim at middle class people who can not afford high priced homes, said Guillermo Bonilla, president of the Expoconstrucción.

The exhibition will provide access to different financing plans, in colones or dollars, through various entities. Participarán los bancos de Costa Rica, Nacional, Popular, Bancrédito, Lafise, BAC San José y Scotiabank. Participating banks in Costa Rica National Popular Bancredito Lafise, BAC San José and Scotiabank. Además, las mutuales Mucap y Alajuela. In addition, mutual Mucap and Alajuela.

One of the organizations is the Housing Promotion Foundation (Fuprovi), an organization that offers homes between ¢ 20 million and ¢ 40 million, within its "property access."

Fuprovi projects are funded at 100% now, directly with the entity.

The fair will run from today until February 19.  There will be 570 booths present, among which 100 projects include housing, furnishings and other firms specializing in environmentally friendly systems. From today through Friday and admission is free Saturday and Sunday will cost ¢ 2,000.  All children under 12 years and senoir citizens are free.

The Expoconstrucción is made at the event center Pedregal.

Do you need an Auto Mechanic?

Do you need a good auto mechanic in the Central Valley check out Centro de Servicio del Este and others.http://www.learnspanishandmore.com/learn_spanish_and_more_009.htm

Earthquake in Costa Rica early 13 Feb 2012

The earthquake of 6 degrees on the Richter scale that rocked the country early this morning produced five aftershocks of lesser magnitude imperceptible to the population.  This movement, the largest amount so far this year, was centered 44 kilometers south of Quepos, Aguirre (Central Pacific). Occurred at a depth of 11 kilometers.

It was felt in most of the country by the shallow depth it had. There was great energy release.

The National Seismological Network, recorded the event with a magnitude of 5.5 degrees on Richter and located 37 kilometers south of Dominical de Osa, at a depth of 20 kilometers.

The U.S. Geological Survey, meanwhile, estimated the quake at 6.1 magnitude on the moment magnitude scale and placed the epicenter about 34 kilometers deep under the continent, near the coastal town of Quepos.

Picture video of some of the sights of Costa Rica

Tip: ATM's and Money

I have found that the best ATM's to use are either Banco Costa Rica (BCR) or Banco Popular.  These ATM's do not charge a fee for using a debit card from outside Costa Rica but remember your bank at home may charge a fee such as an international transaction fee.  The Plus Network also charges a fee the same as elsewhere.  Some ATM's give you the choice of withdrawling dollars or colones.

When you arrive in Costa Rica at the airport in the baggage claim area there is a Banco Costa Rica (BCR) ATM, so if you want some clones on arrival in Costa Rica you can take out some colones.  If you use the currency exchange service the do not give a good exchange rate.  When you need to change currency always opt for a bank or Servimas.

Traveller Tip: Passports

Traveller tip when you arrive in Costa Rica make a photocopy of you picture page and the entry stamp into Costa Rica of your passport. Carry the photocopy with you unless you are driving or changing money at the bank, you will need to have your official passport to do these things. Lock your passport in your hotels safe when you don't need to carry it.