Costa Rica’s top towns

By Chrissie Long | Tico Times Staff

Maybe you’re trying to decide where to live in Costa Rica or debating if the grass is greener on the other coast (or the sand is whiter). A recent report released by the University of Costa Rica (UCR) might provide the answer to some of those questions.

Ranking cantons by their economic opportunity, environmental friendliness and quality of life (among other factors), they’ve decided on “the best” of Costa Rica.

(A canton falls between the category of provinces and districts.)

San José is considered the most competitive, and topped the list for most economic opportunity, jobs and best business climate. Belén, just west of San José, boasts the best government, Tibás is top in infrastructure, Puntarenas ranked the highest for environmental friendliness and Montes de Oca (home of the UCR) has the most innovation. Finally, the little mountain community of Valverde Vega, which sits on the western slope of the Poás Volcano, was named the canton with the highest quality of life.

The full report is available with The Tico Times (in Spanish).

Five must-sees in Costa Rica

So you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica? Not quite sure where to go?

With a combined half-century of experience in Costa Rica, The Tico Times editorial staff compiled its recommendations for the “must sees” in this tropical paradise.

1. Arenal Volcano
Because few places in the world can you see lava cascade down the side of a volcano at night and soak in the natural pools formed by hot-springs by day, this mountainous retreat is a pillar of what makes Costa Rica unique.

2. Tortuguero
No roads connect to this part of the country so if your time is short, it’s best to pass this one by. Tortuguero is known for its maze of canals, which play host to an endless supply of wildlife, and for the giant leatherback and green turtles that climb the beaches at night. Best time to visit is March through October.

3. Monteverde Cloud Forest
A secluded mountain destination with breathtaking views and a wealth of wildlife, Monteverde and its famed cloud forest is a must-do for anyone looking to experience the rain forest.

4. Puerto Viejo
The flavors of the Caribbean jibe with dreadlock-wearing gringos and Afro-Latinos in this laid-back, rustic beachfront community. Rent a bicycle for some beach hopping and stop in the area’s eateries to try a local take on rice and beans or rondón seafood soup.

5. Corcovado National Park
Perhaps your best option for wildlife viewing, this far away destination has been named “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic. The virgin rain forest boasts such creatures as jaguars, giant anteaters and tapers, among hundreds of species of insects and plant life.

Each week, The Tico Times’ “Exploring Costa Rica” section takes a trip to one of these and other far flung destinations.

Earthquake rattles Costa Rica’s Central Valley Friday

By Mike McDonald | Tico Times Staff

An earthquake that measured 5.1 on the Richter scale trembled most of Costa Rica’s Central Valley and part of its Southern Zone on Friday afternoon.

The earthquake struck at 3:20 p.m. with an epicenter 20 kilometers northeast of Parrita, a rural town southwest of San José, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI), based at the National University in Heredia.

The OVSICORI reported the earthquake occurred on the Sierra Brunqueña at a depth of 19 kilometers. The fault connects Quepos and Puriscal.

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Tremors were felt in San José, Heredia and Alajuela in the Central Valley; Jacó on the Pacific coast; and Guácimo in Limón, on the Caribbean side of the country, according to Twitter posts.

As of 4:27 p.m. on Friday, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) had not received any reports of injuries or damages. Rebecca Madrigal, a CNE press officer, told The Tico Times that local emergency committees were making head counts and checking houses on Friday afternoon.

Emergency 911 did not receive any earthquake related calls before 4:27 p.m. on Friday.

New immigration rules in Costa Rica

By Chrissie Long | Tico Times Staff

The Immigration Administration is completely revamping its systems, digitizing records to expedite residency requests and cutting down on paperwork to simplify the process.

The Tico Times has written extensively on this topic. To read a general overview of the law, we recommend you read “Immigration Law Sets Higher Fees” published on Aug. 7, 2009, and “New Immigration Law Effective This Month” published on Sept. 4, 2009.

Read The Tico Times’ exclusive interview with Immigration chief Mario Zamora, in which he discusses the process of applying for residency as a homeowner, the initiatives undertaken by his office and new requirements under the recently approved Immigration Law.

Here’s what you should know about the changes:

1. Beginning March 1, 2010, foreigners

What U.S. health reform can learn from Costa Rica

By Chrissie Long | Tico Times Staff

Costa Rica falls behind the United States in almost every economic statistic.

The GDP per capita is $35,000 higher in the United States, average income is $45,000 above Costa Rica’s $5,400 and the little Central American country can’t compete with the amount of money flowing through the U.S.’s financial sector.

But Costa Rica is one up when it comes to health. Spending $6,000 less per capita, Costa Ricans not only have a longer life expectancy, but they enjoy wider access to health care.

Hospital Clínica Bíblica, one of Costa Rica's three Joint Commission accredited private hospitals. Photo by Harmony Reforma | Tico Times

In a three-part series, The Tico Times spoke with doctors, health administrators and international analysts to find out what the United States can learn from this little country.

Caja, a Model Health System? digs into Costa Rica’s public health system and examines the achievements and the shortfalls of a state-run entity. The Tico Times spoke with the head health administrator; frustrated, yet grateful patients; and international health experts to determine what the United States might learn from this public option.

Although working for a respected private clinic, Dr. Danilo González swears by Costa Rica's "excellent" public hospitals. Photo by Whitney Martin | Tico Times

Private Health Care Provides Options considers Costa Rica’s private arm – which attracts thousands of foreigners every year for high-quality, yet affordable care – as a counterweight to the public system. The article examines how the insurance market works, who uses the private system and why this piece is critical to health care here.

The Path to Better Health takes a look at what makes Costa Rica’s health system strong – and in what areas the country is falling behind – and cites leading analysts on proposals for improvement.

Costa Rica airport can tax you twice

By Chrissie Long | Tico Times Staff

Passengers, be ready to pay. Photo by Mónica Quesada | Tico Times

If taxing you to leave the country weren’t enough, Costa Rica’s international airports swipe credit cards in a way that you may have a finance charge when you return home.

Every person looking to board a flight at Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica is responsible for paying $26 in taxes. So the great $300 ticket you got to come here? It’s really $326 – a surprise that most tourists won’t find until they get to the airport.

Well, here’s another surprise. The counter in which you pay this tax operates as a bank. So if you want to use your VISA or Mastercard, they’ll use it as a cash advance. Most tourists don’t find this out until they check their statements at home.

While the charge may be minimal ($1),

Getting a Costa Rica driver’s license

By Chrissie Long | Tico Times Staff

If you are staying in the country for a period longer than three months (a.k.a. you are a temporary or permanent resident) and you plan to drive a car, you should invest the time to get a driver’s license.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A copy of your passport photo page as well as the stamp of  last entry into Costa Rica.
• A copy of your foreign driver’s license.
• The originals of both your passport and driver’s license.
• A medical document stating you are in good health (which includes your blood type).*
• 4,000 colones

*COSEVI has a medical office (200 meters east of their San José facility) which will take your blood type and do the medical exam in less than a half hour for a cost of ₡15,000. Need directions? Talk to a guard at COSEVI and they will point you in the right direction.

Where and when to go: The line for foreigners with a valid driver’s license is only open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The line

Can I take a rental car and drive to Nicaragua or Panama?

By Chrissie Long | Tico Times Staff

Due to insurance reasons, it is impossible to take a rental car outside of Costa Rica. Some rental companies (see Alamo or National) offer the possibility of renting a car in Costa Rica, leaving it at the border and picking up a different car on the other side.  A fee ranging from $50 to $150 may be applied.

Beating the Escazú traffic blues

By Meg Yamamoto | Tico Times Staff

Traffic in the western suburb of Escazú took a notable turn for the worse after the new tollbooth opened on the highway between San José and Ciudad Colón. To avoid the ₡325 toll, more people are detouring to Calle Vieja, the old road between Escazú and Santa Ana, and this byway is now frequently clogged with traffic, as is the road that leads from the Multiplaza to La Paco commercial center.

Find your English radio frequency

Costa Rica’s Radio 2 DJ Margie Flaum shows her workplace in the southeastern San José district of Zapote. Photo by Ronald Reyes | Tico Times

By Daniel Shea | Tico Times Staff

So, you’ve made it into Costa Rica, braved the mob of taxistas outside the airport, gotten to the rental car agency and you’re finally set to hit the road in what is, hopefully, a four-by-four, if you’re planning on heading outside the Central Valley. You turn on the car and head out on the confusing roads. Turn the radio up and you’ve got nothing but mariachi bands and Costa Rican cumbia.