Costa Rica goes to the polls

Check out our coverage of the elections with interviews with the candidates, analysis of their take on the issues, photos from the campaign trail and more, at http://www.ticotimes.net.

Nine must-try cocktails in San José

By Chrissie Long | Tico Times Staff

Photo by Ronald Reyes | Tico Times

To help you ring in the New Year, we put together our favorite cocktails of 2009. Even though Jan. 1 has come and gone, it’s not too late to try these creations.

Some speak sexy: the combination of fresh local fruit combined with a sharp splash of alcohol wakes up the taste buds. Others pass on comfort, with heavy liqueur and thick cream warming your throat as they go down. Each has a unique twist, designed by popular bars and restaurants in the area.

Have a favorite that’s not featured here? Tell us about it. It might be on our list for 2010!

How to survive the fallout of a car accident in Costa Rica

Chrissie Long | Tico Times Staff

So you got in an accident here. Now what?

Step one: I hope you didn’t move your car because that seems to be a mortal sin here. If you get in an accident, stay where you are. If you move, you might be named at fault (even if you had no part in causing the accident).

You moved? Well, you’re in good company, because I did.

Returning home after picking up some groceries, I was hit by someone traveling down the turning lane. It was rush hour and, the gringa that I am, immediately reacted by trying to get out of

Costa Rica Presidential Candidates for 2010 Election

The Tico Times sat down with all nine presidential candidates over the past eight months to learn more about their candidacy and hopes for Costa Rica’s future.

Click the candidates’ names to read their interview with The Tico Times and find out – in their own words – about their presidential aspirations, experience and proposals.

Costa Rican presidential election sparks creativity in ads

By Chrissie Long | Tico Times Staff

The election season brings a slew of advertisements; some funny, some serious and some a little bit scary. But they all show a touch of creativity on the part of campaign staff.

After sifting through all the campaign videos to date, we’ve included our favorite here. Please let us know if you have one to recommend.

Are you there Arenal? It’s me, Adam

By Adam Williams | Tico Times Staff

“Mucho agua,” our guide said as he pointed to the monsoon-like rain cascading down the windshield of the van as we scaled the Arenal Volcano on a night in late November.

“Mucho, mucho agua.”

Even without the basic Spanish translation, we understood that yes, there indeed was mucho agua impeding our view of the Arenal volcano on this night at the tail-end of the Costa Rican rainy season. It was hard to see 10 feet in front of us, much less the volcano hundreds of feet above us, buried in a down-comforter of clouds.

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

Photo by Ronald Reyes | Tico Times

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