Urban Planning – Costa Rica Style

The study by the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) concludes that if the disorderly growth of the Greater San José area continues, “we face contamination on a massive scale and quality of life will become practically unsustainable”.

Well DUH!

Jut kidding…

I say “kidding” not because this article did not appear but because even the dimmest bulb who lives here in the valley has known about this forever! Continue reading »

411? Anyone? Hello?

Costa Rica is getting a new 411 directory assistance system.

According to our friendly local monopy, ICE, you will now only have to say the name of the person or company they are looking for and the computer does the rest. Of course, when the computer cannot understand your request, the call will be transferred to a live operator. Continue reading »

Original Costa Rica Art

Most of the time it seems, most web sites, even the cool ones, don’t really offer anything original or unique. Saul Bolaños is a Tico who creates a pretty unique product. He uses coffee, presumably the excellent Costa Rica cafe, to create art… and it is waaaay cool!
Continue reading »

Under 40? Coming to Costa Rica?

If so, fellow blogger and US transplant to Costa Rica and all around nice person, Jacqueline Mackie Paisley Passey Chan Jones Smith Whatever, has decided it is time for the Costa Rica under 40 crowd to have their own meeting spot on the Internet.
Continue reading »

Costa Rica Restaurant Review

As anyone who knows me is likely to verify… I like to eat! Occasionally, you can find a comment someone has made about a restaurant they liked (or hated) in Costa Rica, but until now, there has been no central repository of information, recommendations or general commentary on where to get a good meal in Costa Rica. I am going to TRY to change that!
Continue reading »

Extra Charge Coming for Cellular Internet Service

Up until now, if you really didn’t care too much about using a GSM phone here in Costa Rica, you could at least feel good that when you phone DID have service, you also had free Internet access so you could check emails and do some browsing. That will soon begin to costa (sorry… I had to!) money.
Continue reading »

Host Family Gifts

So my friend Becky, who has studied abroad before, says to me, “You’d better not show up empty-handed. Your host family would appreciate it if you brought them a gift. ”

“What kind of gift should I bring?” says I.

“Something American, something that would represent where you’re from.”
Continue reading »

New Writers to Join Costa Rica Blog

This blog is about to get some new talent.

After posting my Help Wanted Ad, I received eleven emails from people expressing an interest in writing for this blog.

So far I have accepted two of the applications, and I’ll prbably add a third as soon as we can chat a bit. All are from people who I believe will add perspective and opinions about their Costa Rica experiences. I am still accepting applications!
Continue reading »

Protect your PC while in CR

(or anywhere, really)

Every month at the ARCR Seminar, we discuss Internet security, Internet Cafes here in CR and how dangerous they are for web security, how critical is virus protection, why most of your well known anti-virus programs are next to useless, and why a two-way firewall is critical… especially if you use the cafes or wireless (wifi) locations. So here it is… What I use and why all in one handy location.

We now have Hooters in Costa Rica

Well I guess we always had them…. but now… It appears that Costa Rica has truly entered the mainstream with the opening of a Hooters Restaurant near San José. With Walmart coming soon… what else can I say but hurry and visit before we become Miami. Sadly, the one chain I WISH would get here (Home Depot) apparently has no interest in this small country. Sniff.