In
the Costa Rican News - Week 10-17 February 2006
2006
Costa Rican Elections the Closest in Recent History!!!
This
February saw the 2006 Costa Rican Elections and what a
nail bighting race it has turned out to be. Oscar Arias
the National Liberation Party's candidate (PLN) was the
favourite going into the race and was even brave enough
not to turn up to the Presidential Candidates Debate after
saying 'I have won it so why should I go and debate?'.
However the dividing factor between himself and the opponents
Citizen Action Party (PAC) with Ottón Solís
as their leader was the decision on the CAFTA agreement.
This agreement is the Free Trade Agreement between Central
America and the USA for opening up of their markets and
the demonoplisation of the Public Industry's. The PLN
party would vote this into power and the PAC stated that
they would reject this Agreement. This statement by either
party lead to a divided Costa Rica resulting in a 40.4%
to a 40.3% finish.
While
Oscar Arias is rejoicing in his win the PAC party and
the Supreme Elections tribunal state that the victor will
not be known for weeks as manual recounts happen. Oscar
Arias however had the shock of his life and so did his
supporters when at one stage there was 1,500 votes in
it, however it would appear that Oscar Arias will become
the new President of Costa Rica.
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Airport Contract Reached after much argument!!
The
dispute of the construction contract of Costa Rica's new
Juan Santamaría International Airport has finally
been settled and contraction and the finishing of the
Terminal will happen by the end of this year. The dispute
started in 2003 after disagreement into the airports financing,
as a result the International Banks financing the construction
halted the payments of the $120m payment to Alterra.
It
is hoped that the New Immigration terminal will be finished
in 3 months and then work can begin in 2008 to construct
a new International Terminal.
Alterra
now have the owner’s contract for the airport for
21 years as the disagreements have pushed the ownership
into another year.
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New Hotel opens in Manuel Antonio!!!
January
2006 saw the opening of a new style hotel is Costa Rica
Tropical paradise of Manuel Antonio. Hotel Gaia is part
of the 'Small Luxury Hotels of the world' of which there
are only 350 in the world. Costa Rica Vacations UK visited
the facility and we must say that it has brought a new
level of service and eco-tourism to Manuel Antonio. The
concept behind Hotel Gaia's hotel is a conceptual European
look with a touch of Costa Rican culture. The owner of
the hotel is a big fan of gadgets and has traveled the
world working for the US Government; he states that his
hotel is 'every thing good about every hotel he has stayed
in'.
The
hotel is situated within a reserve that offers guests
great hikes and the opportunity to see some of Costa Rica's
famous wildlife. For those of you who know the hotel it
is situated between Quepos and the National Park at Manuel
Antonio.
If
you would like more information on the hotel please feel
free to e-mail us or call us on 0207-193-3930.
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Child
Obesity Concerns the Costa Rican Government
A
recent study into child obesity in Costa Rica confirmed
fears that over 20% of Costa Rican children are over weight:
9% are obese and 12.7% are overweight, more than 25,500
kids were evaluated between the ages of 7 and 15 throughout
the country. This is surprising based on that fact that
most Costa Rican diets consist of fruits, rice, meats
and vegetables. If you enter a food court here in Costa
Rica however you will normally see the US multinational
chains serving their fast food. However it is surprising
that a lot of local brand restaurants have pushed their
way into this market offering a much healthy choice for
people.
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Costa
Rica 1 - 0 South Korea
February
12th saw Costa Rica face South Korea at the Oakland Coliseum,
California. Costa Rica has superior speed and excellent
individual skill, according to Korean national team manager
Dick Advocaat. “I want to see us dominate the game
with our improved passing skills,” he said. And
this was shown in their win over South Korea.
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Feb
10-17 Exchange Rates
The
Exchnage rates below are not accurate on a daily basis
but just an approximation for your benefit. For more up
to date exchanges rates please visit your local bank or
online witha currency seller.
Costa
Rican Colon
US
Dollar
Usually
in Costa Rica US Dollars or Costa Rica Colones can be
used. in popular areas and in larger shops US dollars
will be more widely accpeted. However in samll towns and
locally run stores only Colones will be accpeted.
For
more information on Costa Rica why not visit our Costa
Rica Holiday Forum and read through what people are
saying and asking about Costa Rica.
