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index-June-2008-2.html English News Blog for  Costa Rica English News Blog June Archive 

Government OK's salary increase

06/25/08 06:43

Due to rising living costs, the Costa Rican government has finally allowed a 6.58% increase in basic salary for all workers in the private sector. This was done to help return the purchasing power of the locals to its former level.

The minimum wage is now $364.40 per month.

News:: Costa Rica, Nicaragua Daily News–The Tico Times, Costa Rica minimum wage up to $346.40 per month

Tags: minimum wage • cost of living •
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Croc Croc - Dont touch my boat

Deadly things are a source of terror, but they could be a source of amusement and enjoyment also. Well I have not gone mad, but perfectly in my senses, but you will surely go mad once you see a lot of dangerous crocodiles from a safe distance and the way they move around. I am talking about the Tarcoles river in Costa Rica which is home to such crocodiles

Link: Going wild in Costa Rica (+photos) - 15 Jun 2008 - NZ Herald: Travel destinations and experiences, news and Information from New Zealand and around the World

US Southern Command to build up a health center

In a series of activities in Costa Rica, the US Southern Command, a military unit tasked to monitor developments in Central and Southern America, will put up a health clinic in the Talamanca region of Costa Rica that borders Panama.

Link: Costa Rica Daily News–The Tico Times, U.S. Southern Command to build health clinic in Costa Rica

Our share of the pie - Costa Rican mobile market

A mobile is an inseparable part of human beings currently and companies certainly cash on this issue. The regions where mobile usage is still low relatively speaking, they act as the best attractions for mobile companies. Hence companies who got permission to enter mobile market in Costa Rica were all smiles since they know that it means opening up of plenty opportunities for them in the region

News: Costa Rica: An Imperative for ICE to Implement Defensive Strategies

Waiting for Zipline Safety Standards

What do you think of flying through the air while being tethered to a steel wire? Sounds exciting? Well, you are not the first one who thought it's cool. Zipline, the name given to this extreme sport, has already gained some popularity from extreme sport enthusiasts.

This rising popularity, however, has already raised some safety concerns, as someone from Texas has already died from this activity. It's still an unregulated sport, so it would still be best to just wait for regulations to come in and take into effect.

News: Safety concerns rise with zipline popularity - USATODAY.com

Report Buyer releases new report on Costa Rica

One good source for businessmen trying to gather information about potential investment sites is the Internet, which have websites giving comprehensive reviews like ReportBuyer.com

The website mentioned above recently released its report on the current economic and political situation in the country, while also giving a prediction for the year 2008 and 2009. It provides general overview that anyone interested in investing in Costa Rica will find it interesting.

Link: Newswire / Press Release: Report Buyer Publishes New EIU Costa Rica Country Report - Economy - Report Buyer

Peter Cianchette appointed new US ambassador to Costa Rica

Costa Rica now has a new American ambassador in the form of Mr. Peter Cianchette.

Cianchette, a businessman from Maine, said that his top agenda is to help the government enter the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the United States. This is the first time he visited the country.

News: [link]

Don't be deceived by fake treatments

Desperation can really put us in situations that we will normally not do if we are not desperate.

For example, there are clinics around the world, including those in Costa Rica, are offering stem cell 'therapies' even though there is no medical basis. Despite this, these type of clinics lure people from the Western world, thinking that they will be cured with these 'cures'.

This kind of practice is already condemned by international scientists as only a way to strengthen these countries' medical tourism.

News: Stem Cell Science

The Mini Columbus of Costa Rica

We all like to travel places, so it should not come as a surprise to know that animals love travel too. No wonder the Elephant Beetle as shown in the picture of this webpage, traveled all the way from Costa Rica to UK in chilling temperatures just to have some fun. After all its not easy to travel as stowaway when you are 5 inches big and are sprayed with pesticides. In the end, just like Columbus, he found the other side of the world

Link: How would you like to find THIS in your bunch of bananas? The five-inch beetle who sailed to Britain from Costa Rica | Mail Online

A New Jaco Beach

Jaco Beach once had the reputation as an over-visited area because of the sudden influx of tourists and unplanned developments, leading to a condition wherein the beach looks like a giant tossed salad.

However, the area is now moving to a single direction as the local government is spearheading a program that will redefine Jaco Beach, an area that maintains balance environmental care and economic benefits.

Link: Coastal Development in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica