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September 27, 2017, Vol. 17, No. 192
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                              check
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Immigration authorities are hoping for shorter times at checkpoints for everyone.
Immigration authorities announce new pilot plan
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rican immigration authorities are implementing a new pilot plan with the idea of strengthening border security and monitoring the movements of all foreign nationals entering and exiting the country.

Upon departure from Costa Rican soil, a procedure called Migración Invisible is activated where migratory control is no longer done directly with the traveler but rather with the airline, according to a statement from the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.

Some expats and travelers probably recall the physical card to fill out related to entering or exiting a country. The presentation of that card to immigration and customs authorities is mandated with Costa Rican immigration law for all persons entering or leaving the country.

With the new plan, the passenger completes the card, known as TIE, electronically with the airline, for plane travel, and delivers it to airline personnel who are then obligated to verify that the credentials and information on the note match that of the passport. It is then passed through an electronic scanner similar to ones used on passports that is sent directly to the immigration database.

Authorities said that the scan allows police and security forces to collect the information on the TIE, verify that it is correct and authorize the departure of the plane. With persons entering the country, no matter by land or air or sea, they must fill out the TIE prior to unpacking.

The immigration statement then said that once a person is at an immigration control post, they present the TIE and passport to the officer. The same procedure as exiting the country then follows with the scan and verification for authorizing entry.

Some perpetual tourists and other visitors to the country know the drill. The immigration officer asks the reason for entry, place where one is staying and for how long. The card will immediately include all within the system.

SVA check
Ministerio de Seguridad Pública photo     
Airport officer checks tourist's documents.

If a person is a minor, the exit procedure is similar but also includes verification of the exit permit. This is done at the minors office at Migración where the minor is present along with the people who will be traveling with them in order to authorize the departure.

Under the new system, both the minor and adults with them will go to the airline and present their boarding passes before being passed to a desk authorized for immigration control. The officer will review all permits and passes and record the information using the scan under the auspices of making it a faster process.

Immigration authorities think that this will speed up entries and exits due to the elimination of a paper for printing the TIE as well as waiting for people to fill out forms on-site.

The information is supposed to be more reliable too given it is entered by an immigration officer who will also have direct contact with the passenger.

Perhaps the measure that has the most impact of these is the potential to quickly ground or halt flights and stop authorization of departure. On the flip side, authorities also believe the new plan will speed up authorizations to move entries quickly through as well.

It should be noted that there have been no changes to the current laws related to duration of stay, proof of departure or any further requirements of tourists beyond what has been announced.



Validating foreign degree is another long process
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Getting a foreign degree officially validated in Costa Rica may take somewhere between four to six months, according to Marielos Hernández from the Consejo Nacional de Rectores.

She explained the first step is to provide all the required paperwork before the Consejo, and the initial file will stay there for about two weeks.

If everything is completed and verified, then the case is transferred to any public university who offers the same or similar degree.

Depending on the complexity of the studies, the file may stay there at least a month in the case of undergraduate degrees or up to four months in the case of graduate ones.

"Universities should check is the curriculum is similar and determine how much," said Ms. Hernández.
"If everything is clear the university will issue an official certificate validating the studies. This is done once in a lifetime."

She also said that most degrees people try to validate come from health-related careers, administration and engineering. Many of those degrees are issued by universities from Cuba, Venezuela, Spain and the United States.


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Published || Wednesday Edition, September 27, 2017 || Vol. 17, No. 192
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A.M. Costa Rica's professional directory is where business people who wish to reach the English-speaking community may invite responses. If you are interested in being represented here, please contact the editor.
Residency experts

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RESIDENCY IN COSTA RICA
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    Business/Investor (Inversionista): For those with Costa Rican business or real estate investments.
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SUTEL decision receives opposition

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Last week the Superintendencia de Comunicaciones declared the telecommunications market in full competition status, a decision broadly criticized by legislators from different political parties. 


According to the Superintendencia, the move will imply better options for users, however  consumers fear that this will have a negative impact on the rates they pay for their services as the industry in Costa Rica could become monopolized.



The chief of the Partido Acción Ciudadana, Javier Cambronero considered the decision to be contradictory, since in less than a year the Superintendencia changed its mind. 



"The Superintendencia is not recognizing the Internet as a fundamental human right,” said Cambronero. “These technocrats still do not understand that in the new paradigms, digital literacy is the new way of accessing information and knowledge. Flat rates and price regulation in the current circumstances, do guarantee access to thousands of young and small entrepreneurs”



The Frente Amplio legislators considered that the possibility of asking experts's opinion during the consultation dates was limited.

"The Superintendencia must be transparent, an entity that defend the interests of the users and give them the possibility to be able to argue their criteria”, said Edgardo Araya, current legislator and presidential candidate of the Partido Frente Amplio.

"Our constitution speaks of a solidarity state, which defends the excluded, a state that regulates public services in defense of citizenship, that is the model that Sutel wants to bury," said Jorge Arguedas, legislator of the same party.

According to the Superintendencia, the agency will continue to avoid anti competitive practices, but marketing options will no longer pass through the institutional filter.

"The Superintendencia will continue to play its role as Sectorial Competition Authority to avoid anticompetitive practices, as well as to ensure that the Costa Rican user always counts on the best quality of service,"said the authority in a statement.

The Costa Rican telecom market was a state monopoly run by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad until it was opened to private competition in 2011.

Afterwards, SUTEL regulated the plans and prices of the new companies to avoid market distortion.

After the effective competition status was declared, the plans, packages, bonuses, promotions, prices and discounts offered by each company is left free. The main argument is that the market is already in competitive conditions and the prices of services and the internet have declined.

 According to data from SUTEL, in 2016 the price of prepaid calls was 60 percent lower than the price cap and the same happened to internet data, where prices were 45 percent below the cap.

Currently there are three big private operators: Movistar from Spain, Claro from México and the state-owned ICE with its Kölbi brand.



Escazú purchases land for rec centers

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The municipality of Escazú will purchase the land where the old Country Day School was located for the construction of some new facilities.

According to a statement from the Instituto de Fomento y Asesoría Municipal, a total of 4.6 million colones will be fronted by the institute to pay for the land, composed of ten fincas. The municipality plans to use the land for communal facilities, centralize all municipal services and dependencies and allocating part of it to a new clinic for the community.

“This project has a very high social return,” said Yanina Soto, the executive president for IFAM. “The return of the investment will be received directly by the people of Escazú. Having better access to health services, municipal services and the reactivation of public spaces for recreation that directly affect the quality of life and development of the canton.”

This project was declared of public interest by the Consejo Municipal of Escazú and also includes the necessary work for feasibility studies, hydrogeological, hydraulic and neotectonic studies. The ultimate plan is for an area dedicated to community centers and recreational activities, IFAM said.


Paso Canoas
                          police office
Ministerio de Seguridad Pública photo        
Paso Canoas police delegation under construction.

Border police HQ at Paso Canoas will be open by October

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The public security ministry announced that the new police offices in Paso Canoas will be officially opened by October.

According to a statement from the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública, the entire construction and readying of the new headquarters for the local Policía de Fronteras cost around 300 million colones. It is located on the same site where the old officers were. Police said at the time that the old facilities did not meet the minimum sanitary conditions.

The construction is almost done and will be used as a workspace for border police officers, many of whom are currently in training to provide border security. Paso Canoas represents one of two major land crossings between Costa Rica and Panamá. “This delegation will be operating at the right time when the country will face a high transit of people at that time, so it is necessary not only to protect their safety but to prevent crimes from being committed such as trafficking of drugs, arms, people, money and merchandise,” said Gustavo Mata, the head of the public security ministry.

The work represents part of the so-called grand investment that the administration of Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís is making for the remodeling and constructing of new police delegations. The investment has been massive in the billions of colones. It includes building or renovating 34 police headquarters along with improving existing conditions at 23 more, the ministry said.


Caja
                          headquarters
Casa Presidencial photo         
Stock photo of the Caja's headquarters.

Caja announces work on six projects

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Despite having issues with the required health insurance payments, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social announced Tuesday that it is working on six new projects throughout Costa Rica.

As of now, these new projects need construction contracts for builders to actually move forward with the Caja’s plans. It is for the construction of health clinics in Santa Cruz, Naranjo, Santa Barbara and San Isidro de Heredia. According to a statement from the Caja, the clinics should be built on a priority basis due to current structures becoming overcrowded, unsafe, on a rental contract and in a generally poor condition.

The expansion of Hospital México in San José and Hospital San Carlos’ construction of new facilities are also currently receiving offers to build. For the former, the Caja plans to include 14 new operating rooms for surgeries and six delivery rooms for infants and children. According to Jorge Granado Soto, the head of the architecture and engineering department for the Caja, said that the institution’s total investment plan was approved the previous year for 840 billion colones.

Soto said that these six projects are being allocated with 70 billion colones worth of that fund. He also mentioned that engineers are in the stage of finalizing a draft for the new hospital Monseñor Sanabria in Puntarenas as well as Hospital Max Peralta in Cartago.

For the Hospital Manuel Mora Valverde in Golfito, Jorge Granados, one of the engineers attached to the Caja, explained that they are still looking for a suitable property for its construction.





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THE A.M. COSTA RICA STAFF


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A.M.
Costa Rica

Third News Page
Residency

Published || Wednesday Edition, September 27, 2017 || Vol. 17, No. 192
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Ciclovida group hosting first bicycle festival around Limón province
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Riding for fun, for health and also riding for their right to ride.

The Ciclovida group, headquartered in Puerto Viejo, is organizing the first Bicycle Festival this coming weekend as a way of attracting maximum support to their goal: the installation of bicycle lanes among the main beaches in the south Caribbean.

Ciclovida aims to turn Hone Creek, Manzanillo, Cocles and similar areas into villages where the primary method of transportation is the bicycle. As part of their festival, neighbors will have the chance to attend a series of recreational activities that will unite the community and strengthen their bonds.

On Friday, activities will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Puerto Viejo basketball court with games designed for students from the Manzanillo, Playa Chiquita, Cocles, Puerto Viejo, Hone Creek and Patiño schools. During the day, organizers also included other activities such as music, dance, drawing and a forum with municipal authorities and neighbors to discuss  the Pacification of Transportation in the Villages.

On Saturday, activities will start at 10 a.m. and will focus on workshops, for example to build and repair bikes and how to create bicycle-powered machines for different purposes. There will also be a fashion show on how to dress chic when riding a biking and two music venues.

Aside from the officials activities, the community is organizing a massive cycling event on Sunday to bring awareness on how much this means of transportations improve the lives of locals and attract tourism. These gatherings have already taken place a couple of times in the past and it has had a positive impact on both the villagers and the communities.

“We want proper bicycle lanes to ride with safety,” said Anja Ludewig, one of the participants. “It is now that we feel they are paying attention to us and authorities are approaching. We want our communities to remain based on alternative transportation.”

Cyclists on the go
Ciclovida photo     
Cyclists head to the streets in support of their rides.

Cyclist
Ciclovida photo     
Kid cyclist and his furry passenger enjoy the ride.

Sunday's cycling event will have two departing points. The first one will be at 8:30 a.m. at Maxi's Manzanillo and from Super Hone Creek. At the meeting in Playa Cocles, yoga for cyclists, music and the raffle of a new banana-type bicycle will welcome the participants.


Botica Solera historic building receives new boon on life and culture
By the Rommel Téllez of the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Built in 1930, the Botica Solera building stood high as an innovative art deco piece inspired by New York City’s famous Flatiron building.

Located in Barrio México, at the time where no big pharmacy chains existed, this was the place to look for remedies and medicines. In fact, botica is a not-so-used word meaning drugstore.

However markets changed and the business became unprofitable. The place was closed and abandoned in the midst of ownership disputes.

What once was a point of reference, had became pretty much a bunker, looted and squatted in by all kinds of homeless persons.

However, in 2013, the Municipalidad de San José took over and turned it into a cultural center where nowadays expositions, theater, concerts and meetings take place.

A little sparkle in the middle of one of San José's most dilapidated areas. The cost of remodeling was close to $600,000.

Today, the Botica Solera is the home to tens of cultural workshops every year, as well as a place where visual arts and graphic design are just a few steps away from residents of Barrio México. The results have been satisfactory, so much that more investment may come on the way.

According to the Municipalidad de San José press office, the citizens have acquired ownership of the space and its becoming a first contact for under-priviledged kids into the world or arts.

“There is a desire to strengthen its reputation as an accessible place, and the municipality seeks to increase the amount of activities mean for different profiles of the population,” said José Víquez, spokesperson for the municipality.

Botica prior to
                                          renovation
Servicios Culturales MCJ photo     
Botica pre-renovation.
Botica renovated
Servicios Culturales MCJ photo    
Botica Solera now.

Botica transformed
Sara Fishel courtesy photo             
Inside, the Botica building is transformed
into a community center.


As of now, the staff working there continue to attract new visitors every day and look for possible ways to make an artistic intervention without affecting the patrimonial regulations that protect the building from any future negligence.


Recommended
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A.M. Costa Rica's Fourth News page

Published || Wednesday Edition, September 27, 2017 || Vol. 17, No. 192
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Antibody protects against both Zika and dengue, mouse study shows
By the Washington University School of Medicine
in St. Louis press staff

Brazil and other areas hardest hit by the Zika virus, which can cause babies to be born with abnormally small heads, are also home to dengue virus, which is spread by the same mosquito species.

A new study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that an antibody that protects against dengue virus is also effective against Zika in mice.

Antibodies remain in the bloodstream for weeks, so one or a few doses of an antibody-based drug given over the course of a woman’s pregnancy potentially could protect her fetus from Zika, with the added benefit of protecting her from both Zika and dengue disease, the researchers said. Dengue causes high fever, severe headaches, and joint and muscle pain in children and adults but does not directly harm fetuses.

“We found that this antibody not only neutralizes the dengue virus but, in mice, protects both adults and fetuses from Zika disease,” said Michael Diamond, professor of medicine and the study’s senior author.

The study was published Sept. 25 in “Nature Immunology.”

Since dengue and Zika are related viruses, the researchers reasoned that an antibody that prevents dengue disease may do the same for Zika. Diamond and graduate student Estefania Fernandez collaborated with Gavin Screaton, of Imperial College London, who had generated a panel of human anti-dengue antibodies years before.

The scientists infected non-pregnant adult mice with Zika virus and then administered one of the anti-dengue antibodies one, three or five days after infection. For comparison, another group of mice was infected with Zika virus and then given a placebo.

Within three weeks of infection, more than 80 percent of the untreated mice had died, whereas all of the mice that received the anti-dengue antibody within three days of infection were still alive, and 40 percent of those that received the antibody five days after infection survived.

To find out whether the antibody also could protect fetuses from infection, the researchers infected female mice on the sixth day of their pregnancies with Zika virus and then administered a dose of antibody or a placebo one or three days later.

On the 13th day of gestation, the amount of Zika’s genetic material was 600,000 times lower in the placentas and 4,900 times lower in the fetal heads from the pregnant mice that were treated one day after infection, compared with mice that received the placebo.

However, administering the antibody three days after infection was less effective: It reduced the amount of viral genetic material in the fetal heads nineteenfold and in the placentas twenty-threefold.

Fetus comparison
Washington University School of Medicine photo    
Antibody administered soon after infection with Zika protected the fetuses of pregnant mice (left), while the fetuses without the antibody withered away (right).

These findings suggest that for the antibody to effectively protect fetuses from Zika infection, it must be administered soon after infection. Such a goal may be unrealistic clinically because women rarely know when they get infected.

However, giving women the antibody as soon as they know they are pregnant could provide them with a ready-made defense against the virus should they encounter it. Antibody-based drugs have been used for decades to provide temporary protection against infectious diseases such as rabies when there is no time to vaccinate or, as in the case of Zika, when there is no vaccine available.


The key to using this antibody as a preventive drug would be to make sure that antibody levels in a woman’s bloodstream stay high enough to protect her fetus for the duration of her pregnancy.

Diamond and colleagues are working on identifying how much antibody a pregnant woman would need to ensure that her fetus is protected from Zika. They also are exploring ways to extend the antibody’s half-life in the blood, to reduce the number of times it would need to be administered.

Having anti-dengue antibodies circulating in the bloodstream for months on end poses a risk, though, because antibodies that protect against one strain of dengue virus sometimes worsen symptoms if a person is infected by another dengue strain.

To avoid the possibility of accidentally aggravating an already very painful disease, the researchers mutated the antibody in four spots, making it impossible for the antibody to exacerbate dengue disease.

“We mutated the antibody so that it could not cause antibody enhancement of dengue infection, and it was still protective,” said Diamond, who is also a professor of pathology and immunology, and of molecular microbiology. “So now we have a version of the antibody that would be therapeutic against both viruses and safe for use in a dengue-endemic area, because it is unable to worsen disease.”


Vacation, travel and hospitality


Live in
                          Costa Rica tours

  • Costa Rica’s #1 source for relocation since 1980
  • Over 10,000 people relocated SUCCESSFULLY with our tours and books
  • ONLY relocation tour legally LICENSED by the Costa Rica government and APPROVED by the Association of Residents (ARCR)
  • Best VALUE, contacts and MORE areas of the country covered
  • ALL tours include a highly INFORMATIVE two-day seminar by the country’s renowned experts
Sample Video of the tour HERE

Toll Free from U.S. 877-884-2502 or 800-365-2342
Costa Rica LANDLINE 011-506-2261-8892
Costa Rica MOBILE 011-506-8849-0081
Skype: costarisa - E-mail: christopher@costaricabooks.com

All tours led by Christopher Howard
Costa Rica’s most read relocation author
See www.liveincostarica.com for details and itineraries
9168-3/17/17


Hidden
                                Garden
Visit the Largest Gallery in Costa Rica
Featuring artistic expressions of Costa Rican culture, heritage and traditions, the Hidden Garden Art Gallery has been your source for fine art since 2010.  Here you will find 15 large rooms of art in a beautiful, tranquil setting, with more than 60 artists showcasing traditional and contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography and giclee prints.  Located just 5 kms west of the Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) towards the beaches. Stop in for a visit to enjoy the view!

Visit our Web site at:  www.HiddenGardenArt.com
Contact us by email: info@HiddenGardenArt.com
Find us on Trip Advisor, Facebook, Twitter,
Moon Travel Guides & Frommer's

Gallery hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tel.  8386-6872 / 2667-0592; U.S. telephone 702-953-7073
International shipping available.
9214-8/2/17


George Lundquist header

The Relocation/Retirement tour with the
 *HIGHEST SUCCESS RATE
OF RELOCATION*

 (as reported by the moving companies)
Visit many rental options to actually experience the price/amenity options available in more of the areas chosen by Expats for security, comfort, and quality of life.

Meet many Expats who are willing to share their experiences and how the tour has value long after the “lust” wears off.
See how to choose a Retirement tour video by past guest!
HERE!

Ask the others what you get for your money, and then compare the quality of accommodations, quality, quantity and variety of food and drink to measure the best value for your money. 

Learn how others “talk the talk” and learn who really can “walk the walk”

Please visit my Web site  to contact my references.

George Lundquist, Retirement, Relocation, and Lifestyle Guide. Email : lundquistgeorge@gmail.com
9113-7/4/17

experience Costa Rica
Costa Rica Travel In Paradise Group Tours

Looking for easy booking process for a smooth Costa Rica trip?   We customize wonderful trips to Costa Rica.  We offer you our wealth of knowledge for a great experience . . . a trip of a lifetime!!!

* FAMILY VACATIONS. Our travels take into account the different ages of your family enjoy the most from your Family vacations. Click HERE!

* GROUP TOURS. Whether for a church group, couple of friends, Scout troop or a family group. We provide excellent quality service in your Group Tours. Click HERE!

* EDUCATIONAL TOURS. Tours for universities to schools to elementary schools. We have professionals to help you discover the secrets of Costa Rica in a fun way. Costa Rica Educational Tours. Click HERE!

* GUIDED TOURS. General holiday planning giving you the best value for your investment Costa Rica vacation Packages. Click HERE!

Contact us: 
Dial toll FREE from USA or Canada:  1.800.901.0114
CR local phone:  +506-2274-3231
Cells:  +506-8380-5919  and +506-8302-5877
Email:  info@travelinparadisecr.com
Web:  www.travelinparadisecr.com
8995-4/17/17

Here's reasonable medical care
Costa Rica's world class medical specialists are at your command. Get the top care for much less than U.S. prices. It is really a great way to spend a vacation. See our list of recommended professionals HERE!amcr-prom



Need a book about Costa Rica?


Check out our special selections available at Amazon
                            logo

HERE!


Household Furnishings

Fine
                  Furniture of Sarchi

Fine Furniture of Sarchi - Sarchi, Costa Rica
All our handcrafted products are made in Sarchi with pride and quality by artisans who are dedicated to designing, crafting, and delivering our furniture to you. Please visit our website and send us a picture and specifications of what YOU like, or just send us pictures from anywhere you wish. We will quote you right back with a more than competitive price and an on-time delivery date. Delivery and set up available throughout Costa Rica. We have different Costa Rican woods from which you may choose. 
www.FineFurnitureOfSarchi.com
Contact information:
Adolfo's Cell 506-8831-4306
 Tom in the USA 803-261-6000
Email: Info@FineFurnitureOfSarchi.com
9218-8/25/17

U.S. Income Tax Services (paid category)

Tax time
U.S. Income Tax Services
Marlene B. Summers
T
ax Accountant
Let’s discuss your tax situation.

Marlene
                                  Summers
The IRS has become more aggressive and if you have not filed, you must do so. 

However, there are solutions to problems and your situation may be better than you think.

If your filing is not up to date, Streamlined Filing can be used with no penalties.

Including disclosure of foreign corporations to avoid serious problems.

If tax payment is holding you back, the IRS has options to solve payment problems.

You can file current or past due FBARs without payment to meet IRS  requirements.

If you have yet to file, do it now as there is still time.

Over 20 years in Costa Rica
and Silicon Valley.
Competitive rates.

Phone (506) 2289-6590 ; Cell (506) 8750-2316
Email: marlene.summers@gmail.com
9186-6/30/17

James Brohl
James Brohl, C.P.A. & M.B.A.
US Income Tax,  U.S. GAAP Accounting
& Business Consulting
n
Specializing in all matters of concern to U.S. taxpayers residing abroad including:
n
• IRS filing requirements of foreign income tax exclusion (up to $102,100 for 2017).
• Past-due tax returns: Taxpayers filing before an IRS notice do not face criminal sanctions.
• Reporting foreign financial assets: FBAR and foreign corporations.
• Up-to-date FATCA news.
• All US Tax return preparation:
individual, business, estate and trust.
• eFile returns: secure with faster refunds.
• Business consulting to facilitate working in Costa Rica.
Telephone 8305-3149 or 2256-8620
E-mail jrtb_1999@yahoo.com

A.M. Costa Rica
Real estate rentals
Real estate rental agents
Real estate for rent
Business
wanted
Real estate wanted

Real estate rentals (paid category)

Tropical Homes
                                                logo
Tropical Homes of Costa Rica is offering the best selection of vacation homes, condos and long-term rental homes in Playa Flamingo, Playa Potrero and Playa Brasilito on  the Pacific Gold Coast of Guanacaste. A wide selection of private residencies is providing an excellent choice for  your stay in this beautiful part of Costa Rica.We are offering homes for every budget and every need. Please visit our Web page at www.tropicalhomesofcostarica.com or contact us at rentals@tropicalhomesofcostarica.com or call at (506) 2654-5442
9055-2/23/17


Spectacular rentals are available for low weekly prices on SellMyTimeshareNow.com at resorts such as Bahia Turquesa Residences and Villas Sol Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste. We have 
Timeshare
1- to 3-bedroom ocean and garden view timeshares available and most offer air conditioning, cable TV, fully equipped kitchens, and relaxing hammocks on private balconies. Enjoy the unique combination of seclusion and convenience as all resorts listed on our site are close to popular Costa Rican attractions and downtown 
centers, but are surrounded in lush, tropical forest. Villas are also available for sale in our inventory, so you can enjoy yearly vacations to this mesmerizing rainforest paradise. Please visit our rental inventory HERE!  or call us toll free at 877-815-4227, International: 603-516-0200.  Email: info@sellmytimesharenow.com
9049-7/31/17


Real estate-related services (paid category)

COSTA RICA SOLAR
solar one

solar two
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PV systems: we use Enphase micro-inverters. More flexible. Add panels whenever you like. More reliable than any other system and fully guaranteed!

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BUY NOW! Your solar hot water system, so in three months, we can calculate a lower install price for your PV system.  Perfect for homes and hotels. Save up to 40% of your electric bill.
More Watts per Panel, Smarter and more Capable Enphase Micro Inverters mean Less Cost and more Flexibility for You.

    We aren't Cheap...Neither are our Products. Call to Compare.
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    Push this BIG RED BUTTON:  (O) and Learn ​details about your deal with ICE     
    SEE our new PACKAGE DEALS.
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CALL TODAY!
Office: 506-2446-0543
Andre 506-8314-8090
Paul 506-8898-9398
OUR EMAIL:
 andrefurlong@gmail.com
Paul.Furlong@CR-Solar.com
VISIT OUR WEB:
www.crsolar.net 
CODE 9230-12/19/17


Shipping services (paid category)

Shipping
Moving to Costa Rica or Back to the U.S.?
  10 Years of Happy Clients
Canadian English or Spanish Spoken
Excellent Service, Competitive Prices
Call  (772) 361-1050
Email:   shippingcostarica@gmail.com
Our Web:  http://shippingcostarica.com
Free Ebook: How To Import to Costa Rica HERE!
Shipping Costa Rica


Psychotherapy


Dr. Gray
Dr. Lucinda Gray
California Licensed
Psychologist
International Practice

• Anxiety
 • Depression
 • Relationship Problems
 • Trauma EMDR click here
 • NWM Training
 
CR (506) 2228-2041
US (310) 827-4241
doclucinda@gmail.com
www.LucindaGray.com
Learn more about 
New World Meditation: (Second Edition) Discover True Happiness Thru
Experiential Healing 
Click Here
9057-2/25/17


Psychiatric Services
SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS (FMP)
Dr. Luis Carlos Sancho
DR LUIS CARLOS SANCHO TORRES
PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Prescription Management

Send us your:
-VA LETTER WITH LIST OF DISABILITIES
-VETERAN IDENTIFICATION

Call me:  (506) 2246-3458
Email: veteranscr@gmail.com
4th floor at Hospital La Catolica, Guadalupe, San José
9234-12/1/17


Legal Services

Adrian Fernandez
Attorney & Notary

A Fernandez
Notary services and registrations. Collections and foreclosures. Real estate and litigation. Corporate Law. Immigration. Estate planning wills and testaments, probate.

I provide the highest professional standards. Official documentation and Notary deeds are always translated in English for better comprehension, client satisfaction and safety.

 Call me for advice
    Phone:  2280-9692 / 2253-3705
    Email: ajfernandez@racsa.co.cr
    Law Office is conveniently located near  Mall San Pedro, 350 meters south  from the Hyundai dealer, Los Yoses, San José.
9181-7/3/17

Insurance professionals

The Garrett Insurance Group
Garrett
-Brokerage fully licensed by the
      government.
-Experience since 1980.
-Bilingual English/Spanish.
-Represent all the best insurance
       companies in Costa Rica,
       BMI, Blue Cross, Blue
       Shield, ASSA, INS, etc.
-Correspondents of WILLIS.
-Connections in all of Central
       America.
-Superb communications.
-Prize-winning Web site.
-English policy extracts.
-Helps you settle your claims.
Centro Comercial El Pueblo, Local #125, San José. Phone:  ( 506 ) 2233-9520  or ( 506) 2233-2455
E-mail : info@garrettbrokers.com
More information HERE!
9165-5/22/17




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A.M.
Costa
Rica
Fifth
news page


Published || Wednesday Edition, September 27, 2017 || Vol. 17, No. 192
Calendar
Opinion
Classifieds
Real estate
Lifestyle
Food
About us


Costa Rica's national orchestra nominated for Latin Grammy award
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rica’s Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional was nominated for a Latin Grammy award on Tuesday for the category of best classical music album.

The orchestra’s album, titled “Música de Compositores Costarricenses Vólumen II,” was released in October 2016 with four works by Costa Rican composers, according to a statement from the orchestra.

The album was recorded at the Centro Nacional de la Música facilities in Moravia under the direction of Eddie Mora.

At least 70 musicians contributed to this list along with a Cuban violinist named Winnie Camila Berg, who is also a member of the orchestra and guest soloist at the time.

This represents the third time that the orchestra has been nominated for a Latin Grammy with the first occasion being back in 2013 with Bossa Nova Symphonic and the first volume of their album in 2014. Winners of all categories for the Latin Grammy will be announced Nov. 16 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional
Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional Facebook photo    
Some of the musicians who helped lead the orchestra
to its Grammy nomination.

Some of the compositions featured within the album include: Rapsodia para orquesta by William Porras (1975), Sinfonía en mi menor by Carlos Enrique Vargas (1945) and Son Mestizo II para orquesta sinfónica by Alejandro Cardona (1993).


Vatican designates Costa Rica as host for environment symposium
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

On Tuesday, Vatican City designated Costa Rica as the host country of the Symposium Laudato Si: Taking Care of our Common Home: A Necessary conversion to Human Ecology, which will be held from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1

The symposium is inspired by an encyclical of Pope Francis published on May. 15. There, the leader criticizes the exaggerated consumerism and irresponsible development of the planet, urging both rapid and unified global action to combat environmental degradation and climate change.

During the announcement, a video sent by Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís, showed a summary of the public policies that have led Costa Rica to be a leader in socio-environmental initiatives and nature protection.

The conclusions of this symposium will be printed on a document that will be delivered to Pope Francis, as a way to comply with his environmental request of acting according to the principles stated in his encyclical.

To create the document, the symposium will be based on well-regarded science. International specialists include experts in the field of ecology, sociology, theology. Participants also include environmental leaders, entrepreneurs, leaders of international organizations and representation of the Vatican.

Vatican
                      Symposium
Vatican courtesy photo    
Poster for the upcoming symposium on the environment.

Tough the symposium is organized by the Roman Catholics, it is open to anyone with a legitimate interest in human and environmental development. It also leaves out the theological dogma to focus on an issue of global interest, regardless of religious creed, political affiliations  or nationalities.

This will be the first time that the symposium will be held in the Central American and Caribbean region.


Want to read more? Check out these books listed below!
Brodell
                Book
Costa Rica: Remarkable Tales from Our Super Vacation Spot

By the staff and contributors at A.M. Costa Rica
 (editor)A.M. Costa Rica celebrates its 16th anniversary with a compilation of classic news reports geared to the needs of foreigners living here and those elsewhere with personal or business interests in this vacation paradise. Each seeks to tell something new or original about the vacation and retirement mecca.  
Read a sample and purchase the book HERE!
Trapped in
                Damas Cave
Trapped In The Damas Cave, Costa Rica

A true story by author Dusty Pilot, who lived in Costa Rica for 11 years. Dusty tells his horrifying story of being trapped in the Damas Cave, near Quepos, for 26 hours. The book is available from Amazon in both digital and print format. Digital format will be on sale for $0.99 until Aug. 30. Visit Amazon.com to preview or purchase, or DustyPilot.com/cave.html More information Contact Dusty Pilot Email: dusty@dustypilot.com US phone: 001 440 796-4105¯


Trouble
                with Cash

The Trouble with Cash
By John H Paterson

Greg and Liz must sell their property in Costa Rica to finance their retirement. They receive an offer for their full asking price of $1 million, but it comes with one condition...the payment is to be in cash. They go for it. Things go wrong. The money is stolen.The local police are no help so Greg devises his own plan to get their money back.  Review or buy the book on Amazon ON SALE FOR $0.99
 Click Here  Email:  j.paterson@riomagnolia.com 
Phone: (506) 8868-5561
 Watch book trailer here:
New World Meditation
New World Meditation: Focusing-Mindfulness-Healing-Awakening
By Lucinda Gray PhD

You will be Free to Live, Love, Work and Play in the Full Creative Expression of Your Authentic Self. New World Meditation is easy to learn, easy to practice, and profoundly transformational.  More information HERE!


Money, Flowers and More

MAKE GIFTS FROM DOLLARS OR COLONES
Running out of gift ideas? Author Dusty Pilot has just released easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for turning bills (dollars or colones) of any denomination into unique gifts such as flowers: roses, daffodils, daisies and poinsettias; shirts and blouses, and birds with flapping wings. The book is being discounted to $0.99 through October 31. It is available at all major online book stores. Preview or purchase at Amazon or visit  DustyPilot click here. Buy this book at Smashwords For more information Contact Dusty Pilot: Email dusty@dustypilot.com. Phone  001 440 796-4105
Life is a Tropical Garden

    Life is a Tropical Garden By Victoria Torley 
    A quirky look at gardening in the tropics. What happens when a "Northern" gardener moves to Costa Rica? You have no idea….  Email: victoriatorley1@gmail.com
Order this book here:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1522005986/ref=rdr_ext_tmb


Brodell book 2
The Dark Side of Pura Vida: Murder, Betrayal, Abduction and Revenge in the Vacation Paradise

By James J. Brodell. Retired baseball player Jack Patterson becomes suspicious after his younger sister dies in a Pacific Ocean rip tide while on vacation in Costa Rica. Jack has to go there to find answers to troubling questions. But soon he is hijacked by a gang of avengers led by an icy Costa Rican-American woman who carries twin pistols strapped to her chest. Jack soon helps uncover a web of corruption and greed . Read a sample and purchase the book HERE!
HowardBook

Guide to Costa Rican Spanish
(English and Spanish Edition)

This one-of-a-kind best-selling Costa Rica Spanish phrasebook will help anyone including older retirees master the basics of using Costa Rican Spanish in real-life situations. Retirees, expats and tourists will get the most of of Costa Rica, be able to communicate effectively with Costa Ricans and understand the local culture. A practical pronunciation will help you sound a like a native Spanish speaker.  The book is now available for sale on Amazon click here





Costa Rican News
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Retire NOW in Costa Rica
CostaRicaReport.com
Fine Dining in Costa Rica
The CAFTA Report
Fish fabulous Costa Rica




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Calendar
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From page 6:

Costa Rican groups chosen for German event

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

At least 40 companies from the information and communication technologies sectors were selected to participate in the second edition of the Programa de Gerentes, an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

According to a statement from Costa Rica’s Promotora de Comercio Exterior, the program seeks to increase competitiveness of Central American small businesses by a so-called internationalization of their businesses with Germany.

“We are very happy with the results of this second competition,” said Irina Kausch, director of the German initiative in Central America. “The proposals come from very strong companies in each sector. We hope that after the training process, 20 of these companies with the greatest potential will travel to Germany.”

According to the initiative, over 47 proposals were received from the five participating countries. The selection was carried out by the German counterparts in each country. In Costa Rica, that is PROCOMER. “We are very pleased that this group of 11 Costa Rican companies are part of this GIZ Program project,” said Álvaro Piedra, the director of exports at PROCOMER. “This initiative will allow them to share good practices, learn trends and learn new methods, which will help them to be more competitive to reach markets as demanding as the German ones.”

Once selected, companies will participate in a coaching and training process to strengthen their marketing skills, their knowledge of the German economy and the possibilities of creating business partnerships with German allies, PROCOMER said.

At the end of this process, a new evaluation will be made of the business proposals presented by the companies. The companies with the greatest potential will be selected for a business trip to Germany to network and participate in trade fairs and business meetings.