Author Archives: Shahrazad Encinias

Intel celebrated its 15 years of business in Costa Rica at the Museos del Banco Central underneath the Plaza de la Cultura in downtown San José Wednesday. President Laura Chinchilla joined the festivities. During her speech she challenged the company … Continue reading →

The transition from analog to digital television has already begun in Costa Rica. But there are several questions still left unanswered by the Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía y Telecomunicaciones. And the technological landscape may change so quickly that answers today … Continue reading →

The Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería completed a study that it says will allow a better support system for harsher deportation measures. The new digital database for the foreign prison population in Costa Rica has a profile for each … Continue reading →

Lola calmly sat for pictures as bystanders stopped in awe at the white, curly haired, three-legged dog. The teacup French poodle rolled in excitement to those who stopped and flashed their cameras and camera phones at her. The Asociación Defensa … Continue reading →

The Plaza de la Cultura is one of San José’s most visited points. It is in downtown and ideally located next to tourist hot-spots. But what isn’t mentioned in the guidebooks is that there is a man who does not … Continue reading →

It’s been more than a week since the Sala IV shot down the president’s tax package, but members of the cabinet believe there is still a chance to pass the unpopular measure. Their faith is so strong, there is no … Continue reading →

An urban arts fair will take place during a 10-day festival in Desamparados, beginning today. The IV Festival Abierto de Danza y Arte Urbano will end on April 29 with a battle of the bands finale in Parque la Libertad. … Continue reading →

Love brought artist Scott Wimer to live in Costa Rica, but it was a need for dental work that introduced him to the country. At 21 he was living in Paris as a fashion photographer. By the age of 28 … Continue reading →

The skill of pole dancing has come out of strip clubs and gained elegance as a new exercise fad. What used to be considered seedy has found a place in certain dance studios and have taken over as the new, … Continue reading →

The cost of visas for non-immigrants to the United States has gone up, starting today. The U.S. Embassy has made two announcements that affect the visa application procedure. One is the price, and the the other is the process for … Continue reading →

There are 10 finalists ready to compete for the title of Miss Costa Rica, tonight at 8 o’clock inside the Canal 7 Marco Picado studio in La Sabana. The live television show on Channel 7 will pick the winner who … Continue reading →

Nine buildings in the Talamanca canton are to be demolished by the end of November. The targeted constructions are homes and hotels that have been in the area for years. One of the organizations fighting the demolition has claimed some … Continue reading →

A lawsuit placed by the homeowners of Villas las Flores against the Municipality of Parrita has blindsided the mayor, Freddy Garro Arias. He said Thursday he has no knowledge of the issue. And he said he doesn’t understand why the … Continue reading →

As a Catholic country, Costa Rica will celebrate a week-long religious period of Semana Santa, or Holy Week next week. Thousands of San José residents are expected to take vacation time and head to the coasts. And the rest of … Continue reading →

San José will have a public metro system that will reduce inner city traffic. That is if all continues to go well, said Mayor Johnny Araya Monge Tuesday. The mayor was at a presentation about a study made to analyze … Continue reading →

Some 20 foreigners are at risk of losing their homes in Parrita because the state is evicting them. Now they have joined forces to bring a case against several levels of government. James and Elizabeth Ratliff are just one pair … Continue reading →

More than 3,800 Fuerza Pública officers will be on duty for Semana Santa. The number doesn’t include the special unit forces such as Policía Turística and the Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas. Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is a national holiday … Continue reading →

This year at the Festival Internacional de las Artes 2012, which ends Sunday, the country of honor was Korea. This allowed for a special closed off section in the festival assigned solely to this country. There was food, dance, music, … Continue reading →