Author Archives: Zachery McDonald

“My first click with a camera taught me that with the flick of a finger you can catch a scene that can be remembered many years later,” said Francisco Coto. And he did that many times. Over the course of … Continue reading →

Jennifer Scalise, the mother of a young accident victim, will be releasing her book detailing the tragedy that befell her family in, what her Web site describes as, ¨a heartless foreign government.¨ The heartless foreign government in question: Costa Rica. … Continue reading →

The U.S. Embassy here purchased an electric car assembled in Japan instead of a U.S. product because officials said they doubted that an American vehicle could be serviced adequately here. An embassy spokesman gave that explanation at the request of … Continue reading →

The European Union has decided to eliminate guaranteed aid to various Latin American countries in its 2014 – 2020 budget. Costa Rica is one of the countries. According to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Costa Rica, due to its relatively … Continue reading →

The headache does not usually end with figuring out how to pay for all the kid’s toys. For most parents, with the right family members and friends, it is only the beginning. The seasoned parent can spot a do-not-buy item … Continue reading →

Costa Rican unions announced Monday action against the Ley de Solidaridad Tributaria, or fiscal plan. The Sindicato de Trabajadoras and the Trabajadores de la Educación Costarricense called for members and the general public to join the protest. A march is … Continue reading →

A central hub geared toward the observation of changes in the Caribbean Sea and along the coasts is opening today in Costa Rica. The Observatorio Jacques Yves Cousteau is meant to serve as a useful tool for the design and … Continue reading →

Costa Rica ranked 50 out of 183 countries, dropping from No. 41 in 2010, in Transparency International’s new Annual Corruption Perception Index. Costa Rica tied with Lithuania, Oman and the Seychelles and is just above Hungary. Costa Rica placed just … Continue reading →

Costa Rica’s reputation is one of a social democracy, a peaceful society with little inequality and first-rate ecological practices and policies. In western San Jose in la Carpio, the preconceptions are put to the test. La Carpio is a large … Continue reading →

In a letter to Nicaraguan officials Tuesday, Enrique Castillo, Costa Rica’s foreign minster, said a road along the northern border has no effect on Nicaraguan territory. The alleged environmental damages were done because Costa Rica has been forced to build … Continue reading →

The Ministerio de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica announced it has achieved the goal of expanding and modernizing the system of trade between México and Central America. Costa Rica, Nicaragua and the Northern Triangle (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) signed … Continue reading →

Angered about an environmental issue, protesters marching from the Plaza de la Cultura to the Tribunales de Justicia Tuesday carried a simple motto: Justice is worth more than gold. The protesters signs and speeches attributed a shift in the court´s … Continue reading →

Ed Hansen is expected to leave Hospital Hotel la Católica today. His improved health comes in spite of the continued strike by Caja Costarricense anesthesiologists. Hansen, 62, waited five days for treatment in Hospital Calderón Guardia before being transferred to … Continue reading →

A quick trip to the AM/PM left Ed Hansen, a former policeman from Atlanta, stranded for days without necessary medical attention in Hospital Calderón Guardia while Caja Costarricense medical staff members were on strike. Last Saturday morning Hansen was struck … Continue reading →

The Centro Nacional de Cultura was the location for the annual prisoners arts and crafts fair Wednesday where music played and people danced throughout the day. Works of art made by prisoners and refreshments prepared by the juvenile delinquency center … Continue reading →

The Council of Ministers from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland met, in Geneva, Switzrland, with representatives from Costa Rica, Honduras and Panamá, the Ministerio de Comercio Exterior said Monday. After the meeting, negotiators officially announced the launch of talks towards … Continue reading →

Many of Costa Rica´s markets have had a tough run recently. Industry, agriculture and trade have been down since last July. The deceleration of tourism this year has not helped and seems to be hurting small, niche businesses. Some educators … Continue reading →