Comments on: Letter to the Editor: Costa Rica not thinking out all its new laws

By: Gary Boyd

Gary Boyd — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:03:42 +0000

Almost forgot. The few dictating to the many? Less than 25% of the population smokes. That leaves 75% + non-smokers. So it would seem that the minority of smokers is trying to dictate to the majority of non-smokers.

By: Gary Boyd

Gary Boyd — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:48:42 +0000

Paolo, apparently you are not aware of the affects of second hand smoke. It is worse even than the smoke taken in by the smoker. If it were only affecting the smoker I might agree. Anyone crazy enough to smoke these days when the effects are so well known probably deserves the emphysema, cancer, heart disease, etc., but those around you don’t. As for the other laws, I agree that the government is pretty crazy here.

Chuck. I agree about business here. My choice would also be panama though because of the many benefits they are offering. Also, much more stable and the infrastructure leaves Costa Rica and Nicaragua in the dust. If you haven’t done it already (and you probably have), check it out. Like so many others these days I am planning on sayiing goodbye to CR in near future.

By: Ken Morris

Ken Morris — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:48:35 +0000

Right, the anti-smoking law went way overboard, banning smoking outdoors and in parking lots for crying out loud. But if you noticed, the recent court decision that stuck a person with having to pay a huge pension to a house-painter who was hired for only three days but hurt himself on the job should theoretically be applied to prostitutes too. The ruling decreed that employers are supposed to pay into the social security system on behalf of all employees, no matter how temporary, or risk being sued for pension benefits. If it applies to house-painters surely it should apply to other service workers. The laws get nuts here sometimes, but of course it’s only selectively enforced!

By: Carlos Salazar

Carlos Salazar — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:48:35 +0000

let me give you an example of how it works over there (or used to, not long ago), you contributed to both campaigns , the sandinistas and the other guys, you got a certificate, once upon a time , the alcalde of one of the towns came to ‘impound’ certain property etc to a friend of mine, he came into the house, got the right certificate (the one in power which at the time was Aleman) , the guy looked at it and said “had a good day” , that was “it” . The personal “piñatas” in Nicaragua make CR politicians look like SAINTS.

By: Kylie Lynne Agarand

Kylie Lynne Agarand — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:33:35 +0000

The Anti-Smoking law seems strange to me. I’ve spent most of my time in the Montezuma area on the Nicoya and the majority of the bars and restaurants are open air…. makes sense to not allow smoking when you’re walled in, no one wants to be hot boxed, right? But even in Canada where we also have an Anti Smoking Bilaw, if the restaurant is open air or has an open air section aka a patio area or a roof area or something, you’re allowed to smoke.

As for the no drinking in public thing, I feel like it’s not likely to be strictly enforced and wouldn’t worry too much about it. If all else fails just pour your beer in an iced tea bottle and you’re good to go.

By: Chuck Kidd

Chuck Kidd — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:03:33 +0000

I already am in business in Nicaragua and have a home in Leon so I do understand the government there. I am talking as much about personal freedom as anything in my post. I left the US because it became intrusive in our personal lives and CR is beginning to do the same thing.

By: Carlos Salazar

Carlos Salazar — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:03:33 +0000

@Chuck, I agree with most of what you say but if you think for a minute that Nicaragua is a better country to conduct business it simply tells me you don’t know about Ortega and any of the previous Nicaraguan ‘presidents’ (or dictators) , Panama is a better option, just saying.

By: Chuck Kidd

Chuck Kidd — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:03:34 +0000

In my 6 years in Costa Rica I have seen so many examples of just plain stupidity by CR politicians. The system and the country is quickly becoming a joke to many. I came here, started multiple businesses, employed many workers at a better than average wage and paid all the taxes and insurance required by law. I invested in real estate and even invested in bank funds to try to be a good CR/expat citizen. I used to tell my friends to come to CR to vacation and even to retire. Now I find myself looking a Nicaragua as an alternative place to live and to move my businesses. The taxes, cost of living, stupid laws and downward spiral of the econony in CR no longer makes it an attractive place to live or to expand my business. It is time for the people of CR to clean out this political system and all the coruption that it breeds. CR is quickly falling back to a 3rd world country.

By: Paolo Scott

Paolo Scott — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:18:34 +0000

>.> Promoting better health shouldn’t go as far as an Anti-Smoking law..I mean wtf is CR trying to be..another US >.> no offense but that’s just silly…takes free will from people who are accustomed to certain things is a good way to loose business…i mean if its that big of a deal, have a none smoking section, but don’t pretend that the few should dictate the outcome of the many…but I guess that’s the right of private restaurant owners…The Prostitution thing…lol they can pass as many laws as they want, economically I doubt anything will change considering its all very profitable for both the people and the authorities…as far as drinking in public..now that shit makes me mad…not talking about getting LIT on Jack while walking down the street or anything..but having a nice cold beer or cocktail while your enjoying yourself at the beach…i mean..really? nothing but stepping backwards it seems..