San José, Costa Rica - Friday 20 August 2004

1.116 Unique Visitors Daily Average in July!  What's This? 

Updated every day by 8:00AM Central Standard Time

A "fender bender" in Tibas caused a major traffic jam that took hours to clear, wasting unnecessary fuel. As the government discusses measures to curb fuel consumption, we suggest some changes in the Transit rules. Click here here for our opinion. Click for larger image!

Costa Rica Should Reduce Public Debt, IMF Says
The International Monetary Fund said Thursday that Costa Rica needs to reduce the size of its public debt.

Five Year Old Girl Killed by Rottweiler
Five-year-old, Mayra José Chaves Jiménez, girl was fatally attacked by her pet rottweiler, after becoming entangled in the animal's chain.

Fruit Exports Grow
The Costa Rican exports of bananas, pineapples, cantaloupes, watermelons, and mangoes increased by 12 percent his year's first semester, as compared to the same period in 2003.

Talking Taxi Meter?
The Constitutional Court (Sala IV) has ruled that taxi's have one year to install "talking" meters - "marias" as in they are known in Costa Rica - in their cars.

Happy 60th Birthday!
Coca Cola is celebrating it's 60th year in Costa Rica. No matter what the occasion, Coca Cola is a favourite with Ticos, making it the most sold beverage in the country

Venezuelan FM:
Int'l community recognizes Chavez's administration
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jesus Perez said Thursday that the international community recognizes President Hugo Chavez's administration, as many countries showed their support after knowing the referendum results.

Brazil pursues those who illegally send money abroad
For years, many Brazilians looked to money-changers, known as "doleiros", to survive out-of-control inflation. They changed the fast-devaluating currency for stable dollars, were personal bankers and often trusted friends.


Bolivian peasants end oil siege
Peasant farmers in Bolivia have ended an occupation of foreign-owned oil fields after the government promised to speed-up land redistribution. 

International News from the New York Times
 

SPECIAL REPORTS BOLIVIA: Small-Town Mayors Demand Life Insurance Against Violence Mayors in Bolivia are demanding life insurance as a condition for staying in their posts, as the campaign for the December municipal elections gets underway. Their demand took formal shape after a mayor accused of corruption by local residents was killed by an enraged mob in the central square of an Andean highlands town. By The Association of Bolivian Mayors (AMB) is calling on the government to provide life insurance for mayors and their families, which would pay 45 percent of their monthly salary, according to a project that they asked the executive branch to introduce to Congress as a draft law.

With GSM and the Lowest Cost to Rent a Cellular Telephone in Costa Rica!

Retirement/Relocation Tours for the Non-rich! I am the ONLY Retirement, Relocation Guide in Costa Rica without a hidden agenda. I will show you many of the best areas for value of climate, land, amenities, and building costs. I will introduce you to honest, value, people who will share with you the actual costs of real estate & homes built for people like you. You can then compare these to any of the other "DEALS" promoted by the many other "Tours" Please visit: www.costaricaretireonss.com and contact my References. George Lundquist, Retirement, Relocation Columnist for: www.insidecostarica.com and www.welovecostarica.com