Whitewater Rafting in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica! A Splash of Adrenaline!

I like to periodically share with my readers some of my favorite tour companies in the Quepos & Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica areas. Therefore, as we get ready to enter our “green” season (green=more rain), this means some of the best white water rafting is just ahead on the horizon. I can’t think of a better company to share with you then the great people at Amigos del Rio (“Friends of the River”)!

Offering world class Whitewater Rafting only a short distance from the new Quepos Marina and famous Manuel Antonio Park, Amigos del Rio features challenging whitewater rafting on both the Savegre River (“Wild River”) and the Naranjo River (“Orange River”), with incredible views of rainforests, waterfalls, flora and fauna. Not limited to just rafting, Amigos del Rio guides visitors along the Manuel Antonio coastline for Ocean Kayaking, or choose the unique opportunity to explore the Damas Island Estuary Mangroves as you glide along in your Mangrove Kayak.

Safe, Unique, Reliable and Intense Water Adventures are what Amigos del Rio lives for!

Savegre River Rafting

Beyond the incredible Class II, III & IV rapids, be astounded by the awe-inspiring canyons, waterfalls, and primary rainforests that are an integral part of the beauty of Costa Rica. The Savegre River is truly a magnificent stretch of whitewater, winding through a sparsely inhabited mountain crested valley and offering some of the most exciting rapids and beautiful tropical scenery around. The full day Savegre River Rafting Excursion includes a hike to one of these majestic waterfalls, leaving time for guests to go swimming in the natural waterfall ponds.



Naranjo River Rafting

The Naranjo River drops steeply from the coastal mountain range above Quepos through a beautiful jungle gorge, and takes you on a wild ride all the way to sea level. Passing local farmlands and palm plantations, the river banks team with green jungle and meet the steep canyon walls at sharp 90 degree angles. Even for the advanced rafter, this Class II, III & IV river is an exciting and refreshing rush of adrenaline. For those beginner rafters, our well trained river guides will explain, teach, direct and inspire even the most timid of rafters will want to meet the Whitewater River challenge!














Ocean Kayak Manuel Antonio

Designed for beginner or advanced kayakers, you start with paddling along coastline of Quepos and the offshore islands by ManuelAntonio National Park. Experience the excitement of paddling a kayak in the open ocean, while observing Costa Rica's marine and coastal wonders, such as the nesting grounds of endangered sea birds like the Brown Boobie, as well as sea turtles, fish, dolphins, whales and other seasonal marine life. Sea kayaking is considerably easier than river kayaking, and most trips can be done by guests that have little or no experience, so don’t miss your chance to try this exciting sport!














Mangrove Kayak DamasIsland

This tour will show you nature's unparalleled wonders as you explore an entirely different eco-system just 10 minutes from Manuel Antonio and Quepos. Kayaking (or boating) through the mangrove canals is like a meandering ride through times gone by. Let the current carry your kayak as you observe the unique flora, fauna and wildlife found only in this biologically diverse heaven! Beginners will delight in the ease of paddling through protected inland waterways, while your guide points out and explains this unique jungle environment.













Transportation

The exclusive fleet of transportation for Amigos del Rio includes brand new Microbuses and 4x4 vehicles rarely found in Costa Rica such as the HUMMER and the UNIMOG.










Equipment

Adventure tours should only offer the best in safety and equipment, so for that reason, Amigos del Rio chooses to use high performance AIRE rafts, specially design for our favorite rivers.











Meals

Complete relaxing “Tico” style meals are provided on the tours, with refreshments and local fruits. There’s no hurry on these tours, time is on your side.










Safety First

The Amigos del Rio gear is all U.S. Coast Guard approved and operated by professionally certified guides that have past extensive safety guidelines. Amigos del Rio is a fully insured and bonded company.










Team Amigos del Rio

Their team of expert guides is all formed by locals who have grown up rafting these rivers, and know their business better than anyone!










The Amigos del Rio Promise

From the owner to the reservations personnel, they guarantee the level of safety and fun you are seeking, all supervised by the Amigos del Rio professional team of Whitewater Rafters. They love what they do and it shows!

So if you find yourself traveling to the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area of Costa Rica, and you are looking for the adrenaline rush of a lifetime, while enjoying the wonders and scenery of Costa Rica, don’t wait……sign up with Amigos del Rio, and you too will discover the fun and adventure of Whitewater Rafting!!



AUTHOR:

Kimberly Barron, originally from Malibu, California has lived in Parismina and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica for 20 years. Starting as a certified tour guide, she spent 15 years managing fishing lodges on the Caribbean Coast and later 4* & 5* Hotels on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Currently semi-retired, Kimberly still works as the Marketing Director for Byblos Resort & Casino and Hotel Makanda by the Sea.

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Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria Day! Brave Martyr or Brazen Myth?

Juan Santamaría, an impoverished drummer boy, born of a single mother from the town of Alajuela, is easily the most famous martyr in Costa Rican history, and the only individual to have a National Holiday (April 11) declared in his honor. But was it really Juan Santamaria that saved the day at the Battle of Rivas, or was it more to do with Costa Rica’s need to have a national hero? Read on….

If legend is to be believed, as a result of the Battle of Rivas on April 11th, 1856, Juan Santamaria’s selfless act as his country's impromptu savior brought his eventual rise to glory, fame and martyrdom as he succeeded in saving Costa Rica against the infamous US sponsored invasion of the soldier of fortune style militia of William Walker.

William Walker, a lawyer, doctor and soldier of fortune from Tennessee, hoping to not only exploit the commercial trade route between New York and the Southern tip of Nicaragua, Walker also hoped to conquer the five Central American States with the intention to annex them, extending the new Federation of Southern States, part of the US. Walker and his “filibusteros” (soldiers of fortune) with his new post as a shaky provisional President of Nicaragua planned to instill his political and financial power over the Central American territories, with the next logical step being the invasion of nearby Costa Rica.

Fearing Walker’s growing force in Nicaragua, Costa Rican President Juan Rafael Mora supported by the backing of wealthy American businessmen who wanted their important trading routes reopened, was urged to declare war not on Nicaragua, but on Walker and his filibusters. Furious, Walker ordered the immediate invasion of Costa Rica, crossing the border into the province of Guanacaste, while the Costa Rican army mobilized full speed ahead Northward from the Central Valley. This rag tag army, led by the President’s brother Jose Joaquin Mora and brother-in-law General Jose Cañas, with their contingent of three thousand men marched towards the Walker encampment said to be assembled near the now famous Hacienda Santa Rosa, south of Nicaragua. Upon learning of their imminent arrival, Walkers men made a hasty retreat, taking the battle to Meson de Guerra in Rivas.

That is where Juan Santamaría prominently steps into the picture.

Walker's men, under the command of Colonel Louis Schlessinger, had no sentries posted in the Rivas fort, allowing Mora’s Costa Rican troops to surprise the small American militia, as Schlessinger himself retreated, leaving his troops in complete disarray. When a bloody battle ensued, the commanding Costa Rican officer asked for a volunteer to set fire to thatch roof of the El Mesón de Guerra; the filibusters' stronghold. Surely a suicide mission at best, it is said that Juan Santamaría, an impoverished mulatto drummer boy from the town of Alajuela, stepped up and with torch in hand, approached the hostel and through a hail of bullets, tossed his torch of fire onto the vulnerable thatched roof. This selfless patriotic act caused the enemy to flee, resulting in Juan Santamaria’s death, but leaving him a genuine National Hero.

The deaths of Juan Santamaría and more than a thousand other men saved Costa Ricaand Central America from a complete collapse. The Battle of Rivas put great confidence to the Costa Rican Army in the fight against Walker, who before this battle believed himself undefeatable and unstoppable, and lead to his later assassination in Honduras, during his next attempt at staging a Central American coup.

Although Costa Rica was victorious in the Battle of Rivas, the country did not return back to normal by any means. The numerous dead bodies were not buried in Rivas but were simply thrown into the wells, causing the city a huge outbreak of cholera from the contamination. The troops then carried the disease home with them to Costa Rica where it ravaged the country, killing as much as one tenth of the population. Mora was eventually blamed for the outbreak, as well as other economic problems, and was taken out of power a few years later in 1859.

This is where the dispute of the true legend of Juan Santamaria begins. Heated arguments and several investigations suggest that the well repeated history of Juan Santamaria may not be all it’s cracked up to. According to Steven Palmer, a Canadian researcher, Juan Santamaria was possibly invented by the Liberalist Costa Rican government. Palmer’s study suggests that the government in the late nineteenth
century was seeking to create a national identity in order to unify the disorganized country. Legends, heroes and battles, all helpful ingredients in the creation of a sense of national patriotism, the government set out to find something or someone that would serve its motivating purpose. Since Costa Rica lacks a history of warfare, the Liberalist government chose one of the few significant battles, the 1856 Battle of Rivas fought against William Walker. After choosing the famous battle, a brave hero was to be chosen as their new “symbol” for National unity. With this, Palmer says, Juan Santamaria was “born” or reborn after being dead and forgotten for many decades. That Juan Santamaria was a member of the lower classes, only served to inspire an even stronger sense of belonging to a nation that was coming of its own in world recognition, as Juan Santamaria showed anyone could become a National idol.

Further claims have been discovered that state Juan Santamaria actually died of cholera and not by the bullets of his enemies. Now granted, there are said to be listed four different Juan Santamarias amongst the some 9000 volunteer troops of Costa Rica, so this does open the door for some skepticism and confusion, but it is interesting to consider why Juan Santamaria lay buried for almost four decades, before being remembered and named Costa Rica’s National Hero.

Finally, other historical versions of the Battle of Rivas and the fight at the “Mesón de Guerra”, list the Lieutenant Luis Pacheco Bertora as the first to approach the fort with the idea of flushing out the enemy, but he was gravely injured by gunfire in his attempts. Lying unconscious, a Nicaraguan named Joaquín Rosales made a second attempt to burn the fort, but lost his life in the process. Finally, a third brave soldier stepped forward, the now well-known Costa Rican soldier, Juan Santamaría, who successfully set fire to the “meson” and saved the day for Costa Rica. None of these other brave soldiers have ever received the recognition due them as Juan Santamaria did, much less a National Holiday, statues or International Airports named after them, though the mystery behind the true history of these events lives on!

In the end, there is no attempt to minimize the participation of any of the soldiers involved in this battle, even less so Juan Santamaria. We only hope to give a shout out to all the valiant soldiers who gave their lives to win the liberty and sovereignty of Costa Rica, and to dispel of the rumor that Juan Santamaria was simply approaching the building, tripped and his fire torch accidentally started the fire that ended the battle.

Tell that later version out loud in Costa Rica, and you may be run out of the country even faster than William Walker was!!

Author:
Kimberly Barron, originally from Malibu, California has lived in Parismina and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica for 20 years. Starting as a certified tour guide, she spent 15 years managing fishing lodges on the Caribbean Coast and later 4* & 5* Hotels on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Currently semi-retired, Kimberly still works as the Marketing Director for Byblos Resort & Casino and Hotel Makanda by the Sea.

Sources:
Lisa Tirmenstein tirmenlb@muohio.edu.
www.Wikipedia.org
http://afehc-historia-centroamericana.org/index.php?action=fi_aff&id=1947
http://www.latindex.ucr.ac.cr/historia-51/10-Aguilar.pdf
http://wvw.nacion.com/ln_ee/2006/abril/28/opinion8.html

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National Stadium Debuts in Costa Rica Today, but not without Controversy!

Tens of thousands of people will be on hand for the inauguration of the new Costa Rican National Stadium today (known locally at the “Colosio” or “Coloso” or “Estadio”), the most modern stadium in all of Central America. Many more spectators will be glued to their television sets at home or visiting the nearest Sports Bar or local watering hole, to take in the day's events that begin in the afternoon and end with the highly anticipated friendly soccer match between Costa Rica and China.

The Road to the Inauguration:
In May of 2008, after some 84 years of service, the demolition ball was
brought in to remove the old national stadium and make way for the new construction in La Sabana Park, to the west of Downtown San Jose. The old stadium unceremoniously closed its doors for the last time on May 11th, with the last soccer game held between the University of Costa Rica and a favorite local team, the Brujas F.C. Fifty five days later, after the first swing of the wrecking ball, the old stadium was reduced to a pile of rubble.

The plans for the new stadium for a capacity of 35,000 to 50,000 was officially announced in October 2008, and in December the Chinese construction firm, AFEC, was given permission to take the reins in building the new stadium. Chinese workers and the first materials and equipment from China were brought in beginning February 2009.

Not without controversy, many Costa Rican labor laws were bent (or broken) to allow this new Chinese workforce to enter Costa Rica and build this fabulous stadium, all that are enforced on already established businesses within Costa Rican borders. The fact that while snubbing the strict labor laws there were more than enough “Ticos” without work at the time (remember it is/was the recession), or that the majority of the materials used to build the stadium were brought from China, meant that little of this work would immediately effect or stimulate the Costa Rican economy in any way. But then did we really think we would get this Stadium for free as announced?

But then again, NO “Tico” project has ever been able to boast an accomplishment like that of the Chinese, one that astonishes those of us that live in Costa Rica, as on November 12, 2010, only 2 short years after officially announcing the building of the new Stadium, AFEC (the Chinese Company) delivered the almost finished stadium to the hands of now Ex-President Oscar Arias. Some three months ahead of schedule!! Alelujuah to the Chinese, you have definitely won our admiration!!

During the following months, a mad scramble to complete the finishing touches to the
stadium began, as the official March opening was announced, and plans were made to host some of the world’s finest musical & sports talent, among other entertainment planned for the inaugural event. That day has finally come……..March 26th, inauguration day is here!!

As previously mentioned, the building of this stadium was not completely without controversy. Liu Hong Bin, a 37 year old Chinese worker, hit by a construction vehicle on November 21, 2010, died while working on this project. Meanwhile, perhaps even more distressing and controversial was the complete snub to the country (or Territory) of Taiwan, a generous ally to Costa Rica for many years, by the getting in bed (if you will) with China, a country that repeatedly has crushed it’s own citizens human rights, as well as year after year shipped worldwide numerous products containing banned substances such as lead, pesticides, antibiotics, melamine, just to mention a few. Downright disturbing if you ask me. (Best if you don’t ask me.)

Taiwan Who??
A cry has gone out for Costa Rica to officially rename it’s “Puente de Amistad” (Bridge of Friendship) built with an incredibly generous donation of Taiwanese money. The huge suspension bridge spanning the Río Tempisque opened in 2003, and was a “gift” from the Taiwanese Government in exchange for commercial fishing rights in Costa Rican waters. But that was then and this is now, as then came China, with it’s booming economy and it’s infighting with that rebel island of Taiwan, and Taiwan is out and China is in! To
help understand, in 2007, Costa Rica and China established formal diplomatic relations after years of Costa Rica working directly with Taiwan. Then president, Oscar Arias, promptly ditched the country's long-term monetary benefactor, Taiwan, in favor of its far wealthier and more powerful neighbor, China. The “Friendship Bridge”, as well as many other educational, infrastructure, security and other Taiwanese financed projects in Costa Rica were quickly forgotten when China promised to build Costa Rica a brand-new national multi-purpose stadium, the most modern in all of Central America. Meanwhile, locals in Costa Rica have already renamed the Taiwanese-built bridge... “Puente de la Apuñalada” (Back Stab Bridge)!

Our Efficient Chinese Friends:
The enviable pace of construction of the new stadium was something not previously seen in Costa Rica. While the majority of large (and small) construction projects in this country take indeterminable amounts of years to
construct or repair (note I didn’t use the word “finish”), such as the Caldera Highway which took 34 years to plan and create (and continues to undergo repairs & closures), the Costanera Hwy (43 years, but mostly “finished”), our National Bridges, reconstruction of the Platina Bridge, replacement of infrastucture after the Cinchona Earthquake, etc, etc, the building of the New National Stadium was an impressive example of how quickly a major project can be completed when the right work force is employed, the normal government bureaucracy is shelved, and funding isn’t an ongoing problem, with ongoing cost overruns.
It is most definitely proof of what the Chinese Culture of hard working, honest people is capable of doing! Again….impressive!!
Meanwhile, a huge Costa Rican flag waves at the National Stadium, known as the “Jewel of La Sabana,” the title given by former President Oscar Arias, but constructed by a force of entirely Chinese workers. “Thanks to the immense generosity of the nation of China, this dream will be possible in a matter of months,” Arias said during the National Stadium ground breaking ceremony on March 12, 2009. “Today we lay down the first brick of a stadium that will be proportional to the passion of our nation; a stadium that will be the heart of our country, in the middle of the lung of the city.” Time will only tell how much this stadium will truly cost us, but for now…..we’re damn glad to have it!!

The New National Stadium by the Numbers:
• $82 Million Cost of Construction (The true figure is said to be some $12 million more)
• 10 Minutes from Downtown San Jose in La Sabana Park
• 35,000 Capacity for Sports Events
• 50,000 Capacity for Concerts
• Alleged Capacity to withstand an 8.5 Earthquake on the Richter Scale
• 500 High Intensity Lights to Illuminate the Field
• 137 Digital Security Cameras
• 250 Wheel Chairs Spaces
• 1,500 Disabled Seats
• 22 Months of Construction
• 83,000 Cubic Meters of Concrete
• 500 Onsite Parking Spaces (Sad, but true!)
• 300 Additional Fuerza Publica Police Officers on Duty

Bring or More like….Don’t Bring:
Since it is a very strange list of items permitted or prohibited for the new stadium, here is a brief list of what has been published so far to help those that will be attending inaugural events:

Permitted in the new Stadium:
- Cell Phones (See details below and guess if you take yours or not)
- Cameras (Still only, no video) with no batteries or rechargeable batteries
- Flags, but without poles

Prohibited in the new Stadium:

- Smoking
- Video cameras
- Loose change (whatever!)
- Still cameras with removable batteries like AA or AAA, (again, whatever!)
- Umbrellas
- Paper confetti
- Food and beverages

Inaugural Schedule of Events:
Costa Rica’s new National Stadium inaugural events kick off Saturday with the highlight being a friendly soccer match between Costa Rica and China. Here is a detailed list of the other exciting events scheduled over the next few weeks while we enjoy….. Stadium Fever!

Official Inauguration:
Saturday, March 26, official opening ceremonies begin at around 1pm. The highlight of the inauguration will definitely be the highly anticipated friendly soccer match between Costa Rica and China. The opening event also includes official “Acts of Protocol”, with speeches by Ex-President Oscar Arias, the Chinese Delegation and current Costa Rican President, Laura Chinchilla. There will also be a ceremony for top Costa Rican athletes that will receive special recognition for outstanding performances in their fields over the years, as well as a firework show to top off the night. Teletica will be covering the inauguration live on channel 7 from 3pm to 6pm.
Costa Rica vs. Argentina
Tuesday, March 29, Costa Rica’s national soccer team faces rival Argentina in a friendly soccer match, featuring the world’s top soccer player, Lionel Messi.
Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday, March 30, is a night of classical music. The program includes: Intermediate Symphony Orchestra, Youth Symphonic Band, Youth Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, and National Symphony Chorus. The event starts at 7 pm.
World Championship Boxing Night
Thursday, March 31 brings in boxing night to include some four Exhibition Matches and three World Championship bouts. The highlight of the night will undoubtedly be Costa Rica’s own boxing queen, Hannah Gabriels, who will defend her World Championship title.
Lunada
Friday, April 1 is time to put on those dancing shoes, grab a dance partner and get to the national stadium for a night of latin dance music. Thousands of couples will show off their dancing skills in a typical open-air dance event known as a Lunada. The organizers promise an unheard of “air-conditioned” ballroom, food sales, and participation of some of this country’s most popular musical groups to include: Los Hicsos, Los Originales del Chiki, Marfil, Calle 8, Banda Chiqui, Lubin Barahona and Los Caballeros del Ritmo, as well as Son de Tikicia..
National Music Festival
Saturday, April 2 is live and loud music night with all the best musicians from Costa Rica, to include: Esteban Calderon, Le Pop, Marta Fonseca, Escats, Editus, Humberto Vargas, Maria Pretiz, Akasha, Time’s Forgotten, Dexnuke, Evolution, 424, El Parque, Ghandi, Cocofunka, Percance, Mechas, Pato Barraza, and many many more! Don’t miss it!!
Fiesta in The House
Sunday, April 3 features specially invited singers Victor Manuel, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Don Amor performing all their greatest hits.
Live in Concert….Shakira!!
Jump forward to Sunday, April 10 is the highly anticipated Colombian Superstar Shakira live in concert! This night guarantees to be vibrant, colorful and festive event for one of Costa Rica’s most popular pop stars.

More information, including links to purchase tickets for varias events, can be found on Nacional Stadium’s new website: http://www.nuevoestadionacional.com/

WARNING TO DRIVERS:
Now, if only everyone can figure out where to park! Only 500 hundred parking spaces were written in during the planning stages, and no one thought to do anything about that until now. Now that there will be some 35,000 people planning to attend the opening events! Say what?? Yes, you read that right! So plan to pay huge fees to park in surround homes and business’ yards, lots or anywhere that will fit a car. Otherwise, plan for long walks and confusing new bus schedules to get you in there. DO NOT plan to park in no parking zones. Local “transito” officers have already promised some 300 officers will be on hand directing traffic and writing parking tickets that will cost in the area of $400 per violation! I guess I will just stay home and watch this all on TV!! Pura vida!!

Virtual Tour of the New Stadium HERE!!

Author:
Kimberly Barron, originally from Malibu, California has lived in Parismina and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica for 20 years. Starting as a certified tour guide, she spent 15 years managing fishing lodges on the Caribbean Coast and later 4* & 5* Hotels on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Currently semi-retired, Kimberly still works as the Marketing Director for Byblos Resort & Casino and Hotel Makanda by the Sea.

Sources:
http://www.insidecostarica.com/
http://www.thecostaricanews.com/ - Henriette Jacobsen
www.moon.com/blogs/cuba-costa-rica/costa-ricas-new-national-stadium-rising-phoenix

http://www.ticotimes.net/

Photo Credits:
www.skyscraperlife.com/sport-complexes/14127-new-costa-rica-national-stadium.html
www.360cities.net/image/new-national-stadium-costa-rica-central-america#114.96,-34.11,110.0
http://www.insidecostarica.com/
chfoto@gmail.com - Coleman Heckart
http://www.daylife.com/

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Dos Pinos….Setting the Dairy Standard in Costa Rica!

Spend only hours in Costa Rica and you are still likely to come across the ubiquitous brand of Dos Pinos. Easily the most popular and profitable Dairy Operation in Costa Rica (and much of Central America), their milk, ice cream, yogurts, cheeses and other varied list of dairy (and other) products can be found in every Costa Rica Hotel, business, restaurant and private household in the county, crossing over all social classes.

Corporate Mission:
“To manufacture and market, ethically and professionally, products with high nutritional value for our current and potential consumers, maintaining the highest quality and level of service provided by employees committed to our values and the use of the best technology available.”

Corporate Information:
A market leader in the production of foods, consisting mainly of dairy products, Dos Pinos is committed to their consumers, clients, suppliers, producers, and employees to maintain the high standard they have set for themselves since the 1940’s. Some handy stats about the company:
• Number-one company in National sales
• Process 85% of commercial milk in Costa Rica
• Main provider of raw material for both dairy and beef cattle
• Enterprise voted as one of the Best Work Environments
• Named Costa Rica’s Top Business of the 20th century
• Awarded the nation’s Best Exporter (2004)
• One of the most outstanding dairy production businesses in Latin America, according to Nutrition Magazine, which named Dos Pinos “Central America’s Little Giant”.

Background:
The new spacious Dos Pinos facility in El Coyol de Alajuela, spreads across 21 hectares of land and is the successful culmination of an initiative started in 1947. At that time, a group of 25 milk producers decided to form the Dairy Producers Dos Pinos Cooperative, R. L., in order to avoid pricing abuses in the supply of raw materials for milk production and with the goal in supporting smaller dairy farmers. Consisting of some 1,300 affiliate producers throughout the country, Dos Pinos now employs more than 2,600 people, processing 85% of the commercial milk in the country. Equal to using around 220 million kilos a year, with more than 300 different dairy products available, specialists in the history of Costa Rican & International dairies recognize that the success of the original dairy producers initiative, was only possible thanks to the positive environment, both political and natural, of the country of Costa Rica.

As the years have passed, Dos Pinos has transcended the borders of Costa Rica, and it currently markets it’s products in Nicaragua, Honduras, San Andrés, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and the United States. After great effort, and by paying attention to the tastes and the cultures of possible consumers, Dos Pinos has successfully begun to dominate most of these expanding markets. In order to achieve this, the consistency of the Dos Pinos Cooperative's production has continually fulfilled the expectations of the expanded cross border market, guaranteeing their sucess. This once again has enabled Dos Pinos to be recognized in 2002 as a leader with the “Excellence in Exportation” (Mérito Exportador) award.

History:
Looking back on the history of Dos Pinos, in the first four years of operation, the new Cooperative produced only food for the country's livestock, a role it still plays today. `With 200 affiliates at this point, the Cooperative decided to acquire a lot in Barrio Luján, to buy machinery, and to build its own building, with the goal of eventually installing a processing plant for their dairy products. The mark of distinction was the name Dos Pinos (Two Pines), which was created for it’s growing number of products such as cheese and butter, which were being found more and more on the tables of Costa Ricans. Although the animal feed factory was inaugurated one year after its establishment, it was in 1952 when the first milk and butter processed and pasteurized in the company plant were sold. In 1953 the gears of the first ice cream plant started to turn. The Cooperative saw substantial growth from this point on, to include the implementation of the first processing plant for powdered milk, donated by the UNICEF, in 1955; the production of chocolate milk in 1958; and the establishment of the cheese plant in 1959.

In the 60s, four important stand out products emerged. The ever popular Pinito fortified milk, egg nog (known as Rompope), and the famous ice cream pops, Cremoletas and Chocoletas. The previous year was also a productive one, as the first yogurt was put on sale, milk was packed in cardboard cartons, and ripe cheese was put on the market. The year 1967 saw the construction of what would undoubtedly become an important stimulus to the rural economy: the Milk Receiving Center in San Carlos, while at the same time, the first refrigerated trucks begain selling Dos Pinos products outside the greater San Jose area to mark the beginning of a vast distribution channel for it’s ever widening selections of products across the Caribbean and Central American continent.

From the 1970s on, the development of the Dos Pinos Cooperative had become unstoppable. The company, now thriving on a growing profit margin, started the production of sour cream, buttermilk, dulce de leche (a type of caramel), Certomy, a cereal with powdered milk, and the ice creams Krunchy Krisp and Queque Helado (Ice Cream Cake). They then expanded slightly out of the dairy product area with the arrival of orange juice (to be followed by many other juices), enabling the expansion of additional milk-receiving centers in Tilarán, Zarcero, and the official inauguration of the San Carlos Powdered Milk Plant. This continued on through the 80’s & 90’s and continues to this day, with the ongoing modernization of all aspects of the Dos Pinos operation and the continual addition of a new and ever expanding list of products.

Environmental Management:
Dos Pinos being aware of it’s corporate footprint and the importance of preserving and taking care of the environment, has implemented a variety of programs and projects that reinforce their commitment to the environment. They are continually working on the reduction of emissions, and the use of high technology for their wastewater treatment, both serving as a part of a system of cleaner production, which has shown impressive results. Utilizing a System of Environmental Administration which allows Dos Pinos to monitor, minimize and control the impacts of its daily activities, while fulfilling national and international regulations, the company prides itself on creating a healthy and safe work environment for all employees. With their eyes on the future of the company, Dos Pinos has been working to obtain the coveted ISO 14001 certification for all of it’s production plants, reaffirming it’s Corporate environmental and quality commitment.

So……whether you live here in Paradise, are on vacation in Costa Rica, or have traveled to Central America previously and seen or tasted one of the many Dos Pinos products,
this company is one of the few in Costa Rica that year after year gains more market share and garners more awards for their consistent commitment to quality and high customer service standards. It is their ongoing commitment to quality assurance that gave rise to Dos Pinos choosing the company slogan “Always something better”, as a symbol of their ongoing efforts to improve, while encouraging each individual worker to bring these words to life each and every day.

Now? After all that, I’m hungry and you probably are too, so head to the local “Pulperia” (corner market) and buy some of that Dos Pinos ice cream now! So yummy and easily found literally ANYWHERE in Costa Rica!!

AUTHOR:
Kimberly Barron, originally from Malibu, California has lived in Parismina and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica for 20 years. Starting as a certified tour guide, she spent 15 years managing fishing lodges on the Caribbean Coast and later 4* & 5* Hotels on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Currently semi-retired, Kimberly still works as the Marketing Director for Byblos Resort & Casino and Hotel Makanda by the Sea.

Source:
www.dospinos.com

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Costa Rica Classic International Billfish Tournament Returns to Quepos Costa Rica!

Quepos, Costa Rica, long considered one of the top sport fishing destinations in Costa Rica, plays host to the popular Costa Rica Classic International Billfish Tournament to be held March 10-12, 2011.

The Costa Rica Classic International Billfish Tournament which in years past was hosted in Quepos, had been held

Join us for the Costa Rica Classic!!

at the Los Suenos Marina in previous years, but once again returns to our popular area. This classic match up of some of the top International and Local Anglers will take the town by storm, with proceeds set to benefit the Boomer Esiason Foundation. This World renowned event is scheduled to be held at the brand new Marina Pez Vela, Quepos’ newest tourist attraction. Many nearby Manuel Antonio Hotels, as well as Hotels in Quepos will be offering special room rates for anglers, their crews and other fishing aficionados, but don’t wait too long, as space is limited for this popular fishing event!

The Event
The welcoming Cocktail Reception will be held March 10th at Hotel Mariposa in Manuel Antonio. Fishing teams will consist of a minimum two anglers per boat with

Offshore Fishing at it's Best!!

up to six anglers per boat permitted. Individual anglers will be assigned to a team by tournament directors. This is a “Benefit Tournament” and modified IGFA rules apply. This is a Gentlemen’s tournament, and we are here to have fun, catch fish, make friends and help a great cause. THE HONOR SYSTEM APPLIES. Fishing on March 11 and 12 are lines in at 8:30am and out at 3:30pm, boats can depart the marina at 6:20am but no lines in the water until

8:30am. Boats must be back at the docks by 5:30pm. No electric reels are permitted, all rods, reels, line and leader must meet IGFA specifications. Any Billfish, Marlin, Stripe Marlin, Sailfish, Spearfish, Swordfish, regardless of size will be released in accordance with IGFA and tournament rules.

The Cause
The Boomer Esiason Foundation is a dynamic partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities joining with a committed core of volunteers to heighten awareness, education and the quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis,

Help us help this great cause!

while providing financial support to research aimed at finding a cure. The Boomer Esiason Foundation’s staff is comprised of individuals with expertise in cystic fibrosis and program development, event planning and fundraising, marketing and communications, and management. The Board of Directors includes leaders in the business community who generously give of their time and resources in support of BEF’s critical mission. These dedicated people may come from all walks for life, but they all agree on one thing: they’ll do whatever it takes to beat cystic fibrosis. This is more than just a fishing tournament, this could help change people’s lives!

Quepos, Costa Rica
Boasting some 17 IGFA Records, Quepos, Costa Rica is considered one of the best locations in the world for big game sportfishing. A small town some 160 km from

The town of Quepos, Costa Rica

the capital city of San Jose, Quepos can be found on Costa Rica's central Pacific Coast, only 2.5 hours driving or a quick 25 minute domestic flight from the Juan Santa Maria International Airport. Although wildly popular for it’s sport fishing, the town of Quepos is conveniently located only minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s most visited and popular Park. Tourists are not only afforded fantastic fishing opportunities, but a wide variety of other tours and activities are readily available only minutes from local Costa Rica Hotels, fine restaurants, spas and bars. The town

center is a 5 block square filled with many eateries, farmers markets, art galleries and souvenier shops, all situated near the new beach front sea wall. If you happen to visit here during festival times, the streets are filled with dancing, parades and local concerts.

The Marina Pez Vela
Located in one of the most spectacular fishing locations in the world, Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica when completed will offer all

the amenities and services you’d expect to find in a five-star marina resort. Touted to soon be the finest full service marina you will find in all of Central America, just one visit to the 55+ acres of land and water at Marina Pez Vela will exceed the expectations of even the most demanding sportfishing, boating and yachting enthusiasts. Presently under continuing construction, the 300 concrete floating dock slips will eventually accommodate boats up to 200 feet. The first 100 slips opened June 2010 and surround the perimeter of the basin which will offer complete amenities of a first class marina facility. The marina slips are available for sale (with revenue sharing when rented out) or available for short and long-term renting. From 35' up to 200', Marina Pez Vela has opened up a new opportunity for boaters to explore the finest waters in all of Central America. Once you arrive here, you will not want to leave!

How Can I Participate?
For further information about this fun and important fishing event, I invite you to check out the official Costa Rica Classic website at www.costaricaclassic.com or for further information about Cycstic Fibrosis and how you can support or donate to this worthy cause, please check out their website at www.esiason.org.

What Else??
The Quepos area will also play host to the upcoming Costa Rica Challenge,

another popular fishing tournament scheduled for March 17-20, 2011. So, if you’re busy in early March, you still have time to catch the “Big One” later that month! This will be the 3rd Annual CF & MS Fishing Tournament benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, both important causes that desperately need your support! Join us where the Rainforest Meets the Sea for one or better yet, both of these popular fishing tournaments!

Check out some of the great action from a past tournament:


Author:
Kimberly Barron, originally from Malibu, California has lived in Parismina and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica for 20 years. Starting as a certified tour guide, she spent 15 years managing fishing lodges on the Caribbean Coast and later 4* & 5* Hotels on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Currently semi-retired, Kimberly still works as the Marketing Director for Byblos Resort & Casino and Hotel Makanda by the Sea.

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Rehab & 12-Step in Costa Rica…Help & Hope for a Better Life!!

The ever increasing problem of drug & alchohol abuse worldwide, as well as other addictive tendencies, has spawned a growing interest in affordable Recovery Programs and access to Self Help Groups for those seeking support with addiction and abuse issues. Costa Rica is a wonderful place to meet people and take the first “step” in becoming the person you always wanted to be, all in an active and health conscience environment! Many Costa Rica Hotels will even provide you with cheap or free transportation to attend these meetings during your vacation in Costa Rica, so there is no need to let travel interrupt your personal recovery, you can find the support you need wherever you go! These programs work if you work them, so why put this off another day? Today could be the first day of the rest of your life!

AA, 12-Step, NA, Overeaters, Gamblers Anonymous and many other such Self-Help Meetings and Recovery programs are available throughout Costa Rica, but many people don’t know where to look! This week, our special Guest Blogger: Ms. Vicki Skinner of Escazu, Costa Rica has been kind enough to share with us the information she has compiled on the subject. Beyond this valuable information, Vicki is an incredible source of many happenings throughout Costa Rica and more specifically the Escazu area. You can contact Vicki at: Vicki@CostaRicaResourceGuide.com, or better yet, follow her informative blog at: www.livinglifeincostarica.blogspot.com.

What AA is about:
Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; it is self-supporting through it’s own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. The primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. (In Costa Rica, most meetings are open to whatever substance abuse you may suffer, or they can direct you to more specific addiction meetings nearby.)

MEETINGS & SUPPORT GROUPS BY COMMUNITY IN COSTA RICA:
(Courtesy of www.costaricaAA.com. Listed in alphabetical order.)

ATENAS:
Meetings: WED 4pm Open, Reading 12/12, discussion
Location: Kay’s Gringo Postres, 60 meters west of the Red Cross (adjacent to Seguro Clinic)
Contact: Call Tom C. 2446-0664, 2446-4136

CAHUITA:
Meetings: TUE 3:3p to 4:30p
Location: 50 Meters east of police Station
Contact: Kate at 2755-0539 or 8384-4820

COBANO:
Meetings: TUE / THU / SAT 6-6:30p (longer if more people show up) AA/NA English/Spanish
Location: In front of school, on main street 50 meters left of El Monge (bigstore). There is a sign out on the street.
Contact: Ype Bolman at 2642-1201

DOMINICAL AREA:
Dominical/Uvita/Ojochal, Southern Pacific region, Puntarenas Province
Contact: Marguerite: 2770-2705 or Natalie: 8879-3347
Dominical
Meetings: SU 12p
Location: Pacific Plaza, far right corner outside under the gazebo
Uvita
Meetings: TU 11:30a
Location: Coastal Christian Fellowship – please call for directions
Ojochal
Meetings: TH 12noon
Location: Gringo Mike’s Pizza – please call for directions
Alanon: Wednesday 9am at Gringo Mike’s Pizza in Ojochal

ESCAZU:
Location: International Baptist Church, Guachipelin
Meetings: MON 12p Big Book | STARTING NOV 2010: TU 7a Meditation | WED 12p Step | THU 12p Living Sober | FRI 8am Open Discussion | FRI 7pm Speaker Discussion | SAT 9am Open
Contact: Brian 2589-0526 or cell 8314-4532

GRECIA:
Meetings: MON, WED & FRI 12noon | Mon & Fri is open discussion, Wed is a Step Study. All are closed AA meetings.
Location: Grecia Centro AA Club
Contact: Jay 2494-0578

HEREDIA:
Meetings: TU & TH 11:30am // SA 10am
Location: From Los Angeles Park at Ave. 6 and Calle 9, go south two blocks to Ave 10. Go right about 2/3 between Calle 8 to Calle 10 is the Hogar Salvando al Alcohólico..
Contact: Laura C. 2267-7466

JACO:
Meetings: TU, TH, SA 10am (TU is a Step meeting)
Location: On the main street in Jacó across from Banco Nacionál, upstairs in the building with the clock at the top of it
Contact: Nancy 8380-8259 or Stewart 8306-3552

MANUEL ANTONIO/QUEPOS AREA:
Meetings: Everyday 10am in the Tiki Hut
Location: El Mono Azul Hotel & Restaurant on road to beach, right hand side
**There are also AA meetings nightly at Hotel Gaia 6pm in Spanish (translators avail)

NOSARA ON THE NICOYA PENNINSULA:
Meetings: MON 6:30pm @ the Zen Café THUR 6pm
Location: Yoga House in Playa Guiones

PLAYA FLAMINGO:
Meetings: TU & FR 5:30pm
Location: At the Hitching Post Plaza, Office #2.
Contact: Don 2654-4902 or David 2654-9120

PLAYAS DEL COCO:
Meetings: MO, WE, FR 6pm
Location: In Playas del Coco, on the way to Playa Ocotal after 2nd bridge, left, Coco Condos at marina loft.
Contact: Max 8917-2222 or John 2672-1163, 8897-9951

TAMARINDO:
Meetings: MO 5:30pm Step / TH 6:30pm Open / SA 10:30a Open
Location: Next to the Caracola Restaurant in the Rotunda.
Contacts: Ellen 2653 0897 or 8346-7640 Steve 8377-1529 or 2653-2497

PUERTO VIEJO:
#1 Meetings: MWF 1pm
Location: Pro Niño building in Puerto Viejo center, adjacent to the soccer field
#2 Meetings: Saturday 9am
Location: Serenity on the Beach in front of the Banana Azul Hotel
Contacts: Eddie 2750-0080, 2750-0235 or 8811-3448 or Colin 2750-2035

SAN JOSE:
Meetings: SUN 9:15am | MON-SAT 12 Noon
#1 Location: Floor 2, Ave 6 y Calle 1
Contact: Dennis 8385-4035 or Jim 8815-0549
#2 Location: Calle 3 y Ave 2
Hours: M-F 1-6, SA 10-1
Contacts: 2255-4108 Spanish speaking only

ZANCUDO (NEAR GOLFITO):
Meetings: SU 4p and impromptu
Location: at Cabinas Los Cocos.
Contacts: Susan or Andrew 2776-0012

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH “ICTIONS”:
(Courtesy of Vicki Skinner www.livinglifeincostarica.blogspot.com.)

These are some amazingly successful resources that year after year are showing some really impressive results for people seeking to rid themselves and stay off their various "ictions". All services are on a completely outpatient basis:
**Eugene "Gene" McDonalds - Auriculotherapist
Auriculotherapy Tel: 8352-0661 www.AcupunctureCostaRica.com Escazu - Centro
Gene uses a very unique machine that provides amazing results! Like acupuncture, but without needles; an electric stim type contraption goes around the acupressure points inside your ears which effects the function of various important organs, etc. (This method shows incredible results and is from Chinese medicine dating back thousands of years.)
**Suzanne Noel – Certified Recovery Trainer
Contact her directly at inner_wisdoms@yahoo.com Tel: 2483-1602 or 8372-0347
A Certified Recovery Focusing Trainer, Suzanne has gotten incredible reviews from her clients regarding their success. For more information: www.InnerWisdoms.com/id4.html
**Cia Ricco - Psychotherapist/Addiction Specialist
CiaRicco@gmail.com or cia@live-life.com or micorazon@racsa.co.cr Tel: 1-518-325-7444-U.S. Cia has a variety of treatment programs at her beautiful place in Nicoya. Cia is a body-centered psychotherapist who divides her time between Costa Rica, New York City, and the East Coast of the US. She is the author of "Living As If Your Life Depended On It: Twelve Gateways for a Life That Work." For more information check out: www.live-life.com.
**Nick Russi - Interventions (World Wide)
NickRussi@OasisTropical1.com Tel: 1-415-287-0952-US# that rings to him or 2427-9952-Costa Rica Facility or 8371-1661-Nick’s cell

REHABILITATION TREATMENT CENTERS:
Here is a partial list of English speaking programs in Costa Rica from a google search, so it is woefully incomplete and pricing may not be accurate. I have no personal connection or experience with any of these centers, but hope that they will provide a starting point for those seeking help and resources for their addiction issues and they don’t know where else to turn. A more thorough search is possible by contacting IAFA. The website is in Spanish, but can be translated via Google. IAFA is the government agency responsible for licensing programs within Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Recovery Treatment for Substance Abuse Disorders
www.CostaRicaRecovery.net or CostaRicaRecovery@yahoo.com
Tel: 2220-1713 or 2291-8805 or 8895-9045-hotline Toll Free: 1-866-804-1793-U.S.
The provide 4 levels of care to include traditional Hazelden Method along with yoga, meditation, mindfulness, dialect behavioral therapy, transactional analysis, cognitive behavior, motivational enhancement & psychotherapy. They do their 12-step meetings outside of the facility to assimulate more real day-to-day situations. They also have a half-way house on "campus".
Their 4 Goal Principals are:
#1 - Abstinence
#2 - Personalized 12-step outside center
#3 - Be connected with a 12-step outside center
#4 - Improved Quality of Life.
Their focus is getting the substance abuser off the substance of choice.
LOCATION: Rohrmoser (about 1km from U.S. Embassy)
PROGRAM: $3,500/1st month, $2,600/thereafter
OWNER: Jim Dopp

Tropical Oasis
www.OasisTropical1.com or NickRussi@OasisTropical1.com
Tel: 1-415-287-0952 or 1-866-921-3778 or 2427-9952-Costa Rica Facility
Tropical Oasis offers a full spectrum of chemical dependency and co-occuring treatment services for adults; from detox and residential inpatient through day treatment and intensive outpatient services.
LOCATION: Orotina
PROGRAM:
• Detox - $300 per day
• Residential Treatment (30 days) - $7,900
• Day treatment - $200 per day
• Intensive Outpatient (20 sessions) - $3,000
OWNERS: Nick and his dad Bob Russi

New Hope
www.CostaRicaNewHope.com or info@CostaRicaNewHope.com Tel: 1-866-918-8302-U.S. or 2213-1954 in Costa Rica
This program provides all aspects of addiction elimination and recovery with a personalized program for each patient.
LOCATION: Mountains above Heredia, 30 minutes from Juan Santamaria (SJO) International Airport.
PROGRAM: $7,500/month for a single diagnosis and single occupancy
OWNERS: Bill and Dakmare Bayless

Casa Serenidad
www.Serenidad.net/en info@Serenidad.net Tel: 2273-0407 or 2273-0507 in Costa Rica or 1-310-402-2698 (US)
Highly qualified health professionals in areas such as psychiatry, medicine, psychology, personal physical conditioning, physical therapy and spiritual counseling, among others. All of them committed in promoting the patients well-being, during and after admission, by giving support in the search for the solution to their behavioral, emotional and dependency problems.
LOCATION: Cartago Area
PROGRAM: Prices are based on necessary treatments.
OWNERS: Dr. Francisco Jiménez Martén - Medical Director

IS A.A. FOR YOU?
Only you can decide whether you want to give A.A. a try —

Those who are in A.A. came because they finally gave up trying to control their drinking. They still hated to admit that they could never drink safely. Then they heard from other A.A. members that they were “sick”. They found out that many people suffered from the same feelings of guilt and loneliness and hopelessness that they did. They found out that they had these feelings because they had the disease of alcoholism. They decided to try and face up to what alcohol had done to them. Here are some of the questions they tried to answer honestly. If they answered YES to four or more questions, they were in deep trouble with their drinking and knew it was time to seek help. See how you do. Remember, there is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a problem. If you would like to read more about addiction and ways to overcome this disease, please click here, as help is just around the corner and there are many people out there that want to help you help yourself!

IMPORTANT ENDING NOTE:
The most visible rehab entity you will see throughout Costa Rica are the members of Hogar Crea. Commonly seen in their yellow printed t-shirts selling pencils or other little trinkets at street corners, bus stops or other high traffic areas, the money they collect goes to support their on-going treatment costs for their many regionally run rehab centers. They depend greatly on your generosity, so please don’t ignore or avoid them. I always give them the usual 1000 colones ($2) and let them keep the pen/pencil or whatever they are selling to allow them to sell the item again. However!!! Last week they were peddling what looked like little tennis balls, but when you opened them, they expanded to little facial towels. BONUS!! They sold more than 10,000 colones worth of these trinkets in 5 minutes, as we almost never see facial towels in Costa Rica and everyone wanted one (including the tourists!). Since it is very hot and humid in our beach town of Manuel Antonio, this was the best buy yet!
So…..Go HOGAR CREA!! And for the rest of you that might be suffering from addiction or affected by someone with an addiction problem……there is an entire community out there waiting to take you into their arms, today is the day why wait??

AUTHOR:
Kimberly Barron, originally from Malibu, California has lived in Parismina and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica for 20 years. Starting as a certified tour guide, she spent 15 years managing fishing lodges on the Caribbean Coast and later 4* & 5* Hotels on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Currently semi-retired, Kimberly still works as the Marketing Director for Byblos Resort & Casino and Hotel Makanda by the Sea.

SOURCES:
www.costaricaaa.com
www.aa.org
www.livinglifeincostarica.blogspot.com

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A Costa Rican Christmas in that Special "Tico" Style!!

In case you haven´t noticed, Costa Rica Christmas decorations and discount sales began long before Halloween dates passed. This brings to mind some of our own special ¨Tico¨ Christmas traditions found in our beautiful tropical locale. Be it the kids that start their ¨summer¨ vacations in December, workers that receive their yearly ¨aguinaldo¨ (an automatic one month salary Christmas Bonus from their boss), or the massive preparations of the traditional Christmas Tamales……whichever it may be, ¨La Navidad¨ is just around the corner!

Will there be snow? Well that is highly unlikely since Costa Rica is located only 11° off the Equator, but Costa Ricans are fascinated by snow, since few have ever

seen the real thing. Many of the floats in the yearly ¨Festival de la Luz¨, were decorated in fluffy white cotton fabrics to give the impression of snow, and many holiday participants threw white confetti at each other, also meant to simulate snow. This year, the municipality put a firm hand down on the throwing of this confetti due to safety factors, as well as the high cost of clean-up afterwards. In years past, there have been many complaints from innocent bypassers walking to work who were suddenly blanketed from head to toe in the white confetti.

Costa Rica´s animal lovers wait anxiously each year for ¨El Tope Nacional¨ usually held the day after Christmas on December 26th. This parade includes marching bands,

clowns and other strange characters, but is most popular for featuring some 6000 of Costa Rica´s most beautiful high stepping horses, as well as the famous colorful hand painted oxcarts. These fabulous detailed oxcarts were originally pulled by people, then by oxen, and now are rarely used in day to day work, but are considered historical works of art cherished by the Costa Rican people.

The traditional Christmas tree, more often decorated in hues of blue, gold, silver,

white and maybe a little red, is accompanied by another important decoration, the ¨Portal¨. The Portal is the representation of the birth of Jesus, with the figures of Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, the ox and the mule. The most important figure in Costa Rica is the Baby Jesus. In Costa Rica, Santa Claus doesn't bring the Christmas gifts, those are brought by Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. Called ¨La Nochebuena", it is said that while the family is sleeping, the Baby Jesus appears at the portal and the gifts magically appear under the tree for the morning of the 25th. That is when all family members typically gather around the tree and pray, thanking Baby Jesus for all the good that has passed that year, followed by the opening of the gifts Baby Jesus has bestowed upon them.

The Christmas menu is extensive, but the focus is around the preparing and eating of typical Costa Rican "tamales". The true "tamal" base is of ground corn, which is

made into a thick dough that is later filled with small amounts of rice, small slices of potatoes, vegetables, green olives, pork or chicken, and finally wrapped in fresh plantain leaves. They are then tied with string in pairs (known as ¨Piñas¨) and boiled until cooked through and through. Making "tamales" is a cherished tradition that involves the participation of many family members and friends, as this is a slow and laborious process taught by Grandmothers from one generation to another. I am lucky enough to have many Tico friends that take pity on my lack of knowledge (or motivation!) to make the tamales and each year give me the gift of the famous Tamal!

Easily, the most chaotic and perhaps crazy activity of the holiday season is the "Zapote Bullfights", held in the town of Zapote, just outside of downtown San

Jose. It is there that they build a special ¨Redondel¨ or Bull Ring, as well as erect a yearly improvised amusement park complete with carnival rides, amusement park games and a selection of "chinamos", or improvised food stands. It´s important to note that in the Costa Rican bullfights, the bulls are never harmed, or killed, though the “bullfighters” do not always fare so well (see videos below). The most prestigious cattle ranches provide the bulls for free and it is considered an honor to have their bulls included in this event. Beyond the actual riding of the large bulls (generally done in Costa Rica with NO hands), much more frightening are the bullfighters in the ring. These consist of ¨normal¨ people dressed in all kinds of crazy outfits, that willingly get into the arena in mass without any professional preparation to ¨fight¨ or spook the bulls, encouraging them to chase them around the arena. Incredibly, very few people get hurt or gored during this event, though the activity is definitely entertaining and a big headache for the local Red Cross which voluntarily provides it's emergency services during this yearly event. It´s interesting to note that this festival year after year draws Costa Ricans from all parts of the country and crosses all social classes.



The Holiday Season then officially ends on January 6th, the day the three wise men arrived and saw Baby Jesus for the first time. That day all the neighbors gather and say a special prayer for the Baby Jesus. This prayer is based on the rosary and traditional Christmas carols. Of course after the prayer, there's the indulging in

the famous Costa Rica coffee, along with more "Tamales", "Rompope" (Costa Rican Egg Nog), "Aguadulce" (a Sweet Water like juice) and all kinds of typical baked goods and other traditional beverages. Don´t forget the grapes (no seedless ones here) and the apples, which are considered very special treats here, as they are not readily available or very affordable and kids love them!

Lastly, Costa Rican Hotels and tourism operations around the country eagerly await the arrival of December to usher in their peak tourist season when winter weary snowbirds look to bask in the warm tropical weather and waters of Costa Rica, as well as enjoy the bounty of adventure tours and the beauty of Costa Rica´s incredible natural resources. I hope if you are reading this you are lucky enough to share in our bounty this Holiday Season!

MERRY CHISTMAS OR FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO ANO NUEVO!



Author: Kimberly Barron, originally from Malibu, California has lived in Parismina and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica for 20 years. Starting as a certified tour guide, she spent another 15 years managing fishing lodges on the Caribbean Coast and later 4* & 5* Hotels on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Currently semi-retired, Kimberly still works as the Marketing Director for Byblos Resort & Casino and Hotel Makanda by the Sea.

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