Jaco
A moderately strong earthquake shook Costa Rica this Monday, August 24 at 3:50 pm According to the National Seismologic Network (RSN)the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2 and the epicenter was located 12 kilometers southwest of Jaco, Garabito, Puntarenas as a result of the subduction of Cocos plate. ...
The Judiciary Investigative Police (OIJ) confirmed that according to the autopsy results a body found back on July 4th in the area of Jaco, corresponds to Karin Holzapfel, a 32-year-old German tourist that had been reported missing on June 28th. The family of the victim posted made the following post on Facebook: “It is with deep sorrow and regret to inform you all that yesterday, July 17, a...
(Photo: Archive) The week in Costa Rica closes with 314 positive cases of coronavirus, but it seems that there is a large part of the population that is still taking the situation lightly, turning a blind eye on what is currently happening in Costa Rica and the consequences of the virus in other countries. The streets still look very busy, not just with those people that are forced to leave ...
The Garabito Municipality have begun using modern equipment known as the "Barber Surf Rake" towed by a tractor that allows the cleaning of one kilometer of beach every 15 minutes, in the case of Jaco, the whole beach can be cleaned within one hour. The machine made in the United States and with a value of 40 million colones (close to $69,155.00 USD) uses a system of chains to collect garbage. ...
Jaco is still reeling from the apparent suicide of one of their favorite local residents and businessmen, Marc Pontbriant. Marc radiated energy and a love for life, and his girlfriend and friends are having difficulty accepting the tragic fact that he is gone. He died on May 3, in his bed in Esterillios, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He left his passport, wallet and contact list a...
Marc Pontbriant, a pillar of the Jaco nightclub, entertainment and real estate scene has passed away, much to the surprise of the many friends and family members who knew and loved him. His death is being considered a suicide unofficially; the American Embassy and the OIJ are withholding confirmation until his family has been notified. Pontbriant’s business associates and close friends are stunned...
The Consular Section at U.S. Embassy San Jose announced Consular outreach events in Jaco and Quepos in the coming weeks. Embassy staff will be available to accept adult passport renewals, perform notarial services, and take inquiries on federal benefits and voting. Consular staff will be on hand to hear your inquiries and concerns. Jaco: WHEN: Wednesday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. WHE...
When foreigners consider moving to Costa Rica or buying a vacation home in this paradise, they many times choose a beach community to enjoy everything that living in a warm tropical country has to offer. Costa Rica has coasts on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with miles and miles of beautiful beaches to explore, however, there are a few that have become favourites among expats, one of th...
As part of a strategy of accessible tourism, Jacó beach inaugurated a 63 meter long ramp (206.70 ft.) built with recycled plastic and which gives wheelchair users access to the shore, this and other improvements and facilities made of Jacó the first fully accessible beach in Central America. The inauguration took place this Friday, March 1st, in the frame of the Zero Discrimination Day, and it...
Jaco Air Fest is an aerospace event that will take place this weekend in Jaco, Costa Rica in the are close to the Jaco Walk Shopping Center. The event will gather some of the best acrobatic paragliding pilots of the world, the exhibit will include paragliding, paramotors, paratrikes, aeromodelling, skydiving, drones and a hot air balloon. The exhibit is completely free, and those that attend...
Using live bait and a surf rod US Expat Mike Hughes caught this 5-foot Nurse Shark the morning of Sunday January 27th on the beach in the Esterillos-Bejuco area south of Jaco. More than 100 bystanders witnessed the hour-long battle. "The locals were all amazed that I as able to get it to shore. I do have the biggest surf rod in Costa Rica.I was physically beat and for a while I thought I had an...
During a conversation with my good buddy and fellow competitor Merv Low last night, he mentioned how I 'fished blind' because I don’t use any electronics. I jokingly replied "on the contrary Merv, it’s the lack of electronics that makes me fish with my eyes wide open". When you are fishing with no gps and no depth finder you are forced to use every bit of available data such as birds, visible l...
After five days of intense kayak fishing Jaco Beach resident Lance Clinton claimed 3rd place out of a field of 12 finalists selected worldwide to compete in the annual “winner-take-all” Los Buzos Panama International Kayak Fishing World Championship 2019. The 1st place winner – James McBeath of Canada -- took home $10,000. “The tournament was great. Caught some great fish and finished in third,...
Costa Rican Judiciary Police (OIJ) were able to confirm the identity of a body they found half-buried in Siquirres, Limón back on October 1. The remains correspond to Thomas J. Cook, a U.S. expat that had been reported missing in Jaco. Cook, who had settled in Herradura, Costa Rica back on July 20 this year was last seen and heard from on August 23 when he withdrew funds from an ATM in Jaco be...
Thomas J. Cook settled into his new home in Herradura, Costa Rica back in July 20 this year, a little over a month later, in August 23, the 62-year old man went missing. Cook’s sister, Sandra LeFrance and other family members have been looking for him since, the official report was filed in Costa Rica las Sunday and the Judiciary Investigative Police (OIJ) requested the assistance of the public...
Photo: WSL / ANDREW NICHOLS - CR Surfer Jairo Perez The final day of the WSL Essential Costa Rica Surf Pro is today, Sunday, October 7, the stage is set for the Qualifying Series (QS) and the action today promises excitement and adrenaline when the eight remaining competitors in both the men and women events take the waves. This event gathers some of the best surfers in the world and has the...
RPM TV organizer of the Essential Costa Rica Surf Pro, one stop on the World Surf League (WSL), expects to receive close to 170 thousand people between October 4th and October 7th in the Men and Women’s Qualifying Series (QS) at Jaco beach. This event gathers some of the best surfers in the world and has the backing of the WSL North America, and the Costa Rican Surf Federation. The last time C...
The first survey carried out by the Costa Rican Surf Federation among the surfing community shows that Jacó beach in Garabito, Puntarenas continues to be the preferred beach by surfers in the country. Coming up in second place was Avellanas in Guanacaste, the third spot went to Pavones in Golfito, Puntarenas and the top ten is completed by Hermosa Beach, Puntarenas; Santa Teresa, Puntarenas; Ma...
The public police force in Jaco has maintained an ample presence at this popular vacation spot since the beginning of the mid-year vacation period Constant patrols, road controls, interventions and others have been done throughout the entire district of Garabito, Puntarenas focusing specifically on areas of high visitation. As a result of these operations the police have arrested 316 people...
The Sustainable Tourism and Commerce Chamber of the Central Pacific (CATUCOSO) was created with the purpose of reactivating the economy and tourism of the Puntarenas province by launching campaigns that promote the visitation of this area of Costa Rica. Jaco in Garabito is probably the most popular and visited tourist area of the Central Pacific, the community depends on tourism, however, in t...
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake shook Costa Rica this Monday, March 12 at 3:42 p.m. According to the National Seismology Network the epicenter was localized 18 kilometers East of Jaco in Garabito, Puntarenas. The movement was reported as strong in the areas of Jaco, Parrita and Quepos, as well as in most parts of the Central Valley. No damages have been reported....
Out alone at sea in his small Hobie kayak Lance Clinton is King of Jaco Bay. Nobody can touch what this former Seattle stockbroker does in Costa Rica’s largest beach town. He’s a one-man wrecking crew armed with a fishing pole and a GoPro camera. Needless to say he loves the fight. “One of my favorite aspects of catching fish from a kayak is the adrenaline rush. Here I am in this tiny little pl...
The Bamboo Bass Festival Costa Rica takes place from February 16 to February 18 at the popular Jaco beach; this is the third edition of this event that brings together music, art and entertainment. Bamboo Bass Festival is an international event that gathers bass music lovers from around the world. An exceptional roster of local and foreign talent will entertain hundreds of visitors in two li...
Playa Hermosa in Garabito, Puntarenas, very close to Jacó, is one of the most visited beaches of this province, its beauty, great waves ideal for surfing and the fact that is just a short drive from San Jose contribute to the high visitation rates; however, this is also one of the most dangerous beaches in Costa Rica. On Christmas day the Garabito Red Cross informed of the drowning of a 44-yea...
The first Urban Wave in the country was inaugurated in the Jass Surf Shop in Playa Jaco, Puntarenas, where several surfers, including the coach of the National Surf Team, Jim Hogan, were able to test it out. An Urban Wave simulates popular boarding such as surfing and body boarding, specially produced surfboards allow you to surf standing up, on your knees or lying down. It is designed to pre...
A four-foot-long Boa constrictor snake encircled itself atop a man’s fishing pole while trying his luck at Bejuco Beach about 10 miles south of Jaco late Tuesday night. Retired U.S. Army veteran Mike Hughes had left his baited fishing pole in its holder on the beach for about 10-mintes and returned to find the snake tightly curled around the end of his fishing pole. “I have never seen anything lik...
The Playa Hermosa – Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Central Pacific Conservation Area, located in the county of Garabito in Puntarenas 5km from Jaco beach town. The local park rangers have reported an increase in the number of cases of sea turtles and crocodiles found trapped, the majority dead, in fishing nets in the waters or shore of the protected area. “I have found 3...
With different sources simultaneously publishing magnitudes of varying degrees, headlines clashed throughout the Internet on Sunday evening, November 12, when an earthquake rattled much of Costa Rica. The tremor was also felt in Panama. The Jacó earthquake, which occurred off the coast of the the central Pacific tourist town, was eventually pegged as a 6.5 magnitude quake by scientists at the V...
The Ministry of Public Security (MSP) reported bringing in two people for treatment for heart problems following a 6.9 magnitude earthquake this evening, Sunday, November 12 at 8:28 p.m. south of Jacó off the Costa Rican central Pacific coast. The individuals, who were from the Jacó vicinity, were rushed to the regional Puntarenas Hospital but were declared deceased shortly after being admitted...
This video taken by Esteban Saborío at the Herradura beach Marriott Los Sueños Resort, adjacent to Jacó on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast shows the strong impact of this evening's 6.9 magnitude earthquake. The earthquake was felt virtually throughout the entire country. ...
Jacó, Parrita, Esterillos and Turrubares were the towns closest to the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that rattled much of the country this evening at 8:28 p.m. local time, according to the Costa Rican National Seismological Network (Red Sismologico Nacional). The intense shaking that lasted for at least 30 seconds, was accompanied by a roaring sound, as reported by many throughout the San José capit...
The eagle logo on Costa Rica's national beer, Imperial, is now taking on new meaning, as the company sends out volunteers, called "Aguilas al Rescate" or "Eagles to the Rescue," on different community improvement projects. The company's first initiative is being carried out in conjunction with the Costas Verdes foundation, and involves planting native trees along the central Pacific coast of Co...
Monday at the Jacó Walk shopping center, the first recharging center for electric vehicles was inaugurated in Costa Rica's Pacific region. Jacó Beach, a town about an hour and a half from San José the Central Pacific coast, is expected to receive increased development in the next few years. The town is now out and ahead of the pack on green energy with this joint program of the Costa Rican and ...
Whether you like it or not Jacó Beach, on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, is destined to become much bigger. More condos, more homes, more Croc’s casinos, more restaurants, more churches, more shopping, more night clubs and more people spending money: In Jacó the next 10 years will see more development than in the past 37 years combined. There’s much unoccupied, flat, development-prime l...
One of Russia's wealthiest individuals had over $20,000 in cash seized yesterday afternoon, Thursday, October 26, 2017, at Costa Rica's main Juan Santamaría International Airport near San José when he was leaving for his home country after a vacation. Andrei Bokarev, 51, whose wealth is estimated by Forbes at $1.69 billion, had arrived in a private jet earlier in the week and participated in a ...
Foodie alert! If you though ceviche was all about seafood, you'll be surprised at this festival in Jacó which will offer a wide range of dishes and flavors to suit all tastes and preferences. Fifteen of the hottest restaurants in the Jacó area are readying their best ceviche receives for this Friday, October 27 when the Central Pacific Ceviche Festival takes place at the Océano Boutique Hotel &...
Emergency medical technicians from the Costa Rican Red Cross in Jacó on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast treated four patients at neighboring Playa Herradura who were injured in an unusual accident this afternoon. The four U.S. citizens who were visiting the upscale Marriott Los Sueños resort and marina, were injured when the golf cart they were traveling in tipped over on one of the roads in...
Police made eight arrests this weekend thus breaking up two alleged groups of delinquents operating in the Jacó Beach area of Garabito, Puntarenas on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. One group targeted focused on stealing cell phones, mainly in tourist areas and also apparently targeted tourists, and the other apparently was dedicated to breaking into vehicles. Both groups had Costa Rican an...
Traffic police and municipal governments in 16 of Costa Rica's counties are joining forces to bolster monitoring at specific areas with high car accident rates, such as Jaco beach said the Ministry of Public Works and Transport this week. The effort comes as the calendar approaches the end of the year, a time when car accidents historically spike in Costa Rica. "We want to focus on areas that ...
Gilberto Ventura Ceballos was arrested today in Jacó by Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) and the Directorate of Intelligence and National Security (DIS) officials. The Dominican national, who has a knack for evading arrest, is wanted in Panama for the murder of five people in 2010 and 2011. The young man has been on the run since December 2016 when he escaped from La Joyita pris...