SIGN UP FOR OUR With just a few hours left in 2017, we reflect on everything that happened this year earthquakes, volcano eruptions, tropical storms, cold fronts, cement storms, the good,the bad and the ugly, after all everything is a learning experience that should help us build a better 2018.
Here are some of the main events that rattled Costa Rica this year:
The Good:
Costa Rica runs on almost 100% clean energy: Yes, Costa Rica continues to set an example to the world by producing almost 100% of its electricity from clean energy sources. This is big, and something to be very proud of.
Read More about it here
A new mammal species was found in Costa Rica: Scientists confirm the presence of a mammal that was not found in Costa Rica before, the “bush dog”, it was seen in the area of Coto Brus, Puntarenas.
La Sele classified to compete in the Russia World Cup 2018: In a nation where soccer takes more importance than politics or anything else for that matter, Costa Rica was waiting to celebrate its classification to the Russia World Cup. Now let’s hope the team doesn’t disappoint and they do as good a job as they did in Brazil 2014.
National Parks receive big investment: The Costa Rican Tourism Institute announced in August a US $3million of investment over the next three years. In October another investment was announced that would benefit the National Parks in the Brunca Region (Corcovado, Marino Ballena, Piedras Blancas, Golfito and La Amistad)
Costa Rica ranks as second best expats destination: Being a place where it is easy to make friends, it’s weather, and the quality of life in the country made it once again, one of the best places for expats to live.
Read more about it here
Costa Rica’s Symphony Orchestra wins Latin Grammy: Proudly, the Symphony Orchestra took the Latin Grammy for the Best Classical Music Album. Read more about it here
The Bad:
Poas Volcano eruptions cause closure of National Park: The impressive eruptions by the Poas Volcano caused the closure of the National Park for security, this is the second most visited park in Costa Rica and its closure has brought financial losses not just to the National System of Areas of Conservation but also to all the businesses in the area that depend on tourism. Read More about it here
Tropical Storm Nate: This tropical storm caused worse devastation than Hurricane Otto in 2016. Counties completely flooded, roads blocked or destroyed, damaged infrastructure, communities that practically disappeared, 14 people dead and damages estimated in close to $365 million.
Year closes with over 450 killed in road accidents: Traffic in Costa Rica is bad, roads and infrastructure certainly don’t help. Accidents continue to take many lives, over 450 this year and 44% of these are motorcyclists. The majority of the accidents are the result of recklessness, driving under the influence, high speed, to mention a few.
Police seized over 1 Billion dollars of cocaine: If you are asking yourself, why is this bad? It is when you figure this is a very small percentage of the total amount of drugs that are making their way through the country.
Year closes with 600+ homicides: An alarming 600+ people were murdered this year in Costa Rica. An number that makes the country close its third consecutive year with a rate that surpasses 10 homicides per every 100 thousand inhabitants. The sad reality is, that in comparison to other Latin American countries, Costa Rica is still in much better shape.
The Ugly:
Cementazo: The number of people involved in the latest corruption scandal affecting Costa Rica, and the fact that it has touched all three government branches (Judicial, Executive and Legislative) makes this a VERY ugly reality of corruption in Costa Rica. To get a better understanding of Cementazo and up to date information regarding what is currently happening please take a look at the following articles.
- Understanding The Cementazo Scandal in Costa Rica
- Juan Carlos Bolaños and Mario Barrenechea were detained
- Juan Carlos Bolaños,Mario Barrenechea and 5 Banco Costa Rica (National Ban) executives sentenced to 3 Months preventative Detention.
- Incriminating documents found at (BCR) Banco Costa Rica office
- Is The Costa Rican president also involved?
- Who is this main character Juan Carlos Bolaños?
- CARTOON: Are there really any innocent politicians or Bankers in Costa Rica?
- Judge hold ground regarding preventative detention decision
- Bolanos attorneys will use Facebook to try and get him out of Jail
- 29 high ranking people are now deemed to be involved in the Cementazo scandal
- Juan Carlos Bolanos will spend Christmas in the hospital
- CARTOON:Santa’s naughty list in Costa Rica 2017
Financial Problems: The Government has been clear, the country has limited funds. The only solution proposed so far are more taxes. Unfortunately this means, 2018 will be a difficult year for businesses in Costa Rica, not only is there uncertainty on terms of the country’s financial stability but it’s also an election year, too many things up in the air which is never good for the economy.
