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If you are that concerned, look for anti-venom, especially for the Fer-de-lance (tiercepelo) & Bushmaster pit vipers. Although the Fer-de-lance is small and stays hidden, a bite can kill a child and if not treated within an hour you an adult is apt to lose an appendage. They are fairly rare, but more common south in Osa, mountains and preserves.
Corals do not have retractable fangs like a viper, are very coy and prefer to stay buried. Few bites are ever been recorded with Corals because of their reclusive nature. Both of these snakes have no warning sound like the rattlers.
Bushmaster’s are the largest pit viper, highly venomous and very aggressive, but nocturnal and prefer heavily forested areas. Bites need immediate attention since the venom destroys the organs.
There is satellite imagery available on Google Earth for the central valley, but outside of that there is not any detailed imagery. They are continually photographing the rest of the world rather quickly to build a global image for the new 3D generation spatial touch screen computer systems. As far as GPS, there are various maps that can be downloaded for local use, but you will find that acuracy in the outlying areas is often off, as is the NatGeo Map of Costa Rica. I wonder if the topographic maps that are avalable for CR have been downloaed into computer format? That would be the ticket.
Have to agree with Sprite on the religious aspect, but the biggest overpopulation issue vs. the ability to support it lies with Africa and SE Asia, both with multiple religions. Part of the problem that I have surmised is that Colombia, with its new government, has done such a superior job squashing their drug cartels, that the cartels have relocated to the more affluent central american nations such as Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico, where they have had well over 4,000 drug related murders in 2008. Juarez and Tijuana have had as many as 30+ in one week and are so dangerous that Mexicans in he US will no longer cross the border to visit relatives. Corruption in and/or lack of law enforcement is the other intangible factor.
Edited on Dec 23, 2008 19:42
There are many secondary rental car companies like this in CR. We learned our lesson on our first trip years ago. It isn’t worth the savings; worth it to stick with the international or well known regional rental companies.
Rheumatologist is what is needed. Deer borne tick bacterial illness primarily in the NE US and curable with antibiotics, unless untreated to the point it affects nervous system = intravenous drugs such as Rocephin. Bsides the tell tale bulls eye skin rash at tick bite, the major symptom is inflamation of the joints–>arthritis–>rheumatology.
I agree with Scott and group. I would be much less hesitant to go into the worst parts of San Jose than the worst parts of any major city over 1 million people in the U.S. Physical appearances are always deceiving.
I live in a Snohomish County, Washington (Everett, N of Seattle) rural suburb with lots of land and forests. It looks pristine and feels safe, however, last week we had 3 home invasions within 5 miles and 2 crack-house busts.Edited on Dec 16, 2008 14:28
crhome
Some parts of the country are better off than others, however, the disparity is significant. The NE, Midwest, Florida and California (some “hot” pockets) are not doing as well. Th Pacific NW, Utah, Carolinas and Texas seem to be an exception to the rule, but reflective if their extremely diverse economies that are proportionately disributed amongst manufacturing, biotech, technology, specialty services, construction and academia. Never-the-less, the state of the economy is reflected everywhere you go, especially in the non-profit sector such as the YMCA. We are experiencing a nasty weather spell across the entire country. Even here in the relatively temperate NW (Stanwood, WA) it is 16 F at my house 3 km from Puget Sound, which is warmer than the air right now!As important as this issue is, it should be shared without prompting. Many of us have local insight to what is happening, but just as many do not and it would be in all of our best interests to hear what members and associates of the “asemblea legislativa” have to say that is a positive indication the law will not pass as drafted.
Manufactured homes made primarily of wood and other products containing cellulose in a tropical location with higher humidity, insects and hurricane force winds? Remeniscent of Homestead, Florida after Andrew. There would be a major cultural barrier with respect to any Tico renters or buyers.
The curent average social security recipient receives $1,090/month. 50% of the population earns less than $32,000/year. I conclude that at least 50% of the US population cannot afford Costa Rica. There are many that could make pensionista status now, but the those numbers will become less every year. “Real” income is on the decline.
Here is my take after thinking about it after returning from CR on Sunday after having numerous discussions with Ticos:
If you ask a Tico who is aware of what is going on in the rest of the world, they will tell you they know China is not a good choice. They are aware the products they make (lots of Chinese cars & motrocycles in CR) are subpar compared to Japan, Europe and N.A. They are also aware that the Chinese environmental record is simply attrocious (see Chinese driven shark finning show on one of the U.S. networks).
Now I read the new immigration bill made Arias’ priority session list, which means it will be voted on before April 15. Lot of theorizing evident in the blogs I have read. Some say the Chinese have tipped CR off on what will happen to the US economy with so many newly printed dollars in circulation that may or may not be ultimately returned to the Federal Reserve. It is theorized that the committee chairman behind the bill in CR is using a 50% drop in dollar value, which if true, I would be buying colones right now. The Colon gained 2% since we left, a start to the reversal of the last year when it went from C490’S to C560’s (13% loss) perhaps? The new law limits are an increase of 500%!!!
What I think will happen is that there will be a modest run on the banks by foreigners who have accounts, diminishing the amount of dollars the CR treasury has to buy back to control inflation. The problem is that all the other currencies will end up in the lot and their foreign reserves they use to purchase oil and other commodities will also be diminished, thus inflation would get worse. In addition, if this applies to the Nicas, who make up the vast majority of their agricultural labor pool, then who is going to pick the fruit for the world’s #1 banana and pineapple producer? Lastly, this aura of ever changing legislation will make CR less appealing to wealthy investors, who are the only ones who could afford the new monetary requirements. This adds up to a lose-lose situation where the government is not only hurting themselves, but their own people. This is a disturbing conclusion.The thinking or lack thereof + timing in a global financial crisis doesn’t make nay sense. The limits are crazy and significantly exceed the averages in the US or Europe. The average US social security recipient receives $1,090/mo. If the asemblea and the casa presidente are so concerned about immigration, maybe the focus should be on the biggest offenders, that also contribute the least in economic terms (other than agricultural labor), but are a burden on the system (Nicas). If it were a matter of contributing to the CAJA, then require all pensionados and rentistas to contribute to the CAJA the same as a resident and leave the limits as is. There is some other factor that is motivating this movement.
I saw that caveat too sumaSAL. So does that mean for $400/year you can stay indefinitely? I hope Roger Petersen of Rick Philps post an article outlining the details. It seems to defeat the intent of the law they are trying to pass doesn’t it? How many people who planned to become “rentistas” will withdraw their cash from bank accounts? Could have an big impact on the foreign reserves for such a small country. This seems to be a lose-lose situation and makes investors extremely nervous. Definite emotional downer for us.
A realistic SF cost for new construction in Central Valley would be approx. $60-$70/SF. CR Homebuilder can confirm that. The average cost in the Seattle area is $220-$300/SF depending on level of finishes, casework, appliances and technology (the big variables). A permit to construct would also add $10,000+. Of course this does not include land costs.
