Posted on August 28th, 2008 by carolyn
The
Costa Rican Jade Museum has recently put out to display over 100 archeological artifacts carved from jade and other stones as well as elaborated from ceramic.
The display is named “Bodies and Faces of the Pre Columbian Past” and will be open to the public from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. The name of the display is in reference to the exhibition’s main theme which is the anatomy of the region’s indigenous people.
The exhibition will allow visitors to learn not only about how ancestors portrayed the human body through the carving of jade and other stones, but also about their individual and group customs as well as their every day life.
The Jade Museum is still located in the National Security Institute (INS) building but was moved from the 11th floor to the first floor. The move to the first floor gives the Museum a more visible stance thus attracting more visitors.
The new location within the building has given the Jade Museum a more modern appeal as well as a more adequate space for a more whole and integral display of the archeological pieces. Visitors can follow a 5 salon display that will tell the story of the Pre Columbian origins, development and legacy.
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Posted on August 27th, 2008 by carolyn
The road that leads from La Sabana to
Escazu and
Santa Ana is being expanded as part of the works necessary for the delivery of the eternally promised highway to
Caldera in Puntarenas.
Although the works being carried out will immediately benefit residents and workers from San Jose’s western sector, government officials stated that the works are the first stage of the long awaited (30 years) highway to the port of Caldera in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast.
An approximate 80,000 vehicles use the Prospero Fernandez Highway on a daily basis which has caused serious traffic jams during peak hours. The highway currently has four lanes and will be expanded to a total of 6 lanes making it the first 6 lane highway in Costa Rica.
Unlike other highways that have been expanded, the company in charge of carrying out the work will also expand the bridge to 2 more lanes in order to avoid “funnel jams” which are a major setback in the majority of traffic jams in the country.
Escazu and Santa Ana are currently the preferred areas by expatriates and has seen an impressive growth over the past few years. Costa Rica’s largest shopping mall, Multiplaza, is also located in the Escazu area and will also benefit from the works being carried out on the highway. A total of 2 underground lanes that will lead to the mall will also be included.
Works are expected to be completed by April of 2009 before continuing with the next area. The total area to be covered to Caldera from San Jose is of 77 kilometers and will have a total of four toll booths. When completed, the driving distance to Caldera from San Jose and vice versa will be approximately half an hour less than the current road.
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Posted on August 25th, 2008 by carolyn
As the sea turtle nesting season is soon to start in Costa Rica’s northern pacific region, the Volunteer Association for the Protected Areas (ASVO) are reaching out to locals and foreigners to lend a helping hand.
ASVO members have stated that this nongovernmental organization is in financial and human resource need, especially in the areas of Playa Buenavista at 3.5 kilometers from Playa Samara in Guanacaste. A representative for ASVO has stated that without the help of volunteers, the conservation and protection of wildlife would be impossible.
ASVO has several programs in order to give tourists as well as locals an opportunity to volunteer. For tourists, ASVO has created a program which will allow tourists to experience and learn about the Costa Rican biodiversity at the same time they volunteer with the program’s several categories.
The International Volunteer Program is available year round except for the turtle nesting program which is seasonal. The volunteer is required to attend an orientation course prior to starting with the program and will need to remain in Costa Rica for at least 30 days so that he or she may participate in at least two programs.
The volunteer will need to pay a $15 daily fee which will cover for lodging and meals within the protected areas. Other expenses such as alternate lodging, meals and tours will need to be covered by the volunteer.
ASVO will extend a certificate as well as a recommendation letter to each volunteer upon completing the schedule. It is very simple to enroll; volunteers will need to complete the form, provide 2 passport photocopies, 2 passport size pictures, pay for the entire stay within the program, speak at least a minimal amount of Spanish, resilience to work in a tropical environment and capable of relating to new cultures.
ASVO may be reached through its website at: www.asvocr.org.
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