Balqon Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of zero emissions heavy-duty electric vehicles for Class 7 and Class 8 applications, will be making its vehicles available in Costa Rica by way of a dealer agreement.

“Costa Rica has been setting the pace among nations for reducing carbon emissions and has declared the ambitious goal of becoming the first country in the world to be carbon neutral,” said Balwinder Samra, president and CEO of Balqon Corporation. “Electric Cars of Costa Rica has been leading the effort to introduce new zero emissions technologies to Costa Rica and has extensive experience in NEV inner city delivery vehicle markets.”

“In addition to introducing all-electric medium and heavy-duty trucks for transportation of goods and services, we plan to jointly develop both the new and conversion vehicle markets in Costa Rica by providing our proprietary drive system and high-capacity lithium-ion battery packs for use in various vehicle platforms,” said Samra.

James Middlebrooks, president and founder of Electric Cars of Costa Rica, commented: “We are excited to deliver to Costa Rica Balqon’s extensively tested and successfully commercialized zero emissions technology for heavy-duty vehicles. We expect these advanced technologies to be quickly adopted by our existing environmentally-conscious customer base of resorts, distribution warehouses, and inner city distribution companies.”

Costa Rica is ranked first among the Americas and third in the world in terms of the 2010 Environmental Performance Index. In 2007, the Costa Rican government announced plans for Costa Rica to become the first carbon neutral country by 2021.

According to the New Economics Foundation, Costa Rica ranks first in the Happy Planet Index and is the “greenest” country in the world. Also, according to an October 2009 article published by Summa Magazine, Costa Rica is the world’s fourth largest exporter of high technology due to the fact that nearly half of its sales from manufacturing relate to products developed with proprietary technologies.

Electric Cars of Costa Rica represents the third international dealer agreement Balqon has established since the first of the year. In Febuary, Balqon signed Autoelevadores Yale, a leading distributor of material handling equipment and electric vehicles in Argentina. In March, Balqon signed Industrias IVOR, a distributor of trucks, firefighting trucks and equipment, refuse trucks, and heavy machinery for material handling products in Colombia.

Deadly Crimes in Costa Rica. The safest country in Central America.

By Scott Oliver from WeLoveCostaRica FREE MEMBERSHIP — SIGN UP NOW

One of our VIP Members recently wrote that a very uninformed ‘friend’ told her that: “San Jose is the most dangerous city in Central America, first and foremost…” She added that: “Dont be surprised if you get mugged… Its kinda a part of life in Central America.”

To which I politely reply …

What a load of crap!

The numbers do vary a little depending on the source but no matter what statistics you look at, Costa Rica remains the safest country in all of Central America.

1. El Salvador has a homicide rate in 2009 of 76 per 100,000 inhabitants
2. Honduras has a homicide rate in 2009 of 66.8 per 100,000
3. Guatemala has a homicide rate in 2009 of 48 per 100,000
4. Panama has a homicide rate in 2009 of 24 per 100,000
5. Nicaragua has a homicide rate in 2009 of 13 per 100,000
6. Costa Rica has a homicide rate in 2009 of 11 per 100,000

Crimes in Costa Rica. The safest country in Central America.

Don’t take my word for it though, there are many different sources where you can find this information so please take a look for yourself.

When you do, you’ll see that Costa Rica’s homicide rate is lower than the rate for a few major cities you might recognize like Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Columbus, Memphis, Baltimore, Washington DC, Atlanta, Kansas City, Cleveland, Miami, Oakland, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Newark, Buffalo and Mobile…

And do you think you will be singled out because you’re a Gringo living in Costa Rica?

How many US citizens were murdered in Costa Rica in 2009?

According to the Deaths of U.S. Citizens Abroad statistics compiled by the US Department of State, the answer is one person!

If you are genuinely fearful for your life in reading these statistics, don’t go to the mall, don’t go to a restaurant, don’t leave home! Lock all your doors and windows and stay exactly where you are! Please….

In over ten years of living here, I have never been mugged and none of my family have ever been mugged and yes! I walk in the city of San Jose practically every day and often at night.

Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1. Costa Rica Real Estate Scams & How To Avoid Them, 2. How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, and 3. Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore.

By Cristiana Garita

On April 26^th, 2010, 450 health service providers from 15 Latin American countries gathered at the Ramada Herradura Hotel Convention Center to participate in the first Latin American Global Medicine and Wellness Congress held in San José, Costa Rica.

The event, which was declared of public interest by the Costa Rican government, caught the eye of many top companies and key decision makers involved in the medical tourism industry, like insurance companies, self-insured businesses, and benefits managers, as well as many potential investors both from the private and public sectors.

From left to right: Dr. Antonio Acosta-Rua, managing partner Health Choices Costa Rica; Rodrigo Arias, Minister of the Presidency; Daniel Yepez, partner Health Choices Costa Rica; and Allan Flores Moya, Minister of Tourism.

Rodrigo Arias, Minister of the Presidency, Allan Flores Moya, Minister of Tourism, and the Minister of Health, Dr. Ana Morice visited the location to launch this new yearly event.

Also attending was the Minister of Competitiveness, Jorge Woodbridge, who commented this is a prime opportunity to bring together the Tourism and Medical industries so that both could present their offers, highlighting the first-class quality service provided by Latin American health institutions.

This setting allowed the guests to confirm that this fresh, but rapidly growing, medical tourism sector is an economic reality, and were able to acknowledge its potential for their businesses’ bottom line.

Minister Rodrigo Arias confirmed that Costa Rica has the right characteristics and a competitive advantage in developing medical tourism due to its geographical position, weather conditions, political and economical stability, and the worldwide recognition of its quality health services and environmental protection principles.

Representatives from Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Canada, Cuba, Ecuador, the United States, and Costa Rica, among others, presented their services to a very varied and plentiful audience, through interesting stands and rich promotional materials.

Among the businesses that participated in the event were: Clínica Bíblica Hospital, La Católica Hospital, CIMA Hospital, Clínica Unibe, Clínicas de Audición (Hearing Clinics), Dental Cosmetics, White Lilly Spa, Hertz, Mind and Health, Cosmetic Dental Care, Medical Textiles, JW Marriot, Nature Air, Beacon Escazú Hotel, and Holiday Inn.

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However, Ruta 27 is not cheap. A round trip between the Sabana, San José and PuertoCaldera, Puntarenas, costs ¢3.860 in tolls (¢1.930 in each direction), for the 77 kilometre trip that takes less than an hour.

On Wednesday, Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, officially inaugurated the road wich for some moments was open to the public from Orotina to San José, who were met by protestors at Pieades (Cuidad Colón exit), having to turn around and take the San Rafael exit that weaved around the La Reforma prison and ended up at the Panasonic.

Protestors were out early in the morning to stop the inauguration and opening of the highway.

A truck dumped debris on the road under the bridge at Piedades and then about 50 protestors maintained a road block all day long, waiting on the presidential motorcade to arrive, to make their concerns known to president Arias.

However, the presidential motorcade took the San Rafael route, avoiding the roadblock, to attend the inauguration ceremony at Orotina.

The road officially was opened to traffic Wednesday night and the toll stations began collecting at midnight.

Even though the road is now open and the tolls are being charged, parts of the road is still missing signaling, bus stop bays, lighting and rail guards.

What the road means to many is a savings in time, fuel and wear and tear on their vehicle.

Some prefer to call the highway a road, since it is for the most part a two lane road that weaves between the mountains, not much different than the other roads that lead to and from the Pacific, but with tolls.

Until yesterday, the only routes to and from the Pacific  coast from San José was the Cambronero or the Desmonte (Aguacate), which took almost two hours to make the trip between San José and Puntarenas.

The new San José - Caldera road now means the trip takes less than an hour and no mountains to climb or descend.  Also, the new road offers passing lanes at points where there some gentle climbs, allowing slow moving traffic to the right.

Whatever you call it, a road or a highway, to paraphrase president Arias during the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, the new highway will be a boost to tourism.

Source: Inside Costa Rica

Costa Rica Beach Championships

As a former college and beach volleyball player, I was thrilled when Atenas Costa Rica was chosen to host the beach and indoor volleyball championships for the 2010 Juegos Deportivos Nacionales (National Sports Games). Beach sand and bleachers were shipped in to the Central School Park where three courts handled the men’s and women’s under 21 tournament. In addition, the gym in Atenas was retrofitted with new sport court volleyball flooring for the indoor tournament.

The event welcomed teams from all over the country and offered a great time for Atenas residents. Admission was free to the public who enjoyed the high level of competition and various food vendors. The men’s championship match for the two-on-two beach event was this Saturday. There was standing room only to watch the final between Escazu and Atenas. Escazu entered the championship match undefeated, while Atenas lost one match (to Escazu) and had to climb through the loser’s bracket to face Escazu in the final.

Both teams were highly skilled and athletic which made for an epic battle. The lively crowd was overwhelmingly routing for their hometown team and their energy proved to feed the underdog Atenas duo. Raúl Sandoval and Julio Álvarez of Atenas won the first game to the delight of the crowd, before narrowly losing the second game to force the tie breaker.

A skirmish broke out in the crowd during the second game between several Atenas fans and a single Escazu fan which caused a break in the action followed by loud chants of “Ole, ole, ole, viva Atenas!” Atenas jumped to and early 4-to-0 lead in the final game to 15, and they never looked back. With the crowd cheering wildly, the Atenas duo claimed the 2010 Beach Volleyball Championships.

In a country that is crazy for soccer and not much else, Atenas has created a legacy in volleyball. The success of men’s indoor team who are also perennial national champions has spawned youth programs for boys and girls. Their success also brings pride to locals and resident expats. The event was such a success in Atenas that the commission is considering Atenas as the regular host of the volleyball games for years to come.

For volleyball players and teams in the U.S. interested in touring and playing Costa Rica teams, a new tour company is offering volleyball tours in Costa Rica. Your teams of all ages can come to play local competition and enjoy the many attractions of Costa Rica. Find out more information at http://www.costaricavolleyball.com/.

Jeff Hickcox – Author of the Real Estate Investing Guide – Costa Rica

The new highway, that is missing completion between Santa Ana and Orotina, will shave off at least 45 minutes travel to all points on the Pacific coast.

A trip to Liberia that now takes 3.5 hours on best days will be just a little over 2.5 hours, meaning you reach the beaches of Coco, Hermosa for instance in less than three hours. Tamarindo and Flamingo will also be less than three hours away.

Quepos and Manuel Antonio will be less than 2 hours.

The reason for the current extended drive time is the winding of the mountains from the Central Valley, either over the Monte de Aguacate, a steep climb and drop of the more gentler pass on the Interameircana.

Either way, the drive is slow, slowed even more by large trucks and loaded buses and few passing lanes.

The new highway cuts through all that. The slopes and hills are gentle, the winding is to a minimum.

Inside Costa Rica took a rare look at the new highway on Christmas day when several of the guards manning the points of entry only for workers on the highway, let us pass.

It took only 13 minutes to drive from Piedades de Santa Ana to 8 kilometres east of Orotina (the guard at that check point did not allow passage), driving at an average 60 kilometres per hour.

The road is completely asphalted, what is missing is the final touches of completing the road markings, some of the barriers and of course, the toll stations.

For the most part the highway is a two lane road, one lane for each direction. However, near the intersections of Piedades (though the signage reads Cuidad Colón), La Guacima, La Garita, Turrucares and Atenas, the road opens up to four lanes and illuminated.

The road delivers what will surely be a very pleasant experience driving to and from the Pacific beaches and other destinations.

And since it is a toll road, like the San José – Santa Ana section, it will be lightly travelled, as the cost from Escazú (the first toll) to west of Orotina (the last toll) is ¢1.120 each way.

On Friday, December 25, 2009, 10:30am, Inside Costa Rica, with camera in hand filmed the new road from Piedades to West of Atenas (the only portion of the unopened highway we were allowed to travel).

Click here to go on a virtual ride of the new highway. Part 1.
Note, video is 30Mb (large) and may take some time to download on slow connections

Click here to enlarge map.

SOURCE

Dental tourism has become increasingly popular lately, especially with consumers feeling the pinch of the recession. Mexican clinics target US patients. Eastern European practices treat British nationals. It’s big business these days, with Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia offering low-cost dental care to international patients.

We talked recently about how a British company is offering limited dental vacation insurance to protect patients from medical mishaps while they’re out of the country. Well, an American insurance company has now upped the ante!

Based in South Carolina, Companion Life Insurance Co. offers standard insurance products – and now, a little something more for dental patients.

They are adding an “international treatment option” to every one of their US dental plans.

“International Treatment Option”

Here’s what that means: Companion has added three Costa Rica dental clinics to their network.

An offshoot company, Companion Global Dental, will make all travel and treatment arrangements for American patients who want to go to Costa Rica to save money on dental care.

“Do you need dental work? If you’ve priced it lately, it may have come as quite a shock. Companion Global Dental is your gateway to affordable dental care. We give you access to dental services in Costa Rica, where you can get dental care at a fraction of the cost you would at home.”

It’s the standard dental tourism pitch — but this time it’s coming from an American insurance company!

In a press release, Companion Life’s vice president of field marketing, J.C.Preas, said:

“We believe we are the first national dental insurer to provide international travel and care as a value-added option on all of our policies. This option will allow our members to get the dental treatment they need at a credentialed facility, to save significantly on out-of-pocket costs, and even combine an exciting vacation with their dental treatment.”

Doctor, you probably provide excellent quality of care, but you cannot compete with the prices offered by international dentists.

And I know many dentists have no love lost for insurance companies.  But take a moment to imagine: What would happen if all dental insurance companies decided to encourage patients to become dental tourists?

Dental tourism has the potential to change the face of dentistry as we know it. No longer are your competitors located within driving distance… Your competition will be across the entire world.

Source

Much has been reported about the “new highway” that runs between the port/beach town of Caldera on the Central Pacific coast and Costa Rica’s capital city San José.  In fact, it has been somewhat of a running joke for 30 years among folks that live in the areas involved, and especially for those of us who work in real estate.  After going through decades of tangled bureaucracy, the highway project concession was granted in 2007 to the Spanish construction firm Autopistas Del Sol, and the progress has been staggering.

Escobal to Atenas is Paved

The advancement of the new highway is evident in Atenas and the excitement is building among residents.  The city phase of the new toll highway in Escazú is now completed and the coastal phase in Orotina is already paved.  There is an impressive amount of machinery rapidly paving the way from both ends and it looks like they may actually meet their deadline of opening in 2010.

This road will make traveling in Costa Rica exponentially more convenient for residents and tourists alike. For residents, the highway puts our quaint agricultural town of Atenas a comfortable 30-minute drive to the Central Pacific beaches, and about 20 minutes to glamour shopping in Santa Ana and Escazú, CIMA Hospital, and the modern amenities and cultural attractions of the city.

For tourists, more day trips will not only be possible, but will be much more comfortable than the current route of winding mountain roads.  This should spur a whole new boom in tourism as the average time one needs in order to see Costa Rica will be greatly reduced.  The current average tourist stay in Costa Rica is 12 days, which is largely due to the fact that people need to account for road time to view the many wonders of Costa Rica.  Now, many more attractions can be seen in the same period of time.

Paving Crew Hard at Work

The new highway will be fantastic for business as well.  Transportation times and costs will be reduced, as well as offer large vehicles the highways that they need to travel safely.  It should allow for more diversity of goods and services in previously remote areas.  In addition, there is expected to be a large reduction in the number of traffic accidents that are currently caused by overburdened vehicles traveling on mountainous, narrow, poorly lit country roads.

Drainage in and Ready for Paving

Because of the expected new convenience of the highway, young professionals who are currently living and working in the city may be drawn to tranquil western Central Valley towns like Atenas.  Safe areas around San José have become very expensive, especially if a young family desires a nice private yard or pool to enjoy.  An estimated 20-minute commute from Atenas to San José will allow these professionals to live in a more peaceful setting with convenient access to their workplace.

New Highway Map in Red

Large infrastructure projects like this highway tend to heap loads of investment potential on the areas that benefit from them.  Location, location, location is important to all real estate investors and projects like these create a location opportunity for savvy investors.  The towns expected to see the most benefit are Atenas, Ciudad Colon, Santa Ana, Orotina, and San Mateo.

The new San José—Caldera highway also presents a win-win situation for residents, tourists, and Costa Rican businesses.  The completion of this major new infrastructure will offer important connections that will enhance Costa Rica’s already surging interest among travelers and expats.

The only way to get these photos is by mountain bike or hiking.  Many thanks to our colleague, Rodrigo Mendez, for trekking 40 kilometers on his mountain bike to get these wonderful photos.  Readers can follow the progress of the San Jose/Caldera highwayat our Costa Rica photo blog at the official highway website.