Friday, December 25, 2009

MORE Boruca Indian Masks

Okay, I LOVE the Boruca Indian masks what can I say and a few more just ARRIVED. I actually bought the mask to the left and it's NOW my personal favorite.... until the next batch comes in....hehe

I mentioned this before, but the pics just don't do these masks justice. I wish I could fly each and every one of you out to Costa Rica so you could view them PERSONALLY.

But FIRST, I would like to wish everyone the BEST during this holiday season regardless of how you happen to CELEBRATE (or in my case, you don't)... and I HOPE next year is the BEST one EVER.

Just want to show you some more Boruca masks, but if you missed my last posting about the Boruca Indians, there's a more INFO and other masks HERE.

Boruca (or Brunka) Indian masks:

The 2 below can actually run a little more money as they're made out of cedar and carved by the patriarch himself, Ismael Gonzalez.

Have a GOOD one.


Thursday, December 17, 2009

La Fortuna Waterfall and Salto

La Fortuna, Costa Rica is home to NOT only the Arenal Volcano, but I pretty cool waterfall as well.

Obviously we LOVE La Fortuna Costa Rica or we wouldn't LIVE here... YOU wouldn't live somewhere YOU didn't care for, would YOU? I've written numerous times about La Fortuna and what it has to OFFER and believe me, it's much more than just HOME to the ever-erupting Arenal Volcano.

So besides doing the famous Arenal volcano hike, I would suggest a visit to the La Fortuna waterfall (La Catarata) as well. The waterfall is located only about 3 miles from the center of town and nestled in the hills over looking La Fortuna.

The hike down to the waterfall is a little steep, but rather nice. Here's D'Angelo and Christopher taking a little break.

Me, chillin in a small pool just a little down stream from the waterfall.

Why read what I gotta say about Fortuna Falls, we did a VIDEO, complete with INFO and GREAT footage:

Unless you're walking 'to' and 'from' the Fortuna Waterfall, you only need about an hour and a half to ENjoY the area. (The times for visiting the waterfall are from 8:00am to 4:00pm).

So, since you're in the area anyway, you should also visit Salto, and here's the VIDEO if you're not sure what I'm talking about (it's DEFINITELY worth a look).


Monday, December 14, 2009

Flying into the San Jose Airport

The soon to be defuncted, 'official' taxi of the Juan Santamaria International Airport.

It appears the ubiquitous orange taxi's (all 75 of them), that provide service only from the Juan Santamaria International Airport aka San Jose Airport, to the surrounding San Jose area, are being 'kicked to the curb'.

Doesn't really matter WHY, but in about 3 months it looks like their licenses will be REVOKED- figuratively and literally.

So, here's our NEW video, combined with the old yet still pertinent footage about flying into the San Jose Airport- Hope it Helps.


Monday, December 7, 2009

Sexually Exploited Children in Costa Rica

The sexual exploitation of children is a TOP concern in Costa Rica...."OH REALLY?"

Prostitution is LEGAL in Costa Rica but that's not to imply there's not a seedier underbelly of underage sex, sexual slavery, drugs and crime lurking just below the surface of the legalities. In particular, Costa Rican officials have been battling the sexual exploitation of minors for YEARS and they absolutely LOATHE the thought that foreigners group Costa Rica with the likes of Taiwan as one of the TOP tourist destinations for every conceivable pedophile and 'Chester the Molester' type seeking SEX with a minor.

Obviously, they still believe it's a problem (it is), because this just came out:
"The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) and the National Tourism Chamber (CANATUR) announced that members of the tourism sector have signed a Code of Conduct that ensures that hotels, tour operators, rent-a-cars and taxi services will monitor tourists and report potential sexual exploitation of minors and adolescents."
FULL STORY if you feel the need.

I don't know about YOU, but this is problem SOLVED! Children can now sleep safe at night knowing hotels, tour operators, rent-a-car establishments and taxi drivers got their BACK.....SWEET!

I promise NOT to get on my soapbox about how Costa Rica is more worried about how they are 'perceived' than the actual TRUTH of things or how their BARK is MUCH WORSE than their BITE. I have TONS of examples on this BLOG, here's ONE, but I digress.

* FOR THE RECORD: It's a given I appreciate Costa Rica's efforts to deter the sexual exploitation of minors... and in my opinion, the ADULTS doing so SHOULD have their genitals cut OFF. BUT....

Let's BREAK this down:

First, 'NIX' the taxi drivers. With few exceptions would any of them make a call to report a potential 'Chester'. Unless:

"Mr. Taxi Driver, I love tying up little girls and torturing them before I fuck them, do you know where I could find something like that?"

...and UNFORTUNATELY, even in this scenario it's not a given they'd make the CALL.

Taxi drivers make good money pointing people in certain directions, so PLEASE, they will NOT be on board, although I'm sure there's a few with a CONSCIOUS out there and of course they'll all say they support the cause.

So they want tour operators, rent-a-car people and hotels to, 'report potential sexual exploitation of minors and adolescents'.

Here's the short-list of problems:

* What EXACTLY is a 'potential sexual exploitation of a minor?' Who defines it and WHO'S qualified to make the 'call'?

* Tico's in general are non-confrontational and don't really want to be 'involved'.

* Who decides if someones a 'Chester'... an 18-year old desk clerk? Is an in-service on 'Chester' profiling involved?

* Most Costa Rican boys and girls under the age of 18, particularly 15-17 years old engaging in SEX, may in FACT be being exploited, but that doesn't mean THEY think they're being exploited- Can you say, 'hostile witness' and hostile witness for a myriad of reasons- personal safety and money being the 2 main reasons.

"This is my friend, 'Chester', he's like my adopted father from the States, what the FUCK are you talking about, he's JUST a friend?"

* Similarly, wanting to protect a 17-year old as opposed to a 9-year old from sexual exploitation are entirely 2 different things...just sayin,,, it is.

* When someone points the finger, like a hotel desk clerk, taxi driver, tour operator- they run the RISK of being WRONG, and EVEN if they're NOT, they also run the risk of being sued.

* 'Chester' unfortunately, doesn't USUALLY look like a 'Molester' or a pedophile, only in the movies.

* Organized crime DOES play a part in this to some degree, do you really think a taxi driver, hotel etc. wants any part of THAT?

* I just can't see hotels making a CALL as they wouldn't want 'their' hotel associated with that kind of behavior and any hotels known for the seedier side of SEX tend to handle their problems internally, if you know what I mean.

* Tour operators? Rent-a-car establishments? Come on, it would have to be something pretty blatant for them to make a 'call'- they don't want any part of this. I can hear it now:

"Yes, this is Joe Schmo rent-a-car, there's semen stains on the back seat and the guy returning the car looks a little sketchy, thought you'd like to know, would you like me to try and detain him?"

This 'Code of Conduct' merely looks good on paper, sounds GOOD, gives the perception Costa Rica is proactively fighting against the sexual exploitation of minors... and of course, ALL the above, taxi drivers included, will applaud this 'CODE' and tell you they support it. (it's to protect the kids for God sake). But in REALITY, to actually apply this 'Code of Conduct', WELL,,,, it's MUCH to subjective to be put in the hands of inexperienced workers merely trying to make a living, but also creates a very, VERY, 'BIG BROTHERish' kind of slippery slope. Very few of the above will make the 'call' unless it is blatant, in your face, exploitation.

Personally, I almost think this would put these 'people' at RISK.

I really, really HATE to say this but I almost think this is a marketing ploy, like saying you're eco-friendly. The below quote with the exception of the name, Joe Schmo Hotel, is taken word for word from an advertisement for a hotel in Costa Rica.

"We at the 'Joe Schmo Hotel' are 100% committed to protecting our children against sexual exploitation and invite you to join us! Thank you for your cooperation and participation."

Who wouldn't say this? Makes you want to book a room NOW... you know, to help save the exploited children.

Hey Costa Rica, you really want to SOLVE this problem? Here's a few tips: Payed informants who 'know' the underbelly of the sex world here, (yeah, it could be a taxi driver), undercover agents posing as 'Chesters', RAIDS on some of the more known, seedier, SEX establishments. Go after organized crime, they're KEY players in this. Weed out bad cops. Then report the NUMBERS, write stories of the GRINGO who came down here looking for underage sex but instead got a 50 year vacation.... and talk and WRITE about it a LOT. Funny, I know you know this, but here you are trying to have other people do YOUR job. Yeah, it would be great if people would get more involved and MAYBE when they actually see YOU doing something, you will then get the hotels, rent-a-cars, taxi drivers and tour operators on-board and they will be more apt to HELP you. BUT until you BITE, they're NOT going to feel obligated to BARK....know what I mean?


- Legal AGE to do STUFF in Costa Rica

- OUR VIDEO about Prostitution in Costa Rica

- Drugs in Costa Rica

- Prostitution / Gambling in Costa Rica

- Sex and Strip Clubs in Costa Rica


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Moving to Costa Rica? THINK AGAIN

Thinking of moving or re-locating to Costa Rica, then consider CULTURE SHOCK.

Culture Shock EXISTS- in various degrees, depending on the person. Culture Shock is REAL- ask anyone that's moved abroad. Culture Shock should NOT be taken lightly or underestimated- or you'll be moving back HOME within a year. So when you decide to uproot your LIFE and move to Costa Rica for a little slice of paradise, realize even the Garden of Eden had it's downside (F'in snake), and vacationing in Costa Rica is NOT the SAME as living in Costa Rica.

Official definition of Culture Shock taken from the folks at WIKI:

"Culture shock refers to the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, uncertainty, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within a different and unknown cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country. It grows out of the difficulties in assimilating the new culture, causing difficulty in knowing what is appropriate and what is not. This is often combined with a dislike for or even disgust (moral or aesthetical) with certain aspects of the new or different culture."
Here's our video about Culture Shock, it's a MUST SEE if you're considering the move to Costa Rica:

The video really ONLY covers the 'BASE' of things to consider about Costa Rican Culture before making the move, then there's more practical EVERY DAY considerations such as; transportation issues, the language barrier, money matters, differences in sense of humor, etc.

To minimize Culture Shock and increase the ODDS of staying longer than a few months:

* First, do your HOMEWORK: Learn/Read/Study/Ask about Costa Rica


* Learn to ADJUST and ADAPT to any given situation.

* Be OPEN with a healthy dose of Curiosity

* Keep whining and complaining down to the bare minimum


A personal favorite to some of the more arrogant Gringo's amongst us: When a Tico tells you you're pronouncing it wrong, then YOU'RE PRONOUNCING IT WRONG, so quit arguing just because you passed Rosetta Stone with flying colors.

More on Culture Shock on our TravelCostaRicaNOW site- HERE.

My experience with Costa Rica and Culture Shock.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Boruca Indian Masks Costa Rica

La Fortuna Costa Rica gets invaded by Boruca Indians and the Danza de los Diablitos (Dance of the Little Devils)

D'Angelo and myself fell in LOVE with the Boruca masks at first sight, but NOT just any Boruca mask, as some are MUCH better than others, but the ones from the Ismael Gonzalez family, and in particular the son, Melvin Gonzalez Rojas, which for our taste seem to be far and away superior in craftsmanship and detail from other Boruca masks we've seen (not sayin there's not others out there just as good....just sayin). Actually we collect Boruca masks... although we only have 2 since they cost a months rent for us. Funny, we're not even into 'masks' per se, but the artistry of these masks are just so AMAZING we couldn't resist.

FYI:The Boruca are an indigenous people living in Costa Rica. The tribe has about 2,000 members, most of whom live on a reservation in the Puntarenas Province in southwestern Costa Rica. You can find more INFO on the Boruca Indians on our TravelCostaRicaNOW site- HERE.

CHECK-OUT these Boruca Masks (the pics are GOOD, but still don't do them enough justice):

Love the vibrant colors in these Boruca masks.

Close UP of the top, left mask- CHECK OUT the detail.

Costa Rican wildlife is a popular theme found on many modern-day Boruca masks.

Frogs, such as the Poison Dart Frog, are also depicted on a variety of Boruca masks.

Another GREAT example of the detailed artwork that's put into these masks.


What I really dig about Boruca masks is that EACH one is UNIQUE even though the themes are similar.... What's that saying about a box of chocolates?

D'Angelo made this VIDEO some time ago about the Boruca Indian masks and it's DEFINITELY worth CHECKING OUT (you can get a glimpse of Melvin Gonzalez Rojas doing his thing:)


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Referral FEES- BEWARE!

The tourism industry in Costa Rica is not unlike every other in the world; which means it's FUELED by 'referral fees and commission checks' that are paid to middle-men, go-betweens and other entities trying to make an EASY buck by merely pointing YOU in a certain direction. *I'm not saying this is necessarily a BAD thing... I'm just sayin.

I know you probably already know that, but making the connection when you're actually in the 'situation', it's really easy to me. Take the below and 'add personality' to the people doing the referring:

- the taxi driver who tells you your hotel is booked solid, but of course knows another one JUST as good.

- the VERY likable tour guide who tells you he knows the BEST place to buy souvenirs.

- the tour operator who recommends one 'tour' over another.

- the gregarious gringo at the bar who tells you he knows a GREAT deal on some property in the area.

...AND pretty much ANYONE steering YOU in one direction over another.

It can be extremely difficult to decipher INFORMATION, when really you have NO CLUE and you're literally at the mercy of whoever happens to be dishing the info out... and you can BET there's an AGENDA attached, usually in the name of a NICE little referral fee.

The information given could be accurate or could NOT be, it really may be one of the BEST restaurants in the area, but what you CAN be SURE of- YOU WILL BE GRINGO PRICED! Referral fees and commissions are passed on to YOU the tourist, it's not like it's coming out of restaurant's own pocket. Case in Point: A large group eating at a more 'touristy' restaurant the tour guide 'happen' to recommend- do you really believe the prices on the menu are cheaper than the Soda (what they call small little mom & pop diners here) down the street? *Tour guides do particularly well in the 'referral' business.

REMEMBER: Keep this in the back of your mind when talking to taxi drivers, tour operators, tour guides or ANYONE for that matter, who are seemingly providing FREE information... and don't let your guard down just because they seem SO nice.

Check out our video about and SEE what we do to combat referral fees and commissions:

TONS of Costa Rica Travel Information and Videos on the links to the RIGHT. ENjoY!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

David Gimelfarb and Michael Dixon MY THOUGHTS

David Gimelfarb and Michael Dixon are both missing in Costa Rica. David’s been missing from the Rincon de la Vieja area since mid-August and Michael Dixon who was (supposedly) last seen with swim trunks and towel leaving his hotel in Tamarindo on October 19th and hasn't been seen since.

I’ve written about David Gimelfarb numerous times since he went missing and took some serious ‘HITS’ for my last post: David Gimelfarb- What's the STORY? It was not intended to be offensive, on the contrary, it was meant to raise questions, raise awareness about the situation and keep David in the forefront of people’s thoughts. I stand by the post but see why MANY people took offense.

That said, the Gimelfarb situation is still somewhat perplexing to me. It appears, or at least hoped; he’s roaming the area, somewhat living off the land but confused, possibly from some sort of head trauma. I can’t help wonder about David. It’s said this would “not fit his personality” from the people closest to him.

So I have a few ‘new’ questions.

*Was there any indication David was not happy with his life before he left for Costa Rica?

* Is David a survivoralist of some sort, is he even CAPABLE of ‘living off the land’ so to speak… and in Costa Rica where the terrain and rain forest etc can be unforgiving?

* Is there any reason David would want to fall off the grid?

* Same question, sort of, if David is ‘confused or frightened’ does he have the survival skills to stay 2-steps ahead of his rescuers indefinitely?

* Has some sort of amnesia been considered?

I BELIEVE some pieces are missing from the David Gimelfarb STORY, something just feels 'wrong' and I’m sorry, I can’t help it, I think he's dead, but of course I would love to be WRONG, but as one commenter pointed out about my opinions after my last ‘frustrated’ post about David:
“Boy, are you a narcissistic douchebag that believe the world revolves around you or what? Who gives a shit if you are "frustrated"- especially in light of the emotions his family and friends are feeling….”
So, I realize my ‘2-cents worth’ is exactly that.

And I SWEAR, I’m not being *glib* but if David Gimelfarb is in fact found ALIVE, it would be one hell of a ‘Movie of the Week’…… just sayin.

I fear the worst for Michael Dixon, the evidence, or lack thereof, seems to point to only ONE likely outcome- probably a causality of a riptide or some other type of bizarre swimming accident, but I wouldn’t necessarily rule-out a random act of violence yet either. If the latter, friends and family must have the HELP of local law enforcement, without them it will be near impossible to get answers. The family, along with help from the British government or any other outside influence, may have to apply serious PRESSURE to receive more than lip-service from local officials. Costa Rica is all about perception. They do not like their country coming across as having ‘any’ problems and will do or say just about anything to guard the ‘paradise’ perception. If you don’t live here you may not understand just how far Tioc’s are capable of sticking their heads in the SAND. *We got hate mail for this video about the driving conditions in Costa Rica because they thought if people really ‘knew’, they wouldn’t want to VISIT. Like a few bad roads would keep us from such a beautiful and diverse country.

I like what the folks at, ‘Help Find Michael Dixon’ are doing. I’m certain they ‘understand’ the reality of the situation, but nonetheless are leaving no stone unturned - getting the WORD out, keeping the WORD out, enlisting volunteers, raising money and awareness; and hopefully ‘applying’ pressure to local Costa Rican officials.

I hope both the David Gimelfarb family and the Michael Dixon family find the answers they deserve.

*Not really appropriate for an entire post at this time, but David's and Michael's stories should be a WAKE-UP call for people considering traveling to foreign countries alone. Not saying you shouldn't, just saying you need to be doubly AWARE of your surroundings at all times and have an understanding of the potential dangers.

For up-to-date INFO about David and Michael and how you can HELP, visit their FACEBOOK pages:
Help Find David Gimelfarb
Help Find Michael Dixon

Friday, November 6, 2009

Don't STAY at Casa Caletas Hotel, but WHY?

Casa Caletas Hotel on the Nicoya Penisula in Costa Rica- "Obviously YOU don't CARE."

I haven't heard word 'one' from Casa Caletas Hotel. "Bet you thought I forgot about you, didn't you Casa Caletas?"

Why shouldn't you stay at Casa Caletas Hotel? The short answer- the owner doesn't seem to CARE about some LAND that he is ASSOCIATED WITH and is important to the sea turtles. But there's MUCH MORE to the story.

Don't KNOW? You can get up to SPEED:

It started HERE:

* Another Company tells Costa Rica to F-OFF

Then I heard from the folks at Pretoma and wrote the second installment:

* time to SPEAK-UP and do SOMETHING

Then I personally asked Casa Caletas or the owners to respond to a few questions I had:

* Casa Caletas Hotel- tell me it's NOT true

So, it's time to seriously BOYCOTT anything to do with the owner(s) of Casa Caletas and possibly two other hotels, Hotel Fuego del Sol in Playa Hermosa and Lake Coter Eco Lodge in Nuevo Arenal, which may ALL be owned by Sylvester Feichtinger or his company(s). (If they'd answer my emails I would know for SURE), but since they pretty much told Costa Rica to 'fuck off' when ordered to 'cease and desist' stripping the wetlands, I'm fairly certain I'm not HIGH on their 'need to respond to' list.

It would also be COOL if you could email them and ask them 'WHAT'S UP with that?' is their email.

'Sea turtle's already have a tough BEGINNING, but at least they have a place to START... don't let it disappear.'

BE the CHANGE YOU want in the WORLD, the sea turtles will thank-you for it.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Arenal Volcano things to Consider





Here's some things to consider for Volcano viewing:






Sunday, October 25, 2009

David Gimelfarb- What's the STORY?

* David Gimelfarb MISSING in Costa Rica
* David Gimelfarb- the search CONTINUES
* Red Cross pull OUT of Search
* David Gimelfarb- MISSING or NOT?









But he's sounding DEAD to me... just sayin.

Monday, October 19, 2009

SEX and Prostitution in Costa Rica












Here's our VIDEO about SEX and Prostitution in Costa Rica:

More INFO on Prostitution and Sex in Costa Rica
