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Jul
30
Lionfish threaten Caribbean Reefs
Posted by Editor | July 30, 2010 | Tags: Environment | Leave a Comment
 Red lionfish. File photo courtesy of La Nación |
The venomous lionfish is being spotted more and more frequently along the Caribbean coast. The non-native fish is native to the Pacific but has somehow made the jump into the Caribbean and has been spotted all up and down the Central American Caribbean coast.
The red lionfish was only noticed for the first time by scientists in Costa Rica’s Caribbean waters a year ago but already the fish has now been spotted all up and down the coast.
Another species of lionfish, the Fire Fish, has not so far been spotted in the Caribbean waters. But it is actually one of the only predators of the red lion fish which has few predators in the Caribbean. It’s only other predators are grouper and sharks but due to it’s recent introduction it is so far remaining mostly untouched.
The fish has venomous spikes which can be very painful when stung although very rarely fatal. The symptoms could also include headaches, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. A common treatment is soaking the afflicted area in hot water, as very few hospitals carry specific treatments. However, immediate emergency medical treatment is still advised, as some people are more susceptible to the venom than others.
But this is not the only problem with the lionfish. It is also a voracious eater which can decimate other fish populations.
Local divemasters have been killing the fish on sight. In some jurisdictions, such as Cozumel in Mexico, a bounty has been placed on the fish to aid in its control but not so far in Costa Rica.
More information:
Jul
19
More Now Accepted for Recycling!
Posted by Editor | July 19, 2010 | Tags: Community Calendar, Community News, Environment | Leave a Comment
| July 31, 2010 | ||
| 9:00 am |
The Recycling Alliance has expanded the types of solid waste that it is collecting on the Caribbean Coast. Nearly everything can now be recycled. Recycle for a safer community and environment!
The following clean and separated items are now accepted:
- Glass bottles (topless)
- Aluminum and clean metal cans
- Plastic Bottles Pet (#1)
- and all other plastics; separated and CLEAN: jugs,gallons, food containers, bags from the super markets,
- Tetrapak! AKA Wine boxes or juice boxes and that metal-plastic bags examples: bags from coffee, powered milk, cookie and potato chip wrappers if they are that shiny metal!
- Cardboard, dry, separated, and broken down
- Office paper, dry separated packed in plastic bags, remove staples please
- Newspaper and magazines! Dry and separated
- Car batteries
- Used cooking oil
Collection Schedule:
Mondays: From Cahuita to Hone Creek
Tuesdays: From Manzanillo to Rockin’ Jay’s on the edge of Puerto Viejo
Wednesdays: Puerto Viejo to Black Beach
Thursdays: Collections from Banana Farms
Fridays: 1st and 3rd of the month: BriBri, 2nd of the month: Gandoca, 4th of the month: to the Indigenous Territory including Volio, Rancho Grande, Shiroles, Suretka, Bambu, Chase
Businesses and individuals can bring their recyclable materials to the Solid Waste Transfer Center in Patiño any time. The Center is open during normal business hours.
The Recycling Alliance is sponsoring an event on Saturday, the 31st of July at the Super Hone Creek starting at 9AM. The event is the first of several called “Talamanca Reciclando por la Vida” Or “Talamanca Recycling for Life”. It’s a grand opening of a community recycling deposit at the Super in Hone Creek. There will be music and information. Bring in your clean, separated recyclables and learn more about what’s going in with recycling in Talamanca.
Due to the new Integrated Waste Management Bill passed in Costa Rica in May, 2010, separation of solid waste is required for households as well as businesses (see article below…) The Recycling Alliance encourages other communities and community members to create their own community recycling points or “Puntos Verdes.”
More information is available on all these initiatives at www.greencoast.com.
Jul
16
ArteViva coming Aug 20-31
Posted by Editor | July 16, 2010 | Tags: Arts & Culture, Community Calendar | Leave a Comment
| August 20, 2010 |
ArteViva is a music and arts festival, as well as a free permanent educational program in arts for the people of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica.
ArteViva 2010 is finally happening! EDACS, the Association that traditionally promotes the festival, has set up an alliance with the Asociación Desarrollo Integral de Puerto Viejo (Puerto Viejo Development Association) in order to organize the Carnaval ArteViva 2010, from the 20th to the 31st of August.
The festival will feature live music with well known national bands, theatre, folkloric dance, art exhibitions, culinary events, sport tournaments, circus, alternative medicine workshops and much more. More importantly we shall involve every educational center in the South Caribbean with workshops and students exhibitions.
Stay tuned for more festival information or go to their website to pledge support. If you have ideas on ways to contribute to the event or would like to sign on as a sponsoring business, you can contact Claudio Ambroso at 8842 1741 from 1 a 6 pm or Stash Golan at 8385 6887 o by email to artenelcaribe@yahoo.com
Jul
16
Dry Weather Ahead for Caribe Sur
Posted by Editor | July 16, 2010 | Tags: Environment | Leave a Comment
Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute (IMN) is predicting that 2010 will be a drier than average year for the South Caribbean zone of Costa Rica.
While on the Pacific side, the El Nino effect is expected to bring much more rain than average (40% higher than average for the Central Pacific, 45% higher for the North Pacific and 20% higher for the South Pacific), the South Caribbean side will get about 15% less rain than normal and the North Caribbean side (Tortuguero) about 5% below normal.
The INM forecast for June, July and August by region of Costa Rica. The first number in the parenthesis is the expected deviation from the normal rainfall, the second number is the maximum deviation possible. Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are in the brown area expected to be in a dry (seco) pattern.
Jul
14
Bocas Shuttle Services Running Again
Posted by Editor | July 14, 2010 | Tags: Transport | Leave a Comment
With the strike and protests over, regular service on the shuttles between Costa Rica and Bocas del Toro started running again today.
Current schedules can be found on www.geckotrail.com/shuttle.htm where you can also make a reservation for any of the shuttle companies.
More information on getting to Bocas either by shuttle or independently can always be found on the Puerto Viejo Transportation page.
Jul
12
Roads Reopen to Bocas as Situation Calms
Posted by Editor | July 12, 2010 | Tags: Government and Politics, Transport | Leave a Comment
Things have calmed down around Changuinola, Panama, as negotiations continue between union leaders, the Panamanian government and the Bocas Banana Company. The Changuinola Airport is open again. The curfew has been lifted and business are opening there doors again. The roads are open and traffic is flowing freely again for now.
The governor of the northern Panamanian province of Bocas del Toro, Bonifacio Abrego, said Sunday that he had decided against declaring a curfew for the city of Changuinola. Abrego said that calm had returned to the city after three days of violent confrontation between striking banana workers and police. The province of Bocas del Toro borders Costa Rica on the Caribbean coast.
Meanwhile, the Panamanian president, Ricardo Martinelli, vowed that he would uphold the controversial Law 30, which was the cause of the strike.
On Saturday, the Panamanian government ordered the reopening of the Changuinola airport, and police confirmed that the highway that connects the city to the rest of the country had been cleared. The road had been blocked for three days by strikers.
“The problems in Changuinola have been the product of misinformation and a series of lies,” Martinelli said in a press statement issued Sunday. “The intransigence of a group of trade unionists can not end with the banana industry in Changuinola.”
The conflict emerged when the Bocas Fruit Company withheld the portion of workers’ salaries that normally goes toward paying union fees. The company subtracted the union membership fee in response to a recently enacted law that makes such fees optional.
“The government regrets the misunderstanding on the part of this company,” the Martinelli administration said in a press statement. “It is not in the power of this business, nor any other, to retain workers’ salaries because it constitutes a violation of workers’ rights.”
Under the law, the employees must decide whether to pay membership fees and the decision cannot be made for them by their employers.
The protest ended Sunday, when the government signed an agreement with the striking workers. According to the document posted on the Panamanian government website, the original law will not be changed, yet, the government committed to providing more resources to help workers confront the high cost of living.
While roads and the border are open again, shuttle companies such as Caribe Shuttle are holding off on resuming service for a few days while they monitor the situation and make sure the route is safe to travel.
Sources: Caribe Shuttle, Tico Times.
Jul
11
Free English Course / Curso de Ingles Gratis
Posted by Editor | July 11, 2010 | Tags: Community Calendar, Community News | Leave a Comment
| July 13, 2010 | ||
| 8:30 am | to | 12:00 pm |
The Tourism Association of the South Caribbean (CATCAS) is offering free English course to employees of its members. The 3 hour/twice weekly courses begin Tuesday July 13 at 8:30am and will continue Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 3 to 4 months.
El Cámara de Turismo de Caribe Sur les informara a todos los interesados que el curso gratis de ingles practico se iniciara el próximo martes 13 de julio a las 8:30 am. Los clases continuaran cada martes y jueves para 3 o 4 meses. Están gratis para empleados de los asociados de CATCAS.
The courses will take place at Koki Beach Restaurant in Puerto Viejo and will be taught by Steven Polk. Los cursos estaran en Restaurante Koki Beach en Puerto Viejo. El maestro sera Steven Polk.
For more information or to register call 2223 1213 during office hours or email turismocaribesur@yahoo.com. Para más información o para registrar llame a 2223 1213 (hrs de oficina) o envía correo electrónico a turismocaribesur@yahoo.com.
Jul
10
Second Death in Bocas Province; Travel Advisory Issued
Posted by Editor | July 10, 2010 | Tags: Government and Politics, Transport | Leave a Comment
 Clashes have been reported today at Finca 4 and Finca 13. Photo courtesy of La Prensa |
La Prensa is reporting that a second person has died as a result of protests near Changuinola in Bocas Province, Panama.
According to the director of the Changuinola Hospital, Thusnelda Cruz, 123 persons have been admitted to the hospital for treatment of injuries as a result of the protests.
Meanwhile our friends over at Caribe Shuttle have let us know that the US Embassy in Panama has now issued a travel advisory for traveling to or from Bocas del Toro while noting that the islands themselves are calm. The travel advisory reads:
Bulletin from Bocas Warden
To those hotels/hostels this email sent to, please inform you guests.
Today, Friday 9 June: It is not a good idea to travel to, near or thru Changuinola or mainland Bocas Del Toro Provincia. It is not a safe to be in this area, and there are road blockages preventing transit, due to protests between Panamanians and their government.
If you need to travel from Isla Bocas to anywhere, it is advised that you leave only by air, to Panama City, David or San Jose, Costa Rica. Either, remain in Isla Bocas until the protests end, or change you travel arrangements accordingly.
When it is save to travel by boat/road from Isla Bocas, an advisory will be sent.
At 7pm, Friday 9 July: Per Isla Bocas Alcalde, Joe Anderson, and Isla Bocas Hospital Emergency, Dr Luis Mou, condition in Isla Bocas is very normal, no problems reported.
Larry Shane
Bocas Warden, US Embassy Panama
The land route between Costa Rica and Bocas del Toro remains closed leaving the only transport option the three times weekly Nature Air flights from San José.
Travelers who have already booked shuttle transport from Costa Rica’s Caribbean to Bocas should contact their travel agency.
Jul
8
Strike in Panama Paralyzes Transportation to / from Bocas del Toro
Posted by Editor | July 8, 2010 | Tags: Transport | 1 Comment
 Banana Workers setting roadblocks near Changuinola. Photo courtesy of La Prensa |
Travelers are out of luck if they are trying to go to or from Bocas del Toro, Panama, or want to use the Costa Rica / Panama border crossing at Sixaola / Guyabito / Changuinola on the Caribbean Coast. Just over the border in Panama is one of a reported 11 sites where local banana plantation workers are striking and erecting road barricades.
In addition to the clash at the border, road barricades near Chiriqui Grande will keep travelers from getting to Bocas del Toro or gettting away from Bocas del Toro in that direction. For now, options appear to be by sea or air, or travelors can walk, but a VERY long way and around reportedly angry mobs with machetes, axes and rocks and police in riot gear and tear gas launchers! We do not recommend it.
Another strike of 700 workers in the province of Colon is paralyzing work on the Panama Canal extension.
These strikes are the latest in a series of strikes which date back to the government of ex-President Mireya Moscoso Martín Torrijos revolves around labor law and criminal codes which were voted into law in September 2009. Panama’s current administration reportedly stands by the laws, claiming they will encourage development and bring investment.
So far, the government of Panama has responded by sending military to the 11 strike sites throughout Bocas Del Toro and Colon. With 28 current arrests, the threat of escalation, and the local report that strikers won’t stop till the president comes (who is reportedly in Italy), no end is in sight.
At the moment, the strike has frozen all traffic between Costa Rica and Bocas del Toro, Panama. This effectively cancels the shuttle routes between Costa Rica South Caribbean and Bocas del Toro.
The Talamanca News will continue to monitor the situation. Please watch for updates here. Shuttles will start operating from Puerto Viejo to/from Bocas again as soon as it is safe to do so.
 Article by John Wheatley. John is a long time resident of Costa Rica’s Caribbean and owner of Adventuras Bravas, providing surf classes and adventure tours, and Caribe Shuttle, providing transport to/from Bocas del Toro in Panama. More information at www.caribeshuttle.com |
Jun
30
Cahuita Holding Festival to Honor Calypso Artist Walter Ferguson
Posted by Editor | June 30, 2010 | Tags: Arts & Culture, Community Calendar | Leave a Comment
| July 5, 2010 | to | July 18, 2010 |
From July 5 to July 18, Cahuita will present a festival named after renowned Calypso artist Walter Ferguson.
The “Festival de la Cultura y el Ambiente Walter Ferguson” will take place from July 5-18 at various locations around Cahuita and will honor one of Cahuita’s favorite sons with music, theater, dance and poetry. Ferguson sometimes called the King of Calypso is known for songs such as Cabin in the Wata and Callaloo. The festival is expected to become an annual event.
The highlight of the festival is expected to be a Calypso concert at Cahuita’s Central Park on Saturday July 10 starting at 4pm. As well as local Cahuita performers, the concert will feature musicians from Limon and Puerto Viejo.
Download complete festival program. Download festival poster.
Jun
29
Route 31 Closed Again This Morning and Thursday
Posted by Editor | June 29, 2010 | Tags: Transport | Leave a Comment
Once again, route 31 through Parque Nacional Barulio Carrillo, will be closed again this morning from 6:30a.m. to 12:30pm and again on Thursday morning. The route which is the most direct link between San Jose and Limon has been plagued by mudslides.
The highways ministry has brought in experts from Spain to evaluate the route and this requires its closure.
So cars, buses and trucks will again be routed via Turrialba, which will add at least an hour extra to your trip.
Jun
24
Puerto Viejo gettting a new road
Posted by Manuel | June 24, 2010 | Tags: Community News, Transport | 11 Comments
If you have lived more then just a few months in Puerto Viejo over the past 10 years, I’ll bet you can’t count on your own 2 hands and feet the number of times that we have heard the good news: the road will be fixed soon! Yet….time after time, it never happened, and the road has just kept on getting worse and worse – to the point where it has become downright embarrassing, dangerous and for some – costly!
When the residents scream enough and protest to the local municipality, we sometimes got the potholes filled with material from the nearby Sixaola River, only to watch it get washed away in the next downpour and the potholes getting bigger and deeper each time.
As a local resident and owner of a vehicle, I can personally attest that our biggest expense is THE CAR….and I am not talking about the gas! With horrible roads, it is impossible to stay away from the numerous highly trustworthy and knowledgeable mechanics – on average monthly! I could easily say that I have had to revise, update or change most parts of my suspension at least 4 times a year – every year!
A few days ago an unbelievable site appeared from the horizons: a caravan of heavy-duty road building equipment rolled in through Puerto Viejo, past Cocles, past Playa Chiquita, through Punta Uva and down to Manzanillo….”could it be” we thought to ourselves?
The answer is mostly yes! As it turns out, they are redoing the road (in reverse order from Manzanillo towards Puerto Viejo), with the best material and thickness these roads have ever seen. Unlike the first coat from 10 years ago which was a mix of gravel and tar, this time, we are getting a full 5 cm of hot asphalt…compressed and rolled on top of the bad road. Upon speaking to the “engineers” on the side of the road, we are learning that they are fixing only the stretches that need it most, and supposedly they will return in “about a month” to do the remaining (that part is the remaining mystery!) We don;t know what the final product will be….but at least we already know what we are seeing: The new road is slightly narrow…and leaves very little room for bicycles or pedestrians – in fact cars will even have to slow down when oncoming traffic is approaching – but a mostly smooth ride should be expected from Puerto Viejo down to Manzanillo.
While most, including myself, are thrilled to have a new road, there is also a new fear that the tourists and our children will be less safe walking or bicycling on the road, as drivers a will be tempted to drive “super fast”.
In an ideal world – we would love to see some bike lanes or trails and speed bumps along the way……perhaps this is something our local community can work towards!
Drive safely!
 Article by Manuel Pinto. Manuel, along with his wife Emmanuelle, are long time residents of Costa Rica’s Caribbean and owners of Caribe Sur Real Estatem a full service real estate company on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, assisting clients to buy or sell eco-friendly properties and businesses to people from around the world. More information at www.caribesur-realestate.com |
Jun
6
Clandestine minining operation discovered in the Talamanca mountains
Posted by Editor | June 6, 2010 | Tags: Crime & Punishment, Environment | Comments Off
Residents of the indigenous Bri Bri reservation in the Talamanca Mountains have discovered evidence of clandestine mineral exploration.
The community sent an expedition of 8 persons to investigate after the community noticed a helicopter entering the area. They found evidence including a landing zone for the helicopter, a camp and core samples taken. A second expedition returned to the area with cameras and three policemen from Bri Bri.
The area is very difficult to access, with no roads, only footpaths used by the indigenous Bri Bri.
Analysis of the photos by experts has confirmed that a exploratory visit by miners was the point of the visit.
The area has been known since the 70s to have high potential for mineral exploration. But the Asociación de Desarrollo de la Reserva Indígena Bribri–Talamanca (Aditibri), which owns the land, is opposed to mining.
Source, photos and video: La Nación: Indígenas descubren minería clandestina en Talamanca
May
31
San Jose – Limon Highway 32 Reopens 24 Hours a Day
Posted by Editor | May 31, 2010 | Tags: Transport | Comments Off
The highways ministry (MOPT) has announced that Highway 32, the main route linking the capital with the Caribbean Coast, will now be open again 24 hours a day, weather permitting.
Travel had been restricted to daylight hours so that police and others stationed there could see landslides starting and halt traffic.
The 24 year old highway is frequently closed due to mudslides leading to criticisms of the way the road was initially planned and built. When the road is closed, residents, tourists and the large amount of truck traffic bound for the port in Limon are forced to take the safer but very slow and winding route via Turrialba which adds 1 to 2 hours to the trip.
This aerial photo from MOPT shows clearly how vulnerable the road is to slides.
May
30
Cahuita Police Officers Receive 72 Year Sentences
Posted by Editor | May 30, 2010 | Tags: Crime & Punishment | Comments Off
 Two police officers are arrested in June 2008. Photo by Mario Rojas courtesy of La Nacion |
On Thursday, former Cahuita police officers Wálter Angulo Durán and Jorge Jiménez Saldaña were each sentenced to 72 years in prison for their role in two murders which occurred in June 2008.
Two other men, Mauricio Ocampo Cordero and Johansy Mora Rojas, were previously convicted and sentenced to 70 years each for the actual murders.
Angulo and Jiménez, the policemen, used their authority to round up four young men in Cahuita. With drawn guns they confronted the four in the local park, tied them up and eventually delivered them to members of a rival drug gang in Valle de las Estrellas, also on the Caribbean coast, according to testimony. Ocampo and Mora took a knife to their hostages. Two, Roy Sotela Prendergast, 23, and Natanael Rodríguez Obregón, 17, died. Another man suffered serious injuries. A fourth man fled and survived.
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