“Costa Rica Blue was created out of the need to better understand our oceans and recognize their value,” said Adriana Acosta, Director of the essential COSTA RICA country brand. She explained: “We believe that knowledge is the first step toward protection, and this platform seeks precisely that: to bring this knowledge to more people—especially younger generations—through an accessible and interactive experience.”

The platform invites users to take part in an immersive introduction to Costa Rican waters, plunging them among the more than 7,000 marine species recorded in the country’s waters and providing information on each one and its ideal habitat, including details such as the water temperatures and pressures the creatures prefer. Key facts and figures about coral reefs and seamounts can also be discovered, as well as alerts on the risks of overfishing.

@esencialcostarica

¿A cuál nivel llegaste? Contanos Seguí explorando en nuestra plataforma interactiva Costa Rica Azul. #CostaRicaAzul #biodiversidadmarina #costarica #océanos

♬ sonido original – esencial Costa Rica OFICIAL

Protecting the ocean is just as important for humans as is it for the creatures who live in it, since oceans generate more than 50% of the oxygen we breathe and absorb nearly 30% of the CO_₂ we produce. Costa Rica is on the front line of such environmentally vital work. It is already well known for its protection of forests, national parks, and land-based wildlife, but over 90% of Costa Rica’s territory is ocean; in fact, its marine territory is around 10 times larger than its land area and is home to approximately 3.5% of the world’s reported marine species.

“Costa Rica is a deeply blue country, yet we are not always fully aware of what that means,” Acosta noted, describing the platform as “an invitation to rediscover that richness, to reconnect with our oceans, and to understand that their protection is part of who we are as a country.”

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The Costa Rica Blue project was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), to fit well within the national education system. The resources work “in alignment with the Science and Biology curricula for students in lower and upper secondary education across different academic tracks. They serve as a complementary tool to strengthen classroom teaching and learning processes,” said Alfredo Ortega Cordero, Head of the Lower and Upper Secondary Education Department at the MEP Curriculum Development Directorate.

L’article Costa Rica launches Costa Rica Azul platform to protect its oceans est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Tori Hunter was travelling with her family from Toronto to Liberia in Costa Rica, for a wedding in early May. But the ordeal was such that Hunter, 26, has since published a video of the disembarkation process to illustrate the challenges some passengers face.

Wheelchair with no armrests and busted wheels

Hunter suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder affecting the neuromuscular system. With limited neck movement and muscular control, she uses a custom-made electric wheelchair for mobility.

With most planes still unable to accommodate flyers’ own wheelchairs, except in the hold, Hunter was in what is called an “aisle wheelchair” when she was carried off the plane by airport staff. The video shows just how precarious that process is. Four members of staff were needed to support the weight of Ms Hunter and the chair, two of them while walking backwards down narrow steps.

To make matters worse, the aisle chair was already damaged when it was given to her to use, she says, with “no armrests, straps that wouldn’t tighten enough to keep my body in, and front wheels that were busted off”. Hunter’s father was forced to lean in and support her head.

@torihunter.blog It’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day, so it seems like a fitting day to share what happened on my flight to Costa Rica last week. This is me, being carried down a flight of stairs in a broken aisle chair — no armrests, straps that wouldn’t tighten enough to keep my body in, and front wheels that were busted off. You can see from my face how distraught and absolutely terrified I was. The individuals that were sent to help me disembark this plane likely had very little training on how to do so; they kept having to place the chair down from not having the correct grip, and they were holding the chair completely sideways (hence my dad trying his best to hold my head so it didn’t completely fall over). We didn’t speak the same language so they continued along without understanding my repeated “no’s”. Never in my life have I felt so out of control and so disconnected from my body. I was never informed that this would be how I would have to disembark the plane, and it never crossed my mind given that this airport DOES use jet bridges. In fact, all of the other planes around us were pulled up to them. I love sharing my travels as a wheelchair user because I truly believe that there is so much in this world is accessible and I want to inspire people to experience that. But, this is one of those instances where traveling with a disability is, unfortunately, not so glamorous. It’s 2024, disabled people deserve a more dignified and safe way to fly. #rightsonflights @Air Canada ♬ original sound – Tori Hunter | Disabled Travel

Airline given months of advanced notice

Despite informing the airline months in advance of her condition and additional needs, the airline failed to make arrangements to accommodate Hunter safely. “If the airline and the airport had more open lines of communication, then they could have ensured that we were parked at a jet bridge or that a ramp or hydraulic lift was available,” she notes.

Air Canada had its knuckles rapped last year by the Canadian government for its failings when it comes to the treatment of passengers with additional requirements. This time the airline issued a statement claiming that it had complied with all protocols for the situation. The carrier appeared to put the blame for the incident on the size of the airport, which could not provide an aircraft bridge. “As part of our accessibility plan, we will be reviewing airport procedures, including for smaller foreign stations, with the aim of working with local airport and other partners to find ways to provide more consistent service,” the statement said.

Hunter is an advocate of changes that would allow wheelchair users to retain their own chairs on flights. Meanwhile, she is determined not to let such incidents affect her passion for travel. “I hope this process is something I never have to experience again,” she said. “I love travelling and I’ll never let it stop me from experiencing the world.”

L’article Canadian travel blogger carried off flight on broken wheelchair in “terrifying” ordeal est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

This bill was approved since July 2021, by the previous Legislative Assembly, which processed an authentic interpretation of the law to clarify the meaning of the rule and allow the administration to facilitate the processing of this migratory category. This authentic interpretation project was approved until April 21. According to Euronews, there will be a $100 (€97) government fee, $90 (€88) processing fee, and an additional fee (yet unknown) for the visa once everything is approved.

The law allows foreign workers to offer digital services remotely and settle in the country with a visa for a period of one year. One of the benefits approved is not to pay income tax, nor the tax on the import of equipment necessary for their work.

The world is competing for these talents, so Costa Rica should be among the first.

Rodrigo Chaves, President of Costa Rica

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“I think it is an important event in the modernization of the country and in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), foreign exchange and making Costa Rica become a country of high added value,” said Rodrigo Chaves, president of the republic.

Individuals must have a minimum income of US$3,000 if they travel alone and US$4,000 if they travel with their families, the rules specify. As these regulations are approved, said the President, other institutions and procedures will also have to be modernized so that bureaucratic processes do not scare away workers.

Officials stressed that Costa Rica represents an ideal destination for digital nomads because it has a relatively lower cost of living than many developed countries that also open their doors for these employees and has a fiber optic network system, high air connectivity and a convenient time zone.

According to the Costa Rican presidency, the 32 Tourism Development Centers in the country have conditions to receive and serve digital nomads who can establish their “remote office” on the beaches, mountains, volcanoes and a variety of ecosystems.

“The world has changed and now it is known that 27% -30% of high value-added international workers can work from home or from anywhere in the world,” the president said. Data indicate that these people, the “Digital Nomads”, leave about 15 million Costa Rican colones (US$21,793.92) to the Costa Rican economy per semester.

For Chaves, this legislation opens the door for more construction, more work centers, more collaborative buildings and other economic activities that will be reactivated with these employees.

Requirements to be considered a Digital Nomad:

• US$3,000 per month income for one person, and US$4,000 per month for the family group.
• Medical insurance. The policy must cover the beneficiary and the family group during the entire stay.
• Telecommuting. Must be self-employed, or work for a company established outside of Costa Rica.
• No paid work or professional services within Costa Rican national territory.
• Driver’s license. The driver’s license issued in the beneficiary’s country of origin that is in force will be applicable for the purpose of driving in Costa Rica.
• Bank accounts. The digital nomad may open a savings account in the national banking system.
• Pay the corresponding application fees.

This new law obliges the Costa Rican General Directorate of Migration and Aliens to establish a digital platform to apply for the visa category as a digital nomad, in order to facilitate the process 100% online. “It will be fast. I expect about 22 days”, said the president.

L’article Costa Rica green lights visa for Digital Nomads est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

1. Emergency landing

Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport was closed after the accident involving the Boeing 757-200 cargo aircraft, which saw the pilot and co-pilot evacuated unharmed after an emergency landing. DHL, which is owned by Deutsche Post AG, said that “one crew member was undergoing medical checks as a precaution.”

According to aviation24, the plane took off from San Jose towards northern Guatemala, but the pilots decided to return to Juan Santamaria airport. A few meters after landing, the aircraft broke apart.

2. Crisis management

Héctor Chaves, director of the Costa Rica Fire Department, said that after landing the aircraft sideslipped, turned 180 degrees and cracked in two.

Units mobilised to remove the pilot and co-pilot. Then they applied foam to prevent a spill and now they are working on an earthen dike to avoid any fuel from reaching the drainage system.

Héctor Chaves, director of the Costa Rica Fire Department

Communications between the pilots and the control tower report that the plane suffered a hydraulic problem, causing the destruction of a part of it.

After the incident, the airport remained closed, affecting 32 flights. According to the airport operator Aeris, the company’s subsidiary, the crash impacted 57 commercial and cargo flights to and from the United States, Central America, Mexico, Canada and Europe, and an additional 8,500 passengers.

DHL’s incident response team has been activated and an investigation will be conducted with the relevant authorities to determine what happened.

DLH told Air Cargo News

L’article DHL plane breaks into pieces in Costa Rica est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Up until 1991, San Lucas housed one of the most-feared jails in all of Latin-America. People who were sentenced to sit out there jail time on the now idyllic island, were almost certain to die a painful death. Prisoners were starved and tortured, something that is still reflected in the blood-stained walls of the former jail. From 1873 until 1991, it was quite literally Hell on Earth. 

1. Thirtieth national park

Since its closure, nature took back the island of San Lucas. The prison itself has become somewhat of a ruin, a silent witness of the past. All kinds of animals, ranging from turkeys to howler monkeys and barracudas have now taken over the territory making the island a stunning piece of nature. That fact did not remain unnoticed by the Costa Rican officials and that is why they decided to turn it into the country’s thirtieth national park. “San Lucas Island is part of Costa Rica’s history and heritage, so we are very pleased to reopen it as the country’s 30th national park. It will greatly surprise visitors looking for quieter spots when on holiday”, as Gustavo Segura Sancho, Costa Rica’s tourism minister, told Lonely Planet.

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2. Nature, culture and history

Although San Lucas is quite small (4,6 square kilometers to be exact), the new park has a lot to offer. Aside from the thriving nature on land, tourists can also explore the surrounding waters, as they are also part of the national park. For those who prefer culture and history over nature: no worries, you will get what you came for. Guides are present on the island and will be able to give you a tour of the former jail, including all its bloody history and details that will make you shiver. But there is more, always more! Indeed, San Lucas is also home to eight archeological sites which will give you a look inside the history of the people living here between 1000 and 1500 AD. 

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Публикация от Trips Review CR (@tripsreviewcr)

Did we make you curious about San Lucas? If you want to visit the island, you can take a 40-minute boat ride departing from Puntarenas on the main land. 

L’article What once was the most-feared Costa Rican jail island is now a national park est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.