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World Surf Olympics Coming to Hermosa / Jaco
COSTA RICA-- José Ureña, President of the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica (FSC), has confirmed that the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games (WSG), sponsored by Billabong, will take place July 31-August 9, 2009 in Playa Hermosa near Jacó in Costa Rica. Ureña hopes to welcome an international surfing contingent of 40 countries to the competition when the first horn blows.
The attainment of the Billabong ISA 2009 WSG for Costa Rica has become the pinnacle of organizational management for the FSC, and was years of board of directors work led by President Ureña, who put Costa Rica in the running and attended the meetings in a number of countries to make the final result a reality.
Costa Rica was favored among Brazil and South Africa, as well other hopeful nations that distinguished themselves with high quality world class surf. The reason for the ISA concession to Costa Rica for 2009, Ureña said, is that the FSC has shown a dedication in its years since its 2003 inception by attending all the worldwide commitments with a full National Costa Rican Surf Team and staff.
In addition, the geographic location of Costa Rica makes it an easy-to-reach destination for many delegations of the Americas to attend an international championship for the very first time -- a desire of the ISA for sometime now.
It also helped that Costa Rica is one of the most popular surf destinations in the world. The ISA scheduled the date of the Billabong 2009 World Surfing Games in Playa Hermosa one week after the completion of next year's ASP U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, California, a tournament attended by hundreds of the top surfers in the world.
This way, the competitors can finish at the U.S. Open and then travel to Costa Rica
"It is the best thing that can happen to a country concerning surf for Costa Rica to obtain the World Surfing Games," affirmed Ureña. "And for 80 million people around the world to see the competition on the internet, what could be better for tourist promotion? It will be useful to promote the country during the championship, get the very important message out that Costa Rica offers one of the 10 best surf destinations on the globe."
At present, Costa Rica's surf tourism represents a 20 percent annual income for the country. According to data generated by the Costa Rica Institute of Tourism (ICT), almost 200,000 surfers from other countries visited in 2007.
For this new sponsorship between the ISA and Billabong, the internet broadcast will be transmitted live on the internet in four languages to 80 million people during the eight days of the World Surfing Games.
Billabong, for its part, has confirmed the communication and promotion at the global level as it does with its two annual events in Hawaii and Tahiti for the dates of the World Championship Tour (WCT).
Playa Hermosa, in front of Hotel Terrazas del Pacífico, is the point where the World Surfing Games will be carried out and the broadcast will take place. Between the estimated 40 countries, their athletes and staffs, the ISA staff, the Federacion of Surf, and other personnel necessary to carry out the Billabong ISA 2009 WSG, the considered 500 people -- aside from the thousands of national and foreign visitors who will attend the event -- will open the hotel, restaurant, tourism potential and provide Jacó with more than $1 million in commerce.
The ceremony confirming Costa Rica as the tournament country for the 2009 ISA World Surfing Games will take place when the Costa Rica National Surf Team attends 2008 ISA World Surfing Games this October 11 through 19 in Costa de Caparica, Portugal.
At 2006 WSG, the Ticos were for the first time in the international Top 10, when they reached No. 8, besides their magnificent fourth place action in the Nation's Cup Tag Team event.
As to the kickoff event in 2009, the inauguration would be composed of the traditional Parade of Nations through the main Jacó avenue to arrive at the ceremonial "Sands of the World," the act where all the countries contribute their respective beach sands into one vat, followed by the protocol of announcements and political personalities.
The final days celebration in Jacó will close the avenue with celebrations with the new champions of the world, complete with live bands, DJs, and games that will reach out onto Jacó Beach as well.
Leading up to and during the Billabong 2009 ISA World Surfing Games, the Municipality of Jacó, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Asociación Procultura y Desarrollo de Jacó, will launch its promotional campaign called "Jacó Land of Adventures and City of the Surf."
This will be a radical change forward in an effort to draw strong investments as much as to reinforce the security and other important supports for the well-being of the national and international tourists.
One of its main goals will be the creation of an attractive boulevard for pedestrians and cyclists which will extend end-to-end of Jacó Beach and the official inauguration of the Municipal Park located on the main street of Jacó.
The government of Jacó declared that the Billabong 2009 ISA World Surfing Games will be an international opportunity to promote "Jacó Land of Adventures and City of the Surf" in Costa Rica, as well as abroad, thanks to the important influence of the press from the 40 countries that will be in Costa Rica during the week of July and August of the next year.
Municipal Police Are Now Working 24 Hours in Jacó
(Tico Times) During the last years there has been growth of both the commercial and urban sectors in the canton of Garabito. The Municipality of Garabito has taken on the task of taking stronger measures to improve security and safety services for citizens.Thus was born the Community Safety Program Municipal Garabito, a very ambitious project promoted by the Mayor, Marvin Elizondo Cordero, in his current government. Under the direction of Lic. Juan Gabriel Hidalgo Hernandez; Commissioner Director of the Municipal Police Garabito, this project has been assigned an official body of 24 people, an administrative staff, and two vehicles equipped to carry out that work. The Municipal Police is a department that helps to maintain public order in Canton Garabito. Likewise its primary objective is to ensure a better quality of life for the community through effective procedures for cooperation, monitoring and security. They are equally pleased to have the support of different police forces that have given them their collaboration. That is why they are working 24 hours, serving the community, offering support for any complaint or collaboration.They are located next to the Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA), on Broad Street. Their telephone number is 2643-3375.
Central Pacific Attracting World Class Golf |
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Jaco Beach is not only the fastest growing beach town in Costa Rica, but it also attracts a variety of people. Voted Central America's Best Beach Town in 2007, Jaco offers something for everyone. With its natural beauty, proximity to San Jose, clean water, good infrastructure, variety of restaurants, number of tours, world famous (Los Suenos) marina, and so much more people are drawn to the area. Jaco is known as the hub of the Central Pacific is now going to be surrounded by three new world class golfing communities.
According to a World Golf Association study, golf in the US has become a $75 Billion industry and of that $18 Billion is from golf travel. The Central Pacific is in process of laying claim to its share of the US and world golf tourism dollars. Los Suenos Marina and Golf resort, home of the Los Suenos Marriott Hotel has long been the areas premier and only golf course with the average new condominium in Los Suenos priced at well over one million dollars. However, times are changing and times are changing fast. Cabo Caletas, Del Pacifico and Garabu are three up and coming golf course resort communities. Cabo Caletas, located in Esterillos about ten minutes south of Jaco, is currently under construction and is scheduled to be complete in mid 2010. Cabo Caletas will have a Marc Cucumbers designed golf course and includes residential home lots, condominiums, a retail center and five star hotel. Next, Del Pacifico is located in Bajuco, about five minutes south of Esterillos and in addition to its 18 hole Billy Casper golf course is planning restaurants, homes, condos, retail space and a five star hotel. The third golfing community, located to the north between Jaco and Herradura is a 988 acre project called Garabu. Garabu is in the planning stages and will encompass two five star hotels, a business center, an amphitheater and seven condominium towers in addition to its golf course that is rumored to one of the best in Costa Rica.
| Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Progress Meeting which was open to the public and the topic was The New and Improved Jaco! Great strides have been made which include paving roads many of the roads in Garabito (Jaco, Hermosa, Herradura), assisting children purchase school uniforms and supplies, cleaning up the beach and the town, improving security with the formation of the Municipal Police Force. The surveying for the new Jaco Boardwalk is presently under way. The board walk will run the length of the beach and includes paving a pedistrian path along the beach and adding bridges over the rivers. A $50,000 study is being conducted to improve the drinking water treatment plant and add a municipal sewer treatment plant. The meeting was held at the municipal building and was standing room only. Many area citizens attended and voiced thier opinions about how much the town has changed for the positive and the many improvements that have been made in short a short period of time. We look foward to a prosperous and positive 2008! Oceanside Realty is a proud Charter Member of the Chamber. Due to its proximity to San Jose and the International Airport, titled beachfront property, the great food and variety of restaurants, abundance of tourist activities, awesome surf, safety, grocery stores and shopping, good infrastructure and friendly culture, Jaco Beach and the surrounding beaches of Jaco, Herradura and Hermosa have become the most sought after real estate in all of Costa Rica!
New Five Star Hotel Announced For Jaco Beach. The Wyndham Hotel Chain has announced that it is building a Wyndham Resort and Residences on Jaco Beach. The Five Star Resort with feature many amenities including a rooftop sky bar and restaurant, beach front restaurant, state of the art health and fitness center and upscale condominiums. Ground breaking is scheduled in March of 2008 and completion in 2010. The Wyndham is joining a five star St. Regis Hotel, the four star, Los Suenos Marriot hotel, marina and golf course, a Ramada Hotel and Residences and Sonesta Resorts as major named "flag" hotel and resorts in the area. Cabo Caletas, a new golf course community in the region is also expected to announce its branded four or five star hotel in the near future. Rumors abound, but have not been confirmed that the Four Season's Hotel Chain has purchased a large property parcel in the area and is planning an upscale Four Season's Hotel, Tiger Woods golf course and marina. Stay tuned for more exciting hotel, condominium and resort residences in and around Jaco Beach and the Central Pacific.
Bridge construction between Jaco and Quepos to be completed in 2009. Caldera Highway is now fully funded and construction is underway. The highway will cut approximately 45 minutes off the drive between the Juan Santa Maria Airport in San Jose and The Central Pacific Coast has a completion date in 2010.
Costa Rica appears to have voted for joining the free trade agreement (CAFTA / TLC) with the United States in a countrywide referendum. The vote appears to have been close and opposition to CAFTA will demand a recount. Costa Rica's President Arias was "for" the agreement.
Costa Rica has had its wettest rainy season in several years, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the beach. The new beach- grooming equipment is making a huge impact on the quality of the beach as it sifts the debris and rocks out and returns a fine, sandbox-like sand back onto the beach. Locals and tourists no longer have to wait until the dry season to enjoy running, walking and sun-bathing on the beach!
Oscar Arias, The President of Costa Rica was in Jaco Beach Costa Rica to greet developers and the Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce and to meet with the citizens of Jaco Beach to promote the Central American Free Trade Agreement. We appreciate Mr. Arias' presence in the most rapidly growing region of Costa Rica.
Another celebrity citing in Costa Rica. Sally Field was a recent visitor with many of her family members. Salley enjoyed relaxing at the hotel while many of the members of her party enjoyed the surf that Costa Rica is known for. Another example of how Costa Rica can offer something for everyone. Salley was pampered at the hotel while other family members enjoyed roughing it in the surf.
The Earthquake in Peru triggered the tsunami warnings and watches along the entire Pacific Coast in Latin America. Although there was no tsunami, the warnings served as a drill for evacuations. Jaco shut down and evacuated along the beach as residents retreated to higher elevations (five hundred meters inland and beyond were recommended) and surrounding mountains for about an hour unit the warnings were cancelled. Evacuations were orderly and the public warning system performed quite well. It was the first such warning received in Costa Rica since the Asian tsunami. For those investors who purchased in Hermosa Hills, you can disregard this article as you investments are tsunami proof!
Foreign investment in Costa Rica continues to grow and Steve Case, of AOL fame, has announced that he along with tennis stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf will be investing 800 million dollars to develop a large resort in Costa Rica. The resort plans to have two botique hotels, residential homes, condos and a tennis training facility.
Senior Minister and President Arias' brother, Rodrigo Arias was in Jaco this weekend promoting TLC (the Central American Free Trade Agreement with The United States). Ken Schaafsma and Andrea Jimenez from Oceanside Realty, were honored to meet with Mr. Arias along with other Chamber members and discuss some of the issues and ask for his administrations support. We were impressed with Mr. Arias' accessibiliy and willingness to support our issues. He also agreed to lend his assistance with the formation of an airport in / around Jaco and continued improvement to infrastructure and security for tourists.
Road Construction. The roads in Costa Rica traditionally have a reputation for being in poor shape and full of pot holes. The roads in the Central Pacific Town of Jaco have faired much better than most of Costa Rica and thanks to Mayor Marvin, the town council and the Chamber of Commerce, Jaco is witnessing major road improvements. It was only about two years ago that even Jaco's popular Main Street had so many pot holes that cars would literally zig zag down the street in order to minimize the damage to the vehicle. About a year ago, most of Main Street was resurfaced and now the rest of it is getting new pavement. Also, the roads around the municipality, Calle Pastor Diaz down to Club Del Sol and all of the streets that run from Main Street to Jaco beach will soon receive new pavement. It was a promise the Mayor made during his election campaign and we thank him very much for fullfilling his promises! Together with donations from the CENPAC (Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce), many improvements are being carried out in and around Jaco!
Mel Gibson has been a frequent visitor to Costa Rica and it appears that he will continue to be. It has been reported that he recently purchased property in Costa Rica.
Beach Cleaning Equipment has arrived in Jaco. The grooming of Jaco Beach, Costa Rica has begun!
 Tourism up in Costa Rica. It is now official! Tourists visiting Costa Rica increased by 50,000 for the first half of 2007 and there are 28 new regularly arriving flights in Costa Rica vs 2006. We are also starting to see new flights from Europe including a non-stop flight from Great Britan.
Tourism up in Jaco. Unofficial reports from local businesses in the Jaco area have reported that tourism is up as of early January over the same time last year. Most of the higher end properties saw maximum occupancy over the holiday season as well as reports from some of the tours also saw big gains. We are anticipating this trend to continue as Jaco continues to transform into a major tourist destination.
Great news! Jaco receives 16 federally assigned tourist Police Officers. The new police division will use rotating police officers who are bi-lingual and are in Jaco to assist tourists and to deter crime. Tourist police officers are armed, have full arresting powers and work with the local police departments and transit police in patroling the streets of Jaco and conducting random vehicle searches. You can see some of the officers on foot and others on mountain bikes patroling main street. Jaco is expecting to receive more officers in the near future. Thank you President Arias for making the promotion of tourism a priority of your administration.
Celebrity sitings included Brad Pitt and Anjolina Jolie who spent time in Costa Rica over the holidays.
Rumors abound regarding the presence of USC coach and recent Rose Bowl winning coach Pete Carroll who is said to be vacationing at Los Suenos Resort located in Herradura in the Central Pacific. Pete Carroll made an appearance at the Jungle Bar in Jaco and also spent some time playing in the surf on a boogie board before cutting his trip short to attend to matters regarding the death of one of his football players.
More from the Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce...At the most recent meeting it was announced that the Chamber is committed to continuing the paving of main street past the Best Western Hotel and Aqua to the first Jaco entrance and at the opposite end by Macaws Ocean Club, Club Del Sol, Arenal Pacifico, Paloma Blanca and also past the municipality to the Costanera Highway. This is made possible through private donations made to the chamber. Further, the Chamber is working with the municipality to fund the new beach cleaning and grooming equipment which will soon be released from customs. We should see clean beaches in Jaco, Herradura and Hermosa very soon. Further exciting news includes the new Tourist Police Officers which are now patroling the streets of Jaco. Eight new Federal Tourist Police officers are bi-lingual and have been dispatched to Jaco to show the federal government's support of the tourism industry and it is a step in the right direction to proactively keep Jaco safe for tourists.
The new highway project did not get started in December, but is scheduled to start shortly after the Christmas holiday. The convenience the road will bring for those who travel between Jaco and San Jose is a welcome improvement and something that works well with the future growth that all of the construction and development is bringing.
We are hearing rumors that a major hospital in Costa Rica has been scouting out land in the Central Pacific. Presently, Jaco has a public health center and a private health facility, Herradura has a private health facility located at Los Suenos Resort, but the addition of a new hospital would be a huge addition to long term growth objectives for the area. There are numerous "Baby Boomers" from the US, Canada and Europe who are purchasing real estate and migrating to the area. A full service hospital would provide an added level of securtity to those needing treatment for major health issues, without having to travel to Puntarenus or San Jose.
Newsflash on the new highway between the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and the JuanSanta MariaNationalAirport in Alajuela (San Jose - SJO). The latest news is that highway construction will begin in December and is expected to be complete in approximately one year! This will cut the drive between Jaco, Hermosa and Herradura and the airport to approximately 40 - 45 minutes by eliminating the stretch of highway switchbacks that wind through the mountains between Orotina and Alajuela. The new road will be a toll road and is being built with private funds.
New Chamber of Commerce! The Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce has recently been formed by the business owners in the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The Chamber will take up several issues that pertains to assisting our local municipalities in planning for the growth that the increase in tourism and real estate boom is bringing to the area. Some short term goals include funding the maintenance for the new beach rake and beach cleaning equipment which will make our beaches the cleanest and most desireable beaches in Costa Rica and a new security plan so that we can continue to keep our tourists, visitors and residences feeling safe and secure. Pura Vida!
We are happy to announce that after several years accumulation of pot holes -- main street in downtown Jaco has been paved!
Did you know that there is a commercial project being planned for the center of Jaco that will house a major US Casino, a four star air-conditioned restaurant and a theatre with Broadway Shows? Yes, culture is coming to Jaco.
The real estate boom is active in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica! Everywhere you look major improvements are being made in the form of houses, condominiums, commercial buildings and hotels. Jaco is doing its part to reduce the hotel shortage that according to the ICS (Costa Rica Tourism Council) is equal to a shortage of 30,000 hotel rooms. The down side? As Jaco grows, we may actually have to make reservations for restaurants other than the Pacific Bistro. This is great news for all of Jaco's business, residents and tourists.
Other improvements in the works include a boardwalk along many parts of the beach -- not just in front of Jaco Beach Village! New concrete trash cans courtesy of Daystar Properties have also been added on the beach. Speaking of trash, a thanks to the groups such as "The Christian Surfers" for doing their part in keeping the beach clean! Rumor also has it that a beach rake is on order. This will help clean the beach and make Jaco's rich sand more comfortable to walk on without the rocks that gather around the rivers.
On the national scene, Costa Rica's new President Oscar Arias has added a new cabinet position to promote tourism. One of the first tasks is adding 500 new police officers to patrol tourist area such as Jaco and keep our tourists safe. In addition to the Tourism Police, Mr. Arias has also vowed to add many more police officers. Keeping tourist safe and protecting and growing tourism is a major part of the new administrations goals. Thank you President Arias!
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