OHMCR The Best Costa Rica Travel Guide

The skyrocketing fuel price that has practically the entire western world in a crisis has not overlooked the small country of Costa Rica.

The Costa Rican government and officials have been working around the clock in trying to figure out the best measures to adopt in order to reduce fuel consumption.  From restoring the Metro Train back in 2005 to cutting down vehicle transit, Costa Ricans have had to learn to adapt quickly to all the changes.

However, the government has been nice enough to carry part of the financial burden as well as make some changes of their own.

Locals have recently received the good news that the two busiest tolls will remain closed for the main part of the day thus reducing traffic jams and excessive fuel consumption.  The tolls that will remain closed are the General Canas toll and the Prospero Fernandez toll.

The General Canas Highway toll is located on the route from San Jose to Alajuela.  This is one of the most transited highways due to its access to the Juan Santamaria International Airport and mayor beaches in the North and Central Pacific.

The Prospero Fernandez Highway toll is located on the route from San Jose to Santa Ana.  This route is widely used due to its access to the Multiplaza Mall, Cima Hospital and business centers towards the western side of town.

The toll towards Alajuela will allow free access from 7am to 7pm Monday through Friday and from 10am to 1:30pm on Saturdays.  The toll towards Santa Ana will allow free access from 7am to 9:30pm Monday through Friday and from 11am to 1:30pm.

Other alternatives being studied by the government at the time is the tax reduction on diesel.  This alternative is still being debated by congress.

written by fernando \\ tags: General Canas Highway, Prospero Fernandez Highway

Through out the entire week, hundreds of Costa Ricans started off early on their pilgrimage to the Basilica in Cartago.  Home to Costa Rica’s patron saint, the Virgin of Los Angeles, the Basilica of Cartago is ready to receive its thousands of visitors by August 2nd.

Every year, thousands of faithful believers in the Virgin of Los Angeles walk hundreds of miles to pay a visit to the Virgin as a promise for granted favors and miracles.  This year, the local media has been following the journey of a group of people which left from the southernmost region of Costa Rica.

The group has been walking for almost 5 days now and has finally reached the most difficult part of their journey.  The Cerro de la Muerte, or Mountain of Death, is one of the routes highest peaks and receives its name by the hundreds of travelers who lost their lives during the colonial era.  The extreme low temperatures, icy rain and thick fog were the cause of deaths for those unfortunate travelers who couldn’t make it past the cold.

The group from Golfito and San Vito expects to reach Cartago on time by Saturday.  One of the pilgrims fervently prayed to the Virgin to please help his mother who had to undergo surgery for a tumor.  His mother’s operation was successful and he is keeping his promise to La Negrita as the Virgin is affectively called due to her dark complexion.

Another woman is carrying out a promise for her friend who was close to death due to a pulmonary infection.  A farmer from the remote southern lands is making the pilgrimage so that the Virgin will help him pass his math test from his home schooling program and opt for a high school degree.

Sussy McAllsiter, a Canadian who moved to Costa Rica with her husband decided to make the pilgrimage with her new neighbors in order to learn more about the tradition and customs of the Costa Rican Catholics.  She has mentioned that what impresses her is the sense of comradery and union among the people.

Starting Friday, the main streets in the central valley will be filled with thousands of pilgrims on their way to Cartago.  Extra caution and patience will be needed when getting from place to place.

written by fernando \\ tags: Basilica of Cartago, Cerro de la Muerte, Costa Rican Catholics, San Vito, Virgin of Los Angeles