The Tico Times Online

YELLOW SUBMARINE: The first of its kind in Costa Rica, former U.S. Navy officer Edward Brown's three-person submarine will offer adventure seekers a rare glimpse of the exciting world 30 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste.
See today's TT print edition for story.
TT Photo / Benjamin Witte

Delta to Bring Direct Flights to Liberia
Direct flights from the United States to the Guanacaste city of Liberia are on their way as of Dec. 1, when Delta Air Lines will offer a new flight between Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta and Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste. Delta will be the first major U.S. carrier to offer permanent regular service to Liberia.
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Experts: Most of the Country in Dire Need of Urban Planning Laws
Urban development disasters such as hazardous chemical plants being built in the middle of residential areas and housing communities built in at-risk flood or mudslide areas will continue as long 51 of the country's 81 cantons continue to lack land-use and urban-planning laws, reported the daily Al Día.
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Central American Leaders will Travel to Germany to Seek More Trade and Investment
Key Central American leaders, including Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco, will join manufacturers and business owners from across the region in traveling to Germany from Oct. 14 to 19 to discuss trade and foreign investment, reported the daily La República.
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Tourism Fails To Meet Yearly Profit Expectations
Despite the quick recovery of the country's tourism sector after Sept. 11, current estimates by the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH) predict a slight drop in the number of tourists that will visit the country in 2002, compared to 2001. Experts believe newer, stricter visa regulations imposed on Colombian visitors to be the reason for the drop, reported the daily La República.
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Renowned Dancer to Perform at Cultural Center
David Capps, director of the Colorado-Boulder University of Colorado, is performing with Lauren Beale and Danza Abend, at 7:30 p.m., Eugene O'Neill Theater, C.R.-North American Cultural Center, Barrio Dent. Info: 207-7574.

Free Visitor Information
Costa Rican and foreign residents will answer questions on issues such as visitor assistance for road service, legal, travel, medical (including Tri-Care-eligible U.S. Military Retirees and Veterans), dental and secretarial assistance; 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at King's Garden Restaurant, in Yaohan Shopping Center, 2nd Floor, across from Corobicí Hotel, north east of Sabana Park. Info: 440-2051.
Exus in Concert
Costa Rican guitar duo presents flamenco, jazz, original music, 5:30 p.m., Villa Caletas amphitheater, Puntarenas. Info: 637-0505.

Delta to Bring Direct Flights to Liberia

Direct flights from the United States to the Guanacaste city of Liberia are on their way as of Dec. 1, when Delta Air Lines will offer a new flight between Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta and Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste. Delta will be the first major U.S. carrier to offer permanent regular service to Liberia.

Passengers can board the approximately three-hour flight on Wednesday, Saturdays and Sundays via a Boeing 737-800. Delta decided to add the flight in response to increased tourist demand in the northern province of Guanacaste, where tourism is one of the principal sources of revenue.

According to Leopoldo Hernández, Delta Costa Rica sales manager, "The flight will have a positive impact on the development of Guanacaste and the increase in tourism will boost the economy."

Delta is also offering additional flights to other Latin American and Caribbean destinations such as Aruba, Nassau and San Martín as part of a new expansion plan for Latin America. Delta currently operates one daily direct flight from its hub in Atlanta to San José´s Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Experts: Most of the Country in Dire Need of Urban Planning Laws

Urban development disasters such as hazardous chemical plants being built in the middle of residential areas and housing communities built in at-risk flood or mudslide areas will continue as long 51 of the country's 81 cantons continue to lack land-use and urban-planning laws, reported the daily Al Día.

Of the 30 cantons that do have development regulations, only 10 have laws that have been written or revised during the last three to five years. Most of the other cantons' laws have been valid for more than 10 years, and in some cases up to 30. These laws fail to take into account many of the changes that have occurred in Costa Rica during the last few years.

Housing Minister Helio Fallas, General Director of Urban Development Francisco Mora and several representatives of the Local Governments Union all agreed on the importance of creating new national and local development laws. They admitted that there's been a lack of coordination between the Housing and Urban Development Institute (INVU), municipalities and the Housing Ministry.

Several municipalities are already working on creating and implement updated development plans. However, this process is often long and expensive.

"The country urgently needs a plan to finance urban-planning studies in municipalities that have yet to create regulations," Fallas explained.

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Central American Leaders will Travel to Germany to Seek More Trade and Investment

Key Central American leaders, including Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco, will join manufacturers and business owners from across the region in traveling to Germany from Oct. 14 to 19 to discuss trade and foreign investment, reported the daily La República.

The visit will include a two-day round-table discussion on Oct. 16 and 17 between business leaders from Central America and Germany. The representatives will discuss ways to increase investment and attract more foreign companies to region.

The trip will coincide with Germany's Central America Day Celebration on Oct. 15 - an activity organized by the German government and the German Private Economic Association for Latin America.