Franklin Chang, now a Costarican hero, was inducted to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame for his work over the years in NASA; Chang became the first Latin-American member in the HOF and put a huge mark in the Costa Rica history.
"Franklin Chang is the first Latin American to travel into space. After school, he left Costa Rica and traveled to America, he could not speak English and learned here, "noted George Pinky Nelson, an astronaut member of the Hall of Fame who was in charge of welcoming Chang.
"In 1980, he became an astronaut, and that's incredible to get to a child in Costa Rica. Its first flight was 61C. Over 12 years, Franklin flew 7 times, seemed more comfortable astronaut, seemed to fit up there, "continued Nelson.
Robert Cabana, director of Kennedy Space Center, said that because of its history, Chang is a true inspiration for any child.
During his 25 years in the astronaut program, Chang Díaz became one of only two astronauts to fly on seven space shuttle missions and has logged more than 1,601 hours in space. Chang Díaz's missions aboard the space shuttle include STS-61-C, STS-34, STS-46,STS-60, STS-75, STS-91, and STS-111.
"I did not prepare a speech for today, but, from the heart, this honor means a lot to me because it's given by my heroes," Chang said.
"I am the product of two cultures," he said. "Today, there are children who want to continue seeing their dreams," he commented, while adding "no one come to nothing without the help of someone else."
Costa Rica received 2,195,960 international tourists in 2011, a 4,6% increase compared to the same period in 2010. The increase represents 96,131 more tourists, according to data from the Costarican Inmigration Service (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, DGME), which was analyzed by the Costarican Tourism Office (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, ICT).
Almost 70% of international arrivals were made using the airports. The total number of passengers entering were 1,196,257 through the Juan Santamaría International Airport, and 264,165 using the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia.
According to ICT, the main tourist providers are North America (United States and Canada), Europe and South America. The South American market had the biggest growth, with an 8,2% increase over 2010.
Allan Flores, Tourism Secretary, said that the touristic sector must face the challenges with innovation, and impulse new market niches like rural community tourism, medical tourism and cultural tourism. “We are deeply committed with the attraction of airlines to our country, the positioning of the country in international tourism fairs and the promotion of our assets in our main markets”, said Flores.
Costa Rica has 2,476 hotels with 44.307 available rooms, 54% of them sitting in categories of 1 to 5 stars. By region, Guanacaste has 481 hotels, San Jose has 384 and the southern Pacific has 410 hotels.
Among foreign tourists, the Costarican beaches like Jacó, Puntarenas, Manuel Antonio, Coco, Tamarindo and Flamingo are the most popular attraction. They are followed by adventure activities like surfing, white rafting, snorkeling, rappel, horse back riding and others. More that half of the foreign visitors go to a National Park or protected area.
Every year, more tourists come to the country looking for medical services like cardiological, odontology, orthopedic, and esthetic treatments. A foreign tourist averages a 10-day stay in Costa Rica.
Bill Clinton will come to Costa Rica to discuss sustainability and happiness
The ex U.S. president, Bill Clinton will visit Costa Rica next month to attend the Second Forum on Sustainability and Happiness. There are several costa rica group tours bringing people from all over the world to see Clinton conference.
The meeting's objective is to create a space for dialogue for the whole world to take a commitment to sustainable development, said Javier del Campo, activity organizer and director of Terra Partners.
Clinton was United States’ president from 1993 to 2001. Previously he was governor of Arkansas between 1979 and 1981, and 1983 and 1992. After leaving the White House created the William J. Clinton, who is currently working on initiatives such as the fight against AIDS.
And, with the Clinton Climate Initiative seeks sustainable economic growth in Africa and Latin America.
The forum also will present Marina Silva, who served as environment minister of Brazil in the government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and president of the Center for Bhutan Studies, Dasho Karma Ura, whose country sponsors the happiness index measurement.
The measurement of this index, said Campos, looks to see development as something that goes beyond mere economic growth and productivity. Use a travel guide to costa rica if you don’t know the country but plan to be in this event.
The main issues to be addressed at this forum will be low-emission economies, sustainable development, sustainable tourism, sustainable agriculture and energy.
The cost per person to attend the two day forum is $ 750. More information about the event at www.forosostenibilidadcostarica.com.
The alajuelense (from the province of Alajuela) Nazareth Cascante was crowned Miss Costa Rica 2012. The event was last Friday and was one of the most attractive activities in costa rica.
Nazareth height of 1.73 meters dazzled the three judges in the evening gown and personality and beat his closest rivals Cristina Lizano and Yvonne bristles.
The new Miss Costa Rica already has a full schedule of activities, also has chosen the causes she wants to support in his reign, as it identifies a lot with people with the genetic disease known as "butterfly skin," according to the organization official website.
"I am extremely excited to be representative of Costa Rica, I will work hard for my country," said Cascante after receiving the crown of ex miss Costa Rica, Johanna Solano.
The 21 year old was placed as a favorite of the jury from the first test of a bathing suit and distinguished from others in the round of questions. The other nine finalists gave their best, but Cascante was too much to handle.
“It is interesting because it's so great and I feel I still have not assimilated. That will come throughout the year with activities and contact with people”.
“Since I decided to register and prepare for Miss Costa Rica I was a winner. We were 75 girls that did the casting ... Now that's a lot of profit for our lives and a great learning experience for all. I always had a positive attitude and a winning mentality”, said Cascante.
There were several Costa Rica group tours that was there watching the live event. The Miss Costa Rica pageant is the most followed beauty event in the Country.
“I learned many things and have been growing. Above all, I have learned that rather than being a beautiful woman you must have the humility and nobility to have contact with people”, Cascante ended.
Picture courtesy of teletica.com
Costa Rica’s Surfers Know Their Rivals in the Junior World Championship
The International Surfing Association (ISA) released today the keys of the first series to be run in the Junior World Championship that starts tomorrow in the waves of Playa Venao in Pedasi, Panama. The rivals for the talents who surf in Costa Rica are from the United States, Uruguay, Portugal and Peru in the three divisions of the event.
The first two Costa Ricans to enter are the Sub 18 and Sub 16, Bruno Carvalho and Manuel Mesen, which run on the series number 14 in their respective divisions. Both surfers will go against the United States and Uruguay. Carvalho itself will also have a local from Panama in his heat.
Because they ended in the 12th spot in the last world championship, in Peru, the start of this event gives Costa Rica a lower degree of difficulty than in Lima, because now Ticos are rank in front as one of the top teams.
Most of these surfers practice in the most beautiful beaches, and they travel around the country doing some costa rica adventure tours.
On Sunday will compete only men categories, women probably will go into the water on Monday the, therefore. Eight of the 12 Ticos surfers in Panama will be in an International competition first time in this Dakine ISA World Junior Surfing Championship by Billabong; competition the best sub 18 of the planet participates.
The Costa Rica weather allows these young surfers to practice almost every day of the year.
"I would rather be in all the heats, in the morning, but all the selections begin here in Panama under the same conditions. Moreover, each of us are prepared, in addition, we have the support of several parents who assist us at all times ", said Geancarlo Loria, Coach of the national team.
The competition starts on Sunday at 8:00 am local time (7:00, Costa Rica). Tomorrow will be run a total of 24 heats of the men's categories Under 18 and Under 16 simultaneously.
News
Franklin Chang, now a Costarican hero, 
Costa Rica received 2,195,960 international tourists in 2011, a 4,6% increase compared to the same period in 2010. The increase represents 96,131 more tourists, according to data from the Costarican Inmigration Service (Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, DGME), which was analyzed by the Costarican Tourism Office (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, ICT).
The ex U.S. president, Bill Clinton will visit Costa Rica next month to attend the Second Forum on Sustainability and Happiness. There are several costa rica group tours bringing people from all over the world to see Clinton conference.
The alajuelense (from the province of Alajuela) Nazareth Cascante was crowned Miss Costa Rica 2012. The event was last Friday and was one of the most attractive activities in costa rica.
The International Surfing Association (ISA) released today the keys of the first series to be run in the Junior World Championship that starts tomorrow in the waves of Playa Venao in Pedasi, Panama. The rivals for the talents who 
