Instances to Avoid the VAT in Costa Rica

Taxation has defined a procedure to exonerate the value added tax for domestic travelers and those foreigners attending a fair, congress or trade or professional exhibition in Costa Rica.

The new resolution was released on June 4. It details how the VAT would be returned to Costa Ricans using cross-border services, like Airbnb and Netflix, abroad as well as how those attending congresses will be exempt from the charge.

To request a refund, a Costa Rican must use the D402 form and submit the invoice or proof of payment along with a certificate from the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration demonstrating departure and return dates of travel as well as a copy of the passport.

Those attending exhibitions of a commercial or professional nature will have to show an exemption note provided by the organizers of the event when paying for tickets, meals, and hotels related to the event.

Costa Rican Bill To Punish Hate Crimes Dies

The project against hate crimes has essentially died. It seems strange at first that anyone would be against punishing hate crimes but the actual issue behind this is that the text of the project is criticized as being too broad and affecting the freedom of expression.

The text would punish with jail time anyone who disagrees with a resolution of a judge on the existence of a genocide and those who promote hatred against groups including those defined by political opinion.

The bill would also punish people who are part of discriminatory organizations, even if they do not carry out any violent action. Here is where it seems that they would be punished for their beliefs. Should people be punished for believing something hateful or only if they act on those beliefs with hate crimes?

31 deputies are against the text so it is impossible to advance unless the text is changed significantly. Likely, either th

Catholic Church Spent $10 Million on Lobbyists to Stymie Priest Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Deanna Jaxine Stinson – Past Life in Japan

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas to Enter Costa Rica

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas will bring its signature luxury wellness footprint to Costa Rica, after entering an agreement with California-based developer, The Canyon Group. It will be the brand’s first project in Central America.

Six Senses Papagayo will be a secluded eco-conscious getaway located on the 2,300-acre Papagayo Peninsula, home to 15 miles of pristine coastline and untouched land (70% of the land mass is protected).

Expected to open in mid-2021, the resort will stretch from the highest point and 360-degree panorama of the Guanacaste archipelago to a forested beachfront, dotted with 41 secluded and generously sized pool villas. There will also be 31 residences available.

Other highlights include Six Senses’ wellness programming at the spa and fitness center; and an organic farm located in the heart of the property including fruit, vegetable and herb gardens, inspiring the chef’s menus and signature spa treatments.

Six Senses Papagayo is located 40 minutes from Liberia International Airport, which offers daily flights to and from just about every major metropolitan hub in the U.S., as well as Canada and Latin American countries.

Six Senses will also open properties this year on the private island of Krabey in Cambodia, a circuit of five lodges in Bhutan, and a 14th-century-old restored fort in Rajasthan. Additional projects are currently under way in Austria, Brazil, mainland China, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan and Thailand. After purchasing Six Senses in February, InterContinental Hotels Group said it plans to grow its portfolio to more than 60 properties globally over the next 10 years.

by Jessica Montevago, Travel Market Report

Would You Eat Insects in Costa Rica?

A study has been initiated by the National Center for Food Science and Technology that will serve as a foundation for promoting the production and consumption of food made from insects in Costa Rica.

There is a definite aversion among the population to eating whole insects. Not many would eat a whole cricket, for example, so other presentations such as flours and cookies are being evaluated.

Mexico is the country where the custom of eating insects is most consolidated. There, the general population consumes 550 species.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations states that insects can contribute to food security in the world since the population is ever growing and there are 1,900 species of edible insects.

Entrepreneurs interested in insect based products can get in touch with the project through the email insects.cita@ucr.acr.cr or the website www.cita.ucr.ac.cr/insectos.

Costa Rican Fighter Ariel Sexton

It was February 22 when Ariel Sexton heard the best silence of his life. He had defeated Amir Khan before 15,000 people in Singapore. The crowd was left stunned and silent. Sexton heard his victory in the silence of the opponent’s fans.

It was the most satisfying fight of his career in mixed martial arts. It was at the One Championship tournament, the largest in all of Asia. His opponent is a local superstar and knockout artist.

Sexton planned his fight against Kahn perfectly. He wore him out in the first rounds and then launched into attack mode. The victory was given at a minute and 13 seconds in the third round.

The road that led him to this victory was anything but easy. He grew up in a dangerous part of Canada. After being stabbed seven times, his mother convinced him to move to Costa Rica, where she is from. The anger was destroying him so he immersed himself in martial arts. He trains eight hours a day. Martial arts helps him stay calm and stabilize emotions.