www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Welcome to the #1 Source for Information on Costa Rica
It is currently Thu Jul 17, 2025 6:40 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: SEMANA SANTA
PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:43 pm 
I can do CR without a wingman!
User avatar

Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:24 pm
Posts: 216
FROM A.M. COSTA RICA
Nation grinds to halt
for Semana Santa


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


Working hours will be normal through Wednesday this week, even though Tuesday normally would be a national holiday, Juan Santamaría day.

The government has moved the Tuesday holiday to Monday, April 17 so that the Semana Santa break is a long one. Many government offices, such as the courts and the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, closed their doors Friday and will not reopen them until Tuesday, April 18.

National banks and Scotia Bank plan to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Other private banks will work part of Thursday, too, until 3 p.m.

Fuerza Pública officers will make the rounds Wednesday night to make sure that alcohol outlets are closed or alcohol sections are off limits and covered. Even though the biblical Last Supper featured wine on a Thursday night, sale of such liquid is prohibited here. Most bars in San José are closing. Many bars at beach areas will find a way to serve drinks even if they have to give tourists paper cups. Police usually look the other way.

Supermarkets have to close off their alcohol area, but most will be in business selling foodstuffs. The alcohol ban lasts until Saturday morning. Look for shortened hours Saturday.

Thursday and Friday are legal holidays, but the San Pedro Mall and Multiplaza will be open. In fact, Multiplaza will be open Easter. Multiplaza del Este will be closed Thursday and Friday except for the movies. Most other businesses not involved in tourism will close Thursday and Friday.

The Dirección General de Migración, the immigration department in La Uruca, will be open just Monday and Tuesday. However, immigration agents at border crossings will be working extra to accommodate the crowds of Semana Santa travelers. The department said it plans to have 11 windows open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Peñas Blancas alone.

A.M. Costa Rica will be published Monday through Thursday. Good Friday is one of the three weekdays each year when the newspaper is not published.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:14 pm 
Thank you fellow board members for the heads up. That is one additional reason months ago I booked my trip to start on Tuesday the 18th. I should say a thank you to all these last minute tax returns I'm doing this week. I will put the funds to good use at ZB, Idem, SL and maybe HDR.


Top
  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:30 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2003 9:49 pm
Posts: 1261
Location: Sabana Oeste, Costa Rica
Traffic was a little lighter going into San Jose this morning. Not as many buses and taxis. Came back to Sabana around 7:00PM and made it in 15 min. from Bario Escalante area. This would normally take 30 min. at that time.
Tomorrow, tuesday should be about the same but I expect a real drop off on Wed. Thurs and Fri will most likley be completly dead.
While at the Radison Casino Europa today, I was told they will be closed both Thurs. and Friday. Mentioned that to the people at the Paradisio and they told me that they will be open. Don't know about Colonial, Del Rey or Horseshoe.
LVSteve

_________________
Just an old horney, fat gambler.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:51 am 
Really kind of sucks for the Ticos.... living in a country that is a tourist destination for Americans... most of the hotels are priced for outsiders, not insiders.


Top
  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:45 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:24 pm
Posts: 11358
Location: Sabana Oeste , Costa Rica
Just took a little ride through Escazu and then down the pista to San Jose.

The whole area is dead. Most stores and restaurants shut down. Multi Plaza was open but the parking lots were empty so I guess there were very few shoppers.

There was no traffic into San Jose. Did see a few buses and taxis but they were mostly empty. Almost nothing open in town and very people on the streets.

Definitely not a good time to be a visitor here unless you have a novia.

_________________
:D Pura Vida :D
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine
Image


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:47 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2003 11:23 pm
Posts: 10212
Location: Esportsmen's Lodge
Or somebody else's novia. :twisted:

_________________
Image
Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:44 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 29, 2004 10:22 am
Posts: 1358
or your palm as the loser tour discovered near New Years


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 6:47 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2003 9:49 pm
Posts: 1261
Location: Sabana Oeste, Costa Rica
Just came back from town.
Got there at 9:30 and my favorite casino had a sign that they wouldn't open till 11:00 so I walked up the hill and through the park to the gultch.
Marazan Hotel was open but the casino was dark. The bar area's liquor supply was shrouded in black plastic.
Next stop, the Shoe which was also closed.
Walked into the del rey and played a little tute till it was almost 11:00 then walked back on deserted streets to the Paradisio.
BTW, the people at the Del Rey told me that the colonial was closed. So if you're into casinos, the only two places in town are the Paradisio and the Del Rey.
LVSteve
PS: Driving home was a pleasure - not one light where I had to stop. Made it in like 8 min.

_________________
Just an old horney, fat gambler.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:20 pm 
No one on the webcam at the HDR! I mean no one at all. That is a weird sight.


Top
  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:07 am 
Masters Degree in Mongering!
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 2:16 am
Posts: 987
Location: Atlanta
As of this morning, Saturday, happy days are here again.

The Blue Marlin is open according the their webcam and it is business almost as usual.


Happy Days are here again...... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

_________________
PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:11 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:24 pm
Posts: 11358
Location: Sabana Oeste , Costa Rica
Was in the gulch for a couple of hours around 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Found it to be a mixed bag. BM was open with maybe 25 to 30 chicas hanging around. Horseshoe and Colonial were open. NY Bar, Dos Gringos and Costa Del Sol were all closed. NY Bar had a sign on the door they were reopening at 6:30 PM.

Monday is also a national holiday so it will be Tuesday before everything returns to normal.

_________________
:D Pura Vida :D
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine
Image


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 



All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:



Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group