4th of July 2014 Link (WAS 2010) - Where to Celebrate U.S. Independence Day • 4th of July in Costa Rica

For the 2014 list of where to celebrate U.S. Independence Day • 4th of July in Costa Rica 

click on the link below and share with all your friends looking to have a good time connecting with other American ExPats (and Ticos are welcome also!!)

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/05/4thOfJulyInCR2014.html

U.S. PASSPORTS - All Minor Applicants (Under Age 16) What Are You Applying For or Renewing? Application Fee Payment Instructions • Execution Fee Payment Instructions Use Form Minor Passport Book & Card $95 + $25 DS-11 Minor Passport Book $80 + $25 DS-11 Minor Passport Card $15 + $25 DS-11 All Minor applicants, including renewals, must apply in person at a Passport Agency, Acceptance Facility, U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please see Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16.ORT & EMBASSY SERVICES GOING UP (BIG TIME) Starting July 13, 2010 - Costa Rica

UPDATE INFO ON
RENEWING YOUR PASSPORT OR REPLACING A LOST OR STOLEN PASSPORT
IN COSTA RICA AT

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/02/renewing-your-us-passport-cr.html


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U.S. PASSPORT and EMBASSY SERVICES WENT UP (BIG TIME) - July 13, 2010

travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_837.html

Submitting incorrect passport fees could delay the processing of your application. Before submitting your application, read the information below carefully and entirely to ensure that your payment is correct.
Skip to:	Adult Passports	Minor Passports	Optional Services	Special Services	Payment Instructions

Adult Renewals ("Renewals" include Lost and Stolen Passports.  Age 16 Years and Older Good for 10 years) Lost or stolen passport requires Forms DS64 in addition to DS11 only if the lost passport is valid due to the second passport rule: What Are You Renewing? Renewal Fee Payment Instructions Use Form Adult Passport Book & Card $140 DS-82 Adult Passport Book $110 DS-82 Adult Passport Card If you currently hold a valid Passport Book or Card $30 DS-82 Adult renewal applicants in the U.S. may apply by Mail (recommended), or in person at a Passport Agency. Adult renewal applicants outside the U.S. must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ All Minor Applicants (Under Age 16 - ONLY good for 5 years) What Are You Applying For or Renewing? Application Fee Payment Instructions Execution Fee Payment Instructions Use Form Minor Passport Book & Card $95 + $25 DS-11 Minor Passport Book $80 + $25  =  $105 DS-11 Minor Passport Card $15 + $25 DS-11 All Minor applicants, including renewals, must apply in person at a Passport Agency, Acceptance Facility, U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please see Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Adult First Time Applicants  (Age 16 Years and Older  -  Good for 10 years) What Are You Applying For? Application Fee Payment Instructions Execution Fee Payment Instructions Use Form Adult Passport Book & Card$140 + $25 =  $165 DS-11 Adult Passport Book $110 + $25 DS-11 Adult Passport Card If you do NOT currently hold a valid Passport Book or Card $30 + $25 DS-11 All first time applicants must apply in person at a Passport Agency, Acceptance Facility, U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

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Optional Services  •  Additional Fee Notes Expedited Service (Applicants in the U.S. only) $60 See important information about Application Processing Times and follow the instructions on How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry. To request Expedited Service, pay the $60.00 Expedited Service Fee for each application, in addition to the required fees noted above. The Expedited Fee is required for each application submitted in person at a Passport Agency or Center. Passport Book Overnight Delivery (Applicants in the U.S. only) $12.85 We strongly suggest that you use overnight delivery service to return your newly issued Passport Book to you. Overnight delivery service is not available for passport cards, which are delivered via First Class Mail only. To request Overnight Delivery, pay the $12.85 Overnight Delivery fee for each application, in addition to the required fees noted above. File Search (Required when applicant is unable to present evidence of citizenship) $150.00 In addition to the passport application, submit a written request for File Search to verify a previous U.S. Passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Applicants who are overseas and whose passport was lost or stolen are exempt from paying the File Search Fee. For more information, see 22 CFR 22.1, Item No. 6.

Special Services Add Pages to Passport $82 (note - if additional pages are $82 - might getting a whole new DS-4085 See important information on How to Add Extra Pages to Your U.S. Passport. Data Error Correction $0 DS-5504 See important information on Correcting or Changing Information in Your Passport. Name Change IMPORTANT: Name Change fee and form vary depending on circumstances; for details and instructions see Change Your Name in Your U.S. Passport. If you are eligible to use Form Fee DS-5504 $0 DS-11 Same fee(s) as for Adult First Time Applicants DS-82 Same fee(s) as for Adult Renewals

Payment Instructions Please Note: The Application Fee is a non-refundable processing fee and is retained by the Department of State whether or not the passport is issued. Location Methods of Payment Accepted Passport Agency All Fees: Credit Cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) and Debit/Check Cards Checks (personal, certified, cashiers, travelers), payable to "Department of State" Money orders (U.S. Postal, international, currency exchanges) and bank drafts, payable to "Department of State" Acceptance Facility Application Fee and any Optional Services Fees: Personal checks, money orders and bank drafts at all locations, payable to "Department of State" Exact cash at some locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility) $25 Execution Fee Paid Separately: Money orders and bank drafts at all locations, payable as instructed by the Acceptance Facility Personal checks and exact cash at some locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility) Credit cards at U.S. Postal Facilities and some other locations (verify with the Acceptance Facility) By Mail Renewal Fee and any Optional Services Fees: Checks (personal, certified, cashiers, travelers), payable to "Department of State" Money orders (U.S. Postal, international, currency exchange), payable to "Department of State" U.S. Embassy or Consulate All Fees: U.S. Embassies and Consulates accept the local foreign currency equivalent to the dollar ($) amounts indicated above. For guidance on additional methods of payment, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

For further information regarding passport application fees, please contact the National Passport Information Center.

WHAT IS A PASSPORT "CARD?"
It's not a full passport, but a small ID card issued by the US government for crossing land and sea borders with Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The passport card is NOT valid for International air travel.^[3] It is possible to hold the U.S. passport card in addition to a regular passport, making it useful when travelling internationally for a long time (Round-the-world-trip). In cases where people need to apply for a visa, and thus have to hand in their regular passport, the U.S. passport card can be a valid proof of ID and U.S. citizenship, allowing free movement unrestricted by local authorities.^{[citation needed]} Please note that not all jurisdictions (e.g. Germany) accept the U.S. passport card as valid ID due to lack of signature.



WHERE CAN I APPLY FOR A FIRST TIME PASSPORT:
Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Passport Services/Customer Service, which designates many post offices, clerks of court, public libraries and other state, county, township, and municipal government offices to accept passport applications on its behalf.
THIS site will help you to find the closest location to you:
iafdb.travel.state.gov



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OLD ARTICLE

Adult's passport - $135 (was $75 - This is for renewals/lost/stolen passports I'm pretty positive [this would NOT be for first timers since you're already out of the country. Those I believe are quite a bit more]. I just had to get a new passport and if my memory is working, I also had to pay an additional $25 or so as I remember it being around $100 so there's most likely something else added to the $135).

Child's passport - $105 (was $60)

Registering a birth - $100 (was $65)

Notary fee - $50 (was $30 - that's per PAGE!!! [this is the same service that some banks in the U.S. give for FREE and other places charge $5 or so!!])

I had heard before that they were going to be charging now for ADDING PAGES to your passport so if you're getting close to filling up - go NOW to get the pages added!!!

Want to renounce your U.S. citizenship? It used to be free but now it's $450 (but ya still have to pay taxes for up to 10 years!!).

Know anyone considering apply for a Visa to VISIT the U.S.? Good luck and get in there NOW!!! One class of visa application goes JUMPS UP from $131 to $390 and that's just for the application - added to there's a GOOD chance they will NOT be accepted so they'll loose that $$$ (it's REAL HARD and complicated for foreigners to visit the U.S. these days!!!).

BEND OVER and TAKE IT - with a smile peeps!!!

At least when I was recently there - I was SHOCKED at how GREAT the Customer Service was at the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica!! When I went to apply for my new passport (it had been stolen), it took me a total of 37 minutes (and that included 7 minutes on the picture/getting it developed) and when I went to pick it up 1 week later - JUST 7 minutes TOTAL!!! and the people were SOOOOO NICE!!!!!

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WHY HAVE THE PASSPORT FEES GONE UP SO MUCH?

According to their site - travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_5079.html -

Passport application fees are not only used to cover the costs of producing a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card. Passport fees also cover the costs of providing emergency services for American citizens overseas in crisis situations, such as the current earthquake disaster in Haiti, helping Americans who have been the victims of crime while traveling or living abroad, and providing support to the families of American citizens who have died overseas.

Passport application fees enable us to keep up with technology and implement fraud prevention initiatives to protect the United States passport. The security features of the U.S. passport book have received high praise from document security specialists the world over. Investing in new technology to prevent passport fraud is one of our key priorities, and an ongoing initiative.

Passport fees fund the expansion of passport infrastructure and service, allowing us to offer more timely service to the traveling public, maintain high standards for adjudication in accordance with US citizenship laws, and provide appropriate attention to fraud vulnerabilities.

Over the last few years, the demand for passports has increased to an average of 15 million per year. In FY 2005, we issued 10.1 million passports; peaked at 18.4 million in FY 2007; and expect to issue over 15 million in FY 2010. To increase our presence in underserved areas, the Department has undertaken a systematic expansion of the passport network, particularly in communities affected by the land border-crossing requirements associated with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. By the end of FY 2010, we will have 23 agencies providing emergency passport services to the general public, three high-volume application processing centers, and two large-scale document print centers.

Some of this was information gathered from AMCostaRica.com

(with all this said and the complaints I've heard from MANY - we get to be grateful because Canadian passports are $100 - BUT they're ONLY good for 5 YEARS!!!)

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COUNTRY DELI Restaurante & Catering with Tatiana Mendez - Escazu, Costa Rica

Country Deli in Escazu, Costa Rica

has CLOSED.
Sad for us - but Tatiana (Taty) Mendez's doing GREAT with CATERING so if you want to reach her for catering, you can contact Taty at

8-815-1161 / TatyMendez74@hotmail.com
(tell her Vicki Connected you!!)


LivingLifeInCostaRica.info/2010/06/country-deli-restaurante-y-salon-de_8692.html

2201 10/4/15

VIP Movie Theatre at Nova Cinema at the Avenida Escazu Mall in Costa Rica

LATEST DETAILS ATLivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/02/nova-cinemas-vip-and-imax-movie.html

The NEW VIP Experience

at the

VIP THEATRE

in

Nova Cinema

at

Avenida Escazu Mall

(JUST East of CIMA in San Rafael de Escazu in Costa Rica)

As far as I'm concerned -

Doing the VIP Theater at Nova Cinema is the

ONLY ONLY ONLY

way to see a movie!!

Once you try the VIP Theatre, it WILL be challenging to sit through a movie in any other basic movie theater!!!!

THE VIP EXPERIENCE!!! LOCATION!! LOCATION!! LOCATION!!

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!

Recently opened, this 46 seat theatre is a REAL VIP EXPERIENCE!!!! It has REAL Leather RECLINERS, LoveSeat Recliners and regular couches!! Even DURING the movie - waiters come around and serve you!!

My first experience was going to celebrate my/other Gemini Birthdays with 20 friends and acquaintances and the opening of THE HOT "Sex in the City 2!!" There could not have been a better show to break my virgin VIP Experience than with this movie as TOTAL DECADENCE IS what the WHOLE movie was about!!!

Many of us donned our funkies/finest shoes and had a BLAST!!!

HOW IT WORKS:

Go to the ticket office and order/pay for your tickets. NOTE (a hint we didn't know about) - Seats are RESERVED in this theatre so make sure you're together and if you desire a Love Seat - let them know. I believe #1 was on the most Westerly side and there were only I believe 8 rows total.

Then a staff member ESCORTS you up to the tres chic VIP LOUNGE! This is a BEAUTIFUL lounge where you can enjoy the various "snack bars" serving everything from Pannini's, Wraps, Sushi, Pizza, Nachos, CARMEL Corn Popcorn + and a bar that has wine, beer and Spirits INCLUDING Cosmopolitans, Apple Martinis and Margaritas in honor of this movie (you pay extra of course!)!! You can hang around there (if memory serves me [and it IS iffy!], it opens about 30 minutes before the start of the movie) or go inside into what feels like your own private showing with just 46 SPACIOUS, NEW, electric, LEATHER, RECLINERS and Love Seats (I swear it went into a full laying position!!) and a few Couches as well!!

While your sitting back ENJOYING, your WAITER comes and asks if he/she can SERVE YOU!!!! (this even happens unobtrusively DURING the movie!!).

I opted for the I think it was the Tuna, Mango Salsa Wrap and a Cosmopolitan (in honor of THE drink I think made most famous from the Sex in the City TV show!)!!! TASTY and I think it was around 3,400-colones or so. Quite reasonable considering the surrounds/ambience!!

This is TRULY a VIP EXPERIENCE and now that I've experienced it, I can't see going back to the old cramped movie theatres!!

It's WELL worth the few extra $$s!! Heck - I'M WORTH EVERY EXTRA PENNY of it!!! (in the states these theatres [what few there are of them. Funny - Costa Rica has 2 of them!!! The other I never got to because it was about an hour from me at the Cinepolis VIP TerraMall] are $20-$40+ DOLLARS!!)

WHAT ELSE DOES NOVA THEATRES HAVE???

They're home to Costa Rica's FIRST iMAX THEATER as well as 2 other theatres in 2D and 3D!! See my posting on that from their opening at http://LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-imax-theatre-in-escazu-san-jose.html

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BioResonance • Bach Flowers in Costa Rica with Vicky Saenz

BIORESONANCE / BACH FLOWERS

Vicky Saenz had been trying to connect with me for MONTHS to show me how her BIORESONANCE machine works but it just wasn't working out with our schedules (I don't think I was in such a rush myself because I had had BioResonance before a it did NOTHING for me).

Then one day we both FINALLY said "That's IT!! We're gonna do this!!!"

The next day my Mac died (Mac users will understand this - our Mac's are like our children - an extension of many of our bodies!) and I BEYOND PANICED (ok - more like practically flipped out and went comotose)!!!

Vicky just "happened" to call me around that time and I asked how FAST can she come over and she was here. She took Before and After shots (which I'm not publishing because I LITERALLY was pretty far gone)!!

Vicky came over and hooked me up to her computer and I don't know what she did but I SWEAR to you - from that point - to THIS DAY - over 4 months later and even though I'm going through a fair amount right now - 98% of the time when "stressers"/situations come up - I'm SOOOOO CALM (ok - as an Adrenaline Junkie - perhaps too calm for me since stress has been one of my biggest motivators in the past but I'm working on finding the balance here)!!!!!

Vicky Saenz is AWESOME as is her FABULOUS Bio-Resonance tool!!!

INVESTMENT IN YOUR SPIRIT/SOUL (Sanity!): 25,000-c/session for locals.

CONTACT: Vicky Saenz - Florales4u@gmail.com

WHAT IS BIORESONANCE?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioresonance_therapy

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h-Oyrc752C4

PLEASE "SHARE" this with EVERYONE you know that could use this tool:
http://LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2010/06/bio-resonance-bach-flowers-in-costa.html

(NOTE: If you mention Vicki with the Living Life in Costa Rica blog Connected you, you'll also receive a complimentary•FREE customized Bach Flower remedy tincture!!)

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Where to find ASIAN (Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, Filipino+), Indian & Middle Eastern Ingredients & Food Products in Costa Rica

NOW LOCATED AT:

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/11/AsianMarketsInCR.html

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DIM SUM - Where to find Dim Sum in Costa Rica

What is Dim Sum and

How to Eat it:

-

WorldFoodieGuide.com/index.php/how-to-eat-dim-sum-by-helen-yuet-ling-pangDo you live in Costa Rica and have a CRAVING for DIM SUM???!!! Here are some choices in and around Costa Rica (mainly in San Jose for now):

FROZEN - MAKE AT HOME

SUPER SONY

Sadly, my FAV place to buy Frozen Dim Sum to take home & make it at home for LOTS LESS $$$ CLOSED!!

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RESTAURANTS that serve
DIM SUM

RESTAURANT WONG's

They are also home to an
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT CHINESE BUFFET!!!
Monday-Friday from 11:30am-1:30pm-ish
4,000-c
LOCATION:
San Jose


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DON WANG

They say authentic CHINESE (Szechuan, Canton, Peking), Taiwan, VEGETARIAN, DIM SUM (you order off the menu instead of them walking around where you get to pick).  2 doors North of Tin Jo and VERY similar but a bit cheaper.  Dishes range from 850-8,000 (plus tax [OLD PRICE).  Menu in Spanish, English and Chinese.  AIR CONDITION.  LARGE SPACE (up to 130).   
PARKING: 
FREE VALIDATED PARKING PARQUEO MUSICAL: located on 8th Avenue, between  11th and 13th Streets. PARQUEO BILLY  MURILLO:  located 25 mts North from the restaurant. PARQUEO LA ORQUlDEA: located 50 mts South and 100 West from the restaurant.
OWNERS:
Denia Arguello Jimeniz and her Chinese Chef/hubby. 
HOURS:
Mon. 8am-3pm and 6-11pm, Tues.-Sat. 8am-11pm, Sun. 8am-10pm.
Note they're open 365 days a year!!!
LOCATION:
San Jose – Downtown - Calle 11, and Avenidas 6 and 8 - 100 meters East - 150 meters North, diagonal from the Lucho Barahona Theater  

(DonWangRestaurant.com • facebook.com/pages/RESTAURANTE-DON-WANG/269831896365266 • 2-233-6484 / 2-223-5925)   

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RESTAURANTE CASA CHINA
(the Chinese Association’s Restaurant)

Traditional Hong Kong DIM SUM and Excellent Cantonese Style Congee.
HOURS:
8am-2am.  (I've also seen 9am-11pm
PRICE:
Plates range from 880-1,150-c/each
LOCATION:
San Jose (and I've seen Los Yoses and San Pedro) - Avenida 10 and Calle 23 - 200 m East of Casa Matute AND I've seen from Matute Gómez go 300 meters East y 25 mts North
AND I've seen desde la TEXACO de Avenida 10, 200 al este, encima de la cuesta, mano izquierda 

(CasaChinaCR.com  •  2-257-8392  •  2-222-1374)

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Villa Bonita

CHINESE (Cantonese and Szechuan) including Peking Duck, DIM SUM and VEGETARIAN.  
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET
with SUSHI, DIM SUM and other Chinese dishes - SUN. -  noon-4pm – 6,500 (plus drinks).
DELIVERY/EXPRESS
(they’ll go practically anywhere in the Valley is sounds like including Carriari, Escazu, Santa Ana+) from 11am-3pm and 6-10pm.
LARGE SPACE for events.  
HOURS:
Daily 10:30am-10:30pm
LOCATION:
Pavas – 1 block South and 75 mts. West of the U.S. Embassy behind PeriMercado  

(VillaBonita.com  •  facebook.com/VillaBonita.net  •  2-232-9855  •  2-220-2477)

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Dragon Oriental Restaurant

I've heard MANY people say this has REALLY GOOD (and the CHEAPEST) restaurant for DIM SUM (I just can't find any/much info on it)
HOURS:
Daily 11am-10pm
LOCATION:
San Jose - Avenida 2 between Calles 7 and 9 (200 meters East of CAJA)

(2-222-2255  •  2-222-1822  •  2-226-4153)

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King’s Garden

CHINESE restaurant
HOURS:
Dim Sum - Daily 11am-3pm (a SMALL selection though).  Restaurant - 11am-11pm.
LOCATION:
San Jose – above Mas x Menos-Sabana – frente Hotel Corobici

(2-255-3838 / 2-233-9003)

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Was this list helpful to you?  Did it bring you more ease?  Did it help your business?
PLEASE consider making a

DONATION

to help keep this site/me alive since Donations are my only source of income these days.  ANY amount of appreciation you'd like to show is welcome!

See the top right corner of this blog for how to do that.


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Please "SHARE" this link with all lovers of DIM SUM you know could benefit from the information:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2010/06/dim-sum-in-costa-rica.html

WOKS and other Asian and Indian Spices, Food Products in Costa Rica

QUESTION:

"Where do I find a Wok in Costa Rica?" "What are the differences between an electric wok & a regular wok?" "Where do I find Chinese/Asian Spices & things in Costa Rica?"

VICKI'S ANSWER (not THE only one!!):
Having lived in San Francisco for 17 years, I DEFINITELY agree with you on MY taste buds not being moved by the Chinese food I've eaten in CR (at least not yet though the best I've found so far have been Villa Rey in Escazu, ).

If you're buying a regular wok (I've always thought that most non-electric woks were aluminum but according to Carolina at Super Sony, she said not any longer - at least not what they have), make sure to get the separate "ring" so it's stable on the stove!!!

MAKE SURE TO INITIALLY "CURE" IT (Carolina said the "proper" way of doing it is to take a BIG piece of pork fat [like the size of a guys hand] & melt it down & keep spinning it around the inside of the wok till it hydrates in]). & every time you use it you may need to TREAT IT or it will get rusty FAST (not a tasty "spice"). Just wash it out, put a little oil around it & I first turn the oven on to 350 for like 15 min., turn it off & put the wok in & walk away (I'm amazed how few people that have used mine know to do that or at least don't bother doing it).

The place I LOVE LOVE LOVE for ANYTHING Asian/Indian - spices, packaged things, prepared things, woks, dishes, mosquito zappers++!:

SUPER SONY

2-221-1263 / http://SuperSony.com / Carolina@SuperSony.com / SuperMercado@SuperSony.com

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

DRY / HOUSEHOLD THINGS

Woks, dishes & things for Asian cooking/serving, Mosquito Zappers/Rackets & LOTS MORE!!!

Super Sony is this FABULOUS store FILLED with pre-made Asian ingredients / products, Spices, Kimchi, frozen DIM SUM (that's where I'm going next time I get a craving for Dim Sum which can be VERY expensive!!)+++!!! They have things from Thailand, China, Japan (the most expensive products so look to see if they have what you're seeking in a non-Japanese brand/label to save some $$), Taiwan, Phillipine, India & Middle Eastern goodies/spices+++ and the BIGGEST choice of VEGETARIAN products I’ve EVER SEEN than Super Sony in San Jose!!! WOW!!!! (I hear they provide MANY of the oriental products used at AutoMercado & other stores [which to me translates to those same products probably being cheaper at Super Sony!!]).

VICKI’s FAV things at Super Sony - the CHINESE CAKE I MISS/LOVED from my days in San Francisco!! To me, sort of a cross between a sponge & pound cake!! VERY LIGHT but tasty!!, GINGER CANDY, & Ginseng Candy, Zergut’s PEPPETIZER Roasted Pepper Appetizer & a BUNCH of other things!!!

UNIQUE

Fresh Ajofan & Cho Fun Noodles, Bamboo shoots in hot oil, Dried SHITAKE MUSHROOMS (150 grams-5 lb.). Lychees (canned), Rice Paper, RICES - JASMINE RICE, BASMATI RICE, Korean Rice, Japanese Rice (it’s considered the best) & Sushi Cal Rose Rice (many rices range from 1kilo to 50lbs!!), Tapioca Pearls & Starch, everything you need to make Sushi (dry & frozen - except for the fish)

VEGETARIAN

Outside they have a BIG Deep Freezer FILLED with the BIGGEST selection of Frozen Vegetarian things - many are soy products - shrimp, lobster, fish balls, chicken & beef steak, chicken wings, ham!!! Ask inside to see & MrLee reminded us to bring a cooler so it doesn’t thaw!!). Super Sony is also a mecca for TOFU goodies - Baked tofu. You can special order things like: Korean style veggie tamales (with Shitake mushrooms. 30 tamale minimum [though if you can wait a bit, they can try to fill an order]. Ideally they’d like a weeks notice). No tofu burgers or hot dogs.

FRESH VEGETABLES

Asian Eggplant, Chives, Chinese Broccoli, Ton Cua (giant gourd), Bitter Melon++!!!

BIG BULK SIZE

They carry BIG Bulk / restaurant / food service sizes on many things like Soy Sauce, Teas, Spices, Green Tea, Jasmine Tea++!!!

SPICES (bulk)

Cardimon, Masalas (different kinds), Tumeric, Corriander, Mustards (oil & seeds), Asafoetida++!!!

DIM SUM

If I’m craving Dim Sum - instead of going to a restaurant, in a heartbeat I’d go to Super Sony (to say nothing of how much cheaper it is). I think they have the LARGEST selection of DIM SUM items in COSTA RICA!!

SPECIALS: BUY 6 - GET 1 FREE

(on most items & only on items picked up at the store & when paid with cash).

Check to see if they have the special promotion when you use your red BAC card for 5% off (not on rice & a few things).

SHIPPING WITHIN COSTA RICA/Central America:

They can ship to you within Costa Rica with orders of at least 50,000-colones & with at least a 2 days notice after you've paid for it. You pay the transport fee.

OWNERS:

Super Sony is run by a SOOOOO SWEET Taiwanese family (the Chang's - mom is Elena & just a doll but I don't think she speaks much English)!!! Their daughter CAROLINA speaks GREAT English & is REAL Customer Service oriented!! (give them a BIG HUG from Vicki!!!)!!!

HOURS:

Mon.-Sat. 9am-6pm, Sun. 9am-5pm (most of the time though sometimes if it’s stormy/dead they may close earlier so call ahead)

DIRECTIONS:

Downtown/Centro San Jose – Calle 3, between Avenida 8 and 10 (3 1/2 blocks Sud/South of Plaza de la Cultura/National Theatre)

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Another popular place to purchase Asian products (though MUCH further from me & I doubt they have the FABULOUS family/CUSTOMER SERVICE like Super Sony does!! [I consider SS's Customer Service in the TOP 10 I've experienced in Costa Rica!!!!])

Kawo Mercado Oriental (aka ASIA)

(http://crjin.com/html/esp/t/t008.html / 2-236-3103 / 2-236-0308 / kawo@sol.racsa.cr)

HOURS: Mon.-Sat. 8:30am-8:30pm, Sun. 8:30am-8pm

DIRECTIONS: TIBAS-500m sur/south of the church. Map - http://crjin.com/html/esp/espmapa001.html

Hotel with Hot Springs in the Arenal / La Fortuna, Costa Rica area

MY FAVORITE HOTEL with HOT SPRINGS in the Arenal / La Fortuna, Costa Rica area is:

LOS LAGOS
(http://HotelLosLagos.com /(506) 2-479-1000)
I’ve stayed at Los Lagos twice now & we LOVED IT!! We stayed in a Premium Superior room which are the closest rooms to the volcano!! You sit out on your patio & THERE it is!!! Throughout the night you can feel the rumble (my niece was afraid to fall asleep because of that)!!! I stayed up most of the night & it was AWESOME - but it WAS August which I hear Aug./Sept. are the best months in order to get a glimpse!!

They also have their own FUN Hot Springs pools & a couple water slides, swim-up bar, pool (each has water fed from springs!!), a mini-canopy “tour” (GREAT to check out to see if you can handle it), Frog & Snake farm, Butterfly Garden, Crocidile Farm, Rainforest Ant far, Horseback Riding, beautiful grounds, full restaurant & bar (a tasty buffet breakfast was included).

They’re located in La Fortuna which is a GREAT location because you’re near enough to MANY restaurants/things to do.


Last time I was there was about 3 years ago & I believe since that time hasn't the volcano shifted it's flow direction?? Does anyone know if you can still see the flow from Los Lagos??

Soon I'm going to be sharin' my list of some interesting things to do up in the Arenal Area so check back!!

NEED TRANSPORTATION TO THE ARENAL / LA FORTUNA AREA (or any other area in/around Costa Rica)??

Contact me at CostaRicaResourceGuide@gmail.com & I'll connect you with some WONDERFUL options!!!

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VIP Theater in Nova Cinema at Avenida Escazu, Costa Rica

THE VIP THEATRE!!

What an EXPERIENCE!!   Recently opened, this 46 seat theatre is a REAL VIP EXPERIENCE!!!! It has REAL Leather RECLINERS, LoveSeat Recliners & regular couches!! Even DURING the movie - waiters come around and serve you!!

If you've ever been curious about the VIP Theatre - THIS is THE movie to see there!! It's SOOOOOO "Sex in the City!!"

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Seats are RESERVED in this theatre so make sure you're together and if you desire a Love Seat - let them know. I believe #1 was on the most Westerly side and there were only I believe 8 rows total.

When we went, someone escorted us up from the Ticket Office to the tres chic VIP LOUNGE!  It is a BEAUTIFUL lounge where you can enjoy the various "snack bars" serving everything from Pannini's, Wraps, Sushi, Pizza, Nachos + and a bar that has wine, beer and Spirits INCLUDING Cosmopolitans, Apple Martinis and Margaritas in honor of this movie (you pay extra of course!)!! 

When it's time to go in, LITERALLY lay back in your electronic RECLINER that practically goes into a sleeping position and wait for the waiter to come around to bring you your food/drinks!!!

This is TRULY a VIP EXPERIENCE and now that I've experienced it, I can't see going back to the old cramped movie theatres!! It's WELL worth the few extra $$s!! (in the states these theatres go from $20-$40+ dollars!!)

AFTER

Continue the FUN in the Food Court at The Gelateria where I hear they have the BEST Gelatos in Costa Rica (it is the same as Plaza Itzkazu) and from there - if it's late enough - check out Prive Disco - one of THE CHICEST discos in Costa Rica which is on top of the theatres!!!!

Prive Restaurant / Lounge and Disco

(http://PriveCR.com / 2-201-8520 / 2-201-8517)

Costa Rica’s only ultra lounge could not have taking a better turn, when becoming a part of The Entertainment CR Family. Privé has experienced extensive state of the art sound, light, video and structural renovations. These additions and improvements bring an international standard never before seen in the region. The New Privé, has set the bar for Costa Rica’s nightlife at an unreachable level. They have their own VIP Experience at Prive!!!

PRICE

The Theatre Entrance is 5,000-c (about $10 [in the states VIP Theatres are usually $20-$40+++!!!]).

RESERVATIONS

2-299-7666

MOVIE SCHEDULE FOR NOVA THEATRES

http://NovaCinemas.CR/cartelera.php

WHERE:

The NEW VIP THEATRE in the NEW Nova Cinema at Avenida Escazu Mall (one block east of CIMA) 

JOIN THEIR FACEBOOK GROUP:

http://facebook.com/sexandthecity2film?ref=search&sid=TrqLXU3cRTmEd6j0QnFj1g.2795549199..1&v=app_114807181894744

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