Are you going to Costa Rica for the first time? Congrats! Now it's planning time to make sure your trip is as amazing as you've hoped for. (You can check out our Costa Rica trip planning timeline to help you get organized).
Although there is a lot of information about Costa Rica on the web, there is there is still so much misinformation out there. This is one of the reasons why we started the blog. Yeison, my other half and the other brain behind this blog is Costa Rican so we wanted to help as many people have a fun and stress free time in Costa Rica.
In order to help clear up some of the confusion and mumbo-jumbo that's out there on the web, here are 17 things to know about Costa Rica before you visit.
This is one of the most important things to know about Costa Rica. Many people assume that Central America automatically equals cheap travel. Nope. That is the biggest common misconception about Costa Rica. Yes, its northern neighbor, Nicaragua is dirt cheap but it's is also one of the poorest countries in Latin America so you can stretch your money very far there.
It's no wonder tourists who didn't research properly get a nasty surprised when they find out tours can easily cost $100, food is the same price as North America and gas is nearly twice as much as the US. Without careful planning and budgeting, you can blow through hundreds of dollars fairly quickly.
But we can help! Read about the cost of Costa Rica in these posts to help you stay within your budget.
Cost of traveling in Costa Rica: See how much food, transportation, tours, hotels and souvenirs cost.
Save money in Costa Rica: Our local insider tips for saving money traveling in Costa Rica.
Cheap things to do in Costa Rica: Activities under $20.
1 week Costa Rica budget: See how much 3 people spent in Costa Rica for 1 week.
Costa Rica is a little smaller than West Virginia and Denmark so it's easy to think you can road trip the whole country in a week. Technically you can, but trust me, that wouldn't be very fun!
This is because the roads in Costa Rica are never as the crows fly. They do have highways and the main roads are paved but they usually have only one lane. Unfortunately, all the big trailer trucks have to drive on the same roads causing a lot of traffic and congestion.
For example, Tamarindo to San Jose is 259 kilometers or 161 miles and it takes us 4-5 hours driving on average. Many people when planning their itinerary try to stuff as many places as possible but think about it. Do you really want to be driving 3-5 hours every 2 days and not have enough time to truly get to know a place?
This is one of the mistakes to avoid when traveling in Costa Rica. Don't try to drive everywhere in a short trip. In Costa Rica, it's best to take it slow and enjoy the scenery! For a one week trip it's best to choose 2 destinations or pick a home base and do day trips. Make sure you do thorough research when planning your trip to Costa Rica.
In the cities and most touristic destinations, you can indeed drink the tap water. Hotels will indicate whether the water is safe and tour guides will let you know which faucets to use.
Though tap water is generally safe to drink (avoid in rural areas and always ask your hotel), I still recommend bringing a filter if you're sensitive. You can also help the environment by bringing an insulated water bottle and filters instead of buying bottled water.
Read more about drinking tap water in Costa Rica.
The mosquito borne disease travelers should concern themselves with in Costa Rica is Dengue Fever, not malaria. As it turns out, Costa Rica has been leading Central America with the most reported cases of dengue. There were over 22,000 reported cases in 2016 but the lowest number of cases (5561) in 2017 and 2735 cases in 2018.
It's a huge misconception that Costa Rica is rampant with Malaria and Zika. In fact, Costa Rica has had a 90% reduction in Malaria cases between 2000 and 2010. As for Zika, there have been 2,000 cases in 2017 nearly all from local citizens, not tourists. In 2018, there were 431 cases of Zika, mostly in remote jungle areas.
Read our tips for protecting yourself against mosquitoes in Costa Rica.
Extra travel safety tip: Make sure to purchase travel insurance just in case you do catch something! You can read more about Costa Rica travel insurance in this post.
Costa Rica experiences typical tropical weather but it has many micro-climates. It doesn't snow but it does get quite cold in some areas due to the elevation and the ecosystems. It gets chilly when you're up 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 feet) in the clouds! You can read more about Costa Rica weather in this post.
Some of the colder areas are Monteverde, Poas, San Isidro de Perez Zeledon and San Gerardo de Dota. Temperatures in those areas can get down to the 60s Fahrenheit (15 C) at night. The coasts stay nice and hot, mostly in the 90s (32 C).
Make sure to research the area you are visiting so you come prepared. For packing tips, check out our Costa Rica packing list to see what you need to bring for different activities and destinations.
You will see that hotels and tour companies quote their prices in USD. This is because for many years, tourists to Costa Rica were mainly from the US. Additionally, Costa Ricans can have bank accounts in USD as mortgages and car payments are quoted in USD. US dollars have become the standard currency in tourism.
So when you're trying to get your money together, don't stress too much about exchanging it all beforehand as it's not 100% necessary if you live in the US. You can use dollars in pretty much every touristic destination and they will give you your change back in colones. If you are Canadian however, it will be better for you to have colones due to the Canadian dollar and USD exchange rate. Ask the hotels or tour companies if you can pay in colones instead.
Make sure you check what the exchange rate is. Since the exchange rate is around 600 to 1, some places may try to stiff you by using a 500 to 1 rate and you will lose out a bit.
Read more about handling money in Costa Rica.
Summer or dry season in Costa Rica is our high tourism season because everyone wants to escape the winter up north and soak in the sun. It's hot, sunny, dry and beautiful. On the other hand, rainy season is equally as wonderful but many people are scared to visit Costa Rica during this time even though it's really not that bad.
Here are some other things to know about why it's actually awesome to visit Costa Rica in rainy season.
Rainy season is also Costa Rica's low season. This means less tourists!
Prices for hotels and tours go down quite a bit. It's the best time to travel cheap in Costa Rica.
A typical rainy season day is sunny and hot in the morning, cloudy in the afternoon and rainy in the evening/night.
Rainy season is the best time to see certain wildlife like whales and turtles.
If you're not sure, here are 6 more reasons why you should visit Costa Rica in rainy season. In my experience, I love rainy season in Costa Rica. No crowds, more wildlife and it's cheaper!
Costa Rica's rainy season is around beginning of May to end of November. The rainiest months for most of Costa Rica is September and October and November and June for the Caribbean. You do need to pack and research more for rainy season though. Check out ourCosta Rica rainy season packing listfor tips.
As much as I hate to break it to you, sloths aren't everywhere. I know Costa Rica markets their cuddly sloths so much it seems that the roads are crawling with them but it's not true. Sloths, being the masters of camouflage, are very difficult to see without a guide or trained eye.
Can you see the sloth in this picture?
Sloths are found in almost all of Costa Rica but very hard to see in some places than others. For example, it is incredibly difficult to see one in Guanacaste due to the extremely dry climate. Head down to the humid South Pacific or the Caribbean and sloths are much more common.
One of the main "complaints" I've heard from visitors is that they didn't see a sloth. I asked them where they were in Costa Rica and many of them were at the Pacific coast where sloths don't live. If you really want to see a sloth, then you need to go to where they live! Find out where are the best places to see sloths in Costa Rica in our guide.
To make sure you see a sloth, hire a guide. They have trained eyes and normally have binoculars or telescopes to find them.
In Costa Rica, police are legally allowed to stop any car and ask for papers. Always have a color copy of your passport and photo of your tourist stamp with you. Remember that to legally drive in Costa Rica as a tourist, you need to have your original passport (not a color copy), your original driver's license and a valid tourist stamp with you.
If a police stops you, they'll ask you for your passport, ask you where you're going and then send you on your way. Most of the time they don't ask anything else and many of them speak a degree of English.
Also something else to note is that the police in Costa Rica are very nice and there is a sector specifically for tourists. They hand out safety tips and maps to tourists and are happy to answer questions.
…at hotels. It is common for hotels to offer free Wi-Fi and many of them have it available throughout the whole property. Some hotels may only have it in reception but it is free.
However, it's hard to find open Wi-Fi in public places. It's not like NYC where you can find a Starbucks and use the free Wi-Fi. If you see a restaurant with a secure Wi-Fi connection, you can ask them for the password as a customer. I've found most places are OK with giving it out.
If you always want Internet during your time in Costa Rica, we highly recommend getting a prepaid sim card for your phone. Find out how to get a prepaid sim card in Costa Rica. Car rentals also have Wi-Fi hot spots for rent.
Tipping is not mandatory in Costa Rica. This is because tip, or service tax, is already included so Costa Ricans don't tip extra. However, if you would like to tip your guide, driver, hotel maid, etc. you may do so and it is well appreciated. The standard amount is 10%.
You can tip in Costa Rican colones or USD.
Read more about tipping in Costa Rica in this post.
People are always surprised by the driving in Costa Rica and it's something I warn people about when they are renting a car in Costa Rica.
One of my friends was so taken aback that she asked me why the driving is so crazy if Ticos are so pura vida? I told her that it's probably because they are always late to everything (aka Tico Time) so they have to drive super fast! It is a bit shocking when Costa Ricans (mostly in the city) drive a bit crazy.
Simply stated, if you're not used to this kind of driving, be very careful and always drive defensively. You might be cut off and tailgated. There's a good chance you'll see cars jump the line, not heed to stop signs and not use blinkers. Of course not all Costa Ricans drive this way but generally, their driving culture is not quite as structured and the infrastructure is not the best. Once you get out to the rural areas, it's much more relaxed since there are less cars but you still need to drive defensively.
…for a few days. I'll be honest, we don't love San Jose. It's kind of dirty, crowded and not that aesthetically pleasing. However, the capital city does have some hidden gems and all it takes is a day or two to get to know San Jose. You can find some of the best restaurants and craft beer in San Jose!
Then there are the cultural treasures: the National Theater and museums. Any history lover will want to stop by the city as there are few museums of this quality anywhere else in the country.
San Jose really isn't as bad as people make it out to be for 1 or 2 days. And honestly, it is the best place to experience Costa Rican life since over 1 million Ticos live and work in the capital city (out of a population of nearly 5 million).
Have a few days in San Jose? Check out our San Jose, Costa Rica travel guide for the best things to do or our San Jose day trips post. You can even get our San Jose tours discount to save some money!
People assume that because Costa Rica is a touristic country and that there are so many North Americans here, that all the locals know English. Though many Costa Ricans know a degree of English, not all of them do. These are mostly the Ticos that live in the city or work in tourism since English is required for jobs.
The bottom line is don't assume that you can speak English to everyone. It'll be helpful to learn a bit of Spanish, at least the basic words. You can download our handy Costa Rica Spanish cheat sheet and learn some important words and phrases.
And I mean, they'll stop you on the street to talk to you. They're very gregarious people with a curious nature and since tourism in Costa Rica is on the rise, they enjoy meeting people from all walks of life.
A word of caution to solo female travelers. Many Tico men are very forward and quite assertive when they see a single female walking by herself. They have no reservations to ask you if you have a boyfriend or who you're in Costa Rica with and it might take a bit of effort to get them to go away. My advice is to smile politely and move on if you don't want to talk to them.
Advice for families with babies: Costa Ricans love babies. They will stop you on the street, pick them up, hold and kiss them without asking. If you don't feel comfortable with this, politely say No tocar por favor.
Costa Rica receives most of their tourists from the United States and for some reason, many North Americans think Costa Rica is like Mexico. But Costa Rica and Mexico are completely different!
Costa Rican food isn't like Mexican food at all and even the Spanish is completely different. In Costa Rica, they don't say andale or anything like that. Think about it, even the locations are different. Costa Rica is in Central America and Mexico is in North America. They are two very different countries.
So when you visit Costa Rica, try not crack any jokes about Mexico or Mexicans. It's one of the points about being a responsible traveler so as guests in a country, we can be respectful.
Did you know that Costa Rica is one of 23 countries in the world with no military? There is only the police force, the OIJ and GAO (swat). Costa Rica is a very safe country in Latin America for traveling, especially families.
The most common crime in Costa Rica is theft: car/house break ins and pick pockets. Many times it is because tourists left their belongings on the beach and went swimming. They come back to find their belongings gone. Or they don't lock the car door or leave the windows open.
So when you're traveling in Costa Rica, make sure to always lock the door, roll up the windows, have one person stay with your stuff at all times and don't leave any valuables visible in the car. Don't park in remote, dark areas.
You can read more Costa Rica safety tips here and our Costa Rica tourist scams.
I am leaving the country Jan. 2020 and have been looking for a good place to start my journey. I think I have decided on starting in Costa Rica.
Your post has really helped me with some questions I've had about Costa Rica.
Thank you very much for all this great information we are looking so much forward to our one month trip from cold Norway in January. We will visit osa the tree first weeks, 2 weeks at bosquelcabo and one week at the beach, Punta preciosa before we visit leaves and lizards near bye vulkano and hot springs with horses.
I have been loving all your tips about Costa Rica and looking forward to coming later this month. I can't find any useful info about drinks. I understand that it's a good idea to bring spirits but what about wine? Is it really expensive? Is it Ok to drink? I don't want to spend $15 per bottle…..
Hi Suzanne! So wine is pretty expensive here if you want to get a nice bottle… Costa Rica does have their own wine but it's box wine and around $6 a box. If you want nice wine, like from Italy or Chile, it can get expensive. If you want reallllly nice wine, it can get up to $100 but you can find wine of all qualities and prices.
I have just found this site and is really helpful, it is great you have included some basic Spanish words as well, thank you!
It is better to use a GPS device, Waze the GPS app works best in Costa Rica.
Where do we get the tourist stamp to drive a car in Costa Rica?
How long is the stamp good for? If were driving, should we to use a map or is it better to use GPS?
Thank you SO much for this! It is so helpful and I cannot wait to read everything else you have on Costa Rica! I am planning on visiting in late July, and we are going to be staying in Tamarindo! Any recommendations or do you suggest we stay somewhere else?
Before anything, I want to give a huge thanks to you for making this website and being so helpful anyone that's planning to visit Costa Rica. It's real rare to see videos of driving on the actual road. Your advises are thoroughly explained and it's just heart warming to know that someone out there is looking out for first time traveler like me.
My boyfriend and I are going to Costa Rica the first week of April. We're going for ten days and are hopping from San Jose to Manuel Antonio National Park, La Fortuna, and finally the coast for beautiful beaches. As for La Fortuna, I've noticed that both the Waterfall and Arenal closes at 4pm. What do you recommend for activities after 4pm? Also, which beach do you recommend going first?
As for beaches, which coast will you be going to? Guanacaste coast or the Central/South Pacific coast?
Hi Colleen, glad it's helpful!
Your whole site has been so helpful for my sister and I, who are planning a 2 week trip in February. I've soaked up all your advice and especially value your local knowledge and personal-experience based insights, which I have no doubt are going to be useful to us – Thank you so much!
Don't forget to be vigilant if you go to Costa Rica. My friend just returned from there where he was robbed and beaten, and he's still in the hospital.
From what I gather, this is nothing new as several Americans that I've talked to have either been targeted in some way, robbed, or had their stuff stolen from them in during break-ins while they were gone exploring.
You would be better off- or safer- if you considered a different country. I figure it was worth mentioning.
Thanks for the tips! Just returned from CR. Definitely found your info to be true-it takes a very long time to get places. We did not get to do many of the things we wanted. Plus when the Braulio Carrillo park at Volcan Barva did not open on time at 8am, it put us behind and unable to complete the day's adventure. (We wanted to visit from both entrances but not enough time to drive around before they closed at 3:30. We still had a great visit though!) we did see a sloth but only thanks to a local kind enough to take the time to point it out-would never have seen it otherwise.
Also, it was chilly to cold most of the time. Being from the Gulf Coast of the US we expected temps/climate to be similar. But with the rain and altitude we were never really hot. Very glad we brought rain gear for our hikes!
Great adventure in CR. Just wish we had more time….
Hi Stacey! Yes definitely that's one of the greatest (and most confusing) thing about Cost Rica is that there are soo many places to go but it's so hard to get around, even with a car because of times and schedules for places opening, traffic and long drives. Right now is rainy season so it does get pretty cold in the mountains and central Valley. Always best to bring a rain jacket!
Glad you enjoyed CR and hopefully next time you can come back for longer!
Where is the best location to stay.. I am confused with all the different areas.
Hi Chayanne, thanks for your kind words and glad the blog is helpful! I don't know where your house is in Ojochal but many of the houses in that area are up in the mountains and the road into Ojochal is not paved, so a 4×4 is a good idea especially for that area. A lot of roads in the Costa Ballena up in the mountains are steep and unpaved so they do require a 4×4.
There aren't many ziplining tours in that area but there is a private reserve, Hacienda Baru near Dominical that has one. We visited it last year and wrote about it here: Hacienda Baru. It's about 20-30 minutes driving from Ojochal.
There should be taxis in Ojochal but since it's not a super touristic area, I wouldn't count on taxis as your main form of transportation. It's good you're renting a car because that area is hard to get around without one (you'll see lots of people hitchhiking). It's best to have a car, or hire a private driver but that can get expensive. Uber only exists in San Jose.
I LOVE your article and have been reading all of the comments. My boyfriend & I are flying in to San Jose & driving to a house we rented in Ojochal. It appears that our house is near "Tortuga Arriba" & "Calle del Bosque". Would you ancipate this is a tough drive? We plant to rent a 4×4 and have planned on about a 4 hour drive.
Also- is there a zip lining place in Ojochal you can reccomend?
Lastly- is there a taxi service that could pick us up and bring us places? I am from NYC so am expecting big differences.
Hi! We are headed to Costa Rica next year! I am just concerned about safety. We plan on renting a car to drive to the house we rented in Avellanas from La fortuna. I have been hearing stories of robberies. I figured common since should be enough but am just worried. Is it safe?
Hi Jess, if you're talking about safety while renting a car, just make sure to never leave anything in the car, don't leave a bag or backpack out in the seat even if it's empty because if a thief sees it, he could try to steal it. We've known people who left their bags out right in plain view in the backseats and got their car robbed so make sure never to leave anything in the car. As for houses, it's fairly safe in Costa Rica and Avellanas is not a very busy area. Always lock up, don't leave your valuables in sight and close your curtains. Most houses here have gates on windows and doors, so always lock the gates and many places that are rented to tourists have some sort of security system set up so I'd ask the person you're renting from if there is anything you need to be aware of.
So glad I found your article and these post! I'm planning to travel there for my birthday next month, but also want to visit Panama. I want to experience the culture, food & nightlife of both places…where should I stay in CR to be able to spend time in Panama?
Hi Kemme, Puerto Viejo is the best option. It's really close to the Panama border and they even offer 1 and 2 day trips to Bocas del Toro so you can take a bus/shuttle to the border and then visit Bocas for a few days.
Very interesting article. I may rethink my vacation destination!
We are flying into San Jose and renting a car, is it better to take a tour bus to the volcano Poas or is it worth driving ourselves and saving the money? Or which volcano is the best one to visit?
We have 2 days on our own before we have to be at our hotel (Jungle Creek Villa) is it worth staying a night in Jaco or somewhere else before we head to Manuel Ontonio?
You don't really need to take a tour to the Poas Volcano, the national park isn't huge and lots of people visit on their own. But if you want a guide and don't want to drive, then you should take a tour. Poas Volcano is the most popular and it's not too far from San Jose, plus the trail is very well maintained and they have nice facilities.
I have a bottle of 100% Deet and when I use it, it works like a charm. Granted it's a lot of chemicals but it really does the job so if you plan to use that, then you should be pretty ok. If you're really scared or paranoid about getting bit, make sure you're always wearing long sleeves and pants as that gives the best protection. The mosquitoes in the Guanacaste area are bad, but dengue fever has gone down a lot in the past couple years and it's quite rare (not impossible) for people to get it, you'd have to be really unlucky. But it seems you are taking the necessary precautions so just make sure always have a bottle handy.
The road to Tenorio Volcano National Park where Rio Celeste is is pretty bad – it is definitely recommended to get a 4×4. If you get stuck, car rental companies have an emergency hotline you can call and they also give you an emergency kit with an extra tire, fire extinguisher and if you get the full insurance, most rental car companies have you covered 100% up to a certain amount, say $5 million.
Im going to arenal and going to do the waterfall repeling.
Then from arenal springs hotel to the rio celest hideway then to the beach at the guanacaste.
Im super nervous about dungue. I plan on using 100 deef spray but do u think i have concerns to get this, if so what kind of percentage rate?
This trip will cost be 5000 and im worry i will not be able to enjoy it due to the misquote's.
Do they bite often if u use the bug spray?
Also will there be so many on the beach that it will be unenjoyable?
Lastly: do i need a 4 by 4 vehicle for the locations im going? I heard that the rio celest hideway has some rocky roads? I then heard it was paved? Unsure what to believe. I did contact the resort but havnt heard back.
Would i be ok with a regular 4 by 2 car? It saves me 300 bucks but i dont want to get stuck! I also plan on paying the extra for insurance and getting fully covered.. So if i did get stuck by a rock or such in the road, would i be reliable? Or would that be covered with the full protection.
We will be doing a tour, just for the relaxing aspect of the trip, but after its completion we want to go to the sloth sanctuary. Is it worth it, and what is our best way to get from San Jose to Cahuita? Are there tours from San Jose to the sanctuary?
There is a bus from San Jose to Puerto Viejo but I actually recommend going to the Jaguar Rescue Center instead. That one is very close to Cahuita.
Visiting both Playa Hermosa then Tamarindo. What is the best to see and do while in Playa Hermosa then the best to see and do from Tamarindo.
There are more things that you can do but all the ones above are not that far, please let us know if you have any questions and if you like to book any of this tours we can help you.
Hi Jim, being Sunday doesnt matter for cab drivers, there are taxis all the time especially in touristic areas so you should be able to find one.
I hate to be the one to ask this, but you have any advice regarding buying Marijuana while in Costa Rica? We are going to be staying in Puerto Viejo and as Marijuana enthusiasts we are hoping to buy some. Any tips?? Thanks for any help you can offer.
Hi Elizabeth, you should be able to find some pretty easily in Puerto Viejo (super hippie laid back town). A lot of locals sell and most are hanging out near the beach. If you guys are staying in a hostel, you can ask the other backpackers too since it's not a rare thing to find in PV.
Is San Jose to Uvita too long of a drive to make in one day by first time visitors in a rental 4 x 4?
Hi Anne, the drive is around 3.5 hours. It's not that bad, but I do recommend using Waze to navigate your way out of San Jose. Once you're out of the city and on the highway, exit to Jaco and just keep on going south. Pretty easy drive once you're out of the city so it's definitely doable for first time visitors, just use Waze for San Jose.
Do you know if there is an ATM machine close to Playa Flamingo Beach Hotel?
Does the ATM accept Canadian bank cards that have a chip ?
Hi Jim, yes there is a bank at Flamingo, it should accept all CC's.
Hi Jim, I have seen a couple of ATM's around the Flamingo Beach hotel and most of the North American Cards works here, just make sure to ask your bank about international withdrawal fees and all that. In the worst case scenario you will have to go to Tamarindo downtown where you will find many banks and ATM's people from all over world use them without any problem.
I read that most places accept credit cards that have raised numbers on their surface only as they will be pressed on a paper voucher. is that true? all banks in the US only issue flat card with chip nowadays.
where do you recommend exchange currency? at the airport, bank or atm?
WE used to used those credit cards "machines" but that was long time ago, I haven't see them for years, now everyone uses the credit card wireless machines that reads chips. The best place to exchange money is at the bank make sure to bring a picture ID otherwise they will not exchange any money.
These are all great tips! I've never been but I would love to one day.
Great guide! It helps knowing what you could expect before going there. Hope you to see your next adventure!
Great post. At least we are aware if ever we've got a chance to visit Costa Rica.
Thanks Gina, glad you found it useful!


text:
New office building in Viet Nam will help UN to deliver as one and deliver green
The new Green One UN House, nearing completion on Hanoi's busy Kim Ma Street, has become the first building project in Viet Nam to achieve a provisional gold Lotus rating from the country's Green Building Council. All aspects of…more
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Burundi is a country of wonderful landscapes, soaring mountains and a breath-taking wildlife. Endowed with some of the most ideal conditions for coffee production, the coffee sector provides jobs for more than 800,000 households….more
UNIDO's technical assistance helps Senegalese slaughterhouse upgrade to become cleaner and energy efficient
A United Nations Industrial Development Organizationa (UNIDO) technical assistance programme with the Senegalese government's Office for Industrial Upgrading (Bureau de mise à niveau des Entreprises, BMN) has helped the…more
Small hydro power plant in Nigeria's Taraba State offers sustainable energy to tea factory and improves lives of local communities
The Sardauna Local Government Area is a remote place in the extreme southeast of Taraba State in Nigeria. Sitting atop the vast Mambilla plateau which borders the Republic of Cameroon, it is a two-day drive away from the capital…more
Environmentally sound management helps eliminate health threats in China
One of the consequences of China's rapid growth during the last two decades has been the production of hundreds of thousands of tons of pesticides that were used in agriculture. Many of these substances are extremely detrimental…more
Young entrepreneurs in Egypt benefit from training in agriculture
Twenty-three-year-old Yassir El-Shikhawi became the first one to construct a greenhouse in the rural area of El-Edwa city in Egypt, where a daunting unemployment rate has forced many young people to hunt for jobs in other Arab…more
Boosting Lao's tourism sector
With more than 3.3 million travellers in 2012, Lao People's Democratic Republic is experiencing a significant increase in tourist arrivals. Out of the many destinations, the town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage…more
Helping boost trade and the private sector in Mozambique
Mozambique has seen promising growth rates in recent years. According to the African Development Bank, its real gross domestic product grew by 7.4 per cent in 2012, with predictions of a 8.5 per cent and 8 per cent growth for…more
UNIDO helps kick World Cup football into production
Since 1994, Forward Sports in Sialkot in north-eastern Pakistan has been producing footballs for Adidas, the world's second-largest sporting goods manufacturer. It has supplied Adidas footballs for the German and French national…more
West Africa Quality Programme helps local Ghana company acquire international certification
Niche Cocoa Industry Limited, a cocoa processing company at the TEMA Free Zone in Ghana that produces high quality cocoa products such as natural cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and cocoa cake, is now an internationally ISO 22000…more
UNIDO project neutralizes explosive and toxic substances to avert potential chemical disaster in Ukraine
An abandoned chemical and explosives production facility in the city of Horlivka in the Donetsk region of Ukraine is no longer a significant and immediate threat to the health of the local population or the environment, thanks to…more
Mitigating desertification in Morocco
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Jonathan Demme Statele Unite, 2004
Nicholas Gregory's rating of the film The Manchurian Candidate
Nicholas Gregory
The most uninspired remake of all time? It's down there. Generic fluff that uses the opening twist of the original close to its final resolution. Despite its flow problems, 1962 was smart enough to be more complex. I will repeat that again... We know where the first 3/4 leads because it's how the original starts. What the hell is even the point of that? Zero creativity, for sure. Demme's direction is also very weak.


It could have hardly escaped you that tonight, in the midst of the regular Sunday night television programming, the new Doctor was announced. Ever since Matt Smith announced his departure in early June, the speculation has been rife. And tonight, during a live special, Zoe Ball announced to the baying masses that it would be who we all reckoned it would be for the past week.
Yes, Peter Capaldi will take over the keys to the TARDIS in this year's Christmas special. And if you're not quite sure who he is, or what he's done in his 55 years on this Earth, here's a quick guide to the man who will be the Twelfth Doctor.
And where do I know him from?
A veritable banquet of quality TV drama, including Getting On, The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher, The Hour and The Devil's Whore.
Giving life to the character of The Angel Islington in the TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere.
A recurring role as Mark Jenkins, Sid's dad in teen angst-fest Skins.
Playing the man who introduced the world to the word "omnishambles", profanity-spouting spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It and spin-off movie In The Loop.
At 55, he is the same age as William Hartnell was when he got the role 50 years ago.
He's already set foot in the Whoniverse, appearing in 2008's The Fires Of Pompeii as Lucius Caecilius Iucundus, and in spin-off show Torchwood's Children of Earth series as John Frobisher.
He'll be playing Cardinal Richelieu in the BBC adaptation of The Three Musketeers, slated to air next year.
In the same year, he will also be seen on the big screen as Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger in Wikileaks-thriller The Fifth Estate.
As if that wasn't enough, he'll be playing King Kinloch in Maleficent, the story of Sleeping Beauty told from the perspective of evil witch Maleficent.
Welcome to Doctor Who, Peter. It's going to be insane, but I have no doubt that the TARDIS is safe in your hands.
Now, can we all get back to speculating what John Hurt will be doing in the 50th anniversary special?
Watch the reveal again on iPlayer.
Pretty happy with this choice. Think they've picked just the right time to go for an older Doctor – especially since this might be his 13th body, and thus they can do a nice storyline about the inevitability of death.
Plus Capaldi is great, so will hopefully do justice to it.


Money Pit - Soul Calibur 2 stage re-designed.
For this project I was tasked with re-designing the 'Money Pit' fighting stage from Soul Calibur 2. The final product was built within UDK using modular assets created with 3DS Max, ZBrush and Photoshop. The original scene was transformed into an overgrown, jungle-themed environment with a large range of hard surface and organic modelling, balanced with the challenge of creating a visually appealing fighting arena designed to be viewed from one side.


7188 LICKMAN ROAD Sardis, House with Acreage | 2200 sq ft | Built: 1980 | Greendale Chilliwack | Rancher/Bungalow | 4 beds & 3 baths | List: $1,275,000.
7188 LICKMAN ROAD Sardis was listed on February 11th, 2019, or 67 days ago, 39 years old & located at V2R 4A8 postal code. Lot size: 0.00 sq ft, or x feet lot. Listed at $1,275,000, or $ per lot square foot.
Wind And Tide Preschool - Chilliwack 36 minutes on , call 604-575-0549.
Wind And Tide - Evans Elementary 37 minutes on , call 604-575-0549.
12 minutes driving at Chilliwack Mall, located at , BC, V2R 1A2, at lat. 49.1393989, long. -121.9629096.
So personable, so friendly, so helpful. By far, hands down the best pharmacy ever! Raj and his team go above and beyond for us.
Browns Socialhouse Eagle Landing - Chilliwack on , +1 604-392-7424.
Anytime Fitness 39 minutes at , +1 604-846-2447.
Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Chilliwack, located just 29 minutes on , call +1 604-402-0030.


Both product and packaging has recycled content. Packaging contains 100% post-consumer and 100% total recovered material.
Made with SOFTBLEND fiber, the perfect blend of soft. The result is a quality tissue that meets the high standaraeds of KLEENEX brand. Exceeds EPA standards for minimum post consumer waste content: facial tissue 10%. Product contains 20% post consumer and 20% total recovered material.
The comfort of home away from home. Boxes have a SIGNAL feature that alerts you when it's time to change the box.
Quality softness; strong and absorbent. To comfort all of your noses in need.


Mother's Day is right around the corner! Can you believe it!? It is a day dedicated to making your mom feel as special as she makes you feel every day of the year. Still not sure where to celebrate? Here are some of the best places in New Jersey to celebrate Mother's Day.
Mother's Day special brunch menu here.
All moms receive a complementary bottle of champagne with a reservation.
Family Style Brunch Served From 11:30am-4pm.
Here's a Mother's Day deal from Chocolate Works in Montclair!


The whole government has been under a cloud after the scandal.
Are you sure you have everything under control? I can help you if you want.
The city of Baghdad has been under fire for 12 hours.
Mr. Smith keeps all his money in the bank safely under lock and key.
The kids will stay under my care while their parents are away.
Under no circumstances should the patient leave the hospital.
How could I be so blind? This has been going on under my nose all the time!
You must tell the truth to the jury, Miss Lee, remember you are under oath.
Mark said something under his breath and I couldn't understand him.
I can't do my work if you're all the time under my feet! Go away!
Lou came home under his own steam. Nobody brought him.
Pete's under a lot of pressure right now, that's why he's so nervous.
I'm sick of being under my mom's thumb. I'm a grown woman, I have my own life!
Most artists of the Renaissance worked under the aegis of a patron.
We usually don't do this but, under the circumstances, we can make an exception.
I quit my job because there were lots of things going on under the counter.
I'm sorry, I've got a lot of work to do and I'm under the gun with it.
A series of items belonging to John Lennon went under the hammer yesterday.
Moe seemed to be under the impression that we were going with him.
Lots of celebrities get arrested for driving under the influence.
My sister has gallstones and she has to go under the knife.
Helen had to go home because she was feeling a bit under the weather.
The whole thing was a secret and they kept it all under wraps.


text:
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;

using Android.App;
using Android.Content;
using Android.OS;
using Android.Runtime;
using Android.Views;
using Android.Widget;
using Android.Media;
using Android.Util;
using Java.Util;
using Android.Text;
using Java.Lang;

namespace Xamarin.BookReader.Views
{
    /// <summary>
    /// 打字效果TextView
    /// </summary>
    [Register("xamarin.bookreader.views.TypeTextView")]
    public class TypeTextView : TextView
    {
        private Context mContext = null;
        private MediaPlayer mMediaPlayer = null;
        private string mShowTextString = null;
        private Timer mTypeTimer = null;
        private OnTypeViewListener mOnTypeViewListener = null;
        private static int TYPE_TIME_DELAY = 80;
        private int mTypeTimeDelay = TYPE_TIME_DELAY; // 打字间隔

        public TypeTextView(Context context, IAttributeSet attrs, int defStyle) : base(context, attrs, defStyle)
        {
            initTypeTextView(context);
        }

        public TypeTextView(Context context, IAttributeSet attrs) : base(context, attrs)
        {

            initTypeTextView(context);
        }

        public TypeTextView(Context context) : base(context)
        {

            initTypeTextView(context);
        }

        public void setOnTypeViewListener(OnTypeViewListener onTypeViewListener)
        {
            mOnTypeViewListener = onTypeViewListener;
        }

        public void start(string textString)
        {
            start(textString, TYPE_TIME_DELAY);
        }

        public void start(string textString, int typeTimeDelay)
        {
            if (TextUtils.IsEmpty(textString) || typeTimeDelay < 0)
            {
                return;
            }
            Post(() =>
            {
                mShowTextString = textString;
                mTypeTimeDelay = typeTimeDelay;
                Text = "";
                startTypeTimer();
                if (null != mOnTypeViewListener)
                {
                    mOnTypeViewListener.onTypeStart();
                }
            });
        }

        public void stop()
        {
            stopTypeTimer();
            stopAudio();
        }

        private void initTypeTextView(Context context)
        {
            mContext = context;
        }

        private void startTypeTimer()
        {
            stopTypeTimer();
            mTypeTimer = new Timer();
            mTypeTimer.Schedule(new TypeTimerTask(this), mTypeTimeDelay);
        }

        private void stopTypeTimer()
        {
            if (null != mTypeTimer)
            {
                mTypeTimer.Cancel();
                mTypeTimer = null;
            }
        }

        private void startAudioPlayer()
        {
            stopAudio();
            //TO DO playAudio(R.raw.type_in);
        }

        private void playAudio(int audioResId)
        {
            try
            {
                stopAudio();
                mMediaPlayer = MediaPlayer.Create(mContext, audioResId);
                mMediaPlayer.Start();
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                e.PrintStackTrace();
            }
        }

        private void stopAudio()
        {
            if (mMediaPlayer != null && mMediaPlayer.IsPlaying)
            {
                mMediaPlayer.Stop();
                mMediaPlayer.Release();
                mMediaPlayer = null;
            }
        }

        class TypeTimerTask : TimerTask
        {
            private TypeTextView typeTextView;

            public TypeTimerTask(TypeTextView typeTextView)
            {
                this.typeTextView = typeTextView;
            }

            public override void Run()
            {
                typeTextView.Post(() =>
                {
                    if (typeTextView.Text.Length < typeTextView.mShowTextString.Length)
                    {
                        typeTextView.Text = typeTextView.mShowTextString.Substring(0, typeTextView.Text.Length + 1);
                        typeTextView.startAudioPlayer();
                        typeTextView.startTypeTimer();
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        typeTextView.stopTypeTimer();
                        if (null != typeTextView.mOnTypeViewListener)
                        {
                            typeTextView.mOnTypeViewListener.onTypeOver();
                        }
                    }
                });
            }
        }

        public interface OnTypeViewListener
        {
            void onTypeStart();

            void onTypeOver();
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Included in your admission this summer at the AGO, are dance lessons on Saturday afternoons. Saturday Rhythms is held in conjunction of Picturing the Americas Exhibition. As always Screen Art is proud to have printed and installed this perforated vinyl mural on glass, at the Main Entrance of the Art Gallery of Ontario. For more info on dates and time please go to Saturday Rhythms.
Rachel of the AGO is seen at the right along with Louis De Luca, the Marketing Manager Art Gallery of Ontario who is also pictured below.


text:
One-Third of Americans Choose Smartphones
July 11, 2011, 9:23 PM UTC / Source: TechNewsDaily
By Samantha Murphy
Americans now more than ever are leaving behind simple cellphones and opting for smarter ones. In fact, one-third of American adults — or 35 percent — own a smartphone, according to a new study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.Dominating the smartphone ownership are financially well-off college graduates under the age of 45. Nonwhites are especially likely to be smartphone owners, the report said.
About 87 percent of smartphone owners access the Internet or email on their handheld, including two-thirds (68 percent) who do so on a typical day. When asked what device they normally use to access the Internet, 25 percent of smartphone owners say that they mostly go online using their phone, rather than a computer.
While many of these individuals have other sources of online access at home, about one-third of these "cell mostly" Internet users lack a high-speed home broadband connection.
Urban and suburban residents are about twice as likely to own a smartphone as those in rural areas, and employment status is also strongly correlated with smartphone ownership.
The report also noted that phones operating on the Android platform are currently the most prevalent type of smartphone, with 35 percent of smartphone owners owning an Android phone, followed by iPhones (24 percent) and BlackBerry devices (also 24 percent).
Demographically, Android phones are especially common among young adults and African-Americans, while iPhones and BlackBerry devices are most prevalent among college graduates and the financially well-off, the report said.
Reach TechNewsDaily senior writer Samantha Murphy at smurphy@techmedianetwork.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow her on Twitter @SamMurphy_TMN
10 Profound Innovations Ahead
Social Media Statistics: Mind-Boggling Facts About the Medium
Digital Detox Vacations: Check Your iPhone at the Hotel Door
Samantha Murphy


text:
Ecological Management, General, Tools
Wiki launch of the practitioner's guide to resilience assessment
April 23, 2008 Allyson Quinlan	2 Comments
Last week at Resilience 2008 in Stockholm, I gave a presentation on the Practitioner's workbook Assessing and Managing Resilience in Social-Ecological Systems. The workbook incorporates key principles underlying resilience thinking and provides a framework for assessing the resilience of social-ecological systems and considering options to set the system on a sustainable trajectory. The workbook builds on research by RA members and others and while it offers neither a recipe for effective management nor a panacea for resource problems, it does provide a foundation for integrated resource management that takes into account cross-scale interactions, alternate regimes, change, and uncertainty.
In the spirit of knowledge sharing, and collaboration, a wiki version of the workbook was launched last week. The workbook wiki is aimed at those who have experience applying resilience concepts to social-ecological systems and who want to contribute to the on-going development of the resilience assessment guide.
Feedback from those who have used the resilience assessment workbook (first made available last July), identified some of the strengths and weaknesses of the original version as well as a few gaps. The wiki editorial team will begin organizing the development of new content and a bunch of new material that will be linked to the workbook including: thematic versions of the workbook (e.g. urban resilience, coral reef resilience); modules on participatory research, adaptive co-management, assessing ecosystem service tradeoffs, etc.; research methods; translations (Spanish, Russian, Swedish); new examples and case studies.
Discussions among those who have used the workbook highlight the need for many more examples and case studies of completed assessments. People want to know how others are applying the assessment process in different settings, how they are adapting it, what problems have arisen, and how they were dealt with. A large network of people who have completed resilience assessments will be encouraged to contribute their examples and case studies to the wiki. These entries will include authorship and be reviewed by editors.
Resilience 2008resilience workbookStockholmSwedenwiki
Previous PostNovelty Needed for Sustainable Development – Resilience 2008Next PostSlow ecological art
2 thoughts on "Wiki launch of the practitioner's guide to resilience assessment"
Steven Earl Salmony, Ph.D., M.P.A. says:
Thanks for this opportunity to communicate openly about what to me looks like the proverbial "mother" of all global challenges: the human overpopulation of Earth in our time.
It looks like humankind inhabits a tiny celestial orb that is miraculously set among of sea of stars. As far as we know, life as we know it exists nowhere else in the Universe. In the light of these one-of-a-kind circumstances, perhaps we of the human family have the responsibility of assuring the security for the future of life in our planetary home.
I am trying to focus attention on the pressing need for human beings to protect and preserve the finite resources of Earth and its frangible ecosystems. If we fail to achieve this goal, then an unimaginably bleak future could await our children. In all the seriousness of what could be somehow true, I mean the children of my generation.
If 6+ billion human beings live on Earth now and 9+ billion are expected to populate our small planet by 2050, then the human species simply cannot keep engaging in certain unbridled activities that we can see overspreading the Earth because the Earth has limited resources upon which all forms of life and human constructions like national economies utterly depend for existence. Without adequate resources and ecosystem system services of Earth, life as we know it and human institutions could collapse, I suppose.
Now, some portion of the world�s human population conspicuously over-consumes the resources of our planetary home. Other people, working in huge multinational conglomerations, are operating businesses in a way that recklessly scours the oceans' floor, decapitates mountains, turns biomass into human mass and, in these and many other ways, end up dissipating natural resources at such an alarming rate that the Earth has insufficient time to restore the resources for human benefit. Still other people in the family of humanity are overpopulating the planet. The leviathan-like scale and rapid growth of global human consumption, production and propagation activities are putting the Earth, life as we know it, and the human community in grave, clear and present danger.
Elder human beings of the overdeveloped world, of whom I am one, are among the people in our planetary home who are ravenously over-consuming Earth's resources. We could choose to consume less. People in the developing could choose to limit overproduction of unnecessary things, to stop ravaging the planet, and to contain industrial pollution. People in the underdeveloped world could limit their number of offspring. Perhaps these are some ways the family of humanity begins to respond ably to the human-induced global challenges that loom so ominously before humanity in our time.
While I certainly agree that action should have been taken by my generation of old folks when we were young in the 60s and 70s, when we became aware of the "population bomb," still we have responsibilities to assume and duties to perform, here and now, for the sake of our children, grandchildren and coming generations.
The idea of making a conscious choice to do nothing in the face of the recognizably daunting global challenges that are visible before humanity on the far horizon is anathema to me.
At a minimum, do we not have a "duty to warn" others of the potential for some kind of ecological catastrophe if the human community adamantly chooses to continue relentlessly down the current "primrose path" marked by soon to become unsustainable consumption, production and propagation activities now threatening to overwhelm the surface of Earth?
Always with thanks,
Steven Earl Salmony
AWAREness Campaign on The Human Population,
http://sustainabilitysoutheast.org/index.php
Pingback: Resilient scientists at Agricultural Biodiversity Weblog


text:
Laklajärvi är en sjö i kommunen Lieksa i landskapet Norra Karelen i Finland. Sjön ligger  meter över havet. Den är  meter djup. Arean är  hektar och strandlinjen är  kilometer lång. Sjön   Den ligger omkring 110 kilometer norr om Joensuu och omkring 470 kilometer nordöst om Helsingfors.

Källor

Insjöar i Norra Karelen
Lieksas natur

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Object declared for DataOutputStream is throwing a NullPointerException package com.company;

import javax.swing.*;
import javax.swing.border.EmptyBorder;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.io.*;
import java.net.*;

public class Server implements ActionListener {

    JPanel p1;
    JTextField t1;
    JButton b1;
    static JPanel ta1;

    static Box vertical = Box.createVerticalBox();

    static JFrame f1 = new JFrame();

    static ServerSocket ss;
    static Socket s;
    static DataInputStream din;
    static DataOutputStream d_out;

    Server(){

        f1.getContentPane().setBackground(Color.BLACK);
        f1.setSize(450,700);
        f1.setLayout(null);
        f1.setLocation(100,30);
        f1.setVisible(false);

        p1 = new JPanel();
        p1.setLayout(null);
        p1.setBounds(0,0,450,70);
        p1.setBackground(new Color(0,0,102));
        f1.add(p1);

        ImageIcon img = new ImageIcon(ClassLoader.getSystemResource("com/company/Icons/3.png"));
        Image img2 = img.getImage().getScaledInstance(30,30,Image.SCALE_DEFAULT);
        ImageIcon img3 = new ImageIcon(img2);

        JLabel lab = new JLabel(img3);
        lab.setBounds(5,17,30,30);
        p1.add(lab);

        lab.addMouseListener(new MouseAdapter(){
            public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent ae){
                System.exit(0);
            }
        });

        ImageIcon img4 = new ImageIcon(ClassLoader.getSystemResource("com/company/Icons/Frusci dp.jpg"));
        Image img5 = img4.getImage().getScaledInstance(60,60,Image.SCALE_DEFAULT);
        ImageIcon img6 = new ImageIcon(img5);

        JLabel lab2 = new JLabel(img6);
        lab2.setBounds(45,10,50,50);
        p1.add(lab2);

        JLabel lab3 = new JLabel("John");
        lab3.setBounds(110,3,50,50);
        lab3.setFont(new Font("SAN_SERIF", Font.BOLD, 20));
        lab3.setForeground(Color.WHITE);
        p1.add(lab3);

        ImageIcon img7 = new ImageIcon(ClassLoader.getSystemResource("com/company/Icons/3Icon.png"));
        Image img8 = img7.getImage().getScaledInstance(15,30,Image.SCALE_DEFAULT);
        ImageIcon img9 = new ImageIcon(img8);

        JLabel label = new JLabel(img9);
        label.setBounds(400,19,15,30);
        p1.add(label);

        JLabel lab4 = new JLabel("Active Now");
        lab4.setBounds(110,24,60,40);
        lab4.setFont(new Font("SAN_SERIF", Font.PLAIN, 12));
        lab4.setForeground(Color.WHITE);
        p1.add(lab4);

        t1 = new JTextField();
        t1.setBounds(5,625,340,30);
        t1.setFont(new Font("SAN", Font.PLAIN, 16));
        f1.add(t1);

        ta1 = new JPanel();
        ta1.setBounds(5,77,425,543);
        ta1.setBackground(Color.BLACK);
        ta1.setForeground(Color.WHITE);
        ta1.setFont(new Font("SAN_SERIF",Font.PLAIN,20));
        f1.add(ta1);

        b1 = new JButton("Send");
        b1.setBounds(350,625,80,30);
        b1.setBackground(new Color(0,0,102));
        b1.setForeground(Color.WHITE);
        b1.setFont(new Font("SAN_SERIF", Font.BOLD, 15));
        b1.addActionListener(this);
        f1.add(b1);
    }

    public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent ae){

        try{

            String out = t1.getText();

            JPanel p2 = formatLabel(out);

            ta1.setLayout(new BorderLayout());

            JPanel right = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
            right.setBackground(Color.BLACK);
            right.add(p2, BorderLayout.LINE_END);
            vertical.add(right);

            ta1.add(vertical, BorderLayout.PAGE_START);
            d_out.writeUTF(out);
            t1.setText("");

        }catch (Exception e){
            System.out.println(e);
        }

    }

    public static JPanel formatLabel( String out ){
        JPanel p = new JPanel();
        p.setLayout(new BoxLayout(p, BoxLayout.Y_AXIS));

        p.setBackground(Color.BLACK);

        JLabel label = new JLabel(out);
        label.setForeground(Color.WHITE);
        label.setBackground(new Color(0,0,102));
        label.setFont(new Font("Helvetica", Font.PLAIN, 16));
        label.setOpaque(true);
        label.setBorder(new EmptyBorder(10,10,10,90));

        p.add(label);
        return p;
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        new Server().f1.setVisible(true);

        String inp = "";
        try{
            ss = new ServerSocket(69);
            while(true){
            s = ss.accept();
            din = new DataInputStream(s.getInputStream());
            d_out = new DataOutputStream(s.getOutputStream());

            while(true) {
                inp = din.readUTF();
                JPanel p2 = formatLabel(inp);

                JPanel left = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
                left.add(p2, BorderLayout.LINE_START);
                left.setBackground(Color.BLACK);
                vertical.add(left);
                f1.validate();

            }
            }

        }catch (Exception e){}
    }
}

Error:

java.lang.NullPointerException: Cannot invoke "java.io.DataOutputStream.writeUTF(String)" because "com.company.Server.d_out" is null

When I send a message from the server to the client, the client shows the output but that is not seen in the server.
When I send a message back from the client only then the output is shown.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Home Lifestyle Autos & Drivers Accessible Parking Permit in Ontario
Accessible Parking Permit in Ontario
The name "Accessible Parking Permit" was adopted to focus on the functionality and benefits of the permit to the holder. Holders of a valid "Disabled Person Parking Permit" (DPPP) may continue to use their existing permit until it expires.
The Accessible Parking Permit (APP) is issued to an individual or company and entitles the vehicle in which it is displayed to be parked in a designated accessible parking space. For permits issued to individuals, the person to whom the permit is issued must be transported in the vehicle and the permit must be visibly displayed on the dashboard or sun visor when it is parked in the designated accessible parking space. Individual permit holders may use the permit in any vehicle in which they are traveling. There is no fee for an APP. ServiceOntario issues four types of permits, which are colour coded:
a Permanent Permit (blue)
a Temporary Permit (red)
a Traveler Permit (purple)
a Company Permit (green)
Who is eligible for an individual APP?
To qualify for an Accessible Parking Permit, the individual must be certified by an APP Program recognized health practitioner as having one or more of the following conditions:
Cannot walk without assistance of another person or a brace, cane, crutch, a lower limb prosthetic device or similar assistive device or who requires the assistance of a wheelchair.
Suffers from lung disease to such an extent that forced expiratory volume in one second is less than one litre.
Portable oxygen is a medical necessity.
Cardiovascular disease impairment classified as Class III or Class IV to standards accepted by the American Heart Association or Class III or IV according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Standard.
Severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, musculoskeletal or orthopedic condition.
Visual acuity is 20/200 or poorer in the better eye with or without corrective lenses or whose greatest diameter of the field of vision in both eyes is 20 degrees or less.
Condition(s) or functional impairment that severely limits his or her mobility.
Which health practitioners may certify an application for an APP?
A licensed physician, chiropractor, registered nurse practitioner (extended class), physiotherapist, occupational therapist, chiropodist or podiatrist may certify the applicant's condition on the permit application.
Misuse of Permit and/or Designated Accessible Parking Space
Misuse of the permit will result in fines ranging from $300 to $5,000 and revoked APP privileges.
ServiceOntario may cancel or refuse to issue a replacement permit if it is misused.
Misuse or abuse of a permit should be reported to the police.
For information on local bylaws concerning accessible parking privileges, please contact your municipality.
Types of Accessible Parking Permits Issued in Ontario
An Accessible Parking Permit (APP) entitles the vehicle in which it is displayed to be parked in a designated accessible parking space when transporting persons with disabilities. It is issued to an individual or company. For permits issued to individuals, the person to whom the permit is issued must be transported in the vehicle and the permit must be visibly displayed on the dashboard or sun visor when it is parked in the designated accessible parking space. Individual permit holders may use the permit in any vehicle in which they are traveling. There is no fee for an Accessible Parking Permit.
ServiceOntario issues four types of permits, which are colour coded:
Permanent Permits
A permanent permit (blue) is valid for five years. All existing Accessible Parking Permits are valid until their current expiry date. At that time, the applicant must meet the conditions of the new program criteria.
Everyone under the Disabled Parking Permit Program (DPPP) must be re-certified by a recognized health practitioner once under the new criteria. If their health practitioner indicates that the applicant has a permanent disability, ServiceOntario will not require any future re-certifications under the Accessible Parking Permit Program. If certified as having a condition that may improve (subject-to-change), re-certification will be required every five years as a condition of renewal.
If the condition necessitating an APP improves, or if anyone comes into the possession of a valid permit issued in the name of a deceased person, the permit must be returned to the following address:
ServiceOntario
Kingston, ON K7L 5N8
Temporary Permits
Temporary permits (red) are issued when the disability is expected to last more than two months to a maximum of 12 months but is not considered a permanent disability. This permit is not renewable.
Traveler Permits
A Traveler permit (purple) is valid for up to one year and is issued and renewable upon request. These permits are displayed on the dashboard or sun visor of a vehicle at any Ontario airport. The regular permit travels with the permit holder. Only people who currently hold a valid permanent permit can apply for a Traveler permit.
Visitor Permits
While in Ontario, disabled visitors may use their currently valid permit, number plates, marker or device, bearing the international symbol for access for the disabled, issued by the visitor's home jurisdiction.
A visitor may also obtain an Ontario visitor's permit if they can prove that they hold a currently valid permit, number plates, marker or device, bearing the international symbol for access for the disabled, issued by the visitor's home jurisdiction, or if they provide personal identification with their year of birth, and proof of their disability from their home jurisdiction (eg. Out of province hospital card, medical certificate, medical insurance document, or other appropriate medical document).
Company Permits
A Company permit (green) is valid up to five years and is issued to companies/non-profit organizations for use in vehicles they own/lease for the purpose of transporting people with physical disabilities who meet ServiceOntario's eligibility criteria.
For companies that rely on volunteer drivers who operate a vehicle not owned or leased by the company, these drivers may access designated accessible parking spaces provided either the driver or passenger has their individual APP permit with them.
Before Getting, Renewing or Replacing an Accessible Parking Permit (APP)
The availability of especially reserved parking spaces is regulated by both federal and provincial laws. Generally at least one space is available at any public parking location, with more being required based on the size of the parking lot and in some cases the type of location, such as a health care facility. Parking spaces reserved for the disabled are typically marked with the International Symbol of Access. Anyone parking in such reserved spaces must have their plate or mirror placard displayed, or else the car can be towed for illegal parking. In some municipalities, local law also allows such vehicles to park for free at city parking meters and also exempts from time limits on time parked. Fraudulent use of another person's permit is heavily fined.
Please ensure you qualify for an Accessible Parking Permit before you start any transaction concerning APP. If you are applying online you will also need a printer or the ability to save a copy of your application for printing.
Applying, renewing or replacing an APP will take three steps:
Step 1: All Transactions
Complete Section A on the online request form and include the following information:
Your entire legal name, complete address, birth date, gender
Your Driver's Licence Number if you drive (do not provide someone else's Driver's Licence Number if you are not a driver)
Your current Permit number if you need to renew or replace an existing APP
Step 2: Please see details below by transaction type
1) To apply for or renew your APP, you will need to:
Take the printed copy of your application to your Health Practitioner to complete Section B of the application form
A licensed physician, chiropractor, registered nurse practitioner (extended class), physiotherapist, occupational therapist, chiropodist or podiatrist must certify your condition on the printed permit application.
2) To change the information on your APP, you will need to:
Include supporting documentation if required (see below in this post).
3) To replace a lost, stolen or damaged APP, you will need to:
For Lost or Stolen: Print the Replacement Declaration. This declaration must be completed by your local police department and be submitted with your printed application (Note: Replacement Declaration does not need to be completed by police. Customers can also phone in information and get an occurrence number and badge number).
For Damaged: You must return your damaged permit with your application. If you are unable to return your damaged permit, a completed Replacement Declaration is required
Submit the application and any supporting documentation to any ServiceOntario Centre or mail to:
Kingston ON K7L 5N8
More about Changing Information on an Accessible Parking Permit (APP)
Changing your address
To update the address information on your Accessible Parking Permit (APP):
Complete Part A of an Application for Accessible Parking Permit at a ServiceOntario Centre; or,
Send an Application for Accessible Parking Permit with Part A completed or a signed letter indicating your APP number, the new and previous addresses to: ServiceOntario, P.O. Box 9800, Kingston, ON K7L 5N8; or
Call the ServiceOntario Driver and Vehicle Contact Centre at 416-235-2999 or 1-800-387-3445.
To obtain an application for an APP:
Use the Accessible Parking Permit (APP) online services to start the process or,
Pick up an application at a ServiceOntario Centre or,
Request an application by mail from: ServiceOntario, P.O. Box 9800, Kingston, ON K7L 5N8
Note: A letter acknowledging your change of address will be sent to you instead of a new permit. You will need to retain the letter with your permit.
You can change your name on an Accessible Parking Permit at a ServiceOntario Centre. You must bring your original Accessible Parking Permit or Disabled Person Parking Permit, proof of identification and acceptable change of name documentation. The original copy of the document will be viewed and returned to applicant.
For Adopted Name change, it requires
Certified Adoption Papers
Change of Name Certificate
For Singular Name change, it requires
US or Canadian Birth Certificate
Canadian Certificate of Indian Status
For Married Name change, it requires
Original Marriage Certificate (issued by government)
Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate (issued by Ontario only)
For Revert to Former Name change, it requires
For Common Law Name, it requires
Original Marriage Certificate (issued by a government), indicating former name e.g., birth name
US or Canadian Birth Certificate, indicating birth name
Canadian Citizenship Card with photo /Permanent Resident Card /Record of Landing (From IMM 1000) /Confirmation of Permanent Residence (Form IMM 5292), containing former name¹
Court Order for Divorce
Certified Copy of Statement of Live Birth (issued by Ontario only)
For Legal Name Change, it requires
Where an applicant's name (given or surname) has been amended on their Canadian Citizenship Card, Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing (Form IMM 1000), or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (Form IMM 5292), and differs from the name on the APP application, the applicant must present an amended Canadian Citizenship Card or an amended immigration document from Citizenship and Immigration Canada; or, fulfill the requirements for a legal name.
Use the Accessible Parking Permit (APP) online services to start the process, with Part A completed, and a photocopy of the required proof to support the name change from the above list, to:
Note: A new Accessible Parking Permit is issued when a name change is made and current permit returned.
Applying for an Accessible Parking Permit
The Accessible Parking Permit (APP) is issued to an individual or company and entitles the vehicle in which it is displayed to be parked in a designated accessible parking space. For permits issued to individuals, the person to whom the permit is issued must be transported in the vehicle and the permit must be visibly displayed on the dashboard or sun visor when it is parked in the designated accessible parking space. Individual permit holders may use the permit in any vehicle in which they are traveling. There is no fee for an APP.
Obtaining an Application for an APP
Use the Accessible Parking Permit (APP) online service to start the process; or,
Pick up an application at any ServiceOntario Centre; or,
Note: All APP applications certified as of January 2, 2008 must be on a revised APP application dated July 2008 (form number SRLV-129 07-08, as seen in the lower left corner of the form) or later.
Completing the Application for an Accessible Parking Permit
The entire application form must be completed in order to be processed.
Applicant completes Part A – Applicant Information section on the front of the application for Accessible Parking Permit. The applicant must provide their legal first and last name, date of birth and gender.
A recognized health practitioner completes Part B – Health Information, sections 1, 2 and 3 on back of application.
If you have printed the form on two pages, the health practitioner must complete the applicant's legal first and last name section at the top of the 2nd page of the application.
It is a serious offence to make a false statement on the APP application form.
Submitting an Application for an Accessible Parking Permit
Completed applications (with Part B – Health Information duly completed by a recognized health practitioner) can be taken to any ServiceOntario Centre or mailed to: ServiceOntario, P.O. Box 9800, Kingston, ON K7L 5N8
A ServiceOntario Centre can issue an interim temporary permit when an APP application is submitted. This permit differs from the red Temporary permit, as it is only valid for a period of up to two months. This official interim temporary permit, issued at a ServiceOntario Centre is provided as a customer service to facilitate mobility in advance of the permit being mailed to the applicant. Once the permit arrives in the mail the interim temporary permit must be destroyed.
or contact the ServiceOntario Driver and Vehicle Contact Centre at 416-235-2999 or toll free at 1-800-387-3445.
Accessible Parking Permit Services
An Accessible Parking Permit (APP), a disabled parking permit allows partial or total exemption from charges or penalties associated with the parking of a motor vehicle used by a badge-holder, and shows entitlement to use of designated parking lots and off-street parking (where they are provided). An Accessible Parking Permit (APP) is displayed upon parking a vehicle carrying a person whose mobility would be otherwise significantly impaired by one or more of age, illness, disability or infirmity.
You can use the Accessible Parking Permit (APP) online service to start the process to:
Apply for an APP
Renew your APP
Report your APP as lost, stolen or damaged and apply for a replacement
Change the information on your APP permit
Re-applying for a Subject-to-Change or Temporary Permit
Holders of Subject-to-Change or Temporary permits must re-apply for a permit, if a permit is still required because of their continued disability.
To ensure you are still eligible for the APP, you must have an application form re-certified by a recognized health practitioner (physician, chiropractor, registered nurse practitioner (extended class), physiotherapist, occupational therapist, chiropodists or podiatrist).
Once your health practitioner has completed the APP application, please bring it to any ServiceOntario Centre, where you will be issued an interim temporary permit to use until your permit placard arrives through the mail.
If you prefer to send in the completed application by mail, please send to: ServiceOntario, P.O. Box 9800, Kingston, ON K7L 5N8
Note: If the application is sent through the mail, an interim temporary permit will not be issued. The permit holder must wait for the permit placard to be mailed out, which takes approximately 4 weeks.
Renewing a Permanent Accessible Parking Permit
The renewal process for permanent Accessible Parking Permits (APP) no longer requires recertification from a health practitioner. If you have a permanent APP you will receive a Renewal Without Recertification (RWR) notice approximately 90 days before your APP expiry date. Your name, address, date of birth, sex, APP number and APP expiry date will be preprinted on the renewal notice.
If you receive the RWR notice you will have the option of renewing your APP by bringing the notice to a ServiceOntario Centre or returning the completed/signed notice by mail to: ServiceOntario, P.O. Box 9800, Kingston, ON K7L 5N8
Note: If the application is sent through the mail, an interim temporary permit will not be issued. The permit holder must wait for the permanent permit to be mailed out in approximately 4 weeks.
Receiving a renewal notice with a blank application form indicates that you are the holder of a Subject-to-Change permit. Please complete the application and follow the instructions under 'Re-applying for a Subject-to-Change or Temporary permit.'
Obtaining a Traveler Permit or Company Permit
All requests for a Traveler Permit or a Company Permit must be submitted in writing to: ServiceOntario, P.O. Box 9800, Kingston, ON K7L 5N8
To obtain a Traveler permit, please submit a written request indicating:
your current permit number, legal first and last name and address,
and specifically advise ServiceOntario that you are requesting a Traveler permit.
To obtain a Company permit, requests should be written on official company letterhead and indicate:
why permit(s) should be issued.
the licence plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) of each vehicle in which a permit will be used. The permit(s) will only be provided for vehicle(s) owned or leased by the company to transport people with disabilities who meet the APP eligibility criteria.
proof of transportation services for the people with disabilities (e.g. contracts if available).
and proof of operating as a company/organization (e.g. articles of incorporation, master business licence) or business number.
Note: Temporary permits are not issued during the processing period for requests of Traveler or Company permits. Please allow four weeks for the permit to be mailed to you.
Replacing an APP
If your permit needs replacing due to damage, you may apply for a replacement at any ServiceOntario Centre. You will be required to:
surrender any permits in your possession, and
complete Part A of the APP application.
At that time, you will be issued an interim temporary permit which you may use while the replacement permit placard is being processed.
Lost or Stolen Permits
If your permit has been lost or stolen, a Replacement Declaration must be completed by your local police department. Or, you must provide an occurrence number and the name of the officer to whom the matter was reported if you reported the permit missing by telephone. You must provide this information to ServiceOntario, along with the application for a replacement permit. Replacement Declaration forms are also available at a ServiceOntario Centre.
Please sign and date the Replacement Declaration form, and complete the APP application form, Part A. Mail both to: ServiceOntario, P.O. Box 9800, Kingston, ON K7L 5N8
You can also take it to a ServiceOntario Centre where an interim temporary permit can be issued at that time.
For more information on the APP program you can go to http://www.ontario.ca/en/services_for_residents/ONT05_039815.html or contact the ServiceOntario Driver and Vehicle Contact Centre at 416-235-2999 or toll free at 1-800-387-3445.
Source: http://www.ontario.ca/en/services_for_residents/ONT05_039815.html
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by Rey G. Panaligan – November 8, 2016, 10:00 PM
The Supreme Court (SC) was asked yesterday to stop the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) from approving a 20-year power supply agreements (PSAs) between the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and several companies involving 3,551 megawatts.
In a petition filed by the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, Inc. (ABP), the SC was also asked to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the approval of the PSAs.
If approved by the ERC, ABP stressed that more than 5.8 million Meralco consumers would be burdened by the PSAs for 20 years.
"The resulting irreparable damage to the consumers arising from the 20-year contracts would easily translate to R12.44 billion a year that would be mercilessly hung on the necks of consumers like an albatross if these midnight power supply agreements are allowed to evade the law," it said.
"It will also sabotage the promotion of free and open market competition, and preclude the competition operation of the spot market," it added.
Named as respondents in the petition aside from the ERC and Meralco were the Department of Energy (DOE), Meralco's sister generation companies Central Luzon Premiere Power Corporation, St. Raphael Power Generation Corporation, Panay Energy Development Corporation, Mariveles Power Generation Corporation, Global Luzon Energy Development Corporation, Atimonan One Energy, Inc., Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc., and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).
ABP asked the SC to declare null and void ERC Resolution No. 1, Series of 2016. which extended from October 2015 to April 2016 the effectivity of ERC Resolution No. 13, Series of 2015, that directs all distribution utilities to conduct competitive selection process (CSP) in the procurement of their supply to the captive market.
It said ERC's issuance of Resolution No. 1 was a grave abuse of discretion on the part of the regulatory agency which is mandated under the Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) to promote competition, encourage market development, ensure customer choice and penalize abuse of market power.
With the extension, ABP said Meralco was able to enter into negotiated PSAs with its affiliated generation companies without conducting CSP.