Gulf of Papagayo in Guanacaste province of Costa Rica ever has been great for fishing. Many kind of migratory species come into the gulf making fishing wonderful. Species including marlin, sail, dolphin, and by seasons, Yellow fin tuna, Wahoo and others no migratory species make this place incredible for fishing. And if your pleasure is for fishing bottom, no better place: Grouper, big Cubera Snapper, Amber Jack, Read Snapper (Guachinango, Pargo Rojo) make unforgettable catches.

Fishing trips to the gulf of Papagayo and Playa Tamarindo can be booked in Playas del Coco, a very popular area for sportfishing. Playa del Coco is the largest village in Guanacaste province. Known as the gateway for surfers to reach places like Witch’s Rock in Naranjo beach and Ollie’s Point in Potrero beach in Santa Rosa national park (both within the gulf of Papagayo). At 25 minutes from the international airport Daniel Oduber, Playas del Coco is close to the biggest and most popular tourist project ofCosta Rica: Papagayo which include hotels such as: Alegro Papagayo, Four Seasons, Malinche Real, Costa Esmeralda and many others.

Explore gulf of Papagayo map in the next URL: http://www.costarica-fishingtrips.com/the_region.htm

Fishing in gulf of Papagayo go from good to excellent around the year for a wide variety of species. The waters here are world famous for year around for sport fishing. While each year may be slightly different, the catch rate for all our game fish is fairly consistent all months of the year. There are no specific seasons here. However specific species are more prevalent during some periods, therefore, catch of every one specie depend on season as follow:

Sailfish: Caught throughout the year, with May through August normally the top season. They may begin to thin out in September and the slowest months are from late August through November.

Marlin: Caught every month of the year, with mid-November to early March exceptional, then slowing a bit from April into early June when it picks up again, peaking in August and September.

Dolphin(Mahi-Mahi) or Dorado: these colorful gamesters are most abundant from late May through October.

Tuna: Peak months are probably August through October, but when all else fails, there are always tuna, anytime of the year you want to look for them, and more often than not when you had just as soon avoid them to concentrate on billfish.

Wahoo: The first catches are about the time the rains start in May, peaking in July and August. Most are caught around the rocky points and islands, but you will pick one up occasionally fishing offshore.

Roosterfish: Available all year, but there are more caught in the Papagayo Bay area from November through March.

You can read about this article at: http://www.costarica-fishingtrips.com/article_gulf_of_papagayo.htm

Fishes are waiting, lets fish them, but remember to release. Take as much photos as you want but return the fishing you don’t eat. LET KEEP THE SPECIES FOR FUTURE!!!

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If your looking for a great vacation spot and an business opportunity the holiday season brings huge revenues during this time of the year and many seasonal businesses including tourism, sailing, sport fishing, clothing outlets, jewelry, etc. bring foreigners from all over the world to Costa Rica during this time of the year.  If you are one of the many business owners outside of Costa Rica that thrive during holiday seasons Costa Rica may be a good place to set up shop and do a little fishing

Offshore outsourcing also see’s many seasonal opportunities when businesses in the US find that certain times of the year their customer service and sales departments really ramp up in volume.  Hiring new employees to cover 2 or 3 months of peak season work can be more costly than the revenue produced.  The good news is that outsourcing companies can easily manage the overflow and provide a plug and play solutions for your inbound and outbound telecommunications needs.

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765

The competition is only one aspect of how difficult it can be to turn a small business into a success. The odds are not in the favor of a small businessman, with most small businesses faltering within a few years of opening. The narrow margins of profit and the various financial obligations that a small business has make it difficult for an owner to feel comfortable with their financial situation for years on end. However, small business people should not let this information stop them from realizing their dream.

Successful small businesses have a number of factors working in their favor. The most important aspect of success early in a business’ life is the quality of product that is being produced. As well, the unique nature, the necessity, and the cost of a product can contribute to the success or failure of a small business. Small business owners who are successful often have a strong set of short, medium, and long term goals which push the company toward the top within their industry. Finally a business model that ensures financial stability, while producing a great product or products for years to come is the backbone of any successful business.

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of small business is the recruitment of high quality professionals. These professionals can make or break a business, depending on their reliability, creativity, and commitment to the business. Small business owners should work with a recruiting agency in order to develop a strong set of personnel. Agencies can help owners target specific skill sets in their employees while saving them the expenses of excessive advertising and promotion. Small businesses can grow into big corporations or industry leaders through the use of creative recruiting methods and a commitment to excellence.

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Recruitment or outsourcing specific business functions from conception will immediately show savings in your overhead costs.  New start up business have had to streamline their operation in order to save money on overhead costs which means they initially hired a larger staff, paid for larger office space to house the employees and spent more money on computers and office expenses.

If they would have outsourced from the beginning they could have extended their operating capital reserves more efficiently.  In today’s global economy there is really no reason to perform back office functions within your own facility, whether you are a start up small business or a large multimillion dollar company savings are savings and outsourcing back office processes is the simplest and easiest way to do save significantly on your overhead costs.

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765

Costa Rica

The economy is based on agriculture. This includes the production and export of pineapples, bananas and coffee. The country’s exports from the free trade zones and tourism sectors led to significant developments in the growth rate of the GDP. Costa Rica is also a producer of cocoa, sugar, lumber, wood products and beef. In recent years, ecotourism, pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing and software development have become major industries with significant contribution to the country’s GDP.

Lately, other industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, eco-tourism, financial outsourcing and software development are now becoming major industries. There are a number of high tech companies which have sprung up in the area, including chip manufacturer Intel and Pharmacy companies like Procter & Gamble and Glaxo Smith Kline. Costa Rica is also self reliant in energy needs, with exception of oils- and has the potential to be an electricity exporter, as it already exports to Central America.

The unit of currency of Costa Rica is the Colon (CRC). This currency trades at 500 to the US dollar and at around 600 to the Euro. A new system that is expected around 2007, will see the Colon currency float between two bands. The Central bank will be better positioned to handle inflation and discourage the use of the US greenback with the use of this system.

In March 1998, the country joined other Central American nations, and the Dominican Republic to establish a Trade and Investment Council with the United States. It has also clearly showed a willingness to join the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Costa Rica is also a member of the Cairns Group, which is pursuing a policy of global agricultural trade liberalization in World Trade.

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Today the telecommunications industry is huge in Cost Rica and continues to boom.  Supplying jobs in the tens of thousands the Costa Rican workforce and wages have increased in these areas.  The education, experience, English level and knowledge of the North American culture make it difficult to find “cheap” labor costs.  You will pay much less than you would in the state for a comparable or higher quality of employee but for offshore outsourcing you will pay more.

The idea in today’s market is to compete, maximize your operating costs and ultimately increase your bottom line.  Outsourcing is a double edged sword and though you can save more in countries like India and the Philippines the quality may not allow you to compete in turn bringing your profitability down.

Costa Rica allows you to save money while at the same time maintaining your level of excellence in order to compete in your industry.  This is why so many companies in the US choose Costa Rica as there satellite head quarters because it’s a win, win across that board.

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765

Saving Both Time And Money

Other examples of bundled outsourcing are super markets and many retail stores that provide financial services, loan, mortgage, saving and insurance services. These services provide credit and risk strategies to customers. They ensure that the company moves ahead at a very fast pace and in a cost effective manner. Companies that choose to build their own platform and processing everything themselves, spend more time and money in the process. Bundled outsourcing helps the company to keep the staff to a minimum leaving the handling of loans and the legal process associated with them to professionals.

Arrangements and Factors Affecting Bundled Outsourcing

You should seriously consider making arrangements regarding bundled outsourcing. This kind of transaction requires the involvement of top executives of both business and information technology. These decisions require support from senior level management, so that the transactions may take place smoothly. Many of the top-level executives try to influence the process just to safeguard their own business interests and that is often the nature of business. Governance remains a major factor that affects the bundled outsourcing. The question here is whether the governance standards should be allowed to influence the decision of bundled outsourcing or should the bundled outsourcing be given the priority by making changes in the governance standards.

People Are Coming Up With Innovative Ideas

If you move ahead cautiously and have the ability to overcome the hurdles, then it is possible to gain major advantages by combining business process outsourcing and IT outsourcing. Some companies still have fears when they think about bundled outsourcing. However, the cutthroat competition in the businesses today has made outsourcing an important tool. Companies are devising innovative methods in this field. Some of the companies have outsourced both IT functions and selected business processes to service providers. They believe that this will help them in concentrating more on the core issues and adding values to the products.

Importance Of Bundled Outsourcing To The Software Industry

Bundled outsourcing is the foundation on which the software industry rests. In an industry as complex as the software industry, many facets of the manufacturing of products must be handled outside of the scope of one particular company. This results in a long line of different outsourcing relationships from conception to marketing and finally into the hands of the consumer.

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In today’s global economy IT Outsourcing and BPO are standard operating procedures for most companies.  As a small to midsized business owner theses concepts are now becoming mainstream as well.  There are not too many individual business owners that have not heard of the benefits of outsourcing there non core business functions to outsourcing providers.

Outsourcing solutions today can mean the difference between turning a profit and going out of business.  Small business owners cannot afford to risk going over budget on their operating costs within the first year and outsourcing there back office functions can save them thousands of dollars on overhead costs including more office space, equipment, office supplies, etc.

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765

New research commissioned by Savvis shows that infrastructure outsourcing and cloud computing efforts are being taken very seriously by CIOs. IT leaders appear to be more oriented to reduction in infrastructure spending, where other industries such as media and retail, focus on staff reductions.

67 percent of all IT leaders are under pressure to do more with reduced budgets. (I would have expected an even higher percentage.)

52 percent of IT executives noted that the greatest cost savings will emanate from reducing infrastructure costs, reducing staff levels (49 percent) and a virtualization strategy (44 percent)

72 percent of IT executives believe cloud computing will play an important role in the future of IT in helping companies gain efficiencies and reduce cost.

One immediate way IT execs could save money on infrastructure costs would be through the use of open-source alternatives, but the research questions were geared toward outsourcing and not software alternatives. Interestingly, financial services respondents reported that virtualization would provide their biggest cost savings.

Top cost savings in 2009 by industry:

Financial services–virtualization strategy
Media–reducing staff levels
Health care–reducing infrastructure costs & standardizing IT infrastructure solutions
Business & Professional services–standardizing IT infrastructure solutions
Retail–reducing staff levels
Manufacturing–reducing infrastructure costs
Public sector–infrastructure consolidation

When asked “where do you see your cost savings or efficiencies coming from in 2009?” it’s clear that IT leaders are looking holistically across all areas, as opposed to any one specific place for cost reduction:

Core server(s) support, 21 percent
Data centre infrastructure, 16 percent
Storage and back-up support, 15 percent
Desktop support, 14 percent
Network support, 14 percent
Non-application software, 12 percent
(Note: the above is based on a total of 100 percent)

Asked where cost savings or efficiencies will come from in 2009, about half of the respondents will reduce both infrastructure and staff. Only 2 percent reported that they weren’t being asked to reduce costs.

Reducing infrastructure costs, 52 percent
Staff levels, 49 percent
A virtualization strategy, 44 percent
Infrastructure consolidation, 42 percent
Standardising our IT infrastructure solutions, 38 percent
Nowhere, we’re not being asked to cut costs, 2 percent

By Dave Rosenberg

Today it seems that no matter what your business model is outsourcing business processes and functions is the key to saving time and money.  So much money is spent on servers, computers, server rooms, rent, electricity, etc. Not to mention the man power required to manage and maintain these functions.

Global technological advancements have made it possible for companies all over the world to outsource there business processes efficiently and significantly more cost effectively in another country.  One such country would be Costa Rica which one of the most advanced telecommunications infrastructures in the world.

In Costa Rica you can find IT call center support, IT outsourcing, programming, graphic design, etc. that is also Nearshore solution for Offshore Outsourcing.  The same time zone, a similar culture and the same language at a much lower price.

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765

August 5th of this year featured the Billabong International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games Costa Rica 2009.  The competition was held in Playa Hermosa, because it has one of the most consistent and desired beach breaks on the Pacific Coast where deep water off the coast and exposure to different swells have built up a variety of sand bars.

This year team USA took the overall gold medal over Team France. It was the first time that the Americans have won an overall gold medal since the 1996 World Surfing Games in Huntington Beach, California.  If you are a fierce surfer then this is not news to you, you’ve already heard of Costa Rica surfing, it shreds.  For those of you who are novice to the sport it may be time to start planning your trip to Costa Rica below is the best times to surf Costa Rica.

The Seasons

Costa Rica does not really know all 4 seasons. During the summer months (mid December to April is known as summer in Costa Rica), temperatures are extremely hot and the chance of rain is very unlikely. However, crowds during these months can get pretty fierce, especially over Christmas, New Year’s and Easter Week. This is Costa Rica’s high season and therefore, hotel and car rental prices will be higher during this time of year than the rest of the year. The best surfing from December to April can be found anywhere along the northern peninsula (Nicoya) or on the Caribbean.

The Rainy Season

The rainy season technically starts in May and lasts until the end of November. However, during the months of May, June, July & August, temperatures are still hot and the heavy rains have yet to fall. Common weather at this time is sunny skies with late afternoon or early morning rain showers. The real rains truly begin in September and last until the end of November. The biggest advantage of traveling during these months are lower prices (this is the low season) and much fewer crowds.

If you are a small to midsized business owner and need more time to surf but don’t think you have the time or the money to surf Costa Rica then think again.  Offshore outsourcing is hotter than ever in Costa Rica so saving time and money by outsourcing your back office functions to outsourcing consultants is the answer to your surfing dilemma.  Let us manage your back office needs from Costa Rica and in no time you will have the time and the resources you need to get surfing again!

By Omar Pinto

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765

When the coup in Honduras forced President Zelaya to leave the country Costa Rica was the safe haven that took him in and here he was able to exchange views with President Arias and come up with his next step after being forced to leave the Presidency.  There will need to be continued conversations and negotiations between President Zelaya and the de facto regime in order to facilitate a peaceful transition of presidential power during the upcoming November election and signing the San Jose Accords could possibly open the door to this communication.

The idea is to get Honduras back to constitutional and democratic order, for President Zelaya to sign the  San Jose Accord and that no further violence continue in Honduras simply a peaceful way to find common ground.  Costa Rica time and again has been called upon when peaceful outcomes, democracy and the need for mediation exists.

This is yet another reason why doing business in Costa Rica is becoming commonplace among foreigners.  The idea of doing business in Nicaragua, Honduras and even Mexico is a tough sell these days when you think about the un-stable economic and political climate of certain Latin American Countries.  Costa Rica continues to have one of the most stable economic and political structures in all of Latin America.

Offshore Outsourcing for multinational companies as well as headquarters here are changing the counties highest revenue producing sources of income from tourism, coffee and fruit export to IT Outsourcing, Call Centers and technological manufacturing companies for the United States.  Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunity that exists today for doing business and outsourcing in Costa Rica.  

by Omar Pinto

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765

“After a heart attack, they can begin to make new tissue. In a gland, which for example has to make insulin, the cells begin to create insulin. Nervous tissue, they regenerate it … It’s a panacea,” he said.  An increasing number of foreigners are undergoing stem cell treatment in Costa Rica for ailments from bone fractures to multiple sclerosis. Costa Rican doctors say they are providing these medical tourists with groundbreaking treatments.

Dr. Fabio Solano — who directs the stem cell institute at San Jose’s CIMA Hospital, one of the country’s leading private hospitals — says his team has treated as many as 400 patients with procedures that involve stem cells.  Embryonic stem cells are considered a goldmine that could lead to treatment for any number of ailments. Unlike adult stem cells, embryonic ones can evolve into any of more than 200 cell types.

And yet, Solano said, many “miracle” treatments have been accomplished with adult stem cells. “We have demonstrated that adult stem cells are as good as embryonic.”  Success stories have grabbed media attention, with TV networks running stories like “Paralyzed valley woman holds hope in Costa Rica treatment” and “Glenburn boy returns from Costa Rica after having adult stem cell therapy.”

Costa Rican legislators are putting the finishing touches on a law to promote and regulate adult stem cell research and treatment across a spectrum of diseases. This could fuel further debate over techniques that U.S. doctors say have only produced anecdotal success — but it certainly won’t stem the flow of stem cell medical tourism.
According to Solano, Americans already make up close to 90 percent of the stem cell patients at CIMA Hospital.

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I have lived in Costa Rica for 10 years now and have continued to watch advancements in medicine with the focus being on finding a solution rather than simply providing remedies for the symptoms.  I have first hand experience with the medical practice here in Costa Rica when I was diagnosed with stage one cirrhosis of the liver and the focus was entirely on reversing the effects and finding a solution in order to stop further scar tissue from forming.

Doing business in Costa Rica weather it be BPO, Offshore Outsourcing, manufacturing, call center management or owning and running any business as a foreigner can bring up many questions about lifestyle, safety, medical care and political structure.  The Costa Rican government continues to make living in Costa Rica more and more attractive year after year so if you are thinking about outsourcing a specific function in your operation offshore Costa Rica is the place to consider.

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765

Costa Rica is one of the most vocal supporters of continental free trade, and already has its own agreement with Mexico and other countries of the region. Costa Rica’s numerous free trade zones and tax holiday opportunities are extremely enticing. They offer benefits such as exemption from import duties on raw materials, capital goods, parts and components; unrestricted profit repatriation; tax exemption on profits for eight years and a 50 percent exemption for the following four years.

A study done recently for the Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX) projects that by the year 2005, Costa Rica’s export earnings will amount to $15.7-billion, about four times the current figure. Intel will be leading the way; its exports, from the three manufacturing facilities the processing giant is building here, are expected to reach an annual $3.5-billion by the year 2001.

High-tech companies will spur the export boom, while traditional exports, such as coffee and bananas, will fall in percentages of overall figures, but in terms of revenue, will continue to grow.

Costa Rica is building a competitive advantage for itself and the many high-tech companies who have chosen or are pondering the option to operate here. It is a country at a turning point in integrating itself into the modern world economy. Those doing business here will have the inside track.

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There are many reasons to consider living, working, doing business and vacationing in Costa Rica.  The global economy has shifted our ability to make bold business moves especially in an Economic Climate that is stormy to say the least.

A strong stable government and still thriving economy, one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world and a society welcoming foreign investment and free trade if you are considering Offshore Outsourcing Costa Rica needs to be high on your list of possible destinations.  

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765

I’d like to take a moment to go over several simple tools and methods to help small business owners keep track of and prioritize the various tasks involved in operations.

1. Use a Whiteboard

Whether it’s a whiteboard, blackboard, bulletin board, or a simple notepad, try to keep a weekly log of primary tasks up front and center. While there are a plethora of online programs and tools for organizing daily/weekly tasks, it helps to back it all up with a basic pen and paper list. It is integral to have this weekly ‘grail’ to refer to when you hit a wall – try placing it in the center of your office for everyone to see. Utilize different colors or check boxes to re-enforce accomplishments or the completion of a task.

2. Use Google Documents

While Microsoft Word is still the standard in word processing, Google Documents has several advantages that make it the perfect online tool for inter & extra-office collaboration. Need to brainstorm a list of potential clients for your wedding cake business? Simply hop on Google Docs, create a new sheet, and share it with as many collaborators as you like. The whole team can then log onto the document and make edits ‘live,’ to avoid the hassle of huge email chains or lengthy phone conversations. Also be sure to try out Google Spreadsheets, a MS Excel alternative that allows you for seamless organization and collaboration.

3. Use Recruiting Software

If you are a small business is the process of finding the best talent available, the task can become process intensive and fairly complex. Keeping track of multiple candidates, reviewing resumes and tracking progress can drastically slow your company’s forward movement.

One way to combat this small business brain freeze it to utilize a recruiting software package to track applicants, manage resumes, and provide a collaboration tool for your hiring managers. Many modern day recruiting software solutions live completely online, making it incredibly simple to access and utilize with the click of a mouse.

4. Prioritize with Flexibility

Sometimes, when it’s just you and 500 different tasks, there will be a tendency to jump from one task to another before completion. This can be good and bad. It’s good to be flexible and not bang your head against any one task if you aren’t making any progress. Sometimes it helps to step back, breathe, and come back to something with a new outlook. However, if your mind wanders too far and too often, nothing will end up done. Try to find the balance between priority and flexibility that allows you to find a natural rhythm in completing weekly tasks.

5. Early Calls

If part of your business involves contacting potential clients, cold calling, emailing or collaborating with various individuals, I would suggest using the first half of the week for this. People have the natural tendency to be more receptive during the first half of the week. After Wednesday many potential business contacts begin to fade into their weekend shelters. Getting a hold of these people on Monday or Tuesday will make the second half of your week far more productive.

For more Offshore Outsourcing Information contact us!  Get a FREE Quote Today!

Omar Pinto
omar@offshoresavingsolutions.com
Offshore Saving Solutions
310-928-3765