Does anybody have any first hand experience with the rolling blackouts that Costa Rica is experiencing?

The NINO weather factor , affected our rainfall average and we are experienced a shortage of water to produce enough power to supply the whole country..according to ICE, ( Instituto Nacional de Electricidad)with the start of the rainy season , everything most be back to normal in a few weeks...we HOPE SO!!

R.A

Not there now, but I hear it's about three hours a day without power and is done according to a schedule that everybody knows in advance.

We arrived in San Jose Friday April 19 and they had just restored lights and water to our B&B Casa Roland.

Then last week lights were out at Selva Verde for a few hours in late afternoon/early eve. Word was electricity would be restored at 7pm - and it was. The previous week was a good one to be staying in a house in Matapalo with total solar electric and well water. .. .

On a daily basis, you will find the schedule for blackouts at www.grupoice.com This week, the schedule has been factual. We've not experienced any blockouts on holidays and/or weekends (yet). It's simply a matter of being "prepared", keep the flashlight and emergency candles handy, keep an eye on the clock, and just relax til it's over. Many of the larger resorts have generators so their guests most likely are not aware of the problem. I wouldn't want to be in San Jose when the traffic lights go out though!! Lisa in Manuel Antonio

From what I read, it's the small lodgings, you know, the ones that make Costa Rica so special, that are being hit hardest by the power emergency, at least in the tourism sector. They are less likely to have generators. Also, so much of the water supply in Costa Rica depends on electricity, so no power means no water for many folks.

We experienced the rolling blackout firsthand on April 20th. The power went out just as we sat down to dine at a restaurant in Escazu, near San Jose. No one knew at the time that it was part of a nationwide power crisis. We dined in the dark and lamented the fact that we couldn't see the restaurant's famed view of the "sparkling lights of the valley." It was all just pitch black!

When we returned to our hotel after dinner (the Marriott), the power was out there as well, but they had a backup generator that allowed some lights to function in the room but not the air conditioning, TV, etc.

Hi all,
We arrived in MA today at about 4.30 PM. The power was off in the whole area. We went into Quepos. We had dinner by candlelight at Escalo Frio. Their pizza oven was working and they also managed to cook pasta.
When we passed Supermas they were closed - but we were told they would open at 7.00 PM when the power went on. Sure enough, at exactly 7.00 PM, the lights went on and all seemed back to normal.

raquel

And what is ironic sort of....the shortage is due to rainfall and yet if you look at CR weather reports it looks like a monsoon every day for the next couple weeks! Which is why I take CR forecasts with a grain of salt.

tully -- what's the best site for CR weather updates?

I use http://www.costarica.com/Home/Weather though I don't know why I bother, lol.

That's the one I've been looking at too. Thunderstorms for the next 15 days straight Gotta love the rainforest! I assume, and hope, they don't last all day!

Hi Lisa!!

For weather forcasting in CR, try www.imn.ac.cr/ Within the site, go to Pronosticos. The forecasting comes out of CR and I've found it to be accurate. RE: the blackouts. Big announcement today from the Pres. of ICE (you can read about it at www.amcostarica.com, today's edition) So I guess it's anybody's guess if the blackouts will continue. Stay tuned, the saga goes on! Hey faithie, sorry I missed you in December! Lisa

Thanks Lisa,
Sounds like we better plan on some solar power as well on the new house. I'll just make sure I charge up the DVD player or the lap top so we have something to do if this happens again.

Sounds like some of this is political rather than environmental. Ahhhh the joys of living in Central America. Can't wait.

They say the blackouts are over for now.. This was said by the President Oscar Arias yesterday.. Plus it has been raining at Arenal..Good news..

Post highjack.... Sorry! Hey Lisa, no worries, next time.

We had an awesome trip, still the kids fave place by far.

Met some interesting people, Billy of the now lost Karolas, quite a character to chat with. Met an interesting lady waiting tables at Barba Roja(married to chef at Parador) She is best friends with Peter of "petes Place" who I met and stayed with on my first trip 16 years ago! Peter was there but we did not manage to hook up.

Had some interesting chats with Alan, the Costa Verde owner and oddly enough the area we were interested in in Panama(and went to in Feb) is where he has bought acres and acres of land. Hopefully not to rape and pillage, lol!!

Anyway, we'll be back this winter, perhaps we'll see eachother then.

Faith.

Faithie,
(to continue the hijack..)
We know Peter and saw him on Friday - at Dos Locos. he was off to Puerto Viejo for a few days. There is a music festival there. Next time you are in the area, you can probably find him under a tree at beach in the mornings - he jokes that that is where he keeps "office hours"

Pura Vida,
raquel

No Way! That's hilarious....We shared a villa in 1991 with three of my girlfriends and another Pierre from Montreal who I met and chatted with on the beach. We had been staying in Quepos at Hector Ramirez hotel hitching rides in the backs of pick-ups with the odd dog and chicken! Did a crazy thing and said "yes" to Pierres offer to share the villa/costs. They took us to the then fave spots of Karolas, Barba Roja, Plinios, hung out with "oso the Bear", snuck in the pool at Naomis by the water in Quepos, they introduced us to Biesanz Beach.... Ah, memories!

dos locos? a bar/restaurant close to the beach? think we sat on a sansa flight with the new owners daughter...