Fill up your tank soon, because Saturday gasoline will cost more at the pump. In the third hike this year, regular gas will rise ¢13 to ¢453 per liter.  A standard car tank of 45 liters will cost ¢20,385. (about $40)

Super will go from ¢463 to ¢475 and diesel will cost ¢13 more, or ¢326. A 45 liter tank would cost ¢14,670. (less than $30).

At the beginning of the year super gasoline cost ¢422, regular ¢402 and diesel ¢303, so these fuels have risen ¢55, ¢51 and ¢23 respectively in 3 months.

INCOFER announced this week that following Easter, a new train line will open, running from the Latina University in San Pedro to Tibas. This is the first portion of a line that will eventually run to Heredia, and it includes the construction of a 100 million colon bridge.

The new train will leave from Cuatro Reinas (Tibas), and stop in La Colima, Cinco Esquinas, Calle Blancos, the Atlantic Station, University of Costa Rica and the Latina University. The executive president of INCOFER, Miguel Carabaguíaz, stressed that the
money for the Heredia - San Pedro route is funded in a large part by a European Union donation of 667,000 Euros.

Letters from the Robert Portman, United States Trade Representative and from the US Embassy are being used to provide unions with evidence that the CAFTA pact must go through as is, or be rejected as is.  The letters urge Costa Rica to approve the pact as soon as possible, as well as the accompanying legislation.

“What I ask the unions is that in our representative democracy we are going to dialogue with civil society, but in the end, it is the Assembly that must decide.”  said President-elect Arias.  Then he played another card in a meeting with the Limón unions by naming Francisco Morales as the Minister of Labor.

Abundaron sonrisas, incluso de sindicatos como JAPDEVA, de Limón, que, pese a reiterar su rechazo al TLC, se mostraron dispuestos a dialogar. Arias prometió una comisión para analizar los problemas de Limón.

At the meeting, these union leaders denied a rupture with ANEP and ICE groups, who refused to visit Arias’ house. “We respect them, but they don’t necessarily represent our movement”, said Rolando Coto, of the Central Bank union.

Easter Week is nearly upon us and already retailers and hoteliers are trying to maximize their Holy Week profits.  The local press this week warned that hotels are almost fully booked and reminded consumers of past consumer complaints relating to hotels.  Most of the complaints are tied to false advertising or hidden charges.  Phantom swimming pools, surcharges, “lost” reservations and higher than advertised prices are all common during this ultra peak week.

Back in the capital and local markets, Holy Week products are flooding the shelves. Heart of Palm, Salmon, and “chiverre” honey are all prominently displayed.  You can still get canned products at reasonable prices 2 weeks out from the key dates, but INCOPESCA (Fisheries Institute) divulged that prices traditionally rise 30% for Holy Week.

Hugo Solano, INCOPESCA spokesman, explained that supply remains constant, but demand skyrockets and merchants take advantage. So, a Sea Bass filet in Puntarenas costs consumers 3000 colones per kilo, while in the Central Market of San José, it costs  ¢5,676 per kilo. In Alajuela, the price of Sea Bass was ¢4,500 per kilo.

The Consumer Protection Ministry reminded shoppers to compare prices and brands, which vary widely from shop to shop.