Papagayo Winds: Time For Kite Surfing In Costa Rica!

Windy summer season in Guanacaste, Costa Rica means it’s time for fun wind and water sports.

But why is it so windy in Costa Rica this time of year? Blame it on the Papagayo winds. NASA tells us that when it is freezing cold and snowing in North America, the cold air and high-pressure weather systems move south over the Gulf of Mexico. The cold air is drawn toward the warmer, moist atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean, flowing from high pressure to lower pressure like a river flows downhill.

Named after the Gulf of Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, the winds then channel through a gap in the Central American Cordillera Mountains and shriek over Lake Nicaragua, blowing over the Gulf and far out into the Pacific Ocean. The good news is they provide a purpose. Papagayo winds carry nutrient-rich dust into the ocean, providing nourishment for diverse marine life ranging from algal blooms to marlin and sailfish. In January, February and March in Costa Rica, when the sun shines intensely and the wind blows, it’s time for fun wind and water sports in the clear blue Pacific Ocean.

Go fly a kite. This time of year, Guanacaste is the place for kiteboarding and kite surfing in Costa Rica. Starting in the north at Salinas Bay and heading down the Guanacaste Coast to the Nicoya Peninsula, there are plenty of kiteboarding spots to be enjoyed. When the waves kick up, go kitesurfing instead. You can take kiteboarding lessons with KiteboardingCostaRica.com.

Surf’s up. When the wind whips up the waves, one of the best surf spots in Costa Rica is Witch’s Rock by Playa del Coco. The iconic landmark was made famous in the epic surfing movie Endless Summer 2. If the winds aren’t too strong, Playa del Coco catamaran sailing tours are the perfect way to watch the sunset, and hopefully see dolphins and maybe even Humpback Whales.

Get the Costa Rica wind forecast map at Windfinder.com. Be sure to follow all Costa Rica National Emergency Commission warnings and advisories for extreme winds and rough seas. Besides fun wind-water sports, plan your travel to Costa Rica to enjoy the summer festival season from January to April.

Where to stay in Guanacaste Costa Rica? Go for Costa Rica condo rentals, Costa Rica beach rentals or Costa Rica vacation home rentals – often at lower prices than traditional hotels, and with more space, freedom and amenities. Contact All Costa Rica Rentals to make your reservation today.

Article by Shannon Farley

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Explore The Costa Rica Rainforest With Expert Scientists

What’s better than being in the rainforest? Being in the rainforest with expert scientists who can tell you fascinating stories about the animals and plants that live there.

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in Costa Rica has invited celebrated U.S. scientists Howard Topoff, Ph.D. and Carol Simon, Ph.D. – both professors’ emeriti of The City University of New York and former Research Associates at the American Museum of Natural History – to be special guest lecturers at the award-winning Costa Rica eco-lodge from March 22 to 28, 2016.

The husband-and-wife team specializes in animal behavior, tropical ecology and evolutionary biology. For the past 30 years, Drs. Topoff and Simon have been study trip leaders for The Smithsonian Institute, The American Museum of Natural History, Naturalist Journeys, Elderhostel, and several cruise lines. This will be the third year that they will lead an educational travel program at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. Dr. Topoff has spent over 40 years researching the social behavior of animals in Central and South America, Africa, and in the deserts and mountains of Arizona, USA. In addition to his publications in scientific journals, his popular articles have appeared in magazines such as National Geographic, Scientific American and Natural History.

His research has been featured on National Geographic Television and Scientific American Frontiers. Dr. Simon specializes in ecology, behavior and evolution, principally researching the social behavior of reptiles in North and Central America.   Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge offers a unique and exotic destination for the exciting six-night educational program. The flagship sustainable tourism eco-hotel in Costa Rica is located on 165 acres of private tropical rainforest preserve – accessible only by boat on the Pacific gulf of Golfo Dulce. The area is part of an immense biological corridor including the famous Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula and the Piedras Blancas National Park – some of the most biologically diverse places on Earth.

You will be surrounded by toucans, Scarlet Macaws, monkeys and other amazing wildlife in the lush Costa Rica rainforest and Pacific Ocean. With expert guides, you will spend your days exploring the surrounding forests for wildlife of all forms. In the evenings, Drs. Topoff and Simon will entertain you with fascinating multimedia presentations providing in-depth insights into what you have been seeing in the field.

Some of the interesting topics you will learn about include:

• Introduction to the Rainforest of Costa Rica
• Primates of the New World Tropics
• Venomous Amphibians and Reptiles of the Rainforest
• Butterflies of the Tropics
• Natural History of Rainforest Social Insects
• Bird Brains: Sensory Basis of Bird Behavior
• Animal Coloration
• The Evolution of Animal Communication
• Mating Strategies of Animals
• Introduction to Tropical Plants

Join Drs. Topoff and Simon in a week of exploration of tropical biodiversity at eco-friendly Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in Costa Rica from March 22 to 28, 2016. Check here for reservations in Nicuesa Lodge’s comfortable accommodations.

To get to Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge: drive or fly (Nature Air or Sansa Airlines) to either Puerto Jimenez or Golfito in southern Costa Rica. Nicuesa Lodge will pick you up by boat and transfer you to the lodge (about 30 minutes). Included in lodge rates are all meals and snacks, boat transfers, taxes, and unlimited use of rainforest hiking trails, kayaks, snorkeling and fishing equipment. Be sure to try their adventure and nature tours, and the beautiful yoga deck by the beach. Article by Shannon Farley

Valentine’s Day & Caribbean Spring Holidays In Costa Rica

St. Valentine’s Day is not only a time for cards, flowers, candy and dinners. It also is time for romantic getaways. With spring at our doorstep, why not escape to Caribbean Costa Rica for a romantic vacation on the beach in the rainforest. With dozens of flights to Costa Rica available from the U.S., Canada and Europe, getting to Costa Rica is easier than ever. Come enjoy the fun-in-the-sun Caribbean lifestyle at the best value travel destination for 2016, resting in luxury at one of the best Costa Rica luxury hotels: Hotel Le Caméléon.

Picture yourself lounging on a day bed under shady palm trees with soft white sand and the brilliant turquoise Caribbean Sea just steps away. Order a frosty fruit cocktail from your waiter, or nip up to the bar at the Le Caméléon Beach Club for some social time and a quick bite to eat. Go for a swim in the pool and cool water Jacuzzi, or get a couple’s massage in the spa. Elegant dining in the balmy tropical nights can be had at Le Numu Restaurant at Hotel Le Caméléon. In the area, you can see sloths, go snorkeling, learn how to make chocolate – there is so much to do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

Call it jungle love in the rainforest by the beach at Playa Cocles, just south of Puerto Viejo, at this Enchanting Hotel of Costa Rica. Take advantage of the Hotel Le Caméléon special offer of 20% off all rates midweek from Sundays to Thursdays during February and March. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, you have the makings of fun Caribbean spring holidays in Costa Rica.

On Feb. 14 you can dine romantically Under the Stars at Hotel Le Caméléon’s special Valentine’s Day dinner from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Le Caméléon Beach Club at Playa Cocles. The three-course gourmet dinner features such mouthwatering specialties as Lobster Thermidor, beef tenderloin in a truffle demi-glace, Portobello mushrooms in a red wine and garlic sauce, and chicken breast in a champagne, lime and herb sauce. Dinner is $50 per person (taxes included). You can make reservations by calling +506 2750+0501, or email reservations@lecameleonhotel.com.

There are easy daily flights from San Jose to Limon on the Caribbean Coast with Nature Air and Sansa Airlines. Article by Shannon Farley

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Monteverde, The Place Where Birds Flock Around You

Put aside the playful monkeys, the chewing-gum looking frogs and the fluffy sloths by which Costa Rica is known. Then you’ll learn the country is also a paradise for bird watching enthusiasts.Any web search on that matter will confirm the country as a feathered hotspot.

As of 2006, there were at least 812 vouchered species, according to the Ornithology Association of Costa Rica.That's more species than that of United States and Canada combined. Such diversity is a consequence of the particular bridging geography of the country.One that merges the climate conditions of the tropics and help produce fruiting trees during all year long.

This is quite attractive for birds that havetrouble findingnectar away far from the equator. Species who benefitthe most from this phenomenon are theViolet Sabrewing or the Great Green Macaw. About a quarter of the species are migrant birds. Some of them are the hummingbirds who arrive from the south and the jays that come from the north. Tough birds profit from this context, it is also true that they play an essential role in pollinating flowers and spreading seeds.

The place to go

If you are into bird watching in Costa Rica and would like to profit from all the diversity the country has to offer, your destination is already set: El Establo, a half costarican-half quaker rainforest hotel famous to most experts in the ornithology field. It can be found in the Costa Rica rainforest zone of Monterverde.Monteverde Hotel.

It It has a privileged location as a stands close to the Monteverde Biological Reserve. A place that comprises 29.950 acres and withholds six different ecological zones. Because of that, it is easy to spot at least 400 species of birds in the surroundings.

Taking care of the environment is a top priority and the reason why this place is a pioneer in ecotourism in Costa Rica.

Hotel management is fully aware on how important it is for people who enjoy bird watching in Monteverde, consequently, all operations are ecologically oriented.

Besides the advantages El Establo offer to bird watchers, the facilities are also a cozy option to rest and enjoy the trip. For relaxation, the Green Leaf Spa offer to its visitor massages, facial treatments and special baths, two restaurants and high end adventure activities to improve your well being.  

Article by Rommel Téllez