Travel agents & airlines inspired by Costa Rica travel

In these digital times, with the internet flooded with travel websites, it's easy to think that no one needs travel agents anymore. But in fact, travel specialists have become more important than ever for people who want personalized service and luxurious touches on their trips.

The continued popularity of travel agents was evidenced by the big attendance at Educational Travel Agents Seminars held recently in three major cities in California by members of the Pro Image Costa Rica Group. Hundreds of travel specialists in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego attended the seminars, held from July 21 to 24, 2015, to learn how to sell Costa Rica vacations and travel to Costa Rica.

“We had very high quality agencies and tourism companies attending, who were seriously interested in business in Costa Rica. We are very pleased with the results,” commented Daniel Chavarria, president of the Pro Image Costa Rica Group. “California is a market that has a lot of interest for Costa Rica. We are really content that so many people came, even more than planned.”



The Pro Image Costa Rica Group is an alliance of tourism companies that promote tourism in Costa Rica as an attractive destination internationally. With the support of the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT), since 1997, the Pro Image Costa Rica Group has strengthened Costa Rica’s image in traditional markets such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and Spain, and is opening new tourism markets in South America, Europe and Asia.

More than 300 travel agents in all three California cities eagerly learned how to sell Costa Rica travel, attending events of dinners, cocktail receptions, trade shows and sales meetings. The three high-profile travel events were supported by leading travel wholesalers to Costa Rica, including Pleasant Holidays, Festival Tours, Passport Costa Rica and Apple Vacations, and representatives from United Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines and Alaska Airlines – all solid partners with regular flights to Costa Rica from the U.S.

Costa Rican tourism companies made valuable contacts eager to do business in groups, weddings, health tourism, honeymoons, fishing and incentive travel, Chavarria noted. Future Educational Travel Agents Seminars will be held from Sept. 22 to 25, 2015 in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore in the USA, and later this year in South America and Mexico.

Article by Shannon Farley

Car rentals and transportation in Costa Rica

Whether you are visiting Costa Rica for your honeymoon, a family vacation, adventure tourism or eco-tourism, you will need a way to get around the country.

2Costa Rica Travel agency has the best options for transportation in Costa Rica: private transportation or driver-guide transportation, shared bus transportation, car rentals, and domestic flights.

Renting a car in Costa Rica gives you the most freedom to explore the country as you like.

2Costa Rica Travel can help you with rental cars in San José, Tamarindo, Liberia, Jacó and Manuel Antonio. 

In many cases, you can arrange for a vehicle to be delivered directly to your hotel, or meet you at the airport (international or local). You also can arrange to pick up a vehicle at one location, and then drop it off at another agency location.

2Costa Rica Travel has access to an up-to-date fleet of sedans and 4x4s. On Costa Rica’s roads, it is generally recommended to have a 4WD vehicle, especially in rainy season. In Costa Rica, most cars have manual transmissions; however with car rentals, both automatic and manual transmissions are available, depending on availability and the car model type. 2Costa Rica Travel includes the cost of mandatory car insurance and unlimited mileage in its pricing.

The Costa Rica travel agency has a list of mileage distances and approximate driving times between major Costa Rica towns and cities on their website.

Get tips on what to pack and other important Costa Rica travel information, along with hotel and tour reservations, and Costa Rica vacation packages from 2Costa Rica Travel.

Article by Shannon Farley

What to Pack for your Costa Rica vacation

Coming to Costa Rica soon on vacation?

Here are some quick and easy trip tips on what to pack for your Costa Rica vacation.

CLOTHING

• Quick-dry or similar non-wrinkle outdoor clothing is the best for Costa Rica’s variable climates.
• Comfortable beach-wear and light tropical clothing for the coasts and lower elevations.
• At least one long-sleeved shirt, light sweater or fleece for chilly evenings or visits to high elevation places, such as Monteverde, San Gerardo de Dota, the Irazú and Poás Volcanoes, etc.; these areas are much cooler in temperature, especially at night.
• Water-resistant rain jacket or poncho with a hood: it rains in the rainforest!
• A sun hat or ball cap – a must for protection against the hot tropical sun.
• Comfortable footwear, including good all-purpose walking shoes, light beach sandals, and at least one pair of closed-toe all-terrain sandals or running shoes for adventurous activities.

ACCESSORIES

• Small backpack / daypack for day trips.
• Small travel flashlight or head lamp.
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing and bird-watching.
• Alarm clock or watch with an alarm.
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen – a sports waterproof type with at least 30 SPF is best.
• Insect repellent – go for something strong.
• Daily hygiene products and personal medication.
• Small travel first-aid kit.

IDENTIFICATION & MONEY

• Passport – must be valid for at least six months after your trip finishes. When out on tours, leave your original passport in your hotel safe and carry a copy.
• Valid driver’s license for vehicle rentals.
• Credit cards – Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted; be sure to alert your bank of your travel plans. (Traveler’s checks are hardly ever accepted; don’t bring them.)
• Cash in U.S. dollars (note that $100 bills are hard to cash except in a bank). Nearly all banks have ATMs where you can use your ATM or debit card. Change money in a bank rather than at the airport for a better exchange rate.
• Costa Rican Colones: it is a good idea to carry at least $100 in Costa Rican Colones for buying items in small stores or rural places where dollars won’t be accepted.
• Emergency contact information; put this information in your luggage and wallet.

ELECTRONCS

• Cell phone or tablet with internet access (Wi-Fi internet is relatively common in Costa Rica now). Don’t forget the chargers and necessary cables.
• Camera with extra memory card and batteries.

Get the best travel information on where to go, hotels in Costa Rica, tours and transportation in Costa Rica from 2Costa Rica Travel. They offer customized Costa Rica vacation packages, and can help with all of your travel plans.

Article by Shannon Farley

See Costa Rica's top destinations on a 7-day vacation.

What are the best places to visit in Costa Rica? What are the best things to do in Costa Rica?

I get these questions a lot. Having lived in Costa Rica for 12 years, working in the tourism industry, I field questions from extended family, friends, friends of friends, and even complete strangers if I happen to mention that's where I live. They all ask the same thing, "If I were to visit Costa Rica, where should I go and what should I do?"

Start small, I always recommend. Choose two or three destinations for a week-long trip. Costa Rica overall is not a large country, but because of its rugged, mountainous topography, if you flattened it out, it would probably double in size. There are hundreds of beaches between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, plenty of rivers and volcanoes, and 161 national parks, private reserves and wildlife refuges each with a unique ecosystem.

If I were to design a seven-day first-time Costa Rica vacation for someone, I would choose something like the Best of Costa Rica itinerary by 2Costa Rica Travel. On this Costa Rica vacation package, you get adventure, rainforest, beaches, national parks, and the country's most famous volcano – all in a week.

Best of Costa Rica 7-day vacation:

Two nights in Costa Rica's capital city, San Jose, staying at the luxury boutique Hotel Grano de Oro in a converted Victorian mansion.

Go for an adventure whitewater rafting tour on the Pacuare River (class 3-4), one of the world's best for scenery and rapids. The drive there takes you through the cloud forest of Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Next is two nights at the posh Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort at Volcano Arenal. Car rental is included. The Tabacon Hot Springs, with their views of the famous Arenal Volcano, are world-renowned.

Then, it's off to the beach for two nights at luxury eco-hotel Si Como No at one of Costa Rica's most beautiful Pacific beaches, Manuel Antonio. Two adventure tours are included – Jungle Canopy tour and hiking in one of the country's most visited national parks, Manuel Antonio.

You finish in San José for a last night in the capital city.

By Shannon Farley

Night kayaking tour thrills senses in Costa Rica

You definitely have to be up for an adventure to go kayaking in the ocean at night. At first, the experience can be a little unnerving. The slightest splash makes you jump. What was that? Shark? Fish? Whale? It was probably your own kayak paddle hitting the water, but the fact that you can't see well puts you on edge.

We humans are better adapted visually for daylight than nighttime. But when you let your eyes adjust to the dusk – and relax – an entirely new spellbinding world opens up. As if by magic, suddenly you are aware of night birds softly calling, fish gentle stirring the water's surface, and the peacefulness of floating on a magnificent live body of water.

On Costa Rica's Nicoya Gulf, near the southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula, this is especially true. Just below Vista Las Islas Hotel, near the ferry port of Paquera, Organos Beach is a tranquil wide bay with a long sandy beach, surrounded by jungle. There are really no waves, so casting off from shore in a kayak is easy. Waters in this area are calm, and the kayak guides say they've never seen sharks.

Kayaking in the dark is a completely different experience than paddling during the day. All of your senses are alert – hearing, smell, sight, and touch. If the moon is out, the coastline and the Nicoya Gulf's little islands cast shadows on a shimmering silver sea. Listen for the sound of a pelican taking flight or fish jumping out of the water.

When there is no moon at all, it's even better. Then you can see the ocean light up with bioluminescence. The water around your sea kayak will glow as you create waves, and every paddle stroke is like a firework. It is as if you are paddling across a liquid sky of blue stars.

According to Wikipedia, bioluminescence is the emission of visible light by a living organism as a result of a natural chemical reaction. Bioluminescence occurs in a remarkable diversity of marine animals and microbes – bacteria, plankton, fish, jellyfish, squid, etc. It also exists in some fungi, microorganisms and terrestrial invertebrates – think of fireflies and glow worms.

Sailing on a darkened sea or walking along the beach at night, especially closer to the equator, you will often see sparkling lights in the water. Sometimes thousands of square miles of ocean shine with the light of bioluminescent bacteria or plankton. Bioluminescent light tends to be in the blue and green spectrum – the wavelengths that can transmit most easily through seawater, reports Science Daily.

Think of the scene in the 2012 movie "Life of Pi" when the night sea glittered blue around Pi's raft and a glowing whale jumps out of the water. Or recall the illuminated neon-colored forest in "Avatar." Both are great examples of bioluminescence.

Hotel Vista Las Islas, with tour operator Bahia Rica, offers an unforgettable night kayaking tour on the placid waters of Costa Rica's Nicoya Gulf at Playa Organos. Nearby are Tambor Beach and the famous Tortuga Island, off of the southern Nicoya Peninsula. The area is full of natural beauty and rich in biodiversity.

The luxury boutique hotel sits up on a promontory above the beach. Well-appointed rooms have private balcony terraces and ocean views of the Nicoya Gulf and Tortuga Island. Vista Las Islas Hotel is conveniently located just a 10-minute drive away from the Paquera ferry terminal. Ferries travel several times daily from the Central Pacific port town of Puntarenas to Paquera. Additionally, the small airstrip at Playa Tambor receives several national flights daily on both Sansa Airlines and Nature Air (only 20 minutes from San Jose).

By Shannon Farley

Adrenaline, fun & great scenery - river tubing in Costa Rica

It was a bit like playing bumper cars in the middle of Roaring Rapids. There I was, perched very alert in my high-tech individual rafting tube, bouncing off a rock to my left only to spin off a rock on my right and now speeding backwards down the chute to smack the huge wave in the "Coca Cola" rapid dead-on. Facing the wrong way had its advantages … the wave went over my head instead of right in my face. Either way, it was exhilarating and I was very wet!

I was riding the rapids of the Savegre River near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, on outfitter H2O Adventures' "Jungle River Tubing Adventure." The 4-mile (6 km) trip down river is a terrific combination of adrenaline and natural beauty.

River tubing has come a long way from blowing up a spare tire inner tube with a bicycle pump and floating in a slow-moving stream with a cooler of cold drinks. The fancy river tubes that H2O Adventures uses are large inflatable round rafts with a tough canvas cover to protect against punctures, handles to hold on, an adjustable suspended seat in the center, and an optional inflatable backrest. Tour participants wear lifejackets and rafting helmets.

Savegre River Tubing

The Savegre River is one of the more impressive rivers of Costa Rica. Surrounded by dense jungle, the large pristine river flows down a wide valley with tall mountains on both sides. Regular rafting trips start further up river where there are larger Class III-IV rapids. The tubing adventure begins in the Class II rapids, with mostly "wave trains" and easy whitewater … though we had to do a good amount of rock and obstacle navigation on our trip. The river twists and turns from rushing rapids to calm pools, and over again.

---

Rafting in your own river tube is fun for the freedom of being able to individually choose where you want to go. Being without a paddle, like in regular rafting, however, is disconcerting. Navigation, therefore, is by your own steam – using your arms in a backstroke motion to paddle yourself where you need to line up properly for the coming rapids. I also found that using my upper body to lean my weight in a particular direction as well helped with "steering." I was very grateful for the occasional nudge in the right direction by H2O Adventures owner Leo Vazquez, who was leading our river adventure as safety kayaker.

The Savegre River Tubing Adventure is a half-day tour, lasting 4 hours in total with about 90 minutes on river. The scenery is beautiful, the crystal clear river is a great adrenaline rush, and the trips are guided expertly and safely. As the company's website states: "The gently flowing waters and beautiful scenery of the Savegre River all combine for a relaxing, fun and fascinating experience." The Jungle River Tubing Adventure is appropriate for persons age 10 and up who know how to swim. H2O Adventures operates 2 trips daily.

Rio Negro Tubing

Head north to Costa Rica's Guanacaste province near Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and you'll find another fun and exciting river adventure tour – the Rio Negro Tubing Adventure. Operated by the fantastic eco-lodge and adventure center, Hacienda Guachipelin, the Rio Negro's crystal clear and fun rapids flow down a small narrow canyon for an easy half-day tour.

The Rio Negro adventure begins with a 45-minute horseback ride from Hacienda Guachipelin on their trusty Costa Rican ranch horses (or you can go by vehicle). The river tubing begins at the foot of the Victoria Waterfall. Professional guides accompany the trips to ensure safety. Hacienda Guachipelin operates daily river tubing tours.

Valle Dorado Tours

Let Valle Dorado Tours arrange these river tubing trips in Costa Rica for you, and they will also take care of your accommodations in both the Manuel Antonio and Rincón de la Vieja areas, and your transport. Valle Dorado Tours offers the best Costa Rica one-day tours and custom tour packages. More than 20 years of local experience in the Costa Rica travel business ensures that Valle Dorado Tours offers you the best in Costa Rica vacations.

Travel Tips: Here are some handy travel tips to make your river tubing experience all the better:

• Wear a long-sleeve nylon shirt to protect against the sun and arm rash from paddling.
• Use waterproof sunscreen; don't forget your legs and feet!
• Use a sport ball cap style hat under your helmet to protect your face from sun.
• Use water shoes or strap-on sport sandals like Chacos or Tevas; no flipflops or you'll lose them.

By Shannon Farley

Top whitewater rafting tours to do in Costa Rica

The onset of Costa Rica's "green season" means it is whitewater rafting time! Rainwater flows into Costa Rica's tropical rivers this time of year, making the rapids bigger and more exciting. What could be more fun than splashing down a warm-water tropical river on a hydro-powered rollercoaster?
Costa Rica is one of the world's top destinations for whitewater rafting. Tropical rivers in Costa Rica are renowned for their beauty. Thick green jungle splashed with rainbow colors of over-sized flowers, waterfalls thundering down cliffs, jewel-toned birds and butterflies darting overhead, all combine to create the feeling that you've entered a lost paradise. Costa Rica has rivers ranging from Class I to Class V rafting. So no matter your age, strength or physical condition, Costa Rica offers exciting rafting trips for everyone. Float trips aside, here is our list of some of the best whitewater rafting trips in Costa Rica. Paddles ready!

Pacuare River (Rio Pacuare)

The Pacuare River is the quintessential "lost" paradise tropical river. Noted for being one of the "top rivers in the world for whitewater rafting" (Outdoor & National Geographic magazines), the World Rafting Championships were held on the Pacuare River in 2011. I trained as a whitewater rafting guide on the Pacuare River – my first job in Costa Rica – and I've never forgotten its magic. The Pacuare River flows from its source in the Talamanca Mountains to the Caribbean. Rafting trips paddle 18 miles through pounding Class III-IV rapids, past calm pools and gushing waterfalls in the heart of densely vegetated gorges. The lowland rainforest here is remarkable for its luxuriant variety and amazing abundance and diversity of wildlife. A lunch stop at a River Lodge will recharge your batteries. The afternoon packs in the biggest rapids, like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montañas, and many more. Trips finish at a private rest area near Siquirres for lunch, showers, drinks and souvenir shopping.
Difficulty: Moderate-High. Tour: Full day. Minimum age: 14. Physical condition: Good. Location: Caribbean (day tour from San Jose).

Naranjo River (Rio Naranjo)

The Naranjo River borders the southern end of Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast. Rafting trips start from the town of Villanueva in the mountains, and travel 6 miles through fun and exciting Class III-IV rapids with names like "La Piñata", "El Cesar" and "Robin Hood." On the second half of the trip, the river opens up on the Pacific flatlands with great views and the chance to see many species of birds, like the Ringed Kingfisher and White Ibis, and with a little bit of luck maybe even a crocodile.
Difficulty: Medium. Tour: Half day. Minimum age: 8. Physical condition: Average. Location: Manuel Antonio / Quepos (Central Pacific).

Savegre River (Rio Savegre)

The Savegre River rafting tour is a full-day adventure of pure action while enjoying fantastic landscapes in Costa Rica's Central Pacific near Manuel Antonio. Trips start with an early breakfast in Quepos, then a scenic 1.5 hour drive through African oil palms and Teak reforestation projects to the river put-in. Six miles of Class II-III rapids like "Boca Diablo" and "Roller Coaster" wake you up with adrenaline. Trips make a brief stop near some beautiful waterfalls, then hit the newly formed "Screaming Child" rapid before the river tames down until the end. A hot lunch is served at Silencio Lodge; afterward it is a 45-minute drive to Quepos.
Difficulty: Easy. Tour: Full day. Minimum age: 6. Physical condition: Average. Location: Manuel Antonio / Quepos (Central Pacific).

Balsa River (Rio Balsa)

The Balsa River offers fun, rolling Class II-III rapids with names like "Morning Coffee" and "Rock around the Croc". Tranquil river pools make for scenic photos along this isolated rainforest river canyon, located 30 minutes from La Fortuna / Volcano Arenal. Wildlife in the area includes monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds such as Ospreys, Oropéndolas and Toucans. Lunch is served at the end. This river trip is a good way to combine adventure and nature.
Difficulty: Easy. Tour: Half day. Minimum age: 10. Physical condition: Average. Location: Arenal

Tenorio River (Rio Tenorio)

The Tenorio River will test your courage with its Class III-IV rapids as you plunge through twists, turns and drops, down 8 miles of intense, challenging rapids. The river flows through an arid and impressive canyon in Costa Rica's Northern Pacific Guanacaste region. Wildlife you may see along the river includes monkeys, iguanas and tropical birds. This river trip finishes big – with a 10-foot waterfall drop!
Difficulty: Moderate-High. Tour: Full day. Minimum age: 14. Physical condition: Good. Location: Guanacaste

Colorado River (Rio Colorado)

Located in Costa Rica's Northern Pacific region of Guanacaste, the Colorado River flows down a natural and impressive canyon through tropical dry forest. Rafting trips ride a Class II-III section of rapids on a 1.5 hour tour. There are many swimming holes to enjoy on this scenic river.
Difficulty: Easy. Tour: Full day. Minimum age: 8. Physical condition: Average. Location: Guanacaste

Sarapiqui River (Rio Sarapiqui)

Conveniently located close to San Jose and the Central Valley, Sarapiqui is halfway between the Tortuguero National Park and Arenal Volcano. The Sarapiquí River offers adventure seekers both whitewater rafting and float trips in its crystal clear waters. The Class II-III "La Virgen" section is perfect for beginners and families looking for a fun rollercoaster wave trip on a picture-perfect tropical rainforest river. Wildlife in the area includes sloths, monkeys, reptiles and amphibians, and more than 360 species of birds, including the endangered Green Macaw.
Difficulty: Easy. Tour: Half day. Minimum age: 12. Physical condition: Average. Location: Sarapiqui (day tour from San Jose) Valle Dorado Tours offers all of these whitewater rafting trips in Costa Rica.

Contact Valle Dorado Tours in Costa Rica to experience the country's top one-day tours and custom tour packages. More than 20 years of local experience in the Costa Rica travel business ensures that Valle Dorado Tours offers you the best in custom-made Costa Rica vacations, one-day tours, and destination and thematic tour packages all over Costa Rica. Their expert travel staff can help you arrange your Costa Rica vacation from start to finish.

By Shannon Farley