On the ball: Keylor Navas, Costa Rica’s new Tourism Ambassador

People around the world have their eye on Costa Rican football star Keylor Navas.

Not only is Navas a national hero for helping lead his team as goalkeeper to the quarterfinals in the 2014 World Cup, he also is a rising star as goalkeeper for the prestigious Real Madrid football team.

Now, Navas has been appointed Costa Rica’s first official Tourism Ambassador.
In a big event at the official Costa Rica stand at the FITUR tourism trade fair in Madrid, Spain on Jan. 29, one of the most important tourism trade fairs in the world, Costa Rican Tourism Minister, Wilhelm von Breymann, announced the important honor.

Keylor Navas became a worldwide sensation during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, saving 21 of 23 (91 percent) attempted goals while leading Costa Rica for the first-time ever to the quarterfinals. Then the famous Tico signed with the respected Real Madrid football club in July 2014.

“We’re taking this opportunity at FITUR, one of the most important tourism events in the world, to recognize the talent, human quality and character of Keylor Navas, who has lifted the name of Costa Rica very high thanks to his humility, warmth and tenacity. The growth he has had professionally has generated pride in Costa Ricans. For this reason, we are very pleased and excited to have Keylor Navas as the first Tourism Ambassador of Costa Rica,” said Wilhelm von Breymann in a Facebook post.

“I think that Costa Rica can serve as a model for the whole world. It is a country rich in biodiversity and is committed to sustainability, environmental conservation and its culture and traditions,” said Navas on his official website. “I am convinced that anyone who visits Costa Rica will discover what it truly means to have an authentic travel experience.

This place offers unforgettable moments for anyone who visits this paradise.”
More than 2.5 million international arrivals were registered in Costa Rica in 2014, an increase of 4.1 percent over the previous year, reported the Costa Rican Tourism Office (ICT). European visitors to Costa Rica increased by nearly 20 percent in 2014, mostly from France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom, the ICT noted.

In January, Costa Rica won the category of “Best Destination Central/South America” in the Readers’ Choice Awards by Travel Weekly magazine. U.S. News & World Report called Costa Rica “the ultimate destination to enjoy a family holiday,” and among the eight best places to travel for families in Central and South America. And British newspaper The Guardian named Costa Rica “one of the destinations to visit in 2015”.

Plan your unforgettable vacation to Costa Rica, and choose the authentic Costa Rica travel experts with 30 years of experience to take care of everything for you. Horizontes travel agency in Costa Rica is a leader in tourism in Costa Rica, and is certified in Sustainable Tourism. Horizontes offers the best in Costa Rica vacations and Costa Rica tours – all tailored just for you.

Article by Shannon Farley

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Mountain biking in Costa Rica on new cycling trips

Mountain bikers, take note. Now there are Costa Rica vacations dedicated solely to mountain biking. If you are a mountain biking enthusiast looking for a training trip or a fun and challenging cycling vacation, now Cycling Trails Costa Rica has partnered with Horizontes Nature Tours to offer exceptional Costa Rica Cycling Tours.

Known for its beautiful beaches and rainforests, Costa Rica, has also gained fame around the world for mountain biking and endurance sports competitions. Started by highly experienced international competitive mountain bikers from Costa Rica, Cycling Trails’ staff includes race directors and adventure and cycling racers; guides also are certified in first aid and rescue.

“We cater to adventurous bikers seeking new challenges, true interaction with the local culture, and some of the world’s most amazing locations for cycling,” states Cycling Trails’ information. “Nature is our playground in every exclusive expedition we have created for you.”

Mountain bikers can chose from two itineraries with set departures in 2015. Groups range from six to 14 persons.

The eight-day Costa Rica vacation package Land of Eternal Sunshine takes participants to the rugged terrain around the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano – site of the unique 100-mile mountain bike race Rincón de la Vieja Challenge held every August – and to the rolling coastal foothills and beaches of Guanacaste. Riders will pedal from 20 to 91 kilometers a day, visiting a different location each day. Cycling Trails trips are scheduled for Feb. 6-13, 2015 and May 8-15, 2015.

The Land of Volcanoes itinerary is even more challenging, riding the mountainous terrain of one of the most impressive volcanic regions of the world. Participants will visit the renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest, the Arenal Volcano and three more active and dormant volcanoes, pedaling from 30 to 60 kilometers a day in different locations. There are trips available for April 7-13, 2015 and Aug. 7-13, 2015.
 
The distinguished Horizontes Nature Tours travel agency in Costa Rica has 30 years of experience in Costa Rica travel, offering the finest Costa Rica vacation packages and Costa Rica tours.

Article by Shannon Farley

Five dream Costa Rica adventure travel vacations

Why visit Costa Rica? People ask me that all of the time. Everywhere I go, from Europe to the United States to other parts of Latin America, it seems nearly everyone has heard of Costa Rica and is intrigued about the little Central American country.

Besides being a peace-loving nation full of friendly people, Costa Rica fills its small territory with tremendous diversity. There is an incredibly large country-wide system of national parks, private reserves and wildlife refuges protecting exotic, unique nature. People come for the rainforest and nature, the beaches and volcanoes, and the widely varied tropical climate.

On top of all of that, adventure lovers find Costa Rica adventure travel unsurpassed. Whitewater rafting on gorgeous tropical rivers, hiking by active volcanoes, rappelling down waterfalls, scuba diving bountiful waters, surfing perfect waves, zip-lining and trekking through rainforest – these adventures will get you excited about life.

Horizontes has five suggestions for Costa Rica adventure tours in Costa Rica vacation packages from six days to nine days. Or design your own Costa Rica holiday.

Horizontes is a pioneer in tourism in Costa Rica, celebrating 30 years of dependable and expert travel services. Their extensive local knowledge and networks provide a strong competitive advantage.

• 9-day Water Sports Adventure that includes scuba diving, a visit to the Corcovado National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park, with transportation by domestic flights.

• 8-day Surfing Adventure to the best surf spots on Costa Rica’s Pacific and Caribbean Coasts.

• 8-day Costa Rica Multisport Adventure to the exciting active volcanoes of Rincon de la Vieja in Guanacaste and Arenal Volcano on the Northern Plains, that includes hiking, horseback riding, volcanic hot springs, kayaking and mountain biking.

• 6-day adventure to Arenal Volcano that includes kayaking on Lake Arenal, rappelling down waterfalls in a rainforest canyon, and mountain biking by the active volcano.

• 6-day tour whitewater rafting on the world-famous Pacuare River in the heart of the Costa Rica rainforest, and an exciting visit by catamaran to the gorgeous tropical paradise of Tortuga Island in the Nicoya Gulf.

Article by Shannon Farley

Raise your voice on World Environment Day

“When multiplied by a global chorus, our individual voices and actions become exponential in their impact.” – United Nations, World Environment Day Committee

Today is all about working together for the good of the planet. It is World Environment Day (WED)!

Every year on June 5, the United Nations celebrates the biggest day of the year for positive environmental action. This year’s host nation for World Environment Day is the small Caribbean island of Barbados, which is rising as a world leader in solar energy. The host nation fits perfectly with the United Nations naming 2014 the International Year of Small Island Developing States.

This year’s slogan, “Raise your voice not the sea level,” addresses the issue of rising sea levels around the world and global warming, and calls to people to work together to do something about it. According to the UN, the global sea level has risen by about 10 to 25 cm (up to about 10 inches) over the past 100 years, and is continuing to surge upward due to climate change.

World Environment Day is the United Nations’ global campaign to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Celebrated by over 100 countries, it is an opportunity for every person to realize they are responsible to care for the Earth and can effect change. We can combine “individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet,” states the UN.

How will you make your voice heard this year for the environment?

It doesn’t have to be just on June 5. Every day is a good day to start clean-up campaigns, initiatives to reduce food waste, walk-to-work days, recycling drives, using re-usable containers instead of plastic, tree-planting drives, social media campaigns, and different contests. Every action counts.

See what the rest of the world is doing for WED 2014.

World ecotourism pioneer Costa Rica is working toward reforestation, reducing transport carbon emissions, controlling harmful and illegal fishing practices, and protecting the country’s natural resources.

Get the best Costa Rica vacation deals with Costa Rica Special Deals online travel service. Check out their Costa Rica vacation packages and Costa Rica all-inclusive deals.

Article by Shannon Farley

New Costa Rica Jade Museum shows off indigenous art and culture

In Central America, Costa Rica is one of two regions where jade was extensively carved by indigenous peoples in Pre-Columbian times. The earliest evidence for carved jade dates to 500 B.C., and is a bird pendant excavated from a burial tomb on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Jade pendants and other ornaments made in Costa Rica are among the country’s most unique historic art forms. Fashioning items out of Jadeite, which was most prevalent in Costa Rica, remained in favor for hundreds of years until approximately 700 A.D., when its popularity appears to have been replaced by gold ornaments. Costa Rican jade comes in many green tonalities, from pale blue-green to intense, almost black greens.

You can now see Costa Rica’s entire collection of nearly 7,000 pieces of indigenous jade, ceramics and stone artifacts, purportedly the largest collection of Pre-Columbian jade in the world, at the new national Museum of Jade and Pre-Columbian Art in San Jose Costa Rica.

Open to the public as of May 26, 2014, the new Jade Museum is located in the Plaza de la Democracia (Democracy Plaza) opposite the Costa Rica National Museum. Since 1977, Costa Rica’s impressive collection of ancient jade had been housed in a small wing of the National Insurance Institute (INS) building, which prevented the museum from displaying its full collection.

The new Jade Museum spans 75,000 square feet over five floors. The building itself is exceptionally modern and eye-catching. The architect designed the commanding edifice to capture the shape and texture of a piece of jade. Conveniently located in the center of downtown San Jose’s cultural attractions, the Jade Museum is just a few blocks from the National Theatre, one of the capital city’s most popular tourist attractions.

See the best of San Jose with Costa Rica Special Deals, a professional online travel service. Costa Rica Special Deals offers you San Jose hotel reservations, Costa Rica travel deals, and Costa Rica vacation packages.

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

Five favorite eco hotels in Costa Rica

The lush rainforest, beautiful unspoiled beaches, and towering volcanoes of Costa Rica are some of the biggest draws for visitors to this Central American eco-paradise. But while being eco-friendly, travelers who visit Costa Rica don’t have to sacrifice comfort to enjoy nature and Costa Rica adventure tours.

Here are five favorite eco-hotels that have teamed up being eco-friendly with five-star comfort and service and unique charm. Get a full list of the best eco-hotels in Costa Rica and top Costa Rica tours, along with Costa Rica vacation packages, at 2Costa Rica Travel agency.

Hotel Gaia, Manuel Antonio Beach

Gaia Luxury Boutique Hotel and Reserve is set on 14 acres of rainforest overlooking the gorgeous beach, offshore islands and stunning coastline of Manuel Antonio, on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast. The renowned Manuel Antonio National Park is minutes away from the chic, five-star eco-friendly adult and teen only resort.

Hotel El Establo, Monteverde

Eco-friendly Hotel El Establo offers you luxury in the Monteverde cloud forest with dramatic views of the Nicoya Gulf and sensational sunsets. The half Costa Rican – half Quaker family-owned hotel is set on a private 150-acre farm that is 50% protected primary forest, and located adjacent to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Hotel Punta Islita, Nicoya Peninsula

Overlooking a white sand beach and blue Pacific Ocean on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, Hotel Punta Islita is an extraordinary, sophisticated eco-hotel. Holding the maximum level in the Costa Rican Tourism Board’s (ICT) Certificate for Sustainable Tourism, the five-star eco-hotel features luxury rooms, suites and private villas.

Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Spa, San Ramon

Just over an hour’s drive from the San Jose International Airport, eco-minded travelers enjoy the pure beauty and excellent service of Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel. Located on 75 acres in the Los Angeles Private Biological Nature Reserve by the town of San Ramon, the hotel is ideally situated to get to the Arenal Volcano.

Xandari Plantation Resort & Spa, Alajuela

Xandari Resort & Spa is luxury eco-hotel only 20 minutes from the San Jose International Airport, on a 40-acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Bold art, vanguard architecture, magnificent vistas and pastoral landscapes create an enchanting setting for 24 private villas.

Article by Shannon Farley

Rafting in the Costa Rica rainforest at Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica’s whitewater rafting fame includes the beautiful rivers of the Arenal Volcano area – the Balsa, Toro and Penas Blancas Rivers. The spectacular rainforest around the impressive, live Arenal Volcano, the area’s easy accessibility, and huge abundance of outdoor adventures make it a top place to visit in Costa Rica.

The best thing about whitewater rafting in Costa Rica is that you can do it all year long! In the dry summer season, splashing down a cool rainforest river is wonderfully refreshing. In the rainy season, the rapids get even more exciting as the rivers swell with rainwater.

The Balsa River is a good whitewater rafting adventure if you want fun and excitement without being too challenging or crazy. 

The trip is a half-day tour down class 2 and 3 rapids. You will paddle hard for over two hours of thrilling whitewater action, interspersed with tranquil pools to catch your breath and see the scenery. And the scenery on the Balsa River is dazzling. The river flows down a long, isolated rainforest river canyon, 30 minutes outside of the town of La Fortuna by the Arenal Volcano. Wildlife in the area includes monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds like Ospreys, Oropéndolas and Toucans.

At the end of the trip, you will be smiling … and wet! The tour includes a delicious typical lunch at a traditional country estate before returning to your Arenal hotel.

Online travel agency Costa Rica Special Deals is offering a great Costa Rica travel deal on this Arenal Whitewater Rafting Adventure. The tour includes: Rafting equipment, snacks, drinks, lunch, bilingual certified guides, and minivan transport from/to your hotel-river-hotel (La Fortuna and outside the La Fortuna area). Rate: $52.00 per person, tax included. What to Bring: quick-dry clothes, swimsuit, sunscreen, and strap-on sandals or athletic shoes.

Take advantage of exciting Costa Rica vacation packages to visit Arenal Volcano. Costa Rica Special Deals has a 6-night Volcano & Beach Vacation Package to Volcano Arenal and Tamarindo Beach in Guanacaste, a 7-day Unforgettable Costa Rica Adventure Vacation to Arenal and Manuel Antonio Beach, and a three-night special rate at the Royal Corin Resort & Spa at Arenal.

Article by Shannon Farley

Take a city tour of San Jose and see the National Theatre.

When touring through beautiful historic buildings, the key is to remember to look up. Above you are often magnificent fresco-ed ceilings, intricate moldings, glittering chandeliers and other decorative adornments.

Such is the case with the National Theatre of Costa Rica. When visiting the most popular tourist attraction in the capital city of San Jose, stop and gaze upward. The theatre’s ceiling mural entitled the “Allegory of Coffee and Bananas” (Alegoría al Café y al Banano) was just named one of “10 great ceilings around the world,” according to an article in USA Today.

The famous painting by Italian artist J. Vila used to grace the back of the five colón bill that is no longer in circulation. 

Though the giant work-of-art captures the essence of Costa Rican rural life at the turn of the 20^th century, it is evident that the painter never visited Costa Rica for the mural’s anomalies. For instance, coffee grows at high elevation rather than at sea level as the painting depicts, and there is a man holding a bunch of bananas like a large floral bouquet instead of over his shoulder as would be traditional.

The ornate Neo-Classical National Theatre (Teatro Nacional) is considered the finest historic building in San Jose, and is known for its exquisite interior decorated with lavish furnishings and beautiful murals. Constructed between 1891 and 1897, the theatre opened in October 1897. 

Copied after the famous Paris Opera House, the theatre was built at a time when upper-class Costa Ricans wanted to transform the capital from a sleepy town of 17,000 people into a stop on the world opera circuit. Costa Rican citizens helped pay for the theatre by a special tax.

The front of the theatre features statues of 17^th century Spanish playwright Pedro Calderón de la Barca and famous German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The vestibule floor is laid with Carrara marble along with bronze trim and ample use of 22.5 carat gold overlay. Italian sculptor Pietro Bulgarelli’s statues of the muses adorn the lobby. A stunning inlaid wood floor of tropical woods in red, pink, black and gold graces the second floor. There is a wonderful café, gallery and gift shop on the ground floor.

Tourists can enter during the day and take a self-guided tour through the theatre. There often are free musical programs at Noon, and on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. For more information on the National Theatre, call (506) 2221-5341.

See the best of San Jose with Costa Rica Special Deals, a professional online travel service. Costa Rica Special Deals will help you with San Jose hotels, Costa Rica all-inclusive deals, reservations, transportation, and tips on what to do for your Costa Rica vacation.

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

Top 10 Costa Rica vacation destinations

Costa Rica is a top world travel destination because it has something for everyone: tropical rainforest, green mountains, spectacular beaches, active volcanoes, wild rivers and lakes, and charming towns. The dry tropical forest and wide savannas of the north Pacific are as varied as the dense, steamy jungle of the south Pacific, the misty cool cloud forest high in the central mountains, and the distinctive character and culture of the Caribbean Coast as compared to the Pacific.

Here is our list of the top 10 travel destinations in Costa Rica. We’re sure you’ll find something just right for your next vacation!

Top 10 Travel Destinations in Costa Rica

San José City & Surroundings

Costa Rica’s capital city of San José is where most visitors begin their Costa Rica vacation. Located near the Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José is full of interesting museums, theatres, parks and historical buildings. In the surrounding Central Valley, you have the Poás and Irazú volcanoes and national parks, coffee plantation tours, the artisan town of Sarchi, and butterfly and botanical gardens.

Arenal Volcano

The Arenal Volcano is one of the most visited areas in Costa Rica. People come to see one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and to experience its natural volcanic hot springs, and the lush rainforest and lava flows of the Arenal Volcano National Park. Most hotels and activities are near the small town of La Fortuna, around the base of the Arenal Volcano and by Lake Arenal – a world destination for windsurfing. Adventure activities abound here: canopy zipline tours, aerial trams hanging bridges, whitewater rafting, hiking, waterfall canyoning, kayaking and fishing on the lake, and horseback riding.

Monteverde

Monteverde means “green mountain” in Spanish, and is an apt name for the emerald green, misty cloud forest in the central mountains. Considered a premiere ecotourism destination, Newsweek named it 14^th of the “100 places to remember before they disappear.” National Geographic calls Monteverde the “the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves.” The region’s variable climate and high altitude has produced an extremely high level of biodiversity, and it is considered one of Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders.

Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach

On the Central Pacific Coast, Manuel Antonio is a must see on anyone’s Costa Rica vacation. Lush rainforest spills down high coastal bluffs to turquoise seas, isolated coves and sparkling white sand beaches. The Manuel Antonio National Park gets top marks for its excellent wildlife viewing. Lodging ranges from posh luxury to simple beach cabanas. Adventure tours are abundant: scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, sailing, whale and dolphin-watching tours, hiking, canopy ziplines, waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Jacó Beach

Just north of Manuel Antonio, Jacó Beach is the closest big beach town to the capital city. The area is popular for surfing, with many national and international surfing competitions held here. The wide sandy beach is great for walking, and there are many adventure and nature tours, hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife.

Tamarindo Beach

On the north Pacific Guanacaste “Gold Coast”, Tamarindo Beach is a tourist hotspot. It has all the amenities of a fun Costa Rica beach town – great surf, sand, sun and a bustling nightlife. The town is well-developed with hotels, restaurants, spas, shops and galleries, medical facilities and world-class golf courses. Across an estuary to the north lies Playa Grande, where Leatherback Turtles come to lay their eggs.

Puerto Viejo & Cahuita

Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are laidback southern Caribbean beach towns with a unique blend of Latin, Afro-Caribbean, and cosmopolitan cultures. The region is popular with surfers, eco-tourists and beach lovers. Don’t miss the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park.

Drake Bay – Corcovado National Park – Osa Peninsula

The tranquil seaside village of Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula offers easy access to the Corcovado National Park – renowned for its natural beauty, diverse wildlife and unique ecology. The Cano Island biological reserve and the Sierpe River mangrove estuary also are easily visited from here.

Tortuguero

Known as “Costa Rica’s little Amazon” for its extensive network of natural and man-made waterways and lowland tropical jungle, Tortuguero on the Caribbean Coast is the habitat for half of all the bird and reptile species found in Costa Rica, and also the endangered West Indian Manatee. Tortuguero also is one of the most important nesting sites in the world for sea turtles.

Montezuma

At the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the beach town of Montezuma – once a remote fishing village – is now a bohemian enclave for international artists and hippies. Eco-tourism is strong for Montezuma’s stunning beaches, rivers and scenic waterfalls that surround the village. The nearby Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve also attracts a great number of visitors.

Travel info for Costa Rica

Book your travel with Costa Rica travel agency, Costa Rica Guides. They specialize in Costa Rica vacation packages and Costa Rica information.

Article by Shannon Farley

Enjoy a Latin American Christmas holiday in Costa Rica.

Have you heard the one about the visiting tourist enjoying Costa Rican tamales? He says, “They’re really delicious, but the lettuce is little tough!” (Costa Rican tamales are wrapped in green banana tree leaves.) Ho, ho, ho!

Tamales are one of the most time-honored Christmas traditions in Costa Rica. Like the rest of Latin America, tamales are a principal part of Christmas dinner.

 In Costa Rica, tamales are made from corn flour and are filled with many different ingredients, such as potato puree, rice, vegetables, garlic and onions, and shredded pork or chicken or beef, all wrapped in banana leaves and tied with string into squares, and boiled.

Costa Rica’s Christmas celebration begins on Christmas Eve, or “Noche Bueno,” when people visit family and friends for elaborate dinners of roast pork leg, tamales, pastries and other desserts. Eggnog (“rompope”), heavy with rum, is drunk while family members exchange presents before midnight. Catholics then head to Christmas Eve Midnight Mass (a two-hour marathon). As you can imagine, Christmas Day is a day for relaxing and enjoying family and presents.

Costa Rica’s houses and public buildings are decked out in elaborate Christmas decorations and lights – the more flashing patterns the better! It’s fun to drive around at night to see all of the displays. Christmas trees – either fresh-scented real cypress trees or artificial trees – are put up with bright lights and ornaments, often swathed in colorful gauze and ribbons, with a gold star on top.

Costa Rica Christmas traditionally centers on the Christ child and Holy Family, and the “Portal” or Nativity scene is an essential element in families’ celebrations. A family’s “portal” often occupies a large space in the living room or a patio. On Christmas Eve, Baby Jesus is placed in the manger just before the family goes to Christmas Midnight Mass. The Three Kings join the Nativity Scene on January 6.

Students are out of school in December, starting their long “summer vacation” until February. Rainy season has ended, replaced with dry cool winds, sunny days, clear and starry nights, and cooler temperatures in the Central Valley. It’s time to celebrate!

Traveling in Costa Rica during December is a culture-rich experience full of holiday traditions and grand fiestas and festivals. Get the best travel information on where to go, hotels, 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

Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast is a hot winter break.

Escape this winter to the land of everlasting summer on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

Blue skies, golden sun, tropical breezes, warm surf and soft sand await you. Sounds pretty good if you’re looking out the window at freezing rain, ice, snow and a heavy gray sky, doesn’t it?

Stretching from the port town of Puntarenas to the surf town of Dominical, Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast is a transition zone from the dry tropical forest of the North Pacific to the wet rainforest of the South Pacific. The area is known for great surf, world-class sportfishing, long sunny beaches, colorful sunsets, and a highly-developed tourism services. The Central Pacific also has the most accessible beaches to the capital city of San Jose.

Puntarenas is the gateway to the Nicoya Gulf and southern Nicoya Peninsula, with regular daily ferries crossing the calm gulf. Herradura Beach to the south is home to the well-known Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort with an 18-hole championship golf course and its world-class Los Sueños Marina, renowned for the best sportfishing boat captains.

The fun beach party town of Jacó is next down the coast. Just an hour from San Jose, Jacó is one of the country’s most developed beach towns. After Jacó comes the famous surfing beach of Playa Hermosa.

Manuel Antonio is probably one of the most talked about Central Pacific beaches. Manuel Antonio was named by Forbes Magazine the site of one of the world’s most beautiful national parks. Dense, emerald green rainforest spills down steep hillsides to white sand beaches and deep blue Pacific Ocean. Monkeys scamper through the trees, dolphins and humpback whales swim offshore, and wildlife fills the Manual Antonio National Park. In a very small area you can find many of Costa Rica’s best activities and attractions.

Flee the cold this winter to summertime on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Take advantage of exciting vacation deals from Costa Rica Special Deals:

• 7-day Unforgettable Costa Rica Adventure Vacation to Manuel Antonio and the Arenal Volcano.
• 4-night Manuel Antonio Luxury Condo Special
• Plus hotels and tours in Puntarenas, Herradura, Jacó, Hermosa, Esterillos, and Manuel Antonio.

The Costa Rica-based travel service, Costa Rica Special Deals, arranges great vacation deals in Costa Rica.

Article by Shannon Farley