Most popular sport - football - unifies the world

You don't need a well-manicured grass pitch. You don't even need all 22 players, or fancy uniforms … or even shoes, for that matter. All you need is a ball and people willing to play.

The most popular sport in the world – football (known as soccer in the USA) – can be played anywhere by anyone. That's the simple beauty of a sport that traverses borders, has brought bitter enemies together, even stopped wars, and has been a unifying force across the planet.

"As a consequence of its simplicity and global popularity, a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have noted the suitability of football as a mechanism to help build peace and promote social development in post-conflict societies," wrote Joel Rookwood and Clive Palmer of Liverpool Hope University, UK, in a 2011 study entitled "Soccer & Society."

The United Nations Sport for Development and Peace Program takes the message further to include all sports: "Sport as a universal language can be a powerful tool to promote peace, tolerance and understanding by bringing people together across boundaries, cultures and religions."

Football has played an important role in mending rifts between nations. History has us remember the famous Christmas Day 1914 truce during World War I in Flanders, Belgium, when German and British troops put down their guns for a day to play football (England won). Famous Brazilian football star Pelé's 1969 trip to Nigeria with his soccer club, Santos, caused a three-day cease-fire in the Biafran War, reports the "Play Soccer Make Peace!" project, initiated by the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO).

Football has become a vital instrument for hundreds of socialdevelopment programs run by private and community-based organizations around the world. In the Middle East, two initiatives – Football 4 Peace and another by FIFA (The International Federation of Association Football) – are helping Israel and Palestine come together using football to promote peace. The Football for Peace organization, another NGO, stages goodwill international peace matches on different continents to promote cultural exchange and peace between boys and girls, men and women.

The race to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will hit fever pitch over the next two months as teams fight for a place in the biggest single-event sporting competition in the world. Already on its world tour, the FIFA World Cup Trophy was on display in Costa Rica this past weekend, Sep 27-29. The world's most iconic symbol of football is flying around the globe, giving fans the chance to see it up close before the June 12 start to the World Cup.

FIFA and the World Cup Organizing Committee are using the World Cup 2014 to promote football as a means for social change. Thirty-two teams of boys and girls from grassroots organizations all over the planet will come to Rio de Janeiro during the last two weeks of the World Cup to celebrate their achievements and demonstrate the power of football for world peace in the Football for Hope Festival 2014. Additionally, FIFA will call attention to world social issues through their official environmental program, Football for the Planet, and their anti-discrimination initiative.

Besides advancing world peace and other social issues, major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, etc. drive tourism sky-high for the hosting country, and those countries lucky enough to be spotlighted with winning teams or athletes. Sports tourism is big business. According to FIFA, football generates $26 billion dollars annually, especially in Europe.

For Costa Rica, a promotional video about tourism to the country aired throughout Europe during the World Cup 2006 in Germany, creating a huge interest for travel. Now, seven years later, Costa Rica's travel statistics show more than 2 million tourists visit Costa Rica annually, spending about 2 billion dollars.

Football is one of Costa Rica's biggest passions. Costa Rica was the ninth country in the world to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, and has high hopes to do well in the world event. Currently ranked third in the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football), Costa Rica has played in three World Cups so far – 2006 in Germany, 2002 in Korea/Japan, and 1990 in Italy.

Travel to Costa Rica

For travel to Costa Rica, either on business or vacation, let Expediciones Tropicales take care of all of the details. Their online Costa Rica Guides, a Costa Rica travel directory, helps you with hotel reservations, Costa Rica tours, Costa Rica vacation packages, private transportation, rental cars, shuttle services, local flights and information on what to do, where to go and which places to see while you're in Costa Rica.

Article by Shannon Farley

Best Puerto Limon shore excursion: Veragua Rainforest.

Travelers who are looking for a tropical destination on their next vacation might want to consider a cruise.

There are so many benefits to cruising. You get to visit multiple countries, islands or points of interest all on the same trip without hassling with transportation, border crossings or logistics. On a cruise, you unpack once and your floating hotel takes you from place to place. Dining, entertainment, recreation, and nearly your every want and need are taken care of for you.

Costa Rica has become a hot port of call for cruises to the Panama Canal, Central America and Western Caribbean. The Central American country borders both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and offers cruise ship ports on both coasts. Cruise itineraries either stop at the Port of Limon on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast, or the Port of Caldera or Puntarenas on the Pacific Coast, or both coasts.

This 2013-2014 cruise season began already on September 1. Costa Rica expects to receive a total of 130 cruise ships docking at the ports of Puntarenas and Caldera on the Pacific, and 59 sailing into Limón, according to data provided by the agencies that manage both of these ports. During the 2011-2012 seasons, a total of 345 cruise ships docked at Costa Rica's ports. The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), along with tourism businesses, are seeking to improve Costa Rica's position in the cruise ship market by streamlining procedures and improving safety at the Pacific and Caribbean ports.

Major cruise lines that visit Costa Rica include Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, NCL, Oceania, Paul Gauguin, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, and Voyages of Discovery. Most cruise ships only spend one or two days in the country.

Small ship cruise lines like Star Clippers or Windstar Cruises spend several days visiting various points of interest in Costa Rica. For example, Windstar offers 7-day cruises up and down the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Cruise ship travelers who would like to explore Costa Rica more in-depth can visit the country before or after a cruise, either on their own or on an organized tour.

Most cruise passengers seek out Costa Rica for its ecotourism opportunities. Effectively a biological corridor between North and South America, Costa Rica's Neo-tropical climate and rainforests harbor one of the greatest biological diversities in the world.

Veragua Rainforest is one of the best Costa Rica ecotourism shore excursions for cruise visitors to the Caribbean port of Limon. Normally, passengers only have a few hours to experience as many of Costa Rica's wonders as possible, and want to do so with minimal on-shore travel time. Veragua Rainforest is located an hour away from the port of Limon and offers both half-day and full-day shore excursions.

The research and adventure park is one of the top nature and adventure attractions in Costa Rica's Caribbean region; plus, it is an important national scientific investigation center. The 3,212-acre (1,300-hectare) park is located in an area of breathtaking tropical rainforest in the foothills bordering the vast La Amistad International Park. Attractions include an aerial tram, canopy zip-line tour, hiking trails through the rainforest and by a river with waterfalls, wildlife exhibits and science labs.

By Shannon Farley

Development, Dust, and an Iconic Tropical Paradise

Santa Teresa is one of those iconic Costa Rica tourism spots. Paradise found for so many international and Costa Rican tourists who "discovered" Santa Teresa's pristine beaches, world-class surf breaks and lushly forested coastline. 

Yet as more and more travelers flock to experience these beautiful treasures, the isolation bubble stretches to the max, bringing with it the growing pains of any popular tourism destination.

The laid-back beach town sits near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. The area incorporates the beach communities of Mal Pais, Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa. Once a surfers' and backpackers' secret hideaway, the popular beaches now are filled with eco-lodges, beach bungalows, upscale luxury boutique hotels, yoga retreats, and multi-national restaurants serving healthy cuisine. Actor Mel Gibson and model Gisele Bündchen own homes in the area.

Only one road takes you there, and therein starts the growing pains. Traveling across the bottom of the Nicoya Peninsula from the Nicoya Gulf port of Paquera, when you get to Santa Teresa, there is a crossroads. To the left stretches sleepy Mal Pais. To the right, on a long, narrow ribbon of road is Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa. The road ends just past there at Playa Manzanillo. For the last five miles before Santa Teresa, and throughout the entire community, the road is unpaved dirt. With the increase in traffic from new residents and tourism, in the dry season, the dust is unbearable; in the rainy season, it is a muddy pot-holed mess.

Paving or not paving the road – which is a local government responsibility – has been a controversy for years, with sides both for and against. The situation heated up this past June when the local municipality started preparatory work for paving a three-mile section in Santa Teresa, with plans for another four-mile section to be done later.

"Maybe some people want to keep the road unpaved, because they want a really remote area," commented Mario Matarrita, manager at Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat in Santa Teresa. "But there is a lot of dust right now, and large potholes. We need the road paved to control that. There are many respiratory infections and health problems here. There is really nothing good about this road."

Matarrita, an avid surfer who moved to Santa Teresa 12 years ago from San Jose, said that part of the road problem comes from lack of governmental support and funding. The issue is the registered voter base. In reality, several thousand people live in the Mal Pais-Santa Teresa area, but on paper, official population figures based on registered voters show a fraction of those residents. The community mixes both foreigners and Costa Ricans, but many national residents come from other areas of the country and never changed their voter registration. Since the provincial government is located in Puntarenas, far away across the Nicoya Gulf, when it comes time to divide up allocated funds, money usually goes to where their records show are the more heavily populated towns.

Those who are against the road paving fear over-development – a common growth consequence. However, Matarrita says that Santa Teresa's geography and the town's building cap at 10 meters high will prevent the high-rise buildings so popular now at other beach resort locations. "Santa Teresa will never be that big because the mountains and ocean won't allow it," he said. "We're just a narrow strip of land along the beach with large coastal mountains behind us."

Pranamar Villas special events manager, Larissa Chevalier, adds praise to the enforcement of the maritime concession law in Santa Teresa. The nationwide law prohibits permanent structures on any beach within 50 meters of the high tide line. "You can walk down the beach in Santa Teresa and you don't see any hotels or bars or any development right on the beach. You can look through the trees and see buildings, but nothing right on the beach. It leaves the beach pristine," said Chevalier.

Low fresh water supply also has been an issue in the community, but Matarrita said the Costa Rican water company (AYA) should finish within a year a large water spring and reservoir project that will help solve the difficulty.

"We've got issues with the road, water, crime – just like any growing area. At the same time, there are positives with development, like recycling, beach clean ups, etc." said Chevalier, who moved to Santa Teresa years ago from Canada.

The Tourism Board in Santa Teresa and Mal Pais actively promotes many projects, remarked Matarrita. One of their main focuses now is improving public beach access, he said. Many of the hotels contribute to regular beach cleaning, and environmental groups are forming in the area.

Chevalier touted that tourism and development has created jobs and a thriving economy in the community. At the same time, she says Santa Teresa is still small enough so there is a good sense of community. "We have a really nice small town feel here; people wave to you and smile," Chevalier praised. "We have a multi-cultural community, and that makes for some amazing restaurants and tourism businesses here.

"Santa Teresa still has something special and untouched, and at the end of the day, I'm still happy to live here," she said. "I live in one of the most amazing places on the planet."

Where to stay in Santa Teresa

Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat is a lovely boutique luxury hotel on the beach at Santa Teresa. Designed with an Indonesian flair, Pranamar gives daily in-house yoga classes, yoga retreats and all-inclusive yoga vacations, surfing holidays, and has a beachfront spa and gourmet healthy cuisine restaurant.

How to get to Santa Teresa

You can get to Santa Teresa either by ferry from the Pacific port of Puntarenas (90 min.) landing at Paquera; then drive 75-90 minutes, with all but the last 5-mile stretch paved. Or, take a 25-minute domestic flight from San José to Tambor on either Nature Air or Sansa Airlines; Santa Teresa is approximately a 50-minute drive from the Tambor airport. In good weather, taxi boats from the Central Pacific beach town of Jacó travel to Montezuma at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula; from there it is a 40-minute drive to Santa Teresa.

Article by Shannon Farley

Escape to Costa Rica for a guys’ trip or girlfriend getaway.

Costa Rica has become a popular, easy and fun destination for Friends' Trips for travelers from North America.

This hot travel destination usually appeals to the adventurous, and certainly Costa Rica is foremost for adventure travel. Whether a bachelor or bachelorette party group, guys' trip, girlfriend getaway, or simply a group of friends looking for an entertaining, easy yet exotic vacation, Costa Rica delivers all you want.

So, why not grab your best friend, and escape to Costa Rica?

Top 5 Adventure Tours for a Costa Rica Friends' Trip

1. Canopy Zip-Lines

Hang from a steel cable, suspended in a webbed harness with climbing pulleys and other safety gear, then "jump" off a platform to zip a few thousand feet at 30 to 50 mph at least 50 to 100 feet or more off the ground. Sound like a recipe for adrenaline? That's a Costa Rica canopy zip-line tour. You get a two-for-one thrill on a zip-line tour being so close to the majority of plant and animal life that lives in the rainforest treetops.

2. Rafting Trip

What could be more fun than splashing down a hydro-powered rollercoaster in a warm-water tropical river? Costa Rica is one of the world's top destinations for whitewater rafting on beautiful, wild rivers that flow through spectacular tropical wilderness.

3. Waterfall Rappelling / Canyoning

If you're looking for the ultimate adrenaline fix, rappelling down a torrential tropical waterfall is just the thing. Costa Rica's rainforest is full of spectacular waterfalls ideal for safe rappelling, ranging from 50 feet to a few hundred feet.

4. Jungle Hiking

There's nothing quite like hiking a rainforest trail … stepping over giant buttress roots of an enormous tree, ducking below super-sized leaves and ferns, seeing monkeys scamper among tree branches, listening to exotic bird calls, and making way for thousands of leaf-cutter ants foraging on the forest floor. Costa Rica's mountainous terrain and breathtaking tropical rainforest makes for exceptional hiking.

5. Volcano Exploration

On the Pacific Ring of Fire, Costa Rica boasts more than 200 volcanic formations. The country's six very active volcanoes are protected in beautiful national parks. Enormous craters, sulfurous lakes, fumaroles, occasional eruptions, and thermal springs make for exciting vacation destinations.

All five of Costa Rica's top adventure tours can be found at Hacienda Guachipelin at the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, just 15.5 miles northeast of Guanacaste's principal city of Liberia. The first-class ecotourism lodge is a leading adventure and nature tours vacation spot.

By Shannon Farley

Turrialba land of adventure and extreme sports in Costa Rica

Jungle, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, canyons and gravel roads come together in Turrialba, making this region Central America's adventure-sport capital. Turrialba is the perfect destination for those who wish to enjoy adventure amid lush nature, so it's no coincidence that Turrialba is the cradle adventure tourism in Costa Rica.

You will find a wide range of high-quality adventure sports which employ rigorous safety standards. Turrialba also boasts the natural topography for adventure sports, as well as the best adventure guides in the country. Our guides don't see adventure as work, but rather as a lifestyle. As proof, included among our guide are international rafting and kayak instructors, rapid-water rescuers and first-response members, five-time national rafting champions, Olympic and Pan-American athletes in kayaking and rafting, as well as successful mountain bikers.

Some of our adventure activities include:

Whitewater Rafting

This is the area's most popular activity. Turrialba houses Costa Rica's largest rafting operation. There are several commercially run rivers available to rafters year round in Turrialba. Many companies offer tours that include transportation, food, guides and specialized equipment.

• Pejivalle River

This is a class-II and -III river, which means that the whole family can enjoy it, while still being fun and exciting for all. This river has turquoise-colored water that pass through rainforest, and sugarcane, coffee and macadamia plantations as participants enjoy its rapids and tranquil pools.

• Pascua Section

This section of the river offers two dozen class-IV rapids over 25 kilometers. This run is only for experienced rafters who want to challenge their spirit and who enjoy adrenaline.

• Pacuare River

This truly unique river offers visitors an adventurous experience amid a spectacular natural setting. In fact, it is considered among the top 10 rafting rivers in the world.

The Pacuare River offers three different sections of whitewater that flows through forest reserves, national parks and indigenous reserves. Several companies offer rafting excursions that range from the traditional day trip to some incredible two- to four-night stays.

 Lodging along the river runs the gamut from tents to luxurious rooms with views of the river and surrounding rainforest

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The dense jungle along the Pacuare's banks provide refuge for several species of mammals, including jaguars, anteaters, monkeys and sloths. You can find a huge variety of birds, colorful butterflies and other insects. Additionally, two sections of the river have been awarded the Blue Ecological Flag. In addition to rafting, the Pacuare is a great destination for horseback riding, canopy tours, nature walks and visiting indigenous communities.

Canopy Tours

Our canopy tours are a must. In Turrialba, four companies offers these tours, either as part of a visit to the Pacuare River or as a guest at a local hotel.

Canyoning

Canyoning, or canyoneering, is an increasingly popular sport around the world that comes to us from Europe. This activity consists of descending canyons by jumping, climbing downwards, sliding along rocks and the most exciting part: rappelling down waterfalls. In Turrialba, we have around a dozen canyons which are perfect for beginners and experts alike.

Mountain Biking

Cycling is Turrialba's official sport. On any given weekend here, you are bound to see how popular this sport is with the local populace. For those who wish to enjoy mountain biking in Costa Rica, Turrialba is the perfect place. It's no coincidence that Costa Rica's most important mountain biking race, the Ruta de los Conquistadores, takes place mainly in our region.

Hiking

For hiking lovers, Turrialba is an excellent option within Costa Rica. Our topography affords hikers incredible views of mountains and valleys while they enjoy climate that encourages this kind of activity.

Turrialba's terrain ranges from 3,820 meters above sea level (12,530 feet) to 300 meters (985 feet) in a relatively small area. The area's landscapes lend themselves to all kinds of hikes, ranging from rainforest to man-made landscapes that seem to evolve during your hike.

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

Portasol stars at Latin American Private Reserves Congress.

Normally, you don't see tough, radical conservationists attending lectures by land developers. But there they were, 100 strong, from the Nature Conservancy, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and from all over Latin America – all raptly listening to how land development can actually preserve forests.

Nervous before his formidable audience, Guillermo Piedra Gonzalez explained how his small residential development in the tiny country of Costa Rica is carving out a niche for sustainable, socially responsible eco-communities, and leading the world in how to preserve and develop land at the same time.

Piedra was speaking at the Tenth biennial Congress on Latin American Private Reserves and Indigenous Communities, held in Valdivia, Chile, in August. More than 300 participants attended from nearly every country in the Americas.

"I was really proud because I was the only land developer speaking about sustainable development," said Piedra. "For me it was a challenge. Here I am a land developer and I was in front of an audience of tough, radical 'green' people, but I was received really well. They asked me questions and were really accepting."

Piedra represented Costa Rica along with three countrymen, all board members of the Costa Rican Private Preserve Association. Piedra's sustainable residential and vacation lodging community, Portasol Rainforest & Oceanview Living, located in Costa Rica's Central Pacific coastal region south of Manuel Antonio, maintains a 200-acre private reserve on the development's 540 hectares (over 1,300 acres).

Costa Rica protects close to 26% of its territory in national parks, private reserves and wildlife refuges. Most people think about land development as destroying the environment. Piedra believes planned eco-communities such as his can be a profitable alternative for forest conservation.

"There were a lot of people from big countries like Argentina, Chile and Brazil at the conference. People said they were really proud of what Costa Rica is doing for sustainable development, and that Costa Rica is a country to be followed. We were really proud that other Latin American nations are looking at us as a leader for conservation in the world," commented Piedra.

In fact, Costa Rica was chosen as the location for the 11^th Latin American Private Reserves Congress in 2015.

Portasol Rainforest and Oceanview Living

One of the most striking and intriguing aspects about Guillermo Piedra is the stark contrasts in his life. A little more than 10 years ago, Piedra had a successful career as a high-powered businessman for one of the world's largest apparel manufacturers, VF Corporation. He traded it all in 2002 for an open-air office in the rainforest creating a planned eco-community and nature preserve on the family farm. Moreover, the family farm was once a lucrative logging and timber business. After eight years of selective wood harvesting, Piedra's father stopped cutting in 1982 and let the forest grow back.

Fast forward to 2002, when Piedra visited the farm for the first time in 30 years, and that was when everything changed. "When I saw the property with its river and waterfalls, it was an immediate 'click' for me," remembered Piedra, who had come to translate a purchase offer from a potential foreign buyer. "The buyers wanted to do a large development and not preserve anything, and I decided that this land needed to be preserved. I saw a big opportunity to return to the Earth what we had taken from it with the lumber business, besides the importance of preserving the Earth for future generations."

The decision completely altered his and his family's lives. The family immediately set aside 200 acres of virgin forest for a private nature reserve. In 2004, they began developing the infrastructure and construction of the first homes. The property is a pristine valley with the Portalon River cascading and flowing through it, amid densely forested coastal mountains between the famous beach areas of Manuel Antonio and Dominical. Many of the planned lots in the development have spectacular ocean and coastal views.

So far, five phases have been developed on the estate, with 40 out of 50 lots sold. Nine of those have houses built. Piedra said they plan soon to begin Phase Six with nine new lots for sale. Vacation lodging is available at several of the luxury homes and in tourist bungalows.

Land development always has rules, but Portasol's rules are to preserve. Land tracts are large – 5,000 sq. m (1.5 acres) to 10,000 sq. m (3 acres) – and buyers must leave 85% of their land untouched, only building on 15%. That rule alone means that about 84% of the total land at Portasol will be conserved as rainforest. Other development rules govern water management, garbage collection and recycling, sewage treatment, the types of construction materials allowed, no fences around lots so that wildlife can move freely, using biodegradable cleaning products, soaps, etc.

For Piedra, conservation has become his passion, which is having a ripple effect now in the world. "I am aware of what is going on worldwide with forests being destroyed, environmental damage happening, and I am probably going against the current, but I am trying to heal what others are doing to the planet," Piedra asserted. "I love being at Portasol, surrounded by nature. I am so happy here. By preserving this, I want to share this happiness and wellness with everyone."

By Shannon Farley

Costa Rica hosts more than 500,000 plant and animal species.

How many species live on the Earth?

Scientists estimate roughly 8.7 million, according to a 2011 study in the journal PLoS Biology, published by the Public Library of Science. The crucial point, however, is that approximately 83% of those plant and animal species have yet to be discovered. Scientists calculate that there are probably 6.5 million species living on land, and 2.2 million in the ocean, but that 86% of land-inhabitants and 91% of ocean-dwellers are still roaming at large undiscovered, described or cataloged, reports the study.

In Costa Rica, the mystery has been solved for 5,000 new species that have been discovered and classified between 2011 and 2013. The finding is part of the country's National Biodiversity Strategy (ENB in Spanish) for 2014-2020, which follows the United Nations Environment Program's (UNEP) Strategic Plan for Biodiversity.

So far, there are between 1.5 and 1.8 million identified animal and plant species in the world, about half of which are insects. Beetles are the largest group with 300,000 species. In comparison, there are only 4,500 species of mammals recognized on the planet.

Although a tiny country, occupying only 0.03% of the planet's landmass, Costa Rica hosts more than 500,000 plant and animal species. Keeping with the world trend, about 300,000 are insects. 

Not surprisingly then, it turns out the majority of the new 5,000 species identified in Costa Rica are insects. As well, a few orchids, mushrooms, mollusks, fish, reptiles and birds were named.

For instance, a new species of "Leafroller Moth" from Costa Rica was announced in May 2013. The new moth is named Sparganocosma docsturnerorum. And an incredibly tiny species of Fairyfly was encountered earlier this year in the tropical forests near La Selva Biological Station in the northern lowlands of Sarapiqui. The microscopic insect, now named Tinkerbella nana, is 250 micrometers long – that's 2.5 times the width of a human hair.

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity calls on species rich countries such as Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa, among others, to protect their species as a sustainable resource. Costa Rica is working toward that goal with its National Biodiversity Strategy that classifies, investigates and protects the country's species. The nation's focus on reforestation is paying off with habitats returning and wildlife being preserved. According to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Costa Rica must grow its protected areas to 26.5% land coverage by 2015.

Animal species in Costa Rica, according to Costa Rica's National Biodiversity Institute (InBio) include:

• 1,251 butterflies
• 8,000 moths
• 175 amphibians (85% are frogs)
• 225 reptiles (70+ lizards, 120 snakes, and five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world)
• 250 mammals
• 894 birds (600+ are resident, and the remaining species are migratory)

You can see an abundance of plant and animal life in Costa Rica's southern region at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. Located on the Golfo Dulce next to the Piedras Blancas National Park, the award-winning eco-lodge features several unique ecosystems – primary and secondary rainforest, ocean and mangrove forest.  

Plant life you can see include several species of palm trees, giant Ceiba trees, strangler fig trees, and many kinds of bromeliads and orchids, among a myriad of others. Animal life in the area you are most likely to spot include white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, coatis, toucans, Scarlet Macaws, wild turkeys, peccaries, sloths, river turtles, caimans, dolphins, saltwater fish, several types of snakes, many kinds of butterflies, and of course a host of those popular insects! Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge offers nature and adventure tours, yoga classes and retreats, family vacations, and honeymoon trips.

Download the National Biodiversity Institute's free mobile app "Touit" for a quick guide about Costa Rica's biodiversity. Take it with you when you visit Costa Rica to identify the plants and animals you are seeing in nature; information on the 500 species most easily seen is available – including images, text, distribution maps and geo-reference. The program is named after the Touit, a little endangered parrot that flies along the Talamanca Mountain Range.

By Shannon Farley

5 Reasons to visit Costa Rica now in off-season, and where to go

I love traveling in off-season. High season travelers and summer vacationers are gone. Back to school and back to work, which means better travel opportunities for me and you.

Off-season is when crowds disappear and prices drop, as hotels, tour operators and airlines look to attract travelers with deep discounts.

Granted, it's not the low season for nothing. In Costa Rica, it is rainy season … but, after all, if you are going to visit a rainforest or a cloud forest, you should expect some rain and clouds! The positive side of Costa Rica in "green season" is that the rain creates lush green landscapes, rushing rivers (think: whitewater rafting!), and a cool respite from the blazing hot tropical sun. Mornings during "green season" are almost always sunny, and some days it may not rain at all.

So, if you've been saving up those vacation days, now is the best time to visit Costa Rica.

Top 5 Advantages to Visiting Costa Rica in Low Season:

• Avoid the crowds.
• Lower prices and special offers.
• Nature tours with just you and nature … rather than hordes of tourists roaming the same trails. (Possible rate discounts, too.)
• More relax time. Enjoy Costa Rica at a local's pace. Use that afternoon rain for a hammock snooze!
• Lower airline fares; or use your frequent-flier miles for greater savings than in high season.

6 Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in Off-Season:

#1: Grano de Oro Hotel, San Jose

If you're flying into Costa Rica'smain international airport, Juan Santamaria, in the San Jose metropolitan area, you'll probably need a place to stay for your first and last nights. Be downtown close to the city's museums and cultural attractions.

#2: Royal Corin Hotel, Arenal Volcano

Biggest news is the Arenal Volcano is puffing out clouds of water vapor, showing renewed signs of life. Stay front and center at the live volcano in luxury with on-site hot springs.

 

#3: Arenas del Mar Beach & Nature Resort, Manuel Antonio

You'll want to get lost forever in this paradise of rainforest and secluded beaches by the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park.

#4: Cuna del Angel Hotel, Dominical

Dominical, on the Southern Pacific Coast,is a natural beauty – an oasis of tropical black sand beaches and world-class surfing. It's Humpback Whale-watching season through October!

#5: Lapa Rios Eco Lodge, Osa Peninsula

Home to the world-famous Corcovado National Park, the Osa Peninsula is one of the most impressive regions of Costa Rica for its vast protected wilderness areas. Lapa Rios pioneered sustainable tourism in Costa Rica.

#6: Harmony Hotel, Nosara, Guanacaste

Long sandy beaches, pristine surf breaks, forest, wildlife, sun, and peace are your companions at Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula of Guanacaste.

Camino Travel is a fully-licensed incoming tour operator in Costa Rica, with more than 22 years of experience.

By Shannon Farley

Costa Rica positioned as world leader with country brand.

Costa Rica is known for its rainforests, beaches, nature and biodiversity. True, indeed.

But do you know that Costa Rica is the most innovative country in Latin America? Or that the Central American nation has celebrated well over a half-century of peace with no military forces? Or that it is home to a highly-educated society with thriving export and technology industries, and fast-growing foreign investment?

Costa Rica's newly launched country brand, "Essential Costa Rica" (Esencial Costa Rica), centers on a complete image of the country – from its "peaceful, down-to-earth" people who proudly preserve their environment and happily enjoy a high quality of life, to a modern world of technology, trade and commerce, all set in the world's premier ecotourism destination of rich biodiversity.

"This new country brand, well positioned and managed, will allow us to express a consistent and articulate central idea of the country, differentiating it from its competitors. This is the key to enhance attracting foreign direct investment, promoting exports and tourism," remarked Costa Rica Foreign Trade Minister, Anabel González, at the official brand unveiling on September 3.

Costa Rica's new country brand replaces the previous "Costa Rica: No Artificial Ingredients" trademark that was immensely successful in promoting the country as an ecotourism and adventure travel destination.

"We had a destination brand for 16 years, with very positive results, and that experience allows us to evolve and follow global trends. Now we will have a complete brand which will enhance all promotional efforts," commented Costa Rica Minister of Tourism, Allan Flores.

"Essential Costa Rica" was created by global marketing company FutureBrand to embody the attributes of Costa Rica's people and country – friendliness, happiness, solidarity, authenticity, cultural diversity, peace, democracy, and sustainability. The new logo's shades of green reflect Costa Rica's reputation for preserving its natural resources and biodiversity. The bold letters and casual script above are meant to convey Costa Rican's (known as Ticos) friendly, open demeanor, as well as the strength and stability of its political institutions and democratic tradition, reported the Tico Times.

Costa Rica's country image ranks impressively on the global level. Costa Rica currently is positioned 25th worldwide and No. 1 in Latin America in the 2012-2013 Country Brand Index (CBI), presented by FutureBrand. In the company's newly specialized 2013-14 Latin American Country Brand Index, Costa Rica leads Latin America in the No. 3 position (after Brazil, #1, and Argentina, #2). The Country Brand Index assesses countries on their image, brand strength, trends, quality of life, environmental laws, business climate, and views on investment, environment, and tourism.

According to FutureBrand, Costa Rica occupies three number one positions that clearly mark consistency with its vision: first in "Natural Beauty", first to be "Environment Friendly", and first in "Hotels and Resorts". It also scores well on "Freedom of Expression", "Political Freedom" and "Tolerance," reflecting the country's long-standing democratic tradition – one of the oldest in Latin America.

Costa Rica not only has a pleasant climate, but also a growing and well-developed health system for locals and foreigners, and positive indications for investment, notes FutureBrand in its Latin American CBI report. "Costa Rica is to be recognized as a country with a value that integrates optimally to tourism, promoting exports and attracting investment," FutureBrand informs.

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By Shannon Farley

Coconut oil's medicinal & health benefits are historic.

In many places around the world, this remedy has been used to treat countless maladies, from digestive problems to allergies to skin issues, while at the same time improving conditions in diabetes and Alzheimer's, increasing energy and boosting metabolism.

It's not a miracle cure, nor a pharmaceutical breakthrough. Rather, it is simple coconut oil.

Coconut oil's popularity in the Western world has snowballed in recent years. However, in many regions, its medicinal and health benefits are ancient history. In the South Pacific islands, organic coconut oil has been used for thousands of years. Coconut oil is being proclaimed a major superfood as well as a super beauty aid; and given that it can be consumed by all ages, it appears to be a necessary addition to anyone's diet.

How is coconut oil better than other cooking oils?

Edible coconut oil is extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts. Coconut oil contains saturated fats, but they are what are called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), that are more easily digested by our bodies, so they do not get stored as fat. Our body metabolizes these fats in the liver, directly converting them into energy (fuel for the brain and muscle function). As well, almost 50 percent of the fat in coconut oil is made of lauric acid, which is converted in your body to "monolaurin," a fatty acid with antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal properties.

Other cooking oils – corn, soy, safflower, sunflower and canola – while perceived as healthy since they come from vegetables or plants, are actually loaded with omega-6 fats or polyunsaturated fats. Additionally, when these oils are heated, their antioxidants become damaged and oxidized, which in turn add more toxins to your body. Even extra-virgin olive oil can be problematic when heated to certain temperatures, because its chemical structure also makes it susceptible to oxidization.

How to choose the right coconut oil

The best coconut oil is organic, extra virgin, made from fresh coconuts, and is cold-processed. Cold-processing keeps the oil's nutrients intact while leaving out harmful additives and solvents. Some commercial coconut oils are refined, bleached, and deodorized, which removes the oil's beneficial nutrients, and processed or partially hydrogenated coconut oil is just as bad for you as any other processed fat.

Do note, however, that on the rare occasion, there are some people who are allergic to coconut oil. If allergic symptoms occur, the person should seek medical help.

Read here about the Top 10 Benefits of Coconut Oil.

Other resources:

http://wellnessmama.com/5734/101-uses-for-coconut-oil/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9178/17-beauty-uses-for-coconut-oil-infographic.html

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/surprising-health-benefits-coconut-oil

Coconuts certainly grow abundantly in Costa Rica. Organic extra-virgin coconut oil is being produced in many places throughout the country. Coconut Water, also widely consumed in Costa Rica, especially along the coasts, is also packed full of beneficial minerals. This sweet fluid is known for its high electrolyte content, making it a perfect natural alternative to sports drinks. Seasick, dehydrated, too much sun? Coconut water will revive you instantly.

Visit Costa Rica with Costa Rica Special Deals, a dependable online travel service based in Costa Rica, and get nature's super health foods of coconut oil and coconut water fresh. Costa Rica Special Deals will help you with where to go, what to do, and where to stay in Costa Rica.

By Shannon Farley