Whale sharks in Costa Rica give hotel guests surprise thrill

Sometimes it’s monkeys, or a sloth. Or maybe Scarlet Macaws or toucans. Or possibly even dolphins or a humpback whale.

When travelers come to Costa Rica – the eco-capital of Latin America with nearly 6 percent of the world’s biodiversity – they often want to see certain animals. Maybe it is a favorite animal they have been dreaming their whole life to see in person. Or they recently read up on the cool wildlife in Costa Rica.

In April, guests and staff at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in southern Costa Rica had an incredible experience with a surprise visit by a whale shark swimming in front of Nicuesa Beach in the Golfo Dulce.

Boat captain Alejandro was readying a boat for a guest trip that morning, when he saw a huge school of sardines swimming nearby, followed by a whale shark. The small bay in front of Nicuesa Beach is very calm and the water is crystal clear, making it easy to see marine life. As usual, when a Nicuesa staff member sees interesting wildlife, Alejandro called all staff and guests by walkie-talkie to come to the beach immediately.

For one of the hotel’s guests, seeing whale sharks in Costa Rica was a moment he’d waited his whole life for.

“It was an unforgettable experience for everyone,” said Natalia Solis, Sustainability Coordinator at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. “Our guest was super grateful because whale sharks are his favorite animal, and by surprise this was his first time to ever see one … when he was at Nicuesa.”

“Without a doubt, this was the ‘Holy Grail’ of marine observation,” enthusiastically added Marcelo Lopez, resident manager at Nicuesa Lodge.

Whale Sharks

Whale sharks live in warm and tropical waters, and are considered to be the largest fish in the world – growing up to 40 feet (12m) long. Despite their name, whale sharks are not related to whales and are not mammals. And though they are in the shark family, whale sharks feed mainly on plankton and small fish.

Whale sharks usually swim with their huge gaping mouths wide open, making it easier to scoop up food along their way. After getting its fill, the whale shark will close its mouth and filter out the water through its gills, leaving only its meal trapped.

Despite being big and looking intimidating, whale sharks are surprisingly gentle, curious and non-aggressive. They tend to swim near the ocean’s surface, and snorkelers and scuba divers frequently report that they enjoy close encounters with whale sharks.

Whale sharks, which live to be 70 to 100 years old, at one time populated most of the Earth’s tropical waters, but their numbers are dwindling fast. These docile sharks are being hunted in the waters around Asia and are now endangered worldwide.

Rainforest and beach vacations in Costa Rica

Playa Nicuesa Lodge’s 165-acre private Costa Rica rainforest reserve is located in the extraordinary Golfo Dulce/Osa Peninsula region in southern Costa Rica. Accessible only by boat on the Pacific gulf of Golfo Dulce, the lodge fronts this important life zone for Pacific Humpback Whales, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and sea turtles. It is a unique Costa Rica adventure travel destination for its remote, pristine wilderness location.

Enjoy one free night in paradise when you stay a minimum of three or more nights at Nicuesa Lodge; valid through Sept. 30, 2016.

Article by Shannon Farley

Daniel Chavarría, presidente de Pro Imagen y Promotor Turístico del año

Una conversación con Daniel Chavarría



  Daniel Chavarría, personaje reconocido y admirado en la industria turística costarricense, ha sido reelecto como presidente de la junta directiva de Pro Imagen, pocos días después de ser galardonado con el reconocimiento a Promotor Turístico del año por ACOPROT, durante el acto inaugural de Expotur 2016.  Conversamos con el señor Chavarría para obtener sus impresiones de los eventos ocurridos en días pasados y conocer sus planes para el futuro.

 

 Durante su presidencia pasada liderando el Grupo Pro Imagen, los logros principales fueron el aumento del 25% en el presupuesto para promoción internacional otorgado por el Instituto Costarricense de Turismo.  Por primera vez esta institución agrega un rubro para mercadeo digital, haciendo posible el lanzamiento de un sitio web de primera generación en el 2015. También fue posible la inversión en mercadeo en línea como esfuerzos en redes sociales y la emisión de boletines informativos digitales aprovechando bases de datos.  Durante el 2015 se dio un incremento en la afiliación de los socios, 20 nuevas empresas entraron a ser parte de Pro Imagen.  Esto demuestra que las empresas privadas confían en las labores que se están realizando a nivel internacional y cada vez
muestran más su apoyo.

 

 Definitivamente otro logro importante fue el acercamiento con aerolíneas principales que tienen vuelos directos hacia Costa Rica.  Estas líneas aéreas apoyan los esfuerzos promocionales otorgando premios, con presencia durante eventos, apoyando en invitaciones y reconfirmaciones para eventos y con viajes de familiarización.

 

Su primera responsabilidad en este nuevo año como presidente de Pro Imagen será liderar la encerrona de la junta directiva para definir el presupuesto del 2017.  La intención será que el presupuesto otorgado por el ICT logre cubrir un territorio más amplio dentro de los Estados Unidos.  Durante el 2015 se abarcaron los estados de California, Texas, Nueva York y el país de Canadá, quedando por fuera ciudades en el estado de Florida y las ciudades de Chicago, Washington y Atlanta.  La meta es poder abarcar todos estos destinos en el 2016, y lograr abarcar tres ciudades por región, versus dos como se hizo en el 2015.  Durante el 2015 se concretó un viaje FAM con la aerolínea AVIANCA, durante el 2016 se quieren concretar por lo menos dos viajes FAM,
posiblemente con American Airlines y Alaska Airlines.

 

 Cuando le pregunto qué significó para él recibir el galardón como promotor turístico del año, el señor Chavarría responde: “Es un reconocimiento importante a una labor que uno hace con mucho amor y pasión de forma desinteresada para el país.”  Reitera que el hecho de que su nombre fuera postulado para este premio por sus colegas en el gremio turístico lo llena de orgullo y lo motiva para seguir haciendo las cosas bien.

 

 Artículo por Katie Widdowson

Spa at Pranamar Villas - Gaia Bodywork and Wellness

What does the term wellness really mean? Dictionary defines it as “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal”, but if you ask around, it will mean something different to everyone.

Sebastian Campanile's studies have taken him to Argentina, Colombia and most recently Peru, where he studied Cranio Sacral Therapy, a form of bodywork or alternative therapy that uses light touch to manipulate joints in the cranium, spine and pelvis.  He has dedicated the past 17 years of his life researching holistic healing techniques.

Sebastian is in charge of operating Gaia Bodywork and Wellness Spa, inside of Pranamar Villas, and guests who visit the area are lucky enough to benefit from his experience and that of his team, who are all trained and constantly learning new techniques in their field.  A very important player in the experience at Gaia B and W is the setting where the treatments take place, outdoors, overlooking the beach, listening to the sounds of the waves and feeling the ocean breeze.  The open huts are a short walk away from the Yoga Shala studio and through a lovely garden. The goal is to be as natural, relaxed and private as possible, and guests appreciate this effort, because 75% of them are repeat customers at the spa.  Once they try one of the massages, Reiki or reflexology treatments, they come back for more.

The spa uses only organic locally produced lotions as well as the highest quality essential oils imported from the United States.  The team is also available to design custom made treatments for guests with specific needs.

Sebastian considers that there are three pillars involved in a healthy lifestyle, the practice of yoga, healthy conscious nutrition, and massage therapies.  All these pillars are put in practice at Pranamar Villas and Gaia Bodywork and Wellness.

Article by Katie Widdowson      

Yoga Retreats At Pranamar Villas

Picture waking up to the sound of the ocean’s waves breaking on the shore. You open your eyes to a villa decorated with colorful fabrics and Indonesian furniture, you look out your window to lush gardens, pools and bamboo structures. You have chosen well, a retreat not just to practice yoga, but also to disconnect from technology and reconnect with yourself, in a sustainable environment in tune with Nature.

Cool Designs for Tropical Architecture in Costa Rica

Besides amazing style, tropical architecture design is all about working with the elements of nature. Tropical design brings the outside world in for an ambiance of openness and naturalness. Architects are in constant pursuit of breezes, cross-ventilation and shade for cooling effects, and sunlight for warmth, energy and light. Costa Rican architect Richard Muller, head of the firm RM Architecture & Engineering, has been designing and building innovative tropical architecture in Costa Rica for more than 35 years. One of his favorite spots for home building is at the Costa Rica eco-development Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living. The extraordinary sustainable residential development is located in the rainforest by the sea on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast just south of Manuel Antonio National Park – named a best beach in the world for 2016.

Here are six cool designs for tropical architecture that will make you want to build a home in Costa Rica.

1. Build the house on stilts. Not only does this allow you to avoid massive insect issues and humidity, by elevating the house you get better air flow. Lighter structures up on stilts interfere as little as possible with the natural terrain. Animals can still walk underneath, and you’re not destroying trees and nature by flattening out a huge piece of land with a bulldozer. “We try to save every single tree that is possible. If we can cut zero trees, we cut zero trees. We touch as little as possible of nature,” said Muller. “You want to build appropriate to the location so you can really live the experience of being in the tropical rainforest.”

2. Use a steel structure and concrete bases for strength in a humid, insect-infested environment in the tropical rainforest. Wood can be used in the home, such as in ceilings, cabinetry, etc., but must be treated against insect invasion. An innovative idea for flooring: processed bamboo.

3. Design for natural ventilation. You want to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out. This means lots of open spaces, cross-ventilation, high ceilings, using screens and fans so you can minimize air-conditioning use and yet keep comfortable.

4. Protect against the elements. Design large overhangs and covered outdoor areas for sun and rain protection. Use gutters and downspouts, and other measures to reduce water drainage speed for soil erosion.

5. Small swimming pools. For an elevated house, you want to keep your pool on the small size because of the weight. The upside is with an elevated pool, you have fantastic infinity edge designs.

6. Sustainable architecture. Concepts include: solar energy for hot water and electricity; individual home sewage treatment plants; rainwater harvesting for landscaping; and re-using gray water to run toilets. If you’re ready to buy a vacation home in Costa Rica, or a new place to live in one of the best countries to retire, find out the easy steps to buy property in Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living and build your dream home in Costa Rica.

Article by Shannon Farley

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A Chill Vibe And Hot Surfing In Malpais Costa Rica

When you visit Malpais Costa Rica, on the southern Nicoya Peninsula, be prepared to relax and unwind. This area of the country is so laid-back, that when you’re there it feels as if you’ve left the rest of the world off somewhere else, vaguely in the background. And that’s a good thing. Besides being simply gorgeous – the Pacific beaches of Malpaís and Santa Teresa consistently are named the best beaches in Central America – Malpaís is a revered surf spot in Costa Rica. And the surf is indeed exceptional. See the Malpaís surf report here. Consistent swells delight surfers all year round.

Malpaís sits at the southwestern end of the Nicoya Peninsula, opposite the popular beach town of Montezuma, with the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve lying in between. From a hilly interior, the jungle sweeps down to the Pacific Ocean, hugging the shore and creating some of the most beautiful and hidden beaches of Costa Rica. Long swaths of gold, dark gray and nearly white sand, and warm, clear blue water run down a palm tree lined coast from the beaches of Santa Teresa to Malpaís.

Too spread out and without any central area to be called a town, Malpaís is more a really long, tranquil neighborhood meandering along five kilometers of dirt road. The beaches at Malpaís alternate between soft sand and large patches of rock, bordered by green jungle full of monkeys. Far less developed than its northern neighbor Santa Teresa, there might not be a supermarket in Malpaís but there is a canopy zip line tour, horseback riding, stand up paddling and the excellent surfing.

How to get to Malpaís Costa Rica From the capital city of San Jose and the mainland, you’ll need to take a ferry from the port of Puntarenas across the Nicoya Gulf to the ferry port of Paquera. From there, simply drive west following the signs to Malpaís and Santa Teresa. The road ends at the beach of Playa Carmen. To the right (north) is Santa Teresa and most of the tourist development; to the left (south) lies the quiet beach hamlet of Malpaís. Or you can fly from San Jose to Tambor on the southern peninsula and drive from there.

Where to stay in Malpaís and Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Right at Playa Carmen by Malpaís, the Santa Teresa beachfront hotel Tropico Latino is a relaxed, charming oasis on four acres of abundant gardens – perfect for your Costa Rica beach vacation. Hotel Tropico Latino offers comfortable and stylish tropical bungalows and suites, a beachfront spa, yoga classes and retreats, surf lessons and surf camps. From Hotel Tropico Latino it is an easy walk to excellent restaurants, bakeries, juice bars and shops in town. Playa Carmen is a beautiful sandy beach and a recent winner of the ecological Blue Flag in Costa Rica.

Article by Shannon Farley

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Costa Rica Vacation Packing Essentials

Costa Rica is a top 2016 vacation destination for warm tropical sunshine and seas, beautiful beaches, rainforest adventures, and affordable travel. It is one of the safest countries in Latin America and easy to get around since English is widely spoken. For easy, affordable accommodations, stay in Costa Rica vacation rentals. In Guanacaste, Costa Rica – on the north Pacific Coast, known for beautiful beaches and lots of things to do – you can rent Costa Rica vacation condo rentals and Costa Rica beach rentals. Contact All Costa Rica Rentals today for reservations. What to pack for your Costa Rica vacation is a common question. Check out these general Costa Rica vacation packing essentials and get ready to have fun in one of the coolest travel destinations for 2016!

CLOTHING

• Choose clothes that you can mix & match and wear more than once. Vacation rentals also usually have laundry facilities, so you can wash clothes during your trip, allowing you to pack less.
• Quick-dry, nylon or similar non-wrinkle outdoor clothing is 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 jacket for chilly evenings in higher elevation places, such as San Jose, Monteverde, San Gerardo de Dota, Irazú and Poás Volcanoes, etc
• 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

• Cell phone or tablet (Wi-Fi is common in Costa Rica now). Don’t forget the chargers and necessary cables.
• Camera with extra memory card and batteries.
• Small backpack / daypack for day trips
• Small travel flashlight or head lamp
• If you are into wildlife viewing and bird-watching, bring binoculars
• Travel alarm clock or just use your cell phone
• Sunscreen – a sports waterproof type with at least 30 SPF
• Insect repellent
• 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 a safe place 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.
• 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. Exchange for Costa Rican Colons in a bank rather than at the airport for a better exchange rate.
• Emergency contact information; put this information in your luggage and wallet.

Article by Shannon Farley

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