Costa Rica Travel and Vacation

I’ve made a list of all the fun and exciting facts about Costa Rica so that you’ll have a better understanding of why spending your summer here in this incredible country would definitely be a vacation to remember. For one thing, driving in Costa Rica is just like driving in a big city. Although, this country may be tiny; however, it contains most of the beautiful beaches, resorts and hotels in the world. Its cities are quite developed and you’ll definitely find driving in San Jose, which is its capital and largest city, quite like any other city in the United States. Another fact is that its locals and, of course, tourists love diving in Costa Rica. This is simply believable if you ask me. I mean if you search the total number of beautiful beaches this country has, you’ll be surprised on how many they are. One might get confused on which beach or resort to spend an awesome vacation. Some really famous diving spots are the Drake Bay in Cano Island, the Quepos in Manuel Antonio, the Playa Flamingo, the Tamarindo, the Playa del Coco and the Playa Ocotal. Canyoning in Costa Rica is another interesting sport not a lot of people experience everyday. Tours are usually scheduled twice or thrice a day especially for tourists to experience this great adventure near the Arenal Volcano. Rappelling down the beautiful canyons is certainly an exhilarating yet worthwhile experience. One may observe that the Costa Rica temperatures are quite peculiar. Since it is for a fact a tropical country, there are only two climates that Costa Rica is well noted for: the green and dry seasons. It is during late December and April that the wet season or green is well likely to persist while during May through November, the dry season takes its toll. The restaurants in Costa Rica, although most of them offer traditional dishes, there are still fast food chains in this country that can also be found in the United States. The city of San Jose is usually the popular destination whenever tourists look for the best restaurants. Some of the country’s delicious traditional dishes include the arroz con polo, sopa negra, casados and many more. Similar to diving, snorkeling in Costa Rica is perhaps one of the best in the world. Known for its unbelievable diversity, its waters is a home to 7,000 amazing marine species as well as coral reefs that support hundreds of algae, assorted shark species such as the white tip reef, hammerhead, bull, whale sharks, bull, nurse and silky. There are also several islands of Costa Rica that is considered tourist spots. Unlike others, there’s noticeably clean, pristine and just absolutely stunning. If you’ve watched Jurassic Park then I guess you probably have an idea of what I’m talking about. One of these islands is the Tortuga island or also popularly known as Turtle island, a favorite destination for tourists who love to go kayaking, snorkeling and even swimming. In case you fall in love and decide to stay for good, housing in Costa Rica may not come cheap. Because of the rise of tourism the prices for homes also increased. However, there are still affordable houses and apartments so it’ll depend both on how big a home you want and where it’s located. The sever provinces of Costa Rica includes San Jose, Heredia, Cartago and Alajuela are mostly populated areas while Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon have one thing in common – its beaches. Okay, so I expect you’ll be very psyched to go to this amazing country by now; however, Costa Rica travel requirements is something that you may have to consider first before you can actually travel to Costa Rica. The requirements actually vary from country to country; however, it’s a must to have a valid passport that wouldn’t expire for at least 6 months of the entry date and a return ticket back to your home country or to somewhere different. Costa Rica travel safety is another fact to consider during your stay so that you can enjoy a worry-free vacation. It’s also best to ensure that you have everything you need in case of an emergency. Some of the usual tips whenever you’re traveling to a foreign country include having some of your important documents photocopied like your passport and plane ticket. It’s also advisable to keep one of these documents with you and the other copies at the hotel deposit boxes. Also make sure to bring enough cash and also credit cards in case you might need it. Just remember to always pay attention to your stuff and don’t easily trust anyone with them as well. If there’s really a need for you to ask for directions then ask from somebody significant like the hotel receptionist.

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Cozy rooms, gardens, cool water Jacuzzi, bar, friendly staff….an exotic dream with the comfort of your own home! Just a few meters from the long white sandy beach. Close to all restaurants and services. Our hotel has 17 clean and comfortable rooms. Eleven rooms are air conditioned with private bathroom. Six rooms with shared bathroom have a sink in the room and share 3 bathrooms, three of these rooms have a window overlooking the ocean and there is also a common balcony overlooking the ocean. A full breakfast and taxes are included in our rates. Children under 5 years stay for free; they only pay for breakfast. We are located less than 20 meters from the beach, with our own private access and chairs on the beach for your use; we also have private parking for our guests, there’s a large Jacuzzi and hammocks for reading or just relaxing in our tropical garden. Visit us on-line at samarabeach.com .

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The best beaches of Costa Rica and its inclusive resorts have always drawn millions of travelers and tourists each year. Its seemingly breathtaking beaches along the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines are a definite paradise to vacationers. This tiny country has numerous beaches and each has its own distinct setting suitable for your vacation needs. It’s up to you to enjoy your favorite water activity or sport like swimming, windsurfing, snorkeling, surfing and etc. There are plenty of the best Costa Rican beaches; however, we’ll be featuring our preferred top 10 beaches and resorts in this article. The Manuel Antonio beaches and its fantastic horseshoe bays are not only considered a favorite of most tourists but definitely among the best in the world. You will surely enjoy the view as well as the water sports because of its amazing waterfalls and awesome hilltops surrounded by jungle. You can experience diving, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing among other exciting activities. Playa Dominical is considered one of the world’s best surfing beaches in Costa Rica. It is 44 km away south of the Manuel Antonio National Park. Tourists can enjoy Dominical’s scenic landscape as it is covered by vast plantations, marshes, coastal mangroves and estuaries. The Playa Grande Guanacaste beaches not only features its stunning waves but is great for tourists who have a passion for nature. Also known as Playa Grande, it is located by the Matapalo River separate from the Tamarindo, a well developed and accessible town for tourists. It’s also considered the nesting place of one of the world’s seven marine turtles, the Leatherback. Years ago, it has become a habit of these turtles to bury their eggs in Playa Grande as they drastically round the coast. The Playa Conchal in Costa Rica is widely known for the millions of tiny crushed shells that are scattered along the beach. You just love the feel of its shells rustle as you walk along its pristine shores. Conchal is near Playa Brasilito and is visited mostly by tourists who enjoy sports fishing other than the usual snorkeling and swimming. Hermosa Beach or Playa Hermosa is where you’ll enjoy the luxury of lesser crowds. There are also two Hermosa beaches in Costa Rica. Once is located near Jaco while the other lies in Guanacaste.   In these beaches, most tourists enjoy soaking up the sun for some tan especially Caucasians and Europeans. Hermosa which also means “beautiful” in Spanish lay between two lofty mountains. Playa Tamarindo is considered to be a laid-back, expensive, accessible yet well developed and favored by tourists. However, you can’t help but splurge some money since this town offers luxurious hotels that service delicious bed and breakfast meals, shopping tours and uncorrupted beaches. Costa Rica is also celebrated for its Caribbean beaches. Compared to the ones that lay in the Pacific coast, it is believed to be a habitat for hundred of the country’s rich and diverse wildlife that is to say forests and nesting place for marine turtles like loggerhead, leatherbacks and etc. Tortuguero, which is north of Limon is viewed with coasts surrounded by think palm trees and freshwater canals and generally considered unsafe due to its unpredictable currents. But despite of this, its beauty is well appreciated. Most tourists also prefer less developed beaches like the Playa Manzanillo. A small village that’s mostly visited by surfers because of its white sand beach that reaches out to the Pacific. Its almond trees can serve as a shade for those who love to read and enjoy the tranquility of the water. However, for tourists who’d rather enjoy the luxuries of well developed beaches, Playa Jaco, is one of the closest beaches in San Jose which is Costa Rica’s Capital and largest city. Currently, there are no beaches near San Jose. Jaco offers numerous services and unlike Tamarindo beach, this one is a lot affordable for those looking to stay near hotels, restaurants, surf shops, etc. Lastly, Montezuma, a beach located south of Nicoya Peninsula is ideal for youths and surfers. Just like Dominical, Montezuma is a laid-back town notable for its natural mangroves and beautiful estuaries.

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Bar Arriba Let’s go party! is the finest cocktail bar in the sleepy tropical paradise of Samara, Costa Rica – though it is the only cocktail bar A stone’s throw from the beach after a hard day’s surfing, and within easy walk of anywhere in the town, this is the perfect place to relax and unwind; and the perfect place to party. Your hosts, Glenn and Alan Westman, offer a hedonistic list of tropical cocktails, all expertly and freshly prepared for Arriba, Samarayour delectation – from classics like Cosmos and Martinis (we like ours not “dirty” but “untidy”) to Passionfruit Caipirihnas and Prairie Fire Feeling hungry? We serve authentic Spanish tapas (small appetizer plates like ‘bocadillas’, including meatballs, spanish tortillas and succulent steak sandwiches) all freshly made by our talented chef They’re great to share with friends (but it’s okay to jealously guard them for yourself). For the connoisseur, we have a dizzying array of top-notch whiskies (single malt, blends, sourmash), brandies (French, Spanish), tequilas and rums The music is loud and eclectic, the crowd is a welcoming mix of locals and those just passing through. We open from 5 pm until last man standing – okay, until 1 am Visit us on-line at samarabeach.com -

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New, fully equipped and close to the beach Apartamentos Shanna are 3 new fully equipped apartments located in Samara’s main street on the 2nd floor of a commercial building with stores, restaurants, bars and Internet Service. They are at just 50 meters from the beach. The apartments have double beds and individual sofa beds. The kitchen is equipped with refrigerator, stove, microwave oven, coffee maker, pots and dishes. There are also Air Conditioning and Cable TV. Visit us on-line at samarabeach.com -

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Casa de Las Palmas is a hilltop residence overlooking the Pacific Ocean and lies just outside the picturesque village of Samara. With a breathtaking panoramic indestructible view from the hill, overlooking both Samara and Buena Vista, this unique two level luxury home with 3 bedrooms is perfect. It offers all this in a very private atmosphere with landscaped gardens. The villa is only a 3-minute scenic drive to either the village shops or its many miles of white sand beach, with its graceful coconut palms and protective coral reef. Nicoya is 37 Km. away – banks, hospitals, bigger supermarkets and other services are available there. San Jose is just an hour away – The Puerto Carrillo airport is only 15 minutes from home and the daily flights to San Jose take 45 minutes. Playa Sámara is connected by a paved road all the way to San José – about a 5 hour drive. There is also a regular daily bus service between San José and Samara / Nicoya. The completely walled gardens provide security for all guests. Abundant water supply, electricity to the back of the property and the imminently available high speed internet indeed make it a dream for a vacation rental. Samara, long prized by Costa Rica’s native population for its idyllic beauty and magnificent turquoise bay, now is a favorite destination of discriminating North American and European visitors. Many of these visitors have come to stay and call Samara their home. The village is ringed by verdant mountains filled with …

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Costa Rica is geographically a small country, but despite this, nobody can deny that it has an endless number of attractions and places to see. It has over 50 beaches and more than 160 parks, reserves and conservation areas and several of the most active volcanoes in the world Site seeing is a never ending pleasure in Costa Rica. Costa Rica has plenty of activities to keep each visitor active.
Lets take for example the highlight of Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, the Manuel Antonio Park. The park is a small but popular place because of its white sandy beaches and dense rain forest. Sunbathers flock to the beaches throughout the week. This stretch of coastline between the Nicoya and Osa peninsulas has several other low-key beach towns, including Playa del Jaco.
Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. In regard to this, more than a quarter of Costa Rica is under protection that includes some conservation areas and forest reserves. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, on the other hand, requires an arduous uphill drive on unpaved roads. Upon reaching it, the trek is worth the hike through the cloud forest. There are a lot of flora and fauna that thrive in the environment.
The quetzal, an iridescent green bird with an extravagant long tail, is the most popular spot in the Forest. Many one of a kind species can be seen. It includes the rain frog and other colourful amphibians. You can also lure the dangerous tarantulas out of their lairs should you choose to.
In San Jose and the Central Valley, there are a lot of activities that it sure to keep every tourist on the go. One of its many interesting attractions is the Museo del Oro Precolombino, which exhibits gold dating back to 500 A. D. The Museo del Jade, with its impressive, ornate jade collection. The distant surrounding has many rainforest between villages. People can explore the rain forest by boat through a system of canals that bring each one close to spider monkeys and three-toed sloths.
The Tortuguero National park has its endangered sea turtles. Between June and October, people can witness the large green turtles returning to the beach where they were born to lay eggs.
Lake Arenal is one of the country’s largest bodies of water, it is a relatively undiscovered region. People can easily find last minute accommodation to rent, even during high seasons. The activities can range from horseback riding to windsurfing. The most popular attraction is the Volcan Arenal. Many tourists spend the night here just to catch a glimpse of the country’s most active volcano. They watch the lava flow down the volcano’s western side. This experience is truly awesome and completely unforgettable.
Another popular attraction is the remarkable Corcovado National Park. It is said to be incredibly rich in biodiversity, with the largest primary tropical rain forest in the region and an incredible array of animals and birds.

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Yes indeed – Costa Rica is home to a variety of sport fishing charters, fishing spots and bay areas that are virtually infested with fish of all kinds besides affording a cost-effective to luxury vacation plan, whatever be your budget and mood! Thus, exploring the avenues for fishing holidays and sport fishing excursions in Costa Rica is a great way to ensure you get to pursue your love for the sport and also unwind in the balmy climes of sunny Costa Rica! That’s surely double the fun of fishing now, isn’t it?
So, what are you waiting for? Okay, we know you may want to know some vital stats about the place first, right – before you get packing those summer clothes and tackle box essentials! So, here goes:
• To begin with the best fishing spots in Costa Rica is undoubtedly the Osa Peninsula there, which is home to many varied and fun aspects afforded by the very nature of sport fishing. An assortment of vacation ideas involving water sports and fishing holidays, sport fishing excursions and opportunities for beach-front activities that are safe, exciting or somewhere in between are offered here.
• You can choose to take to budget or luxury sport fishing that may or may not include inshore, offshore fishing or oceanfront tours and even cruises, but it does pay to educate yourself through a little bit of prior research so that booking that vacation to Costa Rica doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! This is because lately sport fishing here has become quite popular and so the demand for guides, charters and accommodation has considerably increased in proportion to the demand of the tourists, which is why you may want to book in advance and avail best rates or even off-season rates for board, lodging and guide packages for sport fishing vacations.
• Apart from the first-named sport fishing spot in Costa Rica, there is as much fun afforded by the Playa Nicuesa, Corcovado National Park and Puerto Jimenez areas. While the first is an eco-friendly lodging ground set amid lush green rainforest areas and boasts luxury surroundings that make it an ideal habitation for the rich and famous, the second sport fishing area is great exploring Pacific Ocean fishing in real life as it is a self-sustaining eco-lodge with all-year round fishing options abounding here. It also boasts cozy accommodation that is elegant and classy besides hot tubs to rejuvenate your senses and other amenities for pampering your needs – all amidst natural surroundings. The last vacation spot recommend in Costa Rica is Puerto Jimenez, a town-area in the Osa Peninsula region, which is known for being a real tourist attraction as well as being popular with the locals.
The nearby Gulfo Dolce with over a thousand feet of deep water fishing options is another great fishing spot to explore and so are the surrounding rainforest areas and mountainous terrain. Do remember to look up the option to use the trendy inshore fishing boat, namely, the Pez Iguana, which comfortably seats 3 and is fitted with various heavy duty fishing supplies to provide you with the ultimate shallow water fishing experience, especially for casting snappers, mackerels and the roosterfish besides being ideal for fly and bait fishing.

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January 2008: the beginning of Hotel Puerto Carrillo Our hotel, surrounded by the gorgeous natural greenery of Guanacaste, is located 30 meters above sea level, right in the center of the village of Puerto Carrillo. We are just 300 meters (a 5 minute walk) from Carrillo Beach, known as one of the most beautiful and exotic beaches in Costa Rica. Carrillo is located on the Nicoya peninsula on the northwest pacific coast of Costa Rica. For those looking to relax Enjoy the tranquility of unsurpassed natural greenery, exotic birds, iguanas and howler monkeys, and the pristine Carrillo Beach – 3.5 km of white sands and sun-kissed palm trees. It is just a “Corner of Paradise”! For those looking for adventure We offer canopy or kayak tours, surfing, sport fishing and more, for those that crave excitement, action and enjoyment with complete safety. Hotel Puerto Carrillo offers 16 fully equipped rooms. You will find all comfort you are looking for: a spacious room, A/C and Fan, Satellite TV, Wireless connection, telephone. Gymnasium, pool, massage service, bar, restaurant and internet point, as well as quad (ATV) and car rentals are available. Yes, here at Hotel Puerto Carrillo you will find everything you need for a carefree and comfortable vacation! We are easy to get to Minibus and taxi service is available from Liberia Airport (2 hours away) or from San Jose Airport (5 hours). Bus service is available from San Jose (get off at the football field in the center of town), and …

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What is the ideal Vacation Package to Costa Rica? Pretty much whatever you can dream up is available in Costa Rica. For a country roughly the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined, there is an incredible amount of diversity available for any kind of traveler. The geography and the resultant micro climates alone are amazing. From rain forests to cloud forests, Pacific and Caribbean beaches, volcanoes, islands, abundant national parks, and the bustling Central Valley, there is literally something for everyone. What is the vacation you have been dreaming of? Adrenaline on Demand: The All Out Costa Rica Adventure Vacation Are you happy when upside down or in constant motion? There are many ways to satisfy this craving in Costa Rica including: class 4 white water rafting on the Reventazon, bungee jumping over the Colorado River Gorge, dramatic waterfall rappelling in Arenal, exhilarating zip line canopy tour in lush Monteverde, hiking into the depths of the amazing Corcovado Park, sea kayaking in the Caribbean, action-packed guided mountain bike tours, camping and climbing to Costa Rica’s highest peak Chirripo, hard-core custom surfing trip to Witch’s Rock and beyond, diving with the dolphins off of the Osa and Canos Island. The list goes on. . . Beach Bum: Sun and Sand Looking for the endless summer? Nearly two-thirds of Costa Rica’s borders are beaches. Combine this with year-round summer temperatures averaging in the 80’s and you don’t have to look hard at all. Whether you seek night life or seclusion, local culture or surf culture Costa Rica has it all, and with accommodations to fit every budget/lifestyle. Some key beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula include the lively Tamarindo, Malpais, and Montezuma as well as the more secluded Samara, Nosara, Hermosa and Playa Grande. One of the most visited parks and beaches is Manuel Antonio just outside of Quepos. Farther South you have the raw and seemingly untouched Drake Bay in the Osa Peninsula, and on the other side near Golfo Dulce you have the Pan Dulce, and farther up over on the Caribbeaan Coast the beautiful Manzanillo and Cahuita. All the beaches have easy access to many activities and National Parks as well. Hooked on Ease: The All Inclusive Vacation We have heard from many people from various professions, married or single, with or without children that they love all-inclusive. The highlight is definitely on convenience; everything is taken care of from transportation to lodging,food and drinks, and in many cases the activities and tours as well. The time to unwind and feel like you are really on vacation is minimal, you sink right into ultra-relaxation mode. If you have teenagers with constant appetites, no problem, with all meals and non-alcoholic drinks included. Many places have special kid’s activities and shows with child care centers for the smaller ones. The resorts are safe, contained communities, where you don’t have to worry about your teenager wandering too far in uncharted territory. If you want to have a bit more flexibility and see some of the surrounding areas, you can arrange during your visit many different day and half-day tours. Canopy zip-line adventures, national park tours, hiking, rappelling, white water rafting to name just a few. You can do as little or as much as you like with all the basics covered. I could go on an on with all of the options: spa and hot springs packages, luxury resort packages, casino resort experiences, cultural tours, indigenous focus vacations, eco-naturalist vacations, agro-packages including an organic chocolate plantation in Talamanca,the best custom surf camp packages from beginner to advanced, volcano/mountain/beach combo packages. . . . . The list is endless, and the best way to come up with your ideal trip is to talk to one of our travel designers that lives, works and plays in Costa Rica. Our travel designers will listen to your expectations and wishes and custom design the Vacation Package to Costa Rica of your dreams!

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