Costa Rica Travel and Vacation » vacation

Learn abroad- travel to Costa Rica for an adventure vacation

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 02:31:42 +0000

If you are planning an exciting vacation, travel to Costa Rica for the best fun under the sun. Take courses in languages, and other activities taught by English-speaking instructors. Learn something new and have a great time on your vacation. There are a lot of things to see and do in Costa Rica. The beautiful beaches offer some great activities including water skiing, scuba diving, and turtle watching. Costa Rica has some of the rarest wildlife on earth. Travel to Costa Rica is simple and uncomplicated; you do not need a travel visa if staying less than 90 days. Most travel agencies have discount travel packages to meet every budget. Grab a board and go surfing, or sign up for lessons to get you riding the waves like an expert. There are many points in Montezuma that have great waves. Soft sandy beach areas with almost no rocks make this a great surf spot. Spanish is the native language of Costa Rica. In fact, the name Costa Rica means “rich coast” in Spanish. English and Spanish are spoken in the widely public areas used by tourists and visitors. Hotels and restaurants and other businesses are also bilingual. While in Costa Rica, why not spend some of your vacation time learning a new language or getting your scuba certification. There are some great places to dive in Costa Rica if you are already an experienced diver. For example: Montezuma is home to many volcanic and coral reef formations. Dive sites are abundant near the coast, including Tortuga Island (the Spanish word for Turtle) Aquarius, and Franklin Chang( the site of a shipwreck). Learning Spanish in Costa Rica is ideal as it will give you the real world experience of speaking a second language. Not only will you learn to speak Spanish in the classroom but you can use what you have learned right away. The best way to learn a new language is to be around native speakers of the language to hear the correct pronunciation. Enrich your vacation by taking classes in a native setting. Break away from the usual classroom experience by learning in a beautiful island paradise. La Escuela Del Sol in Montezuma, Costa Rica, offers classes in Scuba Diving, Spanish language, Yoga and Poi. Get scuba certified in 2 weeks and dive to some of the most beautiful places in the area. Swim with the fish, dolphins and manta rays. Most classes are completed in 2-4 weeks and food and lodging are included. Many people who travel to Costa Rica love it so much that they return year after year. Great activities to get into: Biking Snorkeling Kayaking Dolphin Watching Visit the Turtle Conservation Project Montezuma Waterfall Hike Horseback Riding on the Beach to El Chorro Waterfalls Scuba Diving at Isla Tortuga Deep Sea Fishing Hike to Cabo Blanco National Park

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Costa Rica Vacation Guide

admin — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 02:29:45 +0000

If you are embarking on a Central or South American journey and Costa Rica is one of your stopovers, then you certainly need to find a reliable Costa Rica vacation guide to make the most out of your stay. To get a brief overview of what you should learn from a good vacation guide, read on and be armed with the basics. Costa Rica is part of Central America and its neighboring countries are Nicaragua on the north and Panama on the south. On its western side, there is the Pacific Ocean and on its eastern side, there is the Caribbean Sea. You may be surprised to know that the best time to visit Costa Rica is during the early parts of the rainy season of May to July. Some towns in the country even experience an elevation in terms of visitors, making the tourist officials regard it as a ‘mini-high season’. During this period, traveling might a bit more challenging due to the slight downpours and rain showers. Pack your raingear and bit more patience for the ultimate Costa Rican wild adventure. The mountains and high plateau also offer cooler temperatures to the visitor. There are many different regions in Costa Rica. There are the Plains of the North, Guanacaste, Nicoya Peninsula, Central Valley, Central Pacific, Caribbean Costa Rica, South Costa Rica and Cocos Island National Park. The capital city is Costa Rica is San Jose and their official language is Spanish. Other cities in the country are Alajuela which is the location of Juan Santamaría International Airport, Cartago which is the country’s first capital and Heredia where tourists can visit coffee plantations. Quepos city is also notable as it is located in the Central Pacific coast and is the entry point to the Manuel Antonio National Park. There are also the cities of Jacó which has a worldwide reputation as a surfing paradise and where superb dining selection abounds, Liberia which is the gateway to the fantastic beaches of Guanacaste and Pochote which is located on Whale Bay near Puntarenas. Costa Rica’s second largest international airport is also located just outside of Liberia providing easy access. Of course, an excellent Costa Rica vacation guide book should not be quick to miss the cities of Puerto Limón which considered the main city on the Caribbean side of the country, Puntarenas where one can take the ferry going to Nicoya Peninsula, Parismina which is located in Tortuguero Canals and Tamarindo City which is also quite famous as a beach haven for tourists. Although English is widely used in some areas populated by tourists and many businesses are operated by European entrepreneurs, it is recommended that you learn some Spanish and a few frequently used Costa Rican expressions. The Spanish words ‘Ma’e’ means ‘dude’ and is generally used among friends; ‘Pura Vida’ literally means ‘pure life’ but is used by Costa Ricans to express agreement or enthusiasm. A ‘pulpería’ is a general merchandise store, while if you hear the word ‘tuanis’, it should be an expression of ‘okay’ for most natives. Costa Rica is a beautiful tropical paradise that welcomes all visitors seeking an escape from the hectic everyday stress of urban life. The people of Costa Rica are friendly and helpful in providing you with a great vacation.

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A short vacation idea close to Knoxville: Newport Gangster tour could be an offer you can’t refuse

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 03:33:54 +0000

A short vacation idea close to Knoxville: Newport Gangster tour could be an offer you can’t refuse
NEWPORT, Ky. – Former Newport mayor Johnny “TV” Peluso leaned his head out of a car window as he drove down Monmouth Street, the main drag of this former ” Sin City .”

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Spend a Vacation Backpacking Through Costa Rica

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:32:19 +0000

If you really love scenic locations with plenty of wildlife, then you should plan to spend your vacation backpacking through Costa Rica. The best time of year to visit depends on whether or not you like crowds. From December to April is peak tourist season in this country with crowded beaches and attractions and higher prices. The rainy season during the months of June to September, which is also hurricane season is not a good time to visit because the roads often become impassable. The best time to plan your backpacking trip is from mid-October to mid-December because the temperatures are just right and you still have sunny weather.

You do have to plan your trip carefully because it is not an easy task to find your way around Costa Rica unless you have some idea of the layout of the country. The road system is very poorly maintained. Even though it is only 100 miles wide at the widest point, this journey can take a very long time. The country is made up of five regions, so the best advice is to choose two of these regions for your first visit and them make plans to return for another backpacking vacation to see the others.

It will take you about two days to backpack through San Jose and the Central Valley. This region is home to the majority of the population of Costa Rica. In this area you can visit a volcano, hike through a cloud forest and engage in whitewater rafting on rivers classified as Class 1v. Some of the Olympic kayaking teams actually train on the rapids in the rivers of this region.

In order to backpack through the Alajuela And Northern Guanacaste Region, you need to allow yourself four or five days. This region is located inland from the Pacific and contains one of the last dry tropical forests in Central America located in an inland area. Here you will find clear areas where there are scattered umbrella-shaped conacaste trees standing alone, under which the Brahman cows seek shade from the sun. Climb up the Monteverde Range to backpack through the Cloud Forest Biological Reserve of Puntarenas. You can also take a four-hour drive from San Jose to reach this forest.

The Nicoya Peninsula and Quepos will take you about four-to six days depending on how much time you want to spend in the various locations. This area is the domain of surfers, international tourists that own houses here and the tico farmers of the country. You can spend time on the beaches and trekking inland to see the wide variety of wildlife and birds. As a side trip you can take the ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya to visit Manuel Antonio National Park, where you will meet other backpackers resting on the beach.

The Osa Peninsula is located in the Southern part of Costa Rica. Allow yourself at least five days for backpacking in this region. This area has one of the most biologically dense rainforests on the planet and was one of the first ecological reserves to be built in the world. Here you will glimpse many of the elusive animals that inhabit the rainforest, such as howler monkeys and scarlet macaws. There are many public and private reserves in this area.

The accommodations you choose when backpacking in Costa Rica depend on your finances. There are cheap hostels and hotels as well as expensive resorts in all regions.

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On the Menu: Even when on vacation, some chefs don’t leave the kitchen

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:29:21 +0000

On the Menu: Even when on vacation, some chefs don’t leave the kitchen
Most people go on vacation to leave their work behind. But when you work in the food business, it’s practically impossible to take a break from it entirely. After all, we have to eat.

Costa Rica Vacation Packages Provides Great Advantages When Time Comes for Sightseeing

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:32:40 +0000

You will find that Costa Rica vacation packages have something to offer for everyone. In these different vacation plans you can choose the type of vacation that best suits your temperament and monetary funds availability.

As there are different types of Costa Rica vacation packages it is to your advantage if you know how many days you can afford to spend for shopping, sightseeing and just relaxing before you book one of these Costa Rica vacation packages.

You can find family vacations, adventure vacations, cultural vacations and even vacations for honeymooning couples. In each of these Costa Rica vacation packages you will find that your vacation needs are catered to.

One of the items that you will need to know in your information gathering about Costa Rica vacation packages is what the weather will be like where you are going to be vacationing. This will be of help when you are getting your clothes and other items ready for the holiday.

For those of you who wish to see some volcanoes Costa Rica has some amazing sights. The volcanoes at Arenal are a fantastic place for lovers of volcanoes to vacation by. You will also find that ecotourism has its place here in Costa Rica. You can go for a sky trek, or see about hiking across some hanging bridges.

With these different Costa Rica vacation packages you can plan your holiday itinerary. As you look at these travel packages you will find that you can choose from cultural tours which will allow you to see the many wonders of Costa Rica. You could even look forward to having an adventure trip to one of the tropical rainforests.

The different Costa Rica vacation packages that you can see will come in both the normal economic style and that of luxury vacation packages. The price range of the different Costa Rica vacation packages that you look at should be clearly displayed.

With both of these travel packages you can see about organizing a custom travel plan if you so desire. This plan may at times exclude certain areas of interest as you have a certain period of time to see Costa Rica before you have to leave.

The travel package that you choose to book for your vacation to Costa Rica will allow you to see the many wonders of this wonderful country. At the end of your holiday you will have lots of fun getting to know Costa Rica.

While you can get a bird’s eye overview of Costa Rica from the internet, you will find that arranging to go on one of the many Costa Rica vacation packages will provide you with many great advantages when the times comes for sightseeing.

Turn Your Summer Vacation Into a Charitable Donation

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 03:33:11 +0000

Turn Your Summer Vacation Into a Charitable Donation
Travel for a good cause may become the new mantra for the socially minded as more and more people seek out great vacation deals at their local charity events. read more

Highlights For Your Costa Rica Vacation

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:30:50 +0000

Costa Rica is a perfect destination for a family vacation. It is a wonderland of natural resources and ecological wonders. If you are thinking of planning a vacation there, it is a good idea to research ahead of time for the most age appropriate activates for your children. As well as a holiday, your children will learn so much about another culture, climate and environment. Costa Ricans are very family-oriented and welcome families and children with open arms. From separate walks on guided tours, to graded adventure activities that help you personalize your family adventure, the local people work hard to help all families have a memorable stay. Here are some highlights of a Costa Rica vacation for families. Do a little further research on each one to help you decide what adventures your family would most like to enjoy. You will most likely be staying at a resort such as Los Sueños Marina and Golf Resort, where they will help you to book guided tours and activities that are safe and family friendly. Wildlife tours are probably the first adventures you’ll want to explore. Costa Rica offers close up encounters with white faced monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas and even butterflies. The canopy of the rain forest is magnificent and children and adults alike will never forget the experience of crossing hanging bridges and looking down on the jungle from such a lush vantage point. Many area resorts and tour companies will often arrange visits to local schools where you and your family can have lunch and interact with local school children. The children of Costa Rica love this opportunity to practice their English skills and you get a close up look at real life situations and its people. One of the most famous activities to do in Costa Rica is a volcano tour. These are exciting and not at all dangerous. The tours again, are designed at different levels and lengths to suit all ages. Waterfall tours are numerous throughout the area and provide excellent opportunities to explore the flora and fauna close up and personal. You’ll see brightly colored birds, frogs, bats and clever spiders that actually weave twigs into their webs to attract and catch prey in the trees. There is even a tree named a kerosene tree that has sap which can actually ignite when scraped from the tree. Other tours available include butterfly gardens and pineapple plantations. If you have discovered a trip in your preplanning research, be sure to ask at your resort if this is something they can arrange. Be sure not to overlook a simple family day at the beach. Costa Rica is also famous for its beautiful beaches for swimming and soaking in the sun! If your kids are a little older, or maybe even if you’re feeling adventurous yourself, Boogie-boarding and surfing are also a lot of fun to try. Most of all relax and have fun on your family vacation in Costa Rica. Take lots of pictures and encourage the kids to keep a journal for post-trip enjoyment!

COSTA RICA VACATION questions?

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 02:31:59 +0000

I did CR last march (San Jose, Arenal and monetverde). I will go this summer and am thinking of arenal again/rio de celeste and a 4 day deal in the Playa Nicuesa Lodge. I welcome any opinions from anyone who has been at these places.

CostaRica Vacation- Part3

admin — Sat, 29 May 2010 02:32:37 +0000

4 guys make an occasion out of entering the 4th decade with a 4-day vacation to Costa Rica. Here’s Part 3/3