Sep/100
Volcano, Cloud Forest And Beach Romance Package, Costa Rica
Have you ever considered Costa Rica as a destination for your anniversary or romantic getaway? There are many packages out there. How about one that takes you everywhere in Costa Rica? This is what it would look like:
As soon as you get to the International Airport of San Jose you will be recieved by your private transfer and go to your hotel in San Jose. This is where you will stay for the first night. Get some rest because the adventure starts the next day with a two night stay in Tortuguero.
To get to Tortuguero staff from the lodge yo choose will pick you up early in the morning at your hotel in San Jose and take you to a dock where you will hop on a boat and go for a ride down the Tortuguero River and canals. The next day you will go on a relaxing boat tour in the canals. Then after breakfast you will go on a new adventure, a tour along the Tortuguero Jungle. Here you will enjoy the company of many species of beautiful animals. The second day in Tortuguero will start with a hearty breakfast. Then you will board a boat that will take you to a small airport where you will meet your 35-min chartered flight to San Jose.
Then it's time to visit Arenal. Rest a lot because the next day another adventure will be waiting for you. It is a combination of the exciting Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoneering and Rafting on Ro Balsa. Your last day in Arenal will be spent in a hiking guided tour that will take you through the rain-forest with a guide close to the base of the Arenal Volcano and to take a relaxing dip and dinner in the naturally heated hot springs of: The Springs Resort and Spa.
The next step on your romantic adventure will be visiting the Monteverde area. To get there you will go on a scenic one-way transfer that consists in riding a jeep, then hoping on a boat for a relaxing ride and at last going for a final jeep ride to your hotel. For your adventure in Monteverde you will go on a canopy tour through 2.5 miles of cable over the cloud forest and you enjoy all of its beauties.
To continue this romantic adventure in Costa Rica you will go to the Manuel Antonio area for 3 nights. Here you will go on one of the best tours for nature lovers that Costa Rica can offer. On it you and your couple will go to the Manuel Antonio National Park where naturalist guide will take you on a three mile tranquil hike on easy trails. As if that wasn't enough you will get to choose you activity for the next day: an Atv Tour along the forest or a Jet Ski tour with Snorkeling. Either one you choose at night you will go on a Mangrove Kayaking Tour.
Towards the end of your Costa Rican Adventure you will be taken back to the international airport in a private transfer.
Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, has been living in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. Traveling with her family to all parts of Costa Rica and Guatemala, she now loves organizing vacations for people and offers first hand experience. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!
Jul/100
Fun Facts About Kinkajous
They are also known as honey bear, because when tin captivity they seem to enjoy eating honey. Kinkajous are related with the raccoon and coati. The kinkajou's woolly fur consists of an outer coat of gold or brownish-gray overlapping a gray undercoat.
The kinkajou's woolly fur consists of an outer coat of gold or brownish-gray overlapping a gray undercoat. Studies have shown that 90% of their diet consists primarily of ripe fruit. They may play an important role in seed dispersal. Leaves and flowers make up much of the other 10% of their diet. Also they sometimes eat insects, particularly ants.
They normally live 23 - 24 years, but in a Hawaiian zoo they had a kinkajou that lived for 40 years. These nocturnal animals also have a short-haired, fully prehensile tail like some New World monkeys, which it uses as a "fifth hand" in climbing. Scent glands near the mouth, on the throat, and on the belly allow kinkajous to mark their territory and their travel routes. Kinkajous sleep in family units and groom one another. While they are usually solitary when foraging, they occasionally forage in small groups.
Kinkajous sleep in family units and groom one another. While they are usually solitary when foraging, they occasionally forage in small groups. The kinkajou's peak activity is usually between about 7:00 PM and midnight, and again an hour before dawn. During daylight hours, kinkajous sleep in tree hollows or in shaded tangles of leaves, avoiding direct sunlight. Also, kinkajous do not have a specific season for breeding.
They breed throughout the year. Female kinkajous give birth to one or occasionally two small babies after a gestation period of 112 to 118 days. This arboreal mammal is not an endangered species, though it is seldom seen by people because of its strict nocturnal habits. However, they are hunted for the illegal pet trade, for their fur and for their meat. They are forest mammals, native to Central and South America.
Marina K. Villatoro, has lived in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She's traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. With her first hand experience, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!
Apr/100
Matapalo Beach On The Osa Peninsula – The Secret Hideaway Of Costa Rica
We had the great opportunity to visit my friends who live in Puerto Jimenez, a cute town on the Osa Peninsula. It's full of expats and I fell in love with it to the point that we were considering moving there for a while. Puerto Jimenez itself is a fairly big town with a population reaching well into the thousand, maybe even 2.
During the trip, our friends took us another one hour south to visit a teeny coastline village. Just the drive over there will give you an experience of a life time. The road was so bad, that were told that during the rainy season the residents (which is about 90% foreigners) have to either stock up for 3 months, or fly into Puerto Jimenez due to floods and total washouts.
Thankfully my friends drive a big bad 4x4 so we were able to tackle some of the rough terrain. That was because at some points cows blocked the roads we also saw sleepy iguanas chewed leaves from the surrounding trees.
When we finally arrived we saw that there is not actual town per say, it's just a bunch of hidden houses and eco lodges all along the rocky coastline with virgin rain forest as the back drop. There is also little foot paths allow you to experience the place way better than driving a car.
We headed to explore since my friend's son and my son in the water all day and my husband helping out by hanging out in the water with them. We snuck onto a few properties under construction with unbelievable views.
The funny part is that we got lost on one of the hiking trails that is supposed to hug the coast, but instead was so rocky that we almost fell to our deaths. However, the beach where we ended up hanging out was deserted, with plenty of shade and perfect for a homemade BBQ.
All the eco lodges offer plenty of tours to the surrounding jungle and take you on tours to Corcovado National Park, quoted by National Geographic as the most biologically intense place on Earth!
Marina K. Villatoro, lives in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!
Apr/100
The Top Five Costa Rican Hotels For Amazing Vacations
I present to you a list of what I think are the top 5 hotels for families, groups of friends and honeymoons. I guarantee that staying in them will make your trip unforgettable.
1. Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens
Casa Panorama South is a luxury 3 floor villa with amazing ocean views just minutes away from Manuel Antonio National Park and the beach. It is also part of the exclusive Tulemar Gardens Community in Manuel Antonio. The first floor is a private one bedroom suite with private entrance and the second and third floors are beautiful two bedroom suite.
2. Casa Panorama South
This is one of the best hotels in the Arenal area. Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens offers 24 luxurious, private casitas scattered along beautiful gardens. Each casita has beautiful views of the active Arenal Volcano which gives amazing lava shows almost every night.
3. Villa Mot Mot
Villa Mot Mot is a two floor luxury villa, since both floors have independent entrances you can rent just one of them or the whole villa. It is located in the exclusive Tulemar Gardens, Manuel Antonio too, minutes away from the beach and the Manuel Antonio National Park.
4. Casa Bella Rita
Casa Bella Rita is an intimate boutique hotel in San Jose. The place is run by Steve and Rita, the owners and breakfast is made to order, there is no menu or buffet. This bed and breakfast offers 6 beautifully decorated rooms and can be found very close to the international airport.
5. Casa Panorama North
Casa Panorama North can also be found in Tulemar Gardens, in Manuel Antonio. This luxury villa offers a honeymoon suite and a two bedroom luxury vacation home with amazing ocean views. It is super close to the Manuel Antonio National Park and beach.
Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, has been living in Central America - Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She has traveled here extensively. Now loves organizing vacations to this amazing part of the world, having first hand experience of all the places with her family. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!
Jan/100
Costa Rica Vacation Deals by Grayline Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a vacation destination that will please everyone. You can find Costa Rica vacation deals that are specifically focused on your favorite aspect of this tropical paradise, or choose a general vacation plan and discover your favorite part of Costa Rica once you arrive. Whether you enjoy sightseeing or diving, shopping or fine dining, there is a vacation deal for you.
When you think of Costa Rica one of the first things that come to mind are the long sandy beaches. Soak up the sun on one of the local beaches for hours and leave your cares at home. There are hundreds of different beaches to choose from and they all give you the sand, sun, and surf that you expect on a tropical vacation.
If you are looking for a more active vacation you will find Costa Rica vacation deals that cater specifically to travelers who are looking for adventure. Explore the local volcanoes and forests, or experience the thrill of kayaking through white water rapids. The truly adventurous can ride a zip line far above the trees.
Families can also enjoy the wonders of Costa Rica. If you take advantage of some of the wonderful family oriented Costa Rica vacation deals you will not be disappointed. Enjoy nature excursions and discover the incredibly biodiversity of this tiny region.
Costa Rica has a proud cultural heritage. Visitors will find historic landmarks and appreciate the colonial architecture of the cities. Shuttle services are available to deliver guests to various popular locations, and there are many organized tours available as well.
Costa Rica vacation deals are a wonderful cost-effective way to visit this tropical paradise. Since there are so many packages offered, you can find one that suits your own personal interests. The diversity of the natural and man-made attractions in Costa Rica will make you want to visit over and over again so that you can experience it all.
if you want more information about Costa Rica Vacation Deals, feel free to visit their website by clicking on the following link: Gray Line Costa Rica
Nov/090
Costa Rica Airport Hotels
You have just arrived in Costa Rica and leave the plane totally jetlagged - all you want to do is get a good night's sleep before travelling on to your holiday destination. Whereabouts are you going to stay? There are plenty of Costa Rica Airport Hotels within easy reach of the highway and not too far from the airport so, how do you choose?
Do you feel up to driving 7 km from the airport before you can get your head down? If you do feel okay to drive then you're in for a treat. However, rather than lose your custom, the Hampton Inn Hotel will come to the airport and to pick you. Now that's what I call service!
Nestled amongst the mountains at a calming height of 4,200 feet above sea level - and above any city commotions or intrusions, you get a breathtaking view of the coastline below you and a panoramic view of the countryside around you. Just enough to feel your jetlag melting away!
Other Costa Rica Airport Hotel is the Holiday Inn Express. I think this Hotel and the Hampton Inn ... Suites are probably the closest at just 200 meters from the airport - yet, inside the premises you could never guess you were so close to Juan Santamaria International Airport.
The Hampton Inn ... Suites is geared up to odd arrival and departure times and it provides a range of services that are specifically aimed at the international traveler. This Costa Rica Airport Hotel even has a reasonably-sized swimming pool for you to cool off in before you get your head down!
Of all the Costa Rica Airport Hotels, the Hampton Inn ... Suites offers the best services: it is the closest to the airport, the hotel is near to the drop-off and pick-up zones of most of the car rental agencies, the hotel is not too far from San Jose City.
The Hampton Inn ... Suites offers good quality accommodation. They offer great services and amenities, if you want to surf the web on your laptop, you can do it do for free with their complimentary high-speed internet access. Run a few miles in their fitness room, or take in some sun by the pool.
If that's what you want you would be better off going somewhere else. For me, though, this is my kind of hotel and, if I need to travel to Costa Rica any time in the future, the Hampton Inn ... Suites is where I would choose to stay.
if you want more information about Costa Rica Airport Hotels, feel free to visit their website by clicking on the following link: Costa Rica Airport Hotels
Oct/090
Visiting Monteverde, Costa Rica
Monteverde, Costa Rica is a place where everyone needs to visit for many reasons. It's in the mountains and offers breathtaking views. Monteverde is also home to many tours that range from horseback riding to zip lines.
One of the most thrilling tours you can experience while in Monteverde is zip lining over the canopy. They strap you to a cable and let you loose, to zip through the air, at extreme heights to see the canopy from a different angle. Add that and adrenaline together and you have a great combination.
Another way to see the canopy from above is by walking on the suspended bridges. Selvatura offers a great set views of the canopy. At Selvatura, you can also enjoy the hummingbird garden. Get ready, they will come within inches of you.
Costa Rica is known for having a lot of bio-diversity and every area of the country is different. Be sure to hike one of the two reserves in Monteverde. If you've got a good eye or ear you might see and hear toucans or monkeys.
If you want to learn about the forest while hiking, you can hire a guide for a private tour. With this option you will have a better chance at seeing animals. The guides are trained to know all about the cloud forest life.
Another great thing to do in Monteverde is visiting the frog pond. You can see the Poison Dart Frog and the Red Eyed Tree Frog. Overall there are 28 species represented inside.
There are multiple companies that offer horseback riding. Try the company La Estrella. They offer trails on the mountains and views of the sunset over the Gulf of Nicoya.
Tours, tours and more tours. All fun, but make sure you make time to eat too. Some restaurants that serve great food for reasonable prices are: Morphos, Don Juan or for the most local spot try Donde Henry. For desert, stop at Stellas bakery, you will love it.
Lastly, another great place to stay or just for an afternoon tea is Hidden Canopy. The tree house hotel offers opportunities to sleep in the trees amongst the cloud forest, all the while in luxury. Why not treat yourself to a waterfall shower while in Costa Rica.
Sep/090
Costa Rica Marine Turtle Tagging Project
Recently, a Costa Rica based research satellite and fin tagging program got underway at Cocos Island to study the migration patterns of sea turtle.
Marine researchers travel Costa Rica open waters for at least 30 hours in their quest of migration habits about these ancient marine animals.
Imagine what they do as a kind of working Costa Rica vacation that, hopefully, will contribute to saving these marvelous animals now sadly endangered in much of their range.
Cocos Island, once described by the famed oceanographer, Jacque Cousteau, as the most beautiful island he had ever seen, lies some 340 miles off the Pacific coastline of Costa Rica, nearly halfway to the Galapagos Islands.
It was not the lovely palms or beaches that enthralled Captain Cousteau. Its beauty is just off its shores, under water, in a place that Costa Ricans have chosen as one of the Seven Wonders of Costa Rica. In those waters one finds incomparable treasure: tremendous schools of fish, whales, porpoises, and turtles.
Marine turtles have roamed the world's oceans since the days of dinosaurs. Imagine mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex preying on them 200 million years ago when they landed ashore to nest.
These beings roam every sea except the frozen Antarctic and Arctic.
Once, the populations of the half dozen species of sea turtles were so huge that seamen, lost in fog sometimes found land by listening for sea turtles paddling towards nesting grounds.
Once, not so long ago the populations of these marine reptiles were still so seemingly without end that seamen lost in the fog sometimes found their way by listening for sea turtles paddling towards ancient nesting grounds. For eons, sea turtles provided food for every sort of creature. Over eons, billions and billions were eaten by and trillions and trillions of eggs fed birds and animals, including man, for innumerable generations, yet the species' flourished. However, in just a few short, recent generations, man's unrestrained development along every coast and wanton destruction of these animals and their eggs have put these creatures at risk. Whole populations were killed off in South America to make stylish but expensive shoes for Europeans.
Captain Cousteau predicted that: "If we go on the way we have, the fault is our greed and if we are not willing to change, we will disappear from the face of the globe, to be replaced by the insect."
But, conservation organizations have not abandoned hope and are working to turn around the decline turtle populations. Conservation groups are now tagging pelagic turtles like the green sea turtle in far-away places like Cocos Island. Some turtles are fitted with flipper tags while others bear satellite transmitters to help track their migrations and it has been discovered that some species swim thousands and thousands of miles of oceans, from tropical waters to the cold and deep waters off Canada.
We cannot undo the past but the people who tag sea turtles know that marine turtles can survive another 200 million years if we lend them a hand.
The writer, Victor Krumm writes from tropical Costa Rica. Follow his lovely site Costa Rica Vacations and for info about marine turtles check out Sea Turtles
Sep/090
Arenal Costa Rica Luxury Hotel – Enjoy the Best!
Located at the heart of Arenal, the volcanic area of Costa Rica, the Hotel Arenal Kioro is one of the best choices in the Arenal Costa Rica area, if you are looking for a luxury hotel offering with state of art services, whether you are a leisure or a business traveler. So, why Kioro:
Once entering the hotel you will feel instantly the difference that makes this Arenal Costa Rica Luxury Hotel so special, standing out from all others in the same category. Set amidst an imposing natural setting, with an impressively spacious open lobby the Arenal Hotel gives you right away the impression of a luxurious resort hotel, where you can enjoy stunning springs as well as a wide variety of greenery.
You can take a pleasurable stroll around the place and the hot springs or pools, or simply unwind by the swimming pool or the garden bars and restaurants; everything at the Arenal Costa Rica Luxury Hotel is a really memorable experience.
All 52 guestrooms and suites of the hotel feature private balconies overlooking the mountain or the volcano and well appointed amenities; they are decorated in traditional but modern Costa Rican themes, with rich local materials and a quite refreshing style in furnishing and finishes.
The hotel houses numerous dining outlets, serving local American and a variety of international cuisines. Among the vast array of services offered in the Hotel Arenal Kioro , you can find several outdoor activity reservations, restaurants and spa information and reservation, Wi-Fi at the lobby, pool area, flight reservations, personalized check in and out, private parties and wedding arrangements. Arenal Kioro Hotel is a perfect place to get married or spend your honeymoon.
First class services, wonderful dining outlets where you can taste the renowned local cuisine and the legendary local hospitality are to be expected in Hotel Arenal Kioro It is the ideal choice all year long, since Costa Rican climate is mild and inviting all seasons.
The hotel in Arenal features spa facilities that offer, as expected, body and mind treatments following the healing approach of the volcanic landscape and the mountains and using natural and local products. Peace and equilibrium of both mind and body are the main themes here. If you are traveling with your better half, you can enjoy pampering and exclusive treatments for two, enhancing your romantic and loving atmosphere during your stay in this luxurious Arenal volcano hotel.
The experienced personnel of the Hotel Arenal Kioro will make your stay pleasant and memorable.
For more information about Arenal Kioro Hotel, feel free to check out their website by clicking on the following link: Arenal Costa Rica Luxury Hotel Kioro