Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica has been in the news a lot in 2015. The beautiful southern Caribbean Costa Rica region has received its share of media love this year as Costa Rica surges in the international news with new flights to the country, better travel opportunities, and newsworthy events happening.
IKEA films Caribbean Coast Costa Rica jungle wildlife
Costa Rican howler, white-faced capuchin and spider monkeys became famous starring in a new IKEA commercial filmed at the Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo. The ad campaign launched on July 11, 2015, and promptly caused an international media furor. In the video, the tranquil Costa Rica jungle turns to mayhem when the monkeys (and other animals) come across a fully stocked IKEA kitchen in the middle of the forest. An upbeat song plays as the monkeys pull open drawers, test the sink and the coffee machine, throw cups and utensils, and discover the refrigerator full of bananas. The only strange anomaly was the out-of-place appearance of an elephant, which you cannot find in the Americas.
The Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo is a non-profit organization that works to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals with the aim of releasing them back into protected areas. Guided tours, where you can meet wild animals from Costa Rica while supporting a good cause, are offered Monday to Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Real-life Kermit the Frog discovered in Costa Rica
Another major uproar in social media networks and international news media happened with the news in April 2015 that a real-life Kermit the Frog had been discovered in Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean Talamanca mountains. The new species of glass frog, Hyalinobatrachium dianaeI, was found by Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center founder Brian Kubicki. People everywhere were quick to notice the unerring likeness of the new frog to the Muppet Kermit the Frog, and the news went viral.
Cahuita National Park honored in Costa Rica stamp
The Costa Rica Post Office focused on the protection of the coral reefs at Cahuita National Park by featuring a photo of the reefs in new stamps issued in early 2015. The coral reefs at Cahuita National Park are the largest in Costa Rica, and can be seen on snorkeling and scuba diving tours.
Visit the Costa Rica Caribbean Coast
Costa Rica Caribbean Summer, now in September and October, is a perfect time to visit the beautiful Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. This time of year when seas are calm it is ideal to go snorkeling or scuba diving in the clear waters of the Cahuita National Park, or sea kayaking in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve.
The southern Caribbean Coast has everything you’re looking for in a Costa Rica beach vacation – and at Hotel Le Caméléon by Puerto Viejo, you can enjoy the utmost in luxury. Now is the time to visit the Costa Rica boutique hotel for special vacation offers in Caribbean summer.
During October, Hotel Le Caméléon is offering Caribbean vacation packages, with 20% discounts off rates for Superior and Deluxe rooms. A Romance Package includes one night in a Superior Room for two persons, breakfast, and one Caribbean lunch or dinner per person. And the Family Package includes one night in a Deluxe Room, breakfast, and one Caribbean lunch or dinner per person.
Hotel Le Caméléon is located on Playa Cocles just past Puerto Viejo on one of the prettiest Costa Rica Caribbean beaches. The upscale Puerto Viejo hotel features the Caribbean beach club La Sula Sea Lounge. An Enchanting Hotel of Costa Rica, Le Caméléon received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2015.
Article by Shannon Farley
