What are you doing for your summer holiday?

What about a beach holiday in the tropics? Sun, sand, surf … Costa Rica is at the top of all popular travel sites this year. Warm water, abundant sunshine, palm trees, balmy temperatures, friendly people, and lots of great places to stay and things to do. This year, try an active surfing vacation in tropical Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is the third most popular destination for surfing after Hawaii and Indonesia. With 762 miles of coastlines spread along the Pacific and the Caribbean oceans, you get thousands of opportunities for excellent year-round waves. Water temperatures are usually 83-85°F. No wetsuit needed!

Top Costa Rica surf school, Del Mar Surf Camp, offers surf vacation packages for travelers who want to try something new or get better at surfing. Their programs – for both beginner and advanced surfers – are designed so that you surf everyday with locals who have surfed the waves their whole lives.

Del Mar Surf Camp offers Costa Rica surf vacations in three locations: Jaco/Hermosa Beach on the Central Pacific Coast, Santa Teresa Beach on the Pacific’s Nicoya Peninsula, and Nosara Beach on the Guanacaste Pacific Coast.

Del Mar Surf Camp’s headquarters is at Hermosa Beach on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast, just south of the fun beach town of Jacó. The popular beach, with its consistent surf, variety of breaks and great exposure to swells, is famous with top surfers from all over the globe. Its shore break is one of the strongest in the world and is Del Mar’s advanced surfing beach; but just 5-minutes away is the south end of Playa Jacó where beginners learn to surf in gentle and easy waves. These beaches have a fun and casual atmosphere with easy access to local attractions, restaurants and shopping. One of the area’s biggest advantages is that it is only an hour’s drive from San Jose on paved roads.

Near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa Beach is renowned for being one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Its beauty is stunning; the jungle hugs the coastline, pouring down from low mountains to light sand beaches and the clear aquamarine sea. Epic surf and picture-perfect sunsets are its distinction.

Nosara in Guanacaste is a community off-the-beaten-track known for its active and healthy lifestyles and its dedication to a slower pace of life with friends and family. Nosara’s tranquil white sand beaches are perfect for surfing and relaxing.

Surf vacations are available now at all three of Del Mar Surf Camp’s prime locations. The Pacifico 5 & 7 nights Costa Rica surfing vacation package includes daily surf lessons with bilingual instructors, daily breakfast, and private or shared accommodations.

The Swell 5 & 7 nights Costa Rica surfing vacation package includes daily surf lessons with bilingual instructors, daily Yoga classes, daily breakfast, private or shared accommodations, professional surfing photography, and 1 adventure tour.

The Estrella de Mar (Sea Star) 5 & 7 nights Costa Rica surfing vacation package includes daily surf lessons with bilingual instructors, daily Yoga classes, daily breakfast, private or shared accommodations, professional surfing photography, a complimentary 1-hour massage, and 1 adventure tour.

Every Del Mar surf lesson has a 2:1 instructor to student ratio for two to three hours, meaning you will always get the undivided attention you deserve with maximum safety. In all surf packages, Del Mar uses only high quality epoxy long boards, and also has soft tops available. Bilingual instructors are certified in CPR, Water Rescue, ISA and First Aid. Optional package adventure activities include: canopy zipline tours, stand up paddling, horseback riding, ATV tour, kayaking, Spanish lessons, Yoga, Pilates, and massage.

Del Mar Surf Camp specializes in Costa Rica surf vacations, family and group vacations, women only trips, yoga-surf retreats, stand-up paddle programs, and day surf lessons. Get away from your daily routine of life, have fun on an adventure, experience new places, make new friends, and create memories that will last a lifetime on a Costa Rica surf vacation.

Getting to Costa Rica is easy with daily flights from the North American cities of Houston, Dallas, New York/Newark, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Denver, and Toronto on United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, US Airways, TACA, Lacsa, and Copa Air. From Europe, Iberia, KLM, Air France and British Airways fly to Costa Rica.

By Shannon Farley

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The world’s environmental grades have been posted by Yale University. So, which countries are really “walking the talk” with their national environmental policies and actions?

European nations are at the top of the world class, with a lone contender from the Americas – Costa Rica, placing 5^th best in the world for its environmental performance, according to the recent Environmental Performance Index (EPI) released by the Yale University Center for Environmental Law and Policy and the Columbia University Center for International Earth Science Information Network. Costa Rica is the only country in the Americas that made it to the top 10, where Europeans dominate the list.

The 2012 study was created in collaboration with the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and the Joint Research Center of the European Commission in Italy, along with more than 50 expert contributors from other world universities, institutes, commissions and committees. The EPI evaluates aspects such as climate adaptation, recycling, quality of the Earth, and nuclear safety, as well as exposure to toxic chemicals, among others.

Worldwide, Switzerland heads the list, thanks to its environmental policies that have created one of the cleanest cities in the world, Zurich. Switzerland’s top ranking on the 2012 EPI is in large part due to its high performance in air pollution control and natural resource management, the study reports. On the other hand, Iraq is the country with the lowest score of the evaluation, followed by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and South Africa. These countries are water scarce and face significant sustainability challenges; the first three also are known for weak governance, the EPI states.

In the Americas, the next ranking country after Costa Rica is Colombia at #27. Brazil is ranked #30, Canada is #37, and the USA is ranked #49.

2012 Global EPI rankings:

1. Switzerland
2. Latvia
3. Norway
4. Luxembourg
5. Costa Rica
6. France
7. Austria
8. Italy
9. United Kingdom
10. Sweden

The 2012 Environmental Performance Index tracks performance and progress on two broad policy objectives: Environmental Health and Ecosystem Vitality. Results are tallied on a quantitative basis using the best data available from international, academic, and research institutions with subject-area expertise, the report states.

The 2012 EPI ranks 132 countries on 22 performance indicators in the following 10 policy categories:

•  Environmental Health
•  Water (effects on human health)
•  Air Pollution (effects on human health)
•  Air Pollution (ecosystem effects)
•  Water Resources (ecosystem effects)
•  Biodiversity and Habitat
•  Forests
•  Fisheries
• Agriculture
• Climate Change

Though it is a country with a middle-income, Costa Rica earned its high EPI marks for its commendable policies on the environment. Costa Rica was distinguished in March this year for its environmental sustainability by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Portasol Rainforest and Ocean View Community

Portasol is a sustainable community in the Central Pacific coastal area of Costa Rica, near Manuel Antonio and Dominical, which is firmly committed to its environmental practices. The residential community and tourism vacation rental business offers impressive properties in the rainforest with ocean views, unique vacation rental options, property management and other services.

Set on 1,300 acres of pure rainforest and river along the Portalón River Valley, Portasol Rainforest and Ocean View Community maintains its own 200-acre private nature reserve. Three spectacular private homes, 2 modern bungalows by the river, and 1 duplex overlooking the forest provide comfortable vacation lodging to guests. Residential lots are large – starting at 5,000 m2 (1.5 acres) to 10,000 m2 (3 acres). Portasol’s environmental policies mandate that only 15% of each lot may be used for construction; the remaining 85% must be preserved in “green space.”

Portasol’s development enjoys sweeping views up and down the Pacific Coast from Manuel Antonio to Dominical. The Quepos Airport is a 20-minute drive away, and it is only 30 minutes to Quepos/Manuel Antonio and also Dominical to the south. The long, uncrowded beach of Matapalo is only a 5-minute drive away.

Portasol is an excellent example of Costa Rica’s exemplary environmental performance in the world’s quest to preserve the planet.

By Shannon Farley

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Desde hace algunos años, los representantes de los ministerios de Turismo en Centroamérica han planeado una estrategia conjunta de promoción regional. Desde esa perspectiva, se pretende que los excursionistas visiten varios países «en un mismo viaje». En tal sentido, se impulsa un plan de sostenibilidad y calidad. Este incluye, entre otros, el fortalecimiento de la seguridad del área. También se ha estimulado a las empresas del sector para que ofrezcan precios similares en los destinos disponibles en este territorio.

Y esta no es una decisión baladí. Según datos Consejo Centroamericano de Turismo (CCT), dicho fragmento de la economía representó ingresos por 7.341,1 millones de dólares en 2010 y 3.658,4 millones en el primer semestre de 2011 a Centroamérica. Asimismo, de forma anual se recibe un aproximado de 7,9 millones de turistas, de los que 3,5 millones provienen de la propia región. Por ende, el organismo se propuso desarrollar 22 proyectos con un valor de 1,9 millones de dólares. Los fondos provienen de los presupuestos de cooperación internacional de naciones como España, Suiza y Taiwán. Cabe destacar que el impulso de las autoridades estatales se ha visto aupado por la iniciativa privada. En ese sentido, la aerolínea Iberia ha servido como punta de lanza para la innovación. Descuella la incorporación de aviones Airbus A330 y Airbus 340-600 a su flotilla. Además, habrá 250.000 nuevas plazas entre San José y Madrid. Aparte se hará una renovación de la categoría ejecutiva que contará con butacas cama completamente planas y con mayor privacidad. Por su parte, la clase turista tendrá mayores opciones de entretenimiento individual a la carta; sin olvidar conexión por wifi dentro de la aeronave.

El mercado turístico costarricense no se ha aminorado con la crisis mundial, al punto que la compañía española ofrece un vuelo diario entre ambas capitales. Los pasajeros provenientes de San José tienen la opción de conectar con 31 ciudades españolas, 27 europeas y 13 más en África y Oriente Medio tras hacer una escala en Barajas. En 2012, esta ruta de Iberia fue seguida por 194.000 excursionistas, con un porcentaje de ocupación del 84%. Los destinos más buscados en la Madre Patria son: Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia y Málaga. En Europa, los orígenes o destinos más comunes son: París, Zúrich, Roma, Londres, Ámsterdam y Bruselas.
Aparte de estos trayectos, la firma hispana vuela cinco veces por semana a Panamá; así como cuatro veces desde Guatemala y San Salvador. Se puede decir, sin lugar a dudas, que Iberia es la única aerolínea que ha volado ininterrumpidamente entre Europa y Centroamérica en los últimos 40 años.
En palabras del director de ventas internacionales, Ángel Valdemoros, el crecimiento obedece a la importancia que tiene la región en momentos de dificultades financieras al otro lado del Atlántico. Agregó: «Confiamos en que los nuevos productos que estamos poniendo a disposición de nuestros clientes nos permitan consolidar nuestra posición de liderazgo y nuestro papel como aerolínea favorita».

Por otro lado, el ministro de Turismo de Costa Rica, Allan Flores, apuntó la relevancia de estas inversiones, puesto que «nos permite enlazarnos con nuestros principales emisores de turistas y mayores generadores de divisas por concepto de turismo desde Europa como lo son España, Francia y Alemania».
Por eso, si usted nos lee desde el Viejo Continente, lo invitamos a darse unas vacaciones por Costa Rica. Puede descubrir las maravillas de esta nación, sobre todo en un lugar paradisíaco como el hotel Trópico Latino. Localizado en el pueblo costero de Santa Teresa, es uno de los sitios preferidos por los amantes del surf. En él siempre encontrará actividades y aventuras por descubrir, al tiempo que disfrutará de las bellezas naturales de la región. El personal le dará un servicio cálido para que viva unas vacaciones inolvidables.
Por otro lado, el ministro de Turismo de Costa Rica, Allan Flores, apuntó la relevancia de estas inversiones, puesto que «nos permite enlazarnos con nuestros principales emisores de turistas y mayores generadores de divisas por concepto de turismo desde Europa como lo son España, Francia y Alemania».

Por eso, si usted nos lee desde el Viejo Continente, lo invitamos a darse unas vacaciones por Costa Rica. Puede descubrir las maravillas de esta nación, sobre todo en un lugar paradisíaco como el hotel Trópico Latino. Localizado en el pueblo costero de Santa Teresa, es uno de los sitios preferidos por los amantes del surf. En él siempre encontrará actividades y aventuras por descubrir, al tiempo que disfrutará de las bellezas naturales de la región. El personal le dará un servicio cálido para que viva unas vacaciones inolvidables.

 Por: Andrés Figueroa Vásquez.

• Alrededor del 75% de las plantas y el 50% de los animales podrían verse afectados durante los próximos 100 años.
• Los humanos no serán inmunes ante las consecuencias pues el agua y el aire también se verán afectados.
• Una intervención rápida puede aplacar el impacto hasta en un 60%.

Aproximadamente el 75% de las plantas y el 50% de los animales podrían enfrentar una mengua sin precedentes durante este siglo como producto del cambio climático. Esto se extrae de una investigación de la Universidad de East Anglia (UEA) en Norwich, Norfolk (Reino Unido). Los resultados se publicaron el domingo pasado en la revista Nature Climate Change.

Estudio consideró 50.000 tipos de plantas y animales. Se determinó que dos tercios de los vegetales y la mitad de las bestias perderán su hábitat climático para el 2080 si no se toman medidas para mitigar los efectos y velocidad del calentamiento global. En otras palabras, la distribución geográfica de la biodiversidad bajará en todo mundo.
Según esos cálculos, el mayor riesgo es para las plantas, reptiles y anfibios. Asimismo, zonas como el África subsahariana, América Central, Amazonia y Australia verán mermar sus especies. Mientras tanto, Asia Central, Europa del Este y el Norte de África experimentarán una disminución de plantas sin igual.
No obstante, una actuación veloz para amortiguar el cambio climático podría significar la reducción de pérdidas en un 60%. De ser así, habría 40 años más para que las especies se adaptaran. De tal forma, la temperatura mundial subiría solo 2° C para el 2100 respecto a tiempos preindustriales (1765).

Por su parte, el estudio fue financiado por el Consejo de Investigación del Medio Ambiente Natural (NERC). A su vez, estuvo a cargo de la doctora Rachel Warren de la Escuela de Ciencias del Medio Ambiente y el Centro Tyndall para la Investigación del Cambio Climático de la UEA. Contó con el apoyo de Jeremy Vanderwal, de la Universidad James Cook (Australia); y de Jeff Price, también miembro de la UEA.

Según la directora, «se sabía poco acerca de cómo el aumento de la temperatura global afectaría las especies más comunes». Y agregó: «el tema más amplio de la pérdida potencial de especies de amplia distribución es un problema grave, ya que incluso pequeñas reducciones en estas pueden alterar de manera significativa los ecosistemas».
Pérdidas enormes en la biosfera. Warren explicó cómo se puede inferir mediante sus pesquisas que las especies más comunes se encuentran en peligro. «Esta pérdida de biodiversidad a escala global empobrecería considerablemente la biosfera y los servicios ecosistémicos que proporciona». Como consecuencia, se volverán más comunes y extremos algunos fenómenos que hoy son más bien esporádicos, como plagas y enfermedades. La científica advirtió, empero, que las estimaciones del equipo fueron «probablemente conservadoras».
«Los animales en particular pueden disminuir más que nuestras predicciones por una pérdida de los alimentos de las plantas», alertó la doctora Warren. Hizo hincapié en el círculo vicioso que también traerá consecuencias importantes para la humanidad. Destacó situaciones relacionadas con la purificación del aire; la calidad del agua y el control de las inundaciones; el ciclo de nutrientes y el ecoturismo.

Pero el panorama no es del todo gris. El estudio trae consigo nuevas evidencias decisivas sobre cómo se pueden reducir rápidamente los gases del efecto invernadero. Estas medidas pueden retardar enormemente la pérdida de la biodiversidad, puesto que reducen el importe del calentamiento global de 4° C a 2° C. Dicha ventana de oportunidad permitiría que hubiera 4 décadas de tiempo para que la biodiversidad se adaptase a estas transformaciones de temperatura.

De actuarse a tiempo, las pérdidas de los hábitats climáticos podrían reducirse hasta en un 60%. Por eso es vital que haya un aporte generalizado para el beneficio del medio ambiente. En ese sentido, existen diversas iniciativas públicas y privadas en pro de la conservación. Por ejemplo, el hotel y villas Pranamar (Santa Teresa, Puntarenas) ha sido, desde sus inicios, un lugar dedicado a la relajación y el descanso en armonía con la naturaleza.
El centro turístico se toma muy en serio el tema de la huella ecológica, por lo que ha implementado diversos programas como el reciclaje de aguas residuales, el uso de jabones biodegradables; piscina libre de químicos y el empleo de bombillas y electrodomésticos de bajo consumo.

Por: Andrés Figueroa Vásquez y agencia Europa Press.

It was a bit like playing bumper cars in the middle of Roaring Rapids. There I was, perched very alert in my high-tech individual rafting tube, bouncing off a rock to my left only to spin off a rock on my right and now speeding backwards down the chute to smack the huge wave in the “Coca Cola” rapid dead-on. Facing the wrong way had its advantages … the wave went over my head instead of right in my face. Either way, it was exhilarating and I was very wet!

I was riding the rapids of the Savegre River near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, on outfitter H2O Adventures’ “Jungle River Tubing Adventure.” The 4-mile (6 km) trip down river is a terrific combination of adrenaline and natural beauty.

River tubing has come a long way from blowing up a spare tire inner tube with a bicycle pump and floating in a slow-moving stream with a cooler of cold drinks. The fancy river tubes that H2O Adventures uses are large inflatable round rafts with a tough canvas cover to protect against punctures, handles to hold on, an adjustable suspended seat in the center, and an optional inflatable backrest. Tour participants wear lifejackets and rafting helmets.

Savegre River Tubing

The Savegre River is one of the more impressive rivers of Costa Rica. Surrounded by dense jungle, the large pristine river flows down a wide valley with tall mountains on both sides. Regular rafting trips start further up river where there are larger Class III-IV rapids. The tubing adventure begins in the Class II rapids, with mostly “wave trains” and easy whitewater … though we had to do a good amount of rock and obstacle navigation on our trip. The river twists and turns from rushing rapids to calm pools, and over again.

Rafting in your own river tube is fun for the freedom of being able to individually choose where you want to go. Being without a paddle, like in regular rafting, however, is disconcerting. Navigation, therefore, is by your own steam – using your arms in a backstroke motion to paddle yourself where you need to line up properly for the coming rapids. I also found that using my upper body to lean my weight in a particular direction as well helped with “steering.” I was very grateful for the occasional nudge in the right direction by H2O Adventures owner Leo Vazquez, who was leading our river adventure as safety kayaker.

The Savegre River Tubing Adventure is a half-day tour, lasting 4 hours in total with about 90 minutes on river. The scenery is beautiful, the crystal clear river is a great adrenaline rush, and the trips are guided expertly and safely. As the company’s website states: “The gently flowing waters and beautiful scenery of the Savegre River all combine for a relaxing, fun and fascinating experience.” The Jungle River Tubing Adventure is appropriate for persons age 10 and up who know how to swim. H2O Adventures operates 2 trips daily.

Rio Negro Tubing

Head north to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province near Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and you’ll find another fun and exciting river adventure tour – the Rio Negro Tubing Adventure. Operated by the fantastic eco-lodge and adventure center, Hacienda Guachipelin, the Rio Negro’s crystal clear and fun rapids flow down a small narrow canyon for an easy half-day tour.

The Rio Negro adventure begins with a 45-minute horseback ride from Hacienda Guachipelin on their trusty Costa Rican ranch horses (or you can go by vehicle). The river tubing begins at the foot of the Victoria Waterfall. Professional guides accompany the trips to ensure safety. Hacienda Guachipelin operates daily river tubing tours.

Valle Dorado Tours

Let Valle Dorado Tours arrange these river tubing trips in Costa Rica for you, and they will also take care of your accommodations in both the Manuel Antonio and Rincón de la Vieja areas, and your transport. Valle Dorado Tours offers the best Costa Rica one-day tours and custom tour packages. More than 20 years of local experience in the Costa Rica travel business ensures that Valle Dorado Tours offers you the best in Costa Rica vacations.

Travel Tips: Here are some handy travel tips to make your river tubing experience all the better:

• Wear a long-sleeve nylon shirt to protect against the sun and arm rash from paddling.
• Use waterproof sunscreen; don’t forget your legs and feet!
• Use a sport ball cap style hat under your helmet to protect your face from sun.
• Use water shoes or strap-on sport sandals like Chacos or Tevas; no flipflops or you’ll lose them.

By Shannon Farley

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Are you happy?

That seems to be the question being asked in recent times, from boardrooms to bars, international conference centers to offices of government leaders, business schools to book stores. Are we happy? Following our bliss? Living our passion? Are we “me-focused” or “others-focused”?

The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan even measures its country’s prosperity by its “gross national happiness” (GNH), measuring the spiritual, physical, social and environmental health and happiness of its citizens and natural environment. Bhutan’s policy attracted great interest at the United Nations climate change conference in Doha, Qatar last December.

Costa Rica has made it to #1 on the Happy Planet Index for two years in a row (2012 & 2011), based on its national conservation policies, small ecological footprint, high quality of life and life expectancy rate all being “exceedingly above par”, states Forbes Magazine. The Happy Planet Index is an annual survey conducted by the New Economics Foundation, a British think-tank that aims to measure the level of happiness in every country in the world. The ranking system establishes a solid link between happiness and the environment or nature.

Susan Money and Greg Mullins followed their bliss 20 or so years ago to live in harmony with nature in Costa Rica. The California couple first opened a bed and breakfast hotel, then the very successful Florblanca Hotel on Playa Santa Teresa, and now are owners of the highly popular Pranamar Ocean Front Villas and Yoga Retreat, also on Santa Teresa Beach.

“The Pranamar experience is a unique one. Rather than the typical corporate model, we work under the family model. Pranamar evolved from a sense of oneness – a desire to be in community with people we love and people who simply make us feel good,” explains Pranamar owner Susan Money.

Pranamar Villas is a gorgeous, intimate luxury hotel fronting the spectacular beach of Playa Santa Teresa on the southern Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. A Trip Advisor award winner, Pranamar offers luxurious two-story poolside villas, elaborate oceanfront villas and tropical bungalows, all designed with Indonesian flair. Pranamar evolved from the Susan and Greg’s experience of living in the Indonesian island-paradise of Bali. They loved living alongside a river where neighbors gathered in community. In that image, they created the four poolside villas alongside the “river” of their winding saltwater pool, along with abundant lush tropical gardens throughout the property. A hidden statue here and there, shells and rocks artistically placed in the pathways, all lend beauty to the eye at every turn.

The hotel’s name shows the owners’ passion in what they do. “Prana” in Sanskrit means “vital energy” and “breath”. “Mar” means ocean in Spanish. There is definitely an uplifting energy at Pranamar.

“At Pranamar, I feel like what we’re really doing is inviting guests to experience the beauty of life,” comments Nancy Goodfellow, Yoga instructor at Pranamar and Susan’s daughter. “To get out of our usual routines; to step aside and see this amazing nature around us and the beauty within us – this vital energy that is all around us. Simultaneously, one will experience this deep tranquility and inner peacefulness.”

The long tranquil beach of Santa Teresa is nearly perfect with its light beige-white sand shimmering with crushed shells and volcanic sea glass in the sunlight, shady palm and almond trees, and spectacular sunsets. Along with world-class surfing and top-quality Yoga classes, retreats and package vacations, there are numerous activities to do in the area, such as snorkeling, horseback riding, canopy zip line tours and nature tours.

“The memories and friendships established at Pranamar will linger in our collective hearts for a lifetime,” notes Susan.

 The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.
Arnold Toynbee

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
Albert Schweitzer

By Shannon Farley

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La semana anterior, la directora general de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (Unesco), Irina Bokova, vino de visita al país. El motivo de su viaje fue conocer de primera mano las famosas esferas precolombinas de Diquís, candidatas a convertirse en Patrimonio de la Humanidad.
De tal manera, la dignataria vio en persona estas estatuas monumentales, cuyo significado continúa siendo un misterio. Constató el proceso de conservación que se está desarrollando alrededor de las piedras ubicadas en la zona sur de Puntarenas.

El trayecto comprendió el paso por Batambal, Finca 6, El Silencio y Grijalba, que componen la totalidad de la propuesta de declaratoria solicitada por nuestro país. De igual forma, Bokova recorrió los montículos del Diquís, donde tuvo tiempo de practicar el senderismo. Finalmente, formó parte de un grupo de panelistas que discutió sobre la importancia de las jerarquías cacicales en la América precolombina. Para estas, sobre todo para los pueblos indígenas del sur de Puntarenas, la naturaleza era una especie de templo, en el que dichas construcciones aparecían a modo de decoración. Por eso, el escultor Jorge Jiménez Deredia argumenta que este es el origen de la vocación de los costarricenses por el cuido del medio ambiente. Por otro lado, el máximo representante del Museo Nacional, Christian Kandler, aseguró que el otorgamiento eventual de este reconocimiento se traduciría en un impulso para el turismo arqueológico de Costa Rica.

En la actualidad, la oferta local para el viajero es bastante pobre en este respecto. De ser exitosas, las ambiciones del Gobierno colocarían al país en una escala mayor de notoriedad. En ese sentido, aumentaría la protección de este tipo de patrimonio. A su vez, se incrementaría la cantidad de personas que podrían disfrutarlo y se auparía el aprovechamiento para el beneficio de las comunidades locales. Esfuerzos para la preservación. En épocas recientes, se han retomado las labores en las áreas arqueológicas de Diquís. El banderazo fue lanzado por la presidenta de la República, Laura Chinchilla, a propósito de la candidatura ante la Unesco. Posteriormente, los personeros del Museo Nacional han estado inmersos en un proceso de validación del estado de las piezas bajo tierra. La jefa del departamento de Protección del Patrimonio, Marlin Calvo, explicó que hasta ahora se han podido excavar dos esferas. Ambas han servido de prueba para el diagnóstico y la definición del método de intervención para el resto de las estructuras. El director, Christian Kandler, dijo que también se están realizando análisis para detectar las consecuencias de la restauración en la piedra. Por ejemplo, se están utilizando materiales idénticos a las de las esferas originales.

Además, en el mes de agosto se llevará a cabo la inauguración de un centro de visitantes en Finca 6. Se contará son exhibiciones museográficas sobre las zonas arqueológicas. Esta es una oportunidad que no puede dejar pasar. En ese sentido, la agencia de viajes Valle Dorado conoce muy bien la zona sur de Costa Rica. Le ofrecen toda una serie de excursiones cortas y medios de transporte que se adecuan a sus necesidades. Consúlteles las opciones para descubrir este enigma que aún tiene muchísimo más que develar.

Por: Andrés Figueroa Vásquez.

Connecting poverty eradication and environmental sustainability is the “make or break” for the world’s future, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). In this realm, small countries such as Costa Rica can rise to be world leaders.

“Small countries can pick up new ideas for sustainable development more quickly than large countries. Costa Rica is a good example of the path to be followed for the world we want,” said Helen Clark, UNDP administrator.

The UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone, states the organization’s website. Operating in 177 countries and territories, they offer global perspective and local insight to help “empower lives and build resilient nations”.

Ms. Clark was in San Jose, Costa Rica in March 2013 along with the Special Envoy of the French President for the Protection of the Planet, Nicolas Hulot, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Achim Steiner, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Carlos Roverssi, for a conference on the role of environmental sustainability in the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after 2015. Co-sponsored by the Governments of Costa Rica and France, and organized by UNDP and UNEP, the high-profile meeting brought together more than 100 participants from all over the world to explore how environmental issues can be integrated into the global development framework that is referred to as the “Post-2015 Development Agenda.”

In 2000, 189 countries of the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration to free people from extreme poverty and improve basic health, education and rights. This pledge turned into the eight Millennium Development Goals to be accomplished by 2015.

Millennium Development Goals

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV / AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

The UNDP and UNEP now are working to integrate environmental sustainability with economic and social progress, with an eye to the future after 2015.

“The imperative now is to move from a discourse focused on trade-offs between growth, poverty, and environment, to one which looks at how to advance the three strands of sustainable development together,” said Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand. “The world will not be able to sustain economic and social progress if the environment is wrecked. Unfortunately there has not always been sufficient political will to address these vital issues. Environmental protection is often seen as an obstacle to economic growth. Yet economic growth which strips out the planet’s ecosystems is not sustainable.”

Costa Rica in 2011 was highlighted by the UNDP for being a good performer on environmental sustainability. “Costa Rica, itself is well-known for pursuing environmentally sustainable approaches to development. Through its ecotourism, reforestation, an innovative system of payments for environmental services, and its drive to rely 100% on renewable sources of energy, Costa Rica has been putting the green economy into practice in ways which benefit people and the environment,” Clark said in her opening remarks at the March conference. “The world has much to learn from Costa Rica and others who share its commitment to sustainable development.”

Clark stated that Costa Rica is a leader in environmental sustainability, but still has a long way to go. “One of the most exciting initiatives that the UNDP has worked on in Costa Rica is on a sustainable platform in pineapple, since Costa Rica has become the largest exporter of pineapple without being particularly friendly with the environment,” she said, adding that sustainability should be repeated in other sectors, such as coffee.

“Traditional development patterns have pushed our planet toward its natural boundaries. Environmental sustainability is essential for safeguarding the world’s ecosystems and for building a peaceful and equitable world,” expounded Clark.

The actions needed to move the world onto a sustainable path will require commitments from governments, the private sector, and civil society alike. In her discourse, Clark quoted Costa Rica’s President Laura Chinchilla: “As global citizens, we need to face the future together … there are no passengers on this planet; we are all crew members.”

Contribute your own ideas as to how you want the world to be in the future. The UNDP launched an unprecedented global conversation on their website through which people everywhere in the world can help shape the future development agenda after 2015. Include your ideas on the World We Want 2015 website; then vote for 6 out of 16 priorities for the Post-2015 agenda through the MY World survey.

Travel to Costa Rica

Come see for yourself why Costa Rica is a world leader in preserving the environment. Costa Rica Special Deals is just the agency to take you there. The dependable online travel service, based in Costa Rica, offers top Costa Rica vacation deals. For instance, take advantage of their 7-Nights Birds & Monkeys vacation package deal to Costa Rica and visit San Jose, the cloud forest at San Ramon and San Gerardo de Dota, and the beach at Manuel Antonio.

Discover Costa Rica’s “secret” travel season – Green Season. Find great Green Season deals now with Costa Rica Special Deals. With so many places to see and experience, tours and hotels to choose from, and regions to stay in Costa Rica, you need an experienced friend in the travel business to help guide you in making your holiday as magnificent as you want it to be. Costa Rica Special Deals’ main goal is to give you excellent, professional customer service and ensure that you will return again and again to Costa Rica’s paradise.

By Shannon Farley

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En el Caribe costarricense se encuentra uno de los destinos turísticos más destacados de Latinoamérica. Este diamante en bruto fue descubierto recientemente. Con anterioridad, el desarrollo de la infraestructura se hallaba abandonado, por lo que el acceso era bastante restringido. Sin embargo, este aislamiento le permitió desarrollar una identidad cultural muy rica y distinta al resto del país.

El puerto de Limón es la capital de la provincia con el mismo nombre. Posee alrededor de 60.000 habitantes y es el eje afrocaribeño de Costa Rica. La mayoría de los residentes son hijos de inmigrantes jamaiquinos. Gran cantidad de ellos se establecieron tras trabajar en la construcción del ferrocarril que unía al centro del país con la costa. Tras la finalización de las obras, el Gobierno costarricense prohibió el libre tránsito de estos ciudadanos al resto del país.
No obstante lo anterior, hoy la negritud se celebra por todo lo alto. El orgullo por su patrimonio se homenajea mediante un festival durante el mes de octubre. Este evento dura una semana, que se engalana de música, bailes y conciertos.

Por otro lado, los viajeros a la región se dividen en dos clasificaciones. Por un lado, aparecen los tentados por el ecoturismo. Este surge debido a que existe una red extensa de parques nacionales y reservas biológicas en el litoral caribeño costarricense. Por otra parte, la aventura a otra especie de visitantes que ansían la adrenalina en excursiones terrestres (senderismo, excursionismo, puentismo) y giras acuáticas (surf, buceo y balsismo). Independientemente de la selección, todas las actividades pueden practicarse tanto en la zona septentrional como en el sector austral de la provincia. El Caribe norte se extiende desde Limón hasta el río San Juan (en el sur de Nicaragua). Es ideal para la pesca de corvina y alosa en el Refugio de Vida Silvestre de Barra del Colorado. También cuenta con una compleja red de canales interconectados y con sitios para avistar el desove de tortugas. Para esta última, es imprescindible mencionar el Parque Nacional Tortuguero. Asimismo, es posible observar tortugas, aves y otros animales.

El sur de la provincia va desde la capital hasta la frontera con Panamá. Presenta una mezcla única de playas hermosas, recursos naturales y riqueza cultural. Por ello es que resulta tan sencillo combinar aventura con historia natural, gastronomía y música. Además, verá arrecifes coralinos impresionantes, vegetación costera y bosques de altura media. En ese sentido, los parques nacionales de Cahuita y Gandoca Manzanillo son sitios reconocidos mundialmente por su imponencia.

Usted puede experimentar las maravillas de las zonas a través del paquete «Especial de la costa caribeña» de la agencia de viajes CRT. En primera instancia, conocerá frente a frente al majestuoso volcán Arenal, ubicado en las llanuras del norte. Posteriormente, se dirigirá a la práctica del balsismo en el río Sarapiquí. Sentirá la emoción de los rápidos de clase II y II, rodeado de lagunas únicas rodeadas de flora exuberante. Después de relajarse en el hotel Sarapiquí Rainforest, se dirigirá al litoral. Una vez allí, conocerá algunos detalles sobre el cultivo de cítricos en la excursión de la piña. Luego descansará como rey en Le Caméléon y podrá acceder a otras opciones disponibles para su entretenimiento.
Finalmente, se enamorará tanto de este país centroamericano que no verá la hora de volver otra vez.

Por: Andrés Figueroa Vásquez.

Would you be happier living in a greener area?

A UK study says you would. New research from the University of Exeter Medical School and the European Centre for Environment & Human Health in England has found that “people living in urban areas with more green space tend to report greater well-being than city dwellers that don’t have parks, gardens, or other green space nearby.” The research, led by Dr. Mathew White, was published in the journal Psychological Science.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines “green space” as land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation; green space includes parks, community gardens, and cemeteries.

Dr. White and his team of UK researchers analyzed data from a national survey of more than 10,000 people for nearly 18 years between 1991and 2008. They found that persons who live in green areas have higher life satisfaction and less depression and stress than those who live in concrete-dense areas with few trees and lawns, states the journal Scientific American. This trend held even if residents experienced changes in their income, employment, marital status, housing and health.

Data was derived from the British Household Panel Survey, a nationally representative longitudinal survey of households in the UK that ran annually from 1991-2008, containing over 5,000 households and 10,000 individual adults.

The new research does not prove that moving to a greener area will necessarily cause increased happiness, but it does fit with findings from experimental studies showing that short bouts of time in nature can improve a person’s mood and cognitive functioning.

Beth Murphy, information manager at the mental health charity “Mind” in England, reports: “For people living busy lifestyles in densely populated areas, being able to get outdoors and access green space is a great way to escape the stresses of day-to-day life. Our research has shown that 94% of people who took part in outdoors ‘green exercise’ said it benefited their mental health and can have huge impacts on physical health.”

Costa Rica, known as the “Switzerland of Central America,” has no shortage of green spaces. The entire country is covered with green – rainforest, cloud forest, tropical forest (lowland, moist and dry), swamp, pasture land, coffee plantations, fruit tree orchards, and plantations of sugar cane, bananas and pineapple. The list goes on and on. I’m looking out my window now, from my desk, at a sea of green grass, flowers, trees and shrubs just in my own garden.

Ready for a mental health boost of your own? Escape the stress of daily work, commutes, city life, etc. and dive into Costa Rica’s greenery. Walk in a dense forest beneath trees hundreds of feet tall. Fly on a zip line through the emerald tree canopy. Lounge under a green palm tree beside an aquamarine sea. Tour a coffee plantation and see how that great morning beverage is made. Discover a lost “you” in the misty verdant cloud forest. The possibilities are endless. Seeing “green” yet?

Costa Rica travel agency Team CRT will put you in the heart of Costa Rica’s nature. The agency knows the best of the country, what to do and see, and they personalize it for you, designing your Costa Rica vacation to fit exactly what you want. From nature tours to beach destinations, adventure tours, family vacations, relaxation vacations, honeymoons and golf vacations, Team CRT delivers you unforgettable Costa Rica vacation packages.

Team CRT is committed to sustainable tourism vacations that actively involve the local community in Costa Rica.

By Shannon Farley

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