Kayaking (or boating) through the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is an exciting experience. You never know what animal or bird you’ll suddenly come upon next. Maybe a snowy white egret. Maybe a giant, toothy American Crocodile. Maybe a curious howler monkey lazily lounging in a tree. The refuge spans 953 acres and...Read More
Like stand-up paddle boarding? Come to Manuel Antonio and Quepos, Costa Rica, this December for the exciting Manuel Antonio Stand-Up Paddle Games 2014. At the Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica on Dec. 13 and 14, 2014, athletes will compete in four events in the popular sport of stand-up paddle boarding. There will be...Read More
Planning your next vacation? You might be used to staying in hotels and resorts, but maybe you should consider vacation rentals. More independent travelers are choosing to rent private homes and apartments these days instead of hotels, using websites like Airbnb and VRBO. Vacation rentals are often the most economic travel option for families and...Read More
You want to visit Santa Teresa, Costa Rica – named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with some of the best surfing in Costa Rica. But where is it and how do you get there? Santa Teresa Beach is located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica on the southern Nicoya Peninsula....Read More
The incredibly biodiverse area of Tortuguero should definitely be on your “bucket list” of places to see in Costa Rica. Called the “Little Amazon” of Costa Rica, Tortuguero on the northern Caribbean Coast is an untamed stretch of wild jungle and desolate beaches. You have swamp, lagoons, canals, marshy islands, dense rainforest, black sand beaches,...Read More
Ever dream of escaping every so often, even if it’s just for a few hours? With so many things competing for our attention in today’s fast-paced world, it’s common to want to get away. Visiting a day spa helps you switch off and relax, disconnect from the world, and restore your mind, body and spirit....Read More
Looking to get away for a quick fall break or Thanksgiving vacation? Maybe a romantic adventure holiday? If you are into nature and wildlife, Costa Rica is the place to go. A good Costa Rica vacation deal for the fall is the Romance and Natural Adventure Costa Rica Vacation Package at Maquenque Eco-Lodge in the...Read More
While Christopher Columbus is remembered in the USA in the upcoming October holiday, many other countries take a much broader perspective for their celebrations. The USA observes Oct. 12 (or the Monday closest to it) as Columbus Day for the date that explorer Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492. Spain commemorates Oct. 12...Read More
It may surprise you, given that the Central Valley, Central Mountain Range and Pacific Coast of Costa Rica are swimming under a rain cloud, that today on the Costa Rica Southern Caribbean Coast it was hot and sunny, with blue skies and calm seas. Costa Rica Caribbean Summer is in full radiant glory. While most...Read More
The setting: Romantic tropical beach, palm trees, balmy breezes, beautiful sunsets, candlelit dinners, lush rainforest. What could be a better backdrop for your destination wedding and honeymoon? Many brides and grooms these days favor a fun, exotic destination wedding with the built-in sunny honeymoon. For destination weddings, Costa Rica is one of the most popular...Read More
Each neighborhood in San Jose, Costa Rica has its own personality and character. The culturally-rich neighborhood of Barrio Amon in the capital city’s downtown center is urban, eclectic and funky. There are lots of art galleries, restaurants, cafés, bars, museums and cultural attractions. The Caribbean bus station is close. So is the Costa Rica Center...Read More
Like many beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Playa Guiones doesn’t have much shade. The coastline is lined with long grasses, shrubbery, very-low-to-the-ground stubby trees and some tall palm trees here and there. A nonprofit NGO in Costa Rica is working to change that. The Green Coasts Conservation Association (La Asociación Conservacionista Costas Verdes) is dedicated...Read More
Practicing yoga outdoors has many benefits, especially at the beach. In addition to beautiful scenery and fresh air, it takes balance, concentration and strength to hold yoga poses in the sand, so you get more of a workout. Here are six reasons why yoga is fun on the beach, from Nancy Goodfellow, resident yoga instructor...Read More
Parades, lantern ceremonies, traditional music and dancing will take place all over Costa Rica this weekend to mark the day that Costa Rica and four other Central American nations gained their independence from Spain. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are all celebrating 193 years of independence from Spain on Sept. 15. On this...Read More
There is a lot of talk in travel about eco-tourism and being sustainable. But what does that really mean? Is that simply turning off a few lights, not wasting water and recycling the trash? According to the United Nations, sustainability is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to...Read More
Calm seas and abundant marine life in the spectacular Pacific Ocean at Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica create an ideal environment for fun activities. For instance, now through the end of December is humpback whale-watching season in Costa Rica; and you can nearly always see large pods of dolphins while out sailing, boating or...Read More
In Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, organic healthy living is alive and well – especially at Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat. Budda Eyes Restaurant at the beachfront Santa Teresa Costa Rica hotel is dedicated to serving healthy, nourishing and innovative cuisine. “At Pranamar we try to satisfy not only your stomach, but also your soul...Read More
Green season in Guanacaste, Costa Rica is when the waterfalls at Rincon de la Vieja Volcano really show off. Near Rincon de la Vieja hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, four waterfalls flow, and all of them have pools where you can swim. Getting to the waterfalls is an adventure on its own – either by hiking or...Read More
It is amazing how many national parks, conservation areas, wildlife refuges and private reserves there are in the tiny country of Costa Rica. In the mountains of the Pacific Nicoya Peninsula, one little-known private reserve is the Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve. A wildlife refuge and reforestation project, the Karen Mogensen Nature Reserve serves as an...Read More
The Festival of Whales & Dolphins is once again making a splash at Uvita Beach in Southern Costa Rica at the beginning of September. You definitely don’t want to miss the 6th annual festival marking the peak of the annual migration of Pacific Humpback Whales to the Ballena National Marine Park in Costa Rica. This...Read More
There are women-only professional clubs, women-only gyms, women’s athletic events, and girls also rule at Pura Vida Adventures surf retreats in Costa Rica. Founded 10 years ago by surfer Tierza Eichner, Pura Vida Adventures brings women from the U.S. and other countries to the pristine beaches and rocking waves of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica for...Read More
Mother’s Day in Costa Rica is a really big deal. Celebrated every year on August 15, this year, the national holiday falls on a Friday, which makes for a long weekend that lends itself to quick getaway vacations and special events. The vibrant capital city of San José Costa Rica, has a lot going on...Read More
The Costa Rica Caribbean Coast has everything you’re looking for on your holiday, whether rest and relaxation, romance, adventure, family time, fun with friends, or new beginnings like your wedding or honeymoon. The southern Caribbean of Costa Rica has a decidedly relaxed vibe. Afro-Caribbean, Latino and Bribri indigenous cultures uniquely blend with customs of newer...Read More
I am never the same person walking into a yoga studio as when I leave. Usually I am always rushing to get to class, arriving just in the nick of time to get my mat laid out, and frantically trying to breathe my way into calm, poised relaxation. After an hour or so of stretching,...Read More
