As with anything, it begins with a story. A small Central American nation yearning to grow from subsistence farming to being a world player with agricultural exports chooses to think big. Costa Rica is the country, and coffee is its most valuable commodity. The year is 1871. This is the decade of enormous world industrial,...Read More
I still remember vividly the first time a local gave me directions in Costa Rica: Go north 700 meters. At the “pulperia” turn left, and go west 300 meters. At the corner where the old fig tree used to be, turn right. Go 175 meters and it’s the papaya-colored house on the left with the...Read More
Just across the border, to Costa Rica’s north, lies the enchanting country of Nicaragua. The “Land of Lakes and Volcanoes,” as it is called, is easily reached by day trip or a longer weekend journey from Costa Rica. The civil war ended more than 20 years ago, and today, Nicaragua is one of the safest...Read More
What’s all the buzz about Stand Up Paddle Surfing? It’s one of the fastest emerging global water sports, that’s what. Also called Stand Up Paddle Boarding, or SUP for short, the sport is popular with surfers as a way to keep fit when surf is low and also as another way to catch waves. Because...Read More
“Keep close to Nature’s heart … and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” ~ John Muir Leaving everything you are familiar with and going to a new destination could be the recipe for any manner of trip. Add in a...Read More
The romance of traveling by train never fades. Trains mean a journey. The feeling of travel while sitting on a train is unique. The scenery flows past in a way not like from an airplane or in a car – especially if you’re the one driving and you can’t sightsee, but also because a train...Read More
If you are like a lot of travelers – I included – you generally tend to plan where you are going on any trip, as far as location is concerned, and probably also where you will stay. And unless you are going somewhere for a specific activity, or on a planned itinerary holiday, you tend...Read More
If you live anywhere near the ocean, even if you don’t surf, teaching your kids to surf is a great confidence booster that lets them learn a fantastic sport that brings enjoyment to all who do it. In surfing hotspot Costa Rica, at Jaco Beach on the Central Pacific Coast, Del Mar Surfing Academy is...Read More
Costa Rica wins top tourism honors again! Costa Rica nabbed 12 out of 25 spots for “Top 25 Destinations in Central America” in the 2012 Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Awards. The internationally renowned travel web site gave Costa Rican establishments 11 awards for “Top 25 Hotels in Central America.” And coming in at Number One...Read More
For art lovers, there is a museum in downtown San Jose that you won’t want to miss. Unique in its history, it used to be the terminal of Costa Rica’s old international airport, at the east end of where Sabana Park is today. The Costa Rican Art Museum (Museo de Arte Costarricense) is housed in...Read More
One of my favorite quotes about summer is … “The things we did last summer, I’ll remember all winter long.” Teens and kids, summer is almost here! What memories are you going to make to last all winter long? How about a really cool surfing camp vacation in Costa Rica with Del Mar Surfing Academy! Head...Read More
Staying in Costa Rica’s San Jose metropolitan area and looking for a fun, natural activity for the day? INBioparque is a great half-day trip close by that gives you an enjoyable and educational look at Costa Rica’s incredibly varied biodiversity all in one place. Located conveniently in Heredia, only 20 minutes from downtown San Jose,...Read More
Sure, Costa Rica has plenty of gorgeous beaches, and they are a big draw for visitors. On the other hand, the country’s interior is bursting with amazing tropical landscape, sights to see and things not to miss. There are active volcanoes, towering rugged mountains, lush valleys, rushing rivers, waterfalls, and breathtaking rainforest and cloud forest....Read More
The best part about all of the effort to make your wedding day the most memorable occasion is what comes next … the honeymoon, of course! There’s no better way to finish celebrating a lifetime commitment than with a trip of a lifetime. Wishing for sand and surf, sunny days, palm trees, lounging in hammocks,...Read More
Looking for the ultimate surf vacation and a great adventure? Costa Rica is the place for you! Chase some perfect waves and have the time of your life at Del Mar Surf Camp’s Co-Ed All-Inclusive Surf Camp. Ideal for both men and women, beginner & advanced surfers, Del Mar Surf Camp offers the best surf...Read More
Congratulations to Costa Rican Chef Randy Siles and the staff at Hotel Tropico Latino in Playa Santa Teresa! The star chef and the hotel’s Shambala Restaurant were featured in a key article edition of Costa Rica’s important cuisine magazine “Sabores.” The full-page article features Siles’ fusion style called “Author’s Cuisine” – a free-style way of...Read More
Fly into the airport and be at a dazzling tropical paradise beach in less than 1 hour! Where? The Guanacaste beaches of Costa Rica! The Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia receives flights from all over the world, and is perfectly positioned for visiting the northern Pacific beaches of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province. The Northern...Read More
In Costa Rica, there is an abundance of warm weather, glorious landscape and nature, and plenty to see and do. When planning your visit to Costa Rica, where you go depends on what you want to do. Two good tips: Note how much time you have and prioritize the main places where you’d like to...Read More
Exploring the little-known gems of Costa Rica’s national parks and reserves leads me to the very tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, to Cabo Blanco. Officially named the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, this small park is spectacularly picturesque with tropical forest, pure white-sand beaches, warm aquamarine sea, waterfalls and rivers and hundreds of natural...Read More
Coming to Costa Rica on vacation and always wanted to try surfing? Live in Costa Rica and want to see what’s up with the surfing craze? Or tried it, love it and want to get better? Del Mar Surfing Academy has your solution! Day Surf Camps for kids and teens run from June through September...Read More
A crimson sun slowly dips into the violet-blue sea. Streamers of pink and orange streak across the wide, deepening blue sky. Coconut palms bow lightly in the breeze. You and your beloved are there on the soft sand promising your love and commitment, exchanging rings and kisses. Sound like your dream wedding? It easily can...Read More
Giant puppet horses, giraffes on stilts, reggaeton superstars, Korean musicians and dancers, British rock legends and a host of other artists, musicians, dancers and actors will enliven San Jose . Costa Rica’s capital city transforms this week into a giant stage, playing host to more than 2,000 artists from 28 countries in the 13th annual...Read More
You’ve got your flight to Costa Rica booked, your hotel reservations or tour itinerary set. Now what about getting around? There are many choices, from in-country flights to renting a car, hopping a local bus or hiring a private shuttle or tour bus complete with bilingual driver. It all depends on how fast you want...Read More
Break out of your vacation routine! Recharge your life and do your mind, body and soul good on an active surfing and yoga vacation in Costa Rica! Active vacations, whether full-on adventure tours or more moderately-paced walking tours or yoga retreats, have become the number one choice around the world for how people spend their...Read More
