Driving Tips

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July 18th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Travel Tips | No Comments »

Once you’ve landed in Costa Rica, there are a couple of ways that you can get around the country. If you wish to travel to Puerto Limon, or other distant locations, you can take a small airplane. At the opposite end of the spectrum, you could take a bus across the country, but that will be crowded and take a decent amount of time. For many, renting a car is the best way to explore the inland of Costa Rica.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when driving on Costa Rican roads. Some roads are good, particularly in the city, others are bad, and still others are very bad. Highways are not illuminated, so Read more

Fantastic Spa Deep in Costa Rican Rainforest

July 14th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Adventure, Costa Rica - Family Friendly, Costa Rica - Places to Eat, Costa Rica - Places to Stay | 1 Comment »

Trekking through the lush jungle of Costa Rica is exhilarating, but can also be quite tiresome. Why not plan to end your hiking, climbing, swimming and diving with a trip to the Tabacón Grand Spa & Thermal Resort, located deep in the rainforest. Starting out from San Jose, the trip to the Resort, in La Fortuna de San Carlos, takes about 3 and ½ hours by car, but it is well worth it.

The highlight of Tabacón is its natural springs, both hot and cold, that surround the private mountainside spa. An evening spent in the spa, sipping your favorite drink and watching red hot lava spew out of the active Mount Arenal Volcano, is unforgettable. Read more

Casados y Batidas in La Fortuna

July 14th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Family Friendly, Costa Rica - Gringo Favorite, Costa Rica - Places to Eat | No Comments »

Delicious dishes and fresh fruit batidas (milkshake-like smoothies) await at Soda La Parada in La Fortuna. This small open-air restaurant is a hit with both locals and tourists because it is clean, well managed, and the food is both good and inexpensive. A laid-back atmosphere dominates at Soda La Parada. Come as you are, grab a seat and wait for someone to take your order.

The Gringo recommends you stick with the Costa Rican fair, as the foreign dishes just aren’t as good. Casados, the typical plate of the country usually consists of a mix of rice, beans, cheese, potato, salad, fried plantain, and meat and the scrumptious batidas, banana being my personal favorite, are Read more

Costa Rica Casas!

July 6th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Culture, Costa Rica - Tourist Trap, Costa Rica - Travel Tips | No Comments »

If you are looking to settle down or at least have a nice vacation home in Costa Rica, there are a few things you need to do first. Even though ownership of land is protected by the law for locals and foreigners alike, it is good to contact the Costa Rican Chamber of Realtors, or AMCHA, as they have a great reputation for being honest. The Association of Residents in San Jose and a trust worthy lawyer are also great assets, as they can guide you through the process of obtaining land.

Deciding where to settle is a whole other issue. The province of San Jose is one of the most populated, with the neighborhoods of Santa Ana Read more

Zip-Line Through the Costa Rica Jungle Canopy

July 4th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Adventure, Costa Rica - Family Friendly, Costa Rica - Must See or Do | 2 Comments »

Don’t let the fact that zip-lining is general considered to be a “touristy” activity deter you from experiencing this thrilling sensation. While it is true that this is the kind of thing most low-key backpackers avoid like the plague, it is also an unforgettable experience that should not be missed. Flying through the jungle on a series of hooks and pulleys? Can you honestly say that doesn’t sound like a blast?

While there are many zip-line companies in Costa Rica, Monteverde’s Aventura Canopy is the best. Their 14 zip-lines reach up to 1,960 feet long, and at points sit at 260 feet above the ground. In addition to the lines, a trip with Aventura Canopy includes Read more

Nesting Turtles

June 10th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Must See or Do | No Comments »

The Ostional National Wildlife Refuge in the province of Guanacaste is one of Costa Rica’s sweetest spots for nature and animal lovers, thanks largely in part to the Olive Ridley sea turtles. This stretch of coast has been deemed one of the world’s most important nesting spots for these animals. Nesting occurs throughout the year, but the arribadas, or massive arrivals, happen only during the rainy season, from July to December. Having the chance to view the turtles drag their heavy bodies from the water to dig holes and lay their eggs before heading back out to sea under the bright moonlight is one of the most surreal experiences of a lifetime.

Stay in Read more

Wooden Crafts in Quepos

June 3rd, 2008 | Costa Rica - Best Shopping, Costa Rica - Business, Costa Rica - Culture, Costa Rica - Must See or Do | No Comments »

Costa Rica is famous for its carved wooden crafts. The problem is finding a shop that sells quality products without charging outrageous high-end art gallery prices. The solution comes in the way of Mot Mot, a shop located in the town Quepos.

Like many of the other shops in the area, Mot Mot sells a number of wood crafted products, including little animal sculptures, intricately carved boxes, and kitchen accessories. The shop is bursting with color; the crafters use yellows, reds, greens, blacks and purples in their crafts.

Whether you walk out with a wooden turtle or a cutting board, you are sure to have a great souvenir to keep or to give away. Although they

Sip the Aguardiente of Costa Rica

June 2nd, 2008 | Costa Rica - Adults Only, Costa Rica - Travel Tips | No Comments »

Take heed from the locals; the best way to quench your thirst after a long day in the Costa Rican sun is with a bit of Cacique Guaro. Throughout Central America guaro is the name of liquor made from sugar cane. In an attempt to cash in on the production of guaro, the government of Costa Rica established the National Liquor Factory, which manufactures the only legal brand of guaro.

This 60-proof hard liquor is sweet and smooth and often referred to as “soft vodka.” Most Costa Ricans prefer to pour a couple shots over a glass of Fresca and ice. Unless you’re looking for a kick, it shouldn’t be drunk as a straight Read more

Driving Tips

Fantastic Spa Deep in Costa Rican Rainforest

Casados y Batidas in La Fortuna

Costa Rica Casas!

Zip-Line Through the Costa Rica Jungle Canopy

Nesting Turtles

Wooden Crafts in Quepos

Sip the Aguardiente of Costa Rica

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