It’s night time and a crowd of people is anxiously waiting for one singular event. The turtles have been waiting close to the shore as more of them gather together and then as if by some secret signal they start coming to shore. They drag their large bodies on the sand and dig holes to lay their eggs in. The crowd of people are there for many reasons. Some are there to watch, some are locals there to protect the turtles and some are foreign volunteers.
This sight is most common during the rainy season or winter, but also occurs several times during the summer months. The turtles gather in huge groups or flotillas of thousands or even hundreds of Read more
Thousands of Costa Ricans have gathered for the highlight of the year, Fiestas Palmares 2011. Throughout the year there are several state fairs and festivals but none compare to Fiestas Palmares. The two-week long festival celebrates Costa Rican culture, tradition and customs through music, food and other activities.
Now half-way through, the festival has been a success and will probably continue to be so. In the coming days there are a variety of activities to please every taste. Every afternoon at 1:00pm starts Tarde de Arte y Cultura (an afternoon of art and culture), with the showing of an art exhibition and at 5:00pm a cultural activity. For example, January 18 will showcase a local Cimarrona while on the Read more
Nighttime falls and the sky lights up with red streaks spewing from the mouth of the volcano. On a clear night the view of Volcan Arenal is pretty spectacular. The surrounding town is La Fortuna, in the province of Alajuela. For a lot of people Alajuela conjures up an image of a hot city and the international airport. But Alajuela is lot more than that.
Three volcanoes sit on Alajuela’s borders. Tenorio and Arenal sit on the border with Guanacaste, Poas sits on the Heredia border. Surrounded by these volcanoes the northern plains become more rural with small towns scattered along the main roads. Such towns include Grecia and Atenas, both preferred by expats due to elevation and climate. The Read more
Some people come to Costa Rica to experience the culture, the people, the different landscapes, the rainforest, and so on. Others come to Costa Rica to relax. Plain and simple, no running around, no driving from one end of the country to the other. Just plain laying-on-the-beach relaxation. If that’s what you’re seeking, you’ve found it. Hotel Barcelo Playa Tambor Costa Rica is a five-star all-inclusive resort specialized in relaxation.
Book a vacation with Tambor and they’ll take care of everything from airport pick-up to drop-off. A driver will take you to Puntarenas where you’ll take a luxurious yacht across the Gulf of Nicoya to the resort located on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Once at Read more
When a country exports coffee, sometimes all that’s left for the locals is the worst in the crop. That’s not the case in Costa Rica. If you live in Costa Rica you can still get the good stuff and good prices. What’s the best? What are the prices? That’s all up to you but here’s some of the local brands.
Most supermarkets carry the big Costa Rican name brands: Cafe 1820, Cafe Rey, Volio, Cafe Montaña, Yodito and Cafe Maravilloso. Most of these coffees cost around $3 per ½ kilo at the supermarket. Some supermarkets carry the whole bean coffee which can be a better deal. You can buy a 4-kilo bag of Cafe Montaña whole bean for $8. There’s Read more
Playa Conchal is probably Costa Rica’s most exotic beach. The sand shines with the blinding glow of millions of crushed sea shells that cover this 4-kilometer beach stretch. The water is blue and clear, ideal for snorkeling and swimming in the warm water. Playa Conchal is closest to the town of Brasilito where you’ll find small lodges, restaurants, supermarkets and everything else you would need for a lovely day trip to the beach.
If you’re looking for more than a simple day trip to the beach, you’ll probably want to stay at Reserva Conchal, the only community located on the beach. Reserva Conchal is an exclusive luxury community where you can settle down at one of their condos or villas, Read more
Coffee is one of Costa Rica’s main exports. Why? ’cause it’s awesome coffee. Grown in Costa Rica’s highlands, the local coffee is amongst the finest in the world. Coffee plantations around the country offer tours to demonstrate the coffee growing process and the history of coffee in Costa Rica and its effect in the local economy. Want to take a look? Here’s three great tour options.
Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation is located in Naranjo, Alajuela. The tour, starting at $22 USD starts with a sampling of their coffee, then the tour of the facilities will show you everything from seed to roasting and brewing of the local coffee. Some added highlights are the Casa de Juancho, a replica of Read more
Partying like a monk may seem like a giant contradiction, but in Le Monastere the concepts of fun and peace exist in perfect harmony. Formerly a monastery, the main floor of this gorgeous building was converted into one of the most elegant restaurants in Costa Rica. The lower level is now the enchanting Cantina La Cava, a medieval style tavern. Located in San Rafael de Escazu, Le Monastere attracts elite clientele and its a great place to meet other expatriates living in Costa Rica.
The main floor is divided into several dining rooms and a bar, all of which are decorated in the french style, including beautiful marble statues and luxurious furniture. You can always hear the sounds of Read more
Costa Rica is home to some of the world’s best whitewater rafting spots. The famous Pacuare River “ranks as one of the great rivers of the world” says Michael Kaye, founder of Costa Rica Expeditions. There are other great rivers that have become popular rafting destinations in recent years including Rio Reventazon and Sarapiqui. Due to the popular demand there are more and more adventure tours available to these destinations. Here are some reliable tour companies and lodges that will make your experience unforgettable.
Rios Tropicales was amongst the winners of the 2008 Geotourism Challenge held by National Geographic and Ashoka’s Changemakers. They offer several 1-day rafting trips but they are famous for their Pacuare 4-day trips. This Read more
What is Gallo Pinto you say? Only Costa Rica’s favorite breakfast. Costa Rica food usually consists of a combination of rice, beans, meat, and vegetables. The typical Costa Rican breakfast is called Gallo Pinto, this meal exemplifies what Costa Rican cuisine is all about. Most families in Costa Rica eat a full serving of Gallo Pinto every morning before heading off to their daily activities. Most tourists have it at least once during their stay. If you’ve ever tried it you’ll want to have it again. If you’ve never had it, it’s so easy you need to make it yourself. So, here’s the recipe to make Gallo Pinto like a Costa Rican.
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