As the holidays approach everyone is planning their winter holiday vacations. What’ll it be this year? Arenal, Jaco, Witch’s Rock, Puerto Viejo? Sure you could try to enjoy the overcrowded beaches and packed tourist spots or you could go where the locals go.
Although Playa Samara in Nicoya, Guanacaste is mostly frequented by locals, it does get its fair share of foreign visitors itching to ride the waves. Only 10 minutes away, neighboring beach Carrillo is a totally different story.
Clean, Lonely beach.
Carrillo is actually in the neighboring county of Hojancha so the beach itself is much cleaner. There are trash cans and signs everywhere reminding you and everyone else to keep Carrillo clean. The waves are great Read more
Our hearts were filled with fear and excitement all at the same time. We were headed to the Occidental Allegro Papagayo All-inclusive Resort. Our stay there was a gift from our family. As we read the reviews online, our hearts sank. There were horrible horror stories and also stories of lovely vacations. We were so confused we didn’t know what to think.
The truth. The rooms are nice and comfortable. They are large, clean, air conditioned and they have hot water. The view from our third floor room was amazing. We had a great view of the pool, the beach and the forest surrounding the resort. Everything needs a little updating. A nice coat of paint, a couple Read more
Hidden in the rainforest at 2000 feet above sea level, just off the coast of Punta Uvita, is Rancho Pacifico. Green rainforest lodges are popping up all over Costa Rica, many offering similar services and amenities. Rancho Pacifico is one-of-a-kind.
The suites and villas are luxurious, romantic and even seductive. Each villa, treehaus or suite is totally private, hidden by the mountain canopy. Each one so perfectly integrated with its surroundings that it almost seems as if it’s part of the landscape. There are one, two and three bedroom villas, treehaus, spa suites and lodge suites. Each is individually designed, with luxurious details and amenities, making each one truly unique. In the treehaus villa, the elegant stone wall bathroom Read more
Located in Manuel Antonio, Gaia Hotel and Reserve has been awarded the World Travel Award for Mexico and Central America’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2 years in a row(2009 and 2010) and is currently nominated for the 2011 awards in that same category. In 2007 and 2008 this Hotel was also named Costa Rica’s Leading Boutique Hotel.
Evidently Gaia Hotel and Reserve has achieved an unmatched level of excellence on the Manuel Antonio coastline. The beach at Manuel Antonio is a blue flag beach. Blue Flag is a Costa Rican program by which the water and sewer institute monitors the water yearly to make sure the water is clean and safe. This 5-star hotel specializes in creating delicate balance between Read more
In the province of Limón, 43 km south of the capital city Puerto Limón lies one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist and relocation destinations. Cahuita is a small laid-back each town. The black sand at Playa Negra, the howling of monkeys and the sound of huge crashing waves makes for a relaxed, care-free atmosphere.
In this tranquil atmosphere the Afro-Carib cuisine shines through full of spice and decadence. Local classics like rice and beans, jerk chicken in coconut milk, rondon and local seafood raise the dinning experience to whole new level. Also on Saturdays Caribbean favorites like spicy beef or chicken patty and pan bon are sold by the locals.
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
Global warming, melting ice caps, polar bears. We all know there are tons of reasons why we need to take care of our planet. We all do our part one way or another, we recycle, buy organic and recycled products, or drive a hybrid amongst other things. But, what about when we’re on vacation? We are away from home and we have limited control over what is available to us and what we can do to protect our environment during that time. So why not stay at an Eco-friendly hotel during your stay in Costa Rica? Eco-tourism is growing tremendously, and there are many options for those who wish to support this growth.
L’acqua viva resort is a sustainable hotel Read more
La Fortuna de San Carlos in Alajuela is a beautiful town and a very popular tourist destination. The reason? Volcán Arenal, the country’s most active volcano is a must see. Every night the sky is painted with red sparks and lava spewing out the top of the volcano. A visit to this area of the country deserves a couple of days, so where should you stay? Here are two great places to consider.
Hotel La Pradera is a family owned and operated bussines. They offer two kinds of small villas, Standard room and Mountain Cabin. All rooms have hot water, A/C, cable TV and a gorgeous view of the volcano. If you want to get to know the Read more
The options on where to stay in Costa Rica are nearly endless. You can stay in a bed and breakfast in the capital close to the museums, theatres and historic district. You could also stay in a quiet hotel in the mountains or a luxurious all-inclusive resort by the beach. Everyone can find what they are looking for in Costa Rica!
The town of Monteverde is home to the famous cloud forest. The downtown area has a lovely down-to-earth, laid back atmosphere. So does the Hotel Fonda Vela located a few kilometers outside of downtown Monteverde. From its luxurious rooms with large windows you can enjoy the magnificent view of the lush cloud forest and also the rest of Read more
Planning a vacation to Costa Rica? I strongly recommend going with a villa or vacation home rental as opposed to a hotel or an all inclusive and here’s why:
Vacation Villas offer a more private vacation experience.
Villas accomodate larger groups and families better than hotels.
When split among a group a villa rental is a more economic option than multiple hotel rooms.
If you get a villa rental with a pool, you don’t have to share it!
With a villa or vacation rental you can do your own cooking in the kitchen. (Some vacation villa rentals offer an all-inclusive package, for those who don’t like to cook.)
Vacation villa rentals are more secure since no one is entering into
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