The Costa Rica Gringo

Romantic Getaway at Rancho Pacifico

July 13th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Must See or Do, Costa Rica - Places to Stay | No Comments »

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 Read more

Cafe Rica, the Unique Elixer

July 6th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Adults Only | No Comments »

My wife, Sandra and I started each day sipping Costa Rican coffee out on the balcony of our apartment. After bringing home a bottle of Cafe Rica our mornings got off to an even better start.

Café Rica is the country’s unique liqueur, a delicious elixir distilled from coffee, and sold exclusively in the country. It is available in supermarkets and souvenir shops in the tourist areas. The bottles are packaged in a burlap sack, a miniature coffee bag.

The first morning we were eagerly preparing our coffee and Café Rica when a tiny gecko exited the burlap liquor sack and hid behind the refrigerator. Imagining the tiny lizard’s journey from the plantation into our apartment became a breakfast Read more

Soccer Fever in Costa Rica

July 4th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Culture, Costa Rica - Family Friendly, Costa Rica - Gringo Favorite | 2 Comments »

It’s going around and you’re sure to catch it. Soccer Fever. In Costa Rica this is pretty much a permanent condition; soccer is more of a passion than a sport. Participating in the Gold Cup and the Copa America, this fever has only intensified.

Costa Rica’s participation in the Gold Cup was in one word, dissapointing. With a new coach and a new team, there were high hopes for the “selecccion”(national team). A prideful 4-0 win against Cuba was followed by a satisfying tie with El salvador and then a crushing 4-1 loss against the all-time rival Mexico. After a demoralizing blow, the Costa Rican team dusted itself off as it prepared to move on to the quarterfinals Read more

Helpful Tips to Keep Your Food Expenses Low

June 16th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Best Shopping, Costa Rica - Travel Tips | No Comments »

Will I be able to find the things I like? Where is it safe to buy meat and vegetables? These and other questions are common concerns when relocating to Costa Rica. It takes time to get acquainted with what’s available in your town and where you get the most bang for your buck. A particular challenge is purchasing meat and vegetables.

Most supermarkets have both a meat and produce sections but they are often less than stellar. Also the selection may be very limited and unfamiliar. Meat is almost as expensive as it is in developed countries but the quality is usually better. Most cows in Costa Rica are range fed, which makes for safer, better quality meat. Read more

Spice up your Costa Rica vacation

June 9th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Business, Costa Rica - Culture, Costa Rica - Gringo Favorite, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

What is it that draws so many visitors to Costa Rica? Typically, a culinary experience hasn’t been on most people’s list, until now. Two Eco-lodges have tapped into an unexplored yet highly successful venture, Culinary tours. Although Costa Rican food is not classified as fine dinning, most who have tasted it have fallen in love with it. Now you can take those delicious typical dishes home with you and have them as often as you want.

Inn at Coyote Mountain is a four room eco-lodge located in San Ramon. The grounds of the lodge are beautifully adorned by the many fruit trees and organic fruit and vegetable plantations. You may decide to enjoy the orchid garden or a Read more

Facts About Limón, Costa Rica

June 2nd, 2011 | Costa Rica - Culture, Costa Rica - Travel Tips | 2 Comments »

The Limón province includes many small rural towns like Guacimo, home to EARTH University dedicated to teaching agricultural sciences and proper use of natural resources in a tropical humid climate. Guacimo is a rural banana plantation area where tourists are a rare sighting. Guapiles is also filled with banana plantations. Since the main highway from San Jose to Limón goes through Guapiles there is some lodging available for those passing through to Limón or the surrounding natural reserves.

Other areas like the Talamanca region are famous due to the concentration of small native tribes that inhabit the area. The Bribri live in a secluded community where they work the fields, raise large families and speak the bribri Read more

Caribbean Deep Sea Fishing in Costa Rica

May 26th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Adventure, Costa Rica - Gringo Favorite, Uncategorized | No Comments »

This post comes to us via guest blogger Andrew Kolasinski:

Costa Rica’s largely unspoiled Caribbean coast has little development. But that means there are fewer services than on the Pacific side. Along the south Caribbean coast there is, as yet, no marina. The few fishing guides who operate must improvise their boat moorage, usually anchoring in sheltered bays.

While staying in Puerto Viejo I connected with a group of fishing-crazy American ex-pats who agreed to take me out on their boat.

Don, Lazlo and Sean had all permanently moved to Costa Rica’s Caribbean. Lazlo brought his 21 foot fishing boat from the U.S., and he’s happy just to have company on the water willing to share in the Read more

Expotur Costa Rica 2011

May 19th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Business, Costa Rica - Travel Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Expotur is the biggest event of the year for the tourism industry in Costa Rica. Vendors and buyers have traveled from all over the country and all over Central America to Expotur for the past 26 years and 2011 is no exception. Hosted at the Herradura Ramada Hotel in San Jose, 248 stands were used for this massive exhibition held May 11-15.

The purpose of Expotur is to bring vendors and buyers together and create alliances in business. Participants come from all aspects of tourism including water sports, adventure tourism, sun and surf , business trips and conventions, cultural tourism, educational tourism and even medical tourism. Airlines, food vendors and hotels amongst others also participate in the trade Read more

2 Great Spas to Heal Yourself from the Inside Out

May 12th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Best Shopping, Costa Rica - Gringo Favorite, Costa Rica - Must See or Do, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Green lush forests, colorful exotic animals, towering volcanoes and a variety of other landscapes have made Costa Rica a top destination for nature retreats and eco-tourism. Also growing in popularity are Nature and Wellness Spas. These havens perfectly combine rest, indulgence and adventure. Pamper yourself in a truly healthy environment, surrounded by pristine forests and wildlife.

Samasati is a nature retreat spa located just outside the Cahuita National Park, about an hour from the Panama border. Bungalows and guest houses are located deep in the tropical forest. A variety of scrubs, wraps, exfoliation, reflexology and massages are available at the full service Samasati Spa. One-hour treatments at the spa cost $85USD. Yoga packages include yoga classes, a spa Read more

Why travel after the Holidays?

May 5th, 2011 | Costa Rica - Travel Tips, The Best of Costa Rica, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Holy Week is one of Costa Rica’s most important holidays. On Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter or Resurrection Sunday there are processions and special masses all over the country. During this week, however, there is an almost biblical exodus from the cities to the beaches. Primarily the Guanacaste area. The streets are packed full of travelers, the beaches are crowded and hotel rates are at their highest. To top it off, Most businesses are closed from Thursday afternoon through the weekend and even those that are open cannot sell alcohol because of the Holy Week dry law.

Check out this quick tip for getting discount on a Costa Rica hotel.

Traveling during Holy Week requires Read more

Romantic Getaway at Rancho Pacifico

Cafe Rica, the Unique Elixer

Soccer Fever in Costa Rica

Helpful Tips to Keep Your Food Expenses Low

Spice up your Costa Rica vacation

Facts About Limón, Costa Rica

Caribbean Deep Sea Fishing in Costa Rica

Expotur Costa Rica 2011

2 Great Spas to Heal Yourself from the Inside Out

Why travel after the Holidays?

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