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 Read more
Is Costa Rica safe? I get asked that question a lot. The answer is yes. Costa Rica is a lot safer than other Central American countries. Costa Rica hasn’t even had an army since 1948, and the government has been fairly stable since then. Is Costa Rica perfect? No. Like anywhere else there are some areas that are safer than others. Living in a rural area is always safer than living in a large city. How can you tell if an area is safe before you move in? How can you protect your home and your family while living in Costa Rica?
Look for bars on the doors and windows. There are still lots of small towns in Costa
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 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. Read more
What are the entry/exit requirements in Costa Rica? What should I do if I want to become a Costa Rican citizen? These questions can seem overwhelming and sorting through all the information available is a big job. Fortunately Costa Rica has very clear policies and the government websites have reliable up-to-date information on the subject.
Entry/Exit Requirements vary significantly depending on which country you’re from. The United States, Canada and Great Britain amongst several other countries do not need consular visas to enter the country and are allowed to stay up to 90 days. When entering Costa Rica you need to show proof of a return trip, whether this is your first time coming
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.
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.
Everyone loves gifts. As a visitor in Costa Rica, it is very likely that your close friends and family expect you to bring something back for them. It is also very likely that you want to bring something back for them, a glimpse of a foreign culture, a small window into your most recent adventure. Why give them boring, impersonal souvenirs when you could find something special, a unique gift? The perfect place to find such gift is the National Arts and Crafts Street Market.
This market is located in the heart of San Jose across the Plaza de la Cultura and the National Museum. Founded in 1994 the market houses around 90 Costa Rican artists whose Read more
Why are so many people investing in Costa Rica right now? In recent years, Costa Rica’s economic growth has been largely aided by foreign investors. Due to this Costa Rica is very open to anyone who is willing to invest in a venture that will further the growth of the local economy. Investors remain interested in Costa Rica due to high education standards, political and economic stability. Many are investing in property and tourism which bring in large profits both for Costa Rica and the investor.
Property prices are rising rapidly in Costa Rica, particularly land close to the coast. When considering investing in property consider areas that have potential for tourism or that are currently being developed for Read more
Rio Celeste is a wonder of nature hidden in the northern part of the country within the Volcan Tenorio National Park close to the towns Guatuso and Bijagua in the province Alajuela. The neighbor town Fortuna gets tons of tourists visiting the nearby Arenal volcano. Rio Celeste, however, is in a rural area and visited by few tourists.
Rio Celeste is no ordinary river. Clear water runs races through the forest and then two rivers meet and sulfur and calcium carbonate mix to create a single bright, shocking turquoise river which then feeds several hot springs and a large waterfall. To get to the waterfall you’ll have to hike about an hour and a half through the national Read more
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