Lake Arenal is one of the major attractions in Costa Rica. Located near the world famous Arenal Volcano, this lake is one of the sources of Costa Rica’s electricity. The place is magnificent with its surrounding rolling hills with dense forest areas in some places and patches of pasturelands in some places while dominated by the perfect cone of Arenal Volcano mostly on the east side.

The tranquility of Lake Arenal is best for people who would like to unwind form busy schedules and for honeymooners who would like to be left alone most of the time! The shorelines near Lake Arenal are best for early morning walks and those romantic moonlight walks you are planning with your partner. You can also go horseback riding following the shorelines with the wind blowing you hair.

There isn’t much partying at Lake Arenal so if you are planning to rock and roll all night, you might find this place inappropriate. But if you are a big fan of sports fishing, this place is definitely for you. Lake Arenal is known as one of the best place to catch a rainbow bass or a flying Machaca. Fly fishermen flock to this place primarily for the Machaca, which could reach about 9lbs within the lake. So if you plan to catch some flying fish in Lake Arenal, bring 8-10 wt. rods and 9 ft. leaders and smaller (size 4-8) poppers and streamers as your going to get a lot of resistance from these huge fishes. For best results, you should go fly fishing from January to February and August o December when the Machaca are its peak.

Arenal and La Fortuna area Hot Springs

Tabacon Hot Springs

Tabacon is the nicest of the three hot springs resorts in the area. Offers a huge variety of hot springs baths of varying temperatures, from steaming hot, to lukewarm. Aside from the eden-like hot springs gardens that are worked into the natural flow of the Tabacon River, the resorts hotel and spa feature all sorts of massage treatments. Tabacon for all of its natural beauty, is often flooded with tourists. The entrance fee is $45.00, you can also do the tour that includes ground transportation from La Fortuna and the guided tropical forest hike.

Baldi Hot Springs

Baldi really is a high quality establishment with impressive construction and even more impressive views. There are 16 different hot springs baths of varying temperatures. One of the pools is 45 C. It is also a little easier on your pocket book than Tabacon $25.00, so with Baldi you really can’t go wrong. Baldi has excellent night time views of lava flows when weather permits. Also, there is a huge pyramid from which you get a great view of the entire area from the foot of the Arenal Volcano. The views here are the best you will find from any hot springs resort in La Fortuna.

Eco Termales Hot Springs

The atmosphere is one of privacy and exclusivity. Eco Termales does not advertise, requires reservations, and limits the number of patrons to 100 at a time. The pools are cozily tucked within a corner of tropical jungle with big green trees towering over them. This place is purposely a little out-of-the-mainstream, thus offering something that the other places do not: privacy. Even though the ambience is one of tranquil privacy, there are no views of the Arenal Volcano. The hot spring baths are equally relaxing here, so you really don’t sacrifice much of the experience. Eco Termales offers five hot spring pools, and one cold pool. Since a visit here is relatively economical, you will feel good about your time invested at Eco Termales.

VILLA FOR RENTAL

You can’t make a better choice for a destination wedding than one in Costa Rica. Our clear sky, powdery sand and crystal-blue water make the perfect setting for your big day. It’s the reason many celebrities choose Costa Rica as the place to start their new lives.

To get you ready, even from afar, many professional wedding planners make planning stress-free. They can even tell you about special offers to help you stay within budget. Just a short plane ride from Florida, Costa Rica’s location makes it easy for the most important people in your lives to celebrate your wedding day with you.

And the memories don’t have to end once you have the last dance. You can also spend your honeymoon in Costa Rica’s tropical paradise. A Costa Rica wedding and honeymoon is the perfect way to start your new life together.

You will need a lawyer to handle the required paperwork.

ID Requirement: A Costa Rican identity card (“Cédula de Identidad”) and a Certificate of Single Status issued by the Civil Registry. Additionally, you must present this information one month prior to your wedding: name, profession, passport numbers, foreign address, birth date, place of birth, nationality, father’s full name, mother’s full maiden name, parents’ address, original copy of passport.

Residency Requirement: None. However, if you are not a Costa Rican you must have the following documents: A passport valid for at least six months, a certified copy of your birth certificate, a certified copy of your police record, an Affidavit of Single Status.

There is no waiting period unless you have been married before

Previous Marriages: If the bride has been previously married, she must wait 300 days after her divorce or the death of her husband before she can remarry. An official copy of the divorce decree or of the death certificate must be presented also. This requirement may be waived if she can prove that she is not pregnant before the marriage ceremony.

Women must take a pregnancy test.  If the pregnancy test is negative, there is no waiting period.

Please note that the marriage cannot be recognized in the U.S. until a marriage certificate is issued by the Costa Rican Civil Registry (Registro Civil). The issuance of the marriage certificate normally takes 4-6 weeks.

In order for the marriage to be recognized in the U.S. you must do the following:

The Costa Rican marriage certificate must be translated into English by any official translator of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. It has to be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Relations The certificate must be notarized and signed by the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section. There is a $32 fee for this service. All of the above steps may be performed by a Costa Rican attorney.

Under 18: Need parental consent.

Proxy Marriages: No.

Same Sex Marriages: No. However, commitment ceremonies are offered

In Brief have these items ready for a Costa Rican Lawyer:

Birth Certificates authenticated by the nearest Costa Rican Consulate. Copies of the bride and groom`s passports (first two pages with picture) Certification or Affidavit of Single Status given by a Governmental Office or by a Notary Two witnesses (not-indispensable) and passport copies of each

The bride, groom and witnesses must fill in the personal information requested in the form provided by the law firm.

For divorcees, please add the following Divorce Decrees authenticated by the nearest Costa Rican Consulate for divorcees;

Medical Certification of a negative pregnancy exam of the bride if her last divorce took place within the last 12 months, also authenticated by the nearest Costa Rican Consulate.

Mail the original documents above mentioned, or fax copies to your lawyers office. When faxing the documents, you will need to provide all the originals at the time of the ceremony.

Whether you’ve saved up for years for a fun family vacation or want a romantic honeymoon in a tropical paradise, Costa Rica offers something for everyone. This lovely locale isn’t one of the world’s most popular fun in the sun destinations for nothing. There are tons of great activities – on the beach or off, exotic and interesting plant life and wildlife, friendly people and of course, the amazing weather and beaches. Best of all, if you get the right vacation rental or vacation house, Costa Rica is one of the most affordable and flexible tropical vacations around.

If you’re looking for great vacation homes, Costa Rica vacation rentals are the best around. Getting a vacation rental is a great idea if you want an extended stay in exotic paradise on your terms. Whether you’re trying to avoid the hard partying singles of all-inclusive resorts or the stifling Club Med crowd, your own private vacation house gives you exactly the experience you’re looking for. Whether you’re after fun with the kids or a romantic getaway (or maybe both) vacation rentals in Costa Rica have some major advantages over standard hotels and resorts.

For one, vacation rentals give you tons of space. This is especially appealing for families. Many of the finest vacation homes in Costa Rica offer at least the same amount of space as you’d get in a 3 bedroom house, with most of them offering more. Anywhere from 1800 to 6500 square feet of blissful privacy can be yours with Costa Rica vacation rentals. Much more appealing than cramming the entire family into one or two cramped hotel rooms, all this space affords you and your spouse the opportunity for private moments while the kids are sleeping, and means that bickering siblings can each have their own private room while on vacation.

A large vacation house is also a great opportunity to get away with your extended family too, because there’s room for everyone. Imagine frolicking with all your nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in paradise without the added expense of extra hotel rooms or resort packages. And once you split the cost of these vacation rental properties, you may find them to be even more cost effective than all-inclusive resorts.

Renting a vacation home also gives you privacy. Instead of sharing a large resort with hundreds of strangers, and worrying about who your kids are exposed to, a Costa Rica vacation rental means that no one is looking over your shoulder or intruding on your fun – including unwanted attention from other hotel guests or pushy staff trying to sell you tourist packages. If you’re a newlywed looking for a romantic honeymoon, the last thing you want is a bunch of other guests intruding on your passion. Enjoying yourself in a private vacation house with your new wife or husband, with no interruptions, will definitely keep the sparks flying for the entire trip and give you memories to last a lifetime.

Vacation rentals are available through commercial renters, who specialize in providing the very best in vacation homes to ensure you have a fantastic vacation. Alternatively, you can look for a vacation rental by owner, who would be willing to rent out their private residence to you. Many vacation rentals include private patios and beach access, private pools and kitchen facilities so you can cook what you like and never worry about unexpected surprises in the local cuisine.

If you are eager to enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of Costa Rica on your next vacation, consider a vacation rental – it may be the smartest thing you’ve ever done.

Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Accommdations

Costa Rica’s Leading Golf Resorts

Pristine Beach Resorts

There are some beaches that are less popular in Costa Rica because they are difficult to get to and the journeys can be long to get there, but they are worth the effort. Take for instance the beaches on the Nicoya Penisula. Having just gone there recently for a night tour to see the Lora turtle laying eggs on Playa Corazolito, I can attest to both the duration and difficulty of the van ride to get there. And the beaches do not have many tourists, so they are clean and unspoiled. Here are some of the resorts that you should consider in this area:

Beija Flor

This resort near Mal Pais has 1 luxury villa and 11 spacious rooms that overlook the Pacific and a pathway that leads down to the beach. The surf is usually strong in this area and you can rent surfboards from the resort, as well as snorkeling equipment. Bike rentals are also available. There are inspiring yoga classes in their dojo which faces the ocean. A zip-line canopy tour and horseback rides along the hills near the beach are also available. Costa Rica fishing trips can also be arranged for marlin, sailfish, roosterfish, dorado and wahoo. Day trips via 650 cc motorcycles can show you a lot of the beautiful surrounding countryside. The restaurant features cuisine that has a modern French style and Asian influences are also evident. From San Jose, it takes about 6 hours by car or van to get there, but you can also get a flight via Nature Air. The contact number for the resort is: Tel. (+506) 2640 1007 and the email link is info@beijaflorresort.com.

Hotel Riu Guanacaste

This 5-star luxury hotel-resort is in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica and is convenient for travelers who take their flights to the Liberia International Airport. It is only a 45-minute car ride from the airport. It is located on Playa Mata Palo in Coco Bay (Bahia Coco). The surf and currents of the ocean are more mild here than on the Nicoya Peninsula, making this area a popular site for diving excursions. This area of Coco Bay is newly developed and the beaches are beautiful and less visited than other beaches in the area. All-inclusive packages at this resort include a tennis court, windsurfing, kayaking, an introductory scuba lesson, several sports activities, unlimited local beverages, a mini-bar, and daily entertainment for children as well as adults (including music). There is a casino on site and 3 types of specialty restaurants: a steak house, Italian and Asian. You get three meals per day and can make reservations at the specialty restaurants. For more information, click on the link above… READ MORE

Vacation Rental Costa Rica

The Lodge is located at the foot of Cerro Muchilla, or Muchilla Mountain, in the Province of Limon on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica. Cerro Muchilla is part of an eastern outcropping of Costa Rica’s southernmost mountain range, the Cordillera de Talamanca, much of which belongs to the enormous Costa Rican/Panamanian La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. This protected zone consists of a core -La Amistad International Park- and several surrounding wildlife and Indian reserves (which also act as wildlife reserves), adding up to a total of about one million hectares (2.2 million acres) of uninterrupted, protected land. This “green belt”, which spans southern Costa Rica from east to west, remains the least explored territory in the country, its biological wealth scarcely studied.

Selva Bananito Lodge is built on our family farm, of which only one third is actually used for farming. Our father, Rudi Stein, who has farmed in Latin America since the 1950′s, purchased the land for farming and wood exploitation in 1974. In the early years of his land tenure, he obtained a government permit to do selective logging on the forested portions of his land. This permit went mostly unused, and in 1994 our family decided to declare the untouched two thirds of the farm (850 hectares or 2,000 acres) a private, biological reserve and built the lodge as an alternative source of income. This was a moral, not an economic decision, since it is unlikely that the income from the lodge will ever approximate the commercial value of the protected wood.

The cabins stand on a ridge flanked by two streams. On one side of the ridge you will see the Bananito River and its valley, where the farm’s pastures, plantations, and reforested areas are (great birdwatching here!). On the other side your eyes will fall upon the beautiful Cerro Muchilla and the Amistad Biosphere, which our borders touch.

We realize that our very existence in this environment affects it, but we try to minimize our impact in a variety of ways. Rather than building the cabins closer to, or in the forest, we purposefully erected them in an area that had already been altered by human activity. Eighty percent of the hardwood used to build the cabins was obtained from “second class” wood discarded by loggers from trees already cut for other purposes. As much as twenty percent of a tree is classified as “second class” and is normally left to waste. We wish to set an example for how to maximize the use of a tree once it is cut down, because using trees efficiently is one way to reduce deforestation. Each cabin stands on stilts, in traditional Caribbean style. This type of architecture reduces moisture inside the buildings and improves the view and ventilation. Furthermore, far fewer insects and other critters find their way inside. Even so, you may want to inspect your shoes for unwanted guests before putting them on!

Many hotels and lodges in Costa Rica use the charming palm roofing inspired by traditional Indian architecture. The excessive use of suita palm for roofing, however, has contributed to its endangerment. Furthermore, this type of roofing requires regular spraying with pesticides to keep insects out (whether hotel operators admit to it or not). We therefore opted for thick tar paper roofing or synthetic roofing instead. Without the use of electricity we hope to create a quiet and relaxing environment for our guests and ourselves, very much in tune with the surroundings. If you need to recharge any batteries, however, we may be able to arrange it for you through the farm management. The main office is located in the building opposite the entrance to the cabins. Here you may leave valuables for safekeeping.

If you follow the main road downhill, you will find our rancho, which has a dining area, bar, and small library upstairs, and kitchen and personnel facilities downstairs. Meals are served at the rancho. Please advise us of any dietary restrictions as soon as is convenient.

If you are thinking of spending your Honeymoon in Costa Rica and you are sensible to environmentally friendly operations which will bring you in close contact with nature and allowing you to have either a relaxed or if you prefer a rather active honeymoon in Costa Rica, we invite you to discover the secrets of our unforgettable “Macua” Honeymoon Packages.

Costa Rica map

The rain massage, also known as a light-spray massage, is a sheer shower of pleasure. As you comfortably lie on a table, your body is caressed with fine droplets of heated water from a row of jets at a temperature most comfortable for you while you receive a massage from one of our massage therapist.

Our team all certified massage therapists and spa specialists carry a sense of gratitude and taking care of others. Extensive research from many disciplines has gone into our treatments to provide you with the best possible spa experience. Yoga classes are taught by professionally trained instructors and provide standard yoga instruction. The time and duration of the class is determined by the individual clients depending on their preferences.

We are dedicated to helping your find the balance between inner and outer health, leading to true happiness, serenity and rejuvenation. Located on an exclusive estate on the Southwest coast of Costa Rica, our spa blends traditional and modern treatments from around the world with the beauty and bounty of the surrounding rain forest. In the spirit of feng shui and influenced by Asian architecture, our spa is a beautifully finished sanctuary that will feel like you’ve entered a temple… Costa Rica Yoga

Costa Rica Spas

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

La Fortuna, COSTA RICA, November 2010 – Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort has earned a spot for the first time among the Top 15 list of Central and South America Resorts on the 23rd annual Condé Nast Traveler’s “Readers’ Choice Awards.” The luxury resort, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, and its Grand Spa, a member of The Leading Spas of the World, offer a world-class eco-vacation set among the rainforest and thermal springs of the Arenal region of Costa Rica. Conde Nast Traveler also recognized the resort for its efforts in poverty relief in this year’s “World Savers Awards” competition.

100% carbon neutral, as of March 2009, the resort and spa invite guests to participate in their green initiatives through voluntary contributions, programs to give back to the local community, and more. The resort and spa are repeat winners of Spa Magazine and SpaFinder’s “best in Central America” awards with accolades ranging from “best environmental practices” to “best mineral springs spa” and “best spa for affordability.”

Conde Nast Traveler readers participated in a survey in which they ranked their favorite resorts based on Activities/Facilities, Food/Dining, Location, Overall Design, Rooms and Service. Award-winning resorts excelled in all six areas, and Tabacón’s blend of luxury accommodations, impeccable service, and distinctive setting near the world famous Arenal Volcano and Tabacon hot springs, set it apart from the competition, winning it an overall 81.7 points out of 100.

ABOUT THE CONDE NAST TRAVELER “READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS”

Every year since 1988, a select sample of Condé Nast Traveler readers have taken the Readers’ Choice Survey. The survey invites participants to rank their favorite cities, islands, hotels, resorts, airlines, car rental agencies, and cruise lines. The questionnaire is available to all readers through a secure Web site. Fans rate each candidate in their respective areas based on a five-point scale: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor. All scores are averaged to determine a candidate’s final score for each criterion. Global Market Insite, Inc., of Boston tabulated the final results of the 25,916 responses. http://www.concierge.com/tools/travelawards/readerschoice.

ABOUT TABACÓN GRAND SPA THERMAL RESORT, La Fortuna/Arenal, Costa Rica

Certified carbon neutral resort as of May 2009 and the first hotel in the world to receive the Seven Stars and Stripes “green” certificate, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort is at the forefront of Costa Rica’s sustainability efforts. The resort has updated guest rooms and swimming pool areas, a rainforest-set spa ranked one of the “10 Best Eco-Spas in the World” by Concierge.com, and views of the “live” Arenal volcano. Tabacón is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Leading Spas of the World, and Healing Hotels of the World and the recipient of three-leaf designation for Sustainable Tourism.

The Grand Spa has 11 outdoor treatment bungalows, Yoga studio, and a menu of indigenous treatments including Watsu in outdoor thermal river pools and Volcanic Mud Wraps. The Spa, also noted as a “great value” and as “one of the Top 10 Spas in Latin America” by Travel + Leisure in their World’s Best Awards, features a three-unit Temazcal surrounded by the energy of the nearby Arenal volcano.

Costa Rica resorts

Manuel Antonio, the emerald of Costa Rica where the color green was conceived. I first came here 20 years ago as a freelance wildlife photographer. Primates are my specialty and Costa Rica has 4 species. I’d photographed gorillas in Rwanda, chimps in Uganda and orangutans in Borneo and was looking for primates in a place that didn’t take 2 days to get there from Manhattan Beach, California.

My passion for apes and monkeys began when King Kong first stole my heart in the front row of the Jewel Theater before my feet could even reach the ground. From my very first trip to Costa Rica the dream to live on a beach with monkeys in my yard wrapped itself around my brain. I moved here 5 years ago and now enjoy daily visits from 3 species of monkeys.

I’ve embraced the road less traveled with enthusiasm for more than 30 years. By far my most memorable experiences have been at the side of a native or an expat. I’ve stayed in the home of my Sherpa guide in the Himalayas, slept in a hammock in an Amazon village, and shocked myself by eating toasted crickets and silk worms with my expat friend Bernie at a roadside stand in Thailand. Don’t ask me how they tasted. My only memory is textures; crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside.

Now, I’m not suggesting you eat bugs on your next vacation. This is merely to illustrate the very different travel experiences you can have. I was fortunate enough to have a friend or to make a friend in each of these places who delighted in showing me what lay hidden within the white space between the lines of the best guide books. My mission is to be that person for you – the one who leaves you feeling as if you’ve seen the “real” Manuel Antonio.

If you’ve never been to Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is the perfect introduction. It has its own national park, beautiful beaches, incredible views, gorgeous rain forest, abundant wildlife, a great selection of restaurants, live music, and enough tours, activities, and services to keep you entertained for a month. If you’re.. read more

vacation rentals in Manuel Antonio