Vacation Travelers Group Blog

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

Activities that are the mainstay of tourism in Costa Rica are mainly outdoor activities, so taking a little time to find out about what sort of conditions you can expect based on your Costa Rica travel plans helps you make the most of your Costa Rica visit. You can find interesting news by searching our local Costa Rica news pages.

Whether you travel to Costa Rica to ride mountains of water or test your bravery on a jaw dropping volcano expedition, you will find that any time of year in Costa Rica can be fun.

The Spaniards were the first to travel to Costa Rica and they named it “rich coast” which is Costa Rica in Spanish. And it is certainly rich in beautiful beaches known in Spanish as playas. With 1100 miles of coastline, Costa Rica literally has a beach to suit every personality, every taste and every wallet. Whether you’re a party animal, an avid surfer, a dedicated fisherman, a nature lover, or a laid back beachcomber, there’s a Costa Rica beach vacation for you.

The beaches border two seas, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The Pacific coast offers a sunnier, drier climate during most of the year. The Caribbean coast has beautiful beaches with a multi-cultural mix and Caribbean influence that lends a distinctive atmosphere. However, it is also bombarded with torrential rains during the rainy season.

Blue Flag Beaches – The best Blue Flag beach awards – Blue Flag beaches have been given this prestigious award as they qualify as having the best beach standards in Costa Rica. Blue Flag beaches have the best qualities in water, safety, environmental management and facilities. If you have booked a vacation with a Blue Flag beach then you are heading to one of Costa Rica’s best beaches.

It was Costa Rica’s best-kept secret. I first scouted here three years ago. I fell in love with the setting, and the scenery. I enjoyed good food, and good company.

It reminded me of lake country in Europe…from the dramatic, rich green landscape, the warm bread and crisp pastries in the little Austrian bakery, to the mini Swiss village on one side of the lake.

I couldn’t believe just how affordable property was here, either. Only a handful of expats had discovered this location, and they preferred to keep it to themselves. But word is starting to get out slowly about this hidden gem…

At International Living’s conference in Costa Rica in August 2010, this place stole the show. Some attendees toured the area before the conference. They liked what they saw…and they couldn’t keep it to themselves. We should have had two small tours of the area, one before the conference and one afterwards. That soon turned into four bigger tours…and a lot of excitement. There’s something special about this location…

We’re talking about Arenal, in north central Costa Rica. It’s Costa Rica’s lake country, and it ticks all the right boxes for a growing number of expats and retirees. The weather hovers in the high-70s year round. There’s enough rain to keep the landscape fresh and green.

Arenal often reminds visitors of Lake Tahoe…without the crowds. If you love hiking, swimming, windsurfing, fishing, boating, bird watching, horse riding, or kayaking…this place is paradise. It’s a secret part of Costa Rica, where you’ll find gourmet food, good company, and property prices that seem to belong in a history book.

But the secret’s slowly getting out…as more expats, retirees and property buyers uncover this hidden corner of Costa Rica.

Lakes, Rivers, Waterfalls, and Hot Springs

Let’s start with the natural beauty. It’s easy when you have the right ingredients: the country’s largest lake (33 square miles), a lush landscape of soft rolling hills, lofty mountains, and a towering volcano. For much of the year, only fishermen and sailors break Lake Arenal’s mirror-smooth surface; for a few months, stronger lake breezes bring in windsurfers.

The sharply pointed cone of the volcano reaches 5300 feet. It’s live. That means a spectacular fiery display most evenings…and hot springs. Resorts offer a choice of outdoor pools, with different water temperatures, swim-up bars, and spa treatments–a perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day.

The thermal water has reputed healing powers, and the volcanic mud is great for deep cleansing. There are a number of hotels that offer a variety of treatments…or you can simply soak contentedly outdoors in the heated water and relax.

Throw in crashing waterfalls, deep caverns, and misty cloud forests…and a total of 790 square miles of conservation area, parks and reserves…and “unspoiled paradise” sums this place up.

A Warm Welcome is Waiting…

The expat group in Arenal is small, but very active, and welcoming to newcomers. They meet regularly, often at the Gingerbread Hotel. Once you’ve dined here, you’ll know why. The chef, Eyal, serves delicious, fresh, gourmet food. He prefers to use locally sourced products. On the taste front, his food ranks alongside the top restaurants in Europe or the US…and at much more wallet-friendly prices. It’s by far the best food in Costa Rica.

And Now for the Bargains

The bargain-basement real estate is as mouth-watering as the food. Local-style three bed homes start at $55,000. For $179,000, you get 15 acres of jungle, rivers, pasture, and a small house. A well-maintained 2-bed home in a private community is on the market for $89,000. A home with its own private lake set in two and a half acres is…                READ MORE

Costa Rica Retirement

A group of Costa Rican biologists have discovered a new species of river crab, and experts believe the crab only exists in Costa Rica’s Southern Zone.

The discovery of the species, the Allacanthos yawi, was published in the September 2010 edition of the zoological taxonomist journal, Zootaxa.

The new species was found 1,000 meters above sea level along riverbanks in the Río Volcán, which is located at the basin of the Río Grande de Térraba, and along offshoots of the Río Cañas.

The male crab measures 2.8 centimeters in width and 1.6 centimeters in length, and the female reaches up to 2.7 centimeters in width.

The crabs are distinguished by olive and green colors on their back side and yellow and turquoise shades on their belly.

In Costa Rica, 18 species of river crabs exist, representing six different genera, including the most recent discovery.

For Ingo Wehrtmann, a researcher from the University of Costa Rica’s Zoology Museum and who helped identify the crustacean, the discovery is a rare treat.

“To discover a new species of river crab for the country isn’t something that happens often,” he said.

The crab was originally found in 2009 by Luis Rólier Lara Hernández, a technical assistant conducting biological research near Buenos Aires in the Southern Zone for the Costa Rican Electricity Institute’s proposed El Diquís hydroelectric plant.

The dam, should it be built, would be the largest hydroelectric project in Central America, potentially producing 630 megawatts. In spite of the project, Wehrtmann called for the protection of the animal and its habitat. He said that the greatest threat to the crab is the expansion of pineapple farms near Buenos Aires.

“This discovery should motivate us to protect rivers, streams and habitats that shelter a large number of aquatic insect species, fish and now crabs, which are only found in Costa Rica and are…  READ MORE

Costa Rica vacations

Once the most isolated and hard to reach region of Costa Rica, a new highway just opened in the last year has now paved the way for the South Pacific to become the country’s hot new tourist spot. Well renowned for its natural beauty, biological diversity and complicated ecosystems, the South Pacific region of Costa Rica stretches from the nation’s highest point, Mount Chirripo and the Amistad National Park on the mountainous border of the continental divide, all the way down to the Osa Peninsula and the Corcovado National Park.

The region also has, in the area known as the Southern Zone, more land set aside for protected National Parks and Forest Reserves than any other region in the whole of Costa Rica. Noted as being one of “the most biologically intense places on Earth” by no less than National Geographic, the South Pacific region contains many wonderful attractions for ecologically minded tourists, from day trips through the mangrove to Cano Island, on which lies the Cano Island Biological Reserve, to whale watching at Las Ballenas National Park, to visits to the Osa Peninsula with its exotic birds, azure waters and emerald canopies that stretch as far as the eye can see, the Guaymi Indigenous Reserve and Wilson Biological Gardens, in addition to numerous opportunities for activities such as diving and deep sea fishing.

For more traditional tourist attractions and activities, there are… travel Costa Rica

Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica

Costa Rica resorts

Villa Paraiso (Paradise Villa) our flagship and newly renovated and refurbished villa is a private luxury seven bedroom, seven and a half bath villa (now with an optional eigth bedroom owner’s suite) with a full staff — chef, housekeeper, and bartender. The villa has a large infinity swimming pool with a swim up bar and an eight-person jacuzzi. All bedrooms are air-conditioned, have an ocean view, and face the pool. The living room is uniquely decorated and furnished with custom-made leather furniture, a large 27″ television with cable, VCR/DVD player, and a super stereo system with CD, cassette player, and outside/inside Bose speakers.

Five of the bedrooms have king beds. One bedroom has two queen beds and the other has two double beds. All beds have comfortable feather matresses to ensure that your sleep is as wonderful as your waking hours are at Villa Paraiso. Each bedroom is uniquely decorated and furnished with an individual theme.

Click the links on our sidebar to the right to see pictures and a description of each bedroom and living room. Our bedrooms and bathrooms were recently renovated with the following changes: granite counter tops in the all bathrooms and the kitchen with new tile in all bathrooms with new updated plumbing and light fixtures plus crown molding in all of the bedrooms and living room.

This Costa Rica Vacation Rental all-inclusive plan provides three meals per day, snacks, and a full open bar for one price. The staff is there to provide for your every need and you will enjoy daily mouth-watering meals made by our talented Costa Rican chefs–from fresh seafood to Italian dishes. You will also taste fresh vegetables and fresh fruit like you have never tasted before.

All meals are served outside under the canopy, facing the view. Fresh seafood, vegetables, and fruit are house specialties as well as chicken, pork, and Italian dishes. Among the seafood served during the week’s stay are fresh mahi mahi, grouper, snapper, and…

Costa Rica Vacation Rentals

Looking for the perfect vacation rentals Costa Rica?

Villa La Amistad is comfortable with a well equipped kitchen, large dining room, private pool with waterfall over looking the Pacific Ocean on the Gold Coast in the Guanacaste Province. 1800 sq. ft. of air conditioned space and over 800 sq. ft. covered Patio space. It has all the conveniences of home, ice makers, washer and dryer, dishwasher, central A/C and ceiling fans, DVD-CD stereo, satellite TV and alarm system.

Exterior Rancho- with ice maker, sink, cooler, table for four and gas barbecue grill, a wonderful maid and overall beautiful surroundings. Optional amenities include massages, tours and more. Grounds include avocado, mango, papaya, and citrus trees with many tropical flowers for the humming birds. Howler monkeys, iguanas, and parrots frequent the area, as well as many other species of birds and animals.

By the pool of our Costa Rica vacation rental you can sun bathe or sit under the Rancho and grill the fresh catch of the day as you sip on a cold beverage. Or simply relax after a day of activities. When the sun goes down, the fiber optic lighting system throughout the landscape and around the pool will lure you to enjoy the night air. Average temperature is 70 at night, 88 in the day.

There are 9 National Parks just a scenic drive away. Canopy tours… read more Costa Rica vacation rentals

Are you considering:
- Moving to Costa Rica?
- Living in Costa Rica?
- Retiring in Costa Rica? Or…
- Even Working in Costa Rica?

If so, then this videos are made for you! If “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then this video will provide volumes of priceless information to help you assess the country and make informed decisions.

The best and most innovative part of this one hour video is that you will watch over 30 minutes of personal interviews – people just like you who have taken the challenge to move to a foreign land and adopt a new and more relaxed lifestyle.

Click on the sample interview below and see why this real person (not an actor), made the move to live, work and retire in Costa Rica and how he felt about it. Visit our web site for more sample video interviews of real people and their reason for choosing Costa Rica for retirement.

To create an informative video resource for those wishing to move, live, work or retire in Costa Rica. This video is dedicated to the ever growing number of people who are discovering Costa Rica as the perfect place to live, retire or even work. It is our hope that this DVD will help you make an informed decision by viewing the wonders of Costa Rica, enriching yourself with facts and figures, and especially viewing the four testimonials of foreigners that have successfully made the move.

Our Costa Rica Retirement Video contains no advertising or endorsements of any products, services or individuals.Read more Our video is intended as an independent and objective information source about living and retiring in Costa Rica…

Costa Rica Retirement Videos

Located in the province of Puntarenas on the Central Pacific coast in Costa Rica, the town of Quepos is situated across a tropical inlet that is enclosed by primary rain forest and is sleepy getaway that is growing in popularity yet manages to maintain its humble origins. Quepos evolved from the banana industry, into the palm oil industry, to now the tourism industry. In the late 1800′s, huge banana plantations were developed throughout the area. Bananas were shipped to locations around world from the docks that now service the renowned sport fishing and diving operations. During the 80′s much of the export was generated around the hearty African Palms with their abundant and quality palm oil.

There are many activities available for tourists to Quepos to enjoy, indeed the town’s primary income is now firmly tourism related. The majority of the town’s tourist activities are situated in the centre of the village, a charming six block square positively filled to the brim with everything from bars and restaurants, to banks, markets, stores, hotels, bakeries, gift shops and even art galleries. And that doesn’t even mention the more natural of the town’s attractions, its beautiful main beach and many associated sport fishing activities.

The dry months between December and April are probably the best, most action packed times, to take a trip to Quepos and those lucky enough to visit the town in February will encounter the annual Festival de Mer, a party that lasts the entire month and features concerts, sporting events, parades and a street carnival that attracts dancers from all over Costa Rica. Quepos is easily accessible via the town’s main bus terminal. Situated less than a hundred miles from the capital city of San Jose, Quepos is also the gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park, which is one of the nation’s smallest National Parks, but also arguably one of its most astonishing and unmissable.

Quepos is a must visit. Just a few minutes from the most visited park in Costa Rica Manuel Antonio.