Jan Yatsko's "Explore and Create in Costa Rica" Tour

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"Explore and Create in Costa Rica Tour" with it's  emphasis on art and culture  is created and hosted  by Jan Yatsk0,   www.janyatsko.com Jan  lives in Costa Rica and is a writer as well as an artist.It is  a unique  learning experience into the soul and fabric of Costa Rican culture with  it's unique art and artist.   Jan is a recognized artist, painter, and sketcher. Her colorful paintings tell the stories of daily  life in this tropical paradise.   Jan and her husband live in Costa Rica, choosing the mountain community of Atenas.

Jan shares her love for art and nature in her  tour  "Explore and Create In Costa Rica."   She takes you to museums and  art galleries where you meet and interact with the local artist.  You visit an indigenous Indian Village and learn how the Maleku people keep their  ancient traditions alive.  You sit under an almond tree on the sandy white beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, watching playful white face monkeys.  And soak in a hot springs surrounded by lush rainforest,  at the base of the Arenal Volcano.

Under Jan's guidance and instruction you will work each day on you own personal travel art journal, with materials and colors around you to collage, paint, sketch, or write about the images  of your fun filled days.

About Jan Yatsko:   She is originally from Lancaster, Pa.  She and her husband came to Costa Rica on a bicycle tour and fell in love with the tropical beauty and the warmth of the Costa Rican people.  They decided to return and make it their permanent home and choose the little town of Atenas,  full of friendly Costa Rican people plus a small colony of North Americans .  Atenas is best know for it's  year round  perfect climate of spring like weather.

Jan's life as an artist, crafts person,  and teacher has led her down many avenues of the art world.  She has designed a clothing line for women as well as  gift products for a catalog.  But her paintings are what she is best known for, and these can be found in private collections in US, Europe, and Costa Rica as well as the Lancaster, Pa.  Museum of Art.

Jan's bi-monthly newsletter  "Pura Vida Costa Rica"   reflects upon her passion for art, nature, culture, and food.

Please visit Jan and learn more about her  specialized tour,  Explore and Create in Costa Rica   at http://www.janyatsko.com.  Here you can find  tour  itineraries,  dates offered,  price, etc.

You can sign up for Jan's bi- monthly newsletter.  Go on her web site where you will find how to sign up.

I would like to share with you a portion of Jan's April newsletter:  I quote Jan, "  The Costa Rica national bird,  the Yiguirro  has filled the air with a chorus of melodious sounds for the past month of March.  Their songs begin at 4:30 a.m. and continue all day until sundown.  Costa Rica folklore says the Yiguirro is singing for rain."

"We are in the month of  April,  when the first rains come.  The trees  sprout new buds and the grass smells sweet, , and the beautiful tropical landscape bursts into 1000 shades of green."

Brief History of Costa Rica

Brief history of Costa Rica :  COSTA RICA’S FIRST  PEOPLE.  Within these soaring mountains and dense mystical rain forests lived small non unified groups of Indians with diverse language and culture. They hunted and fished, and lived off the land by cultivating corn and yucca.  They were skilled in the art of ceramics, metal work,weaving, and stone carvings.  Historians  state that there were approximately 60,000 indigenous people in Costa Rica when Christopher Columbus arrived.
Summary of How Costa Rica Was Settled
Costa Rica,  is a small tropical jewel located in what is known as “Central America."  Nicaragua is its northern neighbor and Panama is it's southern neighbor.
In the year 1502, Christopher Columbus on his 3rd voyage to the new world,  landed on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast near by the present day  town of Limon in search of gold.  However, this search to  enrich the Spanish crown failed.  Columbus instead  encountered the rough terrains of raging rivers, rugged  mountains covered with dense rain forest , and a native population of people who looked upon the white man with distrust and suspicion.  And there was very little gold.
Columbus, however,  was in awe of the immense natural beauty of this land and named it Costa Rica meaning “rich coast”
What was the life really like here in 1502 , when white man first put foot on these beautiful palm tree draped beaches, towering mountains, and dense rainforest .. home to  hundreds of species of birds, animals, and plants?
Small non unified groups of Indians with diverse languages and culture were scattered through out  this land.  They hunted, fished, and lived off the land by growing crops of corn and yucca .  They were enthusiastic traders , exchanging ceramics, jade and gold as far north as Mexico and south to Ecuador.
However; despite the cruel hardships encountered in this mountainous rainforest the Spaniards continued to cross the vast Atlantic Ocean to explore  this new land,  clear it  for their crops and raise their families.  Soon small settlements grew into larger settlements and trade was begun with the Indians.
By the early 18th century, more and more settlers had arrived from Spain.  The indigenous population had died of diseases or been killed, and those remaining fled to the mountains for refuge.  The Spanish settlers worked the land with their own hands, without slaves,  Thus, the great democratic tradition (for which Costa Rica is famous) began with the independent yeoman farmer working his plot of land in the hills, creating  a spirit of pride and independence.
Wealth did not come to Costa Rica until around 1840 when coffee became a big business.  The rich soil and mild mountain climate was perfect for the production of coffee.

Land was granted free by the government to families to grow coffee, and soon large quantities were being exported to England and to Europe.   These wealthy Costa Ricans wanted more and traveled to Europe and sent their children to be educated there.
Soon,  this European influence began to be seen the in architecture of the homes, churches, office buildings.  The wealthy Costa Ricans adopted a more gentile way of life, built beautiful homes  in the European style,  and employed servants.  The women brought their elegant wardrobes from Europe, and the National Theater in San Jose was constructed to house operas for a sophisticated audience.

This article is meant to be a very brief summary so the reader can understand more about the Costa Rican people and their culture.   1. What language is spoken in Costa Rica?  Spanish is the mother language because the first white people to settle Costa Rica came from Spain.   2.  What is their religion?  Primarily Roman Catholic, brought by the Spanish immigrants from Spain.   3. Culture?  Latin in nature.  Costa Ricans are laid back, do not live  by a clock,   are family orientated,  friendly and they genuinely like people from other countries.

All Costa Ricans attend school to at least age 16 so the literacy rate is high.   Health care is provided through a socialized system which is not free. Participation requires paying monthly into the system.  The government is a social democracy with elections every four years.  Costa Rica prides itself in it's democratic tradition.  Most Costa Ricans, even the most modest income levels own their home and a small plot of land.   In the rural areas you still will find the proud farmer who tills his small plot, raising the basic necessities for his family such as a cow, pig,  and vegetable garden.

Tourism is Costa Rica's number one industry and coffee and bananas is second.  Also there is a lot of  industry,  Intel being one of the largest making computer chips.

Capital City,  San Jose.  It is not a visually pretty city,  very congested,  poorly planned, and difficult to get around in.  Best to hire a taxi to get get from point A to point B.

What is Costa Rica like today? It's still mostly agrarian, growing large acreages in coffee, sugar cane, bananas and pineapple.  However, around 1990 Costa Rica began to catch on as a small country rich in biodiversity and  natural beauty. The word "ecotourism" became a big word in Costa Rica.  Tourism gradually became the number one money maker.  Tourist love the natural beauty, volcanoes, beautiful beaches,  and rain forest filled mountains.

What do you think of this article?  I welcome comments and questions.  Just click on "no comment" at end of this post.  I learn from your questions and comments.  Ann

Driving from San Jose international Airport to Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

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We are renting a car  on our vacation to Costa Rica and want to know the best and most direct driving route from San Jose international airport to Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna.   We are renting a 4x4 vehicle near  the airport.

Answer to your questions by  The Costa Rica Expert: Your drive will take  around 3-4 hours depending on how fast you drive.  Many of the roads are over mountains so you have to drive slow.  Don't drive a night.  Keep in mind that the sun sets at 5:30  p.m.

From the airport head  north on highway 1 (Inter American  highway) .   for approx.  15 miles and turn right at the San Ramon exit.  (the exit before is the Naranjo exit)  follow the road thru the town of San Ramon;  you will see the huge cathedral of San Ramon on your left as you pass thru town.  Watch for the signs to Tigra -La Fortuna- Arenal but  you have to be very alert to see them.  (do not go toward Cuidad Quesada!)  If uncertain stop and ask.  Costa Ricans are very friendly and helpful.  Once you are out of town,  you are going to go over the mountains and this scenery is beautiful.  A segment of it is often foggy so  I  advise  you not to drive at night.   In approximately 1 hour you will come to a very small village called Tigra.  Just keep following the signs to La Fortuna -Arenal.  Gorgeous scenery of ornamental plant farms, papaya plantations, and lush green vegetation everywhere.  Rains  a lot so the 1000 shades of green are always here.  When you get to the little town of La Fortuna you will take a left turn at the main intersection which takes you on a stretch of road for about 6 miles.  Here are many small and large hotels and the famous Tabacon hot springs.  After Tabacon  hot springs you can take a left at the next  dirt road which takes you to the entrance to the Arenal Volcano National Park.   On past a small river  leads you up thru the jungle to the Arenal Observatory Lodge.  However: if you turn right just past the little river, the road leads you for about 4 miles (along Arenal Lake) to Rancho Margot-a self sustainable ranch which welcomes tourists.

If you want to see the beautiful large Arenal Lake stay on the main road.  From  Tabacon Hot springs , about 4 miles , the lake will appear on your left.   Boats line up there early in the day to take tourist around the lake to see birds and wildlife, and of course the mighty Arenal's firey eruptions.

What condition are the roads in?  Taking this route the roads are good.  Passing through the mountains some of the roads are narrow and winding,  just get an early start,  take you time and drive slow.  Especially from June thru Mid November  ( the rainest season).   Arenal Volcano is located in the San Carlos valley known as the bread basket of Costa Rica which gets a lot of rain.  That's why you see all the trees,  flowering plants, and crops so lush and green.

What is best time of year to see the Arenal crater and the eruptions?  It's a "hit and a miss"   Clouds often cover the volcano but eary morning is best bet to see it.  The month of March has the least rainfall, so you have a better chance this month.

Can you recommend a restaurant  along the way?  We always wait until we get to La Fortuna which has several small locally owned restaurants sprinkled around the town square.   However, there are some small family owned restaurants on the road from San Ramon to La Fortuna,  I just dont' have experience with them.

Please read my blog post on "Driving in Costa Rica, Tips for Safe Driving" under the travel category.  I welcome questions just clik no  comments and you can ask a question.

Traveling to Costa Rica Rent a Car? or Take a Tour Bus?

We  are traveling to  Costa Rica and want to see the countryside, not stay around the bigger cities.  We thought about getting a fixed itinerary tour where we are driven in a tour bus with lots other people.   However:  we would like to know if the other option of renting a car in Costa Rica would be a good idea?

Answer:   Yes, in your situation (considering what you want to do while you are in Costa Rica) renting a car in Costa Rica would be a good decision.   The main roads in Costa Rica are in good repair and have directional signs.  Gas is not so expensive (compared to Europe). It's around $3.50 a gallon.  If you are planning to drive "off the beaten path" a 4x4 vehicle is what you should rent.  Because some of these roads, esp in the rainy season have rough spots in them.  A good road map (given to you by your car rental company)  shows very well the main roads.  And Costa Ricans are very kind and helpful, just stop and ask if you need  additional directions.

Keep in mind:  Costa Rica is a mountainous country.  Distances as you see them on the map are deceiving and takes longer than it looks on the map.   Many of the roads wind around and around the mountains and require slow driving.  Drive during day light hours only, not at night,  and fill your tank with gas when you are in a town.  Distances between some gas stations are long.

A car gives you freedom to stop when you want and stay as long as you want.  You get to know the country better this way.  The small villages and rural farms are some of the prettiest parts of Costa Rica.

There are many many car rental agencies in Costa Rica.  You can find them by searching google.  Many of the main tourist areas outside the central valley of San Jose and Alajuela  have car rental agencies.  When inquiring about the cost of rentals be sure to ask them to specify exactly what insurance coverage you are getting.

The rental car agencies also rent cell phone by the day (around $10 per day) to make calls  within Costa Rica only.

I have 2 different blog post that teach you about renting a car and driving in Costa Rica.  I invite you to read these.  posted 3-6-09 category travel   "Renting a Car in Costa Rica:  Things You Should Know." and  posted 3-24-09 category travel "Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Tips for Saving Time and Money".

Disadvantage of bus tours:  If you take a tour bus you probably would be with a lot of other tourist, make a lot of stops along the way, and  take longer to get there.  You would not be able to stop exactly where you want and stay as long as you want.

I welcome questions;  at end of the blog post you will see no comment,  simply click on it and post your  comments and questions.

La Amistad Biosphere Reserve, Southern Costa Rica

Lets travel to Costa Rica, a small country in Central America, but big when it comes to conservation  and protection of its natural resources , sustainable development,  and ecotourism.  Twenty five percent of Costa Rica's territory has been set aside by it's government for the use  as Costa Rica's National Parks and Costa Rica's Wildlife Refuges, and the government uses these parks to attract tourist who come to experience the tropical rainforest, wildlife, and extraordinary outdoor activities.   One of the best examples is La Amistad Biosphere Reserve, Costa Ricawith 1.5 million acres of protected area.    Tourists come to Costa Rica to experience these natural attractions,  making Costa Rica one of the top ten places in the world  for ecotourism.    So many outdoor activities to integrate one with nature:  rain forest zips lines (Canopy tours) , butterfly farms,  serpentariums,  white water rafting,  rain forest treks, birdwatching, monkey watching, and on and on

La Amistad Biosphere Reserve  Costa Rica's largest unaltered forest reserve, and is a model of conservation and protection of Costa Rica's natural resources.   It is an enormous complex of protected areas that cover around 1.5 million acres or 12 % of Costa Rica's territory.  This encompasses  10 National Parks and protected areas  including La Amistad National Park,  Chirripo National Park,  Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve,  Tapanti Wildlife Refuge,   Wilson Botanical Gardens,  as well as  8 indigenous reserves.

La Amistad biosphere reserve is home to seven different life habitats, and six transitional ecological zones, due to the immense variation in altitudes, climates, and topography.  Within this reserve  can be found:  70% of  Costa Rica's wildlife species including giant anteaters, tapirs, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and tiger cats.   There are  500 species of birds and 115 species of reptiles and amphibians, and  "millions"  of insects.

A part of the reserve is home to some of Costa Rica's indigenous people.

Where is La Amistad National Park Located? 40 miles NW of San Vito in southern Costa Rica

How do I get there? Is La Amistad National Park accessible and do tourist usually go there?  In 1983 La Amistad Biosphere Reserve  was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.  However, much of the national park,  La Amistad , remains inaccessible and yet to be explored and mapped.  The park can be accessed from a base in San Isidro or San Vito.  But one should not enter without a guide due to the abrupt topography, great fluctuations in temperature, and wild animals. The well marked infracture for the tourist is not yet defined.

The Red Eyed Tree Frog, Tropical Rain Forest Costa Rica

If I could be a frog I would like to be a Red Eyed Tree Frog and live in the tropical rain forest of Costa Rica. I would be a beautiful frog, the envy of all the other frogs in the tropical rain forest. My skin is soft like silk, and my body is bright green. I am famous for my big red eyes. I can see in front, to the side, and partially behind me. I'm small in size but that does not matter, I can jump high and the sticky disc on the end of my feet enable me to climb high into the tree tops.

I love to eat crickets, and flies, and I'll even eat a smaller frog is I really get hungry. My life isn't so care free since I have to be constantly on the look out for snakes. Although I blend with the green tree leaves and am hard to see, the snakes or even a large bird would love me for dinner.

I am described by a big word: Amphibian. I began my life in the water as a tadpole and my tiny gills developed into lungs. And now I am able to live on land and enjoy life within Costa Rica's rainforest canopy. How lucky can I be!

I'm cold blooded, but actually I do not feel cold. I love when the warm rain falls onto my soft skin. Afterwards comes the wonderful sunshine beaming through the thicket of the tropical forests.

I love gliding from tree to tree, so please help protect my endangered home in Costa Rica's rainforest. Large numbers of trees are being cut down each year. And I'm worried that I won't have any more trees to play in.

I want to become a mother tree frog. So I will lay my eggs under water. I lay about 200 tiny eggs which hatch into very small tadpoles. The tadpoles swim around, eat shrubs and weeds. After a few weeks they grow back legs and then front legs and become froglets. then hop onto land and become real red eye tree frogs. Then they go into the Costa Rica rainforest and live happily ever after.

Where to find a red eyed tree frog? There are located in the dense rain forest of Costa Rica, and are not easy to find.

Are they poison?  Not to my knowledge.

Traveling to Costa Rica? Is It Safe to Drink the Water in Costa Rica?

I'm traveling to Costa Rica for 2 weeks of vacation.  Is the water safe to drink in Costa Rica?

Answer from "The Costa Rica Expert" There is no yes or no answer to this question.  Depends  on the location.

The country of Costa Rica has LOTS of water flowing  from the deep reserves  born in the steep mountain ranges.  So there is no shortage of water. Over all, one would say:  Costa Rica has good water.

I have lead many tour groups to Costa Rica.  Not commonly, but sometimes,  some of these tourist could not tolerate  "the change in the drinking water"  resulting in stomach cramps and diarrhea.  So what I advise travelers is avoid possible problems and  drink bottled water. And  check the seal to see it has not been broken.

Bottled water is available everywhere in Costa Rica.

One home remedy of sorts is to take one Pepto Bismol by mouth each morning.  This helps sooth the stomach lining , thus reducing stomach upsets.

Traveling to Costa Rica, Visit Rincon de La Vieja National Park, Costa Rica

Are you traveling to Costa Rica? This is a series of articles on The National Parks of  Costa Rica.   Rincon de La Viejo National Park. Let's  travel Costa Rica to the northern  province of Guanacaste to a special place called Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.  What is so special about Rincon de  la Vieja Volcano?  At the foothills of this volcano lies  20  areas  of hot springs,  boiling mud pots,  sulphur lakes, and vapor geysers that color the surrounding rocks  red, green, and bright yellow.  This is a bizarre geological phenomenon  unique to Costa Rica.   When the mud from these boiling pots is cooled,  it  makes  an excellent mud face mask.   People believe that it has properties that make the skin more beautiful. The hot springs can also be enjoyed along with a relaxing massage.

Rincon de la Vieja is inactive at the moment.  Geologists believe it's last major eruption was over 3,000 years ago.   Ricon  has a twin , located adjacent to her  named  Santa Maria volcano,  also inactive . (Shown in the above photo)

There are several trails within the park,  in good condition  and easy to walk;   however don't get off the trails!  You might unexpectedly step into a hot gurgling baby geyser!  You can even hike to the top of the volcano (if you are in good physical shape for hiking) and look over into the  inactive (for the moment) crater. Primary rainforest exists here and you can  see the huge trees that seem to reach the sky and not allow the sunlight in.   Lots of colorful tropical birds flying around and easy to spot.

Park is open  8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Entrance fee is around $7

Several small ecotourist  lodges in the area, not expensive.  You can find them on google or in one of the many excellent guide books on Costa Rica.  Among them:  Hacienda Guachipelin approx $110 for a double. Buena Vista Lodge  $73-$94 for a double.    Rincon de la Vieja Mountain Lodge   approx $65 for a double Plus there is the high end, more expensive,  Hotel Borinquen  $180-$314 for a double.



For the Costa Rica traveler this park is a "unique  and unusual experience"  esp if you are already in this northern region of Pacific northwest beaches.  How to get there?    From the San Jose area takes about 4.5 hours to drive.  Take highway one (Pan American) to the northern part of Costa Rica, past Liberia.  Then, about 4 miles north take a right turn  on the gravel road which leads to Curubande,  go 1 miles to the entrance to Hacienda Guachipelin, then enter thru the gate.  If you are visiting one of the many popular northwest beaches,  this is an excellent day trip.  Either by rental car or purchase a day trip from you hotel tourist desk.

How long should you stay?   1-2 overnights is sufficient to experience Rincon de La Vieja National Park.

Weather: dry season is December thru March with sunny days and cool nights.  Rainy season  April thru November so bring a rain jacket.  Temperatures during the day are warm so lightweight cottons are best and very comfortable tennis shoes with traction or  light weight hiking boots. Sun hat and sun screen.  binoculars for birdwatching  And of course your camera!