Spotlight Costa Rica-Lagarta Lodge on Nosara Beach in Costa Rica, See the Sea Turtles nesting

Lagarta Lodge is a small hotel sitting in the mist of a private nature reserve and with views to the beautiful blue green waters of the Pacific Ocean.  So if you are planning on a vacation to Costa Rica and want a place "off the beaten path".  A place with a great beach plus opportunities for nature walks  and bird watching in a tropical forest, then this is the place for you.  Its tranquil and beautiful.  The hotel is small and the service is very good, not hoards of tourists everywhere.

The waves are  big and surfing is good.  You can rent a surf board through the hotel  and  you can arrange for surf lessons.

The view to the Pacific Ocean from the rooms is lovely and you can walk to the beach in less than ten-fifteen  minutes.  The restaurant is open so you can feel the warm breezes and there is a nice view of the ocean.

You may  want to have a rental car or your own vehicle  if you don't want to do the walk to the beach.   On the way back it is a strenuous up hill walk.

A big event here May through November is the Olive Ridley Sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs, usually right after a full moon when the nights are very dark.

Learn more about Lagarta Lodge including directions on how to get there., room rates etc. Go to Google and type in Lagarta Lodge

[caption id="attachment_2818" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Lagarta Lodge Playa Nosara Costa Rica"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2816" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="lagarta Lodge Costa Rica Swimming Pool"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2817" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="View to the beach from Lagarta Lodge Costa Rica"][/caption]

Costa Rica Spotlight: Life at Hacienda Pinilla Costa Rica

What is so special about Hacienda Pinilla?   Is it tranquility?  The beautiful jewel blue-green Pacific waters?  The most gorgeous sunsets?  Golfing with a view to the ocean?   Riding a horse on a Sunday afternoon along the long stretch of unspoiled beach?    Experience a dry tropical forest filled with wildlife-howler monkeys, toucans, and green parrots?

You are one of the lucky ones if you are able to visit Hacienda Pinilla located in the northwestern  Pacific Guanacaste province of Costa Rica.   You can rent one of the gorgeous fully furnished condominiums if you would like a longer stay, or check into La Posada Hotel.  The grounds are meticulously landscaped and  tropical flowering plants  line the walkways.  Dine at El Choral restaurant with excellent international cuisine.

So many outdoor activities are here.  A world class golf course with a view to the ocean.  Stables to rent horses.  Great ocean waves for surfing.  Tennis courts.  Miles of trails for hiking to view wildlife.  Pristine beaches just to relax and enjoy the tropical sun.  Tropical sunsets like you never dreamed you would experience......very romantic indeed!   Swimming pools just to sit and relax and enjoy that late afternoon freshly squeezed lemonade.

There is so much natural beauty here.  Your eyes tire just from looking at the gorgeous landscapes, blue-green ocean, and  the colorful tropical birds.

The fantastic  JW Marriott Hotel recently opened on the property.  A destination unto itself.  It's right on the ocean, only steps away from the water  Read more about this wonderful place on the web at

www.haciendapinilla.com

[caption id="attachment_2810" align="alignleft" width="896" caption="Condominiums at Hacienda Pinilla "][/caption]

Want to See Bats? Go to Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica

If you are traveling to Costa Rica for a vacation and are in the northwestern province of Guanacaste be sure to take a day trip to Santa Rosa National Park. To get there take the Inter-American  highway (highway 1)  north from Liberia.  Drive about 35 km north from Liberia and watch for the signs to the park.

Santa Rosa National Park preserves the most important example of dry tropical forests as well as mangrove swamps  in Central America.   This park has been merged with Guanacaste National park and protects a very large area in the Northwestern Province of Guanacaste in Costa Rica.

This park does not have a lot of visitors.  Perhaps the reason is that it is off the beaten path.  In fact the day we were there we saw only two other cars.

What is so interesting about Santa Rosa National Park?  More than half of the one hundred and fifty species of mammals found in this park are bats.   Including the famous vampire bat. The area where these bats can be seen is named the Murcielago Sector.   The word Murcielago means bat.

What else would I expect to see in Santa Rosa National Park?  1. More than 250 species of birds  reside here. One of the most beautiful is the Magpi-Jay,  a large blue and white funny looking bird that sings many different songs.

2. Beautiful dream-like beaches  with names  like  Playa Nancite,  Playa Naranjo  and Playa Portero Grande You need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to get to these  beaches,   esp in the rainy season when the rivers can swell and you need to cross them in the car.   And you need a map which you get from the ranchers station when you first enter the park.    These beaches are virtually isolated with soft white-beige sand and big waves,  simply gorgeous!  The water is cold,  but we went for a swim anyway.

3. A Cultural Museum to Explore.  The Museum: La Cason de Santa Rosa.   Lots of bats inside this building!   This is a historical landmark . It is the site of the famous battle of 1856 when a North American named William Walker was driven out of Costa Rica along with his band of renegades who were trying to take over Costa Rica and make it into a slave colony.

4. The Olive Ridley Sea Turtle comes ashore at a beach named Playa Nancite.  These turtles  come in the thousands in September and October to lay their eggs in this soft white sandy beach.

You will need to obtain a map when you enter the park, and you should have a 4x4 vehicle.  At the park entrance station at the Santa Rosa Sector  you can purchase a map for $1.  The map  shows the roads, trails, etc.    Also, La Casona Museum offers additional information.

Read more about Santa Rosa National Park, see photos, and get directions:      costarica-nationalparks.com/santarosanationalpark.html

A Great Day Tour in Manuel Antonio-Quepos, Costa Rica. SPOTLIGHT: "The Rainmaker Tour" Home to the Harlequin Toad.

[caption id="attachment_2796" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Suspended Bridge above the rain forest canopy"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2797" align="alignleft" width="129" caption="Harlequin Toad in Costa Rica's Rain Forest"][/caption]

If you are traveling to Costa Rica and plan to visit Manuel Antonio-Quepos and want a true nature orientated tour, take the Rainmaker Tour.  You can purchase this thru Iguana Tours located in Quepos.  Quepos is a very small town, only three city blocks so ask anyone and they can guide you to Iguana Tour's office.

So why the Rainmaker Tour?  It is truly a venture into the rain forest filled with beautiful tropical birds and white face monkeys.  The trees are hugh and very tall.  There are suspended bridges built over the rain forest canopy so you can actually walk above the rain forest tree line.  You pass streams and waterfalls and can swim in a pool formed by a large waterfall.  A well trained guide will accompany you and explain about all the different species of plants and trees.  Be sure to bring your binoculars.  There are three species of toucans in this area.  Also bring your camera. The photography  opportunities are  excellent.

The tour begins with a walk along the Rio Seco's edge.  The easy walking paths are very well mapped  to take advantage of the gorgeous old trees some with buttresses of two meters wide, and the quietness is interrupted only by the sounds of the birds singing deep in the jungle.  We pass a troupe of white face monkeys which show great curiosity at our intrusion into their territory.

It seems that in this rain forest resides a unique toad called the Harlequin Toad.  This toad was presumed to be extinct but one day miraculously reappeared in the Rainmaker Rain Forest Area.  The guides are very good a finding this small toads but don't pick one up because they are said to be poisonous.   It's beautiful colors of yellow and black make it a very unusual looking toad.

Be sure to wear good walking shoes and a light weight rain jacket.  And cotton, cool clothes.  It can get very warm and humid here.  A delicious typical Costa Rican lunch is  included and natural jusices of pineapple, orange, and papaya are also served.  All in all a great day!

One Day in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. What Should I Do?

[caption id="attachment_2787" align="alignleft" width="640" caption="Poas Volcano National Park"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2789" align="alignleft" width="252" caption="Juan Santa Maria's Statue-Costa Rica's National Hero"][/caption]

If you are traveling to Costa Rica for vacations or whatever reason and have one free day in the central valley I recommend that you visit the Poas Volcano National Park.  It's close, only 1 hour northeast of Alajuela and the road  is good.  You could rent a car for the day near the San Jose International airport or buy a day tour through one of the many tour companies located in the central valley.  Your  hotel should have a tour desk where you can purchase these tours.  Try to get to the Poas Volcano summit early in the morning because clouds tend to cover the top of the volcano by 10:30 a.m.  Although,  often the wind will blow the clouds away, so stick around awhile.  There are two hikes near by.  One is to the old crater which has a lovely blue lake (takes about 1 hour up and back for this hike.  And there is a hike through the rain forest. (about forty five minutes)   Both are well marked.

If you are lucky you will see the volcano's geyser spewing and spurting hot water and vapors.  The crater is almost one mile wide.  Great opportunity for photos.

On way down from the volcano's summit you can stop for a typical Costa Rican lunch at Fredda Fresa's family run restaurant where they serve food grown right there on their farm.  They cook it all on a wooden stove.  And it is delicious, esp the fresh strawberry milkshakes.  And of course the freshly brewed cup of Costa Rica coffee.  You can see the coffee fields from the restaurant.

Then in the afternoon stop by the coffee tour at Doka Four Generations Coffee tour and learn all about how coffee is grown and processed.  You get to sample three of the different coffee blends produced  at Doka.  It's well worth the stop.  The coffee  plants are beautiful.  November thru February the coffee beans are bright red.  This is when the coffee is harvested-picked completely by hand.  People come from Nicaragua  do most of the coffee picking.   Costa Ricans pick  also but they seem to find work in factories and leave most of the coffee picking to the Nicaraguans.

As you come back through Alajuela, remember this is the home to Costa Rica's hero, Juan Santa Maria.  A large beautiful statue of him is located in the city park just as you enter Alajuela from the San Jose International airport.

Juan Santa Maria is a hero because he gave his life for his fellow soldiers at the battle of Rivas in 1856.  There was a north American named William Walker who with his band of invaders tried to take over Costa Rica and use it as a slave colony.  But the Costa Ricans resisted.  This young soldier Juan Santa Maria volunteered to carry the torch which burned Walker's fortress.  Santa Maria lost his life in this effort but saved the lives of his fellow soldiers.  The fortress burned and Walker and his men fled back into Nicaragua.

Alajuela also has a pretty square in the center of town with a large white church facing the mango trees which line the park.  It's worth taking a stroll here and sampling a cone of delicious Pops Ice Cream at  the corner ice cream parlor.   They even have the flavor Mango made from the many mangos growing on the trees in the park.  Alajuela is known as the city of the Mangos.

When is The Worst Weather in the Central Valley of Costa Rica?

The worst weather in the central valley of Costa Rica, San Jose, Alajuela, Grecia, Heredia,   and Atenas.  is September and October when the rainfall if very very heavy.  You can expect heavy rainfall every day and with good luck you will get some sunny mornings with the rain coming in the afternoons and into the night.   Also the weather is very cool and you will need a jacket and of course a big umbrella.  The rain will sometimes cover parts of the streets,  gushing from the city gutters.

So my recommendation is to try to avoid vacationing in the central valley in these months of September and October.

Travel Tips on Spending Money and other Things Related to Travel to Costa Rica

I am going to share with you some of the travel tips I have learned over the years while working as a travel agent and arranging vacations to Costa Rica for my clients.

American Express credit cards are not accepted everywhere in Costa.   Master charge and Visa are widely accepted.

If you make a purchase in cash for gifts to take home,  ask for a 10% discount because you gave them cash (not a credit card).  You can bargain better with cash, because credit card commissions are very high for the merchants.

Restaurants already have a 10% tip added to bill when it is presented to you.   If you had excellent service it is customary to add some to that,  say 5% or whatever you feel is right for you.

Take some  $1 dollar bills  to use for tips.

Put your cash and credit cards inside a money bag hidden under your clothes.  I carry a small amount of money in my pocket.  Keep your passport locked in the safety deposit box in your hotel room.

Take your student ID along.  You get discounts at museums and some other attractions, but you have to ask for the discount.

Changing money:  The international airport has a money changing counter but the exchange rate is bad.  There is an ATM machine located in the airport that takes VISA cards.  It is located across from the elevator on the Departure Level for arrivals.  Just ask  any airport attendant for directions to it.   Or you can simply   wait  until you get to the hotel to change  money.  Taxis will accept dollars.  Banks have long lines, so avoid the banks,  unless you are in a small town where the banks are not so busy.  But I always like to change, say $100 into colones.  Most tourist establishments will accept dollars, but it is better to "get the Costa Rica money (colon) straight in your mind."  So if you pay in colones,  you can determine  if the change they give you is correct.

Banks in Costa Rica are  where you can for sure find ATM  machines.   In most popular tourist destinations you can find a bank with an ATM machine.

ATM machines  are closed between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Debit cards are not accepted everywhere in Costa Rica.

Take only the credit cards  you will use on the trip.

Pack light.  Most airlines today limit the weight per suitcase  to 50 pounds.   If it is over that limit they will charge you extra, the amounts depends on the airline.

Small aircraft inside Costa Rica limit the luggage weight to 25 pounds per piece.  Ask ahead of time.  Last time I flew, I was allowed only one piece of checked luggage weighting 25 pounds or less.    I took  my backpack in my hand and they did not weigh it.

Clothing is casual, usually cotton jeans, shorts,  T-shirts,  rainproof light weight jacket,  comfortable walking shoes like  such as tennis,  beach sandals,  sun hat and sun screen.  bug spray.  However,  I see less bugs in Costa Rica than in Florida.   Small backpack,  small flashlight, small folding umbrella if you go during the rainy season.

Electrical current is same as North America.  You do not need a converter (like Europe)

Take an ample supply of medications  you take on a regular basis.  Interesting thing:  In Costa Rica you can buy across the counter (without prescription) all medications,   except narcotics.

Can I drink the water in Costa Rica?    Just the change of water can upset some people's stomach,  so when I am in Costa Rica, I keep bottled water with me at all times.   Is the water safe to drink?  Depends on the location,  so it is better just to drink bottled water.  Check the new bottle to make sure it has an unbroken seal.

Time Zone: same as central time zone in north America except  Costa Rica does not observe day light savings time.   In Costa Rica there is same amount of day light each day-all year .  Sun sets around 5:30 p.m. and rises around 5:30 a.m. every day of the year.

Departure tax per person  (which you pay at the airport upon departure) is  $26.00 per person.

The red taxis are the government approved ones.  At the airport they are orange.  They have meters but always ask when you enter the taxi,  "How much does it cost"?

If I get sick can I get a good doctor?  Yes, the doctors in Costa Rica are considered to be very good.  Some, especially specialist, have been trained in the US or other places abroad.  There are several private hospitals- Clinica Biblica in San Jose and  Hospital Cema in the suburb of Escazu are excellent hospitals with North American standards.

Remember the airlines will not allow you to take the following in your carrry on bags, purse, or backpack.  Liquids, over 3 ounces per container,  jells over 3 ounches per container.  Sharp things such as finger nail files, nail clippers, scissors.

I

Can You Guess Where this Beautiful Stretch of Beach is in Costa Rica?

[caption id="attachment_2776" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="This Beautiful Beach is Near Cabo Blanco and Montezuma Costa Rica"][/caption]

What is the Name of the First National Park to be Established in Costa Rica?

[caption id="attachment_2769" align="alignleft" width="203" caption="pristine white sandy beach Cabo Blanco Costa Rica"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2770" align="alignleft" width="156" caption="Cabo Blanco Beach, Costa Rica"][/caption]

Cabo Blanco National park is the first national park to be established in Costa Rica.  It is a  beautiful 1,172-hectare Nature Reserve, located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas province.  Two  immigrant,  Nils Olof Wessberg and his wife Karen Morgenson  donated the area to Costa Rica before the national park system was created.   You can find a  plaque erected  in their honor near the Cabo Blanco ranger station.

For many years,  only scientists were allowed in the area of  Cabo Blanco.  Now tourists can also enjoy the natural beauty of Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, but in order to minimize impact, the reserve remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. There are a number of trails that allow the visitor to explore the area.   For example Sendero Sueco that leads to the totally unspoiled Playa Balsita. From there, you can take another trail called Sendero El Barco. Both trails have tidepools so make sure you check with the ranger station before entering the reserve – otherwise you might get stuck at high tide.

Many wild animals can be found in Cabo Blanco.  such as howler-, spider- and white faced monkeys, sloths, iguanas, raccoons,  armadillos, anteaters,  and deer can be observed easily, while creatures such as the margay and ocelot are more elusive.   Marine birdlife is abundant, too, and you likely will see the brown booby, as well as magnificent frigate birds, laughing gulls, common terns and brown pelicans. In the coastal areas, large populations of fish, crabs , lobster, shrimp, giant chonches and clams are prevalent.

How can I get to Cabo Blanco? You can reach Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve by a four wheel drive vehicle on a 11 km long dirt road from nearby Montezuma.    Or, you can hire a taxi in Montezuma, where mountain bike rental provides another option for transportation. The park  is open 8 am to 4 pm Wednesdays to Sundays and an entrance fee of  $7 has to be paid at the ranger station. There you can also get a map explaining the trail system.   Part of the  beauty of this area is that there is no infrastructure.  Bring water and food along if you want to spend  some time walking the beach and hiking in the national park.

One of the most wonderful things about this park is there are few tourist here.  Perhaps because it is off the beaten path and to get here by car you have to put the car on the Puntarenas ferry.  Or take a commuter flight  on Sansa Air or Nature Air to  Tambor and then there  hire a taxi to Montezuma beach.

Is Tamarindo Beach Town In Costa Rica Named for the Tamarind, a Tropical Fruit Tree?

[caption id="attachment_2760" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="The Tamarind Tree of Costa Rica"][/caption]




[caption id="attachment_2761" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="Tamarind Pods"][/caption]

Tamarind is a tropical fruit tree native to Africa. It grows in tropical climates and can survive without a lot of rainfall, such as the NW Pacific areas of Guanacaste in Costa Rica.  Its tree itself is often planted for a shade tree and it's  fruit contains an acidic pulp, dark red in color.    This pulp is used to make a drink which quinches the thirst, and is very popular in Costa Rica.  If you are vacationing in Costa Rica be sure to order a Tamarind drink and see how you like it.  In the glass it has a color similar to red wine.

There is a small town in Costa Rica named Tamarindo, located on the NW Pacific beach of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacsate.  Don't know if it is named for this tropical fruit tree. Tamarindo is famous for surfing because the waves there are just right, even for beginner surfers.  There are long stretches of beach nice for walking especially in the late afternoon.  The sunset is beautiful.

Deep Sea fishing is great in Tamarindo.  The beautiful deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean offer the best of sailfish, large tuna, and marlin.

In recent years Tamarindo has become a very popular destination for young people looking for sun and fun.  There is abundant night life in the high season of December through March. And lots of small locally owned  restaurants.

So if you are traveling to Costa Rica and want a beach destination, check out Tamarindo and be sure to order a Tamarind drink.

Was Christopher Columbus Disappointed in What He Found in Costa Rica?

[caption id="attachment_2755" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Catholic Church Nicoya built by Spaniards 1640"][/caption]

Today October 12 is a Holiday in the US.  It’s Columbus Day.

On September 8, 1502 Christopher Columbus arrived on the Atlantic Coast of Costa Rica and took refuge just off the coast near what is now the Port of Limon.  Was he disappointed in what he found in Costa Rica?

The native Indians were friendly towards Columbus and his men and brought goods to trade  with them.  They brought cotton cloth, clubs, bows and arrows.  Columbus especially admired the pendants made of tumbago which is an alloy made of copper  and gold and the golden mirrors worn about the Indian’s necks.   The Indians communicated that there was gold along the coast to the south.   So Columbus named the area “rich coast” or in Spanish Costa Rica.  Thinking that it would be a rich jewel in Spain’s Crown.

But sadly, it turned out to be one of the poorest of Spain’s  colonies. And for many reasons.  Mainly it was the terrain which was almost impassible.  The impenetrable forest and raging rivers and swamps  made it almost impossible to navigate.

The Spaniards did not find the gold they have anticipated.  And for them this was a great disappointment.  Sixty years passed before  the first settlement  was established. Despite the obstacles the Spanish settlers began  to carve out the jungle to make their new homes. But life was hard.  They learned from the Indians  to use native methods  to cultivate  crops.  The land was fertile  and the forest abundant in wildlife.   But food was scarce. Generating wealth was difficult. The settlers became discouraged but  stuck it out.   Gold was consistently the theme  and the Indians always pointed south, and this gave the Spaniards the fever.  But these legendary mines were never discovered.
The settlers remained, carved out the land, built their homes, and raised their families.
Today Costa Ricans will tell you that it was this independent yomen farmer, working his plot of land in the hills that planted the seeds for the beginning of the great democratic tradition in today’s Costa Rica.

If you travel to Costa Rica  you will immediately see the Spanish culture, language, and traditions brought to the new world by these Settlers.  The King and Queen of Spain sent Catholic priest to serve  the immigrants and to convert the Indians.  Today Catholicism is the official religion.  Beautiful churches are found in every town and children are taught Catholicism in the public schools.
Costa Rica does not have an official day (holiday) to commemorate Christopher Columbus.

Planning a Vacation to Costa Rica? Should I Use a Travel Agent to Help Plan my Vacation.

[caption id="attachment_2744" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Poas Volcano National Park Costa Rica"][/caption]

If you are planning to travel to Costa Rica on a vacation and want to get the most from your time there and know how much you will expect to spend,  a Travel Agent specializing in Costa Rica is what you need.

The advantages are:  The specialized travel agent for Costa Rica has personally visited the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica, gaining the knowledge of the hotels and tours offered.  He or she will know if the value is in the hotel or what to expect from a specific tour.   Also she will be familiar with the distances between the destinations-for example how long does it take to drive from Arenal Volcano to Tamarindo Beach?  Are the roads good?

What specifically is the weather each month in the  most popular tourist destination?

If I had only  8 nights which  destinations should I try to experience?

Which airport should I fly into.  San Jose international or Liberia international?

What are the beaches like and how are they different one from the other?

Is Costa Rica really a great ecotourism destination?

What wild life can I expect to see?

What is the food like?

All these questions can be answered very well  by a travel agent specializing in Costa Rica.

Yes, you can surf the internet and make your own plans and reservations.  But a computer cannot talk to you and a computer cannot analyze.

So if you are thinking about a vacation to Costa Rica please consider costaricalearn.com.   Ann has 15 years experience in Costa Rica Travel.  Specializing in honeymoons, family vacations, and escorted group tours.  You may contact Ann to help plan you Costa rica Vacations  at  anncreed23@gmail.com

Are the Months of December through March really the Best Weather Months to Travel and Vacation Costa Rica?

[caption id="attachment_2735" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="NW Guanacaste Pacific Beach"][/caption]

The weather in Costa Rica is always a big dilemma for travelers. The months of December through March are considered the "dry" months which means that it rains less...and most of the time you will have the entire day sunny.  But this is the time that the hotels and travel companies charge more.  You can get significant discounts if you travel and vacation in Costa Rica in the months of May through November.  And these times are very nice.

The NW Pacific beaches gets less rain  and it is great to travel there  in the months of May through November.    This area of Costa Rica is arid and in the rainy season months you get sunny mornings and late afternoon showers.

I personally like to travel to Costa Rica May thorough November.  There are less tourist and all the prices are better.  I do my major outdoor activities in the morning when there is sunshine and if it rains in the afternoon, I just rest.

But if you are looking for sun all day long then plan your vacation December through March.  However there are areas of Costa Rica like the Arenal Volcano where  there is no dry or rainy season.  Here it rains a lot.  Get out early in the morning when the sun is shining and do your outdoor activities.

Want to Have a Costa Rica Expert Help Plan Your Perfect Costa Rica Vacation?

[caption id="attachment_2883" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Ann, the Costa Rica Travel Specialist Can Help you Plan Your Vacation"][/caption]

Are you thinking about taking a vacation to Costa Rica or a Costa Rica Honeymoon? And want expert help on the planning?  You have found the right source.    Ann Cabezas Creed  is a Costa Rica Travel Expert. She has fifteen years of experience planning honeymoons, family vacations, and group trips to Costa Rica, and is the owner of Unique Costa Rica Journeys, a travel company specializing in Costa Rica.

Ann will help  plan your Costa Rica vacation  to those special places, whether it is the beach, the mountains and the rain forest,  the National Parks and Volcanoes, whatever your destination wishes Ann can make sure your time is well planned to fit your desired activities and your budget.

Read more about Ann, just go to the top of this page and click on About US Ken and Ann.   You may contact her at anncreed23@gmail.com

What's the Weather Like in the Tortuguero Canals, Costa Rica in July and August

 

[caption id="attachment_2719" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Exotic Fan Plant along the Tortuguero Canals"][/caption]

The weather at the Tortuguero Canals in  Costa Rica during the months of July and August is rainy, however you may experience some sunny mornings, even a full day of Sun.  I travel to Costa Rica to see the  the canals in August for three days and I had two days of full sun and on the third day it started raining around 1 p.m. and rained well into the night.  Since this area is located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, it get a lot more rain than the rest of the country.  I suppose it has to do with the trade winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean bringing the rain clouds with them.  Therefore this area is lush and green with hundreds of different tropical plants and trees.

We did out tours of the Tortuguero Canals in the morning and when the rain came in the afternoon, I decided to go to my room and read my book, in bed.  A great afternoon!

This area of Costa Rica is one of my favorites.  It is so beautiful!  And remote.  Very few people live here because there are few roads so  the area is accessible by boat.

Thinking of vacationing to Costa Rica?  You would love a copy of our full length Costa Rica Travel Video "Costa Rica a Travel Adventure Spectacular" video. Just go to our home page of costaricalearn.com to the top of the page and click on "buy our video"  which leads you to a 3 minute trailer and also instructions on how to order the video.  Filmed and edited (three years in the making)  by Ken Creed a National Geographic veteran and Ann Cabezas Creed, a travel writer and Costa Rica Travel Agent.

I'm a Photographer, Where Should I go in Costa Rica to Take Great Photos?

[caption id="attachment_2714" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Poas Volcano Costa Rica"][/caption]

Tortuguero Canals Costa Rica

Since I am a photographer and my husband is a professional videographer I can recommend some great spots for you.  First, in the cnetral valley of Costa Rica, the Poas Volcano is a great subject.  Go early in the morning and you will have a better chance of getting it without a cloud cover.

Second is the Arenal Volcano located in the northern region of Costa Rica.  The Arenal has many moods.  Again go early in the morning because it also tends to get a cloud cover.  If you are lucky you will get one of its mighty eruptions with fire and hot rocks spewing from it's summit.  Also Lake Arenal is gorgeous early in the a.m. with losts of water birds and the view of the volcano from  the lake  is the best!

The blue River in the northern zone is a photographer's dream.  It is located at the base of the Tenerio Volcano.  However, it is hard to get to.  Requires a hike of more than two hours .  The water is sky blue due to the mineral deposits in it.  But if you love hiking and are in good shape, then go for it!  Sunset tours in La Fortuna will sell you a day tour to the Blue River.

The Tortuguero Canals on the  north eastern Caribbean  side of Costa Rica allows you to photograph the dense jungle with monkeys, crocodiles, and toucans.  Also the exotic tropical flowering plants are unique.

The  Southern Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica are lined with palm trees and coconut trees and the houses are painted bright colors of yellow, blue, and green, reflecting the Afro-American culture here.  Everything here has color.  The dense rain forest in it's thousand shades of green.  The sloths which hang out quietly in the tree tops, and the beaches are rocky and the water beats upon these rocks. There are lots of monkeys, crocodiles, and wildlife galore such as several species of Iguanas.  The whole culture here is colorful , even the fishing boats are colorfully painted in blues and yellows. It's a great place for a photographer.

So bring your camera and come on down!

costaricalearn.com strives to present travel tips that will make your vacation to Costa Rica a more meaningful one.   Bring your camera and come join Ann's escorted group tour to Costa Rica departing on June 19, 2010 for 8 nights.  I guarantee you will have wonderful photography opportunities.  Contact Ann at    anncreed23@gmail.com

Also

Costa Rica Spotlight: Like to Take a Trip on the African Queen "Down the Tortuguero River"

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Let's  travel to Costa Rica and take this wonderful lyrical five hour trip , not down the Amazon, but down the Tortuguero River to the Tortuguero Canals, and Tortuguero National Park, which run  parallel to the Atlantic Ocean on Costa Rica's north eastern  Caribbean sea shore.    We are not on the African Queen and we  are  not Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.  But we are having just as much fun floating dreamily down the Tortuguero River and the tranquility soothes the savage within us.  We pass an Ilan Ilan Tree and smell it's  sweet fragrance,  "things for which the most famous French Perfumes are make of."

A flock of green macaws suddenly fly from the top of the rain forest, making a swooping sound and land unexpectedly very near us.   Fresh water turtles, basking in the warm sunshine,  lounge lazily on the logs lining the side of the river.   Howler monkeys shake the branches high in the rain forest canopy,  certainly getting our attention.

Dug out canoes pass us painted in bright colors of green and yellow.  The local indigenous people who inhabit this region scout these waters for their daily food supply, mostly Tarpon, a large fish with beautiful white flesh.   These people are mostly self sufficient.  They grow their own vegetables and pick the wild fruit of bananas, coconuts, and wild pineapple.  They fish the waters and and hunt the wild forest  for the small pork,  a  pig weighing around three pounds.

At night  along the long stretches of unspoiled beach, we see the green sea turtle coming ashore, digging a large hole and laying its eggs.   We  are here in the month of July and hundreds of green sea turtles  can be seen here.   We visit the Caribbean Conservation Corporation in the small village of Tortuguero. It's purpose to to study and protect these sea turtles.

How can I arrange a tour to the Tortuguero Canals?  You can purchase a 2 night or 3 night all inclusive package.  Contact Ann at  anncreed23@gmail.com for the information you need about booking  this  2 night-3 day  ( All Inclusive)tour of this region.

What time of year is best to visit here?  This is a very rainy area of Costa Rica...no specific dry season here but we do get sunny mornings and many days it does not rain at all.  So any month of the year is good.

What is the weather like in the region of the Tortuguero Canals?  It is warm and humid.

costaricalearn.com strives to offer you helpful travel tips to make you Costa Rica vacation more meaningful.  Saving you time and money in planning your trip., and sending you to the most exotic and interesting places in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica SPOTLIGHT: Lands In Love, Hotel and Resort and Adventure Center all in One, A Pretty Place with a Pretty Name in Costa Rica

If you are planning a vacation to Costa Rica and are looking for a destination in a tropical setting, not so far from the San Jose International Airport then "Lands in Love Hotel and Resort" could be a great choice for you.  It not only has a pretty name but it is a pretty place!  Its only 2 hours driving time from the San Jose International airport, and located in a beautiful area of Costa Rica where you will see tropical rain forest and lots of wildlife.  And have a wide choice of outdoor adventure activities.   If you drive to San Ramon and take the highway towards the Arenal Volcano, approx. 1.5 hours from San Ramon  (32 km)   you will find "Lands in Love"

[caption id="attachment_2692" align="aligncenter" width="137" caption="Hotel Lands in Love, view from the room"][/caption]

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One of the big treats here is their restaurant which serves international as well as Israeli  food, specializing in vegetarian dishes as well as  special menus for diet conscious people.

The setting of the hotel is in a beautiful quiet valley surrounded by mountains and rain forest.  In the early morning you can hear the monkeys howling and the tropical birds singing.

Prepare for an exciting outdoor adventure.  The most fun is the canopy  tour, or better known as the zip line tour where you  swing high over the tree tops.  There are nine cable and ten platforms, three trails, two hanging bridges,  and one Tarzan swing.

Canyoning- Rappel down five descends from a 110 meter long waterfall and at the end the fun Tarzan swing and horseback ride through the cloud forest.

Take a horseback riding tour  along the Balsa River and the Cacique mountain with it's magnificent view.

Go white water rafting  passing through the tropical rain forest, deep canyons, and see all the colorful birds and monkeys.

Take a guided hike through the tropical rain forest, waterfalls, and along the Balsa River where we see toucans, monkeys, and exotic plants such as wild orchids.

And at the end of the day you can relax by the pool and enjoy the jacuzzi.

Learn more about Lands in Love www.landsinlove.com

Costa Rica: Young Ladies Pump Gas

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If you are on vacation in Costa Rica and you stop at a gas station to fill up your rental car, you will see something that you do not see in the United States.  Young ladies working at the gas stations.  ladies  pump gas , check your oil and water levels,   put air in your tires , even wash your windshield.  And they are very professional and efficient.  They wear a uniform and usually white  pants with a T Shirt.   And you get service with a smile.

In  Costa Rica you get full service when you put gas in your car.   You don't have to pump it yourself and  you will get all you fluids and oil checked.  And your windshield washed..all at no extra charge!  A great service!   I usually tip the attendant if he or she is smiling and friendly.

Costa Rica Spotlight: Tell Me The Most Interesting Place to Vacation in Costa Rica

From the Costa Rica Spotlight Series:  I would have to first ask you, would you want to go to the beach?  Or would you like to go to a rain forest and the mountains?  If you say the mountains then I would tell you the following:

The most interesting place for a rain forest and mountain vacation is the area of the Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna.  The reason is that this area has a diverse eco system.  It has a rain forest with hundreds of beautiful tropical birds and a great variety of monkey and other wildlife.   And of course the biggest attraction is the Arenal Volcano itself which spews and spurts lava and hot rocks from its summit.   At night is looks like the 4th of July fireworks celebration.

What activities do you recommend?  Depends of course on what you like to do.  My favorite is the zip line over the rain forest canopy.  There are two companies in Arenal which do this.  1. Arenal Mundo Adventura Ecological Park  and   2. Sky Trek   Can't really say one is better than the other.  I went  with  Arenal Mundo Adventura which had 11 platforms and was very high so I could clearly see the tops of the large trees.  Plus I saw a group of Toucans playing in the trees.

My next favorite is the hot spring.  I especially like the Tabacon Hot Springs because the water is just the right "hot" and cascades down so you can sit under it and let it roll over you.  The botanical gardens there are spectacular.   Also the spa is very very good.  The massage therapist are excellent and have extra training from Sweden.  There is another hot springs called eco thermales but I haven't been there yet.

Of course hiking around the base of the volcano inside the Arenal  Volcano  National is a unique experience.  You can hear the volcano "breathing"  We saw an eyelash viper snake.  Very small and green in color.  Our guide told us not to dare get near it, it's very poisionous.

You can choose from so many different activities.  Mountain biking, horseback riding,  ATVs,  river rafting,  river float,  birdwatching,  Day trip to Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve to see marine birds, crocodiles, monkeys, and much more.  There is a tour to a farm which uses only organic methods and you get to eat luch from all the different organic vegetables.

You can learn more about the tours  at  www.sunsettourcr.com

Also www.desafiocostarica.com

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