"FATHER TIME" IMAGES IN THE RAINFOREST OF COSTA RICA

 



"Father Time"

 

These mammoth trees which call the rain forest of Costa Rica their home, and we need to preserve them for all mankind.

THE GREAT GREEN MACAW IS BACK IN COSTA RICA!

The Great Green macaw is back in Costa Rica and can be found in the southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.  Here these birds live in the rain forest and feed from the almonds of the mountain almond trees.   The ARA project, a non profit organization, established to conserve the great green as well as the scarlet macaws has its home in the southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica.  It is staffed by several biologist and other volunteers who work to breed these birds and then release them into the wild.   You can volunteer at the ARA project.  To find out about how to do this go to their web site.  www.thearaproject.org    Keep in mind that Costa Rica is a tropical country and the southern Caribbean region is very rainy and hot.  Here you will find many species of tropical creatures such as snakes, and scorpions.  Also four different species of monkeys, sloths, and hundreds of different species of flora, fauna, and tropical birds.  This is an ecotourism paradise.

Or to watch a great video  showing these beautiful birds go the world wide web and type in  youtube.com/watch?v=nr5VMCkUk6s

Planning a Vacation to Costa Rica? By Ann the Costa Rica Travel Planner

[caption id="attachment_4335" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Costa Rica orchids"][/caption]

Are you planning to take a vacation to Costa Rica?    Read what Ann, The Costa Rica Travel Planner has to say.  And want to learn about the most popular and visited tourists destinations such as Arenal Volcano, Poas Volcano National Park, NW Guanacaste Beaches, Caribbean Coastline, Tortuguero Canals.  See white face monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws, toucans,  and more.  Zip lines, rainforest,  smoking volanoes....Get a taste of Costa Rica culture- Annual horse parade in Alajuela "Tope"   Colorful Oxcart parade in the old town of San Antonio de Escazu, and many species of orchids including the Guardia Morada-the national flower of Costa Rica.    Plus testimonials from North Americans who have retired in Costa Rica and started a new and exciting life in this tropical paradise.   We have the perfect DVD travel Adventure video on Costa Rica called "Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular"  You can purchase this video by going to the top of our home page and click "Buy Our Video"  There you can view a three minute trailor and then order the video.

So get your copy of this special video today and start planning your vacation to Costa Rica!

Contact Ann at  anncreed23@gmail.com   She will be happy to help you design your perfect Costa Rica Vacation.  Go to costaricalearn.com  home page and at the top click on "About the Costa Rica Experts"  and there you can reads Ann's bio.

Living in Costa Rica and Creating the Arenal Botanical Gardens, Tiliran, Costa Rica

This short story is about Doug Ward's life in Costa Rica.   Doug  came from Miami, Fla  on a vacation and instantly fell in love with Costa Rica.  He bought a farm, transformed it into a Tropical Botanical Garden, and opened it to tourist to learn and enjoy.

Written by Doug:  I first came here to Costa Rica's  first international orchid show in 1986 on one of those 4 day/3 night adventures. It was in March.
I returned in July and spent six weeks cruising around the whole country.
It took five hours to get from Boyeros ( stop light in Liberia) to Flamingo and I had to un-stick the Land Rover twice with a winch to get there !
On my way back to SJ; I passed through Tilaran and spent the night in Cabinas Los Lagos.Rode dirt roads to view the lava that night.
I told myself "this is where I retire".
20 years despues....I DID !  Pura Vida!

Yes. I consider this area of Tiliran to Be Costa Rica's  Pura Vida without the need of living in a cage.
I have a greenhouse, several garden areas, uncountable varieties of fruit trees, rabbits, meat chickens, egg laying hens, meat chickens, a small pig pen. I moved here to live like a Tico.
I have zero interest in PriceMart or Multiplaza.

I'm bringing some hams and also a beef brisket to make some corned beef this morning.
Come on by.

As to the wood for my projects, two Cabins and my house... It was harvested in the farm below me.I paid a good price but made the old guy some nice outdoor furniture( Adirondack chairs) as part of the deal.

This is what Doug had to say about living in the countryside--outside of the Central Valley area of San Jose and Alajuela:

WOW. You need to get out of the Central Valley. I pay 4200 a kilo for lomito de res, my cleaning girl is 850 colones an hour. My mechanic charges 2500 an hour, works fast and is good. The Honda shop in Miami charges $60 an hour and they're morons.
Put that water heater on a timer. I only run mine from 5 to 530 AM and can still take a fairly warm shower at 8pm..
I recently finished a cabin. It's all tricked out with hand made cedar doors, windows and furniture, etched glass,custom plaster ceilings with exposed beams. Italian ceramic, REAL plumbing and electric, alarm.
$42 / sf- turn key with dishes, coffee maker, stove, fridge and a new 32 inch TV.

Sounds like a real "Pura Vida" Doug!

 

A Great Day at Rio Celeste (Blue River)

[caption id="attachment_4318" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Rio Celeste Costa Rica"][/caption]

The road was winding  and rocky.  I thought we would never arrive.  The sun was warm but dark clouds settled in the east.  An impending rainstorm, hopefully not,  since we were on our way to the Tenorio Volcano National Park to see a river with clear sky blue water.  With a name very befitting-Rio Celeste.   Or Blue River.

This blue river has its birth place at the base of the Tenorio Volcano in the highlands of Northwest Costa Rica.   The water picks up sulphur and when the sunlight filters through, the water looks blue.

The hike was not easy to the river, through dense rainforest and mountainous terrain. Several inches of rain in the previous days had left the pathways deep in mud.  But off we treked  with much anticipation having heard there was a hot springs in the river near  the large waterfall.

After about one hour of hiking we reached the hot pool and of course could not wait to get it....so relaxing and soothing to the aching muscles.

The waterfall  was at least ten feet high and the sounds of the force of the water filled the tropical humid air.

I just could not believe my eyes!  Such a beautiful sight.  We all had to take photos so our friends back home would believe that we actually saw a river with blue waters.

The trip from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) took us around three hours because the last portion of the road is rocky  and loose gravel.  So come in a 4x4 vehicle.  (Look at your Costa Rica map and see this route.)

The other route: from San Jose drive north on highway 1.   Past the Canas Exit-- turn right when you see signs to Bijagua - around Bijagua  you can can find small hotels and tours to the Tenorio Volcano National park  and the beautiful Rio Celeste River.

Read more about Tenorio Volcano National Park and the Rio Celeste River at
www.costarica-nationalparks.com/tenorionationalpark.html

See photos of Rio Celeste  www.ruralcostarica.com/photos4.html

Pinktoe Tarantulas in Costa Rica Yes!

 

[caption id="attachment_4324" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="Zebra Tarantula"][/caption]

I  would like to share a letter I received from one of my readers who has a 60 pet  Tarantulas.  And he is taking a trip to Costa Rica soon, and will be looking for Tarantulas there.

Hi, I came upon your blog because I'm a tarantula collector who's also making a trip to Costa Rica soon.  I liked your post and thought you might be interested in more tarantula info.

There are a good many species of tarantula that live in Costa Rica.  Many of them are quite pretty (from a tarantula person's point of view) and, as "New World" tarantulas, are fairly docile.  Species in Costa Rica include the Costa Rican Zebra (A. seemani), Costa Rican Tiger Rump (C. fasciata), and the Pinktoe (A. avicularia), which are arboreal tarantulas, likely the ones you've heard are found in banana plants.  Pinktoes are actually extremely docile, compared to some other tarantulas (though they still should not necessarily be handled in the wild by inexperienced people).  You can Google pictures of them if you like.

You are correct that no tarantulas are deadly- no one in recorded history has ever died from a tarantula's venom.  Depending on the species, various levels of pain can be experienced from a "wet" (with venom- tarantulas don't alway inject venom when they bite) bite, ranging from a little worse than a bee sting (localized swelling and numbness) to serious muscle spasms, sweating and heart palpitations.

Tarantulas don't urinate, though.  Their biology requires them to conserve as much water as they can since they rarely drink  and often go weeks without eating- other insects, very, very small animals, where they also get much of their water.  For waste, they expel a guanine-based material that comes out looking like a white paste.  It's basically white, pasty poop with a very small amount of water mixed in.  They only do this rarely- again, conserving their resources.  As far as I can tell, tarantula poop doesn't irritate the skin at all.

Similarly, since they only eat other creatures (except for on the rarest of occasions when tarantula keepers have reported them eating something like a grape), which they detect as prey via vibrations (tarantulas' eyes don't see images, only the presence or absence of light) it is unlikely the tarantula was going after crumbs in your home.  It is possible it was coming inside to get warmer.  There is also a possibility that your tarantula was a mature male, since they rarely leave their homes- they're not big wanderers, except for mature males- however, if the spider was only an inch across, this is unlikely.

"New World" tarantulas do flick hairs, as you saw in the NYT article.  I had a similar experience to that man when I touched my eye after working with my tarantulas and got a urticating hair in it, though I did not need surgery.  However, that New World tarantulas flick hairs also makes them more docile, as flicking is their first line of defense- when they feel threatened, they don't have to resort to biting as their only option.

Lastly, unfortunately, the Cobalt Blue Tarantula (H. lividum) doesn't live in the Americas, but in southeast Asia.  They are beautiful in the correct lighting and also plentiful in the tarantula hobby.  They are not handleable, though- definitely one of the meaner species of tarantula.  They are an "Old World" species and don't have urticating hairs.  They also rarely seen by their owners because they are what's called an "obligate burrower"- they spend almost all of their time in their burrow.

If you ever wanted to keep a tarantula as a pet, look for something in the Brachypelma or Grammostola genus.  They are docile, easy to maintain and often quite beautiful.

Thanks for the post!  I'm really looking forward to our Costa Rica trip.

P.S. The black  Costa Rica tarantula in the photo above is a pinktoe.

Zebras are not only animals found living in Africa but also spiders which are found living in western Guanacaste region of Costa Rica .  It's called the Zebra Tarantula and lives burrowed underground.

Why is The Cost of Living in Costa Rica So High? What Happened to "Living in Paradise"

Are you thinking of  living and retiring in Costa Rica?   First,  you should do a lot of homework concerning  the advantages and disadvantages and especially on how much money you need to live in Costa Rica with  the same life style and standard of living you are accustomed to where you come from.


I will talk a little about my personal experiences living in COSTA RICA. I have been coming to Costa Rica annually since 1970  because  I married a Costa Rican.. and lived here for 5 years straight from 1998-2003.  Now in 2011- I see in the last 7-8 years the cost of living in Costa Rica  has steadily  escalated. In the last year 2010 to mid 2011 --the dollar lost 14% of its purchasing power!    The weakening dollar: the exchange rate went from 580 colones for one dollar to 498 colones for one dollar.

Presently, the dollar seems to be staying around 498-500 colones for one dollar.  If your income is in dollars-Fluctuations in exchange rates producing  uncertainty is a major consideration.

So why is the cost of living here so high and just what do you mean by high?   The are many factors:    First-Costa Rica is a small  country and imports  a lot of  items  related to daily life,  (although being agricultural it does grows a lot of the food consumed here.)   The cost of these imported items is  driven up  partly because the government slaps an import tax on most imported items.  Example are household appliances and  automobiles.  Also imported food items.  (Anything that is imported  into the country from outside it's borders.)

ICE- Costa Rica's  electrical company is government  run and is a monopoly so what does that tell you.  Therefore the cost of electricity is extremely high (commercial is 25 cents per kilowatt hour and domestic is a little bit less than that. ) I pay for the B&B  (commercial rate) which I manage around $110 per month and that is when I have NO  GUESTS.  I cook on a propane gas stove, wash dishes by hand,  and I do not  iron clothes.  I very occasionally use the clothes dryer.  Biggest expense is the hot water heater (I dont use the  lesser expensive Tico showers which heats  the water as  it comes out of the water pipe directly into a gadget which heats only that water- This method is very ineffective and often  times  you are showering in cold or luke warm water)    I have an older  double wide kitchen refrigerator which uses a lot of electricity.  I am very frugal with lights inside and outside the house, and use only cost efficient light bulbs.  I have no air conditioning nor heating-which is not needed due to the climate which is around 72 F. year round.  The elevation where I live is an almost perfect climate at  3,500 feet above sea level.

Telephones- the more you talk-the more you pay..this applies to home phone lines as well as cell phones.  You can have high speed internet service connected to your home phone line-it's a separate charge of  $35 per month.  If you dont talk much, then yes the home as well as the cell phones are cheap-however if you talk a lot you are charged per minute.  My cell phone bill is around $18 per month and I talk VERY LITTLE.   My home line -which I do talk a lot- is around $50 per month (then you have to add cost of internet service to this)

Water:  Is relatively inexpensive because it is so plentiful in Costa Rica.  I pay around $12 per month (when I have NO  guests in the B&B.)

Domestic help:  Is $3 per hour -however there are added cost to this.  And to calculate the added costs you need to go to the Labor office in your home town  and get a copy of ALL THE RULES  related to domestic help.  These rules are MANY  and the cost of them add up to quite a large sum of money.  Don't hire domestic help without understanding  and implementing these rules.

Cost of automobiles and maintaining them here in Costa Rica is VERY  high. First if you want to import  your automobile.  you must pay a very high import tax.   This tax is figured by the blue book value of your car and the import tax goes from 100% of the value on down (depending on the age of your automobile) Gas is around $5.50 per gallon.   Mechanical work is   expensive -similar to prices in the US.  Tires and brake pads have to be changed more often due to the pot holes in the road and the stop and start type of driving that goes on here in CR. To insure  your car costs about same as US.  The car has to be inspected 1 time per year which costs $25  and in December you have to pay the tag----and be prepared this cost is very high depending on what year and model your car is..new cars can be hundreds of dollars!

Cost of construction of a home is about same as in US per square foot. ( approx. $90-$100 per square foot-depending what kind of finishes you desire)  Construction is very slow and be sure to construct in dry season.  In rainy season workers loose a lot of working hours due to the rain--and you are required to pay for "some of these lost working hours"

Land is very expensive in CR- probably because it is a small country and just not that much land available to buy.   An acre lot in the central valley will cost around  $80-$90 a square meter and there are around 4,000 sq meters in an acre.  Planned developments charge a lot more per square meter......Beach lots are much  much higher in price.

Speculation is rampant on land prices so be sure not to over pay.  Spend a lot of time investigating for yourself and do not take someone else word for the value of the property.  North Americans usually pay a lot more than Ticos for the same property....so be careful.

Food costs are about same as in Atlanta, Ga  (where I come from)   However:  Fruits and vegetables are cheaper in Costa Rica.  But meat prices are higher.

Property taxes are low in Costa Rica

Labor  is cheaper however  it seems to take longer to get a job done here than in North America.  The Labor office in your home town will provide a list of labor prices for different types of work and professions.

A good restaurant will cost you the same as where I come from in Atlanta, Ga.  and if you are in a tourist area it will cost you more.  However: you can eat at a "Costa Rica Soda" which is a small place, locally run,  the food is simple and cheaper.

So why retire in Costa Rica?  Frankly, given today's cost of living here...I would say I can't think of a REALLY GOOD REASON but that is my opinion only.  In life there is a saying "different strokes for different folks"  Of course there are the advantages of the tropical weather with a lot of sun year round- and the beautiful green of the plants, trees, and flowers.  And  North Americans seem to live in areas where other North American live so one can make new friends.  The beaches are relatively close,  however a stay at a lovely beach if pricey- after you factor in  the cost of the gasoline to get there- takes 2-4 hours to drive to the nicer beaches from the central valley.  The hotels vary in prices-depending on how much comfort  and luxury you want to pay for.

Security ....I know you have read on many web sites about the serious problems with robberies in Costa Rica.  Visitors often said to  me,  "Seems that there are bars on everything, homes and businesses. "   "Why is that?'  Well, my answer is:  Because they must protect their homes and businesses from thieves.  Sadly, this is a very serious problem in Costa Rica.   Especially in the rural areas where there are few policemen.   If you visit the major cities of San Jose and Alajuela, you will see a large number of policemen.  However:  when you go out to the outlying towns, you will see few policemen.

PRACTICAL ADVICE:  To live here one must learn patience and  tolerance because the culture here is not to hurry or set a deadline for anything.  It is very helpful to speak some Spanish so you can learn something of the C Rican culture, which  leads to  tolerance and a much more enjoyable life.

And yes it is true.  You will get charged more than a Tico for the same service  OR for the same piece of land or for the same house.  That is just the way things work here, and it's better just to accept this and learn to live with it.

MORE PRACTICAL ADVICE- I highly recommend that you come to Costa Rica  and rent for a least one year and check it all out for yourself.  That will give you enough time to see if you can adjust to a different culture.   And if the advantages for you outweigh the disadvantages. You will learn what the cost of living here is for your lifestyle.  You can determine for yourself if you can afford to live here the way you would like to live..  and  just of important if  you can adjust to the differences in culture.

So I have been living in Costa Rica for quite awhile SO what bugs me the most-  1.  the roads which many have pot holes and  are poorly designed. Too many cars on the highways esp from Alajuela to San Jose.    2.  the Costa Rican drivers esp the males who drive too fast, pass on curves, and are plain rude behind the wheel.   3. the price of gas here $5.66 per gallon- so you really have to think twice when you put your car on the road.  4. I like the Costa Rican people  who are helpful and polite-but one must learn that their culture is different and I mean DIFFERENT.   Examples: Relationships between men and women..the woman plays a much more submissive role in this Latin Culture.   Another example-this culture is one of politeness to the extreme.  To avoid a confrontation means not  telling you what you want to hear.  Or not exactly giving you a "straight answer"  So one has to become an expert at "reading between the lines". And to live a happy life you must learn to be "polite  and smile" and wait awhile --without causing confrontation.  The Ticos do not deal well with confrontation, usually they will "retreat"

WHAT DO I MISS:  The conveniences I was accustomed to back home, the fact that things were organized and moved more or less smoothly.  Here in CR things are less organized.  Takes a lot longer to get even little things done.  And seems you need a lawyer for everything and lawyers are very expensive here. A simple power of attorney can cost you up to $90  SO  ask the attorney AHEAD  of time how much xyz is going to cost you and you may need to negotiate the price.

So Ill bet after reading this you are going to say-well, Ill just come to Costa Rica on vacation-enjoy the sunshine and beautiful green rain forest and beaches  and go back home where I things move smoothly  and everyone speaks my language.

This article is written by Ann Cabezas who has lived and worked in Costa Rica off and on since 1998.  First coming to CR in 1970, after marrying a Costa Rican.  She has built three houses in Costa Rica.   Ann  has worked in the Costa Rica Travel Industry-designing  personalized vacation itineraries for many years.  You can contact her at  anncabezas23@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costa Rica Travel Tips- Check your Credit Card Receipt-before signing it- When you Charge Gasoline

If you are traveling in Costa Rica and rent a car.  You may decide to use your credit card to purchase gasoline.  Well-be sure to double check the total amount of money in colones to see if it is correct before you sign the credit card voucher.  I had a client who was clever enough to look very well before he signed.  The gas pump attendant had charged him incorrectly.  The attendant had charged the number showing how many  liters had been pumped  which was much higher than the number showing how many colones  the gasoline cost.   If he had not caught this he would have been over charged by a large amount.

How Global Warming is Affecting Costa Rica

I would like to share with you a letter I received from a young man in Uganda:

"I was in Costa Rica in 2007 and I was impressed by the willingness and responsiveness of locals to preserve their environment especially the rain forests. Yes, I know a lot of damage has been done to the environment but not at the same scale as here in Africa, particularly Uganda where I come from!

I also saw many people/tourists from the USA coming to Costa Rica to see these rain forests and other natural attractions like the volcanic mountain.

The natural green on the mountainous Costa Rica was specifically captivating! I wouldn't even mince a word if I was given another chance to visit the country, whose people were also as warm as their weather.

When I returned to my country, Uganda, I told colleagues that there was need to emulate the Costa Rican way. I know a lot is required to combat the global warming crisis but it particularly important that we learn from what other countries are doing in winning the battle against the vice."

Costa Rica has 20% of its land surface  protected either as national parks or wildlife preserves.  Much of this land in Costa Rica, under preservation is primary and secondary rain forest, home to hundreds of species of birds and animals.   The trees give off oxygen and take in Carbon Dioxide thus aiding in reducing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  The less carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere the less warmth   (in our  earth's atmosphere) .

 

Chubascos Restaurant on Road to Poas Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Hummingbird at Chubasco's restaurant Costa Rica

Chubascos Restaurant on Road to Poas Volcano, Costa Rica

Looking for a good place to eat on your day outing to the Poas Volcano National Park in Costa Rica?   I can recommend Chubascos  , a lovely open air rustic small restaurant located approximately 5 miles south coming down the mountain from  the park.  It is family run and has been in business in the same location for more than fifteen years.  The menu is typical Costa Rican food with lots of fresh strawberry treats, including a fresas in leche (strawberry in milk)   The strawberries are grown in the region close to Chubascos.  I ordered a "casada" which is the plate of the day which  came with fried plantains, peccadillo de potatoes, shredded beef, small salad made of cabbage,  and home made tortillas.  Everything was very tasty.    I had cheesecake with fresh strawberry topping for desert.  My bill was $18 which included the 13% tax and 10% tip for the waiter.

The setting of the restaurant is open air surrounded by alpine forest  and since the elevation is around 6,000 feet above sea level, the air is fresh and very cool.  The gardens are lush and green with hummingbird garden.

The menu is extensive and although the prices are higher than other restaurants in the area, the food is excellent and the atmosphere is memorable.

Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel located on banks of Rio Celeste (Blue River) Hotel Review

A TRUE HIDEAWAY!

Hotel Review by Ann, "The Costa Rica Expert"  The Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel -Luxury in the Jungle located on the banks of the Rio Celeste (Blue River) in NorthCentral  Costa Rica.

If you are looking for rest and tranquility in a beautiful tropical setting, this exactly what you will find at the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel.  Once you get settled in you won’t want to leave.

We spent three days there in the month of July and we felt we could have stayed longer.
tThe   such as free internet access in the dining room and  lounge  (not inside the rooms)  Cable TV and DVD player in each room.  Plus numerous good movies you can check out at the front desk.   Phones in each room for local calls within Costa Rica.  And even a phone in the lobby where you can call the USA free.

The accommodations are luxury bungalow style and very spacious.  Each bungalow has a jacuzzi  tub in the bathroom  as well a fun outdoor shower set in a tropical garden.   Flowering  plants,  ruby red ginger and  lavender bougainvillea are everywhere-”a feast for sore eyes”

Each room has a fully stocked mini bar.

The  large swimming pool has two hot tubs plus a swim up bar.

The lunch and dinner is served in an open air dining room surround with lush green tropical vegetation.  The menu is gourmet  and not overly priced.  Lunch is around $12 and dinner is around $15-$20  per person  without alcoholic beverages.  The service was excellent.

A lovely breakfast comes with the price of the rooms:  Fresh fruit, homemade breads, fresh jams and jelly made from tropical fruits grown in the region, Costa Rican Coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice.   And all this is served in the  open air dining room where you can hear all the sounds of nature.  We sat leisurely each morning listening to the symphony of bird sounds and around 8:30 am  we took a walk down the path carved out by the hotel gardeners to the banks of the Rio Celeste.  (Blue River)  And Yes, it really is blue.  Seems that it picks up sulfur as it meanders out of the base of the Tenorio Volcano, and the sunlight shining  thru the clear sulfuric water  gives it the  sky blue color.
You can also enter the Tenorio Volcano (inactive)  National Park  which is near by and hike to the  Rio Celeste waterfall and swim in the blue waters.  However this is not an easy hike and takes about two hours.  So just remember you need to be in good shape and have good tennis or hiking boots.  (and a change of clothes if you wish to swim in the waterfall.

It rains a lot in this region, main reason why everything is so lush and green.  So which  months are the best to visit the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel?  Least amount of rain is January thru March however during the other months the sound of the rain is soothing to many people.  Best thing is to get up very early and do the hikes when the sun is brightly shining and then settle in for an afternoon of swimming in the pool or just resting-watch a movie or read a book.

Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel offers several day  tours in the region- which are listed on their web site and of course you have to pay extra for these,  And you can pay with a major credit card.

So what would I recommend after having spent 3 nights  here?  I would say the minimum stay would be 3 nights    It is a destination itself.  Place to relax, unwind, be pampered,  Massage  is available by appointment.
And if you like -- take some of the adventure day tours.  After being here one day you forget about the real world outside and settle into the natural surroundings.  The name Hideaway suits it well--you feel like you have "hidden-away."

Getting to the lodge is an adventure itself.  The last 15 miles is a very bumpy rocky road.

Which airport should I fly into?  If you are staying in the Northwest -North Central part of Costa Rica  (where  the Rio Celeste Hideaway Lodge is located)  then the Liberia International Airport, located in the northern Guanacaste zone of Costa Rica.    It’s about 3 hours by minibus or 4x4 to the Rio Celeste Hideaway Lodge.
I wouldn’t try to drive there  in a regular automobile.  The last part of the road to the Hotel is dirt-rocky and bumpy.

If you have other activities in the Central Valley of San Jose and Alajuela area you should  fly into the San Joe International Airport.  But the journey to the Lodge from these areas is a long one.  (around 5-6 hours)  And quite pricey if you hire transportation.    If you are renting a car,  first drive to La Fortuna going thru San Ramon.  From there follow the directions to Rio Celeste Hideaway Lodge on the hotel’s web site.

Read more  about the unique Rio Celeste Hideaway Lodge   www.riocelestehideaway.com   There you will see prices and room accommodations

Read more about Tenorio Volcano National Park  www.costarica-nationalparks.com/tenorionationalpark.html

Beautiful photos of Rio Celeste  www.ruralcostarica.com/photos4.html

Cost of Living in Costa Rica in 2011

Costa Rica used to be an inexpensive place to live but not anymore.  This in June 2011 and the cost of one gallon of super gasoline is  $5.66.   This year the dollar has weakened.  The exchange rate went from 580 colones to the dollar to 498 colones to the dollar.  A loss of 82 colones per dollar.  A devaluation of 14%.

I asked my accountant why.  His explanation is in 2011 there has been a huge influx of dollars into the Costa Rican economy..

Then why would anyone from the North America want to retire in Costa Rica?   Well, that is a good question.  The over all cost of living here is not lower than most locations in the US.  But the wonderful climate with the sunshine may be one factor  to keep the North Americans who are already retired here...and the green green that one sees everywhere in Costa Rica is definitely a mood elevator.

However there are other  considerations: many of the major road systems in Costa Rica are in poor repair.  And the cost of the upkeep of an automobile is very high..cost tires, cost of wear and tear caused by the many potholes.  And the rainy season gets long and dreary.

The cost of food is expensive now.  One gallon of milk $3.80   One gallon regular gas $5.66  One loaf of bread $2.25  one pound of butter $4.00  I dozen eggs $2.40

One pound of sugar 60 cents

The two main things that most Costa Ricas eat are rice and beans which still remain affordable.

Chicken with its bones is $3 pound.   Good ground beef is $3 pound

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be purchased at very reasonable prices at the  week end farmers market located in most towns.

Costa Rica's New 2,000 colon bill Feathers A Shark Photo

Costa Rica's newly printed 2,000 colon bill feathers a beautiful shark.  Wonder which government official  is responsible for a shark being chosen?  Must have been someone who loves wildlife and wants to protect sharks  instead of  allowing for them to be killed and their fins being sold to Asia to be used in shark fin soup.

Hopefully this  shark photo will raise awareness of  the importance of protection of these beautiful creatures.

Costa Rica's Sharks

Are there  sharks in Costa Rica's waters.   The answer is yes.  Are they in danger?  The answer is yes!  Shark fining is going on  off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.  And why is this allowed?  The government of Costa Rica turns a blind eye to this horrific practice.    Shark fins bring big money in Asia where they are used in Shark Fin Soup.

Costa Rica passed a law that the shark was not to be dumped back into the ocean after it's fins had been removed......very far from a law banning shark fining.

Costa Rica is home to over 50 species of sharks.  Tiger  sharks, bull sharks, and reef sharks are the most common.  But attacks on humans are very infrequent.  Scientist believe that if a shark attacks a human it is because the shark thinks the human is a fish    (food)

The great white shark does not make its home in  the warm ocean waters of Costa Rican.  They prefer the cooler Pacific Ocean currents further north.

The masterpiece of Aquatic engineering  is the hammerhead shark found in the waters surrounding Coco Island, Costa Rica.   The hammerhead shark has very large eyes positioned upon its flat "hammerhead".  The shark can see both above and below at all times.  They travel during the day in schools of 100 sharks or more but at night they are lone hunters.

The Costa Rican Government recently printed new money.  The new 2,000 colone bill  (about $4 )  has a photo of a beautiful shark.  But what does Costa Rica do to SAVE  the sharks?

Great Arenal Tours-Sunset Tour Company Located at Base of Arenal Volcano

 

[caption id="attachment_4164" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Aerial Tram Arenal volcano"][/caption]

Vacationing in the Arenal Volcano area?  Great  tours are offered by Sunset Tours, conveniently located on the square in La Fortuna, which is a small town at the base of Arenal Volcano.

Sunset Tours provides first class service with well trained English speaking guides. You are picked up and dropped off  at your hotel door.

Ken and I  arrived for our 3 day stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge and we picked Sunset Tours for the activities we choose to do.   My  personal choice was the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge tour which is a full day tour  with  a delicious Costa Rican lunch included.   We were there in late December at the end of  Costa Rica's rainy season and the lagoons around the Rio Frio were filled with so many birds which stop here for the feeding grounds.   We saw several different kinds of storks,  herons, ibis, cormorants,  and ducks.  so many birds I cant remember all the names.  These birds are migratory and travel from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere and can be seen in Costa Rica's Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge starting around end of November and continue till end of February when the lagoons dry up and there is no longer a food source for the birds.   The boat ride down the Rio Frio river was great, we were also able to see white face monkeys eating palm dates high in the tree tops, plus several  really huge crocodiles.  The route from  our lodge to the Rio Frio  was very scenic.  This is pineapple country with miles and miles of pineapple farms.  Best time of the year to take this out:  December through end of February when most of the migratory birds are in the lagoons.

The other tour we choose was the SKY  which I HIGHLY  recommend.  We were lifted through the rain forest in the "Sky Tram" all enclosed in glass so we could see everything outside which was  so many species of trees which seem to reach the sky .  And a family of howler monkeys, a mother with her 2 babies.  At the top we could see  a clear view of the Arenal volcano spewing fire out it's summit, so close it seemed we could reach out and touch it.    And the very large Arenal Lake with fishing boats glistening in the sunlight.   Then we were strapped in the gear for the zip line.  One, two, three, go!  And off we went swinging from tree top to tree top,  probably one of the most exciting and adventurous things I have done in my life!

Finally at the bottom we took a walk to the butterfly garden filled with blue Morpho Butterflies.

By the time we returned to the Arenal observatory Lodge we were ready for a rest!  And a delicious Costa Rican lunch.  And then a dip in the hot tub..what more could one ask for?

Check out all the exciting adventure tours offered by Sunset Tours at their web site.   www.sunsettourcr.com

Corcovado National Park, Where Jungle Meets the

[caption id="attachment_4145" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Sunset Corcovado"][/caption]

ENJOY VIRGIN BEAUTY AND UNSPOILED NATURE AT IT'S FINEST

Traveling to Costa Rica and want to visit a very remote and unique region  know as the Osa Peninsula,  home to the most biologically diverse, and the most beautiful national park in Costa Rica known as the  Corcovado National Park.  However,  it is the most difficult park to get to.  Located in the southwest Pacific area of Costa Rica, most visitors arrive by small planes which fly out of San Jose, Costa Rica's capital.

Tourists  who travel to Costa Rica  are adventurous and nature loving.  They come to Corcovado National Park to hike and experience the vast diversity of this  beautiful primary lowland rain forest.  The huge trees seem to reach the sky and shade everything below the tree tops which are filled with 116 different species of  birds, the most famous being the Scarlet Macaw. In the early morning it is not uncommon to see a tree filled with ten or fifteen Scarlet Macaws, and  early morning is the best time to explore the park when the forest is filled with the sounds of hundreds of singing birds.

[caption id="attachment_4115" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Rare Harbor Squirrel Monkey in Corcovado National Park"][/caption]

There are 500 different species of trees so one could not see them all if you stayed a month just checking out trees.

Oh yes,  the snakes- when I visited I saw a Boa constrictor laying quietly on a bed of leaves, of course we all ran in the opposite direction.  Although the Boa will strike and bite  in self defense, the bite is very painful- but  not deadly.  The fer-de-lance is the most poisonous snake in Costa Rica and is prevalent in Corcovado.  The bite can be deadly although now there is an antivenin which is very successful if the victim can get to a health clinic.

The rare Harbor Squirrel monkey makes his home in Corcovado, along with many  other species of monkeys.

Our morning hike in Corcovado led us thru the dense forest and out onto a gorgeous brown sandy beach with huge crashing waves. Words could not describe its beauty.

Corcovado National Park is huge encompassing 263 square miles with  13 different ecosystems -primary lowland rain forest, lagoons, rivers, mangroves, and swamps.  If one were fortunate enough to stay in the park for a long period of time you would see wild animals such as pumas, jaguars, wildcats, and the tapir which is the largest terrestrial  mammal in Costa Rica.

It is highly recommended not to go into the park without a guide and most tourist purchase a package through one of the many Eco Lodges located near the park.  These can be found on the Internet but  are quite pricey .  These prepaid tours include airfare from San Jose, lodging, food, and a tour of Corcovado National Park.  Tours to Cano Island are also available  (pay extra) at these lodges.  Cano Island is a remote uninhabited island off the  southwest coast of Costa Rica,  reminiscent  of Robinson Crusoe.  Scuba diving is popular in this region where one can see small rock sharks and other  larger species of fish.

Corcovado National Park Climate?    Its hot and humid- temperatures can get up to 90 degrees F.  mid-day.   Rains all year round here, but you can expect to see sunny mornings  if you get up very early-"when the sun rises" and the temperatures are much cooler in the morning, around 75 degrees F.  January and February are the months when there is generally less rainfall, and temperatures are cooler, around 80 degrees F mid -day  with morning temperatures around 70 degrees F.

So get your hiking done in the morning.

How to Get There:  Most tourist purchase a prepaid all inclusive package and fly out of San Jose on small commuter planes like Sansa Air.  Sometimes part of the trip, depending on where the eco lodge is located, is done by boat..You can find all these packages on the Internet.  They are not inexpensive, but remember Corcovado is remote and a long way to get to from the central valley of Costa Rica..  The two entry points into the park are Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez.

What dangers are there in Corcovado National Park?  There are two rivers in the park that empty into the Pacific Ocean.  The Rio Claro  and The Rio Serena.  The Rio Serena should not be crossed at high tide 1. very swift  current  2. bull sharks in the water  3. crocodiles in the water some 4 meters long!

Another danger in the park are the snakes  1. fer de lance  2 bushwacker    Both are very poisonous and one should wear proper shoes (that cover the ankles) and by all means stay on the trails. We saw a very large fer de lance basking in the sun by a river bed....luckily it was  large and easy to spot...of course we stayed far away,  impressive to see a snake that large and esp a fer de lance.

The large scorpions found in the park do not appear to be poisonous.  I was bitten by one on my  toe.  Severe burning pain followed and of course scared me.  I did not have any medication with me, so borrowed some ice from the lodge where we were sleeping and put an ice bag on it..but took hours for the pain to go away.  I was wearing open toes sandals--a big No No!!

Can I swim in the ocean at Corcovado?  We didnt.  The waves are very ruff, and after the scorpion bite- and seeing the fer de lance- well I was not going to take any more chances with anything!

What should I take with me into the park?  Adequate hiking boots that cover at least up to your ankles..no open toe shoes!  Mosquito repellent, although they did not seem to come out until around 4:30 pm--bottled water,  sun screen, sun hat, backpack...light weight cotton clothes, lightweight rain jacket.. if you like photography or videography this is the place to do it!

Family Vacation to Costa Rica: Want to Stay in A Beautiful Villa in Manuel Antonio Beach?

Are you thinking a bringing your family to Costa Rica for vacation and want to stay in a beautiful villa?   Or take that unforgettable Costa Rica Honeymoon?  Well, Manuel Antonio Beach is just the place!  And I can tell you about the people who can help you find the perfect Manuel Antonio vacation rental overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean.  You can contact them at Visit My Villa  a web site designed to present to you a large selection of homes and villas in the Manuel Antonio Beach Area.  With photos and prices to help you make the right choice, and the personnel ready to explain the advantages and differences in each villa.  On the web site you will find a telephone number to call (without cost to you) to get the up to date information you may need.

Manuel Antonio Beach is located on the Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica .  You can go by car which takes 4 hours from the San Jose International Airport or  you can fly by Sansa Air in about 45 minutes.  It is famous for its white sandy beaches, especially inside Manuel Antonio National  Park.  The photo displayed here shows the natural beauty of the sandy white beaches inside the park.

Please visit for full information www.visitmyvilla.com

Would You Rather Be a Sloth?

[caption id="attachment_4063" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="This is Buttercup, rescued at Sloth Refuge, Limon Costa Rica"][/caption]

Sloths live in the Costa Rican Rain Forest and many sloths can be seen on Costa Rica's  Caribbean Coast. Have you ever thought about what it would be like to live the life of a sloth?  Spend your days lazily hanging out on a tree limb and not having to come down unless you want to go to the potty. Having little or no worries, eating the leaves from the trees, and sleeping all day. What a life!

Sloths are endangered so we must help protect them.  Sometimes children on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica hit them with sticks, but the public school system there is trying to teach children about sloths and why they are important to our ecosystem.

Sloths seem so strange because they move so slow and sleep so much..and strangely when in water swim very fast.  They hang out in the tree tops and only come down to urinate or defecate.  And when on land they move very slow, crawling and sliding along on their stomach.

We think they are completely quiet but they are not.  They make a sound like "ha....eeeee"

They birth their babies in the tree tops and the baby hangs onto the mother for about nine months before venturing out on its own.

On the Caribean Cost of Costa Rica is located Aviarios del Caribe Sloth Refuge.  A very interesting place to visit and lean all about sloths and see the sloth babies.  This refuge rescues and protects sick and injured sloths and then returns them to their natural habitat.

www.ogphoto.com/slothrescuecenter/main.htm

Great Web Sites: Transportation Options from San Jose to the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

Great Web Sites  on  "Transportation from San Jose to the Southern Caribbean Coast in Costa Rica”

Heading over to the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica where:

IT’S SUMMER TIME

It’s summer time and the living is easy.

Fish are jumping and the palm trees are high

One of these mornins you’re gonna wake up singing
Spread your wings and take to the sky.

Your daddy is rich and your mamas good lookin
So hush little baby,  go to the Caribbean to cry

Only 4 hours drive from San Jose to the southern Caribbean coast.

Check out these web sites:

www.puertoviejosatellite.com

www.greencoast.com/area-information/getting-here

Heading Down to Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

Another travel tip:  Wondering where to eat if you are headed down to Jaco Beach or near by Herradura Beach?   Here are listed a few of the good places to eat.

Jaco Beach is famous for its black volcanic sandy beach and strong big waves that attract surfers from Costa Rica as well as all around the world.

Playa Herradura is famous for the gorgeous Los Suenos Marriott Hotel with its Spanish Architecture.  Also on the grounds of the hotel are Condominium of the same style architecture,  2 and 3 bedroom for rent and for sale

Jaco and Herradura Restaurants
Bagels
Bagelman’s
Bagels with spreads, bagel sandwiches
Free wifi!
On the main street, south of Pops
Breakfast
The Coffee Shop
On the main street across from Pops, co-located with Parrilla ada Argentina

Chinese
The Dragon on Bohio
·         Variety of Chinese appetizers and entrées; try the pot stickers and sesame shrimp.
·         Located on Calle Bohio, next to the Poseidon Hotel.  From the main street, turn onto Calle Bohio toward the ocean.

Chicken and Ribs
Pollo Parrillero
·         Best chicken and ribs in town!
·          They offer both fire-roasted and fried chicken; the pork ribs are the best you’ll ever taste.   Their cole slaw (enselada repollo) is terrific as well.
·         Beach side of main street, at the corner of the street to the Oz Hotel

Diverse Menu
Lemon Zest
·         Very diverse menu of fish, lamb, beef, duck and other entrees somewhat unusual for Costa Rica.  South end of main street, on the second floor

Los Amigos
On the main street in the center of Jaco, at intersection with Pops
Wraps, burritos, steaks, Thai, smoothies, salads, burgers
2643.2961
Middle of Jaco on main street, across from Pop’s

Pacific Bistro
Located across the street from the Funky Monkey. This restaurant is owned and run by Chef Kevin Green who works solo in the kitchen. His limited menu has an Asian and Latin infused flavor and the food is top notch.   Must try.

Wish Bone
·         One of the most popular restaurants in the area, offering a very diverse menu from brick oven pizza to enchiladas, burritos and pitas. Their salads are famous as well.  Portions here are large, and the service is exceptional.  We suggest the mahi mahi pita, pad Thai bowl, seared tuna salad, pizza, or anything on the right side of the menu under Mexican type dishes. Bring your appetite as the portions are very generous.
·         Located in the center of Jaco on the main street

Mexican
Jaco Taco
·         Huge portions of American-style Mexican food plus traditional dishes
·         Near the Best Western on the main street of Jaco

Pizza
El Picaro Pizza
On the main streeet, next to Mexican Joe’s Internet Café
Delivery service
2643.1147
Pizzeria Bocha
Located 10 minutes south of Jaco on Playa Hermosa
Lunch and dinner delivery to Jaco
2643.3696

Seafood
El Pelicano
Located on Herradura Beach.  The menu is extensive and the food and presentation are terrific. Try their coffee and desserts, too.  Drive down the same road as if you were going to Los Sueños Resort & Marina.  Drive past the Los Sueños entrance about ½ mile and you’ll dead end at the beach. Make a left and it is the 3rd Restaurant on your left.
Hicaco
·         Famous for its all-you-care-to-eat lobster and seafood festival every Wednesday night from 6:00pm- 10:00pm for one price, including beverages and dessert.
Located on the ocean in Jaco, south of Vista Mar and north of Vista Las Palmas
Menu includes mahi mahi, tuna, steak, pork, salads, pasta and soups
2643.3226

Soda
Soda Jaco Tipico
·         Good local cuisine served cafeteria style.  You point at what you want, they put it on a plate and you pay at the end of the line.  Good and cheap food.
·         From the main street in Jaco, turn onto the street between Pops and Los Amigos and drive to and then cross over the costanera highway.  The soda is right there.

Soda Marea Alta
This is the best Tico food around.  Located at the south end of the Jaco main street, across the street from the Platinum Gymnasium that you’ll see on the second floor. Order the mixed ceviche’ appetizer.  The two main courses we suggest you try are the Corvina Marea Alta, which is a thin sea bass filet smothered in a white cream hearts of palm and shrimp sauce.  It is incredible and cheap!  Second, the filet mignon.  A large tender filet Mignon, bacon wrapped and smothered in homemade brown gravy.  Incredible!

Steak
Parrilla ada Argentina
·         Imported Argentine and U.S. beef cooked over a wood-burning grill.
·         Located on Jaco’s main street, across from Los Amigos

Sushi
Tsunami Sushi
·         The best sushi around. Good prices, good portions and always fresh. Located in Jaco central, second floor of the Galleon shopping center.

French-African-Asian
Pili Pili
·         Modern fusion cooking from a French chef who has lived in Africa and Asia! Bruno works solo in the kitchen to create some of the best meals on the Pacific Coast.
·         Located south of Pops on the beach side of Main Street, second floor
·         Reservations recommended; 2643.5535 or 8995.4936; BYOB

Bars & Lounges
Ganesha
On north end of Jaco, on the beach, above Corpus Gym
South Beach Miami-style open-air lounge with chill out and house music
2643.3916

Bohio Bar & Restaurant
·         Great view, open air, and great food and drinks and a full liquor bar.  To get there turn left or right off Main Street where you see the blue sign that says “Planet Food.”  Just take the street to the end and you’ll see Bohio on your left; it’s right on Jaco beach.

Monkey Bar
·         Located on the north end of Jaco’s main street.

Jungle Bar
·         A favorite of tourists and Costa Ricans of all ages!  Fun, safe atmosphere.  Pool tables, dance floor and two bar areas.  On the north end of Jaco’s main street.

Le Loft
·         Opened in November 2008 by the owners of Prive’ in San Jose.  Located in the red building across the street from Los Amigos and Pops.

Plankton
·         Fun bar with a great mix of people; videos and a DJ.  On the main street in El Galeon.

Monteverde, Costa Rica, Many Faces of a Rain Forest

Monteverde, Costa Rica is home to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Recently I spent 4 hours hiking through this beautiful rain forest and the following photographs  show the many faces of this  rain forest reserve, rising  4, 500 feet above sea level in a mountainous isolated area of Costa Rica.

Restaurant Jaco Rustica, Jaco Beach Costa Rica

If you are visiting  Jaco Beach, Costa Rica and want to have a great typico Costa Rican meal then go to Restaurant Jaco Rustico .  Its located about 100 meters from the beach.  Directions:  Heading south-If you are on the main street which goes thru Jaco ( Jaco is a very small town and there is only one main street passing thru it)  Look for Mas Por Menus grocery store on  your left,  then go 100 meters south (straight) then turn right and immediately on your left is Restaurant Jaco Rustica.  Next door to the very upscale beach front restaurant El Hicaco.

The atmosphere is open air with lots ocean breeze.  The food is served buffet style and for $5.00 you get your pick of one meat, 3 vegetables, salad, and a natural drink.  The food is delicious! I was there just last week with Xinia and Rolando, two of my Costa Rican friends.  And we really enjoyed each dish and highly recommend the restaurant for the great taste of the food and the EXCELLENT  price.

We had spent an hour exploring the lovely dark sand beach with its  magnificient waves.  Then  we sat down under a palm tree right in front of the ocean and breathed the fresh air and smell of the ocean.

Jaco Beach is only 2 hours by car from Alajuela where we were staying, and the drive is spectacular passing thru mountains and valleys with coffee growing along the edge of the high cliffs.

If you are staying in San Jose, Escazu, or Santa Ana (western suburbs of San Jose) you can take the new toll road from Santa Ana to Atenas and you will get to Jaco Beach in approximately 1.5  hours or less.

Hicaco- A Great Gourmet Restaurant in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

If you are into gourmet food and are in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica then "Hicaco" the Seafood Place is for you. Jaco is a sleepy laid back little beach town but recently has acquired three high rise condo complexes, changing the landscape into something quiet different.  Also the Hotel Marriott Los Suenos located only a few miles away brings upscale clients who appreciate and are willing to pay for the gourmet food offered at "Hicaco"  Every Wednesday night is a special night when the Lobster Fest is presented.  It's  a buffet where you can eat and drink all you want:  salads, ceviche, sushi, lobster, jumbo shrimp, chicken, pork ribs,  and many fabulous deserts.  Also your choice of wines and national liquors come with the "Lobster Fest" The price is $70.00 per person and reservations are requested.  The wide selections of wines are from  Chili, Argentina, United States, France, and  Spain.  French champagne is also offered

I must not forget to mention the open air restaurant sits right on the beach where you can hear the splash of the waves and feel the warm ocean breezes. To find "Hicaco"  it's  easy since Jaco is a very small town.  There is one main street which passes thru and   when you see the Mas por Menus grocery store continue 1 block south and then turn right.  Continue a short block and Hicaco is on your left-  in front of the ocean

The selections and  price ranges are:   Appetizers  $8-$10    Main courses $12-$32

Salads $7-$10   Pasta and Rice dishes are also offered-- around $10

Deserts $8-$10   and wine by the glass  $8    Hicaco is open daily from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.   Truly a unique dining experience in front of the Pacific Ocean, warm breezes, with the  sound of the waves washing upon the sand.   Above photo is Xinia and Rolando enjoying a glass of wine, listening to the waves washing upon the black volcanic beach  at Hicaco restaurant.

Please visit Hicaco's web page  www.elhicaco.net

Comments on "Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular Video" by Carol Wunderle

"We loved the clarity in the film describing the most popular vacation spots in Costa Rica as well as the great residential areas to choose from.  We loved the beautiful churches including the red steel church in Grecia which houses the  pipe organ  with the exquisite pipe sounds.  Seeing the gorgeous flowers, trees, and plants, and the closeness of all the animals -sloths, monkeys, and more.  We loved the colorful oxcarts, the traditional horse tope  (parade) in Alajuela, and the bull fight in Palmares was a treat!  Having lived in Costa Rica for eighteen years, I truly agree with what was said by the North American people who now reside in Costa Rica.  The film is beautifully structured, narrated, and produced.  Carol Wunderlee.

You can order your own copy of "Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular", the full length 58 minutes DVD which features the most popular tourist destinations Costa Rica has to offer- by going to the home page of costaricalearn.com   Look to the top where it says "ORDER OUR VIDEO"  Click  and a window will open with instructions on how to order it.

US Students "Study Abroad" in Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica

Students from Lidenwood Univeristy USA have come to Costa Rica to study the flora and fauna of this beautiful tropical country, and to practice the Spanish language.

The following is an article which I would like to share with you.  It was forwarded to me by Ms. Murrell, a student at the University,  telling about their fun experience

Costa Rica welcomes students over J-Term

Posted on 09 February 2011 by wmurrell

Costa Rica photos by Andrea Scott

COSTA RICA – “Pura vida!” Everything is all good! That’s a phrase that started 2011 off right for some Lindenwood scholars. Eighteen Lindenwood students joined Professor Nancy Cloutier-Davis on Jan. 12 for a two-week excursion to Costa Rica.

The first four days, the group visited the town of Puerto Viejo and the Bribri tribe indigenous territory, learned to make Afro Caribbean meals, toured the Refuge Vida Silvestre Gandoca Manzillo and the Chauita National Park. Senior Jasmun Moorehead, an exercise science major, said, “I really enjoyed meeting indigenous people and seeing how they live differently from the people in Heredia [where the group eventually settled for studies].”

Students observed many different animals, places and people while hiking for several hours and even walking through a raging river. The students felt that it was worth it, though, when they reached the beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike.

Lindenwood Students wade up to their knees in Costa Rican waters during a two-week excursion during J-Term led by Professor Nancy Cloutier-Davis.

After touring the southwestern part of Costa Rica, the students traveled to Heredia to go to school and visit more historical sites. They explored the Poas Volcano National Park, the La Paz Cataratas Waterfall Gardens and a coffee plantation. Students focused on Costa Rican culture and values and its differences from American society.

Senior Arista White said, “I learned about life outside of the U.S. — about other aspects of the country, such as the agriculture, economy and the people.”

Six of the 18 students and Cloutier-Davis returned to Lindenwood by the end of J-Term, and 12 stayed to participate in the semester abroad program. Those students will go to school five days of the week and live with a Costa Rican family.

Later in the semester the students will have classes in Samara, visit Nicaragua and other historical places during their 15 weeks in the program.

Photo by Andrea Scott

Sophomore and Spanish major Dana Porter said, “I love everything about Costa Rica. I don’t want to go home. I am happy I am able to stay here for 15 weeks, and I recommend this trip to everyone. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—trust me it is worth it.”

For more information about the Study Abroad Spanish Program, contact Cloutier-Davis at NCloutierDavis@lindenwood.edu

Could Hypocrisy Exist in Costa Rica's Democracy?

Those of you interested in reading current news from Costa Rica undoubtedly have read the many recent news articles written about  Costa Rica and Nicaragua's  San Juan River border dispute.  I would like to share with you the words of a Mr. Gene McDonald of Escazu, and I quote:

"There is information Costa Rica isn’t telling people about the border dispute. A person recently traveling on Nicaragua’s San Juan River observed that on the Nicaragua side, 90 percent of the natural forest has been preserved intact. On the Costa Rica side, 70 percent of what was beautiful jungle has been destroyed for agriculture, and raising cattle, chickens, and pigs, and the pollution runoff goes into Nicaragua’s River.

So almost all of the sediment and pollution that Nicaragua dredged and returned to the Costa Rican riverbank belongs to Costa Rica. So it’s hypocritical for Costa Rica to complain.

Nicaragua has also shamefully destroyed trees and its natural environment on the “disputed” Calero Island, but Costa Rica has destroyed much more.

Some people in Costa Rica say Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is corrupt, but they forget to mention the corruption of Costa Rica’s last four presidents – some are under arrest, under house arrest, on trial or under investigation. More hypocrisy.

Another recent example of Costa Rican hypocrisy is the criticizing of Arizona’s “illegal immigration enforcement law,” when Costa Rica’s practices are worse.

So if Costa Rican politicians would pay more attention to cleaning up their own acts, and less on criticizing others, maybe they could make Costa Rica become the country that the real estate and tourism industries say it is, instead of the distressing stuff I read in the daily newspapers."

Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular-Travel Video- Costa Rica's 10 Most Popular Vacation Destinations

[caption id="attachment_3861" align="alignleft" width="640" caption="Costa Rica Travel Video-2010"]
[/caption]

Are you thinking of vacationing to Costa Rica?  Then you would love a copy of our recently filmed full length travel video (DVD)   "Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular" It highlights the 10 most popular vacation destinations in Costa Rica, showing the magnificent beauty of the Flora and Fauna as well as the most popular adventure activities.  Such as the zip line tours, rain forest tours,  Arenal and Poas Volcano tours, hot springs,  and surfing  the mightly Pacific Ocean.  To see a preview of the video go to the home page of costaricalearn, then to the top of this page and click on "buy our video"   There it also  gives instructions on  how to order the video.

A three year project, this recently completed  full length video was filmed and edited by Ken Creed, a National Geographic veteran and written by Ann Cabezas, a travel consultant and travel writer for Costa Rica.