The Real Costa Ricans head to the beach to celebrate New Years. They go by car, by bus, and even by horse. They stay in the expensive hotels, modest hotels, family owned beach houses, and even in tents. The beaches all over Costa Rica belong to the all people of Costa Rica. So go to a popular beach on New Year's eve and you may see tents pitched under palm trees. With homemade barbecue grills set up and the smell of roasted pork is in the air. And Costa Ricans love to drink their beer with pork. The local beer is called Imperial. For a reason it is given the name Imperial. Yes, you guessed it, because the Costa Ricans say even the royal families of the world love Costa Rica's beer! And it's gaiety and party time with the music of the Latin beat in the air and both young and old dancing salsa and meringue.
In the central valley of San Jose and Alajuela for those who choose to stay home, it's fireworks! From a mountainside villa one can see the midnight sky light up with hundreds of colorful fireworks.
Yes, it's family time as people travel long distances to be with their relatives, often whom they see only once a year. It's roasted pork, home made tamales, and Costa Rica's Imperial Beer.
Yes, Costa Ricans make New Year's Resolutions. Could it be that one of the resolutions is to be more aware of time and get to appointments and etc. on time. Don't think so.
But hey, life in Costa Rica is "Pura Vida" so why rock the boat in a place that "life is good"
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Blue Moon Over Costa Rica, A Very Happy New Year!
[caption id="attachment_3439" align="aligncenter" width="269" caption="Blue Moon over Costa Rica with partial Eclipse!"]
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[caption id="attachment_3440" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="New York City, New Year's Eve 2009, The BIG BALL"]
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Costa Rica has something celestial to ring in the New Year. It's the Blue Moon. But is it really blue? No it isn't. The name it seems comes from folkloric tales from times past. When two full moons occurred in the same calendar month, meaning something rare, special, or even absurd, but not impossible. And this month of December 2009 had two full moons, the first on December 2nd and the second on December 31st. A New Year's Blue Moon!
The rest of the world shares this Blue Moon celebration with Costa Rica. And even better is a partial moon eclipse! In Costa Rica it's called a Lunar Eclipse. The moon has moved into the earth's shadow causing a portion of the moon the be darkened.
In Costa Rica we call these Blue Moon beams tropical moon beams, because it's light shines on beautiful tropical landscapes of flowers, colorful birds, and sandy white beaches surrounded by rain forest, volcanoes, and lush waterfalls.
Quite different from the city of New York where millions will view the Big Ball when it falls at the strike of twelve midnight. New Yorkers may see the ball but may not see the gorgeous blue moon due to cloudy skies. What a shame if they miss the moon. A Big Ball made of three hundred new Waterford crystals cannot take the place of experiencing the celestial moon beams.
So Happy New Year to one and all. To all Creatures Great and Small! The Blue Moon rings in the New Year with reminding us to accomplish the rare, the special, or even absurd, but not the impossible.
[/caption][caption id="attachment_3440" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="New York City, New Year's Eve 2009, The BIG BALL"]
[/caption]Costa Rica has something celestial to ring in the New Year. It's the Blue Moon. But is it really blue? No it isn't. The name it seems comes from folkloric tales from times past. When two full moons occurred in the same calendar month, meaning something rare, special, or even absurd, but not impossible. And this month of December 2009 had two full moons, the first on December 2nd and the second on December 31st. A New Year's Blue Moon!
The rest of the world shares this Blue Moon celebration with Costa Rica. And even better is a partial moon eclipse! In Costa Rica it's called a Lunar Eclipse. The moon has moved into the earth's shadow causing a portion of the moon the be darkened.
In Costa Rica we call these Blue Moon beams tropical moon beams, because it's light shines on beautiful tropical landscapes of flowers, colorful birds, and sandy white beaches surrounded by rain forest, volcanoes, and lush waterfalls.
Quite different from the city of New York where millions will view the Big Ball when it falls at the strike of twelve midnight. New Yorkers may see the ball but may not see the gorgeous blue moon due to cloudy skies. What a shame if they miss the moon. A Big Ball made of three hundred new Waterford crystals cannot take the place of experiencing the celestial moon beams.
So Happy New Year to one and all. To all Creatures Great and Small! The Blue Moon rings in the New Year with reminding us to accomplish the rare, the special, or even absurd, but not the impossible.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tips on Living and Retiring in Costa Rica
[caption id="attachment_3429" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="One of many species of Costa Rican Orchids"]
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[caption id="attachment_3430" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Friendly smile at Costa Rica's Farmer's Market"]
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Are you thinking of making a move to Costa Rica? Perhaps to work or even to retire?
But are not sure if you can afford to do so?
I can offer you great tips to help you determine if this is the right move for you.
Cost of Living: What is less expensive in Costa Rica than in USA or Canada?
No heating and cooling needed in your home. (unless you live on the beach, then you may want air conditioning.)
Real Estate taxes on your home are less
Health Care is very good and cost much less. Dental care and also medications are much less in Costa Rica
Fresh vegetables and fruits at the local week end farmers markets are really cheap.
Public transportation such as public buses are very good and very inexpensive
Home phones and cell phones and basic Internet service are cheaper in Costa Rica
Cable or satellite service about same as US
9. Domestic help is much less in Costa Rica- around $2 per hour.
What cost more in Costa Rica?
cars- the gov of Costa Rica slaps a tax on all imported cars which is a lot of money!
Expect to pay 50-75% more for the same car that you buy in the US. Mechanics who repair your car are expensive and car parts which are all imported are expensive.
Gasoline is around $3.50 a gallon.
Apartments and houses (to north American standards) expect to pay at least $700 and up per month for a 2 bedroom apartment in a safe secure neighborhood.
A week end at the beach? In an nice 3 star hotel with good food expect to pay around $75-$100 per day per person.
It is what ever life style you choose that dictates how much money you spend every month. If you want to live the lifestyle like you are now having in USA, then you will of course spend more money each month. If you want to live a more simple life...slow down..smell the roses. Well then you will spend less money.
If you are interested in learning more about "The Real Costa Rica" please order our video: Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular from page one of costaricalean.com You will hear the testimonials of three North American who work in Costa Rica and also those who retired in Costa Rica. Plus see this beautiful country up close! So go to the top of page one where you can view a two minute trailer of the video. And order you own copy today!
Please tell me one reason why you would choose Costa Rica to retire? 1. The weather is gorgeous and the Costa Rican people are warm, helpful, and friendly
Do I need to Speak Spanish? No..BUT it opens up the true Costa Rican culture to you and if you can talk to the locals...well you can participate in the community gossip line (ha!)
So if you want to know a lot more about the Real Costa Rica, then take a moment and order our video!
[/caption][caption id="attachment_3430" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Friendly smile at Costa Rica's Farmer's Market"]
[/caption]Are you thinking of making a move to Costa Rica? Perhaps to work or even to retire?
But are not sure if you can afford to do so?
I can offer you great tips to help you determine if this is the right move for you.
Cost of Living: What is less expensive in Costa Rica than in USA or Canada?
No heating and cooling needed in your home. (unless you live on the beach, then you may want air conditioning.)
Real Estate taxes on your home are less
Health Care is very good and cost much less. Dental care and also medications are much less in Costa Rica
Fresh vegetables and fruits at the local week end farmers markets are really cheap.
Public transportation such as public buses are very good and very inexpensive
Home phones and cell phones and basic Internet service are cheaper in Costa Rica
Cable or satellite service about same as US
9. Domestic help is much less in Costa Rica- around $2 per hour.
What cost more in Costa Rica?
cars- the gov of Costa Rica slaps a tax on all imported cars which is a lot of money!
Expect to pay 50-75% more for the same car that you buy in the US. Mechanics who repair your car are expensive and car parts which are all imported are expensive.
Gasoline is around $3.50 a gallon.
Apartments and houses (to north American standards) expect to pay at least $700 and up per month for a 2 bedroom apartment in a safe secure neighborhood.
A week end at the beach? In an nice 3 star hotel with good food expect to pay around $75-$100 per day per person.
It is what ever life style you choose that dictates how much money you spend every month. If you want to live the lifestyle like you are now having in USA, then you will of course spend more money each month. If you want to live a more simple life...slow down..smell the roses. Well then you will spend less money.
If you are interested in learning more about "The Real Costa Rica" please order our video: Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular from page one of costaricalean.com You will hear the testimonials of three North American who work in Costa Rica and also those who retired in Costa Rica. Plus see this beautiful country up close! So go to the top of page one where you can view a two minute trailer of the video. And order you own copy today!
Please tell me one reason why you would choose Costa Rica to retire? 1. The weather is gorgeous and the Costa Rican people are warm, helpful, and friendly
Do I need to Speak Spanish? No..BUT it opens up the true Costa Rican culture to you and if you can talk to the locals...well you can participate in the community gossip line (ha!)
So if you want to know a lot more about the Real Costa Rica, then take a moment and order our video!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The Leatherback Sea Turtles of Costa Rica, Largest Sea Turtle on Earth!
[caption id="attachment_3404" align="aligncenter" width="218" caption="Map Las Baulas National Marine Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica"]
[/caption]SPEAK FOR THESE CREATURES WHICH CAN NOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
The leatherback sea turtle is the world’s largest sea turtle and is in danger of becoming extinct. In Costa Rica, it nests on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park during the months of March through May. One can go with a park ranger at night to see these turtles nesting but you may not take photos because the light disturbs the turtles. These turtles have survived for over one hundred million years but now are considered endangered and are under protection because their numbers are decreasing around the world. The Leatherback sea turtle can be found in every ocean in the world except the Arctic Ocean and and Antarctic Ocean.
If you are vacationing in Costa Rica during the months of February through May you have a great chance to see Leatherback sea turtle nesting in the southern Caribbean coastlines of Costa Rica. Especially in a protected area called Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve on the very southern tip of Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coastline.
Also the Leatherback sea turtle nests on the Northwestern Pacific beaches of Costa Rica in large number in Las Baulas National Park during the months of November through April.
This area is especially popular with tourists because it is near by the popular tourist town of Tamarindo where tourist from all over world come to enjoy the sunshine and the warm Pacific Ocean.
There are many reasons that the Leatherback sea turtle is endangered. 1. Eggs are stolen from the nesting sites for consumption by the locals. They claim the eggs are aphrodisiacs.
Killed in fishing lines and struck by boats. 3. Coastal developments damage and destroy nesting sites. Examples of this is homes and condos being built along the beach, bringing large numbers of people who interfere with the turtles nesting rituals.
4. Global Warming which warms the temperatures of the oceans is affecting the food supply of the leatherback. Also, large amounts of plastics are being dumped into the oceans by boats and the leatherback sea turtle thinks it is good to eat, but it is very harmful to the turtles digestive system.
It is estimated that only one in one thousand hatchlings survive to adulthood.
How can We help Protect the Leatherback Sea Turtle? By joining the efforts of The World Wildlife Fund which works with fisheries around the world to decrease the numbers being caught. Also local communities ban together and protect critical nesting sites. We see this in Tortuguero, Costa Rica on the Northwest Caribbean Coast and also in the Northwestern Beaches of Guanacaste where the Costa Rica government has established the Las Baulas National Park to work with the locals to protect these turtles and also to give tourist an opportunity to learn about the world’s largest marine turtle.
Tourism to Costa Rica has brought a large number of dollars into the country and part of this money has been used wisely by the Costa Rican government to help develop these National Parks and Wildlife Refuges. Costa Rica Learn strives to provide those of you thinking of a vacation in Costa Rica with on going helpful travel tips and other valuable information on travel to Costa Rica. Our information is categorized on page one of our web page. so please check out these categories to find information on your topic of interest.
It is difficult to realize just how large the leatherback sea turtle is by looking at the photo below. They can grow to a shell length of 1.7 meters and weight up to 900 kg (approx 2,000 lb). Indeed the largest sea turtle on earth!
Learn more about Las Baulas National Marine Park at www.costarica-nationalparks.com/lasbaulasnational marinepark.html
[caption id="attachment_3392" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle, Costa Rica"]
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Saturday, December 26, 2009
Vacationing in Costa this Winter? Planning to Rent a Car?
If you are planning to rent a car on your vacation to Costa Rica, I invite you to go to my categories-on page one - and click on RENT A CAR IN COSTA RICA . It is located towards the bottom of the category list. Here you can find the articles I have written on "Tips on Renting a Car in Costa Rica" Also read my article on "Renting a Car in Costa Rica-Saving Time and Money" All of this is invaluable information that will be very helpful to you.
I highly recommend you reserve your car from your home country. Don't wait until you get to Costa Rica. If you are planning to drive outside the central valley of San Jose and Alajuela I recommend that you rent a 4x4 vehicle. Because some of the roads in the outlying areas are not in great shape. You may encounter potholes and unpaved roads.
If you want to rent a minivan I recommend Toyota Rental Agency.
For all other types of vehicles there are many agencies located near the two international airports of Costa Rica. Juan Santa Maria International near San Jose, the capital city and also Liberia International located in the northern part of Costa Rica (in Guanacaste).
Car rental prices are quite high in Costa Rica ( you can compare prices on the Internet) and gasoline is expensive, around $3.50 a gallon. (In Costa Rica it is sold by the liter). You can save a lot of money by getting the collision part of the insurance before you leave your home country through you major credit card. I write extensively about this on my blog article under the category "Rent a Car In Costa Rica" Please refer to that article.
People often ask me. Should I rent a car on my vacation in Costa Rica? And I say yes. It is a very good way to travel at your own pace and see a lot of countryside you would not see otherwise.
The major tourist destinations in Costa Rica are easily accessible by car and most of the roads are good (some few sections in the outlying areas have potholes). The care rental company should provide you with a road map which is easy to follow If you get confused in the small towns which do not have good road signs-just stop and ask. Costa Ricans are very friendly and helpful and usually speak enough English to help you out.
Read my article on safety tips when renting a car which is located also under the category "Renting a Car in Costa Rica"
I hope this is very helpful information for you. Please go to contact us if you are in need of further help with your efforts to rent a car on your vacation to Costa Rica. We have organized costaricalearn so that you can search by category. So you can read about the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica simply by clicking on the category you are interested in. Plus read about the history, culture, food, and many other aspects of Costa Rica by selecting the category.
Happy reading! From costaricalearn.com
I highly recommend you reserve your car from your home country. Don't wait until you get to Costa Rica. If you are planning to drive outside the central valley of San Jose and Alajuela I recommend that you rent a 4x4 vehicle. Because some of the roads in the outlying areas are not in great shape. You may encounter potholes and unpaved roads.
If you want to rent a minivan I recommend Toyota Rental Agency.
For all other types of vehicles there are many agencies located near the two international airports of Costa Rica. Juan Santa Maria International near San Jose, the capital city and also Liberia International located in the northern part of Costa Rica (in Guanacaste).
Car rental prices are quite high in Costa Rica ( you can compare prices on the Internet) and gasoline is expensive, around $3.50 a gallon. (In Costa Rica it is sold by the liter). You can save a lot of money by getting the collision part of the insurance before you leave your home country through you major credit card. I write extensively about this on my blog article under the category "Rent a Car In Costa Rica" Please refer to that article.
People often ask me. Should I rent a car on my vacation in Costa Rica? And I say yes. It is a very good way to travel at your own pace and see a lot of countryside you would not see otherwise.
The major tourist destinations in Costa Rica are easily accessible by car and most of the roads are good (some few sections in the outlying areas have potholes). The care rental company should provide you with a road map which is easy to follow If you get confused in the small towns which do not have good road signs-just stop and ask. Costa Ricans are very friendly and helpful and usually speak enough English to help you out.
Read my article on safety tips when renting a car which is located also under the category "Renting a Car in Costa Rica"
I hope this is very helpful information for you. Please go to contact us if you are in need of further help with your efforts to rent a car on your vacation to Costa Rica. We have organized costaricalearn so that you can search by category. So you can read about the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica simply by clicking on the category you are interested in. Plus read about the history, culture, food, and many other aspects of Costa Rica by selecting the category.
Happy reading! From costaricalearn.com
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
We now have a Costa rica Travel Video for sale: " Costa Rica, A Travel Adventure Spectacular"
Our full 58 minute DVD video , Costa Rica, A Travel Adventure Spectacular , which has been in production for a year, is now for sale. Orders can be placed via Pay Pal. Pay Pal, an Ebay company, is the largest provider of online transactions on the Internet. It is also one of the safest ways to pay for anything online.
The video is $24.95 and shipping is free world wide. We ship using United States Postal Service First Class mail which is about 3 - 5 days within the United States. To order just click on the "Add To Cart" button below where you can make payment via Pay Pal. If you would like to watch the trailer for the video, just click the play button below.
"Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular" video, If you are thinking of coming to Costa Rica on vacation then this Costa Rica travel video is for you . In our video you will Visit the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves of this nature lover' s paradise. See the active Poas Volcano and Arenal Volcano, and the famous Tortuguero canals of the Caribbean, the largest concentration of wildlife in Costa Rica. Zip line through the jungle, high above the rain forest canopy. Experience the culture and history of Costa Rica- folkloric oxcart parades, tiny mountainside villages, coffee plantations, plus interviews with expats from North American living here who love the eternal spring weather and "pure life" in Costa Rica. And much more!
The video is $24.95 and shipping is free world wide. We ship using United States Postal Service First Class mail which is about 3 - 5 days within the United States. To order just click on the "Add To Cart" button below where you can make payment via Pay Pal. If you would like to watch the trailer for the video, just click the play button below.
About the Video
"Costa Rica A Travel Adventure Spectacular" video, If you are thinking of coming to Costa Rica on vacation then this Costa Rica travel video is for you . In our video you will Visit the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves of this nature lover' s paradise. See the active Poas Volcano and Arenal Volcano, and the famous Tortuguero canals of the Caribbean, the largest concentration of wildlife in Costa Rica. Zip line through the jungle, high above the rain forest canopy. Experience the culture and history of Costa Rica- folkloric oxcart parades, tiny mountainside villages, coffee plantations, plus interviews with expats from North American living here who love the eternal spring weather and "pure life" in Costa Rica. And much more!
Monday, December 14, 2009
A Supernatural Adventure to Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano National Park, A Great Family Vacation!
Want to take a supernatural adventure to Costa Rica? Well, Arenal Volcano National Park is the perfect destination for that great family vacation. Something for everyone. Because it is an active volcano and performs daily by spurting lava and red hot rocks out its summit, and making huffing and puffing noises and small explosions. There is plenty of out door adventure activities to choose including two of the best zip line tours in Costa Rica. The beautiful Lake Arenal is located on Arenal Volcano's north face and you can rent a boat and go fishing or simply cruise around the lake and see all the marine birds that gather on the lake. Early morning is the best time to see the birds and wildlife such as howler monkeys. It is a great destination for a family vacation. The kids will be enchanted with the volcano and can take a dip in one of the many hot springs which come directly out of the base of the volcano. Horseback riding is what kids love and they can ride to a hugh beautiful waterfall, seeing howler monkeys along the way. Lets take a hike around the volcano with Ryan creator of "Super Natural Adventures, Kids. And what an adventure at Arenal Volcano National Park, the perfect destination for a wonderful vacation for all the family!
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