I was mistaken when I thought I would be eating mostly Latin food but Costa Rica has a phenomenal diversity in the foods that it serves. You would be surprised to find that there are many Asian restaurants and just as many European restaurants. The food is plentiful and the cost is reasonable. Of course every fine hotel has a restaurant on the premises but you will want to eat at the local restaurants.

In San Jose there are quite a few fine restaurants. Ristorante Bohemia is a fine European restaurant that serves a formal European dinner with a fine wine list. While looking for restaurants to try out, I repeatedly found Tin Jo’s on the list. This is a restaurant that seems to have stood the test of time and is still in business. The food is considered Pan Asian and you can find Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and even some East Indian food. The deserts are delicious.

I once went to a Cuban restaurant and found out the hard way that not all Latin food is like Mexican food. I embarrassed myself and asked for chips and salsa. Big oops, I got a dirty look for that one. The same is true of Costa Rica; don’t go expecting the native food to be like Mexican food. It could be considered bland and is healthier than the Mexican food that we usually eat here in the States. Costa Rican food is considered healthier because it is more fresh and natural. No canned peas here!

The nicest thing about eating in Costa Rica is that all fruits, vegetable, and seafood are very fresh. In some cases the beef and pork are actually fresh as well. In all restaurants the juice served is usually fresh. It seems that it is cheaper to serve fresh rather than frozen. Many smaller restaurants actually grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs There is also the cheese made by the Quaker community from Monteverde and if you travel through Monteverde you will get a chance to meet the Quakers. .

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Costa Rica. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

One thing that I have to have in the morning is a hot cup of coffee. I don’t care if the weather is hot or not, I must have a cup of hot coffee to get moving in the morning. One nice thing is that Costa Rica produces a fine crop of coffee. You may want to stock up and take bags of coffee home with you as gifts for friends and family. Many of the hotels are located on either old coffee plantations or on actual functioning coffee plantations.

One of the local dishes is Ceviche, which is wonderful and is made from seafood. I make my own version here at home with cooked shrimp and crab. One of the delicacies found in most salads is Hearts of Palm. I think that is great, especially since I love Hearts of Palm. Here in the states they are expensive and I haven’t had any for quite some time.

As with any Central American country, Plantains are a staple it the diet of Costa Ricans. When I was a kid my Puerto Rican friend was served fried Plantains for breakfast made by her mother. I was shocked to see her put ketchup on a fried banana. Well I soon found out that Plantains are in the banana family but they are used more like potatoes.

Because of all the fresh produce available, Costa Rica is a heaven for vegetarians or those with vegan diets. You will find many vegetarian restaurants available for your dining pleasure.

Most of the big hotels have buffets and you can always eat at these but you will do yourself a disservice if you don’t try the local cuisine with it being as fresh and original as it is. There are a many Americans and others that come to Costa Rica and open up businesses. No matter where you are in Costa Rica, get out and try the food. Visit someplace new every day.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

The tourism in Costa Rica is identical to what you see if you toured the Bahamas or the Cayman Islands. The activities tourists took part in ranged from rafting to scuba diving and snorkeling. The things people did were things done out of relaxation and exposure to a new culture and a new way of life that many aren’t used to seeing. Costa Rica isn’t as ritzy as Mexico and the West Indies, yet in terms of those who enjoyed a secluded romantic getaway would find it in Costa Rica because of the endless resorts this small nation offered on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides.

Since surfing is one of the most popular sports and many who like to catch a wave in the pristine waters of Costa Rica will find their paradise on the endless stretch of beaches. Some who want to experience a tropical romantic environment will find it in some of the private resorts that offer people the chance to swim in their natural hot springs. Many tropical places are known for their beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the beach or balcony of your hotel or resort.

Some other activities for those who are the outdoorsy types would value hiking in the lush rainforests around the area and even doing some of the hiking by canopy, which is riding across a single area by wire cable. There are tours fit for all kinds of tastes some people like to go and visit small villages and learn about pottery and cooking where some would like to take in the shopping and nightlife of the city. Costa Rica is full of life and fun when you want to experience a whole new life in this Central American country.

The more authentic information about Costa Rica you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Costa Rica expert. Read on for even more Costa Rica facts that you can share.

Most people come because of the beauty of the countryside that’s what people are drawn to because color and atmosphere brings out the tranquility of a single country. Some people will even spend months in Costa Rica since you’re allowed to spend up to 90 days in the country on a visitor’s visa so those who love the tranquility and beauty so much can go down and rent a home and spend the next 90 days in opulent luxury and returning to the states in a blissful state of relaxation and looking someone fresh from a spa treatment.

If you can afford to rent the house and all the amenities you can have what many celebrities spend good money on which is a complete and total rejuvenation of the mind, body, and spirit. Change of scenery is what makes people function and live better when they’re taken out of the hustle, bustle, and everyday stress in life and allowed to recharge and rejuvenate their battery. So they’re able to think and function clearly when they return to their everyday life. This is why a vacation to a tropical paradise is recommended for those in high stress jobs.

And Costa Rica is among the most chosen of places for those to surround themselves with fresh clean air and colorful plants, flowers and breathtaking wildlife to stimulate the senses and refresh the soul.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO

Music in Costa Rica is music to dance to. From Salsa to Chamber music there is something for everyone. Live bands play at different clubs all over the country. Salsa, Jazz, Rock, Tango, Tex-Mex, and Calypso are all on the venue at different nightspots in Costa Rica.

If you are staying in and around San Jose the best nightlife is found at El Pueblo in Escazu. Here you can find restaurants, nightclubs and shops. Club Twister is one club that is very popular playing contemporary and Latin music. Another is El Tobagan and while they are open only on the weekend they are always packed.

Somewhere in El Pueblo the Tango Bar is located. It has a couple of older gals that serve drinks and perform sentimental ballads. If you are lucky an Argentine visitor will be able to translate the lyrics. Occasionally you will have the treat of seeing a good tango performed.

Costa Ricans love to dance and they are so good that it is scary. Not too much cha cha, but there is plenty of cumbia, merengue, lambada, and salsa. If you get a chance before you go to Costa Rica try to get in some salsa lessons. It is the most fun you can have and it sure makes you know that you are alive. There is dancing at night in any number of clubs all over Costa Rica but most of the better hotels have music at night.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

If you speak a small amount of Spanish and you are looking for local happenings then you can try to read the local papers the Tico Time and La Nacíon. These should help you find local movie times and info on concerts and festivals.

Every year in February and March there is the Monteverde Art Festival, which has local musicians and visiting guest musicians. The venues for the music change from year to year depending on what festival planners have in mind so check the local newspaper or simply ask around. The local Ticos will be more than happy to give you any info they have on where the next performance is.

Costa Rica is predominantly Catholic so most of their holidays follow the usual Catholic holidays such as Christmas and Easter but one holiday that stands out is the celebration of the Black Christ Esquipulas. This festival originates in Guatemala but is celebrated all over Costa Rica. There is large population of Guatemalan immigrants so this may have something to do with the celebration.

The Teatro National was built over a hundred years ago an in that time Costa Ricans have developed there own national theater company. Additionally Costa Rica has their own Symphony and Ticos love classical music almost as much as Salsa.

For those of you that like a different kind of nightlife there are also a few nature and wildlife tours. In the Mountverde Cloud Forest there are night tours that show you the beauty of wildlife that only shows itself at night.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO

Most of the tour companies and even the major airlines have packages tourists can look through brochures and pick out a tour package that fits their budget since many run someone back around $1500-2000 for the average 5 to 7 day tours and a little more if you’re doing the full 10-14 day tours.

You can Google up Costa Rican vacations and you’ll pull up countless tour companies that offer everything from student to specialized tours for people with disabilities. There’s a package for everyone and the budgets they wish to spend since some people want to keep it simple and some want it to be elaborate. Most of the tours usually feature tours of ancient ruins of Costa Rican indigenous people.

Always go for tour companies that are experienced and know everything from A to Z about Costa Rica. Inexperienced tour companies are not up to par with issues that many tourists ask questions about such as the full cost of an actual tour and any other information pertinent to you booking or otherwise.

You want to get the most out of your money when booking a vacation package and make sure that what is stated in the literature matches what you see because those who book with companies that don’t have a good reputation should be aware and it’s ideal to check them out through consumer protection websites to see if they’re accused of pricing unfairly or misrepresenting something in their literature about the tour(s) they’re advertising. Many companies even allow tourists to design their own packages by giving them a choice of different things to mix and match and come up with a price that’s satisfactory to the customer’s budget needs.

I trust that what you’ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

A good solid package if someone’s on a limited budget between $490-900 for 3-5 days, or if someone’s wanting an elaborate type of tour package of 10-15 days could spring up $3500-5000 depending on what the tourist puts in their package which determines the cost of the trip in total.

Most packages include your airfare, meals, and hotel costs, and all gratuities (tips), but some of them don’t include airfare or meals or hotel costs so it’s important to research this before you put a down payment on the trip. It’s cheaper to do packages because if you had to cover the cost of airfare, meals, and hotel stay separately you would be looking a lot of money.

This is why packages are important to tourists, so they can get more out of their money and not have to spend more than they are wanting to do just to have a vacation that’s relaxing and fun. Investigate all travel companies and agents through word of mouth if you know anyone who’s used them for a vacation tour package and the major airlines have a travel bureau.

That you can look at since many travelers who use the same airline can rely on their carriers information, but the only downside is that they don’t provide extra details such as issues with personal and public security, and knowing how to convert currency. Travelers are advised to consult with the Costa Rican consulate for any information surrounding security and conversion of currency so you’re getting the right and correct information.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

San Jose
Most museums and art galleries in Costa Rica are found in San Jose. The central part of San Jose is noisy and crowed as the capital of any city will be. The airport is located outside of San Jose and you may come into Costa Rica via San Jose anyway, why not check it out while you are visiting. I have been told that you step of the curb carefully in Europe or get run over. Pedestrians do not have the right of way in San Jose either so watch yourself when you cross the street.

The Northwest
Arenal and Monteverde are located in the Northwest. Arenal is the Volcano located in this area and it is a game of wait-and-see to get the opportunity to view the cone of the volcano spew hot lava. Arenal is one of the only active volcanoes in the world that can be safely viewed by tourists without the threat of bodily harm. I live in the Pacific Northwest, also in the shadow of Mount Rainier so volcanoes don’t bother me.

The road to Monteverde runs from the small town of Santa Elena to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve with hotels, nightclubs and restaurants. This area is usually very dense with tourists. Originally settled by Quakers this area now has a thriving eclectic artist community. Quakers are also reported to be great cheese makers in this area. I just love cheese and Quakers are cool too so I gotta plan to visit the cheese farm. Although this is one of the busiest this region offers many day trips and interesting things to do.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

Nicoya Peninsula
While the Costa Rican government would certainly welcome the revenue from more tourists, for the moment the beaches of Nicoya remain somewhat of a secret. Beaches are still relatively deserted. If golf is your thing the course at Playa Conchal is renowned. This would be the vacation for you if you have water sports in mind. There is snorkeling, swimming, diving, surfing, fishing, and even kayaking. The drive from Carrillo to Mal País by 4-wheel drive is simply amazing. This area is also surfer heaven. Horseback riding is also offered by most of the hotels.

Quepos & the Central Pacific
This area is known for beaches and water sports. There is an abundance of quiet beaches to choose from while you do see surfers frequently the beaches are not crowded and it is easy to relax. Along their Pacific Coast Highway there is a vast array of lodging anywhere from the seedy to the luxurious and in between. This area is a wonderland for any beach lover with diving, fishing, golf, and horseback riding, kayaking and even surfing. I want to try the Titi Canopy tours. A canopy tour is like a ski lift going from tree to tree like the monkeys. If you are afraid of heights this is not for you!

Osa Peninsula & Golfo Dulce
This area is much more remote, however there are several luxury hotels. Drake Bay has whale-watching tours and you can often spot dolphins playing around your boat. Corcovado National Park offers tours that are teaming with wildlife to see and take photos of. In Golfo Dulce the are 2 botanical gardens, Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden and Wilson Botanical Garden.

South Caribbean
Miles of banana plantations can be found here. Some believe these to be the most beautiful beaches in the country, although it is much more humid. The culture here is more Caribbean in it’s inhabitants. The usual water sports can be found here.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Not only do tour companies do regular tours, weddings, but also they do have special tours for those who wish to spend a week diving at various beaches around the country. Many people who are new to diving are strongly advised to undergo training and certification prior to their travel plans because it can get expensive if you come and get certified by an instructor down there and certification standards are different in the United States and Caribbean.

It’s easier to do that so you can be prepared and have yourself together. It’s ideal to be an experienced diver when you visit places like Costa Rica so you can travel with your own equipment since airlines usually allow divers to travel with their tanks and gear depending on who permits it since it’s considered extra weight on flights.

The more authentic information about Costa Rica you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Costa Rica expert. Read on for even more Costa Rica facts that you can share.

They have packages for how long some people wish to go diving and usually the average times people go on diving trips are about 10-14 days. Divers depending on the tour company you go with will allow you to customize your trip and usually if you’re traveling in a group, it’s a lot cheaper and you get more for your money when you book as a group. Rates for snorkeling go by how much you’re charged per day to rent a boat to go out on the water.

The rates are also priced by the season meaning it can cost more if you’re going out during the high tourist season and it’s cheaper when you’re going on the low tourist season. Usually peak travel seasons are when it’s the most expensive to travel to Costa Rica. It’s cheaper to visit on the off-season because you can get a good rate for travel with airfare and hotel since rates go down in the off-season. That’s why it’s ideal to plan your trips in advance so when you come across a good deal you can book it ahead of time to get the rate that you want.

Google can pull up countless websites for travel agencies that offer diving travel packages so people can customize their vacation packages for their specific need and budgets since not everyone wants elaborate, but want to go low key and inexpensive. Everyone wants to have a good time, but you want to also save some money in the process of it all.

Planning the ultimate diving excursion with friends and family who are into diving can be a lot of fun and having quality time with loved ones and friends is what makes a vacation worth every penny spent. Researching your vacation options early ensures that you get what you’re paying for in advance.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Costa Rica is a country that has had a comfortable democracy for quite some time. Even though her neighbors have been torn apart with political strife, Costa Rica has remained peaceful and with little or no political upheaval. It seems to have created a genuinely happy group of people. However, human nature being what it is, there is some amount of crime that does exist.

The usual warnings apply. Stay out of any red light districts there may be and always travel with groups in well-lit areas. Keep your money in a hidden pocket somewhere in your clothing but do not carry a wallet. It is advised that you keep a credit card or travelers checks. Both are insured and when you are on vacation if you are mugged you can get them replaced.

Don’t leave your drinks unattended and don’t make change or flash your cash. It’s not difficult just handle your transactions discreetly. Stifle the need to wear expensive jewelry it’s overdone in this environment anyway. It has been suggested that visitors keep photocopies of their return plane ticket and their passport. Keep an extra stash of cash in your hotel room just in case of an emergency.

If your Costa Rica facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don’t let important Costa Rica information slip by you.

If you drive your rented car out of a gas station, grocery store, your hotel, or just about anywhere and it ends up with a flat tire. Don’t let the inevitable Good Samaritan help you that comes right along as soon as you have broke down. In the past there have been tourists that allowed this nice guy that just happened along, to help them change the tire while he has you distracted his buddies sneak into the other side of the car and steal you belongings.

The roads are usually paved and easy to travel but occasionally you have to go down some rough dirt road. If you are unsure of the roads don’t drive them. As a matter of fact, it just isn’t good sense to rent a car. The cost of gas is terrible and you have to stress out about figuring out where you are going. It would be smart to set aside a bus/taxi fare when you plan your trip.

If someone spills food on you move quickly away from them as they try to help you. Wiping ketchup off of you is a way to grab you and pick your pockets. This is an old ploy that is used all too often in many ports of call, not just Costa Rica. Many people come to Costa Rica looking for photo opportunities. Shutterbugs just love their equipment and it is a big tragedy when their cameras get stolen. Get vacation or travelers insurance for your camera and equipment.

If you do get equipment stolen or your wallet stolen, call 911 and follow through with getting a police report. You will need a copy of the police report in order for your camera to be replaced. Chances are that you will never have to use any of this advice, but it never hurts to be safe.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Instead of renting a high priced hotel room, you can go and rent yourself a villa for $1500 a week which is cheap. Comparing to a hotel room costing that much, and with a villa you can get more like a eat in kitchen and actual bedrooms not just a single room. You can rent out up to 6 bedrooms if you have a group of 12 of more.

Costa Rican vacation rentals provide some upscale properties you can rent by the week and is in perfect view of the oceanfront. The homes are privately owned so you don’t have to worry about waking up to dealing with hundreds of other hotel and resort guests. You can wake up in a normal home environment exactly how many people are used to on a daily basis. It’s feeling like you’re at home. Costa Rican vacation rentals also offer amenities like tours around the area, car rentals, social activities, recommending local restaurants and taverns, and more. The management team that is on-site is committed to assisting you through your stay.

All the homes come fully furnished complete with a full kitchen, DVD-CD stereo, satellite television, private pool with waterfall, and central air conditioning. Dishes and beds are maintained with maid service the company provides during your stay. This is what some people call a great vacation because having a house over a hotel room or resort, is actually much more peaceful than to just deal with annoying hotel guests.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Costa Rica. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

And you can wake up and have a cup of coffee without the hustle and bustle of a hotel having to wake up at once to make it to breakfast. Basically you can shower and relax as you were at your own home. Renting a house is actually much better if you’re planning to bring family and friends, so it’s a lot more relaxed and stress free and nobody dealing with having their rooms all screwed up where as everyone has a room and is comfortable.

The nice thing is that honeymooners would appreciate renting a house because it’s much more private than a hotel or resort and it’s putting the romance back into the environment. When you have your own space and not having to deal with anyone outside of the confinements of your villa. What’s even more convenient is that all the properties in the area are within 20 minutes of the Liberia International Airport, when you depart to fly home which is nice because the staff will ensure that you get to the airport to catch your flight home. Too many places where some people are just too far away and have to leave super early just to make it in time for check in, and have enough time to get to the gate so they can get their boarding passes.

At least this place you can relax and get to the airport on time and still make your flight on time. According to the website people who loved staying there left comments about coming back which says a lot for the company’s reputation.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

I found many, many yoga and meditation retreats so I will just try to tell you about the ones that stand out. I encourage you to do your own search

Pancha Mama
Pancha Mama means Mother Earth in Spanish and if you are a time-warped hippie that had a go around with communes this is gonna ring your bell. Pancho Mama is referred to as a Spiritual Eco Village. The fees are extremely reasonable, if I read their fee chart correctly. A number is listed with no digits behind it so I am relatively sure these are the rates. For a tent it is $12.00 for a single and $20.00 for a double. For a House it is $28 for a single and $50 for a double.

Offered are lessons in yoga, meditation, tai chi, surfing and horseback riding. This is also a total vegetarian cuisine and the meals approximately $4.00 a piece with children’s meals costing a mere 1-2 dollars.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

Luna Lodge
Lana Wedmore has worked in the tourist service industry for years and her final destination for her own Lodge is the Osa Peninsula in the southern region of Costa Rica. Her rates are not cheap but they are competitive with the larger hotels and she has included a Wellness Center where you can learn or practice Yoga, Tai Chi, Reiki, or massage. The buildings are beautiful and in harmony the ocean and jungle that surround it. Her rates run from $125 – $200.

Tree Houses Hotel
I didn’t see any ads for yoga or massage but I did see info on the Hot Springs. That’s gotta be healthy. So, here is another unusual way to spend your holiday…. in a tree house. Mind you, these tree houses have full bathrooms with tubs and they have Air Conditioning. You have got to at least visit the website, the rooms are very cool. The rates run $75 -$85 per night.

Costa Rica Quilting Retreat
I can’t imagine making quilts in the jungle, but if there are any enthusiasts out there, this is your lucky day. Bungalows are offered in a private gated community. The Main building has a swimming pool and they have BBQ’s out by the pool. The fee for this is $925 for the B&B arrangement in the main house, or you can pay $950 for a cottage. With only the $25 extra for the cottage, I would take the cottage

In Conclusion. I have found that most of the spas or retreats are very spendy, and atmosphere is the largest offering. They do many weddings in Costa Rica and the luxury Hotel/Spa experience is the fancy pampering newlyweds enjoy. I have listed retreats that are a bit less expensive and more individualized than the normal offering.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

The Crazy girl is thinking of retiring there and buying property. She asked me if I would consider doing that. I told her that maybe we should just get a vacation under our belt and then we can think about moving there. Quite frankly folks, the only date I have had in a while on a Saturday night is my 7-year old grandson, so it is safe to say that I need to get away.

Planning a vacation is something totally foreign to me. I get dressed up for a trip to the grocery store so thinking about this is big, very big. The Internet has cornered the market with online travel agencies but I really want to talk to a person and get the scoop. I have heard of how people plan trips and when they arrive, their luxurious accommodations turn into a community bathtub in a tent and a port-a-potty. I want to get the most for my dollar and avoid the pitfalls most tourists make when planning to get away.

I don’t even have a passport and I have heard that it can take up to a year to get one. So it is safe to say that I am planning a vacation in at least a year in advance. I am a researcher and I like to get all the information in place before I make plans to pay for a trip. Of course it is Sunday and no travel agency listed phonebook is open.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Costa Rica. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

I went to the library yesterday and found books on Costa Rica and I am reading like a fiend. The only travel guide they had for me to check out on Costa Rica was a 2003 edition. However, most of the restaurants and hotels have web addresses and toll free phone numbers, so I can contact them to get current information if I need to.

I decided to check into the different types of vacations you can plan. I came up with Spa Resort vacations, wildlife and national parks, sport vacations, historical, shopping, nightlife, and my personal favorite, the art vacation.

I will write about these as I find out about them. To begin with there are 7 areas to explore. The most logical place to start is San Jose the capital of Costa Rica. The other areas that follow are; the Northwest, Nicoya Peninsula, Quepos & Central Pacific, Osa Peninsula & Golfo Dulce, South Caribbean, and Tortuguero/North Caribbean.

The first thing I have to do is start saving money for a vacation and plan the vacation. Then I have to get a passport. Since 911 there have been many changes in international travel and now it can take up to a year to get your passport. So I am getting started now.

Is there really any information about Costa Rica that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO