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

Large companies and corporations sponsor destination business meetings and Costa Rica is one of prominent spots to have a conference and conventions. Exotic locations combine business and vacation at the same time and give a fresh look to business. When you want to bring some relaxation to your company and employees having it in an exotic locale like Costa Rica it’s offering employees a chance to kick back and relax and take advantage of getting in some quality time to go fishing, swimming, horseback riding, golf, tennis, or taking in getting a body massage and spa treatments.

Some companies host their annual company trips to exotic locations for a chance of scenery and environment and to give people a chance to get in some vacation time without actually taking off and holding business meetings and conventions. Most resorts have special packages for companies to book a specific number of rooms and have arrangements for all budgets and to have someone on hand to help with the arrangements of the convention or conference.

This actually is a great way for employees to get out of the office and yet do something fun and not feel stressed. Most companies who do something to take the employees out of the office tend to have less stressed out workers because a change of scenery is usually good for someone not to feel burned out. Getting in some sun, hiking, horseback riding, diving, fishing, tennis, snorkeling, swimming, soaking in the hot tub, and taking in a full body massage and spa treatment is key in lowering someone’s stress level because it’s a way for someone to relax and cool out.

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

Some social organizations plan their annual trips to exotic locations as a way to change the scenery too and to give their people a chance to relax and do something fun instead of the same stuff. Flamingo Beach Resort has a staff that handles groups and events and can help plan out the stay exactly specified to your instructions and meeting your budget restrictions.

You can go on their website and request information for catering and planning your group event to Costa Rica and the resort can hold meeting space for up to 190 people which is ideal for people planning moderate sized events. The catering menu can serve everything from elegant to international cuisine and casual poolside.

This is what you call an awesome business meeting you get to spend it in a foreign country and getting in your vacation without exactly taking off since you’re actually working at the same time. You can even have the planning staff plan mixers, welcome receptions, and themed ice breakers to get employees to interact with each other if some of them work in different departments and aren’t around others from the same office. Group discounts are given if 10 or more rooms are booked. An event like this will make one feel rejuvenated and refreshed after a week in a luxury hotel and being in a peaceful environment.

Now you can be a confident expert on Costa Rica. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on Costa Rica.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

The first consideration is trying to get a good deal with the airlines to get you into Costa Rica. There are 2 airports, Liberia airport and San Jose International Airport. Liberia is located on the coast and San Jose International is inland outside of San Jose. If you purchase your plane ticket scheduled during the green season you can save up to $150 per person on airfare. It is possible to fly standby as well.

The 2 main airlines into Costa Rica from the U.S. are Continental and Delta. Another possibility for saving money on airfare has just surfaced. Costa Rica has given the official okay for 3 other airlines to land on their airstrips. One of them is an American airline and it is the economy company of Frontier Airlines. I don’t know if rates are available yet but you might want to check with them. If you are going to Costa Rica during the Green Season you are a person that likes rain. It might just be worth the extra money to go during the High Season when it is dry and sunny.

The most affordable lodging I have found is the Bed & Breakfast trade. One way of searching is to go to Pamela Lanier’s Bed & Breakfast website www.lanierbb.com. When I navigated her website and put Costa Rica in her search window I pulled up nothing. So I clicked on the map that is to the side of the search window and I got Latin America. Click near Central America and you have a list of Costa Rican cities that you can search for a B&B from.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Costa Rica. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

As an example I clicked on a B&B in Monteverde. I found La Colina, which is located in the Cloud forest and surrounded by the local Quaker community. The rates run from $38 – $40 per night and they have quite a few amenities. This facility also offers showers and baths to campers, although I am not sure I would want to camp in the jungle. Give me 4 walls please.

The most inexpensive lodging I found was the Kalexma. This B&B is owned by a woman that is an English teacher. She first started this rooming house to offer lodging to her students. She believes in immersion as a way of learning the language and offers low cost rooms as bridge to that end. These rates are as low as $15 per night. This is a bare bones arrangement and you have a bed and a bathroom. The site can be found at www.Kelexma.com.

Villa Mango located in Nosara, Costa Rica, has the most moderate of prices. A room will cost you approximately $59.00 per night, and $385.00 for a week. This B&B is a 10-minute walk from the beach.
The Villa Decary has rates that run about $85 a night and it is located about 10 miles from the Arenal volcano. The hotel sits on the shore of Lake Arenal with a view of the lake from you window.

If you are a woman traveling on your own I would check our Bed & Breakfast rooming, as it is easier to meet people in this type of environment. A good travel resource for women is journeywoman.com. This site gives great info for the single woman traveler.

My final advice is on eating. The water is good in Costa Rica, you don’t have the problems that the Mexicans do with Montezuma’s Revenge. There are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to eat that are very cheap to buy. Also there are many Mom & Pop restaurants that cost much less than the big fancy restaurants. My advice is to pick a meal a day to eat big, then, keep on hand snacks for the rest of the day. You don’t want to go home heavier than you arrived do you?

There’s a lot to understand about Costa Rica. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

Packages such as this usually aren’t that expensive since one price can cover two people and these are perfect for the couples who want a romantic getaway for Sweetest Day or Valentine’s Day where it’s breaking with tradition of the ‘Hallmark Holiday’-greeting card overkill, chocolate, and flowers. The website Resortflamingobeach.com does this package deal called ‘baby-moon’ which is a special package designed for parents who want that special getaway kind of like second honeymoon for parents.

The cheapest time to go on a getaway is during the summer when the rates are cheaper since it’s more expensive to go in the fall when rates go up.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Costa Rica. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

Some romantic getaway packages can be tailored to include spa sessions for a nominal fee and even some horseback riding on the beach and strolls along the beach during a sunset or even a sunrise for those who are early birds.

Some hotels and resorts have the all-inclusive option which means you pay one price for all you can eat meals, snacks and drinks which is actually a great value for couples on set budgets and they can get more for their money which is good for those who want to have a good vacation for a good price and value. It’s important to plan your trip so that you’re not going to overspend and going over budget. Romantic getaways are just the kind of rest and relaxation many couples need to reconnect and bond with each other in a loving and caring way.

Many couples find it exhilarating to wake up to smelling fresh air and looking out on the beach when they sit out on the terrace of their hotel room having breakfast or that first cup of coffee in the morning like many people have when they get up in the morning to start their day. Looking onto the ocean is a nice feeling first thing in the morning you’re waking up to the birds chirping and the crashing of the waves and the smell of the ocean air and not waking up to the rustle and bustle of urban city life.

This is a change of pace for couples who spend so much time on a job or some occupation that often leaves them stressed and worn out and a romantic getaway to someplace tropic can be an adjustment to one’s attitude when they’re stressed and burned out from all the things that everyday life brings them. Once you come away from one of these getaways you’ll be a normal person who got some rest and relaxation away from the insanity that everyday life brings to people.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

If anything’s more fun it’s a destination wedding and many couples that want to experience a real tropical paradise can arrange for their wedding to take place in Costa Rica. Some of the more experienced tour companies have special rates for wedding/vacation packages for couples that want to have a destination wedding and vacation for their wedding party and incorporating a honeymoon at the same time. Some packages are cheaper when booked at the group rate so it’s cheaper for members of your wedding party, friends, family, and other guests to be able to travel at a cheap rate.

Costa Rica has some really scenic tropical beaches and hotels and resorts that are priced right for someone’s budget whether it’s big or small. The idea of having a destination wedding is kind of for those who like to get away from the ordinary church/hotel weddings and being able to enjoy a different kind of scenery where the sunsets and sunrises are breathtaking and enjoying a peaceful kind of setting that really makes getting married worthwhile.

There are many tour companies that offer wedding/honeymoon/vacation packages Costa Rican Tours Inc. that is based in Costa Rica offers wedding packages for at least $500-1000 since in most cases all you have to do is handle the legalities and paperwork to get married in Costa Rica. The U.S. Embassy or Costa Rican consulate will have the required paperwork needed to marry in a foreign land.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Costa Rica. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

Usually, the only thing that you have to provide is that you are single or divorced (You must provide a copy of your divorce or annulment decree) will prove your marriage was legally dissolved in a court of law in the United States. The cost you pay can go to cover the flowers, food, and entertainment since many hotels provide this for one price to make it less expensive since it’s not cheap to fly to Costa Rica at certain times of the year since airfares can be super high during the high peak travel season and not everyone can travel for a destination wedding especially if your guests have to take off from school and work to attend.

Most who are getting married in destination weddings usually don’t have a lot of people attending because not everyone can afford to jet off to some exotic location for 5 days and usually many who do this are usually eloping because of the fact that not everyone can come to the wedding.

Usually many couples who do destination weddings don’t regret it because it was a positive experience with less of a hassle dealing with ungrateful relatives and friends and just being with the person they love and not having to worry about the expense many couples face after a wedding for at least 2-5 years depending on how long it takes for them to pay down their debt from the wedding. Usually destination weddings are inexpensive, but it’s the airfare and hotels people who go to them worry about since they’re not cheap to book.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, who just launched this great product..
- Are you looking to get traffic to your website? Introducing… Free Google Traffic System!!

Large companies and corporations sponsor destination business meetings and Costa Rica is one of prominent spots to have a conference and conventions. Exotic locations combine business and vacation at the same time and give a fresh look to business. When you want to bring some relaxation to your company and employees having it in an exotic locale like Costa Rica it’s offering employees a chance to kick back and relax and take advantage of getting in some quality time to go fishing, swimming, horseback riding, golf, tennis, or taking in getting a body massage and spa treatments.

Some companies host their annual company trips to exotic locations for a chance of scenery and environment and to give people a chance to get in some vacation time without actually taking off and holding business meetings and conventions. Most resorts have special packages for companies to book a specific number of rooms and have arrangements for all budgets and to have someone on hand to help with the arrangements of the convention or conference.

This actually is a great way for employees to get out of the office and yet do something fun and not feel stressed. Most companies who do something to take the employees out of the office tend to have less stressed out workers because a change of scenery is usually good for someone not to feel burned out. Getting in some sun, hiking, horseback riding, diving, fishing, tennis, snorkeling, swimming, soaking in the hot tub, and taking in a full body massage and spa treatment is key in lowering someone’s stress level because it’s a way for someone to relax and cool out.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Costa Rica story from informed sources.

Some social organizations plan their annual trips to exotic locations as a way to change the scenery too and to give their people a chance to relax and do something fun instead of the same stuff. Flamingo Beach Resort has a staff that handles groups and events and can help plan out the stay exactly specified to your instructions and meeting your budget restrictions.

You can go on their website and request information for catering and planning your group event to Costa Rica and the resort can hold meeting space for up to 190 people which is ideal for people planning moderate sized events. The catering menu can serve everything from elegant to international cuisine and casual poolside.

This is what you call an awesome business meeting you get to spend it in a foreign country and getting in your vacation without exactly taking off since you’re actually working at the same time. You can even have the planning staff plan mixers, welcome receptions, and themed ice breakers to get employees to interact with each other if some of them work in different departments and aren’t around others from the same office. Group discounts are given if 10 or more rooms are booked. An event like this will make one feel rejuvenated and refreshed after a week in a luxury hotel and being in a peaceful environment.

Now you can be a confident expert on Costa Rica. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on Costa Rica.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, author of this Free Adsense eBook — make sure to claim your free adsense ebook download!

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.

Most of this information comes straight from the Costa Rica pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

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, author of this Free Adsense eBook — make sure to claim your free adsense ebook download!

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.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Costa Rica. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

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.

Now you can be a confident expert on Costa Rica. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have something to bring to the table next time you join a discussion on Costa Rica.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest acquisition: Free Google Traffic System and make sure to visit my bonus site!

Packages such as this usually aren’t that expensive since one price can cover two people and these are perfect for the couples who want a romantic getaway for Sweetest Day or Valentine’s Day where it’s breaking with tradition of the ‘Hallmark Holiday’-greeting card overkill, chocolate, and flowers. The website Resortflamingobeach.com does this package deal called ‘baby-moon’ which is a special package designed for parents who want that special getaway kind of like second honeymoon for parents.

The cheapest time to go on a getaway is during the summer when the rates are cheaper since it’s more expensive to go in the fall when rates go up.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Costa Rica. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

Some romantic getaway packages can be tailored to include spa sessions for a nominal fee and even some horseback riding on the beach and strolls along the beach during a sunset or even a sunrise for those who are early birds.

Some hotels and resorts have the all-inclusive option which means you pay one price for all you can eat meals, snacks and drinks which is actually a great value for couples on set budgets and they can get more for their money which is good for those who want to have a good vacation for a good price and value. It’s important to plan your trip so that you’re not going to overspend and going over budget. Romantic getaways are just the kind of rest and relaxation many couples need to reconnect and bond with each other in a loving and caring way.

Many couples find it exhilarating to wake up to smelling fresh air and looking out on the beach when they sit out on the terrace of their hotel room having breakfast or that first cup of coffee in the morning like many people have when they get up in the morning to start their day. Looking onto the ocean is a nice feeling first thing in the morning you’re waking up to the birds chirping and the crashing of the waves and the smell of the ocean air and not waking up to the rustle and bustle of urban city life.

This is a change of pace for couples who spend so much time on a job or some occupation that often leaves them stressed and worn out and a romantic getaway to someplace tropic can be an adjustment to one’s attitude when they’re stressed and burned out from all the things that everyday life brings them. Once you come away from one of these getaways you’ll be a normal person who got some rest and relaxation away from the insanity that everyday life brings to people.

There’s a lot to understand about Costa Rica. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest acquisition: Free Google Traffic System and make sure to visit my bonus site!

Many people who are experienced divers and snorkelers pick Costa Rica as one of the prime locations for scuba diving and snorkeling because of the beautiful crystal blue ocean waters. Costa Rica’s environment makes it premier in the idea of snorkeling and diving in some of the best waters in the world.

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.

Truthfully, the only difference between you and Costa Rica experts is time. If you’ll invest a little more time in reading, you’ll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to Costa Rica.

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.

If you’ve picked some pointers about Costa Rica that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won’t really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don’t use it.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO and make sure to claim your $1 trial membership!