Costa Cruises

Best Places for Buggy in Costa Rica

Posted by CostaRica | Costa Rica Vacations | Posted on January 14th, 2010

Experience the most exciting and remarkable trip of buggy in Costa Rica!

Hermosa Beach
Join us along our way to the coasts of Hermosa towards the favorite surfers beach, with its bright pastures, merged with the rows of coconut palms all the way up to the riverbed Tulin, where the National Wildlife Refuge of Hermosa is placed. In case that would be possible (depending on the season), on your way of returning back, you will be able to release into the ocean dozens of young olive turtles Ridley, from where they start their long journey around the world.

Village Mata de Platano
Starting from Jaco Beach, the trip continues towards the southern part. Passing by the highway, we get off the road and drive along the green pastures, by a couple of rain forests, till we get the small village of Mata de Platano, where we can have a little rest in one of the many local bars. On the way back we will stop at the famous beach of Hermosa, where we can buy or take some pictures of the beautiful scenery, which will remain as an unforgettable adventure.

Mountains of Bijagual
The trip starts in the center of Jaco Beach, where guides will accompany you to the northern direction, passing the off-road through the towns of Herradura, Quebrada Ganado and Tarcoles, which ride up the mountains, where you may enjoy the best views of the coastline. Here is the huge waterfall of Bijagual Mountains National Park and Carara, where you can easily see the majestic red Aru and make some admirable pictures the same as the postcards. Slightly upwards you may reach a typical small town, a beautiful place to learn about the rural life in Costa Rica. During a short rest in the cozy bar, you will have a short time to look around and try their local beer or other drinks. When everything is ready, you can go back on the top range of the mountains down to Jaco.

Off-road Costa Rica
Discover the real rural life of Costa Rica within this 115 km lasting trip! You will pass more than 10 different villages, and come to the delight of the colorful landscapes of the surrounding forests, magnificent views of the Pacific coast, breeding farms, plantations, teak trees, estuaries and local hospitable people.
Slightly upwards on your way, near the village of Mata de Platano next to the river Turrubaritos you will be able to stop for lunch at an exact typical small town. After having rest under the songs of the birds and the murmur of water, you will take the last stretch of the route leading to a lovely place of surfers in Hermosa beach.

The Best Places for Vacation in Costa Rica

Posted by CostaRica | Costa Rica Vacations | Posted on January 11th, 2010

Costa Rica is a country park. Due to the fact that it stayed away from the usual Latin American tyrants, revolutions, and howling, it is very quiet with its peaceful atmosphere, which attracts hundreds of tourists from all corners of the earth. There is a very gentle nature. Amazingly, most tourists in Costa Rica like natural attractions and outdoor recreation.

Most travelers like to visit the National Park of  Manuel Antonio. This is somehow a jungle with a huge number of animals that go on the trail and get underfoot visitors. There are monkey-jumpers, and iguanas, and birds, and many other colorful animals.

Here is the world famous park of a small town Zarkero, the park has become famous worldwide by its cypress sculpture, which was created by the miraculous artist Evangelista Blanco Renes. He supported the creation for more than forty years in perfect condition. He received offers from other countries to create similar parks, but kept refusing all of them by staying in Costa Rica.

The most popular sport in the country is swimming in the river kayaks. The most suitable for this kind of sport is the river Arenal. Just boating is also possible on the same lake, but it is better to go for skating on canals Tortugero or Nikoysky Bay. Nearby is the Arenal Volcano, which remained silent for 300 years. There was an eruption in 1968 and since then smokes have been coming from it, which is said to be again an active volcano.
Costa Rica is also famous for its magnificent beaches. Their length is of more than 1000 km. While in Costa Rica, you can swim in two oceans: in the Atlantic and in the Pacific. All the beaches have small hotels and bungalows. Here you can find everything you need for your proper rest.

Lovers of diving and snorkeling must visit the island Cocos. Water is transparent to a depth of 24 meters. It allows you to see the rich fauna of Costa Rican depths, to admire the quaint rocky reefs. Here you can also catch some fish.

In addition, Costa Rica can offer its guests horseback riding and biking, hot air ballooning and jumping from a bridge into the abyss.

Museums in San Jose

Posted by CostaRica | Costa Rica Vacations | Posted on December 23rd, 2009

Museum of Costa Rican Art (Museo de Arte Costarricense)
This museum is a beautiful example of colonial architecture, offering works by artists from the early 1900′s. The museum has a permanent collection of woodcarving by Francisco Amighetti and pastoral paintings of Francisco Zuniga. In the museum you can also see the temporary exhibitions of works by contemporary artists of Costa Rica. The doors of the museum are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

National Museum (Museo Nacional)
This museum is located in the fortress of Bella Vista and has an extensive collection of artifacts, which will be interesting to a wide range of people. The museum promotes the study, preservation and display of flora and fauna of the country, as well as art to the Columbia period, jewelry, and archeology, printed historical documents, photographs of the period and the colonial and religious culture. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 4: 30 pm.

Museum of Gold era before Columbus (Museo de Oro Precolombino)
Perhaps this is the best Museum in Costa Rike. In Museum of Gold, there are about 2300 units of gold and is the home of one of the most valuable collections of gold in the era before Columbus. Archaeologists have discovered a lot of gold in the field of Costa Rica, where the steel industry was booming. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am. to 4:30 pm.

Insect Museum of the University of Costa Rica (Museo de Insectos de la Universidad de Costa Rica)
This is the only museum in Central America. The Museum is known for its collection of butterflies, beetles and other insects. The exhibition has almost one million species of insects, collected for scientific research. It is open Monday to Friday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

Jade Museum (Museo del Jade “Fidel Tristan”)
This museum, with the world’s largest collection of American jade, presents pre- Colombian objects of jade, jewelry and precious objects made of ceramics. The museum is open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Museum of Science and Culture (Centra Costarricense de la Ciencia y la Cultura (Museo Nacional del Nino)
In this museum, children can improve their knowledge about space, mass communications, science, art, technology and processing. There are 22 rooms in the museum, which allow you to learn science. You can visit the museum Tuesday-Friday from 8:00 – 3:00, Sunday from 10:00 – 5:00.

Banana Tours in Costa Rica

Posted by CostaRica | Costa Rica Vacations | Posted on December 22nd, 2009

Banana Tours are currently offered in Costa Rica on three farms: Bananito, Esperanza and Zurqui.

Bananito farm is located twenty minutes south of Limon. Farm Esperanza is in Siquirres, while Farm Zurqui is in Puerto Viejo in Sarapiqui. Banana tour introduces visitors to the world of bananas in a very realistic manner. Standard Fruit Company of Costa Rica, which exports bananas named Dole is a recognized leader in the production practice, which is favorable to the natural and social environment.

Esperanza and Zurqui have special paths for excursions that start from the packing plant and lead visitors to the surrounding area. There, visitors will be introduced to the agro-cultural processes. The network of paths is made so that farms can organize up to six trips at a time. Each group consists of approximately 25 people, and a guide, prepared for Banana tours.

All the farms have a large area for parking, with a capacity of 10 buses. Zurqui and Esperanza offer demonstrations in agricultural practices, such as: garter plants, covering banana penny with plastic bags, harvesting and fruit packing. Tour operators offer to demonstrate this process in the form of fairy tales.

Visitors will be able to buy many different gift items related to the topic of bananas and agro-culture. You can purchase banana paper, banana and coffee liqueurs, and many other interesting souvenirs.

You will be prompted to try such products as bananas, coffee and other delicacies.

Bananito Farm offers tours that differ from the tours of Zurqui and Esperanza, as it is designed for passenger cruises, which are limited in time. Visitors of Bananito have the opportunity to visit the camp. There they will see a town with good planning for housing, education and commerce. The settlement is designed so that no prejudice to the environment. In the local shops, visitors can buy souvenirs.

Costa Rica Aerial Tram Tours

Posted by CostaRica | Costa Rica Vacations | Posted on December 19th, 2009

Aerial trams of the rainforests are located on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica, as well as on the islands Dominniki and Santa Lucia. They provide the most exciting and fascinating ecological tours in the world, with a unique view from the bird’s-eye view of the most impressive tropical forests of Central America and the Caribbean.

You can also enjoy a relaxing stay in lovely gardens, situated in the woods on the outskirts of the wild, impassable jungle. You will discover the marvelous panoramic spectacle of the rainforest during your walks in a convenient, well-marked paths. This is ideal for the whole family, retirees, and for a romantic honeymoon for the newlyweds!

The aerial tram consists of cabins, suspended on steel rails, on which you will be comfortable to travel over the jungle and thematic gardens. Tours may be carried out at any climatic conditions. Aerial tramway is designed so that you can observe the tropical forest at all levels. The cars are designed to provide comfort, thanks to this, the tour is ideal for those who do not want or can not walk on the traditional paths cut into the forest.

Travel by an air tram takes about an hour and covers a distance of half kilometer. The capacity of each carriage is two people. Electric cars are moving slowly, and are hung on the rails. Each car is autonomous, so travel is possible at any time. The trip allows you to view tropical forests at all levels, as well as a view of the distant pastures. Passengers can stop the aerial tram, whenever and wherever they want to. Thus, there is opportunity for taking photos. You will see a wonderful tropical scenery, unforgettable view of the Nicoya bay and you will have a unique chance to see the abundance of exotic birds, butterflies and rare animals. You can ride in the sun, and in rainy weather. Night tours are also offered.

Windsurfing in Costa Rica

Posted by CostaRica | Costa Rica Vacations | Posted on December 16th, 2009

District of Lake Arenal is a paradise for windsurfers. This place is considered to be one of the best in the world for sailing with a strong wind. Warm water, strong winds, moderate temperatures and excellent opportunities for living are creating the best conditions in the world for windsurfing! Trade winds, together with satisfaction surfers get make the northern tip of Lake Arenal world leader in the windsurfing. This place offers excellent sailing, which will give a feeling of complete freedom and enjoyment.

The best time to windsurfing is from December to March. The same wind that blows at Lake Arenal, continues on his way to the lower region of Bahia Salinas (also known as Bolaños Bay) near La Cruz, Guanacaste, where you can also have a great time, doing windsurfing. However, at any time of year the windsurfing depends on the intensity of the wind.

During the dry months in Costa Rica, the trade winds blow with the incredible strength and permanence, creating perfect conditions for windsurfing in the north-western part of the country. Western extremity of the lake occupies the leading place for windsurfers, compared with Italy’s Lake Garda and the river Columbia. In the dry season the wind speed is 53 km / hour, so only an experienced windsurfer can handle it.

For beginners who want to take a few lessons Lake Arenal is the ideal place to swim in the water with phenomenal speed.

Along the Pacific coast there are a few places with favorable conditions for sports. The best area for experienced surfers is Puerto Soley, near the border with Nicaragua, while the Gulf of Papagayo is ideal for less experienced surfers, as It is characterized by calm water and not so strong wind.

Vacation in Costa Rica

Posted by CostaRica | Costa Rica Vacations | Posted on November 25th, 2009

Costa Rica is a country with pristine nature almost entirely unspoiled by human activities. Therefore, for tourists who love the fresh air and natural landscapes, vacation in Costa Rica will bring a lot of fun.

The most popular place to visit is the National Park Manuel Antonio. There in the jungle you can see monkeys, jumpers, birds, lizards, red and dark blue crabs, yellow spiders, iguanas and other interesting animals. On the beaches with white sand you can observe fish.

In Costa Rica you can look at the Volcano Arenal, who slept for 300 years, but in 1968, woke up. There was a strong earthquake and the eruption. Lava on the slopes of the volcano is perfectly visible until now.

Costa Rica is a perfect place for leisure. Fans of different sports enjoy spending time here. The most popular sport is sailing on inflatable boats on the beautiful river rapids. In a country like the same ride a canoe. Experts believe that Lake Arenal, situated at an altitude of 450-600 meters above sea level, is among the five best places in the world for sailing surfing.

In the north-eastern coast of the Pacific there is an excellent condition for diving. Special courses are organized for starters. Experienced divers are recommended to dive off the coast of Cocos Islands. Coast of Costa Rica is a great place for sport fishing.

There are beautiful and diverse beaches in Costa Rica. The best beaches are in the province of Guanacaste on the Nicoya peninsula – Del Coco, Ermoza, Flamingo, Pedro, Grande, Nozari, Montezuma, Carillo. In the south Pacific coast there are beautiful beaches in the resort areas Hako and Punta Leona. In the Atlantic, you can swim at the beaches Portet and Bonita, as well as framed by coconut palms beaches Cocles, Punta, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo. All the beaches have bungalows and small hotels for accommodation.

If you like the mountains then you can visit several highways, paths and trails for biking or horseback riding through the mountains. Furthermore, Costa Rica offers such an adventure travel as riding in a balloon. You can ride the cable car over the jungle. Extreme lovers are offered to jump off a bridge into the abyss.