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Archive for the ‘Costa Rica Travel’ Category

There are many places you can go on vacation.  All around the world there are travel destinations that draw people.  For those wanting a relaxing vacation in a warm tropical climate the areas of Mexico and Central America are a good bet. Costa Rica offers a peaceful destination with a friendly atmosphere. Cancun is known as party central for Spring Breakers, but it also offers a rich atmosphere and breath taking beaches.These two places both offer great attractions, so how do you choose between the two? The best way is to compare them side by side after learning about them.

Costa Rica is located in Central America.  It gets 25% of the visitors to Central America, making it the leading tourist attraction in the region. There are activities galore, ranging from golf to volcano’s. The flora and fauna in Costa Rica is compared to Hawaii. The revenue from tourists provides the country with more than $1 billion to the countries economy making it the number one source of revenue for the locals.  Many people love Costa Rica because it offers a calm atmosphere and is close to the United States. They have no military and pride themselves on being a peaceful nation who has never experienced a war or political turmoil. They have an excellent health care system. Costa Rica is a very well educated country. Their literacy rates at around 93% of their population.  They have developed systems that provide safe drinking water.  The many attractions of Costa Rica include small, home-like hotels and vacation rentals.  It also has markets spread throughout the country making shopping easy no matter where you are located.  They do not do any major tourism promotion so to keep the atmosphere calm and family friendly.  The weather varies from the beaches to the mountains, but in general there is a high of 89 degrees and a low of 62 degrees.  Costa Rica does have a rainy season that lasts from May to November with most of the rain in September, October and November. The least amount of rain is in the northwest province of Guanacaste. The overall feel of Costa Rica is a charming country without much commotion. In today’s world its good to know that there is feeling of friendship no matter where you are from.

Cancun is located in sunny Mexico. A short trip from the United States and a favorite for those who like a good party.  It is Mexico’s number one tourist attraction.  There are two areas of Cancun.  The beaches and hotels are located in the Hotel Zone or Zona Hotelera.  The home to locals lies in Cancun City or El Centro.  Law enforcement is strict in Cancun and any crimes are taken seriously.  Cancun boosts many hotels all on the beachfront.  There are many activities including golf, tennis, shopping and plenty of water fun.  Cancun also has many native animals and other wildlife that draws visitors.   Cancun is known for its amazing blue oceans and white beaches where many people spend their whole vacation.  The weather in Cancun ranges from an average high of 88 degrees to an average low of 66 degrees (based upon an average of year round temperatures).  Cancun is a lively place that offers many different attractions.

Choosing between the two can be difficult.  You should chose the destination that most appeals to you, large hotels with 100′s of other vacationers or the small boutique type hotels or vacation rentals.  They are quite different in that Cancun is lively while Costa Rica is more laid back.  They both have great ocean access and many exciting things to do.  Whatever your choice, Costa Rica or Cancun, you will have a wonderful vacation.

Planning a Tropical vacation full of lush jungles, secluded beaches, and friendly people but not too expensive? Costa Rica is the place to go! But where do you stay, a resort or a private villa? Do you want long lines, crowded pools, kids running up and down the corridors? I think not.

Selecting the best Costa Rica vacation rental can be the difference between a great vacation and one where you feel like you are ‘doing without’.

Many vacationers consider the Costa Rica vacation rental as ‘just somewhere to stay’ since most of your time will be spent in or on the water, or enjoying local attractions. Don’t make that mistake. There is no reason to settle for less when, with a little planning, you can find a great Costa Rica vacation rental that you’ll enjoy as much or more than the other parts of your vacation.

Remember, your vacation home is where you’ll be sleeping, waking up, having many of your meals, and resting.

If it rains or is unseasonably hot outside, you may end up stretched out reading a book to while away the day or wanting to watch one of your favorite movies on the DVD – assuming there is a comfortable sofa. And when you meet new friends, you’ll want someplace nice for entertaining. Shouldn’t your vacation rental be a pleasant get-away with the amenities that make vacations a real treat? “A home away from home”

Here are 10 tips for selecting the perfect Costa Rica vacation rental:

1. The single most important factor is whether or not you can “see” actual recent photos of the interior and exterior of the vacation rental. It’s one thing to read a great description – and some of them are quite ‘complimentary’ (sometimes overly so) – but you need to see what you are getting.

With the Internet, a website is the quickest most convenient way for you to get information on prospective Costa Rica vacation rentals. If there are no pictures, you’ll know right away to keep looking. Brochures, books and guides are nice, but may have out-dated information.

2. List the amenities that are important to you, the ones without which you will feel incomplete. Next, jot down those that are nice to have, but not deal-breakers if not available.

With these lists as a guide, you’ll be able to quickly eliminate those rentals that won’t meet your needs. Your list might include proximity to the water, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, type kitchen (full versus fridge and microwave), outdoor amenities such as decks and BBQ grills, ocean views, private pools, outdoor eating areas, tennis courts and other items important to you.

On your secondary list, you might have things like a hammock for lazing about, or pool waterfall for the relaxing sounds. Exterior stereo speakers, to enjoy your favorite music around the pool. Ice makers to mix your favorite drinks, especially in the heat of the day.

3. List the activities that you want to be able to enjoy while on vacation. A morning activity like scuba diving, snorkeling or canopy tour then coming back to the villa to relax may be a high priority for you.

You also need to consider how close the vacation rental is to the airport.  It is very important to know how far the rental is from your arrival airport. Some rentals can take a half a day’s drive and after your flight even an hour’s drive can seem an eternity. Your travel time back to the airport at departure can also frustrate your entire vacation. Enjoying your last morning of your vacation by a private pool instead of traveling for hours to the airport can be very important to you. For Costa Rica vacation rentals that are only 20 minutes from the Liberia International airport visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com. This will help you in selecting a general location.

You also need to consider how close you want your vacation rental to be to the attractions.

Some people feel that a great vacation is being able to walk or bicycle everywhere. Others don’t mind a short drive, and still others think nothing of getting on a freeway to enjoy attractions.

If you prefer a vacation without the hassles of traffic, parking problems, crowds and long lines, select a villa located in the quaint waterfront town of Playa Panama, Costa Rica. Visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com to learn more.

4. Identify your first, second and third choice of dates for renting the villa.
With several dates, you’ll save time when making arrangements.

If you find a villa that you really want and you have some flexibility in scheduling, having alternate dates ready allows you to book right then, saving yourself the time and hassle of having to re-check everyone’s schedule and call back – and risking losing those dates in the interim.

5. Call the telephone numbers for the vacation rentals that seem to meet your needs and speak directly with either the owners or the person who is handling the property.

Be prepared with a list of questions. This allows you to compare apples to apples, and keeps you from forgetting something important during the conversation.

It also gives you a feel for the person who will be your contact should you rent the villa and then encounter a problem. If you don’t get a warm, friendly welcome to your inquiries, don’t expect anything different when you have a problem.

6. Ask what amenities are included.
You may learn of something that’s not on your list but is perfect for your plans.

Does the rental have maid service? Last thing you want to do is make the beds or clean the dishes, even if there is a dishwasher.

Does the rental have a washer and dryer? If so, you will not have to take as many cloths with you. Will the maid wash your cloths before your departure? Coming home with a suitcase full of clean cloths is certainly a benefit.

Other things to consider: Is there a welcome basket? Will the owner have essential items in the refrigerator for you, before your arrival? Can you make arrangements for tours? Are there plates, utensils, pots, pans and other essentials for eating and meal preparation – or will you have to bring your own?

Does the rental have air condition or do you have to depend on the winds to comfort you?

7. Inquire about restaurants, events and activities and other forms of local entertainment that are close by. Here’s where your list of preferred activities comes in handy. You should be able to find links to local attractions, calendars and restaurants on the website of your Costa Rica vacation rental.

8. Are the owners local or do they have a management team helping 24/7?
Owners are a wealth of information about the area and can give you tips on great out-of-the-way places that aren’t in the guidebooks. They also care about your enjoyment and comfort while at their villa.

This can make a huge difference; especially should something need immediate attention in the villa. There’s nothing worse than calling the rental company about a stopped-up toilet and getting somebody’s bored teenager who’s manning the phones for the summer.

9. How long has the owner been renting vacation rentals?
If the owner has worked with rental properties, they know what tenants expect and how to get things done.

If this is a new venture, beware. The owner may be in it for “fun” and have no idea how to prepare the villa so that you can have a great vacation.

10. And last, when you look at the pictures, can you see yourself having a great time there?

If the pictures make you want to go right now, and the answers to the questions above meet your satisfaction, you’ve found yourself a great Costa Rica vacation rental!

For the various people who love traveling to different countries for their holidays there are many places that you can go. For an exotic trip where you can see a variety of sights you may wish to visit Costa Rica. The best way to find out different Costa Rican holiday ideas is to look at the many Costa Rica travel packages which are available.

From these Costa Rica travel packages you can plan your holiday itinerary. As you look at these travel packages you will find that you can choose from cultural tours which will allow you to see the many wonders of Costa Rica. You could even look forward to having an adventure trip to one of the tropical rainforests.

As there are many things to do and see while you are in Costa Rica arranging your travel plans with one of the Costa Rica travel packages is a sensible option. Since you have a wide choice of Costa Rica travel packages to choose from you may want to take some time looking at these. When you are looking at the different plans make sure that you see if there are links that will provide you with information about the current rate of exchange in Costa Rica.

Additionally you may wish to see what the general weather conditions are going to be like for the area where you wish to have your vacation. Having looked at these details you may need to see what sort of travel options you will be provided with. The price range of the different Costa Rica travel packages that you look at should also be clearly displayed.

Once you know the various travel details for different Costa Rica travel packages you can then start looking for the package that will provide you with the holiday that you want. One of the items that you will need to know is what the weather will be like where you are going to be vacationing. This will be of help when you are getting your clothes and other items ready for the holiday.

The different Costa Rica travel packages that you can see will come in both the normal economic style and that of luxury packages. With both of these travel packages you can see about organizing a custom travel plan. This plan may at times exclude certain areas of interest as you have a certain period of time to see and enjoy yourself in Costa Rica before you have to leave.

Regardless of these items when you look at the many different Costa Rica travel packages you will see that you can have lots of fun getting to know Costa Rica. The travel package that you choose to book for your vacation to Costa Rica will allow you to see the many wonders of this wonderful country. At the end of your holiday you will most likely be making plans to come back to visit the wonder that is Costa Rica.

Why should you look at Costa Rica when thinking of your next vacation destination? Costa Rica is a beautiful land with friendly people and much to see and do.  It is located in Central America and said by many to be its most peaceful nation.  It is between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea making it an ideal beach vacation spot.  It has something for everyone and is a definite must see.

Life in Costa Rica is pleasant and calm.  They have no standing military and have never been involved in a war or other turmoil.  The people, who are referred to as Ticos, are welcoming.  They are one of the most literate nations in the world with 93% of the people being able to read.  They are well educated and it shows through their excellent health care system.  Although their native language is Spanish you will find many people that speak good English.  The majority of people in Costa Rica settled here from all around the world.  You can find a mixture of cultures and ethnicity spreads about the country.  They have an excellent reputation for hospitality and love to make visitors feel at home in their country.

Although it is a small country, Costa Rica offers much in the way of wildlife.  It is home to some amazing creature.  You can find a variety of monkeys, including the spider monkey in the rainforest.  The jungles are home to two and three toed sloths, frogs and toads, lizards, and snakes.  Some of the varieties include iguanas, the Jesus lizard and the coral snake.  Many species of birds also call Costa Rica home.  Among them are toucans, cuckoos and macaws.  Butterflies and other interesting insects are another fascinating find in Costa Rica.  As for other wildlife, the range of beautiful flowers found in Costa Rica are amazing.  You can see all colors of the rainbow from ferns to orchids.  Once you venture away from land to the sea you will find dolphins, whales and manatees among the varied sea creatures.  Natural wonders like volcanoes and waterfalls can also be a point of interest while visiting Costa Rica.  So when you hear there is a lot to see in Costa Rica you can know it is the truth.

There are so many places to visit in Costa Rica.  Each of its seven regions has its own selling point.  In San Jose you get mountains and coffee plantations surrounded by volcanoes and forests.  In Heredia you can see wonderful old architecture, adobe houses and many flower varieties.  Guanacaste will bring you to the best beaches Costa Rica has to offer. Puntarenas is along the Pacific coastline and has beaches and many forests. In Cartago you can experience art among the mountain ranges.  Alajuela offers you the rainforest and two active volcanoes.  In Limon you can experience the spawning of the green turtle and explore the protected land.  Some sites are restricted form visitors, but with the help of a tour guide you should be able to see a little bit of everything.  This is just a brief overview of the places to see and experience in Costa Rica.

Once you have gotten an idea of what Costa Rica offers you can see why it makes an excellent family vacation spot.  It is within easy traveling distance from the United States also.  The people will greet you and the land is calling.  From natural wonders like volcanoes and rainforests to sparkling beaches to the unique wildlife there really is something for everyone in Costa Rica. Costa Rica welcomes over 1,500,000 visitors every year, so why not join them?

Considering a romantic or family Costa Rica vacation? You’re choosing one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Costa Rica has been called the Hawaii of Central America. A Costa Rica vacation is full of beauty, lush foliage, many wildlife surprises, incredible lakes, rivers, and waterfalls.

Activities on a Costa Rica vacation include bird and butterfly watching, surfing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, tree top (canopy) tours, four wheeling, snorkeling, shopping, hiking, river rafting, horse back riding and casinos. On a Costa Rica vacation you’ll find pristine beaches, tropical jungles, clear blue skies, high mountain rain forest, and tropical sun. That’s why Costa Rica was aptly named ‘rich coast’ by Christopher Columbus in 1502.

Nature is Costa Rica’s green card. Wildlife diversity and exceptional landscapes merge in a long list of untouched lands and protected areas that will get you involved in as many Costa Rica expedition activities and adventure sports as you can imagine.

Costa Rica is unusually blessed by the diversity of its butterflies. There exists about 20,000 butterfly species worldwide. Of these, about 1,000 or 5% can be found in Costa Rica.

With more than 850 species of birds, all found within a tight geographic area, Costa Rica offers birders of all levels of expertise an unrivaled bird watching experience. Birders out on the trail in Costa Rica’s forests should keep an eye out for mixed flocks foraging on certain types of food, especially fruit, in the forest canopy.

Costa Rica is home to roughly 150 species of amphibians, some of which are extremely colorful and exotic. There are tree frogs, which spend their entire lives above the forest floor, breeding in the water of tank bromeliads or in holes in the trunks of trees. Others, like the poison-arrow frog, are exuberantly colored, ranging from bright red with blue or green legs to bright green with black markings. There are over 200 species of reptiles in Costa Rica. The 14 turtle species include both marine and freshwater varieties. The largest of the marine turtles are leatherbacks. Their shells are up to 5 feet and they weigh upwards of 800 pounds! Marine turtles climb up sandy beaches to lay their eggs, a spectacular sight because it happens en masse.

Costa Rica is home to over 9,000 identified species of vascular plants, including over 900 different species of trees. Costa Rica is home to some 1,500 species of orchids. From sub-alpine dwarf vegetation, rainforest flora from sea level to mangrove swamps and seasonal dry forest with its deciduous trees, there is an astounding range of floral habitats for a country so small.

The protection of Costa Rica’s natural heritage is managed by the respective national parks and reserves. These areas protect many species of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fresh and salt-water fish, and a vast number of identified vascular plants-representing 4% of the world’s total floral and faunal species.

In addition, these management groups protect examples of almost all the existing natural habitats such as deciduous forests, mangrove swamps, rain forests, herbaceous swamps, cloud forests, paramos, hilillo forests and marshlands. They also protect areas of historical and archaeological interest, such as pre-Columbian settlements and early battlefields, as well as beautiful areas of scenic interest, such as beaches, valleys and waterfalls. But above all, the areas of particular interest to the conservationist are the zones which protect the last remaining examples of Central American dry forest and the beaches where the sea turtles nest.

The protection of Costa Rica’s natural resources has implications beyond its borders because they encompass an incredible biodiversity, including numerous species on the verge of extinction. All of this is the reason the country has become one of the most popular destinations for visiting ecologists and biologists. On the whole, access to these areas and facilities are freely available provided the visitor respects the need to protect them. These protected areas are ideal for hiking and rafting, for watching the birds and other wildlife, for camping and just for enjoying in general, their rivers, beaches, jungles, mountain forests, volcanoes as well as their historic and archaeological sites.

A Costa Rica vacation is fast becoming the #1 romantic honeymoon and family vacation destination in the world. Whether it’s your honeymoon or family vacation– Exotic, Romantic and Nature– the perfect ingredients for that special get away, what more could you ask for on your vacation. An unbeatable choice for those travelers looking for a combination of relaxation, romance and activity. The atmosphere on a Costa Rica vacation is “Pura-Vida”, the pure life.