Limon Costa Rica

The famous east coast of Costa Rica with places like Cauhita, Puerto Limon, Tortugeros and Barra del Colorado is a completely different thing then the west coast.

You can fly here or take highway 32 from San José and enjoy the amazing scenery while driving. You can drive through Brauilo Carillo National Park and straight down to limón or go north and pass by the Volcano Barva, followed by Puerto Viejo and Sarapiqui.

The temperature stays around high 20s all year but due to rain almost the whole year, the clouds will give some protection from the burning sun.. The best time on the year (to avoid rain) is in February to Mars, and August to October.

You’ll find restaurants scattered all along the road if you feel the urge for eating.

Limón is also the place where almost all of Costa Rica’s bananas are shipped when exported.

Crime has been found somewhat higher then on the west coast so beware.

The Beaches

Four kilometers north of puerto Limón are two small beaches. Playa Bonita with fine yellow sand, palm trees and some hotels. The water is not perfect for tourists though. Playa Portete has a dock where local fishermen land with their catches. Even further north is Moín where the government built a industrial harbor for freight ships back in the 1980´s. Going south you’ll find the most visited place, the beach Cauhita.

Cauhita is a quite large village with many thousands of inhabitants and is a hot target for backpacking tourists. It can be hard to find a rental in Cauhita. White san beaches fringed with coconut palms, a relaxing atmosphere and a calm Caribbean way of life attract a lot of tourists.

There are also several smaller beaches close by Cauhita.

Even further south Talamanca is the place to go. Close by are Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva.

Sights of Limón

Cahuita National Park. Over 1000 hectares of land with more then 14Km of beaches, all with nice mixes of coconut palm trees, mangrives and dense forrests,Snorkeling is offered all over the coast for those who would like to try it out.

In the south the Gandoca-Manzanillo Game Preserve is of interest. You can visit punta mona (Monkey Point), said to have received its name from Columbus himself.

Also plan a visit to Tortugeros and a trip on the canals. You’ll most likely have to set aside 1-2 days for this trip as it is a long way to go. Make sure you bring clothes to change (after rain), insect repellant and clean drinking water and you’ll have a much nicer time!

Not only will you find an extreme jungle here, you may also be lucky enough to encounter a sea turtle or two.

Parque Vargas in Puerto Limón with its tall attractive palms and other tropical trees, flowers and animals close to the waterfront is a pleasant way of enjoying the beauty of the tropics.

Eating

The food on the east coast is everything from local specialties, normal Costa Rican food, Caribbean food to French and Chinese. Be aware of the fact that not all food is compatible with all tourists!

Bars & Nightclubs

Night open bars and cantinas can always be found around the central parks in almost all Costa Rican towns. Puerto Limón is no exception. But many of these places in Limón should be avoided by tourists and single women should not be out after dark themselves without company.

Limón with Cauhita is different from other beaches. The much greener water on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica makes a nice contrast to the bluish west coast water.

You’ll often find larger waves on the east coast as well.

by: Steven Hollstein

Costa Rica Fishing - A Great Sport For The Whole Family

Why should you think about Costa Rica for your next vacation?

There is question that holds many answers, but here are just a few of the key points.

1. The large choice of things for you and your family to do in such a small area. Eco tours, fishing, swimming, surfing, mountain climbing, camping, hiking, volcanoes, scuba diving, snorkeling, cruises, wildlife, plant life, and the list just goes on.

2. Costa Rica is affordable if you plan ahead for your vacation.

3. The people in the country most always are very friendly to foreigners and tourists. They will do almost anything to win your friendship or help you out. Yes, Spanish is the main language spoken here but if you have a little translation dictionary, or one of those new electronic devices by Casio or Franklin you won't have a problem. There is usually always someone near by to help you with Spanish, and more than likely they will speak your language fluently also.

4. Car rental is reasonable, but for those that really want to get to know the country I recommend using a bus. Yes, I know it sounds wild, but it can be a lot of fun and you will meet some interesting people. You can travel for hours going through the mountains or along the Pacific Coast and only spend $2 or so for the fare.

5. Costa Rica is a very safe place for your family also.

How much can you expect to spend for a Costa Rica Fishing Vacation?

Obviously that depends on many things like the type place you wish to sleep, where you choose to eat, and the type of transportation you use while here. When it comes the cost of the actual fishing trip itself, well they can range from $200 for a half day, up to $6,000 for a week if you really want the best of everything including lodging, food, and transportation for your whole family.

Keep in mind that if you're a penny pincher, you could spend a week here fishing, surfing, and swimming with lodging food and all for less than $1,000. Now that is hard to find somewhere else. Costa Rica has what your looking for, now all you have to do is grab your sun screen, pack some bags, bring a camera, and plan to have a great time.

by: Lee Johnson

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

Introduction

There are very few places on earth that have the dazzling beauty Manuel Antonio National Park has. The Manuel Antonio Beach was declared recently one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. Lush jungles enfolding beautiful small bays with turquoise water, the area offers travelers many nature attractions, adventure activities and a few of the best Hotels and restaurants Costa Rica has to offer!

Manuel Antonio National Park

Despite its relatively tiny size, Manuel Antonio National Park holds an incredible biodiversity. Visitors can expect to see Families of White Face monkeys (Squirrel Monkeys) playing and feeding on swarms of green and black grasshoppers. On a short stroll through the jungle, on the way to one of the three spectacular beaches, you will probably see three-toed sloths, occasionally, even a mom and her baby, hanging on a branch taking an afternoon nap.

Many birds, parrots and iguanas inhabit the Manuel Antonio National Park and its surrounding area.

Manuel Antonio National park is one of the most popular parks among Costa Ricans and tourists, its proximity to San Jose together with the easy access to the beaches, to all age groups, makes Manuel Antonio a very good place to start your vacation in Costa Rica.

Location: 35 miles (56 km) in a straight line south of San José on the Pacific coast. 53 miles (86 km) by the shortest overland route (4WD required).

Entrance fees—$US 6

Hours

The Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Mondays. On other days the park is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Make sure you arrive early to avoid the crowed.

by: Andres Marchevsky

Planning for Costa Rica

When traveling it is essential to plan ahead, so when you arrive at your destination, you lessen the chances of being at a loss of what to do. Knowledge gained from others travel can be invaluable, especially when planning to travel to somewhere you have never been before. The advice on this page is helpful to everyone planning a trip to Costa Rica.

Money

The money used in Costa Rica is called colons. You can change dollars into colons at the airports in San Jose and local banks. The exchange rates can be from the low 200s to 400s colons for each US dollar. (Now everywhere in Costa Rica you can buy or pay in US dollars, but I think things are cheaper if you pay in colons.) Other ways you might get colons is if you pay for something in US dollars, you will receive change in colons. During my stay at Costa Rica, I once paid a cab driver in US money, and I received change in the local currency. You should also make sure your dollars are not torn. Local banks and businesses do not accept torn US dollars. I tried to exchange a torn $50 bill, and the bank would not accept it!

-Bringing Money

On my trip I brought my money half in dollars and the other half in American Express cheques. When a traveler cheque is used there will be a commission fee.

When to visit/weather

Costa Rica has two seasons – the dry season and the green season (or rainy season). The dry season is from December to March. The dry season is the busiest time in Costa Rica. Prices are much higher and it is harder to find a place to stay. Now in the green season you will find much cheaper prices. The green season is from April to November. During the rainy season it generally rains for a few hours and then clears up.

Traveling within Costa Rica

Bus – You can catch one to most parts of the country. There are a few places where the bus comes only once a day though…

Cab – There are red cabs throughout the country. If the cab driver tells you the meter is broker, just get out. First it is illegal for a cab driver to drive with a broken meter in Costa Rica; secondly he might just be trying to rip you off.

Renting a Car – You can rent a car, but to me personally I would find driving in Costa Rica difficult, since I’m not from the country and it seems there are a lack of street signs. Also the prices for a car rental can be pretty expensive.

Local airlines – You can catch local flights to places throughout Costa Rica. They are regularly scheduled and reasonably inexpensive.

Cities and Towns

Cities in Costa Rica are San jose (The Capital) Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Jaco, Liberia, Manuel Antonio, park, Pochote, Puerto Limon, Puntarenas, Parismina, and Tamarindo.

by: Terrell James

Costa Rica's Exciting Culture

Cultures are often known for their importance to the constructs of a given society. Costa Rica is not an exception to this theory on culture. Costa Rica is rich with culture, and there are many different venues that Costa Rica has to offer which shows their culture.

Costa Rica has a vast history of music, food, and morals. Music in Costa Rica is often associated to Spanish –style music. Spanish music is highly affluent in Costa Rica. Often times, the Spanish music is played with mariachis, and can be heard in restaurants, concert halls, and on the pedestrian lined streets. Costa Rican’s take pride in their food, which is evident in their cooking. There is a lot of passion and care that is placed into every meal, as the natives believe that every meal that is eaten should be satisfying. The foods that are offered are very flavorful, and have incorporated the spices of the land. Cumin, commonly referred to as cumino, and other spices such as chili powder, season every Costa Rican dish, and give it that extra bit of flare that Costa Rican meals offer.

A sense of family and religion are very important morals in the Costa Rican culture. Costa Ricans are known for their tight-knit families, and their deep devotions to their desired religion. The morals that are given in the Bible often dictate how a family operates in Costa Rica. Churches, commonly referred to as iglessias, are always packed every Sunday as mass is in session. Families convene into churches to worship, and carry on the morals of the culture that was passed down to them from previous generations.

The Costa Rica culture is multi-faceted, but overall, there is a main thread of loving one another that is evident in the communities. Learning how one culture can learn from another is what Costa Rica offers. For those that are visiting, there are a lot of different backgrounds that can be appreciated in Costa Rica.

by: Ashley Allen

Investing in Costa Rica Property

Talk about foreign investments and there’s nothing that can compare to Costa Rica. Its fame as one of the safest and most attractive country for foreign investment in Latin America holds true today! Thanks go to the Costa Rican government as well as to its departments of ministry and financial institutions. The decidedly pro-U.S. and continental stance regarding the financial security and tax laws are an outcome of their joint efforts. .

Examples are plenty that speak accolades about the investment-friendly climate of Costa Rica. Equally responsible are the government policies that are in the process of making Costa Rica the Silicon Valley of Latin America. A trend that caught up fast, Costa Rica has already drawn in multi-nationals such as Microsoft, Acer, GE and Intel into its realms by offering facilities that have boosted major production and distribution. Evidences are to be found from the bill provided by the World Bank that certified Costa Rica as being the possessor of overall political and economic health as well as the land where the most stable and robust democracies rule in Latin America. The healthy economic growth rate is another factor that made the World Bank pass the felicitation.

While talking about personal investments in Costa Rica, it’s the land which people mostly focus upon. The major economic resources for Costa Rica being its fertile land, it makes more sense to the educated population to invest in it. And though the national forests and picturesque beaches occupy one-fourth of Costa Rica’s land, the remaining three-fourth provides enough space for the personal investors to move in. Areas like Guanacaste, Papagayo, Arenal, Puntarenas, Manuel Antonio, Dominical on the Pacific Coast are considered the prospective sites, while on the Caribbean, Puerto Viejo, Punta Uva, Cocles and Manzanillo are given the first preference.

If the investment is being made for setting up a business in Costa Rica, office buildings and business centers for sale and for rent are plenty. For small-scale manufacturing industries, Costa Rica has numerous numbers of warehouses for sale and on a rental basis. The locations deliver the entire necessary infrastructure, therefore, the investment value always stay upscale.

Costa Rica is one of the world’s primary tourist locales and is rapidly becoming a destination for a huge host of émigrés. The exotic natural environment, fair climate throughout the year and a secure and established government make investment in Costa Rica property very promising. The last few years have seen a major leap in the demand for Costa Rica property where a growing number of people wish to settle down. The scenic beauty of Costa Rica is perhaps the primary focus for most people who invest in Costa Rican property. The sight of the active volcanoes, the reposeful coasts, the beautiful mountains, the lovely rainforests with their bio-diversity and of course all the warm Costa Ricans are reasons enough to make people long to live in Costa Rica and therefore invest in Costa Rica property.

There are various things you should keep in mind while purchasing Costa Rica property. The most important issue involved in buying Costa Rica property is the property registration. The legal ownership of the Costa Rica property should be verified properly and only then should you invest in the Costa Rica property. A thorough research will help you to make sure that you do not make a bad investment and avoid being cheated by frauds. The two most important documents that you will require while buying Costa Rica property are the title documents that verify the registration of the Costa Rica property and the plot map. You can appoint an attorney to handle the legal formalities and procedures involved in buying Costa Rica property.

If you personally know the documentation and formalities that are required for buying Costa Rica property it will be easier for you to supervise the work of your attorney. The essentials involved are a proof of the tax payments, certification proof of the municipality that states the location of the Costa Rica property involved, and the availability of finance (that includes tax, fee for registration and fees for notary) for buying the Costa Rica property and finally a proof that the previous liens, judgments, mortgages, etc. have been resolved.

by: David Lovendahl

Costa Rica Caribbean Travel

If you're considering where to go on your next vacation, try the world of great tropical adventure called Costa Rica.

A Costa Rica Caribbean vacation lets you explore active volcanoes, see wild animals, see lush rain forests up close, and swim and lounge on great beaches. Costa Rica is one of the few ultimate paradises that have been left untouched on planet Earth. There are no military bases or nuclear power plants, and Costa Rica has lots of culture. In addition, Costa Rica is a tropical climate, so there's no winter to contend with. Costa Rica is a democratic society and is one of the most peaceful in the world. Its last civil war occurred in 1948. Since then, it has abolished armed forces and has also avoided despotic dictatorships, military coups, terrorism and any other forms of conflict so common in other parts of the world.

In addition, Costa Rica has a very friendly country. Costa Rica Caribbean travel provides a friendly, warm welcome no matter what part of the country you wish to visit.

Costa Rica means "rich coast," but Costa Rica has far more to offer than just its coast. Costa Rica is a country of incredible natural beauty and it contains many species of animals not present in many other parts of the world. Some of these animals are very rare and can only be seen if you go to Coast Rica.

In addition, plants are very diverse and beautiful as well. There are well over 10,000 species of vascular plants and many gorgeous flowers. In addition, almost 2000 tree species have been recorded in this beautiful Latin American country. Visiting this astonishing country should give you an incredibly exciting Costa Rican Caribbean travel vacation, with such unusual and innumerable flora and fauna to view in its natural habitat.

In addition to land mammals and birds that anybody interested in ecology would love to see, Costa Rica also has approximately 835 species of fish. 700 of these are saltwater fish. Anglers and fishers should have a wonderful time fishing in Coast Rica's clear blue waters, as they challenge themselves to see if they can catch any of these unusual fish species.

Now, let's focus for a minute on the northwest region of Coast Rica, called Guanacaste. Most Costa Rican Caribbean travelers go there these days because of its ever-changing scenery and the many activities offered. There are many tours you can take; no matter what your interests, you should find something you like. With these tours, take an close look at all of its exotic trees, plants, flowers, animals and fish. For an experience you'll never forget, a Coast Rica Caribbean vacation is just the ticket for you.

Whatever your interests, you should find something you like to do on your Coast Rica Caribbean travel. Some of these will depend on the region of the country you go to. In the rain forest, bird watching walks with English-speaking guides who are experts in identification themselves should let you see exotic species up close, while horseback riding provides another view of your Costa Rican Caribbean travel vacation

Another option is to take a canopy tour, which is a popular tour in every region of Coast Rica. However, to best experience Costa Rica's precious rain forest, avoid tours that go through areas from the north towards the west. In these areas, climates are drier so that vegetation is not as lush as it is in other areas.

by: Valorie Jay

The True Cost of Moving to Costa Rica

It had always been a dream of mine to live somewhere warm and tropical, far from the cold winters of Alberta, Canada, so when I was given the opportunity to move to Costa Rica for a year, I jumped at the chance.

I had never visited Costa Rica before and wasn’t quite sure what to expect, even after hours of “surfing the web” for information. I was pleasantly surprised and almost instantly fell in love with the country. A year didn’t seem long enough to experience all the wonders Costa Rica had to offer, so I decided to sell my home in Canada and move here.

There are so many websites, articles and forums dedicated to the subject of “Moving to Costa Rica”, and I read hundreds. I was seeking answers to “what I should and should not bring or ship here.”

My endless hours of research resulted in confusion, frustration, and eye strain. Thankfully, I found The Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR) website and started reading the forum posts. This was a huge help, and after reading the good advice of several posters, I sat down and made a list of what I could and couldn’t live without.

I submitted my list of “Things I Can’t Live Without” to three international moving companies. After receiving their quotes, all around $5,000.00 plus shipping and calculating the taxes, insurance, and duty I realized that I could actually live without or replace the many of the items here for much less.

For example if a product with a CIF value (new cost + insurance + freight) of US$500 is being imported to Costa Rica, the Customs Import Duty is approximately 5%. The consumption tax for the category is approximately 15%. Based upon these figures we would be landed with a bill of $187.89 on only one item. [$25 import duty + $ 78.75 consumption tax + $5.00 Law 6946 + 79.14 sales tax].

When people move to Costa Rica they assume they can bring their car into the country with minimal expense. The reality is very different. To import a car you need to estimate that you will be paying 53% on the value of the car, plus shipping costs.

There was a time that I couldn’t imagine a life without the icemaker in my fridge, the big screen TV, and my shoe collection (a close second to Amelda Marcos), but life is much simpler here. I discovered that I could live without a different pair of shoes for every outfit (and an outfit for every pair of shoes), the TV’s and stereos, my deluxe range and the endless supply of ice.

by: Catherine Cunningham

Costa Rica Vacation Package, And Why You Should Take One

A Costa Rica Vacation Package is something to be thought about very carefully, even if you have never considered Costa Rica before as a vacation destination.

Apart from the fact that Costa Rica is both exotic and tropical, the fact that it is a dream destination for a lot of people ought to make you check it out, because it could be just the right thing to do to book a Costa Rica Tour package this year.

There are good reasons for this not the least of which is that Costa Rica is one of the most naturally beautiful places you could ever wish to visit. A tiny South American country has got everything you need for the ultimate in getaway holidays.

When you consider the variety of sights to see and places to go, including fiery volcanoes, lush green tropical jungle with lots of unusual and exotic plants, animals and birds. This is not to ignore the beautiful beaches lining the Pacific coast.

A Costa Rica Vacation package can include any or all of these things, and then there is the huge variety of places to stay with accommodation to suit every budget.

Be a little careful and don’t arrive during the high season between December and April hoping to find a good hotel. You need your Costa Rica vacation package in place before you arrive.

Private lodges, all inclusive resorts, expensive hotels especially in remote areas should always be reserved in advanced to avoid any problems at all times.

If however you are looking for a luxury vacationcosta rica then the Golfo de Papagayo is gret. This part of Costa Rica is where the most expensive hotel in Costa Rica is, and that is the Four Seasons.

If you want something within your budget, then you could do worse than go to the Nicoya Peninsula. There are fantastic beaches here, and all types of accommodation and prices.

To find lower prices on your Costa Rica Vacation Package try the rainy season between April and November. The weather will still be pretty good just interspersed with short sharp rain showers, so you can save yourself quite a bit of money. One thing to beware of is the mandatory sales and tourism tax of 16.39% on everything!!

Nevertheless a Costa Rica Vacation Package can be very good value for money.

by: Peter R Stewart