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Costa Rica Tours > Travel Guide

Why Costa Rica in 2007?
Travel Guide
Why Costa Rica in 2007?
A Costa Rica vacation means adventure, and fun in the tropics. From secluded beaches to volcanoes, from rain forest nature tours and zip lines to fast paced nightlife, discover these and other tourism attractions on your vacation to tropical Costa Rica. Each month we uncover more muy rico secrets of Costa Rican hotels and resorts, Costa Rica fishing and scuba diving,...

Costa Rica Nightlife
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Nightlife
Located a few minutes north of the downtown Holiday Inn, El Pueblo is a mix of more than 100 bars, clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops. Lining the picturesque cobblestone streets within walking distance of several hotels and resorts, it is a lively place from 9 PM until dawn. There are cultural activities at The National Theater , like Philharmonic...

Costa Rica Surfing in Guanacaste and Tamarindo
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Surfing in Guanacaste and Tamarindo
Costa Rica surfing! Guanacaste offers some of the top surfing in Costa Rica. On the country's north Pacific coast, Guanacaste has more beaches that are less crowded than those at Jaco. Costa Rica surfing - top surf beaches in Guanacaste Guanacaste offers year-round opportunities for surfers, though March-November are the optimal months. Local surfers as well as...

Jaco Beach, Costa Rica: The Surfing Scene
Travel Guide
Jaco Beach, Costa Rica: The Surfing Scene
Grab your surfboard and head for Jaco Beach, Costa Rica, one of the country's most popular surfing spots. There are several surf camps and independent instructors, as well as "surf and Spanish language" schools, in Jaco, Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste. The consistent wave action along the main stretch of beach is one reason Jaco is such a good place to learn...

Surfing at Playa Dominical, Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Surfing at Playa Dominical, Costa Rica
One of Costa Rica's few classic surfing towns, Playa Dominical offers big waves and a secluded beach about halfway between San Jose and Panama. Lodging is basic, with only a few resorts. Also not many non surfing tourist. Getting here is tough. There is no airfield. The last section of road is only about 25 miles from Manuel Antonio, but is such extremely bad...

Surfing at Manuel Antonio & Quepos, Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Surfing at Manuel Antonio & Quepos, Costa Rica
Midway down the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio is a popular surfing area that features several Spanish language schools. The waves are mellow, with one nice point break at the rock off Manuel Antonio beach. Featuring foam boards, the Manuel Antonio Surf School is one of several such schools in Costa Rica; You can buy, rent or bring your own surfboard. This town...

Costa Rica: Surfing at Tamarindo in Guanacaste
Travel Guide
Costa Rica: Surfing at Tamarindo in Guanacaste
Costa Rica surfing at Tamarindo is some of Costa Rica's best in the entire country. Tamarindo is in Guanacaste on the Pacific coast. Bring your own board or rent one in town. You can fly directly into the Liberia airport from many parts of the U.S.A., and often be in the water only a few hours after your plane lifts off. It's a serious party town, with nonstop...

Costa Rica Tours and Things to Do
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Tours and Things to Do
Tours in Costa Rica tours range from laid back to extreme, from a nature hike through rainforests sprinkled with lilies or birdwatching, to exploring active volcanoes, white water rafting and bungee jumping. From aerial canopy zip line rides to sailing, scuba diving and horseback riding, Costa Rica tours offer the adventure of a lifetime. Or just take it easy on a...

Sailing Away in Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Sailing Away in Costa Rica
Sailing Away in Costa Rica Sailing, long popular in Costa Rica, has become a major attraction in Manuel Antonio with the arrival of a new 60-foot catamaran, the Tom Cat. Sailing Manuel Antonio Bay Run by Planet Dolphin, the Tom Cat can accommodate 40 or so people on a 2 1/2-hour morning cruise. While it's is a fun party boat and one of Manuel Antonio's top day...

Costa Rica Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Scuba diving in Costa Rica begins by gliding over living coral reefs and leads deeper for the stunning sight of Manta Rays swimming by like a formation of underwater hang gliders. As the political situation worsens around Indonesia and other parts of Asia, more people visit Costa Rica for scuba diving, which is some of the best on the planet. For the finest in...

Poker in San Jose, Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Poker in San Jose, Costa Rica
Poker action is hotter than the tropical sun in Costa Rica, with live action and tournaments in local card rooms. And No Limit Texas Hold 'em is the name of the game here. Most of the poker rooms are in or near San Jose, the Costa Rican capital. The Jaco card room has at least two big No Limit Hold'em tournaments each year. One in 2005 was WPTA-sanctioned....

Playas del Coco: Nightlife and Bars
Travel Guide
Playas del Coco: Nightlife and Bars
The night began at La Vida Loca, where any Coco pub crawl should definitely begin and end. A spacious and eclectically decorated bar on the beach, it opens at 6 PM -- and the fun lasts until everyone either walks out in the morning Pool, darts, ping pong and good old fashioned two-fisted drinking top the list of things to do at La Vida Loca, which features the...

Manuel Antonio Quepos Costa Rica: Tours and Fun Things to Do
Travel Guide
Manuel Antonio Quepos Costa Rica: Tours and Fun Things to Do
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, is the "Fun Capital" of Costa Rica beaches in high season. The nightlife scene in Manuel Antonio and Quepos -- from nightclubs to discos, from casinos to beachfront dancing, is lively, and daytime tours and travel activities abound. This article highlights the area's tours and vacation attractions. You won't find most of this info in...

Bocas del Toro, Panama, for Scuba and Surfing
Travel Guide
Bocas del Toro, Panama, for Scuba and Surfing
Bocas del Toro, Panama -- a string of islands a few miles south of the border, Bocas del Toro, Panama makes a great side-trip from Costa Rica, or even an extended vacation. Especially if you enjoy snorkeling, secluded beaches, and the soft kiss of Caribbean trade winds in a place most travelers have not even heard of yet. But get there in the next year or so,...

Hold'em at the Horseshoe Casino in Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Hold'em at the Horseshoe Casino in Costa Rica
In downtown San Jose, Costa Rica, the only poker game is at the Horseshoe Casino and Card Room. (The Hotel del Rey is right across the street.) Texas Hold'em is spread seven nights a week in the upstairs cardroom. Where the Action Is In September, 2006, they were running a $100-$200 buy-in No Limit game with $1-$2 blinds. The room has three tables, though at this...

Costa Rica Casinos Guide
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Casinos Guide
By Brandon Dane For all-night action, the casinos in Costa Rica win hands down. The Northeastern Quadrant of San Jose boasts the greatest concentration of Costa Rican casinos. Lots of bars and nightclubs too.... And though San Jose's gaming scene may not rival the mega-casinos of Las Vegas or Atlantic City, the basic differences in certain games -- and most...

Puntarenas Fun Guide
Travel Guide
Puntarenas Fun Guide
Ambiance of the Islands Puntarenas means “sand point,” but it is really a peninsula that juts into the Nicoya Gulf between a river and an estuary. This narrow spit has only five avenues, bisected by 37 streets. Most of the action is on the east end and along the Paseo de Turistas. Characterized by typical island ambiance, the town has wide streets and...

Costa Rica Adventures and Tours
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Adventures and Tours
Costa Rica Adventures and Tours Costa Rica adventures -- for thrilling Costa Rica adventures such as white water rafting or rocketing through the rainforest on a zip line canopy tour, book a custom vacation with us today. Adventure travel tours include hiking up volcanoes, scuba diving, surfing, rain forest tours, volcanoes, sportfishing for marlin, deep sea...

The Beatle Bar in Jaco Costa Rica
Travel Guide
The Beatle Bar in Jaco Costa Rica
The Beatle Bar in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica, is the hottest ticket in town for nightlife. Close to the water but in the shade, the Beatle Bar boasts a long and colorful history. Before opening up on the mid-Pacific coast, the Beatle Bar was a San Jose nightclub that went through three famous locations before moving to Jaco Beach. The first two were on the same block...

Costa Rica Nightlife in San Jose and Jaco Beach
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Nightlife in San Jose and Jaco Beach
Costa Rica nightlife, especially Costa Rica nightlife in San Jose and Jaco Beach, is noted for Latina ladies and long sultry nights. El Pueblo: San Jose Clubs and Dining Located a few minutes north of the downtown Holiday Inn, El Pueblo is a mix of more than 100 bars, clubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops. Lining the picturesque cobblestone streets...

Nightlife in Downtown San Jose, Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Nightlife in Downtown San Jose, Costa Rica
Most of the world-famous nightlife in San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, unfolds in the downtown area often called Gringo Gulch. The following travel guide covers San Jose ina little more detail than others we have seen. This part of town, extending south from Parque Morazan to Avenida 2 and from Calle 9 to Calle 6, is frequented by lovely ladies affectionately...

Jaco Beach Nightlife
Travel Guide
Jaco Beach Nightlife
For beachfront nightlife, it doesn't get any better than Jaco Beach in Costa Rica. On the Pacific coast, Jaco is two hours south of the capital. Most of the hotels and resorts are near or on the beach.The town's main street, which parallels the beach about a block away, is lined with bars, disco, clubs and restaurants. You can walk to most of them from hotels in...

Costa Rica Holidays
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Holidays
The Costa Rica holidays page focuses on Costa Rican fiestas, holiday events other events of interest for visitors. Official Costa Rican Holidays January 1: New Year's Day March/April: *Easter Week (date varies year to year) April 11: Juan Santamaria Day May 1: Labor Day July, third weekend: Puntarenas' Virgin of the Sea Festival July 25: Annexation of...

Weather in Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Weather in Costa Rica
The weather in Costa Rica ranges from rainy to sunny most of the time. Rainy season usually starts in March or April, with the heaviest rain in October. Even in the rainy season, called the green seasons by the Costa Ricans the daily rains last for an hour or two in the afternoon. This can be quite refreshing as it tends to cool off the country more hotter...

Costa Rica nightclubs San Jose
Travel Guide
Costa Rica nightclubs San Jose
Costa Rica nightclubs San Jose nightlifeCosta Rica nightclubs abound in San Jose and the major beach towns. Nightlife here starts with Costa Rica nightclubs in San Jose. In addition to night clubs and bars, San Jose has casinos, discos -- and even strip clubs for the adventurous. San Jose offers more than a dozen night clubs in the area that is known to many as...

Costa Rica bars: San Jose & the Beaches
Travel Guide
Costa Rica bars: San Jose & the Beaches
Costa Rica bars, certainly the Costa Rica bars and nightclubs in San Jose and on the beach from Guanacaste south, present the visitor with a staggering variety of options for nightlife fun. From dazzling night clubs and discos, to casinos you will practically find a place to party on every corner in the Big City, San Jose. And in beach bars like the Bohio in Playa...

Costa Rica Dining, Restaurants, Food
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Dining, Restaurants, Food
Costa Rica dining does not have to mean rice and beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner! And you don't have to eat in hotels or resorts to find great Costa Rica dining here. Just travel along Paseo Colon in San Jose and try this trio of international restaurants. The Paseo Colon area, a few blocks east of Parque Sabana, is somewhat reminiscent of Manhattan’s...

A World Class Peruvian Restaurant: Machu Picchu
Travel Guide
A World Class Peruvian Restaurant: Machu Picchu
Peruvian food is featured in many Costa Rican restaurants, and Machu Picchu is one of the best in San Jose; it's as popular with locals as with tourists. So much so that this Peruvian restaurant off Paseo Colon on the west side of town is often crowded and noisy during lunch hours. (We suggest dining from 7 PM on for the most pleasurable dining experience). The...

Peruvian Restaurants in Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Peruvian Restaurants in Costa Rica
For an exotic meal, try the Peruvian restaurants in Costa Rica. San Jose has many of the top Peruvian restaurants in Costa Rica, but you will also find them in certain beach towns. Many of the seafood dishes are based on corvina, or sea bass. But try the cold appetizers with spicy onions, and you will be amazed at what can be done with a potato! Peruvian...

Costa Rica Restaurants: San Jose
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Restaurants: San Jose
Restaurants in San Jose, Costa Rica, offer dining opportunities that span the globe. From sushi to Italian, from fast food to French cuisine to Argentine beef to Peruvian seafood, you will find far more than just rice and beans in local restaurants. Sushi and Asian Dining in San Jose, Costa Rica Three downtown restaurants offer sushi. Goyi is easy to spot -...

Our Information on Costa Rica Restaurants
Travel Guide
Our Information on Costa Rica Restaurants
We get our information on restaurants in Costa Rica -- such as Ronny's, the new place on the hill in Manuel Antonio from our own experience and from people who live here. Not from travel writers and authors of guide books, who visit maybe once a year and rarely have the time to truly get to know the dining scene in this country. North Americans and Europeans...

Rainforest Restaurants in Manuel Antonio
Travel Guide
Rainforest Restaurants in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio restaurants are not limited to those in the resorts and hotels of this central Pacific hideaway. You will discover a vast variety of places to eat, from a rustic chicken shack to elegant dining on lobster with a view of the rainforest. Pizza is popular, and there are plenty of budget places to eat in Quepos. You will find fewer bargains in Manuel...

Restaurants in Manuel Antonio: Ambrosia
Travel Guide
Restaurants in Manuel Antonio: Ambrosia
With a terrace view of towering trees and the occasional monkey, Ambrosia is a new restaurant in Manuel Antonio (since early 2005). The variety of sandwiches and fruit smoothies at this new restaurant present a tasty lunch time alternative to dining on pizza or roast chicken. Sandwiches range from The Cuban (roast pork marinated in mojo) to Philly Cheesesteaks...

Poker Tournaments in Costa Rica: 2006
Travel Guide
Poker Tournaments in Costa Rica: 2006
Poker players will find a variety of poker tournaments in Costa Rica, with buy-ins from $10 and up. Most of the weekly tournament action in 2006 has been at the Hotel Radisson Europa in San Jose, though the Fiesta has begun to offer some competition in this area. And the downtown Colonial and Horseshoe have also introduced tournaments. Several major poker...

Beach Pictures: Playas del Coco
Travel Guide
Beach Pictures: Playas del Coco
Playas del Cocos, whose main beach (shown in this picture) is more brown than white, is a party town, a surfing town, a fishing town. It is in Guanacaste, where scuba diving is great. From the Liberia International Airport, you can get to the town in less than 30 minutes. Many hotels offer shuttle service, and taxis are plentiful. Cocos means coconuts, of course,...

Rain Forest Pictures of Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Rain Forest Pictures of Costa Rica
Costa Rica rainforest pictures -- all our Costa Rica rain forest pictures are unique, exclusive photos of each type of rainforest: evergreen, tropical dry Pacific, tropical moist and cloud forest. Rainforests are found throughout the country, but Corcovado Peninsula and the Atlantic Coast are home to the most extensive ones. In Corcovado, you'll witness wildlife...

Beach Pictures from Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Beach Pictures from Costa Rica
These beach pictures are from Playas Coco, Jaco Beach and Flamingo, Costa Rica. More beach pictures are on the way, so bookmark this page and visit again before you head south for a tropical vacation.

Pictures: Costa Rica City Scenes
Travel Guide
Pictures: Costa Rica City Scenes
These pictures of Costa Rican capital, San Jose. San Jose Downtown. Morazan Park. San Jose Fruit Stand

Playa Coco Beach Pictures
Travel Guide
Playa Coco Beach Pictures
The main beach in Playa del Coco is directly in front of the town. If you are staying in town, it will never be more than a ten minute stroll away. Artisans offer their wares from tables and stands along the street that goes to the beach. Fishing boats work from this area, because Coco does not have a marina. (This means riding out to your boat in a small panga...

Costa Rica: Nude Beaches?
Travel Guide
Costa Rica: Nude Beaches?
When bikinis and swimsuits fall to the sand at nude beaches in Costa Rica, sunglasses start steaming up. And while there is clearly no bikini island in Costa Rica, the "scenery" can sometimes get hotter than the tropical Costa Rican sun. The first nude beach that comes to mind is Manuel Antonio. If you go to the public beach and walk north, you will find an area...

Beach Pictures: Flamingo, Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Beach Pictures: Flamingo, Costa Rica
The main beach of Flamingo has the whitest sand in Costa Rica; It is a short walk from the center of town. Other beaches are found farther north, and include less well known playas such as Playa Conchal and others in the Gulf of Papagayo vicinity. Here you will find many upscale resorts and all-inclusive packages. The climate in this part of Costa Rica is drier...

Nicoya Beaches
Travel Guide
Nicoya Beaches
If it's privacy you seek, we suggest the beaches of Nicoya. Not as many tourists visit this part of the country, which can be reached by car, boat, or airplane. This photo shows a small island in Nicoya Bay. It is a featured stop of the Calypso Cruise, a luxury catamaran that departs from Puntarenas. Nicoya is south of Guanacaste and west of Puntarenas. You...

Playa Ocotal, Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Playa Ocotal, Costa Rica
The beach at Playa Ocotal offers more privacy than the main beaches of Playas del Coco to the north. It's great for sunbathing and fun things to do at the beach, not to mention surfing and fishing charters. Several luxury villas, a world class resort and a spa are found here. The view of the beach seen in this photo of Ocotal was taken from an all-inclusive villa...

Costa Rica Waterfalls
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Waterfall Pictures
This is a close-up view of the waterfalls seen in the first picture on the previous page. These falls are found along a rainforest trail that is most easily and safely reached with a licensed guide. They are best approached from below, not from above, as the cliffs and hillsides can be precarious, particularly if it has been raining a lot, which makes them...

Hotels and Resorts in Bocas del Toro
Travel Guide
Hotels and Resorts in Bocas del Toro
A wide range of accommodations tops out at around $90 a night for the Buccaneer Resort. In the main part of town, Hotel Swan Cay is the swankiest place, with A/C and a pricey Italian restaurant (in fact, "Italian" anything is the only thing overpriced here). Cabins go as low as $10. A villa, resort or hotel can run from $100 a night. For those who want to build...

Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Costa Rica
People come to Costa Rica for diving and fishing, tours fine hotels and villas. We also have some of the world's finest resorts, many of which private and secluded. For all-inclusive deals, Guanacaste and Puntarenas are your best bet. These are just a few of the many reason savvy travelers choose this laid back tropical land as their favorite place for a holiday....

Zoo Ave
Travel Guide
Zoo Ave
So you hiked 47 kilometers of nature trails from Monteverde to Santa Elena and didn't see a single quetzal? Then head for Zoo Ave, the only place in Costa Rica where you are guaranteed to see live quetzals. Not your typical zoo Quetzals, the legendary birds with brilliant red and green plumage, are only one of Zoo Ave's attractions for nature lovers. Over...

Costa Rica Buses: Local Schedules
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Buses: Local Schedules
When you travel by Costa Rica bus, it will be either on a local Costa Rica bus or a private line such as Costa Rica Shuttle, Fantasy Bus and Interbus. Private buses such as Fantasy will pick you up at your hotel and transport you to the main tourism areas in air-conditioned comfort and without stopping along the way. The $24 fare is well worth it on the longer...

Costa Rica Canopy Trees
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Canopy Trees
Sometimes you can't see the rainforest for the trees, especially on a zipline canopy tour such as Dream Forest near the Rio Savegre. Or in a typical forest that might contain over 80 species of trees in less than three acres. A casual stroll along a shaded path is the way to discover more about the trees that make up the forests here. Trees such as the one in...

Costa Rica Diving with Planet Dolphin
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Diving with Planet Dolphin
Costa Rica diving off Manuel Antonio Until you've seen them from sea you haven't truly witnessed the wonders of Manuel Antonio's beaches. Few visitors realize it, but 90% of the park's 738,000 hectares lie underwater, where you'll marvel at the colorful marine life that greets you on every dive. A relaxing way to see the park from above and below the...

Costa Rica Holidays & Festivals
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Holidays & Festivals
Carnavales, fiestas and general partying take place during these holidays, usually taking place on the closest weekend or Sunday. FESTIVALS Precise dates for many holiday events are not announced until a few weeks in advance July 27: Limon's birthday party, celebrated with parades and partying on the closest Sunday. October Limon on 10-12: Carnaval Parades,...

Flamingo Hotels: The Mariner Inn
Travel Guide
Flamingo Hotels: The Mariner Inn
One of the sure bets for hotels in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is the Mariner Inn in Flamingo, north of Playa Ocotal and Playa Coco. With a panoramic view of the hills reminiscent of a South China Seas vista, the two-story Mariner Inn is a short walk to the beach and only steps from all the action in downtown Flamingo. Besides being close to the center of the local...

Costa Rica Road and Tourism Map
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Road and Tourism Map
Costa Rica maps, especially this Costa Rica map, make traveling through the rico rainforest a lot simpler. You will find it easier to locate hotels, resorts, tours, nightlife and various fishing and diving facilities. Our car rental partner, Economy, has included a great county map for all of our customers along with free cell phones incase you get lost.

Costa Rica nightclubs - San Jose
Travel Guide
Costa Rica nightclubs - San Jose
Costa Rica nightclubs San Jose nightlife Costa Rica nightclubs abound in San Jose and the major beach towns. Nightlife here starts with Costa Rica nightclubs in San Jose. In addition to night clubs and bars, San Jose has casinos, discos, and small jazz clubs. San Jose offers more than a dozen night clubs in the area that is known to many as Gringo Gulch, all with...

Costa Rica Pictures and Photos
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Pictures and Photos
Other outdoors scenes, in Costa Rica are the focus of these pictures and photos.

Rainforest Plants of Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Rainforest Plants of Costa Rica
The Arrowhead plant grows in the shrub layer of the canopy, which extends 15 feet from the forest floor. Its huge leaves turn into drums played by drops of the purest water during rainy season. This is only one of the countless types of rainforest plants that festoon the forests and mountains from one end of this country to the other. And they grow practically...

Costa Rica Travel FAQ
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Travel FAQ
When is the best time to travel to Costa Rica? Any time except the week of Good Friday (Easter weekend) or Christmas week. These are major holidays for Ticos, so everything is crowded, transportation is hectic, and many shops and restaurants are closed. State banks and other offices are also closed for nearly a week during both holidays. Beaches and nightlife...

Costa Rica Travel Directory
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Travel Directory
The Costa Rica travel directory offers an overview of Costa Rica vacations. Or see Hotels, Resorts and Villas or Fishing and Diving for more specific pages. As more hotels, resorts, tours, fishing boats and other tourism attractions are added to the directory, this section is being expanded into new categories. In our listings, you will discover descriptions of...

When to Travel to Costa Rica
Travel Guide
When to Travel to Costa Rica
The best time for Costa Rica travel depends on which attractions you want to focus on during your Costa Rican vacation. For beach fun, the best time to travel to Costa Rica is December through May on the Pacific side; don't go to the Caribbean in October or November, which is often flooded then. But for Costa Rica surfing and rafting, the best time to travel from...

Taxis and Cab Fares in Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Taxis and Cab Fares in Costa Rica
If you want to feel popular in Costa Rica, drive a red car. Everyone on the street will wave at you, because that's the color of all Costa Rican taxis. A legitimate taxi will have the fleet's insignia on top or on the door; avoid pirate cabs that lack these or a maria, as the meter is called here. Taxi Fares and Rates Currently the meter starts at 405 colones...

Humpback Whales in Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Humpback Whales in Costa Rica
Almost 30 species of whales spend their winters in the Pacific Ocean off Costa Rica, often close enough to be seen from shore.Small boats can take you out for a closer look, though a 2005 law now prohibits swimming or diving around whales or dolphins.Where the Whales AreThough blue whales migrate down from the Baja Peninsula of Mexico, but of the whales in Costa...

Flights to Bocas del Toro, Panama
Travel Guide
Flights to Bocas del Toro, Panama
In December, 2005, two airlines started service from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Bocas del Toro, Panama: Nature Air and Air Costa Rica. It's a one-hour flight that costs $100 one-way, $200 round-trip. Nature Air flights depart San Jose at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Air Costa flights take off at 11:30 a.m.; on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can...

Costa Rican Maps
Travel Guide
Costa Rican Maps
Looking for maps of Costa Rica? Get a waterproof road map of Costa Rica from this site before you travel. Because it is waterproof, this map is perfect for the beach and for rain forest tours. It reveals Costa Rican roads and highways in four levels, with tourism areas and national parks, beaches and other information vital for a vacation in this part of the tropics.

Havin' Fun at Jaco Beach, Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Havin' Fun at Jaco Beach, Costa Rica
Fun things to do in Jaco Beach begin with the Costa Rica sun and end with partying and nightlife that can last until the next sunrise. But the list of fun things to do in Jaco seems to go on forever. This Costa Rica beach town offers zip line tours through rainforest canopy, nature trails crisscrossing the rain forest, day trips to explore volcanoes or go white...

Fun Guide: Playas del Coco & Ocotal
Travel Guide
Fun Guide: Playas del Coco & Ocotal
Fun Guide: Playas del Coco & Ocotal For such a typical "sleepy fishing village," Playas del Coco, Costa Rica, offers some of the wildest nightlife in the country. Over two dozen bars and nightclubs rock all night, every night, in Playas del Coco on the northwest Pacific coast. And there’s also scuba diving, surfing, sportfishing, marlin fishing, sailboat...

Guaro, rum, beer and drinks in Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Guaro, rum, beer and drinks in Costa Rica
Guaro leads the list of traditional alcoholic drinks in Costa Rica. It's a generic term for rum, and the taste and quality varies in different parts of Latin America. Some locals insist guaro was invented by the Guaro Indians, but they are so tiny that no one has been able to find them to confirm this. Many find it a potent, even crude spirit. But some tourists...

Vacations in Panama, Central America
Travel Guide
Vacations in Panama, Central America
Panama - the southernmost country in Central America - offers a unique array of things to do, whether here on vacation or business travel. Take a tour of the majestic Panama Canal. Relax on sun kissed beaches. Go sportfishing, diving and surfing on either coast. Try the exciting adventure tours springing up from one end of Panama to the other. The virtually...

Pictures from Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Pictures from Costa Rica
"More pictures of Costa Rica" is the most popular request we get in your E-mails, so the picture section is being expanded. Pictures of Costa Rica rain forests, beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, cities and salt water fish may be accessed by pouncing your mouse upon any of the captions below. If you have any you'd like to share with the world, write to E-mail.

Costa Rican Rainforest Plants
Travel Guide
Costa Rican Rainforest Plants
The rainforest plants of Costa Rica come in every hue of green, from deep emerald to chartreuse. During even a brief stroll along a narrow path through the rainforest, you can spy nearly every one of them. The star plant seen in this photograph is unrelated to the star plants of the North American deserts. Those are actually a type of cacti or succulent whose...

Rainforest Trees of Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Rainforest Trees of Costa Rica
This photo shows the "shrub layer" of the rainforest floor. It extends to about twenty feet up. On this level of the rainforest dwell a wide mix of mammals, amphibians and reptiles. From deadly venomous snakes to the entertaining raccoon, there is potentially something hiding behind every bush and giant fern. That explains why proper footgear is important when...

Tropical Trees of Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Tropical Trees of Costa Rica
Soaring high over the Talamanca rain forest on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, these trees are a good example of tropical trees. The canopy level of the rainforest begins at about one hundred feet. Above that is the over canopy. Here live many various types of creatures, from frogs and birds to the elusive two-toed sloth and its arch enemy, the hawk. And...

Quest for Quepos: Hidden History Revealed
Travel Guide
Quest for Quepos: Hidden History Revealed
Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer whose futile search for the Fountain of Youth became his signature expedition, is rarely recognized for one of his greatest discoveries—Quepos and Manuel Antonio—which he put on the map in 1519. So abundant are the riches of Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, that he might have found his fabled fountain had he gone ashore...

Costa Rica history: Manuel Antonio Quepos pirates
Travel Guide
Costa Rica history: Manuel Antonio Quepos pirates
Pirates of the Quepos Coast pirates costa rica henry morganSir Francis Drake, William Dampier, Sir Henry Morgan—flamboyant British pirates such as these have endowed Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast with one of the richest pirate histories in the Americas. Perhaps the most intriguing tale from the Quepos and Manuel Antonio area recounts Henry Morgan's final...

Rain Forest Pictures from Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Rain Forest Pictures from Costa Rica
Except for the first one, these rain forest pictures are from our friends http://www.1-costaricalink.com are from the Talamanca is a region on the Caribbean side. If you are planning to experience the exotic wonders of the many tropical plants and trees and flowers in the wild, a guided eco tour or nature hike is highly recommended. Email us at...

Costa Rica Rain Forest Plants
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Rain Forest Plants
Near Arenal Volcano, the forest on each side of this nature trail is as close to true jungle as it gets in Costa Rica. (Jungle vegetation is more dense than in a heavily shaded rain forest.) Even so, the dazzling variety of tropical plants in this area will astound even the most ardent Eco tourist. Gargantuan leaves like those seen in the picture are...

Shopping in San Jose: Souvenirs and More
Travel Guide
Shopping in San Jose: Souvenirs and More
San Jose affords the greatest variety of souvenirs, jewelry, clothing and other items in the country. The best prices too. And not just the usual souvenirs and T-shirts -- some shops imports things from Indonesia, Thailand and other exotic lands, as well as from Guatemala and different places in Latin America. This review will get you on the fast track to finding...

Spanish Language Schools in Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Spanish Language Schools in Costa Rica
From the city to the beaches, a Spanish language school is always nearby in Costa Rica. You can easily combine learning Spanish with a surfing trip or a visit to the rainforest on your Costa Rican vacation. Many schools provide housing with a local family, so you can save money on a hotel and practice daily even when not in class. There are also several...

Costa Rica Surf Camps
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Surf Camps
Ready to try surfing? Costa Rica surf camps offer "laid back" lessons in school that are reinforced by a few hours practicing in the warm Pacific waves. There is at least one surf camp in each beach town on the west coast, plus independent instructors in Jaco and Tamarindo. Local surfers say the best places to master the basics is either at Jaco, Tamarindo or...

Havin' Fun at Playa Tamarindo
Travel Guide
Havin' Fun at Playa Tamarindo
Tamarindo is best known as one of Costa Rica's top surfing destinations. True, yet there are tons of other fun things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. One tour outfit even offers an ATV surf tour, driving ATVs into the rain forest and to hidden beaches otherwise inaccessible. Or you can rent a dirt bike or regular bicycle and explore on your own. Snorkeling and...

Jaco Beach Activities & Fun Things to Do
Travel Guide
Jaco Beach Activities & Fun Things to Do
Beach activities include horseback riding, volleyball, swimming, surfing, parasailing and more. Several top surfing tournaments are held here each year. Heed all warning signs, as the rip tide can be deadly here, and don't go in the water alone. Most beach hotels provide chairs and other amenities for guests. You can rent scooters, quads, surf gear and...

Fun Guides, Travel Reviews and Feature Articles
Travel Guide
Fun Guides, Travel Reviews and Feature Articles
These reviews of Costa Rica's top hotels, resorts, fishing boats, tours and tiki bars reveal the places most highly recommended by our travel writers. Feature articles and pictures covering the history and archaeology of Costa Rica, along with Fun Guides on each part of the country are also found here. Jaco Beach: Top hotels, things to do, fishing, diving, and...

Folkloric Art and Other Unique Souvenirs
Travel Guide
Folkloric Art and Other Unique Souvenirs
The streets around Parque Morazan are lined with souvenir shops stacked to their ceilings with virtually the same items. Many of which are actually made in Nicaragua, where labor is far cheaper than here. But just around the corner from the Holiday Inn, you can find folkloric art and jewelry and other unique treasures fashioned by local artisans. They are a bit...

Waterfalls at La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Travel Guide
Waterfalls at La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna is home to the most impressive set of waterfalls in the Arenal Volcano area. (The towns's name, "fortune," refers to the fact that is on the safest side of the volcano. Even so, you can get a great view of the volcano erupting at night. Located south of town, these falls are the perfect location for an afternoon picnic. Or to go swimming beneath the...

Costa Rican Canopy Tours in the Rain Forest
Travel Guide
Costa Rican Canopy Tours in the Rain Forest
The Original Canopy Tour offers everyone an exhilarating opportunity to soar through the rain forest high above the forest floor. There you will view jungle life from a perspective previously reserved for a select group of researchers and photographers. Located high up near the peek of Costa Rica's distinguished Monteverde Cloud Forest is where the first The...

Costa Rica Waterfalls Pictures
Travel Guide
Costa Rica Waterfalls Pictures
These pictures of Costa Rica waterfalls were taken at La Fortuna, around the vicinity of Volcan Arenal and at the Tabacon Springs Resort. Email us for special rates for the Tabacon Springs Resort at info@costaricauncovered.com

 
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