Getting To Costa Rica

Posted by Guest on Apr 17, 2012 in Vacation/Travel | 0 comments

There are various ways to get to Costa Rica, and all you have to do is choose the best entry point for you. You can enter Costa Rica by air, land or sea. Visitors coming from other parts of the world prefer to enter Costa Rica by air.  Good news is that there are a good number of international airline carriers coming in and out of the country. Airline tickets will vary greatly depending on where you are coming from. Tourists from US and Canada will most likely spend around $300 to $800 for an air ticket to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is being served by two major airports – Daniel Oduber International Airport and Juan Santa Maria International Airport. If you are visiting the capital city of Costa Rica, then you should find a flight to Juan Santa Maria International Airport. Meanwhile, if you are going to the Golden Coast, then find an airline with flights to Danile Oduber International Airport.

Visitors driving to Costa Rica should know that a lot of roads to its cities are in poor state. However, though you may expect a bumpy ride, the magnificent landscape and amazing scenery of natural attractions in the area would surely make the drive all worth it.

Those who are planning to enter the country by sea can go to any of its four major ports. The ports can be found in Puntarenas, Moin, Golfito and the Pacific Coast. I suggest that you ensure that you have all the needed travel documents before coming to Costa Rica. Do not forget to bring your passport and consider acquiring a travel health insurance just to be safe.

Making comparisons and choosing the car hire that fits your budget

Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2012 in Tourist Destinations | 0 comments

When planning a journey, the most important part of it is arranging the place of stay and the transportation means. Just as you would have numerous hotels to choose from, for your accommodation, there would be numerous choices when it comes to the car hire for your trip. It is up to you, to select a company that provides you what you require, well within your budget.

To get the best deal, a car hire comparison for the place can help you a lot. This can be easily done with the help of the internet. Today, with the advance in technology, you don’t even have to call up each car hire company to get their rates. Instead it can be seen that most of these companies would have a website of their own, where they would have provided the rates they charge daily or hourly.

All you need to do is to check through the websites of these companies, collect details about the facilities and types of cars they provide and then, compare the details of one company with another. Such a car hire comparison can not only get you the best deals and rates, but also can get you the car you wish for, whether it is a luxurious one or a simple one.

The journey around any city involves a good lot of travelling and unless you arrange a good car for this journey, you would find it exhausting! So if you are planning on a trip to some city, make sure that you look up the best deals available and book a good car to take you around the city, so that you can make use of your vacation trip to the maximum!

What to look for when you try to find out the best car hire?

Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2012 in Vacation/Travel | 0 comments

What exactly should you look for when you are trying to find a good car hire company for your trip around a city? There are many things you need to check, before fixing one such company. The first thing you should do is to collect the rates and details provided by many such car hire companies. When you compare car hire rates for different companies, you will be able to come up on a decision of which companies to choose from, based on your budget.

The next thing you should know is whether the companies in your choice list have the legal rights to provide rented cars. There are many companies that offer car rentals at rates cheaper that the market rates. But when you go deeper into their details, you may find that they are not licensed to do this business at all! Getting caught in one such hired car would be a big trouble and hence, it would be best to avoid such problems and check well before you fix a car hire company.

Another thing you need to know is the type of car you wish to hire. Even for this, the best thing you could do would be to compare car hire companies prices and check the type of cars, each company offers. You can go for that company which provides the car of your choice, of course without emptying your pockets. Preparing well ahead of a trip can make it much more enjoyable to you than doing everything in a hurry. Hence make sure that you get a good car booked for you and your family, to enjoy the trip to its fullest!

Finding Affordable Flights – An Ultimate Guide to Frugal Travelers

Posted by Guest on Feb 25, 2012 in Airfare Deals | 0 comments

Have you been planning for a grand vacation for a relatively long time already? Is the entire process making your head ache? Are you searching in vain for flights to Bali and affordable hotels? Unfortunately, many travelers can’t find a shortcut to planning these vacation essentials. Most of the time, they scour through the pages of newspapers or browse through the Internet to get the best deals. Here are some useful tips that you can use to find your dream flights for your well-deserved vacation.

1. Make sure to make your purchase early. Making reservations late during peak travel seasons can cost you a lot of money because airline ticket prices skyrocket up a few days before the flights.
2. Or, buy late- there are some instances when buying tickets at the very last minute can offer you great prices for trips including flights to Wellington.
3. Take time to shop around. Don’t get easily victimized by offers that are seemingly good. Try to search for a few major online travel agencies and compare prices as well as the offers.
4. Remain flexible. Experiment with different travel rates, dates and itinerary to be able to get the best deal.
5. Look for discounts. If you want to save money for flights to Australia, be patient in looking for travel providers that provide price cuts.
6. Opt for the budget flight. Consider low-cost budget airlines but be prepared to shell out some extra cost for food.

Some History On Costa Rica

Posted by Guest on Feb 14, 2012 in Featured, History | 0 comments

Christopher Columbus was the first European explorer to discover the country of Costa Rica. When Columbus was in his fourth and final voyage during the 18th of September in 1502, a group of Carib Indians paddling in their canoes greeted Columbus’ crew as they were setting off the anchor. However, even before Columbus arrived in the area, early civilization had already existed there as evidenced by the artifacts found by Archeologists dating ten thousand years ago.

Countless of archeological diggings and explorations in the area helped archeologists to prove that a civilization had existed in the area even before Columbians set foot on it. A number of cultural mysteries that were thought to be owned by the early inhabitants of Costa Rica were discovered near the coast. Spherical granite bolas, with sizes ranging from as small as a baseball ball up to as a big as a Volkswagen, bus were uncovered. City ruins were found just recently at the east of San Jose. The large, ancient ruins that were discovered came complete with well-built aqueducts. Marvelous jade and gold works were also been exposed. Archeological sites in the Nicoya Peninsula and Central Highlands revealed various evidences showing influences from Nahuati and Mexican Olmec civilizations.

Four indigenous tribes already inhabited Costa Rica by the time Columbus came to the country. The Diquis, Chibchas and Borucas were residing in the Southwest coast while East Coast was the territory of the Caribs. The colonial period in the area officially started when Columbus discovered it in 1502. After that various Spanish expeditions followed suit. The tribes living in the area did not last long when the Spaniards came. Many perished from the small pox brought by Spanish settlers while others fled the area. In 1524, the very first Spanish settlement was established in Costa Rica, which was headed by Villa Bruselas.

Since indigenous labor force had been annihilated, Spanish settlers had to trade laborers from its neighboring countries, Guatemala and Panama. They followed the policy and traded African slaves to work in Costa Rica.

Among the Spanish colonies, Costa Rica was the poorest and most miserable. In fact, the country enjoyed the least Spanish influence. Since the country had very little resources to exploit, it was not a popular place to settle. Spanish settlers who came to the country were more interested in tightening their hold to Peru and Mexico where huge amount of silver and gold were being mined at the time. Juan Vasquez, who founded the colonial city of Cartago in 1562, was the first settler to successfully establish a colonial in the area.

In 1821, Mexico rebelled against the Spanish Settlers, and the rest of Central America including Costa Rica joined them. After two years, a civil war sparked among the four neighboring countries where a faction in Costa Rica chose to join the Mexicans. Sovereignty was later established when Alajuela and San Jose defeated Cartago and Heredia.

In 1824, Juan Mora Fernandez became the first elected head of state. Fernandez was famous for his land reform projects. Under the leadership of Mora, Costa Ricans repulsed the disgruntled Southern conqueror, William Walker. Walker thought he could annex Central America and transform it into a slave state.

Although military rulings had reared its head to Costa Rica a couple of times, there were no violent extremism occurred in the area unlike in other parts of Central America. General Thomas Guardia grabbed control over Costa Rica by 1870. Guardia was known for creating the most progressive reforms in the country, focusing on taxation, education and military policy.

In 1948 when Rafael Calderon denied relinquishing his power after losing the presidential election, a civil war erupted. Don Pepe Figueres Ferrer became one of the country’s most influential leaders when he defeated Calderon. Ferrer was the head of the Founding Junta of Costa Rica’s Second Republic. Ferrer made reforms on civil rights and policy, thus boosting his popularity. He created a political legacy in Costa Rica that cemented the country’s liberal and democratic values.

Tips in Finding the Cheapest Airline Fare To Your Chosen Destination

Posted by Guest on Feb 4, 2012 in Airfare Deals | 0 comments

Whether you are flying to Amsterdam, Singapore, Malaysia, Hawaii, Paris or Italy, taking time to scour the internet for the best airfare deals available will allow you to save a lot on your planned trip. Everyone is pretty much aware that travelling can be a very expensive endeavour. But of course, like in any other undertakings, there are ways to cut down your travel expenses. One of which is by hunting for the cheapest airline ticket available for your chosen destination. To help you search for the most affordable airfare, here are some tips that you should definitely heed.

• Try to be flexible with your travel dates. If you don’t mind adjusting your travel schedule, then it will be easier for you to find great airfare deals to whatever destination you choose to visit. Airfares fluctuate a lot depending on the time you want to travel. It is advisable to schedule your trip mid-week rather than on weekends as weekday flights are generally much cheaper than weekend flights.
• Watch out for airfare promos and be ready to book a flight when you see one.
• Join the mailing list of various airline companies (preferably the reliable ones). By doing so you will be able to receive updates with regards to special airfare promos and discounted fares even before they are advertised to the public.

Major Tourist Destinations In & Around Costa Rica

Posted by Guest on Jan 31, 2012 in Featured, Tourist Destinations | 0 comments

A trip to Costa Rica is definitely a vacation that anyone should look forward to. Although Costa Rica may seem like a speck on the map, this tiny Central American country features five percent of biodiversity in the planet. In addition to that, Costa Rica boasts of natural wonders that are beyond compare. Tourist attractions in and around Costa Rica alone draw millions of local and international visitors to the country every year. Because of this, Costa Rica is known as one of the premiere tourist destinations in Central America. Enveloped by parks, reserves, rainforests, mountains, and volcanoes, it is obvious that Nature is the main attraction in the country.

Some of the major tourist destinations in and around Costa Rica that you must not miss include the following:

Nosara

The serene and peaceful beach community of Nosara can be found in Costa Rica’s unspoilt corner, where monkeys meet the turtles. It is the ideal location for nature lovers as well as surfers. Nosara boasts of well-protected national parks. Local residents, meanwhile, take part in the preservation of the community’s pristine and beautiful beaches as well as the protected forests.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Recognized as one of the world’s diverse wildlife refuges, the stunning and mesmerizing Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is always flocked by a great number of tourists. Being shrouded with clouds, the forest reserve exudes a sense of mystery to it, which greatly boosts its charm. There are a wide range of mammals, bird species and insects that are home to this distinct mountain rainforest. The area also feature a variety of exciting activities, with eco-tourism as the highlight, such as canopy touring, zip lining, hiking and horseback riding.

Tortuguero National Park

Remains to be one of Costa Rica’s most visited parks, Tortuguero National Park can only be reached by plane or boat. Visitors who want to come and see the national park need to first head to Tortuguero Village, which serves as its starting point. People coming to this park are caught in awe by its wonderful lagoons and meandering rivers. The park is also known as the breeding ground of the key turtles. Tortuguero National Park serves as the nesting ground of leatherback, Green Sea turtles, and Hawksbill, which lay their eggs on the beach within the park. To witness this one-of-a-kind and memorable phenomenon, visitors can arrange a night tour in the park since egg-laying in the area usually occurs at night time. The park closes at 6pm so you have to make arrangement with your planned night visit to the park where a tour guide will accompany you. Be sure to grab the opportunity to see these creatures lay their eggs (in front of your eyes) since it is certainly an experience that should never be missed.

Poas Volcano National Park

Despite the fact that Poas Volcano may not be as active as Arenal Volcano, it is certainly far from being considered as dormant. The park attracts a great number of domestic and foreign visitors particularly during the weekends. Trails overlooking the volcano are available for the visitors’ disposal. The volcano overlook trail begins at the visitor center offering a 15-minute walk in all directions. If you want to do some exotic bird-watching, then you should walk along the Escalonia cloud forest trail which will take you to the area in the park where exotic birds congregate. There are other trails that you can explore in this scenic park so do not hesitate to make inquiries at the visitor center or find a map that will help you ease your way around the park.

Top Things To Do When Visiting Costa Rica

Posted by Guest on Jan 27, 2012 in Tourist Destinations, Vacation/Travel | 0 comments

Congratulations! You have finally been granted a few days off your work and now, you are gearing up for a grand vacation in Costa Rica! Before getting too excited, you must remember to pack your things lightly and leave your expensive jewelry at home to keep yourself safe from the prying eyes of anti-social elements. Also, prepare an itinerary to ensure that you won’t miss out anything nice and fun under the sun. It would also be a good idea to get visitors insurance from reputable insurance companies, like the Sovereign Insurance. Doing so will give you the assurance of a hassle-free trip.

Here are the top things that tourists like you can do while relaxing in the country.

• Comfort in coffee - Before tourism has overtaken it, coffee was the main force behind the economy of Costa Rica. Take time to tour coffee farms and processing facilities.
• Canopy tour - Try the zip-line ride, the naturalist educational trip or the gondola tour.
• Riding the waves - Costa Rica’s waves and breaks are well-known all around the world.  Make sure to try surfing or windsurfing to satisfy the extreme sport enthusiast in you. Surfing destinations in Costa Rica is just as many as the options offered by health insurance companies.
• Seeing the volcanoes - Volcano watching is a popular activity in the area. The Arenal Volcano is a top tourist destination because of its fire belching, rolling smoking boulders and lava flows.
• Nature tripping - Let the picturesque views of the Tortuguero Canals, Damas estuary and Caño Negro wetlands take your breath away.
• The beach - Enjoy swimming, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling and sunbathing in Costa Rica’s amazing beaches.

Exclusive Hotels In Costa Rica

Posted by Guest on Jan 13, 2012 in Featured, Hotels | 0 comments

Costa Rica may be a small country but it is way ahead from its neighboring countries when it comes to exclusive hotels and luxurious eco-resorts. As a matter of fact, tourism in the country is a thriving industry since the government did an excellent job in marketing the country among tourists from around the world over the past decades. Visitors in Costa Rica are not limited to those coming from US and Canada. Today, a growing number of international visitors from Europe and Asia have also been taking vacations in this beautiful Latin country. The burgeoning tourism in the country has attracted a number of foreign investments in the area, thus, dotting the country with an array of exclusive and upscale hotels offering the best and most luxurious accommodations.

If you are one of those people who are willing to splurge top dollar to get the best and most exclusive hotel accommodations in Costa Rica, then here are some of the excellent hotel options that you should consider.

Four Seasons Resort

Enveloped by gold-sand beaches, Four Seasons Resorts is considered as the finest luxury resort in Costa Rica. It features three swimming pools, a serene spa, and 156 generously-sized guestrooms and well-appointed suites. All rooms in the resorts are crafted and designed with stone finishes and indigenous woods. Each rooms offer utmost indoor comfort and provide mesmerizing balcony views.  A nice reprieve from your phlebotomy training classes don’t you think.   Rooms offered in the resort feature décor and furnishings that draw inspiration from the beauty of Costa Rica’s natural surroundings – the ocean, forest and beach.

The Gaia Hotel and Reserve

This five-star luxury boutique beach hotel provides guests with sublime elegance set in a splendidly exotic locale. The Gaia Hotel showcases an excellent blend of convenient modern amenities and picturesque natural scenery. Found in the scenic Costa Rican coastal forests, the hotel offers guests with terraced suites and well-furnished villas showing off the unspoilt and pristine beauty of the wild surroundings of Costa Rica. Gaia Hotel offers all the conveniences that the guests need which include a pool, on-site restaurant, spa, 24/7 room service, gym and a range of personal services that can be availed on demand.

Marriott Los Suenos Resort

Recognized as the ‘World’s Best’ by the Travel & Leisure Magazine, this luxury Costa Rican resort hotel is located between 1,100 acres of tropical rainforest and the warm but calming Pacific waters. Rooms and suites offered by the resort hotel features equally stunning and wonderful garden, ocean and mountain views. Each room is furnished with elegant bedding, fluffy pillows, designer duvets, and soft comforters to ascertain that guests will be offered with the ultimate and most relaxing stay in the country.

Employment Opportunities In Costa Rica

Posted by Guest on Jan 3, 2012 in Employment, Featured | 0 comments

Costa Rica may not be the richest and most economically stable country in the world but it offers good job opportunities for retirees and younger individuals seeking for better income. If you are seriously considering working in Costa Rica, it is important that you learn how to be able to find legal work in the country. You should know that working in Costa Rica, especially if you are a foreigner, is not that easy. You need to obtain appropriate visa and permits to be able to work legally in the country. Know that, you won’t be able to work in the country unless you have become a citizen or have obtained a permanent residency status.

Like in the US and other countries, the Costa Rican government is just looking out for the welfare of their residents. That is why laws when it comes to allowing foreigners to work in the country are strictly implemented to ascertain that foreigners won’t take away the job positions that would otherwise be given to the people of Costa Rica. Though the country has strict labor laws, finding a job in Costa Rica as long as you are highly skilled in the area or position that cannot be filled in by a native Costa Rican should not be a problem. So what are the job opportunities available for foreigners who have successfully acquire a permanent resident status or citizenship in Costa Rica?

Remember that before you can work legally in the country, it is vital that you seek the appropriate permit needed for the job you are applying for. It is possible that the company or the employer can apply a one-year work permit for you if they can prove that the position being offered cannot be filled by Costa Ricans.

Some job opportunities available for people who wish to live and work in Costa Rica include:

Real Estate Broker
If you have excellent social skills, then you should consider pursuing a career as a Real Estate Broker in Costa Rica. To become one, there is no need for you to seek a real estate license unlike in other countries, such as the US. All you need is get some property listings, hire the service of a property lawyer and have your own car.

English Teacher
Before you will be able to work as an English teacher in one of the language institutions in Costa Rica, you need to first obtain a TOEFL certification. Pay for English teachers in the country vary greatly but can range from $5 to $25 an hour depending on experience and skills. Some choose to offer English tutorial services online which is also a good option if you do not want to hassle yourself from commuting to and from the institution where you will be teaching every day.

Customer and Sales Representative
This is a popular job position in Costa Rica that is often up for grabs. With a good number of sports and gambling companies operating in the country, there will always be open positions for customer and sales representative agents.

Always take time to check local newspapers and even online classifieds to become updated about the job positions that need to be filled in Costa Rica these days.