Sunday, May 31, 2009

she loved Costa Rica so much that she sold the agency and moved there

Fly to Costa Rica birding tour

In an exclusive -- and very personal -- partnership, Holiday Tour & Travel in Lemoyne is collaborating with Rudulfo and Joan Zamora to present a birding tour of Costa Rica. The name Joan Zamora might not ring a bell, but for midstate travelers who have worked with Holiday Tour & Travel, the name Joan Borreli might sound familiar. Until a few years ago, she owned the agency, but she loved Costa Rica so much that she sold the agency and moved there. Now married to native Rudy Zamora, who's described as a "renowned naturalist" on Holiday Tour & Travel's Web site, Joan arranges tours to Costa Rica for her former agency's clients, including honeymoon couples. All of the staff at Holiday Tour & Travel are knowledgeable about the Central American country. "Everybody in our agency has been to beautiful Costa Rica and plans to return," says Richard Prether, Holiday Tour & Travel's vice president of marketing and one of the agency's current owners. Costa Rica is in Prether's top five favorite countries for several reasons. It's committed to preserving its natural ecology, the people are extremely friendly, the food is excellent, the U.S. dollar goes far and English-speaking visitors have no problem getting around. Tourist accommodations range from small establishments with fewer than 50 rooms to large resorts. Prether has always felt safe traveling in Costa Rica, although he recommends that visitors not mark themselves as outsiders in certain places, as is true for most destinations around the world. He notes, however, that he's found no anti-American feelings anywhere in the country. Prether worked with the Zamoras to plan the special birding trip scheduled for April 24-May 4, 2010. He, Joan and his wife, Lucinda, who worked for the agency before purchasing it, had been kicking around the idea for a specialized trip for some time and decided to take the plunge. The trip begins in San Jose, Costa Rica, where the group will spend its first two nights and meet Rudy, who will serve as the birding guide, and Joan, who will serve as the escort. Days three and four will be spent at the Savegre Lodge, birding on its grounds and hiking through its private reserve. Days five through seven will be spent on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, hiking through the Corcovado National Park searching for "the most elusive birds." Days 8 through 10 will be spent at oceanfront accommodations, viewing wildlife in both the Manuel Antonio National Park and the Carara National Park. The trip is limited to 12 participants and includes all lodging and meals; the guide and escort; admission to all of the national parks, reserves and biological stations included on the tour; and gratuities to airport porters and hotel staff for a cost of $3,355 per person, based on two people sharing a room. Not included are airfare and a $26 departure tax. Based on current rates, Lucinda Prether, president of Holiday Tour & Travel, anticipates airfare between $350 -- using nonstop flights out of Newark on Continental Airlines -- and $525 -- using Continental's connecting flights out of Harrisburg. Other options include connecting flights out of Baltimore and Washington/Reagan. For more information on the birding trip, visit www.holidaytour-travel.com or call 800-221-6763. %%by%%Annette Reiff is a certified travel counselor and a former travel agent. An experienced traveler, she has written on a range of travel topics. Reiff can be reached at alr@paonline.com.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Annette Reiff is a certified travel counselor and a former travel agent. An experienced traveler, she has written on a range of travel topics. Reiff can be reached at alr@paonline.com.%%enddeck%%

The name Joan Zamora might not ring a bell, but for midstate travelers who have worked with Holiday Tour & Travel, the name Joan Borreli might sound familiar. Until a few years ago, she owned the agency, but she loved Costa Rica so much that she sold the agency and moved there.

Now married to native Rudy Zamora, who's described as a "renowned naturalist" on Holiday Tour & Travel's Web site, Joan arranges tours to Costa Rica for her former agency's clients, including honeymoon couples.

All of the staff at Holiday Tour & Travel are knowledgeable about the Central American country.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Costa Rica vacations well surpassed my expectations with its beautiful blue skies, lush jungles, vast animal life, and endless oceans.

Romantic Costa Rica Vacations

Costa Rica vacations well surpassed my expectations with its beautiful blue skies, lush jungles, vast animal life, and endless oceans.

Here is our report on romantic hotels, gourmet restaurants, things to do, when to go on Costa Rica vacations and how to get there.

Costa Rica offers much more than just drinks by the pool and tropical beaches, although it offers that as well. Adventurous couples can add fun tours that might have them walking through a jungle canopy, or kayaking in the ocean. Whether you are planing to elope, honeymoon or celebrate a wedding anniversary Costa Rica has much to offer romantic couples - beautiful beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, and rainforest.

costa-rica-vacations-celeste-river

Romantic things to do in Costa Rica range from swinging in the arboreal canopies to relaxing on a beautiful beach.
• whitewater rafting
• horseback ridding
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• surfing
• kayaking
• hiking
• watching the whales and dolphins swim and ..... so much more.

costa-rica-wedding-destination Costa Rica is a top wedding destination with warm, tropical weather and exotic destination weddings on a secluded beach, or a ceremony in the rainforest. Here we have assembled Costa Rica wedding destination requirements, romantic locations to elope, and Costa Rica destination weddings packages.

costa-rica-honeymoon Costa Rica Honeymoon

Costa Rica is ranked as one of the world's top 10 honeymoon spots matching everyone's idea of paradise and truly unique honeymoon getaways. Costa Rica is a great spot for active couples and for those who prefer a relaxing romantic getaway.

Top Romantic things to do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica vacations: Arenal
Check out the active Arenal Volcano and see Arenal Lake. On the end of Lake Arenal, nearest the volcano is a new tourist attraction, the hanging bridges.

costa-rica-vacations-arenal-volcano

There are 14 bridges (6 hanging) that span the valleys up to 197 feet (60 mt) high and about 320 feet (100 mt) long. It really is a walk though the jungle of about 2 miles and it has some fantastic views of the volcano and of course the jungle.

Hot springs can also be found near and around hikes to waterfalls near Arenal. The Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, found near the Arenal Volcano, can arrange eco-tours and soul-rejuvenating spa treatments.

About 3km south of Fortuna, a striking 70 meters waterfall comes out of a lavish green forest in a mist whirl. A steep (occasionally slippery) path takes you down the waterfall and to the basin where you can swim. Lot’s of wildlife and truly worth the trip!

Costa Rica vacations: Rain Forest Aerial Tram
There is nothing like it in the world. This guided tour of the Rain Forest canopy is - without doubt - a must do activity for anyone coming to Costa Rica. An hour from San Jose.

Costa Rica vacations: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
This is a protected cloud forest, which is a unique type of mountain rainforest that usually has 100% humidity. Platforms hundreds of feet in the air allow you prime views of the rainforest canopy.

Costa Rica vacations: Manuel Antonio is a perfect horseshoe bays bordered by soft white sands, dazzling blue-green waters, and hilltops piled with jungle and streaming waterfalls.

manuel-antonio-beach-costa-rica

One of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica because this national park has a series of small beaches and bays surrounded by luscious rainforest: North Espadilla Beach, South Espadilla Beach, Manuel Antonio Beach, Puerto Escondido Beach & Playitas Beach, all of them safe for swimming and great for diving and exploring coral reefs or surfing.

This area of Costa Rica offers unparalleled features. Whether you like wild tropical nature, sandy secluded beaches, limpid waters or hiking in humid forest, you'll enjoy this place. A contrasting mix of paradisiac beaches along the curves of the peninsula and wild, deep, green, rain forest.

From the seclusion of unique, one-of-a-kind properties, couples can enjoy a multitude of activities or simply relax.

Costa Rica vacations: Poas Volcano

costa-rica-vacations-poas-volcano

A little walk will take you up on the volcano's edge to see this beautiful turquoise water in the crater of Poas, above the clouds. Magical!

The terrain is rocky and dark, the lake is whimsical, the vegetation scattered to luxurious, surrounding unbelievable!

costa-rica-vacations-corcovado-sunset Costa Rica vacations: Corcovado National Park

Mangroves, palm swamps and a blood weed forest are types of vegetation in this seaside preserve.

At the center is a crocodile filled lagoon, making a visit here a thrilling part of your Costa Rica adventure tour.

Its many rivers and streams provide habitat for the jaguars, giant anteaters and tapers that live in the virgin rainforest.

Costa-Rica Eco vacation: Tortuguero - An eco-traveler’s fantasy a place where the rivers spill out into the ocean.

The park is located on the Caribbean coast, and its beaches are key nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. The park has incredible biological variety, 16 of Costa Rica's endangered animal species live here.

Couples can experience any number of exotic attractions:

• ours down jungle canals in dugout canoes - an ideal way to see a variety of wildlife
• scenic hiking trails
• guided safaris
• Tortugero's beaches are perfect for sunbathing

Costa Rica vacations: Playa Ballena / Tambor:
costa-rica-vacations-beach2 Northeast of Montezuma, Tambor's crescent-shaped bay (called Bahia Ballena) was once frequented by whales and occasionally you can still spot them.

The bay's mild waters make it one of Costa Rica's best beaches for swimming and snorkeling. Tambor's inland areas are fun to explore on horseback, while its pinkish-gray beaches are perfect for a barefoot stroll.

Boats also launch from Tambor to the Tortuga Island, home to immaculate beaches and unparalleled Scuba diving.

Costa Rica vacations: Tortuga Island

costa-rica-vacations-tropical-beach

This is actually one large island, and three smaller ones. The unspoiled beaches are kept that way by the low impact eco friendly tourism that is managed by the family that inhabits the main island. Tortuga Island located off the southern tip off the Nicoya peninsula and boasts incredible views of the Pacific.

Costa Rica vacations: Romantic hotels

Hotel Punta Islita in Costa Rica

Luxury resort located on the forested mountainside, its tiered layout assuring amazing ocean views and fresh sea breezes. You can even treat yourselves to a spa treatment at the hotel's Casa Spa, where treatments include body scrubs, aqua therapy, aromatherapy, healing stone therapy, facials and, of course, massage therapy.

Costa Rica's Tabacón Grand Spa -- Thermal Resort

High in the northern region of Costa Rica, the Tabacón Grand Spa and Thermal Resort is nestled in the forest at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. The 5 star resort has a total of 114 luxurious rooms, but the quiet and charming tropical environment creates a feeling of privacy and remoteness.

Romantic Ecolodge: Boutique Hotel Coyote Mountain B&B Inn

An exclusive nature retreat providing outdoor adventure or total seclusion with breathtaking vistas of the Pacific.

Offers elegant dining, bird watching, mountain bikes, outdoor hot tub, nature walks, hiking trails, gardens, abundant wildlife, an orchid house, and three kinds of tropical forest amidst the splendor of surrounding coffee fields.

Day trips to cloud forest, Arenal and Carrara National Parks, and all the attraction of the Central Valley are an easy drive.

Makanda By the Sea in Costa Rica

Makanda offers adult-only lodging in luxurious and charming villas and studios. The secluded beaches and botanical rainforest gardens will serve as the perfect setting for that ideal romantic getaway. If plan to have your destination wedding honeymoon here, the hotel will help you get everything planned and organized.

Costa Rica vacations: Romantic Restaurants ... gourmet dinner with golden sand, turquoise sea, and perfect sunsets.

Grano de Oro Restaurant (San José; tel. 2255-3322)

This elegant little hotel has an elegant restaurant serving delicious Continental dishes and decadent desserts. The open-air seating in the lushly planted central courtyard is delightful, especially for lunch.

Bacchus (Santa Ana; tel. 2282-5441)
Set in a wonderfully restored and updated ancient adobe home, this restaurant serves up arguably the best Italian fare in the San José metropolitan area.

El Patio Bistro Latino (Quepos; tel. 2777-4982)
A casually elegant little place, El Patio Bistro Latino has made a name for itself in the Manuel Antonio area. The chef's creative concoctions take full advantage of fresh local ingredients. Its intimate setting is a welcome little oasis in Quepos.

Jade Luna (Puerto Jiménez; tel. 2735-5739)
This remote and isolated little restaurant, down a dirt road in a tiny town, is proof positive that fusion cuisine has literally reached everywhere. The menu changes regularly, but is always eclectic, creative, and pleasing.

Costa Rica vacations: When to go.

The dry season is from November to the end of April. May can often be a good time to go as it is the end of the season and much quieter but it is very hot and humid. The rainy season starts at the beginning of June through to October. It does not rain all day but often clouds over at lunchtime and there are downpours in the afternoon. There is a risk of hurricane during August, September and October in the Caribbean coasts of Central America.

Costa Rica vacations: How to get here

Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) is located close to the cities Alajuela, Heredia and the capital San José.

romantic-vacation-ideas

SJO is serviced daily by Air Caraibes, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Iberia, Thomas Cook, LTU, Mexicana Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Air Canada as well as Taca, Copa Airlines and AirPanama. Connecting the airport with cities such as: Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Chicago, Newark, Toronto, Montreal, Madrid, Frankfurt,Mexico City, Bogota, Caracas, Lima, Guayaquil, Quito, and all Central America. Frontier Airlines begun non-stop service from Denver on November 30th, 2007 and flies to SJO 5 days a week.

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) is near Liberia in the Guanacaste province. This airport is closest to the Pacific Northwest coast.

Liberia receives flights from Delta, American, United, Continental, Air Canada, Sky Service (charter), and First Choice (charter). Connecting the airport with cities like: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Newark, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, London, etc.

Serendipity Costa Rica Vacation Packages

Serendipity Adventures: Serendipity gets you places to see the bigger picture, to better understand the delicate balance of nature, the connections between animals, plants, water, weather, earth, soil, industry, and human. Getting into the natural environment is more than eco tourism, it means eco immersion. See it, hear it, smell it.

Highlights: Hot-air ballooning over rain forests, mountain biking from Arenal Volcano to the Pacific Ocean.

Serendipity Adventures Costa Rica offers personally guided trips away from massive tourist enclaves.

It has been rated one of the BEST ADVENTURE TRAVEL COMPANIES by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

Only a few countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Costa Rica, have gone as far as Canada in committing to independently audited, internationa

Rules to root out false green tourism claims

By Sarah Staples, For Canwest News ServiceMay 28, 2009

Many tourism operators in Canada claim to be "green," but a new accreditation program will make sure that they really are.

Photograph by: Handout photo, Kitsault Resort Ltd/HO Photo

A Canada-wide accreditation initiative to weed out tourism companies making dubious environmental claims is getting underway, the mirror to global efforts aimed at reining in an increasingly murky world of"green" tourism.

Thirty-six leaders of the country's nature-related tourism industry met in Toronto on Earth Day, April 22, to convene a new Canadian Sustainable Tourism Advisory Council, whose first order of business was to agree to minimum standards for"sustainable travel"devised last year by a similar international body, the Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council.

Those criteria will form the backbone of a uniquely Canadian accreditation system for hotels, tourist attractions and related businesses to be finalized within the next 12 months, says Randy Williams, president and chief executive of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

Accredited "sustainable" businesses will be able to market themselves as respectful of local customs, culture and economies, and engaged in promoting a healthy environment.

And visitors to Canada will have the choice of sightseeing or buying items that they can be assured are green.

Only a few countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Costa Rica, have gone as far as Canada in committing to independently audited, internationally promoted accreditation, Williams says.

"We want a program that other countries will aspire to have," he says.

Peter Robinson, chief executive of the David Suzuki Foundation in Vancouver, advises those who want to travel responsibly to stick close to home, avoiding lengthy flights and other obvious contributors to global warming.

Or, offset air travel emissions by buying" Gold Standard" carbon credits for the length of a trip as calculated by brokers such as Montreal's Planetair, which flows funds from tourism into renewable energy projects.

"Green tourism would be packing up your knapsack and going to a local park, or paddling around your local oceans," he says. "It's such a beautiful country to see."

Unique trips around the world at a grassroots level

G.A.P Adventures Offers Terrific Value for American Travelers This Summer

Toronto, Canada, May 29, 2009 --(PR.com)-- G.A.P Adventures, the world’s leading group adventure tour operator, offers incredibly affordable trips and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that range from hiking the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu to walking along the breathtaking Great Wall of China, with prices starting at just $599.

"Our philosophy is to provide a way for more people to experience the world in a manner that is both affordable and memorable,” said Bruce Poon Tip, founder and CEO of G.A.P Adventures, “My vision for the company was to create unique trips around the world at a grassroots level. Celebrating our 20th year in business this year, we are excited to continue offering our clients sustainable, affordable trips.”

This summer, G.A.P Adventures is offering affordable adventures on all seven continents with highlights including a fourteen-day trip from Bangkok to Singapore (starting at $649), Greek Island Sailing Adventure (starting at $849), Roaming Cambodia Adventure (starting at $599), Egypt on a Shoestring (starting at $649), Volcano and Hotsprings in Costa Rica (starting at $489), Brazil and Argentina Discovery (starting at $899), and a Kenya Safari Tour (starting at $1,199). The trips offer singles, couples and families an easy, safe and secure way to navigate the world.

Visit gapadventures.com/affordable-group-tours to learn about the over 100 adventures priced at under $995 USD. Start planning your next adventure, browse the over 1000 itineraries, order a brochure, or even connect with other G.A.P Adventurers on the site’s online community or the ‘the watering hole’ forum.

About G.A.P Adventures
G.A.P Adventures is a world leader in the adventure travel industry offering small group adventures on all seven continents and beyond to more than 100,000 global travelers annually. The award-winning trips, which focus on culture, nature and active travel, are ideal for those with a sense of adventure – people who want to leave the beaten path and authentically immerse themselves in a local culture or environment to experience the real world in a sustainable manner. Demonstrating its ongoing cultural, social and economic commitment to responsible tourism, G.A.P Adventures established the Planeterra Foundation, as a way for the company and its passengers to give back to the communities visited. For more information, please visit www.gapadventures.com and www.planeterra.org.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Hop-On Hop-Off passes

Bamba Experience Offers 15% Discount and Special Promotions for Travel in Mexico and Central America

Discounts and incentives from Mexican Tour Companies come from Mexico’s struggling tourism industry in the aftermath of the H1N1 influenza virus in hopes to bring hotels, tour companies and local businesses dependent on tourism back to life.
Mexico City, Mexico, May 27, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Bamba Experience’s latest offer: “Book any Bamba Experience Hop-On Hop-Off Pass or organized tour at your local STA Travel Agent for travel in Mexico or Central America and receive a 15% discount.”

The Financial Director of Bamba Experience, Mr. Arturo Martinez, announced this customer discount yesterday stating, “We want to motivate foreigners to come to Mexico and enjoy traveling through Mexico and Central Mexico this summer.”

He advised those travelers who cancelled their plans as a result of the H1N1 influenza, to not worry about health concerns in Mexico City where the outbreak of the flu took place one month ago. “Everything is back to normal and all businesses, restaurants and museums have been open to the public for the past few weeks with no additional cases of the flu,” said Mr. Martinez.

“This is an excellent time to come to Mexico because some of the greatest attractions like the archaeological sites, Chichen Itza and Palenque, as well as the beautiful Caribbean beaches in Playa del Carmen and Cancun are free of the normally swarming masses of tourists. Travelers this summer will have these magical places all to themselves and need not worry about waiting in lines to enter,” said Paul Sarfati, the owner of Bamba Experience.

He added that Mexico and Central America is a safe and destination and assured future travelers that they would have an unforgettable experience visiting the region.

He disclosed that Bamba Experience is offering a new Costa Rica Hop-On Hop-Off passes that has been popular among foreign tourists for its ease of use and personalized service.

A Mexican Tourism Board spokesman, on the eve of the Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend, said the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. State Department all advised U.S. travelers there was no need to change, restrict or alter plans to Mexico, the Baja Times said.

As always, travelers should exercise caution while traveling in order to protect themselves from any type of flu or seasonal colds by washing their hands, not sharing food and drink, checking the level of hygiene at restaurants and avoiding eating at street stands or unclean marketplaces. Taking vitamins, consuming healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables and drinking lots of water is another way to keep the immune system strong during your travels.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Tomato Production

Officials Study Tomato Production Throughout The Country, Including Guanacaste

(InfoWebPress) – The Ministry of Agriculture (MAG), in coordination with the National Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer Program (PITTA), recently organized the First National Tomato Production Congress on the fairgrounds of the Sarchi Civic and Tourism Association, in Alajuela province.

The activity, which was attended by tomato farmers from all over the country, touched upon topics related to pre-production, production, commercialization and agribusinesses, among others.

According to Ligia Lopez Marin, manager of MAG’s National Tomato Program, the congress was dedicated to the Trojas Tomato Agro-industrial Association (ASOTROJAS) for the work they have done in the past few years to promote tomato production.

Lopez Marin said tomatoes are the second most popular vegetable crop in the country, with per capita consumption of 18.6 kilograms.

Tomato farming generates permanent jobs and income for many families during the entire year. Officials estimate 1,000 small and medium producers grow tomatoes in Costa Rica.

Tomato production in Costa Rica is estimated at 43.5 tons per hectare in field conditions, and 150 tons per acre in protected environments (such as greenhouses). Total yearly production is 44,000 tons, for 9 billion colones (some $16.4 million) in annual revenue.

According to Lopez Marin, there are seven main tomato-growing regions in Costa Rica: Central Western (Alajuela and Heredia), with some 585 hectares or 61.86 percent of total cultivated land; Central Eastern (Cartago), 110 hectares or 11.63 percent of national tomato land use; Central South (Puriscal, Santa Ana and San Antonio de Belen), 100.7 hectares or 10.65 percent of the share; Brunca Region (Perez Zeledon, Buenos Aires, San Vito), 50 hectares or 5.29 percent; Central Pacific (Orotina and Miramar), 50 hectares or 5.29 percent; and the Chorotega Region (Guanacaste cantons of Bagaces, Nicoya, Abangares, Liberia, La Cruz and Tilaran), also with 50 hectares or 5.29 percent.

The number of total tomato hectares in the 2006-2007 production period was 945.7.

According to a report by the Agricultural Services Agency of the MAG, in the Alajuela canton of Valverde Vega (where Sarchi is located), cost of tomato farming per hectare during the rainy months is 7.4 million colones; while the cost for production during dry months is lower at 6.2 million colones per hectare — for an average annual cost of 6.65 million colones per hectare.

In a move that is expected to promote tomato production and exports in Costa Rica, Costa Rican Agriculture Minister Javier Flores and U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Peter Cianchette recently signed a plant health protocol that will allow exportation of ripe tomatoes and fresh bell peppers to the United States

The protocol — which has taken three years to put together in an effort to address pest issues related to ripe vegetables — established the responsibilities of all players in the production and shipping process of tomatoes and peppers to the United States.

software

Costa Rica aumenta exportaciones de software

El Banco Central de Costa Rica dijo el día 25 que las exportaciones de software costarricense al mercado mundial se incrementaron 430 por ciento durante los últimos ocho años.

Reportes del banco emisor difundidos este lunes muestran que las empresas del país pasaron de vender 28 millones de dólares en programas de computadora el año 2000, para alcanzar los 148 millones de dólares en ventas el año pasado.

El auge descrito le permitió a Costa Rica colocarse en 2008 como el segundo productor y exportador latinoamericano en esta industria, apenas superado por Uruguay, cuyo monto de ganancias alcanzó los 219 millones de dólares.

El trabajo de los 3.000 ingenieros y técnicos que laboran para las 300 compañías de software que operan en Costa Rica se distribuye a un amplio número de naciones en diferentes partes de Europa, Asia y Norteamérica. (Xinhua)
26/05/2009

Cariari

Tomado del foro literario Estrellas y Latidos:

Hotel Cariari

No fue sino hasta principios de los setentas que Costa Rica tuvo su primer hotel 5 estrellas en su territorio. Hoy en día, con el auge de Costa Rica como destino turístico a nivel mundial, puede parecer increíble que no haya sido sino hasta muy recientemente que se contara con algo tan elemental en cualquier destino, que se precie de ser de primera para atraer visitantes, una oferta de hoteles, que debe de ir desde la pequeña pensión hasta el hotel de primera o de 5 estrellas. Esta aparente anomalía la explican las circunstancias estructurales y geográficas de Costa Rica hasta ese momento. Aún hasta bien entrados los años cincuentas del siglo pasado la mayor parte de los visitantes extranjeros al país, lo hacían por razones de negocios o algún vínculo personal o familiar. No fue sino hasta 1911 que un emprendedor chef español decidió trasformar su fonda en un hotel de 75 habitaciones y que llamó Hotel Europa. Seguido después en 1928 se fundó El Gran Hotel Costa Rica que fue el más connotado hotel de Costa Rica.En esos tiempos decir Costa Rica, era decir San José. Si uno en el extranjero se encontraba a alguna persona que sorprendentemente hubiese estado en Costa Rica, después de conversar un rato al respecto, quedaba claro que habían estado en San José, y tal vez, sólo talvez, una visita a algún volcán o a Sarchí. La probabilidad de que hubiesen visitado alguna playa era casi nula. Tampoco existían como tales los Parques Nacionales o Reservas Naturales. Además de que hubiesen sido casi inaccesibles en términos prácticos. Transcribo a continuación lo siguiente :

"Ya para 1962, la capital contaba con almenos 6 hoteles de las dimensiones del Europa, según consta en la ofertahotelera publicada por el Instituto Costarricense de Turismo en ese año. Asimismo estaban registradas un número mayor de pensiones y moteles a disposición de la ciudadanía."

Me salto algunos detalles referentes al desarrollo del turismo de playa en Costa Rica y procedo a entrarle a nuestro tema en cuestión. El Hotel Cariari. Transcribo:

El 11 de octubre de 1973, viene a la memoria la inauguración de un nuevo concepto en hotelería, como sus fundadores lo denominaron, uno de los más portentosos en su estilo: el Hotel Cariari, asentado sobre los campos de esparcimiento del Cariari Country Club. El Proyecto Cariari, que se convirtió en el primer hotel resort de estilo colonial, tuvo como gestores a un grupo de empresarios, entre los que destacó la participación de Rodrigo Crespo, Rodrigo De Bedout y del arquitecto Gustavo Yglesias. “Les propuse el proyecto del Cariari a varios conocidos que podían aportar los terrenos y capital y les encantó la idea”, recuerda Yglesias. A inicio de la década de los setenta, don Gustavo regresó al país luego de una larga estadía en Perú con la intención de hacer negocios. Le llamó la atención que, a su juicio, Costa Rica no reunía las cinco bases en que se apoya el sector turístico: transporte, alojamiento, comida, diversión y compras, de ahí que la estadía de un turista, en aquellos años, era de 2.5 días. El sueño de don Gustavo y sus socios, se concretaría en cuatro etapas: un country club con campo de golf, un hotel, una zona residencial y un centro comercial. Actualmente, es lo que conocemos como Ciudad Cariari y, que a opinión de Yglesias, representó una nueva manera de hacer turismo y un hito en la historia de la hotelería nacional.El arquitecto Yglesias, es actualmente gerente general del Desarrollo Turístico La Roca. Como constructor, promotor o copropietario, Yglesias ha dejado su huella, en el Centro Comercial El Pueblo, Apartotel Villas Cariari, Campos de Pesca Bahía Pez Vela y los Hoteles Herradura y El Sitio, entre otros.

Un año antes, del Cariari, en 1972, el Hotel Irazú abrió sus puertas poniendo a disposición del turismo 310 habitaciones. Desde entonces, ocupa el lugar del hotel de mayor tamaño en el Valle Central. Sin duda la oferta hotelera se diversificó para finales de los años setenta. Llegan al escenario nacional nuevos proyectos con el objetivo de satisfacer las necesidades de una actividad que se vislumbraba como rentable.

1911 Hotel Europa

1928 Hotel Costa Rica

1958 Hotel Casino Playas

del Coco

1965 Hotel Tioga

1972 Hotel Irazú

1973 Hotel Cariari

1974 Hotel Tamarindo

1977 Hotel Jacó Beach

Bueno, recordando que esto es un foro literario y no una revista de promoción turística, prosigo con mi intención de redactar algo con algún mérito literario. A ver cómo le hago la "alquimia".

Se dice que el nombre de Cariari proviene del nombre que recibía la región que visitó Colón en territorio costarricense cuando en su cuarto viaje en 1502 visitó estos lares. Provenía "el Almirante" de visitar las costas de Honduras y le acompañaban su hermano Bartolomé y su hijo de 13 años, Fernando. Se dice que buscaba Colón el Estrecho de Malacca para acceder a las Indias Orientales. Primero, en ese viaje Colón había pasado por la isla de Arzila frente a las costas de Marruecos para rescatar a unos marineros portugueses sitiados por los moros. Después pasó a Martinica y por fin llegó a La Hispaniola donde Francisco de Bobadilla, gobernador de la isla, no le permitió atracar, desoyendo además las advertencias de Cristóbal Colón de que se aproximaba una gran tormenta-todavía no se les denominaba en lengua castellana, huracanes. Fatalmente Bobadilla, desoyendo la advertencia de "el almirante", siguió adelante con su plan de hacer el primer envío de metales preciosos a España. Cargados de oro y mercancías valiosas zarparon a finales de junio 30 naves. El 1ero de Julio los atrapó el huracán y se fueron a pique 29 de las 30 naves, con un costo de 500 vidas, incluyendo la de Francisco Bobadilla. Colón mismo, más adelante tampoco tendría mucha suerte y también sería víctima de fuertes tormentas. La última de las cuales lo dejó varado en Jamaica por más de un año y que pudieron abandonar milagrosamente cuando un marinero de nombre Diego Méndez se ofreció a hacer el viaje en canoa con unos nativos desde Jamaica hasta La Española. Cosa que logró coronar exitosamente.

Cariari era entonces lo que actualmente se denomina como Puerto Limón, cabecera de la provincia de Limón. Se dice que Colón estuvo anclado en una isla diminuta cita frente a Puerto Limón y que se le llama actualmente Isla de Uvita. La isla es tan pequeña que no tiene habitantes , pero es visitada por una playita muy linda que tiene. También se dice que al ver ahí a los nativos ataviados con mucho oro, esto le llevá a creer que era una zona muy rica y de ahí el nombre de Costa Rica......... nada que ver con las Minas del Rey Salomón .....je je je

Lo interesante del nombre "Cariari" es que uno puede especular con anagramas como "Rica Cara" "Rica Rica" "Cara Rica" etc, y por supuesto hasta con Oscar Wilde, Salomé o Dorian Grey.¿O no?

Pero dejando de lado "las promesas del oro y el moro" no será más bien todas estas anécdotas una "máscara precolombina", y que previsoramente ya los "ancianos de Israel" le estuvieran dando el nombre a Costa Rica pensando en las Minas del Rey Salomón, ya que su proverbial sabiduría justifica una valoración trascendental de la gente como el verdadero tesoro! La gente claro como Pueblo Iluminado! Qué es un Rey sin su Pueblo?

Y como diría un argentino, "mirá che! las minas con sus pepitas son lo máximo, che!" je je je

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Historia

Este artículo es ya de hace algunos años, por lo que alguno de sus datos están desactualizados, no así la parte histórica.

Pioneros de la Hotelería en Costa Rica

http://tecnitur.com/edicion102/historia.pdf

La historia de la hotelería en el país está firmada por la tenacidad de personas
que convirtieron lo que parecía un sueño... en realidad

Alrededor de 800.000 turistas
visitan Costa Rica anualmente,
atraídos por una incomparable
riqueza natural y un servicio hotelero
que cumple con los más altos
estándares de calidad mundial.
Sin embargo, hace poco menos de siete
décadas, el turismo estaba muy lejos
de representar una de las principales
actividades generadoras de divisas
para el país.
La evolución continua de instituciones
y de una oferta turística, gracias a
la tenacidad de hombres que lucharon
por cumplir con sus creencias –tal y
como se relató en la primera de tres
entregas de esta serie de reportajes,
publicada en la edición número 97,
de setiembre del 2003-- han permitido
el desarrollo de un turismo dentro
y fuera de la ciudad al servicio del
confort, el buen gusto y el entretenimiento.
La hotelería, que representa la actividad
más sobresaliente de este avance,
ha sido construida con la visión de
grandes personajes, que contra las adversidades,
se dieron la opción de soñar
y despertar entre complejos turísticos,
hoteles de gran tradición y edificaciones
con un valor incalculable.
En las siguientes páginas se recuerda
la labor de algunos de los más destacados
pioneros de la hotelería nacional.
De Europa en Tiquicia
Si se habla de hotelería en Costa Rica,
habría que mencionar una serie de lugares
de hospedaje que empezaban a
mostrarse en las calles josefinas. No
obstante, hay uno que rompió con el
estándar de la época por sus dimensiones
y servicios: el Europa.
Fue en 1911 cuando el país vio emerger
en el centro de la ciudad capital la
construcción de este hotel.
Sus fundadores, una familia española
de apellido Ventura, inició el proyecto
con la inauguración de un restaurante
que con los años dio paso a 75 habitaciones
y varios salones destinados a
suplir la demanda de los primeros viajeros.
“En plenas labores de construcción,
mis abuelos se enfrentaron a una serie
de problemas y atrasos en la obra,
principalmente por falta de financiamiento”,
comenta Carlos Jo a q u í n

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has named NatureAir the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Award winner for best demonstrating sustainab

NatureAir Receives Prestigious Recognition from World Travel & Tourism Council

Honored as the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Award Winner

San Jose, Costa Rica (Vocus/PRWEB ) May 18, 2009 - The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has named NatureAir the 2009 Tourism for Tomorrow Conservation Award winner for best demonstrating sustainable tourism practices, and commitment to the protection of its natural heritage.

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