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.

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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-destinationCosta 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-honeymoonCosta 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.

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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.

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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

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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-sunsetCosta 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

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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.

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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.

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