Monday, July 6, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
According to Kelly Grumbach, travel expert..... the average round-trip airline ticket to Central America is about $500.
Central America
Travel
Chill With A Cerveza By The Coup
Honduras is in crisis, but its troubles shouldn't scare you away from a Central American vacation.
Two days ago, Honduran military forces surrounded the country's presidential palace in Tegucigalpa, ousting President Manuel Zelaya. A day later, the U.S. State Department issued a statement warning Americans not to travel to the country, as it has an "unstable political and security situation."
But that's no reason to write off Honduras' neighbors to the north and south. For tourists in the rest of Central America, it's business as usual. No paramilitary, just piña coladas--not to mention low prices.
According to Kelly Grumbach, travel expert for personal concierge service Quintessentially, the average round-trip airline ticket to Central America is about $500. Partly for this reason, she notes, tourists aren't staying away from Central America due to the turmoil in Honduras. Grumbach says she's only seen increases in travel to Panama City recently, and they have yet to level off.
"With the current state of the economy, Panama City has seen a large increase in tourism and incoming travel requests," says Kelly Anne Walsh, head of Quintessentially's Panama office. "We are a relatively inexpensive destination with great nightlife, beaches and culture."
John Clifford, president of luxury travel consulting firm International Travel Management, suggests trying for a reservation at the Bristol Panama, "a European style, five-star boutique hotel located in the Marbella district." The deluxe room rate for the Panama City hotel is only $249 per night, including a butler service.
For a quieter spot, try the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, with its crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling and diving. In fact, nature is the main draw in nearly all of Central America, not just Panama.
Costa Rica, renowned for its eco-tourism, hosts about 2 million visitors a year. Most of them steer clear of the busy capital city of San Jose, nestled in the middle of the country, and instead opt for any of several coastal oases.
For vacation spots on the coast Clifford suggests Quepos, a town on the Pacific coast and the gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Though the park is the smallest in the country, there's no shortage of adventure there, from hiking to biking to getting close to nature. One can catch a glimpse of a rare brown-throated three-toed sloth in the luscious forests as well as as scuba dive within feet of playful dolphins.
Adventures also abound in Belize, on the Atlantic side of Central America. The Belizean territory consists of more ocean than land, and just offshore is Ambergris Cay island, home of the Mata Chica Resort. Costing $249 per night during the just-begun low season, the resort is right on the Belize Great Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef in the world. For those wishing to stay on the mainland, Clifford recommends the Blancaneaux Lodge on Belize's southern coast, a resort owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola.
"It's a jungle sanctuary overlooking a creek complete with rapids and a stunning waterfall," Clifford says.
Just the sort of thing that makes it easy to forget there's a government upheaval occurring right nearby. One that, considering the diplomatic responses by most Americas governments, has a chance of being resolved before your flight departs.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
the Caves of Venado
Costa Rica caves
The amazing Venado Caves are made of wonderful limestone rocks, stalactites, stalagmites and corals, and they are located at Costa Rica, only 35 minutes from La Fortuna of San Carlos. Strange stone formations are shaped by the forces of an underground river. The caves first formed during the Miocene Period, about 10 to 30 millions years ago. After their formation, the caves remained below sea level for an extended period of time before tectonic movements brought them to the surface. At this time, the Guatusos aborigines became the first people to stumble upon their discovery. Located just south of La Fortuna, the gateway to The Arenal Lake and Arenal Volcano, are the Caves of Venado. Dating back over 7 million years, the Venado Caves are the direct result of water currents penetrating and passing through the surrounding limestone rocks. The caves contain four different species of bats and numerous types of spiders, many of which are endemic to the area. Some of the spiders have extremely long feelers, designed to assist them in total darkness. The bats fly endlessly above, sometime clustering in groups of a hundred or so. It is more common to find them attached to the ceiling above than along the walls. When your footing is secure, shine the light above and you should find them looking down on you below.
The continual flow of water opened crevasses and forced sediments to flow throughout the caves, leaving on its way an endless network of deep tunnels. So complex and deep, absolutely no light penetrates these caves, except for a few isolated incidents which are located in one of the quarters. As a result, it is mandatory that you carry a flashlight with you during your trip. The guides experience and in depth knowledge of the numerous paths can dramatically improve your experience in the caves. Depending on your physical fitness and sense of adventure hours can be spend crawling from one section of the caves to another, challenging the most fit and adventurous.
The event, which will bring together the best surfers in the world in an Olympic-style competition, is set to be the biggest surfing championship ever
The Olympics of Surf Coming to Costa Rica
The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games 2009 will be hosted in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica this August 1-8, 2009. The event, which will bring together the best surfers in the world in an Olympic-style competition, is set to be the biggest surfing championship ever held in Central America. The honor of hosting the 8th ever World Surfing Games is expected to solidify Costa Rica’s reputation as one of the world’s best up and coming surf destinations.
Last year’s competition, which took place in Costa de Caparica, Portugal, saw a turn out of more than 200 competitors from 28 countries. The Costa Rican team shined with their highest ranking ever, coming in 5th place at the event. The number of surfers and skill level is expected to increase for this year’s competition, which was scheduled to correspond with Hermosa’s peak surf season with waves ranging from four to eight feet with perfect barrels. The team to beat is four-time ISA Surfing Games champion, Australia, who racked up Gold medals in the last three consecutive events.
In August, each country will be represented by up to four surfers in the men’s Open category, two surfers in the women’s Open category and two long boarders. Costa Rica’s national team of eight surfers will be officially announced two days before the competitions begin. They will be selected from a short list of the country’s best surfers that have already begun training for the event.
This list features Carlos Muñoz, the 16-year-old who just won his first national championship in the men’s open division at the National Surf Circuit finals that also took place at Playa Hermosa. Joining him on the list are Diego Naranjo, Gilbert Brown, Jairo Perez, Jason Torres, Juan Carlos Naranjo, Cristian Santamaría, Anthony Flores and Luis Vindas in the men’s Open and long board categories. Two of the following women will also have the honor of representing Costa Rica: current National women’s champion Nataly Bernold, Lisbeth Vindas and Mariana Samudio.
The Costa Rican team also racked up a Bronze medal in last year’s surfing games in a special tag-team event called “Aloha Cup”. After coming in 10th place in this year’s World Junior Surfing Games in Ecuador, it is clear that Costa Rica has a strong future ahead of it in international surf competitions.
The president of the Costa Rica Federation of Surf (FSC – the hosts of the event) Jose Ureña said “I’m really happy for the opportunity that ISA and Billabong have given to us. To be hosts of this event is a like dream, to have so many countries enjoying our waves. It’s a unique occasion for us.”
Ureña hopes the event will help to further promote Costa Rica tourism, and particularly surf tourism to the region by putting the country’s waves on display for the global press. He also commented that local press has not covered the country’s international competitions in the past, so hosting the Surfing Games will help to increase local exposure as well.
The fact that Billabong is sponsoring this year’s event for the first time was also a big break for Costa Rica and the surfing world. Brand representative Graham Stapelberg promoted the decision to host the games in Costa Rica, saying: “I believe it is vital to provide a platform for these emerging surf regions. It is the only event of its kind where you get such a large representation of so many different surf nations”.
Visitor Logistics
Playa Hermosa is seemingly endless volcanic sand beach set 5 minutes south of the popular tourist destination of Jaco, and about two hours from the capital city of San Jose and the country’s main international airport, Juan Santamaria (SJO). The town itself features low density development, with one side of the town’s only road left untouched. The nearby town of Jaco offers more plentiful lodging options, though reservations must be made in advance.
The cost of a taxi from the airport to Jaco can vary between $80 and $150. Private shuttles can be arranged in advance, or public bus tickets can be purchased in down town San Jose at the Coca Cola bus terminal.
The competition will take place on the beach break in front of Hotel Terraza del Pacifico, at the north end of Hermosa. August conditions feature southern swells with waves averaging 4 to 8 feet in the warm Pacific waters. The month is considered to be part of the Costa Rica rainy season, with sporadic rain showers expected throughout the week of competition.
Event Schedule:
July 28-30: Team registration
July 31: Parade of Nations/ Opening Ceremony
August 1: Competition begins.
August 5: Start of Open Longboard
August 8: Contest ends/ Closing Ceremony
Past Competition Hosts and Winners
2008: Costa de Caparica, Portugal — Australia
2006: Huntington Beach, United States — Australia
2004: Salinas, Ecuador — Australia
2002: Durban, South Africa — South Africa
2000: Maracaípe, Brazil — Brazil
1998: Carcavelos, Portugal — Australia
1996: Huntington Beach, United States — U.S.A.
Source: Costarica Pages
Author: Claire Saylor
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Costa Ricas capital is San Jose and is considered as the largest city located in the middle of Gran Area Metropolitana.
Travel to San Jose, Costa Rica
| Costa Ricas capital is San Jose and is considered as the largest city located in the middle of Grand Area Metropolitan. San Jose is the official residence of the national government. It is also the center of business and transportation in Central America. Costa Rica nowadays features modern facilities as a result of the upsurge of its tourism. The combination of modern architecture and art has made become a favorite destination of tourist from around the world. According to statistics, there are around 346,800 people residing in the city. This figure makes up one third of the overall population of the country. It has the strongest influence in terms of the political affairs of the country. San Jose is home of the countrys prominent school established during 1843, the University of Costa Rica. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is also located in the city. The city boasts of its various tourist attractions which contribute to the economy of the city. The Banco Central de Costa Rica is among the tallest buildings considered as a landmark. Another landmark is the Cathedral, the office of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese. Other landmarks include Melico Salazar Theatre and the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica. These theaters hold several plays and musicals attracting many visitors. The city is also home to some of the historical buildings and architectures of great importance to the history of the city. Museums are also abundant offering a wide variety of ways to explore and learn about the beauty of the city. The Gold Museum features a unique collection of different artifacts made of gold from the early civilization of the Latin Americans. The Lankester Botanical Garden is among the favorite of those with an inkling about plants. El Pueblo is the right place for visitors who love the nightlife. El Pueblo holds a lot of bars, restaurants, clubs and disco houses where you can enjoy your favorite wine. There are nearby resorts and hotels where you can stay while visiting San Jose. Many of the entertainment centers open at 9:00 PM till morning and hold various live bands. Calle de la Amargura is close to the University of Costa Rica, and is another place of entertainment with several cafe, bars and restaurants. Majority of these centers provide cheaper prices for students of the university. For nature lovers, the Parque La Sabana is a perfect place featuring beautiful fountains and a lagoon. This park is also a great place for family picnics. Within the park, visitors can enjoy their favorite sports such as volleyball, basketball, baseball, tennis and swimming pool. The park is also home to the national stadium in which the most popular game of soccer is being held regularly. Pueblo Antiguo is another ideal place to visit where museums and centuries old architectures can be found. The theme park is good for jogging, sightseeing, biking and adventure. Another exciting adventure would be a visit to the Arenal Volcan National Park. The park features an alluring trip through a rain forest. Witness the amazing view of the volcano which captivates every visitor coming to the park. San Jose is indeed a great place for vacation wherein visitors can indulge in variety of outdoor fun and adventure. You can surely have a relaxing and enjoyable vacation right in San Jose, Costa Rica. You can also find the best accommodation from the most luxurious to the cheapest hotels in the city and experience the hospitality of the people of San Jose. Great travel packages are available to give you best budget deals. |
| Author Resource:- For more information on Tours Around San Jose and San Jose Costa Ricaplease visit our website. |
| Article From Essay Street |
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Corcovado National Park is located 370 kilometers southwest of the capital San Jose.
By its nature, its landscapes, its wonderful beaches and its explosion of colors, Costa Rica is one of my favorite countries. It offers an exotic place with charm, welcoming paradise. It is a corner of our planet in which we discovered the sweet taste of life in its colors, aroma, its peculiarity. Today we visited one of its most idyllic enclaves, Corcovado National Park.
Waterfalls in the Park:
Costa Rica has one of the best systems of reserves and national parks of the world. No more, no less, has 35 nature reserves that protect more than 25% of the country. So I can assure that it is frankly difficult to choose one among them. I have opted for this Corcovado Park, although it might well have done otherwise, because the beauty is obvious with total naturalness.
Corcovado National Park covers one third of the remote Osa Peninsula, which stretches to the Pacific Ocean, with National Geographic on many occasions, has called the most intense of the planet, biologically speaking. Sometimes we seem that we are the only humans we have ventured on these roads, which, incidentally, no roads, only footpaths. These trails snake through the 40,000 hectare park.
Corcovado is one of the largest parks and wild areas of the country and protected virgin rainforest, deserted beaches, jungle and rivers surrounded by a marsh area as large as inaccessible. With its wide range of habitats is home to over 140 species of mammals such as tapirs, ocelots and pumas. It also has the largest population of scarlet macaws in the world, together with other 375 species of birds inhabit the park and 850 types of trees, competing with four species of monkeys by voice over the noise of immense the jungle.
To travel much of the park can do so by the tour guide. If you suffer from vertigo is not recommended, although you will miss something really fascinating. The trip is through a network of cables and platforms suspended. We hoisted by pulleys to a height of eight floors on the thickness of the dense jungle. For all those lovers of exoticism and adventure, with be not you wanted to try. The sounds of nature, the colors, the flight of birds and perhaps, with luck, the roaring of the puma, you take a world impact.
Corcovado Beach
If yours is the calm in the jungle, something difficult but not impossible, you can make your stay at Lapa Rios Hotel, a haven of bungalows to 105 meters above the Pacific, into a lush nature reserve to outside the Corcovado Park. From there, extensive viewpoints will leave you see the thickness that opens at your feet. The mountains of the Osa Peninsula, will surround you in a fraternal embrace of Mother Nature.
You can also make a tour known as the Route of the Birds, but this must be early enough. Before sunrise in the Park is one of the most spectacular: the awakening of the indigenous birds. A deafening noise coming from the trees will rumble the jungle. Also if you want to do a tour, guided by indigenous shamans, to learn the peculiarities of medicinal trees that populate the park.
The best time to visit the Park is from January to April, during the dry season. However, there are many people who, interestingly, that the rainy season in the park, which runs from May to September, which is a tourist’s eyes arouses more emotions, to contemplate the splendor of the verdant landscape. I truly recommend you anytime. Undoubtedly, the Corcovado National Park is one of the most beautiful on earth.
How to get there?
Corcovado National Park is located 370 kilometers southwest of the capital San Jose. If we take a flight to its airport, it is most advisable to get there, take another plane in less than half hour and takes us to the vicinity of the Park. Small planes and light aircraft flying from the airport in San Jose to Corcovado. The roads in Costa Rica leaves much to be desired, and a distance of 400 miles you can take nine hours by car and by bus 14.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Mahi mahi
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