Since ancient times, hot springs have been a fabled source for wellness, relaxation and cleansing throughout the world.  In Costa Rica, they've not forgotten the many benefits and pure pleasures of indulging in thermal baths.  The country welcomes visitors to share and discover their own favorite spot and therapy.  From coast to coast to coast, from the Northern Plains to the Guanacaste and Centra...

The National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC-MINAE), informs that the access to the National Parks: Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio Volcano and Corcovado which had been closed due to the sequels of Hurricane Otte, are once again open to the public. Since November 29th, the authorities of the Guanacaste Conservation Area authorized the access to the Rincon de la Vieja National Park through the P...

Yacht-Style cruises are a different way to discover some of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica, places that are best accessed by ship. We already went through the information on itineraries and tours offered by Windstar Cruises in the first part of this article. Now we will go over the options offered by Lindblad Expeditions- National Geographic to tour Costa Rica. First thing you sh...

Summer time in Costa Rica is finally here and with it the tourism activity obviously increases, Costa Rica is the perfect place to escape the cold weather of North America and Europe during this next few months, for those that live in Costa Rica, school is out for summer break, many have vacation from work, so it is without a doubt the perfect time to explore Costa Rica and enjoy the wonderful wea...

Press Release / Corcovado National Park was included in the top 10 of the best National Parks in the World by Discovery Corp.  This recognition is based on criteria by National Geographic that considers this area as “the most biologically intense area in the world when it comes to biodiversity”. Corcovado encompasses diverse ecosystems, including cloud forests, montane forest, mangroves and tro...

There’s a great deal of tourists that are always looking for new places to discover and those hidden treasures that go unnoticed by many. If you are visiting Costa Rica or if you’ve lived here for a while and are looking for a new adventure, you might want to check out the region of San Gerardo de Dota and Los Quetzales National Park, just about two hours away from San Jose, located in the area kn...

The Irazu Volcano located in the province of Cartago experimented some changes after the heavy rains received in the past days’ product of a tropical storm and also hurricane Otto. The water filled up three lakes in the volcano and a small waterfall is dropping in the main crater, the last time this phenomenon happened was back in 2012. According to Costa Rican volcanologist Gino Gonzalez, the...

By Wendy Anders Ponderosa Animal Park, source Facebook. While all eyes were on the Atlantic coast of southern Central America as Hurricane Otto took shape and starting moving west, a giraffe was born in Liberia, Costa Rica in the northern province of Guanacaste, reported CRHoy.com, a Spanish digital news source. The Ponderosa Animal Park (formerly Africa Mia) welcomed baby Isabel Wednesd...

(EFE).- Thousands of sea turtles are arriving in the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge on Costa Rica's Pacific coast to nest, guide Yamilet Baltodano told EFE Tuesday. "We estimate that between 98,000 and 100,000 turtles have arrived, with the ones coming to nest reaching here as hatchlings emerge from eggs," Baltodano said. This is the second large wave of nesting turtles this year, followi...

Montezuma, a small and bohemian town located in southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Puntarenas, has gained popularity among tourists in the last few years due to its laid back and friendly style and of course its unique beauty. Many consider this area more of an option for “backpackers” but this is not entirely true, Montezuma can be enjoyed by backpackers, adventure seekers...

If there’s one thing Costa Rica is famous for is having some of the most idyllic beaches in the world; but besides being beautiful, some of them are also dangerous. The beaches in the Pacific Coast are more dangerous in comparison to those in the Atlantic Coast, this obeys to the rip currents. Take note of some of the most dangerous beaches in Costa Rica, and stay safe during your next vaca...

We don’t always have the time to enjoy a long vacation, but most of us have the possibility of enjoying at least one day off every week, and living in Costa Rica, it’s a sin not to enjoy at least one day of these days getting to know one of the many beautiful places Costa Rica has to offer. Here are some one-day tours in Costa Rica that you can’t miss: Isla Tortuga, Puntarenas: One of the to...

Costa Rica and Japan signed a cooperation agreement for the ongoing training for the conservation of terrestrial, coastal and oceanic ecosystems and wetlands. Understanding park management and the Japanese concept of Hatoyama, deepening the understanding of efficient management of protected areas and the sustainable use of natural resources with the participation of local residents and the p...

Press Release/ Costa Rica has become an example that tourism is synonym of progress, wellness and social-economic growth, thanks to the fact that sustainability has become the fundamental core of touristic activity. ‘Last year we managed to take a position in the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) in representation of the countries in the American continent, which has all...

45 minutes from La Fortuna de San Carlos you can find the town of Las Cavernas de Venado, (Venado Caves or Deer Caves), this amazing destination will take you in an underground adventure. As incredible as it sounds, these caves weren’t actually discovered until 1945, although it is said the the Guatuso natives knew of their existence way before then, it wasn't until a local was in a hunting tri...

From canyoning to sea kayaking, Costa Rica offers a playground for those seeking adrenaline-pumping activities PRNewswire/ -- Costa Rica's diverse natural landscapes and terrain set the stage for coast to coast, action-packed adventures. Thanks to the country's compact size, travelers looking for extreme adventures can participate in any and all adventures they wish without stressing over not h...

Located in the region of Sarapiquí, Heredia, in the North of Costa Rica this Biological Reserve was born in 1995 as a private effort of conservation, it encompasses 345 hectares of tropical rainforest under the category of National Wildlife Refugee. The Tirimbina Biological Reserve is a perfect place for those that enjoy eco-tourism and sustainable tourism. This region is the home of diverse m...

The Guanacaste Tourism and Commerce Chamber Association sued the State to demand that the crocodile that attacked a tourist some months back in Tamarindo is relocated. The complaint was presented to the Contentious Administrative Proceedings Court on October 20 and it stated that “there has been an inaction and omission” by national authorities because they haven’t captured or relocated the cro...

Many beach-goers don’t just visit the coast to relax, enjoy the sun and swim in the warm water, for some it’s the possibility of exploring the underwater treasures the ocean has to offer that makes it irresistible. Scuba diving allows you to discover and witness with your own eyes parts of the world that many only get to see in television, the adventure and adrenaline behind it is undeniable. ...

Travel and Nature journalist, writer, photographer and blogger, Paco Nadal a native from Spain, recently shared in his travel blog in newspaper El Pais, a video that summarizes a year of traveling to eleven countries in five continents and filming with a dron some of the most beautiful places in the world. Costa Rica was one of these countries, others included in the video are: Kazakhstan, Peru, J...

Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica, is one of those volcanos that you see in postcards and photos, the perfect shape cone is visible from many areas and the wonderful nature that surrounds it makes it one of the most popular National Parks in Costa Rica among both domestic and foreign tourists; this volcano is still considered active, but its currently dormant, a few years back glowing lava used to flow...

Located in the province of Puntarenas, Monteverde is one of the obligatory stops for tourists visiting Costa Rica; Monteverde is a great option if you enjoy eco-tourism or also if you like adventure tourism; Monteverde is about a three-four hour drive from San José, in this impressive Biological Reserve you can find 50% of Costa Rica’s biodiversity. A little bit of history on Monteverde: The...

Costa Rica is known globally for its biodiversity, the natural and raw beauty contained in its small territory has attracted tourists, scientists, photographers, etc. However, and as much as Costa Rica continues to have vibrant nature and much of its territory is protected, it is not exempt of threats; contamination, logging, illegal hunting etc. activities which jeopardize the future of many spec...

WikiCommons - Located on the Osa Peninsula, in the south Pacific of Costa Rica the Corcovado National Park is one of the most amazing places Costa Rica has to offer, 429 square kilometers of protected forest, part of the Osa Conservation Area; it is not easy to get to Corcovado, and although this may be considered to be good, it is also a bad thing, since it is not as closely monitored as it s...

Did you know that Costa Rica has over 120 volcanic cones? Some are extinct, others inactive and 6 of them remain active. The most important volcano eruptions in Costa Rica are: 1953-1955 Poas Volcano, 1963-1965 Irazu Volcano, 1968 Arenal, 1966-1970 and during the 1990 Rincon de la Vieja and more recently the Turrialba Volcano. Costa Rica is divided by three different mountain ranges, the Cordi...

September 15th is coming, Costa Rica celebrates its independence and therefore it’s a national holiday; the 15th this year falls on a Thursday so there’s a lot of people taking a day off work on Friday the 16th to enjoy a well-deserved long weekend. If you are part of those lucky people, and you are trying to figure out where to go spend a fun few days we have a couple of suggestions for getaways ...

By Wendy Anders During the upcoming two weekends, visitors can take part in whale and dolphin watching tours, as well as recreational and cultural activities, during the southern Pacific Bahía Ballena Marine Park's annual whale and dolphin festival. From Sept 2-4 and again from Sept 9-11 visitors can participate in activities such as foot races, cycling, family walks, a sand sculpture contes...

By Wendy Anders For the fifth year in a row the Universidad Latina (ULatina) has awarded five youth ages 18-29 for heading up projects that have a positive social impact, stated ULatina in a press statement. The Yo Creo Premio (I Believe Award) awarded five $2,500 grants on Friday to talented young people who have shown a demonstrated and measurable impact in addressing problems facing their...

The Broader View network for volunteering overseas recently announced updates to is Costa Rica sea turtle conservation program, which takes place in the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Following are details from the press release: Are you interested in volunteering with wild life? If so, why not become a Costa Rica Sea Turtle Volunteer? This opportunity gives you a chance to experience sea tur...

By Wendy Anders Police on duty in Limón on Costa Rica’s Atlantic coast may feel more like environmentalists than public safety workers lately. Since leatherback sea turtle eggs they have held in a protected area started hatching a few days ago, the officials have been busy getting the hatchlings to the beach in the evening and night hours for their entry into the sea, reported the Ministry o...

By Wendy Anders Yesterday, on National Parks Day, President Luis Guillermo Solís met with park guards on a visit to Tenorio Volcano National Park in the northern Guanacaste mountain range. Tenorio National Park is where Costa Rica's enchanting Río Celeste, or Blue River, is located. Park rangers had been threatening to close one or more national parks if their repeated requests for increa...

When it comes to tourism, birdwatchers are often regarded as the nicest visitors Costa Rica can hope to attract. Birdwatchers like the abundant avian biodiversity of Costa Rica, and our country enjoys the fact that these tourists tend to be well-educated, generous spenders who are respectful of nature and enjoy longer stays. Central America is teeming with colorful birds, and thus other nations...

By Wendy Anders Canada’s low-fare leader WestJet announced last week it will add dozens of new flights to its growing domestic and international networks as part of its 2016-2017 winter schedule. New flights will run from Toronto to a number of Canadian and international destinations including Vancouver, Ottawa, Moncton, Myrtle Beach, Aruba, Kingston (Jamaica), San José and Liberia (Costa Ri...

By Wendy Anders Whales have started arriving to the waters off the southern Costa Rican Pacific coast for this year’s second whale-watching season Look for special activities such as festivals, whale watching tours, and other local activities on the southern Pacific coast during August and September. The National Ballena Marina Park, Playa Dominical, Dominicalito, Bajo Negro and other bea...

By Wendy Anders With tourism generating $2.8 billion in revenue last year, according to the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), and employing more than 1/2 a million Costa Ricans either directly or indirectly, crocodile attacks on tourist beaches are an issue of national concern. That’s why the Tamarindo Integral Development Association (ADIT) has been meeting intensively with a host of local a...

By Wendy Anders Crocodile Man Tour at the Tarcoles River near Jaco, Costa Rica In the wake of Friday’s crocodile attack of a Colorado surfer at Tamarindo beach in Costa Rioca’s northern Guanacaste province, legislators and tourist businesses are again clamoring for the government to manage the animals. The reptiles thrive in the warm, shallow waters of river mouths and mangrove swamps that d...

By Wendy Anders Source: U.S. Embassy   During a routine round along the Caribbean coast this morning at 2:00 am, Costa Rica coast guard officials found a giant leatherback sea turtle tied up, ostensibly to later be killed. They released the animal, which had been tied up at Barra de Pacuare, a coastal village in between Tortuguero National Park and Limón port town. Police and coast guard a...

By Wendy Anders The hugely-liked online animal lovers’ The Dodo recently published a report by two veterinarians on the “nightmares” they witnessed while working at the Cahuita, Limón-based Sloth Sanctuary. Overgrown nails from the lack of trees to climb, overgrown canines from an improper diet, miscarriages by stressed females sloths, fighting among crowded animals, and severe medical negle...

By Wendy Anders In a historic victory for the environmental movement in Costa Rica, a broad coalition of local residents, politicians, environmentalists and others hailed today’s decision by the Los Chiles Municipality to halt expansion of pineapple production for five years. The Northern Region where Los Chiles is located is home to 47 per cent of Costa Rica’s pineapple production with 17,8...

By Wendy Anders Zurich, Switzerland is the latest European destination to offer a direct flight to San José, Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Starting May 2017, Edelweiss Air will offer twice-weekly non-stop service on Tuesday and Friday, the airline stated in a press release last week.  Edelweiss is a member of the Lufthansa Group and an affiliate of Swiss Internati...