Costa Rica travel stories
If you've been to one all-inclusive resort, you've been to them all. Short of offering some regional cuisine at the buffet restaurant, most all-inclusives lack the personality and charm of their respective countries. Paradisus Playa Conchal on Costa Rica's...
I'm watching a young girl who seems to believe she's posing for Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue. Draping herself over the black rocks in a small, churning waterfall, she arches her back and purses her lips. Steam rises from the warm water and condenses...
I am travelling from La Fortuna in the north, mid-western part of Costa Rica, to Playa Conchal, on the pacific coast. It is a four hour drive and I am starving. "We will stop at Aromatico,"? my shuttle driver says as if reading my mind. He stops at an...
In one day, toucans perched on my shoulders, renegade frogs postured on my head and hummingbirds literally ate from the palm of my hand. I hiked through a lush Costa Rican cloud forest and felt the spray of 10-story high waterfalls crashing into crystal-clear lagoons...
My husband and I had passed through La Fortuna's central park area several times travelling to various excursions. While I was excited for each adventure, every time we passed through, I was a little more tempted to scream "Stop the van!"?, jump out and...
My driver is navigating a winding, dangerously narrow dirt road. Not a problem, save the fact that one false move and the van will careen off the road and over the side of a cliff. The white-knuckled ride proves worth it though, when I arrive at the isolated Peace...
Whether I'd zipline in Costa Rica was never a question; I'd done it before and had heard that Sky Trek's ziplines feature breathtaking views of Lake Arenal, the Arenal Volcano and untouched Costa Rican jungle canopies. Despite my fear of heights, I...
Moises, my rafting guide, is drilling me. "When I say 'back paddle', what do you do?"? Sitting in the raft, still docked on the side of the river I move my oar in reverse as he'd taught me to do. "Very good. Vamanos. We're ready."?...
"The right way to make Gallo Pinto,"? Roberto the cab driver informs me in flawless English, "is with yesterday's beans and rice."? He pauses, then adds "And you must add Salsa Lizano."? In the short time I've been in Costa Rica,...
ARENAL, COSTA RICA April 7, 2011"? Two of Costa Rica's finest boutique lodges have teamed up to offer guests a six-night "No Worries Beach & Jungle Escape"? package. Travelers will enjoy three nights each at Lost Iguana Resort & Spa,...
**All of the below offers are valid for reservations booked between 12:00am and 11:59pm on DAYLIGHT SAVINGS DAY "? Sunday, March 13, 2011 ONLY. KURA HULANDA SPA & CASINO (CURACAO): Book two nights at Kura Hulanda in a Deluxe Room or Suite on Daylight Savings...
A friend of mine alerted me to these last minute holiday deals at 5-star properties in Costa Rica. So, I thought I'd pass them along. Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort and Costa Rica Marriott Hotel are both offering discounts on Christmas/New Year's stays...
