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Uvita South Pacific, Costa Rica

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 17, 2011 in Southern Pacific | Comments Off

The Costa Rican southwestern is one of the most geographically diverse areas in the world; it has ample of beautiful beaches and incredible landscapes. Playa Uvita is also among the most beautiful beaches on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast with palm trees swaying by the wind speed It is located in the Puntarenas province around 17 km south of Dominical. It is a best surfing place. Playa Uvita is located within the Marino Ballena National Park. This marine park is very famous due to Humpback; whales travel here to the warm waters off the coast to mate before returning up north between the months December and April.

Accessible throughout the year as the weather is gorgeous most of the time, Playa Uvita is a Two mile white sand beach with modest waves and crystal blue waters. As this beach is a component of the Marino Ballena National Park, fishing and hunting of any aquatic life is strictly forbidden. The swimming conditions are perfect here and travelers can have the enjoyment with a variety of water sports. The best element of Playa Uvita is it has beautiful landscape with estuaries and mangrove marshes in addition to its pretty local village environment.
There is quite a bit to do in Uvita’s vicinity. Apparently, its closeness to the ocean permits for innumerable aquatic activities such as surfing, swimming, sun bathing, snorkeling, kayaking, sport fishing, boat tours, whale watching. Horseback riding and scuba diving are very famous activities here. However, if somebody wants a more relaxed pace, they can go for a long walks along the beach, sunbathe on the coast and take pleasure in the fabulous scenic beauty and marine of the Playa Uvita, /”>Costa Rica. A comparatively calm beach with fewer tourists, you can also a visit to the nearby Cano Island, Violines Island or Ballena Island, or go on a hike to the tropical forest and mountains that are nearby.
Playa Uvita provides abundance of accommodation at a very reasonable price; several budget guesthouses, hotels and rustic lodges are available in the area. There are also ample of local and cozy bars and restaurants to eat at as well, as street side sodas (small cafes) that provide tasty local delights.

There are several hotels, resorts and other accommodations are available at a very reasonable price at Playa Uvita. If you want to stay on the beach, there are cabanas and rooms available for rent.

Cristal Ballena Bahia Resort – Uvita
Cristal Ballena is on a hillside with a 180-degree view of Bahia Ballena (Whale Bay) and features rooms with private balconies with stunning ocean views. This beautiful 4-star hotel, with its open cafe-style Bar – Restaurant “Pura Vida”, is located in the midst of its own 12-hectare grounds, very close to the unique “Marino Ballena” Marine National Park and mountains covered in rainforest.
All their generous Suites are designed with a special eye on details and comfort. Natural interior materials harmonize with the luxurious vegetation in front of the private balcony. The warm and personal atmosphere will let you feel like home.
Their 2 simple but charming Adventure Lodges are situated in our colorful garden, surrounded by cheerful tropical forest. Each lodge is complete with terrace, separate tiled bathroom, king size bed, electricity and ceiling fan.

Whales and Dolphins Ecolodge – Uvita

The Cabins at Whales and Dolphins are vividly located on a bluff overlooking Ballena Marina Park, the pacific coast and Cano Island. This marine national park includes the largest coral reef on the pacific side of /”>Costa Rica.
This lodge has 20 comfortable rooms; all are very well equipped and decorated with balconies to provide awesome views overlooking the natural environment. The property features 4 Superior Standard rooms and 16 Standard rooms, all of them with private balcony with stunning ocean views, AC, fan, private bathrooms, hairdryer, safety box, mini bar, telephone, and satellite TV.
You can find a newly built panoramic swimming pool on the premises that invites clients to relax and refresh themselves, while enjoying awesome sunsets and surrounding large terraces with sun beds, gift shop, bar, and an exclusive restaurant.
They also arrange all kind of tours, adventure and activities, including the popular whales and dolphins observation boat tour, also surf lessons, sport fishing, canopy tours, horse back riding, ATVs, hikes in the natural preserves, sunset tours and visit of nearby beaches and of course visits to the famous Marine Park Ballena.

Oxygen Jungle Villas – Uvita
Oxygen Jungle Villas is a small exclusive boutique resort located in Uvita in the middle of Costa Rica’s amazing Costa Ballena. This special property only caters to twenty four customers at a time in their luxury one bedroom villas.

If you are searching for a Costa Rica luxury home and planning to settle to the South Pacific after your retirement or you are looking to enjoy you holidays in a tranquil place, there is abundance of things to do in and around Uvita. From eco tour adventures to nights out and fine dining, there is something for every one in Costa Rica’s South Pacific.

Playa Uvita, Playa Dominical, and Playa Ojochal and several others are excellent examples of why this part of /”>Costa Rica has become popular with eco tourists. Maintaining its natural authenticity, the South Pacific has not surrendered to over development. Long white beaches, deep blue seas and rising and falling foothills make the South Pacific a paradise for the nature lovers and holiday seekers.

Although development in this part of /”>Costa Rica has been moderate many of the beach town’s benefit from excellent facilities making the transition to paradise living all the more easier. If you are searching a vacation with nature and looking for something to do during your visit to Playa Uvita, Costa Rica and love nature then the South Pacific has it all.

San Josecito Beach Day Tour
San Josecito is a lovely beach with palm tree and thick vegetation. You can enjoy the beach, have sunbath, swim and you have the choice of snorkeling, that provide you the chance to view of tropical fish. You can explore the under water world also.
Sport Fishing Tour
Enjoy with sports fishing during your visit to Uvita. Private fishing charters are available. The South Pacific coast of Costa Rica has abundance of Pargo, Wahoo, Marlin and Tuna and the most common areas for sports fishing are Faruno Bank and Cano Island.

Snorkeling Tour at Marino Ballena National Park
The Marino Ballena National Park is a snorkeler’s paradise, you will be to spot several types of fishes, a variety of sea-floor creatures and observe different creeping creatures at the bottom of the ocean. The park has 18 different types of coral reef. You have a chance to watch dolphins and whales plying around your boat.

Bahia Aventuras Combo Tour
During the Bahia Aventuras Whale Watching & Dolphin Encounter Combo Tour, you will have several experiences like whale watching, dolphin encounters, snorkeling and a visit to natural water caves. search for humpback whales, listen to their love songs and feel the great sensation of watching a mammal that weighs more than 40 tons jump out of the water and splash its gigantic tail. Snorkel and observe dolphins, turtles, bi-color parrot fish and more.

Corcovado National Park Day Tour

Corcovado National Park is an experience of a lifetime. It include the only remaining old growth tropical forests on the Pacific coast of Central America, and 13 major ecosystems including lowland rain forest, highland cloud forest, jolillo palm forest, and mangrove marshes, as well as costal marine and beach habitats. There is a good chance of spotting some of Costa Rica’s most endangered inhabitants here; Baird’s Tapirs, Jaguars, Scarlet Macaws, Harpy Eagles, Red-backed squirrel monkeys and White-lipped Peccaries. It is wet, remote and rugged, but the trails are relatively good, and the camping areas near the ranger stations are grassy and well drained.
If you have ever imagined yourself swimming up to a deserted golden sand beach lined with coconut palms, then rinsing off under a waterfall surrounded by the greenness of the rainforest.

Cano Island Biological Reserve Day Tour
Take a whale watching and dolphin tour during your visit. You can get a day long eco dolphin and whale watching tour in Drake Bay and Cano Island. Get the opportunity to witness five species of dolphins and three species of whales in the area.

Waterfalls Tour
Take a relaxing waterfall tour and hike through the rainforest landscape. The Nauyaca and Diamante waterfalls are the most famous in the South Pacific area. Tour operators offer hikes or horseback rides to the waterfalls.

Canopy tour
Take an exciting canopy tour. It is suitable for all ages; canopy tours are a best way to get knowledge about the paradise surroundings. The South Pacific has plenty of canopy tours to choose from including the Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge Canopy Tour, the Rainforest Canopy Tour, the Canopy Observation Platform and Rainforest Tree climbing.

Bird watching
Enjoy with a bird watching tour in Corovado and Marina Ballena National Park located in the Osa Peninsula.

Golfing
You can have the enjoyment of a couple of rounds of golf surrounded by paradise in the South Pacific.

Surfing
Take pleasure with Surfing in the South Pacific.

Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is best at Cano Island National Park. The rough coastline is 10 kilometers long with small beaches of white sand, rocky platforms and cliffs up to 60 meter high. There is no better place for big fish encounters than Cano Island: white tipped reef sharks, mantas, bluefin trevally, snappers, rays, eels etc., just to name a few can be seen here.
The first marine park in Latin America was established in 1990. The park is a system of reefs and islands called Las Tres Hermanas that protect the coastline which creates some of the best diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica.
Also basic diving courses and different PADI courses like open water diver, advanced, rescue and dive master are accessible.

Dining out and cultural activities
South Pacific’s region is famous as an eco tourist destination so there are several top rated restaurants located here. The South Pacific has a large expatriate community. Many retirees continue to run small businesses here including restaurants. Expect to find international cuisine ranging from Italian, French, Spanish and South American to traditional U.S and Costa Rican dishes.

Uvita is located in the south of San Jose, the best way to reach Playa Uvita is to fly in to the San Jose airport, and then catch a bus to Quepos, Dominical, or San Isidro de El General. From there, you can catch another bus to Playa Uvita, which is a short drive away. An alternative option for tourists is to fly to the Palomar Sur Airport and then drive to Uvita beach.

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Playa Bejuco Central Pacific, Costa Rica

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 5, 2011 in Central Pacific | Comments Off

Playa Bejuco is one of the few nearly untouched beaches on central Pacific, Costa Rica. This is a relaxing, pristine coastal town which offers visitors a remote open coastline. Playa Bejuco Costa Rica Is located to the north of San Miguel and south of Islita. At this point you can stroll for miles and miles on stunning beaches. It is located 17 kilometers southeast of Playa Carillo. This is 3.5 km long beach extends from the Bustamante Rock to the Bejuco Point. This beach has moderate to strong waves and not suitable for the swimmer beginners but the beach breaks are catching the attention of surfers. There very consistence waves make this place a true surf’s paradise. It is one of the few surfing hotspots that have managed to stay mainly unnoticed in Costa Rica. Blue Flag award winner, Playa Bejuco is a beautifully clean beach in Costa Rica, lined with tropical greenery and showing some of the most powerful waves in the country. The brown sand beach is very long and it is covered with palms. The community of Playa Bejuco is very small with no commercial businesses. The beach at Bejuco is a local fishing spot where many local people make their living. There are very few restaurants to get enjoyment of Costa Rican meals. Many people have small boats offer fishing trips. If you want to switch from surfing, other tours are available including boat excursions and horseback rides along the beach.

Costa Rica is famous for its natural beauty and friendly people. The country’s natural beauty, wildlife, and status for progressive protection of the nature attract tourists from through out the world. Costa Rica has several of the best surfing of the world, beaches in abundance, and a tropical environment that give for a thrilling holiday.
The Central Pacific has spectacular sunsets over its rock-strewn coastline, massive marlin and snapper that draw attention of fishermen from all over the world, rocky rain forests that spread out from malleable sandy beaches and waves that make break for both beginners and professional both. The central region offers plentiful outdoor and indoor activities for travelers of all ages to experience the beauty of the region.
The travelers from throughout the Costa Rica and from around the world visit the central Pacific region for their holidays with their families, honeymooners and all are satisfied with highly developed tourist infrastructure. Jaco is the most developed place, though it still retains the small town atmosphere. The peace-seekers have to visit Playa Hermosa or Playa Esterillos for unspoiled scenery and long untouched beaches.
The Central Pacific’s weather can be divided into two: a dry season which starts from end December to mid-April is the most enjoyable weather with temperatures averaged around 81 degrees and the beaches rushed off your feet in sunshine 11-12 hours a day. In fact March and April are the hottest months of the year. You will find mostly sunny mornings and early afternoon or evening showers.
Bejuco can be an amazing experience for a secluded vacation getaway or a wonderful day tour if staying in neighboring areas.

Playa Bejuco does not have any mainstream hotels right on the beach, however if you search you can find some privately owned beach houses for rent. There are many towns neighboring Bejuco such as San Miguel, Coyote, and Costa de Oro, in these towns you can find more accommodations and restaurants, ecolodges and night entertainment including casino.

A few accommodations nearby are Hotel Islita, Casita Azul Plata, and Cabinas Don Elias.

Hotel Punta Islita
Hotel Punta Islita is a little further north than the others and is a high end hotel. At the hotel they offer several amenities including spa treatment, group activities, a restaurant and much more.

The Casitas Azul Plata
The Casitas Azul Plata is one of the closest accommodations to Playa Bejuco. Here you will find 2 apartments for rent each with two rooms and a bathroom. In every apartment the rooms are equipped with a queen size bed and a room with two single beds. Also every apartment features A/C, full kitchen, oven, and satellite TV. There is also barbeque area, a pool and an attractive view of the Pacific.

The Cabinas Don Elias
The Cabinas Don Elias is closer than Hotel Punta Islita but still a drive from Playa Bejuco. Here there are three choices of prices which depend on the number of people staying. A house which can sleep 14 persons rent for $750 a week and cabinas 2, 3, and 4 sleep between 6 and 8 people and are $480 a week. They offer a pool, satellite TV and hot water.

Hotel Playa Bejuco
The Hotel Playa Bejuco is located 20 minutes from Jaco Center and 35 minutes from Quepos Antonio. It is an ideal place to relax in a memorable and tranquil atmosphere; surrounded by beautiful gardens. In addition to this, it is located on the cleanest beaches (the Blue Flag was granted) Rooms equipped with TV by refrigerators cable and all the comforts that you and your family can have. It has a swimming pool also.

Delfin Beach Front Resort
The Delfin Beach Front Resort Is located on the tranquil and secluded Bejuco Beach. This is a recently restored Costa Rican landmark, featuring luxury accommodations with beachfront rooms, less than 40 meters from the Pacific Ocean. It is situated between Jaco and Quepos/Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

It is the one of the best surf place of the area. The visitors can find and experience the larger swells. You can take a day tour to the nearby places, have horseback ride along the beach, fish sports, Diving, bird watching and go to nearby National Parks.
You can take a walk on Costa Rica’s nature trail and beach and you can the sight of whiteface monkeys, scarlet macaws, crocodiles, Lora sea turtles or whales playing in the Pacific.

Catamaran Adventure in Tortuga Island
Have fresh air during the tour to one of the most beautiful islands in Costa Rica. This is one of the few beaches that provide white sand beaches and emerald waters; that make this island a unique destination. Tortuga Island is a thrilling location where you can play volleyball, snorkel, go for a hike or take rest on the beach.

Canopy Tour
The canopy tour is the most popular adventure in Costa Rica. As you fly over exotic trees and vivacious flora, you will have a life time experience with catching a glance of white-faced monkeys, exotic birds and other Costa Rican natural wildlife. Fly throughout the tropical forest balanced by a zip-line system of cables and platforms; it is very safe and they are using perfect equipment with the help of experience guides.

Scuba Diving
The Manuel Antonio coast with twelve islands provides us the many dive sites. The majority of dive sites are on a maximum of 20 minutes from the port. Most of Costa Rica dives are between 35 and 60 feet, though there are several other deeper sites for experienced divers. All dives are watches and guided by a PADI professional who has a vast knowledge and experience of the Costa Rica dive sites so that you can enjoy to see the most of the marine life and underwater arrangements. Dives typically last 45 minutes and you will see volcanic rock formations, with various hard and soft corals. The area have an abundant marine life with schools of Snapper and Jacks, plus White Tip Reef Sharks, Angel Fish, Moorish Idols, Parrot Fish, Puffer Fish, Octopus, Eels, Crustaceans, Sea Turtles and in season(Dec – May) the giant Manta Ray. During your Diving interval you can take pleasure of the stunning views of the Manuel Antonio National Park Coastline.

Brave enough to try Bungee Jumping?
The area that surrounds the Jaco Beach in Costa Rica is a paradise for adventure seekers. The increasing number of tourists every year has rejoiced with a wide range offer of different activities.
Feel how life flows through your body in an activity that generates more adrenaline than any other. The highest safety standards are measured, so feel safe.
Pacific Bungee provides visitors the chance to enjoy the first and unique Extreme Machine ever built in Latin America. You will have the enjoyment and the thrill of your life with the best safety and professional standards in the Costa Rica.

White Water Rafting
Have an experience of the unmatched beauty, lavish vegetation and great white water of the Naranjo, Pacuare, and Savegre Rivers. All three rivers are very safe for the beginner but still challenging enough for the skilled rafting enthusiast. The two rivers Naranjo & Savegre Rivers begin in the coastal mountains near Quepos. You will be amazed by the awesome ravine, waterfalls and rainforest during enjoying class 2, 3, 4 or 5 torents.
The Pacuare River begins in Siquirres and Turrialba area on the Caribbean mountain slopes of Costa Rica. You will have an experience of class 2, 3, 4 and 5 rapids while enjoying amazing views of giant waterfalls and valleys. The Pacuare River is placed one of the top ten river destinations in the world, by National Geographic. Have an exciting and memorable experience.

Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is the most famous and well known National Park in Costa Rica and the most visited park by tourists every year.
This tropical dry forest is situated on a peninsula, encircled by sparkler Pacific water and white sand beaches. The major attractions of this park are that it has two white sand beaches, Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio. The visitors can find over 109 mammal species, three different species of monkeys, three-toed sloths, agouti, two-toed sloths and more than180 species of birds.
Make a visit with a professional, skilled and bilingual nature guide who will educate you about the fauna and the unique plant life of this gorgeous park in the widespread trail system which takes you through an assortment of ecosystems. Do not forget to bring your camera with you.

Arenal Volcano
This is one the most active volcanoes in the America. It is active twenty four hours. If you want to see an active volcano, this tour is a must for you. The volcano flies 1,635 meters high and is surrounded by thick rain forest and natural hot springs.
During your visit, you will enjoy beautiful views of the cloud forest, waterfalls, and rustic landscape and classic and ecolodges of Costa Rican towns.
At the base of the volcano you will discover several natural hot springs, the visitors can take advantage of the beautiful resort grounds and have one of the most amazing and relaxing experiences of your life with hot springs. The volcano positioned near the town of La Fortuna where you will get many restaurants, boutique stores and souvenir shops.

Crocodile Adventure
The crocodile tour is a special voyage located in the Central Pacific Region of Costa Rica. This tour will take you up and down the TA¡rcoles River on board; it is a very safe and reliable boat. The Rio Grande of TA¡rcoles is one of four rivers that finish at the Gulf of Nicoya on the Pacific Ocean. It offers visitors the chance to examine American crocodiles up to four meters in length. The travelers will also watch a variety of species ranging from terrestrial birds to iguanas and basiliscos. You must carry a camera with you.

ATV Tour
Experience an adrenaline siphoning, thrilling and challenging outdoor voyage into the rainforest, where can observe spectacular views of some of Costa Rica’s most popular beaches and surrounding areas. Weaving in and out of tropical forest trails, you will finally move down into the world famous surfing beaches of Playa Hermosa before returning to Jaco.

Visit to Carara National Park
Carara Biological Reserve is a changeover forest between the Tropical Dry Forest region to the north, and the additional humid Pacific Rainforest to the south. Comparatively small, it is situated at only 4,700 hectares; the Carara National Park is one of the few remaining breeding grounds for the majestic scarlet macaw which can easily be seen in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
This is a pre-colonial Archaeological site with rivers, lakes and waterfalls. You will discover monkeys, collared aracaris, coatis’ raccoons, and various different species of birds.

Tropical Forest Aerial Tram
The Aerial Tram provides a distinctive experience while flying high on top of the treetops. Find out the veiled secrets and hanging gardens of the transitional tropical forest. This eco-tourism tour provides you the opportunity to realize the nature in a truly exclusive way. Have an unforgettable knowledge that will give you a better understanding of the complication of biodiversity and how important Costa Rican forests are for future generation’s survival. During your visit aboard the tram, you will see thick tropical rainforest, a 40-foot waterfall, and enormous rainforest trees, a number of species of birds and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

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Playa Herradura Central Pacific, Costa Rica

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 5, 2011 in Central Pacific | Comments Off

Playa Herradura is a coastal town of the Central Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica. It is located about 4 kilometers north of Jaco. It was a small and quiet beach some ten years ago mostly visited by campers and Ticos. Playa Herradura was an unknown paradise. It has a super black sand beach with aqua green waters and a palm tree lined coastline. Playa Herradura is today a tourist hotspot on the Northern Puntarenas coast. This place is an ideal for those who want to escape from the crowd of Jaco; this beach has flourished into a much traveled holiday destination.
Even with its several touristy projects Playa Herradura still does not attract as many visitors as Jaco does, making it a great place to slip away. With a camping ground nearby with showers and other basic facilities just a few hundred meters from the shore; this beach is wonderful for the budget traveler and tourist. From Playa Herradura you can also move to north to the lovely Refugio Punta Leona, or down south to the great Playa Hermosa.
Playa Herradura have got wider recognition amongst the surfers of the world. Surfers prefer the waves that are produced in Herradura Bay.
The beach is positioned near County’s rainforest and some Costa Rica’s most popular National Parks. It is close to the town of Jaco. Playa Herradura provides visitors to this area with both indoor and outdoor activities. The facility at Los Suenos Resort, which is a tourist attraction within Playa Herradura, tenders a number of outdoor activities including deep sea fishing. Stellaris Casino and the Poseidon Fitness Spa are both found at Los Suenos Resort. Vacationers, those who do not mind missing out on a bit of the sunshine, or who avoid sleeping during most of the night, spend lots of hours at either the Casino or Spa. Yet Los Suenos Resort is not just for night owls; nor is it just for those afraid of the sun.
Los Suenos Resort also contains the Los Suenos Marina. From that Marina one could set out for the high seas. One could spend many hours sport fishing, and come back with tuna, marlin, sailfish or Dorado (dolphin fish). You could even learn how to catch a roosterfish.
Beyond the Marina other water activities help to entertain the visitors to the area. Some travelers devote time to scuba diving or snorkeling. Other visitors save plenty of time for golf. Golfers in Playa Herradura enjoy spectacular ocean panorama. The smaller local wetlands make water rooster an increasingly common sight in the waterholes scattered close to the greens.
It is the home to the Hotel Villa Caletas, a fantastic luxury hotel with plenty of features and amenities as well as a marina, condominium complex and golf course, this beach area is fast becoming one of the biggest tourism developments in Costa Rica. However, with its tranquil waters, Playa Herradura still draws in a number of locals who want a quiet getaway.

Located right next door to Jaco Beach and 1 hour from Costa Rica’s main International airport in San Jose, Playa Herradura and the Jaco Beach region has turn into the most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica. Major grocery stores, super markets, wide mixture of restaurants, pharmacies, nightlife, and a plentiful selection of hotels, vacation rentals and homes and the country’s top collection of tours and excursions add to this region’s infinite popularity with foreign tourists and locals.

Accommodation

Los Suenos Rentals
The Los Suenos Resort is positioned beside Playa Herradura. This resort is combination of a luxurious rental home and eight lavish condominiums set on a forested hillside. Tropical rainforests finishes into the hotel property. The hotel provides all five stars facilities.
The Los Suenos Resort and Marina and is globally known as the Fishing Capital of Costa Rica playing home to Costa Rica’s only full service five stars Marina and home to the largest fleet of the country’s top Big Game Sport fishing Captains and boats.

Villa Caletas
Villa Caletas is one of the most graceful resorts in the country. Perched high on a cape jutting out into the Pacific, Villa Caletas give panoramic views of the forest and sea below. It is beautifully decor which can be seen on every corner. Little sculptures hiding in alcoves, original paintings of varied with colorful subjects, bronze figures sited at junctions on the garden trails. Everywhere there is something to please the eye. The visitors get every opportunity to enjoy the outdoor activities that the Pacific coast has to offer, as the hotel can easily arrange suitable adventure tours. Hotel rooms and grounds of the hotel are very attractive and you would like to spend days here, simply relaxing and getting pampered.

Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
Recognized by Travel & Leisure magazine readers as one of the world’s best resorts, the Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort is a luxury Costa Rica resort is located between the warm waters of the Pacific and a 1,100 acre tropical rainforest, resting gracefully on the tropical forested hills of Herradura (Horseshoe) Bay. The resort is set about 30 minutes from San Jose International Airport.

Sport fishing charters, visits to Tortugas Island, and romantic sunset tours round out a full fare of water-related activities including snorkeling, river rafting, wind surfing, sea kayaking, and water skiing. Playa Herradura and the surrounding areas of Puntarenas offer the warm waters of the Pacific and pristine green zones that provide a sanctuary for many endangered species. The two most famous areas, Carara National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park, are to be explored. Carara National Park borders the Tarcoles River and is home to diverse wildlife including the largest population of Scarlet Macaws in Costa Rica. Explore the small tourist complex called La Catarata (The Cascade). Here you can take a four-hour trek on horseback through a private, reforested cattle ranch to a magnificent waterfall. Along the way you will see several expansive vistas and are likely to spot toucans, scarlet macaws, and monkeys. If you desire more excitement, Jaco Beach has what Herradura is not. This is the place where Ticos traditionally come to play in the sun. There is plenty of infrastructure, shopping, and nightlife to keep you busy. The city of San Jose is located around 45 miles from this place and offers many exciting shops, sights and restaurants to explore. Whether you are an eco-traveler that prefers gliding from tree to tree on a canopy zip-line tour, or would rather sit back and relax along the palm lined free-form pool, a memorable Playa Herradura, Costa Rica resort vacation awaits. You can also take different tours to explore the beauty of area. Pacific Rainforest Tranopy Tour, Pacific Rainforest Family Tour, Pacific Rainforest Aerial Tram

To reach Playa Herradura take the turnoff on Costanera Sur, north of Jaco and drive some 3 km down the road west to the beach.
The San Jose Airport is about 60 miles away from Playa Herradura.

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Manzanillo Beach Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 5, 2011 in North Pacific Coast | Comments Off

Manzanillo Beach is located inside the wonderful Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife and Marine Refuge. The Manzanillo is very small village and it is situated south of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, it borders the Gandoca-Manzanillo reserve. It is the last town due south of the surfing paradise of Puerto Viejo. Lying on Costa Rica’s gorgeous Caribbean coast, Manzanillo is situated south of Puerto Limon in Limon province. A four hour drive from the main city of San Jose, Manzanillo is in the south of the well-known Cahuita National Park. It is one of the most scenic beaches in Costa Rica, with incredible weather throughout the year. The major attraction of this petite village is its wonderful white sand beach narrow piece that is lined with palm trees, and is bathed in the quiet and mild waters of the Caribbean Sea. Travelers that are looking forward to Caribbean nightlife must choose Puerto Viejo de Talamanca as their destination. There they will find many live music and parties.
The Manzanillo Beach is made of bright sand and often one can be almost totally alone here. It is likely that the village got is name from the tree same name that grows in the sand on the beach. The tree can also be seen in other parts of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio for example. The yellow fruits of the tree are poisonous.
This beach is named after an ancient Manzanillo tree that stood in the town’s center from the year 1940; it has some colorful local markets and abundance of sodas or restaurants that serve the best seafood in the entire Costa Rica. They provide a wide variety of fish, shrimps crabs, and lobsters found here, this town is well known for its excellent food. There are several beautiful hotels and accommodations in Manzanillo.

This is a tropical paradise with an amazing coral reef offshore. This is a prefect place for snorkeling and swimming, this beach also has some great scuba diving spots as well. If you like, you can take a dolphin tour of the coast, and catch a glimpse of the three species of dolphins that live in the waters around Manzanillo.

A major fishing location, Manzanillo also has some lovely nature tour prospects outside of town as well. If you like to hike, you can go up to Monkey Point or Punta Mona and watch some of Costa Rica’s local monkey species in their natural surroundings. It is also believed that Christopher Columbus named this area himself after seeing the many monkeys that exist here. Since Manzanillo is located at the end of the coastal road, after town, you will found just a few dirt road tracks that directs straight into the topical tropical forest available around this region.
Manzanillo is a comparatively quiet area with only a few tourists here and there, this fishing village has a unique atmosphere and culture that is all its own. Basically influenced by Afro-Caribbean traditions and customs, this town is a calm and tranquil place with friendly locals and a number of the delicious local cuisines.

Manzanillo Beach hotel
Manzanillo Beach hotel is located just steps from Manzanillo Beach and only 10 kilometer from Puerto Viejo de Limon. The Manzanillo Beach Hotel is a perfect choice for your visit to the southernmost tip of Costa Rica’s Caribbean Sea. If you are looking for wildlife, jungle or rain forest adventure, or just want to relax under the coconut tree.
This hotel provides travelers a enjoyable, comfortable stay. They also arrange fishing trips, diving expeditions, dolphin tours, horseback riding, and waterfall tours, hiking in the National Park and much more. The rooms are with bathrooms and optional A/C, and your choice of ocean, garden or jungle view. Several rooms are available with a balcony. Breakfast is included and they have a full bar, restaurant and lounge area where guests can relax. This will be a fine choice to stay during your vacations.

Almonds and Corals Lodge
Almonds and Corals Lodge is situated in the middle of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is a pleasant peaceful place with the wonderful touch of Nature; and a unique idea for an accommodation.
Almonds and Corals Lodge provide you an unusual opportunity to get a feeling of the tropical forest, living in the wild forest while keeping a level of luxury.
Each room is made under giant trees in a forest so dense that the sunrays do not touch the ground. Each room is positioned over a platform lifted up on stilts and orchids hang from the branches and like in a fairy tale, as you walk through the charmed forest, by passages on stilts, and than suddenly you will be in front of the superb Caribbean with your feet on golden sand, coconuts and the bay of Manzanillo where you will be able to hear the rhythm of Calypso.

Villa Toucan
Villa Toucan is a private ocean view and rain forest villa on the edge of the virgin tropical forest where visitors are engrossed in a strong experience of wildlife and energy all with the comforts of tropical accommodations. The 2 bedroom house sleeps 4 people maximum, and is the only other house on a 9 acre private reserve – shared with the owners living there. You will not find any neighbors except plenty of wildlife.
Villa Toucan in situated within the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge in Punta Uva on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. This house is 1 km from the turquoise colored waters of the Caribbean Sea where visitors can enjoy beautiful virgin beaches, snorkeling over the coral reefs, kayaking, wildlife, hikes, horseback riding and just plainly relaxing.
Villa Toucan is designed as a vacation house for families and honeymooners; the villa comes fully equipped and can comfortably sleep up to 4 people. There are 2 bedrooms, each with its own private balcony, outdoor bathroom and private garden, a full kitchen, dining area, a wildlife terrace and our new Hammock hut. Guests rent the entire house – whether you are one or four people.

This Caribbean beach possesses pale sands wrinkled with splendid palm trees. Incredible weather conditions with mild waters make for a great surfing and scuba diving destination. In and around Manzanillo the wildlife on the land and underwater will fascinate you, from monkeys to three special dolphin species. Breathtaking coral reefs and charming tropical jungles motivate such activities as snorkeling, swimming, fishing and hiking. The beach breaks are speedy and the waters are alive with colorful creatures. The visitors can enjoy tasty meals, good company and a relaxed atmosphere. There are several activities in and around the area such as Experience the Rainforest in Luxury, Kayaking and snorkeling at Manzanillo or Punta Uva, Crazy Monkey Canopy Ride, Biking tour through a Caribbean Village, Natural Park, private trail through the rainforest, Cachabri Indian Village, Cachabri Indian Village, Cahuita National Park around 25 kilometer away and more
BEACHES and SNORKELING
Visitors can enjoy beautiful beaches of Manzanillo, where snorkeling, surfing and just pure relaxing are a true pleasure.

CANOPY TOURS
The area provides several opportunities for great canopy tours allowing visitors to a thrilling experience flying through the rainforest canopy.

HORSEBACK RIDING
Visitors can enjoy guided tours on the beaches and throughout the forest.

WHITE WATER RAFTING
Several the worlds’ most beautiful rivers are found on the Caribbean Coast offering Class II-V fast-moving water.

CHOCOLATE TOUR
It is not Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, but this tour will reveal the art of chocolate making as a small number of people have ever seen it, and see ecolodges of Costa Rica.

Manzanillo Beach is located in the province of Limon, Costa Rica.
Driving times and distances
Distance from San Jose to Manzanillo Beach: 224 kilometers and take around 5 hours to reach here.
Distance from Liberia to Manzanillo Beach: 435.4 kilometers respectively 270 and take around 9 hours to reach Manzanillo Beach.

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Playa Negra Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 5, 2011 in North Pacific Coast | Comments Off

Playa Negra is a famous and popular surfer beach in the northwestern region of Guanacaste in Costa Rica. It has some of the most reliable and constant waves and surf breaks in the area. This beach is located on a small distance of beautiful Playa Avellana and in the south of the town of Tamarindo. It has dark sand ideal for surf for the beginners and expert surfer. It has got fame when a movie “Endless Summer II” is filmed here. The surf break at Playa Negra is incredibly consistent and the right-hand barrels attract the surfers. Surf is best during high tide, as low tide exposes rocks of under water.
When Playa Negra is packed out or too risky to surf you can stamp on over to some low profile breaks like Playa Callejones to the south, or go to an off-shore reef. The perfect beaches of Playa Negra are dark-colored and rocky in most of the parts. For having a bath there is a stretch of sheltered beach some 100 meter south of the celebrated break. Playa Negra will be your perfect base camp for enjoying the tropical weather and exploring Guanacaste. A unique quality of our area is that there are 7+ beaches within walking and driving distance that all have distinctive personalities; some all white sand, others lava reef tidal pools, some with mature trees and shell beaches, others with black sand and palms. Each beach is a new adventure!
The Neighboring Beaches and place are Paraiso, Playa Avellana, Playa Junquillal, Playa Langosta, Santa Cruz, Tamarindo.

Playa Negra offers a number of restaurants, from the famous Peruvian food at Cafe Playa Negra, Mexican food, French cuisine at Villa, and a pizza parlor. It has developed to be an outdoors activity growing town with a yoga center, adventure tours, several small shops, surf shops, surf rentals and various hotels and cabinas.

Accommodations range from low-key surfer cabins to small boutique hotels with gourmet dining. There are a number of good hotels, resorts and accommodations found at the beach, as well as a number of budget lodgings especially for the surfer crowd. If you are hungry grab a quick bite at the renowned Cafe Playa Negra, which serves up some excellent local Tico delicacies. Directly in front of Playa Negra’s surf break this is a great place to chill and drink a couple of Imperial beers. For those not interested in surfing, head a bit further south of the main beach for some peace and quiet.

Hotel Cafe Playa Negra

Hotel Cafe Playa Negra is a small upscale bed and breakfast with personalized attention. Cafe Playa Negra is located on main street Los Pargos Playa Negra and 10 minutes walk from the beach of Playa Negra, a very good surf break known worldwide.
The Hotel and Cafe have a rustic and cozy atmosphere with an artistic flair. Central American Art and fabrics enhance each sunlit room. All six rooms with Wi Fi connection, A/C and large ceiling fans, built in storage shelves, and offer a variety of sleeping arrangements. A large, 2 section patios with padded sofas and ample shade is just outside the rooms, providing a relaxing space for enjoying a book, a refreshing drink or an ice cold beer by our Pool, perfect to cool down after a day at the beach.
Cafe Playa Negra is open from 7 am to 9 pm daily serving Peruvian and international food in a relaxed setting, with a big screen where we project surf and sport videos. The best and biggest breakfast is waiting for you. Specialty desserts are prepared daily in the restaurant. Fridays, in addition to our regular menu, enjoy Japanese selections prepared with freshly caught yellow fin tuna. Wednesdays are Mexican specials and on weekends, we prepare a couple of sublime Peruvian surprises. We also offer catering services for your vacation rental or party. They offer Internet and laundry service, and we have a art shop with souvenirs. Credit cards are accepted.

Hotel Playa Negra
It is a beachfront hotel in the Playa Negra area, located right in front of the world famous surf break of Costa Rica and a few steps away from the beautiful Playa Negra sandy beach. They have two kinds of living facilities, ten Bungalows and Suit- Bungalows. They are located in a tropical garden, a few steps from the beach, they are round and independent (except for the double suite-bungalow) and they are built with a palm leaves’ roof, known locally as “rancho”. Due to the high roofs and the several windows, ocean breeze flow throughout and cooling them naturally day and night.
They a restaurant and bar right on the beach and serve large variety of food including Costa Rican traditional dishes. They also offer several activities and tours to explore the area.

Casa Mango Tango
This vacation rental home is tucked amongst the tree tops, in a tiny beach town Playa Negra De Los Pargos. Los Pargos refers to the beautiful river where the rental villa overlooks and the snapper that flourish in it. If you prefer tropical retreats in tranquility, beach & water activities, hiking and a casual atmosphere then Playa Negra may be the perfect retreat.
The Casa Mango Tango links will take you to detailed information for reserving their vacation rental for your Costa Rica vacation. Their walk-to-beaches riverfront home is nestled in the tree-tops. It is located in a gated ocean-front community, has a private pool and can sleep 2 to 6 guests. The 1200 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is budget priced is managed by directly by owner, and beautifully, lovingly decorated and maintained by themselves.

This are is lined with stunning beaches for sun-bathing, snorkeling, surfing, paddle-boarding, shell-collecting, and feeling and reconnecting with nature. At Low tide you can walk on beaches.

Peaceful Playa Negra offer yoga classes, surfing lessons, horseback riding, Howler monkeys mountain bike tours, a French bakery, Nine restaurants, , custom bikini shops, a day-care, Two surf shops, a gift shop, excellent local massages and Two small art galleries.
Amazingly, the beaches on 15 minutes drive to the North and South of Playa Negra have unique characteristics in spite of the short distance. We suggest driving or hiking to Playa Avellanas to dine at Lola’s, Playa Blanca and Iguanazul for cliff-top drinks at sunset. Playa Junquillal for black sand beach surfing, twenty minutes away is Canopy Adventura Zip Line, mountain horseback riding and ATV tours.

Guanacaste Day adventures tours include the Costa Rica’s Diria National Park, forty meter waterfall, Hacienda Pinilla golf, Guaitil pottery and Day Spa, Playa Potrero & Lola’s II for paddle boarding on the bay, Bahia de los Piratas for snorkeling, shopping in Tamarindo, Guachipelin in Rincon de la Vieja, canopy tour, National Park for river tubing, hot springs and mud baths, and Barra Handa National Park Limestone caverns Tour near Nicoya.

Costa Rica has 2 International Airports, one in San Jose 4.5 hours beautiful mountain drive to Playa Negra, and a second in Liberia Airport 1.2 hours to Playa Negra. We recommend a rental car, 4-wheel drive from June through early November. Flights are available from San Jose to Liberia and Tamarindo on Sansa Air and nature Air. Getting to Playa Negra can be a little difficult on your own as you will not find and public transport to reach here. However, tours can be arranged through various travel agencies in Tamarindo using a four wheel drives as the roads are dicey and there are numbers of rivers crossing thus get quite tough to navigate. Most of the surfers that come here to surf at Playa Negra rent four wheel vehicles to surf the local breaks in the area.
From Santa Cruz drive until the village of “27 de Abril” where you will turn left and then, shortly after, right to drive the 16 km to Paraiso town on a best new road. In Paraiso turn right and drive for another 4 km until you reach to Playa Negra.
From Tamarindo drive via Vila Real, follow the road signs to Hacienda Pinilla, then on to Playa Avellanas from where you drive another 4 km to Playa Negra

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