Santa Rosa was founded in 1972 as the country’s first national park. The 49,515-hectare park, which covers much of the Santa Elena peninsula, is part of a mosaic of ecologically interdependent parks and reserves–the 110,000-hectare Guanacaste Conservation Area (GCA)–that incorporates Santa Rosa National Park, Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Bolaños Island Wildlife Refuge, the Junquillal Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and the Horizontes Experimental Station, abutting Santa Rosa to the south. See the Information section, below, for contact information.
Parque Nacional Santa Rosa is most famous for Hacienda Santa Rosa–better known as La Casona–the nation’s most cherished historic monument. It was here in 1856 that the mercenary army of American adventurer William Walker was defeated by a ragamuffin army of Costa Rican volunteers. The old hacienda-turned-museum alone is well worth the visit. Santa Rosa National Park has other treasures, too.

The park is a mosaic of 10 distinct habitats, including mangrove swamp, savanna, and oak forest, which attract a wide range of animals: more than 250 bird species and 115 mammal species (half of them bats, including two vampire species), among them relatively easily seen mammals such as white-tailed deer, coatimundis, howler, spider, and white-faced monkeys, and anteaters. Jaguars still roam Santa Rosa, as do margays, ocelots, pumas, and jaguarundis; they’re all shy and seldom seen. Santa Rosa is a vitally important nesting site for ridleys and other turtle species. In the wet season the land is as green as emeralds, and wildlife disperses. In dry season, however, when the parched scrubby landscapes give an impression of the East African plains, wildlife congregates at watering holes–such as those on the Naked Indian Trail–and is easily seen. Be patient. Sit still for long enough and some interesting creatures are sure to appear. Keep an eye out for snakes.

The park is divided into two sections: the Santa Rosa Sector to the south (the entrance is at Km 269 on Hwy. 1, 37 km north of Liberia) and the Murciélago Sector (the turnoff from Hwy. 1 is 10 km farther north, via Cuajiniquil), separated by a swathe of privately owned land.

Santa Rosa Sector
The Santa Rosa Sector is the more important and accessible of the two sectors. On the right, one km past the entrance gate, a rough dirt road leads to a rusting armored personnel carrier beside a memorial cross commemorating the Battle of 1955, when Somoza, the Nicaraguan strongman, made an ill-fated foray into Costa Rica.

Six km farther on the paved road is La Casona, a magnificent colonial homestead with a beautiful setting atop a slight rise overlooking a stone corral where the battle with William Walker was fought. Inside the house are photos, illustrations, carbines, and other military paraphernalia commemorating the battle of 20 March 1856. Battles were also fought here during the 1919 Sapoá Revolution and in 1955. One room is furnished in period style. Another is a small chapel. Large wooden mortars and pestles are on display, along with decrepit chaps and centenary riding gear. There’s also a good nature exhibit. Harmless bats fly in and out. There’s a large guanacaste tree outside.

Trails: Trails are marked in detail on the map sold at the park entrance. The Naked Indian loop trail (1.5 km) begins just before the house and leads through dry-forest woodlands with streams and waterfalls and gumbo-limbo trees whose peeling red bark earned them the nickname “naked Indian trees.” The Los Patos trail, which has several watering holes during dry season, is one of the best trails for spotting mammals. The Laguna Escondida and Caujiniquil River Trail (14 km round-trip) also takes you to a pond that is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Other good spots for wildlife are Platanar Lake, Laguna Escondida, and La Penca, reached by trails north from the park administrative area.

The paved road ends just beyond the administration area. From here, an appalling dirt road drops steeply to the beaches–Playa Naranjo and Playa Nancite, 13 km from La Casona. It’s a good road to break your springs. A 4WD with high ground clearance is essential. Park officials sometimes close the road because they get tired of towing vehicles out.

Beaches: The deserted white-sand Playa Nancite is renowned as the site for the annual arribadas, the mass nestings of olive ridley turtles which occur only here and at Ostional, farther south. More than 75,000 turtles will gather out to sea and come ashore over the space of a few days, with the possibility of up to 10,000 reptiles on the beach at any one time in September and October. Although the exact trigger is unknown, arribadas seem to coincide with falling barometric pressure in autumn and are apparently associated with a waxing three-quarter moon. You can usually see solitary turtles at other times August through December. Stephen E. Cornelius’s illustrated book, The Sea Turtles of Santa Rosa National Park (Costa Rica: National Park Foundation, 1986), provides an insight into the life of the ridley turtle. Cornelius initiated studies here in 1972. Latest data suggests that the turtle population at Nancite is declining. Playa Nancite (about a one-hour hike over a headland from Estero Real, at the end of the dirt road) is a research site. Access is restricted and permits are needed; anyone can get one from the ranger station, or at Programa de Ecoturismo, c/o Centro de los Investigaciones. There’s a limit of 30 people per day.

Playa Naranjo is a popular, beautiful, kilometers-long, pale gray sand beach that is legendary in surfing lore. Steep, thick, powerful tubular waves and “killer beautiful Witches Rock rising like a sentinel out of the water make this a must stop in the world for top-rated surfers,” says surf expert Mark Kelly. The beach is bounded by craggy headlands and frequently visited by monkeys, iguanas, and other wildlife. Crocodiles lurk in the mangrove swamps at the southern end of the beach. At night, plankton light up with a brilliant phosphorescence as you walk the drying sand in the wake of high tide. Witches Rock is a gigantic crag split in two and jutting up straight from the ocean bottom.

In addition to Playa Naranjo, Playa Portrero Grande, north of Nancite, and other beaches on the central Santa Elena peninsula offer some of the best “machine-like” surf in the country, with double overhead waves rolling in one after the other. The makers of Endless Summer II, the sequel to the classic surfing movie, caught the Portrero Grande break perfectly. The beaches are inaccessible by road. You can hire a boat at Jobo or any of the fishing villages in the Golfo Santa Elena to take you to Portrero Grande or Islas Murciélagos (Bat Islands), slung in a chain beneath Cabo Santa Elena, the westernmost point of the peninsula. The Bat Islands are a renowned scuba diving site for advanced divers; sharks (bull, tiger, and black-tip) are there in numbers, along with whale sharks.

Murciélago Sector
The entrance to the Murciélago Sector of Santa Rosa National Park is 15 km west of Hwy. 1, 10 km north of the Santa Rosa Sector park entrance (there’s a police checkpoint at the turnoff; have your passport ready for inspection). The road winds downhill to a coastal valley through spectacularly hilly countryside to the hamlet of Cuajiniquil, tucked half a kilometer south of the road, which continues northwest to Bahía Cuajiniquil.

You arrive at a Y-fork in Cuajiniquil: the road to Murciélago (eight km) is to the left. There are three rivers to ford en route. You’ll pass the old CIA training camp for the Nicaraguan contras on your right. The place–Murciélago Hacienda–was owned by the Nicaraguan dictator Somoza’s family before being expropriated in 1979, when the Murciélago Sector was incorporated into Santa Rosa National Park. It’s now a training camp for the Costa Rican Rural Guard. Armed guards may stop you for an ID check as you pass. A few hundred meters farther, the road runs alongside the secret airstrip (hidden behind tall grass to your left) that Oliver North had built to supply the contras. The park entrance is 0.5 km beyond the airstrip.

It’s another 16 km to Playa Blanca, a beautiful horseshoe-shaped white-sand beach–one of the most isolated in the country–about five km wide and enjoyed only by pelicans and frigate birds. The road ends here. Waterfalls are surrounded by ferns and palms in Cuajiniquil Canyon, which has its own moist microclimate. The Poza El General watering hole attracts waterfowl and other animals year-round and is reached along a rough trail.
Travel Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an angler’s paradise offering tourists and serious fishermen some of the best sportfishing opportunities in Central America. With easy and convenient access to waters of both the Pacific and the Caribbean, the sportfishing conditions in Costa Rica are ideal for the avid fisherman. Another bonus of sportfishing here is both the availability of inland as well as deep sea fishing. Costa Rica’s ‘catch and release’ fishing policy also plays a big part in making sportfishing here so awesome, as it means a wide variety of fish is there for the taking.

If you are interested in sportfishing when you arrive in Costa Rica, you will find plenty of angling hotspots along the Pacific Coast. The Nicoya Peninsula offers ample excellent fishing opportunities at Playa Flamingo, Playas del Coco, Playa Carrillo and Tamarindo. In Puntarenas province, some superb fishing can be done in Quepos, which is a short drive away from San Jose City. For some quiet fishing destinations head south to the Golfo Dulce and the former banana port of Golfito, Puerto Jimenez and Zancudo.

If you are interested in sportfishing along Costa Rica’s Pacific shores, the best time to do so would be in between May and September in the north. In the south, sportfishing is ideal between November and March.

Along Coats Rica’s Caribbean Coast most of the fishing is restricted to the Parque Nacional Tortuguero and the Refugio Nacional Barra del Colorado. You can also fish inland here along the many rivers and estuaries in the area as well as out at sea. Tarpon and snook are popular deep sea catches, which inland, rainbow bass or guapote is easily available.

If you plan on fishing off the Pacific Coast, keep in mind that the fish as well as the fishing conditions vary from those in the Caribbean. Along the Pacific Coast, Blue and Black Marlins, Sailfish and Dorado are common catches.

If you plan on coming to Costa Rica to fish, you will need a fishing license. Most tour operators usually arrange licenses for you if you use their services, however, if you plan on going it alone, then you will need to arrange a license by yourself. Costa Rica also follows a strict catch and release policy, which you will need to adhere to if you wish to go fishing. Novice anglers or those coming fishing to Costa Rica for the first time can visit the Club Amateur de Pesca and the Club Nacional de Pesca fishing clubs in San Jose, which not only arrange sportfishing trips, but also organize tournaments and other angling related activities.
Source: www.govisitcostarica.com

Address: Papagayo
Location: Papagayo
Province: Guanacaste
Price: $539
Rental: $539 Weekly
Status: Active
ID: 224

Full Description: Every Room Features: Panoramic Pacific Ocean views Private terrace with sliding glass door Full kitchen with microwave oven and toaster oven Spacious bedrooms with queen-sized beds Comfortable living room Private bathrooms Dining area Air conditioning Abundant hot water Tiled bathrooms Spacious closets Cable television Well-lit, tasteful, and artistic ambiance Rooms: Premium Rooms: Private terrace with sliding glass door and view of the Pacific Ocean Spacious bedrooms with 2 queen-sized beds Fully equipped kitchen area Dining area Convertible sofa bed Three closets Large windows Silent air conditioner Deluxe Rooms: Perfect for a couple’s romantic rendezvous or a family vacation, the Costa Blanca del Pacifico Deluxe Rooms offer 1,290 square feet (120 m2) of living space, accommodating up to 4 persons. Private sun deck with patio furniture, sliding door, and view of the Pacific Ocean. Spacious bedroom with two queen-sized beds. Full-sized, fully furnished living room. Separate, fully equipped, large kitchen with breakfast bar. Full dining room. Private bathroom with tub/shower combination. Central air conditioning. Luxury Suites: Private terrace with patio furniture and panoramic ocean views. 2 Sumptuous bedrooms, one with 2 queen-sized beds and the other with 1 king size bed. Central air conditioning. Full, separate kitchen with microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster oven, and large refrigerator. Breakfast bar. Large living room with leather furniture. Full dining room. Two full baths with separate sink/vanity areas. Tiled tub/shower combination. Hotel Amenities: Exclusive access to two private beaches with calm, clear water for swimming and snorkeling. Pool, bar, and recreation/sunning areas overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Open-air dining in a full-service restaurant with a magnificent view of the ocean and bay. International and local cuisine features fresh-caught seafood and pizza cooked in wood-fired ovens. Room service until 10 p.m. Courteous, professional bi-lingual staff. Full bar overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Special events and live music. 24-hour security. Wairless Internet Access and assistance for handicap persons. Aerobic classes Internet/computer service and fax (at the font desk). Available Tours: Scuba Diving World-class sport fishing Guanacaste’s National Parks and Wildlife refuges Sunset Cruises (Sailboat) Hiking and Horse Back Riding One-Day Nicaragua Tour Note: All the rates are based on 2 People All rates subject to 16.3% sales and tourism taxes. Lush tropical surroundings, the finest deluxe accommodations, and excellent cuisine. Relax and enjoy the ocean view at the pool or underneath one of the private cabanas. Unwind in complete privacy, serenity, comfort, and security

Tourism ranks second in revenue generating for Costa Rica . The country has not been overdeveloped with mega resorts and volume group travel. Hotels and resorts outside the capital city of San Jose are small, which limits the number of travelers coming into the country; therefore, beaches, parks, nature preserves and rivers are not taken over by tourists.
Tourism in Costa Rica

Christmas in Costa Rica

The Holiday Season is a double whammy in Costa Rica – when vacation days mix with the beginning of the dry season, it’s not hard to find a reason to celebrate no matter your faith. With forecasts of blue skies and refreshing “Christmas winds”, many people stuck in the snow covered north start to look longingly to their neighbor to the south for a bit of relief. To help you plan your Christmas vacation at the beach, Costa Rican Vacations, a luxury travel agency located in San Jose, has just announced its Last Minute Holiday Availabilities. These spots traditionally run out quickly, so take a look and you might find yourself saying “Feliz Navidad” this Dec. 25. If you are still undecided, read on for some great reasons to spend your holiday vacation in the sun.

10. Who wouldn’t want to test Santa’s GPS capabilities by bringing the kids to a country with no street signs or road names?

9. Great excuse to take advantage of those post-Christmas sales when you get home and save money on your belated gift shopping.

8. “Must’ve got lost in the mail” will take care of gifts for the rest of the extended family who never got you anything last year anyway.

7. Your cheek-pinching aunt and prying cousins will never think to find you here.

6. Hotels and tour agencies are well aware of the season and organize special dinners, tours and events for guests during this time to make your Costa Rica vacation extra special.

5. You’ve prepared enough holiday meals, let the hotel staff do it for you this time, and they’ll take care of all the clean up while they’re at it, leaving you to relax with your family.

4. Who wants turkey when you can have fresh red snapper with mango chutney?

3. Sand resembles snow, yet it won’t give you frost bite, it doesn’t block you in your house and it won’t fall at inopportune moments ruining your Christmas hair do.

2. Like most religious holidays in Costa Rica, Christmas is a time of celebration. Food, gifts and decorations are made and displayed with care and everyone is in an all around jolly mood. It’s also the month of the Christmas Bonus, so the economy are spirits are up and people are more likely to do you a nice favor.

1. White Christmas is so last season. Unlike the states, December falls in the middle of the Costa Rican summer, meaning the lowest precipitation levels of the whole year, and the average temperature is around 80F.

Do you remember the movie MEDICINE MAN, starring Sean Connery, and if you do, do you remember the scene where him and the other scientist (his romantic interest, of course) go flying through the treetops of rainforests hanging from harnesses tied to ropes, well, that is what canopying is all about.

This adventure sport is new both to Costa Rica and to the rest of the world, and if the fact of flying through treetops at 40 meters from the ground seems to you as both an incredibly frightening and exciting idea, just imagine what it must be like to do it among the tree tops (also called canopies, thus the name of the sport) of the tropical rain and cloud forests. The sport originated from rappelling, which is a sport derived from mountain climbing in that it also uses safety climbing harnesses and ropes to displace the person from one inaccessible point to another.
Activities in Costa Rica

If you are a qualified business executive or a qualified technician from an accredited institution, a qualified worker in an educational center with a special contract, or a domestic servant, you can get a work permit or temporary residency. At the end of your contract you must leave the country. The institution will be held responsible for the applications before the General Direction of Immigration Department. The Immigration Department of Costa Rica determines the requirements for a specific job category at its own discretion.

Getting there: Puerto Viejo is about 130 miles southeast of Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose.Various companies run bus and shuttle trips; driving time is about 4½ hours and costs about $35 one-way (506-2283-5573, Interbusonline.com). A more adventurous option is to take a white-water rafting trip on the Pacuare River with a company such as Exploradores Outdoors (506-2222-6262, exploradoresoutdoors.com) that will pick you up in San Jose and drop you at your coastal hotel for just $99.

Where to stay: Don’t look for cookie-cutter Western hotels here: Many lodgings are bungalow-style, and only a few have standard conveniences such as pools and air conditioning. Guests don’t seem to mind at Banana Azul (877-284-5116, bananaazul.com), where the beach breezes, along with the friendly bar and $10 dinners, keep the place full. Doubles, $59 and up. South of town, Cariblue (506-2750-0035, cariblue.com) is regarded as more family-friendly. Rates start at $90, not including tax. In Cahuita, El Encanto Bed & Breakfast (506-2755-0113, elencantobedandbreakfast.com), where doubles range from $55 to $75, has a refreshing pool.

Where to eat: With more expatriates moving in, Puerto Viejo’s food scene has expanded beyond Afro-Caribbean native dishes, with everything from Middle Eastern to sushi available along the town’s main drag. Reggae is the standard at live music venues such as the restaurant El Loco Natural. First-class Italian meals (with entrees ranging from $13 to $25) can be found at La Pecora Nera. In Cahuita, Cha Cha Cha draws an international crowd with an equally worldly menu. Miss Edith’s serves up favorites such as jerk chicken and coconut-sauced seafood on the cheap: A meal runs about $10.

Sightseeing: A host of tour operators will help set up everything from surfing lessons to visiting native Bri Bri tribes; most hotels can recommend their favorites. In Cahuita, Roberto’s Tours (506-2755-0117, robertostours.com) will guide you through the national park, then bring you out on a boat to snorkel the country’s largest coral reef.

A lush rainforest, smooth beaches and sport fishing, all in a relatively unspoiled environment, draw travelers to the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. The region’s “dry” high season runs from December through April, with its “green” wet season the rest of the year, so plan accordingly. While not totally engulfed by tourism—yet—the area caters to travelers with hotel packages, plenty of tour operators and abundant ocean-view rooms and restaurants.
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

With many of our travel budgets shrinking this season, now is a great time to consider the halfway point between that costly trip to Europe and the staycation that you’ve been dreading. Oh yes, I’m talking about Central America.

Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua have a lot to offer and are a great alternative to sinking a large chunk of cash into a heavy vacation. They’re close enough so that you can get away for a long weekend, not stuffed with tourists like many of the Mexican port towns and warm enough to cure those chilly fall hangovers.

Why else would we move our Thanksgiving family dinner from Providence down to Panama City? Check out four good reasons below.

The (relative) strength of the dollar: Sure the American dollar has made up some ground against the Euro in the last two months, but hotels in London and Paris are still going to cost you dearly per night. Compare that with some of the four star hotels that go for a third of the price in Panama City then factor in the price of food and entertainment, and you’re saving a ton of money over Europe

Plane tickets are inexpensive: Partially motivated by a slew of fare sales from Continental Airlines, destinations across the entire isthmus are dirt cheap right now. Many fares out of the country this fall are less expensive than domestic tickets across the US.

Diversity of activities: While the region may not have the cliche anglocentric activities you’re used to on vacation, the natural beauty alone is enough to keep vacationers busy ziplining through the forest canopy, sea kayaking or loafing on the beach. Mix in a heaping scoop of American history, keen architecture and an emerging nightlife and you’ve got a winning combination.

Tourism is booming: San Jose, Costa Rica is the perfect model that shows why tourism has worked excellently in Central America. Labor is inexpensive and resources are rich, so tour companies and travel agents will be competing to book your snorkeling trip and give you the best price on your jungle adventure. Furthermore, with the tourism base growing in each respective country, more and more content is now available by word of mouth, through tripadvisor or on gather.com for you to do more organic research.