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.

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.

Address: Ciudad Colon
Location: Ciudad Colon
Province: San José
Price: $540,000
Maintenances Fee: no     Lot m²: 9000
Status: Active
ID: 122

Land for development in Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica
Full Description: With great view to the cañon front 35m2 Medium density.
Community Features
Mountain View
River View

Costa Rica is a well know destination today for tourists, and the development of Eco-tourism has brought about a new vacation trend that attracts a certain kind of people, the kind of people that this country needs.

A couple of decades ago, Costa Rica was very different from what it looks like now; Tamarindo had about three hotels and more than basic camping. Manuel Antonio had two hotels. Pollution and dirty beaches were unknown, deforestation had started, mostly for clearing cattle pastures, but unfortunately nobody really knew and everywhere was so green there seemed to be little cause for concern. For those looking for a little comfort however, it was hard to find outside of the capital. Most hotels were quite basic, offering no luxuries such as air conditioning, nice bedding or bathroom equipment, no TV, no fancy food, etc. It was pure Eco-tourism for the very reason that there was no capacity for large developments and nothing to appreciate but nature.

Today the economy of the country relies mainly on tourism, however with it has brought massive destruction, pollution, Costa Rica sex tourism, deforestation and species in danger of extinction.

The new emerging Eco-tourism intends to use tourism revenue to benefit the local ecology and communities while allowing tourists to appreciate the amazing biodiversity and culture that the country offers. It is good that tourists now can enjoy higher standards and some degree of comfort and luxury while experiencing one of the wonders of the world. Even small hotels have gone on programs to improve their standards. However it all goes to pieces if something is not done to protect the flora and fauna of this little paradise.

Combining tourism and ecology is possible, as long as everyone agrees and understands what it entails. One definition of Ecotourism is “the practice of low-impact, educational, ecologically and culturally sensitive travel that benefits local communities and host countries”.

All in all it means that everyone benefits while no damage is done, and this is what is happening in this country. Lush tropical forests, gorgeous beaches, volcanoes, traversed by canopy tours, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding and trekking coexist with fine dinning and living in luxury with spas, and yoga facilities, etc. All this awaits after you experience the warm friendly welcome of the Ticos! Where else can all this come in a package? There is only one place and this is Costa Rica.

The variety of its mini ecosystems doesn’t stop to surprise visitors; in the city one moment, to the jungle 20 minutes later. Watching the sunrise on the Caribbean, enjoying the Sunset on the Pacific. Going from a pristine white beach to the tropical rain forest to the tundra of the mountains. Only one small country can offer so much, and those who can appreciate it will be received with the warmest and most satisfactory welcome. And it goes without saying; try the coffee, and the famous rice and beans. Enjoy a cocktail with Costa Rica’s national liquor “guaro” or the infamous Imperial beer while relaxing and enjoying a glorious sunset. Save yourself enough time to take a stroll down the pedestrian parkway of the capital city of San Jose and grab a coffee while you sit in a plaza watching the people stream by.

Taking a vacation to Costa Rica is the holiday of a lifetime, and you can have all this and leave no mark, so that no monkey, no macaws or jaguar will know that you were here! It is just a matter of doing your research and selecting tour agencies and hotels that openly support their environs. The good thing is that eco-tourism is a trend that’s here to stay, so your search should not take too much time!
Source: www.costaricapages.com

Costa Rica’s financial sector includes the Central Bank, 3 state-owned commercial banks, 19 private commercial banks (including one jointly owned state bank), 1 workers’ bank, 1 state-owned mortgage bank and 4 mutual house-building companies, 15 private finance companies and 27 savings and loans cooperatives. In addition, there are 30 investment and retirement funds or trusts run by both state and private commercial banks and the state insurance company.

Lying on the Pacific Northwest Coast, just south of Tamarindo, one of the most popular destinations on the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, is the exotic and sandy beach of Playa Langosta. Known for its amazing surfing and gorgeous beachfront bed and breakfasts that line the shore, Playa Langosta is ideal for those who want to have some fun while enjoying the stunning beauty of the area. A mostly rocky shoreline with small pockets of sandy beach, Playa Langosta is definitely worth visiting especially if you happen to be in the Tamarindo area.

A great beach for a quiet stroll, Playa Langosta at its southern end sits near the mouth of an estuary and has an excellent surf break here, attracting surfers from Tamarindo who prefer to surf amid some peace and quiet. However, be warned that Playa Langosta can get pretty crowded in the high season when tourists and locals come here to enjoy the area’s natural beauty.

Just 2.5 km from Tamarindo village, Playa Langosta is an excellent place to spend a peaceful day after being the very popular Tamarindo. Some 10 minutes away from the local airport in Tamarindo and around 50 minutes from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. Also close to the Las Baulas National Park, come here between October and March to catch a glimpse of the leatherback turtles that nest in the area.

Nestled on hilltops overlooking the Pacific are Hacienda Dorada’s three luxurious custom made villas; all elegant, spacious, and surrounded by sights and sounds of the jungle. Each villa is but a walk to a secluded white sand beach. This beautiful retreat is the perfect vacation for the most discriminating group or family

These remarkable villas are tucked away on 500 acres of privately owned jungle in a remote area of the Nicoya Peninsula, near by villages offer quaint restaurants and shops. The official name of the beach is Playa Barrigona (a.k.a Playa Dorada) but is rarely marked on any map of Costa Rica and known only to a few. Due to the quiet and solitude, the Olive Ridley turtle travels thousands of miles across the Pacific to lay its eggs here. Property fronts two white sand beaches. Hacienda Dorada is near two villages, Samara and Nosara that offer a choice of friendly and attractive restaurant, however, unlike other Pacific Ocean resorts, it is also a thriving fishing and farming community. There are cowboys and cattle drives, fishing boats returning at sunset, tree nurseries and reforestation projects and many other authentic and vital activities. There are unusual plant and animal species, ancient Indian sites and coastal and mountain nature trails.

There is even a Nosara art gallery with its own resident artist. Also can attend morning yoga classes at the Nosara Yoga Retreat. Massages available in the privacy of your own room by a professional.

You can spend your daytime hours relaxing on the beach or you can entertain yourself with a variety of activities like:
Horseback riding - along the beach and scenic nature trails, Surfing throughout the wide expanse of Nosara, also Canopy Tours above the forest floor using a network of aerial trails and tree platforms (Its a new experience here in Santo Domingo, a few minutes from Sámara); Snorkeling at the coral reef in the midst of fantastically colorful tropical fish or Bird watching adventures with over 100 tropical species.

Explore the beautiful Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca Manzanillo Refuge
The beautiful Cahuita National Park and the incredible Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are two of the major attractions of the South Caribbean Coast. The ideal places for a sandy adventure, here you can explore lush dense coastal rainforests with some of the most beautiful and remote beaches in Costa Rica.

The Parque Nacional Cahuita is by far one of the most popular national parks in the country. One major reason for this is its abundance of wildlife, which can be easily observed throughout the park, on land as well as underwater. Home to the largest and only coral reef in Costa Rica, this national park has a number of attractive beaches; and with quick access to many nearby hotels, resorts and restaurants, it is no wonder then that so many people visit here. A tiny park of just 1,067 hectares, the Cahuita National Park has many wonderful walking and hiking trails as well as a plethora of water sports, fishing and other water based activities to enjoy. You can camp on the park’s premises too, to experience some wonderful snorkeling and diving opportunities.

Protecting some of the most endangered flora and fauna in the region, the Refugio Gandoca Manzanillo is one of the most scenic parks. With a diverse wealth of plant and animal life, this reserve is the habitat of the sole mangrove estuary on the Caribbean Coast. What makes this park so special is that here you come across some of the most gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean. Secluded and isolated, these beaches make for the ideal escape if you want a quiet and hassle-free retreat.

With roughly 400 bird species found in this refuge, the Gandoca Manzanillo reserve is also a bird watcher’s paradise. You can spot several rare birds out here including the Harpy Eagle, Chestnut-mandible Toucans and the Red-lored Parrot. For those who prefer a more active vacation, there is some good offshore diving on hand as well as plenty of hiking tracks. Be sure to take a knowledgeable guide when exploring the area as they can point out many indigenous flora and fauna.