Costa Rica is HOT HOT HOT this January for anglers fishing out of the Los Sueños Resort and Marina on the Central Pacific Coast.

Cerveza was the big winner this time around with a total of 33 Sailfish and 1 Marlin with a check for the top prize of $46,500.

Saturday, January 16th wrapped up the 1st leg of the Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series 2010 and the competition was fierce! So close in fact that with so many teams tied the winners had to be decided by time.
Those with the earliest, official times of release break the ties and determine who came out on top.

This year’s 1st leg winners are relative newcomers to the Los Sueños Marina but definitely no strangers to fishing or to taking top awards!

Owner Tom Russell, a regular guest with CR Luxury Rentals is on a great run in the competition here in Costa Rica. He’s been fishing these waters on the Cerveza since December of 2008.

Cerveza’s Captain, Butch Davis, comes from a fishing family. His father was also a captain and ran fishing charters out of Indian River Delaware. Now with 30 years experience, Butch passed his captain’s license exam at the age of 17…He wasn’t even old enough to be a licensed captain at that time. He told us “they let me take the test thinking I couldn’t pass it . Since I wasn’t old enough to have the license yet I had to wait to receive it and they mailed it to me on my 18th birthday”!

Cerveza owner, Tom Russell says they have fished in many places such as the East Coast of the United States and the Bahamas.  But fishing out of Los Sueños is the best.  The facts show it too.  Russell says the “competition here is great”!

Tom Russell, Captain Butch Davis and their incredible team are on quite a winning role. Just last month, here at Los Suenos, they also took the top honors as World Champions in the WBS, World Billfish Series.

In 2009 alone the Cerveza caught 450 Billfish in only 70 days of fishing.

When asked how they do it, Owner, Tom Russell says “it’s our Secret Weapon, aka “El Capitan” Butch Davis”. Davis humbly says “we fish a lot… to be really good, you have to fish a lot”.  That they do, and they have the trophies to prove it!

Top Angler award was a very tight competition as well…several competitors were tied for fish caught but the tie breaking time proved the winner was none other than Los Suenos visionary and developer, Bill Royster. Mark Jones who placed 4th this time in the Top Angler category took 1st place as Top Angler in the November 2009 Los Sueños Marlin Invitational.

Cerveza owner, Tom Russell says it’s not only the fishing that keeps him here at Los Sueños.

He comes to the resort for the amazing catch and great competition but also brings his family to enjoy the resort and the excitement & adventure of the rainforest while staying in the luxury condominiums here in the gated communities of the resort. He says “Casandra and Roxana of the CR Luxury Diamond Concierge Team are great and always provide everything they need”….he also goes on to say he plays favorites with another CR Luxury team member…”we love Jose Eduardo the best!” The CR Luxury office is conveniently located right in the Marina Village.

When asked “why Costa Rica?” Russell says “I love the fishing, the people and the country. Bill Royster had an amazing vision and this resort is the best I have seen”.

Costa Rica Luxury Rentals congratulates all the participants in the tournament and are here to help with luxury accommodations, tours, airport transportation, tee times or just good advice about almot anything you may want or need while visiting Costa Rica.

We look forward to seeing you back here in February for the 2nd leg of the Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series.

Costa Rica is quickly becoming the #1 choice for destination weddings
For many creative couples. Whether your dream setting is beach, a mountain top, or hanging from a ZipLine 100 feet above the floor of the rainforest, a destination wedding in Costa Rica will not disappoint.

This tiny Central American country has more variety of environments and desirable settings to offer than almost anyplace on earth. First there is such a wide range of micro climates such as the Rainforest, dry cool Cloudforest or choose from an oceanfront beach ceremony on not just one coast….but your choice of the waves of the vast and mighty Pacific Ocean or the white sand and turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Yes, it’s true….one paradise, two oceans.

Many couples seek wild eco-adventure, some are looking for a casual atmosphere and warm weather year-round, some for terrific value in an exotic location…Costa Rica offers them all. The most common thread with most of these couples is to preserve some elements of cultural or religious tradition in their ceremony while still enjoying the exotic scenery, celebrating their raw, adventurous sides and creating one-of-a-kind memories for the whole group that weren’t just popped out of a mold in a factory like many typical weddings.

One very vibrant couple made this dream a reality while creatively combining centuries-old East Indian tradition with a spicy Latin twist.

This was no ordinary East Indian wedding.
The setting was Los Sueños Resort and Marina on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

This particular couple has a passion for a tropical environment and the sea so they also wanted a beachfront wedding. The question was…how do they achieve it all…all in one amazing place?

They really had an interesting mix of requirements and a travel planner in the U.S. recommended they consider Los Sueños, just a 2 hour drive from the capital city of San Jose (soon to be a 1 hour drive when the new national highway opens in early 2010)

The family knew they had some challenges ahead with such unique requirements and it would take a very special, dedicated team to pull off all the complicated and specialized details.

They visited the Los Suenos resort, met with the CR Luxury Wedding Coordinator, explained their requests and requirements, and decided they’d found exactly what they wanted.

A Pre-wedding visit to experience the destination, the resort or hotel is highly recommended. Some venues even have a program allowing a one or two night complimentary visit, site tour and planning meeting.

Many hotels and resorts also offer a special bridal package which sometimes might include items like a complimentary cake, flower arrangement, banquet room and even a honeymoon suite at no charge for the bride and groom with a certain number of condominiums or hotel rooms booked for friends and family.

Check with the group sales department, reservations department, concierge or wedding planner for each venue you are considering and ask what offers they may extend and how much value you will receive for your dollars spent. Always consult a professional when preparing for a destination wedding either through the services of an independent planner or an “in-house” wedding coordinator.

Someone with expert knowledge of the location and great relationships with local vendors can help provide every detail and pull it off without even the slightest bump in the process. Well, almost any event planner will tell you; “there are bumps in carrying out any event…but a true professional will identify issues and find a creative solution to remedy the situation quickly where everyone in attendance will see only a hugely successful, joyful event”. The most important thing in almost any wedding planning process is to minimize the stress and maximize the pleasure of the entire experience from the first visit and consideration of the location, through the return home from the honeymoon.

The couple was amazed at how a team in Latin America, who never previously had any contact with East Indian culture, stepped right in, were happy to assist with every unusual detail and never were flustered by even a fleeting thought, of not being able to deliver every wish .

This well-traveled bride, grew up in Costa Rica and still has family in the country so she knows first hand all the wonders that Costa Rica and Latin America have to offer.  She knew this was the perfect place to bond their relationship and blend the two, vastly different cultures she calls her own.

Once the plans were made they flew from their home in Boston and after a few days in the city it was time to head west toward the Pacific coast to Los Sueños to begin the elaborate 3 day celebration.

The group arrived at Los Suenos Resort, checked in with the CR Luxury Diamond Concierge Team and the family met with their personal “in-house” wedding coordinator who immediately put them at ease ahd had every detail covered. Next stop….AAAAhhhhhhhh!

The bride said“ Once everyone arrived and checked into their luxury condominiums, everyone was so relaxed…..I think this set a great mood for the entire trip right away.”

It was November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving family did not want to miss that tradition either.  The CR Luxury Concierge ordered a full Thanksgiving Dinner that was delivered to the family at their condominium.

This was another great example of the blending of cultures…An American Celebration, enjoyed by an East Indian family across the street from the rainforest, in Costa Rica! This just goes to show what a warm welcome can be found for all cultures in this little Latin American paradise!

The bride also tells us that the luxury condominiums were “such a great decision”. They all enjoyed a beautiful, spacious home that allowed everyone to be comfortable and gather together several times and enjoy each other’s company as a family and as a group.  She also told us that they were impressed at how the units are so well kept. She said that the time shared and closeness would not have been possible if they were all staying in a luxury hotel.

Arrangements were made for the first ceremonial events…the ladies participated in a ritual called Mehndi and they flew in a special Henna artist from Toronto for the event while the family men gathered for drinks at sunset and enjoyed a memorable time.

The next event called Sangeet, began almost immediately afterward…poolside at the private, Los Sueños Beach Club.
Just another example of blending of the scenery of this Latin American paradise and rich East Indian culture.
The Sangeet event began with drinks and appetizers, being served.
While the guests were sipping and dining, there were dance and musical performances, the Newlywed Game and an open mic for speeches from friends.

Then came the wedding day and it was spectacular right from the start!

In a more typical setting the family and guests of the groom would proceed together fully costumed and decorated to the home of the bride for the wedding ceremony. For this creative couple, there was an exciting twist!

With the groom’s dressed in formal East Indian wedding attire, he mounts a horse and the group of family and guests begin the colorful procession, called Baraat winding through the Los Sueños resort toward the Beach Club for Milni where the bride’s family greets the groom’s for the ritual exchange of garlands.

The wedding couple were married on a stage with floral alter specially designed and built right here in Costa Rica of wood with a steel bowl for a special fire just for this particular ceremony.

A tented beachfront reception, decorated in linens and ribbon of white, gold and green followed the ceremony. Drinks and appetizers were served as well as a fantastic, authentic dinner catered by the family’s favorite restaurant East Indian restaurant from San Jose.

This lovely bride commented that every task and request, no matter how unique, strange or unconventional, from a horse for the groom’s procession to a specially built stage and alter was possible due to the “can do” attitude of the CR Luxury Diamond Concierge team.

The beach, rainforest covered mountains, outdoor venues, spacious luxury accommodations and the oceanfront views allowed this modern, young couple to create a very personalized, unique series of events which blended their rich East Indianheritage with their love for the beach and the tropics for a spicy Latin twist!

This was an example of just one couple’s unique creative dream wedding.

Never let your wedding dreams have limits…reach for the sky…right here in Costa Rica!

See what bride and groom had to say.

Look at this article that The New York Times published on January 7, 2010 that was written by Nicholas D. Kristof.

We wanted to share it with you!

The New York Times

Op-Ed Columnist
The Happiest People

By Nicholas D. Kristof
Published January 06, 2010

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica

Hmmm. You think it’s a coincidence? Costa Rica is one of the very few countries to have abolished its army, and it’s also arguably the happiest nation on earth.

There are several ways of measuring happiness in countries, all inexact, but this pearl of Central America does stunningly well by whatever system is used. For example, the World Database of Happiness, compiled by a Dutch sociologist on the basis of answers to surveys by Gallup and others, lists Costa Rica in the top spot out of 148 nations.

That’s because Costa Ricans, asked to rate their own happiness on a 10-point scale, average 8.5. Denmark is next at 8.3, the United States ranks 20th at 7.4 and Togo and Tanzania bring up the caboose at 2.6.

Scholars also calculate happiness by determining “happy life years.” This figure results from merging average self-reported happiness, as above, with life expectancy. Using this system, Costa Rica again easily tops the list. The United States is 19th, and Zimbabwe comes in last.

A third approach is the “happy planet index,” devised by the New Economics Foundation, a liberal think tank. This combines happiness and longevity but adjusts for environmental impact — such as the carbon that countries spew.

Here again, Costa Rica wins the day, for achieving contentment and longevity in an environmentally sustainable way. The Dominican Republic ranks second, the United States 114th (because of its huge ecological footprint) and Zimbabwe is last.

Maybe Costa Rican contentment has something to do with the chance to explore dazzling beaches on both sides of the country, when one isn’t admiring the sloths in the jungle (sloths truly are slothful, I discovered; they are the tortoises of the trees). Costa Rica has done an unusually good job preserving nature, and it’s surely easier to be happy while basking in sunshine and greenery than while shivering up north and suffering “nature deficit disorder.”

After dragging my 12-year-old daughter through Honduran slums and Nicaraguan villages on this trip, she was delighted to see a Costa Rican beach and stroll through a national park. Among her favorite animals now: iguanas and sloths.

(Note to boss: Maybe we should have a columnist based in Costa Rica?)

What sets Costa Rica apart is its remarkable decision in 1949 to dissolve its armed forces and invest instead in education. Increased schooling created a more stable society, less prone to the conflicts that have raged elsewhere in Central America. Education also boosted the economy, enabling the country to become a major exporter of computer chips and improving English-language skills so as to attract American eco-tourists.

I’m not antimilitary. But the evidence is strong that education is often a far better investment than artillery.

In Costa Rica, rising education levels also fostered impressive gender equality so that it ranks higher than the United States in the World Economic Forum gender gap index. This allows Costa Rica to use its female population more productively than is true in most of the region. Likewise, education nurtured improvements in health care, with life expectancy now about the same as in the United States — a bit longer in some data sets, a bit shorter in others.

Rising education levels also led the country to preserve its lush environment as an economic asset. Costa Rica is an ecological pioneer, introducing a carbon tax in 1997. The Environmental Performance Index, a collaboration of Yale and Columbia Universities, ranks Costa Rica at No. 5 in the world, the best outside Europe.

This emphasis on the environment hasn’t sabotaged Costa Rica’s economy but has bolstered it. Indeed, Costa Rica is one of the few countries that is seeing migration from the United States: Yankees are moving here to enjoy a low-cost retirement. My hunch is that in 25 years, we’ll see large numbers of English-speaking retirement communities along the Costa Rican coast.

Latin countries generally do well in happiness surveys. Mexico and Colombia rank higher than the United States in self-reported contentment. Perhaps one reason is a cultural emphasis on family and friends, on social capital over financial capital — but then again, Mexicans sometimes slip into the United States, presumably in pursuit of both happiness and assets.

Cross-country comparisons of happiness are controversial and uncertain. But what does seem quite clear is that Costa Rica’s national decision to invest in education rather than arms has paid rich dividends. Maybe the lesson for the United States is that we should devote fewer resources to shoring up foreign armies and more to bolstering schools both at home and abroad.

In the meantime, I encourage you to conduct your own research in Costa Rica, exploring those magnificent beaches or admiring those slothful sloths. It’ll surely make you happy.

A version of this article appeared in print on January 7, 2010, on page A31 of the New York edition.

Treat your special someone to something totally unexpected this Valentines day, book a romantic escape to Costa Rica today! Costa Rica is the ideal location to spend a long and memorable weekend with your loved one.

At Los Sueños Resort located on Costa Rica’s magnificent Pacific coastline, we can help you plan the holiday getaway of your dreams. Our Diamond Concierge Service caters exclusively to the resort’s guests. Let us arrange your stay—you can choose from any of the condos or villas on our lush, landscaped grounds. We’ll take care of all of the details and extra touches in advance so you can relax fully and enjoy every moment with the one you love. Ask for rose petals to adorn your bed upon arrival in a room stocked with chilled champagne and chocolates, or have one of our private chefs prepare and serve a gourmet dinner for you in the privacy of your own room.

You can spend hours—or even days—at our full-service spa located right on the resort premises. Indulge in a sensual couples massage or any of our other beautifying and detoxifying packages, including facials, scrubs, hot stone therapies, and hair designs. Mentally rebalance and connect with your partner during a private yoga lesson right on the sand.

Drinks will be delivered to you in between dips and as your soak up the sun oceanside. Don’t forget to take advantage of the Los Sueños Beach Club amenities—jacuzzis, outdoor pools, and swim-up bars scattered throughout the resort grounds.

With five internationally flavored restaurants to choose from, you and you’re loved one might just not ever want to skip a meal. Contemporary, exotic, and freshly prepared courses are often served overlooking the spectacular Costa Rican sunsets. Go casual at our classic American pub or spice things up with Bambú’s Asian-inspired menu. Also known as a popular nightlife spot, you’ll often be treated to live local music and can dance the night away hand in hand without ever having to the leave the resort.

You and your special someone can even spend quality time together on the green. Take advantage of La Iguana Golf Course during your stay at the resort, with a day of 18-holes on a stunning nature backdrop of monkeys, sloths, pizotes, toucans, macaws, and lush green native fauna. Nearby Los Sueños Marina is also very popular among guests. Chartered luxury sailboats and fishing vessels leave continually from the marina and are an excellent way to explore the country’s clear blue waters with your true love by your side.

We can also help you plan a complete itinerary of activities and tours off the grounds. Costa Rica is known for its wildlife preserves, national parks, and adventure opportunities. Whether you and your partner are nature lovers, looking for an interactive cultural experience, or are thrill seekers, your trip will be packed with fun. Rainforests, cloud forests, colorful birds, volcanoes, horseback riding, surfing lessons, waterfall hikes, these are just a few of the ways you can spend your vacation together.

Time is running out. This year find a new way to celebrate your love in Costa Rica.

The holidays are over, it’s January again already, and you’re dreading spending another semester break back in your hometown. Instead of wasting your days just waiting for your free time to come to an end, why not spend some fun-filled days or weeks in Costa Rica? Bring your best girlfriends or your best guy friends, or a mix of both, and escape to one of today’s hottest vacation destinations.

Costa Rica is the perfect place for a spontaneous quick getaway or a longer stay during your month off. Take an easy and reasonably priced flight from your local airport and arrive at any of the country’s two international hubs—San Jose or Liberia. With a well-architected infrastructure, it’s easy to get yourself around once you arrive. Take quick flights within the country to reach your favorite places as soon as possible; rent a car and have the freedom to get up and go any time; or use the highly reliable bus system that reaches all corners of the country. Costa Rica is the safest nation in Central America, and you’ll find that the local people are friendly and accommodating, always reaching out to help new visitors and make new friends.

You and your buddies can spend days relaxing at the beach, warming up in Costa Rica’s many hot spring spots, or a hanging out at the spa and pool. Sign up for group surf lessons and learn how to ride the waves, or maybe try out kayaking or windsurfing.

Although Costa Rica is well-known for its gorgeous, seemingly endless miles of coastlines, there’s more to the country than fun in the sun. Its rainforests, exotic wildlife, and outdoor adventures provide hours of entertainment. Protected lands and national parks are a big draw for ecotourism. You and your friends can see monkeys and toucans in their natural environments, or experience your first active volcano up close at the rim. On a hike through the cloud and rainforests, a guide can teach you the names of all the indigenous vibrant flowers and vegetation.

Need to fit in some hard-core studious hours during your stay? No problem—there are a wide variety of educational and cultural-enriching opportunities to be had throughout Costa Rica as well. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced Spanish classes are offered all over the country. You can enroll in classes for a few days or weeks at a time. If you want an even more fulfilling cultural immersion, opt for a homestay while in Costa Rica. Most Spanish schools can arrange for you to live with a local family who only speaks Spanish. This way you can get in even more language-speaking time and you can learn about the culture first hand.