Even though Costa Rica is one of the most economical places for a tropical vacation, you can make your vacation dollars go even further if you make arrangements to take in some of the many activities you can do for free.  Here are our top 5 suggestions for free and fantastic things to do on your Costa Rica vacation!

1. National Archives

If you happen to be a history buff or if you just like learning a bit more about the culture of the area, a trip to the National Archives is free and very informative.  You’ll learn about the Spanish Conquest and historical evolution of this tiny country.

2. Culture Walk

The capital city of San Jose is full of intriguing architecture that can be enjoyed on a leisurely stroll through town.  One of the most visited buildings is the national Theater Center where the Costa Rica Symphony plays.  A concert ticket can be pricey but a guided tour of the theater is free.  Another noteworthy walk is through the district of El Pueblo, the crafty, artsy area that includes an eclectic assortment of bars, shops, cafes and art galleries.  If the shopping draws you in as it should, this part of your walking tour will probably not end up being free but it will be fun!

3. Tortuguero National Park

The Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s National History Center located within the park offers free admission. The center presents a fantastic way to learn about the conservation efforts this country is undertaking to protect the fragile environment of its plants, animals, and sea creatures.

4. Zarcero Gardens

The town of Zarcero in the province of Alajuela is the perfect place to see a gardening masterpiece.  Gardeners and flower lovers alike will drool over the luscious gardens and sculptures on display in the local church yard.  Topiary characters ranging from rabbits to dinosaurs hover near arbors and archways that have been meticulously groomed by the same local resident for over forty years.  This is truly one of the most unique and free spots to shoot a photo or two!

5.  Parismina Sea Turtle Commission

This event is without a doubt the one that you will most remember.  At night along the coast hundreds of sea turtles make their way across the beaches to get to the ocean.  As they make their journey they are very susceptible to poachers, and have to be protected.  The Sea Turtle Commission will allow visitors to join them in their patrol of the beaches to protect the turtles.  The Commission asks for a small donation in return for providing a trained guide to accompany you on your trek.

As with any tourist destination, the list of things that you can do for free is constantly fading away, but in this tiny tropical country even the attractions that charge a fee are very very reasonable.  No matter what you decide to do in Costa Rica, you are going to get a ton of fun for your money!

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Costa Rica is by far one of the most economical places to travel, especially for families.  Most of the tour companies have altered their tours and adventures to suit families, even those with younger children.  Some of the adventures such as white water rafting have a minimum age requirement, but almost everyone offers an alternative geared to younger age groups.  For example, two of the most popular river tours that require children to be over ten, offer an alternative aerial tram tour that has no age restriction.  If you are planning a family adventure vacation to Costa Rica, be sure to check out these four family friendly tours.

Wildland Adventures Family Vacation
Designed for children of all ages, this tour includes all the excitement Costa Rica has to offer plus a few of the more laid back and relaxing activities.  On the first day of the tour, guests visit a local farmer who shows them his diverse crops and discusses the many uses of each.  Travelers help to harvest some of the produce and then enjoy a tasty lunch prepared by the owner’s wife using the fresh picked crops.  Subsequent days of the tour include hikes through rainforests, visits to volcanoes, and the wonders of watching wildlife from a hanging bridge.

Thompson Family Adventures Volcanoes and Beaches
Operators of this Costa Rica tour recommend that children be at least 6 years of age to participate in most of the activities.  This tour includes a canopy tour through the rainforest and a trip to a coffee farm to see how America’s favorite morning beverage is grown, harvested and roasted.  Canoeing, snorkeling, and relaxing in natural hot springs finish off a tour that is sure to make lifetime family memories.

Adventures by Disney Costa Rica Holiday
Who better to offer a family friendly holiday than the folks from Disney? Understanding just the things that kids love to do, and the ways families like to vacation, Adventures by Disney has put together a holiday the family will remember for a lifetime.  Everyone will enjoy a day at a working pineapple plantation and the juicy snacks offered there.  Butterfly gardens and beautiful rushing waterfalls will take your breath away and the many tropical birds, mischievous monkeys and slow moving sloths will keep the kids mesmerized as they hike through a national wildlife refuge.  End the day with a quiet paddle on a lazy river and enjoy a restful night’s sleep in a family friendly lodge.

Thompson Family Teen Adventures
If you’re traveling with teens be sure to check out this special tour.  Geared for the family that wants to enjoy some extreme vacationing, this trip includes zip lining, bungee jumping, and an exhilarating white water rafting trip that is sure to get the adrenalin flowing’  Suggested age for this tour is over 14.

Whichever adventure tour or trip you choose, a trip to Costa Rica can be an informative, invigorating and awe-inspiring adventure.

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There are many attractions for tourists in Costa Rica, and the museums are among the best options to learn about Costa Rica’s richness and identity while you spend a few days in the capital city, San José.

Here is a list of the 9 museums every tourist must visit while in San José; these are very conveniently located, to the extent that you can visit several on the same day.

1.Museo de Oro Precolombino/ Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold
This gorgeous museum is located under the Plaza de la Cultura, downtown.  The underground building itself is striking; it creates a mysterious and dark atmosphere that brings out the best of the gold pieces, which seem to be floating inside their glass displays.

The aboriginal pieces represent all sorts of native animals like frogs, birds, snakes, insects, crocodiles, lobsters, and sharks.

2.Museo de la Moneda/ Coin Museum
This museum is located in the same building as the above, and has both, information on coins and interesting samples.

3.Museo de Jade/ Jade Museum
This museum is simply impressive, because of the Indian pieces it exhibits.  It is located in the INS (National Insurance) building downtown.  Costa Rica has no jade mines, thus, the incredible amount and quality of the jade present here can only be credited to trade, in fact, it is the biggest American jade collection worldwide.

The collection is enormously valuable for two reasons: the mineral is very rare, and the pieces have important religious and historical meaning for Costa Rica’s Indian and general population.  They show animal figures too.

4.Museo Nacional/ National Museum
It is located at an old fort that still shows the marks of bullets from the Civil War of 1948.  It is composed of several rooms devoted each to a specific topic.  The archaeological room presents Indian relics made of stone and clay.  The colonial room displays facts about the conquest as well as some pieces of religious art brought by the Spaniards.  Yet another room is devoted to modern exhibits.

5.Museo de Arte Costarricense/ Costa Rican Art Museum
This museum harbors some of the best Costa Rican art.  It is found in the urban park, La Sabana, in a gorgeous building that used to be the international airport many years ago.  The building is a piece of art in itself, and honors the beautiful paintings and sculptures it houses.

6.Museo de Arte Contemporáneo/ Contemporary Art Museum
Located where the old National Liquor Factory used to be, the place is incredibly interesting.  It is a compound of very artistic and stylish buildings surrounded by open grounds.  Exhibits vary regularly, and there are two auditoriums that continually present dance and theater shows.

7.Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle/ La Salle Natural Sciences Museum
It is located in La Sabana and exhibits a taxidermy collection of animals as well as a preserved display of fish and reptiles.  Very cool for kids!

8.Museo de Entomología de la Universidad de Costa Rica/ Entomology Museum of the University of Costa Rica
This is a small museum located in the basement of the University’s Music School.  There, you can see a big collection of Central and South American insects.  The admission is free, but opening hours are irregular.

9.Museo de Criminología/ Criminology Museum
This one’s for people with brave stomachs.  It is located downtown and presents weird pictures and body parts!  It also narrates Costa Rica’s history of criminology and law enforcement.

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About an hour southeast from the capital city, San José, lies a perfect escape, in the peaceful rural appeal and magnificent beauty of the Orosi Valley.

Dominated by the spectacular views of two volcanoes, the green mountains with breathtaking views, the freshness of the air, and the abundance that the valley conveys, this region, devoted mainly to coffee production, will invigorate even the most exhausted of travelers.

The ride through the river valley is a complete joy not only for the wonderful views it offers but also for the attractions the visitor finds along the way.  You may see charming colonial churches, get pampered in exclusive hot springs, visit the wilderness of Tapanti National Park, and rejoice at the view of Cachí Lake.

You can enjoy it all in a one-day trip, while you fill your senses with the sounds and sights of the valley and savor a delicious cup of fresh local coffee.

You enter the valley from Paraíso, in the province of Cartago.  As you drive, the landscape suddenly reveals the vast valley, covered with coffee fields and sprinkled with little villages, as you descend into its core and to the swirling river below.

The first stop should be the magnificent Orosi Lookout, just 2 kilometers along this road; its green hills are a perfect picnic spot.  From there, you move down to Orosi’s charming colonial town, where the simple yet gorgeous 1743 Iglesia San José de Orosi, the oldest church still open in Costa Rica, lies.  Next to it, there’s a museum of religious art and relics, which used to be a Franciscan monastery.

Orosi is famous for its natural hot springs, which attracted Spanish colonists to the region.  There are two public spas, “Los Balnearios” and “Los Patios”, and if you are of an adventurous nature, you can also try the hot waters along the Orosi River; however, these are popular among the locals, so it can get a little crowded and you may have to be careful.

Without a doubt, the best are the private options, like “Valle Caliente Hot Springs”, where you can enjoy a natural-rock hot spring pool right in the heart of one of the best coffee plantations in the area.  In this exclusive hideaway, you will enjoy a delicious lunch and full service experience with coffee tour included.  You just have to allow your senses to dwell where they have never been before.  This is a private paradise, so you have to make a reservation, because the place is all yours for the day.

Valle Caliente Hot Springs, private getaway

You can visit the Orosi Tourist Information and Arts Café (OTIAC) in town to find out what you can do and about other exclusive jewels in the area.

When leaving the valley you have two options: you can go around it to enjoy the never-ending natural beauty, or you can take a detour and visit Tapantí National Park, a 5000-hectare bird paradise that is considered one of Costa Rica’s wildest cloud forests and the wettest national park in the country, with more than seven meters of annual rainfall.

Back on the road, you cross the river at Palomo village and head north surrounded by gorgeous coffee plantations, the river and Cachí Lake, and the grandness of the Irazú and Turrialba volcanoes.  The manmade and truly spectacular lake can be seen at its best from “La Casona del Cafetal” restaurant, one of the best in the region.

Orosi is such a rich region that we have only scratched the surface; however, we hope it is enough to inspire you to visit it and feed your soul and body with the pleasures that await you only one hour away from the capital city.

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Are you packed and ready to start your Los Sueños luxury getaway?

The slow pace of Costa Rica is part of the charm and intrigue but getting to this exciting destination in half the time is a huge bonus!

If you are flying in to SJO or just escaping your cubical or office in San Jose when you’re headed west to Los Sueños you’ll be hopping on the new San Jose-Caldera Highway.

The days of those long and winding2 or 2 ½ hours over windy mountain roads are over…. Now it’s just a quick zip over a smooth, straight, well marked highway headed for the sun, sand and the Pacific Ocean and you can jump-start your Los Sueños getaway in about an hour!

Now, you can enjoy more time ON your fabulous, long weekend or that well-deserved, luxury vacation rather than getting to and from your destination.

On Wednesday, January 27th, President Oscar Arias officially declared the opening of the highway in an inaugural ceremony that millions of Costa Ricans and visitors alike had anticipated for so many years. No too long after the project was approved to move forward a surprise came announcing that the road would be open about 4 months ahead of schedule!

Following the inauguration, the President toured the city of Puntarenas on the Gulf of Nicoya  and remarked that he made it there in about 45 minutes and had never arrived there before in less than about 90 minutes.

The first modern highway in the country, keep in mind that the Caldera is a toll road and will initially cost around $2.80 or  1,930 Colones to cross from the Capital to Caldera.

Heading to Los Sueños  Resort and Marina plus all the nearby fun and adventure with easy access from the Central Pacific coast, just got better!

The sooner you arrive at the Central Pacific coast the sooner you can begin your time off and your break from reality.

As the saying goes “build it and they will come.”  Well they have.

You’ll find our little slice of the world more irresistible and closer than ever.

Plan your destination wedding, family vacation and Guys’ or Gals’ Getaway well in advance or just hop in the car and head for the Pacific coast at the spur of the moment.

Settle in to your luxury condominium, dine at sunset and take a romantic moonlight swim.

Paradise awaits so get ready…it all starts in just about an hour! -

Let’s talk a little about Costa Rica’s culture, specifically about race, class, customs, identity, and religion.  As in any other culture, Costa Rican people are complex individuals and their society and culture are packed with surprises.

Costa Rica’s population has grown to almost 5 million people nowadays.  This is a small amount compared to other countries around the region, like El Salvador, which at half the size has double the amount of people.  In fact, Costa Rica’s population growth rate has been decreasing for the last few years.

In regards to race, Costa Rica is one of the region’s most homogeneous countries.  Costa Ricans don’t think of themselves as racist individuals; however, they know their race is different from the rest of Latin American countries, which possess an important amount of indigenous populations.  They know they are predominantly white, with a very small percentage of black and indigenous people.

It is easy to notice the difference, in regards to race, between Costa Rica and other Central American countries.  Serious racial problems are non-existent, however, and like everywhere else, there is a small level of racism that is present in a very subtle way.  There was a time, before 1949, when blacks couldn’t travel outside of Limón, the Atlantic province.

Likewise, social classes in Costa Rica are very uniform.  The majority of the population is middle-class, with very low levels of extreme poverty in comparison to other Latin American countries.  Costa Rican salaries are very low when compared to those in developed countries; however, they are high in comparison with their Central American neighbors.  There is a high class that is quite restricted and which is composed of rich traditional families as well as of “nouveau riche”.  Even so, these differences are difficult to see, and Costa Rica appears to be a very socially balanced country.

Costa Ricans, also known as “ticos”, are conservative by nature; they don’t like the weird or unusual.  The country’s economy and industry have developed strongly, but the society remains traditional, in many cases making the “ticos” appear passive and not very resourceful.

There is one thing ticos are and you have to get used to it, and that is: late!  Costa Ricans are seldom on time, and they sometimes take their time when making decisions; nevertheless, what they lack in these aspects, they compensate with friendliness and warmth.  You will always feel welcome among Costa Ricans; they are very sociable and love parties and celebrations.

Foreign women, and to a lesser extent, men, have to be careful around a very particular cultural aspect: the “machismo”.  This is a way of thinking that is common to many Costa Rican men and women, and it has to do with diminishing the female gender in many aspects.  This may be hard to swallow for certain foreigners; however, Costa Rican’s peaceful nature makes it less severe than in other places in Latin America.

Religion is a big part of every culture, and it is no different in this case.  The country is 90% Catholic; nevertheless this religion’s influence is weak politically as well as culturally.  It is seen more as an inherited tradition than as a practice of true faith.

The normal reaction is for foreigners to fall in love with Costa Rica; many choose it as a vacation spot or as their permanent home.  The culture is mainly moderate, as opposed to many other extreme societies.  They believe in peace because that’s what they have known. Even the not-so-good habits are weak if compared to other countries.

As the ticos say themselves, Costa Rica is a good place to be.

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The typical food of Costa Rica, called “comida típica”, is simple, however, heavy on oil and spices.  Most people eat rice and beans regularly, as side dishes to many main ones, and the predominant style of cooking is homemade.  The diet is mainly based on some kind of meat, be it beef, chicken, or fish.  Most Costa Ricans eat meat every day.

Eating in Costa Rica will leave you fully satisfied for a reasonable price.  You have to try the “Gallo Pinto”, a typical breakfast dish made with rice and black beans, as well as the famous Caribbean Rice n’ Beans, which is a type of Gallo Pinto but cooked in coconut milk.  Simply delicious!

There are many dishes cooked with rice, like rice with chicken (arroz con pollo) and rice with tuna (arroz con atún).  For lunch, you should try the “Casado”, a dish composed of rice, beans, a type of meat, cabbage and tomato salad, and fried plantains.  This is a very rich and inexpensive meal you won’t regret trying.

Vegetables are not a main part of the typical meals, however, there are a lot of different varieties of vegetables in the country, and are widely consumed at Costa Rican homes and restaurants.

There are restaurants that specialize in typical Costa Rican cuisine and you can also try the dishes at hotels; however, if you are invited to dine at the home of a Costa Rican family, you can expect another type of food on the menu.  If you are dinning out, you will also find delicious options from all over the world.

Contrary to what you may think, seafood is expensive because the country exports most of it.  If you are traveling on a budget, you can eat very well if you stick to the “Casado” or daily special (plato del día) for lunch; the meals are varied, delicious, and very affordable.

You most definitely should try them, but be careful with black beans and “chicharrones” (fatty pork meat), because these are usually too heavy for foreign stomachs; however, if you try them in moderation, you’ve nothing to worry about.

Food and restaurants in Costa Rica are clean and generally don’t pose a health risk.  You don’t have to worry about plagues or sanitation issues like in other Central American countries.  Water is 100% potable and you can drink it safely from the faucet.  You should follow the locals and eat where they eat; they know what’s good.

In regards to drinks, Costa Rica is famous for its coffee, which is exported in its majority, and for traditional drinks like “horchata”, a cinnamon flavored cornmeal drink, “chan”, a drink made of seeds, “linaza”, used for indigestion, and “fresco de frutas”, which essentially is a bunch of fruit pieces floating on kola and water, very tasty!

Guaro, the inexpensive native red-eye, is the strong alcoholic drink distilled from fermented sugarcane that is drunk by field workers and many young people at parties, but also very famous are Costa Rican beers, especially Bavaria and Imperial.

In many bars around Costa Rica they still serve a small dish called “boca”, with each drink; it’s usually something like “ceviche”, chicken wings, or some kind of soup.  It enhances your drinking experience.  In many cases it comes included with the price of the drink, in others, they charge a little extra.  Turtle eggs are also a very popular side dish; however, these should only be available during the legal hunting season.  If there’s a chance the eggs were illegally taken, please, do not consume them.

You can find Vino de Coyol in some rural areas. This is a wine distilled from liquid collected in holes on the trunk of a very thorny palm.  You have to drink it with prudence because it is said that if you’re in the sun after a Coyol hangover, you will get drunk again.  The local wines, made from blackberries and fruits called “nances” are memorable for the hangovers they produce, so it is best to avoid them.

In Costa Rica, you can find wines and other types of alcoholic beverages from all over the world. The prices vary according to the quality and specialty, but Argentinean and Chilean wines are excellent and quite affordable.

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