Green tourism is in vogue in Costa Rica; not for nothing over 26% of the country is protected. The country has established several eco-friendly policies, and along with the government, responsible tourists can help maintain the environment by controlling the impact they have over it.

Here we give you 9 tips to help you travel through Costa Rica with respect and to teach others through example:

1.Buy local
Prefer restaurants and shops owned by locals, and visit the farmers’ market to buy fresh foods.

2.Refrain from feeding the animals
The animals you will run into in Costa Rica are mostly friendly and very cute; however, you should never feed them because when their natural diets are altered, their health may suffer and may become aggressive towards people holding food.

3.Keep the environment clean
Always pick up your trash and avoid smoking.

4.Shop responsibly
Refrain from buying souvenirs made from endangered woods or animal products. If you are in doubt, ask the vendor about the materials and labor before purchasing an item.

5.Carry a non-disposable water bottle
Water in Costa Rica is potable almost in 100% of its territory; thus, you can fill your water bottle safely and continuously wherever you are.

6.Ask when you are in doubt
If you are not sure something is permitted or not, ask.

7.Choose a CST (Sustainably Certified) hotel
These offer all the amenities you need or want without damaging the environment. You can find rustic CST hotels as well as highly luxurious options that strive to reduce waste and preserve resources.

Such hotels put into practice vital ecological practices such as:

-The proper disposal of produced waste
-The definition of measures to reduce or eliminate emissions
-The use of eco-friendly, biodegradable, and recyclable products
-The design of an efficient water and energy use program
-The support of local businesses rather than big companies

8.Stay local
Look for locally operated tours, support national parks, and prefer rural tourism.

Local tourism companies have ample knowledge and are proud of the area they represent. They will give your Costa Rica vacation a personal touch and your money will go towards helping the community.

National parks in Costa Rica benefit directly from your support; the money funds conservation projects and environmental education programs. The fees are very affordable and the experience unforgettable.

Rural tourism is crucial for the economic growth of the country’s remote areas, and your support is greatly appreciated.

9.Choose eco-friendly transportation
Costa Rica has several transportation options to help you have a responsible and green vacation.

If you are going to rent a car, prefer carbon-neutral companies with reforestation and other carbon-offset projects that compensate for the effects their businesses have over the environment.

If you prefer domestic flights, fly with Nature Air, a domestic airline that became carbon-neutral in 2004. It offers inexpensive flights; uses biofuel derived from cooking oil, and will get you almost anywhere in the country fast, safely, and efficiently.

If you are on a tight budget, travel by bus. It is a very responsible and scenic way to see the country.

If you want comfort, choose public shuttles, mini-vans that are sustainably certified, carbon-neutral, and comfortable. These take all the passengers to the same destination and are inexpensive.

If you are going somewhere near, walk. Walking around Costa Rica is a wonderful experience; the weather is great and the surroundings are absolutely gorgeous; thus, whenever possible, walk.

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Some of the most enjoyable destinations in Costa Rica are those which are not as well known or as well visited as the typical holiday spot. When you want to take a step away from the ordinary and explore the world beyond your luxury Costa Rica resort, be sure to put these places on your list.

San Gerardo de Dota
This hidden gem of Costa Rica is a birdwatchers paradise, boasting a constant buzz of hummingbirds and woodpeckers as well as the beautiful songs of tanagers and quetzals. There is also lucrative trout fishing on the nearby Savegre River for the angler who wants a bit of a tropical fishing challenge. ATV tours through the area are available and coffee plantation tours provide an interesting day trip option.

Cahuita
If you want to experience some authentic Creole culture while in Costa Rica, this is the place to visit. With a population of only 4000 it is a sure-fire way to immerse yourself in the everyday happenings. Snorkeling and scuba diving are favorite activities along the two beautiful and secluded beaches. The area is most renowned for the unusual cuisine that is offered up by local establishments. Zesty is the term most often used to describe the local dishes that are infused with the Afro-Caribbean flavors of the town. Access to the Cahuita national Park is another attraction of the area.

Peace Waterfall gardens
A stop here is a certain delight for all the senses. Located near the town of Vara Blanca, the series of waterfalls are the most spectacular in the country. A large butterfly observatory is located on the grounds as well and houses over 24 different species of hummingbirds that dwell among the butterflies.

Playa Bejuco
For a beautiful day of soaking up the sun in peaceful quiet surroundings, the brown sand beaches of Playa Bejuco can’t be beat. Nestled only a few miles from more bustling centers, this little piece of Costa Rica paradise is a perfect place to spend some down time.

Playa Zancudo
This beach spot is situated far from the tourist crowds as well along the southern Pacific coast. The beach is unusual black sand and is surrounded by a backdrop of coconut palms and almond trees. There are water and land activities to be enjoyed as much or as little as a tourist might wish.

Poas
This quiet little town is close to some of the major centers but has not yet been developed for tourism. Visitors say that it is one of the most relaxing, safe and quiet areas of the country and one of the few places remaining that allow you to experience life here that has remained untouched by commercialism. Taxis and buses are very inexpensive and can take you from Poas to any number of nearby attractions such as rafting, volcano tours and canopy adventures. The only drawback to this lazy little town is its weather. Unlike most of the popular tourist areas that are hot and humid, Poas is wet and rainy.

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Costa Rica is a safe country to travel in, and most probably you will have no problem as a woman visiting alone; nevertheless, you should always keep some things in mind.

Sadly, Latin American men have a male chauvinistic reputation that can impact your holiday in some way. In rural areas, men are not used to seeing women traveling alone; thus, you may get some unwanted attention in the way of hissing, catcalls, flirtatious remarks, and come-ons in Spanish.

The best way to handle a flirtatious remark, or “piropo” as it is called in Costa Rica, is with humor and a thick skin. While walking down the street you can expect to receive calls of “mi amor” (my love or sweetheart), “qué belleza” (what a beauty), or “rica mami” (sexy). These “piropos” mean no harm or disrespect, so take them as compliments.

Costa Rica may look a lot like home; however, the culture is quite different. You should just act like a “tica” (Costa Rican woman) and ignore the flirtatious remarks. Keep your eyes straight ahead and refrain from replying.

If you want to completely avoid unwanted male attention, there are two things you can do:

1. Walk with a man by your side
It is very easy to make friends while traveling, so you can ask one of your new male friends to walk with you down the street; you will discover that magically, all the hissing and come-ons stop.

2. Change your wardrobe
You will see that the “ticas” dress very provocatively, with tight clothes and high stiletto heels; nevertheless, these girls are used to male chauvinism and they know how to handle the rude comments that are tossed at them. If you don’t want a piece of that, just dress more conservatively.

Take into account that the rural areas in Costa Rica are very different to San José, the capital, and these are more traditional and conservative. You should refrain from using provocative clothing while visiting rural areas, even more so because it will be incredibly uncomfortable in more than one way… you’ll see why!

It is always an amazing adventure to travel alone, and Costa Rica is a perfect destination for that. You just have to know what to expect and be mentally prepared to ignore the machismo.

But remember, not all “ticos” (Costa Rican men) are chauvinists; the majority will treat you with lots of respect and sincere kindness. Just be smart, stay safe, and fully enjoy your Costa Rica vacation!

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Tipping in Costa Rica is kind of tricky for Americans because there are no set rules as in the United States.

The word for tip in Spanish is “propina”, and the amount you tip is mainly a personal choice; you give what you consider appropriate in relation to the level of service you received and to your budget.

You should know that Costa Ricans commonly don’t tip, mainly because there is already a 10% service fee included in every restaurant bill you pay, and it is not customary to tip for other services; however, foreigners are expected to tip because they always do.

If you enjoyed the service you were given and the tours you took, you should tip the guides and service professionals based on their performance.

Here we give you a tipping guide for your Costa Rica vacations, but it is up to you to go lower or higher than this:

-Private drivers: They normally get $10 per half day and $15 to $20 for a full day of service.

-Maitre d’/ Hostess: It is not customary to tip them.

-Bartender: You can tip between $.50 and $1 per drink.

-Sommelier: It is not customary to tip them.

-Waiter/Waitress: In almost every restaurant, there is a 10% service fee already included in the check, and foreigners usually tip a 10% extra if the service was exceptional.

-Coat check: It is not customary to tip them.

-Airport sky cap: You can give $2 per bag.

-Taxi driver: If you are going a short distance, round up the amount to the next dollar as a nice gesture. For longer trips, tip between $1 and $5 extra depending on the length of the journey.

-Bellhop: Tip him $1 per bag.

-Parking valet: It is not customary to tip them.

-Concierge: It is not customary to tip them.

-Maid service in hotel: You can give her $2 per day, and leave a bigger tip on the first day to make sure you get an excellent service.

-Room service attendant: You can tip him 10% of the meal’s value.

-Beach/Pool attendant: The customary tip is $2.

-Hairstylist/Manicurist: The customary tip is between $2 and $5.

-Massage therapist: You can tip 15% of the value of the massage or spa treatment.

-Parking lot attendants: The customary tip is between $1 and $2 for watching your car.

-Tour guide: They normally get between $3 and $10 per person, depending on the size of the group.

-Boat driver: He normally gets between $2 and $4.

-Tour bus driver: Tip him between $5 and $10 for a full day tour.

-Fishing guide/Captain: They get between $30 and $50 per day.

-Scuba diving tour: Tip $10 per a two-tank dive.

-Whitewater rafting guide: He normally gets $10 per person for a full day tour.

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The senior travelers of today are extremely healthy and active individuals, the perfect combination to enjoy Costa Rica’s amazing outdoors and adventure activities.

Here we offer 7 important tips you should know about if you are a senior coming to Costa Rica on vacation:

1.Costa Rican citizens who are 65 or older are known as “ciudadanos de oro”, which means golden citizens.

2.Seniors are treated with great respect and admiration, so most probably you will be offered a seat on a full bus or will be allowed to move to the front of a long line.

3.There are discounts for seniors available at several places; thus, always ask the tour operator for them or at the destinations you visit alone.

4.If you are retired or have flexibility when it comes to traveling, sign up for a Costa Rica vacation between May and November, months that fall between the green and dry seasons, and that will allow you to enjoy sunny skies and attractive low rates, often 10 to 40% lower than high season rates.

5.Prefer suitcases with wheels and pack light. The majority of tourist destinations offer laundry service at very affordable prices. If you need a second suitcase, bring a small one that can be attached to the one with wheels.

6.Pack a full supply of medications, because even though there are very good pharmacies with fully bilingual staff in Costa Rica, these may not carry the brand or dosage you require. Anyway, always take a prescription just in case and write down the relevant generic names.

7.If you are not coming on a tour, think about how you will travel around Costa Rica. The maximum age to rent a car in the country is between 70 to 75 years old; thus, make sure you talk about this before making a reservation.

You can also hire a private driver, travel by bus, use private shuttles between destinations, or taxis for short trips in town.

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Are you a romantic person? Would you like to spend incredible days with your girlfriend or fiancée in a paradisiacal place? If you are the type of man who would run away with your special someone to a place where the problems of your daily hectic life fade away, you should definitely give Costa Rica a try.

Costa Rica is not only one of the most romantic places in the world, but also one of the most adventurous. So it is the perfect combination to spend an incredible honeymoon or a getaway. You and your girlfriend can walk along the beach holding hands and listening to the sound of the crystal water of the Pacific Ocean or the Caribbean Sea. You can also have a delicious and romantic dinner, prepared by one of the famous chefs of Costa Rica, in the beach and under the sparkling stars. Afterwards, if you would like to have fun and dance to some upbeat Caribbean music, you may attend one of several parties that are organized in the beaches, where the only condition is that you dance and laugh until dawn. At these parties, you can try the amazing, colorful and sweet drinks prepared by professional bartenders with the most exotic fruits in the world.

Moreover, you can hike through the gigantic tropical rainforests, where you will be able to see a wide variety of native plants and trees; you will also enjoy over 150 beautiful and exotic animal species. Believe or not, in these rainforests there is also room for romanticism, and you’ll be delighted by the breathtaking Bijagual waterfalls that seem to hide a mystic secret. You can also visit the Poas Volcano or the Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas, and spend an incredible time enjoying the geothermal activities, which are both relaxing and romantic. The town of Sachi is worth a visit for its woodworking and handicrafts markets, where you can buy a special present for your loved one.

If you are a more adventurous type of couple, there are excellent activities for you to enjoy together. Costa Rica has more than 65 different adventures, including: canopy tours, river rafting, surfing, horseback riding, crocodile tours, windsurfing, snorkeling, rafting and kayaking, among many others.

Furthermore, if you are wild and risky enough, you can ask your fiancée to marry you in this awesome paradise, and if you are lucky and she accepts you, you can organize an unforgettable beach wedding with exotic colorful flowers. Or you can get married and later go to Costa Rica to spend the most romantic and adventurous honeymoon ever.

In a nutshell, Costa Rica vacations offer different options for different couples and without a doubt, it is the ideal place where you and your beloved may spend the most romantic days of your lives. Costa Rica is a breathtaking paradise, where adventure, risk and romance are combined.

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After working for so many months nonstop, the only thing you can think about is your holidays. At that time of the year, you feel tired and exhausted. So what you need is a nice place to relax, away from your hectic life, where there is no rush, no traffic jams, and no timetables. You picture yourself walking by the sea, looking at the sunset and listening to the songs of the birds. But you also want to have fun: go to parties until dawn, go to some out of the way places, and, why not, take part in some adventurous activities. Because, after all, during your holidays, all you want to do is relax and enjoy. Is there a magical place on Earth that fits the above description? Of course, and it is called COSTA RICA.

Costa Rica is famous for its beaches, its turquoise water and its breathtaking tropical rainforests. So one of the things you can do in this amazing country is to walk along the beach, lay in the warm sun, swim or practice sports, such as windsurfing, surfing, snorkeling and kayaking. Besides, you can hike through the tropical rainforests, where you will be able to see numerous exotic plants and trees, as well as over 150 species of birds, monkeys and iguanas, among many others. This is the perfect opportunity to be in contact with wildlife and to listen to the sounds of nature.

Moreover, if you are a sportfishing fan, Costa Rica has a place for you. By taking a charter boat in the port, you will be taken to inshore fishing, where awesome species await you, namely, mahi mahi, yellow fish tuna, snapper, mackerel and rooster fish. If you are a more adventurous person, Costa Rica will also accommodate you. When you travel to this incredible country, you have the possibility to enjoy more than 65 different activities that will rush your adrenaline and increase your heartbeats. Canopy tours, volcano tours, river rafting, horseback riding and crocodile tours are the most popular ones among tourists.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that Costa Rican people are amazing. They are always ready to help you and to make you feel as comfortable as possible. If you are not sure about the activities you can do or the places you can visit, there are very useful tourist information centers, where a nice lady or gentleman will be willing to point out the best places to visit in the country.

To sum up, stop thinking about the possible cities or countries where you can spend your holidays; choose Costa Rica vacations. It is the perfect place to not only relax and forget about your hectic life in the city, but also to enjoy and have fun. Without any doubt, Costa Rica is a paradise surrounded by crystal water.

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Costa Rica, with its tropical year round climate and variety of beautiful beaches and rivers is one of the best locations in the world for kayaking.  Whether you’re cruising down a lazy river or fighting white water, kayaking in Costa Rica is an adventure to remember.  The wide diversity of the area makes a kayak ride a different adventure wherever you choose to travel, whether it’s on a river, a lake or in the ocean.  If kayaking is something you might like to add to your Costa Rica vacation, here are three unique destinations to consider.

Lake Arenal Kayaking
Lake kayaking in Costa Rica is a gentle experience for families that like to get out on the water together, and Lake Arenal is the perfect destination. Many tour companies offer guided kayak tours to help travelers get the absolute most out of their days on the water.  While out on the lake, paddlers will marvel at the vista of rolling hills and tropical forests that surround the lake, and nothing on earth can quite compare to watching lava spew from the top of the Arenal Volcano which can be seen from the lake as you paddle by.

Curu Sea Kayaking
For this trip, paddlers enter the open waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, where they are very likely to drift along beside sea turtles and manta rays. These waters are best traveled as part of a guided tour and several are offered from various companies in multi day packages.  One of the main attractions you will see as you drift through the emerald green waters of the gulf is natural rock archway near Las Islas Tortugas that was formed entirely by the sea.  Most of the tours through this area are all inclusive, meaning your meals, group transportation to and from launch points, equipment and camp lodging is included.  This trip is more adventurous than the lake water  kayaking, and professionals recommend that participants have some previous kayaking experience. Close attention is paid to safety of the participants and a support boat accompanies the tour to assist any paddlers who may encounter difficulties.

Whitewater Kayaking
If you’re an experienced whitewater kayaker, Costa Rica has plenty of challenge to offer you in both Class ll/lll and lll/lV extreme rapids on river waters that run through the Turrialba Valley.  Day tours for this type of paddling generally range from two to twenty-one miles.  You’ll find the shortest run on the lower Orosi River that boasts interesting views of the many coffee plantations of the area.  This 45 minute run includes 15 rapids to manoeuvre making it a challenging trip.   Two other rivers, the Sarapiqui and the Upper Pacuare offer an even more difficult series of rapids over a three hour ride and reach difficulty levels of lll-V.  All whitewater tours include equipment, transportation, meals and guide.

With these three choices for kayaking in Costa Rica, you are sure to be able to find the right water and the right challenge to suit your style.

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According to researchers at Yale and Columbia University, among 163 countries that were included in their 2010 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), Costa Rica ranks third in cleanliness, preceded only by Iceland in the first place and Switzerland in second.

The countries were ranked based on 25 indicators, including water and air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and the impact of the environment on its people’s health.

The index is influenced by metrics that track how the governments are doing in relation to environmental policy goals like access to good sanitation and water, habitat protection, and industrial emissions.

A country may achieve a top EPI position in two ways:

1.It could be gifted with a rich legacy of clean water and diverse biology that hasn’t been violated by uncontrolled industrialism.

2.It could have industrialized and polluted its environment but got rich enough to begin the clean up.

Costa Rica got to the third place the first way, while the countries that made the top of the list achieved it the second way.

The perfect score is 100.  Costa Rica scored 86.4, with a GDP per capita of $9,600 and a population of 4.5 million.

According to the index, “That such a relatively poor and developing country ranks third in the EPI is testament to the natural endowments of Costa Rica, with dense forests, plentiful water and abundant wildlife. With smart development, Costa Rica can avoid the standard path that growing nations take of polluting their environment, only to clean it up again once they become wealthy. Costa Rica touts its EPI ranking in ads for its tourism sector.”

In the past, Costa Rica was recognized as the best country regarding rainforest conservation efforts, and is one of the originators of REDD, Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation project.  In this sense, it is not a surprise that this small country was able to achieve such a meaningful position worldwide.

If you haven’t yet, try a Costa Rica vacation, and judge for yourself.  The country is a nature lover’s paradise, and there is something for everyone, from five-star luxury hotels right next to a gorgeous beach, to wild, natural adventures that are an absolute adrenaline rush.  And best of all, it is all clean!

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Are you bored of your daily routine?  Need a new adventure?  Want some time to disappear and relax?

There is a small place right in the middle of the Americas where you can experience life at a very unique level: Costa Rica.  Called by many the Central American Switzerland, Costa Rica’s beauty will amaze you in more than one way.

Here we give you 10 fantastic reasons to choose Costa Rica as your next vacation spot:

1.The high tourist season is over, so you will find great travel deals to visit Costa Rica in the next few months.

2.Costa Rica has 780 miles of perfect coastline housing hundreds of beautiful beaches, many of them isolated and hidden from crowds.

3.Do you like fauna?  Well, in Costa Rica you will be able to see hundreds of interesting animal species, and there are more butterfly species than in the entire African continent, including the only butterfly in the world that makes a sound.  Likewise, Costa Rica is a favorite destination for bird watchers because there are almost as many species as on the entire European continent and the continental United States.

4.Costa Rica is about the same size as West Virginia, and in it you will find around 5% of all the kinds of plants and animals in the planet, this is, one of every five species of plants and animals in the world is found in Costa Rica.

5.Can you think of another place in the planet where you can drive all the way up to the top of a volcano and see the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, at the same time, on a clear day?  Don’t think so!

6.Are you in need of health care but North American medicine is too expensive for you?  Consider doing medical tourism in Costa Rica and get world-class care at a third of the price you would pay in the United States.  Many insurance companies happily cover health care in Costa Rica because of its prime quality and prices.

7.Costa Rica is the place to be adventurous.  Learn to surf or windsurf, go bungee jumping, experience canopy, or cross the mountains over a horse.  There is nothing conventional about a Costa Rican vacation.

8.Can you imagine having sunny days all year round?  Swimming in warm ocean waters every single day of the year?  Well, this is how it is in Costa Rica, great weather always.

9.Do you like fishing?  Costa Rica fishing is famous around the world for a good reason; you can catch a 200-pound tarpon in a small river.  The rule is to catch and release.

10.Come see what it is like to be surrounded by a stable democracy.  Costa Rica has no army, it was abolished more than 70 years ago, and everyone there is friendly and courteous, always happy to see you.  Costa Ricans, or ‘ticos’, as they are known, truly like North Americans and Europeans.

Make up your mind and book your flight!  Costa Rica is awaiting you between two oceans of wonders, but be careful, you may not want to leave… many haven’t.