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seanlborca · 1 year

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Sean and Phoebes Costa Rica Trip

COSTA RICA

Fishing in the Costa Rican Osa Peninsula

I absolutely love fishing. What is it that I love about it. Can it be the ocean? Can it be the sky? Or maybe it is sitting on the boat and hunting? The great snacks and the fun and adventure of it. Whatever it is… I seem to like it a lot. You might even say that I love it. I myself am the kinda person who loves adventure. I love the thrill and I find that fishing fulfills a desire to hunt and conquer.

Recently I took a trip to Costa Rica. It was supposed to be a honeymoon type trip where me and my new wife bonded in a boat, catching fish. It was a bonding experience, but I am not sure it was as honeymoonish as my wife wanted. The trip was a partial gift and we took the opportunity to fly to Costa Rica and plan a fishing excursion neither of us would ever forget.

We were going to Crocodile Bay; this is a fishing destination that is located in the Osa Peninsula a little way from the main cities and reachable by bush plane. Once we landed in San Jose Costa Rica, we were immediately bombarded with pictures of sailfish. This is the HOLY GRAIL of fish. It is one of the sport fish that is not only beautiful, but it is rare and a hard catch. The pictures we saw in the airport made us super excited and we thought of the prospect of catching one. We hurried out to the front of the airport, and it was like we were plunged in a 90s drama where someone goes missing. There were all kinds of locals with beat up signs yelling the names of passengers or trying to give tourists a ride to their hotel. Honestly, I was a little unhinged and not feeling very great when we saw the man with BORCA on his sign. We approached him and he knew we were going to Crocodile Bay so we got into his car and felt pretty good.

Day 1

Fly – Airport – Hilton Hotel – Dinner – Workout – Sauna – Sleep!

The first night we stayed at a Hilton Property near the soccer stadium. We were on the 19th floor or at least we were pretty high up. We had time to decompress, eat at the restaurant on the 18th floor, listen to the honking of the locals below driving crazily… (I haven’t even gotten into the motorcycle situation there) and then take a dip in the pool and sauna. We were more than pleasantly surprised. We got views of the skybar and took some videos of ourselves.

Pool and Jaccuzi Top of the Hilton: https://youtube.com/shorts/8EhgO2e5gPo?feature=share

Stadium View at the Hilton: https://youtube.com/shorts/SWM1hhlFTTQ?feature=share

Here are some pictures from the first day! Day and Night while we were eating at the restaurant!

Day 2

Breakfast – Fly – Land near cemetery – Lunch – Explore – Rainforest Tour

We woke up at the Hilton and we went down to have breakfast. The coffee in Costa Rica is very strong and even I was having a hard time with it. My wife was watering it down. There were all kinds of eggs and the normal American fare, however there was some Costa Rican influence of fruits, grains and dirty type of rice. They eat a lot of yucca there and all kinds of fruit. I told my wife to avoid the types of food that she doesn’t normally eat since I have had the experience of my stomach reacting badly when travelling. We ate in the sky longue, and it was beautiful. The weather was overcast, and we had learned that it was near the end of the rainy season so the clouds kinda clung to the mountains that we could see through the windows. After we ate, we ran back to the room and grabbed our bags and like everyone made sure we had everything that we needed. Tipping our Costa Rican friends who spoke great English it wasn’t even 8AM and we were leaving for the next airport to take a little bush plain to Jimenez or Osa Peninsula.

We got in our taxi and headed to the airport, unlike commercial airlines they weigh you and the bags to make sure that they have enough fuel to make it to the destination. This is NOT nerve wracking to someone who hates to fly. I am a tough guy all around, but flying is one thing that makes me a little nervous and flying in a tiny plane that fits about 15 people is tough on me. It was a single engine propeller plane. You could really feel the turbulence. My wife and I read our respective books. I was reading the bible and she was reading a romance novel that she was trying to hide from me.

On the plane you could see the stretches of rainforest, you could see giant trees that I later learned were Kapok trees and you could feel ever blip and bump of turbulence. The buildings were not in as bad of repair as I expected from a central American country, many roofs were rusted and it added to the ambience. My wife and I started to get excited when we were over the water, you could see the jewel blue color and the waves from the plane looked like a still on the beach. When we were descending, I got worried because I couldn’t see where we were landing since the pilots head was in my way. As I said we were in a TINY plane. My wife assured me she could see the landing strip and a cemetery…. We were landing next to a cemetery. Really!

The landing was great we got out and admired the interesting culture of their small cemetery. Each grave had fences around it and many graves had silk flowers and interesting tile work. My wife wanted to take pictures of the cemetery and see it more, but I pulled her away anxious to get to Crocodile Bay and see where we were staying for the next couple of days.

A van that the locals call a troupe (troup-ee) is how they say it came to pick us up. We boarded and drove literally around the corner to Botanika a Curio property by Hilton. They were obviously in construction but had finished the main building and one of the main hotel buildings where we stayed.

The property was beautiful. Since the trip was a partial gift we didn’t expect it to be high end. However, the owner of Crocodile Bay had decided to work with Hilton to upgrade his hotel and make it a world class destination. The food was upgraded the rooms were 4 star plus. We were literally in a paradise that we hadn’t expected. We sat with the excursion and tour guide person to set up our trips. We decided on a rainforest tour, a farm/chocolate factory tour and 2 days of fishing. My wife wanted to do one day inshore and one day offshore and as an accommodating and wonderful husband that I am I agreed. But I did not agree to the sloth tour, which I regret to this day.

We had time to get lunch and eating Spanish/Mexican style food was especially amazing in Costa Rica. The flour tortillas in everything were amazing. We ate some quesadillas and tacos dropped our stuff off in the room, walked the property and checked out the boats and docks. Then came back to do our Rainforest trip.

Our tour guide that we had for this tour turned out to be just for us. Tours are not planned for just 2 people but they are so accommodating that they will do a tour just for you. Since we were at the end of the rainy season and they were still in the middle of construction and word hadn’t gotten out yet about the Botanika, they weren’t super busy. We learned that the people of Costa Rica make about 3 dollars American an hour. We asked about the cost of everything and had our tour guide take us to a local store and the gas station. The roads are in not super disrepair, but they were full of puddles and potholes and were all dirt roads.

We quickly learned that American products are stupidly expensive (but man don’t you want that RedBull or Monster Energy drink when you are in the middle of the rainforest), although our tour guide said that it wasn’t as bad other places in Central America since they are so close to the Panama Canal the imported goods were cheaper then say if you got them in Honduras.

We then took about an hour drive up the mountain and the tour guide was looking out the window for wildlife. The first thing we saw was a Roadside Hawk. We pulled over and he pulled out his scope and we were able to get a good look. I suppose I was surprised that it was a roadside hawk and I expected something more exotic.

Soon we would be deeper in the rainforest. I kept asking the tour guide. What it the name of that tree? Of that plant? Of that animal? He would tell me he knew a lot but he did not know the name of all of the trees because there were so many. He explained because of the 12 hours of consistent daylight year-round (the sun sets and rises at 6 AM -6PM) that every kind of tree in the world practically grew there. It was so diverse that you could study your whole life and not know the names of all the trees.

Even though, we still were introduced to the Giant Kapok Tree we saw this tree far off and were amazed at its height. It looked like a giant tree among tiny toothpick trees but really it was a giant among giants. Our tourguide explained that many people thought the Kapok tree was a gate into another world, many Macaws lived in the tree and many animal species depended on it. I realized that it was a gift from God and Costa Rica is a special place where you can see Gods creation displayed magnificently and majestically.

We finally got to see monkeys. We heard Howler monkeys and got out of the Troup-ee we saw two different kinds of monkeys, spider monkeys and the white-faced capuchin. They were really neat with their long tails swinging and jumping through the trees like big squirrels.

We would get in and out of the troupee and the tour guide asked us if we wanted to hike or not. Since we had traveled a lot we told him to cart us around in the van and do roadside rainforest sightseeing. It was interesting to see the Scarlet Macaws which live for almost 100 years and mate for life in their family flocks. Side note-Theses would make good beneficiaries for taxes in Land Trusts. There was one green parrot who had found a window and was pecking at his reflection of himself angrily. The tour guide said it was something annoying that Parrots do sometimes since they are so smart they recognize their reflection as another bird. We traveled up the rainforest and saw a millipede, some cool butterflies’, toucans and a coaxtl which is a raccoon Costa Rican type animal. My wife wanted to see sloths, so we drove close to a wild beach to find the trees the sloths like, but we had no luck. We had fun and took a lot of videos of the different animals on the tour. We got back into the troup-ee vehicle and headed back and ate dinner at the resort.

Bush Plane: https://youtube.com/shorts/QMbMaB9kQRk?feature=share

Bush Plane Landing:

Hilton Crocodile Bay: https://youtu.be/czCL9Z_t9H8

Gas Prices: https://youtube.com/shorts/4qVfbjgjtPo?feature=share

Monkey Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/BJQZ8yvG0Sw?feature=share

Howler Monkey (My wife calling out to the monkey you can hear the Howler answer.): https://youtube.com/shorts/LavwAE4ezpM?feature=share

Squirrel Monkey: https://youtube.com/shorts/ukjtwi3Cgbg?feature=share

Toucan: https://youtube.com/shorts/LpyRfxfARok?feature=share

Costa Rican Cowboy (We saw him on the rainforest tour): https://youtube.com/shorts/16oO-0zAcnc?feature=share

Kapok Tree: https://youtube.com/shorts/9wr7rO5MiMs?feature=share

Brahman Cows: https://youtu.be/b9amuNAOg-s

Day 3

Breakfast – Boat – Inshore Fishing – Lunch – Back at Property

The third day we got up early to eat breakfast by the Hilton. We got locked in our hotel room. All the rooms have a ton of locks. We asked why so much security, and they said that theft was sometimes a problem, so they had a lot of security in place. They had guards that walked around the perimeter of the establishment, cameras, locks on every two doors, and then the hotel itself had a huge door that locked the entire hotel. When we woke up in the morning we were locked inside and couldn’t figure out how to get out. We waved our arms around and pressed different buttons. There technology was better than southern Florida. It turned out you needed to PUSH the door gently after you scan, but why do that? So, we took the Emergency Exit and headed to breakfast.

There were three different breakfasts, there was the American Breakfast, Traditional Breakfast and Costa Rican Breakfast. Since we were there for three days, I decided to try all three different breakfasts. Each was about 25 US dollars and so carried a pretty good price tag even by American standards. The breakfasts were amazing though and came with coffee and juice and so much food that it was way too much! It is hard to say what breakfast was the best. At this property the restaurant was relatively new, and they are very highly priced for Costa Rica so they are attempting to do full table service, 5 course. This ends up taking too much time from the servers though who are constantly trying to keep up with which spoons and forks are supposed to be on the table at the time than with actually getting you something you need like more coffee.

After breakfast we headed down to the dock, you can walk about 6 minutes to the pier or you can take a complimentary golfcart ride. We walked down to the pier and along the long board walk to our first boat and met our first Captain.

The first boat we had was a 26ft Boston Whaler that we would use for inshore fishing. We had a captain who would take us out for the whole day but no first mate. Which works out well for inshore. We were going to go out for a full day of fishing, and we were leaving at 7AM sharp. We had a friendly Captain who instructed us that the first thing we would do would be to go get the bait fish. If you fished in America often you might buy the bait or bait fish. Here we need fresh live bait fish and so our first experience would be to go out to some good fishing holes in the gulf bay area. The locals referred to the waters near Osa Peninsula as a gulf because it is a gulf.

We got on the boat and got a comfy spot, and I snuggled up with my wife, it was cloudy, and the surf was great that day we had real choppy water and probably 3 to 5 feet. In the gulf in the morning, it was the calmest and we came to a spot that they called the “mothers belly” basically pregnant belly, because there were so many different fish around the reef that you could catch.

Our first fishing method that we would use was jigging. I never really jigged before, however I do really love to bottom fish, so jigging is a lot like bottom fishing and I was really good at it. To catch bait, we used sabikis. You put on silvery or shiny hooks that catches the fish’s’ eye. There is no bait or fake bait that you mimick is alive by letting out the reel, you just keep reeling slowly up. If you are lucky you will have a line that has 4 or 5 sardines on it by the time you get it up to the boat. You remove the fish by hand and they go in the live bait tank to be used later. Fish love live bait and are fooled by them better than anything else. Makes sense right. We caught about 20 sardines and green runners. In two or three different fishing spots. In Costa Rica you cannot drop anchor because there is so much reef and you would destroy it, so the Captain is constantly circling and angling the boat back and forth over the fishing spots. Bite is on for a few minutes and then the boat needs to be moved back over the fishing spot.

I wanted to bottom fish for a bit and caught a baby snapper and a dog faced Tuna and an Albacore Tuna. I threw all of them back and later regretted throwing back the Albacore Tuna because well, it could have been dinner. My wife and I were joking because the first fish she caught was a jack, and she fought it hard. We joked that she got “jacked” but then that was her theme for the rest of the day. She ended up catching three more jacks. So four of Kind!!! Ha. Every time I thought she had something good on like a sport fish Rooster it would be a jack and I would get upset and stop filming. So, we didn’t get that much footage of her catching her jacks. The overall theme for her that day If we get jacks, we get jacks!

After fishing for the bait and doing a little bottom fishing, we stopped to see some of the big humpback whales which are in the peninsula area calving. So, you see mama and baby whales breach quite a bit, and they are quite large, and it is majestic to see.

The next part of the day was to find the area where the Roosterfish roost. We took the boat for a ten mile plus journey out into the ocean and out of the gulf or bay. When we got into the ocean it was a lot choppier and we were staying close to shore because it was inshore, we tried a couple of spots, but we were having problems since the waves were so high. So, we took another hour trip to find some calmer water. Eventually we got there, and we found a place where it was only 2 foot swells we were probably 400 feet from shore and maybe 60 feet of depth.

We took turns with whoever getting a bite completing the fight. My wife got a jack or two and then I ended up with a Rooster. I never understood why people like fish that you can’t really eat. The Roosterfish is both beautiful and gives a great fight. The fish has a great personality. It jumped out of the water 7 feet and fought me for a good 10 minutes. I finally reeled that fish in and held him in my hands. That fish was smart. I think he knew he was going up to get his picture taken. He wanted it done. We released him, because the roosterfish is really done for the picture, they aren’t great eating at all.

We tried a few other spots and fished for awhile. Since we were so far out since the waves were so choppy we had to head back. We had a great day and I learned why people were so excited by the Roosterfish. We headed back went home, relaxed ate and watched some TV in the hotel.

My wife turned out that on our cloudy inshore fishing day that she had ravaged her skin and burned like crazy. She looked like a cute tomato. Since we are from Florida, and she sees a lot of sun… and because it was cloudy she didn’t wear ANY sunscreen. This was to her folly, me with my Scottish heritage was not as badly burned as she was. She looked at me and told me she would be fine but that her skin hurt to have sun on it. She would need a long sleeve shirt to survive the sun for the next day of fishing. We went back and she was burnt out and she took a shower and passed out.

Humpback Whale: https://youtube.com/shorts/w_9km_pw2Ag?feature=share

Baby Snapper: https://youtube.com/shorts/7w0QSHQVK7A?feature=share

Dogtoothed Tuna: https://youtube.com/shorts/-6e4JBRCCUc?feature=share

Here Comes the Rooster: https://youtube.com/shorts/_t6JDEvVSGc?feature=share

My lovely wife Phoebe Horton Borca with a Jack!

Day 4 Breakfast – Captain and First Mate – Outshore Experience – Lunch – Second Lunch – Swimming – Gift Shopping -Dinner (Italian Night) – Bed

On the fourth day we woke up and my wife was extremely burned from her previous day. She wore one of my black long-sleeved shirts and black pants to try and cover as much of her skin as possible. I told her she would be hot and she let me know that she knew but she had to sweat it out, because if she got sun on her skin it hurt. She slathered on sunscreen, and we headed out. There is nothing like an injury on a vacation to ruin the next vacation day. She pulled herself together and we headed for breakfast.

The property is peaceful in the morning and the vacationers are friendly. In the center of the room complex there is a sitting area and garden. My wife encountered a large bullish looking frog there. In this place you could relax and use your wifi and enjoy the property. Everyone said Hi, as well as let us know where in the United States or world they were from. We met people from Hawaii and from the UK as well as some Costa Ricans. All the elevators to the rooms are keycard locked, so don’t lose your card. At least once on the trip we lost our card and we weren’t able to get upstairs to our room in the elevator and we didn’t know where the stair access was, so we had to go to the main building to get a new card. On the walk up to the main building, the grounds are impeccably kept. They have a night creature tour, which we didn’t do but heard that it was quite nice. You walk the grounds at night and meet all the animals active at that time. They have a suspension bridge over a swampy area that is pleasant to walk, as well as they are working on building bike trails around the grounds. You can pick up a bike and check out all the scenery the gardens have to offer.

Breakfast is my wife’s favorite meal and I enjoy drinking LOTS of coffee. This was the day that we realized you could sit outside in the rainforest setting and enjoy your breakfast. However, we had already been seated inside, but we decided that we would eat dinner on the boardwalk area where they have a mini rainforest garden preserved for your pleasure. I can’t remember exactly what breakfast that I ate, except that I thoroughly enjoyed it and that the wait staff and the chef were very accommodating. One of the servers asked us if we caught any fish and did we bring them back for dinner. And since we had only caught a Roosterfish and a lot of Jacks and I didn’t keep the Albacore, I was upset that I had not brough home any DINNER.

I announced to my wife that today the focus was DINNER and that we would ensure that we caught DINNER! We would feed ourselves. We would feed the wait staff. I was going to go offshore fishing to slaughter fish. And this time, my belly would be full.

After breakfast we walked down the boat to the dock. The dock is on a wild beach. You forget since Florida beaches are manicured and built up for tourism what a wild beach really looks like. Osa Peninsula is on the Pacific side. The beaches are mucky and sandy and have a lot of crabs and crustacean like creatures walking on them. There were always a local or two near the beach walking their dogs. The dock was long and thin and the boats were anchored near the docks but not on them. We walked along the pier at about 7AM in the morning ready for an exciting day. The weather was not quite as good as it was the previous day, but we had come at the end of rainy season (October) and there were storm clouds in the sky hanging ominously. I told my wife that we could handle a little rain and that we would be fine. We went and found our Captain, First mate and boat. The captain’s name was Charlie and he said we would have a great day fishing. We asked him about the sailfish probability, and he said that it was about a 50/50 to get a sail. We asked our itinerary for the day and he said we would spend the first hour getting bait and then we would head offshore. He had radar and so we would avoid any rain as best as we could. He said that it was very rare to cancel due to weather and that they had no problems going out, since it looked like it might rain.

We had a 35 Foot striker boat. I won’t talk about the price tag, but for just me and my wife it was over 2K, but it was worth it since she had never offshore fished before. The striker boat has the captain up top and where you can sit on the bottom.

We got on the boat and Captain Charlie gave my wife a ten-minute explanation of how to use the onboard toilet. She looked like she would rather die than use it, but you never know if you might need it. It is nice to have. The toilet was inside the boat. They also went over what was in the cooler for us to snack on. There were Costa Rican style potato chips, which we loved cookies, and the packed lunches that we selected when we chose our excursions the first day in the lobby. There was also plenty of drinks and some beer. My wife and I do not drink but that option is there for people.

Captain Charlie explained where we could sit and his job was to navigate the boat and sit in the striker tower. The first mate who had been working on the boat for more than 15 years, set up all the tackle and rods and he also fished. However, if he got a bite he would give the rod to me or my wife.

Familiarly, we set out to the different spot to catch bait, we were catching green runners and sardines again in the gulf. We would hang over a spot and sabiki, which is where you have the silvery hooks and yank up and down. We didn’t seem to have as much luck with the live bait as we did the day before where we were pulling up 4 plus sardines on the line. This time it was 2 or 3 sardines sometimes 1. We were drifting more in the bigger boat and I would say we went to 3 to 4 different fishing holes including the mother’s belly hole. The captain would tell us about how far down the fish were. As I have pretty good fishing experience this helped me catch the bait. I was able to drop the sabiki where the fish were and then snag them on the way up. My wife struggled a little more with the sabiki and she suspected her hooks weren’t as shiny as mine. I told her the fake fish were good as if it was dulled a lot it meant that it was bitten a lot. She looked a little upset so I told her not to worry. But everyone knows that you can get discouraged when you don’t get a bite on your line for awhile and someone next to you is. You wonder why and what you are doing wrong. Sometimes, it is just like that and you need to get your grit and move on. Charlie being the excellent captain that he was moved the boat if we didn’t get a bite after a minute or two.

We fished for an hour to an hour and a half getting the bait and filling up the tank. My wife asked what happened to the live bait and would there be enough. We had 20 to 30 fish in the live bait tank. The first mate said that they dumped the tank every night when they cleaned the boats so they needed new bait every day they went out. They showed us the humpback whales in the gulf who were also enjoying the sardines and green runners. Then we hunkered down in the boat and started to head offshore. Captain Charlie said it would be about 40 minutes before we got to the spot. The boat kicked it into high gear and we had a snack and watched as the first mate started to set up the reels for trolling as we headed offshore out of the gulf.

I told the first mate about fishing in Florida and how you need to go about 75 miles offshore into the gulf stream to go offshore fishing. The offshore depths were much quicker to get to and they were more similar with the distance that you would travel if you were fishing in the Florida Keys which is closer to the shelf. Once you were out of the gulf and the waters protected by the peninsula it was only 10 to 15 miles offshore and were in 4000feet of depth. We asked what was in season in that time of year and they said 50/50 for sails and marlins on a day out and that Mahi season was just starting up.

The first mate started dropping the lines in and we slowed down to start trolling. This is when you run lines with bait behind the boat. We had two rods on outriggers, two up top and four in the boat so we were always running six to 8 rods. 2 of the rods had big teasers on them, a couple of the baits were dragged on the surface and a couple under the surface. We had live bait that the first mate showed us that were still alive. The bait was hooked through the eye and then dropped in the water so that it moved exactly like a live fish (because it was). Almost immediately after putting in all the rods we heard the reel start spinning and it was FISH ON! The first mate jumped into action and started reeling in the rods so the lines didn’t get tangled. I told my honey to grab the rod and she had the first fish. She said, “Wait, No! You can do it! I am OK! I don’t want the first fish!” She protested but I handed her the rod and told her to catch it. She exclaimed she didn’t know what to do. The fish pulled out more line and we were telling her pull up and reel down. Pull the rod up to keep tension on the line and then as you drop the reel to keep the tension even you reel in the line. She couldn’t believe how strong the fish was and kept saying she didn’t know what to do and asked for me to help her.

I wanted to help her and was so worried that the fish was going to get away, but I told her over and over, “You got this” and I wouldn’t help her as she whimpered and fought the fish. My worry of the fish fleeing and getting away was very real. The fish jumped and we realized it was a HUGE Mahi. It took about 5 minutes to reel in. We had to get the belt for her and she had to sit down for a bit as well. I did not help her as much as I wanted to be in control, I wanted her to experience the fight that the sportfisherman cherishes. I wanted for her to know that the fish was caught by her. When the fish finally came up to the boat, the first mate leaned over and speared it with the gaff. He hooked it into the boat where it flopped and fought some more. My wife was laugh-crying and she couldn’t believe her eyes. She said it was insanity. I was telling her what a great job she did. It was an absolutely HUGE Bull Mahi. And I said, “Way to go Honey! You got Dinner!” We sat down and took pictures with the fish. She wanted to take pictures with me, so we did it together. After the pictures, we put the fish in the ice cooler and the first mate cleaned the blood up off the boat diligently and put the rods back into the water. We sat down as Charlie congratulated us and we started moving again at about 8 miles an hour.

I started telling my wife that when you go offshore fishing in Florida that you overage about 1 big fish per hour. So I fully expected not to have another fish on for an hour. We grabbed a drink from our lunch cooler, and we sat and chatted and not even 30 minutes later it was FISH ON again. This time I tried again to get my wife to do it. She told me she was happy enough for the entire day and didn’t need any more fish. It was my turn and I needed to get the fish.

I grabbed the reel and it was another MAHI, she was swimming alongside the boat and was a great fight for me. She didn’t fight me as hard outside of the boat as when she got inside. She was so mad she flopped on the deck for a few minutes spattering blood everywhere when she finally calmed down we got a picture with her she was a great size but no where as big as the first bull that my babe caught.

We helped clean the boat and learned a little of the boat maintenance. The first mates and boat captains are super meticulous about keeping their boats cleanly. As soon as we took pictures and put this fish in the ice box (MORE DINNER) he was cleaning. If you clean the blood right away apparently it is much easier to keep the boats clean and with such expensive boats that you take tourists out on, you always want them in pristine condition. Since I was upset that we hadn’t brought any dinner back the day before, and we only had one day left I knew that we couldn’t eat more than 1 fish, in fact the Mahi that babe caught would feed us for a few days. I wanted to provide for others so I asked if I could gift a fish to the Captain and First mate and then if we caught another, I would gift it to the kitchen staff. Captain Charlie said it would probably be OK, but that Crocodile Bay had a 1 day a month for the employees. The crew were only allowed to take fish home once a month. I argued that I wanted to gift it and it was my right, so they finally accepted graciously.

The weather was holding up pretty good for thunderclouds in the distance, we could see storms on either side of us, but Captain Charlie was maneuvering us through them using his doppler radar, which was awesome, and I was impressed by his efficiency of use. Again 30 minutes later there was another bite. This time the fish was on the outrigger furthest away. I told my wife that we were very lucky, and it was her turn. She protested again but took up the rod, talking to herself the entire time. “Pull up, reel down!” over and over again like a mantra. Since the fish was so far away on the farthest outrigger, it took her 6 minutes plus with the belt to reel this fish in. It was a big mama. Like the bull she caught the female Mahi was almost as long as she was. We put this girl in the icebox too.

For the rest of the time offshore we caught 3 more Mahi, my wife gave them all to me and I was happy enough to reel them in. They all gave me a good fight. And I was happy to bring in Dinner for everyone. My wife hadn’t caught a Roosterfish before and I had caught one the day before. So for the last hour or two we went back inshore fishing to see if we could find her a Rooster.

We went back inshore and Captain Charlie found a reef that was 30 feet from shore and we were in 50 to 60 feet of water. There was a good fishing spot above a reef. In this area I caught my dream fish (besides sail) I caught a Yellowfin Tuna. My wife managed to get a beautiful African Pompano and a Jack. We threw the African Pompano and Jack back because we had enough fish for dinner and gifting people at the resort. And well these Jacks were not good for eating. We ran out of time and needed to head back in. So we hunkered down in the boat happy with our 5 Mahis and 1 Yellowfin Tuna a great day of fishing. Back on shore the first mate told us that our fish the yellowfin and the first Bull Mahi would be at the restaurant that night. We also found that you could have your fish packaged and taken to another restaurant that was pretty good to eat at according to the locals.

Done fishing we went back to our rooms and stuffed our laundry bag with our fishy clothes to be cleaned before we went home. We then took showers ate another lunch at the resort and took a dip in the pool. We hadn’t even enjoyed the pool that much since we had gotten there.

After that we went and found a resort worker to let us into the tourist shops. We bought shirts for our three boys at home and a couple of shirts for us.

This was one of the most fun nights for eating. We went back to the hotel and it was Italian night. There was a buffet and you could order food or participate in the buffet. We decided we would do both. We had Italian salads and spaghetti and the head chef came out to discuss how to cook the Tuna and the Mahi for me. He did a breaded Mahi with tartar sauce and he did a seared tuna filet. I can now say that Tuna fresh Tuna like this, is the filet mignon of the sea. We stuffed ourselves and called it a day.

Leaving in the Morning: https://youtube.com/shorts/aAKX4woywfY?feature=share

First Bull (Longer video): https://youtu.be/dPb57fyMVQU

It's a Bull: https://youtube.com/shorts/sU7Aa_fUK44?feature=share

Mahi Sneak Attack: https://youtube.com/shorts/5s6HrMXU4ho?feature=share

Big Girl Mahi: https://youtube.com/shorts/Dl3fKTxZz7I?feature=share

Yellow Fin Tuna: https://youtube.com/shorts/1CPmR1-gCeM?feature=share

Longer Tuna Video: https://youtu.be/qeg87-mTlso

African Pompano: https://youtube.com/shorts/5Nz-JdZpgsU?feature=share

Day 5

Breakfast -Chocolate Factory Tour -Lunch -Swimming -Packing

Last day at the resort in rainy season and it was finally raining. When we woke up we ran downstairs to find that it was pouring. There are umbrellas for guests in many different areas. We grabbed umbrellas and then went to breakfast. I asked the people who worked there if they had a chance to eat some of the fish that I gifted the kitchen staff. They said that they hadn’t but that they were very grateful and that the chef was going to make fish for all the employees that night. This made me feel much better than the first day when I didn’t even get dinner.

I knew as a man who just did two days fishing that I needed to do something for my wife. She had thoroughly enjoyed the rainforest tour and I knew that she would love the chocolate factory tour. So we hung out for a bit and then at 11AM we met to go to the chocolate factory. It was about a 30 minute drive away. On the way there were saw Palm Oil farms on the side of the street as well as Teak Wood farms. These trees grow exceptionally well in Costa Rica. We had a different tour guide, he was more soft spoken and we had to ask him to speak up a bit for us.

We arrived at the farm. It was a traditional Costa Rican farm. The government 50 or 60 years ago had given away plots of lands to people. These plots often had traditional farms. These kinds of farms grew all the food that someone would need. Many of the traditional farms had been lost but on this one everything was organic as well as part of the farm was wild.

It was pouring out and we had big umbrellas. We learned about different kinds of plants as we walked around. They had the cacao trees and different kinds of big cacao seed pods. Our tour guide picked one off the tree and we ate raw cocoa seeds, which were white. The sweet part was the gummy flesh on the outside of the seed. Most locals prefer this part of the cacao plant. We were introduced to many different trees for food inside the farm. My wife ate some white peppercorns off a peppercorn tree and later she regretted it.

After touring a lot of the farm we went to the piece de resistance, a huge Kapok tree. It was incredible to say the least. We took a picture of the tree and admired it. We also drank coconut water and threw the coconuts into a river into a hoop.

After the Kapok tree we went to the main pole barn and we got to try our hand at making chocolate. We saw the process of drying the chocolate seeds. We were able to crush the seeds. To separate the seeds and then crush them into paste and sweeten the chocolate with powdered sugar. Chocolate has many great properties but one property is that it is great for your skin. My wife and I did a chocolate face mask. We then were made a traditional Costa Rican lunch. There was yucca, rice, chicken, beans, green banana salad and it was delicious. There were two chocolate hearts that we had for dessert. We went back to the hotel and enjoyed the rest of the day by swimming and eating. The next morning it was back on the bush plane and taking off to the mainland to catch our plane back home.

Neat Plant at the Chocolate Farm: https://youtube.com/shorts/mgG7_9vtGNo?feature=share

Kapok at the Chocolate Farm: https://youtube.com/shorts/1Fq9mx38M20?feature=share

Chocolate Farm Pole Barn: https://youtube.com/shorts/pKfuvHhSSQs?feature=share

Chocolate Farm Separating Chocolate: https://youtu.be/5enBsUNoHAI

Chocolate Facemask: https://youtu.be/714ljFpYEKk

#sean #borca #costarica trip

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awanderingcanadian · 5 months

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Costa Rica for Newbies

After arriving at YVR to discover that our ongoing flight from Mexico City was “delayed” for 2.5 days, and the staff at YVR didn’t have access to options, we arrived in Mexico City around 4am local time, (2am Vancouver time), and immediately made a beeline for the AeroMexico customer service desk. You may be shocked to read that it wasn’t busy at that time of the night. When I booked the flights, I saw that we could go in Business Class for $200CDN more, (I’ve never seen a price that close to a domestic price before), so I booked them. In hindsight, this turned out to be a great decision. Not only were we a priority for rebooking, we also had use of the AeroMexico lounge. The wonderful representative found us seats on the next flight out, (albeit it 12 hours after our original flight, and in an exit row, not Business class, for which she apologized profusely), and off we went for a record 14.5 hours of lounge time. We napped, ate, and drank water, lattes, and even a glass of wine. Arriving into San Jose, Costa Rica around midnight, we weren’t out of the airport until closer to 1am. Our car rental representative was still waiting there for us. We had booked a last minute inexpensive hotel near the airport and had said we would be arriving around 1am, (as this was a small family run hotel we worried about a late arrival). We pulled into the gated parking at 1:30am and crashed hard into our bed. Awakening to this view though, made it all okay:

The next morning we set out for our treehouse accommodation in Cocles, (a few kms south of Puerto Viejo). I had read that it would take just under 4 hours, but almost 6 hours later, we arrived. Our limited experience of roads in Costa Rica, (the ‘highway’ over the mountains to the Caribbean coast and subsequent side roads), have thus far confirmed the opinion that the roads here are terrible. The highway is under construction, moving from 2 to 4 lane constantly, but with very little notice. One moment you’re driving on a 4 lane divided highway, the next, the two lanes over the median are empty, and there are large trucks coming toward you in your ‘fast lane’. In an interesting twist, there are often 2 lanes going down the hills, and one going up the hill?? We quickly understood why our AirBnB host said not to make the drive at night. The ‘road’ to our AirBnb is a 2 km gravel road…with huge rocks and not gravel. It’s quite a workout for the Suzuki Vitara, (probably the most common vehicle we’ve seen here).

Car rentals here are also interesting, as most places insist that you take out the full insurance, regardless of the fact that your credit card company might provide secondary insurance. I called our credit card company and they said to take the minimum required and they would cover the rest. They sent us something to print and take with us specifically stating we were covered in Costa Rica. So, we booked with the “full insurance” package. When we picked up the car, they then informed us that the “full insurance” had an $1800USD deductible if the accident was our fault, and get this…a 20% deductible on the total damage if the accident WAS NOT our fault. WTH?? We’ve declined this extra insurance, on top of our “full insurance”, and hope that if we are actually involved in an accident, our credit car will honour its word. Because of these dire warnings, we took a video of our car at pick up, (as well as some photos…remember it was after 1:00am and we had had very little sleep in the past 2 nights). Two days into our rental, we discovered that we are missing a lug nut from the front and back tire on the passenger side. We looked back at our pick up video and yes…they rented us a car already missing two lug nuts.

I tilted this post “Costa Rica for Newbies” because, although we are fairly seasoned travellers, there’s always something new to learn when you go somewhere new. I’m not writing this to complain, just to maybe help other newbies to Costa Rica!

#awanderingcanadian #costa rica #rental cars

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sunil-govind · 1 year

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aaatourcostarica1 · 2 years

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Planning Your Summer Vacation in Costa Rica

As you anticipate the warm sunshine and turn of seasons, there's no better time to start planning your summer vacation in Costa Rica!

The most popular tourist destination in Latin America, Costa Rica offers an immense variety of things to do during your getaway. From a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat to an action-packed adventure of a lifetime, you can design the perfect personalized vacation in this tropical paradise. Here’s your all-inclusive checklist for your Costa Rican summer vacation:

Find the Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, the most biodiverse country in the world, is jam-packed with adventurous opportunities to sprinkle throughout your vacation. Whether you want to relax by the turquoise waters of the Pacific, go on a culinary exploration of Latin dishes, or sail through the rainforest canopy on a zipline - there is a perfect Costa Rica destination waiting for you.

La Fortuna

Located at the base of the Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna provides natural world luxury for your getaway.

Hotels and resorts offer guests geothermal hot springs experiences, hikes amidst the gorgeous local waterfalls, and open-air dining. For a matchless adventure, try spelunking in the Arenal Venado Caves.

Manuel Antonio

Stay near Manuel Antonio National Park for a true tropical escape. Manuel Antonio provides endless adventures and excursions around the rainforest and on pristine beaches. Say hello to the sloths and monkeys as you soar through the canopy on a zipline or float by on a whitewater raft.

Monteverde

Costa Rica is a world leader in ecotourism, and Monteverde is the ideal destination for celebrating and exploring biodiversity. Plant yourself amidst the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest and plan some invigorating hikes or a tour of the canopy via hanging bridges or ziplines.

Jaco & Los Sueños

If you’re looking to surround yourself with more commercial infrastructure or a bit of luxury on your Costa Rican vacation, the Jaco and Los Sueños area is for you. The town of Jaco has become a tourist destination for surfers, sport-fishers, and backpackers. Los Sueños offers a world-class resort community featuring plenty of tours and activities to keep you occupied.

Book Your Transportation

When traveling to Costa Rica, you’ll fly into the capital city of San Jose to the Juan Santamaría International Airport.

From the airport, decide if you will rent a car or rely on other methods of transportation across the country. San Jose is in a central location with easy access to the best travel destinations throughout Costa Rica. You can hire private transport, use a ride-sharing service like Uber, hop on public transportation, or use a shared shuttle service to whichever town or city you are staying in.

Reserve Your Accommodations

Once you have chosen which location will host your Costa Rica summer vacation, it’s time to choose your accommodations. Hotels, resorts, rental homes, and condos are popular choices for vacationers.

Use AAA Tours Costa Rica’s Tropical Paradise Bungalows for your perfect lodgings!

Don’t Forget the Food

Food is an important part of cultural identity. To make the most of your Costa Rican vacation, plan to stop at highly rated and delicious restaurants featuring the local fair. There are plenty of world-class culinary experiences such as the San Lucas Treetop Dining or Rancho La Cascada to thrill your palate!

For affordable Costa Rica vacation packages for families, contact Costa Rica’s

dependable travel advisor

AAA Tour Costa Rica

#Costa Rica Custom Trips

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ouroutdoorsports · 4 years

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Best Kayak fishing sport in world

Pi-AS BAY, PANAMA

If you want to enjoy in the winters and in need to experience a high class getaway, then this place is a fantastic one. Here both type of fish, big as well as small fish are available. Small ones you can catch near the shore and big ones of course out in the sea especially the Blue Marlin and Sailfish. Apart from fishing, there a lot number of hotels and bars to attract more and more tourists. So, Panama is a great place to visit for sure.

2) Colorado River

The Colorado river , or the Rio Colorado, in Costa Rican is a distributory of the San Juan River which flows 96 km (60 mi) towards the Caribbean in the northern parts of Heredia and Limón Provinces. The surrounding habitats are protected as part of the second largest rain forest preserve in the country, the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge.

The river is a well known tourist destination, particularly for fishing for tarpon and snook The Colorado River is considered one of the best places in the world to catch Atlantic tarpon

This location for fishing is the most popular one in South America. The beautiful river of Costa Rica is not all to be missed. Suitable in the summer weather, this area is worth remembering especially in case of fish fights. It is literally like a tug of war kind of experience while catching fish here. The Rio Colorado Lodge is a resort that remains open for tourist for the whole year. So, an adventurous story is on the cards people

3) Hatteras Island

Hatteras island , reconnect with family and friends, and yourself, through a variety of recreation. For example, you can fish right from the beach or take a charter boat out to the deep blue water of the Gulf Stream. Learn to harness the wind on a kiteboard or take lessons in leisure on paddleboards with your crew. There's little in the way of franchises and fast food but don’t confuse “doing without” with “going without.” Instead, think of soulful coastal restaurants and interesting mom-and-pop shops. While your setting will be a bit more on the untamed side of nature, accommodations are as modest or modern as you like. The beauty of Hatteras is that you can easily reach all the other OBX hotspots, but call a simpler and quieter part of the barrier islands your home away from home.

https://kayakfishinsider.com/ highlights winter on Hatteras Island, with businesses that are open and activities that are occurring during this special season.

Hatteras fishing is serious business especially for the anglers. People visit this place for other reasons like beach fun and shopping but the fishing feature attracts them the most. This location is famous for off shore fishing. This location is most suitable in winters between November and December. It is considered one of the best fishing spots on the Atlantic Coast and is famous for Yellow fin Tuna and Mahi Mahi. The weather condition is the perfect out here to make your trip even more satisfying and successful. You just have to charter a boat and you are ready to get an amazing off shore fishing experience. The fish is caught here with lures and chunks by flying-fishing technique which is very fascinating to watch out for.

4) Lizard Island

Lizard island is situated in Australia's which is most exclusive destinations. Lizard Island is situated 132 nautical miles in north west of Cairns Queensland. The island covers an area of 1013 hectares and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful and pristine reefs in the world. These reefs are absolutely teeming with marine life - several species of clown fish, green turtles, giant clams, rays, amazing coral formations and hundreds of species of colorful tropical fish await you at Lizard Island. Lizard Island boasts 23 pure white beaches. Lizard Island is the ultimate remote Great Barrier Reef experience. For those wanting to visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia - it does not get any better than Lizard Island. LIZARD ISLAND HISTORY Lizard Island holds great historical significance concerning both Aboriginals and Europeans. Ltd James Cook, along with Sir Joseph Banks, named the island 'Lizard Island' after discovering many large sand monitors upon their first visit to the island. Just over 100 years later the island was inhabited by beache-de-mer fisherman. Watson's Bay on Lizard Island is named after one of these fisherman. The story of the escape of Watson's wife through the Great Barrier Reef from Lizard Island while sitting inside the cut-down boiler from a sunken ship has become one the most prominent tales of folklore from the pioneering era of Australia's history. Lizard Island in Australia is a very different or you may say kind of unusual Island. It is quite accessible for the tourist to reach the Island as the flights to this place are connected to all airports in Australia. This is the best fishing location especially in the season of September to December. The fish found here is the Black Marlin and you need to change your style of fishing for these local gliders. The island is situated on The Great Barrier Reef. It is quite an unforgettable holiday destination due to its fishing, beautiful view and luxurious resorts. All in one package deal! So, if you are a professional fisherman or a first timer, the fishing experience at the Lizard Island will make your day worth remembering.

5) Martha's Vineyard,

. Martha, vineyard has one of the best fishing spots since 70 years from now. You need to explore the natural beauty of the Island. This location is famous for plentiful of fully grown Striped Bass, Bluefish, and False Albacore and also known as one of the best fishing spots. Mostly medium sized fish are find here a Massachusetts island, sits in the Atlantic just south of Cape Cod. A longtime New England summer colony, it encompasses harbor towns and lighthouses, sandy beaches and farmland. It's accessible only by boat or air. Vineyard Haven, on the eastern end, is a ferry port and the island's commercial center. Oak Bluffs has Carpenter Gothic cottages and an iconic carousel of fully grown Striped Bass, Bluefish, Boneto and False Albacore and also known as one of the best fishing spots. Mostly medium sized fish are find here. It is situates in middle of the migratory route and natural bait is massive here which is the favorite food of fish. Experienced fisherman and the locals out there mostly use casting poppers and parachute jigs to get an amazing experience of fishing.

6) Kailua-Kona

Is a town on the west coast of Hawaii Island . Hulihee Palace is a former royal vacation from the 1800s, is Hawaii’s oldest Christian church. On Kailua Bay, reconstructed that ched houses at Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark mark King Kamehameha Is residence. Colorful coral lies off Kamakahonu Beach. Kailua Pier has boat moorings If you are planning a trip to Hawaii in the coming summers, then you got to visit this amazing fishing spot. Hawaii is the world’s top deep sea fishing destination and it is the capital of sports fishing as well. It is surrounded by five huge sized mountains. Here you will find a wide variety of fish like Tuna, Marlin, Wahoo and many more. .Apart from this you can find the amazing Pacific Blue fish weighing around 300 pounds approximately. Fishing across the sea is in itself an marvelous thing to explore.

7) EAST CAPE-BAJA,MEXICO

The East Cape Region extends from several miles east of San Jose del Cabo along the Sea of Cortez, to north of Punta Pescadero, Los Barriles and Rancho Buena Vista. All are names long popular with fly-in fishing diehards; but perhaps not so familiar to many others. That’s changing as more people discover this region where quiet hideaway hotels coexist with new restaurantsThe Real Baja”, is a terribly bumpy dirt road that runs for about 50 miles along the Sea of Cortez coastline. Blue and black marlin are plentiful from June to December, and the area explodes as the fishing resort crowd moves in. Roosterfish, yellowtail, wahoo and tuna are also abundant. Whatever your expectations, rest assured, there are miles of isolated coastline, pristine waters and an ample array of sports and activities for every taste, from diving to boardsailing. It remains popular for almost the whole year but the peak time is from May to November. Marlins found here are really huge in size and shape nearly around or more than 1000 pounds. This is a very affordable destination to visit which can turn out to be very productive, fun and rewarding as well

Kailua

, also known by its post office designation Kailua-Konato differentiate it from Kailua located on the windward side of Oʻahu island, and sometimes referred to as Kona in everyday speech, is an unincorporated city (Census Designated Place) in Hawai County, Hawaii, United States

8) Betty Lake and Bob Lake

are accessible from the Hessie Trailhead in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The lakes are located half a mile apart in the open tundra of an isolated offshoot in a gorgeous alpine valley. Visitors will enjoy light crowds and pristine landscapes on the hike to Betty and Bob lakes: Betty Lake is located just 9 miles away from Netherlands which is quite near. It is one of the best fishing locations in the whole of United States of America. You may find here a wide variety of cutthroat Trout which means there are full chances to get a bite! It is situated at the beautiful landscape of Indian Peaks Wilderness. It is basically a kind of hilly area with mountains and trees and shrubs all around. Suitable weather is mainly between June and July.

9) Chalk streams

are rivers that rise from springs in landscapes with chalk bedrock. Since chalk is permeable, water percolates easily through the ground to the water table and chalk streams therefore receive little surface runoff. As a result, the water in the streams contains little organic matter and sediment and is generally very clear. The beds of the rivers are generally composed of clean, compacted gravel and flints, which are good spawning areas for Salmonidae fish species Fish found here is the famous Trout which is available plentiful here. Spring season is the best season to go for fishing in this area and it is totally within your budget. So, if you want a beautiful fishing experience then it’s a must visit.

10) JEROME LAKE, ALASKA

It is also called Fair man Lake .At this fishing location you will find the Trout fish in large numbers. The view of this location is breathtaking and of course very photogenic. The late fall season is the most suitable for fishing here as it is the migration time. So, get your fishing rods and reel ready to catch Trout fish as many as you can.

11) Montauk, New York

Montauk is a village at the east end of the Long Island peninsula. It’s known for its beaches, like Ditch Plains, with its strong Atlantic surf. At the peninsula’s tip, Montauk Point State Park is home to the 1796 Montauk Point Lighthouse. A museum in the keeper’s house displays historical documents signed by George Washington. Camp Hero State Park, once a military base, has WWII bunkers and a radar tower. Fishermen generally find smaller fish here as their fins get rub by the sandy shores of Montauk but these also weigh more than 40-50 pounds.

12) ASCENSION BAY, MEXICO

It is a long established fact that for fly fishing, Ascension Bay, Mexico, is the number one fly fishing destination in the world for catching Permit on the fly: moot point, done deal Going further, did you know that Ascension Bay, Mexico, has an incredible, The months are from February to June, you will find here Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit. Fishermen who love the flat angle style, this spot will give you the best experience by using the famous flying-fish technique. Due to excessive or plenty of water, you got to get some dry clothes with you. Fisherman Lodge is situated in an international wildlife park and UN Heritage Site; known as the Sian Ka'an National Park that spans some 1,300,000 acres of prime inflatable fishing flats. Ascension Bay is ranked as one of the finest fly fishing locations in the world and offers outstanding fly fishing opportunities; in its pristine flat; and mangrove-lined shores with a backdrop of the lush green rainforest.

#10 Best Inflatable Kayaks #Best Inflatable Kayaks #fishing kayak review

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followthisvacationguide-blog · 5 years

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Things You Need to Consider When Visiting Jaco Beach

If you are looking for the one true party place in Costa Rica then you have got to go to the town of Jaco. It is this one that is located at the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. If you will come from the San Jose airport and will be taking the brand new highway recently opened to the public then it would only take you an hour to arrive at Jaco. It is shops, restaurants and plenty of nightlife that you are able to see once you arrive at this place. Since Jaco is a beach town then it is here where you are able to do sport fishing, surfing and adventure tours. Many visitors though go to this place due to the nightlife that it offers. The real fun begins once the sunset in the Pacific Ocean. Get more details in this homepage.

If it is food is what you will be wanting to try then this place has a lot to offer. Offering Argentinean steak houses, seafood, Japanese and local cuisine are just some of the things that you can try here. If you are also into music then this place doesn't run out of it. You will be able to hare bands playing classic rock, reggae, calypso, Latin and other varieties of music. If you also love dance clubs and discos then you can find them open all night in Jaco. It is also in this place that you can go to adult night clubs and exotic clubs is that is your thing. Once you want to be in the center of Costa Rica's most famous and premier party central then Jaco is that place.

Once you go to Jaco then it is you that can choose from the plenty of family accommodations around. The Copacabana Hotel & Suites is one of the famous places where you can choose to stay. A hotel centrally located right on the beach is what you are able to get from this one. It is also the location of the hotel that is near to the strip, close to all shops, clubs, and nightlife. If you want to try Latin American cuisine, Asian, Seafood, Mexican then you need to visit the Ocean Waves restaurant. They also, offer featured items and specialty nights. Check out this Paradise in Costa Rica.

Many accommodations can also of you other amenities like professional spa, swimming pools, outdoor Jacuzzis, and wet bars. If you are want to experience nightly live music and entertainment then this is your place to go. A wild and unforgettable vacation is what you are able to get once you visit Jaco. Check out more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacation.

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costaricapropertylisting-blog · 5 years

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Costa Rica Investment Opportunities

Costa Rica Properties - Investment Opportunities

The location of the properties makes them a great investment opportunity in the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. For individuals looking for a place where to build a house surrounded by a quiet atmosphere and forest, to companies or group of people looking for a business investment opportunity, we invite you to visit the properties and start building your dreamed getaway house or your business project.

We are sure you have a lot of ideas, but we have decided to give you more and list some of the projects that can be developed in these properties located near the town of Jaco Costa Rica:

- Eco-tourism project: great location for an increasingly popular activity: the eco-tourism and responsible travel. Some of the activities that can be developed are: bird watching, hiking through natural trials (easy to difficult), fishing trip, horseback rides, tour to near plantations (Palm oil Trees, pineapple, green foliage, and flowers), visit cattle farms, cultures visiting local families, visits the local school, activities with locals, canopy tours, hanging bridges, areas for jungle overnight experiences.

- Mountain Lodge: due to the weather of the Central Pacific in this region, an exotic lodge standing on high piles would be a great investment, offering something different an unique to your future customers.

- Treehouse Lodge: an amazing adventure and encounter with the forest.

- Canopies and hanging bridges

- A private treehouse

- A private house standing on high piles

- A cattle farm: for milk or for meat, or for both purposes.

- Reforestation projects

- Scientific Studies and Research

- Donations to scientific and/or educational organizations or foundations

- Zoo Project and Animals Conservation Foundation: natural observation of native animals. A project where you can combine public education with a wildlife research study, with various purposes: tourism, research, education, conservation, and protection. Also can include a special area for injured native animals in order to create an environment where they can recover and might have the opportunity to return to their habitat.

If you are interested and think that all these Great Properties Listings projects can be developed together, yes, the properties size gives the opportunity to develop various projects, combining them in great business investment.

In the other hand, if you just want to build your own place to relax and enjoy the forest, the smallest property is 25 hectares, so be certain that you will have a lot of space to have a peaceful atmosphere.

Contact us for more information and to coordinate a visit to the properties while you are in Costa Rica. You will discover the investment opportunities this region has to offer.

Costa Rica - General information

Costa Rica is located in Central America, Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the South, surrounded by two oceans: the Pacific Ocean and The Caribbean Sea. Its location makes a great environment for amazing ecological biodiversity and unique destination.

The total territory is 51.100 km2 and approximately 25% of this Costa Rican territory has been protected, creating protected areas: wildlife refuges, biological reserves, and national parks.

Costa Rica is divided into 7 provinces: San José, Cartago, Alajuela, Heredia, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and Limón, this last one where the properties are located.

Most of the visitors that arrive in Costa Rica, enter the country by air. There are two main International Airports: Juan Santamaria International Airport, located in Alajuela, about 30 minutes away from San Jose downtown. The other one is located in Liberia City, in Guanacaste, about 4 to 5 hours from San Jose. Also is possible to arrive in Costa Rica if coming from Nicaragua or Panama, or if coming in a cruise.

The main international airlines offer daily flights to Costa Rica, from different cities in the USA, Canada, Europe, South America, Central America, Asia and the rest of the world.

The official currency in Costa Rica is the colon. US dollar is widely accepted, however, it is recommended to always exchange some money, especially if visiting remote and rural areas. US dollar and Euros can be exchanged at the Banks, and sometimes at the front desk of the hotels. Currency converter

Spanish is the official language, but English is spoken by many people, especially in tourist areas.

Costa Rica is a small country but is an amazing place to live or develop your business. We invite you to visit Costa Rica and discover the variety of activities and destinations that has to explore, learn and share.

#Costa Rica Real Estate #Costa Rica Invesment #Costa Rica Properties For Sale

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fincarosablanca · 1 year

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Hotels near san jose costa rica airport

If you're planning a trip to Costa Rica, chances are you'll be flying into the San Jose International Airport. While there are plenty of accommodations in and around the city center, staying near the airport can save time and hassle during your travels. Luckily, there are several great hotel options just minutes from the Hotels near san jose costa rica airport.

One popular choice is the Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela. This modern hotel offers comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool, fitness center and free shuttle service to and from the airport. Another option is the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton San Jose Airport. This hotel features spacious rooms with plush bedding, free breakfast and a complimentary shuttle service to nearby restaurants and shopping centers.

If you're looking for a more luxurious stay, consider booking a room at Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Convention Center.

#Hotels near san jose costa rica airport

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costaricafarm · 3 years

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invest in Costa Rica

Why invest in Costa Rica?

As the world expands and more opportunities open up. Everyone is frequently looking for an investment that keeps benefitting them for a long time. No one can work their entire life, so they genuinely need an investment that automatically keeps providing them with a good income, and what's better than to invest in Costa Rica. a

Costa Rica is a Central American country and its capital is San Jose. Costa Rica enjoys a very beneficial tax system whereby. In Costa Rica you can offset any foreign direct investments, and can carry forward the investments for up to 5 years.

It is also known for its free trade zones, which also enjoy 0 % incentives during the first year(s) of the establishment. be returned tax a world-class place, has its beauty perks as well as its booming tourism industry. It's a little paradise in Central America, and Costa Rica is a place worth seeing, and worth investing money in. so don't wait and invest in Costa Rica.

There are many ways foreigners can invest in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is the central valley, which provides a significant real estate investment. Costa Rica offers many land development projects.

Most continental companies invest in Costa Rica through stocks, residential real estate, or commercial real estate. Since Costa Rica has tax-friendly government policies, most investors start a business there. They might start hotels, bars, restaurants, adventure parks, or just rental guesthouses.

Having to move to Costa Rica, you should move because there is no such place as Costa Rica which provides so much greenery and nature. Invest Costa Rica before it's too late, and live like a Costa Rican.

Is investing in Costa Rica real estate a good option?

The best and the most popular way to invest in Costa Rica is through real estate. Because it benefits the most and contributes a large amount of income.

This place has grasped all tourist attractions in the coming years. The popular choice of its vacation and retirement homes is growing day by day. People are more interested in living their last years surrounded by nature and earning a good livelihood without a hassle.

Since Costa Rica has very low government taxes and has a stable government, investing in Costa Rica is worth every penny. Living in Costa Rica is very cheap, and the health care system is also cheap and of high quality.

The geography and topography of Costa Rica are fantastic, and the 20,000 square miles of land have outstanding land. About 5 million people reside nearby San Jose, which is the capital of Central Valley.

There is only 0.25% of tax on the registered property's value. So the cost of living is cheaper than anywhere else in the world.

If you move to Costa Rica, you have many options for buying near the beaches, mountainsides, and lakefronts, so you need not worry about anything.

To invest in Costa Rica gives excellent incentives for all those people who are about to retire.

Apart from living in Costa Rica, the commercial real estate of Costa Rica is also toughing new heights. It's has become the best rental income investment. All commercial investments will be of great value to you from farms, beach resorts, hotels, bars, restaurants, and adventure parks.

There are many different options for investments in Costa Rica, but the best ones featured this month are:

1. Turn-Key Ocean Estate

This beautiful place has an overall good vibe as the 15-acre. The beachfront resort has a tropical layout, which highly sorts after when investing in Costa Rica. The place consists of the main house and a guest house.

The property is only 5 minutes’ drive from the sandy beach and has tropical landscaping with fruit trees, flowers, and so much more. A great opportunity to invest in Costa Rica

Professionals have designed it, and the main house is worth seeing as it is fully furnished with wooden ceilings.

All bedrooms have attached A/C. There is an internet connection and a vast underground water tank, which makes water available all the time.

The close-knit community has several activities, and it is just half an hour away from San Jose.

School campus with housing, is another way to Invest in Costa Rica.

What is better than to invest in Costa Rica? A school can give you a heavy amount of income. This school is just 15 minutes away from downtown Heredia and 45 minutes drive from the airport. So it is easily accessible.

Costa Rica is the best country in Latin America; students come from all of America to study here. The newly built school is a perfect investment as it has many classrooms, laboratories.

The campus has been used to hold many seminars, meetings, and gatherings.

Modern Duplexes, another option.

Invest in Costa Rica and its free zones. Uvita living, is set up in a modern duplex. The duplex built in 2018, so it has a very modern touch. Invest Costa Rica is a multinational company.

There are two complete units, a living area, and a kitchen with hardwood cabinets, and a durable concrete floor. The bedroom has an attached bath. Availability of hot running water, as well as A/C, is available.

The terrace has covering and there is a pool as well as extra space for gardening.

This property of 655 m2 comes fully furnished with all essential items needed for daily life. A great way you can Invest Costa in Rica is this duplex. You can use the duplex as a rental unit for constant flow of income. This is a fantastic way to invest in Costa Rica.

https://buymyfarm.co/

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costaricaexperts · 6 years

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8 Top Costa Rica Wellness Resorts & Retreats

The growing emphasis on health and wellness in today’s culture has created a demand for wellness escapes everywhere. The laid-back ambiance and exotic beauty of Costa Rica have made it a top contender among international wellness destinations. A generally happy people and emphasis on the simple, pure life make it easy to unwind, take the days slowly, and refill your cup. It doesn’t hurt that Costa Rica is a tropical paradise either. The following Costa Rica wellness retreats are exactly what you need to reset and flourish.

Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat, Santa Teresa

Pranamar Villas from @mvandersluis

Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat is an oceanfront 9-villa boutique hotel set on the pristine beaches of Santa Teresa in the heart of yoga country on the Nicoya Peninsula. With daily surf and yoga classes with views overlooking the ocean from a spectacular Yoga Shala, guests can slow down and reconnect with their surroundings. The spa at Pranamar has a variety of massage treatments and treatments focused on the release and relaxation of specific body areas or problems such as the traveler’s well-being package or the yogi’s path package.

Tabacon Grand Spa & Thermal Resort, Arenal Volcano

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Located near Arenal Volcano, the highlight of Tabacon Grand Spa & Thermal Resort is their expansive all natural hot springs naturally fed by the volcano. The hot springs are a true tropical paradise surrounded by lush tropical gardens. The Grand Spa has a multitude of memorable spa experiences that can be booked in outdoor bungalows surrounded by nature in complete privacy.

Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River, Guanacaste

A nice off-the-beaten-path alternative to Tabacon Resort is Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River in Bagaces, Guanacaste. The hotel is only about 1 hour from Liberia International Airport but has far fewer visitors than Arenal Volcano. It is situated on a 600-acre nature reserve with Rio Perdido Thermal River at its focal point. The river is naturally heated by the Miravalles Volcano. The lively landscape has created dozens of natural pools at varying temperatures and rich with minerals from the soil in which guests can relax. Additionally, Rio Perdido Hotel offers massages and their signature volcanic mud body-painting. Upon reservation of the mud body-painting treatment, guests are given the mineral-rich mud which can be applied to your partner, yourself, or your friends at a special hot river pool designated for treatments. The mud should set for about 10 minutes before rinsing in the river.

Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, Nosara

Bodhi Tree Open-Air Shala

Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort is located in Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula just a short walk or shuttle ride from Guiones Beach. This luxurious boutique resort has 26 Balinese-style rooms and gardens and all levels of surf and yoga classes. The Bodhi wellness experience includes a fresh juice bar, in-house surf school, daily yoga and pilates classes, a full-service spa, and a gym. Not to mention the wild and pristine Nicoya Peninsula beaches are perfect for rest and rejuvenation!

The Retreat, Central Valley

“Every breakfast here begins with a bowl of fruit, freshly made juice, granola with goat milk yogurt, and something like a chia pudding… then we get coffee and omelets. Really loving this whole eating healthy thing over here!” via @lanababiy.personal

The Retreat is an 11-room boutique hotel and wellness center located in Costa Rica’s Central Valley. This lush escape nestled in the mountains with views extending out to the Pacific Ocean emphasizes well-being. Hatha yoga classes are offered every morning and Restorative yoga classes are offered every afternoon. The Retreat also has a pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, fitness room, and several hikes available on the property such as the Municipal Forest Hike, Desmonte Mountain Hike, and Goldmine Waterfalls Hike. Their farm-to-table restaurant and wellness cooking classes held by celebrity chef Diana Stobo is another highlight of The Retreat experience. Guests can even book a wine pairing dinner with a trained wine sommelier. Salud!

Amatierra Retreat & Wellness Center, Central Valley

Soaking in the natural beauty at Amatierra Retreat

About a 50-minute drive from San Jose, Amatierra Retreat & Wellness Center is a retreat focusing on holistic health. The property offers hatha yoga in the morning from an open-air teakwood pavilion surrounded by rainforest. The resort also offers holistic spa treatments with a certified herbalist. In fact, some of the herbs used in your treatments may be growing right on the property. Energy balance, vibrational healing, and sound therapy can all be included in your therapy treatments.

Latitude 10 Resort, Santa Teresa

Seaside massage at Latitude 10 Resort

Latitude 10 Resort was originally constructed as a beach house for two friends and their families and has since been converted to a boutique hotel while maintaining that intimate beach house charm. The hotel is located on Santa Teresa Beach, one of the world’s blue zones, a region of the world in which people live measurably longer lives. Latitude 10 has only five breezy open-air casitas and one guest house connected to the beach house. Wake up to the sound of the ocean and enjoy open-air showers completely surrounded by nature from your casita. This laid-back paradise is an idyllic reminder to slow down and reset. Delicious local produce is central to the Latitude 10 dining experience. The Meridian Spa has therapies, focused treatments, and massages for the ultimate relaxation. Latitude 10 also offers complimentary seaside yoga three times per week during the high season (winter months) and two times per week during the low season (summer months). Privately guided yoga is available upon request in the location of your choosing. What could be more relaxing than practicing your asanas to the sound of crashing waves?

Samasati Nature Retreat & Rainforest Sanctuary, Southern Caribbean

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Located a bit off the beaten path on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, Samasti Nature Retreat & Rainforest Sanctuary is a laid-back lodge set within a rainforest sanctuary with views overlooking the Caribbean. Wellness and health are at the forefront of the Samasati experience. The property focuses on natural remedies at their spa with treatments such as the mocha body scrub, Ayurvedic Yoga massage, and deep-tissue massage. Relax and unwind in the outdoor Jacuzzi following your spa treatment.

In need of a refresh? Check out our Wellness Vacation Packages for Rest & Relaxation!

My Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone Retreat

Digital Detox Destinations in Costa Rica

Discovering Wellness in Costa Rica

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jacobeachtourguide · 3 years

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An Incredible Costa Rica Vacation Destination

History: Jaco Beach was once an archetypical sleepy beach town located along the Pacific Ocean. However, it was only long ago when Jaco Beach began to offer world class waves to international surfers, particularly since the proximity to San Jose (only less than two hours away). In addition to the world class surfers, the local beach bars and clubs were attracting international music acts, which helped to transform Jaco Beach into what is today known as a hot spot on the Central American map.

Surf Day Trip: When planning a surfing trip to Jaco Beach, you should plan on visiting both the North and South coasts of this paradise island. There are a number of different routes to choose between. Most surf tour operators will offer a day trip option from their airport. This is certainly the best way to see all that Jaco has to offer, but if time is limited, or you are looking for a more guided tour of the town, you can choose to take a traditional surf day trip through the La Gran Plaza, or one of the many outlying beaches such as La Cala, Espanola, Miraflores, or Tararata.

Playa Hermosa: While Jaco Beach is definitely a popular tourist destination, the neighboring Playa Hermosa is a great place for any type of relaxation or adventure, and is the perfect place to get away from the crowd. This remote area is south of Jaco Beach and is surrounded by pristine white sand. It offers breathtaking ocean views, as well as, water sports, fishing, hiking, and boating. The most famous surf spot in the area is the narrow strip of sand right next to the town of Miraflores. This narrow beach is also the home to some of the best windsurfing in Costa Rica, making it an all-year round vacation destination.

Costa Rica Travel Guide: One of the things that makes a Costa Rica vacation so exciting is having the ability to visit one of the country's numerous seaside towns. Among the most well-known is Jaco and Playa Hermosa. These two towns sit on the Pacific Ocean, near the nation's capital city of San Jose. You'll find beautiful sandy beaches here, along with crystal clear ocean water, plenty of room to sun bath, and excellent surfing opportunities. You might want to consider taking a Costa Rica vacation package that includes tours of these two stunning beaches.

Surf lessons and extensive scuba diving programs are offered at both jaco beach and Playa Hermosa, and a variety of tours are available to fit your budget and traveling needs. In Jaco, you can take a tour of the turtle reef, go dolphin watching, or scuba dive or snorkel. There are even tours of a rainforest that offers visitors the opportunity to feed monkeys and hike in the forest.

The cuisine served at each beach is exquisite, and visitors are encouraged to sample the local flavor. Visitors can stay at one of the many five-star hotels that dot the beach, enjoy a wide range of local entertainment such as swimming, surfing, and hiking, dine at restaurants, go on biking adventures, or explore the jungle in a Jeep rental. While there, be sure to check out the local markets for second-hand goods, souvenirs, and artworks. The locals are quite boisterous, and many of them live on the beach, selling everything from seafood to knickknacks to hot dogs.

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alucybrown56 · 2 years

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Benefits Of Booking Hotels Near Airport In San Jose Costa Rica

While hotels near airports are mostly associated with business travelers, they are also meant for leisure travelers as well. So, whether you are a business or leisure traveler, there are things that you must know to consider hotels or lodges near the airport hotels as a better option.

If you are a leisure traveler looking for hotels in San Jose Costa Rica, it is important to consider reliable and reputable hotels such as ALAJUELA CITY Hotel And Guest House as they are one of the leading Costa Rica Airport lodges. While preferences differ from individual to individual, there is certainly a hotel or lodge that serves a certain type of guests they cater to, both leisure and business travelers. Continuing on the subject, in this blog, we share the benefits of booking hotels near the airport in San Jose Costa Rica.

Filter Out traffic

One of the major benefits of booking hotels near the airport is that you will be able to filter out traffic since you won't have to drive from the city. As a leisure or business traveler, one thing that you do not want is to miss a flight by getting stuck into city center traffic. Booking a hotel near the airport can help you avoid missing a flight just because of the traffic. So if you are not aware of the traffic chaos while on a leisure or business trip to a new city, it’s best to stay at a hotel near the airport.

Soundproof Rooms

If you are wondering whether you will be able to get good sleep staying at a hotel near the airport, then this is for you. This is because most hotels and lodges near the airport feature soundproof rooms nowadays. This is especially true for hotels that are within walking distance from the airports. So, whether you are a leisure or business traveler you will definitely get enough sleep and make the most of it since you will be in a good soundproof room at the hotel.

Plane Spotting Opportunity

Another benefit of booking hotels near the airport is that you will get the opportunity to enjoy plane spotting. Aircraft spotting is regarded as a hobby of tracking the movement of plans, which is mostly valued by photographers. This is why the best-suited location for this hobby is hotels near airports.

Cafe and Restaurant

Yes, you will need a decent cup of coffee after a long meeting or a good dinner before you go to bed, this is why it is beneficial to book hotels near the airport as they have cafes or restaurants on the premises. Also, as a business or leisure traveler, one must admit we consider hotels or lodges that feature a good cafe and restaurant, sometimes a late-night dining option can be great given the nature of its guests or audience. With the airport operating 24 hours, it also means that hotels nearby that have restaurants on-premises mostly operate around the clock.

Summing Up

The aforementioned are some of the benefits of booking hotels near an airport in San Jose Costa Rica and keeping them in mind can help you consider staying in a hotel or lodge near the airport on your next trip. Search for reputable and reliable hotels in San Jose Costa Rica such as ALAJUELA CITY Hotel And Guest House and contact them to book accommodation prior to your trip.

#hotels in san Jose costa Rica #costa Rica airport lodge

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topfygad · 5 years

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REVIEW: Lapa Rios, Costa Rica

Set within a 1000-acre private nature reserve, Lapa Rios, Costa Rica is one of the most spectacular lodges you’ll ever visit.

I’ve stayed in some incredible places on my travels, but Lapa Rios is one of the most memorable yet. Sleeping in impressive wooden bungalows with enormous terraces, and just nets for windows means you feel closer to nature than ever.

Sunrise from Lapa Rios, Osa Peninsula

Frogs hop along the pathways, toucans and macaws flap from tree to tree, and the howls of the local howler monkeys sound loud throughout the day. You don’t have to search for wildlife, it’s right there on your terrace, by the swimming pool, outside (and sometimes inside!) the restaurant and in the surrounding skies. And you know what? It’s absolutely magical.

Where Is Lapa Rios, Costa Rica?

Located in Matapalo in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Lapa Rios Lodge sits within a 1000-acre private nature reserve. It’s around 12 miles from the town of Puerto Jimenez where there’s also a small airport. If you’re arriving to San Jose, then I’d recommend catching the 50-minute flight with Sansa Airline as it’ll save you a lot of time, leaving you more precious minutes in the beautiful rainforest!

At the airport, the team from Lapa Rios will be waiting with welcome drinks and their private vehicles, ready to transport you to the lodge.

Welcome drinks at Puerto Jimenez airport before transferring to Lapa Rios Costa Rica

From Lapa Rios ecolodge, it’ll take you around an hour to drive to the starting point for travelling into Corcovado National Park – a place that is an absolute paradise for wildlife lovers.

Take a look at this Lapa Rios map to check the location in more detail.

What Is Lapa Rios, Costa Rica?

This rainforest ecolodge has sustainable tourism at its heart. Opened in 1993, the owners set out to create a sustainable lodge, which protected its endangered surroundings. The lodge has won countless awards, and has been flying the flag for ecotourism since it opened.

It was named one of National Geographic Unique Lodges In The World – a deserving accolade considering the spectacular design, location and its ecological conscience.

The property sprawls throughout a section of rainforest… so much so, it’s pretty much hidden! You’ll arrive at the hotel’s reception and restaurant/bar area. The restaurant has a spectacular spiral staircase in the centre, which I just couldn’t stop taking photos of! Beyond that are terraces, a Wifi area, and a swimming pool.

Aerial views of Lapa Rios ecolodge, Osa Peninsula

After the pool you meander down various paths to reach the bungalow accommodation. There are only 17 bungalows at Lapa Rios, so it’s an exclusive place to check in!

You really can’t get closer to nature. I saw toucans by my terrace, macaws by the restaurant and even found a frog on my door one evening! Don’t worry, it hopped off so I could go in…! You can sometimes spot sloths too. It’s worth noting that I didn’t feel unsafe, and I wasn’t being continually bitten by mosquitoes!

Sloth at Lapa Rios, Costa Rica (Photo: Lapa Rios)

Frog on my door at Lapa Rios in the Osa Peninsula

What Are The Rooms Like At Lapa Rios, Costa Rica?

The Lapa Rios deluxe oceanfront bungalows are beautiful. Structurally they’re made of wood, with thatched tops and netting all around to keep out the rainforest’s inhabitants.

Bungalow exterior at Lapa Rios, Costa Rica

My room at Lapa Rios, Osa Peninsula

My room had a large double bed, complete with a mosquito net canopy, an open plan sink area, then a separate toilet and shower room. That was only half of my space though, as outside was a huge terrace with incredible views of the ocean and rainforest, plus a hammock, chairs and table and an outdoor shower.

Outdoor shower at Lapa Rios, Costa Rica

It was wonderfully private, and apart from the occasional clip-clop of footsteps on a nearby path, I only heard the sounds of the rainforest and the elements.

Enjoying the views from my terrace at Lapa Rios, Costa Rica

What Is The Food like At Lapa Rios, Costa Rica?

In general I had excellent food at Lapa Rios lodge. The main dinner menu had everything from fish to salads to steaks. There’s also an extensive cocktail and wine list.

My favourite meal was the mid-afternoon snack we had after we checked in. I had the ceviche, which was tangy, light and flavoursome. Both nights we stayed there were special events taking place. One night ‘dock-to-dish’, which featured fresh catches from close by.

Ceviche, fresh juice and more at Lapa Rios ecolodge

As we visited in November, the next evening there was a special Thanksgiving dinner. Many of the guests were American, so it was nice that they could still celebrate, despite being away for the holidays.

Presentation was good, and while I wouldn’t say the lodge is worthy of a Michelin star, there were several tasty dishes on offer, and the waiting staff were very friendly.

Restaurant terrace at Lapa Rios, Costa Rica

One afternoon we enjoyed a 30-minute cooking demonstration, where one of the chefs showed us how to make gallo pinto (Costa Rica’s most famous rice and beans breakfast). It was delicious, and I was excited to return to my room that evening and find a bottle of the country’s favourite sauce (Salsa Lizano) and the gallo pinto recipe waiting for me. Definitely something I’ll be recreating back in London soon.

Gallo pinto at Lapa Rios, Costa Rica

I never experienced a proper breakfast at Lapa Rios as we headed off very early to explore Corcovado National Park, but the banana bread and brownies they baked us were excellent.

What Can You Do At Lapa Rios, Costa Rica?

There are plenty of tours which you can book onto when you stay at the hotel. Most people visit for the wildlife, and I’d definitely recommend a visit to Corcovado National Park. The hotel will organise a specialist wildlife guide to escort you, who will tell you all about the rainforest, the animals, trees and more.

Exploring the beaches in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Horseback riding on the beach near Lapa Rios ecolodge

From Lapa Rios you can walk to the beach in 15 minutes, then enjoy a day swimming and snorkelling.

There are also optional extras including horseback riding, dolphin watching and kayaking.

If you’re visiting to relax, Lapa Rios has plenty of wellness options including massages and treatments, yoga and more.

The pool at Lapa Rios Costa Rica

Why Should I Stay At Lapa Rios, Costa Rica?

To experience Costa Rica’s amazing wildlife…

To get away from it all…

To appreciate how lucky we are to live on this planet…

Lapa Rios is a special place. It’s unique. It’s real.

It’s not ‘luxurious’ as the prices may suggest, but it’s somewhere that will give you a real understanding of the rainforest, the wildlife and the Osa Peninsula as a whole.

There’s barely any phone signal, and Wifi is only available in a small area near reception, so it’s time to switch off from social media and immerse yourself in the nature of Costa Rica. Although no doubt you’ll be reaching for your phone to snap a few pics…

Taking photos of the views from my terrace at Lapa Rios, Costa Rica

Lapa Rios Ecolodge Rates

Staying somewhere as unique as this comes at a premium.

I found availability next week for £474, but I know in the highest season, rates are closer to £780 for 2 people, with all meals included. There are offers, especially for low season, and if you’re a Booking.com Genius then you should get a decent discount (it was £50 off when I checked!) You can check latest prices and availability here.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my Lapa Rios review. I visited in November 2018 as part of a trip with Visit Costa Rica, but all thoughts and opinions in my Lapa Rios review are unbiased and 100% my own!

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