Throughout the year Costa Rica celebrates its diverse history and rich culture with a variety of festivals. Plan a trip now to celebrate with Costa Rica's locals.

March 3-6, 2011 (5 Days / 4 nights)
ENVISION FESTIVAL in Playa Dominical (Central Pacific Coast)
With David Starfire, The Human Experience, etc.
$150 USD for Festival Ticket - Includes Tent camping space and access to all Envision Festival shows, performances, parties and activities happening within the festival grounds. Accommodations in Dominical range from $30 - $120 per night (Double Occupancy)
More info: www.envisionfestival.com

The popular reality show, The Bachelor, traveled to Costa Rica for a romantic backdrop for their destination date. The episode will feature a special group date at the Spring Resort and Spa, fronting Costa Rica's famous Arenal
Volcano, using the property's riverfront rainforest preserve and mineral pools as a backdrop for one on one dates with the newest Bachelor Brad Womack. The episode was filmed last October when Womack and six bachelorettes traveled to Costa Rica's La Fortuna and Arenal.

The Costa Rica Bachelor episode is expected to feature Brad and the women zip lining through the jungle, marveling and the active Arenal Volcano, touring the jungle, rappelling down a waterfall, cave exploring, flying over Costa Rica in a helicopter, and relaxing in hot springs.

Travelocity has bestowed its coveted eco-friendly leaf to Costa Rican hotels who achieved the highest levels of the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program. The CST is a product of the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) and the program is designed to differentiate businesses of the tourism sector based on the degree to which they comply with a sustainable model of natural, cultural and social resource management.

Costa Rica prides itself on setting high sustainability and eco-friendly standards to so many hotels throughout the country.  Unlike some travel sites, Travelocity does not accept “self-certified” hotels for the Green Hotel Directory. The company awards its eco-friendly hotel leaf to resorts that have been certified by second- or third-party green hotel certification programs whose standards closely align with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC), and that have had an independent audit.

Christmas in Costa Rica is a time for celebration and parties. The month of December is busy with preparations for celebrations, family get-togethers and vacations. Decorations begin to appear in downtown shops in late November and by the second week of December many homes have lights strung, cypress wreaths hung and Christmas trees decorated.

A Catholic Christmas Celebration
Costa Rica is a primarily Catholic nation, and Costa Rican citizens observe Christmas with exuberance. The celebration of Jesus birth is one the prominent and most important holidays for Catholics. The Costa Rica Christmas season doesn’t end until the sixth of January, when the three wise men are said to have greeted baby Jesus.

Costa Rica’s national parks get nearly 1 million visitors each year. Visitors can explore steaming volcanoes, beachfront rainforest, roaring waterfalls, and some of the world’s last remaining tropical dry forest. Costa’s Rica National parks and conservation laws help protect these amazing natural wonders and keep them in existence. Take a look at the Costa Rica’s 10 most popular National Parks.

Our last blog post focused on how you can get your adrenaline fix in Costa Rica. If you prefer the slower way of life or if you are looking for a way to unwind after a day of action this blog will focus on the tranquil side of Costa Rica. Nature always provides us with ways to nurture our needs and Costa Rica’s nature preserves and abundant wildlife are no exception.

Sandy Beaches of Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s sandy beaches are great for lounging on. Nothing is more relaxing than a good book with the sound of the ocean in the background. The vast Caribbean lowlands extend inland, providing habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals. Skip the crowded beaches and commercial tourism on the Pacific side for pristine quite beaches on the Caribbean side. Visit beaches with white sand, golden shore beaches, and beaches with sand as black as night all on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.

Horseback tours allow travelers to experience several spectacular places within the course of a few hours or a few days. Imagine galloping along the sandy beach while experiencing complete freedom. Then enjoy a jaunt through a misty rainforest, cross a tranquil stream then stroll across the country side. Horseback rides allow for a unique perspective and close encounters with monkeys, tree frogs, lizards, butterflies, orchids and countless other fascinating flora and fauna depending on where your journey takes you. The journey is, of course, part of the adventure and will allow you to experience more of Costa Rica.

Canopy Tour in Costa Rica’s Jungles

Experience the richness and diversity of the jungle close-up. Zip line adventures let you fly through the tree tops like one of Costa Rica’s exotic birds. Most of these tours start with a hike into the jungle where you’ll get some background on the exotic plant and animal life of Costa Rica’s jungles. Once you arrive at the starting platform you experience your first exhilarating zip through the jungle trees. Don’t be disappointed when your first ride is over because there will be more to follow. Most tours will take you through 8 or so zip lines. Costa Rica canopy tour adventures will satisfy your need for adventure.