Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 4:46 pm
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Costa Rica Budget Vacations: Going Green Means Saving Green
Does being short on the green stuff mean your Costa Rica vacation has to be short on fun? Not if you can arrange to spend what green you have during Costa Rica’s Green Season. It would be more accurate, but not nearly as attractive from tourism standpoint, to call them the dry and rainy season, because that’s what they are. If, however, you don’t mind risking a daily downpour during your Costa Rican vacation, heading there between May and the end of November, during the “green” season, you can enjoy all of Costa Rica’s attractions at considerable savings, while expecting at least five hours of sunshine a day.
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Your willingness to brave a daily rainstorm will have more than mere financial rewards. The green season is when even the brownest and most barren of Costa Rica’s provinces become abundantly lush, and the crowds which swarm to its warmth and sunshine to escape harsh Northern winters have long since departed. If you’re lucky, the rain in your Costa Rica vacations spot will limit itself to predictable afternoon downpours and you can schedule your (greatly discounted) outings accordingly.
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The first savings you’ll experience by choosing to travel to Costa Rica in the green season will be in the cost of your airline tickets. You can expect to save as much as $150 on your round-trip airfare, and if you’re traveling from the US, you can book flight on a number of airlines including Continental, Delta, US Airways, and Spirit Air. Mexicana Airlines also offers service to Costa Rica from many major US cities, with connecting flights in Mexico City.
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One of the best ways to save money on your accommodations while in Costa Rica is to book an ecotourism vacation. You’ll find yourself lodged among some of the most spectacular mountain or jungle surroundings in all of Central America, at prices which can be as low as $30 per night for a double occupancy room or bungalow.Â
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If you book an ecotour through Global Exchange, your cost will include not only accommodations for your entire stay, but breakfast and dinner each per day, all transportation within Costa Rica ( and this can be a blessing during the rainy season) excursion fees, and a bilingual guide (another blessing if your Spanish skills aren’t the best).
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Global Exchange’s 10-day Costa Rican tour covers three national parks, visits to Indian villages both a banana plantation and a banana growing co-operative, plenty of beach time and lodgings in the jungle, all for $1575 plus air fare per person double occupancy.  You can skip lunch if you want to save even more money, but you’ll bring enough money for tips.
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If you’d prefer lodgings in Costa Rica’s major cities, your best way to save money is to book with Bed and Breakfasts. In Monteverde, for example, you can stay at the La Colina mountain lodge surrounded not only by brilliantly colored tropical birds of the Clod Forest, but by an authentic Quaker community. While your breakfast is included in the cost of your roam, La Colina also has an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy delicious lunches and dinners.Â
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Rooms with private baths are a very reasonable $38 per night for singles and $30 per double occupancy during the green season, not including Costa Rica’s 16% hotel tax. The staff at La Colina will be happy to arrange excursions including horseback riding and jungle canopy tours for you.
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An even less expensive B&B for your budget Costa Rican vacation is the Kalexma B&B in the La Uruca section of San Jose. What it lacks in style it more than makes up for in affordability, with a single room and shared bath going for $15.00 per night during the green season. A private bath and warm water shower will cost $3 more.
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While you lodgings in Costa Rica may include breakfast, you’ll still need to eat at least one more meal during the day. The cheapest way to do that is to patronize the Cost Rican supermarkets, where you can not only find the meal fixings if your lodgings come with kitchen privileges, but ready-to-eat meals as well. You’ll find the small family-run restaurants are also much more affordable than the large hotel dining establishments.
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Finally, if your schedule doesn’t allow you to hunt down the most budget friendly Costa Rica vacation options on your own, use the Internet to track down a budget Costa Rica travel broker who has connections to the resorts in the area of the country you’d like to visit. Many of these brokers work with resorts who which would other wise have blocks of empty rooms during the green season and will offer them at significant discounts through the brokers, who collect commissions on the deals.Â
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Most of these deals are all-inclusive, meaning you’ll book your airfare at the same time that you book your resort. Your smartest tactic will be to get a quote from one broker before booking it, spend a few minutes seeing what price you can get for the same trip if you book your own airfare and hotel accommodations.  Â
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If you are looking for a place to vacation that could be called a tropical paradise then look no further than Costa Rica. Of course one of the biggest concerns when planning any vacation is cost. If you are planning to travel as a family then any vacation can be an expensive endeavor. However there are many inexpensive Vacation packages you can afford. In fact if you live the US it is frequently cheaper to vacation in Costa Rica then in many locations in the USA.
Costa Rica travel and vacation packages include cruises that visit different ports of call enroute to Costa Rica. There are also daily direct flights from major US airports to Costa Rica’s largest cities of San Jose and Liberia. A quick check of the Internet will show you just how low air fares are to this beautiful country. Special travel packages that include trips to many of the countries unique and wild national parks are also available. Special travel package are also available to those who are getting married in Costa Rica or are planning their honeymoon on one of many beautiful sandy beach resorts.
Approximately 23 percent of Costa Rica’s land mass is protected by National parks, forests and preserves making it an ideal eco tourism destination. There are many outfitters that specialize in trips to these remote and beautiful locations. It is well known worldwide that Costa Rica has one of the highest biodiversities in the world. In addition despite being just 10 degrees north of the equator the climate is comfortable most of the year especially in the highlands around Lake Arenal.
Booking an inexpensive Costa Rica vacation does not mean it is vacation that is short on services. There are many world class resorts that provide services comparable to any first class destination. The cost of living is relatively low compared to European and US standards which allows you to book a quality vacation at a very reasonable price. Shopping can be fun when prices are so low and if you like to dine out at the many fine resturants you will be shocked at how low the bill will be.
One of the benefits to visiting Costa Rica is the freedom to travel anywhere you please as you please as there are very few travel restrictions. In addition the country has a very low crime rate so you can feel safe no matter where you are likely to roam. Many times these side trips can be the most inexpensive part of your vacation. If you are a fisherman you will find that Costa Rica is unmatched when comes to saltwater fishing. You can catch snook and tarpon on the beaches or charter offshore for marlin, tuna and rooster fish. You can fish the pacific one day and the Caribbean the next.
So if you are considering a vacation outside the US or Europe then you should try an inexpensive Costa Rica Vacation. It is a tropical paradise at a very reasonable price.
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“Then d—— the money. It took me more till ten years to make it, and middling hard work at that; but you go bail it’ll take me less nor ten months to spend it. Ay, or ten weeks, and aisy doing, too! And ’till it’s gone, Mistress Quig-gin–d’ye hear me?–gone, every mortal penny of it gone, pitched into the sea, scattered to smithereens, blown to ould Harry, and dang him–I’ll lave ye, ma’am, I’…
“Then d—— the money. It took me more till ten years to make it, and middling hard work at that; but you go bail it’ll take me less nor ten months to spend it. Ay, or ten weeks, and aisy doing, too! And ’till it’s gone, Mistress Quig-gin–d’ye hear me?–gone, every mortal penny of it gone, pitched into the sea, scattered to smithereens, blown to ould Harry, and dang him–I’ll lave ye, ma’am, I’…
“Then d—— the money. It took me more till ten years to make it, and middling hard work at that; but you go bail it’ll take me less nor ten months to spend it. Ay, or ten weeks, and aisy doing, too! And ’till it’s gone, Mistress Quig-gin–d’ye hear me?–gone, every mortal penny of it gone, pitched into the sea, scattered to smithereens, blown to ould Harry, and dang him–I’ll lave ye, ma’am, I’…
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 4:54 am
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Usa 94 (italy Vs. Mexico)
Italy had won by beating Norway 1-0, after which I was pretty much sure they had qualified to the next round, specially since even third place teams could go through or at least 4 out of the top 6 could do so. Of course, there was always the possibility they could loose to Mexico but I doubted this was going to happen, as I figured if worse came to worse they would tie and go in as a third place team. This incidentally being the place they held in the group after their second game.
Time had come to sit back and enjoy the world cup and by this I do not only mean the games on TV but the world cup atmosphere that had been created by this tournament along with all those fans from literally all over the world who had come to see it. This plus the fact that summer had just started in the United States, gave a sensation of real world cup excitement, added to that already international scene New York was so famous for. In a way; every group of fans, thanks to the way they celebrated brought their country over to America.
I; in the days that followed Italy’s victory over Norway decided to explore the city of New York, feeling almost like a tourist in my home town, seeing all those fans from all those countries that had qualified and some from countries that had not but were there just to enjoy the games. There was the Norwegian and Swedish fans with their Viking hats that included horns on the sides, reminding me of characters from Wagner’s “The Ring”, Brazilian fans with their yellow and green and samba music, Argentineans always with their big drums, Germans, Mexicans, and many others.
All of which making this world cup a big success; who many so called “experts” had said would not be given that the United States did not have a tradition of football, and many other reasons. In all this however one thing had been overlooked and that was that many Americans would be cheering on the country of their parents or in some cases grandparents, as was mine with Italy, which was precisely what happened to keep huge stadiums packed. As a matter of fact; USA 94 set the record for the largest attendance at a world cup and this despite not having either England or France qualify. This also a record which still holds out despite three world cups having been played since; all of which had 64 games as opposed to “USA 94”, in which only 52 were played.
I basically went around to soak up not only the sun during the time that followed Italy’s game against Norway but to meet some of the fans from other countries; as well as look for a bar in which I would be watching Italy’s games. After all, I wanted to see Italy play in company of fellow Italians and did not have the means to follow them all over the country, which incidentally was the biggest (and will be till either China, or Canada or Russia host the event) to ever host a world cup with also the greatest distances between venues. As one could imagine would be the case, when matches were being played in cities as far apart from each other as Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, Orlando, and Chicago.
Italy was going to be playing its next match in Boston; which was not far but I was afraid I would not be able to get a ticket. This given the many Mexican fans, who were bound to be buying them up, so I just figured to look for a nice Italian bar with a large TV set. I considered many neighborhoods but eventually decided that the best would be “Little Italy” in downtown Manhattan. After all; what better location to watch “La nazionale di calcio” then the place where Don Vito Corleone, grew up and even made his bones in.
It was after looking over many places that I came to settle on “Bar Napoli”; a nice place on Mulberry street, right on the corner, though I do not remember the name of the other street. Little Italy, also the place where I happen to run in to three very nice ladies, whom I mistook for Italian. This given the colors; green, white and red which they had on them and the fact that one of them was a natural blonde. It actually turned out that these three young women, were from Mexico; which also has the same colors on their flag but despite this we did engage in a nice drink and conversation at the Bar Napoli, which included me taking photographs of them with their flag and having one taken of the four of us together. They naturally telling me that they felt Mexico would beat Italy, while I wished them and Mexico the best of luck against any team they should meet, save Italy. In a way it was strange because I had never met any Mexicans before and suddenly; just a few days before Italy’s game against them, it seemed that they were everywhere, even more then the Irish. I also remember telling one, who was married to a Polish female friend of mine that Italy was going to win 2-0, while he told me that I was simply dreaming.
The mood was a great one, in the city and one which I knew would probably never come back or at least not in my lifetime; so I tried as hard as I could to get as much of it as possible and that is precisely what I did. Seeing games mostly in bars, even if I did not really care who won or loss. As it was the need to see people celebrate and enjoy their good times even if mine were only when Italy played.
The day of the match against Mexico arrived and I felt sure Italy would qualify, which led to me being relaxed as I waited in a crowded Bar Napoli for the game to begin. The atmosphere however was tense in this rather small place, and as I sat on a chair drinking ice coffee, I started up a conversation with a fellow Italian supporter or at least judging by the Italian shirt he wore. John was his name and like me he was Italian American but contrary to me he could not speak as many as three words of Italian but this mattered not; for he and his dark skinned lady friend from Costa Rica were behind Italy all the way. In fact John’s girlfriend, Gabriela (as I remember) had been born in Costa Rica but had lived most of her life in the states which meant she like John also did not speak the language of her ancestors which in her case was Spanish. This I found out as I tried to speak to her in Spanish, who like John with Italian recognized what I was speaking but could not understand.
I for my part on that day wore my AC Milan, shirt wanting to show not only support for Italy but that I was a Milanista. As for the game; it was a hotly contested one, which I followed but secure that Italy would pull through which in fact was what happened as the score ended in a 1-1 draw. Italy’s goal being scored by Massaro; an AC Milan player at the 48 minute mark; while Mexico’s came via Bernal 9 minutes later. Italy drew and finished with 4 points but this strangely enough did not mean automatic qualification; from a group that ended unlike none other ever had or ever has.
All four teams finished with four points a piece and strangely enough even with the same goal difference, so it would be up to who had scored the most goals to decide matters. Mexico came in first place in the group and automatically qualified for the next round as they had scored 3 goals, which put them a head of Ireland and Italy who had only scored 2 goals, while Norway only 1. Mexico; for its part was going past the first round, for the first time in a tournament which they were not hosting.
Italy and Ireland were left tied with 4 points as well as 2 goals a piece but it was Ireland who came in second given they had beaten us in our head to head game. Italy however managed to come in third despite being equal with Norway on points and goal difference, simply because we had scored two goals and had beaten Norway in our head to head encounter. Italy was third in the group but not yet qualified to the next round, true they had a win and a draw and Uruguay in 86 had done it on the strength of two draws but this was another world cup. Italy could still be eliminated but only if Cameroon beat Russia by three goals or more. All of which would have given Cameroon four points with 5 goals for vs. 5 goals against and would have toped, Italy’s 2-2 goal difference.
The chance was there, an ever small one but it was there; for Italy to be ousted from a world cup in the first round. Something which had not happened since Germany 74. Russia after all had lost their first two games and had very little to play for other then pride, though they had under the same circumstance four years earlier managed to rout Cameroon by 4-0. Would they do it again or at least not loose by three goals, was the question on the mind of all Italian fans but this did become academic once Russia destroyed Cameroon by 6-1. In a game that set two records. The first one by Russia’s Salenko, who scored five goals and the second one by Roger Milla, who at 42; became the oldest player ever to score a goal in world cup history. As a footnote, I would like to add that both these records still stand.
It had been an interesting game at Bar Napoli and I had met two very nice people by the names of John and Gabriela, along with many others whom I would see again and form bounds with or at least till the end of the world cup. One of them, an Italian American wrongly believing that Roberto and Dino Baggio, were brothers, which I explained to him was not the case. It was however after the game that I was in for a real threat, as there was a camera man and a female reporter present from Italy’s RAI TV, who were looking for an Italian supporter whose language skills went beyond the one or two words or expressions which could not really be broadcast on TV. I just happened to be at the right place and at the right time and managed to get interviewed on TV by RAI, hopefully to be seen by my sister and other relatives back in Italy.
My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. I also am the author of the book entitled “New York’s Opera Society” which is now available on Amazon.
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 1:25 am
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Chasing adventure via motorcycle in Latin America
On the pampas the horizons seem to flee. The llamas are golden, the clouds impossibly white. We let the bikes run. Suddenly, the view changes. The lead bike rises above the line of the horizon, a rider flails through the air 10 feet above the ground. This is not good. Jeff has gone off the road at 70 mph. Katie goes into paramedic mode, calming Jeff, running her hands up his spine, probing, checking ribs, legs, arms. The fall has ripped his touring jacket from shoulder to waist, peeling the back protector to reveal the We-Build-Bridges T-shirt. He is scuffed, but within moments is giggling, flashing the “I Can’t Believe I’m Still Alive” grin that is his default expression.
Ryan pulls the bike up and starts collecting the bits scattered across the desert. The luggage is destroyed. The right handlebar is bent almost to the tank. Mirrors, turn signals, front fender snapped off in a microsecond. Both wheel rims have dents. Incredibly, it still runs. He puts the parts that still work back on the bike, takes it for a test ride. It will last another 7,000 miles. Our motto: We Will Make This Work.
Jeff tells what happened. A small bird had hopped into his path. The next thing he knew he was off the road, launched into a culvert. “I thought, wow. I’m Superman. Oh look, there’s the bike. Oh look, there’s the bird…” In a field strewn with jagged boulders, he had landed on sand.
THE BEGINNING
The trip came up long before I was ready. A phone call, an invitation to tag along with a group of BMW riders embarking on a five-week, 8,000-mile journey from Peru to Virginia. I would document the ride, a fundraising effort for a group that builds footbridges in remote areas of the world. I’d been thinking about a long ride, something open-ended, without support vehicles, the experience of being totally “out there.” This seemed to fit the bill. A third of the distance around the world with complete strangers. I had a brand-new BMW F 800 GS and it was thirsty. If there was a point of no return, I crossed it before I hung up the phone.
First, the riders. Ken Hodge is an insurance benefits specialist and member in good standing of the Newport News Rotary Club. He discovered motorcycles late in life, when he bought a bike, rode it across country in 48 hours, then began to dream of a bigger adventure, something for a good cause.
He recruited his daughter Katie (a fire department paramedic), his stepson Ryan (a mechanic and dirt-bike rider) and Ryan’s best friend Jeff. I’m impressed by their preparations. They ride old BMW R 1150s and F 650 singles. Ryan had spent a year renewing the bikes, poking about the inner recesses, memorizing the shop manuals for each machine. They would bring enough tools and parts to handle almost every emergency.
INTO THE ANDES
We stop at Nazca to view the ancient figures scratched in the rocky desert. From the top of a tower we can see a figure with raised hands. Just to the north, the Pan-American Highway bisects the figure of a lizard, decapitating the creature. Bound by the tight focus of brass transit levels, the surveyors who laid out the road were not even aware of the sacred relics, discovered when aerial flight became common.
I realize that we are as blinded by focus, by concentration as the surveyors were by their instrument. The trip will be a series of images, sidelong glances, captured at speed.
Descendants of the people who built the Inca trail, Peruvian builders know their stuff. But it’s the tracery, the managed flow of momentum, that has our respect. The road ascends ancient seabeds, hills covered with talus, fractured dry ridges with cornices sculpted by landslides. Midday, we find ourselves on a high pampas inhabited by thousands of vicuña and alpaca. In the distance, our first sight of snowcapped peaks. There are stone corrals on nearby slopes, one-room huts. In the middle of this giant nowhere, a lone shepherd walking on the side of the hill.
We discover that the distances on maps are those of the condor. We travel incredibly twisted roads that sometimes take a hundred turns (and several miles) to get from one ridge to the next. The map indicates towns, but to our dis-may not all have gas stations. We buy gas in a small outpost from a woman who ladles it out of a bucket with a coffee pot, then pours it through a plastic, woven kitchen funnel into our tanks. The whole town watches. We push on into the descending night. We make it to the next set of lights, 20 or so buildings on two streets, find a hotel, and park our bikes in an enclosed backyard with dogs, chickens, dead birds, plastic bottles and an animal hide tanning on the wall. Instead of the usual exit signs, the restaurant in our hotel has green arrows that say “ESCAPE.” It is not a criticism of the food. The forces that drive the Andes skyward have been known to demolish whole towns.
The next morning we fire up the bikes, and ascend into the Andes on a perfect road. We are fluid, going through hairpins, double hairpins, squared-off turns—climbing the flank of a single 4,700-meter peak. I can think of only one word: delicious. We move through mist and low-hanging clouds, with shafts of sunlight slanting into rainbows. The valleys below are green and fertile, a mix of old Inca terracing and more modern farms. Slender eucalyptus trees line the road, providing shade for huts with red tile roofs. A girl tends a flock of goats (identified with colorful ribbons) on a green meadow, book in hand. At one point I think the clouds above have parted to reveal patches of blue, but when I look up I see that it is snow-covered rock, another 3,000 or 4,000 feet of mountain. On a turnoff near the top of the peak we find a dozen or so tiny shrines, little churches decorated with flowers and ribbons and photographs of loved ones. The site of a bus plunge. On a hillside across the valley paragliders work the thermals, the canopies looking like bright-colored eyebrows, or ostentatious angels.
We share the road with vicuña, alpaca, llama, sheep, goats, dogs, roosters, pigs, horses and cows. On a narrow lane near Abancay, a bull tries to gore me as I pass, charging and making a hooking motion with its horns. One night after the sunset, I round a corner and a beautiful roan stallion wheels in the light from our bikes, filling the lane with wide eyes and flashing hoofs, inches from my head. I realize that riding sweep poses a risk. The novelty of our passing bikes wears off, and the local wildlife has time to react.
Entering Cusco, Ryan asks directions, a girl directs us onto a narrow cobblestone street, slick with rain, as steep as a bobsled run. The rocks are turned on their side, like teeth. The knobbies have no traction whatsoever. The people on the sidewalks frantically wave their hands, indicating that the road gets steeper. I touch my brake and the bike goes down, pinning my leg against the curb, a quarter of an inch shy of a fracture. The bike behind me goes down. It is harrowing. The locals help us lift the bikes, get them turned uphill. A police escort leads us to a hotel that lets us store the motorcycles in the lobby. Without bothering to shower, we make our way to the Norton Rats Bar on the northeast corner of the central plaza. The owner, an American expatriate, once piloted a Norton to the tip of the continent. The walls are lined with photos from the trip. Above the bar are mounted heads, the four past American presidents, with their best known soundbites: I am not a crook. I did not inhale. I do not recall. We will find WMD in Iraq. We sip beers, trade stories, trying to reassemble the past few days. The dead battery. The punctured radiator. The roadside repairs. The incredible rush of unrelenting beauty.
Three days of desert north of Lima generate a few details. The total absence of life, the three colors of sand. Young boys pedaling tricycle ice cream carts in the middle of nowhere. We enter a <I>zona de nimbleras</I>, but instead of fog we find a 60-mph crosswind that sends a layer of grit skittering across the road like a special effect in a Steven Spielberg movie. Two lanes narrow to one covered by blowing sand, thick enough to swallow the front tire, deep enough that a road grader prepares to clear the drifting sands.
We decide to try a secondary route through the hills. We turn onto a dirt road and everything changes. We pass through villages alive with people, dogs, tiny three-wheel taxis fashioned from old motorcycles. Kids on motorscooters ride past, snapping pictures with their cell phones. The road throws split-finger fastballs at the bash plate that clang as loud and adamant as the sound of an aluminum bat. We slosh our way through gravel, gray dust on everything, parts falling off, teeth rattling. Oh yes, this is what we wanted.
ECUADOR
In Macara, we sit on the sidewalk near a minor town square, eating pork cooked by a rotund woman in a yellow dress. Her daughter brings us three beers (giant) at a time, and keeps the empties in a milk crate for accounting later. Boys on motorbikes cruise the quiet streets, the lucky ones with girls on the back. Across the square, girls sit on benches. Jeff experiences a cultural revelation, that South American girls have breasts, and wear tight pants…and “Hey, I think she likes me.”
Our dinner companion is David McCollum, an American expatriate that Ryan had met on ADVrider.com. He tells us stories about riding the Ecuadoran Andes, and gives us tips on handling roadblocks. “Act Stupid. Do not try to communicate in Spanish. Say ‘No fumar Espanol’ (I don’t smoke Spanish). If all else fails, have Katie cry.” Er, Katie does not do “cry.” The next day he leads us into the Ecuadoran Andes.
Impressions: Razor-sharp ridges. Lumpy, conical outcroppings. Monasteries on top of hills. Slopes so steep they will never be worked by machine. A couple standing above dark earth, the man holding a wooden hoe, the woman a bag of seeds. A woman on horseback, black and red cape, a whip coiled in one hand. Trees. Cloud. Mist. The feel of a Japanese block print, the ones that suggest the road goes to infinity.
I had introduced the group to a family tradition. When we travel, we end each day by recounting high point, low point and funny bone. After this day, I will add “Pucker moments.” Trucks hurtle out of the fog, running without lights, signaled only by the ghostly wave pushed before. They appear in our lane without warning or reason. We go through construction sites where the road narrows to one lane that offers no escape route. One side seems hideously close to the new concrete, studded with rebar fangs. The other side is precipice. Pucker moments? Take your pick. Sometimes it’s the surface, a half mile of muddy bobsled run, of loose gravel, of gushing water, the bike handling like a loose bowel. Twice, we round a corner and find no road, the surface having caved in, sucked away by underground torrents. Katie’s moment comes when a cow, with no footing, scrambles into the path of her bike. For Jeff, it is passing a truck that suddenly swerves to avoid a pothole, the trailer swinging toward him like a baseball bat.
We spend two days in Cuenca, a 500-year-old city surrounded by mountains. Ken phones ahead and discovers that the ship that was to have taken us and the bikes from Ecuador to Panama doesn’t exist (had we had drugs or been illegal aliens, no problem, but there are no accommodations for <I>turistas</I> with motorcycles). We ask David for help. While we ride to Quito, he will work the phones. He finds a contact, a guy known for getting things done when no one else can. We meet up with this air freight magician at The Turtle’s Head, a biker bar in Quito. At midnight.
The next morning we ride our bikes to the military section of the airport, then into a refrigerated warehouse. The steel floor is covered with embedded ball bearings, across which slide steel palettes. For the next three hours we wrestle with tiedowns. A skinny man dressed entirely in black oversees the operation, taking pictures of the bikes with a digital camera, making sure batteries are disconnected, tires are deflated. Drug-sniffing dogs poke their noses into every recess.
Then, just like that, our bikes are gone, on their way to Panama in the belly of an airplane.
CENTRAL AMERICA
Central American countries are the size of postage stamps. You can cross them in a day and a half, only to spend a half day at customs and immigration. Ken had prepared Xerox copies of all our documents (passports, licenses, titles, registration, VIN numbers) and had them notarized. As he works with the official in the air-conditioned office, we sit in 100-degree heat and watch ants carry grains of dirt from beneath the ground. We will become used to the demands for more copies, the freelance currency traders waving bills in front of our faces, the young hustlers willing to facilitate the process, the food vendors waiting for starvation to overcome caution about local cuisine.
Before embarking on this trip, I’d read State Department travel advisories. The section on Peru warned that five Americans had died from liposuction in Lima. OK, was that consensual liposuction, or were there gangs of thugs wielding vacuum cleaners with sharp pointy attachments? Virtually every entry on Central American countries warned about fake checkpoints, bandits in uniform, soldiers in the middle of nowhere.
Along the roadside are signs with a blood-red eye and the warning <I>vigilantes</I>. We round a corner to find two soldiers walking patrol, miles from the nearest town. They ask for paperwork. A surge of adrenaline turns my mouth to cotton. David, our friend in Ecuador had given us good advice: Act stupid. Smile. We seem to have a natural talent for that. <I>No fumar Espanol</I>. After inspecting our paperwork, they wave us on. In the next few weeks we will be stopped repeatedly, sniffed by dogs, x-rayed, wanded with devices that look like carving knives with car antennas where the blade should be. At border crossings, guys in jumpsuits and facemasks spray our bikes with liquids designed to kill stowaway bugs too lazy to cross borders under their own power. There are soldiers at every gas station, armed attendants at convenience stores and restaurants, guys with shotguns on Pepsi trucks. We are aware of poverty, a culture of criminal opportunity. The night air can strip your bike naked, if you don’t find a hotel with secure parking.
These countries are linked by soil to the United States, and our culture has rattled its way through. Central America is a motorbike culture. Whole families whiz by, perched on narrow seats, wearing helmets with missing visors. In Panama City we run into a group of Harley riders. The bikes have exhausts the size of howitzers, the horns blare a soundtrack of special effects. They surround us, and ask if we want to join their regular weekend burger run. We follow them to an exclusive country club just beyond the Mira Flores locks on the Panama Canal. They send us off with directions to a bed-and-breakfast up the coast. I fall asleep that night in a hammock, a bottle of beer still clutched in my hand, the blades of a fan whirring softly overhead.
Central America has a different feel than Peru and Ecuador, a different gravity. We move through verdant countryside at a speed that would be natural in Virginia or Colorado or California. The vegetation looks like fireworks, only green. Here clusters of one plant have taken over a hillside. There a different species explodes. A slow war.
We have been in the saddle for three weeks. Nothing can break our pace. We abandon the Pan-American Highway and find roads that make it seem like you have two flat tires, ones that seem like you’re riding on an oil spill. There are narrow, one-vehicle-at-a-time bridges of mismatched narrow-gauge rails, or on lesser roads, steel plates tossed across rotting timbers. The terrain is a geological mash-up, without the power of the Andes, but enough unexpected elevation change and tight corners to make for an interesting ride. Towns announce themselves with speed bumps and potholes that can swallow bikes whole. I see road signs unique to the country, silhouettes of odd animals. A snake crossing. A jaguar crossing. In Costa Rica we hit a 30-mile stretch of gravel road, and the world becomes dust. The bikes come alive. We romp, skitter, wander, trusting the gyroscope. I try to read the strange shadows that appear in the dust—bicyclists, ATVs, huge trucks with no lights—not always accurately. There are breaks in the dust cloud when I see fields filled with white cattle and at their feet white egrets. The sky tinges pink with light from a setting sun. A feeling almost like peace.
We spend a night in Arsenal, a destination resort for adrenaline junkies with discretionary income. Posters advertise canopy walks, zipline rides through the rain forest, the chance to rappel down waterfalls, night hikes to lava flows, kayaking, canoeing. We ignore the offers, saddle up and ride into the rain forest. A group of meercats swarms down an embankment onto the road. Monkeys cavort in the trees overhead. A tourist zips by on a steel cable casting a shadow on the road, a blur of color in the sky. It looks like someone was hanging laundry and forgot to take his or her clothes off.
Nicaragua has its own feel. We ride past volcanoes so large they make their own weather, the crowns hidden beneath wide-brimmed clouds. Don Quixote in his barber bowl hat. The streets are clogged with horsedrawn buggies. We find a hotel near the town square. Across the street from the hotel is a shop offering galactic Internet. The traditional culture is slowly losing ground to bandwidth. Relay towers compete with church steeples, billboards for cell service block oversized statues of saints on nearby hilltops.
We visit a bridge, built by Ken’s organization, in a remote area of Honduras. At the turnoff from the main road I think we are entering a drainage ditch. Indeed, during the rainy season the road is impassable, the clay surface too slick for traction. Now, the bikes tackle a road gouged by erosion, working their way around rocks exposed by the force of water. This is by far the most technical riding of the trip.
The 40-mile road will take five hours to cross. The clawmark gullies pull Ken’s bike out from under him; Katie rides into a ditch and smashes her bike’s windscreen. Even Ryan has trouble. The river, when we reach it, is intimidating. I take pictures of the bikes as they come through, pushing a bow wave over front wheels, jouncing up the rocks on the other side. If a trip can be reduced to 1?250th of a second, a single moment seared in memory, these pictures would be it.
We cross into Guatemala, and spend the night with Hemingway impersonators and Jimmy Buffet wannabes in Rio Dulce. The hotel has a wonderful tacky feeling. The overhead fan showers sparks. The power goes off at regular intervals, as does the water. If you want a shower, step outside. We spend a long day riding through rain. The water destroys one of my cameras, turning the LCD into an aquarium. Hey, I have enough pictures.
ALMOST THERE
At the first town over the Mexican border, we stop for directions on a crowded street. A truck sideswipes my bike, snags a sidecase, and drags me down. I’m unhurt, but the windscreen and instrument panel lie in fragments. The police, when they arrive, are the opposite of helpful. We collect the broken bits, duct tape everything in sight, and fire it up. We are unstoppable. We ride on, but the mood of the ride changes and the calendar beckons. Katie, Ryan and Jeff have to be back by a certain date, or they lose their jobs.
The ride becomes time vs. distance, a push that blurs most of Mexico, and a final border crossing into the United States.
We hurtle across long roads, nursing bikes that are showing signs of wear. Ken’s bike is missing a sidestand. Ryan’s helmet a visor. Katie treats her BMW’s busted windscreen like a badge of honor, but still, a 75-mph headwind is exhausting. Jeff’s bike has chewed the rear sprocket to nubbins, the chain is beginning to slip. It will wind up in a U-Haul 100 miles from home.
Five weeks after departing, we see the lights of Newport News. As they enter the city, Ken, Ryan and Katie spread across the road, side by side, arms raised. The long ride is over.
About the Author
To read more motorcycle tours stories like this or get reviews of the latest bikes and gear, go to ridermagazine.com or pick up a copy of Rider Magazine.
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 9:14 am
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Please DonĂ¢??t Feed the Monkeys!
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is the home of the loudest monkey in the world. The common name is howler but the locals call them “congos.†They often sleep in the trees next to our bed and begin to howl at about 4:30 A.M. To some this might seem like a nuisance but my husband and I just smile because it reminds us how happy we are to be here instead of south bound on the 405 freeway in L.A. The male howler has an enlarged hollow bone near his vocal chords that amplifies his calls. Howlers are the largest and most aloof of the primates in Manuel Antonio. They choose the tallest trees and spend most of their time in the upper branches. They live on a leafy diet, which doesn’t provide an abundance of energy, so they rest and sleep a lot. Their black fur, the distance factor, and back lighting from the sun in the trees make them a challenge to photograph, so bring a zoom lens for your camera.
Costa Rica has four species of monkeys: the Mantled Howler, White-faced Capuchin, Red-backed Squirrel and Spider. All were once found in Manuel Antonio until a yellow fever epidemic in 1953 wiped out the spider monkey population. If you spend a week here you’ll likely see the three species that remain.
The capuchin’s local name is “Cara Blanca,†(white face). They’re the most dexterous of all primates. They manipulate objects so well there’s a nonprofit organization called Helping Hands based in Boston that trains capuchins to help paraplegics and quadriplegics. They can brush your teeth, scratch an itch, feed you with a straw, and even pop Casablanca into the DVD player (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEpJf5-IYwM).
The endangered red-backed squirrel monkey, locally known as “mono titi,†is the smallest of Costa Rica’s primates. This particular subspecies only exists in and around Manuel Antonio National Park and their estimated population is a mere 1300-1800. What makes them unique is their peaceful nature. Neither males nor females appear to be dominant over each other, whereas the other subspecies of squirrel monkeys squabble on a regular basis. Like the capuchin, red-backed squirrel monkeys live on a diet of fruit, insects, leaves and stems. They often play on our roof and on occasion mate on our terrace table.
An important issue with monkeys in Manuel Antonio is that tourists feed them. I once saw a tourist hand a potato chip to a capuchin. The capuchin slapped his hand, snatched the bag of chips and ran up a tree. Besides being outwitted by a monkey, this is wrong on so many levels. Irregular feeding makes monkeys aggressive toward humans as they look to them for food. Recently after my daughter and a friend had gone souvenir shopping a capuchin tried to snatch their bags no doubt assuming there was food inside. Feeding monkeys disrupts their normal foraging patterns as they gravitate toward the “easy†food. Now, I’m not saying monkeys are going to chase you around town, this was a highly unusual situation, but why forage for food when someone will deliver it?
Feeding monkeys can also be fatal to them. Humans can transmit diseases from their hands to monkeys who lack immunity. Although there are education programs in place this continues to be a problem. Unaware tourists arrive every day. Sometimes they see others feeding the monkeys and think it’s all right. Why not be part of the solution?
So now that you know feeding the monkeys is bad for them, how do you find them when you’re visiting densely forested Manuel Antonio? They can often be found by the beach around dusk as they head for their favorite trees to nest for the night. They can be found in the hillsides near your hotel or vacation rental home. You can use techniques I learned from orangutan trackers in Borneo. Be still, watch and listen. First, watch for the movement of branches in the trees. Next, listen for food falling to the forest floor, then for each monkey’s distinctive vocalization. Squirrel monkeys can sound like chirping birds; capuchins can sound like mewing kittens. As for Howlers, well, there’s no mistaking them. Their thunderous vocalizations will rock your world – literally.
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 4:28 am
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Costa Rican Lawyers: Selecting a Costa Rica Lawyer
Are you going through some tough times and need to find a Costa Rica Lawyer to help you out? There are many Costa Rican lawyers that you have to choose from which can make the selection process very difficult. The selection process for selecting a Costa Rica lawyer is the pretty much the same regardless if you need a lawyer for business or personal matters. Costa Rican Lawyers should have the knowledge and experience needed to help you with some of the most difficult decisions in your life. You should find a lawyer that you have both personal and professional confidence in. The lawyer that you select should be a good personal fit.
The first thing that you should do is identify the type of legal problem that you are going through and then find Costa Rican lawyers that specialize and have experience in those particular fields. Each Costa Rica lawyer will specialize in different practices similar to physicians. Lawyers often fall within certain categories such as Business and Employment, Accident and Injury or Family and Individual. Business and employment practices including a number of different things including business formation, taxation and financing, real estate and land use, government regulation and compliance and labor and employment relations. Any lawyer that specializes in Business and Employment will be able to help you out with those things.
Costa Rican lawyers that specialize in family and individual practices will be able to help you out with a number of different things including wills, trusts and estate planning, custody and divorce, pre and post nuptial agreements and domestic partnerships, real estate sales and purchases and contractor disputes. A Costa Rica lawyer that specializes in accident and injury will be able to help clients who are involved in personal injury and other accidents, mass tort and class actions, workers’ compensation, disability and medical malpractice. It is important to choose a Costa Rica lawyer that specializes in the particular field that your class would fall under.
After finding Costa Rican lawyers that fall within your category, you should choose a Costa Rica lawyer that you feel comfortable and confident with. An extremely skilled lawyer will do you no good if you are uncomfortable with them that you cannot even talk to them comfortably as this will make it difficult to ask questions and discuss your problems. You should consider asking people who have worked with attorneys for referrals. Only ask people that you have respect for and that you trust. Also be sure to ask people who have gone through the same legal matters that you are now facing.
You can also use the internet to search for and get more information on Costa Rican lawyers. You should use the internet to search for law firms and visit their websites to look for practice specialties, affiliations, credentials, clients, results, articles, and personality. After selecting a few top prospects, you should interview them in their offices so that you’ll be able to see their environment and meet a few members of their team. You should be sure to ask each attorney for a number of client references at least two or three that have the going through the same situations as yours.
You have several options of traveling in Costa Rica open to you when you decide to visit this Central American country. One way is to rent a car to drive yourself around. The advantage of taking this route is that you can abide by your own schedule and stop when and where you want. Outside of the major city of San Jose, this is a very convenient way of traveling around the country. However, in the city, it is not advisable to rent a car because of the difficulty of finding available parking and the many traffic jams that occur on the streets.
If you decide to rent a car, you do have to be aware that even though the speed limit says 60 mph you won’t be able to travel at this speed because of the poor road conditions. The roads are also very narrow and many of them wind their way up steep mountain slopes. You may get stuck behind a truck that is moving very slowly and you have no room to pull out and pass. If you are on your own, the cost of renting a car is quite expensive, but if you have two or more people with you who can share the cost, it is a cheap way of traveling in this country.
Theft is rampant in Costa Rica so you do have to be careful where you park your car, even during the daytime. You should really arrange for someone to stay with the car at all times or hire someone to watch it for you. You should never decide to leave the car in a parking lot overnight. You also need to know that there is a different code when it comes to driving in Costa Rica. A Stop sign actually means to slow down and very few drivers do come to a complete stop when they encounter such a sign on the city streets.
You can use bus service that originates from either San Jose or Alajuela airports. The buses do not have route numbers and are named according to the origin of the route. You will have to actually visit the station in order to obtain bus tickets, as they do not accept credit cards or take online reservations. This means that you will need to have cash on you to obtain the tickets you want. You may also have to pay an additional fee if you have oversize or excess luggage, so it is best to arrive at the station early to give yourself enough time. The buses are also crowded.
Taxis offer another option for getting around the city or the countryside. They are reasonably priced, but you should ask for the cost of the fare before you get in the taxi. If not, you could be facing a hefty fare when you arrive at your destination. Be careful to only used licensed taxis because there are many unlicensed taxis, called piratas or pirate cabs, who are know to really gouge tourists and charge exorbitant fares. The official taxis are red with yellow triangles on the sides. There are no official off-hours times for taxis in Costa Rica, so you need to be aware that the drivers are not allowed to charge you excess fees if you travel at a late hour.
Outside the cities, you can also avail of taxis to take you around the countryside. The taxis used in these locations are four-wheel drive vehicles that can manage the rough roads. The drivers know all the locations and can act as guides for you as well.
If you are really energetic and don’t want to get caught in long lines of traffic, rent a bicycle and cycle your way around the country.
Morning Activity on the Streets, Boy Carrying Newspapers, San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget!…
Morning Activity on the Streets, Boy Carrying Newspapers, San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget!…
This book tells the story of how small farmers responded to a free-market onslaught that devastated one of the Western HemisphereĂ¢Â€Â™s most advanced social-democratic welfare states. In the early 1980s, the Latin American debt crisis struck Costa Rica, leading to major cutbacks in the social programs that had permitted the rural poor to attain an acceptable standard of living and a modicum of di…
This digital document is an article from Revista de BiologĂ®a Tropical, published by Universidad de Costa Rica on March 1, 2009. The length of the article is 4108 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.From the author: Key words: Toxoplasma go…
A bilingual, educational game book about the wildlife of Costa Rica, for children of all ages (to at least 115 years). English, Spanish, and scientific names accompany colorful and hilarious caricatures of a variety of Costa Rican animals. Pages are divided into strips to allow the reader to combine sections of different animals and create new, fantasy species. Some 6,840 different combinati…
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 10:57 pm
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Spanish and surfing Ă¢?? What else one can ask for at Costa Rica!
If Spanish and surfing, scuba diving, horseback riding, and visits to private waterfalls sound good to you then you should definitely give this schoolresort a try. Besides Spanish and surfing there is a myriad of other activities as well. Fire dancing lessons are one of the many exotic things you can do during your stay at La Escuela Del Sol. How many other places can you go and take fire dancing lessons? There are also exotic excursions to local hotspots, and Yoga courses.
The proof to the grandness of this program is in the letters that numerous previous students have sent. Spanish and Surfing was the highlight in the letters and reviews from previous students that can be found displayed on the site. Not only did the students love the Spanish and Surfing, they also felt at home amongst the friendly natives, teachers, and staff.
The method used for learning Spanish is a very good method. With most Spanish being learned through conversation, students have learned quickly and most are able to speak Spanish by the end of the course. Also, there is always access to loads of vocabulary.
With today’s economy, being fluent in many languages is a plus when applying for a job and at La Escuela Del Sol you can learn Spanish and surfing while vacationing which is no doubt a help to anyone’s financial situation.
People that go here have a lot of fun and many will experience adventure for the first time. For many students, the time that they spend at La Escuela Del Sol will be a life changing experience.
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 10:19 am
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Costa Rican Gourmet Coffee : Healthy Coffee Too
Costa Rica is known for being a storehouse of high-quality gourmet coffee and consequently coffee is regarded as the primary drink of this part of the world. It is the healthiest drink that one can ever enjoy. Modern day researches have identified coffee to have highest concentration of useful antioxidants when compared to other popular drinks. These antioxidants help to initiate the healing process in your system and increase your immunity assisting the destruction of the free radicals which can lead to a dangerous disease like cancer. Drinking coffee is a wonderful remedy for staying away from heart diseases, diabetes and stroke. Recent studies have revealed that gourmet coffee is an extremely good preventive measure for Parkinson’s disease. Drinking coffee regularly supplies adequate antioxidants needed for the toxin-release of your body. However, health benefits are easily achievable if you learn to make a perfect cup of gourmet coffee. This will make your kid drink at least a glass of delicious coffee everyday. Learn different other gourmet coffee recipes, so that the taste of coffee doesn’t become monotonous to your child. Desserts like Caramel Macchiato, Cappuccino and Latte can be some nice options for you. The ultimate buy for all gourmet coffee lovers is a home coffee-roaster. Buy the green coffee beans; roasting your own coffee beans takes around 20 minutes of time. The best thing about this kind is the aroma of fresh coffee, but the most significant fact is that it is even better for your overall health. Spending a few days of leisure at the magnificent land of Costa Rica is even more valuable due to the abundance of healthy coffee beans.
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 9:56 am
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Enroll in Costa Rica Surf Camp & Enjoy The Tropical Paradise
Have you found those regular tourist destinations are just a bit boring? Are you ready for a vacation that will challenge you physically, mentally and spiritually? Check into attending the Costa Rica Surf Camp at La Escuela Del Sol, where you can not only learn to surf, you can learn Spanish, practice yoga, or even try your skill at fire dancing. Located in Montezuma, Costa Rica, the three to four week program offered at our school can truly become an adventure vacation experience to remember. The location of La Escuela Del Sol is incredible, just minutes from the beach and surrounded by the beautiful scenery which makes this part of the world a wonderful place to get away from it all. Just imagine yourself following the winding Montezuma River through the rainforest jungles, stopping at private waterfalls where you can watch the colorful birds and charming monkeys that play all around you. Be assured that your days will be full of adventure and learning as you tackle the ocean and learn from skilled professionals how to tackle the waves with your surfboard, or practice the discipline of yoga from trained teachers who stretch your body to the limits, or join in the Spanish class so you can thoroughly enjoy meeting and talking to the locals. And once the sun goes down, you’ll have even more fun as you discover the joy and grace of fire dancing. This Costa Rica surf camp has a lot more to offer than just surfing! Sound like your idea of a dream come true? Then make it even more affordable by signing up three months in advance for a four week program so you can get a deep discount. Just check out the website at www.laescueladelsol.com to explore the current rates, available dates and the full schedule of classes and events. You can also plan ‘free days’ where you can get out and enjoy many exciting activities that are available to visitors such as taking an ATV tours, zip-lining through the jungle, or riding horseback over trails that will take you far away from the hustle and bustle of modern civilization. You can chose to dine at fine restaurants or climb in with the locals to share their native cuisine or just hang out with your fellow students at the Costa Rica surf camp and swap tales of your adventures. Become one of the many vacationers who have learned the joys and challenges of attending this world famous Costa Rica surf camp which gives you so much more than just a chance to surf! The adventure of a lifetime awaits you when you register for our extended stay that may make you wish you never had to come back home!
PacifiCALL is a movie made of hundreds of recording hours from one of the most powerful and consistent beach breaks on earth: “Playa Hermosa” located in the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica.The cast is a mix of surfers from many countries, sharing a common thread. From Costa Rican champions to incredibly talented freesurfers.PacifiCALL is a movie inspired on the Costarican “Pura Vida” and the g…
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 8:54 am
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These are the Top Honeymoon Destinations
What are the favorite honeymoon destinations worldwide? When one of the biggest bride magazines published the results of its travel agent poll, these were the places agents named as best for honeymoon couples. They appear in order of popularity.
Search any of the names belong and you’ll be able to find information on tourism, hotels, and more about perfect places for a romantic getaway. And don’t forget that the best way to start your honeymoon trip is to reserve a limo or luxury sedan for your ride to the airport and back.
Here’s some quick web bites about the first five on the list:
Hawaii:
Lush greenery, sparkling ocean, and spectacular sunsets…say “Aloha” to the honeymoon of your dreams in Hawaii. Oahu is all of Hawaii on one island. It’s a place to spark your passion with romantic activities and create your own special Hawaiian memories.
Italy:
Your honeymoon in Italy can be the trip of a lifetime. What better spot than Italy, with its romance, magnificent scenery, cities filled with history and charm to make memories last forever. The rolling Tuscan hills, a gondola in Venice, a Renaissance villa in Florence. Stunning historic properties, the finest foods and wines make it the best. Panoramic lake-side settings, stunning vistas on the Italian Riviera or the enchanting Tuscan countryside are just some of the possibilities.
Tahiti:
The center of the universe for romance. There is no better place to celebrate your new life together or to celebrate a milestone of your relationship. Each of the many islands of Tahiti is a tiny paradise. Some isles are crowned with jagged peaks soaring magically out of the ocean in an explosion of green velvet while others appear as if gracefully tossed upon the ocean – barely floating above the breaking waves. Intimate resorts, small peaceful villages, and miles of quiet pristine beaches explain why Tahiti is ranked #1 in the world for “alone time.”
Anguilla:
Come to Anguilla and experience “tranquility wrapped in blue.” Anguilla’s honeymooners and couples seeking a special, romantic getaway find a small island, gifted with 33 of the best beaches in the Caribbean — some say the world. Stunningly white, powder soft sands meet gentle seas of pristine water colored in vibrant and varied hues of turquoise. Captivating sunsets, gentle breezes, friendly smiles, gracious hospitality, casual elegance and relaxed informality are just some of the reasons visitors named Anguilla one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world.
Fiji:
Pristine white sand between your toes; warm ocean breezes rustling palm tree fronds overhead; sweet aromas of tropical flowers wafting through the air; distant sounds of drums and harmonious singing; stunning sunsets reflecting off turquoise water. Yes, Fiji is romance. With hundreds of Fiji Islands to visit, there is plenty to see and do on your Fiji honeymoon. Snorkel and Scuba dive in some of the world’s most beautiful tropical reefs, kayak along the coast line, or hike through one of the many tropical rain forests, the Fiji Islands have it all!
The top 50 destinations are as follows: Hawaii,Italy, Tahiti, Anguilla, Fiji, St Lucia, Mexico, St Bart’s, Jamaica, France, Bali, Bermuda, South Africa, Costa Rica, Greece, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, Nevis, Australia, Aruba,New Zealand, Antigua, Barbados, Cook Islands, England, Thailand, Florida, California,Ireland,Kenya, Las Vegas, St Maarten/St Martin, Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, Monaco,Turkey, New York,Spain, Alaska, Chile, India, New England, Portugal, Scotland, Austria.
Costa Rica has a safe and well developed mechanism for title registration and transfer. Regardless, it is important to work with a broker who knows the area you are interested in as well as a trust-worthy lawyer who can guide you through the steps.
How Can I Ensure That I Have Clear Title to the Property? Costa Rican law requires that all documents relating to an interest and/or title be registered in the property section of the Public Registry. Most properties have a titled registration number (folio real), and the records database can be searched with this number or by name index. Actual ownership is not proven by a deed, but by verification of the properties folio real (registration) number. The Public Registry report (informe registral) provides detailed information on the property, including the name of the title holder, boundary lines, tax appraisal, liens, mortgages and recorded easements, or instruments that would affect title. Only after the procedures have been done properly and the title has been cleared of any liens or encumbrances and the chain of title has been traced to the actual seller, can the buyer can be assured of Good Title.
How is Title Transferred? Property is transferred by executing a transfer deed (escritura) before a Notary Public. In order to close on the property, the buyer and seller must select a notary/attorney who will draft the transfer deed and register the sale in the Public Registry (Registro Nacional).
How About Closing Costs? Closing costs involve three things: government taxes and fees, notary fee, and mortgage costs, if any.
Sales Price: $100,000.00
A) Transfer Tax (1.5%): $ 1,500.00
B) Documentary Stamps:
Municipal Stamp $ 30.00
Hospital Stamp $ 30.00
Bar Association Stamp $ 3.75
Fiscal Stamp $ 3.12
National Archive Stamp $ .10
Subtotal Taxes and Fees $ 1,566.97
C) Notary Fee
1.5% of the First Million $ 1,500.00
Total Closing Costs (normally Shared 50-50) $ 3,066.97
A)Real Estate Transfer Tax – The government collects a 1.5% property transfer tax called (Impuesto de Traspaso) The Public Registry will not record a transfer deed unless the transfer taxes and documentary stamps have been paid.
B)Documentary Stamps – The government also requires that documentary stamps be affixed to the deed. These stamps include the following: Municipal Stamp: (Timbre Municipal); Legal Bar Association Stamp (Timbre del Colegio de Abogados); Agricultural Stamp (Timbre Agrario); National Archives Stamp (Timbre del Archivo Nacional); Fiscal Stamp:(Especie Fiscal). The Public Registry also imposes its own tax of .05% on documents presented to the Public Registry. (Derechos de Registro)
C)Notary Fees- The Notary that drafted the contract for sale and conducted the closing is entitled by law to a fee of 1.5% of the first one million Colones of the actual sales price and 1.25% on the balance.
How to Ensure Registration of the Transfer Deed?Once all the fees have been paid, it is the obligation of the notary to ensure that the deed is presented (anotado) and registered (inscrito) in the Property Section of the Public Registry. I have stressed the words presented and registered to highlight the importance of following up with the notary to ensure registration. Although presentation guarantees your priority (i.e., first in time, first in right), it does not automatically guarantee registration. The Public Registry will not register a transfer deed unless all taxes and registration fees are included; a certified copy from the Municipality where the property is located is provided certifying that the seller’s property tax (bienes inmuebles) and municipal assessments (impuestos municipales) have been paid through the date of closing. Likewise, any prior instruments that encumber the property (i.e., mortgages, liens, judgments, etc.) must be lifted before your transfer deed will be registered. Once a transfer deed is accepted for registration, the Public Registry will return the original document with all the documentary stamps affixed to it and properly sealed within 60 days after presentation.
When to Pay Property Taxes?Once a property has been bought the owner should take care to meet their tax obligations to avoid foreclosure procedures. New property owners erroneously assume that they will receive a notice from the tax authorities. In reality it is the owner’s responsibility to visit their respective municipality’s office and pay the taxes. The law also requires the property to be appraised every five years, with a sworn statement made by the owner. After the declaration is made, the value of the property is calculated and determined by the municipality according to several variables, such as street frontage, location and total area. If this mandatory sworn statement for property appraisal is not filed when due, the owner is subject to often arbitrary appraisals. Negations of what is fair are often more likely if this requirement is met voluntarily. A good rule of thumb is, if when you purchased your property you were able to take advantage of the two tier system, then when making your subsequent sworn statement show a reasonable increase. The system is not very well regulated and the best way to fly under the radar is to play and pay fairly.
How To Avoid Problems With Squatters?According to Costa Rican law, a person can acquire rights to a property if the property owner allows that person to use or maintain possession of the property for more than a year. Once the property has been acquired it can’t be taken away, except for reasons such as eminent domain, and then only with proper compensation.If a person has held possession of a property for at least ten years, they can claim full ownership and re-register the property at the Public Registry.Landlords should take action to evict squatters during the first three months of their invasion. If a year passes the squatter has a right to demand compensation for any improvements they made to the land.If you have squatters you need to start an Interdicto a civil procedure, or level criminal charges, called Usurpacion as soon as possible. Delay may cost you dearly in red tape and legal procedures. For large rural tract, it is advisable to “contract a caretaker to guard against encroachments. It is important to have a written contract with the caretaker in order to prevent them from ever asserting squatters rights. One other encumbrance, which can only be detected by a visual inspection of the property, is the case of unregistered leases. Leases can be registered but most are not, especially in the case of residential ones. Make sure your lawyer guards against unwanted tenants with an appropriate clause in the agreement of sale.
What Forms of Ownership Exist?The legal system allows for a number of different types of incorporating. The two most commonly forms are the Sociedad Anonima, generally abbreviated S.A., and a less elaborate form of the first, called Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, known as S.R.L. or Ltda. The two may be used to conduct the same type of activities but there are slight differences between them, and you should select the one that best suits your needs. If the property is owned by a corporate entity in addition to a title search, it is necessary to perform a corporate search at the commercial section of the Public Registry. This search can verify the transferring entity is in good standing and that the proposed signatory of the transfer deed is empowered to authorize the transfer.
Why use a Corporation to Purchase Property in Costa Rica?It is advisable to purchase property through a corporation for a variety of reasons beyond limited liability. The corporate structure allows for more flexibility and predictability in areas ranging from estate planning, tax planning and representation. A somewhat common practice is to transfer shares of the company that owns the land instead of transferring the land through the Public Registry to a third party. The share transfer system may sound appealing at first, as it saves time and money on notary fees and transfer taxes. However, this course is not advisable, because when you acquire the shares of a corporation in Costa Rica – you not only acquire the assets (in this case the property) you also acquire the liabilities. No mechanism exists to satisfactorily list them or rule out their existence.
Condominiums Purchases in Costa Rica
Condominiums are a very practical solution for those who plan to be an absentee owner of income producing properties. Condominium law in Costa Rica grants this type of property special status. A special Horizontal Property Section of the Public Registry exists for registering condos. As in the case of any property, condominiums must be title searched for any liens or encumbrances. The buyer should also become thoroughly familiar with the condominium regulations, which are in the deed. These regulations set forth the rules of condominium management and procedures for handling relations between the unit owners. They also set forth any restrictions to which the units, thus the owners, are subject to. For example, they may restrict pets or business activities or the number of occupants. There will also be a maintenance fee, usually monthly, as well as a procedure for increasing the fee. Since unpaid fees are collateralized by the unit itself, a buyer must be sure that all such fees are paid prior to purchase.
Riz Khan – Political turmoil in Honduras – 1 July 09 – Part1
This book examines the origins of democracy and authoritarianism using a novel coalitional approach to examine two questions: What are the conditions under which actors found democracy? What are the conditions conducive to its endurance? The book explores these questions by analyzing the cases of Costa Rica and Guatemala. Costa Rica is the longest-standing and arguably the most stable democracy in…
Costa Rica adopted a state-led model of economic growth in the post-war period, but abandoned it in the 1980s in favour of free-market-oriented neoliberalism. This analysis traces this shift and also explores the major conflicts in modern Costa Rican politics….
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 7:03 am
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Indiana Jones and the Volcano
Experiencing a live volcano was on top of our agenda when my friend Rob and I visited the exotic land of Costa Rica. The plane touched down in the capital city of San Jose, and, after clearing customs, we headed for the car rental to pick up a 4×4 and a map to Mt. Arenal, the nearest active volcano.
After an arduous drive through torrential rain, we finally arrived in a quiet village supposedly at the foot of a fire-belching monster. I say supposedly because it was so foggy, we weren’t even sure a volcano existed. We couldn’t see a tree a block away, let alone a volcanic mountain looming 5,000 feet above us.
Locals claim if you really listen closely, you can hear the beast rumble. We never heard a whimper. By the second misty day and night of no sighting, I suspected the local population had fabricated the story of an erupting volcano in order to attract tourist dollars. A volcano of convenience. No muss, no fuss. Just some imaginary rumbling every so often that only the locals hear from a volcano no one ever sees because of the rain and fog!
Being a veteran traveler, I have learned to be agreeable in a foreign country and, in general, say “yes†to practically everything spoken to me by the locals. Not realizing the full import of the distinction between the words Miguel had used, I responded amicably, “Yeah, yeah, of course, we’d like to know the volcano.â€
Without another word, Miguel turned over one of our paper place mats and, pulling a broken stub of a pencil from his shirt pocket, began to draw a crooked line. We watched in silence for the next twenty minutes as he guided the pencil over the grease-stained paper in absorbed concentration. What emerged was a detailed map of twists and turns with landmarks indicated by little, kid-like pictures of trees, stone walls and tiny shacks to represent a village.
Finished, Miguel put the pencil back in his pocket, sighed and spoke directly into our souls with piercing, green eyes. “This,†he said, tapping the crude map with its meandering trail, “take you to volcano. To be with volcano.†With his finger, Miguel softly tapped his chest over his heart, “to feel and know spirit of volcano.†Then he laughed softly and cautioned us we would be scared because the volcano would definitely erupt when we were there. “But volcano not harm you,†he added hastily. With a wistful look in his face, Miguel shared how he and his friends have picnicked at the edge of the volcano his whole life and the towering inferno had never harmed him. His words only mildly consoled me.
The sound of the cold, drenching rain woke us at dawn. We still couldn’t see or hear the volcano. Since the downpour discouraged us from any other tourist activity, we decided we may as well get soaking wet following Miguel’s map to wherever it led. Maybe the rain would stop once we were out of the village. Fat chance!
We drove up the steep mountainside of what the villagers below insisted was the volcano until the rugged jeep road ended abruptly at a craggy cliff. I was very surprised Miguel’s rough, hand-drawn map actually corresponded to what we found on our journey. His drawing indicated the sheer cliff and the small, hidden opening we found nestled between the rock wall and a weather-beaten wooden fence. We followed our friend’s makeshift chart through the hole, up a circuitous rocky path, over many collapsed lava rock walls and past long-deserted fruit orchards. The trail ended abruptly at an imposing 300-foot wall of solid volcanic lava flow so jagged and sharp we couldn’t climb it.
Fortunately for us, Miguel had anticipated this challenge. At the left edge of the lava flow, his map showed a naturally camouflaged trail through the dense rainforest. Our confidence in both our friend and his diagram strengthened over the past several hours, we plunged into the dark primeval forest. The jungle growth was so thick with vines and roots, the path so muddy and slippery, I felt we’d dropped into a comic scene right out of the Harrison Ford movie “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.†During one hilarious moment, Rob and I both lost our footing and, clutching each other, slid back down fifty feet of the mudslide trail. Grabbing overhanging vines, Tarzan-style, saved the day—and our necks! Our guardian angels must get a lot of overtime pay!
Undaunted and filled with the rush of adventure, Rob and I helped each other stand up, pull ourselves together and restart the climb. Clawing and scratching our way through the rainforest, we finally reached the top of the lava flow. My first impression was how very windy and cold it was up there for a tropical climate. The pouring rain and dense fog had persisted, obliterating the view of anything more than a foot in front of us. As we inched our way along the top of the volcanic rock, I remembered how Miguel had told us of his many idyllic picnics here with his friends. Not very conducive weather for a picnic on this morning!
Suddenly, a booming roar filled the air, followed by a very powerful rumble that reverberated throughout our bodies. We felt the Earth roll in one undulating wave after another! Although Rob and I had never experienced an eruption before, we instinctively knew this was the volcano showing its might. The ground continued to heave in unnerving spasms. People-size boulders sped past us down the slope. Flying rocks were propelled into nearby trees, the sheer force imbedding the projectiles cleanly into their trunks. We heard and felt nearby avalanches crashing their way down the mountain. We could only see a fraction of the devastation because of the blinding downpour, but our bodies definitely registered the massive rearrangement all around us.
A sharp electric terror shot through every cell of my body. Its message was explicit and commanding, “Leave! Now! You must go now to save your life.â€
I shouted to Rob, “We’re out of here! It’s not safe!†To my astonishment, he shook his head from side to side indicating he didn’t want to go.
“I’m staying. This is too cool!†he yelled over the roar of the wind and falling rock. He was nineteen years old. His sense of novelty and exploration was still stronger than his sense of danger and good judgment. I started to argue. I made zero impression on the brash, young daredevil.
Then another explosion rocked our world. I watched in horror as the heat, ash and force of the blast denuded a huge 200-foot tree in one second, stripping off all its leaves and limbs. If this volcano could do that to a tree, it could do the same to us! I knew with certainty I was supposed to leave posthaste.
Jumping off the top of the lava mound right into the rainforest, I bolted without another thought. I threw myself into the “Raiders of the Lost Ark†express mudslide, riding the flowing water and sludge through the dense jungle growth down the side of the still-quaking mountainside. In what seemed like only a few seconds, I arrived at the bottom of the lava flow. The path was certainly faster and easier going down than climbing up! For a brief moment, I lay soaked to the bone, resting in a mud puddle, my ripped clothes covered with brown muck.
Recovering some of my composure, I became aware for the first time of heat radiating from the lava flow smoldering several feet to my left. I crawled in the direction of the flow until I was within a few inches of the mass. To my surprise, the air felt like I had just opened a 400-degree oven. The surface was so hot, I instinctively jumped back a few feet. When we first arrived earlier in the morning, the extremely cold wind and pelting rain had so neutralized the radiant heat from the lava, we didn’t even notice the temperature.
But the heat was not the only aspect of the lava that the elements had concealed from us. I picked up a small twig and approached the foot of the black mound that had gushed from the top of the mountain. Getting as close as I could to the sulphurous heat, I stuck the branch into the rain-drenched ground about two inches in front of the lava. Within a minute, the lava hill reached the stick and buried it!
Suddenly my whole body reeled with the involuntary shudder of recognition. For the last hour Rob and I had been walking on a live, moving lava flow! And Rob was still up there running around on the molten granite.
Another eruption, three times louder than the first one, filled the air. My ears throbbed from the deafening boom. My feet and body registered avalanche after avalanche of crashing rock careening down the side of the volcano. Descending the rough trail, I ran head over heels in a panic, determined to outrun any rockslides coming my way. After a half-hour of the fastest, long distance race I’ve ever run, I arrived at our jeep safely sheltered under a broad-armed tree. Collapsing into the front seat, I fought to catch my breath.
As my pulse and mind quieted, I was overcome with fear for the safety of my friend still walking around on the moving bed of liquid rock in the midst of periodic violent explosions. I began feeling intensely responsible. I’d left a young kid in my charge on top of an erupting volcano! A nightmarish vision bombarded me. I saw his parents, who had entrusted their son with me, watching local authorities dig through the rubble of the volcano searching for the body of the lost American youth. Feeling so guilty and worried I could neither relax nor rest, I decided I must leave the jeep and hike back up the volcano. I had to find Rob.
No sooner had I opened the door of the jeep than an insistent inner impulse told me to stay put and listen inside for further instructions. When I receive such forceful commands from my inner coach, I usually obey. Quieting myself as much as possible under the circumstances, I endeavored to get in touch with my next best intuitive move. I challenged myself, Was it wrong what I did? Was it selfish and self-absorbed to look after my own safety and leave a young kid behind?
After I felt all the intense emotions stirred up from asking these soul-searching questions, I received a very strong message directly from Spirit. My inner knowing spoke to me emphatically, saying:
“You did the right thing. You followed your intuition. If you recall specifically, your inner coach told you that it was dangerous for you to stay, and that you needed to leave immediately. It said nothing about your friend Rob. Nothing at all. You were right to follow your guidance and leave. In fact, had you stayed, you may very well have endangered your friend’s safety! Had you stayed, you would have been out of alignment with your intuition and, therefore, out of harmony and integrity with yourself. This discordant state has a strong tendency to interfere with another person’s ability to tap into and follow his or her own knowing. Had you stayed, you may have hindered Rob’s ability to hear and heed his inner direction. You took the most helpful, loving and appropriate action by following the letter and spirit of your intuition. You following you own internal urging allowed your friend the space to realize he must rely on his own internal wisdom.â€
Spirit’s message was a fascinating new lesson in intuitive guidance for me. In general, and for its reassurance in my present predicament, I was grateful for this fresh perspective. I never before realized the precision of intuition. I never before understood the independence of one person’s guidance from the inner counsel of another person in a shared situation.
At the exact moment I realized the import of what I was being told by my inner coach, Rob came streaking down the trail toward the jeep. In the fury of the last violent eruption, Rob received his own internal signal to vamoose. Guided by his own inner compass, he immediately took the Mudslide Express through the jungle to safety. I was extremely relieved—and appreciative to Spirit—that my nightmare vision of Rob’s demise was averted. I gave silent thanks for the eternal lessons I learned from our escapade.
Back on solid ground, Rob and I were anxious to leave the mountain rains and clouds. We hopped into the jeep and sped toward the sunny western coast of Costa Rica. Driving down the mountainside, we both lapsed in and out of thankful silence for being alive. Perhaps the next day, the morning’s events would seem a great adventure, but, right then, the very real danger we’d just survived remained very palpable and raw. Our minds, emotions and physical bodies were still remembering and replaying our narrow escape.
Suddenly, Rob and I experienced simultaneous intuitive hits to pull over and get out of the jeep. Leaning against the vehicle, we turned as one toward the top of the mountain we’d just descended. As if waiting for us to stop our downward trek away from the mountain and turn our gaze upward, the clouds parted to reveal the awesome Mt. Arenal volcano for the very first time since our arrival in Costa Rica so many days earlier. The dense mist lifted. We saw exactly where we had been hiking on the lava flow. We pinpointed where the tree line ended and the lava flow began. We’d been standing only a hundred yards from the open mouth of the volcano when it erupted!
The restaurant owner Miguel had promised we would be with, we would feel and we would know the spirit of the volcano. He said the mountain would definitely erupt when we were there. And he’d promised the volcano would not harm us. The rain and his crude map tricked us into going so close to the volcano that we did, indeed, get to know the volcano, not just view it.
Was it the spirit of the volcano that sent Miguel to us? —and turned the skies into a torrential downpour in order to obscure the treacherous nature of our journey so we wouldn’t be scared off? Rob and I agreed, stranger things have happened. One thing was certain. If we’d been able to see where we were going, we would never have walked as close as we did to the mouth of the cauldron.
Now, viewing the majesty of Mt. Arenal, we were humbled and ever so grateful for the experience of having been able to safely feel the mountain’s power and personality. As we were sending out our thankfulness to and admiration of the volcano, the mountain erupted again with an explosion twice as high as the volcano itself. Two miles of elegant ash plume shot up into the dark blue sky. The event was quite dramatic and very humbling.
We knew the volcano was responding to our love and appreciation for its gift to us that day. Then the clouds closed back in and our mighty friend said good-bye, leaving us forever changed and enriched by its friendship.
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 4:46 am
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A Guide to Costa Rica Luxury Hotels and Real Estate
For people who are wealthy, purchasing Costa Rica luxury real estate is a great option. You can choose from Costa Rica luxury hotels, resorts, homes, mansions, estates farms and castles. There are beach properties, mountain properties as well as vacation rentals to choose from. You can invest in Costa Rica luxury real estate for yourself whenever you visit there on holiday or choose to rent while you are there instead of splurging on five star hotels.
Costa Rica luxury real estate properties prove to be pretty attractive with splendid weather, the best of amenities, delightful homes and farms and friendly localities. The luxury real estate agencies give excellent service to their customers. They make sure that they get property at the best prices possible. These agencies catalog, promote and sell high-class real estate in the residential category. Costa Rica luxury real estate spreads over major locations like Cartago, Atenas, Alajuela, Santo Domingo, Heredia, Escazu, Santa Ana and San Jose besides locations by the beach.
You will also find online directories that give you information of the entire network of all the Costa Rica luxury real estate agencies all over Costa Rica. This would be one of the best ways to find a Costa Rica luxury real estate agency. Sometimes the property owners might advertise their real estate on their own, without having a middleman or agency. This might work out to be more profitable if you contact the owner on your own and strike a deal.
A good method of finding out about the several Costa Rica luxury hotels is to pore over the several brochures and leaflets available on these hotels. If you are planning on taking an exotic expedition where you are able to do plenty of Costa Rica sight-seeing you might like to book in and spend some of your time in one of the several Costa Rica luxury hotels.
Different Costa Rica luxury hotels might have different kinds of features to lure you; there are plenty to choose from. Some hotels operate their very own cultural tours. So don’t be surprised; you might be going on an adventure trip to a tropical rain forest.
After you have all the details that you require about the various activities that are available in Costa Rica you can start looking for accommodation. The huge variety of Costa Rica luxury hotels will definitely let you choose one that fits your budget from the five star hotels to the four and three star. You might also choose from several spa hotels or luxury resorts.
The information on Costa Rica luxury hotels that you look for should include the cost of stay at various Costa Rica resorts, the amenities available there and perhaps a map of the city so that you cans see how exactly it is located so that you can plan on the sights that you would like to see.
There are plenty of Costa Rica luxury real estate agencies on the Net which give you details of properties up for sale. Some websites even have forums where the vendors and purchasers can interact and clarify their doubts as to the scenario of investing in real estate in Costa Rica.
If you would like to frequent the beach, then it would be wise to look at Costa Rica luxury hotels close to the beach. Once you have made up your mind on what you want to see and where you want to say, all you have to do is sit back and make the most of a great holiday!
Filed under: Costa Rica — Costa_Rica_Videos @ 9:27 pm
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The Honeymoon Hotspots: Where You Need To Go
Michael Cottam, one of the founders of TheBigDay, offers advice on how to go about choosing where to go on your honeymoon.
So you’re engaged…congratulations! One of the most fun parts about getting married is planning that honeymoon trip of a lifetime. And if you haven’t even narrowed it down to a country, much less an island or a resort, don’t worry-many (if not most!) honeymoon couples are in the same boat.
Some couples start by leafing through travel or bridal magazines and looking for pictures that are appealing and romantic-you can do this, but you’re more likely to settle on the best-MARKETED destination rather than the best destination for your wants, needs, and style.
The following are questions you should ask yourself-it’ll help you figure out what your options are, and help you ask better questions of your travel agent…which will help you plan that perfect honeymoon.
When are you going?
Every destination has its high and low seasons-and this is typically a combination of weather and the times of the year that their tourists typically take vacations. Some destinations, such as Hawaii, have very little variance in their weather year-round; others, like the Caribbean have a definite hurricane season. Yet it’s important to know that the Caribbean is a very big place-and different parts have different hurricane seasons, and some parts of the western Caribbean really aren’t hurricane prone at all. Other destinations–such as Central America and Southeast Asia-have rainy or monsoon seasons. You really need to know the specific destination in order to have a feel for whether or not their “green” season is too “green” (rainy!) for you.
Also, ask yourself if you’re willing to delay the start of your honeymoon a couple of weeks or months. Summer months are very popular for weddings, as it tends to be easier for family and friends to get to the wedding; plus, if you’re having an outdoor wedding, the odds of good weather are more in your favor. However, this also tends to be the expensive (and sometimes more crowded) season for many honeymoon destinations. Giving yourself a month off after the wedding before leaving on your honeymoon can give you time to relax and wind down from the wedding, write your thank-you notes, and take advantage of the lower prices of what’s known as the “shoulder season” (between high and low season).
Travel time/vacation time
How much time off work are you going to take? And how much of it are you willing to spend on an airplane?
If you’re going on an African safari, you’re going to consume about a day and a half traveling each way from the U.S. This is fine if you’re going to be there a couple of weeks, but if those days are coming off your total of 7 days on vacation, you might consider someplace closer. And distance isn’t the only factor: how many stopovers is it going to take to get where you’re going? If you’ve got to land on a main island, then wait around for 4 to 6 hours for the “island hopper” flight to take you out to your remote private island retreat, that’s going to consume your vacation time too.
A great option, if it’s available, is a red-eye flight, where you sleep on the plane and wake up at your destination, saving a day of vacation time.
Language
This is less of a problem than you might think. Unless you’re backpacking around some exotic country, you’re going to find people in restaurants, hotels, and the activity vendors all speak English. One bit of advice: try to learn a few words and phrases in the local language, as you’ll find you’re treated differently if you begin conversations with “hello” in their language, and show you’re willing to make the effort to get along in their country.
Cost
The big question! First, some statistics: the average U.S. couple spends about $3700 for their honeymoon package…and this doesn’t included expenditures once they’re at their destination. When considering a resort that’s NOT all-inclusive, take some time to research the area and find out what meals cost, what a snorkel trip costs, what taxis cost, etc. Tourist bureau sites are a good place to start.
Costs of excursions and meals can easily add up to much more than your airfare and hotel, and you need to be realistic and prepared for this. Consider staying at multiple hotels on your honeymoon-perhaps one or two nights at someplace really nice to start, then a more moderate property with perhaps less of a view for the remainder.
People, people, people
There are a number of important considerations here. First off, who else is going to be at your resort? Are most of the guests at the resort in your age group? Are they young and adventurous, or older and mostly interested in golf? Does the resort market to families-are you going to find a ton of kids splashing around in the pool when you’re trying to have a romantic, relaxing time? Is the bar going to be lively, with your kind of music? Are you going to feel right at home, or a bit out of place?
Next, let’s talk about density: do you prefer to be in the middle of the action, with lots of other happy honeymooners all around, or quieter and more secluded? Think about whether you want to be in a hotel with 400 rooms, or a resort with 40 private villas…the experience will be very different. And do you want to be waited on hand and foot, or left alone to explore by yourselves? Do you want to shop, maybe pick up souvenirs or local style clothes, or maybe some artwork? Maybe you want a mix: in Hawaii, popular combinations would include a few nights in the heart of Waikiki combined with a few nights on the North Shore…on Maui, perhaps a split between the Lahaina/Kaanapali area and the secluded Hana coast.
Finally, how much do you want to learn about the locals, their language, food, and culture? Generally, at the all-inclusive resorts, you’ll find yourselves with other tourists, separated from the local style. If you want to immerse yourselves in the local environment, perhaps consider a smaller hotel, farther from the main tourist areas.
History and culture
Do you enjoy visiting ancient ruins…centuries-old cathedrals…seeing native villages? The beauty of the art, architecture, and history of Greece, Italy, Scotland and Ireland, or Mayan civilizations can make for a fabulous honeymoon experience.
Europe is an obvious destination, but think also about the Mayans and Aztecs in Latin America…Buddhist temples in Bali and Thailand… Angkor Wat in Cambodia…Buddhist and Hindu temples in India. China is becoming a much more popular destination as well: consider visiting the Great Wall and seeing the Terracotta Warriors.
Accommodations
How sensitive are you to humidity and temperature? This can determine not only the destination, but also the choice of resort, as not all A/C systems are created equal. How close do you want to be to nature? I’ve stayed at fabulous safari lodges in Africa that didn’t even have complete walls…just mosquito nets to protect you at night. For some, this is a dream come true-for others it might be a nightmare.
How important is your living space in your hotel room? Do you feel claustrophobic easily? Do you like to lounge around in the morning, have breakfast in bed, or do you like to get up and out there exploring the island? Is a spa on-property important to you? Is a view of the ocean from your room important to you…enough to justify the higher price?
Also think about how you typically spend your day on vacation. If you go back and forth from the room to the beach, the pool, the restaurant, you might want a place with ground-level villas rather than have to get on and off elevators all the time. If you’re going to spend most of your days out exploring the island, this might not matter so much.
Nightlife
Are you going to want to go out dancing/clubbing? Or maybe see some native dances or performances? If you’re going to Hawaii, and you ARE looking for nightlife, you’ll probably want to think about Oahu or maybe Maui.
For Mexico, you should be thinking about Cancun or Cabo, rather than some of the more isolated resort areas. If you’re considering the Caribbean, the answer to this question might affect the island or region you choose as well. Music: what do you want to hear on your honeymoon? Mariachi bands, steel drums, reggae, or Hawaiian hula…what appeals to you?
Food!
How adventurous of an eater are you? How about your fiancé? Do you like to try the local food, try many different restaurants? Often resorts will have very good American and European menus, but for authentic local cuisine you’ll have to venture outside the resort.
All-inclusives and cruises often make fabulous food very affordable; if you’re not at an all-inclusive resort, the on-property restaurants are often pretty pricey compared to outside restaurants, and tend to be less authentic with respect to local/native cuisine. If your chosen resort is in or near a reasonably large town or tourist area, you may have lots of choice for dinner; if you’re secluded and isolated, it’s possible that you have no choice but to dine at the resort (and pay their prices, if it’s not included!).
In areas like Fiji and Tahiti, you’ll often find that while the resort isn’t officially all-inclusive, they do have a “meal plan” which covers food and sometimes drinks. Sometimes these plans cover just breakfast and dinner, which leaves you the option of trying the local cuisine and eating relatively inexpensively for lunch.
Adventure!
How about a safari in Kenya or Botswana? Or hiking in the Andes…maybe a trip to Macchu Pichu? Or a week on a rented sailboat in the Caribbean? How about touring Australia on a Harley? Maybe trek through the jungles of Costa Rica, observing monkeys and exotic birds? If these appeal to you, first thing you need to do is make sure they also appeal to your spouse! These kinds of trips create memories of a lifetime, and can be very affordable as well. Often, couples will want to combine an “adventure” trip with a few days relaxing at a beach resort-these kinds of combination packages can be put together for you by a knowledgeable travel agent, and give you the best of both worlds.
Watersports
Do you and your fiancé scuba dive (or do you want to learn)? You’ll find that pretty much every tropical destination has diving and snorkeling available. Some will have scuba courses offered by the resorts, while other resorts will have partnered with local dive companies. If you love to snorkel, make sure your travel agent knows, so they can recommend resorts where the wave conditions tend to be good and there are good snorkeling reefs nearby so that there’s something besides just sand to look at. In general, a great surfing beach won’t be a great snorkeling beach!
Are you interested in going deep-sea fishing? It’s important to know what the fishing is like where you’re going. For instance, while you can take a guided fishing trip from any one of the Hawaiian islands, your chances of actually doing some CATCHING as well as fishing are substantially better on the Big Island!
Additionally, it’s important to talk to your travel agent about what kinds of watersports you want to enjoy. If you’re interested in jetskiing and parasailing, you’ll want to be in one place; if you want to kayak with the turtles, snorkel around the reef, you’ll want to be elsewhere. It’s also useful to know how far it is from your hotel to the best spots for your activities-you won’t want to spend two hours a day roundtripping from your hotel to your activities.
The destinations
Here’s a quick look at some of the more popular destinations, and what they’re known for.
Fiji- great scuba and snorkeling, very friendly people, mostly villa-style beach bungalow accommodations in widely-separated resorts. Moderately expensive to very expensive. About 9 hours flying time from Los Angeles.
Hawaii- beautiful weather all year round, close to mainland U.S., amazing array of watersports and adventure activities. Not as much of a cultural transition for mainland Americans as many other destinations. Most hotels have 200-400 rooms; hotel density along beaches can be high. Excellent choice for a destination wedding, as prices are very reasonable for high quality and service. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Tahiti- great scuba and snorkeling, famous for overwater bungalows and phenomenal views. Resorts tend to be fairly far apart; very secluded and private. Expensive to very expensive; food, drinks, and activities can be very expensive as well. About 8 hours flying time from Los Angeles.
Mexico- Cancun/Cozumel nearly fully recovered from the past summer’s hurricanes, and much rebuilding has resulted in many upgraded resorts. High density of resorts on beaches in places like Cancun and Cabo. Great diving, watersports; some areas close to Mayan ruins. Recently, all-inclusive resorts have become common, and there are some terrific bargains to be had, especially at the moderate to more expensive resorts. A new trend we’re seeing is combining the traditional beach vacation with a few days inland at one of Mexico’s colonial cities, exploring the history and culture of old Mexico. Easy access from the U.S. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Caribbean- known for prevalence of all-inclusive resorts, especially in Jamaica. Huge range of cultures, styles, food, music. Great watersports and scenery, and not too long in the air from major U.S. cities. Cruises are a very popular way to explore multiple islands and countries in the Caribbean at a modest cost. Inexpensive to very expensive.
Europe – history, architecture, and great food and wine are big draws here. Airfare is less than you might expect, often sub-$500 per person roundtrip. Less of a beach resort destination, although areas of Italy, France, and Greece on the Mediterranean can provide the sun & surf element. Castles in Ireland and self-drive B&B vacations throughout the UK are popular, as are villa stays in France and Italy. In Greece, the Cyclades islands are very popular: Santorini with its submerged volcano, black sandy beach, and breathtaking sunsets…Mykonos with its blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses and beaches…and Naxos, the largest island with golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and the medieval capital of Hora. Honeymooners often combine stays on these islands with a visit to Athens. Many cruise options are available, allowing easy exploration of a number of Mediterranean ports in one vacation. Moderately expensive to very expensive.
Costa Rica & Belize – becoming very popular as eco-tourism destinations, these countries offer terrific beach resorts, watersports, diving and snorkeling, combined with jungle exploration and eco-adventures. Treetop resorts becoming popular here as well; and like Mexico, there are a number of Mayan ruins accessible in Belize. Belize also is famous for its barrier reef, and the scuba diving hotspot known as The Blue Hole. Relatively short flight from mainland U.S., combined with great value for the dollar at many resorts makes these two countries very hot for honeymooners.
Australia & New Zealand – enormous variety of things to do for the adventurous types, from Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier reef, Sydney and its renowned Opera House, Surfers Paradise. New Zealand has everything from geysers in Rotorua to jet-boating; hiking and skiing amongst tremendous scenery, and of course the famous Maori hospitality. We often suggest combining a trip to either of these countries with a stopover in Fiji or Tahiti as well. Long flight times (15 hours+ from Los Angeles) mean you’ll probably want to stay 2 weeks at the very least. Moderately expensive to expensive.
The Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius are all fabulous honeymoon destinations, although because of the flying time from the U.S. (around 30 hours), they’re more commonly visited by Europeans. Truly spectacular diving and scenery, great food and culture, and very friendly people. Hotels are much more spread out than Hawaii or Mexico-more like Fiji or Tahiti. Private island resorts are common, as in Fiji and Tahiti. Seychelles and Mauritius trips are commonly combined with a week or so in Africa on safari. Expensive to very expensive, even without the airfare (roughly $1500 to $2000 per person roundtrip from the U.S.).
Southeast Asia – combines terrific beach resorts with extraordinary culture and historical sites to explore. A relatively long flight from the U.S. (up to 20 hours depending on routing), but a tremendous value once you’re there. Thailand, Bali, China, Vietnam and Cambodia are all becoming very popular. Very inexpensive without the airfare; inexpensive to moderate with airfare.
Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile are becoming more popular, and offer a great opportunity to experience culture, wilderness and traditional beach resorts all in one vacation. The Amazon is a huge draw, of course, but also the culture and experiences to be had in Rio and Buenos Aires make for a very memorable and exotic honeymoon. The Inca city of Machu Picchu is certainly one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world, perched in the Andes at over 9,000 feet in elevantion. Moderately expensive to very expensive.
Ocean Front Boutique Hotel, Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
costa rica money exchange
