Costa Rica Vacations and Info

Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica has an area of 9940 hectares. It is located in the canton of Los Chiles and Guatuso of the province of Alajuela in Costa Rica. Caño Negro is a wonderful wildlife refuge, which is the third largest wetland in the world. You must visit it while you are in Costa Rica. The shrine was called “Wetland of International Importance” in 1991 and is one of the most important wetlands in the country. Conservation groups such as the Ramsar designated it as “protected areas worldwide.” Caño Negro is a habitat for many rare species of plants, animals and birds in the world.

It preserves a very important sample of the wetland areas of the territory of Costa Rica, considered of international importance because it provide a shelter for large numbers of migratory species, endangered species and species of commercial importance. Caño Negro Lagoon is a shallow freshwater lake covering an area of 800 hectares. It is water drainage of the adjacent river Rio Frio and its tributary the Monica river.

The area includes the lake and their surroundings are one of the most biologically diverse areas and it has vital importance for the maintenance of environmental quality in the north area of Costa Rica. In addition, the area is a habitat to many species of flora and fauna and natural communities, many of which are unique or endangered species that make the area a site of international importance, because, together with the wetlands south of Lake Nicaragua, is one of the more important samples of wetland of Mesoamerica.

This shelter is a source of food for migratory birds from the north. There are species of plants and animals that cannot be found in other parts of the country, an abundance of birds and fish for human consumption and is one of the few parts in Costa Rica where the marlin or gaspar can be found.
Caño Negro is the home of different species of animals such as the basilisk of emeralds, the giant ant bear, the ocelots, iguanas, river turtles, monkeys and pumas. This wildlife refuge is also home to rare birds like the Northern jacans, Ibis, Jaribu Storks, anhingas, cormorants and many others.

Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica is a great learning experience for everyone as it is the first national refuge which emphasizes the management of tourism activities without compromising the biological resources for individuals and families. During the dry season in CostA rICA you can arrive by land, however, because it tends to flood when it rains, their access is difficult and should be done by boat, but this is an interesting trip. To reach Caño Negro, you have to fly to San Jose and then drive north to Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos). From there go to the town of Los Chiles and hence the huge and beautiful haven for wildlife.

Sunny days, impressive surfing and stunning beaches are the three best descriptions of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The area is entirely surrounded by the province of Guanacaste that is the most visited part of the country and one of the less populated areas of Costa Rica. The North Pacific is one of the best and easiest places to dive. This area has abundant marine life, especially around Santa Catalina Island, Playa del Coco and Ocotal Beach.

Today, areas like Tamarindo in Costa Rica are also becoming increasingly popular, even the fishermen are making small villages to operate the place. Now more and more foreigners want to find their piece of paradise. The beaches of the Pacific coast are the most beautiful in the country. These beaches are always very sunny, surrounded by virgin areas and close to one another. Some parts of the region are developing rapidly with luxury hotels while others fishing villages have not even been discovered.

In this part of the country is the luxurious Gulf of Papagayo in Costa Rica , which is being developed as an ultra modern city hotel. This area also has one of the country’s most expensive hotels, the Four Seasons Hotel. This area is dedicated to the traveler looking for the best. Another beautiful beach of the zone is Playa Flamingo, a stunning place with luxurius hotels,

In the other hand, apart from sunbathing on the beautiful beaches of the coast, water sports are the main attraction of this area Costa Rica , with some excellent points for surfing. Many surfers come from all over the world looking to find the perfect spot along with the reef and the rest on the beach. There are a lot of jumps and movements that can be seen here, if you are lucky you may be complicit in them, and found the double beauty of the place, the ocean with the beach.
In Guanacaste you can enjoy other activities such as canopy tours, horseback riding tours, sailing trips, raft rides and many others. In the night the tourist can enjoy with the many restaurants and bars that can be found in the cities or near the beaches. Some of these places can be a little expensive but offers an interesting experience.

Compared with other parts of Costa Rica, the climate of the north Pacific coast is completely dry and warm. This region is home to stretches of tropical dry forest, home to a variety of animals including sea birds and monkeys. To the north of Tamarind is located the Las Baulas National Marine Park, where each year thousands of turtles come to spawn their eggs.

But one of the most interesting aspects of this region is the cowboys of Guanacaste in Costa Rica . These hard workers men are a new attraction of the area because a lot of people are attracted to this old way of living. In recent years many farmers have arisen due to this phenomenon.

La Cruz in Costa Rica is the tenth canton of the Province of Guanacaste in Costa Rica and was founded in the year 1969. At present, approximately 70% of its economically active population works in activities related to animal husbandry, agriculture and fisheries. The development that has experienced in recent years is partly due to the opening of the Inter-American Highway and the boom of tourism. The limit southeast of this canton, is made up of the dividing line of the Cordillera de Guanacaste, where there are located the volcanoes Orosi, Rincon de La Viejaa and Miravalles, widely recognized tourist sites in Costa Rica. La Cruz has a supply of public and private services of all kinds, especially in the area of health and education so that tourists do not lack any kind of comfort.

This border canton of Guanacaste province is located on the shores of what is known as Mirador La Cruz, from where there are beautiful and stunning sunsets, with the sun hiding in the Pacific Ocean, under the breadth of the horizon, one of the finest spectacles of Costa Rica. This viewpoint along Santa Rosa National Park are two of the biggest attractions of the area, where the Casona de Santa Rosa, preserved since the mid-nineteenth century, is a monument to the history of Costa Rica where took places one of the biggest battles against William Walker, the leader of the filibusters that tried to conquer the Central American region. The beaches at La Cruz are wonderful as many other attractions in Costa Rica. The best known are: Cuajiniquil, Bahia Salinas, Playa Papaturro, Playa Nabos, Playa Jobo, Playa Rajada, Playa Copal, Puerto Solely Beach, Playa Pochote and Manzanillo. In this canton is located also the biological reserve Isla Bolaños, a major tourist site with lots of marine life. Between these beaches we should note the following:

Pochote beach: Is a beach for a tan-colored sand and crystal clear water with gentle waves. It is ideal for swimmers, for fishing, diving and other water sports, with caution by strong sea currents. For its part Puerto Solely Beach is a beach of white sand and deep blue water of more than 3 kilometers long, with moderate to strong waves, it shares the exotic charms of Bahia Salinas. It lies near the border with Nicaragua, and relatively close to the Santa Rosa National Park. Playa Papaturro has an area of 2 km in length between Punta Morro and Punta Copal. Presents strong tides and waves, its sands are brown clear and the slope is moderate. For its location, is excellent for the practice of kitesurfing, but please keep in mind that there are rocks and shells in some areas. Playa Rajada is a beach virgin, unknown to most people of Costa Rica with a great wealth of flora and fauna, land and sea. Its natural beauty complements its beautiful mangrove and estuary. It is a clear sand beach, gentle slope and low waves, with a length of 600 meters. Is a site designed to: sun, sand, sea, sports fishing, scuba diving and camping. At the front of the beach, is an island of great beauty.

The development of tourism with the rest of this Costa Rica region has helped generously to the population of La Cruz, as many are working in occupations related to tourism and others have turned their homes into small hotels and restaurants. The arrival of tourists (domestic and foreign) to the beaches of this region in Costa Ricahas been growing steadily, generating demand for luxury hotels and houses that have been developed across the coastal zone. This has caused a significant increase in the prices of real estate but this tendency has lowered by the current world economic crisis.

Diving enthusiasts come to Costa Rica for the incredible variety of marine life and the thrill of swimming with schools of tropical fish. Therefore, Costa Rica is becoming an increasingly popular place for people who enjoy the sport of diving. In the central Pacific there is the possibility of practicing diving at several sites in the area. We have several options for diving, from Diving with 1 Tank, Diving with 2 tanks and dives at night to admire enviroments completely different from those seen during the day. The tours are usually guided by a Dive Master or diving instructor who also knows the best places in the area.

While the central Pacific of Costa Rica has less diving sports than the South it has places worth visiting for submarine tours. The visibility in these warm waters stretching from 6 to 24 meters. The Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica offers a spectacular submarine landscape with all kind of animal species such as sea stars, lobsters and shrimp. The Pacific is known for the abundance of bigger sea life as giant manta rays, green sea turtles, angel fish, catfish, snapper, Lora fish, sharks, dolphins and blue whales.

You have to experience an unforgettable sensation 20 meters under water. In this meeting with marine life you can swim alongside a shark, an octopus and many kinds of colorful fish. The waters of Manuel Antonio and Quepos towns in Costa Rica are blessed with a high content of nutrients that enable the development of a large number of marine species.

Isla Tortuga and its surrenders are famous around the world because it is one of the best areas in Costa Rica and Central America to enjoy the most incredible diving adventures. Average visibility ranges from 30 feet. to 50 feet. with possibilities of up to 80 feet. You can dive volcanic rock formations. Turtle Island is located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Nicoya Peninsula, which is surrounded by an abundance of dive sites, most of which are accessible within a thirty minute boat ride. These dive sites offer white tip sharks, giant schools of grunt, yellowtails, spotted eagle rays, turtles, stingrays, angel fish, octopus, whether horses, Starfish, frog fish and many species of eels. It is possible to see whale sharks up to 35 feet long on numerous occasions, as well as, spinner dolphin, Humpback whales, pilot whales, killer whales, false killer whales and schools containing hundreds of thousands of cow-nosed rays can be seen there.

There are two options offered to the certified divers with the full use of the boats and tanks so they can explore the different islands and coral reefs where whale sharks and manta rays are frequently identified. In one option there is the possibility of unlimited diving which allows the diver to perform the desired number of dives during the 5 or 8 hours of the tour. The boats are equipped with compressors on board. It includes the use of tanks, weights, belts, food (snacks and sandwiches) and beverages (soft drinks, water and beer) (Alcoholic beverages are served once they finish the tour diving).

The second possibility is the night diving. This tour includes 1 tank, which can be added to the normal tour of diving and is exclusively for certified divers. Non-certified divers cannot do this tour without exception. Besides people who want to participate in this activity must be advanced, however, is not mandatory. All divers must abide by safety regulations for the trainer before starting the tour, and is at the discretion of the instructor whether or not to allow any person to conduct the tour. These provisions are for safety of the participants themselves.

Costa Rica is a tourist destination well-known and well-developed for surfing especially when you take into account that there are direct flights from the U.S. This has helped increasing its popularity. The country is safe, beautiful, friendly and blessed with great surfing conditions on both coasts.
The North Pacific of Costa Rica in general offers good quality surf throughout the year. The winds from the northwest during the month of December to March and thunderstorms in the northern hemisphere create ideal conditions for the waves. The best places in the Pacific north of Costa Rica for surfing are:

Potrero Beach
It is a remote beach in Costa Rica that has very good waves and impressive breaks points that will be enjoyed by any lover of the surf. There is no road access but you can rent a boat near the beaches of Playa Ocotal, or Coco.

Naranjo
(Also known as Witch’s Rock). It has one of the best beach breaks in the country, with very strong winds from the west from December to March. This remote beach is located in the Santa Rosa National Park, about 38 km north of Liberia. To reach it is advisable to go in a 4×4 but you can also arrive by boat from El Coco.

Grande Beach in Costa Rica
It has a beach breaks situated about 20 minutes north of Tamarindo. Recently was added to the system of national parks to protect nesting sites for leatherback turtles. This beach is accessible by road.

Tamarindo Beach
Tamarindo beach and town in Costa rica is a place that has a good central location for surfing in the North Pacific. There are plenty of good hotels and restaurants. There are also surf shops well equipped.

Langosta Beach in Costa Rica
There are break points to the right and left that form near the mouth of a small river. Langosta is easily accessible and is located about 1 km south of Tamarindo.

Surf in Avellanas - Costa Rica
In the event that surfers want to choose a beach break, an estuary beach and a reef break, Avellanas is the right place as it has excellent conditions for surfing. Avellanas is located about 10 kilometers south of Tamarindo and is now easily accessible by a dirt road fixed.

Playa Negra Beach
Playa Negra in Costa Rica is has one of the best break points of the North Pacific, thanks to its reefs. Playa Negra is located 15 km by road from Tamarindo and is accessible by car, but during the rainy season is recommended use a 4WD.

Nosara Beach, Guanacaste - Costa Rica
A beach with beach breaks left and right. This area is best known for its excellent Sportfishing, but it’s not a bad trip from Tamarindo and you can also enjoy good surf.

Malpaís and Coyote in Costa Rica
You can find all the good beach breaks in the remote Nicoya Peninsula, where 4WD is a necessity because of the rivers and the heavy mud that make the roads little passable. For some people the remoteness of the place is good with long stretches of empty beaches and the nature of Costa Rica.

Junquillal is a recreational area that includes a wide white beach of great scenic beauty, very gentle waves of waters that are very transparent and slightly cooler than the rest of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. In this beach spawn a lot of sea turtles and very close to the place were discovered the remains of a pre-Columbian settlement of a village farmer of hunters and collectors of marine products.

Junquillal is located 46 kilometers north of the city of Liberia; you can arrive by taking the Interamericana road until the civil guard post. From there are still ten kilometers to the community of Cuajiniquil and from that community you have to continue 4 kilometers north until you get to the beach.

Junquillal beach near La Cruz in Costa Rica north pacific

The dry forest extends to the edge of the beach; there are small areas of mangrove. The Frigate bird (Fregata magnificens) and brown pelicans (Pelecanos occidentalis), which are abundant there nest on the islands and islets located off the coast, such as islands of Los Muñecos and Juanilla. During the months of December to February, it is possible to see humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), reaching up to 15 meters long, swimming at a short distance from the beach, and has also reported the presence of the harmless and giant whale sharks (Rhincodon typus).

Junquillal beach is located at 30 kilometers west of Santa Cruz and 20 kilometers south of Tamarindo. Junquillal Beach is located near the village of the same name and is the perfect escape if you want to avoid monotony and bustle of other beaches. This beach is ideal if you want to make a quiet walk alone or with your couple because their sunsets are truly spectacular. It is not the best beach to swim because its waters are dangerous, but Junquillal Beach has some nice points for surfing and an estuary in the area. For those who prefer more action there are other activities such as horseback riding, fishing and snorkeling in the open sea.

You can make a trip to the nearby Playa Negra and Playa Avellanes. In these places there are excellent opportunities for surfing or visit the National Marine Park Las Baulas of Guanacaste, a national park which is just north of Tamarindo.
The administration of this place is located 5 kilometers north of Cuajinquil, in this community there is a market. Beside the administration is the camping area with tables, toilets and drinking water. There is a service of buses Liberia – Cuajiniquil in case that you need it.

Those people that are looking for a place to reduce its speed and live more easily will find what are they looking at Playa Junquillal. A pleasant climate, a way to live without tension, and excellent hosts to welcome you are an irresistible combination that makes Junquillal an ideal refuge. Having few restaurants, two shops, a school for 20 children is part of the attraction that makes Junquillal a village full of charm. Do not go hoping to go to the disco, rent watercrafts or looking for some kind of noisy.

Jaco Beach is one of the most popular beaches between local and foreign tourists, also due to its proximity to the international airport in San Jose. It is a small town, but at the same time very active, perfect destination for lovers of surf, the party and nightlife. When walking through the main street, you will find many surf shops, restaurants, bars, discos and a variety of accommodations. Jaco is a destination for surfers and young travelers in search of action. Jaco likes both the people from Costa Rica and the foregein tourists. This is due to the proximity to San Jose and other cities that many can drive back and forth over the same weekend, but also the people can go by bus and perhaps for this reason it is so visited at Christmas.

Central Pacific - Costa Rica - Jaco

Jaco Beach about 3 kilometers long is easily accessible and easier to be reached by taking a flight to San Jose and then drive up there. The regions north and south of Jaco are very quaint and clean, with wonderful panoramic landscapes of the ocean. Near Jaco is located Hermosa Beach that is a small community just 5 minutes from Jaco, heading south. It is famous for its big waves, hotels focused on tourism surf and small restaurants. Being an area with waves more challenging than those of Jaco, Hermosa Beach attracts surfers with more experience. Although there are some restaurants in this town, most people prefer to travel to Jaco to enjoy the nightlife, shopping and so on.

Jaco is an interesting and relaxed town with one of the most popular beaches of Costa Rica. It is located in the province of Puntarenas along the Pacific Coast, in the center of the country and with the reputation of being a city with an excellent nightlife. The Carara Biological Reserve is also located between Playa Hermosa and Jaco, along the Rio Grande de Tárcoles. It is one of the few breeding areas of the scarlet macaw, and includes various ecosystems such as wetlands, a pond, a gallery forest and primary and secondary forests fully of wildlife. The popular tourism activities in Jaco Beach are fishing, bird watching, canopy tours, horseback riding tours and kayaking tours among others. Also you need to be very careful when you swim in the beach because it is common to find reptiles along the edge of the beach, in addition the waves and tides can be extremely dangerous for swimmers.

The biggest attraction of this town is the great surfing that you will find due to big waves and their consistent and good breaks. Annually there is an important tournament nearby Playa Hermosa beach that attracts a large number of surfers from all over the world. You just need to know avoid visiting Jaco during the high season because it is very expensive and crowded with tourists if you do not like touristic places full of people, bars, party and noise, but if you enjoy this kind of environment you will love Jaco.

Indigenous villages used to be what is today Golfito, with the cultivation of bananas, and thus the banana companies have transformed this region of Costa Rica. The city of Golfito is the header of the canton of Golfito and is located about 341 km from the city ofSan Jose and 41 km from Ciudad Neily. As its name indicates, Golfito is a small inlet in the Golfo Dulce, this one is formed between the Osa Peninsula and the Punta Banco, in the course of the Panamanian border. The port is situated in a beautiful scene of wooded hills, with the Osa Peninsula visible in the distance. These hills are part of the National Wildlife Refuge Golfito.

Golfito Bay is very well protected and only close the mouth connects to the ocean, is a perfect place for a port. Here is built the main port for the extraction of bananas. The plantations extended to the border with Panama and Golfito was the ideal port.
Even today it can be seen in Golfito divided into two districts: The workers lived in simple houses made of wood at the Village Civic in the south, and the Americans administrators in green villas in the northwestern part, the villas are made from green wood painted now situated in the so-called American zone.

In 1985 the United Fruit Company and the landowners withdrew the banana plantations in Costa Rica after 72 days of strike by workers. Since then unemployment has been a major problem in this region. Many of the banana plantations were transformed into the African palm. This palm oil is used for cooking oil, margarine and soap. Many of these plantations are leased by independent entrepreneurs. In 1990 a free trade zone was established in Golfito, with the aim of creating jobs. The only condition to buy in this deposit is that you must stand in Golfito at least one night.

There are nearby beaches that are good for surfing or swimming, also there are tours for tourists on a boat for one day duration in Rio Claro that are really good for fishing or to visit the nature reserve of Golfito, located north of the town. Golfito has its own marina and is an excellent starting point for sport fishing. The free trade zone, Storage Free Trade of Golfito, is located in Golfito and is an important point which many Costa Ricans go to buy appliances for its reduced price. Many people travels from San Jose or more away to buy televisions, washing machines and many more. All the Costa Ricans in this area can buy duty-free warehouse in the Free Trade of Golfito.

There is a variety of hotels and restaurants in the locality, however there may be problems occupying only on weekends when buyers arrive at the warehouse.