The green season: one of the numerous aliases for Costa Rica’s wetter months of May through November. It’s also known as the low tourism period, the rainy season and “invierno,” which translates as winter. While they all mean the same thing – smaller tourist crowds, discounted rates on Costa Rica vacation rentals and hotels, and regular bouts of afternoon showers – we prefer the term green season as it most aptly conveys the spectacular lushness that prevails. Even the dry grasslands of Guanacaste, the country’s most arid province, bursts with emerald greenery and Technicolor shades during this time of year. Here are five good reasons why you should leave your weather worries behind and experience the beauty of the green season. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Tours’ Category
Top 5 Reasons For Your Costa Rica Vacation During the Green Season
Saturday, May 18th, 2013Costa Rica Sportfishing Epic Year Round
Friday, May 3rd, 2013You don’t have to been a seasoned angler to appreciate Costa Rica’s epic sportfishing. Rain or shine, Atlantic coast or Pacific, the fishing is truly phenomenal any time of year. Cast your line inshore for red snapper, roosterfish and snook, or head into deeper waters for the prize-winning beasts – black marlin and sailfish. Costa Rica sportfishing is rated among the best in the world, and the central Pacific town of Quepos is the frequent site of international tournaments, including the recent 2013 IGFA World Offshore Championship at Marina Pez Vela.
Quepos & Manuel Antonio in the center of all the action
Marina Pez Vela has attracted several headlining catch and release tournaments such as the 2012 Quepos Billfish Cup and the renowned 2011 Costa Rica Classic. The world-class facility just hosted the “Olympics of Sportfishing,” which lured more than 200 die-hard anglers from around the globe. Participants fished for marlin, sailfish, and big-eye tuna along with wahoo and mahi mahi (also known as dorado). While trophies were awarded for various categories, the crew that shone brightest was that on the EPIC, captained by Mike Alligood, with Randal Garcia Canales as mate. The team, which is based at Costa Rica’s Los Sueños marina, released 26 sailfish and one blue marlin, earning a total of 5,700 points. The Quepos marina is just five miles from the pristine beaches and diverse wildlife of neighboring Manuel Antonio and its national park. (more…)
Surfing In Costa Rica Is Very Popular
Saturday, July 14th, 2012Over these last two decades, Costa Rica has become a top surf destination, attracting avid surfers and beginners alike. It has a choice of two coasts which include the Pacific and the Caribbean. Each ocean has its legendary breaks on both sides. The Pacific side enjoys great waves all year around with beach destinations such as Manuel Antonio, Playa Hermosa, Playa Negra, Nosara, Malpais, Santa Teresa, Witches Rock, Pavones and Dominical that have become world renown. On the Caribbean side Puerto Viejo will be your main destination of choice for its famous Salsa Brava wave!
Costa Rica is a safe and stable country that also offers a tropical and unique flora and fauna. Today, over one million people fly to Costa Rica for surfing. Some fell in love with this little Central American exotic paradise and stayed!
Costa Rica enjoys a warm pleasant climate all year round with refreshing water temperatures. It’s known for many relaxing and exotic things that make this democratic peaceful country a very popular tourist destination. Some of these attractions include its cleanliness and safety, its pristine gorgeous beaches, rain forests, raging volcanoes, cloud forests and has a bio-diversity unmatched anywhere else. Eco-tourism is booming in Costa Rica with plenty of surf and yoga packages that are continually on the rise. (more…)
Zip line Canopy Tours of Costa Rica
Wednesday, July 4th, 2012Canopy Tours have become exceedingly popular in Costa Rica as they provide the tourists with a unique perspective when visiting the cloud and rain forests. The canopy is where most animals live and where you will find most of the flora and the fauna of the rainforest. Along the ground, which receives a lot less light, is usually quite dark and less plants and animals are found there.
Rainforests are the treasures of planet Earth. Who has not felt mystified when exploring the magical and mysterious jungle. This is the home to so many mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, trees and plants. Sadly, throughout the world, many forests are being destroyed to make room for agriculture or for the timber itself. In Costa Rica, the cloud and rainforest are now protected. Most of these areas are found in National Parks or Nature Reserves. (more…)
Curu Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, June 30th, 2012The Curu Wildlife Reserve is located in the province of Puntarenas, in the Nicoya Peninsula, by the little village of Curu. It became a protected forest in 1981 and the Curu National Wildlife Refuge was finally created in 1983. The family that originally settled on the land is still there today and they turned to the government for help in order to protect this little haven. The trails of the Reserve vary in range of difficulty. In fact some of these trails are only accessible during the dry season. Some of the easier trails to do include the Laguna, the Toledo, the Monos, the Finca and La Ceiba. Each trail represents a specific habitat, making the refuge resemble a life-size museum!
Curu’s rich biodiversity attracts nature lovers, tourists and explorers alike for its abundance of flora and fauna. While the whole Reserve measures 1496 hectares, only 75 of it encompasses the refuge and the remaining land is used for low-impact agriculture.
The abundant wildlife of the refuge includes the Capuchin monkeys, the Howler monkeys, the Spider monkeys, peccaris, coyotes, coatis, anteaters and more. Seventy eight species of mammals have been discovered to date in Curu including some big cats like the pumas, ocelots and margay. However, because they are usually nocturnal and shy away from people, they are not very easy to see. Sightings of the Boa Constrictor are equally difficult as they usually escape at the approach of humans. Curu is actually home to 87 species of reptiles. (more…)
Day Trip To Cano Island
Tuesday, June 26th, 2012Cano Island is located in the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, off the coast of the Osa Peninsula. The Cano Island Biological Reserve mostly consists of the marine life. It is an ideal destination for a day trip while you are in the region, and a great opportunity to see wild marine life such as dolphins playing and humpback whales that are on their migration journey and who stop in the area to give birth and to nurse their young. Tours to the island provide travelers with snorkeling or scuba diving equipment. Because the island is actually surrounded by five separate platforms of no less than twelve different species of coral. These waters are filled with life; colorful fish, giant conchs, twelve different species of lobsters make exploring a real treat. Scuba divers are rewarded with a magical underwater landscape, with cliffs, canyons and caves. (more…)
Ecotourism in Costa Rica
Tuesday, May 29th, 2012Over these last 20 years, Costa Rica has passed from being a virtually unknown country to one of the top destinations for tourism and now ecotourism. This small Central American country attracts more people year after year for its glorious beaches, primary and secondary cloud and rain forests, volcanoes, and National Parks, and for its extraordinary flora, fauna and biodiversity.
While Costa Rica was still very inexperienced in the matter of tourism a couple of decades ago, it has shown great improvement; its many hotels that go from the flashy all inclusive five star to the small and intimate boutique hotel enjoy unique and breathtaking locations, they are comfortable, friendly, and many offer guided tours to National Parks and to places of interest. Customer Service has also improved greatly, together with the infrastructure, and the opening of the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia means more people can fly directly to Guanacaste, for its beaches and national parks. (more…)
Costa Rica Wildlife – Sharks Abundant in Isla de Coco
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011Sharks are a fantastic example of Costa Rica wildlife and the Isla de Coco, located in Puntarenas is home to a total of 12 species. Just in Chatham Bay there are a total of 206 white tip reef sharks. After their Costa Rica nature investigation a team of biologists confirmed this means there is a healthy population of resident sharks in Isla de Coco. This is one of the preliminary results of the Mision Tiburon (Mission Shark) organization that initiated an investigation to evaluate the population of white tip reef sharks in the Isla de Coco Conservation Area.
Costa Rica Wildlife – White tip shark study in Isla de Coco
This particular species of shark lives in the reef that surrounds the Isla de Coco. In Costa Rica the white reef shark spends most of their time lying on sandy flats and is one of the most fascinating Costa Rica wildlife species.
The investigative team established a tagging system that helped them identify each shark and ascertain whether they stayed in one particular area or moved to another. Taking into account that the reef is very sensitive to changing temperatures, the shark study is also looking into the impact of climate change. The results of this Costa Rica nature study will help to determine the affects of (more…)
Lend a helping hand with the Turtle Rescue Tour in Manuel Antonio
Monday, September 19th, 2011Planning a Costa Rica vacation to Manuel Antonio in the next three months and want to lend a helping hand? During these months hundreds of fledgling turtles hatch and begin their journey to the deep blue. This is a fantastic example of how you can actively participate in Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism initiatives, working alongside dedicated Costa Rican conservationists.
This exciting nighttime tour will give you the opportunity to guide hundreds of these tiny turtles into the Pacific Ocean from the nearby beach of Playa Hermosa, what better way to spend your Costa Rica vacation? (more…)
Exciting Costa Rica Volcano Tour Takes Off in September
Friday, August 26th, 2011
Exciting Aerial Tour, the Costa Rica Volcano Route
The first flight will take off on the 10thof September and will allow tourists to experience the Costa Rican landscape like never before. This tour will fly over Arenal Volcano, Turrialba, Irazu and even the lesser known Orosi. (more…)
Make a Splash! Waterfall Rappeling Tour in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011Grab your water shoes and a swimsuit and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime, waterfall rappelling in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica! Home to a variety of truly spectacular waterfalls, Manuel Antonio is the perfect place to try this one-of-a-kind eco adventure tour.
Also known as “canyoning,” waterfall rappelling is an exciting, adrenaline-pumping activity that the whole family can participate in.
Feel the Power of a Waterfall
With the cooling and invigorating water rushing over the rocky ledge, you grab your harness and rappel down the cliff along with the falling water. On all sides you are surrounded by the lush, Costa Rican rainforest. As you hang suspended in the waterfall spray, you fellow tour members cheer you on from the ground below. (more…)
Things To Do in San Jose Costa Rica: Urban Night Tour
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011Looking for fun things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica? Looking for a cheap and exciting evening out? Then how about signing up for the $4 San Jose urban night tour! Known as the “Nocturbano,” this exciting and interesting tour invites travelers to learn more about the history of San Jose at night.
The innovative Nocturbano tour of San Jose Costa Rica is becoming increasingly popular with people of all ages and nationalities, with group sizes reaching up to 65 guests!
This tour of the city has been created to help encourage tourists and nationals to visit the bustling metropolitan center of San Jose. Participants can expect to visit illuminated parks, monuments and historic buildings, including the Atlantic train station. (more…)
Parasailing Tour in Manuel Antonio: An Elevating Costa Rican Adventure
Thursday, July 21st, 2011Buckle up your life jacket and hook up your harness, you’re ready for a fearless adventure of incredible elevation, parasailing in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
This adrenalin pumping Costa Rica tour begins on the crescent shoreline of Playa Espadilla Norte, just a few minutes north of the award winning vacation destination of Manuel Antonio National Park.
Whale Watching Season Begins in the South Pacific, Costa Rica
Monday, July 18th, 2011Have you always wanted to see a hump back whale? Well here’s your chance. After travelling an incredible 8000 kilometers, these beautiful creatures of the deep have begun to arrive in the warm waters of the South Pacific of Costa Rica to give birth and raise their calves.
An Exciting Whale Watching Eco-Adventure Tour
Exciting whale watching tours are available from July to December, guiding you out to Drake Bay, Caño Island, and the beautiful Costa Rican beaches of Playa Dominical and Playa Bahia Ballena in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. Spritely resident dolphins will ride the waves alongside you as you head out to the deep blue waters of the South Pacific. (more…)
Costa Rican Hiking Adventure Tour in Barra Honda National Park
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011Looking for your next Costa Rican hiking challenge? Then head for the hills and underground caves of Barra Honda National Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Expect rocky terrain, winding trails, tough uphill treks and limestone cave exploration in this adrenalin pumping Costa Rica hiking adventure.
The Barra Honda National Park defines the arid beauty of the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste and is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, including medicinal plants, coatis, anteaters, raccoons, capuchin and howler monkeys. A hike to the top of the Barra Honda peak reveals an expansive panoramic view of the Guanacaste landscape, but it is perhaps the hidden depths that lie beneath the Barra Honda National Park that are the most intriguing.
A Costa Rican Hiking Adventure and Caving Experience
Beneath the 984 ft high Barra Honda Peak is complex maze of 42 limestone caverns filled with calcareous formations. Stalactites dramatically hang from the cave ceilings while stalagmites reach up from the ground. Once part of a coral reef from 60 million years ago, these limestone creations can be found throughout the network of caves. (more…)
Costa Rican Canopy Tour in Tamarindo, Guanacaste: An Exhilarating Eco-Adventure Tour
Monday, June 20th, 2011A challenge best left for all the Survivor and Fear Factor wannabes, this Costa Rican zip line canopy tour leaves no time for hanging about. Zoom through the tropical tree tops on one of the fastest zip-line tours in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Proving that Tamarindo is much more than just white sandy beaches and world-class surf spots, take half a day away from the waves and sign up for one of the most challenging canopy tours in Costa Rica.  A fast-paced and enjoyable two hour Costa Rican zip line canopy tour, this tour boasts one of the longest zip lines in the country, measuring 500 meters (1640ft) (more…)
Reach for the sky with the Flying Boat Tour, in Quepos, Manuel Antonio
Friday, June 10th, 2011Is it a bird, is it a plane? No…. it’s a flying boat, in-fact, the only flying boat in Costa Rica. Buckle up and get ready for the journey of your life with the ultra light flying boat tour in Quepos, Manuel Antonio.
Departing from the Quepos estuary, you’ll speed down a long strip of water before picking up momentum and pulling up into the sky.
Tour Costa Rica from the skies (more…)
A Costa Rican Sport Fishing Hook Up in Playa Dominical
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011Costa Rican sportfishing is truly a world class sport, and one of the best locations for eager anglers is the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Are you longing for the day that you don’t have to pretend the huge marlin in that vacation snap is actually yours? It’s about time you hooked up your very own catch of the day. Plan you next Costa Rica fishing adventure for the South Pacific and jump aboard a Dominical deep sea fishing charter.
With a fantastic fleet of sport fishing charters, Dominical deep sea fishing is well known for being the best in the world. Attracting sports fishing enthusiasts from around the globe, this is a Costa Rica sport fishing adventure not to be missed! (more…)
Costa Rica Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Nosara: A Sunset Canter Along the Beach
Friday, May 27th, 2011This exhilarating Nosara beach horseback riding tour lets you saddle up and ride off into the sunset! If you are heading down to the popular vacation destination of Playa Nosara this year, then this is one Costa Rican adventure tour you don’t want to miss.
What better way to explore the verdant coastal landscape of the southern Nicoya Peninsula? A horseback riding tour where you can gallop through the waves, trot across the countryside and walk along the beach at sunset, this is your chance to be a Costa Rican cowboy for a day. A Costa Rica eco adventure of the four legged variety!
Costa Rica Sea Horses! Ride Through the Surf on Horseback.
This two to three hour Costa Rica horseback riding tour takes you along the surf of the 4 kilometer deserted stretch of Junquillal beach. Surrounded by an abundance of Costa Rica flora and fauna, you will be able to canter down the sandy beach and steer your horse along the shoreline. Â Your tour guide will point out exotic animals along the way, including marine turtles, iguanas, monkeys and hawks. (more…)
A Costa Rican Eco Adventure: The Playa Ostional Sea Turtle Tour
Monday, May 23rd, 2011If you have always wanted to see turtles come ashore to nest, then plan your next Costa Rica vacation for Nosara. The Southern Nicoya Peninsula is home to the largest nesting area of Pacific Ridley Sea Turtles, the protected 8 kilometer beach of Playa Ostional.
Playa Ostional is approximately 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) north of Playa Nosara, and there is a Costa Rica eco adventure tour available where you can go and see the turtles as they arrive.
Arriving from July to December in their hundreds, these Costa Rican sea turtles begin to come together offshore approximately two months before nesting season. August to October is the peak arrival time for nesting sea turtles in Playa Ostional.
The Pacific Ridley sea turtles choose Playa Ostional because it is relatively flat beach and is free of debris. The largest recorded arrival of Costa Rica turtles in Ostional took place in 1995 when an estimated 500,000 females came ashore.
Inline with sustainable Costa Rica tourism legislation and the protection of the country’s biodiversity, the Ostional Wildlife Refuge
was created to protect one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting sites. The nesting areas are patrolled by guards and tours are controlled to ensure their preservation. While the Costa Rican tour guides carry a small flashlight to help them navigate, cameras, videos and flash photography are strictly forbidden, as the turtles are extremely sensitive creatures.
These Costa Rican sea turtles, otherwise known as the Olive Ridley, have a heart shaped shell which can reach up to 60 to 70 centimeters when adult and rarely weigh more than 50 kilograms. The Olive Ridley sea turtle is carnivorous, feeding mainly on jellyfish, shrimp, rock lobsters and crabs.
Its not just the visiting turtles that are abundant in the Nicoya Peninsula, with a lush tropical landscape of tropical flora this part of Costa Rica is home to permanent residents including iguanas, howler monkeys, coatis, toucans, macaw and humming birds.
If you want to take the Playa Ostional Turtle Tour during your vacation in Costa Rica, contact Escape Villas at info@villascostarica.com or toll free at 1-888-771-2976 for more information.





























