Montezuma Beach is a jewel lying on the inner side of the Nicoya peninsula, and acts as a melting pot for locals and travelers. Beachgoers can expect to be accompanied by exotic wildlife like capuchin monkeys.The remarkable aspects of this beach are the three natural waterfalls, the most prominent one known as El Chorro, which spill into the PacificOcean. The most famous surfing spot is Playa Grande, which the locals say is haunted because it is the location of an ancient burial ground. Despite the spooky history, Montezuma Beach attracts a large number of tourists because of its nightlife, one of the prominent hubs being Chico’s Bar. However, this beach is difficult to visit during the rainy season, May to November, when the roads leading to the beach and much of the coastline itself turns into a thick mud.

Manuel Antonio National Park offers an array of tropical scenery intertwined with its beaches. It is made up of mangrove swamps, lush forests, and exotic lagoons. The park’s twelve isles are home to an extensive wildlife of dolphin and whale populations, gaining the park the international title as one of the most bio-diverse areas. The jewel-blue water compliments the fluorescent greens of the surroundings forests, with strips of white sand stretching across the four main beaches located in the park: Playita, Escondido, Manuel Antonio, and Espadilla. The many walking trails expose tourists to an array of wildlife in the forests, while scuba diving reveals the colorful coral reefs leading out to Caño Island. The many hotels around the park also provide nightlife and many options for fine dining. Ponce de León first discovered Manuel Antonio in 1519while he was searching for the fabled Fountain of Youth, and it is a spot where many tourists go for ultimate beach relaxation and rejuvenation today.

Tamarindo Beach is one of the most-visited beaches in Costa Rica, offering travelers first-class accommodations, dining, and nightlife. Surfers of every level can test their skill on the Playa Tamarindo’s waters. Many locals and sport fisherman have enjoyed record-breaking catches, with species of fish ranging from tuna to marlin and snappers.  One of the primary residents of this beach is the giant leatherback turtle, which nests between October and March, and is a large attraction for visitors. Travelers looking to see more of what Costa Rica has to offer can enjoy the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge, which stretches across more than a thousand acres and boasts many hiking trails. Known locally as one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, those looking to indulge in the tropical sun only need to find a secluded hammock to enjoy the idyllic ocean views.

Samara Beach is the perfect location for tourists looking for a smaller, quieter, and more private beach experience. Situated in the center of Nicoya peninsula’s western coast, it is nestled between Tamarindo Beach and Playa Carrillo, but still offers the same attractions like surfing and hiking. The beach has a unique coral reef and deserted tree-covered island, Isla Chora. The beach also offers nightlife from bars to discos. Reflecting the traditions of Costa Rica, the beach is dotted with cowboys, fishing boats, fruit farmers, and cattle drivers. It is also a popular location for those looking to invest in Latin American beach real estate. Considered one of the more laidback beaches, Samara Beach provides tourists with a chance to explore any whim – boat tours, horseback riding, sport fishing, snorkeling, bike riding, yoga classes, and even Spanish lessons at the local Intercultura Samara Language School that overlooks the ocean.

Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Check out Costa Rica’s all-inclusive resorts. Or, click here or information on preserving the environment by traveling green.

Anna Patrick is a Communications major at Boston College and a frequent commuter between Boston and the Washington DC metropolitan area in Northern Virginia. A seasoned traveler, Patrick has lived in London and traveled extensively throughout Mexico, Canada, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, the Czech Republic, Greece, Scotland, England and Turkey.

Rooms:

There are many different room types at the Hotel Mariposa. You’ll want to make sure that you  get a room with a view. Name room types and amenities (hot tub). 56 rooms.

The hotel has older and new rooms that were added in the last several years.

Restaurant:

I read some of the reviews on trip advisor and people were critical about the food. For lunch I recommend the Tuna burger. A fat slab of seared tuna (tasted like a steak) on a sesame seed bun, fresh tomatoes, pickles and onions. Every day the chef prepared fresh ceviche (corvina) right around dinner time which I couldn’t resist every night. The food was less expensive than other restaurants in Manuel Antonio. The menu was a bit limited, but the overall pretty good. The cocktails however were mediocre at best.

Staff and service:

The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. I have traveled to many countries in Latin America and Costa Rica probably is the best when it comes to service and hospitality. I actually mentioned that it was my wife’s birthday and they left a large bouquet of flowers in our room. Also, as soon as we got settled they called our room and asked if we preferred red or white wine. They treated us to a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile (Casillero del Diablo).

Other observations:

The hotel has wireless, but you have to sit in the reception area to get a good signal.
The pool is pretty amazing. It wraps around the main deck area with a view of the entire Pacific.
You can also book tours from the hotel like zip lining or a trip to the National Park. The activities are a bit expensive, but worth doing.

Photos courtesy of Jvalena

This is my seventh trip to Costa Rica., but only the second trip where I have had my own car. The last time I drove most of the country, but it was almost a decade ago. I was pleased to see some new highways on the pacific coast. Costa Rica is one of the top destinations for tourism, but 10 years ago, Guatemala’s or Belize’s roads seemed to be in better shape. On the Pacific, things have apparently changed and we were able to speed down to Manuel Antonio rather quickly on the toll road. You can even pay the toll with USD dollars, but they give change in Colones at a pretty weak exchange rate.

We did have a bit of a snag at the car rental place. I had made my online reservation and received an email confirmation that told me I had to pay at the airport car rental. Just past immigration I walked into Budget and handed over my confirmation number. The agent couldn’t find it in the system. He made a few calls and reassured me that he would get the SUV that I had reserved. We filled out a form and everything seemed to be set. He handed me a receipt with some scribbles on it and as we walked out I realized that I didn’t have a total price on my receipt. My confirmation from the Budget website had been $140 for 3 days including taxes and liability insurance. I went back and asked the agent how much I was paying and he pulled out a calculator and started negotiating the price. Having received a quote prior to my arrival I told him that I wanted to pay the price I was quoted for on the website. He then told me that his system was down and that I could discuss it with the agent where I was to pick up my car. 20 minutes later the bus came and picked us up.

When we arrived to the car rental I spoke with the manager and he reassured me that he would hold the price that was on my confirmation. When we looked at the receipt it showed that I was being charged almost double from the first agent. The manager wrote over the old prices with the price I had expected to pay.

Having lived in Latin America for close to 1/3 of my life I can say that this is not the first time I have been given the “Gringo price”. The lesson here is to double check things, bring receipts and pay attention whether your renting a car, signing up for a tour or taking a cab.

Photo taken from Flickr courtesy of kirkh

Things totally started off on the right foot pre-arrival to this cozy boutique inn. My wife was having trouble getting her VISA (Colombians need a VISA to travel to Costa Rica) and I urgently called Jan and Greg so they could send me the hotel confirmation with my wife’s name on it. They sent it over in a flash. I also asked Jan to if she could drop into town and pick up some flowers to be left in our room (delivered). Jan showed us our room and with a warm smile told us she decided to upgrade us to a bigger suite free of charge.

Unfortunately it was a short stay at Aparhotel Vista Pacifico, but I highly recommend this place for a quiet stay just 5 minutes driving from downtown Jaco. It has a quaint quinta-like feel and sits atop a hill overlooking the pacific ocean. It’s not a stuffy hotel, but more like your second home in Costa Rica. We hit duty free on the way in and the balcony was the perfect place to unwind after a long day of traveling with a bottle (or 2) of vino. The room was spacious, clean and comfortable. It had a kitchen, fridge, stove, silverware, glasses and pretty much anything you need.

In the morning, I woke up to fresh fruit, tasty pastries, coffee and yogurt with granola. Jan sat with us going over a map pointing out different beaches or places to checkout during our way down the pacific coast to Manuel Antonio. She has the vibe of someone that truly cares about leaving a positive impression on you and that’s exactly what happens. I would definitely go back and regret that we couldn’t stay longer.

The hotel is a bit of a walk into downtown, but you can take a 5 minute cab ride (we had a car so we drove). I actually preferred to not be smack in the middle of the main strip because it was much more tranquilo. Despite being more secluded, you’ll find all the necessary amenities and you can even check your email from the wifi connection while you snack on some fresh fruit or sip your morning coffee poolside.

Barcelo Playa Langosta: Situated in Tamarindo on Costa Rica’s popular northern Pacific Coast, the Barcelo Playa Langosta is a 4-star, eco-friendly resort offering guests amenities such as a full-service spa, jacuzzi, fitness room, business center, entertainment theater, conference rooms, boutique jewelry shop, casino and pool. The Barcelo offers children’s shows and babysitting as well as large suites, so it’s a good option for families with young children. (www.barcelolangostabeach.com; (506) 2291-1027 Ext. 283 / 284 / 274 / 729; vacacionesbarcelo@barcelocr.com)

The Barcelo Playa Langosta

Paradisus Playa Conchal: An all-suite luxury resort also located on Costa Rica’s Pacific northwest, the Paradisus Playa Conchal is a good lodging option for couples looking for a romantic, upscale vacation getaway. The resort is conveniently located close to beautiful beaches and pristine rain forests, and offers guests amenities such as lagoon-style pool, fitness center, nightly entertainment, 18-hole golf course, full-service spa. cooking classes, wine-tastings, bird watching excursions and other jungle/adventure excursions. (www.paradisus-playa-conchal.com; 1-888 741-5600)

The Lagoon pool at the Paradisus Playa Conchal.

Hilton Papagayo: Another good family option, the Hilton offers standard guestrooms, suites and bungalows and is situated in the Guanacaste region on Playa Arenilla. Guest amenities and services include children’s activities, business center, fitness center, beach access, pool, water sport activities, excursions and conference rooms. The Hilton Papagayo is located near Tamarindo Beach, Arenal Valcano, dozens of beaches and Santa Rosa National Park among other attractions, making it a fun family lodging option.  (www.hilton.com/en/hi/promotions/hi_papagayoresort/index.jhtml; 506-2-672-0000)

Around the Papagayo Resort.

Turtle Beach Lodge: A jungle resort situated just five minutes outside the town of Tortuguero, the Turtle Beach Lodge also offers access to a secluded beach and is best for travelers looking for an all-inclusive travel adventure rather than travelers looking for an uber upscale getaway. Activities include jungle tours, canopy tours, bird-watching, turtle-watching excursions and more.  The Turtle Beach Lodge’s cabins are rustic  but airy and comfortable and can house 2-4 people each. Hotel amenities include a turtle-shaped pool, gardens, restaurant and bar. (http://www.turtlebeachlodge.com)

A cabin at the Turtle Beach Lodge.

Villas Sol Hotel and Beach Resort: Also situated in the Guanacaste region, the Villas Sol Hotel and Beach Resort offers affordable rates and standard guestrooms, one, two and three bedroom villas. Guest amenities include full-service spa, water sport activities, jungle tours and excursions, souvenir shop, fitness center and convenience store. The Villas Sol Hotel and Beach Resort offers rock bottom rates as low as $70 per person during low season, and is a good lodging option for both couples and families with young children. (www.villassol.com; (506) 2257 0607)

For more information on the beauty of Costa Rica, check out its best beaches.

View from the Villas Hotel and Beach Resort.

I miss my pup.  He’s up in the states chasing squirrels like an idiot, a relentless pursuit that will probably never bear fruit.  Pets – be it dogs, cats, hamsters, ferrets, and the like – are practically members of the family in the U.S. and Canada.  Leaving one behind is a very tough thing to do; thus, when considering moving to Latin America, a major question is “Can my dog/cat/etc come too?”  The answer is yes.  And depending on the country, the process is quite easy.

Mexico: With hundreds of thousands of visitors from the U.S. and around a million expats and retirees living in the country, Mexico is pretty straightforward in allowing pets across the border.

For dogs the main concern, of course, is rabies.  PROOF OF A RECENT RABIES VACCINATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT YOU CAN BRING!  Do not even attempt to bring Sparky into Mexico without one.  Fortunately, they are easy to obtain anywhere in the U.S.  This vaccination must be done at least 30 days before entry into Mexico but cannot be older than 1 year.  For dogs under 4 months, the animal must be kept at the owner’s residence in Mexico until it is old enough to get a rabies vaccination.  Cats and other animals do not need proof of rabies vaccinations.

Also, for all dogs its necessary to get a Certificate of Good Health from your vet.  This just says that, well, your pet is healthy, free of any contagious diseases.

With cats the process is a bit easier.  All that is needed is a Certificate of Good Health, obtained at any vet’s office in the U.S.  At the border your cat will be inspected, and if it is deemed that the animal is unhealthy, you will have to pay for kitty to be treated by a vet in Mexico.  But if the cat is healthy, then there are no problems.

Birds are a bit more of a hassle.  Some species are restricted by either the Mexican government for importing or the U.S. government for exporting.  You may even have to quarantine your bird at one of the U.S. Animal and Health Inspection Service’s center before going to Mexico.  It’s best to get in touch with them before planning to take your bird southward.  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/

Other animals, such as hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, and other furry critters are allowed into Mexico without much fuss as long as they are in good health.  Reptiles and amphibians, however, have restrictions depending on the species; check with http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ for specific information.

Costa Rica: The regulations for bringing pets in is similar to Mexico’s, with a few differences.

Both dogs and cats need proof of a rabies vaccination performed at least 30 days prior to entering Costa Rica, but no more than 1 year old.  Failure to have this document will result in a lengthy quarantine and many headaches.  They will also need the Certificate of Good Health form saying they are carrying no communicable diseases.

Birds are now allowed into Costa Rica; however, you are not allowed to take them out if you decide to leave.  So make sure the move is what you want if you plan on bringing a bird along.

Other pets such as small mammals and reptiles also require the Certificate of Good Health.  Some species may be restricted, so it is good to check with http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ first.

Panamà: Compared to Panamà, getting an animal into Mexico or Costa Rica is a breeze.  Panamà has more paperwork, more procedures, more headache – but don’t panic, LW is here to help.

For dogs and cats the usual forms – Certificate of Good Health and rabies vaccination – are the first thing you should get done in the U.S.  They are the same as the ones in Mex and Costa Rica and have the same time restrictions.  Additionally, you need to mail a $30 money order to the Consulate General of Panamà.  And, most annoyingly, you need to send a Quarentine For Domestic Animals form to the Minister of Health in Panama.  This must be done at least 3 days before the animal’s arrival.

Now here’s the tricky part.  Your cat or dog MUST be checked by a Panamanian vet at the Tocumen airport in Panama City, and the vet must be government-authorized.  Easy, right?  Well yes, except the vets only work from 9am to 3pm and from 7pm to 10pm Monday through Friday.  If your plane lands after hours or on the weekend, you either have to keep your pet at the airport until the vets go back to work or arrange for a government vet to meet your plane.  You can arrange this with the Ministry of Health, but will have to pay extra.

Birds and reptiles are a real pain to get into Panamà, but not impossible.  The first document you need is an import permit, which you get from the National Environmental Authority (ANAM).  Next, your bird needs to be vaccinated before arriving in Panamà for the following diseases: New Castle, Tuberculosis, Avian Influenza,  Chlamydia, and Salmonella.  Proof of these vaccinations must be included in the Certificate of Good Health.  Also, the Certificate of Good Health and the import permit must be certified by the Consulate in Panama before your bird arrives.

With such strict deadlines and procedures, it may not be a bad idea getting the help of an attorney in Panamà to assist you in bringing an animal in, especially if its a bird, reptile, or other kind of exotic pet.

Brazil: The land of samba welcomes pets; just make sure the paperwork is in order.

For dogs and cats the first thing you need is the rabies vaccination, which follows the same guidelines as the other countries: no less than 30 days and no more than 1 year since the vaccination.  Second is the ubiquitous Certificate of Good Health, obtained in the U.S.   However, with Brazil, this certificate needs to be authorized in the U.S. by an APHIS office.  Check their website http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ for an office near you and make an appointment (walk-ins aren’t allowed).  The APHIS signature costs $24.  After this step, take the certificate to a Brazilian Consulate in the U.S: for further authorization, which will require a money order of $20.

After all of the authorizations are complete, your pet is ready to go.  You only need two documents: the original rabies vaccination and the double-authorized Certificate of Good Health.

For all other animals an import permit is required, which must be obtained before the animal arrives in Brazil.  This form is obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture (Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento).

No quarantine facilities exist for pets at Brazilian airports.  If there are problems with the paperwork, the pet, be it a dog, cat, or iguana, will be sent back to the U.S. at the owner’s expense or destroyed!!

Do you have additional info on pet travel?  Hints or tips?  Success or horror stories?  We want to hear from you!

If you are looking to move down south, you can find Latin America real estate by clicking on the link.

photo provided by jorgenjuul at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorgenjuul/309794248/

Click here for Round 1: Retirement Benefits

Click here for Round 2: Climate

Click here for Round 3: People and Culture

Round 4: Things to do

If you are going to pack up (or sell) everything and move to Central America, you might as well go somewhere where there is stuff to do; after all, you can only sit on the porch and drink so many margaritas before it becomes mundane (or does it…).  In this matchup, the cultural and outdoor activities of each country are looked at and a winner decided.  Round four, begin!

Note: While sitting on the beach all day is fun, it can be done in both countries with equal laziness. Thus, beachbumming does not count as an activity.

Costa Rica

Expats, retirees, and tourists wouldn’t have been flocking to CR for two decades if all there was to do was sit on the beach all day.  For a tiny country, Costa Rica boasts a huge array of attractions that can keep the average gringo busy for months, if not years.  Here are a few top picks, both in outdoor activities and cultural discoveries.

Into the wild:

1. Arenal volcano- Yeah, its been exploited more than Macauley Caulkin, but Arenal still is one of Costa Rica’s most impressive, and easily accessible, natural attraction.  Not only does lava commonly spurt from the top, but the surrounding area is popular for hiking, fishing, and canopy tours.

2. White water rafting- This is some intense stuff. The #1 river to raft is the Pacuare River, which not only offers a rush of adrenaline but also a chance to see virgin rainforest up close, without the mosquito bites.

3. Parque Corcovado.  It would be a sin to leave out Corcovado from any list.  This is the absolute best place in Central America to immerse oneself in the rainforest without going “Man vs Wild” Bear Grylls-style.  Far enough from the tourist trail but still within civilization, the park offers unparalleled access to plants and animals in their natural habitat.  And the hiking isn’t all that difficult.

Whats a Tico, anyway?

1. San Jose museums and opera house- not many travellers or expats spend much time in the capital, but the gold and jade museums, along with the Belgian/Italian designed opera house, are worth checking out to get some background on Costa Rica’s long history.

2. Grana de oro- Coffee is big time in CR, and even non-fans of the stuff (like me) will find the coffee regions intrguing.  The process, the climate, the scenery, plus the opportunity to taste and buy some of the “gold grain”

3. Craft shopping- Even the guys out there will enjoy this, as every manpad (or dining room…) should have at least one piece of badass foreign art that you can tell your friends about.  Despite not having a gloried pre-Colombian past, the country boasts some excellent handmade crafts, from pottery and dolls to colorful oxcarts, that are available for a fraction of what you would pay for them in North America.

While it can sometimes feel like you are being led around by the hand by tour guides and its often hard to go five minutes without seeing a fellow gringo, Costa Rica has a ton of activitis to offer, too many to list here.  The infrastructure is top notch, making even the novice traveler or expat feel comfortable.

Panama

In a country that is still being discovered by gringos, Panama has some really cool stuff for the expat, retiree, and tourist alike.

Into the wild:

1. Wildlife viewing- Rainforests and cloudforests dominate Panama, so there is no lack of opportunity to get out and see some nature.  The famed Pipeline Road is close to the capital in the Soberania Park and is great for birdwatching, and the Baru National Park in Chiriqui is well known for its Quetzal birds.

2. Tree canopy adventures- scattered in forests throughout the country, these “rides” consist of a person being harnessed and attached to a zipline, then literally flying around the forest canopy from one platform to another.  Really cool, safe, and a total adrenaline rush.

3. Diving and snokeling- Get off the beach and into the water.  Around Portobello, Isla Grande has well-established dive programs and Bocas del Toro offers some untouched diving spots.

The canal and more

1. Panama Canal- Every tourist, expat, and retiree should see the canal in action at least once.  Not only is it really a remarkable feat of engineering, but also a big part of each Panamanian; a true source of pride.  If possible, book a trip from the Pacific to the Caribbean or vice-versa.

2. Portobello- Steeped in history, this Caribbean town was once one of the most important cities in the Western hemisphere.  Some of the most famous pirates fought brutal campaigns in and around the town, and the ruins are quite amazing and the tourist infrastrure well set up.

3. Go native- Panama boasts some pretty unique and accessible indigenous tribes, each one being different in some way, beit customs or language.  The Embera people mainly inhabit the dangerous Darien forest along the border with Colombia, but a few communities have made their way to the Chagres River by the canal area and welcome visitors daily.  Along the Caribbean coast, the Kuna people make their home among the 400 islands of San Blas, so visitors are treated to an incredible setting as well as indigenous customs.

Round 4 winner: Costa Rica. This was a close one, but Costa Rica’s far superior infrasture gives it the edge.  While this might not appeal to everyone, CR is just more accessable than Panama; however, given the right oversight Panama could easily equal, or even surpass, Costa Rica in terms of cool things to do. And man, Corcovado just plain rocks. Score: Costa Rica: 2, Panama: 1, 1 tie

Voice your opinion below.  Agree, disagree, or have additional info thats been left out?  We want to hear from you…

4/28 Update

–Three major cruise lines – Carnival, Princess, and Holland America – have cancelled all stops in Mexico for the remainder of the week.  Ships already en route will remain at sea until further notice.

–Fred Olsen Cruises out of the UK will forego its planned Acapulco stop.

–German and French tour operators have suspended all operations to Mexico.

–Mexico City has barred restaurants from serving food unless it is carry out.

4/29 Update

–French health ministers are preparing to ask the United Nations to suspend all flights from Europe to Mexico.  Request will be made on Thursday 4/30

–Costa Rica has confirmed two cases, one in Heredia, one in San Jose.  Read our report here

–Panamanian officials today have confirmed 1 suspected case of H1N1 Swine Flu in Panama City

–The first death attributed to H1N1 outside of Mexico has occurred, a infant in Texas, USA

–Argentina has suspended all flights arriving from Mexico

–Numerous cases of swine flu have been documented in Cancun.  At least 13 cases have been confirmed, mainly by foreign officials when infected tourists returned home.

–No cases have been confirmed in Acapulco or Puerto Vallarta region

–12 cases have are suspected in Guanajato, Mexico

–43 cases of H1N1 have been confirmed in Aguascalientes, near San Miguel Allende, with 3 confirmed deaths

–25 confirmed cases along the Baja Peninsula, with 1 confirmed death

5/1

–Mexico City has ordered a virtual shutdown of all civic and public sectors over the weekend holiday period

–Mexico has reevaluated the number of deaths cause by H1N1 to 12

5/4

–The number of deaths cause by the H1N1 virus in Mexico stands at 20 confirmed with over 100 suspected.

–Mexico plans to begin opening restaurants and cafes starting Wednesday, with schools, bars, and other public sectors due to open shortly thereafter

–Costa Rica has decreased its confirmed cases from 2 to 1

–Colombia has confirmed its first case of H1N1

–El Salvador has confirmed 2 cases

Are you an expat or retiree living in Latin America?  We want to here your story.  What is your country, community, or family doing to stay healthy?  Are you worried, or is this a exaggeration of the media?  Tell us, and the world, your story below.

front photo provided by sarihuella at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarihuella/3474911510/

What are your favorite things to do in Costa Rica?

Add your comments below.