Eckhart Tolle Deepening Presence

"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have." - Eckhart Tolle If you're a fan of German-born Canadian author Eckhart Tolle as we are, this might just be the Costa Rica vacation you've been waiting for! But seriously, why are you waiting‽ With our condo rates as low as $25 a night, you should be enjoying Costa Rica today! The live event, Eckhart Tolle Deepening Presence, is a 5-day retreat starting on October 23, 2016, at the Westin Playa Concal resort, just 34 km from our condo in Playas del Coco. Tolle, along with his wife Kim Eng, will accompany fellow participants through insightful daily teachings, yoga practices and meditation with Kim, and in the spirit of throughly enjoying everything Costa Rica has to offer, there are optional guided activities such as zip-lining, kayaking, sailing, horseback riding, snorkeling and more. "The paradise country of Costa Rica - with it's 20,000 square miles of pristine forest, volcanic beaches, and uniquely rich biodiversity - is at once a prime destination for rest and relaxation and a compelling portal to presence." - Deepening Presence No doubt this exciting event will sell out so be sure to purchase your tickets early! Retreat registration for this 5-day event is USD $1,297 not including accommodation, which starts at $169 per person/night all inclusive. But, of course, if you'd like to save a ton of money, stay at our condo instead! Pura vida, Ed & Connie

Choose your own adventure during Green Season in Costa Rica

The Green Season (low season) in Costa Rica takes place annually from April through October. This is the time of year when the normally sunny weather can be a bit unpredictable. And it can rain, we mean really rain, on some days - hence the term 'green' season. But, it's also the time of year when travelers can take advantage of the great deals available in Costa Rica.

During Green Season, our condo in Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, offers some deeply discounted rates including our popular 'Pay for 5, Get 2 nights FREE' special, with prices starting at USD $43 per night for a 7-night stay, or as low as USD $27 per night for an entire months stay!

But if you've got a large vacation budget, there are some pretty nice luxury hotels offering savings as well. Let's take a look at these upmarket properties where you can choose your own adventure during Green Season in Costa Rica! 

Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort (Manuel Antonio)

With kids:

• Join onsite guides for an authentic Costa Rican experience learning how to make tortillas the old fashioned way
• Experience a guided mountain adventure tour along the Fila Chonta Mountain Range including three kilometres of nature trails
• Try swimming in the waterfall natural pools; organic tilapia fishing; horseback riding or a visit to a sugar cane mill
• End the day with a nature reserve night walk discovering frogs, snakes, spiders, opossums and owls hiding in the dark!

Without kids:

• For those looking for more action and higher adrenaline, try white-water rafting down the steep drops of the Naranjo River through a jungle gorge, passing nearby farmlands and palm plantations.
• Sail high above the rainforest canopy with a zip-line canopy tour featuring 21 Platforms, nine zip lines, two repel lines, one suspension bridge, and one, “Tarzan Swing.”
• Finish the day in good taste with the spices, garden and flavours tour on a certified organic/biodynamic farm surrounded by 125 acres of primary and secondary rainforest while experiencing the sights, tastes and aromas of tropical spices, essential oil plants, sustainable farming practices, spice drying and packaging.

Rates start at $300 USD per night, with children under 11 years of age free if they are sharing room a with parents.

Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort (Central Highlands)
With kids:

• Experience the sights and sounds of the Costa Rican countryside as you climb toward the cloud forest and Barva and Poas Volcanoes in Braulio Carillo National Park.
• White-water raft down winding rivers or zip line through the cloud forest tree tops and hike to the lip of steaming volcanoes.
• Later, harvest fresh vegetables and herbs from an organic greenhouse and prepare a fresh salad with the chef in a personalized cooking class.
• Then take it easy and experience bird watching in one of the world's premiere bird watching destinations with more than 870 bird species recorded overall and 600 species of permanent residents.

Without kids:

• Walk the tree-shaded plantation and become an expert on organic coffee, from its origin to harvest, on our famous Rosa Blanca Coffee Tour.
• Visit the famous masks of Barva and the giant puppets that dance through the streets to the wild music of the Cimarron and taste exotic fruit and fresh tortillas at the open air market on a cultural highlands tour.
• Mountain bike down the biggest volcanic mass in Central America or go white water rafting down ragging rivers
• Next, test your sweet tooth on the Pepper, Vanilla & Cacao adventure where cacao fruit is farmed and then transformed by artisanal process into chocolate where guests join local artisans tempering chocolate on a marble slab during a delicious organic chocolates tasting.

Rates start at $280 USD per night. Stay three nights – pay for two, while children aged four to 11 are an additional $25 USD per night (those under four are free).

Lapa Rios Ecolodge (Osa Peninsula)
With kids:

• Experience an incredible sea kayak mangrove tour in the Golfo Dulce area full of marine life
• Swim under one of four stunning and secluded waterfalls surrounded by lush tropical rainforest before rappelling (also known as abseiling or canyoning) into the heart of the jungle through a wild river canyon.
• Participate in the Kids Rainforest Tour as nature guides teach children about the primary and secondary forest and the difference between the two.
• Learn to surf in the clear waters where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific Ocean

Without kids:

• Hop on the Corcovado National Park Tour by plane accompanied by a naturalist and witness from the air and on the ground one of Costa Rica’s most famous parks. This full-day tour includes a charter flight into Sirena Biological Station, lunch, and round-trip Puerto Jiménez transfers.
• Don’t like heights? Follow local guides through the primary rainforest as they explain traditional medicinal uses of plants and seeds. A fascinating tour for all nature lovers interested in indigenous culture and customs of Costa Rica. 

Rates start at $260 USD per night for adults and $170 USD for children under the age of 12. Children aged six and up are welcome.

Latitude 10 Beach Resort (Santa Teresa)
With kids:

• Zip through the canopy on nine cables (the longest cable is 300 metres) and 11 platforms while taking in the views 1,200 metres over the forest, next to the Montezuma River waterfalls where you make a stop to take a dip before snapping a photo of nearby monkey.
• Next, paddle in clear waters on a kayak tour and catch a glimpse of sea turtles, monkeys and pelicans before slipping out of the kayak for some world-class snorkeling, hiking trails, beautiful beaches, a mangrove estuary, the Tortuga Islands and incredible wildlife, including sea turtles, monkeys and Scarlet Macaws.
• Get in touch with your inner surfer on the warm and gentle waves of Santa Teresa with a group or private lesson from skilled professional teachers.

Without kids:

• Ride off into the sunset, or sunrise, on a guided horseback ride into the hills with an experienced nature guide and discover the area’s culture, flora and fauna while you move along on your steady steed.
• Try the Mal Pais canopy tour over 26-hectares of farm covered in rich tropical forest and diverse wildlife at the entrance of the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve. Professional nature guides will accompany you to talk biodiversity when you’re not whizzing through the treetops on this unforgettable journey.

Rates start at $270 USD per night based on double occupancy. Children aged four to 11 are $60 USD per night, while those four and under are free.

Jicaro Island Ecolodge (Granada, Nicaragua)
With kids:

• Float around the beautiful “isletas” of Lake Nicaragua in search of the perfect fish while learning the diverse techniques used in the artisanal fishing from your captain. If you catch a good fish like tilapia, snook, or rainbow bass, you can bring it back home to the lodge and the Chef will be glad to prepare it for you.
• Awaken to a fresh breeze of the island winds or enjoy some of the most beautiful sunsets, late in the afternoon before dusk, and join us in this kayaking trip to discover where birds live, nest and visit our lake.

Without kids:

• Take a ride from Granada to the foot of Mombacho Volcano in a 4x4 vehicle to start the trekking adventure, stop in a coffee farm to enjoy a cup of coffee, visit the biological station to gather information about this cloud forest, walk into the forest on “El Crater, Tigrillo or Puma Trail” and observe dense vegetation where trees are covered by many kinds of plants like orchids and bromeliads as guests learn to identify the flora and fauna.
• Hike up to the top of the volcano, where the rest of this unique adventure begins: sand board down the hill as you take in the amazing aerial view of the area before continuing on to visit the city of Leon, a UNESCO “heritage site of humanity” on the Cerro Negro Sand Boarding and Leon City tour.
• Enjoy a leisurely afternoon horseback riding from the Calera farm through plantain, cacao, coffee and citrus fruit plantations, through stretches of tropical forests, and have a relaxing swim in the hot springs before heading back down to the shores for some gourmet dining.

Children aged 12 and up are welcome. Rates start at $310 USD per night, with children $160 USD per night.

Kura Design Villas (Uvita) - Heads up, it’s adults only at this resort!
Kura Design Villas is perched on the hillside overlooking Uvita and the beaches of Bahia Ballena National Park. With a stunning infinity pool situated off the open-air lounge and dining area, Kura Design Villas is an ultra-luxe experience surrounded by a lush rainforest environment. The property features six villas for a maximum of 12 adult guests.

• Experience the perfect paradise for diving and snorkelling at Caño Island Biological Reserve and spend the day with turtles, dolphins, sting rays, moray eels, barracudas, tuna snapper, parrot fish, puffers and more. Deeper diving off the island may present white-tipped reef shark, silky shark, bull shark, with occasional whale shark and the amazing humpback whale or experience the wildlife from above the water on a whale watching and nature tour of the Ballena National Marine Park, covering 110 hectares on land (44.55 acres) and stretching out 5,375 hectares on the sea (2176.88 acres).
• The on-site, full service Spa Shà at Kura Design Villas provides the perfect location for couples to enjoy a selection of wellness and beauty treatments ranging from massage and body wraps to facials and scrubs.

Rates start at $690 USD per night, based on double occupancy.

In comparison, just think of all the money you'll save by staying at our Playas del Coco condo ;)

Cheers!

Ed & Connie

      

Guanacaste 2014 Calendar of Events

Visit Costa Rica

Playas del Coco: location, Location, LOCATION!

We chose to purchase our condo in Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, because of the great overall location (and ocean views!) central to everything we wanted to see and do in Costa Rica. We're only 20 minutes away from the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport of Liberia and to a brand new state-of-the-art international CIMA Hospital. 

Guanacaste reaches from it's border with Nicaragua to the north along 400-miles of Pacific Coastline to it's southernmost point on the Nicoya Peninsula. Guancaste offers a warm climate with landscape diversity ranging from the edge of the picturesque Monteverde Cloud Forest to tropical sandy beaches of black, brown and white. Activities in Guanacaste are seemingly endless including whale watching, surfing, sport fishing, bird watching, hiking, cycling, scuba diving, zip lining and more. Be sure not to miss any of the year round local cultural events where tourists are always welcome! 

Guanacaste 2014 Calendar of Events

Visit Costa Rica

January:

• 10 - Santa Cruz: Fiesta de Santa Cruz - rodeo, dancing, music, and local food
• Last Weekend - Playas del Coco: Dias del Fiesta - rodeo, parades, fun & food

February:

• Last Weekend - Liberia: Fiesta Civica de Liberia with fireworks, bullfighting and horse parades

March:

• 5 - Ash Wednesday - throughout Costa Rica: horse and cow parades; no-harm bull fighting 

April:

• Holy Friday - Santa Cruz

July:

• mid - Playas del Coco: Fiesta de La Virgen del Mar - boat regatta & parade
• 25 - Liberia: Expo Liberia Guancaste
• 25 - Annexation Celebrations: 190th Anniversary of the Annexation of Nicoya from Nicaragua with fun, food & fishing tournaments

August:

• 1 - Cartago: Cartago Pilgrimage to Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles
• 2 - Virgen de Los Angeles Day
• early - Liberia: Liberia Blanca Culture Week includes a parade of prize horses & their cowboys
• 24 - National Park Day

September:

• 7 - Liberia: Cultural Week

December:

• 11 & 12 - Nicoya: Nuestra Senorita la Virgen de Guadalupe Festival
• Christmas Week - throughout Costa Rica: fireworks, festivals, grapes & apples
• 24 - Liberia: Image of Christ child passes from Valdelomar Baltodano family to Nuestro Señor de la Agonia Chapel

 

Gearing Up for Your Costa Rica Trip

In this land of fun and adventure, Costa Rica offers seemingly endless opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities - camping, deep sea fishing, hiking, scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, white water rafting, zip lining and more!

But rather than paying resort-type prices once you arrive, it pays to gear up for your Costa Rica trip before you ever leave home.  Springfield Camping offers one-stop shopping for brand name gear like The North Face and Jack Wolfskin.

For just about any Costa Rican trip, you'll need to have a great pair of sandals or hiking boots that are broken in, i.e. worn ahead of time so buy them a few months before you intend to travel.  Options include comfortable lightweight sandals from Merrell - check out their Men's Kahuna 3 offering a rubber sole for traction in and out of the water or Women's Violotta with feminine details and a sticky rubber sole.

Another thing you'll need is a lightweight day pack or rucksack to carry your stuff - it should be light enough so you won't be tempted to put it down as, unfortunately, backpack theft is quite common in Costa Rica.  Check out the 20L The North Face Isabella Backpack for women or the 29L nylon Borealis for men.

Springfield Camping also offers a great selection of outdoor accessories, clothing, camping equipment and much more.  Be sure to visit them today!  And for more information on gearing up for your Costa Rica trip, visit Packing for Your Costa Rica Trip.

Cheers,
Ed & Connie

Feliz Año Nuevo!!

Costa Rica for $43 a Night!

Does that sound crazy?  Well, it's true - you can rent our Costa Rica condo in Playas del Coco for only $43 a night!


We offer a perfect beach town location on the northern Pacific Coast in the province of Guanacaste.  Our brand new private and spacious 1 bedroom condo sleeps 4.

Check out these amenities!

• ocean views of Isla Tortuga
• 633 square feet of air conditioned living space, 160 sq ft balcony plus a 252 sq ft rooftop terrace
• upstairs bedroom with king size bed and private bath
• ground level living room with futon and private bath
• fully equipped kitchen
• safe for your passports
• BONUS - complimentary high speed internet!

Only $300 for a 7-night stay!  Our condo also offers an outdoor swimming pool, barbecue area laundry facility and 24/7 security.

When you rent our Costa Rica condo, you'll be only 5-minutes away from the fun activities in Playas del Coco where you can enjoy the beach and beachcombing, local shopping, restaurants, beach bars, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing and more!

From your home base in Playas del Coco, you'll find nearby excursions for turtle watching, zip-lining, a safari park, Parque Volcan Rincon de le Vieja, canopy tours, hiking, golfing and much more! 

Renting our Costa Rica condo in Playas del Coco offer you a truly affordable way to experience all this amazing country has to offer - by saving a ton of money on accommodations, you'll have more money to spend on fun.

Jot down your dates and check out our availability calendar & email us with any questions, at all!

Cheers from Costa Rica 

Fast Facts About Costa Rica

COSTA RICA

Located between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, Costa Rica has long been a popular Latin America tourist destination for visitors from around the world. Spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is a diverse country rich in culture and eco-freindly opportunities for travellers.
                      
                     

Fast Facts About Costa Rica:

Population: 4.6 million

Physical Size: 19,730 square miles
Weather: average year round temperature of 75°F
Time Zone: Central Standard Time 

Currency: Colones 

Entry Documents: Passport
Departure Tax: $26 USD per person

Quick Tips:

-The rainy season in Costa Rica runs from April to November
-Electrical voltage is the same as North America 

-It’s safe to drink the water anywhere in Costa Rica, really!

Getting Around:

Driving in Costa Rica is generally safe with the exception of pot holes and the missing man hole covers in San Jose. Consider taking a van, taxi, or use the extensive Costa Rican bus service.

Must See & Do:

-Visiting the beautiful beaches of white, cocoa, and black sands

-Viewing the parrots & monkeys at Manuel Antonio National Park

         

-Visiting one of the six active volcanoes including Arenal & Poas
-Visiting Teatro Nacional and the Gold Museum in the capital city of San Jose

-Riding a zip-line through the jungle canopy or 
                      taking a tour to Monteverde Cloud Forest