Travelers who are looking for a tropical destination on their next vacation might want to consider a cruise. There are so many benefits to cruising. You get to visit multiple countries, islands or points of interest all on the same trip without hassling with transportation, border crossings or logistics. On a cruise, you unpack once and your floating hotel takes you from place to place. Dining,...

How many species live on the Earth? Scientists estimate roughly 8.7 million, according to a study in the journal PLoS Biology, published by the Public Library of Science. The crucial point, however, is that approximately 83% of those plant and animal species have yet to be discovered. Scientists calculate that there are probably 6.5 million species living on land, and 2.2 million in the ocean, ...

Normally, you don’t see tough, radical conservationists attending lectures by land developers. But there they were, 100 strong, from the Nature Conservancy, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and from all over Latin America – all raptly listening to how land development can actually preserve forests. Nervous before his formidable audience, Guillermo Piedra Gonzalez e...

Costa Rica is known for its rainforests, beaches, nature and biodiversity. True, indeed. But do you know that Costa Rica is the most innovative country in Latin America? Or that the Central American nation has celebrated well over a half-century of peace with no military forces? Or that it is home to a highly-educated society with thriving export and technology industries, and fast-growing fore...

You too can be a responsible water consumer when you travel – re-use your towels at your hotel more than a day, ask that your bed linens not be changed daily, take a shower instead of a bath, wear water-resistant sunblock – these are some of the ways you can help protect the world’s clean water sources. Water conservation is the focus of this year’s United Nations World Tourism Day on September...

In many places around the world, this remedy has been used to treat countless maladies, from digestive problems to allergies to skin issues, while at the same time improving conditions in diabetes and Alzheimer’s, increasing energy and boosting metabolism. It’s not a miracle cure, nor a pharmaceutical breakthrough. Rather, it is simple coconut oil. Coconut oil’s popularity in the Western wo...

What do a tomato, blueberry, onion and dark chocolate have in common? No, it’s not some weird recipe. They are “superfoods,” so-called by doctors and nutrition and health experts for their amazing beneficial properties that can help you keep the right weight, fight off heart disease and cancer, live longer, and even put you in a better mood. You don't need specific foods for specific ailment...

Long, fat, round pipes in dark brown and off-white snake along the rust red ground through the underbrush. They remind me of giant worms from some prehistoric setting … though not quite like that terrible 1990 movie Tremors. The pipes belong to the Pailas Geothermal Power Plant at the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano in Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste region. As the world investigates alternat...

Looking for a Costa Rica family adventure out in nature? Spend a fun-filled day splashing in the mild rollercoaster rapids of the Pejibaye River. The beautiful, tropical Pejibaye River is a tributary of the mighty Reventazon River in the Turrialba Valley, just two hours from San Jose. Its low-key Class 2-3 rapids (in the lower section) make it a great introductory whitewater rafting trip for be...

I remember the first time I caught a needlefish. Its electric blue teeth and skeleton (seen upon filleting) were a shocking surprise. The needlefish is tricky to catch given its long, narrow jaws filled with needle-sharp teeth (hence, its name) that usually cut fishing line like dental floss. Once you have one, though, they are really tasty – especially fried in olive oil and garlic for a finger s...

As you head south along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica from Jaco down past Quepos/Manuel Antonio toward Dominical, vast forests of palm trees stretch for miles along the highway. Lush and thickly planted, with emerald ferns growing on the trunks and a dense carpet of green underneath, the palms always remind me of a tropical enchanted forest. These immense plantations are African Palms, and...

UPDATED January 2017 You’ve met the man or woman of your dreams. You’ve planned your wedding down to the last sugared almond and flower arrangement. Now it’s time to think about the honeymoon. Costa Rica is one of the top destinations in the world for newlyweds to honeymoon. According to Perfect Honeymoons & Holidays Travel, Costa Rica ranks #3, right behind Hawaii and Italy, and outpace...

Travel can change the world. At least former U.S. President Bill Clinton thinks so. “The travel industry has the potential – and the responsibility – to spread peace and change the world,” Clinton told travel executives while speaking at the World Travel & Tourism Council's 13th annual Global Summit in Abu Dhabi in April 2013. Student travel organizations like EcoTeach and People to Peop...

One of the most popular day tours from San Jose, Costa Rica, is the charming artisan town of Sarchi. Called the “cradle of Costa Rican handicrafts,” both international tourists and locals alike visit Sarchi for its more than 200 stores and small family-operated woodworking and leather workshops. It is a perfect Central Valley day tour to combine with the Poás Volcano, a coffee tour, or the Juan...

If you are a vegetarian or vegan, traveling in Costa Rica is easy. Even those needing a gluten-free or dairy-free diet will have options. Rice and beans (both black and red) are part of every meal, even breakfast. Plenty of tropical fruits, salads, steamed vegetables, fried plantains and corn tortillas are common and available. If you eat fish, the country is full of fresh fish (both saltwater and...

Surfing and yoga retreats, especially in warm, tropical places, have become the latest vacation craze. But what if you don’t know how to surf or live in a land-locked place? Is it an adventure still worth trying? Here’s what a few surf retreat goers had to say: “This week has been about so much more than learning how to surf ... the support & encouragement you have given me, and this beauti...

We set out down the beach under a leaden sky stuffed with clouds. It was 8:00 at night, and at first it was hard to see, with the nearly full moon sliding in and out of clouds; but soon our eyes adjusted to the dimness. A light mist began to dust us, and not a soul stirred nearby. We were on sea turtle patrol. Five of us were decked out in dark colors to blend with the night. Sea turtles don...

In southern Costa Rica, the tranquil blue waters of the Golfo Dulce stretch between the Piedras Blancas National Park and the Osa Peninsula. It is an area of pristine tropical wilderness and abundant wildlife. The Gulf’s calm jade green-blue surface makes it easy to see dolphins frolicking, sea turtles swimming, fish jumping out of the water, and marine birds diving for those fish. Starting in...

Photo of Tom Watling of Cayman Kayaks, thanks to Courtney Platt, visit CaymanKayaks.comGoing out into the ocean in a kayak at night can at first be a little unnerving. The slightest splash tends to make you jump, maybe even bringing to mind that old 1975 movie, “Jaws”. Never mind that it was probably your own kayak paddle splashing; the fact that you can’t see well puts you on edge. We humans...

The entire country arguably could be considered one big outdoor classroom – filled to the brim with amazing nature and exciting adventure. For this reason, Costa Rica has become one of the top family vacation destinations in the world. All in one small country you can find warm tropical weather, beautiful beaches along two oceans (Pacific and Caribbean), rainforest, cloud forest, volcanoes, riv...