Way To Go Tours - Costa Rica - What's New in Costa Rica

What's New in Costa Rica

Latest News

Visiting Central Pacific area is a breeze!!

The Costa Rican government has inaugurated the 48 miles highway between San Jose and the Central Pacific area. Traveling to Caldera from San Jose was taking about 2 hours on the Ineramericana Norte but now only takes approximately 45 minutes when using the new highway. This state of the art highway stretches across bridges and passes through mountains. The new highway also includes a rest stop and emergency telephones making it safer for travelers.

All these features come with a small fee. It cost around $3.47 per car one way trip from San Jose to Caldera, but travelers can save gas, time and also help in the efforts of the Costa Rican government to reduce carbon monoxide. Spend more time enjoying the wonders of Central Pacific area such as Manual Antonio National Park than spending your time driving.

Costa Rica to become First Carbon Neutral country The Costa Rican government is developing plans to begin offsetting all of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions. Costa Rica aims to reach this goal using budgeting, laws, and incentives, including measures to promote biofuels, hybrid vehicles, and clean energy like windmills to generate electricity. Currently the windmills produce about 10% of Costa Rica’s electricity. Click on Picture Below to View Video.

One of the top Whale Tourism Destinations Costa Rica attracts many visitors to watch whales during the months of August-October and December-April. Visitors can see these majestic mammals at Drake Bay and the Cano Island National Park in the Southern Pacific Coast.

According to the Costa Rican Tourist Institute, whale watching has increased by 74 percent in the last 10 years. Humpback whales are the most common species in Costa Rica which is been protected since 1967. The Costa Rican government created the Ballena National Park in the southern Pacific coast to encourage the migration of whales to this area. The Ballena National Park is located between Punta Uvita and Punta Pinuela.

Marina Papagayo The Marina Papagayo is a five star state of the art marina that can accommodate watercrafts up to 240 feet. Yacht slips at Marina Papagayo will have generous dimensions to accommodate today’s newer, larger, longer and wider vessels. The docks themselves will be wide enough to allow for golf carts and pedestrians to pass each other safely. Slips will be available to transient boaters or in a non-equity club structure. The first 180 full service slips were christened during the arrival of several mega yachts like Sea Quest, a 164-foot tri-deck Westport motor yacht making its maiden voyage.

Some of the amenities include electricity, water, WiFi internet access, cable TV, dockside marina concierge, on site customs and immigration clearance, and many more.

Awards

2008 Award Winner of “Costa Rica’s International Promoter”

Letter of Acceptance:

San José, Costa Rica, April 24th 2008

Mr. Michael A. Sherman

WAY TO GO COSTA RICA

Dear Mr. Sherman :

It is a honor to communicate you that the Board of Costa Rican Association of Professionals in Tourism –ACOPROT-, according to the yesterday session, decided to award you the Prize “Costa Rica’s International Promoter”.

As a tradition, EXPOTUR (the Costa Rica Travel Mart) recognize the efforts of people, who have contributed to the Costa Rican tourism industry development.

It is a pleasured to invite you to receive this Prize during the Inaugural Ceremony of EXPOTUR 2008, on May, Tuesday 13th, at 5:00 p.m., at the Corobici Hotel –San José-. We will appreciate you to confirm us your attendance, as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Carlos Lizama Hernández

President

Upcoming Events

For The Month of July:

July 18th – Day of the virgin of the sea Every year decorated fishing boats and yachts pass the Golf of Nicoya’s beaches on the Day of the Virgin of the Sea. Look out for the boat carrying an image of Puntarenas’ patron saint, the Virgin of Monte Carmelo.

July 25th – Day of the Annexation of Guanacaste On 25 July every year Guanacaste patriotically celebrates Costa Rica’s annexation of the area in 1824. Join in the folk dancing, fiestas, cattle shows and bullfights.

Wildlife of The Month

Jaguars

The largest cat of the Americas, the jaguar has become a symbol of power, strength, and beauty. Once worshipped as a god, the jaguar’s name comes from a native American word meaning “the killer that takes its prey in a single bound.” Jaguars’ skill in hunting is partly due to their extremely strong jaws. Jaguars make a variety of sounds, including roaring, mewing, and grunting. They are excellent swimmers, and they enjoy being in the water. While they do most of their stalking on the ground, they are also skilled at climbing and fishing. Like black leopards, black jaguars are called panthers.

Lifespan: 12 years.

Diet: Carnivore. Armadillos, fish, reptiles, caimans, monkeys, deer, cattle and horses.

Habitat: Typically forests, but also woodlands and grasslands, preferring areas that are close to water; Northern Mexico, Central America, north and central parts of South America, dense rainforests of the Amazon Basin.

Where to see Jaguars?

Jaguars live in the Tortuguero, Santa Rosa, Corcovado and Rio Macho National Parks, and in the lower elevations of the Cordillera Talamanca and the Jaguarundi Wildlife Refuge.

Upcoming Hotels

Mandarin Oriental the 130-room Mandarin Oriental, Costa Rica will open in 2010 as the cornerstone of an exclusive 538-acre gated golf and residential development, Rancho Manzanillo, which will feature branded Mandarin Oriental residences, beach and golf villas, and exclusive private homes. The stunning retreat will offer an array of leisure activities, from the 18-hole Fred Couples Signature Championship golf course, to exotic wildlife viewing from the property’s 200 acres of protected tropical dry forest, home to some of world’s most diverse flora and fauna. The resort’s natural beach, lined with coconut palms, will also provide the perfect backdrop for active watersports or total relaxation.

Hotel Reviews:

Conde Nast Traveler 2009 Gold List Costa Rican hotels!!!

Hotel Punta Islita, Lapa Rios, Four Seasons Costa Rica at Penisnula Papagayo, and Xandari by the Pacific.

Beach Club Cameleon

A hidden paradise a wonderful beach puerto viejo… the unexplored costa rica

Le Caméléon Hotel proudly announces the opening of the BEACH CLUB.

A new experience in one of the most beautiful beaches

at Costa Rica… the unexplored PUERTO VIEJO.

Le Caméléon Hotel offers the BEACH CLUB to organize your event, parties, weddings meetings, Incentives.

Make your reservation NOW.

Featuring Tours

Off Road – Venado Caverns Safari Tour

We pick up our customers at their respective hotels with our safari vehicles.

We start our adventure of pure adrenaline as soon as we get to the dirt road taking us to the town of Guaria, when our clients climb to the upper platforms of our vehicles, cruising along the road 9ft off the ground with a 360-degree view.

We enjoy a breathtaking view from the heights of La Fortuna and the surrounding volcanoes until we reach the town of Venado.

Those ancient caverns were formed some 15 or 20 million years ago and were long submerged in the ocean depths. However, due to the movement of tectonic plates, the caves were eventually raised to the surface. Most of them are made up of limestone stalactites, stalagmites and corals, with capricious rock formations created by the erosion of the underground river that run through them. This guided tour lasts approximately one hour thirty minutes, during which we find marine fossils, bats, spiders and crickets. As we walk into the river and water drops fall from the caves roof, we recommend to our customers to bring extra clothes and comfortable walking shoes.

We return to town by way of Sangregado, a dirt road following the majestic Lake Arenal shores. With an area of 80 km2 and a depth ranging between 30 and 60 m depending on the season, this is the largest lake in Costa Rica and produces energy for much of the country. The forests of the region harboring a rich biodiversity composed of 2,000 species of plants, 120 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. There live the jaguar, tapir and quetzal. The most common birds we see around the lake are the hummingbird and woodpecker.

This remote dirt road is often in pretty nasty condition and fills us with emotions and excitement, until we reach again La Fortuna where our adventure ends.

PICK UP TIME: 8:00 am

DURATION: 5 hours

DIFFICULTY: Medium

MINIMUM PAX: 02 / MAXIMUM PAX: 20

WHAT TO BRING: Camera, light clothing, extra pair of clothing and shoes and a towel .

WHAT IS INCLUDED: Bilingual Guided Tour, Safari Adventure, water and entrance fee.

Pure Trek Canyoning Tour! The Ultimate Waterfall Adventure!

This is an amazing half day tour an hour away from Arenal. We trek through the forest on magical trails that lead to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica, a place very few people get to experience. Along the way we will have the chance to discover the secrets that lie hidden deep within the canyon. You may even see monkeys, sloths, parrots, and more. This tour is for anyone in moderate physical condition, ready to get wet and have a blast in an amazing Rainforest Canyon! We have two tours a day, 7:00AM and 12:00PM, they are approximately 4 hours in duration. Both tours include lunch at our base camp and snacks in the canyon.

Duration: Half Day with lunch and snacks.

What to bring: Your adventure spirit, water shoes/sandals or hiking shoes, fast drying clothes (surf clothes or synthetic wear is preferable), change of clothes and camera.

For Reservation and Information

Please Call 1.800.835.1223 or Contact

Rio Celeste Hiking Tour! Tranquility, Mystery and Adventure!

Mysterious and imposing, in the very depths of the Tenorio Volcano, manifestations of hidden power transform the union of the Buena Vista and Roble rivers into a sky blue stream, giving birth to one of the most extraordinary phenomena of nature. Along the river we’ll find hot springs, bends of heavenly tranquility and waterfalls of singular beauty, all surrounded by a variety of flora and fauna.

Duration: Full day with breakfast and lunch included.

What to bring: Light clothing, swimsuit, sneakers, camera and binoculars.

For Reservation and Information

Please Call 1.800.835.1223 or Contact

Nicaragua One Day Tour! Volcanoes, Colonial City and Market!

Within a few hours of the Costa Rican border, you will discover the wonders, culture and nature of Nicaragua. Start your adventure by visiting the oldest city in Central America, Granada. Travel through Granada by horse drawn carriage viewing its 500 year old architecture including Colonial homes, Neo-classical cathedrals and historic buildings. After a delicious local style lunch, experience the active Masaya Volcano. Its three craters and lava flows are the unlikely home to the green parakeet. We stop to the Masaya Market for locally made handicrafts and goods. Pull out your cameras, as we finish our day with the most panoramic views of Nicaragua! See the Catarina water filled crater and spectacular views of the famous Lake Nicaragua surrounded by the Maderas and Conception Volcanoes.

Includes: Departure and tourist board taxes, Tourist card, Entrance fees, Guided AC transportation, Light breakfast and lunch, Coolers with soft drinks and waters.

Duration: Full Day with light breakfast and lunch included.

What to bring: Passport (mandatory), camera, hat, light jacket, shorts, sunscreen and insect repellent, walking shoes.

For Reservation and Information

Please Call 1.800.835.1223 or Contact

Weekend Folklore Show at Pueblo Antiguo! Experience culture at it’s best!

Enjoy a bilingual show in which professional actors dramatize the most relevant points of Costa Rica’s history at the turn of the 20th century. Music, dance groups and masked mythical figures can be seen throughout this lovely theme park.

Duration: Half day with dinner included.

What to bring: Camera, sweater or jacket and comfortable shoes.

For Reservation and Information

Please Call 1.800.835.1223 or Contact

Rainmaker Tour! Be one with Nature!

The Rainmaker is a 1500 acre reserve consisting of mostly primary rainforest and is part of the Quepos Corridor – where birds and other wildlife migrate throughout the year. Rainmaker’s mission is to save this valuable nature laboratory and watershed. The canopy walk consists of a suspension bridge system engineered to US safety standards. The design allows minimal impact to the trees and forest below, providing guided tours limited to eight guests, an opportunity to explore the majesty of the forest canopy from a birds eye view. The six sections total 250 meters spanning from platforms attached to massive hardwood trees, creating the most impressive canopy walk in Costa Rica.

Duration: Half day with lunch included.

What to bring: Camera, binoculars, poncho, bathing suit, towel, hat and long pants.

For Reservation and Information

Please Call 1.800.835.1223 or Contact

Kayak Jaco Outriggers Tour! Are you ready to rowww!

Outrigger canoes have been plying the warm waters of the world for centuries. Long before Columbus or even the Vikings, the Polynesians were paddling to discover new worlds. The craft they invented remains basically unchanged and you will get a bit of that exploratory feel as you paddle to the most beautiful beaches in Jacó area. With 8 paddlers and a guide in your canoe, you will glide past spectacular cliffs filled with frigate birds and pelicans and land on secluded beaches that offer the best snorkeling to be found on the central pacific coast. Our guides will make you feel at ease as they point out colorful fish and show you some of the underwater world. Upon landing, take a moment to relax and enjoy a fresh fruit buffet before heading back to home base.

Duration: Half day.

What to bring: Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, camera and beach clothes.

For Reservation and Information

Please Call 1.800.835.1223 or Contact

Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park Tour! Explore Costa Rica’s Natural History!

The natural surrounding of the Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park is the ideal place for visitors who are looking to learn more about Costa Rica’s natural history, discovering its ancestor’s life style, having an adventure experience or simply taking in the beautiful landscape. Visitors will enjoy guided tours into the Tropical Gardens, featuring a Butterfly Garden, nature trails in the forest, an orchid garden, a herbarium and collections of cacti, bromeliads and bamboo. There are also two mazes to have fun with your family and friends! At the Countryside Farm (Finca Campesina) you will learn how the Costa Ricans used to live, its culture and pre-Columbian traditions. Visitors access the park by using the Turu Ba Ri Sky Ride, which is an aerial tramway. The most adventurous will be able to tour the Tropical Gardens by horseback or by descending the platforms of the Canopy Tour.

Duration: Half day with lunch included.

What to bring: Long pants, camera, light jacket, binoculars, walking shoes and insect repellent.

For Reservation and Information

Please Call 1.800.835.1223 or Contact

Nauyaca Waterfall Tour! Jump into the crystal pools!

This full-day experience starts with a trip through breathtaking countryside between Manuel Antonio and Dominical, and comes with many perks. First, stop for an authentic Tico style breakfast at a local rancho along the way, then meander through the majestic forest for stunning vistas of the San Isidro mountains. Once on horseback, get close to Costa Rica’s unique flora and fauna as you ride towards an unforgettable experience – the Nauyaca Waterfalls. Dip in the deep pools of crystal clear, pristine mountain waters as cascading 120 foot waterfalls dance over your head. After enjoying the refreshing pools, you will make your way back to the local rancho for a Tico style lunch. Once again, come for adventure, get an education and leave a changed individual.

Duration: Full day with snacks and lunch included.

What to bring: Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, walking shoes, camera and shorts.

For Reservation and Information

Please Call 1.800.835.1223 or Contact

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Tour! Feel closer to Nature!

The Rincon de la Vieja National Park is home to one of the most astonishing active volcanoes. The volcano has two craters: one active crater with a hot-water lake at the bottom and another dormant crater with a cold-water lake covered with vegetation. The biodiversity of this park creates one of the most important attractions in the area. The tour will not only give you the opportunity to appreciate the geothermal wonders, but it will also allow you to experience the different types of vegetation of the area. A two and a half hour hike will show us a huge diversity of birds, millenary trees, and many mammals.

Duration: Full day with lunch included.

What to bring: Comfortable shoes, shorts, insect repellent and camera.

For Reservation and Information

Please Call 1.800.835.1223 or Contact