Archive for the ‘Costa Rica’ Category

By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

What would a resort stay experience be without a pool? Unthinkable! Pools have come a long way, playing a central role in creating a distinctive experience and serving as a social hub. Integral to any hotel’s brand identity and brand experience. Here’s a look at some of world’s sexiest resort pools!

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By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

What would a resort stay experience be without a pool? Unthinkable! Pools have come a long way, playing a central role in creating a distinctive experience and serving as a social hub. Integral to any hotel’s brand identity and brand experience. Here’s a look at some of world’s sexiest resort pools!

Read the rest of this entry »

By Dian Hasan | September 12, 2009

A few years ago, the word “extreme” probably meant something associated with negative behavior, before they combined it with “sports”. Together they mean something totally different, not necessarily negative – if you omit the fact that it almost always involves daredevil stunts and activities. Pushing the limit, and getting your adrenaline pumping like mad. But that’s human nature, the adventurist in all of us often just begs to come out to play – awaiting the right activity to explore our “wild side”. Whether it’s bungy jumping, kayaking, surfing, skateboarding, kitesurfing, flying, and many more.

In the world of travel, there’s even an area in one remote corner of the world – down under – that has built its reputation solely on a variety of extreme activities. Queenstown, New Zealand, the world’s unofficial capital of Extreme Sports. If you’re into Extreme Kayaking, here’s a list of places where you can get your fix. Read the rest of this entry »

Most travelers associate Costa Rica with verdant tropical jungles, and it’s easy to forget that the country also has a splendid coast, facing the Carribean Sea. The Mediterraneus Hotel, architectural jewel of the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is located just few minutes from Potrero Beach, in Guanacaste Province.
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Images like these never fail to beckon green-inclined travelers to sample Costa Rica’s pristine natural eco-system. The country that developed its modern tourism industry based on the simple philosophy of “rendering minimal impact on the environment”, and “build a green sanctuary, and they will come” (applies to human and non-human species alike), long before “going green” was considered a lifestyle. As newer Eco Resorts open, raising both the green and luxe bar even higher. Such as the El Silencio Eco Lodge & Spa in Central Valley Mountains.
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Ponce de León put Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast on the map in 1519 — but, too afraid to confront the native Quepoa tribe, he was left to appreciate the evergreen forests and white sand from the safety of his ship. Today, thanks to the establishment of the Manuel Antonio National Park and a number of luxury resorts springing up along the beach, the lush coastal region is quite a bit more tourist-friendly. The poshest hotel of the lot is the Gaia Hotel and Reserve, a sprawling jungle retreat situated atop a mountain and comprising a series of terraced suites and studios in addition to a private villa that looks out over the ocean.
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Lapa Rios ~ Playa Carbonera, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

In 1990 two former peace corps volunteers, John and Karen Lewis, decided to abandon their suburban professional lives in the United States, liquidate all personal assets, and use the proceeds to finance the creation of a reserve with over 1,000 acres of mostly rainforest, with enormous biodiversity value, in a remote area of Costa Rica. The end result: Lapa Rios Eco Lodge. Read the rest of this entry »

Once simply a magnet for student backpackers, the tropical Eden of Costa Rica has lately begun to attract a slightly more upmarket crowd. Adding to the number of budget lodges and surfers’ haunts, a new wave of luxury hotels is opening, as are some more intimate hotels — places like the Florblanca Resort. Read the rest of this entry »

If the hotel’s name sounds a little New Age, it’s no mistake, this sustainable resort on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is dedicated to the green lifestyle, complete with yoga classes and vegetarian tapas. But the Harmony Hotel, despite its popularity with eco-friendly travelers and surfers, it isn’t exactly a hippie compound. The elegant beachfront property just makes the most of its natural setting – lining its sandy paths with tropical gardens, crafting flavorful contemporary cuisine from locally grown plantains and mangoes, and using an open-air architectural style that allows ocean breezes to sweep through many of the hotel’s buildings. Read the rest of this entry »

Many visitors come to this country expecting to come across Jaguars, Giant Ant Eaters and Scarlet Macaws as they roam in the tropical rainforest. Unfortunately the truth is a different story. While there are still many mammals living here, many are in real danger of extinction, and some have already disappeared. Besides, surprisingly, out of the 200 mammals present here, half of these are bats. Read the rest of this entry »