Travel Blog Costa Rica

Barra Honda National Park

Do you like climbing and will like to see one of Costa Rica one of kind natural destination? Then you have to visit Barra Honda National Park caves. This peculiar system of about 40 caves lies in the northern part of Costa Rica between Nicoya and the mouth of Tempisque River. Barra Honda caves consist of 60 million years old coral reefs that were elevated by tectonic movement from the seafloor about 70 million years ago. Water has cut into the extensive caves forming its current gallery of surreal natural artwork. Barra Honda caves are elevated at 1450 feet above sea level. The entrance to the caves is vertical so the only way to get to them is by climbing. The National Park provides rappelling harness and helmets to its visitors but it is very important that you make previous reservations. In order to climb to seethe Terciopelo Cave, which is the only one opened for the public, you will need to request a permit and arrange for two expert guides to climb with you. A tour to go inside one of these amazing caves takes from four to five hours. There is a steep and moderately difficult one hour hike to get to area where you start climbing. Children under twelve are not allowed to climb. Barra Honda National Park also has well maintained trails through which you will be able to explore one of the few remaining dry forest of the world. From the top of the Barra Honda Mountain the Tempisque River and the Nicoya Gulf can be seen. This area of Costa Rica is certainly an attraction to cave lovers and speleologists that come from all over the world to visit the limestone foundations of Barra Honda in Costa Rica.

Some of the types of stalagmites and stalactites created from the constant dropping of the rainwater on calcium carbonate found in the stunning Barra Honda caves are: soda straws, pearls, needles, cave grapes, flowers, columns, fried eggs, curtains, terraces, shark teeth, organs, and popcorn. There is a calcerous formation in one of the cave halls that produces musical tones when it is struck. It is believed that Barra Honda caves were used as burial sites by the Pre-colombian indigenous of Costa Rica. Skeletons, utensils, and ornaments have been found inside one of Barra Honda caves dating back to approximately 300 b.c. This wonderfully special 5600 acre national park was created mostly to protect the geological and speleological area that it contains. Incredibly interesting species have evolved inside the Barra Honda caves, such as the sightless salamander, fish that run through the cave’s streams, bats in plethoric amounts (enough to stink one of the caves with their guano) among other. One of the deepest caves is approximately 650 feet deep.

If you are not into climbing you can also go through the beautiful rare and unique habitat of the dry forest of Barra Honda. Some of the trees from Barra Honda only flower until every leave has fallen from them. Mammals that can be spotted through Barra Honda dry forest are howler monkeys, deer, raccoons, peccaries, kinkajours, agoutis, and anteaters. Usually all of these are seen year round.

The weather at Barra Honda National Park is hot and dry from December through April and hot and humid during the rest of the year. This magnificent national park is closed during the rainy season so if you will like to book a tour to explore its hidden caves you will have to plan ahead to come during the dry season.

Give yourself a chance to see something different that most tourist don’t even know about and explore the Barra Honda caves. Barra Honda unique habitats of pastures, lowland dry forest, and limestone caves will leave you shocked with excitement. Remember to bring lots of water, proper dressing for hiking and climbing in very hot and weather. Don’t forget to get your permit to climb and explore the Barra Honda caves and book two expert guides with plenty of anticipation.

The entire area of the Golfo de Papagayo Costa Rica is recommended  because of its beautiful beaches. The lush and exuberant Golfo de Papagayo has beautiful pleasing beaches and great beach hotels, all of which make fun and comfort walk hand in hand here. Like many other destinations in Costa Rica, Golfo de Papagayo used to be a hidden paradisiacal spot, nowadays the hidden spot is being market by real state agencies in Costa Rica for beach resort projects worldwide. Still, Golfo de Papagayo, Costa Rica is a place you have to visit. Choose a nice beach resort that suits your needs and relax. Scuba diving is a popular activity at the Golfo de Papagayo, especially in the area of Playa Ocotal and Playa del Coco. The best scuba diving in Costa Rica, apart from Cocos Island of course, will be around the Murcielago and Catalina Islands. Overall this Costa Rican destination is relatively close to National Parks, it has a lot of hotels and resort options with all the commodities you can possibly wish for, and best and most important, it has really nice beaches.

Monteverde Cloud Rainforest definitely is among the top ten recommended destinations in Costa Rica. Monteverde Clould Rainforest has an interesting story of how it was founded and why it became popular. It was after 1951 that Monteverde Cloud Rainforest starts to become popular when a group of 44 Quakers settlers that came from USA, after four of them were jailed for refusing to register for the draft. They were looking for a peace oriented country where they could also be close to nature. They found the perfect spot between the mountains of Costa Rica, next to the lush Monteverde Cloud Rainforest. A third of the land acquired was left untouched, and in 1972 the Quakers, with the help of other organizations bought more land adjoining the reserve, to help preserve more areas of the invaluable Monteverde Cloud Rainforest. These Quaker settlers founded a dairy farming and cheese producing community on the mountains next to Monteverde Cloud Rainforest. From producing 22 pounds of cheese daily in 1951 and selling it to the nearby communities now produce 2200 pounds daily thanks to their modern cheese factory, and are currently one of the main cheese manufactures in Costa Rica.

Activities recommended at the mountains of Monteverde Cloud Rainforest would be visiting the Butterfly Garden and the Hummingbird Gallery. Both of which are really amazing, informative tours. If you are more a hiking and bird watching kind of tour person, Monteverde Cloud Rainforest would be the place you want to be. You can visit either the Bosque Eterno de los Niños, Finca Ecologica, Reserva Sendero Tranquilo, Hidden Valley Trail, or Cerro Amigos which is free hiking tour option. For the rest of them you have to pay entrance fee. When visit Monteverde Cloud Rainforest you also want to do the relaxing 1.2 mile Sky Walk tour. This tour consists of a series of high altitude suspended bridges where you will be able to spot lots of bird species while you gaze down at the embracing mountains of Monteverde Cloud Rainforest. The best canopy tours are to be found in the mountains of Monteverde Costa Rica, horseback riding, if you are into that, is also recommended.

Costa Rica has a list of birds of 894 species altogether. Monteverde Costa Rica is definitely an attraction for the bird watchers, because of the unique Monteverde Cloud Rainforest which contains a 400 list of birds that have been recorded in the area, list of bird species that is, of course. The beautiful Quetzal, is the bird that most visitors want and expect to see at Monteverd Cloud Rainforest; and if you have ever seen one you know why. Patience and practice will definitely be necessary if you want to spot a good fraction of those 400 species of Costa Rica birds at Monteverde Reserve, and in any other place you go for that matter.

Manuel Antonio is a nice and close by beach to visit in the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. This national park used to be an unspoiled hidden paradise back in the 1980´s. Unfortunately, this overwhelming spot has been discovered and is now being visited by many. Still, if you are looking for a nearby beach with the pleasant Pacific Coast weather, plenty of wonderful hotels, amazing views, and great restaurants, Manuel Antonio is where you want to go. Direct buses from San Jose to Manuel Antonio leave daily, the other option is taking your rental car. It takes around three and a half hours to get there. The road leading from Quepos to Manuel Antonio is very nice, taking you over a series of hills that let you glimpse the Pacific Ocean from the distance.

Manuel Antonio National Park is the second smallest park system in Costa Rica. Its uniqueness resides in having a lush forest backed tropical beach, with ocean and island views, exuberant wildlife, and a well taken care of trail network. Because this park is well known and a favorite destination for travelers and locals, it can sometimes be tough getting in. It is advised to arrive early in the morning to have a better chance to visit this amazing beach front National Park and it’s awesome views. The Costa Rica rainy season between May and October, will be the time of the year when it is less crowded. Weather-wise you can expect an average daily temperature of 80 F with annual rainfall of 152 inches.

If you plan to visit the Manuel Antonio National Park, we recommend you take plenty of drinking water, your lunch if you plan to spend the day, mosquito repellent, and sun protection. Be prepared for rain even during the dry season. Manuel Antonio National Park opens at 7 AM and closes at 4 PM Tuesday through Sunday. The entrance to the park is usually congested, so leaving your rental car at your hotel and taking the bus to the National Park is a good idea. There is an approximate 30 minute walk from the entrance to the first beach through which the exuberant surrounding scenery can be enjoyed. Hiking the trails at this park is something you should not miss. Just ask the park ranger for tips concerning your priorities to select those trails more suitable for you.

Regarding the most recommended Manuel Antonio hotels we could name Costa Verde. This hotel offers rooms and apartments with great ocean views, bar, and restaurant. Costa Verde can also arrange tours around the area in case you have not already booked a vacation package beforehand. El Parador hotel is also a great exclusive Manuel Antonio hotel worth booking. Actually, El Parador hotel can be described as the most upscale hotel of the Manuel Antonio area. It even has a private helicopter landing pad, swim up bar, incredible swimming pool, sauna, tennis court, among many other commodities designed for the rich and famous. The elegance inside this hotel is overpowering. Other recommended Manuel Antonio beach hotels are La Posada and Verde Mar.

If you are into fishing, Quepos, would be the right destination for you. Being the town beside Manuel Antonio. Book a hotel at Manuel Antonio with a day tour to Quepos to start off on a fishing trip from there. The best months to go fishing are said to be December to April. Usually, sport fishing is an expensive vacation package so, if you’re on a low budget, talking directly to a charter company or splitting costs with a buddy might be a good idea. Another nice amenity that Manuel Antonio beach offers are the many different spas available on the upscale hotels of the area. The butterfly garden, right across the Si Como No hotel, is another place worth visiting. Visiting the butterfly garden is truly an amazing experience that lets you enjoy the tropical beach rainforest with a dazzling plethora of butterflies. This butterfly park also offers a night show which is for sure worth the price of $40 per person. So even if Manuel Antonio isn’t the pristine paradise it used to be, neither does it lack charm, restaurant choices for all sorts of budgets and tastes, lodges to meet everyone’s needs and lots of adventure. All of these definitely make this place a worthwhile destination to be included in any vacation package you book.

If you have browsed or searched information about San Jose Costa Rica you probably found that this country is an important worldwide travel destination; and those who have visited it are eager to return and recommend it to their family and friends because of its fun and pleasant vacation attractions. There are many reasons why this country has become a great vacation destination; to name a few, it has great weather conditions, incredible biodiversity, and overall Costa Rica can be labeled as a safe country to be at if you are a traveler. The merging of all these three elements: pleasant weather, biodiversity which translates into great natural attractions and thus a vast variety of tours, plus the overall safety make it a unique and amazing traveler friendly destination. Tourism is one of the main sources of income for this country, thus the government and population tend to be traveler friendly oriented. If you plan to come to San Jose Costa Rica we recommended that you fly into the San Jose airport, Juan Santamaria and book a nice hotel around the San Jose area for at least the first night you arrive.

Downtown San Jose, Costa Rica is usually not a recommended area for either booking your hotel or for tour attractions, but the surroundings of the Central Valley are. The reason why booking a San Jose hotel on the first nights of your arrival and last night is a good idea, is mainly because it is a comfortable and convenient gateway if you booked tours to where you need to travel far; which are usually most of them. The information that you will gather from either tour operators or over the internet, will tell you that in theory it is not absolutely necessary to book a San Jose hotel one day before departure of your flight. But from experience not doing so is not recommended. Say, for example you book a two or three day tour to Monteverde Cloud Rainforest. You spend one day walking around, sightseeing, horseback riding, you name it. From Monteverde to San Jose it will take you 4 to 5 hours on a bus or rental car, and if you take your flight that same day you will be dead tired. This kind of itinerary is extremely exhausting and you might need some days off to get over such vacation exertion. The weather can also get in the way of your vacation itinerary especially in the rainy season. To be on the safe and also comfortable side make hotel reservations at a San Jose hotel before and after your flight. Regardless of the area you pick in San Jose Costa Rica there will be close by city tour attractions available, in case you don’t want to waste any vacation time without visiting as many places as possible. Another recommendation if you plan to do a tour in the San Jose area is to keep in mind the weather, especially in the rainy season; remember that it usually rains in the mid afternoon.

Great weather is a nice convenience that San Jose Costa Rica has, being part of tropical template climate region. Overall San Jose is usually not too cold and not too hot, with average temperatures of 72 F and with nice coastal breezes. The coolest months of the year are November, December, and January. The hottest months because of the humidity are March, April, and May. As with the rest of Costa Rica, except the Caribbean area which has its own microclimate, the dry season goes from December to May, and the rainy season from June to November. It usually rains in the afternoon or at night. Occasionally, it rains since early morning, but the sun is still to be seen at least a good 5 to 7 hours per day regardless of the season. Because the weather is usually predictable in San Jose, Costa Rica it is it easier to plan ahead and make the best out of your vacations package, of course, as long as you book your tours during the right time of the day. The attractions that San Jose, Costa Rica offer are various; from city museums, architectural sightseeing from the 1900´s epoch, buying local crafts, restaurants, casinos; and other interesting spots which can all be visited by bus or rental car. Further information about interesting city spots can be gathered from the front desk at your San Jose hotel or from your tour operator.