After a long flight we were so relieved to arrive in Costa Rica, the land of paradise and pure tranquility. We had heard many wonderful things about the small, developing country in Central America, which is otherwise known as ‘Rich Coast’ and we were ecstatic to explore!

We had heard that it is a country of many wonders with locations ranging from small beachside towns, dense jungle terrain, to the green, mountain top villages. This was going to be the perfect place in which to spend our vacation, away from the stresses of life in the big, bustling city.

Approaching La Fortuna, San Carlos we were faced by one of the 14 volcanoes present in Costa Rica. It is these volcanoes which make Costa Rica one of the top tourist attractions. ‘Volcan Arenal’ reaches a height of 1633 meters and that night we were lucky enough to witness the hot lava that trickled down the side, like hot caramel sauce being drizzled over a mountain of ice-cream. It was like a dream!

After a good night sleep at one of the observatory lodges, set right at the foot of the volcano, we woke and drew back the curtains to reveal that what we had encountered the night before had in fact been a reality; there it stood towering high in all of its glory.

After our horseback ride, which took us through a number of cultivated areas it was time to get our walking boots on. The trek down to ‘La Fortuna’ waterfall was a steep one and lasted for about 30 minutes but it was all worth it when we were standing at the foot of one of the most powerful waterfalls that I had ever seen.

The road up to the Monteverde Cloud Forest was definitely a bumpy one to say the least but as we swayed from side to side, and to and fro we realized that we were getting higher and higher. When we thought that the views couldn’t possibly get any more spectacular we would turn a corner and be speechless.

Eventually we hit a paved road and we knew that we had arrived. We immediately found a place to stay at La Pension de Santa Elena. It was the twinkling fairy lights and hammock that drew my attention. The staff was amazing and by that evening our day ahead was planned out. Feeling sleepy…time to hit the hay!

I have never felt so free until that morning when I was speeding from tree to tree without a care in the world. There were zip lines, rappelling, a tarzan swing and nothing but clean air and nature. Bliss! About to tip off the edge of the platform, I did wonder what was going through my head but after the one second vertical drop all I knew was that ‘I WAS TARZAN’, swinging amongst the trees.

On our walk back to our hostel after a crazy, fun filled day we were stopped in our tracks! Looking down through the haze into the valley we could see the sea. It was glistening from the reflection of the sun that was slowly bringing an end to what had been a wonderful day! The intertwining of intense colors lit up the night sky and for a few seconds I swear I was somewhere else. It was the perfect end to the perfect vacation!

Costa Rica is a great place to visit, filled with much beauty and life. The writer has resided for many years in Monteverde Costa Rica. If you ever decide to visit Monteverde make sure to check out Horseback Riding Costa Rica Monteverde.

If you’re wondering why you should take a Cloud Forest canopy tour on your next trip to Costa Rica, it’s not difficult to find a good reason. Basically, a Cloud Forest ziplining tour is an unforgettable thrill and so unique an experience. If your searching for a way to experience the tropics and have an exciting time, this will be worth your while.

You can take your whole family along on your adventure. It’s an occasion that will surely be a treasured memory. Certainly, an unforgettable good time.

The beauty of the forest and the area is viewed in a way that is just not possible by any other method. Soaring through the air from tree to tree, you will be able to see things that only birds and maybe monkey’s get to see. From the height of the canopy platforms you’ll be able to witness the cloud forest life from a very unique perspective, not too many humans get to experience.

The Moneverde cloud forest canopy hosts a very site-specific, endemic, flora and fauna. Bromeliads and orchids, strange fungi, and lichen covered tree limbs are home-base to an array of migrating tropical birds and many exciting mammal species.

Canopy tours in Monteverde have qualified instructors and guides to help you through your first ziplining experience with no stress. They will direct you on how to zipline from platform to platform safely so that your worries can be put aside and truly enjoy the ride.

Your family experience on this tour is something that you’ll be eager to relive. If you plan on visiting Costa Rica this is the first thing that you should check into if you’re looking for an exciting activity that the whole family can partake in. A Monteverde zip line tour will easily go down in family history as the most exciting event you experienced in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a wonderful place to visit, filled with much beauty and life. The writer has resided for many years in Monteverde Costa Rica. If you ever decide to visit Monteverde make sure to check out Horseback Riding Costa Rica Monteverde.

If you are eager to learn another language and it happens to be Spanish then why not come and study at one of the many language schools available in Costa Rica. It would be an unforgettable experience that you could not possibly say no to! What have you got to loose??

You would not merely being studying, which can sometimes become quite mundane, but you would have the chance to go out and explore the many wonders on offer in one of the world’s most tropical paradises. Whoever said that studying has to be boring?

Choosing your Spanish course and school might seem quite daunting and therefore I would like to suggest checking out CPI (Centro Panamericano de Idiomas) Spanish Immersion School. It is renowned for its excellence in Spanish teaching and it offers variety, especially with regards to where that excellence is taught. There are three beautiful schools and each is set in its own distinct place. What could be better than dividing your time between three places of nothing but pure, paradise?

CPI Heredia is situated in a typical Costa Rican town, named San Joaquin de Flores. It takes approximately a 30 minute ride to reach Costa Rica’s capital; San Jose. The lush gardens that surround the school are ideal for relaxing in during your free time and for those who just can’t sit still can opt to play ping pong, soccer or even basketball.

CPI ‘Monteverde’ (Green Mountain) is located between two local villages and two huge cloud forest reserves in an area commonly known as ‘Monteverde’, hence the name of the school. This magical and mysterious mountain top town is home to a wide array of wildlife; including birds, monkeys, sloths and even pumas (don’t be alarmed!) If you are not exhausted from all the walking and Spanish classes then why not work out in the school’s mini gym and afterwards take advantage of the hanging hammocks and bubbling jacuzzi. Don’t spend too long in the jacuzzi though, as there will be a magnificent sunset view waiting for you!

The third school was founded in the Guanacaste area, which lies on the North West coast of Costa Rica. Just a 5 minute walk away from the school is Flamingo Beach. It is the perfect place to relax and take a swim after your Spanish classes. with its white, sands and clear, blue waters. However, if you are simply too tired and just want to relax at school, then you can always take a dip in the swimming pool. The school also offers a place to play basketball and ping pong.

You can begin your Spanish program when you want and the duration of the course is a completely personal choice. The specialized Spanish programs are tailored to suit individual needs and if you decide you want to study at all three schools then the transition is nothing but a smooth and might I say ‘adventurous’ ride!

In addition to organizing your Spanish Program, CPI is also on hand to sort out where you will be staying. If you want to be fully immersed within the Costa Rican culture then a stay home would be perfect for you. However, if like your own space then do not worry, as CPI has its own tasteful apartments, They are equipped with bathroom and kitchen and within walking distance of each school.

Don’t forget that apart from learning Spanish at CPI you need to make time for adventure. Take advantage of the many tours and activities and reveal Costa Rica’s true beauty! It is a unique country offering a wide variety of terrain and climate suiting all needs!

Costa Rica is a great place to visit, filled with much beauty and life. The author has lived for many years in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. If you ever decide to visit Monteverde make sure to check out How to get Transportation to from Monteverde.

Costa Rica has become increasingly popular as a vacation destination. Also on the rise in the activities list is canopy tours. With many choices available to choose from it’s a thrill for both young and old. If you go home without trying your hand at zip lining, you will surely regret it.

There is something about the rush of zipping through the forest above the treetops on a cable connected to a pulley. The pure adrenaline rush you get is unexplainable as well as one you will never forget. There are many tour companies to choose from so do your homework before booking your tour.

Costa Rica canopy tours offer many different kinds of adrenaline rush. Whether you are zip lining through the jungle, then jumping from a 30′ platform on a Tarzan swing, or just repelling down the side of a mountain, there is something for every one. There are many different canopy tour operators to choose from, depending on how much or little adventure you desire.

A Canopy tour consists of cables attached to trees which are surrounded by platforms throughout the forest. A guide at each end of the cable helps you clip your pulley, which is already attached to your harness, and off you go. Some of the tour operators take an extra precaution by clipping you to a safety cable while you are standing on the platform.

What better way to view the upper levels of a rain Forest than by flying along harnessed to a cable gliding over the treetops. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view. I f you have questions about age restrictions, people with disabilities, weight or medical issues, check with your tour operator of choice prior to booking.

There are canopy tours located in Herradura next to Jaco on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica and offers breathtaking views of the gulf of Nicoya and the Pacific Ocean. Prices are comparable among all the operators, starting around $40.00 per person for adults.

Whether you choose the eco-friendly theme park tour, the famous Original Canopy tour or a tropical park tour; we are certain you will find one to meet your needs. Horseback riding tours to your first canopy, premium full day adventure tours or just the Original Costa Rica canopy tour, it’s all here. Congo Trail Canopy is a favorite of a lot of tourists because it sits between Ocotal and Flamingo beaches; suggest you check it out!

If it’s just a quiet laid-back walk you are looking for then you have to experience either the Monteverde or Santa Elena Reserve. Taking a nice walk on one of the few suspension bridges to get a view from above the trees of the forest bottom is spectacular! There are many spectacular sights to be seen from these incredible heights.

When traveling to Costa Rica, remember that it’s a country close to the equator. Remember to bring plenty of sunscreen, as well as insect repellent. Plan ahead and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime, beyond a doubt, a trip you will never forget.

Costa Rica is a wonderful place to travel to, filled with much beauty and life. The author has lived for many years in Monteverde Costa Rica. If you ever decide to visit Monteverde make sure to check out Monteverde, Costa Rica 5 Day Package Tours in Costa Rica.

There are several Monteverde Hotels in Costa Rica. I have found that one of my favorite hotels in the Monteverde area is El Establo Hotel … Resort which consists of accommodation of a particularly high quality set amongst the privacy of protected primary forest adjacent to the Monteverde Reserve. It has the benefit of two swimming pools where the water is deliciously refreshing for the comfort of the guests holidaying amongst the sultry climate of Costa Rica.

Each of the 155 guest rooms contains private bathrooms, each with plenty of deliciously hot water and with bathtub and shower unit completely separate. In the bedroom each of the queen-size beds are fitted with orthopedic mattresses.

Their guest rooms are all carpeted, wall to wall and are equipped with telephone, coffee maker, refrigerator, cable television, hair dryer, and security box.

To keep all of their guests entertained we have tennis, basketball and soccer courts available for guests’ use, together with a fully equipped gym, a spa, conference center and two bars.

When we go on vacation we all like our food to be memorable and we are sure you will agree with us that, eating in Las Riendas Restaurant will provide you with the best in traditional Costa Rican food as well as a range of truly international dishes that are true culinary masterpieces.

For sheer elegance you really must eat at our Laggus Restaurant during your stay at El Establo Monteverde Hotel – where elegance and chic sophistication merge with food created from the freshest of ingredients to indulge the true gastronome in you. The Laggus Restaurant occupies spacious premises that include balconies built on two levels to take in the breathtaking panoramas surrounding you. Here, you can take advantage of our private dining facilities and book one of our private dining rooms to enjoy the spectacular views and food in equal measure.

Another experience you simply must try when you stay at El Establo Monteverde Hotel, is their rejuvenation treatments that focus on your total well-being. At the Green Leaf Spa they aim to remove the stress you encounter on a daily basis and provide you with the kinds of treatment that will pamper you; when you leave the Green Leaf Spa you will feel you have dropped at least ten years and feel like a million dollars. Choose from:

Aromatherapy Essential oils massage Hot stones and a holistic massage Exfolients, Wraps and Baths Facial treatments

if you want more information about Monteverde Hotels, feel free to visit their website by clicking on the following link: Monteverde Costa Rica Hotels

Learning the Costa Rican way of life. It is relaxed. Simplistic. Funny. You may agree after reading about my day today.

I up early, I have class this morning. My body needs food. Now, it craves pinto (rice and beans) because that is what we eat every morning.

Walking to my class is almost like a hike in the Rockies, I wear hiking shoes. I prep myself with food and water. The roads here are worse than most trails, the locals like it this way, keeps them from having too many visitors.

The dogs in this country are mostly small, except for the gigantic one that greets me with his teeth every day. Thank you rope. Costa Rica does not need another dog.

Through Santa Elena I smell baked goods and am drawn in. I buy three pastries and head off. Still walking, about six kilometers one way to Spanish class. The views are great, most animals have million dollar views.

Class today is amazing. Marielos makes batido de mango and has me try a new creation, tamal asado. I practice with new words, forming sentences slowly. Then Marielos gets a call. The clinic cancels her appointment today because of a soccer game, the President of Costa Rica declared the afternoon free. Appointment rescheduled for November.

Please take a moment and picture President Obama saying “this afternoon is free for all public employees.” It would not work, or happen. Pura Vida Costa Rica.

After four hours of studying my brain is full. I head back through Santa Elena to see the affects of the soccer game. Everyone crowded around the TV, upset because Costa Rica lost. The party must be just starting by the looks of the steady stream of people towards the bar.

Dogs, roads, canceled appointments, new food and it gets better. As I hike up the mountain it begins to rain. Yes, rain and wind and a four kilometer hike up. My heart tries to keep up but it might jump out any minute. Every car passing happily waves, unsure if it is because I am a gringo or because I am soaked.

Finally, back to Hidden Canopy. Time for lunch, rice and beans baby! Coffee and tea at three and life is great. Still smiling because this country never ceases to amaze me. I love you Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Hailee L. Rustad is an adventure seeking explorer. She is currently exploring the bio-diverse cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica while studying Spanish. If you are looking for a unique vacation, she highly recommends you visiting this Tree House Hotel. If you want more information on the Hidden Canopy Hotel or Monteverde, visit Hailee’s blog.

When traveling in Costa Rica, you must make it a point to visit Monteverde. The town is tucked away high in the mountains and the views are incredible. Monteverde offers a variety of tours of things to see and do.

One of the most thrilling tours you can experience while in Monteverde is zip lining over the canopy. They strap you to a cable and let you loose, to zip through the air, at extreme heights to see the canopy from a different angle. Add that and adrenaline together and you have a great combination.

Another way to see the canopy from above is by walking on the suspended bridges. Selvatura offers a great set views of the canopy. At Selvatura, you can also enjoy the hummingbird garden. Get ready, they will come within inches of you.

Costa Rica is known for having a lot of bio-diversity and every area of the country is different. Be sure to hike one of the two reserves in Monteverde. If you’ve got a good eye or ear you might see and hear toucans or monkeys.

There are guides available for hire at each reserve. Some enjoy having a guide along so they can learn more about the plants and trees while having someone identify the animals. The guides have training in spotting animals that most can never see.

An interesting exhibit in Santa Elena is the Frog Pond. Inside you can walk around and see over 28 species of frogs. They even have the Red Eyed Tree Frog and the Poison Dart Frog.

Many people enjoy horseback riding. La Estrella is one company that is highly recommended in Santa Elena. You can spend an afternoon riding through the forest, along the tops of the mountains and even catch the sun setting over the Gulf of Nicoya.

After you have spent the day enjoying the tours, be sure to spoil yourself at one of the fine restaurants. Don Juan and Morphos are great choices and if you are looking for the local place, go to Donde Henry. As for desert, Stellas Bakery is where its at.

Last but not least, make your way up the mountain to Hidden Canopy. The hotel offers opportunities to sleep in tree houses. Luxurious tree houses at that, with waterfall showers. After all, why not treat yourself well while in Costa Rica.

One foot off the plane and I knew I was in love with Costa Rica. This was the place ? the beginning and sometime the ending ? to my travels in Central America. First things first, get myself out of the airport.

I came to Costa Rica with no set itinerary. All I knew was that I wanted to seek adventure, learn Spanish and enjoy everything this bio-diverse country offers. Two days in San Jose was enough. Took the first bust to the Nicoya Peninsula in the morning. What a difference in location. Costa Rica?s climate changes rapidly due to the landscape. Mountains to beach offered a great surprise?.heat! Spending two weeks on the beach in Santa Teresa was great. Lots of Reading and surf lessons.

If you like to spend a morning in the mountains and then the afternoon at the beach, know its possible in Costa Rica. I arrived happily in Santa Teresa, the sun and waves were the perfect welcoming agents. I lived at peace for two weeks on the beach. Doing only two things: reading and surfing.

On the last page of my fourth book I decided it was time for another Costa Rican destination. The idea is to cover Central America in a year, at this rate it might take longer. Some fellow travelers recommended the Monteverde/Santa Elena area for my next adventure. After a day traveling on buses, taxis and a ferry I arrived once again in the mountains.

The bio-diversity of Monteverde will leave you speechless. It is beautiful. The animals, butterflies and reptiles are every color imaginable and everything else, well the rest is green. Make it point to walk in the cloud forest for a day or two and you will agree.

During the final weeks in the states, my family and friends shared all of their Costa Rican contacts, just in case. By chance, there was one contact on the list located in Monteverde. With nothing to lose, I got a local map and set off to put a face to the name.

While walking up the mountain I day-dreamed about which house would be Hidden Canopy. Wondering if Jenn King would know our mutual friend and what these tree houses would really be like. My mind drifted off into ideas about Peter Pan and Tarzan.

Shortly after my day-dreams ended, I came to reality and knocked on the door of Hidden Canopy Tree house Boutique Hotel. This quaint and perfect hotel is tucked away on the side of a mountain, facing the Gulf of Nicoya. I sat breathless on the patio for many moments until I could continue on with the rest of the tour. There?s more, really? Is this heaven?

After touring the four tree houses, I was convinced that this could be the perfect spot for me, or for any traveler wanting privacy or a luxurious vacation. My favorite tree house is Eden with its? walk through waterfall shower that ends in a jacuzzi. How perfect for a romantic getaway. Mountains, tree houses and afternoon tea, my dreams continue.

A very effective way to learn Spanish is immerse yourself completely. Yes, there are many options, if you really want to learn you need to be speaking Spanish all of the time. If you were to live with a Spanish speaking family you will learn much faster.

In Monteverde, Costa Rica there are a couple of options for one to take Spanish classes. You can enroll in the two large schools and be in a class of 4-5 students. Otherwise you can hire a private instructor.

When hiring a private instructor, be sure to ask about their past experiences. Better yet, if you have connections in town, ask for a recommendation. Taking private lessons will increase your one-on-one time with the teacher.

You must be ready to completely give yourself to the language. Immersing your life so you only speak Spanish. You will notice fast improvements and will start speaking within weeks.

Find a family that will you can live with for at least a month. Then schedule classes everyday for three or four hours. Each day after class, spend time practicing your Spanish with locals

A great trick while studying in Monteverde, is to seek out a favorite view that is inspiring. One that looks over the Gulf of Nicoya is best. A gem of a place is the patio of Hidden Canopy Tree House Hotel. If you time it right you can catch the sunset from there, something almost life changing.

Dedicate time every day or night to review your new learnings. You can have your host family assist you with your homework or ask you questions in Spanish. Your success depends on repetition.

When you have a free hour try to watch a Spanish TV show with subtitles. Listening to Spanish music could work too. Both can help you pick up common phrases.

Lastly, remember that practice makes perfect. It is important that you throw yourself in the game, do not be scared. Talk, read and write in Spanish as much as possible. Remember the locals or even the staff at Hidden Canopy love to help people learn.