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Feature Author Featured Author
Cathy Winston

Total hits: 338763

Fans: 1433

Sometimes it seems the more countries I visit, the longer my ’must see’ list is. Thankfully, as a travel and lifestyle journalist, I picked a job...






The List

Costa Rica

Compiled by TheTravelEditor
Want the Wild West? Come bump along dirt roads past real cowboys, Brahma bulls, & machete-wielding trabajadores to Costa Rica’s pristine and secluded beaches. Surf world-class waves, ride horseback on the shore, slip into sunset with a cold cerveza.
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

A hidden gem in Guanacaste, Playa Nosara is on the northernmost border of the Nicoya Peninsula and is home to some of the most secluded beaches and best surfing in Costa Rica.  Playa Nosara is situated...

  Image: Las Playas de Nosara (© Rolf Sommer, Vista Royal, Nosara)
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

Playa Guiones is the largest and most popular of Nosara's beaches. With a 6km stretch of light sand beach and some of Costa Rica's most consistent waves, Playa Guiones is a year-round mecca for...

  Image: Wide beaches and dependable waves (© Rolf Sommer,Vista Royal, Nosara )
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

When in Nosara, be sure to take a half-day trip to the small fishing village of Garza, just fifteen minutes south of

  Image: When in Nosara, don’t miss nearby Playa Garza (© Rolf Sommer, Vista Royal)
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

North of Playa Guiones is Playa Pelada, the most laid-back of Nosara's beaches. Three small crescent-shaped, white-sand beaches welcome you as you stroll along in near-perfect seclusion and definite jungle...

  Image: Fishing boats at Playa Pelada (© Rolf Sommer, Vista Royal, Nosara)
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

Although most tourists never even visit the real Playa Nosara, a visit is well worth the trip if you want to see river life. ...

  Image: Wildlife abounds at sunset (© Rolf Sommer, Vista Royal, Nosara)
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

When in Playa Guiones, skip the pricey breakfasts at the popular tourist restaurants and head over to Rosi's Soda Tica for authentic, reliable, tasty Costa Rican food that doesn't hurt the...

  Image: Rosi’s Soda Tica at Guiones Crossroad © David Smith
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

If fording three rivers doesn’t seem like too much to ask for the perfect meal, then Luna Azul Restaurant is the place for you. Tucked into the hillside behind Playa Ostional on Costa Rica's...

  Image: Your table at sunset
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

Planning a trip to Guanacaste on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica? Follow these tips to time your vacation to ensure you too can witness one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world – the...

  Image: Olive Ridley Turtles coming ashore in an Arribada © Rolf Sommer, Vista Royal
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recommended by TheTravelEditor

Costa Rica Fast Facts Capital San Jose Government Democratic republic GDP $ 26.24 billion (2007 est.)Currency...

  Image: Authentic Costa Rica © Rolf Sommer, Vista Royal, Nosara
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recommended by TheTravelEditor

Taxi: Taxis are numerous and inexpensive in San Jose, serve urban and remote areas and can be taken for short or long journeys, hired by the day, half-day or hour. They are quite useful for remote...

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recommended by Karen Vaughan

A howler monkey crawls to the top of the canopy and takes a bite of blossom. Leaves snap and sway, but behind the lush, green,...

  Image: Monkey peek-a-boo (© Angela Rozas, Atlanta, Georgia)
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recommended by Gareth Huw Davies

It’s 3 am in an outpost of Paradise, a wide, flat beach on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Under the cool, cream glow of the full moon, I am a spectator at a race for life.   At my feet,...

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recommended by Karen Vaughan

Planning a trip to Guanacaste on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica? Follow these tips to time your vacation to ensure you too can witness one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world – the...

  Image: Olive Ridley Turtles coming ashore in an Arribada © Rolf Sommer, Vista Royal
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

Directly across from one of Costa Rica's most peaceful, serene beaches, Playa Junquillal, lies a charming, little-known hotel intent on living up to its name: Hotel Villa Serena. What...

  Image: Gentle ocean breezes add to the relaxed atmosphere
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recommended by Karen Vaughan

"Welcome to the Discovery Beach House," our personal concierge says as we step between two giant, fan-shaped, traveller palms and enter our private sanctuary at Manuel Antonio. "We've been expecting...

  Image: Paradise Awaits at the Discovery Beach House!
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recommended by Emma Field

The ferry ride across Lake Nicaragua to Isla de Ometepe was rocky. The road from the port to Santa Cruz was rough. And the path from the main road to Hotel Finca del Sol wasn't the kindest to my wheely suitcase....

  Image: Hotel Finca del Sol bungalow
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recommended by Emma Field

"A hummingbird!" squealed Rachel. We'd been in La Patita de Manzanillo fewer than 10 minutes and already the local wildlife was making itself known.   I stayed in La Patita, a jungle house...

  Image: Cycling on Manzanillo Beach © Emma Field