AmaTierra Yoga Retreat Takes Nutrition Seriously: Organically Growing Their Own

Tucked away in the mountains surprising close to San Jose is an oasis for those seeking peace and serenity and a place where people can nurture themselves with yoga, wellness services and fresh organic foods, many of which are grown on the property, a unique feature at AmaTierra Yoga Retreat and Wellness Center.

“It’s not easy to find organic produce in Costa Rica,” owner and registered nutritionist/herbalist Jill Ruttenberg says, “so we grow especially our greens and some fruits here on the property to be sure they are fresh and organic. Vegetables can lose up to 45 percent of their nutritional value between the time they are picked and when you buy them in the grocery store, and it is a proven fact that organic produce has more vitamins and minerals than commercially grown, non-organic produce.”

Equal But Different – The Hotel Business in Costa Rica Versus Nicaragua

Life was always a series of adventures to Edgar Neidhardt, and few have been more instructive and demanding than owning a hotel business in Costa Rica, and then the Kekoldi Hotel in neighboring Granada, Nicaragua.

The Kekoldi Hotel in Downtown San Jose

After a few visits to Costa Rica in the early 1990’s, Edgar decided to leave behind the often cold and gloomy weather of his German homeland for a new and perhaps more carefree adventure in tropical Costa Rica. Attracted by the eternal spring like temperatures of the Central Valley, he decided to renovate an existing building in the historic Amon district of San Jose in 1994. Using his imagination, and the decorating talent of the well known English artist Helen Eltis, his dream project became what it is still known as today – the Kekoldi Garden Hotel in San Jose, an art deco hotel just out of the immediate bustle of San Jose, but close to trendy restaurants, museums and theaters. “Business was brisk and I was happy with the results of what I had set out to do, but there was one problem,” relates Edgar, “Even though I owned the business, I didn’t own the building and the land. I was a tenant, subject to the whims of the owner who could raise the lease cost periodically. I wanted more security and opportunity by owning the land, and that is when I became interested in Granada.”

The Alta Hotel – A Boutique, Eclectic Experience in San Jose

Residents of Escazu to Santa Ana may have noticed a difference in the skyline along the “Calle Vieja” road between the two cities, and they are correct. There has been a transformation in the exterior of the landmark Alta Hotel in Costa Rica overlooking the Central Valley. Recognized as one of the original, luxury boutique hotels in the area, it has recently been acquired by the Nature Group, of which Nature Air Regional Airlines, the first carbon neutral airline in the world, and Nature Vacations are a part.

Tourism in Nicaragua – A Bonus for Costa Rica

Mauricio Alfaro, co-owner of the 5 leaves for sustainable tourism website, Costa Rican Trails, announces the launch of his new brand website, Nicaraguan Trails, which will feature packages for both Costa Rica and Nicaragua.  Mauricio, a visionary tourism entrepreneur states, “we have found an intense interest in people planning to visit Costa Rica for an extended period of time, most notably the Europeans whose vacations are for one month, they want to experience other countries.”

“When they travel all the way to get to this side of the world, Europeans want to see as much as possible. Offering Nicaragua as an extension, gives added value to the Costa Rica experience, and overall, Nicaragua is not a competitor of Costa Rica as they offer different experiences and sites that we don’t have, like Granada and Leon.   We have found that by assuring the European traveler that they won’t run out of things to do and places to see actually brings Costa Rica more business, as they choose to stay here most of the time anyway.  We’re glad we decided to move into this sector.”

According to statistics, Nicaragua attracted more than 1 million tourists in 2011, about 2.8% more compared to 2010.  With extensive campaigns by the governmental tourism board, known as INTUR, included running ads on TripAdvisor and The New York Times, this has lead Nicaragua to experience an increasing arrival of US travelers and international travelers.

An interview with Costa Rica Retirement Guru, Christopher Howard

One of the most prolific writers about living and retiring in Costa Rica is Christopher Howard, a resident of Costa Rica for 31 years. Not only has he written many books and ebooks about Costa Rica and Central America, but he is also the only ICT approved (tourist bureau of Costa Rica) relocation / retirement tour in the country. I caught up with Chris after one of his seminars with the ARCR (Association of Residents of Costa Rica), which is part of his informative retirement tours.

What brought you to Costa Rica originally?
Basically my love for the Latin American way of life and for the Spanish language. I had lived and studied in Mexico and thought that I wanted to eventually live there. However, a voice inside me told me to look at the bigger picture and explore Central and South America to see if there was a better place to live. I eventually explored all of the countries in Latin America except for Colombia and Venezuela. In 1978 I came to Costa Rica and it was love at first site.

From an Artists Workshop Retreat to a Sustainable Tourism Eco-Hotel

After two years of planning, in 2005 San Francisco art dealer and gallery owner Carlos Rojas, and Randy Langendorfer, marketing executive and then owner of a boutique contracting business specializing in restoration and renovation of vintage homes in San Francisco and Los Angeles, sold their businesses and all their possessions in the US to move to Costa Rica. The plan was to invite artists to Monte Azul, a 100 acre property near Chirripó National Park and along the banks of the Chirripó Pacifico River, to produce work that would be sold on site and at their gallery space in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan.

In the meantime they also developed the Monte Azul Boutique Hotel and Mountain Resort, along with an airy studio and gallery, outdoor restaurant and about 4 kilometers of hiking trails.

Hotel or Private Villa — Which is the better choice for your next vacation to Costa Rica?

Luxury villa (home) rentals are increasingly popular alternatives to luxury hotel vacations. And it has become much easier for travelers to find vacation homes to rent — directly online, using rental “by-owner” websites, through travel agents, and from personal recommendations. But do you know whether a villa or a hotel is better fit for you?

When planning your next vacation, the results of this short, easy quiz may help you decide which is your best option.

 Keep a running tally of your points; at the end you’ll find recommendations based on your total quiz score below.

The Anti Aging Institute of the Americas – Costa Rica’s Answer to Cenegenics

After a short article appearing months ago in the Tico Times newspaper about a new anti-aging clinic, (Can Anti Aging Treatments Unlock the Fountain of Youth), I recently met with Dr. Leslie Mesen, Chief Medical Officer of the Anti Aging Institute of The Americas to get a more detailed description of his expanded services. The clinic is located in The Country Plaza, across the street from the Villas del Rio condos, and kitty-cornered to the Costa Rica Country Club in Escazu. The offices and treatment rooms are on the second floor, where I sat down with Dr. Mesen and inquired, “Just what is ‘anti-aging’ all about and what is Cenegenics?”

Dr. Mesen answered, “Anti aging is a new medical practice specialty focusing on the health and well being of primarily middle aged men and women and seniors.

Eco Tourism Meeting Medical Tourism Development Opportunities in Costa Rica

Would you develop property in Costa Rica today?

With all the doom and gloom coming to us by way of the media, including those of some visitors and tourists from North America and Europe, the answer would probably be, “no”, says Robert Shannon of Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties Real Estate Company.

Costa Rica’s tourism is still flourishing but for how long, some think?  It’s hard to predict as one would have to believe the impact of world events would catch up with us sooner or later.

But, consider these facts:
1.  This year alone over 250,000 Americans will travel to Costa Rica and places like Thailand for affordable medical care. They will be seeking everything from root canals to heart transplants. The proximity to the USA and the high standard of health care Costa Rica offers suggest that a higher percentage will come here.

2. We keep seeing statistics that eco tourism / sustainable tourism is becoming one of the most sought after travel packages. This comes in many different forms, but one of the most popular is the vacationer seeking to get a feel for making their contribution to our planet by using these sustainable tourism facilities.

We have seen some good attempts at eco-sustainable projects and they are interesting, and often in provocative, if not primitive, places.  But, Costa Rica has yet to see a major developer get involved in what many consider a necessary part of the future that will impact all of us for the good – combining the medical tourism aspects with eco-tourism!

Renting a 2 Wheel Drive Car vs. a 4 Wheel Drive SUV in Costa Rica

What is the best car / utility vehicle for each situation?

With my non-profit hotel association, Adventure Hotels of Costa Rica, about every two years, sometimes in the rainy (green) season, sometimes in the sunny (high) season, I clock approximately 2800 kilometers driving around Costa Rica, visiting all potential and new member hotels. Therefore I have gained quite a bit of knowledge about driving around Costa Rica at all times of the year.

Though Costa Rica looks small on a world map, it takes about fourteen hours to drive diagonally from one corner to the next. Traversing the rugged landscape, few highways are straight. And when you see a sign giving directions or kilometers to a certain town, take advantage of it! Costa Rica’s Million Dollar Gift of Happiness campaign by the ICT would have been far more productive spending the money signing the roads better for lost tourists, than giving the money away to some lucky tourists who can already afford a vacation, but that’s another story!

For the last seventeen years I have been making reservations for guests at my two consecutive Costa Rica hotels, Hemingway Inn and Adventure Inn and arranging good value car rentals for my guests (and others). I often get asked the question, “What do I need, a 2 wheel drive sedan or a 4 wheel drive SUV style car?”

A New Orchid Species Discovered at Bosque De Paz Biological Reserve in Costa Rica

Adam P Karremans and Melania Muñoz García are proud to announce the discovery and classification of Pleurothallis silvae-pacis, a new orchid species entirely new to science, that has been found at the Bosque de Paz Private Biological Reserve in Costa Rica.

Adam Karremans is a researcher at Lankester Botanical Gardens, University of Costa Rica, and Melania Muñoz García is the biologist in charge of Bosque de Paz Orchid Project since 2004.

Adam first became aware of the find on a trip to Bosque de Paz in 2008. “I had never seen such a species before, and tried to give it a name. For some time I had misidentified it as Pleurothallis angusta. But then, with the ongoing research on the whole Pleurothallidinae subtribe (to which this species belongs), the case was reviewed in 2010. After careful comparison, which is done comparing flowers and plants of the type material,  illustrations, descriptions and wild collected plants of P. angusta and other close relatives, we came to the conclusion that this was a different species which had no name. The species was quite hard to place within the Pleurothallis genus because of its intermediate features. In any case Melania and I wrote an article publishing this relatively beautiful and strange new species in 2011. I am at the moment also extracting DNA from it just to be sure of its placement.”

Theatrical Production Experience Aids Costa Rican Wedding Planner

Randy Gritz knows all about planning tropical weddings, and she should, as she has designed and organized over 200 of them in the past seven years! Originally from Philadelphia, Randy has made Costa Rica home for the last 20 years. She speaks fluent Spanish, has an extensive knowledge of the country and the people, which helps her successfully navigate the often unpredictable course of planning the perfect wedding ceremony and reception.

“Planning a wedding is like mounting a theatrical production,” says Randy. For years she has been an active member, producer and stage manager for The Little Theatre Group of Costa Rica. Founded in 1949 by Bert Williams, the Little Theatre Group is the oldest continuously running English-language theatre in Central or South America. A dedicated wedding professional and member of the theater group, she is always aware that this very special day is one that the happy couple and their family will remember for the rest of their lives, and therefore, must be perfect in every detail. “Each wedding has a different script and budget, and just like before the opening night of a play, a wedding requires careful direction and detailed planning,” states Randy.

From SCUBA Diver & PADI Instructor to Eco Hotel Owner in Drake Bay

Rick Lane: Co-owner of the Pirate Cove Hotel and PADI Resort

How did you happen to come to Costa Rica and become a eco-hotel owner?

“Well, twenty years ago, I visited Drake Bay and enjoyed some great scuba diving at Isla del Cano. It was love at first sight. This isolated and beautiful home to deserted beaches and pristine rain forests is a natural paradise! It was hard to reach and far from normal tourist routes, but that just increased its allure. I vowed to return.”

 There was nothing here at the time, so how did you come to build a hotel?

“On a return visit, I became friends with a Swiss couple living in the area and we decided to build a small beach hotel for scuba divers and those who wanted to experience the awesome beauty of Corcovado National Park but who didn’t necessarily want to travel rough and sleep in the mud, like I had to on my first trip! We decided to call our hotel ‘Pirate Cove’, as a sort of back-handed compliment to Sir Francis Drake, who discovered Drake Bay.”  

At that time, things were really primitive, with unpaved roads and no electricity?

“Absolutely!  But now, the road from Manuel Antonio to Dominical makes the trek much easier, and we have electricity, phone lines, GSM and 3G service now.  Pirate Cove is an intimate place in the rain forest right at the edge of a very long deserted beach. The bungalows are the most popular with our guests, and all have private bathrooms with hot water showers and private terraces overlooking the beach. We also now have three rooms on the second floor of the main building, which have air conditioning.”

Are you an all inclusive hotel, as aren’t there few restaurants?

“There are no restaurants close to the hotels down here, so prices include all meals.  ‘All inclusive’ generally means alcoholic beverages are included, which we don’t, but we do have an honor bar.  Our guests rate our food as excellent, we use local produce, much of it organic, fresh caught fish and often homemade bread.”

Since you are in a more remote, but pristine area, what type of guests do you attract?

“SCUBA divers and true nature lovers!  Most guests stay between 3 and 7 days to experience and relax. The beach is safe with no dangerous tides and we provide kayaks  at no extra charge. The two most popular tours are Corcovado National Park and Isla del Cano, and during the 45 minute boat rides, whales and dolphin are often seen. Isla del Cano is the home to world class scuba diving and snorkeling. Large pelagic and colorful reef creatures abound below the surface.  For horseback riders, Susanne keeps the most beautiful and well trained horses and you can ride along the beach and into the rain forests.”

“ This is the true, old Costa Rican, Pura Vida!  If you’re looking for discos, night life and casinos, city views from behind glass windows, don’t come here.  But if you’re looking for SCUBA diving and nature, then you’ll be in paradise – guaranteed!”

Pirate Cove in Drake Bay is  working towards “Bandera Azul”, the Blue Flag Award for beaches in Costa Rica, and  in the  final stage of becoming verified as an ecological hotel by The Rain Forest Alliance.  For more information, visit their websites:Pirate Cove Hotel and Cano Divers PADI Resort.

Related: New eco-resort near Manuel Antonio empahsizing sustainable tourism.

Love in the Wild – Ep. 8: The Finale

Seven adventures and it had all come down to this – the grand finale.  Mike and Samantha vs. Miles and Heather for all the marbles, or rather a first class trip around the world.  Having won three of the adventures together, including last week’s, Mike and Samantha came into the final the odds-on favorites.

On the morning of the final competition, Samantha read a card full of encouraging words from her mom. ( Watching this, I’m thinking if only mail service were that good in the city!)  Reading how much her mom loved her, how supportive she was, made Samantha cry.  Mike got all choked up too just because Samantha had allowed to him to read over her shoulder.

Where'd Mike and Miles go?

THE ADVENTURE

The girls showed up at the starting line in their itty-bitty, teeny-weeny (minus the polka-dot) bikinis for the second week in a row.  Although I can’t be sure, I assume from previous experience that Mike and Miles were there, too.  Once Darren counted down from three, the teams took off on a final adventure that would last not one but two days, and consist of swimming, canoeing, changing clothes in front of one’s partner, assembling an oxcart from scratch, coping with a dysenteric mammal, pitching a tent, pitching a fit, and climbing to the top of a volcano only to run back down again for no apparent reason.

Love in the Wild – Ep. 7: The Dirty Half-Dozen

Bare Down: The final 3 couples battle to win that trip around the world...and look good doing it.

This week the three remaining couples met Darren not in the jungle but at the beach in their skivvies.  He then told them to swim for it by which he meant a boat anchored maybe 50 meters offshore.  No problem, right?  No, none – except that Miles from Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes, didn’t know how to swim.  Fearing that he might drown, he was outfitted with a life jacket and training wheels.  Having retrieved a map from underwater, all three couples started paddling like mad (on paddle boards) in a race to find five coin-filled bags and deliver them to an oddly named gentleman at a place called Coco’s Bar in town (Ed. Note: In Cahuita, for those curious).  While Mike was smacking Samantha in the head with a paddle, Skip, stoked by the sight of Teresa’s rear end staring him straight in the face, rowed his team into an early lead.  Meanwhile, Heather was doing her best to keep Miles from ending up face down in the kiddie pool.  Having been first to retrieve a fourth bag at the pier, Skip and Teresa were feeling pretty good about themselves at this point in the adventure. The only thing between them and the win was recovering the fifth bag and delivering it to that dude at Coco’s.  But, then the unthinkable happened. Teresa lost the fourth bag somewhere between the pier and forever.  And just like that their lead completely evaporated.  Yes, they backtracked, crossed paths with a mapache, went back into the water at the pier, but it was all for naught.  They were toast.  It was a two-team race after that.

Love in the Wild – Ep. 6: Bad luck turns into good luck, which turns back into bad luck

Last night episode began with a ‘big ass’ armadillo sighting.  Among some indigenous peoples, this apparently is a sign of good things to come.  If only Steele was conversant with aboriginal folklore, he would’ve known when he saw that ‘big ass’ armadillo – that his luck was about to change.

THE ADVENTURE

Have you ever had to find a carved stone mask hidden in a fichus tree?  Well, neither have I.  But, that’s exactly what the remaining five couples had to do last night.  Then, they had to find 4 more hidden variously on a rock pile, a guava grove, on top of a boulder, and behind a waterfall.  I won’t bore you with a tedious blow-by-blow description of the adventure.  Suffice it to say, Steele and Erica miraculously came in second, Skip instructed Teresa to find a horse with a “nice ass,” and, upon sliding into a mud pit, Erica emerged to say she detected the smell of horse**** in the air.  Along with another night at The Oasis, winning couple Samantha and Mike also won immunity and two tickets on a zip line.

Love in the Wild – Ep. 5: The Ol’ Switcheroo Trick, eh?

Uh oh, the ol' switcheroo.

At some point between episodes 4 and 5, somebody somewhere decided that the show had become just a tad too cozy.  Attachments had formed, couples had coalesced, but the show wasn’t even halfway done yet!  So, this week producers decided to mix it up a bit, to gum up the works.   Once Darren had described the week’s adventure in minute detail to the six remaining couples, he pulled the ol’ switcheroo, announcing that, before setting off on said adventure, the men were to pick brand new partners.  It didn’t come as much of a surprise when last week’s first and second place finishers, Derek and Ben, respectively chose Erica and Samantha to be their new partners.  Likewise, it was hardly a shock, that, despite his good looks, all the girls dreaded the prospect of being picked by Steele, fearing the curse.  (Cue thunder and lightening.)

Love in the Wild – Ep. 4: Jason, The Horse Wimp-erer

Remind me.  Had we seen the contestants chatting in the aftermath of the previous week’s Couples’ Choice Cermenony to start an episode before?  Well, that’s what happened last night.  It was illuminating too in so far as Derek told everyone within earshot, including his partner Jess, that he nearly dumped her for Samantha, explaining that – hey, he could always ‘circle back’ if things didn’t work out with Samantha.  When wiry little Mike got wind of this, he tried to impart the hands-off message to Derek.  May have even worked, too, in the end.

Jason and Jessi looking bitter (and blurry.)

Thanks to creepy Night Vision Goggles-O-Rama, we got to watch a couple of the new couples dispensing with pleasantries and getting right down to a snog  (Yes, I’m writing from England) in bed.  We also got to see Ben bring Brandee breakfast in bed on the occasion of her 26^th birthday, and the sad sight of Jessi blowing off Jason’s gift of a bouquet of freshly cut jungle flowers.