A Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica
To cleanse my mind and spirit I decided to spend five days practicing yoga on the beach, Manuel Antonio. Each morning at sunrise, as we were facing the beach, the yoga sessions helped me slowly get stronger, calmer. Every class took an intense focus on inner awareness, combined with relaxing treatments in Arenas del Mar spa. The stay gave birth to a new me.
After a day of yoga, I would take a hot cup of coffee and then go take a dip in the private plunge pool.

Ongoing yoga instructions, days of surfing, parasailing, and taking canopy and ATV tours along Manuel Antonio Pacific Coast or hiking in the Park, helped me achieve complete relaxation.
The yoga vacation was life-changing, right when muscles started shaking with the poses I surrendered to a body massage by the pool and overlooking the ocean.

It has been a huge step and a show of good intention that of Oscar Arias, Costa Rica’s President, who recently decided to reestablish the 50 year old ruptured diplomatic relationships with Cuba.
Although consular relations were stopped, travel has always been encouraged between the two countries.  Costa Rica receives visits of nearly 2000 cubans on a yearly basis and Cuba took in  over 5000 visits during 2008.
 
Many Cubans use Costa Rica as step-gap to go to the USA. On the other hand USA nationalized Cubans use Costa Rica to visit the Island after travel restrictions impose them strict sanctions if they visit more than once every three years.

Arriving by flight or ferry, Nicoya Southern area lead through green acres of hilly ocean views before I landed at my preferred first overnight destination: the beach town of Montezuma and opted to stay at los Mangos Hotel, where absolute relaxation awaited me with a morning yoga session and a early walk to nearby beaches through mountain hiking trails.
Next morning, I took the road further south to my second destination Mal Pais, and stayed at Playa del Carmen Hotel just 50 meters from the beach, right between Mal Pais and Santa Teresa, perfect location to explore the area.
My started off with a brunch at Frank’s Place having Costa Rican oozing Imperial beer and fresh ceviche!
I spent the day at Playa del Carmen beach, catching a tan, collecting seashells, swimming and watching the surfers delight themselves in the reef breaks.
After my day had long passed by, I headed to Mary’s for dining and evening cocktails.
Back at the Hotel, the night could have been full of reggae or techno lasting long into the early wee hours of the morning if it had not been for my early flight the following day.

The unpaved journey to the Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the most famously bumpy rides in the country but the spectacular ecological experience is astonishing with thousands of acres of lush protected forests brimming with life. Big trees towering high above the misty air embrace every step you can take.
Monteverde, known for its delicious locally made cheeses, Spanish schools, mountain climate of abundant swamplands and waterfalls.
Monteverde is also known for the numerous tour options available. Canopy Tour is the most popular among visitors along with the Coffee Tour full of history lessons and samples of the tastiest local blends.
Share your story and photos of Monteverde here!

Announced by the International Surfing Association, Billabong’s World Surfing Games Costa Rica will be held July 31st through August 09, 2009 in Playa Hermosa, the country most famously sought-after beach break on the Central Pacific coast. It attracts surfers and aficionados of over 40 different countries with expected revenues soaring above $1 million for the Hermosa area, a very important event for Costa Rican International surf tourism.
Another event that will be taking place in September 17-21, 2009 is the Fourth Summit of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace. The Summit will bring delegates of over 35 countries in an unexpected event in the history of international peace, featuring concerts and speeches from government and United Nations representatives.

A mountain Hotel is the perfect escape for climbers, nature lovers, honeymooners and adventure travelers.
The top three Mountain Luxury Retreats of Costa Rica are located at high altitudes between 1500 feet and 2000 feet, where the air is fresh and pure, where the lush green and cloudy providing access to nearby activities, boast great settings, mountain views and a sense of remoteness that makes them attractive.  Built with a luxurious touch that world make you want to stay for a month and offering great dining.
Ecolodge Inn at Coyote standouts among Costa Rica’s premiere boutique eco-lodges with an elegant Spanish colonial-style surrounded by private nature preserve and offering  secluded, luxury lodging, gourmet dining. It is the perfect spot for honeymoons
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel and Spa, within the list of Green Hotels combines country-style hospitality with a profound respect for the natural surroundings. It features 35 casitas to choose from, including 5 romantic Honeymoon Casitas each with stunning views of lush green tropical cloud forest.
Arenal Nayara
Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens provides an exclusive retreat of 24 casitas in which guests can enjoy amazing views of the Arenal Volcano.

Costa Rica is today at the top of the list of the countries with freest economies which makes it a true living paradise.
A quick visit to Costa Rica was enough for me to get a clear sign that the country’s economy favors investment of all kinds, especially in the real estate and tourism sectors.
The significant and continuous nationwide attention to tourism and luxury real estate infrastructure around the Jaco-Herradura, Manuel Antonio-Dominical and Guanacaste areas is noticeable by the number of eco-luxury developments along the Pacific coast increasing rapidly. Most State-of-the-art mansions, ocean-front luxury villas and luxury estates get developed with the highest standards in architectural design and ecological construction trends.

If you are looking to invest in a high income and successful business, a BAR is a great investment.
One of the most important aspects of opening up such business is the  liquor license covering all alcohol beverages or only covering wine and beer. If you are only serving beer and wine, a small service bar is what you need.  The location, which should be strategic, close to a main crowded central street, with as few bars nearby as possible is a must.
You can either buy or rent a unit for your bar business. Whatever your choice just try to make sure it has available and enough parking space.
Make sure the bar unit comes equipped with liquors dispensers, a big sized bar, a large cooler for ice, tables, chairs, bar stools and Plasma Tvs with cable playing all possible sports channel s that Costa Ricans may want.
Last but not least, make sure there are enough bathrooms and a small office with Internet connection.
If you want to live in Costa Rica and make money at the same time, running a bar business is like running a gold mine…

From the sky on an ultra-light flight or from the bottom of the sea behind scuba diving goggles, Montezuma has everything tourists look for, all in one warm, nature-filled jungle beach town. With fascinating cliffs emerging from the sea shore, turquoise blue waters and white sand Montezuma Beach is a major gathering place for eager surfers looking for an adventurous journey through the waves. 

The beach is packed with tourists during summertime but there are also quiet, peaceful escapes near the town. For instance the magnificent butterfly gardens or the many whale watching tours offered in the area.
  The town’s diversity does not fall behind the natural richness of the place. Crammed with artists, musicians, well-renowned photographers and designers form all over the world, Montezuma’s cultural background is one of the richest ones in Costa Rica. Nightlife activities vary from fire poi and stilt walking shows to a chilled, Latin, breezy nights at the local bars. Montezuma has become well known in the past few years for its growing number of real estate properties sold around the area, which has lead to the development of many more houses and villas that are currently available to buy. Nevertheless, Montezuma counts with many hotels and rentals that are in a price range accessible to the ones that are not willing to settle, but only to enjoy this beautiful beach.
 In short, Montezuma offers a little bit of everything, from extreme sports adventures to  relaxing yoga sessions, from a mansions with  beach front views to bed-and-breakfast hotels, making it the perfect hot-spot for those who are willing to have the time of their lives.

Cima hospitals are part of  the International Hospital Corporation (IHC) with complexes in San Jose, Mexico and Brazil. CIMA will soon have a new medical center in Carrillo, Guanacaste.

 The complex is expected to be ready by early 2011. It will be about 20,000 square meters in size and will include a medical consultant ward and a commercial center. This private hospital will serve locals of Guanacaste and the growing number of foreign tourists seeking medical vacations in Costa Rica.