Costa Rica: Travel Weekly destination guide

 

 

Costa Rica offers tourists many things, but chief among them are biodiversity and beaches. The Central American country is arguably the definitive ecotourism destination, and its Pacific coast boasts beautiful resorts and lively cities.

 

 

Roughly 25% of Costa Rica is protected, and its tropical forests, volcanic plains and remote beaches are inhabited by a dizzying variety of wildlife – from monkeys and tapirs to sea turtles and birds.

 

On this page you’ll find some of Travel Weekly’s best features about Costa Rica, plus information from elsewhere on the web. You can also find out more about our sponsor Occidental’s all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica on Travel Weekly

• Latin America 2009: New tours and emerging destinations
  
• Diving holidays: 20 selling tips for travel agents
  
• Costa Rica country profile

Costa Rica on the web

• Is Costa Rica suitable for a family holiday? [Independent.com]
  
• Costa Rica on the Guardian [Guardian]
  
• Costa Rica overview [BBC]
  
• Costa Rica factfile [CIA.gov]

Latest Costa Rica news

 

This feed displays stories aggregated by Google News.

Travel fact file

• Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC)
  
• Climate: Tropical and subtropical; average temperature reaching 21-27 degrees Celsius. Coolest months are November-January and hottest run from March-May.  Rainy seasonn runs from May-November with September and October being the wettest; it’s dryest December-April
  
• Airports: Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR); Limón International Airport (LIO); Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO); Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ)

Current weather for Costa Rica from the BBC

Useful links

• Costa Rica on Gazetteers
  
• Costa Rica on Wikipedia
  
• Costa Rica on Tripadvisor
  
• Official site for Costa Rica

Costa Rica photos from flickr.com

 

www.flickr.com   More photos or video tagged with Costa Rica on Flickr

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Sponsored by Occidental Hotels and Resorts

 

Featured resort: Grand Papagayo

 

The luxurious, open-air lobby of the Grand Papagayo transports guests to a tropical escape. Couples, newlyweds and families alike can enjoy the limitless adventure possibilities in this incredible setting.

 

With 169 rooms situated in 23 buildings, the Occidental Grand Papagayo blends harmoniously along the bluff showcasing stunning ocean views and extraordinary sunsets. Guests can enjoy three restaurants, L’Buffet, the Italian, and D’Oriental. Four bars, endless daily activities and sports, Fun Club and live evening entertainment.

Deluxe rooms at the Grand Papagayo are designed with chic, neutral colours, private balcony or terrace with partial views of the bay. While the exclusive Royal Club offers executive level service within the Grand Papagayo resort. Discerning guests seeking superior service and highly personalized attention within the privacy of the resort can enhance their experience with plush accommodations, elegant facilities and added amenities.

 

 

The Royal Club rooms feature premier accommodations including private check-in and check-out reception, personal concierge services, in-room dining, nightly turndown service. Clients are also invited to enjoy cocktails, billiards and panoramic ocean views from the Royal Club lounge.

 

The Occidental Grand Papagayo inspires guests to both extremes of the activities spectrum: Some simply crave total relaxation. Adventuresome guests can embrace the two free-form pools, non motorized water sports, Fun Club and Fitness Centre and the opportunity to monkey and exotic bird watch.

 

The Occidental Grand Papagayo spa offers massage in a private hut under the canopy trees, sauna room, steam room, manicures, pedicures, relaxing facials and salon services.

 

To learn more about Occidental Hotels and Resorts visit Occidentalhotels.com or Resort-marketing.co.uk