Posts Tagged ‘central america travel’
A Gem In San Jose – Hotel Grano De Oro, Costa Rica
May 11, 2010
I know that not many people think of San Jose of Costa Rica as a touristic destination. But I lived in that area for about 6 years and got enough time to get to know it completely and my conclusion was:
You can visit its beautiful theatre, the kid’s museum, the amazing central park and much more. I’ve also visited many hotels in this area so if you decide to spend some time I recommend Grano de Oro Hotel. This is a beautiful hotel located in Paseo Colon, San Jose’s main thoroughfare.
I liked this hotel because of the elegant decoration and the amazing service they offer. My visit here was very brief but enough to male me love it.
My visit here was very brief but enough to male me love it. You will find the hotel in what used to be a Tropical Victorian mansion and was turned into a beautiful 40-room hotel.
Here they serve some tropical and European dishes. Let me tell you that I loved the food, the size of the portions is good but the way it tastes is what is really outstanding. When it comes to the rooms they all have a beautiful and warm decoration. The size of them is very nice too.
When it comes to the rooms they all have a beautiful and warm decoration. The size of them is very nice too.
One very important thing that I have to mention is that this hotel has a non-smoking policy.
If you ever go there let me know how it went!
Marina K. Villatoro, has lived in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She’s traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. With her first hand experience, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!
The Total Spa Experience, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
April 28, 2010
I don’t know about you, but I love to be pampered! But that doesn’t mean that I like the regular spas that have incense burning in a corner and new-age music playing in the background. I want something different.
This is how you get here: Fly into San Jose, Costa Rica. From here you can either take a domestic flight to the La Fortuna airport, or get a private driver which will drive you directly to the resort. Personally I love the drive. It allows me to learn all about the new place I’m visiting.
Arenal volcano is considered one of the top ten most active volcanoes in the world. Because of this amazing phenomenon the surrounding areas benefit from its rich soil and naturally heated springs.
Did you know that Volcano Arenal is one of the top ten most active volcanoes in the world? Because of this amazing phenomenon the surrounding areas benefit from its rich soil and naturally heated springs. The hot springs are a perfect combination of rain water, minerals and climate that make them a perfect way to relax.
I’m also a huge fan of the ‘hotel experience’. If I’m going to go away with my girlfriends I want to chill out and have everything at my fingertips.
Where to begin? The bar of course! You don’t have to become a bar fly in some dark lit room. Here you can put on your bikinis and head to the springs. And right in the middle of one of the hot springs is Los Perdidos jungle bar serving up delicious drinks! The Lost Springs is a series of naturally heated hot springs and cool pools.
Where to begin? The bar of course! Without becoming a bar fly in some dark lit room put on your bikinis and head to the springs. The Lost Springs is a series of naturally heated hot springs and cool pools. And right in the middle of one of the hot springs is Los Perdidos jungle bar serving up delicious drinks!
Before you know it, you and your friends are ready for a real drink and food!
Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, has been living in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She has traveled here extensively. Now loves organizing vacations to this amazing part of the world, having first hand experience of all the places with her family. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!
Costa Rica – Friendly Country For Gay Travelers
April 27, 2010
Out of all Central American countries, Costa Rica is by far the most welcoming for gay travelers. It is also one of the only places where same-sex couples are fully protected by the constitution. Plus it is also full of gay-owned and gay-friendly resorts and cozy inns. Add that to the fact that Costa Rica is a multi-destination travel spot here are some inside goods on any of these popular spots: San Jose, beaches, rain forests, volcanoes and more.
So when you first arrive to Costa Rica I recommend you take a day or two to explore San Jose. I bet its nightlife and great eats will keep you fully entertained. You’ll enjoy staying at a number of small inns and guest houses that are gay-owned and very gay-friendly. Some are: Casa 69 or the very popular Colors Oasis Resort. The nightlife is one of the best attributes of staying in San Jose with a large variety of high-quality restaurants and trendy bars. Check out these popular clubs: Deja Vu, La Avispa, Club Oh!, Puchos Night Club and Why Not? After that it’s beach time!
Beach time! Manuel Antonio is the mecca for gay travelers in Costa Rica. It has the largest selection of top-notch exclusively gay resorts. Here you’ll enjoy the tranquility of the crystal blue ocean with full service spas, superb restaurants, and a ton of adventure packed trips like: canopy tours, horseback riding tours, and sailing, to name a few. Then, at the end of the day you’ll be getting more of an adrenaline rush from the exciting club scene. Some of the most popular resorts are: Hotel Villa Roca, Hotel Casablanca with its Sea Glass Spa, and Big Ruby’s La Plantacion.
Arenal Volcano is one of the top ten most active volcanoes in the world. At the very foot of you will find natural hot springs where you can simmer your bodies in while catching the lava flowing action. Tabacon resort is one of the hottest resorts here with thermal baths, swim up bars, and a restaurant that is built into the pools.
Now for all you adventure junkies this is the place to be. What’s your flavor? Wind surfing, hiking, horseback riding, canopy tours, and/or white water rafting extravaganzas. There aren’t any gay-owned establishments here, Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Palo Verde Resort are very gay-friendly with good food and a fun bar scene. I know you might prefer to stay in gay-owned or exclusively gay locations. But don’t dismay, if you want to go to another location there are tons of welcoming and high quality hotels that can be found all over the country.
Note: If it’s not exclusively gay and you plan on bringing ‘new friends’ back to you room, find out the hotel policy before booking.
Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, has been living in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. Traveling with her family to all parts of Costa Rica and Guatemala, she now loves organizing vacations for people and offers first hand experience. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!