OHMCR The Best Costa Rica Travel Guide

Recently, a survey was held among US tour operators which specialize in Educational Tourism. These specialized tour operators where asked to reveal which country or countries where among the top choices for Educational Programs. This survey revealed that Costa Rica was among the top choices for Educational Tourism Programs.

Costa Rican organizations involved in research, education and conservation took the first step towards the tourism industry in order to jointly offer a new attraction for tourists. These different organizations have also developed several programs which focus on scientific tourism as well as educational and voluntary tourism programs.

These programs focus on offering the students a hands-on learning experience which is characteristic in the Educational Tourism program. The students will be able to interact with the local community as well as actively participate and even develop sustainable practices within these communities.

The importance of these types of programs is that it promotes a cultural experience through science and education which goes beyond a simple guided tour.

Costa Rica biodiversity, stable democracy and friendly people have even attracted widely popular and respected organizations such as National Geographic. The National Geographic Foundation chose Costa Rica for one of its Student Travel Programs.

The involvement of Costa Rican tourism with different niches allows for the country to widen its offer to the

written by fernando \\ tags: Costa Rican Tourism

This Plaza de la Democracia was built back in 1989 and sits west of Costa Rica National Museum. The plaza was built as a symbol of union among the American Continent and to receive the participating presidents of the Hemispheric Summit hosted by President Oscar Arias Sanchez.

The Democracy Plaza has recently begun remodeling in order to make it a more attractive area for visitors of all ages. Some structures are to be taken down and a new entrance to the National Museum is to be built in order to give the entire area a more harmonious appeal. Several stair accesses are to be replaced by ramps and more trees are to be planted. This new look for the Democracy Plaza is part of the San Jose Municipality and the Ministry of Culture program to give the downtown area a more cosmopolitan and cultural face.

Another important change of the Plaza layout is the removal of the statue honoring Costa Rica three-time president, Jose Figueres. This structure will be relocated within the National Museum premises where Mr. Figueres abolished Costa Rica armed forces back in 1948.

On the street west to the Plaza is the famous souvenir market which was once located at Costa Rica Culture Plaza. This market expands from the Central Avenue to the 2nd Avenue and offers all sorts of handcrafts and souvenirs. Hammocks, t-shirts, jewelry, paintings and everything that symbolizes and depicts Costa Rica can be found at this market place.

After your visit to the National Museum, make sure you make some time to sit at one of the benches to do some people watching and then make your way through the market to support the local artisans by buying one of the many beautiful artwork available

There are a number of very nice Costa Rican hotels located on the Central Avenue at really affordable rates for those looking to stay close to the every day Costa Rican action.

written by fernando \\ tags: Costa Rican Hotels, Jose Figueres, Plaza de la Democracia