OHMCR The Best Costa Rica Travel Guide

Rainmaker Mountain is located in Costa Rica Central Pacific Region near hotels in Quepos in Puntarenas. The story behind how this family owned project came to life is quite inspiring and teaches us that when your goals are clearly set, nothing can stop you.

The land where the Rainmaker Conservation Project is today, once belonged to a rice farmer who went bankrupt and had to sell. Mauricio Gutierrez, a good friend of the previous owner wanted to buy the land in order to turn the area into a conservation project due to its location in Costa Rica important biological corridor which protects around 70% of the flora and fauna.

In 1993, in the middle of the purchasing transaction, Mauricio tragically passed away. His wife and two kids left the U.S to go back to Costa Rica with the challenging task of fulfilling Mauricio?s dream.

Today, the Rainmaker Conservation Project stands out as an exemplary tourist attraction offering its visitors top quality service and the richest natural sceneries in the country. Within the attractions offered at the Rainmaker Mountain is the canopy walkway tour, bird watching and the newest nocturnal tour which observes reptiles and amphibians.

The project main concern when hosting tours is to educate the visitor in the importance of the region as well as the rainforest preservation.

Activities such as weddings, volunteer services and even filming take place at the Rainmaker Conservation Project. The popular CBS Reality Show, Amazing Race, even chose Rainmaker as one of their locations while filming one of their episodes.

written by fernando \\ tags: Hotel Costa Rica, Hotel Punta Leona, Hotels in Quepos, Nicoya Peninsula, Rainmaker Conservation Project

A metropolitan electric train, or TREM, has been in the talks for quite some time now. Several pilot programs have taken place in the San Jose, Pavas and Heredia area using old tracks and trains.

However, the government had hired a Brazilian company and invested over 1 million dollars in order to have them elaborate a thorough study of the Costa Rican infrastructure and hand in a plan to start the immediate construction.

The company was given a 1 year time frame which will end in early 2009. The project will be divided into three sectors in which each sector will cover strategic points within the metropolitan area.

The first stage will connect San Jose with the province of Heredia. The second stage will connect Pavas and San Pedro while the last stage will connect Cartago, Curridabat and Alajuela.

The train service has become a growing necessity due to the growing amount of vehicles, gas prices increase, and the collapsing road infrastructure which cannot seem to hold any more vehicles. Distances as short as 12 kilometers take up to an hour to cover due to the excessive traffic jams during peak hours.

The government has promised that once the final studies have been turned in, that the Metropolitan Electric Train can be a reality within 2 to 3 years. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

written by fernando \\ tags: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Paseo de las Damas, San Jose National Park, Tango Mar Hotel

The name Cerro Dantas refers to the large amount of wild tapirs which inhabit this region. Visitors will be fascinated with the areas primary and secondary cloud forest climate in just a 110 acre property.

Located in the province of Heredia, at just over 40 minutes from downtown San Jose Hotels , the Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge will unveil topography consisting of hills and cliffs with several trails that strategically run through the refuge.

The refuge was created in 1998 in order to contribute with projects and research that would allow conserving and preserving the planet natural resources. The Wildlife Refuge currently manages several research programs such as the distribution and feeding habits of the tapir, migratory habits of the capuchin and spider monkey, local orchid species, local and migratory birds as well as climate and humidity fluctuations.

The refuge sits at the south west border of the Braulio Carillo National Park thus remaining very close to one of Costa Rica most famous protected tropical rainforests. Thanks to its location and climate, the refuge counts with over 4,000 types of plants. Visitors will also be likely to spot several wildlife species such as the wild tapir which gives the refuge its name. Other species such as monkeys, reptiles, insects and birds are easily spotted within the refuge.

Another attraction in the refuge is its beautiful hidden waterfall which can be reached after a 2 hour hike.

Although not popular among tourists, the Wildlife Refuge Cerro Dantas is a great alternative for a one day trip when in the downtown area. Getting there can easily be arranged be it by public transportation or by renting a car a driving there yourself. A 3.5 kilometer hike will be in store unless you rent a 4WD.

The refuge also offers lodge for individuals and groups who wish to stay in the refuge for research or simply as an alternative to getting away from the beaten path.

The refuge is located approximately 20 kilometers north from the National University in Heredia. Go north from the University for 2 km towards San Rafael. When you reach the Catholic Church, turn north for another 5 km. You will drive past the Castillo Country Club for 1 km until you see a large wooden sign to your right which says: Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cerro Dantas. Just follow the directions from here.

written by fernando \\ tags: Costa Rica Hotel, Costa Rica National Theatre, Downtown San Jose Hotels