OHMCR The Best Costa Rica Travel Guide

In just a matter of years, Costa Rica’s northern province of Guanacaste has become the hottest destination in the North Pacific Coast.  Guanacaste’s charm has even lured from Hollywood stars to Brazilian top models who have bought exclusive beach homes overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The province’s sudden burst of activity is partly owned to the re-opening and current modernization of the Daniel Oduber International Airport located in Guanacaste’s capital, Liberia (LIR).  The airport’s strategic location allows for a short 2 to 3 hour flight from major U.S airports as well as a short 15 to 20 minute drive to the nearest beaches.

Although Guanacaste has become tantamount of uncrowded and pristine beaches that offer spectacular sunsets, the province also offers great tropical forest and volcanic adventures through its National Parks.  One of the most visited parks is the Rincon de la Vieja National Park at just 30 minutes from the airport.

Guanacaste is renowned for its appealing year round weather and warm Pacific Ocean waters.  It is also well known for the Tempisque River’s estuaries that offer one of the best water bird observation sites in all Central America.  Large wild crocodiles are also a very common sight as they sun bathe undisturbed along the Tempisque’s riverbed.

The amount of activities available in the area is so ample that tourists might have to return to try them all out!  From scuba diving at the Catalinas, snorkeling at the Papagayo Gulf, soaking up the sun in Flamingo and surfing at Avellanas Beach to enjoying the night life at Tamarindo or Playas del Coco, Guanacaste has it all.  It’s no wonder that when it comes to adventure, Costa Rica ranks number 5 in the world.

Observing volcanic activity at the Rincon de la Vieja National Park is one of the main activities in the region.  Several additional tours are offered in the immediate area such as horseback riding tours available at the Hacienda Guachipelin, a well known hotel near the park’s entrance.  Other popular tours in the area are tubing down the Negro River, the canyon canopy and canyoning tour.

Costa Rica’s tough environmental law has contributed to keeping the most part of the North Pacific Coast pretty much undisturbed.  The area’s vegetation is quite a scene with its tropical forest and conscientiously protected rivers.

Hotel availability in Guanacaste is as varied as its many locations.  Low to mid budget hotels are found throughout the entire region while luxurious 5-star hotels are more commonly found in Guanacaste’s Northern Coast.  It is recommended for visitors to do a comprehensive internet search in order to get a good idea of hotel types and rates. Try www.guachipelin.com

Guanacaste, as well as the rest of Costa Rica, welcomes U.S dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars, major credit cards and travelers’ checks.  Hotel rates range from the low to mid range all the way to the luxurious 5-star hotels.

Staff at the majority of the hotels and car rentals speaks fluent English making it extremely easy to arrange rented or hired transportation.  As we mentioned before, internet research is always a good idea when planning your trip to Guanacaste.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: Guanacaste, Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, Province of Guanacaste, Rincon de la Vieja, Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Experian, a marketing solution company recently began its operations out of Costa Rica with a total of 80 employees.  The company’s offices are located in the industrial zone of Heredia’s Ulta Lag Park.  Experian analyzes a series of data that will allow U.S companies to efficiently market their product.

Experian is the first multinational corporation that specialized in direct marketing to come to Costa Rica.  Experian’s Costa Rican directo, Franciso Alba, mentioned that the company will hire 20 more employees before the end of the year.  The company’s goal is to have employed at least 200 people by 2009.

Company prospects are currently English-speaking system engineers.  Responsibilities include identifying a certain demographics consumer habits and matching it with the companies products that will likely be accepted by this population.

Experian’s VP, Hellen McMillan stated that Costa Rica’s offices will divide its functions into three areas.  The first group will handle data bases using a custom computer software in which they can identify the consumer’s preferences and redirect the information to the companies of interest.

A second group will use the consumer preferences’ information to elaborate marketing strategies that will allow companies to more efficiently target their matching demographics.  Finally, the third team will take the information from the previous two and elaborate the promotional material to be sent out to the consumer.

The director for the Costa Rican Coalition for Development Initiatives (CINDE), Gabriela Llobet, mentioned that the arrival of Experian strengthens the organization’s strategy to capture foreign investment.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: Costa Rica Experian, Costa Rican Coalition for Development Initiatives, Experian, Gabriela Llobet

A recent article published in the Costa Rican newspaper, La Republica, stated that the North American traveler is looking to cut back on their travel plans.  These cut backs refer to anywhere from traveling to closes destinations, staying less time or simply not traveling at all.

However, Costa Rican authorities are confident that the country’s proximity to the U.S, a good dollar value as well as a low budget variety in accommodations and attractions will attract tourists.  Although the expected tourism influx may not be met, Costa Rica will still have a good high season.

The Travel Industry Association (TIA) recently interviewed several citizens regarding their travel plans to which the response was lukewarm.  A total of 2, 231 subjects were interviewed to which a 52.2% responded that the high fuel prices are a major obstacle for their travel plans.  Falling in second as a reason to why Americans are shying away from travel is the high airfares and a limited family budget.

However, the recent downward spiral of fuel prices could possibly reverse the number one reason for not traveling given that the American people regain their confidence in the economy.

The results of the before mention poll has helped several companies re-evaluate their marketing and operational strategy by adapting to the current situation.  For example, the Rincon de la Vieja SRL in Costa Rica that manages the Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin mentioned that the information received from the report will help them target the right demographic for their services.

Another positive information for Costa Rica was Tripadvisors’ report in which the majority of tourists prefer green destinations.  In 2007, 60% of the tourists that arrived to Costa Rica mentioned that their main reason in visiting was for the country’s National Parks.

written by Carolyn Ramer