OHMCR The Best Costa Rica Travel Guide

Government officials set out an alert to all of its citizens this week regarding their presence in Nicaragua. Due to the recent municipality elections in this Central American country, several outbreaks of violence and protest have taken place leaving hundreds injured.

The communication was sent out to all consulates in which it alerts all U.S citizens to maintain a high state of alert as well as adopt safety measures while in the country of Nicaragua.

The alert is to remain active until December 12^th as authorities expect the manifestations and acts of violence to continue for the next few days. The elections in Nicaragua took place November 9^th and have since been under international scrutiny as well as the growing street insecurity.

Daniel Ortega’s government has accused the United States as well as the Organization of American States and several other international organizations of trying to “destabilize” its government due to accusations and questioning of the transparency of its recent elections.

The result of the recent elections in Nicaragua placed the Frente Sandinista in the lead with a vast majority. U.S citizens as well as all tourists in Nicaragua should be extremely cautious as for riots and manifestations can happen at any moment and anywhere.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: alert visiting nicaragua

Central America with 8 Proposals for the New 7 Wonders of Nature

The New 7 Wonders Foundation has been accepting proposals from organizations from around the world in order to pick the New 7 Wonders of Nature.  The campaign for nominating a location has been open for quite a while and will close December 31st, 2008.

After nominations close, the nominees will remain available for online voting until July 7th, 2009 at which point a panel of experts will choose 21 locations from the highest ranked nominees.  The final voting stage for the New 7 Wonders of Nature will continue until the year 2011 at which the official New 7 Wonders of Nature will be announced.

So far, Central America alone has 8 nominees from the countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica.  The countries of Costa Rica and Belize have presented two nominees each while the rest have one nominee each.

Belize has submitted two natural attractions that include divers’ paradise The Great Blue Hole as well as its impressive Barrier Reef.  Belize’s Barrier Reef is one of the most important eco-systems in the area and extends over 300 kilometers making it the world’s second largest after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

On the other hand, Costa Rica has submitted its famous Coco Island which boasts of a rich marine life that attracts divers and researchers from around the world.  Coco Island was declared a Human Natural Patrimony in 1997.  The magnificent Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s second proposal.

Guatemala proposed its Lake Atitlan as a nominee while El Salvador nominated it Lake Coatepeque of volcanic origin.  Honduras nominated its Platano River’s Biosphere and Nicaragua its Ometepe Island.

Votes can be submitted at the foundations website http://www.new7wonder.com/

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: costa rica new 7 wonders of nature

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