OHMCR The Best Costa Rica Travel Guide

The term Eco-Tourism has become a popular one among tourism service providers not only in Costa Rica but in the entire Central American region as well.  However, the term has been thrown around so many times that its meaning or what it represents has become quite vague.

Therefore, in Costa Rica, an environmentally-conscious group of people got together to legally create the Costa Rican Chamber of Eco-Tourism in order to organize this sector.

The first thing the Chamber did was define the Eco-Tourism concept as a specialized segment within the responsible tourism sector that promotes and supports nature’s conservancy and the region’s cultural values.  The Eco-Tourism sector is responsible of interpreting these values to the tourist while contributing to the community’s social-economical ambiance.

In addition, the Chamber seeks to gather all people and organizations within the tourism industry and that are linked to eco-tourism activities.  All eco-tourism related issues will be addressed to the Chamber who has the ability to determine the policies, tendencies and legal actions that may be carried out.

Since its creation in 2003, the Costa Rican Chamber of Eco-Tourism has over 60 actively involved members from sectors such as hospitality, tour operator, car rentals, banks, arts and crafts, research organizations and others.

The Hacienda Guachipelin near the Rincon de la Vieja National Park for example, has gladly enrolled as a member of the chamber in order to contribute with the sector’s growth, promotion and social responsibility.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: Costa Rican Chamber of Eco Tourism, Hacienda Guachipelin, Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Hotel Pure (http://www.hotelpure.com) is pleased to announce to its customers of this fitting new location ideal for adventure seeking - nature loving travelers.

The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin has attentively prepared for 2009 by improving several of its features and strengthening its many eco-friendly resources. The Hacienda Guachipelin’s 22 rooms have been upgraded by including brand new TV sets as well as air conditioning units.

The hotel’s sustainable practices remain a strong focal point among its owners as they continue to emphasize on their recycling program as well as the use of solar panels used to provide its guests with hot water. The Hacienda Guachipelin has installed a biodigester within their compost facilities in order to convert organic wastes into a nutrient rich liquid fertilizer and biogas used as a renewable source of electrical and heat energy.

Sustainable practices are also carried on within the local community as its owners work to not only preserve the environment and surroundings, but the cultural heritage of the province of Guanacaste. Staff at the Hacienda Guachipelin has included traditional activities of the region within their attractions such as cattle herding, bull riding and the traditional marimba music.

Guests at the Hacienda Guachipelin enjoy a variety of adventure tours suitable for people of all ages and with no previous experience required. Horseback riding, hiking, tubing and ziplining are just a few activities visitors can take pleasure in during day-time or night-time tours. The Rincon de la Vieja National Park is the most important park in the region as it allows visitors to easily observe one of the most diverse volcanic activities available to the public.

The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin entertains its guests with traditional rural bustle and scenery as every morning horses are brought into the corral. Breakfast at the open restaurant provides for a wonderful panoramic view while guests prepare for a day full of adventure that will end with a relaxing hot spring bathe.

Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, Volcan Rincon de la Vieja, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Toll Free From USA and Canada 1-877-998-7873

Local +(506) 2256 8195

www.guachipelin.com info@guachipelin.com

Hotel Pure is a subsidiary of Oriens Travel & Hotel Management Corp. which’s business model is to re-organize a fragmented mid/lower end hotel accommodation sector in the developing countries such as China, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, the Caribbean and other countries in the similar phase, under a unified name brand; Hotel PURE, thus increasing their international exposure, occupancy rate and revenue. Initial plan is to deploy a series of eco-hotels under the Hotel PURE express branding in the Central/South America region with further plans to deploy more Hotel PURE properties starting in Beijing and Shanghai, and expanding into other major cities, in China.
The Hotel Pure theme and conceptual design was created by Oriens Travel & Hotel Management Corp.(OTC-Pinksheets: OTHM ) , and will remain as the exclusive property of the Company.

written by Carolyn Ramer \\ tags: Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, Hotel PURE, Rincon de la Vieja

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