| I have a Passion about traveling to Costa Rica and | | | | From Hotel Buena Vista continue 2 1/2 hours north to |
| compiling information on how to spend less money | | | | the village of La Fortuna. This area is my favorite. |
| for a great vacation. We are in times where saving | | | | One can book travel in a private van for $39.00 one |
| money is the most important part of our everyday | | | | way for each person. The staff at the hotel can help |
| life. I can show how to visit Costa Rica on a limited | | | | you with this. This route carries you thru the most |
| budget and still have a marvelous time. Here are | | | | beautiful hillside. For those with motion sickness |
| some of the things you can experience while | | | | issues, please bring your medicine. |
| traveling in Costa Rica. | | | | Upon arriving in La Fortuna, the beautiful volcano |
| I have stayed in many different hotels in Costa Rica | | | | Arenal will greet you. If she is not covered with |
| and I would like to share with you what I have | | | | clouds, you will be able to see her inactive side. She is |
| found. | | | | so large that all of this little village can see her. |
| When traveling to a foreign country it is often | | | | Here in La Fortuna, I always stay at Hotel San Bosco. |
| difficult to choose a hotel that will be safe for your | | | | This charming hotel has everything one could want. |
| family and deliver the best options for your budget. | | | | The view of the volcano is awesome from the |
| I have done all the work so you can relax and enjoy | | | | balcony. My groups have really enjoyed their visits at |
| your vacation. | | | | this hotel. There is a special little space upstairs |
| I have based my findings on hotels that my groups | | | | where one can get a great view of the volcano. I |
| have agreed were exactly what they were looking | | | | have done Yoga here, which takes you from the |
| for in a vacation. The hotels I have chosen are | | | | normal indoors regiment. |
| suitable for all age groups. Before we get into the | | | | The staff here is wonderful. There is a pool and |
| reasons I picked these hotels, I would like to talk a | | | | Jacuzzi area, one large pool and one for the little |
| little about Costa Rica upon your first arrival. | | | | guys. This location is the best. The central park is |
| If you are accustomed to living in the U.S. arriving in | | | | across the street. The park consists of many |
| Costa Rica is a bit of a cultural shock, which will soon | | | | beautiful flowers, which they still manicure by hand. |
| be replaced with breath taking views of some of the | | | | There are shops, restaurants, churches, pharmacies, |
| most beautiful nature in the world. | | | | grocery stores and much more. Do not get too |
| Depending upon the arrival of your flight, if it is after | | | | excited. These are small shops; Not a Wal-Mart. If |
| 12 noon, staying in the city of Alajeula is the best | | | | you forgot something from home or need to get |
| option. Alajeula is very near the airport and offers | | | | another bottle of water, within a couple of blocks, |
| different prices of hotels, some to fit every budget. | | | | you have it all. |
| For people wanting to take in some sites before | | | | This little village offers all the fantastic tours. Here |
| heading to the rain forests, I suggest staying in the | | | | you can visit the waterfalls which are located a little |
| downtown section of Alajeula. | | | | distance from center of downtown. |
| Hotel Villa Bonita is my favorite choice. | | | | You can also do an evening jungle hike to Arenal |
| This is a cute B&B that is located about 10 | | | | volcano. This starts around 3 p.m. and a guide will lead |
| minutes from the airport in an area that is suitable for | | | | the hikers thru areas where wildlife can be spotted. |
| the explorers to have everything at their reach. | | | | This is a slow hike, so everyone can participate. We |
| The hotel is owned by a beautiful Costa Rican family, | | | | have spotted monkeys, sloth, and many different |
| who add so much to the experience of being in | | | | species of insects. The hike finally finishes at a ledge |
| Costa Rica. The hotel offers a fantastic breakfast, | | | | at the base of the volcano. As night is falling, one can |
| which is included in the price. There is a pretty little | | | | see the red lava rocks traveling down the side of the |
| courtyard where you can relax and sip your favorite | | | | volcano. Is this dangerous? Yes, but well worth the |
| beverage. | | | | risk. This view is awesome and is contingent upon |
| From this hotel, one can walk into the Central and | | | | Mother Nature removing the clouds that sometimes |
| spend some time watching the Ticos go about their | | | | cover the top of the volcano. Some of my groups |
| daily activities. Tico is the name of a Costa Rican | | | | have been fortunate to have this experience. |
| person. | | | | After hiking to the volcano, one should visit the hot |
| In this area there are churches, parks, restaurants, | | | | springs which flow from the active volcano. My |
| theatres, shops, pharmacies, markets, and much | | | | groups always choose Baldi Springs as their favorite. |
| more; this makes quite an experience for getting to | | | | There are other hot springs here, but we find Baldi |
| know a different culture. There is also a little night life | | | | the best value for your buck. These springs are a |
| for those seeking a little fun. Everything can be found | | | | Must Do. There are many different pools with |
| within walking distance, although a taxi is preferred if | | | | varying degrees of temperature. I am sure you will |
| going out at night. As we all know, there is no safe | | | | find one that fits your liking. Dinner is offered before |
| place, just some safer than others. I choose Alajeula | | | | or after soaking in these marvelous healing pools. You |
| over visiting San Jose. | | | | can get tickets for the entrance in town for $18.00. |
| For those groups who want to visit the Poas volcano | | | | $28.00 at the door. |
| and the coffee plantations, I suggest that you travel | | | | La Fortuna offers so many different affordable tours; |
| up the mountain, which is about 30 minutes from the | | | | you will stay very busy here. |
| airport. | | | | Visit the tours links on my Links page to get further |
| Hotel Buena Vista is my favorite choice. | | | | details and pricing on any tours that you find |
| This hotel is located over looking beautiful coffee | | | | interesting. |
| plantations. There is a nice pool area to relax and | | | | In my experience in bringing groups to La Fortuna, |
| read a book with the fantastic view of the | | | | they have always expressed that they feel safe |
| surrounding mountains. | | | | while walking around this little town. One must use |
| There is a nature trail to hike through the plantations | | | | caution as you would in any other city. This little |
| where one can see different types of plants. There | | | | town is very family oriented as is all of Costa Rica. |
| are breath taking views during the daytime and at | | | | One can see grandparents, parents, children, all sitting |
| night, one has a view of the thousands of lights of | | | | in the parks, playing, shopping and praying together. |
| the valley of San Jose. This is an awesome sight. | | | | This is a very refreshing sight. |
| The Poas volcano is located very near this hotel. This | | | | I feel La Fortuna is the best village that offers all |
| volcano is a crater with emerging gases. After visiting | | | | groups the best prices and the warm feeling of a |
| the volcano, a hike to the waterfalls and a visit the | | | | small town. |
| butterfly farm is a very delightful experience. While | | | | You will fall in love, as I have with this charming little |
| visiting the butterfly farm, one is taken from the | | | | village. |
| beginning of the egg to the birth of many different | | | | These hotels I have listed offer great prices, great |
| species of butterflies. This is a real learning | | | | hospitality, clean rooms, location to all the action, and |
| experience. There will be many butterflies flying all | | | | a safe place to sit back and relax. |
| around this enclosed area. All the children really love | | | | I can guarantee that you will leave Costa Rica a |
| this and adults as well. | | | | different person, than when you arrived. |
| These adventures take a day to fully explore. Here | | | | You will be enriched by meeting people from all over |
| you will be surrounded by the most beautiful nature. | | | | the world and experiencing different cultures. |
| While still visiting Hotel Buena Vista, I suggest a visit | | | | Your friends will look at you with envy because you |
| the beautiful botanical gardens Else Kientzler. These | | | | have traveled to a special and exotic country. |
| gardens are about l 1/2 hours traveling by public bus | | | | I cannot say enough about Costa Rica and how my |
| or taxi. | | | | many years of traveling there have changed my life |
| A coffee plantation tour is also available in this area. | | | | forever. |
| This is a very interesting tour which takes you from | | | | Others have traveled with my business Costa Rica In |
| the coffee bean tree where the beans are picked, | | | | Nature and have had the opportunity of a lifetime to |
| dried and roasted. Here we can taste many different | | | | visit Costa Rica affordably! |
| types of coffee. For the coffee lover, this is | | | | Let me take you there! |
| awesome! | | | | |