Travels to Costa Rica

We recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica.  Many of our family members and friends had visited there so we felt it was our turn to see just what the others were raving about.  Of course, we loved Costa Rica, but not for the things we normally love.  Generally we are fairly dominant in beach swimming and snorkelling activities.  Although these were offered, we were somewhat disappointed in these areas.  Don't get upset yet, though.  Let me tell you what we did love!

We travelled to the pacific coast of Costa Rica and stayed at the all-inclusive resort of Allegro Papagayo, which is about 30 km. from the Liberia airport.  The hotel was beautiful, but you had to be in fairly good health to traverse the steep hills going up and down to the restaurant and beach.  Alternatively, there was a shuttle bus that rode around the resort at about 5-8 minute intervals where you could ride instead of walk up the steep hills.  The scenery was gorgeous. 

Here is the view we had from our balcony window:

The best thing about Costa Rica is the nature and wildlife.  We saw an abundant amount of monkeys (which was a highlight for me).  There were two kinds of monkeys that resided in the area, the white faced monkey and the howler monkeys.  We saw both on the hotel grounds, as well as other wild ones in the trees on the roadside when we travelled off the resort.

We also saw other wildlife, such as many different types of birds, iguanas, etc.

There were many excursions available where we could explore the nature.  My husband went zip-lining, which was a highlight of the trip for him.  We also took a boat tour and went fishing (I caught a fish!).  There were river boat tours where you could see a lot more of the wildlife and nature in the area, as well as bird-watching tours and excursions to visit the volcanos, several of which are in the area.

One of the best things we loved about Costa Rica was the people.  They had to be the friendliest people of anywhere we had travelled before...and this was at the hotel as well as off the resort.  

O.K. Now about the beaches.  The sand was black sand because of the volcanic activity in the area.  We knew this beforehand so that was not a surprise and we didn't expect it to be like the pristine while beaches of the Caribbean.  But we were a little disappointed because you could not swim on the beach before about 3 in afternoon when the tides came in.  Also, the water was murky and did not lend itself well for snorkelling.  We did take a road day trip to visit other resorts and locations along the coast.  Although we saw a few areas of nicer beaches, they still did not measure up to what we would be looking for in a great swimming/snorkelling setting.

We would love to go back to Costa Rica and discover the Caribbean side and see what the beaches and swimming are like in that area (but we have been told to be careful because there is a lot of crime there.)

All in all, we did enjoy our trip, and you will too if you venture there, as long as you are concerned more with the natural aspect of the country instead of the beaches.  Here are just a couple more scenes to entice you to visit Costa Rica:

You may be insterested in reading my travel ebook "Tastes and Travels" which combines travel reviews and recipes of the different places outlined in the book.

You can get it at:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DUMXJY



Travel Article - Family Fun in St. Thomas

If you are like most other American families, you and your family may be taking a summer vacation this year. If you are planning a summer vacation, have you already selected a summer vacation destination? If you have yet to decide where you and your family will vacation, you are encouraged to consider the family fun that you and your family can have in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

St. Thomas is most known for its tropical weather. The island is located in the Virgin Islands. Many individuals mistakenly believe that St. Thomas, and other islands located in the Caribbean, are only for couples looking to schedule a romantic vacation. St. Thomas is known for its romantic environment and atmosphere, however, the island is not just limited to those looking to experience a romantic getaway. In fact, there are a number of “family friendly,” activities that you and your children may find exciting.

When visiting St. Thomas, you will have to make overnight accommodations for the length of your stay, most often made at a quality resort. The good news for families is that there are a number of popular vacation resorts that are designed with adults and children in mind. The resorts are often referred to as “family friendly,” resorts.

The activities and events that can be found on a “family friendly,” resort will vary. Different St. Thomas resorts offer various onsite activities, facilities, and services. Despite the fact that no two resorts are the same, there are a number of common activities that you may find available at most “family friendly,” St. Thomas resorts. These activities may include, but are not limited to, swimming, boating, fishing, sunbathing, and playing outdoor sports.

In addition to the above, many “family friendly,” resorts offer kid’s clubs or onsite childcare centers. You and your children may find these facilities beneficial, in more ways than one. If you are looking to receive a few private minutes with your spouse or you would like to spend time alone relaxing by the beach, you can easily drop your children off at an onsite childcare center. The childcare centre focuses on quality children’s activities while babysitting at the same time. While onsite childcare centers are nice, not all St. Thomas resorts have them. If you need childcare clubs or services on your vacation, you will want to search for a resort that offers the service onsite.

St. Thomas resorts are not the only locations in St. Thomas that can be considered “family friendly.” If you and your family wish to shop, dine, and sightsee, you can easily do so. Along the shoreline and inland there are a number of restaurants, shopping centers, and historical landmarks that focus on families.

While shopping, sightseeing, and dinning is important, there are additional activities that you and your family may enjoy. St. Thomas has a number of different museums. If you are interested in incorporating education into your vacation, you can easily do so. In addition to inland museums, St. Thomas is also famous for its focus on underwater discoveries. You and your children may find it exciting to learn about the animals, plants, and treasures that can be found deep down in the ocean.

With a small amount of research and planning, you can easily schedule a St. Thomas vacation. With an unlimited number of exciting activities, services, and facilities available, a St. Thomas vacation is likely to please everyone in your family.

Tastes and Travels Ebook This great new travel ebook offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try). Get your copy TODAY and read about the travel experiences you want to travel to!

Or if you are interested in cruising, why not try Fun Vacation Cruise Choices also available on Kindle (only $2.99!)

Traveling to Naples, Florida

Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

When traveling to Florida most people think of Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Disney. But there are other great places to visit in Florida and Naples is one of them. Naples is located on the Gulf of Mexico and is an area where nature abounds alongside its cosmopolitan core.

Beach and sun lovers can relax on over seven miles of Naples’ spectacular white sand beaches. They can soak up the tropical sun, frolic in the turquoise Gulf waters or dolphin watch off the long Pier.

Golf and sports enthusiasts will love Naples too. Naples offers the highest ratio of golf courses per capita within the United States, with over 35 golf courses in the area. Major state, national and professional golf tournaments have been held here for decades and well-known golfers like Jack Nicholas and Arnold Palmer have been known to frequent Naples’ courses. And, what may be a bonus to some or an obstacle to others, is the wildlife one can see while playing golf here as eagles, osprey, alligators and other wildlife abound.

Naples also offers surprisingly good tennis opportunities for the avid tennis player as well. There is year-round sailing, jet skiing, boating and wind-surfing. And with so much of Naples’ activities centered on the water, fishing plays a major role in Naples’ attraction. The tourist has the option of leisurely throwing their line off the newly-remodeled Pier or charting a boat for and exciting day of deep-sea fishing.

Although Naples offers an abundance of cultural activities in its metropolitan area, with the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Pelican Bay, the Naples Playhouse, dinner theatres, open air concerts and the like, being right next door to the Everglades offers tourists a wealth of opportunity to view nature.

There are several excursions and safaris into the Everglades that begin in Naples. The tourist can take in the wild mangroves and delight in the viewing of alligators, manatees, dolphins, bears and a never-ending array of birds on their airboat tour. They can visit Big Cypress State Reserve or the Everglades National Park, which is home of the world’s largest mangrove park. Or they can stop at Museum of the Everglades or the Smallwood Museum for a cultural bend to their nature experience.

The shopping in Naples also won’t leave the serious shopper wanting. There are several select shopping centers with fashionable shops, art galleries and bistros, and the downtown shopping is within walking distance to the beach. And every spring Naples holds the Naples Spring Arts Festival where artists from far and wide exhibit and sell their works.

Naples is a place that appears to have everything going for it. Tourists will not be left wanting when they visit Naples, whether they are looking for a relaxing beach experience, an activity filled vacation or a nature escape. Visit Naples soon and see for yourself what others are raving about.