Living and Chasing Dreams in Costa Rica

Thanks for visting!

costaricadog — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:04:10 +0000

Please note this blog has been moved and is more current at: www.ynotcostarica.com. We give insider traveling tips on Costa Rica and the Nicoya Peninsula. Cheers!

Scarlet Macaws in Costa Rica

costaricadog — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:41:24 +0000

Can’t believe this blog has been up and running for over a year and there’s no pictures of a Scarlet Macaw. That’s like writing a book about the legends of the Boston Celtics and not mentioning Larry Bird.

Talking about Birds….the Scarlet Macaws in Costa Rica are absolutely stunning…almost as smokin as Kate Middleton’s sister Pippa at the Royal Wedding. Well maybe not that hot but pretty cool for a bird! These birds can be found on the Nicoya Pennisula in the Tambor area, Curu National Park and Los Delfinos.

Scarlet Macaw in Tambor

Whitey Bulger in Costa Rica??

costaricadog — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:42:59 +0000

I lived in Boston for 13 years and was intrigued by every Boston Globe article that was written about Whitey Bulger or anything mafia related. I have eaten many times in the Italian section of Boston in the North End where the smell of Veal Marsala is as prominent as two chairs on the side of the street being used to reserve someones parking space. Parking is a premium and it could be tempting but do not even think about moving those chairs!

My goal of this blog is to educate people about Costa Rica and specifically the lower Nicoya Peninsula. I think it’s extremely important when people travel that they follow Whitey’s lead and remember their street smarts. Try to travel light and don’t bring your big gold chains or anything that’s flashy….leave that BLING BLING at home. Also make sure you have copies of your passports with you. One thing that I like to do is have them scanned in my computer and emailed to my gmail account. If something happens to all of my stuff I can still get remote access.

Costa Rica is a wonderful place that is absolutely gorgeous. The majority of the people have good intentions but there are people out there that are trying to make a quick buck. Enjoy your time and always be aware of your surroundings

The simple things in Costa Rica are beautiful

costaricadog — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:03:12 +0000

Life in Costa Rica can be very simple. Sometimes with simplicity comes beauty…the smile on a child’s face…the laughter heard when children play.

The fresh fish and local fruits you have access to everyday. If your drinking a local beer your choice between Imperial and Pilsen. Making the simple decision at lunch….would you like chicken or fish with your casada?? Making the tougher choice at dinner…would you like chicken or fish with your casada??? Maybe not tons of choices but simple choices.

The following picture is a simple thing you see every day in Costa Rica that is beautiful. Pura vida!

Would anyone like some tea?

Study abroad in Costa Rica

costaricadog — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:23:18 +0000

There’s a nice article about studying abroad in Costa Rica. In the competitive job market in only makes sense if someone is bilingual that they have a better chance of landing a good job out of college.

Live life, eat ceviche, drink Imperial beer, learn the salsa, surf on the weekends, and study abroad in Costa Rica.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/04/07/prweb8281678.DTL

Al Gore visits Costa Rica and talks GREEN

costaricadog — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:46:47 +0000

Former Vice President of the United States Al Gore recently traveled to Costa Rica. He spoke to a group of 400 people talking about global warming and carbon emissions. He praised the country of Costa Rica for its proactive approach and its goal of being a carbon neutral country by 2021.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country with amazing natural resources. It’s nice to see a proactive approach to make sure the country and it’s resources are protected for many generations to come.

The following link will take you to the Tico Times article.

http://www.ticotimes.net/News/Top-Story/Al-Gore-talks-climate-change-in-Costa-Rica_Friday-March-18-2011

Adventure in Nicoya Peninsula

costaricadog — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:29:04 +0000

The following article talks about the adventures and activities of the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s activities that I have highlighted and recommended to others and have talked about on this blog. They talk about Curu National Park, snorkeling, monkeys, waterfall in Montezuma, and the surf in Mal Pais/Santa Teresa.

There’s two ways to get to the Nicoya Peninsula. The fastest is taking Sansa or Nature Air that fly’s direct into Tambor…roughly a 25 minute flight. If you fly into the San Jose airport the Sansa terminal is just around the corner. If you are traveling light it’s an easy walk even though you will be bombarded by transportation options. Nature Air requires a shuttle or taxi. The other way I like to travel if I have time is by car. It’s more of an adventure but if you map it out the journey can be just as much fun as the destination. If you rent a car the basic insurance is mandatory so get it…I know this is different in the United States. Once you arrive on the Nicoya Peninsula and see the shape of some of the roads you will be glad to know that the car is covered! Also, make sure your vehicle has 4×4!

Enjoy, safe travels, and watch out for the cows in the road

http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110313/MAN04/103130450/0/MAN0101/Costa-Rica-picture-perfect-paradise?odyssey=nav|head

Monkeys in Costa Rica

costaricadog — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:36:07 +0000

In Costa Rica there are four types of monkeys, the howler, spider, squirrel , and capuchin. Above you will find pictures we took of the howler and capuchin monkeys.

It’s amazing watching the monkeys in the canopy. The capuchin (white-faced) is considered the most intelligent monkey. They usually travel in large groups up to 30. They like to cruise in a single line. These guys are considered swingers….and that’s not because of their lifestyle:) They seem to effortlessly fly from one branch to another using their hands or tails. Their main source of food is fruits and insects.

The largest and loudest monkey in Costa Rica is the howler. The howler makes a deep sound almost baritone like that can be heard up to 3 miles away. You usually hear them early mornings or in the evening before sunset. They are around 3 feet and that does not include their tails. Howler monkeys are swingers….and not the ones from the trees. Females are known to have relationships with multiple partners and everyone seems cool with it. They slowly travel in smaller groups usually 5 plus.

Photos of Costa Rica’s Coco Island’s Protected Marine Life

costaricadog — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:40:36 +0000

The following link will take you to some brilliant pictures of the marine life surrounding Coco Island. Great photos of hammer-head sharks, whale sharks, and leather back turtles.

I’m also a fan of the yellow fin tuna….but that is the discussion I normally have when talking about sport fishing in Costa Rica. Nothing better than fresh caught yellow fin tuna with some soy and wasabi sauce! As they say in Boston…it melts in your mouth like butter.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/09/costa-ricas-cocos-island-_n_832865.html#s250490

Costa Rica Expands Marine Protected Area Around Cocos Island

costaricadog — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:30:49 +0000

There’s a nice article from National Geographic about increasing the Marine protected area around Cocos Island. Below you will find the article.

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2011/03/costa-rica-expands-marine-prot.html

If you like snorkeling and great day trips I would suggest doing a trip to Tortuga Island. It’s a beautiful boat ride and the island is gorgeous. If you do a little exploring you will feel like the skipper did when he first arrived on Gilligan’s Island. There’s a good chance your local tour guide will climb a coconut tree to get you a refreshing tropical drink. Make sure you get your stopwatch out….these dudes are fast! Don’t forget to checkout the wild boar turned pet which is the Island mascot.