CategoriesBlog By ipacheco

Top 5 things to do during September and October in Costa Rica

Did you know that during September and October there is a dry season in Costa Rica? Those two months are the rainiest in the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast, but are the driest of the year in the Caribbean side.

A good time to travel Western Costa Rica indeed! Most would say, let’s go to Puerto Viejo in the South Caribbean! But keep in mind that the nice weather will not only be on the Caribbean coast, but also on all of the regions that are influenced by it! So, we will give you the top 5 things to do in Costa Rica during those two months!

1. Go rafting! The best rivers for rafting in Costa Rica run on the Caribbean slope! So you will have nice sunny days and good levels of water in the river for a fun-filled adventure.

Travel blog Visit Costa Rica, go rafting
Visit Costa Rica, go rafting

2. Visit Tortuguero: the canals and its wildlife are breathtaking, you will have sunny beautiful days but also it coincides with the green sea turtle nesting season. You can’t miss that amazing natural show!

3. Well, yes go to the beach, visit Puerto Viejo or Cahuita! It is a perfect and festive time to travel the south Caribbean. And of course, a nice get-away to Bocas del Toro in Panamá falls right into this category!

Travel blog Gandoca, South Caribbean Costa Rica
Gandoca, South Caribbean Costa Rica (photo credits: visitcostarica.com)

4. Visit Sarapiquí: it might not be so popular but it definitely is a nature lover paradise. Miles of tropical rainforest, rivers and waterfalls for water sports and adventures and a very fertile soil that provides the perfect environment for agro-tourism.

5. Go the the Arenal Volcano: yes, its weather is influenced by the Caribbean too, so it is a good opportunity to do all the fun outdoor activities and enjoy the spectacular view of this conic shaped volcano.

Travel blog Visit Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Visit Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

There are many traveler attractions in Costa Rica, and there is a good time to enjoy them all!

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CategoriesBlog By ipacheco

Whale watching season in Costa Rica´s South Pacific

In recent times the arrival of the humpback whale to our pacific coast has received a lot of attention.   Even though the whales have always been there, now it’s very common that the tourists go south in September to watch this enormous mammal. There is a good quantity of cetacean species that swim in our oceans, but the humpback whale is one that comes very close to the shore, so it becomes easier to spot. Also, their visit from the cold water of the far north and south of the planet, happens so they can breed and mate. When the calf is born, it needs warm water to keep the energy while it begins the discovery of this world!

This is why we would like to give you some tips on how to make the best out of your whale watching experience!

Whale watching season in Costa Rica
Whale watching season in Costa Rica

First of all, be aware that there are two seasons when whales come to breed: the north hemisphere residents visit from February to May, and from July to November the south residents come up to our shore.  The population in the south is bigger, therefore this season is better for whale watching.  In any month between August, September or October you will have a great chance of finding them.

We recommend two places to go whale watching: the one that is closer to the Central Valley is the Ballena Marine National Park. However if you have more time, a visit to Caño Island from Drake Bay is ideal! Of course, there are other options, for example if you visit the island from Sierpe ori f you visit Ballena from the Central Pacific.

Whale watching season in Costa Rica
Whale Tail shaped Ballena Marine National Park

If you decide to visit Ballena National Park, then we recommend a 2-day trip, even though you could make it in one day if you don’t mind going back to San José totally exhausted.  Take your first day to drive to the South Pacific and lodge in any of the sustainable lodges from Dominical to Ventanas (you want to be near Ballena National Park).  In the second day you can take the half-day tour, watch them in the bay, navigate near the shore to learn more about the national park and swim in the warm and wildlife abundant water of the Pacific Ocean.  One thing to keep in mind is that Uvita organizes the Whale Festival during September, and you can get pretty good prices, although the tour is shorter and the tourists arrive massively.

Another recommendation is to make sure you hire a responsible tour operator: remember that this activity must be performed in such a way that the animal will not feel stressed and that the tourist is safe at all times.  It is highly recommendable that you have a guide well versed in cetacean biology and ecology so you can have a richer experience.

Whale watching season in Costa Rica
Whale watching season in Costa Rica

During the tour focus on watching the animal and enjoying the experience, rather than taking pictures – especially if this is your first time.  If you are lucky enough so the whale starts jumping, splashing and performing other tricks, it all happens so fast that you will not enjoy the show if you are trying to get the perfect picture.

This is a very unique experience, enjoy it to its fullest! We recommend that you do it at least once in your life!

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CategoriesBlog By ipacheco

Visiting the rainforest during the rainy season…what you must know!

Well, if you want to see the rainforest, you can surely expect to see some rain, right? In Costa Rica, as well as other tropical areas of Central America, we do have a marked rainy season from May to November. However, with nature you can never know how rainy it will be, so here are some general ‘good to know’ facts about our rainy season!

Blog Elemento Natural Costa Rica
Rainbows are more common during the rainy season
  • The temperature does not vary greatly with the rainy season. It tends to be cooler than the dry season, but it will not be a game changer for your vacation.
  • Rainy season as most people know it, goes from May to November…but the Caribbean side does not follow that rule! In fact, the driest months over there are September and October!
  • The typical day during the rainy season has a sunny beautiful morning and showers in the afternoon and/or night: that gives you plenty of time to do you outdoor activities first and chill later!
Nice mornings are very common during rainy season
  • You can even save a few bucks taking advantage of the green season discounts that many hotels and tour operators offer!
  • You can have several straight days with no rain, even during the rainy season; as you can have a rainy day during the dry season!
  • As expected, everything is lush and green! Even the tropical dry forest will be green, and animals love it as well!
  • The sky tends to be cloudy, but when the sun goes out, even for just a moment, you will witness a spectacular and colorful landscape that will yield unbelievable pictures of your vacations!
  • A hike in the rain can be healthier for you: the air is cleaner and fresher and the sound and smell of the rain has a calming effect on people.
Blog Elemento Natural Costa Rica
Hiking the rainforest is healthy

Rain should not stop you from traveling and enjoying nature! It’s just part of the experience of visiting a tropical paradise…that’s why we say that the perfect time to visit Costa Rica is always NOW!

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visit norway, visit scandinavia
CategoriesBlog By ipacheco

Travel to Costa Rica from Scandinavia…or vice-versa: what is different and what is not that different?

Travelling is something most people love. You get to meet new people, explore new countries and try new foods: it´s a self-development experience. While travelling you will encounter many things that are not the same as in your home country, and some other that are not that different. They might greet you in another way or have a different way of life than you.

Coming from Scandinavia (Norway) and visiting Costa Rica, a traveler will see some of these differences: starting by the obvious, Costa Rica is warm and sunny, Norway is cold and windy. And of course the weather will brew a different set of people which will withstand such warmth or cold. Norwegians tend to seem a little upfront before you get to know them; Latin people are more open from the start and they’ll include you somehow faster than a Norwegian would do at the start of a friendship. In Costa Rica it’s normal to hug and kiss people on the cheek, while in Norway the norm is more a handshake: Norwegians really love their personal space and a handshake is more than enough when you meet someone new. And the similarities…in both countries you can find trustful and caring people to grow an excellent and lasting friendship!

visit costa rica from scandinavia
Visit Costa Rica from Scandinavia

A lot of people travel to explore new tastes and new food. All countries have different gastronomy. Much of it depends on what you can produce or get in your country: Norway has always been a farmland, and because of its cold weather and geographic location in the north, there is a lot of seasonal fruits and vegetables. That can explain why the traditional food there consists of a lot of dried meat and fish, and potatoes and other hard root vegetables that can be stored throughout the winter without getting bad. If you look at Costarican typical food, you will find a lot more tropical fresh fruits and vegetables combined with different kinds of meats: also there will be main ingredients like rice and beans, because it’s cheaper and has good nutritional value. And of course, the similarities: in both places you can find delicious food for all tastes! It is as likely to find a Norwegian in Costa Rica enjoying a sweet and juicy papaya, than it would be to find a Costarican in Norway enjoying a tasteful salmon filet.

visit costa rica from scandinavia
Visit Costa Rica from Scandinavia

People from different places have a different views on life. Some people are more relaxed while others need to have a plan for every step of their day. This also differs from country to country:  Costaricans don’t like confrontation, while Scandinavians tend to be quite direct. In those terms, Costaricans have a more relaxed view on life and might be less organized, while Scandinavians will exceed at planning and executing a perfect vacation, for example!

visit costa rica from scandinavia
Visit Costa Rica from Scandinavia

Most people travel to explore new things, and nature is a big part of travelling. People travel to Norway because of the mountains and the fjords, while people travel to Costa Rica to look at the volcanoes and the beaches. Nature will take your breath away in both places: while the shapes and colors will be different, the spectacular landscapes and wildlife will be unique and will awake your senses in a very similar way! Keep traveling, keep growing and keep sharing…tourism is a personal journey that should never stop!

visit norway, visit scandinavia
Visit Norway, Visit Scandinavia

 

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By Alex Dahl – Norway, for Elemento Natural.