Every January in Costa Rica brings with it the Palmares Festival. This is one of our countries largest and is held in the town of the same name Palmares.
Concerts, parades, food, rodeos, bull fighting, this is a great way to spend some of your vacation time if you are lucky enough to be here during the festivities.
This years event kicks off on Wednesday January 11th and runs all the way through Monday the 23rd. Each days activities are a little different. Check the calendar of events and see what day best suits you.
In Part 9 of the Animal Sanctuaries of Costa Rica we introduce to you the Happy Turtle Project located on our Caribbean coast. Costa Rica is one of the most important nesting grounds in the world for several speicies of Sea Turtle. The Leatherback, Green Sea, Hawksbill, and the Olive Ridley can be found nesting on both of our coasts.
Turtles are in trouble around the word and many are losing the beaches they use as nesting grounds. Turtles will travel hundreds and hundreds of miles to return to the beach they were born on and lay their own eggs. Dangers include pollution, loss of habitat to development, poachers, fishing nets, and each year their numbers dwindle.
Projects such as La Tortuga Feliz are doing wonderful work in Costa Rica protecting and raising awareness about the plight of our many turtle species.
Watch this video to learn more about what they are doing and imagine spending time here yourself volunteering!
La Tortuga Feliz is a non profit organisation, based in Costa Rica, whose aims are the protection of sea turtles with the help of volunteers. The attendance of the volunteers contributes also to the improvement of the living conditions and education of the local inhabitants. These local inhabitants guard/patrol the beach (east coast of Costa Rica) together with the volunteers, collect the turtle eggs and bring these eggs to a hatchery, guarded by volunteers on a 24 hours scheme. By helping to generate an income for the locals, we hope to take away the necessity for them to poach the turtles. The partnership between the locals and the volunteers creates the ideal environment for the turtles to lay their eggs.
Costa Rica offers many wonderful options for those wanting to get more involved and volunteer their time. Projects such as the happy turtle project are a great example of this and can change your perspective on how you look at the world. We encorage those looking for these types volunteering vacations in Costa Rica and around the world.
History
The late Paul Lepoutre had the idea to establish an ecotourism project for watching the sea turtles in this area. Together with two Dutch friends (who financed the project) a business plan was created. The ecotourism idea was transferred into a non profit volunteer project, the lease of the beach was organised and Paul started the building of the first cabins and the kitchen. The approach was rather unique and has the special attention and support of various organizations around the world, most notably the World Wildlife Fund. The project is managed by Robert Adeva and his team of enthusiastic (former) international volunteer managers. Since 2006 Robert was the operational manager and after Paul passed away Robert became president of the foundation The final goal of La Tortuga Feliz is to one day hand the management of the project over to the local community and Robert and his team are working towards this by forming part of a village Association. Decisions are made in conjunction with the local community through their participation in the Association.
Objectives
The project “La Tortuga Feliz”, in which the majority of the inhabitants of the area participate has the following main objectives:
The volunteer project
Volunteers can help with the realization of the protection of the sea turtles by patrolling the beaches together with the local inhabitants. The experience of being connected with nature in the way La Tortuga Feliz has organised the activities will contribute to a better world in the future. Read more… »
Local inhabitants
Create an income for as many inhabitants as possible. This can be realised by using the locals as guides during the patrols. During these patrols the guides, together with the volunteers watch the sea turtles laying their eggs. After the sea turtle has finished the egg laying process the eggs will be taken by the volunteers and transported to a central, guarded hatchery.
Education program
Locals who are interested in receiving and improving their level of education can do so via the adult education program that follows the National Curriculum. Costa Rican schools are invited to bring students to experience the conservation work at Tortuga Feliz. Volunteers can assist by giving their time during school visits.
Support The Happy Turtle Project – Get involved locally and internationally today!
I love my country more than I have words to tell. Surrounded by beauty and nature I have always felt blessed to be where I am. Many people do not realize how diverse Costa Rica is. To give you some idea is the goal of todays blog entry.
Costa Rica hosts more than 9000 identified species of plants including over 900 different species of trees, and more are being discovered every year! Sub-alpine dwarf vegetation, rainforest flora, mangrove swamps, cloud forest, and seasonal dry forest with its deciduous trees, there are an amazing range of habitats for a country so small.
In the cloud forests plants abound which are specially adapted to absorb moisture directly from the clouds and mist in the air. It is from these huge misty forests that Costa Rica’s abundant water sources come from. Epiphytes are plants which live on trees in order to reach the sunlight. They also abound in these forests adding to the water-gathering ability of the trees. Epiphytes are not considered parasites; they feed off water and dust and nutrients which accumulate around their roots.Costa Rica has over 1,800 species of orchids, most of them are epiphytes. Costa Rica provides much of the world’s supply of orchids. Other examples of epiphytes include bromeliads with over 200 species found here. The epiphytes, treetops and vines create a canopy that preserves the moisture within the forest, and also provides a home for many small animals and insects that live their whole lives in the canopy, never touching the ground. The cloud and rainforests of Costa Rica comprise some of the world’s most complex ecosystems.
Many of our clients that visit us for their Costa Rica vacations are excellent photographers. The highlight around the office is looking at some of the wonderful photos our clients send to us.
Costa Rica is known world wide in birding circles. Many people come down to get a glimpse od the elusive Quetzel, marvel over the Tucans and Macaws, and with any luck get some great pictures.
Here are a few of the birding photos our clients have sent in that really stand out.
We will be posting more great client photos soon. To all our clients THANK-YOU for sending in such wonderful photos.
If you are interested in Birding Tours in Costa Rica contact us for more information.
Costa Rica has been on many travelers wish lists. Those who visit our country usually can’t wait to come back and explore more. Those who have not visited yet dream of the rain forests. Costa Rica over the years is getting more and more expensive and out of reach for some.
This is true but there are great deals for Costa Rica available if you look around. Our lowest priced package starts at just $465 per person and includes 8 days / 7 nights hotel and 4×4 rental! That’s a vacation for 2 for under $1000!
A Costa Rica Vacation on a budget still holds all the magic and mystery of a more expensive trip. Our lowest priced Flexi package is designed with freedom and flexibility in mind.
You should not scratch Costa Rica off your wish list if you think it may be more expensive than you want to spend. Many wonderful deals can be found if you know where to look!
At least that’s what the experts say. I know I’m happy about every sunrise and sunset I see, at every drop of rain and every bird flying through the air. The color green lifts me up and reminds me of all living things and how beautiful life can be.
Costa Rica was voted recently to be THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. It was flattering to receive that distinction, and I think we are well deserving of this title.
I think everyone should take pride in where they come from. But true happiness comes from within, and everyone has the ability to feel as though they are the happiest person on Earth.
Next time you are dreaming of Costa Rica Vacations, remember you will be visiting a happy country!
ICT the Costa Rica Tourism Board has started a new campaign to help promote and invigorate our travel sector. 2011 has been a record year for tourism. With programs like this and the forward thinking of the ICT we hope to see our countries travel sector continue to grow in a sustainable way.
Our own Save a Shelter Ultimate Vacation Giveaway has 1000 participants. When you donate $1 to Dogland Shelter in San Ramon you are automatically entered and could win a vacation for 2 to Costa Rica.
I love finding new websites that grab me. That reach right out and make you think “How Ingenious” or “Wish I Thought of That!”or simply “Beautiful!”.
I am going to start periodically posting some of my finds I’ve decided.
Today I want to introduce to you a new favorite of mine - Project Noah
This is a beautiful concept, quite simply the idea is summed up as follows:
Project Noah is a tool to explore and document wildlife and a platform to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere.
I LOVE THIS! – The website is GORGEOUS and all the wonderful photos you will find from all over the world will amaze you.
The website for me highlights why our planet Earth is so special as seen through the eyes of MANY. The website is very clever starting with the name, the design is simplistic and elegant at the same time.
I urge everyone to join and start participating in this unique approach, it is rewarding, and you are helping to further science!
We always take conservation seriously here in the CR Referrals offices. More than just planning Costa Rica vacations we like to be involved in helping and we celebrate the rescue groups and organizations around the country that selflessly work every day to try and save precious life.
Today on our ongoing series of Rescue groups around Costa Rica we bring you the Nosara Wildlife Rescue Center. Nosara, located in our Nicoya Peninsula is one of our prized areas of the country. Popular with tourists but not nearly as much as some other areas so it appeals to those looking to avoid the big crowds.
The Nosara Wildlife Rescue is doing incredible work saving animals in their area. I want to share with you this video so you can learn more about everything they do.
The Mission
The Refugio Animales de Nosara and SIBU Sanctuary share a common mission: to rescue injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals and provide them immediate medical care, rehabilitation, and eventual release into the wild. Animals unlikely to survive in the wild receive attentive, long-term care. We are also educators and advocates who work cooperatively with other organizations to encourage respect for animals’ lives and preservation of their habitat. Our work is complementary, but different. Read Nosara Wildlife’s Goals (pdf file)
Their are truly beautiful people in this world. The people behind these programs I am writing about are some of them. Support what they do and pass on the knowledge to those who are unaware.
In part 1 we talked about not being a commission hunter if you choose a path as a travel planner. This is very important for both your clients and for you.
In part 2 we are talking about Passion for the job. When doing any job it important to have a passion for it, to believe in what you are doing and always try to exceed the expectations of your clients. The best business you can ever receive is referrals from previous clients. To get this kind of business you need to be EXCELLENT at your job.
If you are not passionate about travel then do not pursue this as a career. A lack of passion shows through in your itineraries and you are not doing anyone any favors. If your new career in travel is “just a job” then it is already time to look for another.
I started my company because I LOVE travel myself. I wanted to help people find their way in Costa Rica and I was sure I could do a better job than many companies I knew.
Planning a Costa Rica Vacation can be difficult with the many choices available. We take the difficulty out of this equation and always work to provide the best planning service we can for our clients.
Always follow you passions in life and you will always be fulfilled.
See you at the festival!!!!!!!!
In Part 9 of the Animal Sanctuaries of Costa Rica we introduce to you the 
