Visit the Turrialba Cheese Market and Casa Turire

When thinking about cheese, there are probably  a few specific countries that come to mind… but did you know that Costa Rica actually makes some delicious cheeses? Especially the Turrialba cheese is one of the most popular ones in Costa Rica. So it comes as no surprise, that Turrialba will host the “Feria del Queso” (cheese market) for the ninth consecutive year.

The aim of the market is to introduce not only its milk products, but also the excellent tourist services of the regions. This means that there are many stands with cheese and related products, as well as local foods and crafts. The last Sunday of the market will be the traditional event of the introduction and tasting of the biggest Turrialba cheese of Costa Rica, symbol of the market in order to acknowledge and honor the pioneers of the cheese producers of the region.

So if you were thinking about visiting Turrialba, the weekends of the 3rd and 4th of July as well as the 10th and 11th of July, are excellent times to be there.

And if you were wondering about where to stay during the cheese market, look no further. Hotel Casa Turire is a highlight in Turrialba, with the gracious charm of a colonial plantation home, surround by the La Angostura lake and enveloped by the Turrialba mountains to complete the picture, this hotel is an idyllic dream. The many activities which can be undertaken here include kayaking, whitewater rafting, cycling, canopying and many more.
Visit: Casa Turire.

For more information on the cheese market, how to get there, activities as well as some delicious recipes with Turrialba cheese, visit:  
http://www.feriadelqueso.co.cr/

Costa Rica Awarded Top Beach & Spa Destination by Tripadvisor Awards

Costa Rica has won top spots in the beach and spa categories of this year’s TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards. Three out of ten places in the top 10 are located in Costa Rica: Santa Teresa, Manuel Antonio and Puerto Viejo.

Now what would be a better way to discover these, as well as many more exciting and naturally beautiful places Costa Rica has to offer, than in the most luxurious boutique hotels? Small Distinctive Hotels offers eight such hotels in the most special areas of the country.

Manuel Antonio received the 3rd spot in the top ten of the best beaches in Costa Rica. If you would like to visit this beautiful national park with its pristine beaches, then Arenas del Mar Resort is an ideal place to stay. Located right at the beach, this hotel does not only offer top quality, comfort and service, it also offer top sustainability being certified at the highest level by the national certification. This hotel is a choice to feel good about in every sense.How about the winner of the beach category: Santa Teresa?

If you would like to visit this beautiful beach, surrounded by abundant nature and wildlife, in a comfortable, high quality and service-oriented resort, which additionally takes care of the natural and social environment, then Florblanca is the perfect place to stay.

Regarding sun, sand and relaxation, Costa Rica made up almost half of the reader`s choices in the TripAdvisor Awards. Then why not enjoy all of these in a five-star hotel, located on a beautiful mountain with amazing views, a private beach as well as a Greek-style amphitheatre from which to enjoy the most amazing sunsets? Hotel Villa Caletas offers it all.

Another beautiful beach hotel, located in the South of Costa Rica is Hotel Cuna del Angel. Translated as “cradle of an angel”, this hotel will sure take you to angelic realms with its unique ambience, beautiful surroundings authentically friendly service.

Of course one of Costa Rica´s most popular beaches, Tamarindo, is always a good choice. Hotel Capitan Suizo offers a charming and relaxed atmosphere with the high quality one can expect from a Swiss owner. Moreover the hotel is environmentally conscious enabling you to enjoy with a good conscience. 

For more information on these, as well as the other unique hotels we have to offer in Costa Rica, please visit the website of Small Distinctive Hotels.

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Costa Rica`s ranking in the TripAdvisor Traveler´s Choice Awards 2010:

Beach
1. Santa Teresa
3. Manuel Antonio
4. Puerto Viejo

Relaxation and Spa
1. Arenal
4. Manuel Antonio
6. Santa Teresa

For the complete results, visit:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/TCDestinations-cBeachSun-g13

Enjoy Your Stay at Florblanca while Enjoying a Good Conscience

Sustainability at Florblanca

Hotel Florblanca is located in Santa Teresa, one of the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. Visitors to this hotel will not only be able to enjoy the natural beauty, tranquility and biodiversity this area has to offer, but especially can enjoy their holiday with a clear conscience, knowing that Florblanca has many efforts in place to sustain its natural surroundings. For instance monthly beach clean-ups are organized as well as a recycling and waste program as well as resource conservation. Apart from environmental activities, the social aspect of sustainability also plays a big part at Florblanca; sponsoring English classes for the local school, organizing a first aid course, salsa classes, sponsoring uniforms for the local soccer team are among a few of the various activities undertaken. Read more about Florblanca`s interesting sustainability philosophy and activities below:

At Florblanca we understand that we can´t be simple observers, we need to become involved. We have been inspired by a phrase of Albert Einstein “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

The more we get to know and relate to this environment, the more we understand how deeply fragile it is. We don’t have all the information nor all the answers, but we are sure thirsty for knowledge and very enthusiastic of every step we make.

We are constantly brainstorming for new ideas that come from everywhere; our guests, our partners and mainly our staff. We get great joy in every step we make forward on this endless but exciting journey towards sustainability.

Auto analysis

Understanding the patterns of our behavior, the way we do business and our environment has become a fundamental roll of this process. On this area we are:- Measuring our water and energy consumption:
• Weighing the amount of waste
• Analyzing each month our waste water
• Enlisting data on all the electric equipment, its working schedule and its maintenance
• Implementing emergency plans
• Investing in training for our employees
• Carefully analyzing the comments of our clients, and trying to implement their ideas with regard to sustainable tourism
Being evaluated through the most serious certification program for Sustainable Tourism in
• Costa Rica, called CST. http://www.turismo-sostenible.co.cr/

Recycling and Waste Management Program

• We are aware that pollution is one of the main threats to our environment and to our society; therefore, we have decided not only to implement a large effort in the waste management program of Florblanca, but to be promoters of this program in our commun ity: We clean daily our beach in front of the hotel and once a month we do a beach clean up of one kilometer.
• Complete recycling program in the hotel and in the beaches nearby.
• Recycle our organic waste through composting or arranging with pig breeders of the community to take advantage of our “left overs” to feed their animals.
• Help create a recycling business owned by a local member of the community who picks up the community recyclable goods (glass, aluminum, plastic bottles and tetra brick packages), to sell them to the recycling companies.
• A system of recycled paper from our office paper waste to present messages for the staff on sustainability subjects.
• Installation of water filters in different strategic locations and giving our guests biodegradable drinking devices to diminish water bottle consumption.
• The construction of a water treatment plant for the hotel is about to start, meanwhile we have built a bio-filter to treat the residual waters from the kitchen.
• We are using biodegradable cleaning products and reusable containers for soap, shampoo and rinse throughout the hotel.
• The packaging of “to go” food in the restaurant is with biodegradable containers.


Resource Conservation

• All villas offer an infrastructure that invites natural light into restaurant and villas.
• Sola tube technology on the roofs to lighten the offices with natural light.
• Energy efficient light bulbs and equipment.
• Messages and friendly reminders throughout the hotel to create awareness of light and water conservation.
• Dimmers to manage different light intensities.
• Giving the option to all guests of changing the linens and towels every three days rather than daily in the villas.
• Special devices to diminish water use in toilets.
• Kitchen faucets with pressure to reduce water consumption.
• Electric cars to transport laundry and merchandise.
• Encourage our clients to visit the National Park Cabo Blanco, the Wildlife Reserve Arío-Caletas and the Animal Shelter Rainsong Sanctuary. http://www.rainsongsanctuary.com
• We have supported the “Bandera Azul Ecológica Program” for Santa Teresa and Hermosa Beach through our participation on the Environmental Commission of Malpais-Carmen-.Santa Teresa-Hermosa. http://www.comisionambiental.net

• Our security guard, located at the beach entrance of the hotel, has instruction s on how to protect the turtle nests.
• Grounds lights are installed taking into consideration turtle nesting and wildlife.
• A system of rock drains manages rain water runoff on the property.
• Trees and palms on our property are properly named for a self-guided tour.


Interaction with the community

• Provide uniforms to the local soccer team of Bello Horizonte Community.
• For the past three years on Christmas, the Florblanca staff donates money to buy presents for the most humble families of the community.
• We have a bulletin board that has become a communication channel where the local community can invite staff and guests to social and recreational activities
• English classes have been provided to the staff
• A teacher sponsored by Florblanca has given the English course at the Public School of Santa Teresa

• We have organized activities to collect money to pay for the English books the children use in the Public Santa Teresa School.
• With the Hermosa Valley School, we have organized different events for the community:
• Sports Fair Recycling Fair Community Security Fair
• First aid course with the Red Cross
• Training to the staff on using extintors and other trainings to prepare our emergency plan
• We offer Sunday Salsa Classes during some seasons.
• We contribute with the Harmony Music School of Pochote Beach by donations, and by hiring its orchestra to host a concert at our hotel. http://escuelademusicaharmony.blogspot.com/ and http://cim-pochote.blogspot.com/
• Certified organic coffee and teas are offered in the restaurant and gift shop. We also always strive to sell certified organic produce, free-range chicken, local pork, and sustainable fish in our Nectar Restaurant when available.
• With the proper assessment, we offer our help when we find injured animals.
• We signed the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism. http://www.protegiendoles.org/codigo.htm

“We want to use our webpage not only as source to present you a glimpse of what we have been working on, but also we want to use it as a tool where you can get to know our amazing initiatives that are enriching our community and are helping to preserve our environment.”

For more information on Florblanca and its sustainability efforts, visit:

http://distinctivehotels.com/our_hotels_florblanca.html

Tours and Activites offered in Tamarindo by Hotel Capitan Suizo

Wondering what to do in and around Tamarindo?
Hotel Capitan Suizo offers a wide range of tours and activities

Hotel Capitan Suizo is one of the few beach resorts located directly on Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica`s most beautiful and popular beaches. But even though Tamarindo is famous for its beach life, there are a plenty of other activities to undertake during your stay here... Capitan Suizo offers a variety of exciting and fascinating tours which can be booked directly from the hotel. For the activities offered in and around the hotel, you can directly scroll down to the bottom. Have fun!

Explore Costa Rica`s national park in surprising new ways and get acquainted with its typical wildlifeEstuary Tour at Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge

This two-hour boat ride will take you through waterways surrounded by mangrove vegetation, water birds, monkeys and iguanas. Turtle nesting at Marino Las Baulas National Park (during season). This tour takes place at the Marino Las Baulas National Park and it focuses on the natural

history and protection of the Leatherback Sea Turtle, the largest reptile on the planet.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park (Hiking)

Hike through the foothills of the nearest active volcano in the province of Guanacaste and admire the secondary activity of this volcano such us fumaroles, mud pots, and bubbling hot water.

Canopy and Hot Springs at Rincón de la Vieja

Check out the tropical forest in a different way by riding through the canopy of the forest on sliding cable lines connected to platforms built in the treetops. Experience a volcanic mud bath and enjoy the thermal water of the natural hot springs surrounded by tropical scenery.

Palo Verde National Park

This tour consists of a boat trip on the Tempisque River at Palo Verde National Park. It focuses on watching and learning about the species that inhabit this area such as water birds, crocodiles, iguanas and monkeys.

Tenorio Volcano National Park

The main attractions of this national park are a blue water waterfall and other sightseeing spots such as: hot water springs, forest crickets, a blue water lagoon and a blue river originated by the discharge of sulfates and other chemical substances.

Barra Honda National Park

Pure adventure and nature: in this park there are a lot of underground caves; there is one cave open to the public with many stalactite and stalagmite formations. You will also hike in the dry forest with panoramic views of the Tempisque River and Palo Verde National Park.

Corobici Floating Tour

This tour is an easy ride through the Corobici River on a rubber raft where you will have the opportunity to see the characteristic vegetation of the area as well as interesting wildlife like monkeys, iguanas and wading birds.

Scuba Diving Tour

This exciting tour will take you to the Catalina Islands that are a 45 minutes boat ride north of Tamarindo. You may see large manta rays, reef sharks, dolphins, turtles and hundreds of species of tropical fish. And is there a more beautiful way to end an exciting day with a spectacular sunset?

Other outdoor activities offered:

- Biking

- Catamaran Tour

- Golf (A beautiful 18 hole golf course is just 20 minutes by car from the hotel).

- Horseback riding

- Kayaking (tours or rental)

- Sailing

- Quad (ATV) tours

- Snorkeling

- Sport fishing

- Surfing (lessons or rental)

- Tennis (Tamarindo Tennis Club)

Available free of charge:

- American Football

- Badmington

- Beach toys

- Boccia

- Boogieboar d

- Football soccer

- Ping Pong

- Volleyball

For more information on tours and activities, have a look at the website of Hotel Capitan Suizo.

Yoga and Nutrition Retreat at Villa Caletas

The last weekend Villa Caletas was the scenery of its first Yoga and Nutrition Retreat with the expert Holly Hay. All participants lived a great experience to full of energy, positive vibes and interior peace. During two days the assistants participated in Yoga classes, hiked in the middle of the forest, time to meditated and enjoy healthy food.

The last weekend Villa Caletas was the scenery of its first Yoga and Nutrition Retreat with the expert Holly Hay. All participants lived a great experience to full of energy, positive vibes and interior peace. During two days the assistants participated in Yoga classes, hiked in the middle of the forest, time to meditated and enjoy healthy food.Villa Caletas is a luxury boutique hotel, inspired by Tropical Victorian Architecture with a touch of Neo Classical influence shining like a jewel among resorts, prized not only for its location, design and décor, but also for its outstanding facilities and first class service.

Villa Caletas expresses a truly unique combination of mountain and seaside resort. Nestled 1150 feet above the Pacific Ocean, this unique hotel overlooks the Nicoya Gulf to the crescent beaches of Jacó, Herradura offering spectacular 360-degree panoramic views.

Small Distinctive Hotels hopes that all the participants have enjoyed this retreat!

www.distinctivehotels.com/our_hotels_villa_caletas.html

Yoga Class, Villa Caletas
Central Pacific, Costa Rica

Yoga Class, Villa Caletas
Central Pacific, Costa Rica

Meditation, Villa Caletas
Central Pacific, Costa Rica

Healthy Food, Villa Caletas
Central Pacific, Costa Rica

Hiking to the beach, Villa Caletas
Central Pacific, Costa Rica

Productos Orgánicos y Fusiones son el secreto del Restaurante Casa Turire.

El Hotel Casa Turire cuenta con el más reconocido restaurante del área de Turrialba, sus fusiones son la tentación de sus huéspedes y visitantes de la zona. El restaurante es dirigido por el Chef Ejecutivo Roberto Salazar, quien aprovecha la versatilidad del nombre “fusión” para crear sus recetas de Autor, aprovechando todos los productos orgánicos, con los que cuenta en la zona. El mejor ejemplo es la creación de una elaborada receta de Helado de Caña de Azúcar proveniente del Trapiche Orgánico Cañaveral.

En el restaurante se destacan las recetas típicas de forma gourmet, deleitando los más delicados paladares con recetas de alto nivel gastronómico como lo es la exótica sopa de Banano al Curry y el Helado de Azafrán.

Es muy importante mencionar que el 80% del consumo de hortalizas y vegetales son producto de la Eco huerta, elaborada por el personal de Casa Turire. Dicha huerta se mantiene de forma sostenible, siendo fertilizada con un sistema de compostera natural con los residuos orgánicos generados y separados en el hotel. Además, gran parte de las frutas, mermeladas, vegetales y esencias provienen de la misma huerta así como los huevos provienen de la granja.

Visite El Restaurante Casa Turire y viva una experiencia gastronómica exquisita.

www.hotelcasaturire.com

The Peace Lodge at La Paz Waterfall Gardens - Discover a Treasure!

The award winning Peace Lodge introduces its guests to a symphony of purely Costa Rican experiences celebrating the natural wonders of the rain forest and the splendid creatures that inhabit this magical environment. Nowhere else on earth can guests feed toucans and hummingbirds by hand, release newly hatched butterflies into their first flight, look straight into the eyes of a jaguar, or observe the brilliant colors of a red eyed leaf frog from just inches away. These experiences and many more create irreplaceable memories of a journey you wish to take again and again.

Located within the private wildlife refuge of La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park the Peace Lodge’s ultra upscale accommodations are uniquely themed to complement the inherent beauty of its rain forest setting. The detailed architecture exudes a natural elegance and sophistication with every room boasting a Jacuzzi tub and stone fireplace along with showers that transform into waterfalls with the turn of a knob.

Our dedicated and friendly staff eagerly invites you to enjoy this special blend of nature and luxury that defines the Peace Lodge experience.

Our guests are welcome to exclusively enjoy the grounds of La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park before the park opens and after it closes. The park includes three kilometers of paved Trails with Five Waterfalls, an Aviary, a Butterfly Observatory, Sloths, Monkeys, Hummingbird Garden, Serpentarium, Jungle Cat exhibit with five species of felines, Casita de La Paz, Frog Habitat, Trout Lake, Insect exhibit and Orchid Exhibit.

The Peace Lodge was featured on the Travel Channel’s Honeymoon Hotspots International as one of the ten best hotels in the world to spend your honeymoon and La Paz Waterfall Gardens was nominated as one of the seven natural wonders of Costa Rica by the readers of La Nacion newspaper.

For more information visit www.waterfallgardens.com

www.waterfallgardens.com

www.waterfallgardens.com