http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/1212_central-pacific-costa-rica.htm Check out some of the recently updated travel & vacation listings on RealAdventures. Be inspired, go explore! en-us Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:58:09 GMT Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:58:09 GMT http://RealAdventures.com http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/1212_central-pacific-costa-rica.htm 100 100 http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1125658_Quepos-Vacation-Home-Rentals http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1125658_Quepos-Vacation-Home-Rentals Vacation Rentals Costa Rica Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:11:57 Vacation homes available in the village of Quepos. Walking distance to the town center, buses, shops and restaurants. 7km from the beaches and national park at Manuel Antonio. Stay amongst the locals instead of in a resort area! - US $500 Per Week
Vacation homes available in the village of Quepos. Walking distance to the town center, buses, shops and restaurants. 7km from the beaches and national park at Manuel Antonio. Stay amongst the locals instead of in a resort area!


Quepos is a sportfishing and ecotourism mecca. Surfing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, rainforest canopy tours, and the spectacular national park at Manuel Antonio are all within easy reach of our homes.
Details & Reservations: Quepos Vacation Home Rentals
RealAdventures | Costa Rica Vacation Rentals

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1207324_Costa-Rica-Flexi-Vacations http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1207324_Costa-Rica-Flexi-Vacations EcoTour Costa Rica Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:10:10 Go as you please design your own travel Schedule with FlexiVacations program.FlexiVacations in Costa Rica, specially designed for those free spirits experience Costa Rica independently following their very personal itinerary. - US $90 Per Night
Go as you please design your own travel Schedule with FlexiVacations program.FlexiVacations in Costa Rica, specially designed for those free spirits experience Costa Rica independently following their very personal itinerary.


FlexiVacations in Costa Rica, specially designed for those free spirits experience Costa Ricaindependently following their very personal itinerary.

How it works?
At the very beginning of your journey you purchase a certain amount of accommodation nights (minimum 5) with a significant overall saving on published tariffs for accommodation at selected comfort hotels. You receive one FlexiVacationVoucher per room night. Now you are ready for driving off and deciding onroute which hotels from the FlexiVacation System you would like to stay at and how long for. Per night, you pay one Voucher per room.
Details & Reservations: Costa Rica Flexi Vacations
RealAdventures | Costa Rica EcoTour

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1040692_Horseback-riding-Jaco-with-Discovery-Horse-Tours http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1040692_Horseback-riding-Jaco-with-Discovery-Horse-Tours Horseback Riding Costa Rica Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:10:49 "Highly recommended tour" from British husband and wife team. Breathtaking scenary, wonderfully responsive, safe, beautifully cared for horses. Unrivalled levels of customer service and animal welfare. Recommended in all major guide books. A must do! - US $65 Per Trip
"Highly recommended tour" from British husband and wife team. Breathtaking scenary, wonderfully responsive, safe, beautifully cared for horses. Unrivalled levels of customer service and animal welfare. Recommended in all major guide books. A must do!


Trust us with your valuable vacation, we love what we do and adore our animals. Whether you take a 2.5 hour tour, a day trip, or spend a week with us, you will have the time of your lives. Suitable for complete beginners or advanced riders.
Comfortable saddles and all equipment provided. Including drinks and a tropical fresh fruit salad.
Details & Reservations: Horseback riding Jaco with Discovery Horse Tours
RealAdventures | Costa Rica Horseback Riding

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1197771_El-Castillo-Hotel-in-Costa-Rica http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1197771_El-Castillo-Hotel-in-Costa-Rica Bed & Breakfasts Costa Rica Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:10:06 El Castillo is perfect for family gatherings, weddings, fishing trips, birding tours. This has undeniably the finest location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With 2 suites and three rooms, this small boutique hotel offers an intimate experience. - US $100 Per Night
El Castillo is perfect for family gatherings, weddings, fishing trips, birding tours. This has undeniably the finest location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With 2 suites and three rooms, this small boutique hotel offers an intimate experience.



Details & Reservations: El Castillo Hotel in Costa Rica
RealAdventures | Costa Rica Bed & Breakfasts

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1197780_Customized-Costa-Rica-Vacations http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1197780_Customized-Costa-Rica-Vacations Sight-Seeing Tour Costa Rica Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:08:16 We have been customizing vacations to Costa Rica exclusively since 1992. We can arrange your entire vacation, including air, hotels, car rentals, tours and transportation. We specialize in Costa Rica only. - US $999 Per Trip
We have been customizing vacations to Costa Rica exclusively since 1992. We can arrange your entire vacation, including air, hotels, car rentals, tours and transportation. We specialize in Costa Rica only.



Details & Reservations: Customized Costa Rica Vacations
RealAdventures | Costa Rica Sight-Seeing Tour

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1200214_Hotel-Villa-Creole http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1200214_Hotel-Villa-Creole Hotels & Resorts Costa Rica Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:08:39 The Hotel Villa Creole is an intimate lodge that combines the best.Big Pool Jacuzzi Air Conditioning Tropical Garden Inside Parking Safety Box Cable TV Fully Kitchen Restaurant Free Wireless Pet friendly. - US $60 Per Night
The Hotel Villa Creole is an intimate lodge that combines the best.Big Pool Jacuzzi Air Conditioning Tropical Garden Inside Parking Safety Box Cable TV Fully Kitchen Restaurant Free Wireless Pet friendly.


The Hotel Villa Creole is an intimate lodge that combines the best of both worlds.
It's perfectly situated at the entrance of Jaco close to the beach and the excitement of downtown yet far enough from the crowds to offer
relaxation and quiet during your vacations in Jaco.

Details & Reservations: Hotel Villa Creole
RealAdventures | Costa Rica Hotels & Resorts

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1187888_Beachfront-Vacation-Villa-Perfect-for-3-Couples http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1187888_Beachfront-Vacation-Villa-Perfect-for-3-Couples Vacation Rentals Costa Rica Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:07:43 When You Positively Must Be on the Beach.The extraordinary Discovery Beach House is your private oasis just 1minute to the beach and next to the jewel of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park. - US $560 Per Night
When You Positively Must Be on the Beach.The extraordinary Discovery Beach House is your private oasis just 1minute to the beach and next to the jewel of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park.


The Discovery Beach House is your personal sanctuary and is by far the most conveniently located beachfront vacation villa in all of Costa Rica.

Begin by walking out your front door and onto a fine powder sand beach and a warm tropical sea. Your view is a bay dotted with 7 stunning islands. Stroll to the right and in 2 minutes youre relaxing at an ocean view restaurant serving typical Costa Rican food like "Gallo Pinto" (black beans & rice) and snacks such as ceviche and calamari. A mere 5 minutes farther and youll be at Playitas Beach where you'll be magnetically drawn to climb a monolithic rock to witness the sunset wash the sky, sand and sea with its spectacular gold, pink and lavender hues. This is a surf spot, so if you didn't bring your board you can rent one

To the left are more restaurants, and beach side vendors with colorful hanging sarongs, towels, handcrafted jewelry, tropical clothing, and plenty of souvenirs for friends and family back home. Walk another 5 minutes and you will arrive at magnificent Manuel Antonio National Park, the emerald of Costa Rica, where you'll find expert guides to give you up close and personal views of wildlife, white sand beaches and a waterfall.

Activities in the area are unsurpassed. Youll be picked up right at your door for a Canopy Safari, White Water River Rafting, and Horseback Riding on the beach. Kayaking, Snorkeling, Sunset Sails, Jet Skiing, Nature Hikes, ATVs, Mangrove Tours, tennis courts, casinos and more are also conveniently close by. Resort golfing is a short hour away.

Details & Reservations: Beachfront Vacation Villa Perfect for 3 Couples
RealAdventures | Costa Rica Vacation Rentals

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1200104_American-Crocodiles-On-The-Tarcoles-River-Of-Costa http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1200104_American-Crocodiles-On-The-Tarcoles-River-Of-Costa Articles Costa Rica Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:06:50 American Crocodiles On The Tarcoles River Of Costa RicaBy Bill BeardThe Crocodile Man Tour on the Tarcoles River is now world famous due to all the publicity it has received in the past few years.The river passes through the Carara National -
American Crocodiles On The Tarcoles River Of Costa RicaBy Bill BeardThe Crocodile Man Tour on the Tarcoles River is now world famous due to all the publicity it has received in the past few years.The river passes through the Carara National


American Crocodiles On The Tarcoles River Of Costa Rica
By Bill Beard

The Crocodile Man Tour on the Tarcoles River is now world famous due to all the publicity it has received in the past few years.

The river passes through the Carara National Park into the Pacific Ocean and is also a bird watchers paradise, particularly for the Scarlet Macaws & toucans.

Our accommodations are at Villas Lapas that is next to Carara and has it's own 500 acre private reserve.

But we are here for the crocodile tour. As his boat quietly approaches the muddy shoreline, Jason Vargas begins looking for a crocodile a big crocodile.

A grin soon lets the others on board know he has found his prize. As he steps off the boat and sinks his bare feet in the mud a sixmeter crocodile (almost 20 feet long) quickly eases up, right to where he is standing.

This is just a typical day for Mr Vargas, who for the last seven years has lead a crocodile feeding tour along the Trcoles River, Costa Ricas longest waterway, measuring about 100 kilometers (62 miles) long.

With a job such as this come risks and Mr Vargas is not shy about showing the scars all over his body from his numerous encounters with crocs, as well as bulls.

That was a close one, he said while pointing to a scar near his groin. The croc planted his tooth right here.

His show called the Crocodile Man Tour attracts about 200 people from all over the world on a weekly basis during the high season months.

This local Crocodile Dundee uses about 15 different crocodiles for his feedings, all ranging from four meters (about 13 feet) all the way up to six meters (almost 20 feet).

Since I work on a daily basis with the crocodiles I can more less distinguish their personalities, Mr Vargas said. I never take my eyes away from their eyes when I feed them.

Its not necessarily about taking precautions but about precision and courage.

With personalities come names such as Monica Lewinsky, Fidel, and George Bush, just to name a few.

We name them according to the territory. Monica, for example, could be among 100 other crocs and I can tell her apart, he added. We have a chance with our line of work to get acquainted with them. There are crocs that have been here for 60 even 70 years.

These reptiles can swim up to 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) per hour however in shorter distances, Mr Vargas said, they can swim faster than that.

The best research is to be here with them, said the 30yearold croc aficionado. Ive also had the opportunity to talk with the best scientists and biologists from around the world. Ive shared my knowledge with them as well as theyve shared theirs with me.

A recent study carried out by the Universidad Nacional Autnoma (UNA) of Costa Rica and scientists from the National Geographic Society, cited violent fights over females as the main cause of blindness in many of Costa Ricas male crocodiles.

On site research was carried out at the Trcoles River, which flows into the Pacific and is the second most contaminated river in Latin America. The research consisted of taking blood samples, tail scales, and eye tissue from the reptiles, in addition to water samples from the river.

Mr Vargas, who assisted biologists in this study by helping them locate, capture and weigh the subjects, said he knew the cause even before the study took place.

They thought it was the pollution in the river causing their blindness, but I told them it was the territorial fights over females during their mating season, said Mr Vargas, who grew up playing around the mangrove swamps in Trcoles.

During the fights two or more male crocodiles attack the head and tail of their adversary with their teeth in an attempt to court a nearby female.

These mating fights, sometimes leading to deaths, wont affect the future crocodile population in the river, Mr Vargas said.

There are too many crocs here, added Mr Vargas, who said he knows this river like the back of his hand. There are approximately 25 crocodiles by each square kilometer along this river.

Regardless of job offers from companies such as the Discovery Channel, Mr Vargas said he does not have plans to leave the Trcoles area.

I wouldve had to travel and leave my friends and family behind, he said. I consider this my passion. I couldnt see myself doing anything else, anywhere else.

Mr Vargas first crocodile encounter took place about ten years ago, when another National Geographic team visited the Trcoles area for a documentary.

My adrenaline was in full force, said Mr Vargas, who hand fed the animal in front of cameras. It was very exciting.

About a year ago though, Mr Vargas had a close call with a fivemeter20cm (about 17 feet) long croc nicknamed Osama, which bit his hand after he tried to feed him and would not let go.

In that moment, I asked God for forgiveness because I thought that was it for me, said Mr Vargas, who said he fought the croc for approximately three minutes in the water. I was in full survival mode. I asked people for help. I was exhausted.

The attack forced Mr Vargas to take three months off for physical therapy, but that did not faze him from his passion.

Mr Vargas has continued working by leading five daily tours six days a week where he explains in detail the wildlife living along the river, in addition to his knowledge on crocodiles.

I respect (crocs) a great deal, Mr Vargas said. Ive seen them kill cows and birds and anything in their path. They have an immense amount of power with their heads.

According to Mr Vargas, a negative factor concerning crocodiles in Costa Rica are the four to five people dying every year from their attacks.

However, the good thing is the number of tourists that they attract to the country. A big number of tourists going on our tour come solely to Costa Rica to see crocodiles, Mr Vargas said.

For me, its like a blessing having crocodiles here. If we didnt have crocodiles we would have to travel to Australia or Africa to see these creatures.

To see more about the Crocodile Man Tour GO HERE

For more information and reservations contact Bill Beard's CLICK HERE
Details & Reservations: American Crocodiles On The Tarcoles River Of Costa
RealAdventures | Costa Rica Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1162191_Study-Spanish-in-Manuel-Antonio-Costa-Rica http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1162191_Study-Spanish-in-Manuel-Antonio-Costa-Rica Language School Costa Rica Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:06:19 Academia de Espaol D'Amore is high quality educational institution created to facilitate the learning of Spanish under the whole language immersion modality of learning. - US $347 Per Week
Academia de Espaol D'Amore is high quality educational institution created to facilitate the learning of Spanish under the whole language immersion modality of learning.


A high quality educational institution created to facilitate the learning of Spanish under the whole language immersion modality of learning. It offers six specific levels of Spanish proficiency to guarantee the students an appropriate placement. Our students range from absolute beginners to advanced speakers of the language. The student body is typically comprised of professors, medical professionals, business leaders and students from over 35 countries. Most students participate in the month program and live with a Costa Rican family to enhance their linguistic and cultural experience. Shorter programs (23 weeks) are also available, as well as university credits.

Academia de Espaol D'Amore offers Spanish for Specific Purposes, Medicine Students, Nurses, Lawyers, Bussines, Teachers, Teenage Spanish Summer Programs.
Details & Reservations: Study Spanish in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
RealAdventures | Costa Rica Language School

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1125413_Relax-at-Pueblo-Real http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1125413_Relax-at-Pueblo-Real Vacation Rentals Costa Rica Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:04:57 Quepos/Manuel Antonio area, 2 bedroom 2 bath fully equiped modern non smoking condominium, kitchen, ac,swimming pool, tennis, tours at front desk, near beach, Quepos, Manuel Antonio park. Fully furnished, well decorated. low season rates $90 to $175 - US $90 Per Night
Quepos/Manuel Antonio area, 2 bedroom 2 bath fully equiped modern non smoking condominium, kitchen, ac,swimming pool, tennis, tours at front desk, near beach, Quepos, Manuel Antonio park. Fully furnished, well decorated. low season rates $90 to $175


Near Manuel Antonio Park, one of the best parks in Costa Rica, Mangrove tour to see monkeys and birds leaves next door to the condo, Fishing, hiking, water sports, horseback riding, all nearby. Just two miles outside of Quepos, a short ride to great beaches. Located on an estuary were there are all types of birds every day. There is a tour desk on site that can arrange tours to all the attractions.
Details & Reservations: Relax at Pueblo Real
RealAdventures | Costa Rica Vacation Rentals

]]>