Costa Rica Tops Latin American Countries for Tourism

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Costa Rica Tops Latin American Countries for Tourism

March 5th, 2009 | The Best of Costa Rica | Comments Off

The World Economic Forum has released its newest Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index, and Costa Rica is up in the rankings from last year.

This year Costa Rica ranked 42nd on the list, which was released last Wednesday, up two places from last year. It also makes Costa Rica the highest ranking Latin American country on the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index.

Costa Rica placed ahead of other popular Latin American destinations such as Panama, Mexico, and Puerto Rico when it comes to tourism infrastructure, education and training within the tourism sector and enthusiasm and encouragement for travel and tourism.

The overall ranking of 42nd combines a number of individual rankings, such as tourism infrastructure, in which Costa Rica ranked Read more

Diving Cocos Island with Okeanos Aggressor

February 27th, 2009 | Costa Rica - Business, Costa Rica - Must See or Do, The Best of Costa Rica | Comments Off

I previously posted about taking the 8 day, mostly land trip to Cocos Island with the Friends of Isla de Coco Foundation and Organization for Tropical Studies, but let’s get real. Most people do not go to Cocos Island just to hike around or snorkel. The diving is where it’s at!!!

One of the two main companies who handles dive trips to Cocos Island is Okeanos. The 110–foot Okeanos Aggressor is part of the worldwide Aggressor Fleet, and has been departing from the Pacific port city of Puntarenas to Cocos for the last 20 years.

The trips are open to non-divers, but are geared towards divers, and experience is recommended, as diving Read more

Isla del Coco Conservation Area Trip – April 2009

February 25th, 2009 | Costa Rica - Must See or Do, The Best of Costa Rica | Comments Off

Isla del Coco, or Cocos Island as it is commonly called, is one of Costa Rica’s virtually untouched wonders. The island is located 535 kilometers from Costa Rica’s western, Pacific coast, and takes 36 hours by boat to arrive.

Cocos Island is a National Park, and is now in competition to become one of the world’s new Seven Wonders. You can cast your vote for Cocos by clicking here.

Cocos is especially famous for diving, and the two main companies that sail there, Okeanos and Undersea Hunter, offer a variety of diving trips. But what if you aren’t a diver?

Thankfully the Friends of Isla del Coco Foundation (FAICO) and the Organization for Tropical Read more

Reasons to Move to Costa Rica

February 5th, 2009 | The Best of Costa Rica | Comments Off

Isn’t it beautiful in Costa Rica?

Family back in the States just sent pictures of some of the snow they have been receiving, and I can’t help but be thankful for the life I have been able to create in the warmth and miss the snow (just a little bit) at the same time.

Sometimes living abroad away from your own culture can drive you crazy… especially when you struggle with the Spanish language. However, it just takes a couple moments to reflect on the positive things in your new environment to help you truly appreciate it.

Deep Sea Fishing in Costa Rica

January 1st, 2009 | Costa Rica, Costa Rica - Adventure, Costa Rica - Must See or Do, The Best of Costa Rica | Comments Off

If you enjoy some good fishing from time to time as this gringo does, you are sure to find that Costa Rica fulfills all of your desires when it comes to game fishing. Some of the catches you can expect to find include Yellow Fin Tuna, Black Fin Tuna, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Sailfish, Dolphin, [...]

Deep Sea Fishing in Costa Rica

January 1st, 2009 | Costa Rica - Adventure, Costa Rica - Must See or Do, The Best of Costa Rica | Comments Off

Guide to Make Money and Travel Full-Time

October 26th, 2008 | Costa Rica, Costa Rica - Travel Tips, The Best of Costa Rica | Comments Off

Chris Guillebeau is the mastermind behind “The Art of Non-Conformity,” an online blog that touches on unconventional strategies for life, work, and travel. He is also a friend of this traveling gringo. Chris is an amazing character who has spent time the last ten years self-employed, four of them in West Africa as a volunteer [...]

Guide to Make Money and Travel Full-Time

October 26th, 2008 | Costa Rica - Travel Tips, The Best of Costa Rica | Comments Off

Chris’ most recent project is a series of Unconventional Guides and other informational products. These will be available for purchase and expound upon the topics he regularly tackles on his blog: Life, Work and Travel.

The Unconventional Guide to Working for Yourself is an authoritative look at being self-employed. It explains how you can make money and spend Read more