Single Tourists and Retirees will make out well in Costa Rica

A recent edition of the publication “Travel and Leisure” considers Costa Rica a good place for those traveling alone. In the article the magazine considered the fifteen best places for single travelers. The most important factor taken into consideration was safety. According to the Global Peace Index Costa Rica ranks 27 out of 149 countries in terms of safety. Another important factor is the fact that Costa Rica was the #1 country in the category of happiness. All tourists feel welcome here.

Besides single travelers single retirees also feel welcome. On my monthly retirement and relocation tours I have many singles who eventually move here. Furthermore, over the years I have met scores of single male and female retirees who lead very happy and productive lives here. There are hundreds of activities in which they can participate to keep busy and avoid loneliness. Many singles even get involved romantically and end up getting married here. I personally know many people who have married here and are very happy.

Costa Rica isn’t for every single person but those who make the effort to socialize lead good lives here.

Costa Rica is the place!

In Costa Rica, the recession did not go unnoticed; after all, tourism is the main source of income and if the tourists have less money, well, they spend less!

Indeed, it seemed that this what exactly happened here; the tourists kept coming, although they had less money to spend….Costa Rica is like an irresistible magnet! Whether you are a family and want to enjoy days out with the kids safely playing in the sand, or are a surfer, an explorer or a fan of sports fishing, sailing, windsurfing or horse riding, Costa Rica has it! Try tropical Bungee in some awsome canyon, or zip through the trees on a Canopy Ride. There is such a great choice of places to stay everywhere, and a wide price range too to accommodate everyone’s needs!

The number one attraction here are the breathtaking beaches, for many are still pristine and barely touched by the human hand. Stunning sunsets, gorgeous sea, perfect climate, and a feeling of peace and serenity hard to find anywhere else! On the Pacific coast, Santa Teresa and Malpais, on the coast of Nicoya, and Playa Guiones, further North, are some of the best surfing beaches of the country as well as excellent places to take the family. Manuel Antonio further south and the beaches of Corcovado are greener than the dry Guanacaste of the North. The Caribbean offers its exuberant culture, and its lush colorful vegetation, its typical food and music.

The fauna is another big reason to come here; whether you like big cats, huge turtles or monkeys, Costa Rica has it all! The monkeys are particularly popular and there are four species here; the notorious, and noisy, Howler Monkey, the Spider Monkey, the White Faced and the adorable and tiny Titi Monkey!

Costa Rica is also a reputable bird watchers’ paradise, indeed, this little country alone is home to more species of birds than the whole of the US. Actually, of the 850 species found here, 600 are permanent residents. Of the most flamboyant, we have the Red Macaws found along the Pacific Coast; what a spectacle these birds offer us, crimson splashes in the sky, always chatting to each other as they fly! These birds have an amazing family sense and usually travel in groups, children, parents and grand parents in a row! The magnificent colourful resplendent Quetzal, a shy birds many walk a long way so they can catch a glimpse, the curious Toucans and the amazing Hummingbirds are just a few of the birds found in Costa Rica, and more often than not, no matter how hard one looks for them, their sight is like an unexpected gift.

Who doesn’ t want to see an active Volcano? Costa Rica has that too, and not just any volcano either; lets take Arenal that is listed as one of the most active volcano of the world! Its perfect geometrical shape over the lake is a scenery many would die for. The roars and frequent explosions of the volcano are awsome and impressive. Like many volcanoes, Arenal is often hiding in the clouds, however a little patience is well rewarded. Thermal baths, walks, horse riding, and windsurfing on the lake are additional attractions too!

Then, of course, we have the Cloud Forests. Majestic, beautiful and magical Cloud Forests, precious gift of nature that many, but maybe not enough, are fighting very hard to preserve in Costa Rica, while others only seek financial benefits and profit from illegal logging and developments…Monteverde, Braullio Carillo and Corvado are some of the most beautiful cloud forests of the world. Seeing a Cloud Forest is second to feeling a Cloud Forest, its strength and fragility, mixed with something like love and respect…

If you want to see something different, have a great holiday, see new people, new land, relax and play, and get in touch with Mother Nature, Costa Rica is the place!

Hope you like this article!
Pura Vida....
Stephanie Gazo

Costa Rica beauty......

Costa Rica should be considered one of the world's rarest jewels.

A small country packed with more beauty than almost any on earth. Tropical rainforests and beautiful beaches, active volcanoes, windswept mountaintops, cloud forests and a high density of wildlife make Costa Rica an exciting, wild, adventurous and exotic destination.

Costa Rica is also the most stable country in Latin America and its stunning scenery is an ever-changing collage.

On its western border, the mighty Pacific crashes against rocky outcrops in sharp contrast to its eastern coast, where tranquil Caribbean beaches will soothe your nerves.

Mountains run through the heart of the country and extend almost continuously from the northwest to the southeast corners. From coast to coast, Costa Rica is dotted with numerous wildlife reserves, lakes, rivers and dramatic natural scenery.

For a country that is slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia, Costa Rica is blessed with more natural beauty than almost any country on earth. Wherever you visit in Costa Rica, you are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.

About 27% of the country's environment is protected in one form or another, and over 11% is found in the national park system.

Costa Rica has no military and is considered by many to be the Switzerland of Latin America.

While Spanish is the official language, English is second, due to a thriving tourist industry and 30,000 North Americans who call Costa Rica home.

Don't delay!!! For your fishing adventure contact Luna Tours Sportfishing.
We own and operate 4 Sportfishing boats (28 ft to 33ft) and can also arrange others boats for charter up to 46ft for a half day or full day charters.
Contact us at (506) 2777-0725 (office), (506) 8869-4808 (24 hour cell), visit our web site at www.lunatours.net
Hope to see you all this season! Good Luck fishing, Wherever You Are !

Warm Regards
Stephanie Gazo

Living Longer in Costa Rica

Looking for a great place to retire that offers enhanced longevity? Costa Rica may be the place for you. Costa Ricans are among the world’s leaders in life expectancy for both men and women. The overall life expectancy in Costa Rica is 79 plus years.

Already known as a country that has a high population of centenarians, Costa Rica offers a lifestyle that promotes healthy living which leads to longer life. One area of Costa Rica, the Nicoyan Peninsula on the Pacific Coast, is known as a blue zone, areas that combine factors that contribute to longer life. Men in this area live to 100 years of age four times more than men living in the United States.

What do these people do to live such long, healthy lives? Although genetics plays a role in longevity, adopting and living a healthy lifestyle is the key to longer life. The basics that researchers have found that seem to connect thosewho live longer are a plant based diet, consistent exercise, a strong commitment to family, and a sense of faith and purpose in life. Costa Ricans fit right into this lifestyle. They are known to be some of the happiest people in the world according to a recent study which is one reason for their longevity. Other contributing factors include their affordable health care system, healthy diet, and stress free lifestyle. There is something uplifting about living in the beautiful country of Costa Rica and foreigners who move there say they never felt better after relocating and feel revitalized. The best news for retirees who move to Costa Rica is that the “golden years” may last longer, with a greater quality of life!

Tourism is on the rise

According to the Costa Rica’s Institute of Tourism during the first six months of this year there were 10 percent more tourists who visited the country this year than in 2009. These figures are encouraging in the face of the world economic picture. Tourism is still down from what it was in 2008. People are more careful with their money and traveling due the events of the last few years.

Costa Rica still continues to be one of Latin America’s top tourist destinations, a prime Baby Boomer retirement haven and a good place for foreigners to invest. This is primarily due to Costa Rica’s stellar reputation abroad. You never here any negative news about the country. On the other hand, most of the other countries in Latin America are associated with negative events. When it comes to Costa Rica the only thing your hear about are the country’s natural wonders, lack of an army with NO external enemies, beautiful beaches and mountains, friendly people, affordable health care and the numerous advantages of retiring and living here. As I have stated before there are more Americans living here proportionately than any other country outside of the U.S.

Costa Rica.. and the green season!

As a travel planner, I often times hear clients with similar concerns, “how much rain falls in the rainy season” or “I was thinking to come in July but then heard it’s the rainy season so I think I may postpone”. The first thing that always comes to my mind is “not rainy season, Green Season”.

The Green Season in Costa Rica is my favorite time of year and really has a bad reputation that is undeserved. People, who avoid traveling to Costa Rica because of the fear of rain ruining the trip, are missing some of the best times to come and enjoy this magical place. I see more beauty here in the months of the rainy season than I do all throughout the dry season.

For a traveler, this is a great time to come because you can enjoy lower hotel rates and fewer tourists throughout the country. Availability is not an issue because of the lower number of tourists. The country is yours to explore.

Here is how many people who live here see the months through this time of year. May, June, & July, the beginning of the Green Season, are great times to visit. The country springs back to life after many months of almost no rain. Brown grass turns green, trees and flowers come back from the brink. The Rain Forest comes to life. You have mostly sunny days with some rain in the late afternoon or early evening. In July we get a stretch of gorgeous weather called “little summer”. This is 2 weeks of dry season conditions and the climate couldn’t be better. August, when rain intensifies in some areas, is a nice time to visit Guanacaste as they get less rain throughout the year. September and October are usually the worst months for rain and probably the only months that hesitation on booking makes more sense but coincidentally, while much of the country is getting rain at this time, the Caribbean side of the country has its dry season. Two months of great weather and by the end of the dry season on the Caribbean side you are entering the dry season for the Pacific.

For those in the know, there is no “wrong time” to visit Costa Rica. Before you make any travel decisions make sure you get the facts, don’t buy in to the notion that Costa Rica should be avoided during these months. You will be missing out on what are some of the best times to get to know Costa Rica, its people, and its rain forests.

COSTA RICA... No artificial ingredients!

North American Anglers Contribute $599 Million Annually to Costa Rican Economy

Tourism is Costa Rica’s top industry and new research shows North Americans traveling there in 2008 to fish generated $599 million – or about two percent of Costa Rica’s gross domestic product.

The study, conducted in 2009 by The Billfish Foundation, Southwick Associates and the University of Costa Rica, revealed 283,790 anglers visited Costa Rica and their economic impact even overshadowed commercial fishing. It was estimated 22 percent of those tourists visited the country for the exclusive purpose of fishing.

Recreational fishing surpasses commercial fishing revenue; more CR jobs.
From that $599 million the study also showed sportfishing generated almost $78 million in tax revenues for Costa Rica and 63,000 jobs. In comparison, the effect of commercial fishing for the same species sought by anglers generated approximately $528 million to Costa Rica’s gross domestic product. Commercial fishing contributed $68.6 million in tax revenue and created 57,000 jobs.

“We have already had the opportunity to present the results of this study to the incoming vice president and minister of tourism,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation. “And we will be making a formal presentation to a wider cross sector of government and business leaders this summer. The leadership in Costa Rica had no idea that their country receives more benefits from a sustainable recreational harvest than from the subsidized excessive effort in the commercial fishery.”

The comprehensive study included interviewing tourists at Costa Rica’s major airports to estimate the percentage who fished while visiting. The research focused on the expenditures and economic impacts of marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dorado; species that are the most frequent targets of commercial fisherman and recreational anglers.


Sportsfishing has become a major asset to Costa Rica's economy that generates over a half billion dollars.
It was estimated the 283,790 North Americans visiting Costa Rica in 2008 spent a total of $467 million. The survey revealed $329 million was spent on travel including lodging ($119 million), restaurants ($15.6 million), flights and fishing guides ($88 million) and land transportation ($6 million). These dollars then change hands multiple times in Costa Rica, creating significant benefits for the nation’s gross domestic product. In addition, visitors spent approximately $105 million outside of Costa Rica prior to arrival for airfare or other travel expenses, though these dollars are not included in the economic analysis.

About 3,700 of those visiting Costa Rica have their own boats in the country, whether permanently or temporarily, and they spent approximately $138 million for items such as fuel ($45.6 million), maintenance and repairs ($25 million), furniture and accessories for their vessels ($48 million), staff and crews ($2.8 million), marina fees ($16.6 million), and taxes and insurance ($1.8 million).

“TBF believes that only when decision makers understand the economic importance of good fishing opportunities for tourist anglers will billfish conservation get on the radar screen of government leaders charged with economic development as well as fisheries management,“ said Dr. Russell Nelson chief scientist for TBF. “And now thanks to the dedication of TBF members and generous donors who have supported our socio-economic research, we are making the point.”

Additional work conducted in the U.S. by Southwick Associates, Inc. estimated 7.5 million Americans fished outside of their country in 2009 with 3.6 percent of them traveling to Costa Rica. Among anglers vacationing in Costa Rica, 40 percent said they would not have visited the country if they could not fish. Those anglers, who represent 116,000 visitors per year and about $135 million in tourism income for Costa Rica, said the main factor in determining their satisfaction is “quality of fishing” followed by “relative peace and quiet,” and “fishing services, boat and crew quality.” The majority of anglers reported they visited Costa Rica to catch billfish including sailfish, marlin along with dorado. Inshore species such as snook and tarpon were less frequent targets.

More socio-economic fishing studies on tap in region.
“This was the first study done in Central America that compares the economic contributions of recreational and commercial fishing for the same species,” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, who coordinated design and methodology, management and monitoring of this research and generated information regarding U.S. anglers’ international travel activities. “We’ve completed similar work for Los Cabos, Mexico, and the results produced almost immediate benefits to fisheries management and conservation.”


About The Billfish Foundation
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations around the world. TBF’s comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs and sportfishing businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, TBF is able to work for solutions that are good for billfish and not punitive to recreational anglers. For more information, visit www.billfish.org. TBF’s phone number is 800-438-8247.

About Southwick Associates
Southwick Associates specializes in quantifying the business-side of fish and wildlife. We help natural resource agencies & the outdoor industries understand the retail sales, economic impacts, and other benefits business and people receive from wildlife and fisheries. Contacts: Southwick Associates: Donna(at)southwickassociates dot com.