Saturday, July 10, 2010

Aparhotel Vista Pacifico Hotel Review

Probably the best place to stay for the money in Costa Rica. Charm, hospitality and the quintessential “PURA VIDA”

Things totally started off on the right foot pre-arrival to this cozy boutique inn. My wife was having trouble getting her VISA (Colombians need a VISA to travel to Costa Rica) and I urgently called Jan and Greg so they could send me the hotel confirmation with my wife’s name on it. They sent it over in a flash. I also asked Jan to if she could drop into town and pick up some flowers to be left in our room (delivered). Jan showed us our room and with a warm smile told us she decided to upgrade us to a bigger suite free of charge.

Unfortunately it was a short stay at Aparhotel Vista Pacifico, but I highly recommend this place for a quiet stay just 5 minutes driving from downtown Jaco. It has a quaint quinta-like feel and sits atop a hill overlooking the pacific ocean. It’s not a stuffy hotel, but more like your second home in Costa Rica. We hit duty free on the way in and the balcony was the perfect place to unwind after a long day of traveling with a bottle (or 2) of vino. The room was spacious, clean and comfortable. It had a kitchen, fridge, stove, silverware, glasses and pretty much anything you need.

In the morning, I woke up to fresh fruit, tasty pastries, coffee and yogurt with granola. Jan sat with us going over a map pointing out different beaches or places to checkout during our way down the pacific coast to Manuel Antonio. She has the vibe of someone that truly cares about leaving a positive impression on you and that’s exactly what happens. I would definitely go back and regret that we couldn’t stay longer.

The hotel is a bit of a walk into downtown, but you can take a 5 minute cab ride (we had a car so we drove). I actually preferred to not be smack in the middle of the main strip because it was much more tranquilo. Despite being more secluded, you’ll find all the necessary amenities and you can even check your email from the wifi connection while you snack on some fresh fruit or sip your morning coffee poolside


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Friday, July 09, 2010

How to Rent a Luxury Villa in Spain

Villa rentals are an ideal manner for adding privacy and luxury quotient in your holidays. In fact, it is possible to save a lot of money by relinquishing the luxurious hotels and stay like a resident by leasing a private villa. Spain has villas ranging from Royal and luxurious fit to ones that offer complete rest and peace of mind.

Villas for all tastes are present in Spain whether one wants to experience the Spanish culture or travel the metropolitan cities like Madrid. For those who want to try the beach spots may go ahead with stunning villas are located in the cost of Blanca region and Costa del Sol.

There are a lot of people who happened to reach Spain in order to find a cutting-edge cuisine. For such people, villas and San Sebastian and Basque area will solve the purpose. For nature lovers and nightlight seekers, villas in Formenetra, Ibiza and Majorca are considered the best. Whichever part of Spain you choose; a careful research and a little know-how of rental etiquette will turn your holidays into a pleasurable experience.

It is important to calculate your budget first and the areas that you prefer to visit. The best of Spanish villas are present in the countryside or in the outskirts of major cities. Therefore, it will be important to include the expense that would be involved in renting a car. You also need to prioritize the amenities that you would want to use.

It is important to create a must-have list of important items. The items in the list should include like private pool, sea view, dryer and washing machine, Internet access, dishwasher, a number of bathrooms and bedrooms, air conditioner, maid service and central heat system for winters. Make sure that you are specific regarding the items that you need. There are a lot of villas that are old and important amenities may not be present inside.

After you have made a list, you can research potential Internet sites that have a listing of villas that are available for rent. Find the best villas and make a note of their contact details. Contact the landlords all these villas one by one and request for floor plan, rental agreement, additional photos and a detailed map. If you do not like the photographs, make sure that you discard that particular villa from your list.

After you have selected the villas, inquire about their location and fees. You may also add additional questions such as maid service, cleaning fees etc. Ask the landlord for the mode of payment and make your final choice.

Read About villas costa brava, Also About luxury villa pollensa and villas tossa de mar.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert
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Thursday, July 08, 2010

Why Latin America?

People often ask me what motivated me to leave the U.S. for Colombia. Most of the time, the askers are Colombians themselves, many of whom would do pretty much anything to get a visa to the U.S. or Canada and can’t understand why someone would willingly choose to move to the “disaster” (their words not mine) that is Latin America. And I do sometimes ask myself, what kind of person abandons the comforts and stability of the developed world for the relative chaos of the third world? Many of the Colombians and Latin Americans I’ve met along the way even look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them I actually like living here. But Latin America does have its perks, otherwise, why would hundreds of thousands of foreigners leave their old lives behind to come live down here? Below are some of the most common reasons expats have given me for deciding to move to Latin America.

A lower cost of living. The cost of living in Latin America is often a fraction of what it is in the United States, Canada and Europe. I hesitate to call this a positive because the price of this lower cost of living is often an exploited, underappreciated workforce, but it’s hard to deny that this is one of the top reasons foreigners decide to move south. Basically, you can have a higher quality of life here for less. You can live comfortably in most Latin American cities with $1,500-$3,000 a month. In Bogota, you can get your nails done for $3.50-$5, you can have a daily maid who cooks and cleans for the equivalent of $300 a month and a good meal at a high-end restaurant will rarely cost you more than $15 . Plus, you can rent yourself a decent two-bedroom apartment for $400 a month.

Nature. In one word, nature in Latin America is spectacular. Unlike the U.S. where you have to drive at least a few hundred miles to notice any significant temperature or geographical changes, climate and vegetation changes by altitude rather than latitude here. In two hours, you can go from freezing snowcapped mountains to sweltering, tropical lowlands. Whether you want beaches, jungles, plains or mountains, it’s usually just a short drive away.

A happening party scene. I don’t think I’m being subjective when I say Latin Americans know how to party. In fact, I’ve talked to a lot of expats who decided to move down here exclusively for the party life. Whether you’re into salsa, rock, techno, heavy metal or hip-hop, most mid-sized cities have something for everyone. And unlike the U.S. where 30 seems to be the cut-off age for all night partying and debauchery, grandma and grandpa like to get down just as much as the twenty-something crowd and they’re not opposed indulging

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Monday, July 05, 2010

Costa Rica All-Inclusive Resorts

If you’re not the type who enjoys planning bus rides, booking hotels in different cities and finding the best tours and excursions, an all-inclusive resort may be the way to go, especially if you’re just looking to relax for a a week or so. Besides, why not let someone else do all the work for once? Known for adventure travel, protected rain forests and idyllic beaches, Costa Rica is Central America’s most popular tourist destination, so it makes sense that this tiny, peaceful country boasts a number of impressive all-inclusive resorts. So sit back, dial a few numbers and prepare to let yourself be pampered and catered to an one of Costa Rica’s luxury all-inclusive resorts.

Barcelo Playa Langosta: Situated in Tamarindo on Costa Rica’s popular northern Pacific Coast, the Barcelo Playa Langosta is a 4-star, eco-friendly resort offering guests amenities such as a full-service spa, jacuzzi, fitness room, business center, entertainment theater, conference rooms, boutique jewelry shop, casino and pool. The Barcelo offers children’s shows and babysitting as well as large suites, so it’s a good option for families with young children. (www.barcelolangostabeach.com; (506) 2291-1027 Ext. 283 / 284 / 274 / 729; vacacionesbarcelo


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