March 10th, 2010, author : Victor C. Krumm
Where is the “happiest place on earth ?” Disneyworld claims it is and, though it is a great place to enjoy once in a while, the most satisfying place to live on the planet is officially tiny Costa Rica, winner of the Happy Planet Index.
The Index measures three factors in 143 countries, encompassing 99 percent of the population on the planet: high life expectancy, high life satisfaction, and a low ecological footprint. Costa Rica came out on top by a large margin.
Essentially, the Index asked three questions: 1. Where are the places with the world’s longest life expectancy ( premise: it is better to live longer than die young)? 2. During one’s lifetime, where are people most satisfied with the quality of their life (premise: living longer but miserably is not very satisfying)? 3. What is the cost to the world’s resources (premise: sustainable development is better than exhausting resources)?
Most folks probably think the wealthiest nations will rank at the top of the list but they would be surprised. The richest, most developed nations fall somewhere in the middle of the Index. The highest-ranking Western nation is the Netherlands – 43rd out of 143. The United Kingdom places 74th and the United States is a long way back in 114th place. Read more...
Tags: adventure travel, Beaches, costa rica, costa rica tourism, costa rica vacations, destination, ecotourism, Family, fishing, Medical Tourism, surfing, tourism, Travel, vacation
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February 8th, 2010, author : Victor C. Krumm
Like so many of the planet’s greatest accomplishments, it began with an observation, so simple one wonders why nobody saw it earlier and so powerful it is still changing the world. It started with a unique man on a desolate but beautiful mountain called the Matterhorn. The world’s first eco tourist was Theodore Roosevelt and what we call “eco tourism” today leads thousands of people a year to a small sapphire named by Christopher Columbus five centuries ago: Costa Rica, the “rich coast.”
About 20 years before he was destined to become known as one of America’s finest presidents, Roosevelt traveled to Switzerland. He was already one of the earth’s most famous outdoorsmen who loved nature. So it was that the great man chose to conquer the famed Mount Matterhorn. When he did so, however, he ended up being chagrined by what he found on the mountain or, more accurately, what he didn’t.
The mountain was almost silent. Where once there had been many, there were no bears, wolves, goats, mountain sheep, or other wilderness creatures. Only ghosts of the past richness. But only memories. Read more...
Tags: adventure, costa rica eco tourism, costa rica ecotourism, costa rica tourism, costa rica vacations, destination, ecotourism, Family, tourism, Travel, vacation
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February 3rd, 2010, author : Victor Krumm
With out a doubt, Costa Rica is a beautiful, breathtaking nation as well as a top tourist destination. A lot of people, though, have never discovered its biological gem, Corcovado National Park. This teeny park covers only 100,000 acres (about 42,000 hectares) in the Osa Peninsula, situated along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and guards eight exceptional habitats. It is unlike virtually anywhere else on the planet and the largest remaining primary forest in Central America.
As Christopher Columbus explored the Americas in 1502 he sailed the Caribbean from Mexico south to a place he named ‘Costa Rica’, the ‘rich coast’. The name stuck. Fabulous tropical forests covered the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific and there were so many marine turtles that at times mariners, lost in the fog, located land by listening to the sounds of thousands of marine reptiles paddling in to nesting beaches. Unfortunately, the passing of 500 years hasn’t been generous to either the forests or wildlife and these days many of the primary forests from Mexico to South America can be found destroyed for logging and farming or even burned. Happily, Costa Rica possessed the good sense to protect Corcovado. Read more...
Tags: costa rica, costa rica ecotourism, costa rica tourism, costa rica vacations, destination, Eco Tourism, tourism, Travel, vacation
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January 2nd, 2010, author : Victor Krumm
Popular Costa Rica has been a favored vacation destination for Americans, Canadians and, increasingly, Europeans, for two decades. Though it is one of the smaller countries on earth, about the size of West Virginia, its many attractions are world-famous: nearly 800 miles of uncrowded beaches on two oceans; parks and reserves covering more than a quarter of its land area; and a staggering diversity of plants and animals.
Many travelers come to see its volcanoes. Others come to experience terrific fishing. Others enjoy the great year round surfing, kayaking, ziplining high in the verdant canopies, and, of course, partying after dark. What happens in Costa Rica stays in this little country (unless you want to brag about your adventures on Facebook).
This little Central American country offers a vacation for every wallet. Certainly, there are spectacular hotels and resorts. For example, the Real Intercontinental Hotel outside of San Jose is where heads of state stay. There are five star resorts like the Papagayo Four Seasons Resort, La Gaia Hotel, and Los Suenos Resorts. But, many travelers are not interested in such luxury. If you are in the latter category or simply do not want to spend your time or money in such fancy digs, Costa Rica can be enjoyed very well on a much littler budget. Good news! Prudent budget travel is at hand. Read more...
Tags: Beaches, Budget Travel, costa rica, costa rica tourism, costa rica vacations, destination, ecotourism, Family, fishing, Medical Tourism, tourism, Travel, vacation
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December 5th, 2009, author : Victor Krumm
Every year, more than 25,000 people, mostly Americans, board a jet or ocean cruise ship and travel south for medical care in Costa Rica. And, increasingly, travelers are taking vacations to this little Latin American country that include medical tourism. Why? Because they are onto the fact that medical care in Costa Rica is now equal to that of the best hospitals in the U.S. but at a fraction of the cost.
There is an increasingly threadbare urban myth that American health care is the best in the world. Maybe it was true once upon a time. Of course, there are many thousands of hospitals in the world that do not measure up to the standards of many American hospitals, but today there are many that do so. The top hospitals in the world are today certified and have Joint Commission International Accreditation, meaning that that they meet the most rigorous international benchmarks for patient care and hospital standards.
Many countries have not been able to meet the stringent requirements and standards to have a hospital accredited. But, three Costa Rica hospitals are accredited by JCI. Those hospitals are La Catolica, all in or very near to San Jose. Each provides a wide range of medical services and Board Certified doctors. Read more...
Tags: costa rica, costa rica medical tourism, costa rica plastic surgery, costa rica vacations, Dental Surgery, destination, medical care in Costa Rica, Medical Tourism, plastic surgery, tourism, Travel, vacations
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December 1st, 2009, author : Victor Krumm
Are you stuck in a windowless office all day, fantasizing about clear water, fresh air, and sun? Do you enjoy angling or have you always wanted to try it? Consider taking a Costa Rica vacation this year because Costa Rica fishing is among the best in the world. This little place has an enormous variety of of fish to catch as Costa Rica is bordered by both Pacific and the Caribbean waters.
Sure, you can fish on a little frozen lake or stream by your house. Those little crappies and sunnies were fun when you were a kid. Bundling up like Santa Claus and sitting for hours on end over cold ice. Have you ever imagined what it would be like to catch a sailfish or giant marlin? Come on down to Costa Rica, you deserve some Costa Rica fishing. Read more...
Tags: costa rica, Costa Rica Fishing, costa rica vacations, ecotourism, Family, fishing, Nature, Sports, Tour, Travel, Travel Destination, vacation
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