Vanilla in Costa Rica

The images above show vanilla growing in Pavonas Costa Rica.

Birding field guide app now available for Costa Rica

A new iphone app has just been released for birders in Costa Rica. Features include:

• Over 400 Costa Rica species
• Quality photographs for each bird
• Extensive search / filter
• Range map for each bird
• Description, field marks, habitat for each bird
• Bird Sounds
• Personal notes
• Email notes
• Camera
• Where to stay / bird in Costa Rica
• National Parks of Costa Rica
• To view and purchase this app. visit the i tunes store

To view and purchase this app. visit the i tunes store

Why is Costa Rica a success

President Laura Chinchilla reveals the secrets to Costa Rica's success in a recent interview:

Pineapple plantations around Naturewalk

The topography of the land surrounding Naturewalk is very similar to that of Naturewalk. The pineapple plantations in Naturewalk will be laid out in a similar fashion:

Fishing in Naturewalk

Fishing is just one of the activities in Naturewalk and you can fish on the Naturewalk river or the Tulin river

The Naturewalk riding horses

Naturewalk visitor meets some of Naturewalk's permanent residents



Visitors to Naturewalk can see Naturewalk on foot or on horseback.

Wild Vanilla in Naturewalk

Vanilla growing wild in Naturewalk

Vanilla in Naturewalk

Planting vanilla on teak trees in Naturewalk

Horse riding in the Tulin River, Naturewalk, Costa Rica

Naturewalk to grow vanilla

Harvesting nampi and tiquisque in Naturewalk 3

Harvested area in Naturewalk 3, Turrubares. This land
will  be replanted towards the end of the dry season

Tiquisque harvested, packed and awaiting collection

Tiquisque in the shops

Nampi on the shop shelf

Naturewalk to purchase electric vehicles

Waterfall in Naturewalk

More road improvements in and around Naturewalk

Costa Rica in 1947

New Year in Costa Rica

By GVI Costa Rica

We hope everyone had a fabulous New Years Eve full of fun and merriment!

New Years Eve is just as big in Costa Rica as anywhere else, with parties on the beach, family gatherings, music and  food.

But if you want an epic party the place to be is Las Fiestas de Zapote, just south east of San Jose. It is a party of all things Costa Rican, from rodeos and cowboys to loud music and alcohol. 

Las Fiestas de Zapote marks the end of the year and is basically a four-day-long New Year's Eve celebration. 

If you are spending New Year in Costa Rica don't expect a huge roast dinner. Due to the heat the traditional New Year's eve meal of choice is tamales filled with spiced pork. You can see them being made around town and people putting up signs on their house that they have the best tamales for sale.

The Ticos also love their fireworks and fire crackers, you can hear them day and night for the whole month of December! It takes a while of getting used to but certainly puts you in the spirit.

Like all Latin American countries there is a healthy dose of superstition and tradition rolled into the festivities.

Here are some examples of of Tico New Year superstitions:

1.     Want to get a fresh start and remove evil from the past, spend the day of the 31^st sweeping them out of your house.

2.     To ensure all bad events are behind you, put water in a pan and throw it over your shoulder.

3.     Wearing yellow on New Year’s eve is said to bring good luck.

4.     To add a little spice, wear red underwear this will ensure your love life takes off over the next 12 months.

5.    If you want more travel in your life over the next year, take your luggage and walk around your house 2 times.

6.     Eating 12 grapes at midnight will grant you 12 wishes and good luck.

 Enjoy... and if you made a New Year's resolution try and stick to it for at least a week!

Read the full story by GVI Costa Rica here