ATV Adventures in Naturewalk

ATV Tours of Naturewalk, available through the Naturewalk Adventure Center

Naturewalk receives international news coverage

See more about Naturewalk in the Fall Edition of Unique Homes Magazine.

You can read the full magazine here and read about Naturewalk on page 42.

Teak logs become Teak Furniture

Some pictures of teak logs being milled and manufactured into artisan teak furniture at the Naturewalk Teak Mill and Craft Centre in the Pavona Craft Village in Naturewalk:

Ginger in Naturewalk 3

Ginger growing in Permalife Farms, Naturewalk 3.

Pineapple progress in Permalife Farms, Naturewalk 3

The pineapple in Naturewalk 3 is making great progress. The smaller plant between the rows of pineapple is papaya. You can see the original planting of the pineapple here

Hola Granola

Hola Granola is "probably the most delicious Granola in the world". Made with ingredients from Naturewalk and the surrounding areas, it is available through lots of good retail outlets in Costa Rica, including at the airport. It is also the Granola of choice in many top class hotels throughout Costa Rica.



Why not pick some up during your next visit to Costa Rica:

Pineapple in Naturewalk

Organic pineapple planted close to the site of the eco-hotel in Naturewalk 3:

Health Insurance in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has some of the best health care in Latin America and costs are very low in comparison to the US (typically about 1/3 to 1/5 of US health care costs). Health insurance is available in Costa Rica through the Government Medical Plan Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS and commonly known as CAJA) which provides access to and medical care from more than 30 hospitals and over 250 clinics throughout the country,and INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) which provides access to more than 200 affiliated doctors, hospitals, labs, and pharmacies in the private sector.

INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros)

INS offers medical insurance up to a limit of about $17,500 per year, and it does not cover pre-existing conditions or check ups. Accidental dental, eye and cosmetic treatement are only covered if non elective and 

suffered through an accident. Costs vary with age and sex. This plan pays 70% of prescription drugs, examinations, doctor visits, hospitalization and treatment and 100% of surgeons’ and anesthetists’ fees. The patient is free to choose the doctor. Premiums for men up to age 59 are $550 and rising to $1000 for men between ages 60 and 75. Dependants under 19 are approximately $250 per year. Women aged 19 to 59 would pay about $900 and between 60 and 75 $1,300.

Whilst $17,500 per year is a low upper limit, the cost of healthcare in Costa Rica is relatively low.

It should be noted that many international health care policies are available which cover medical insurance in Costa Rica and in some cases these policies have direct payment agreements with Costa Rica hospitals.

CCSS

An alternative to the INS plan is the CCSS (aka CAJA) plan. (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social) Most Costa Ricans have this government medical plan and CCSS is  is in charge of most of the nation's public

health sector. All employees must have CCSS membership paid by their employer and the plan covers pre-existing conditions, doctor visits, prescription drugs, examinations, hospitalization, dental and eyes. There is no limit on annual amounts paid out by the plan. A doctor and clinic is assigned to the patient. Lines and the processes can be long, but you will get high quality medical treatment and care.

Membership of CCSS is required for all permanent residents of Costa Rica and membership typically costs about $60 per month. CCSS membership includes a compulsory pension fund payment for those under 55 years of age.

Tim Ryan Hiking Adventures

Tim Ryan offers hiking adventures to cater for all abilities through the Naturewalk Adventure Center.

From 1/2 day hikes through to 3 day hikes staying in the wilderness, there is an adventure for everybody.

Bookings can be made through the Naturewalk Adventure Center. Call Costa Rica Invest on

USA +1-866-990-1123 (toll free) or Europe +353-1-272-4184 or e mail us at 

adventure@costaricainvest.ie to find out more: