Community based Rural Tourism has strongly began to mark its presence within Costa Rica’s tourist industry.

With the advantage of having numerous factors to its favor, Community Based Rural Tourism is able to compete with other popular and high end attractions in the country.  Not only does this type of tourism offer the visitor a taste of the region’s every day life, but it also gives these small rural communities tools for its development, important means of income and the continuity of enhancing Costa Rica’s identity.

Impossible to imitate, Rural Tourism offers the real every day life as it is lived in Costa Rica versus the beaten path vacation route.  Aside from the majestic volcanoes and dream beaches, Costa Rica is also well known and quite proud of its people.  Tourists usually do not get the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about traditions and life style.  Rural Tourism seeks to also give the tourist the chance to not only fall in love with the country, but with the warmth of its people as well.

Beautiful landscape and cheap Costa Rica hotel accommodations are perfectly combined with tours, handicrafts and every day rural life.  Learn how coffee is planted and picked, how milk is turned into Costa Rica’s delicious cheese and how sugar and sweets are made from sugar cane.

Community associations run these rural tourism programs within private ecological reserves or near areas of cultural and environmental interests.  Visitors who choose to experience this interactive form of tourism will discover and participate of Costa Rica’s tradition and culture as well as taking home the eternal friendship of its people.

Stayed for five nights, April 3rd-8th, from the minute we arrived to our departure everything was flawless. The very young staff went way out of the way to accommodate all the guests, you could clearly see that they actually liked their job.

The people of Costa Rica are very friendly. I thought we would have problems with dining reservations as we have with other hotels, none at all. We simply phoned each morning and always had the time confirmed we wanted, the resort was completely full during our stay yet you would never know it.

The food far exceed all expectations, we had many choices in the restaurant.

For a first timer to Costa Rica, we ended up selecting what I consider the BEST location for a safe jumping off point to numerous local attractions. Ocotal is close to Liberia Airport (about 45 min more or less), and offered what was effectively a ‘private’ beach (since there were few other vacationers around.

It provides the comforts of a resort without the overpriced resort crush. Examples, a local oufitter delivered sea kayaks right to the resort beach; we used the reception staff to book an adventure tour at a local volcano; the massage therapists are available on the beach regularly; the K-lamar Snack Bar staff were ultra-accommodating and helped me practice my Spanish; the kids played in the pool and on the beach with friends they met on site; the security into and on the resort was exceptional; we used Ocotal as a starting point to beach-hop and restaurant hop in Playas de Coco, Conchal, Grande, etc - the list goes on. I’ve never returned to vacation in the same place twice, but I am strongly considering going back to Ocotal with friends or family !!

Just north of the Gulf of Papagayo, within the Santa Rosa National Park , lies Costa Rica’s Murcielago Islands, or Bat Islands in English.

It is unclear where the island got its name from, but the two most accepted reasons are due to the shape of the islands when viewed upon from the air, or due to the numerous amounts of bats found on the islands.

The Bat Islands’ convenient location is a playground for anyone interested in marine life.  These islands emerged from under water thousands of years ago and have become the preferred leisure area of the most exotic and shy marine creatures of the area.  Among others, the most common creatures are the always impressive Bull Shark, Tiger Sharks, White Tip Sharks and several types of rays.  Another always expected sight is the peaceful Whale Shark which will let you swim around and awe in its presence.

The nearest town to Costa Rica’s Murcielago Islands is Playa del Coco.  It’s at a one hour boat ride from the Islands where a varied offer of lodging is available for all preferences.  Clean, safe and cheap hotels are easy to find in the area as well as more luxurious and expensive accommodations for the more demanding of visitors.

The Bat Islands are better enjoyed during the months of March through November.  Visitors are often escorted by playful dolphins as well as show off rays to the Bat Islands.

The most visited diving spot by all major diving companies is the Black Rock spot.   This area consists of a rock formation that peeks out of the water and is locates at 15 minutes from the Islands.  A nice variety of marine species are visible including the Whale Sharks.  However, if you are feeling brave, make sure you continue over to the Big Scare diving point where you will be greeted by the largest ever Bull Sharks.

When in the Gulf of Papagayo area, make sure you visit the Bat Islands for an unforgettable experience.