The Papagayo Marina has announced that the construction of the second marina to operate in Costa Rica is advancing right on schedule and will open its first phase by January 2009.

Currently, only the Marina Los Sueños in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast offers docking space and services to yacht owners.  The Papagayo Marina is located in Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific Coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste .  The Papagayo Marina will have a 44 hectare area at which 180 slips will be built as well as 200 dry dock areas for the first phase.

The initial phase of the Papagayo Marina will be able to harbor vessels from 400 feet to 3,400 feet.  The Marina will offer Immigration services as well as fuel, electricity, internet, phone service, minor repair services and sewer cleaning services.

The $15 million investment will also include a large building which will hold administration offices, state offices and commercial areas which will contribute to at least 470 new job openings in the Guanacaste area.

The Papagayo Marina is the first of the strategic marinas to be built along the Pacific Coast by the Polo Turistico Papagayo concessionary.  Following the Papagayo Marina construction, the company will continue with the Pez Vela Marina in Quepos and the Bahia Escondida Marina in Golfito .

The Bahia Escondida Marina project is the largest and most expensive of planed projects which will reach an approximate investment of $300 million.  It will include a hotel in Costa Rica’s South Pacific region as well as a casino, swimming pools, museums, restaurants, malls and condominiums.

This resort Arenal Kioro was highly recommended and I can see why!

The service is awesome right from the start. There are great tours and the best spa experience awaits. This is definetely a romantic spot with beautiful views, great food and hot springs.

The rooms were well equipped, including the essentially and a large flat screen tv. Not sure why anyone would be unhappy with the rooms, although they are not designed to spend your vacation in one.

They encourage to to go out and experience Costa Rica. All of the tours offered through the hotel were incredible - rappelling down waterfalls, the Arenal Volcano Hike, Hanging Bridges, Zip Lines, all a must!

It’s a must stay! No compaints!

Tarcoles is a small beach located in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast just before the popular beaches of Herradura and Jaco . Although its appeal cannot be compared to the other more attractive beaches in the area, it still remains dear to many locals and visitors as well.

The beach is dear to many because it is the first beach that unfolds before your eyes as you emerge from the tropical mountains through winding narrow roads. No matter how many times you have been on this route, the opening of the landscape to reveal the sparkling Pacific Ocean through Tarcoles is always a welcoming site.

Tarcoles Beach is not a spectacular beach and as a matter of fact, it may not interest you in taking a swim or soaking up the sun. Its sands are black and although the waters are calm, you can’t help but notice is unclean environment.

However, the local community has finally acknowledged that although Tarcoles is not a prime tourist destination, it doesn’t mean that they should not keep the beaches clean and free of contamination.

Several volunteers and residents along with the help of private and public companies recently combed the beach for trash and unwanted materials. Volunteers collected a considerable amount of trash which included articles such as thrown out furniture, tires and electronics.

Some of the younger generations who volunteered stated that the beach’s dirty environment is product of the lack of education by older generations who do not grasp the concept of eco-friendly and conservation.

The Municipality of Garabito who overlooks this area has announced that they will be reforming their actions to include strict measures and penalties for those who litter at the beaches.

My two friends and I stayed at the Poco a Poco Hotel for two nights during our seven night stay in Costa Rica. The hotel is located approx 10 minutes from the main town and about 15 mintues from the majority of the Monteverde attractions (skywalk, canopy, etc).

The room was above average in cleanliness. We had breakfast both nights and dinner on one night. The breakfast was very good and we found dinner to be fair. My friends enjoyed their fish, while I stuck to grilled chicken which was prepared exceptionally good. The hotel also offers free internet access on laptop computers for rent at front desk.. This was greatly appreciated.

I would reccomend the hotel to anyone staying in Monteverde. The guest rooms are  huge! The space alone was greatly appreciated!

During our stay we visited the Don Juan Coffee Plantation (cute, with free coffee and desert at the end of the tour!) and the Skywalk (breath-taking as well as a calmer alternative to the canopy tour)

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