The Ultimate Costa Rica Links Page !
Please feel free to suggest new links (only the best, please) and let us know if any links are broken or need to be updated. You can contact us at webmaster@costaricajournal.com.
Travel Sites
Lonely Planet - Costa Rica - Online site for Lonely Planet - travel summaries from the guidebook
Frommer's - Costa Rica - Online site for Frommer's guidebooks
Costa Rica Tourism Board - The official web site of the tourism board
Hotels
Melia Cariari (Near the airport, $75-$250) - Well known tourist hotel near the airport. Nice pool (note: check and see if it is open, they are remodeling), nice rooms, near shopping center. Shop on Travelocity or other sites - I have paid as little as $75 a night, at the same time others were paying $150.
Hotel Martino (Near the airport/Alajeula, $90-$175) - One of my favorite hotels near the airport. Across the street from the zoo. Awesome pool, nice restaurant. Keep an eye on your food and drink bill - it adds up fast. Again, check Travelocity or other online booking sites for discount prices.
Hampton Inn (Closest to Airport, $99) - Very close to the airport and rental cars. If I was not trying to save money and needed to spend the night near the airport and catch a flight in the morning, I'd probably stay here. Seems like it's always $99 - hard to get a discount.
Hotel Hemingway (San Jose, $37) - Inexpensive, friendly. No A/C.
Hotel Del Rey (San Jose, $55) - Good location close to downtown, good security, reasonable rates, free parking. Free Internet access. I was able to log on their WiFi network from my room last time I was there as well! Fishermen's hangout, not for those seeking solitude.
Hotel Don Carlos (San Jose, $55-$65) - One of my favorite hotels in San Jose. Great gift shop, good security, free parking. Recommended for couples and people who want a quieter place off the main drag. Free Internet access. Run by a family of attorneys - free legal consultation.
Hotel Fleur de Lys (San Jose, $70) - A nice little hotel with a decent restaurant. Secured parking nearby. A bit overpriced in my opinion.
Hotel California (Quepos/Manual Antonio, $70-$120) - Nice hotel just before Manual Antonio park. Pool, air conditioning, restaurant. You can sometimes bargain at the desk for lower rates, especially in the off season.
Hotel Mono Azul, aka Blue Monkey (Manual Antonio, $50-$60) - Popular hotel, good for kids, good restaurant.
Hotels.cr - Costa Rica Hotel web site
Cool Places
Arenal Volcano - An active volcano north of San Jose.
Tabacon Resort Hot Springs - Best part about visiting Arenal - I could sit in the hot springs and sip cold drinks for days....
Gold Museum - The best museum in San Jose. Recommended.
The Butterfly Farm - Butterfly ranch
Fishing
Fishing Calendar - Best times of year for 15 different species
Luna Tours - Recommended fishing charter company in Quepos.
Tropicalfishing.com - Booking agent for fishing trips in Costa Rica
Fishcostarica.com - Nice fishing site
Silver King Lodge - Fishing lodge on the Rio Colorado
Casa Mar Lodge - Fishing lodge on the Rio Colorado
Surfing
Surfline.com - Good Costa Rica surfing info
Places to Party
El Pueblo (San Jose) - Great block of clubs, restaurants and shops in San Jose. Highly recommended.
Blue Marlin Bar (San Jose) - Well known bar in the Hotel del Rey. Lots of fishermen and the local working girls who love them....
Costa Rica Maps
Centralamerica.com Map - Zone map with hotels
Costaricamap.com - Decent zone maps
Lonely Planet Map - Small scale map with major cities
Spanish Lessons, Dance Classes
Costa RIcan Language Academy - Homestay program for learning Spanish - free dance lessons
News Sites
Tico Times - The newspaper for gringo expatriates - everybody reads it.
AM Costa Rica - The up and coming news site.
Quepolandia - News and information for the Quepos are (Central Pacific zone)
La Nacion (Spanish) - The largest newspaper in Costa Rica
Weather
Weather Report - Weather around the country
Satellite Image - Satellite image of Costa Rica - Cool!
Buying Property
Property Buying Guide - Nice summary of buying property in Costa Rica
The Buying Process - More info on buying property
Starting a Business
Starting a business in Costa Rica - Short summary about starting a business
Costa Rica Taxes & Banking
Costa Rica Offshore Taxes - Discussion of business and personal taxes in Costa Rica
Banking in Costa Rica - Summary of banking in CR
Living in Costa Rica
Welovecostarica.com - nice site with information and articles about living in Costa Rica
ARCR (Association of Residents of Costa Rica) - Another good site.
Biology & Ecology
Organization for Tropical Sudies - The grandfather of tropical biology programs
Study Abroad - UCR Rainforest Adventure - A study abroad program from the University of Costa Rica
Los Baulas Leatherback Turtle Project - A leatherback turtle conservation program
Tree Farming & Sustainable Agriculture
General
Exchange rates - Banco Central
National Registry - This government site (in Spanish) allows you to check on property ownership, registered corporations, and other filings in Costa Rica. Awesome - wish we had this in the US!
Spanish Translation - Free cut and paste translation of Spanish to English
