How do I get to Costa Rica and Around?
Planning your first trip to Costa Rica? Here are some facts quick transportation facts for you to remember:
Juan Santamaria International Airport is the main airport of Costa Rica and is located in the Province of Alajuela, around 30min away from the center of the Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose. Here you will find international flights to all corners of the world.
Now that you’re here how do you get around Costa Rica?
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Once you get to Costa Rica you will find tons of airport taxis waiting to drive you to your hotel. When you pick one make sure they are authorized, they might be a bit more expensive but it will assure you will be safe.
This is a tourist-friendly country with everything at your fingertips. Where you will find many options for you to move around from one destination to another:
- Buses - The public transportation is convenient and affordable.
- Car Rentals - If you’re a road-trip lover, there are plenty of rental car agencies. Get a GPS – it’s a life saver.
- Domestic Airlines - Domestic airlines fly to all the most popular destinations, there are even some eco-friendly options.
- Taxis – As I said there are tons of taxis all over the place but remember to pick the authorized ones or have your hotel call one for you.
Now you know all you need to know to travel around Costa Rica. Have Fun!
Laru Beya Resort in Placencia – A Must Stay
Our absolute most favorite place on the mainland of Belize was Placencia. This tiny village at the tip of the peninsula is known for two things:
1. The Longest beaches in the Belize
2. The longest and narrowest main street in the world (it even made it to the Guinness World Book of Records)
But that’s not all. Laru Beya Resort should be up there for a must do! How did I find this gem? Through Tripadvisor of course. And I have to say, there is a reason it’s holding the number one spot for ages and ages.
We were greeted by Tim, the front desk manager, and given a tour of the property before heading to our room. The hotel has three main buildings and we were lucky enough to be right on the beach beside the pool. My kids were in heaven!
Before jumping in to describe the rooms, I have to mention how excited I was about the pool. I have a one year old, and he can’t swim on his own. And I’m not a big fan of swimming, so anything to keep me out of the pool but him in it helps me a lot. This pool was designed perfectly for him! Both my older son and my baby were able to enjoy the pool at the same time while I got to relax!
We were escorted to our two-bedroom condo. The bedrooms were so huge that my whole family would have fit perfectly into the main bedroom with room to spare, each kid having a separate bed. But since, we did have 2 bedrooms, we had a blast!
My older son, feeling all independent in his own room separated by a full kitchen and large dining room, even took showers on his own and hung out watching TV alone which is something he never ever does at home!
My baby, loved the hanging out on our veranda looking at the ocean. Not to talk badly about my baby, but he’s very needy and never wants to be alone, so the fact that he did this was a great sign, that is was so comfortable.
Even though we spent a lot of time exploring Placencia, I think in the end we ended up spending more time enjoying the hotel, the beach and the pool.
But, most of all the restaurant that cooks anything from Seafood to traditional style meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
So even if you’re not staying at this hotel, it will be a great place to come for an afternoon, enjoy the kayaks and then stay for some eats.
Falling in love with Placencia was so easy but staying at Laru Beya, really made it so hard for us to leave!
Thanks Tim for a great stay!
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Saving Time and Money on your Business Trips
Business trips are a necessary expense. Attending meetings abroad or in other cities in the UK is likely to be a vital part of any number of companies throughout the country. Often these will occur at the last minute which can make costs of arranging aspects like transport and accommodation high. If you run your own business, it can make margins very tight.
Here we’ve got a few tips on how to save a little money and some time on your next business trip.
Think about the car
Often when called away at the last minute you can end up rushing to the airport in a mad dash. If you’re office isn’t located close to an airport this can be time consuming and costly. Driving there and leaving your car may not always the first thing you think about, but it should be. Not only will this save you time when leaving at the last minute, with low cost airport car parking available you can leave your car for any number of nights for a minimal cost in a secure car park.
You don’t always need to book business class
When flying to UK or European destinations, the real advantage of booking on business class is that you can spend time in the lounge prior to flying, enabling you to catch up on some last minute work. However, there are a variety of other low cost options available to you. For example using a service open to those flying on all classes like the Escape Lounge at Manchester Airport, you can rest and have some space to work prior to your flight, while also making a saving.
Avoid luggage fees
When flying for business you can minimise the cost of your ticket by limiting how much luggage you take with you. Have a think about exactly what you’ll need for the trip. You’re likely to be in meetings in the day and unlikely to be returning to your accommodation before heading out to dinner. In reality your luggage should be minimal, so where possible try and avoid checking in a suitcase and opt for carry-on luggage. Not only will this reduce the cost of the trip, once you arrive you can head straight to your final destination without any fuss.
Stay in an apartment
When meetings drag on for a few days you may be required to house yourself close to the office, but you don’t have to stay in a hotel. Look into the possibility of accommodation in a serviced apartment with facilities for cooking. This is likely to be a similar price to a hotel room, but will save you much in the way of expenses as you won’t be required to eat out every night.
When you do decide to dine out ask at the concierge or check online for the best value restaurants and bars in the vicinity.
Hopkins Village, Belize – Untouched and Native
Belize is never ending with places to visit and see. At first glance, the country looks so tiny, but – Oh My God! – there is simply so much to do and see. Our first coastal stop was Hopkins Village. I’ve heard so much about this undeveloped, and untouched gem, that I had to see it for myself.
Reading all about the tiny beach town, I learned that the Garifuna culture is still strong here and the natives are proud of their roots and traditions. As you walk along the town and beach you’ll here young boys playing ritualistic Garifuna music and dance. There aren’t any large resorts just small guesthouses and cabins that give this place a feel for comfort and beach fun.
I immediately fell in love with All Season’s Guest House and after corresponding with Ingrid, the owner, I knew this was the place for us. Plus, the two bedroom beachfront apartment which was available for our dates sealed the deal!
Our beach apartment is part of a small building with 2 more apartments on top. Since we were traveling off season, we had the whole place to our selves, which means we literally had our own private beach! I’ve never stayed anywhere with my own beach.
The apartment was simply darling. It had a huge living room, dining room and a full kitchen looking out on to the beach. So I was able to make up drinks and snacks for my family while keeping an eye on the kids as they played in the sand.
The bedrooms were large with plenty of room for my kids to run around from one room to the other without bumping their heads on anything dangerous enough to send me into cardiac arrest with their every impulsive move.
Whenever I think of beach houses, I always have an image, and this was the exact image I have – colorful, large on a private beach with comfy benches and palm trees looking out on to a still image of water.
The main guest house was across the street. This is also Ingrid’s home. And when you come over to use the internet and eat breakfast, you feel as though you are coming over to a good friend’s house. Her hospitality is fantastic. And not because she goes out of her way, but simply because she is living her dream and you feel her happiness rub off on you!
Every morning, before starting our lazy days we had amazing European breakfasts by Ingrid’s assistants and friends from Germany – Annett and Mirko. I’ve traveled to Europe before, so I remember the huge, tasty style food and they matched it to a tee. Plus, they are a fun couple that works as tour operators as well and will arrange whatever service you need while you’re staying at the Guest house.
I had a chance to visit other hotels while staying here, and I have to say, this was the best one. The location was close to everything, the house was perfectly situated and the hosts were grand.
Thanks Ingrid, we really loved being in your company!
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Bizarre Delicacies from Around the World
We’ve seen them. Those guys that head to Bangkok. Fresh from their flight and airport currency exchange; armed with bundles of crisp Thai baht ready to indulge themselves with the delights of Ping Pong in Pat Pong and bucket after bucket on Khaosan Road.
Too often the night ends prematurely. As they balance on the tightrope of oblivion that on one side holds an encounter with a Bangkok lady boy and the other holds the sanctuary of their bed. Tripping and falling into the street vendors they succumb to the sweet, sticky smell of deep friend insects pierced deliciously on a kebab stick. Well they’ve just got to try them… I mean the locals eat them don’t they? Do they? Whatever they taste good….
But these harmless little creatures of the earth are small fry; we’re thinking more Temple of Doom monkey brains… reckon you can handle it?
Balut
“Would sir like his eggs over easy or sunny side up?”
“No today sir would like his eggs fertilized”
Now this type of fertilization has got nothing to do with your precious swimmers and their inability to get your old lady knocked up. It’s a little treat brought to you from those pesky street vendors that always seem to appear when you’ve just knocked back your final snake wine and decide to head into the darkness of the night. Popular in Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines this delicacy involves a fertilized chicken or duck egg. The embryo inside is almost fully developed before the egg is boiled and eaten; shell, bones, feathers and all. Better than a protein shake…
Deer Placenta Soup
Remember that time you “stumbled” across something called Horny Goat Weed on one of your many investigative sessions online? The day it arrived. But then the disappointment; both in the potency and the lack of any goat like substance. Salvation has come. Not only is deer placenta 100% deer it also has male enhancement properties.
Popular in Shanghai and made from mushrooms, flowers, black chicken and deer tendon in a broth it actually sounds quite tasty. Let’s remember what placenta is then shall we? “The sac-shaped organ that attaches the embryo or fetus to the uterus during pregnancy in most mammals.” Mmmmm… delicious….
Century Egg
Delightfully described as a “pungent appetizer”, that does nothing to prepare the assault on your senses when you’re presented with a century egg. It may look like one of those expensive and pointless eggs your mom keeps on the dresser. All shiny, black and marbley looking. But just go on, have a smell… and then even better you’ve got to eat it. Also known as a thousand-year-old egg, this Chinese delicacy is a normal chicken, duck or quail egg preserved in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, lime, and rice hulls for several weeks or months. The yolk is green and it smells of sulphur. Marginally better than stirring your coffee with a dead man’s finger… just.
If you’re laughing in the face of danger and our list of devilish delights why not tickle your taste buds with a yak’s penis, tiger penis soup, or Vietnamese blood soup.
Go on…. you know you want to….
Photos by:
- Century Eggs – Ummz; Balut – Puck777
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