costa rica

Diamond Teak's Eco-Elegant Designs

Filed under: Decor, Events, Celebrity Shopping, Green

The VIP tent at the annual Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge in the Hamptons is always quite a scene, but this year attendees noticed the space was particularly plush. That's because Diamond Teak, one of the key sponsors at this year's event, furnished the VIP area with heirloom-quality pieces from its Spirit Song Collection (above). The company was founded by two Harvard grads, Kevin and Christine Yardley, who volunteered with the World Teach Organization in Costa Rica. They conceived of Diamond Teak as a way of bringing an entrepreneurial spirit to protecting the environment and boosting the local economy there. They now have over 12 Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) / Smartwood certified plantations, protecting over 1.000 acres of jungle terrain. Diamond Teak is an end result of this process - the finest teak wood furniture from the best wood hand-selected by master crafts people. The company has accrued a broad range of high-profile clients, including Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, and Sarah Jessica Parker. The Spirit Song Collection's elegant curves mimic organic forms in nature, combining golden tropical hardwood with shimmering marine-grade stainless steel.

Tags: Costa Rica, CostaRica, Diamond Teak, DiamondTeak, Hamptons, Harvard, Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge, Mercedes-benzPoloChallenge, polo, teak, wood furniture, WoodFurniture

Costa Rica's Rainforest Recession Special

by Paul Rogers (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Journeys

It's hard to remember a time when exotic travel to so many places was as reasonably priced as it is today. If it's the rainforest you've always wanted to see, here's a recession special worth checking out. The Lost Iguana Resort in Costa Rica is offering a seven-night package for $999 that includes all meals (though not alcohol) and a $500 credit at its new Golden Gecko Spa as well as transportation to and from the San Jose International Airport.

The property sits in Costa Rica's lush Central Valley, and all of its 42 guest rooms face the lava-spewing side of the Arenal volcano, one of the ten most active in the world. The region's natural setting, in a primal rainforest, lends itself to some memorable activities, including a zip-line canopy tour that stretches for 1.7 miles and, for the more earthbound, guided hikes through the jungle and plunges into steaming hot springs. The rainforest's abundant wildlife is also large part of the experience at Lost Iguana. Guests are likely to see, among other species, tiny Scintillant hummingbirds; white-nosed coati, a raccoon-like animal native to Central and South America; and, yes, iguanas.

Gallery: Costa Rica's Lost Iguana Resort

The resort is perched in a primal rainforest

Tags: Costa Rica, CostaRica, Lost Iguana Resort, LostIguanaResort, zip line, ZipLine

Costa Verde Resort Offers Fuselage Suite

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Journeys, Wings

The Costa Verde hotel in Costa Rica has turned old Boeing 727 fuselage into one amazing suite. The hotel salvaged the airframe from the San Jose airport and put it on a 50-foot pedestal for optimum views. it has a hard wood deck built atop the plane's former right wing that offers ocean views and a long spiral staircase provides a private entrance. The two-bedroom suite has been paneled in Costa Rican teak and is furnished with teak furniture from Java, Indonesia. There are two air conditioned bedrooms, one with two queen sized beds and the other with one queen sized bed and each has a private bath. The suite also includes a a flat screen TV, a kitchenette and a dining area foyer. The suite starts at $300 a night.

[via DVice]

Gallery: Costa Verde 727 Suite

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Tags: 727, costa rica, costa verde, CostaRica, CostaVerde, plane suite, PlaneSuite

Tranquilo, A New Second Home Opportunity In Costa Rica

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Today's vacation homes seem to be dropping in price. A new planned resort in Punta Leona, Costa Rica offers quarter ownerships in their residences starting at just $70,000. Tranquilo will be tucked into a ridge line where the rainforest meets the Pacific on Costa Rica's Central Coast and will be a secluded retreat on 15 acres in the gated community of Punta Leona. Amenities will include a spa, swimming pools, a fitness center, waterfall viewing decks, a lounge and a recreation center.

Floor plans range from 700 square foot studios to 4,500 square foot penthouses and feature private balconies and a look of rustic elegance in browns and dark woods. The resort will have concierge service and will cater to owners with services such as transport to and from Tranquilo either by helicopter or private shuttle. Upon owner arrival homes will be stocked with groceries and baggage will be delivered. The services of a private chef can be requested. Owners will also be able to rent out their property through a rental management program.

Gallery: Developments in Costa Rica

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Tags: costa rica, CostaRica, punta leona, PuntaLeona, tranquilo

Travelers' Philanthropy, Charity of the Day

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Charity of the Day

Visiting a foreign country, especially one in the third world, often prompts one's philanthropic desires to give back to the places they explore. It's hard to distinguish which causes are worthy of your funds and which giving opportunities truly use your funds for the project intended. Travelers' Philanthropy takes the guess work out of global giving by connecting travelers or simply interested donors to causes that positively impact local communities. Currently this organization is involved with causes in Costa Rica, South America and Africa encouraging travelers to combine their love of the global community with their ability to fund important programs and initiatives. Check out the gallery below for current opportunities and the people they impact.

Gallery: Opportunities through Travelers' Philanthropy

Mara Cheetah Conservation Project in Kenya

Infierno Community Fund, supported by Rainforest Expeditions in Peru

NatureKids, supported by Nature Air in Costa Rica

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Tags: charity, costa rica, CostaRica, dominican republic, DominicanRepublic, giving, global giving, GlobalGiving, kenya, peru, philanthropy, tanzania, travelers philanthropy, TravelersPhilanthropy

Limoncito Resort

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Limoncito sounds like a refreshing drink but it's actually a luxury 58-room condo-hotel planned for Punta Leona, Costa Rica. We've mentioned the area of Punta Leona before (check out the gallery below); it's located 90 minutes from San Jose and is an established, gated community of Punta Leona that has served as a private beach club. The resort community has three Bandera Azul (Blue Flag-rated) beaches, one of which boasts the only Four-Star designation in the country. Limoncito will be located above Limoncito Beach and will include six buildings set into the hillside with access to the beach cove via secluded trails. On these trails, jungle "ranchos" will placed along viewpoints on the trail for meditation, morning coffee and yoga. Amenities will include multiple swimming pools, a natural waterfall , Jacuzzis, hammocks, and outdoor decks and terraces. The one and two-bedroom suites will be priced from $250,000 – 850,000.

Gallery: Developments in Costa Rica

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Tags: condo-hotel, costa rica, Limoncito, resort

Mandarin Oriental Plans Costa Rican Resort

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Costa Rica is becoming the latest hot spot for major development projects. The latest is from Mandarin Oriental which has announced a beach resort and branded Residences at Playa Manzanillo, in Guanacaste province, on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast. The Mandarin Oriental, Costa Rica will be part of a 538-acre gated golf and residential development, Rancho Manzanillo, which will feature branded Mandarin Oriental residences, beach and golf villas, and private homes. The resort will include the 18-hole Fred Couples Signature Championship golf course and 200 acres will be protected tropical dry forest. The hotel will be build on a costal ridge with bay views and hte suites will be designed using native woods and stone. The hotel will also have "tree house suites" away from the main building and set below the trees. The resort will include three restaurants, a lounge and three bars and a 20,000-square-foot spa. The 130-room resort will open in 2009.

Other Costa Rican developments we've covered:
Marisol Development
Punta Leona
Thunderbird Resort
St. Regis

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Tags: costa rica, development, hotel, mandarin oriental, MandarinOriental, travel, vacation

Alex Woo Vida Collection

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Continuing the trend of jewelry that looks pretty but also benefits the environment, check out the latest from celebrity favorite Alex Woo. The Vida collection celebrates the tropical forests of Costa Rica with bracelets, earrings and necklaces of grouped leaves. The cuff shown here comes in silver for $528, yellow or rose gold vermeil for $548 or 14K gold for $5,958 and 10% of the proceeds from each piece supports clean-air efforts.

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Tags: alex woo, AlexWoo, costa rica, environment, jewelry

Marisol Development in Costa Rica

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Journeys

We are back in Costa Rica for a look at another development. Costa Rica is absolutely booming lately with developers looking to capitalize on the beautiful rainforest and ocean scenery. Marisol will be a new condominium community perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is being developed by Punta Dominical, which is developing other resort properties in Costa Rica's Southern Pacific province. Punta Domincal has a variety of green building initiatives including developing solar alternatives, creating a water collection and reuse program, designing with the existing topography and building with sustainable materials.

Marisol will sit on the tip of a 2,300 foot ridge a few minute's walk from the beach and with a trail that leads from the property through the rainforest to Pozo Azul – a natural waterfall and swimming area. There is also a year-round stream flowing through the rainforest behind Marisol. The design of the property will combine indoor and outdoor living areas with one and two-bedroom floor plans ranging from 900 – 1,300 plus square feet of total living space and are fully furnished. The property will also have three pools, lounge areas, and a yoga platform. A limited release of properties will be available for sale this spring starting in the mid-$200s.

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Tags: condominium, costa rica, CostaRica, development, marisol, resort, second home

Punta Leona, A New Costa Rican Condo

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Journeys

Costa Rican real estate is booming lately as it becomes increasingly popular as a vacation destination. Major hotels are going up and the resort condo industry is starting to take off. The latest is a new condominium at Punta Leona, a private, gated beach club community located about 90 minutes southwest of San José. The area is already an established community home area. The condo will overlook the beach and amenities include walking paths, a resident naturalist guide, a zip tour line of the jungle canopy, pools, restaurants and a kids activity center. Owners at the condo will also be able to participate in a rental program for when their property is not in use. IA total of 34 units will be offered in the first release and will include one-, two- and three-bedroom properties and a few penthouse suites ranging from 800 to more than 2,000 square feet. Prices will begin from the $200,000s and construction is scheduled to begin fall 2007.

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Tags: condo, condominium, costa rica, CostaRica, development

Sport Fishing in Costa Rica

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Journeys, Water, Sports

Sport fishermen are a breed unto themselves, each holiday offers the chance to hook that one fish that dreams are made of. For those in pursuit of the big one, a new game lodge has been developed to offer a pleasant vacation while fishing in the abundant waters off Costa Rica. The Bahia Escondida Big Game Lodge in Golfito is situated in Algo Mas, the former management home of Chiquita Banana, which offers accommodations for six. The Lodge also has the services of a personal chef and a concierge so that you can focus on the fish. But if you are interested in the fishing, you are going to need a boat. The 51-foot Whiticar known as Shamrock is guided by Captain Tommy Lynskey into prime areas to catch sailfish, tuna and marlin. A five-day, four-night package includes a private charter from San Jose, four nights at Algo Mas and three days of fishing on Shamrock for $10,900 for up to six guests.

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Tags: adventure, costa rica, CostaRica, fishing, travel, vacation

New Casino Resort Planned For Costa Rica

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Journeys

Is a casino in a place rich with natural beauty defeating the purpose? After all, casinos are often designed to help us ignore the siren song of the world outside. The Thunderbird Resort brand is planning a new casino-resort project in Costa Rica. The "Thunderbird Resort - Tres Rios" will be located on scenic land near Costa Rica's capital city, San Jose. The property is one of the only available locations zoned for tourism development and is across the highway from the "super mall" called "Terra Mall". The Tres Rios project will include a luxury resort hotel, a Las Vegas style casino, convention center, spa and health club as well as commercial real estate and a private residential community.

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Tags: casino, costa rica, resort, thunderbird resorts, ThunderbirdResorts

St. Regis Resort in Costa Rica Underway

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Journeys

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has reached a deal with the Costa Rican development firm Genesis to build a new luxury resort in the country. The ultra-luxury hotel will be under the St. Regis Brand, located on a 250-acre site in Playa Coyol. The hotel will feature 133 guestrooms, all with outdoor terraces, showers and day beds. There will be four spa suites for guests wanting the most private, pampered stay, in addition to an 11,000-square foot spa and fitness center elsewhere on the grounds. There will also be a world-class golf course. The Presidential Suite may rival the top rooms at other luxury resorts with a cliff-top location, private pool and three bedrooms. On the grounds, there will also be 49 condominium/hotel residences, 42 private villas and 9 large estates. They will be built primarily with indigenous material, making them environmentally friendly as well as luxurious.

The St. Regis Resort, Costa Rica is slated to open in 2008.

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Tags: 2008, costa rica, destination, hotel, luxury, new, resort, st regis, starwood, StRegis, travel

Bucanero Cigars

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Top 25 Cigar has an interview with Bob Spoden of Bucanero Cigars. Bucanero was established in 1995. While in Costa Rica, Spoden found his passion and fell in love with cigars. Bucanero manufactures a limited quantity of aged, premium cigar blends and the business takes its name from Spanish pirates that plundered the Moors in Northern Africa. Spoden vows that his company will remain a small boutique cigar maker and that his cigars will never darken the doors of a Wal-Mart. The interview also goes into the naming process behind many of Bucanero's blends. One thing that I found interesting is that the companies uses a Draw Master machine to test each cigar before it is hand rolled to make sure that the cigar isn't plugged up. Spoden says that in over ten years of business not one box of their cigars has ever been returned from a retailer for a plug issue due to construction. Spoden also suggests that a cigar rest at home for one month in your humidor before smoking, especially if you purchase via mail order.

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Tags: bucanero, cigars, costa rica, smoke, smoking, tobacco

Tabacos del Cordillera Green Cigar Special

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Tabacos del Cordillera is offering a special promotion to get smokers interested in their Cumbres de Puriscal Green line. They are offering a 10% discount on all nine shapes in the new line throughout March as a St. Patrick's Day special. The Cumbres de Puriscal is their flagship line which is available in Green Gold and Silver, each of equal price and quality but with different taste. The Green and Gold lines are mild-to-medium bodied, and the Green’s blend has earthy and sweet overtones.The wrapper is Habano-derived Connecticut shade and the filler and binder are made of proprietary Habano tobaccos, grown on the company's 65-acre farm in Costa Rica. As we've mentioned before the company's director, John Vogel, developed the cigars from Cuban seeds grown in Costa Rica.

[via Top 25 Cigars]

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Tags: cigars, costa rica, cuba, smoking, tobacco

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