SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Last year, Costa Rica received over one million North American visitors who arrived in the country by air, and over 13 percent of these directly associated to business related travel. In recognition of the key role that the meetings industry has on the country, Costa Rica joined hundreds of other nations around the world to support the first ever Global Meetings Industry Day...

Source: Southwest Airlines DALLAS, June 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) is launching a three-day domestic and international sale offering extra low fares for fall travel, so grab your ticket and go!  Customers may take advantage of low domestic fares starting at $49, $79, $99, and $129 one-way to select destinations today through Thursday, June 9, 2016, 11:59 p.m...

Star Breeze SEATTLE, WA (PRWEB) June 02, 2016 - Luxury cruise line Windstar Cruises announces its 2017 Voyage Collection. Known for in-depth cultural exploration, the line’s broad spectrum of worldwide cruise vacations includes two new cruises added to dozens of itineraries visiting more than 150 ports of call — including 13 new ports for 2017 — in 50 countries. The luxury cruise operator d...

Wikimedia Commons By Marina Villen Luxor, Egypt, May 30 (EFE).- Temples that are almost empty and docked cruise ships unlikely to sail the Nile anytime soon are elements of the image presented by the Egyptian cities of Luxor and Aswan, whose Pharaonic ruins wait impassively for tourists to return. The dispirited inhabitants of these historic sites dedicate themselves - or rather dedicate...

Bull shark. Wikimedia Commons DALLAS, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is partnering once again with Discovery Channel's Shark Week, taking television's longest-running and most anticipated summer event to new heights.  Today, the companies unveiled the first-ever Shark Week-themed 737-700 aircraft proudly displaying the majestic sea life that is widely cel...

Source: Air France French culture is known to be classy and stylish, and these are cultural aspects that certainly apply to travel. Air France, an airline that recently announced new flights to Costa Rica, is taking classy and stylish to a very high level with an actual sleeping suite and even fashionable pajamas that match the decor. As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star, Air Franc...

Source: Pure Hospitality LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwired) -- 05/23/16 -- Pure Hospitality Solutions, parent Company of the Central American-Caribbean online travel Agency (OTA) Oveedia, announced today, that the overall response from Expotur 2016 has proven to be overwhelmingly successful for the Company''s OTA, as nearly 100 hotels and tour providers have expressed interest in aligning with Oveed...

(Archive / Delta Airlines) Some 534,000 foreign visitors arrived at Costa Rica’s Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia during the first four months of this year, an increase of 30.5 percent compared to the same period last year, according to information released by Coriport, the company which manages the airport. The significant increase represents the fastest growth in arriv...

Wikimedia Commons3 El Castillo, Nicaragua, May 22 (EFE).- A 341-year-old fortress in southern Nicaragua that was formerly a bastion against English pirates is nowadays a growing tourist attraction. The town of El Castillo, in southern Rio San Juan province, owes its name to the local fortress - "El Castillo de la Inmaculada Concepcion," built by the Spanish in 1673-1675 and nowadays one of ...

The following alert was recently posted on the flight operations webpage of U.S. budget airline JetBlue: Due to volcanic ash in the San Jose, Costa Rica area, we will waive change/cancel fees and difference in airfare for customers traveling on Friday, May 20, 2016 through Saturday, May 21, 2016 to/from the following airports: -San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) Affected customers may rebook their ...

Conservationists from the Leatherback Trust, an international non-profit conservation organization that protects leatherback turtles and other sea turtle species from extinction, recently released rare drone footage of a female olive ridley swimming away from a beach in Costa Rica. The nesting event was filmed in Las Baulas National Park, located in the Playa Grande sector of the Guanacaste pro...

Los Altos del Monte ATENAS, COSTA RICA (PRWEB) MAY 18, 2016 - Located in the lushly verdant Costa Rican mountains, on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Atenas, The Retreat at Altos del Monte (theretreatcostarica.com) has completely refreshed their spa menu. The renewed list of options is a return to the property’s tropical nature, using fresh, organic and local ingredients, which creates ...

U.S. Ambassador Haney Tampa Bay, Fla. (PRWEB) May 16, 2016 - Leaders of the Tampa Bay Export Alliance (TBEA), a cooperative effort of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and Pinellas County Economic Development, are sharing the outcomes of last month’s joint trade mission to San José, Costa Rica, which took place from April 12-15. “The trade mission to Costa Rica was one...

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Adults-only Secrets® Resorts & Spas announced the debut of its first TV campaign, titled “Make A Secret.” The ads were designed to highlight the perfect marriage of romance and luxury every couple enjoys at the brand’s more than 15 resorts. The two, 30-second spots will be strategically released in top regional markets over the summer. A national launch, includin...

Photo by Hector Landaeta, Flickr Commons With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, health insurance reform is now a widespread affair in the United States, a nation where medical and dental treatment have always been financially inaccessible to many residents. The topic of dental insurance is once again being discussed at the kitchen tables of many U.S...

2016 Rio Olympics Logo Washington, May 12 (EFE).- The World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization on Thursday asked pregnant women not to travel to Rio de Janeiro or to other parts of Brazil where the Zika virus is present as part of their recommendations for the Olympic Games in August. In a joint communique, the two affiliated organizations acknowledged that athlete...

Source: Red Cross Costa Rica The livelihood of foreigners who choose to live as perpetual tourists in Costa Rica is highly dependent on the stability of the land borders. It so happens that in recent months both the northern and southern borders of Costa Rica have been afflicted by the global migrant crisis; how is this affecting the lives of perpetual tourists? "Visa runs" are those trips ...

Four Seasons Costa Rica Nestled between two idyllic beaches on Costa Rica's exclusive Peninsula Papagayo, Central and South America's only Forbes Five-Star resort launches phase one of its Pura Vida For All Wellness Program. The four-hour program is inspired by the pura vida way of life Costa Rica is known for. Created exclusively by Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, the initiative brings togeth...

Photos by Bryan Fabio Herrera "If there's no chocolate in heaven, I'm not going." -- Jane Seabrook There have been dire predictions recently from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), and others, that the world is running out of chocolate. Said the Washington Post, “We are in the midst of what may be the longest streak of consecutive chocolate deficits in more than 50 years.” Experts...

Casa de Sueños Atenas, Costa Rica – May 5, 2016 – Atenas Vacation Villas, owned by Dianne and Steve Doughty, is pleased to announce the launch of their new website: www.atenasvacationvillas.com. Designed by Villa Marketers, the website showcases the Doughty’s three luxury vacation rental properties: the Villa Doughty, the Casa Doughty, and the Casa de Suenos. Long time world travelers, the ...

Source: Verizon TravelPass NEW YORK, May 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey reveals one in three Americans is planning to travel outside of the U.S. in the next year. Of those traveling internationally, a whopping 80 percent plan to use their phone and data on their phone with 65 percent checking in with loved ones at some point during their trip, according to a new survey released today by ...

The National Museum of Costa Rica, in conjunction with the community development associations of the Osa, Palmar and the Diquis Delta region, invite you to the 11th Festival of the Stone Spheres from May 13th to the 15th . The Annual Festival of the Stone Spheres is a cultural and festive event that celebrated the magnificent National Park of the Stone Spheres of Costa Rica, which is a UNESCO W...

File photo BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired) - It's a perfect storm for summer travelers, and it has nothing to do with the weather. A combination of a strong dollar, lower fuel prices and more competition from discount airlines has conspired to create the lowest airfares we've seen in the past five years. Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, took a look at ai...

This September, fans of luxury travel will be able to fly to Costa Rica and other hot tourism destinations around the world aboard their own private jet. The Four Seasons Extraordinary Adventures package now includes Costa Rica in the itinerary, and this is how the luxury travel brand describes this special vacation package: Experience some of the world’s most remarkable destinations on our custo...

Race map Costa Rica Race, a renowned trail running event organizer, has added a new, scenic challenge for lovers of cross-country outdoor adventures. The Epic Trail Race is an appropriately named course that features spectacular trails in Guanacaste, and it offers running challenges for various levels. The Epic Trail Race connects the city of Liberia with the Rincon de la Vieja (Old Woman's...

SANTA TERESA, COSTA RICA (PRWEB) APRIL 28, 2016 - Vajra Sol’s life-balance focused yoga retreats, which include a surfing or stand up paddling component, have a strong appeal to women and men who have demanding work schedules and pressured personal responsibilities as a pleasurable way to diminish stress that accumulates over time. The retreats are hosted at an upscale, beachfront resort in the b...

Alta Gracia Boutique Hacienda SAN ISIDRO, COSTA RICA (PRWEB) April 22, 2016 - Condé Nast Traveler today announced its 2016 Hot List of the best new hotels and resorts in the world and Hacienda AltaGracia, a luxury resort in the lush mountains of Pérez Zeledón in the southern region of Costa Rica, has been recognized as the best new resort in Central America. “To be recognized by Condé Nast ...

Gypsy Jaunt, a socially conscious travel platform for women of the African Diaspora, recently announced its first official trip, which will feature a five-day vacation in Costa Rica. The trip is focused on the idyllic coastal community of Santa Teresa, located in the Nicoya Peninsula of the Puntarenas province. Details on this girlfriend vacation to Costa Rica, which costs $500, are as follows:...

Source: Wikimedia Commons MONTREAL, April 20, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada announced today it will launch four new seasonal Air Canada rouge services between Montreal-Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Montreal-San José, Costa Rica; Toronto Palm Springs, California; and Toronto-Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The non-stop flights will give Canadian travelers more competitively-priced options when ...

Four Seasons Costa Rica Summer is the season for kids to frolick freely and parents to disconnect and recharge poolside. This year, Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo offers the perfect family get away with something for everyone at Central and South America's only Forbes Five-Star resort. "With direct flights from so many locales to nearby Liberia airport and exciting act...

Wikimedia Commons Air France - KLM Press Release - Thursday 14 April 2016 - As of 2 November 2016, and throughout the 2016-17 winter season, Air France will offer two new weekly services to San José (Costa Rica) on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The flights will be operated by Boeing 777-300 with a capacity of 468 seats – 14 in Business, 32 in Premium Economy and 422 in Economy. “B...

Source: Wikimedia Commons Toronto - 14 Apr 2016 - Sunwing Vacations Price Crasher Sale offers up to 50% off popular vacation packages. Just launched, Sunwing Vacations latest sale is sure to get travellers in the mood for shopping when they get a hold of these heavily discounted deals. Available from April 16 to April 22, 2016, during the Price Crasher Sale travellers can save up to 50% off p...

Wikimedia Commons Miami, Apr 13 (EFE).- The Miami Beach City Commission voted against the opening of a Cuban consulate until significant human rights reforms have been made in that country, local media reported Wednesday. With four votes in favor and three against, the commission "has thrown cold water on their mayor's hotly debated idea of a having a Cuban consulate in the city," according...

Pixabay Commons Lima, Apr 12 (EFE). - Two American tourists died in Peru when the cruise ship on which they were touring the Amazon River caught fire, the head of the Iquitos port authority, Oscar Garrido, told EFE. The fatalities were Larry Morris Hammer, 74, and Cristy Jeins Hammer, 72, who died while being taken to the hospital in Iquitos, capital of the Amazon region of Loreto in northe...

Source: SWAmedia.com DALLAS, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV),California's largest carrier* is embarking on a new chapter in a faithful partnership with Southern California travelers that began with a single arrival nearly 35 years ago and now, takes flight beyond the continental U.S. Today, the departure of Southwest® Flight 6920 to Daniel Oduber Quiros Intern...

Wikimedia Commons Havana, Apr 9 (EFE).- Beer production in Cuba is far from meeting the country's growing demand in stores, inns and hotels, due to the large increase in tourism, a demand that can only be met by building a new brewery, the island's producers said. The current demand for beer is beyond the capacity of Cuba's existing breweries, which have signed contracts for more than 33 mi...

Source: Villa Thoga Tamarindo, Costa Rica - April 5, 2016 /PressCable/ — Popular Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica vacation villa rentals complex Villa Thoga announced the release of a new report providing extensive information on the safety of Costa Rica and Tamarindo as family holiday destinations. More information is available at http://villathoga.com/is-costa-rica-safe/. The report provide...

Colombian airline, Avianca is offering steep discounts on airfare to and from Costa Rica but tickets must be purchased by April 14th, the airline along with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) announced on Monday. This year marks the fifth year for the airline’s “Discover Central America” promotion. While tickets must be purchased by April 14th, travel dates can be booked for anytime bet...

Wikimedia Commons Liberia, Costa Rica -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/30/2016 -- When it comes to backpacking a foreign country, nearly every backpacker will agree that knowledge is power. Inside information about a destination can save time and energy, keep costs under control and greatly enhance the chances of staying safe. For backpackers planning a Costa Rica trip, good news is in the air. Costa Rica Ba...

Source: Kalon Surf School DOMINICAL, Costa Rica, March 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Kalon Surf is celebrating five years as Costa Rica's premiere luxury surf coaching resort.  To commemorate the occasion, the resort is proud to introduce two exciting new features: sous-vide cooking and a brand new ocean-view spa. The spa is situated right in the jungle and offers a breathtaking view of Costa Ri...