Let Your Worries Coast Away in Costa Rica

If you wisely take the special deal being offered for the Hilton Papagyo/Arenal Nayara $1159 for 8 days/7 nights with round trip airfare on American Airlines and 7 day rental Bego 4WD or similar. Click here for details

You will discover the resorts have so much to offer, you’ll want to move there.

Here are just a few of our favorite experiences.

At the Hilton Papgayo, there is a three level pool. On the top level you can swim or do some water aerobics. After getting your exercise in, wind down at the Fuenete de Vida Bar. It’s located right inside the pool! So you can just swim right over. INSIDER TIP: In Costa Rica, locals don’t order a “cerveza” they ask for “una bierra.” If you want to try the local beer, ask for an Imperial. Of course the other mixed drinks are tasty too. Nothing beats a margarita or a whisky sour in your bathing suit.

Afterwards, you might want to check out the lower level. There is a volleyball court set up and there’s usually always a game going on. At the lower level they have the best snack bar in the place. The El Bocadillo Snack Bar offers a variety of salads, wraps, and Mexican snacks: nachos, tacos, enchiladas, burritos. Our recommendation: the chicken tacos. The tortillas are made fresh and the veggies are newly harvested. There is also pizza, hamburgers, and a variety of sandwiches for “bocadillo” is Spanish for “sandwich.”

The best way to see the youngest volcano in Costa Rica (as well as one of the top 10 most active in the world!!) is from the view of a secluded bungalow in the Arenal Nayara Hotel. Relax in your patio’s outdoor Jacuzzi and take in the sights and sounds of Costa Rica. You’ll have the best sleep of your life, if you crack the patio door open and allow the sounds of rain, frogs, and crickets to lull you to sleep.

In Search of the Quetzal

The quetzal may be small and pigeon like but it makes up for its stature with audacious plumage: vivid, shimmering green comes alive in the abundant sunlight of Central America flashing emerald to gold back to spectacular green.

While everyone spoke of its beauty, the bird was so elusive that early European naturalists believed the quetzal was just a myth of the Central American natives. Which makes sense since early Mayans and Aztecs worshiped a god called Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent, and depicted him with a headdress of quetzal feathers. In fact, the bird’s name is derived from quetzalli, an Aztec word meaning “precious” or “beautiful.”

One English naturalist, Osbert Salvin, wrote he was “determined, rain or no rain, to be off to the mountain forests in search of quetzals,to see and shoot which has been a daydream for me ever since I set foot in Central America.” Salvin, the first European ever to record an observation of the bird, noted it was “unequaled for splendour among the birds of the New World,” then he promptly shot it. During the next few decades, thousands of quetzal plumes crossed the Atlantic to adorn fashionable hats of the elite in Paris, Amsterdam, and London.

The Mayans considered killing the bird to be a capital crime, but they too revered its feathers. They were worth more than gold in the Mayan society. Guatemalans were so taken by the bird they named their currency after it. The bird also graces the national shield, flag, postage stamps, along with their money.

Although the Costa Ricans don’t worship the bird with quite as much fervor, the bird is more easily seen in Costa Rica. Especially during breeding season (March-June) when the narcissistic males show off their beautiful tail plumes and scarlet red breast in spiraling skyward flights and dizzing dives causing their tail feathers to ripple behind in part of the courtship ritual. If you can’t make it out for their mating season, try to time your visit during the bird’s meticulous feeding hours, which you can almost set your watch by. They eat insects, small frogs, lizards, and the fruit of the broad-leafed aguacatillo.

Great Resorts in Costa Rica

Exotic, romantic, gorgeous. The Hilton Papagayo is the perfect place for your tropical wedding. Imagine exchange your vows under a captivating sunset on the exclusive volcanic sand beach, then dancing at the reception under the twinkling starry blanket provided by the Guanacaste sky. It can happen at the Hilton. The resort is the perfect place to mark an unforgettable chapter in your love story.





There’s something for everyone. Enjoy the diversity of local flora and fauana around the resort. Experience the outdoors with world-class fishing or play some golf at one of the 18 hole courses. After a long day outside, relax at the resort’s Spa Vida that has 13 treatment rooms, a beauty parlor, whirlpool and sauna.

Right now, Ask About Honeymoons has a special package valid through September 30, 2009 for the Hilton Papagayo. $1159 for 8 days/7 nights will get you round trip airfare on American Airlines, 7 day car rental Bego 4WD or similar, 3 nights at Arenal Nayara, 4 nights at Hilton Papagayo, and daily breakfast. Click here for details.

Now, I know you’re wondering if the Arenal Nayara is as fantastic as the Hilton. Don’t worry, you’ll have an amazing experience at this hotel. It’s located on the outskirts of one of the world’s most amazing volcanoes. The hotel wants you to experience the best of Costa Rica. They offer activities and tours for both thrill-seekers and those looking to unwind. Including whitewater rafting, horseback riding, hot springs, visiting farms, bird watching, fishing, windsurfing, canopy tours, and crossing suspended bridges over the forest canopy.

Adventurous Honeymoons

Are you a more adventurous couple? Do you want to do something exciting for your honeymoon instead of the usual laying on a beach drinking cocktails? Here are some fun and unique ideas for your honeymoon. Click Here to visit our Adventure Honeymoon Travel Website

Alaskan Glacier Cruises: Everyone goes on a cruise to the Caribbean but a cruise along the Alaskan coast on a glacier tour is unique and different. Cruises start in Vancouver and ends in Anchorage. You will go by the Glacier Bay National Park where you will see wildlife, gigantic glaciers and beautiful mountain scenery. The ideal time to go would be in May where the average high temperature is 61 degrees Fahrenheit.
Road Trip in the Himalayas: Drive from Tibet to Nepal for a once-in-a lifetime experience. Along the way you can check out the Dalai Lama's winter and summer home, stop by some ancient monasteries, and get a great view of Mt. Everest. This honeymoon idea would not be ideal for those who are prone to altitude sickness.


Costa Rican Fishing Adventure: Costa Rica has got it all. You can hike the nature trails at the Monteverde cloud forest, relax on the beach, and even windsurf at the Lake Arenal, which is at the base of an active volcano! In the Guanacaste province you can test your skills by chartering a boat and going deep-sea-fishing for a day.


Diving in St. Croix: Check out what's underneath the crystal clear blue water of the Caribbean by spending your honeymoon scuba diving in St. Croix. You can explore the underwater canyons filled with exotic marine life and the largest living coral reef in the Caribbean.


Volcano Bike Ride: Head to Maui and for an amazing bike ride down the 10,000 ft. high Haleakala volcano. On the 38 mile ride down you'll be able to see old lava flows, wildlife, and incredible views of the island. The park is open 24 hours so head back to the summit at night and get blown away by gazing at the stars.

Hike the Ruins in Cambodia: This trip takes you to another world. Explore the 12th century ruins in Angkor Wat where you can see Hindu towers, temples, and sculptures. These ruins are located in the middle of the jungle in Cambodia. Hire a guide and check out this 60-squared mile ancient city.

Climb Mt. Fuji : Tokyo is the perfect place for a mix of urban excitement and Japanese culture. After exploring the city take a night hike to the summit of Mt. Fuji. If you take the Fujikyu bus to the 5th station on the mountain and start at midnight you'll get to the summit just in time to see the sunrise. This climb is not for the faint of heart.

Looking for an adventure honeymoon? Visit our Adventure Travel Website Click Here!