Manuel Antonio National Park Temporarily Closed

According to the Tico Times Manuel Antonio National Park is temporarily closed since Tuesday due to the heavy rain.

The main road from Quepos to Manuel is still closed and expected to reopen to restricted traffic soon. The old Manuel Antonio road is open.

Learn more about travel to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.

Hurricane Ida: Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel

US Consulate of Merida has issued a Warden Message about Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ida is likely to head towards Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel. Please register with state department.

This Warden Message is being issued to inform U.S. citizens that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued alerts for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ida that is currently located inland of east-central Nicaragua. The U.S. National Weather Service predicts that Ida will follow a northern track towards Quintana Roo. Under the current prediction, Ida will cross over Nicaragua and the Caribbean Sea and make landfall again early Sunday morning as a tropical storm and continue up the coast slowly towards Cozumel and Cancun. Please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website http://www.nhc.noaa.gov to follow the storm’s path.

In addition to danger from wind, life threatening flash floods and mudslides are possible. Coastal areas are especially vulnerable to these hazards. U.S. citizens in coastal areas may be impacted by the storm and are strongly encouraged to monitor media reports, and the Mexican Government’s Proteccion Civil website, http://www.proteccioncivil.gob.mx for updated information about the storm and to follow official instructions. U.S. citizens are urged to stay clear of beaches as rough seas associated with storm conditions create severe hazards. U.S. citizens should stay in contact with relatives and friends in the U.S. to apprise them of their whereabouts, both before and after the storm. Visitors should be familiar with their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. If you must travel during this time please follow normal heavy rain precautions.

U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) with them at all times or secure them by placing them in a safe waterproof location.

JeffMasters of Wunderground.com says “for Cozumel give the Mexican resort island a 26% chance of receiving tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph of higher, Sunday or Monday.” Resources: National Hurricane Center’s  Tropical Depression IDA Mexican Government’s Proteccion Civil – website U.S. Department of State – Travel

Cities: Playa del Carmen

Finding Cheap Flights to Costa Rica

Finding inexpensive flights to Costa Rica can be simply depending on where you live and the flexibility of your schedule. Read more

Costa Rica Happiest Country!

In a new study Costa Rica was named the happiest country on the planet! For some perspective the United States ranked 114 and Britain 74. Find out where your country stands with this map. Download (pdf file) the full report. Read more

Swine Flu (H1N1) & Costa Rica

UPDATE: 7/14/2009
A little perspective for the concerned travelers about H1N1 (Swine Flue) in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica: 327 cases & 4 deaths
USA:  33,902 cases & 170 deaths
UK: 74,47 cases & 3 deaths
Mexico: 10,262 cases & 119 deaths

Data from the World health Organization H1N1 2009 (update 58 ) Read more

Manuel Antonio National Park regains Ecological Blue Flag Status

Manuel Antonio National Park regained the Ecological Blue Flag status reported by Environment, Energy and Telecommunications Ministry (MINAET). The prestigious status was previously revoked by Aya (Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute) citing “future” risk due to sewage contamination from park bathrooms. Read more

6.1 Earthquake hits Costa Rica

The USGA is reporting a 6.1 Earthquake near San Jose, Costa Rica at 01:21PM (CST).

UPDATED: 1/9/09
-Government to declare national emergency as earthquake death toll climbs
-14 dead
-300 injured
-Unknown number missing
-Hundreds of people are still trapped
-Town of Cinchona: Reported that no houses standing
-U.S. helicopters are flying in today to help with transportation of injured and trapped

Read more

$15 Tourist Tax Approved by Costa Rica Government

A.M. Costa Rica reports that the Costa Rica legislator passed a new $15 tax on every airline ticket from abroad. They will be eliminating a 3% tourism tax on hotels and other temporary housing. Read more

EcoTourism Adventure Park Inaugurated in Costa Rica

Veragua Rainforest Research and Adventure Park was recently inaugurated in Limon, Costa Rica. This ecotourism park is comprised of about 4,000 acres surrounded by rainforest. Attractions include frogs, butterflies, insects, snakes and 2,460 feet of zip line canopy tours. Read more

Development Example Set by Playas del Coco

Devon Magee, TicoTimes.net, recently reported on the hard-line example Playas del Coco is setting for other costal towns in Costa Rica. He reports that the local municipality started demolishing all illegal constructions within 50 meters from the water’s edge designated by ZMT laws. These areas are intended for public use and have been mostly ignored. Read more

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