jueves, 30 de septiembre de 2010

Why a Vacation to Costa Rica is Good for Your Health


There are many reasons why a person may choose Costa Rica as their vacation destination. The fact that it’s a tropical paradise is the most obvious reason, but what you probably don’t know, is that a vacation to Costa Rica could be the best thing you’ll ever do for your health.

Spanish for Rich Coast, Costa Rica is “head of the class” in ecology, containing 5% of the world’s biodiversity. And, according to the Happy Planet Index, (HPI) Costa Rica is also the happiest and greenest country in the world.

For those of you who might be wondering, the HPI is measured by the New Economics Foundation (NEF.) The HPI works by assessing how much of the Earth’s resources our nations use; then, they compare these results with the happiness and longevity of their citizens lives. Costa Ricans top the list because they find the most satisfaction out of life- and, they live longer than Americans do.

We’ve all been guilty of taking pleasure in a few bad vacation habits (i.e. excessive sun-bathing, binge drinking, and staying out all hours of the night) but, if you’re truly seeking rejuvenation, than a Costa Rica vacation is just what the doctor ordered.

Brought to you by the eco-conscious country of Costa Rica, here are some of nature’s own prescriptions:

Sunshine- With nearly 365 days of sunshine a year, Costa Rica offers an abundant amount of free and all natural vitamin D. (Just be sure to bring the sunscreen!)


Flora and Fauna- About 25% of Costa Rica’s land is protected by national parks, wild life refuges and private reserves. (Think of all the rainforests in Costa Rica.) Together, this protects about 4% of the world’s total land and animal species. Take a deep breath in and prepare to feel purified!


Healthy, Fresh Food- You won’t find any processed food in Costa Rica. Costa Ricans pride themselves on their fresh produce, fresh seafood, and their raw organic diets- this kind of diet helps to ward off cancer and maintain heart health, among other things.


Waterfalls- Relaxation is usually the first word that comes to mind when you hear or envision a waterfall, and there’s a good reason for this. According to a 2008 Costa Rica based press release, “waterfalls produce tiny particles known as negative ions, which have been proven to have a positive impact on health, mood, and energy, affecting serotonin levels in the brain. Negative ions also bond with impurities in the air, adhering to suspended particles and removing them.”


Vacations alone are a de-stressor, but why not take full advantage of the situation and make your health a top priority? In any of the great Costa Rica vacation destinations, you’ll experience the ultimate blend of paradise and good health. iTrip.net has several eco-friendly vacation rentals in Costa Rica for you to choose from. The only question left to ask is, which destination stirs your curiosity most?

Don't delay!!!


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Stephanie Gazo

martes, 28 de septiembre de 2010

So much to see and do in Costa Rica


Costa Rica is so small yet very big at the same time — sort of like a “little giant.” Simply put, there is a lot to see and do in this country. Tourists flock here to view the country’s many natural wonders. As one of my clients remarked, “The country is a nature lover’s Disneyland.” So, if you plan to live or retire here you shouldn’t get bored.

Recently Costa Rica’s famous Monteverde cloud forest was selected as “one the 100 best” places to see by the prestigious Newsweek Magazine. Costa Rica was number thirty-eight on the list and Kauai, Hawaii was number one. Newsweek describes Monteverde as a habitat for a multitude of animals and plants where there are more than 100 species of mammals, 400 types of birds and thousands of insects.

Monteverde is just one of the many places to visit if you choose to move to Costa Rica.

Wonders never cease here.

Hope you enjoy this article!
Regards
Stephanie Gazo

miércoles, 8 de septiembre de 2010

Language, Mindset and Retiring in Costa Rica



The other I was reading a recent post from a major Costa Rica news group. It really really started me thinking. It was about the relationship between language and culture. Basically, language is responsible for every culture’s mindset. It is why we are all different and it also factors in to how well we understand another culture. That is to say it is easier to get a handle on another culture’s mindset the more of their language that we understand.

If you come to Costa Rica to live or retire it is of paramount importance to learn the language and interact with the people. As I have said before on repeated occasions and probably sound like a “scratched record” as they say in Spanish, “If you don’t know some Spanish you will always be a foreigner.” You are also increasing the chances of failure here. Don’t get me wrong! I have seen people live here for ten or twenty years without knowing the language and survive. However, they are really missing out on experiencing the best things about living in a different culture and will always be “strangers in a strange land.”

Being bicultural can makes all the difference in the world. One of the reasons I have had such a fantastic life in Costa Rica over the last thirty years is because I speak the language. All of the success I have had here is a direct result of my linguistic background. Hundreds of doors have opened for me and opportunities have presented themselves.

Cervantes said, “To know another language is to know another world.” Nothing could be truer.

viernes, 3 de septiembre de 2010

Single Tourists and Retirees will make out well in Costa Rica


A recent edition of the publication “Travel and Leisure” considers Costa Rica a good place for those traveling alone. In the article the magazine considered the fifteen best places for single travelers. The most important factor taken into consideration was safety. According to the Global Peace Index Costa Rica ranks 27 out of 149 countries in terms of safety. Another important factor is the fact that Costa Rica was the #1 country in the category of happiness. All tourists feel welcome here.

Besides single travelers single retirees also feel welcome. On my monthly retirement and relocation tours I have many singles who eventually move here. Furthermore, over the years I have met scores of single male and female retirees who lead very happy and productive lives here. There are hundreds of activities in which they can participate to keep busy and avoid loneliness. Many singles even get involved romantically and end up getting married here. I personally know many people who have married here and are very happy.

Costa Rica isn’t for every single person but those who make the effort to socialize lead good lives here.