October 2018 Newsletter from Lovejoy Travel Agency
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most visited international destinations with its small country but high biodiversity. It is a very peaceful country that hasn’t had, or needed, an army since 1949. The jungle, the volcanos, the adventure attracts visitors to explore and embrace the basics of nature in its ultimate beauty.
When To Go
Being in the tropics, it is best to pay attention to the rainy season and location. The Caribbean side of Costa Rica gets heavy rainfall year-round. However, the rainy season on the Pacific side of Costa Rica is May to mid-November, making mid-November to April the ideal time to visit.

All-Inclusive Resorts
Us Americans have a love of all-inclusive resorts and Costa Rica accommodates. All of these resorts are located in Guanacaste, on the Pacific Ocean side of the country. This region has the most diversity in Costa Rica due to its high montane cloud forest, lowland dry forest, and it’s beaches.

Where To Go
  • Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica is an adults only resort built into the hill, creating a “private” beach setting.
  • Planet Hollywood is a newly rebranded property that is going to be a fabulous family location.
  • Dreams is …a dream that accompanies family’s with luxury.
  • The Riu resorts are surrounded by rainforest on three sides and ocean on the fourth, ideal if you want to hit up the Diamante Eco Adventure tours.

What To Do
  • While in Costa Rica, you must visit the Arenal Volcano in the Northern region. It is the most active of the 7 active volcanoes in Costa Rica, with minor eruptions almost daily.
  • Another must is the Canopy Tours. You will be lifted up into the tree tops, walk bridges and suspended walkways to see animals that may never venture to the forest floor.
  • Visit the Isla del Coco, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is an uninhabited island, part of the Galapagos chain with beautiful waterfalls and diverse birds.
  • Three of the beaches are sea turtle nesting sites. Nesting takes place between April and December with up to 20,000 sea turtles coming ashore each night.

European Plan (non All-Inclusive):
If you are more interested in eating with the locals, Costa Rica offers a number of wonderful European Plan (EP) accommodations (non all-inclusive). My top EP locations are Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, El Mangroove, Margaritaville Beach Resort and Spa or the Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort (sells out fast!).