By: Helen Dunn Frame

The inauguration of the new terminal at the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia Costa Rica featuring a slew of concessions was held after two delays totaling nine months on January 12, 2012.  During the peak hours the airport, touted as the best secondary facility in all of Central America and the second major airport in Costa Rica, will be able to accommodate 1,500 passengers.  Coriport, a Costa Rican company that has a 20 year concession to operate it, has six months to propose a plan to remodel the old terminal and expand airport services even more.

The $68 million expansion of the Liberia airport became necessary due to the surge in tourism to the northwest province of Guanacaste. A preliminary $2 million renovation which allowed the airport to receive 11 planes simultaneously, including four more Boeings 767's, had already been completed. Since then, many airlines have added direct flights to Liberia from popular gateways like Houston, Denver and London.

The lower level of 18,000 square meters houses expanded immigration facilities, customs, and an area for arriving passengers, plus airline and airport administration offices. The second floor containing 5,000 square meters includes waiting rooms for passengers departing from Guanacaste, four new gates, concessions, and offices for Costa Rican government officials. Also included in the new terminal are security upgrades.  Existing services including emergency medical technicians, refueling, a fire brigade, banks, telephones, Internet, and restaurants remained.

The airport is located approximately 12 kilometers west of Liberia (10 minutes driving distance), 45 Km east of the Papagayo Peninsula, 80 KM northeast of the beach areas of Tamarindo, Conchal, and Flamingo, and 220 Km (136 miles) northwest of San José in the Guanacaste province. Arriving at Liberia International Airport is an excellent option for visiting places like Tamarindo, Golfo de Papagayo, Flamingo, Playa Potrero, Playas del Coco, Playa Samara, and many other places of interest that are either in the Guanacaste Province or in the neighboring areas.

The airport has come a long way from its initial landing strip built at the location at least 50 years ago.  At that time it serviced private planes and emergency landings. When it evolved into an international airport it was named after one of Costa Rica’s previous presidents, Daniel Oduber Quirós (1974-1978), who advocated expansion of Guanacaste tourism. Previously, all international flights entered San Jose, a five to six hour drive depending on the time of day and traffic.
"Liberia is a world-class destination with a really diverse set of attractions," said JetBlue Director Dave Clark who began offering the only direct service from JFK last November. Flights depart JFK at 9:32 a.m. and arrive in Guanacaste at 1:48 p.m. and return from Liberia at 2:43 pm and land in New York City at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.  For all JetBlue flights and promotional prices go to their website: http://jetblue.com/

Beginning this month Delta will add service from Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Some of the airlines besides Delta that fly daily to Liberia from various cities are Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental, Northwest Airlines, Sky Service, Taca Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways.  Other airlines have charter service from Los Angeles (LAX), Atlanta, Miami, Houston and New York (JFK). The two major domestic airlines, Nature Air (www.natureair.com) and Sansa (www.flysansa.com), as well as several private charter companies also provide service to Oduber.  Most domestic flights are on 19-passenger twin-turboprop aircraft.

Among the concessions including Britt Coffee is Corteza del Mar located upstairs near the waiting room in the new terminal.  Owner Adrian Clachar, a member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Liberia Tourism and an associate of Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast Properties, along with a partner, provide travelers a last minute shopping opportunity.  Travelers have a choice of 200 arts and crafts made of wood, ceramic, Indian clay and leather with price points from $1 to $1000.  For more information call Adrian at 8996-0909 or email him at aclachar@me.com.

Another concession allows passengers to fill their eyes, mind, and spirit with the beauty of Costa Rica while waiting to depart.  The first exhibit, Mangroves and Beyond, transports viewers from the depths of the ocean, through the magical mangroves, to the canopies of the rainforest. The Hidden Garden Art Gallery in collaboration with Coriport launched its first exhibit when the terminal opened.  Presented by local artists Carlos Hiller and Tony Jimenez, the exhibit consists of both paintings and sculpture.  For more information about the gallery go to http://hiddengarden.thevanstonegroup.com

For clients seeking a vacation or second home, possibly for retirement, or a hotel alternative to rent in the beach communities of the Northwest Pacific Province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica including Playas del Coco, Hermosa, Ocotal and Panama, contact Linda Gray, Owner/Broker Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast Properties.  She can be reached at (506) 2670-0805 (office), (506) 8347-4704(cell), toll free in North America at 1-877-589-0539 or by Email:  linda@coldwellbankercr.com. Her agents are prepared to leverage the company’s legacy, its network and their unsurpassed knowledge in assisting clients with rentals and purchases of a home or investment property.

By: Helen Dunn Frame

JetBlue Airways on November 17, 2011 began flying four weekly non-stop-round-trip flights from its home base at New York's JFK Airport to the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia in Costa Rica's rich Guanacaste region. To celebrate, travelers may book a flight at the inaugural fare of only $119 if booked by December 1, 2011 for travel through February 15, 2012.  This marks JetBlue’s second destination in Costa Rica because it has served the Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose with nonstop service from Orlando since 2009.

The Liberia airport is located approximately 12 kilometers west of the town (10 minutes driving distance), 45 Km east of the Papagayo Peninsula, 80 Km northeast of the beach areas of Tamarindo, Conchal, and Flamingo, 35 Km from Playas del Coco, and 220 Km (136 miles) northwest of San José. Arriving at Liberia International Airport is an excellent option for visiting these beaches and towns, as well as many other places of interest that are either in the Guanacaste Province or in neighboring areas.

"Liberia is a world-class destination with a really diverse set of attractions," said JetBlue Director Dave Clark. "We'll be offering the only direct service from JFK and we're excited to make it easy for customers to get to the beautiful Pacific Coast of Costa Rica."  Recent expansion of the Daniel Oduber International Airport although not officially open yet has sparked the interest of several airlines including Delta Airlines which will add flights in January 2012.

Costa Rica Minister of Tourism Allan Flores commented about the airline’s new service, “We look forward to welcoming JetBlue passengers into our country, where they can experience first-hand our rich culture, commitment to sustainability, and the happiness that is unique to our country,"

Flights depart JFK at 9:32 a.m. and arrive in Guanacaste at 1:48 p.m. and return from Liberia at 2:43 pm and land in New York City at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.  For all JetBlue flights go to their website: http://jetblue.com/

Author: Helen Dunn Frame

Delta Airlines and Jet Blue have announced additional direct flights to the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia (LIR)  Beginning in January 2012 Delta will add service from Minneapolis, Minnesota.  On November 17 JetBlue will add four weekly nonstop flights from New York’s JFK International Airport. These flights will cost under $300 and operate on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays.  

Some of the airlines that fly daily to Liberia from various cities are Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Northwest Airlines, Sky Service, Taca Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways.  Other airlines have charter service from Los Angeles (LAX), Atlanta, Miami, Houston and New York (JFK), The two major domestic airlines, Nature Air  (www.natureair.com) and Sansa (www.flysansa.com), as well as several private charter companies provide service to Oduber.  Most domestic flights are on 19-passenger twin-turboprop aircraft.

The airport is located approximately 12 kilometers west of Liberia (10 minutes driving distance), 45 Km east of the Papagayo Peninsula, 80 KM northeast of the beach areas of Tamarindo, Conchal, and Flamingo, and 220 Km (136 miles) northwest of San José in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Arriving at Liberia International Airport is an excellent option for visiting places like  (insert read more)Tamarindo, Golfo de Papagayo, Flamingo, Playa Potrero, Playas del Coco, Playa Samara, and many other places of interest that are either in the Guanacaste Province or in the neighboring areas.

The Guanacaste Region and more...

Although we are located in the Guanacaste region near Playa del Coco and Playa Hermosa, we wanted to share with you some information about all the regions of Costa Rica. We ciouldn't really say it better than Frommers guidebook so here is an excerpt from their 2006 Travel Guide for Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Regions in Brief

Source: Frommer's Costa Rica 2006
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/costarica/0219020814.html

Costa Rica rightfully should be called "Costas Ricas" because it has two coasts, one on the Pacific Ocean and one on the Caribbean Sea. These two coasts are as different from each other as are the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America.

Costa Rica's Pacific coast is characterized by a rugged (although mostly accessible) coastline where forested mountains often meet the sea. It can be divided into three distinct regions -- Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, the Central Coast, and the Southern Coast. There are some spectacular stretches of coastline, and most of the country's top beaches are here. This coast varies from the dry, sunny climate of the northwest to the hot, humid rainforests of the south.

The Caribbean coast can be divided into two roughly equal stretches, one of which is accessible only by boat or small plane. The remote northeast coastline is a vast flat plain laced with rivers and covered with rainforest. Farther south, along the stretch of coast accessible by car, there are uncrowded beaches and even a bit of coral reef.

Bordered by Nicaragua in the north and Panama in the southeast, Costa Rica is only slightly larger than Vermont and New Hampshire combined. Much of the country is mountainous, with three major ranges running northwest to southeast. Among these mountains are several volcanic peaks, some of which are still active. Between the mountain ranges are fertile valleys, the largest and most populated of which is the Central Valley. With the exception of the dry Guanacaste region, much of Costa Rica's coastal area is hot and humid and covered with dense rainforests.

Guanacaste & the Nicoya Peninsula
The northwestern corner of the country near the Nicaraguan border is the site of many of Costa Rica's sunniest and most popular beaches. Because many Americans have chosen to build beach houses and retirement homes here, Guanacaste, in particular, is experiencing quite a bit of new development. Don't expect a glut of Cancún-style high-rise hotels, but condos, luxury resorts, and golf courses are springing up like mushrooms. That's not to say you'll be towel-to-towel with thousands of strangers. On the contrary, you can still find long stretches of deserted sands. That might not be true for long, however: Now that the new international airport in Liberia is up and running, travelers can get here on daily direct flights from North America.

With about 65 inches of rain a year, this region is by far the driest in the country and has been likened to west Texas. Guanacaste province sits at the border of Nicaragua and is named after the shady trees that still shelter the herds of cattle that roam the dusty savanna here. In addition to cattle ranches, Guanacaste boasts semiactive volcanoes, several lakes, and one of the last remnants of tropical dry forest left in Central America. (Dry forest once stretched all the way from Costa Rica up to the Mexican state of Chiapas.

San Jose & The Central Valley

The Central Valley is characterized by rolling green hills that rise to heights between 900 and 1,200m (2,952-3,936 ft.) above sea level. The climate here is mild and springlike year-round. It's Costa Rica's primary agricultural region, with coffee farms making up the majority of landholdings. The rich volcanic soil of this region makes it ideal for farming. The country's earliest settlements were in this area, and today the Central Valley (which includes San José) is densely populated, with decent roads, and dotted with small towns. Surrounding the Central Valley are high mountains, among which are four volcanic peaks. Two of these, Poás and Irazú, are still active and have caused extensive damage during cycles of activity in the past 2 centuries. Many of the mountainous regions to the north and to the south of the capital of San José have been declared national parks (Tapantí, Juan Castro, and Braulio Carrillo) to protect their virgin rainforests against logging.

The Northern Zone

This region lies to the north of San José and includes rainforests, cloud forests, hot springs, the country's two most active volcanoes (Arenal and Rincón de la Vieja), Braulio Carrillo National Park, and numerous remote lodges. Because this is one of the few regions of Costa Rica without any beaches, it primarily attracts people interested in nature and active sports. Lake Arenal boasts some of the best windsurfing in the world, as well as several good mountain-biking trails along its shores. The Monteverde Cloud Forest, perhaps Costa Rica's most internationally recognized attraction, is another top draw in this region.

The Central Pacific Coast

Because it's the most easily accessible coastline in Costa Rica, the central Pacific coast boasts the greatest number of beach resorts and hotels. Playa de Jacó is the most popular destination here, a beach within a few hours' drive of San José that attracts a large number of Canadian and German charter groups and plenty of Tico tourists on weekends. Manuel Antonio, the name of a popular coastal national park as well as the resort area that surrounds it, caters to people seeking a bit more tranquillity and beauty. At the same time, this region is home to the highest peak in Costa Rica -- Mount Chirripó -- where frost is common.

The Southern Zone

This hot, humid region is one of Costa Rica's most remote and undeveloped regions. It is characterized by dense rainforests and rugged coastlines. Much of the area is protected in Corcovado and La Amistad national parks. There is a wealth of wonderful nature lodges spread around the shores of the Golfo Dulce and along the Osa Peninsula. There's a lot of solitude to be found here, due in no small part to the fact that it's hard to get here and hard to get around. But if you like your ecotourism challenging, you'll find it to your liking.

The Caribbean Coast

Most of the Caribbean coast is a wide, steamy lowland laced with rivers and blanketed with rainforests and banana plantations. The culture here is predominantly Afro-Caribbean, with many residents speaking English or Caribbean patois. The northern section of this coast is accessible only by boat or small plane and is the site of Tortuguero National Park, which is known for its nesting sea turtles and riverboat trips. The towns of Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Manzanillo, on the southern half of the Caribbean coast, are increasingly popular destinations. The coastline here boasts many beautiful beaches and, as yet, few large hotels. However, this area can be rainy, especially between December and April.

By Helen Dunn Frame                                                                                                                           

You’ve found your dream home and are living in Paradise in Costa Rica.  What is the next logical step?  Answer: to apply for residency. Initially you have to apply for temporary residency but after having a cédula for three years, you may apply for permanent residency.

As a foreigner you and your family, including your spouse, parents, single siblings and children, have three types of temporary residency to apply for as of 2012.   In each case the cédula holder may work in Costa Rica only if he has his own Costa Rican corporation or business but may not work for another company.  Once you obtain permanent residency this restriction disappears.

The first type of temporary residency is as a retiree or pensionado or pensionada if you are entitled to a lifetime pension of $1000 per month in your country of origin.  In the United States these include an IRA program, 401K retirement plan, and a certifiable pension from a corporation or a union or the US Social Security System.  The same applies for Canadian residents who have a Registered Retirement Savings Plan or RRSP.  To apply as a retiree obtain a certifiable letter to prove a life time pension authenticated either by a Costa Rica Consulate or through the “Apostille” process.

By: Helen Dunn Frame
The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® (CRGAR) has scheduled its next Golf Tournament and Fundraising Weekend for April 6-7, 2012. The golf tournament and awards luncheon will return to the Reserva Conchal Golf Club and Beach Club on Saturday. The tournament will be preceded by a Welcome Party the night before at a location to be announced.

The CRGAR Golf Tournament is one of the few times each year for non-members to enjoy the challenges of the Reserva Conchal course and the beauty of the private club. The tournament was purposely scheduled during Semana Santa (Easter Week) this year to attract a capacity of 104 golfers from all over, many who traditionally vacation at the beach during this major holiday in Costa Rica.

CRGAR Board Member and Weekend Co-Chair, Lindsey Cantillo noted “The Tournament and Welcome Party are also great opportunities for our supporters to gain recognition by sponsoring holes, tees, golf achievement, the events themselves, or by becoming the Named Sponsor for the entire weekend.”

Check in will be in the Pro-Shop of the Reserva Conchal Golf Club on Saturday, April 7, 2012 prior to tee off at 7:30AM with a Scramble Start.  Two teams of three persons each will tee off together.  Golfers must register handicaps in advance.  

The tournament fee, to be announced, will include incentives for early registration, a Continental Breakfast, golf cart; ice, beverages and snacks on the course, Mojitos after the tournament, the Awards Luncheon, and Trophies.  Non-golfers may purchase luncheon tickets separately at a price to be determined. A portion of the funds raised will be contributed to local educational programs.

Linda Gray, founding director in 1999 and President Emeritus of CRGAR as well as Owner/Broker Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast Properties, will assist with fundraising, raffle tickets, and auction items.  Her contact information is (506) 2670-0805, cell (506) 8347-4704, linda@coldwellbankercr.com and Toll Free in North America; 1-877-589-0539
CRGAR is affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in the United States, and is the only such association in Central America that requires its members to become individual members of NAR. CRGAR offers REALTOR® training classes, ethical enforcement, peer-licensing, international affiliations, special events, and access to the developing Costa Rica MLS.

To receive further details on the 2012 CRGAR Golf Tournament and Fundraising Weekend, to offer your support as a sponsor or volunteer, or to learn more about CRGAR send an email to CRGARGOLF@gmail.com.

Buying or renting one of the Costa Rica condos might be the right lifestyle for you if you eschew maintaining a lawn, spending weekends working on upkeep, or don’t want to commit to a large down payment for a conventional home.   Although you do not own the land beneath it like a house or townhouse, despite being required to contribute to the general upkeep of the common areas by paying a Home Owners Association (HOA) fee, this type of ownership has advantages.

What is a Homeowner's Association?  When a person purchases a condo he or she becomes a member by default.  Usually a board of community members, fellow property owners elected to their positions, oversees the association and its bylaws, rules, and regulations. The association maintains all common areas with a master fund collected with monthly dues. These fees, which must be paid in a timely manner, can be raised from time to time as outlined by the bylaws.

The Pin Residence, located in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste just north of Playas del Coco, was one of three luxury properties on Costa Rica's Pacific coast selected in the America Property Awards competition, a global contest that rewards the best professional design and construction.  Designed by Costa Rican architect Andrés Morales, the home, built in 2010 and listed among Guanacaste luxury properties, received the award in the category of the Detached House Property Division (and architectural field).

The other two award winning luxury homes were Pura Vista, located in Manuel Antonio, Quepos and South House, a project designed by Costa Rican architect Jaime Rouillon set in the forest and sea in Playa Nosara,
According to the dictionary luxury means “A material object, service . . . conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity.” No matter how the word is defined, affluent consumers associate luxury with things they believe are uniquely positioned to serve their lifestyle.

Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast agents are prepared to leverage the company’s legacy, its network and their unsurpassed knowledge in assisting clients with finding their unique home among Guanacaste luxury properties. Coldwell Banker representatives tout: History, knowledge and having a global presence makes the difference.  They know that luxury property buyers expect differentiation. Therefore they use methods that requires precision, sophistication and the ability to create plans to market to this niche as individual as the Guanacaste luxury properties themselves.
While the price of a regular home is based on things like square footage, neighborhood and school district, luxury properties have a unique set of criteria that justify why they are more expensive. The criteria include location, location, location, and the number of famous people in the neighborhood, upscale amenities, and architectural and interior design such as that seen in the award winning Playa Hermosa property.

For help with obtaining one of Guanacaste luxury properties in the beach communities of the Northwest Pacific Province; call Linda Gray, Owner/Broker Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast Properties; (506) 2670-0805, cell (506) 8347-4704, or email her at linda@coldwellbankercr.com. Plus, save time searching for a reputable and well-priced rental car company by utilizing Coast to Coast concierge services that have access to all rental car companies in the area. The US toll free number for Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast is 1-877-589-0539.

Known as the Malibu of Costa Rica for a good reason it’s the hottest growth area of the Guanacaste Gold Coast.  The gorgeous beach remains an unrivalled oceanfront location.

Location, location, location, the three most important factors in choosing real estate, rings true when purchasing or renting one of the Guanacaste Oceanfront Homes.   Select from plots of prime oceanfront land for development or houses and condos ready to live in.  Even adjoining beach properties may be found that are ideal for development. Currently permits may be obtained to build up to seven story Guanacaste Oceanfront Homes or condos before the regulatory plan comes into effect when the limit most likely will be three levels.

Guanacaste Oceanfront homes include luxury modern villas as large as 6000 square feet perched above a landscaped palm forest on as much as three acres of property.  They are designed to take advantage of expansive views of the ocean and white sand beach and year-round sunsets. These properties offer state-of-the-art North American amenities in a delightful tropical setting.

To make one of the Guanacaste Oceanfront Homes your dream abode, contact Linda Gray, Owner/Broker of Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast, by calling the office at (506) 2670-0805 or her cell (506) 8347-4704, or by sending an email:  linda@coldwellbankercr.com  She stands ready to advise you about services available in the community and adjacent areas, all focusing on making your lifestyle in Costa Rica a dream come true.  

To book one of the Guanacaste Oceanfront Homes for a vacation ask Daniel Rodriguez who handles all types of rentals in Guanacaste whether for a vacation or for living in Costa Rica. Reach him at the Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast Properties office in Playas del Coco by calling 506-2670-0805 or by sending an email: to Daniel@coldwellbankercr.com.  The US toll free number for the office is 1 877 589 0539.

Plus, to find a reputable and well-priced rental car company in Guanacaste utilize Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast Properties’ concierge services that have access to all rental car companies in the area.

Pacifico is located in the town of Playas del Coco in the Guanacaste Province only a 30 minute cab ride from Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica. A wide variety of Condos at PACIFICO will enable you to find one to fill your dream.

Owning a condo is a great idea if you plan to travel a lot from your home in Costa Rica, will only live in the country part of the year, or want to rent the unit long or short term when you’re not using it.  Being in a gated community adds to your peace of mind.

What choices of Condos at PACIFICO can you expect to find?  For example, recently a number of Condos at PACIFICO were put on sale as the last of those in a development were finished.  Some upgrades were offered for free.  Ranging in size from about 1,200 to 1,600 square feet with one to three bedrooms, they were priced from $184,000 to $269,000. 

Amenities included air conditioning, internet, an alarm system, cable TV, pools, beach club and security 24/7.
When you live at PACIFICO cooking in or dining out are options.  Whether you prefer informal meals or fine seafood dinners, Playa del Coco offers a wide range of restaurants catering to every palate and budget. Locally raised chicken and an abundance of fresh seafood dot the menus. A night on the town may include salsa and merengue dancing, karaoke, or gaming at the local casinos.

To obtain one of the Condos at PACIFICO, ask Linda Gray, Owner/Broker of Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast, for help with purchasing a property by calling the office at (506) 2670-0805, or her cell (506) 8347-4704, or by sending an email:  linda@coldwellbankercr.com  She can advise you about services available in the community including multiple grocery stores, artisan shops, medical and dental facilities, pharmacies, banks, restaurants, quaint bars to farmers’ markets, all focusing on making your lifestyle in Condos at PACIFICO in Costa Rica a dream come true.  

Plus, save time searching for a reputable and well-priced rental car company in Guanacaste while you determine which condo fits your dream by utilizing Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast Properties’ concierge services that have access to all rental car companies in the area. The US toll free number is 1 877 589 0539.

"Patricia Murolo, a San Jose native, opened a show entitled "Litany of Colors that emphasizes bold colors and strong images on October 22nd at the Hidden Garden Art Gallery located five kilometers west of the Daniel Oduber International Airport on the highway to the Pacific beaches including Playas del Coco.  

AM Costa Rica on October 20, 2011 reported the artist recalled that ever since she can remember drawing and painting have been her constant companions.  She grew up around colored pencils, paper, illustrations, and anything that could capture her fantasies.  She now draws inspiration from the birds, butterflies and howler monkeys that inhabit Playa Avellana where she lives.

By Helen Dunn Frame

America Movil ‘s unit Claro Costa Rica will open a retail location for service of cell phones in Costa Rica next to the Coldwell Banker Coast to Coast office in the Central Plaza across from Banco Nacional in Playas del Coco, Guanacaste.   Last June the company received authorization from Costa Rica's Comptroller General to launch operations in the local market,

America Movil , Latin America’s largest wireless carrier, operating as Claro Costa Rica will compete with the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad  (ICE) and Spain's Telefonica (Movistar.)   ICE heretofore has controlled wireless and fixed line business in the country with 2.6 million cell phone lines.

Controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, the parent company of Claro Costa Rica now has access to its eighth market in the Central America- Caribbean region where it had 16.8 million subscribers at the end of September 2011. That represented 7.7 percent of its wireless lines across the Western hemisphere. America Movil also operates in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

With the exception of Cuba, Costa Rica is the last Latin American country with a state telecommunications monopoly, according to its regulator the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (SUTEL).  Ending ICE's four-decade-old monopoly of cell phones in Costa Rica was one of the conditions to enter the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the United States, or CAFTA, which took effect in Costa Rica in 2009

Author: Helen Dunn Frame

Delta Airlines and Jet Blue have announced additional direct flights to the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia (LIR)  Beginning in January 2012 Delta will add service from Minneapolis, Minnesota.  On November 17 JetBlue will add four weekly nonstop flights from New York’s JFK International Airport. These flights will cost under $300 and operate on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays.  

Some of the airlines that fly daily to Liberia from various cities are Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Northwest Airlines, Sky Service, Taca Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways.  Other airlines have charter service from Los Angeles (LAX), Atlanta, Miami, Houston and New York (JFK), The two major domestic airlines, Nature Air  (www.natureair.com) and Sansa (www.flysansa.com), as well as several private charter companies provide service to Oduber.  Most domestic flights are on 19-passenger twin-turboprop aircraft.

The airport is located approximately 12 kilometers west of Liberia (10 minutes driving distance), 45 Km east of the Papagayo Peninsula, 80 KM northeast of the beach areas of Tamarindo, Conchal, and Flamingo, and 220 Km (136 miles) northwest of San José in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Arriving at Liberia International Airport is an excellent option for visiting places like  (insert read more)Tamarindo, Golfo de Papagayo, Flamingo, Playa Potrero, Playas del Coco, Playa Samara, and many other places of interest that are either in the Guanacaste Province or in the neighboring areas.

Costa Rica Weather

Costa Rica is unequivocally a tropical country, situated between 8° and 11° North latitude, fairly close to the equator. Although in the mountains above 2000 meters you get much cooler temperatures, the average annual temperature for most of the country lies between 21.7°C (71°F) and 27°C (81°F). The coolest months are from November through January, and the warmest from March through May. San José, the capital, where over a third of the population lives, stands at approximately 1170 meters altitude and has a mean annual temperature of 20.6°C (69°F).

Costa Rica weather is classically divided into two major seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season runs from January through May and the rainy season from May to November and December.

Rainfall patterns, although seasonal, vary greatly in intensity across geographical areas. Some locations receive over 6 mts (18 ft) of precipitation per year, while others receive under 1.5 mts (4 ft). Most of the total rainfall for any given site (about 70%) occurs on less than 15 days of a whole year, and will often be experienced as days of torrential downpour.

On the Caribbean slope the rainy season begins from mid to late April and continues through December and sometimes January. The wettest months are July and November, with a dry spell that occurs around August or September. Major storms, called "temporales del Atlantico" occasionally buffet this slope between September and February, when it will rain continuously for several days; but an average rainy season day will begin clear with a few hours of sunshine that will give way to clouds and rain by the afternoon. In contrast, the driest months of February and March, might be almost entirely without rainfall.

On the Pacific slope the rainy season begins in May and runs its course until November. Here again, days often begin sunny and pleasant, with rains coming later in the day. This is a period in which the trade winds coming from the north-east are much reduced in intensity, and as a result storms often come in from the Pacific Ocean in September and October. In the northern half of the country the Pacific slope experiences an intense dry season, in which no rain may fall for several months. The forests of the North-West are to a large extent deciduous, letting their leaves fall in order to conserve water. Winds can be very strong, occasionally reaching speeds of 90 km/hr in the lowlands, although they average more around 20 km/hr. The whole Central Valley, in which the capital is situated, experiences a mild, pleasant dry season that is matched by moderate temperatures for most of the year, and a lower than average amount of rainfall. Early settlers prized the area for both its mild climate and fertile soils. The southern half of the Pacific slope is much wetter than its northern counterpart, with a shorter dry season and longer and heavier afternoon rains in the wet season.

Written by Marc Eggar