Beautiful Hardwood Trees of Costa Rica

Guanacaste Tree

Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces, or states. Casa Las Brisas is located on the NW Pacific coast in the province of Guanacaste, which is named for the national tree of Costa Rica. The Guanacaste, or Elephant Ear tree (pictured above), is majestic and immense, characterized by it’s spherical crown. Cows, goats and sheep will often be seen lying under it’s shade during the hot, sunny afternoons. History says it was chosen in part to symbolize the protection that the people of Costa Rica receive from their government! The wood’s stunning natural color and grain make it ideal for furniture but it is illegal to cut it without permits. We are proud to have designed a custom front door crafted from this beautiful hardwood as a welcoming entrance to our home.

The Pochote tree is distinguishable by a trunk that is covered in sharp spines that project

Pochote Tree
Pochote Tree

an inch or more, keeping hungry predators from climbing up its trunk. This native tree is cultivated for use as lumber as it grows straight and tall. The wood of the pochote is white as opposed to the dark grains of teak (see below). It is used to make furniture, cabinets and veneers.

The very popular Teak tree is not native to Costa Rica but grows very well

Teak Plantation
Teak Plantation

there, so it is frequently grown on commercial plantations. It is in high demand around the world, so it has become a major export for Costa Rica, attracting a lot of investors. One of the first things I fell in love with when we first looked at Casa Las Brisas was the soaring, beamed teak ceilings in the main room and the main floor Master Suite.

Bamboo
Bamboo

Costa Rica is the country with the largest woody bamboo diversity in Central America. Bamboo is known as the plant of thousand uses. It is versatile, flexible and very strong. It is mostly used in construction, gardening, fishing, furniture and utensils. We found it is ideal as a cane ceiling material. It is harvested, cut, soaked to kill insects, and then dried and treated. The outdoor cane ceilings on the upper terrace and around the pool are all bamboo.

Although mainly used for it’s timber, the Cortez Amarillo, or

Cortez Amarillo Tree
Cortez Amarillo Tree

Golden Trumpet tree, is found all around the grounds of the house and is a spectacular flowering tree in the dry season. It drops it’s leaves and the entire tree turns bright yellow until the flowers fall to the ground, creating a bright yellow glow.

A giant in the rainforest and one of the more unique trees is actually distinguished by it’s

Kapok Tree
Kapok Tree

unusual trunk. The Kapok can grow as much as 13 feet per year and tops out around 200 feet. It has multiple buttresses that sometimes extend 10 feet around its base. It’s wood is lightweight and porous; good for making carvings and canoes. Soaps can be made from it’s oils and other parts of it are used as medicines. Common in Costa Rica, we have also seen it in Brazil, and for indigenous tribes this tree was holy.

There are countless other interesting and beautiful trees but these are a few favorites because many of them are a part of Casa Las Brisas and contribute to the unique beauty of the beach house.

Costa Rica Stands Out As The Best Vacation Destination When Travel Resumes

Family Vacation at Casa Las Brisas

Needless to say, the last few months have been a huge struggle for everyone around the world.  Quarantine at home all alone or with extended family each pose challenges that we have never had to deal with in the past. We have all missed many activities we used to take for granted, and will be ready to embrace again once it is safe to do so. Travel is at the top of the list!

Renowned international media such as Lonely Planet,  Condé Nast Traveler, Matador Network, Canadian Traveler, Profession Voyages, Forbes, El Mundo de España, among others, have highlighted Costa Rica as a destination to consider once the crisis passes. Even Good Morning America highlighted the story of a British family who recreated the Costa Rican rain forest at home after canceling their trip to our country.

Costa Rica is the best country for travelers looking for great experiences. “We are the world leader in nature tourism and the second in adventure tourism, according to the World Economic Forum. The tourist who visits us has a variety of options to do throughout the country. Activities such as canopy zip lining, white water rafting, hiking, surfing and scuba diving are just a few, which are also combined with cultural elements and authentic unique experiences,” said Shirley Calvo, executive director of the National Tourism Chamber (Canatur). This was also reflected in a TripAdvisor ranking in which “Worldwide, Costa Rica proved to be the favorite destination for travel, ranking first in the list of countries”.  – CostaRicaNews.com

When You are Ready to Travel, Casa Las Brisas is Ready for You! Renting a private villa with stunning ocean views is the ideal spot for a family vacation. Having privacy and far less contact with other travelers and staff is a tremendous plus. Balance crowded hotel lobbies, elevators, hotel restaurants and community pool versus having your own spacious vacation home with a huge kitchen, private pool and little to no interaction with others required. Casa Las Brisas is the perfect beach house for your family vacation!

Without a doubt, Costa Rica is a small country that offers big experiences to all. Although we do not know when the social confinement will end, we can assure you that once this period passes, this beautiful country will welcome you with open arms and the warmth and kindness of it’s people.

Playa Flamingo Costa Rica Vacation Home Casa Las Brisas ocean side luxury home.

Best Beaches along the Gold Coast of Costa Rica

Playa Flamingo

The particular area of Costa Rica where Casa Las Brisas is located is known as The Gold Coast. There are countless beaches, each with their own unique features and vibe. Some are renowned for surfing, others are more secluded and calm, some are ideal for boogie boarding and body surfing and others are lined with palms and banyan trees to escape the sun to read a good book or take a nap. Many are covered with shells of every description, some have almost none. There are white sand beaches and black sand beaches. Whatever your mood, there is a perfect beach for you to discover and enjoy. 

I may be partial, but…Playa Flamingo embodies so many of the great things I look for in a beach; 1 mile of pristine, white sand, lava outcroppings on each end, gentle surf allows for paddle boarding, kayaking and body surfing, ideal for early morning walks before coffee, tree lined so I can set up my beach chairs and cooler, and very few other people to intrude on my serenity. It has been ranked as the #2 beach in all of Costa Rica, with Playa Conchal directly across the bay ranked #1. Casa Las Brisas is perched on a hillside directly above Flamingo and has stunning panoramic views of Brasilito and Conchal to the south.

But even I like to have a change once in awhile, so it’s easy to drive 5-10 minutes in either direction to find just the right one for the day. All the beaches are open to the public, but some are only accessed by driving down a twisted, bumpy dirt road in the middle of nowhere, but all of a sudden it opens up and you are in a pristine, lovely spot, frequently with only a handful of other people, and maybe a few dogs.

“It’s true. I’ve spent some time in Tamarindo and Playas del Coco, but if you look at the coastline between them — Playas Grande, Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo, Potrero, Pan de Azúcar and Danta — you’ll find a microcosm of almost everything Costa Rica has to offer within a half-hour drive.”  – Travel writer for Tico Times 2016

The Resource Book at Casa Las Brisas has an entire section devoted to neighboring beaches and how to reach them. The beach house has coolers, boogie boards, beach chairs and towels so all you need is sunscreen, a good book, beer and ice!

 

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Day Trip

Volcan Rincon de la Vieja

On our very first visit to Costa Rica, way back in 2003, we hired a private guide who took us up to Rincon de la Vieja to the Borinquen Mountain Resort & Spa . It’s located in the mountain range just north of the Liberia airport about an hour drive from our beachfront vacation home, Casa Las Brisas. Since there are so many activities to choose from at the resort, it’s best to make a day of it.

We began with the Canopy Tour zipline which is a series of ziplines starting high above the jungle canopy, zigzagging over gorges and waterfalls before ending at the bottom. The guides are very experienced and reassuring. It’s an exhilarating experience that is a great family adventure suitable for older children and grandparents alike.

Once our feet were back on solid ground we rode on horseback up through the forest to a hidden waterfall. We then took a sauna in a hut perched over bubbling water heated by the volcano, then slathered ourselves with grey volcanic mud and ended up in warm mineral baths. This was all followed by a delicious lunch in their open air restaurant. What a day! My only regret was not having enough time to schedule a spa treatment, but that can be for another time.

For a cool YouTube video about the Borinquen Resort, click the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTLqa_nvAI8&app=desktop#searching

Rainbow from the terrace

Flamingo Rainbow

This perfect rainbow, puffy Cumulus clouds and shimmering Pacific signal brighter times ahead. Flashback to last May; this was taken from our upper terrace at Casa Las Brisas after a week of thunderstorms and high winds. Instead of sipping our customary morning coffee outside in the rocking chairs listening to the parrots chatter or watching whales frolic in the ocean, we spent our days indoors reading, playing cards, watching movies and cooking a lot of great food (and maybe lots of day drinking…) Hmm, this is sounding a lot like what we have all been doing for the past month during these difficult times of social distancing and quarantine. But then one morning we woke up to a lovely sunny day and this huge rainbow parked right over the ocean in Flamingo Bay off our terrace. It signaled the end of the stormy weather and the return to our normal beach life and days filled with hikes, golf, lunches at our favorite restaurants, lazing around the pool, and maybe more day drinking:)

Brahma on the Beach

Cow on Potrero Beach

The lovely white sand beaches are all currently closed in Costa Rica because of the quarantine in effect until April 30. But that hasn’t been much of a deterrent for the cattle here! This is a Brahman bull who is quite happy having the run of the beach to himself. Literally to himself, as you can see the beach and Potrero Bay in the background are totally deserted, per government order. This normally would be one of the busiest tourist weeks with Semana Santa (Holy Week) being the most important holiday for Costa Ricans.

Brahman cattle are most common in Guanacaste because of the arid terrain. They are raised mainly for beef and are grass fed, making them lanky and thin. I love their sweet faces and those long soft ears. The cattle farmers frequently move the herds down the beaches to avoid conjestion on the narrow roadways. But that doesn’t mean you won’t round a turn and find 5 or 6 or these beauties standing in the road completely unconcerned about making way for your car!

A Slice of Heaven in Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica

Playa Flamingo Costa Rica Vacation Home Casa Las Brisas ocean side luxury home.

We think Playa Flamingo is just like heaven. This photo was taken July 31, 2018 right after a brief storm swept across the bay and the sun broke through the clouds. Truly stunning. Deep sea fishing is great right now, the golf courses are lush, the beaches are not crowded and the drinks are always cold. Temps are mild and sunny, with the occasional afternoon rain that clears up and leaves you with sunsets just like this beauty. Green Season rates at Casa Las Brisas are in effect through October, so come stay at Casa Las Brisas and experience your own slice of heaven. #casalasbrisascostarica #ilovethebeach

For other beautiful photos of Playa Flamingo, check out our “Just Imagine” page.

Good News for Canadian Snowbirds

Good News for Canadian Snowbirds

Air Canada to Increase Frequency of Flights Connecting Canada and Costa Rica

Air Canada announced the increase in the frequency of flights connecting Montreal, Canada to Liberia, Guanacaste, going from one to three flights a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) starting December 18, 2018; while flights from Toronto to Liberia will go from four a week to daily as of December 15, 2018, the increase in flights will maintain through April 2019, covering the high season.

The Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) explained that these new flights will be in an airplane A319, and will raise the number of available seats to 17,000.

Costa Rica received over 200 thousand visitors from Canada in 2017 and close to 87 thousand of them traveled directly to the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. Canada represented 6.8% of the total arrivals to the country and 13.4% of the arrivals from North America.

“We continue to share positive news reinforcing the commitment to strengthen the tourism coming from North America. We are proud to receive the results of our efforts as part of the strategy to attract more airlines and increase the frequencies”, commented Maria Amalia Revelo, Minister of Tourism.

Revelo also affirmed that this shows the trust of this airline in Costa Rica and Guanacaste as a destination.

Market research studies carried out by ICT show that 35% of Canadian tourists that show some interest in visiting Costa Rica (prospects), are from Toronto and Montreal, which validates Air Canada’s decision to offer more flights.

“Canadian tourists are interested in culture, relaxation, nature exploring, adventure experiences, beaches and surf”, assures the release.

The new flights will benefit the province of Guanacaste and translates into more and better employment for the tourism industry.

Earlier this month the government also announced the opening of a new route by Sunwing Airlines that will connect Vancouver Canada to Liberia

Interested in learning more about what Costa Rica has to offer? We update our Facebook page nearly daily with current events, sights, and more. Check it out!

We also love to blog – to find more interesting facts and images of all that Casa Las Brisas has to offer, check out the rest of our blog!

The Delicious Fresh Fruit You Can Find in Costa Rica

The Delicious Fresh Fruit You Can Find in Costa Rica

Roadside fruit stands are a delightful culinary experience not to be missed while traveling through Costa Rica. The country’s tropical climate and fertile volcanic soil create excellent conditions for a wide range of fruits to flourish. Although travelers may be familiar with fruits such as mango, papaya, pineapple, bananas, and coconut, Costa Rica offers a wide variety of nutritious and tasty tropical fruits, which stand out for their freshness and exotic flavor.

Below are the top five must-try delicacies no traveler should miss on their next trip:

Nance fruit is a popular item in Playa Flamingo Costa Rica at Casa De Las Brisas

Nance

The Nance is a small yellow berry with delicate skin and a white pulp. It grows in clusters, which acquire a penetrating aroma. They are sweet and slightly bitter. The tree can be found in Costa Rica’s dry forests, savannas and coastal areas, such as Alajuela, Puntarenas, and Guanacaste. Nance fruit is often used to prepare beverages, craft liquors, ice cream and desserts. It is a rich source of vitamin C and fiber.

Guaba is a popular fruit at Casa Las Brisas Costa Rica

Guaba

In Costa Rica, Guaba is synonymous with luck. When someone is particularly lucky, they are called “Guabero”. Not to be confused with guava, the Guaba tree can measure up to 50 feet high and produces beautiful flowers. The fruit pods vary in size and shape, but have a woody bark that contains black seeds covered in a white cottony layer of delicate sweet flavor. Due to its flavor and texture, it is also known as the “ice cream bean.” Guabas are usually available during the rainy season and are often used as an ingredient in salads and ice cream. Its seeds are often used to create jewelry, usually necklaces or earrings, which can be found in craft markets throughout Costa Rica. This fruit is rich in vitamin C, fiber and other micronutrients.

Cas is a popular Casa Las Brisas Costa Rican fruit

Cas

Cas is a small round green fruit that can be found throughout Costa Rica. The skin is thin and the pulp is fleshy and juicy. Cas juice, which is made with ripe Cas, is tart—somewhat similar to lime or lemonade, but has its own unique flavor. It is a Costa Rican staple during mealtime. Cas is available throughout the year, but is most common from November to August. This fruit is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber and potassium. It is also used to make ice-cream.

Mamon Chico is a popular fruit in Casa Las Brisas Costa Rican culture
Mamón Chino

Mamón Chino is an exquisite round fruit covered in an intensely bright red skin, which is protected with soft thorns. The trees grow in clusters and can reach up to 65 feet in height. Mamón Chino is typically found in the southern regions of Costa Rica, where small and large producers, especially from the Corredores area, produce high quality fruit. The sweet and juicy pulp is consumed fresh, and is the ideal ingredient for the preparation of desserts, salads and drinks. Mamón Chino is a rich source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, vitamin A and other beneficial components for health.

Dragon Fruit, or Pitaya Fruit is a popular treat in Casa Las Brisas Costa Rica

Pitahaya

Pitahaya belongs to the cactus family, is native to Mesoamerica and is also known as dragon fruit. The plant grows in dry stony areas, and is resistant to drought. In Costa Rica, it is found in tropical dry forests—mainly north of Puntarenas and Guanacaste. It is also possible to find the plant in some dry areas of the Central Valley. The Pitahaya fruit is oval-shaped with a bright pink and scaly surface. The pulp is soft and translucent, with multiple tiny black seeds—similar to that of grapes. The fresh pulp is a common ingredient in desserts, drinks, salads and ice cream. On the Costa Rican Colón, the Pitahaya appears as a symbol of the country’s natural heritage. This fruit is rich in vitamin C, iron, phosphorus, potassium and fiber; it is also a rich source of antioxidants.

But these are just a few of the many delicious fruits found in Costa Rica, the Guayaba, for instance, is similar to Cas in appearance but they are bigger in size and they are firm, they can be enjoyed by itself or can be used in juice, it is also used to make delicious jelly and jam.

Guanabana is a popular fruit for travelers at Casa Las Brisas

Guanabana known as soursop is also widely found in Costa Rica and because of its creamy texture it is used specially for fresh juices and in ice cream.

Manzana de Agua is a popular fruit in Costa Rica


Manzana de agua
(water apple) or Malay apple is an exquisite fruit that is easy to find during the summer months in Costa Rica, many people eat it with salt, while others prefer it alone or use it to make juice.

Caimito is a popular fruit at Casa Las Brisas Costa Rica

The Caimito or “Star apple” is also commonly found in the farmer markets, it is purple and round, it has a sweet flavor with milky juices inside, it is said to have a lot of anti-oxidant properties.

The Jocote is a popular fruit in Casa Las Brisas Costa Rica

Last but not least, the Jocote are easily found in Costa Rica particularly during the summer time, the small fruit can be enjoyed unripe when their taste is more tart (add salt to it) or ripe when they are juicy and sweet.

For travelers seeking a culinary adventure that brings all the senses to life, Costa Rica’s road side fruit stands await.

Interested in learning more about what Costa Rica has to offer? We update our Facebook page nearly daily with current events, sights, and more. Check it out!

We also love to blog – to find more interesting facts and images of all that Casa Las Brisas has to offer, check out the rest of our blog!