Too much cute, visiting the Sloth Sanctuary

We had an amazing time visiting this special sanctuary!

Welcome to Aviarios del Caribe, located just outside Cahuita, Costa Rica.

The Soth Sanctuary goes beyond!

Judy & her team have such compassion for these very special animal, the two and three toed sloths.

The three toed (Bradypus variegatus) is the largest of the two species, they are the most common sloth found here in Costa Rica.

The smaller species is the Hoffmann's two toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni), this little guy is comon in the baby sloth hospital located at the sanctuary, they look just like little teddy bears!

The challenges that this group has met and surpassed is amazing, their story of the journey they underwent as a family to become what they are now is unmeasurable. So little was known 20 years ago about slothes, their habitat and behavior when the center started that Judy and the team literally paved the way in sloth care.

With their environmental education programs,where tourists, school children and people of all ages the can learn about the dangers threatening these animals, the importance of the rainforest in Costa Rica as well love for all living things.

When visiting the Caribbean of Costa Rica this is one of the stops that we recommend to everyone.

By visitng the Sloth Sanctuary only can you see some pretty cute animals, you can help support the ongoing care, research and education that is much needed.

For more information check out their site at: http://www.slothsanctuary.com/who-we-are/

Ké Kafé-Turrialba's New Coffee House!

In Turrialba it is hard to find a good meeting spot to hang with friends that is not necessarily a Cantina or Bar!

We have found a new place!!! Ké Kafé

Located in the heart of Turrialba (right in the downtown!) in the plaza Rojas Cortes.

A great little place that allows you to catch up with friends, have a great cup of coffee and some excellent snacks!

The menu is simple but really has all you need, burritos, quesadillas, sandwiches and well as some great milkshakes and coffee specialties!

Service is always friendly and the girls really try to make you feel comfortable!

We recommend you visit when shopping in Turrialba or visiting the area!

Enjoy Ké Kafé!

Bueno Provecho!

Visiting the Irazú Volcano

The Irazú volcano is on of our favorite places to visit in Costa Rica!

Not only it is close to our home in Turrialba, but the scenery on the ride up through the rolling farmlands is amazing!

It was first created as a National Park on August 9th 1955 and to date is one of the most visited National Parks in Costa Rica!

This complexe stratovolcano is name after the indigenous culture that used to live at its flanks.

Home to 5 craters, 3 of which are visible!

When driving up to the Irazú volcano, you will head through some of the most picturesque plantations in the Cartago area! Here people most commonly farm: chayote, potatoes, onions & chammomile.

An excellent day trip whether you are staying in San José, Cartago or Turrialba. We recommend arriving before 10am, due to the height of this volcano, the clouds tend to roll in quickly!

There is a small coffee / gift shop that you can visit while up there and the parking area is

considered safe. A great trip for families.

One of Costa Rica's attractions that comes highly recommend by most guests and clients!

For more information write us at: verolizvacations@gmail.com

Christmas in Costa Rica

Costa Ricans have some great traditions as a culture, almost always in some ways does it involve family. Most of the holidays in the country focus on spending time with loved ones & eating!

Christmas is no exception, one the great reasons for spending it here in this beautiful country!

With many years of being here and witnessing the amazing closeness families share this time of year with great food and fun stories, no exceptio

n to the Christmas tradition are these three delicious holiday food items:

The number one, BBQ during the month of December the neighborhoods smell delicious every night, most families are gathered around the BBQ outside eating sausages, meat & salads. The grill is kept warm and a constant sharing of stories, jokes and togetherness that is so important in today’s day and age with families.

Next on the list are Chicharrones or Pork Cracklings, these tasty treats are commonly cooked (fried) right around Christmas eve, usually make from pork however you can chicharron anything, fish, meat, chicken…Served with a slice of lemon and usually a cold beer!

The last is one of my favorite Christmas traditions here in Costa Rica, the Tamale, originally a recipe provided by the indigenous culture here, made with corn flower, vegetables, meat and wrapped in a banana leaf, this is a meal in itself!

The creation of the tamale is a process, with the whole family takin

g part, the women of the house does the bulk of work making the paste from the corn flour, then each vegetable is added as a decoration for the paste, add a piece of pork or chicken and wrap.

The cooking of the tamale is usually done by the men in house, over an open fire for 2 hours.

But the end result is a delicious meal!

Christmas time in this beautiful country provides families with the chance to celebrated togetherness and definitely an aspect of the culture work observing!

For more information please contact us at: verolizvacations@gmail.com

Pura Vida!

Rural Tourism-Mariposas del Pacuare

Recently, we visited our friends at Mariposas del Pacuare in El Tigre near the Pacuare river.

First let us introduce you to them!

Mario Achoy created this magical place starting 3 years ago with the help from Rafael Gallo and Rios Tropicales, since 2009 he has been working on his lush garden!

This family project started with the purchase of the land and the slow shaping of the tropical gardens into the paradise we find today.

Mario Achoy’s passion for butterflies is obvious as he explains to guests the importance of their life cycle and their importance in the earth’s life cycle. The care he has for the butterfly houses (completely clean screens and flowering plants!) emphasize the importance of the project to the Achoy family.

Mario has carefully selected the plants that we can find in their gardens, Sangrillo trees for the

production of the Morpho butterfly, various flowering plants such as verbaine, labios de novia, lantana and cecropia trees for the toucans!

The main area of the garden has a great lookout platform for spotting the exotic morphos.

The lunch that they serve is amazing, the cook is from the local area & makes a delicious costarrican lunch served fresh cold fruit juice, a great meal!

This little butterfly garden is a family project and guests feel a part of it when they visit.

When you enter the garden rolls up hills to their rancho / restaurant.

Here after the tour the guests can receive lunch and coffee all while overlooking the endless amount of tropical rainforest around the Pacuare river.

The sound of singing birds and insects makes for a peaceful afternoon.

Thank you to Mario for the wonderful visit and we hope that more people visit this special garden.

For more information contact us at: verolizvacations@gmail.com o visit our facebook page!

A Tamarindo Treasure-Capitan Suizo

The lazy beach town of Tamarindo is known for its beautiful sunsets, immaculate beaches and surf! But there is a hidden gem in this town, a place that surrounds you in tropical nature, delicious food and a friendly warm atmosphere.

It’s called Capitan Suizo, a memeber of Small Distinctive Hotels (www.distinctivehotels.com )

Located just outside of the lazy beach town, Capitan Suizo is an oasis.

The hotel includes private bungalows with an open concept design, the wooden treasures that adorn the rooms give and warmth and at the same time exotic atmosphere.

You can also choose the stay in standard rooms with the option of having air conditioning or fans.

This allows the hotel to actively minimize their and the guests impact of the environment.

Their staff is friendly and their dedication to the conservation of wildlife is endless.

On the many occasions that we have visited this beautiful boutique hotel, the staff is always actively participating in assisting wounded wildlife, from sloths to money and squ

irrels they take turns playing mother to the wounded animal until they can turn them over to a veterinary facility!

The restaurant overlook the beach, serving typical costarican dishes as well as some European dishes guests can try a bit of everything, their “batidos” are an excellent option also we recommend the fresh salads!

A stroll on the beach before diner is must, the sunsets are ama

zing here, the perfect end to a perfect afternoon! They have confortable lounges located in front of the ocean along for guests, it is almost impossible to get up to leave!

A treasure of a place getaway!

Weekend at Barcelo Langosta Beach

All inclusive are not normally the first choice we pick here at Veroliz Vacations, when we are looking to take vacations ourselves. But we thought it was worth a try to check out one of the "smaller" all inclusive hotels in Costa Rica.

Many of our friends recommend it and clients having nothing but positive comments after their stay, so we thought we would check it out!

The road to the hotel is killer a 4x4 vehicle is a must! But once you up to the entrance of the hotel the vacations begins.. As you enter reception the porters greet you and the receptionists although super busy still smile when they greet you!

The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated; the balconies face either the ocean or gardens. The food was good, for an all inclusive, the buffet offers Costarrican dishes as well as international fare, guests can have the options of rice & beans or sushi and other delights!

The public areas are beautiful and there are plenty of areas for children to play that is just not the pool! ( giante chess board and wooden park).

Easy access to the beach is always a plus on the west coast; some of the most memorable sunsets ever can be seen in Langosta & Tamarindo. Certified with 4 leaves in sustainable tourism and in good practices with their water management, an important aspect considering the nesting turtles on the nearby beaches!

With excellente night shows, great music and bands during the day there are a ton of things to do at the Barcelo Langosta!

All in all a very relaxing weekend with great service, food and memeorable sunsets.

For more information on Barcelo Langosta beach contact us at: verolizvacations@gmail.com .