Veroliz Foodie-Exploring Wok & Roll in Turrialba

On a rainy afternoon in Turrialba, which there are many we decided to take our birthday celebrations to one of our favorite sushi places in the center of the small sugarcane town!
With a warm welcome, we were seated in the center of the restaurant where we could appreciate the beautiful decor around us!

  Wok & Roll is owned by Freddy Chu & family and has been around for since Novembre of 2012 but has recently gained a lot of fame for it's exotic food not so common in Turriabla.

What did we try?
Our appetizer was delicious chicken and shrimp wontons with plum sauce, tender inside and a very clean presentation by our waiter.

Our main dishes included cantonese rice, a delicious fresh dished made with authentic ingredientes. This dish is found in many restaurants around Turrialba as Chinese take out is popular but with Wok & Roll we didn't feel that it was too heavy after eating large portions!
Wok & Roll serves great portions, we could not complain at all.

 

 We also tried Homemade Chop Suey, the vegetables were amazing, al dente as they should be and the noodles had an amazing flavor that matched the aroma that rose from our plate!

The best part was yet to come....

Wok & Roll is the only place in Turrialba where you can actually get sushi, many of the foreigners visiting the area stop and try the exotic menu!

We had a California Roll this afternoon and it was amazing, lived up to our expectations!

The meal was concluded with the famous Tempura Ice Cream, a favorite of most of the clientes we found here at the restaurant and definately a dish you are not likely to find in the area!
Vanilla ice cream wrapped in a crunchy cake like exterior!

Our finale to the meal was a nice hot pot of Green Tea!
Authentic tea leaves and all!!

All and all we can rate Wok & Roll is a great experience for anyone, the service is top notch the waiter is very attentive and gives special attention to detail when serving the plates, he carefully explains ingredients and method of preparation!

Congrats to Freddy Chu and family, you truely have a gift for amazing cuisine!!!

For more information on great places to eat in Turrialba & Costa Rica, contact us at info@verolizvacations.com

Tropical Horseback Riding-Turriabla Coffee & Sugar Cane Plantations

Recently we have the chance to visit a little bit more our area here in Turrialba.
One fun activity for families or couples is horseback riding.

One of our favorite locations in the tour which is run in Atirro, a small coffee & sugar cane village.

We arrive at the farm at Casa Turire, to the warm welcome of our guide, the stables are kept clean the horses and other animals found on this small farm all seem very happy and eager to have new visitors.

Our guide provides with a few safety instructions before we embark on our journey.
In our group we had some experienced riders but we also has a couple that were doing this for the very first time!

Our guide seemed not worry as they have horses for everyone, we got to learn who would be taking on our trip through nearby plantations, our beautiful horses, Balazo, Palomo, Cholita, Pinto & Canela (we love the names!).

Our amazing horses!

We start by heading out of the property at Casa Turire and into the coffee plantation nearby, as we head up through the planations you can't help but notice the beautiful scenery, coffee plants, beautiful tropical trees and views of the Angostura Lake & nearby rivers. What a sight!!!

 
Our guide carefully explains the process of cultivating coffee & sugar and the importance these two products have the families in this area as well as telling us a bit about the plants and trees found along our journey. We had the opportunity to see coffee plants in bloom, the flower smells amazingly sweet!

Coffee flower

 
We made it to our rest stop for a bit of water, stretching the legs & taking in the amazing view of the now active Turrialba Volcano!

View from the lookout, Turrialba Volcano in the backdrop!

 After rest and visiting with the farm dogs that also tagged along for the ride, we begin our journey back to the stables, the morning sun is getting hot and we have had an amazing time riding.
The horses seem to know we are on our way "home" they are almost on auto pilot!!!

Our time with the horses come to and end, but we can safely say the trip was amazing, we recommend the horses are very well trained & cared for.
Surely anyone wanting to see a the Turrialba Valley in a different way should take advantage of this incredible experience!

Fore more information contact us at info@verolizvacations.com

Carlos Salvatierra
Veroliz Vacations
Apdo: 304-7150
Turrialba, Costa Rica
www.verolizvacations.com 

Exploring the South Caribbean-Calypso and Beach Life

Visiting the South Caribbean of Costa Rica is such an amazing experience. There are few places in Costa Rica where you can see a mix of cultures (there are many foreign residents found here) that make the towns of Cahuita, Puerto Viejo & Manzanillo a wonderful experience for any traveller.

With lush rainforest and somehow the laid back attitude that the common in beach towns makes for a leisurely visit to South Caribbean of Costa Rica. Just a 4 hour drive from San Jose and a 3 hour drive from the town of Turrialba, there is something truely special here.

Abundant wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, iguanas & if you are lucky sea turtles!

Because there are so many cultures in this small area the dining is quite unique, with restaurantes & sodas that serve a varitety food of types of food such as Italian, Indian, French & of course local!

Places to stay also come in a wide array of options, from small cabinas to exotic hotels there is something for everyone.

This time we will be featuring Azania Bungalows, an excellent option for lodging close to a beautiful beach. The rooms are small bungalows with full bed and single bed (ideal for families) with a spacious bathroom, ceiling fans, cable television.

 Receptions staff are friendly and very knowledgable of the area and places to visit. The breakfast menu (included in the room rate) offer a variety of options  and the well kept gardens host a variety of birds and butteflies in the mornings!

For places to visit and things to do, we found a variety of tours that are of great interes and lots to choose from. Our top recomendation is for the Sloth Sanctuary, this places is a cuteness overload and the staff clearly love what they do! Amazing information on these cute mamals!

Other options include the Cahuita National Park, snorkeling, visiting the Jaguar Sanctuary and the Manzanillo Wildlife refuge!

The hiking is great but bring your swim suit since you can come out of the rainforest and take a dip! Just be aware of the flags left to warn visitors!

This weekend is special for the South Caribbean because we will be celebrating Walter "Gavitt" Ferguson, the granfather of Calypso music for Costa Rica.

There will be great music, good food and lots of fun!!!

We recomend this local cultural activity which a unique celebration held only once a year!!

For more information contact us at info@verolizvacations.com 

Carlos Salvatierra 
Veroliz Vacations
Turrialba, Cartago
Apdo: 304-7150
www.verolizvacations.com

Cerveza Artesenal, Craft Brewery

Looking for a fine brew in Costa Rica?
You can try Imperial, Pilsen but your missing something if you haven't tried Costa Rica's Craft Brewing Co.
The newest micro brewery based out of Cartago Costa Rica has some amazing ales to offer.

The idea to start a micro brewery in Costa Rica, came from friends with a passion for beer who wanted to bring the classic taste of a beer made with no preservatives such as rice, corn or preservatives.
Made is small amounts satisfy select clients with a keen taste for a good ale.

What is Craft Beer?
Considered "Cerveza Artesenal" in Costa Rica, its the art of creating home made beer with only the essentials: barley, hops, malt & water.
At the moment their two top selling ales are in Tropical Golden Ale called Libertas and an Red Ale called Segua both are found select hotels & restaurants in Costa Rica.

We had the opportunity to visit their brew factory in Cartago and we had an amazing time!
The dream of the team at Craft Beer is clear, create and excellent beer of the highest quality for everyone to enjoy, in the case of Costa Rica, there are few micro breweries in the country, this indeed is treat!
They have the art of making beer nailed! With excellent explanations of the begining of beer to how it came to be in the 21st century, top of the line machinery and love for the work they do make an excellent recipe.
The best part of the tour, the tasting of the different Ales.
What sets this company apart is the fact that they also make seasonal beers that are sold for limited time, such as beers flavored with coffee, guavas or special edition Indian Pale Ales.

You can find Costa Rica's Craft Brewing Co. in such fine establishments such as: Hotel Grano de Oro, Outback Steakhouse (San José), Hotel Harmony (Nosara), Arenas del Mar, Café Agua Azul, (Manuel Antonio), Bar One (Tamarindo).
We invite you to visit their site at:  www.beer.cr

Want more information for your visit to Costa Rica: www.verolizvacations.com

Want a Weather Forecast in Costa Rica? Las Pintas!

In Costa Rica everyone always says you can never predict the weather right?

Wrong, Ticos have been doing it for years!

Does it work? Who knows!

But there is a farmer’s tradition that begins with each new year.

How does it work?

Each day corresponds to the month of the year… for example if the 1^st  is a sunny beautiful day then January will have sunny beautiful weather, if the 2^nd of January is raining then the month of February will be a rainy month and so on..

Meaning, if it rains on the 1^st of January the prediction is that the month of January will be rainy, if the 2^nd is sunny then the month of February will be sunny.

Many Costarrican farmers used this method before we all started talking about climate change and global warming.

Nowadays it would be very different for us to predict the weather with the crazy trends that are happening like cold snaps, drought  and flooding..

Proof that back then life was simpler.

We will have to see what 2014 brings.

Want information on Costa Rica, info@verolizvacations.com 

End of year tradition in Costa Rica… Playa!!!

In Costa Rica, many who have the days surrounding Christmas & the New Year off from work or are on vacations have one thing on their minds… Playa (Beach)!!!

December & January are not only high season from foreign traveler’s when it comes to the Ticos they also enjoy a fair share of surf, sand & sun!

These are the days of seeing cars filled with coolers, lawn chairs, tents & even BBQ’s heading out of San Jose and on the pacific coasts.

Customary to most Costarrican families with going as a group, it may be a group of neighbours, family or co-workers but an escape to the beach is a must on everyone’s agenda!

And why not?

The Pacific hosts some amazing beaches to visit whether it be the closest to the capital city of San Jose like Puntarenas or Jaco or even farther south such as Uvita, Hermosa all are worth the drive when you can stretch out in the sand and enjoy the sound of the ocean.

The Caribbean also has come excellent options, the crystal blue waters of Punta Uva, the amazing coral reefs off of Manzanillo or the surf in Cahuita there is something for everyone looking to escape the city and catch some R&R!

Puntarenas is commonly associated with the escapes to the beach, with many lodging opportunities, day tours and an array of restaurants & sodas to choose from there is something for everyone.

Most locals will agree if you are going to escape to Puntarenas you cannot miss such stops as the Paseo de las Turistas & getting your own “Churchill” on the street.

The Churchill is an delicious sweet ice cream treat made with vanilla ice cream, powdered milk, condensed milk and strawberry syrop.

December & January are months of perfecto beach weather, with clear skies, calm ocean water and plenty of sun!

For those with beach plans this 2013 & 2014 remember to ensure you take care of your skin also, with plenty of sun block and a hat is preferred!

Drink plenty of water while out walking, hiking or just reading a book!

Want to check out some of the amazing beaches that Costa Rica has to offer?

Contact us at Veroliz Vacations (info@verolizvacations.com )

Zipline Action-Fly the Sky at Red Frog Beach!

Today we had an amazing opportunity to visit the beautiful Red Frog Beach, located on Bastimentos Island located in Bocas del Toro, Panama!

Our friends at Bastimentos Sky Zipline Canopy Tour (http://www.redfrogbeach.com/bocas-del-toro-zipline.html ) took us on an unforgettable journey through the tropical rainforest.

What an experience! The Zipline constructed 13 years ago by Jose Manuel Pizarro (a Costarrican who has built many lines in Costa Rica) uses trees at the base for the platforms, I found this very interesting as I could easily bird watch while on the tour.

Built to include 7 zip lines, swaying Sky Bridge (fun but challenging to get across to the other platform!) and soon to include the Tree Top Challenge Course!

We were greeted in the small Kayukos restaurant by a super friendly team of guides, Ruso, Alvaro & German, whom were very quick to help us with gear, answer my many questions and instruct us on the importance of safety while on this trip!

Friendly, professional & bilingual staff taking care of our every need while at the canopy tour.

We began with a quick walk through the rainforest to the first platform, although I have done many ziplines in Costa Rica I can never get enough, I love the feeling when gliding in the air!

I could feel my heart pounding at Ruso attached me to the first cable and off we went!

The best part of canopy is looking around you as you glide through the air; the Bastimentos Island has various elevations & dense forested hills that can be appreciated only at these heights!

Lush green tropical rainforest, the sound of birds and calling insects, a chorus in the air!

More than 2 hours later, having run 7 lines, 1 hanging bridge, 1 rappel later we are back on solid ground! The trip was excellent, the guides were very informative, careful with our safety and of course making sure we had a ton of fun!

One of my highlights, I found the famous Red Frog.

Definitely a highlight on the visit to Bocas del Toro and 100% recommended!

Thank you to all the team at Bastimentos Sky Zipline Canopy Tour!

For more information contact us at:

Info@verolizvacations.com

One of my highlights, I found the famous Red Frog.

So fresh! Turrialba Farmer's Market!

What is so great about small town in Costa Rica?
They all have an amazing farmer's market!
We invite you to visit the town of Turrialba and the fun, colorful and friendly farmer's market of this small town located in the province of Cartago.

The farmer's market takes place every Friday & Saturday and bring people from all over the town and surrounding area to one place to find fresh, quality products.

The venders are all from the area, some come from up around the Turrialba Volcano, here is where you can find the best quality of "queso Turrialba" as well as creamy sour cream and herbed cheese.
There are also venders from the towns of Tucurrique and Pejibaye who bring exotic produce such as peach palm, a favorite with afternoon coffee!
Speaking with some of them, they have been coming to this for years and hope to continue.

With the support of the local community this morning tradition of coming to buy your fruit & vegetables as well as socialize with friends creates a great atmosphere in the center of Turrialba.

What can you find at the Turrilba farmer's market?

Well you will just have to visit to find out!

Visit us at www.verolizvacations.com to learn more exciting things about Costa Rica!

Bocas del Toro Pamaná!!!

Here we are in beautiful Bocas del Toro, Panama!

Hot weather greeted us as we arrived yesterday, returning for a second time to beautiful Caribbean island.

The hotel we chose to stay at during our stay in Bocas del Toro is Hotel Playa Tortuga, voted as the best hotel on the island, with beautiful installations, amazing swimming pool, a well-equipped gym and rooms that offer both comfort & amazing views of the ocean.

This hotel has the Ecological Blue flag with which we were very impressed, the program of the Ecological Blue Flag is common in Costa Rica and guarantees with compliance with water safety regulations but also the guarantee that the hotel also works with social and ecological programs in the community and amongst the staff.

With delicious food, a wide variety of international & Caribbean cuisine the restaurant and bar are both inviting as well as having friendly, experienced staff.

Tomorrow we will tell you about the beautiful rooms we got to visit while having a tour of the hotel!

 

Desayuno /Breakfast Buffet Hotel Playa Tortuga

#bocasdeltoro, #panama, #food, #caribbean, #verolizvacations #islas 

Standar Room / Habitación Estandar
#bocasdeltoro, #panama, #rooms, #lodging, #comfort, #oceanview, #caribbean, #verolizvacations #islas 

Pool Area / Areá de Piscina

#bocasdeltoro, #panama, #pool, #lodging, #comfort, #oceanview, #caribbean, #verolizvacations #

Aquí estamos en la hermosa Bocas del Toro, Panamá!

El calor nos recibieron como llegamos ayer, regresando por segunda vez a la hermosa isla caribeña.

El hotel que elegimos para alojarse durante nuestra estancia en Bocas del Toro es el Hotel Playa Tortuga, votado como el mejor hotel de la isla, con hermosas instalaciones, piscina increíble, un gimnasio bien equipado y habitaciones que ofrecen la comodidad y vistas impresionantes del océano.

Este hotel tiene la Bandera Azul Ecológica con la que nos quedamos muy impresionados, el programa de la Bandera Azul Ecológica es común en Costa Rica y garantiza el cumplimiento de la normativa de seguridad del agua, sino también la garantía de que el hotel también trabaja con programas sociales y ecológicos de la comunidad y entre el personal.

Con una deliciosa comida, una amplia variedad de cocina internacional y el Caribe el restaurante y el bar son a la vez acogedor, además de tener un personal amable y experimentado.

Mañana vamos a informarle sobre las hermosas habitaciones que nos dieron para visitar mientras toma un tour por el hotel!

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 .