Step 1:
Be aware that Costa Rica is not cheap to visit.
Vacations in Costa Rica tend to cost more money. This gorgeous destination offers tropical scenery at a price. It is important to budget a little more if you are going to Costa Rica for your vacation than it would be for other travel plans. Take my word for it you will feel you are getting your money’s worth.

Step 2:
Think about where you want to begin. As their first and main destination in Costa Rica, most people select the capital of San Jose. You can spend days checking out all of the city’s places of interest. However, if you do not have a large budget, maybe you should think about flying into another airport in Costa Rica such as the new Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport located near Liberia. It will still be possible to experience how pretty Costa Rica is but it will not cost as much.

Step 3:
Choose where to stay. Tourists are warmly welcomed when they go to Costa Rica. You will have your choice of almost any kind of lodging. A lot of your vacation planning is taken care of if you decide to stay at a resort. There are various accommodation choices for Costa Rica trips. Realise you will probably be staying at an independently-owned hotel in Costa Rica, as there are not a lot of big hotel chains there. Opt for hotels with gorgeous rainforest scenery, or lively locations like a room downtown where the night life beckons. Some of the other choices include campgrounds, ecocamps, cabinas, and tico homes, and bed and breakfasts. First, think where you’d like to stay, then choose lodgings.

Step 4:
Select the places you would like to go. You may not be interested in countryside traveling while you are in Costa Rica if you are going to be staying at a resort. However, if you have not purchased a vacation package, then you’ll want to think about a variety of places to go to. The National Park, the Nature Reserve, the rainforests, and the beaches all come highly recommended as tourist attractions in Costa Rica. Having the water nearby, it is possible to get in a bit of sailboarding or beach walks. There are horseback riding and great mountain bike trails in the scenic rainforest. So consider doing some camping, hiking, or bird watching while you’re there too. Costa Rica attractions are all about the natural world.

Step 5:
Choose the dates that you will be traveling. Costa Rica is pretty every day of the year, but there are some seasons that are better than others. If you visit when it is summer (or as it is known, the green season which is May through November) you will lay out less money. However, it is liable to be somewhat rainy. Keep in mind that if you are planning a vacation to Costa Rica, the driest season is the high season. Because of the ideal conditions, beware the prices and numbers of people are more substantial. There are disadvantages and advantages to both seasons. Understand that the timing of your trip to Cost Rica will affect your entire experience there.

Step 6:
Are you going alone or with people? A travel website or agent can give you the choice of going to Costa Rica as part of a discounted or group rate. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, this could be a good option for you. But, if you feel like wandering and traveling wherever you want, maybe you should make plans to visit Costa Rica by yourself.

Step 7:
Know the best places to eat. The local fare is part of the allure of Costa Rica. Ensure that you leave a little bit of time in your Costa Rica plans to enjoy the local food, with so many wonderful flavors to enjoy. Costa Rican food cooked at home is definitely better than food from a restaurant. When you need to dine out, make sure to choose some traditional menu items such as tamales, gallo pinto and ensalada palmito. Experiment with something different by visiting a soda, a combination of a grocery store and family-run restaurant. You can get a good tasting and inexpensive meal here. Tipicos, resorts or hotels, fast food are your other Costa Rica dining options. (McDonalds does in fact have outlets in Costa Rica also). Just as tasty as at any large chain, food is often quite cheap at smaller establishments.

Step 8:
Keep your transportation needs in mind. To get around Costa Rica is not always that easy. Remember to leave time to get to your destination as well as organize transportation when you are planning a trip to Costa Rica. You can also hitch a ride on a farm cart, rent a car or bike, take the bus, or hire a taxi. Remember that it will take longer to get around in Costa Rica because there are no highways. Have some patience and keep in mind that you are on vacation. Close your eyes and relax on your Costa Rica trip.

Today I want to share a little story of mediocrity in customer service.  This is yet another example of the growing status quo many of us who travel have come to expect…which is a sad, sad state of customer service levels.

I was in West Palm Beach airport last Friday. I was doing a 17 hour turn to visit Frank McKinney and friends, and then rushing to get back to California for a horse event on Saturday.

I got to the airport and the flight was on time. They announced the incoming airplane was on approach as it began to rain.  A quick summer squall moved through for about ten minutes and then the sky was blue.  The plane didn’t show, and didn’t show. Finally they came on the PA to say the plane was diverted to Tampa, but would be back in an hour.  An hour came and went…then 2 hours. Seems the weather went to Tampa with my plane and both stayed there. Everyone on my flight to Houston was going to miss their connections..and all those connections were the last flights out for the night, so needless to say people were a bit ticked.

I was really looking forward to a horse event Saturday am, so I was disappointed to miss it. But I learned long ago it does no good to get upset about airlines. It’s one of those places where we are truly powerless.  I went to get rebooked and then sat to wait another hour for the flight. (It turned out to be 4 hours late.)

But then my senses told me to go back and get a piece of paper with my rebooking info, which the agent conveniently forgot to give me. I went back to the agent, a new guy who checked my record. One look at his face told me I was in trouble.

The first agent booked me to San Jose, Costa Rica.  OOPS.
There were now NO seats to San Jose, Ca until 8pm Saturday night ( you gotta be kidding me)
The agent’s response to my dismay was “Mistakes happen and the weather isn’t our problem. Do you want to get home or not?” (And yes I was very nice, you get nowhere getting mad they have you in their control.) What a customer friendly attitude!

I pushed a bit more and finally got on a flight at 11:30am out of Houston to San Francisco, where I could rent a car and drive to San Jose. ( I would get to Houston by 10:30 pm that night on my late flight, progress!) So I booked it.

I got to Houston and went to get my new boarding pass since my original flight was long gone. The agent gave me a puzzled look.  “Why are you going to Costa Rica? Are you sure that’s your final destination?”

OMG!

This nice lady shook her head as I shared my story. She started typing codes into her system and the next thing you know…I’m on a 9 am flight to San Jose, California. “But there are no seats on that flight?” I questioned. She looked at me like I was demented. “Ma’am, it’s wide open.” So much for overbooked Saturdays.

And then there was the Marriott where I stayed for 7 hours in Houston.

I was starving when I got there so I ordered a big room service chicken caesar salad. It didn’t come, and didn’t come so I finally called at midnight to learn they’d lost the order and closed the kitchen.
Going to bed hungry, I put my little card out on the door for a big breakfast and set the alarm even earlier to have time to eat in peace. 30 minutes before I had to leave for the airport I called them to ask about breakfast. They didn’t have my order.  I opened my door and there was the little card, still there.
I went downstairs starving and looking forward to a Starbucks blueberry scone when I hit the airport.  I had a reservation for the 7:30 shuttle and was there at 7:20, eager to get my food! At 7:40 I went to the front desk to ask about the shuttle.  The agent looked at me with disdain and informed me that the shuttle doesn’t run on Saturdays. When I showed her my reservation slip for a 7:30 shuttle (that the agent had given me when I checked in) she shrugged and said it wasn’t her problem since she didn’t make the mistake. Sigh….
I even got to call my own cab to get to the airport since she was checking in convention goers and was too busy to call for me.

The good news is my flight to CALIFORNIA was easy, with a great flight crew who just laughed with me over my stories.

I arrived in San Jose early, called the shuttle at the hotel where I park my car 2 blocks from the airport and waited.  For 55 minutes.  I called 6 times, was told the valets were told I was waiting, and waited again.  I could see the hotel from my spot, but I can’t walk there thanks to the way the terminal is laid out.

When the shuttle finally arrived almost an hour later, the driver (who knows me) told me the operator inside never gave them any message until 5 minutes earlier.

Some days, you just have to laugh…

And isn’t that a sad thing. Especially when it’s all due to people whose status quo level of service delivery is, well, mediocre at best.

?

Space occupancy costs may be reduced by finding a lower base rent when your current lease is over. Sub-leasing space that is not being used following cutbacks can be applied to occupancy costs and bring some relief until the current lease ends. Another mechanism that could be used is to audit landlord pass-through expenses to verify that they do not include misapplied charges, such as capital improvements. Lease renegotiation may work if your landlord will cooperate, thus providing another way to reduce occupancy costs.

Business operations productivity is significantly impacted by layout and configuration of the building. Over time what was once an efficient design can become less than optimum for many reasons. Personnel come and go, technology drives process revisions, new products are introduced and others dropped, all of which impact floor plan efficiencies. To correct the inefficiency and improve productivity, either the obsolete layout needs to be modified with tenant improvements or a move needs to be made to another facility with the proper configuration.

Early lease renewal may be desirable depending on your current lease agreement. If the lease was made at a higher base rent in better times, there may be an opportunity to exercise an option at current rates, which could be 30% less. This is what we do. Silicon Valley Land Company can ascertain fair market rental values to justify the reduction in renewal rent rate.

We recently described a tenant favorable lease solution in our blog and on the web page: http://SiliconValleyLandCompany.com/tenant_favorable_lease.html. This document describes how Silicon Valley Land Company can help include all the necessary business points, make sure they are covered properly, protect the tenant, and assure that there are escape clauses for unexpected damaging events. Rather than have a one-sided lease slanted in favor of the landlord, you get a fair and balanced agreement.

We are in the business of helping tenants find office space. There are many available lease space choices from San Jose landlords willing to help you reduce your occupancy costs. Rents are considerably lower than they have been in years. With economic conditions starting to firm, now is a good time to shop around for another office space. As is usual for times like these, there are many attractive tenant concessions including free rent, tenant improvement allowances, and other inducements to attract new rent-paying occupants.

So, there are opportunities in San Jose for those looking for office space. Whether it is for reducing your cost of doing business, increasing productivity with a better building plan, negotiating an early lease renewal, getting a more favorable lease agreement, or simply shopping for a bargain, the time for finding for office space is now.

Money

The money used in Costa Rica is called colons. You can change dollars into colons at the airports in San Jose and local banks. The exchange rates can be from the low 200s to 400s colons for each US dollar. (Now everywhere in Costa Rica you can buy or pay in US dollars, but I think things are cheaper if you pay in colons.) Other ways you might get colons is if you pay for something in US dollars, you will receive change in colons. During my stay at Costa Rica, I once paid a cab driver in US money, and I received change in the local currency. You should also make sure your dollars are not torn. Local banks and businesses do not accept torn US dollars. I tried to exchange a torn $50 bill, and the bank would not accept it!

-Bringing Money

On my trip I brought my half my money in dollars and American Express cheques. When a traveler cheque is used there will be a commission fee.

When to visit/weather

Costa Rica has two seasons – the dry season and the green season (or rainy season). The dry season is from December to March. The dry season is the busiest time in Costa Rica. Prices are much higher and it is harder to find a place to stay. Now in the green season you will find much cheaper prices. The green season is from April to November. During the rainy season it generally rains for a few hours and then clears up.

Traveling within Costa Rica

Bus – You can catch one to most parts of the country. There are a few places where the bus comes only once a day though…

Cab – There are red cabs throughout the country. If the cab driver tells you the meter is broker, just get out. First it is illegal for a cab driver to drive with a broken meter in Costa Rica; secondly he might just be trying to rip you off.

Renting a Car – You can rent a car, but to me personally I would find driving in Costa Rica difficult, since I’m not from the country and it seems there are a lack of street signs. Also the prices for a car rental can be pretty expensive.

Local airlines – You can catch local flights to places throughout Costa Rica. They are regularly scheduled and reasonably inexpensive.

Volunteers can assist by doing following tasks:- People with high aptitude of service, and are responsible and willing to work with the spirit of cooperation with our staff. Volunteers must be of age 20 or above with minimum education of undergraduation.

Volunteers with the following special skills are preferred for the placement:- Doctor Nurse Medical Student Pre-Med Student Emergency Medical Technician Wilderness First Responder First Responder Standard First-Aid Health & Hygiene Training HIV/AIDS Awareness Training Public Health Physiotherapy Wilderness First-Aid

What is the purpose of this organization?   San Jose Hospital provides health care and medication for patients in response to their unique needs and various illnesses. We have an emergency room that provides a variety of different treatments: from minor to major surgery, treating serious injuries, treatment of infectious diseases, pre- and post-natal care for both women and newborns, orthopedics, etc. The hospital operates on a 24-hour schedule. Doctors pay a visit our patients once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and there are at least two nurses on the wing at all times.

What community(s) does this organization assist?   We serve several communities in the Carazo deparment. Just to mention a few: Caseres, La Boquita, La Trinidad, Buena Vista, San Gregorio, Veracruz de Acayo, Tupilapa, and Huehuete. People also come to San Jose Hospital from other departments.

Basecam Centers welcomes all the interested volunteers from around the world to volunteer and make a difference. If you are interested in this placement then please contact us for the details:

 Email: info@basecampcenters.com

Website: www.basecampcenters.com

Address 186 Princess Street Kingston, Ontario Canada, K7L 1B1

Phone: 613.541.7862

Toll Free : 866.646.4693

Fax: 613.541.1604

Space occupancy costs may be reduced by finding a lower base rent when your current lease is over. Sub-leasing space that is not being used following cutbacks can be applied to occupancy costs and bring some relief until the current lease ends. Another mechanism that could be used is to audit landlord pass-through expenses to verify that they do not include misapplied charges, such as capital improvements. Lease renegotiation may work if your landlord will cooperate, thus providing another way to reduce occupancy costs.

Business operations productivity is significantly impacted by layout and configuration of the building. Over time what was once an efficient design can become less than optimum for many reasons. Personnel come and go, technology drives process revisions, new products are introduced and others dropped, all of which impact floor plan efficiencies. To correct the inefficiency and improve productivity, either the obsolete layout needs to be modified with tenant improvements or a move needs to be made to another facility with the proper configuration.

Early lease renewal may be desirable depending on your current lease agreement. If the lease was made at a higher base rent in better times, there may be an opportunity to exercise an option at current rates, which could be 30% less. This is what we do. Silicon Valley Land Company can ascertain fair market rental values to justify the reduction in renewal rent rate.

We recently described a tenant favorable lease solution in our blog and on the web page: http://SiliconValleyLandCompany.com/tenant_favorable_lease.html. This document describes how Silicon Valley Land Company can help include all the necessary business points, make sure they are covered properly, protect the tenant, and assure that there are escape clauses for unexpected damaging events. Rather than have a one-sided lease slanted in favor of the landlord, you get a fair and balanced agreement.

We are in the business of helping tenants find retail space. There are many available lease space choices from San Jose landlords willing to help you reduce your occupancy costs. Rents are considerably lower than they have been in years. With economic conditions starting to firm, now is a good time to shop around for another retail space. As is usual for times like these, there are many attractive tenant concessions including free rent, tenant improvement allowances, and other inducements to attract new rent-paying occupants.

So, there are opportunities in San Jose for those looking for retail space. Whether it is for reducing your cost of doing business, increasing productivity with a better building plan, negotiating an early lease renewal, getting a more favorable lease agreement, or simply shopping for a bargain, the time for finding for retail space is now.

San Jose is known as the capital of Silicon Valley. It is the biggest city located in the Bay Area. It ranks 10th all over the United States. San Jose is famously known for being the safest city in the country. Aside from the many tourist spots you can visit, you will find many affordable and comfortable hotels in the region. This would include the following:

Oakwood San Jose South
700 S Saratoga Ave
San Jose, CA 95129

Room Amenities
-Air Conditioning
-Newspaper (Free)
-Refrigerator
-Telephone
-Television (Satellite/Cable)
-Microwave Oven
-Television
-DVD/VCR
-Fireplace
-Coffee Maker
-Kitchen/Kitchenette
-Balcony/Terrace

Hotel Details
-789 Rooms
-3 Floors
-Built in Year 1972
-Number Of Floors – 3
-Number Of Rooms – 789
-Family Rooms
-Free Parking
-Fitness Facility
-Swimming Pool
-Tennis Court
-Free Local Calls
-Kitchenette
-Apartments
-Extended Stay
-Health Club
-Pool (Outdoor)
-Tennis (Outdoor)
-Pool (Children)
-Hot Tub

Alameda Motel, San Jose
1050 the Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
Phone: 408-295-7201

Room Amenities
-Refrigerator
-Television (Satellite/Cable)
-Non-Smoking Rooms
-Television
-Safe (Inside Room)

Hotel Details
-21 Rooms
-Sprinkler Inside Rooms
-Car Rental
-Smoke Alarm Inside Rooms
-Business Center
-Fax
-Wireless Access (Common Area)
-ATM/Bank
-Laundry Room
-Club Floor/Concierge
-Room Service
-Massage/Health Spa

Santa Clara Inn, San Jose
2188 the Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126

Room Amenities
-Air Conditioning (Inside Room)
-Refrigerator
-Telephone
-Television (Satellite/Cable)
-Microwave Oven
-Non-Smoking Rooms
-Maid Service Daily

Hotel Details
-30 Rooms
-2 Floors
-Built in Year 1983
-Number Of Floors – 2
-Number Of Rooms – 35
-Family Rooms
-Wheel Chair Access

E-Z 8 Motel #2 San Jose, San Jose
2050 N First St
San Jose, CA 95131
Phone: 408-436-0636

Room Amenities
-Air Conditioning (Inside Room)
-Refrigerator
-Telephone
-Television (Satellite/Cable)
-Non-Smoking Rooms
-Television
-Maid Service Daily
-Broadband Internet Access Inside Room

Hotel Details
-88 Rooms
-2 Floors
-Pets Allowed
-Smoke Alarm in Rooms
-Common Area Accessible to Wheelchairs
-Complementary Coffee
-Laundry Room
-Pool (Outdoor)
-Hot Tub

Doubletree Hotel San Jose, San Jose
2050 Gateway Place
San Jose, CA 95110

Room Amenities
-Air Conditioning (Inside Room)
-Free Newspaper
-Refrigerator
-Iron
-Telephone
-Television (Satellite/Cable)
-Non-Smoking Rooms
-Television
-Daily Maid Service
-Broadband Internet Access In Room
-Broadband Internet Access In Room Fee
-Coffee Maker
-Whirlpool
-Telephone (Voicemail)
-Balcony/Terrace

Hotel Details
-505 Rooms
-10 Floors
-Built in Year 1982
-Number Of Floors – 10
-Number Of Rooms – 505
-Shuttle
-Car Rental Desk
-Family Rooms
-Parking
-Fitness Facility
-Game Room
-Golf
-Swimming Pool
-Wheel Chair Access
-Tennis Court
-Business Center
-Dining
-Meeting Room
-Free High Speed Internet
-Dry Cleaning
-Hot Tub
-First Class
-Health Club
-Jogging Track
-Pool (Outdoor)
-Hot Tub

Presidente Hotel, San Jose
Central Ave Blvd 7TH Street
San Jose, CA 95112 Costa Rica

Room Amenities
-Air Conditioning (Inside Room)
-Refrigerator
-Telephone
-Television (Satellite/Cable)
-Television
-Daily Maid Service
-Broadband Internet Access In Room
-Safe (Inside Room)
-Telephone (Voicemail)
-Balcony/Terrace

Hotel Details
-100 Rooms / 8 Floors
-Built in Year 1962
-Number Of Floors – 8
-Number Of Rooms – 100
-Desk for Car Rental
-Family Rooms
-Free Parking
-Meals
-Free Breakfast
-Fitness Facility
-Game Room
-Access to Wheel Chair
-Business Center
-Dining
-Meeting Room
-High Speed Internet Free
-Dry Cleaning
-Casino
-Hot Tub

With its reputation, San Jose houses numerous high tech headquarters like Ebay, Cisco and Adobe. It is also an expensive location to reside in. It has many interesting places one can visit, like the charming neighborhood of Rose Garden and Willow Glen. Another must visit area is the lively shopping area known as the Santana Row.

One can visit the Tamarindo, a beautiful area of the country. This is where the giant leatherback turtles come to nest every year. This is a protected area and is one of the national parks of Costa Rica. Two of the country’s excellent beaches located here are Playa Grande and Playa Langosta, and a visit to these beaches are sure to make your trip to Tamarindo and Playa Costa Rica vacation unforgettable. But tourists may have to time their vacations if they want to see the turtles. Tamarindo plays host to the turtles who come here to lay their eggs from October through March. Tourists and visitors can take a tour led by guides to see this wondrous and enchanting sight. Another tourist attraction is a boat ride through the jungle on skiffs built by the locals. The ride takes a small group through the mangrove forest where tourists can see a variety of mammals, reptiles, and many species of birds.

For those who love the beaches, there is much that a purely Playa Costa Rica vacation can offer. One of the best is Quepos, which is located on the Pacific coast and is surrounded by rain forest. Quepos is a small and sleepy place but does have gift shops, bakeries, art galleries, restaurants, hotels and bars. The main beach is at the front of the village with the sport fishing boats bobbing in the warm, azure waves. Besides roaming and shopping around the peaceful village, tourists can indulge in sport fishing, and enjoy whitewater rafting as an adventure. The beaches of Costa Rica are one of the best locations for scuba diving and snorkeling due to the crystal blue ocean water.

Many tour companies not only offer regular tours, but also offer special Playa Costa Rica tours for people who wish to spend a few days diving at the various beaches around Costa Rica. People new to diving should undergo training and proper certification before they travel because it can be expensive to get certified by an instructor in Costa Rica, and certification standards are different in the Caribbean and the United States.

Some of the fun things to do in Costa Rica can be done at the Plaza de la Cultura. It is also known as the Culture Square, is usually the place to go to shop for souvenirs, sun bathe or enjoy a night out while watching marimba bands and other entertainers including comedians or clowns, jugglers and colorfully dressed artists playing Andean music. The Paseo Colon; however, is one of the best hotels in San Jose with really accommodating and helpful staff as well as luxurious and comfortable rooms.

The Jade Museum is one the most visited attractions according to Costa Rica vacation reviews, highlighting the country’s century-old artifacts and the world’s largest and renowned collection of Pre-Columbian Jade. The Costa Rican Art Museum also known as Museo de Arte Costarricense by the locals, showcases a collection of works by the country’s most celebrated artists back in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its presentation is highly impressive because of its rotating shows and sculpture collection. Most of the works are exhibited in all forms of media. The National Museum, also called the Museo Nacional, was founded in 1887 and is situated in the old fort used by the military during the civil war back in 1948. This museum displays the natural history, Pre-Columbian culture as well as history of Costa Rica.

Other exciting Costa Rica tours involve the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum near downtown San Jose. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum which is part of the Central Bank Museums is an underground cultural center that exhibits the marvelous collection of gold objects that reflect the techniques of the Pre-Columbian people in Costa Rica. The exhibition is divided into two levels: an introductory and area for orientation at the 2nd level of the structure that interprets the evolution of Pre-Columbian cultures. The metallurgy development in Costa Rica, the styles and stages are also featured in this level. The second level which is located at the 3rd level of the structure showcases the diverse uses and meanings of the gold objects. An introductory video is presented in this level before people can view the collection.

The Mercado Central also the Central Market in Costa Rica is another destination where tourists go strolling about to purchase the exotic spices, fruits, vegetables and even t-shirts. There’s also a bakery and even wood and leather handicraft sold in stalls. This market consists of three blocks and is located near a train station.

Most tourists check out travel agencies in Costa Rica to get the best travel packages only to visit San Jose. The best thing about this city is that most of the tourist destinations are really accessible. Many realized it’s best to explore the city on foot. But if travelers decide to travel around outside the city they can opt to go visit the Monterverde National Park considered the most visited national park in the country.

An overseas travel adventure to the Monteverde National Park is only 3 to 4 hours from the capital by car; however, air travel is offered through Sansa Airlines which only takes 20 minutes. It contains the most beautiful beaches and coral reefs coupled with a superb combination of lush rain forests. The rain forest houses a diverse collection of species including monkeys, iguanas, sloths, squirrels and crabs.