Posts for Costa Rica

Where to Forest Bathe & The Role of Terpenes

Travel Blog, Travel Tips - Ross French - October 24, 2023

forest bathing

Imagine immersing yourself completely in nature – feeling, smelling, hearing, seeing everything around you. This isn’t about hiking or doing some intense workout, it’s about just… being. This is what the Japanese call ‘shinrin-yoku’, or as we know it, forest bathing. Born in the 1980s in Japan as a remedy against the stresses of urban life, this practice has since been embraced worldwide. And for good reason – it’s like a spa day for your soul, and it’s shown to reduce stress, amplify immunity, and make you feel better overall. Continue Reading

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Top Things to Do in Costa Rica 2023

Central America, Destinations - Ross French - June 17, 2022

Things to Do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a country that is known for its greenery, waterfalls, and stunning sea beaches. For the foreign traveler, it can serve as a perfect introduction to the rich Latin American culture. From great lodging to lip-smacking cuisines, Costa Rica has everything necessary for a memorable trip. One thing’s for sure: while you are here, you’d never run out of things to do. To make things easier for you, in this article, we will discuss the most fun things to do in Costa Rica this year. So, read on. Continue Reading

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Top 10 Mesmerizing Destinations in Central America Must Visit Once in Life

Central America - Ross French - July 24, 2017

Belize

Central America probably won’t attract many travelers to visit all time. But in fact, you wish to explore the nature and outdoor activities then visit Central America as the best destination to visit earlier. In this Central America, you can find many tourist destinations and activities such as relaxing on beaches, hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, touring ruins of ancient civilizations and indigenous cultures. Still, touring Central America is a big dream for everyone and named as must visit spots once in life. Here, the top 10 destinations in Central America are listed, and you have to visit them once.

• relaxing on beaches
• hiking
• snorkeling
• scuba diving
• windsurfing

1. Roatan, Bay Islands

Roatan Bay Islands are a Caribbean Vacation Paradise which located off the North Coast of Honduras and well known for pristine white sandy beaches. Besides, the travelers can enjoy amazing tropical jungle covered hills and various unique reef system.

• Coxen Hole
• French Harbour
• Tranquilseas Eco Lodge and Dive center
• Seagrape Plantation Resort
• Splash Inn Dive Resort

2. Ambergris Caye, Belize Cayes

Ambergris Caye is an eye-catching island in Belize which is known as leading destination for tourists to visit in Central America. The place has beautiful and azure water surface of the Caribbean. You can visit the Maya Mountains and the Pink Ridge to excite many things in this area.

3. Nosara, Costa Rica

Nosara is the best destination which has oldest expat town and familiar in the midst of a mini Renaissance such as fresh restaurants, hotels, and shops. You can explore a budget friendly travel to this destination which is a serene atmosphere for you.

4. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

The booming surface village of Santa Teresa offers an excellent opportunity for visitors to enjoy a lot. The beaches of Santa Teresa are soft, sandy, and consistent surf break to enjoy with families. It is familiar for sleepy seaside hamlet which is a neighborhood place of Costa Rica.

5. Tamarindo, Costa Rica

It is a prime spot for surfing and sports fishing, diving, and sunning. This place is a must destination for the travelers who need to enjoy a lot with family members. It has gorgeous beach houses, B&B, and luxury hotels in the sunny sands.

6. San Ignacio, Belize

San Ignacio is a heart of Belize which is recognizable for vibrant travelers to spend time here. This destination remains rustic and making significant challenges for budget friendly adventure travel for everyone. Macal River is a famous spot to visit and have rejoice anytime.

7. Antigua, Guatemala

This is a place of rare beauty and considers the major historical significance and vibrant culture. It is a must visit destination and boasts excellent spots to visit by the travelers. The magnificent setting is an attractive one and unfolds beneath of three volcanoes.

8. Boqute, Panama

In Boqute, Panama the many rainbows are the comfortable, eye-catching place that decides to visit the spot by north winds that blow down the admiring features for all. You can see the valley of flowers and eternal spring to rejoice you on a day.

9. Isla Colon, Bocas Del Toro Province

It is a most populated island which has amazing vegetation and gets lots of amusement and amazing activities in this destination. The accommodation in this destination is pleasant by offering fresh foods for the travelers.

10. San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

This destination is known for a beautiful fishing village that suits for magnet for surfers and sunbathers. At night time, the beach explores with activities, and few popular beachfront bars are the major attractions for you.

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My Backpack Goes Both Ways

Guest Posts - Ross French - June 1, 2011

surfing

By, Stevie Trujillo (www.sprinterlife.com)

Who in their right mind wants to go to school while they’re on vacation? Well, I did, but I‘m crazy about both school and traveling—so much so, in fact, that when I first heard about taking a Learning Vacation, I immediately started organizing my backpack: 2 pens, 1 dictionary, and a notebook in the front with 5 bikinis, 2 dresses, and a pair of flip flops in the back.  Ahhhhh, heaving my pack up on my shoulders I couldn’t help but note how right it felt.  I guess deep down I always knew my backpack went both ways.

surfingThe hard part, though, was figuring out a time for me to get away, because, well, I am always away.  On April 18th, 2010, my husband and I set out from our home in Venice beach in our converted Mercedes Sprinter van to drive around the world. Everyday we’re on the go, usually not for very far or for very long, but nonetheless, we are nomads: we are moving. Up until now, we’ve driven from Los Angeles to Canada (wine tasting the whole way), and then back down through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama (Tequila, Mezcal, Belikin, Aguardiente, Havana Club, Flor de Cana, Tona, Guaro, and Balboa tasting the whole way).  (Hint: this may be why we’re so slow).  Not that we have a set schedule anyway, but still we’d like to be to the tip of Argentina in January, during the southern hemi summer.

schoolSo, given our lifestyle, our seasonal preference and our copious alcohol intake, there really isn’t a lot of down time to go to school, nor a real need for a vacation.

But finally, as luck would have it, an opportunity came up.  My husband had to go back to the States for two weeks to attend to some shit last month, and I was able to parlay his absence into my chance to attend the School of the World in Jaco, Costa Rica.

I chose to study Spanish and surfing, as opposed to yoga or digital photography (which are also offered at SOTW), because they just seem more relevant to where I’m at today, sitting on a beach in Central America.
This was my first time having ever experienced a Learning Vacation. I’ve done the backpacking thing across Europe, the dirt bag Americana road trips sleeping in Flying J truck stops along the interstate, and the five star all-inclusive resorts with cute towel animals sitting at the foot of the bed.  But never have I traveled abroad with the explicit purpose of learning something—well, something useful anyway—and I have to say that it kicks motherf’n’ass. Por que, me pregunta?

Intention.hammock As annoyingly new agey as it sounds, when you set an intention, you get more shit done than you would have otherwise.  Case in point, I learned more Spanish in my two weeks at School of the World than I did the entire seven months prior to simply living in Spanish speaking countries.  Yes, you can ‘pick up’ words by osmosis, but I have found that if you really want to learn something, particularly a foreign language, you need to set the intention to do so.

Intensity. Learning Vacations are intense. I spent four hours a day studying Spanish and two hours a day learning to surf. Everything hurt.  Left to make my own schedule, I would not have been that disciplined.  And honestly it takes that insane level of practice and repetition to get good at anything.

Inspiration. There were days that I would not have made it without the support of my teachers and fellow students at SOTW.  Facing roiling mountains of brain washing whitewater, a surf instructor would paddle out by my side, cheering me on as I turtled my way to the lineup.  And then when I wouldn’t stop paddling until I was in my safe zone a good 30 meters past the break, said surf instructor would patiently coax me back in from the open sea, “Please, chark bait, you come back now. “  And then there I’d be sitting in the lineup next to my beginner buddies, when one of them would go for a wave, and we’d all yell “Paddle! Paddle! Paddle!” as she vanished behind a wall of water to either make good with Mother Nature or get her ass kicked all the way to shore.  Either way, I felt inspired, but it was the wipeouts that really got me going.  I may admire athleticism, but I relate to desperate acts of survival.

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