24
Aug
2010
Sustainability
Certification for Sustainable Tourism
Sustainability, as a model of development, seeks to meet the current demands of society without compromising the rights of future generations to meet theirs. The development of the country cannot be based on the unbalanced exploitation of resources to meet the demands of society. This is why the Costa Rica government created the CST, the certification for sustainable tourism. The CST strengthens the image of the country as an authentic environmental destination, considerably raising the competitiveness of the national tourist product.
A business like Hacineda Guachipelin will see improved efficiency within its operations through efficient handling of resources. As and end result there will be significant savings, a reduction in sources of pollution , and waste reduction.
Recently Hacienda Guachipelin was reevaluated by the Costarrican Ministry of Tourism and the certification was upgraded from 1 leaf to 2 leafs. This is proof of the effort that the staff of Hacienda Guachipelin is working with sustainable practices. This is Guachipelin’s compromise with todays and future generations.
Hacienda Guachipelin is located on the foot of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. This national park has an area of 14,083 hectares and is divided into two sectors: Las Pailas and Santa María. The park contains nine volcanic cones and one lake, La Jilgueros. Pailas Sector: Trail (7.5 km) to the Von Seebach (1,898 meters above sea level) and Rincon de la Vieja (1,806 meters above sea level) craters; trail to las pailas (2.77 km); trail to La Cangreja (5.1 km) and Escondidas (4.3 km) waterfalls; trail to the Río Blanco pool (600 m); trail to fumaroles and mud volcanoes. For reservations contact our reservations office at info@guachipelin.com , from US or Canada Call Toll Free 1-888-730-3840 . There are great season packages for the month of September and October of 2010. For hotels with certification for sustainability check this link.
11
Jul
2010
Riu Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a Central American country considered one of the world’s most beautiful spots, thanks to its breathtakingly spectacular natural landscape and exoticism and its mature democracy.
RIU’s first Costa Rican establishment, built by the firm itself and located on the oceanfront in Playa Matapalo, the beautiful region of Guanacaste on the country’s Pacific coast. The hotel is close to the international airport in Liberia LIR.
Riu is situated in northern Costa Rica, in Guanacaste on Playa de Matapalo beach. it has omplimentary sun loungers on the beach, a 6 story main building. It is surrounded by 35,000 m2 / 41,86 sq. yards of lush gardens. RIU is 33 km / 20.5 miles from Liberia airport and 50 kilometers from the most famous National Park, Rincon de la Vieja. This National Park is famous because of its abundant volcanic activity. Rincon de la Vieja is also famous for the adventure tours offered by Hacienda Guachipelin.
Hacienda Guchipelin is owned by a Costarrican family. It is a working cattle ranch and activities related to traditional cattle farming is still going on here.
For reservations for Hacienda Guachipelin, call toll free from US or Canada to 1-888-730-3840 or write to info@guachipelin.com
8
Mar
2010
Costa Rica Dive
Guanacaste, is Costa Rica’s northern province, famous for the sun, the nice beaches, the volcanoes, the adventure tours and the good diving. The starting point for good diving is Playas del Coco or Coco Beach. Coco Beach is a small fisherman’s town that eventually was turned into a tourist destination in itself. Lots of activities happen around Coco, and diving is one of them. But, how is diving in Guanacaste?
costa rica sharks
In Guanacaste, you would regularly see Southern Stingrays, Spotted Eagle Rays, a variety of eels, White-tip Reef Sharks, tons of Puffer and Porcupine Fish, Octopus, turtles, Seahorses, lobsters, Nudibranchs and numerous schools of many different varieties of fish. At the more advanced sites like the Catalina Islands, and the Bat Islands, you would commonly see many larger animals such as Giant Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, and Bull Sharks. On the surface you would often get the pleasant surprise visit of dolphin pods, hump back whales and pilot whales!
There are various kinds of small coral formations, which include both soft and hard sponges, as well as an unparalleled array of marine plants. They grow on the amazing volcanic rock formations that make up the remarkable bottom topography here.
One of the local sites that you would often be taken to, Tortuga, has a cute 30 ft. fishing vessel called “Rusty II” at about 70 ft. There are many stories explaining why it sunk, but Rich coast’s is definitely the best!
All the dives at the Catalina and Bat Islands are drift dives…. You would also drift from Play Penn to Punta Argentina if the current allows you. This is a local dive. The average range of visibility is 15 to 60 feet (5 to 18 meters) depending on the amount of plankton the tides bring in for the big fish.
The night diving here is incredible! All the marine life that is napping during the day, such as the 6 ft. moray eels and octopus roam the waters creating a spectacular show!
Hacienda Guachipelin has partnered with Rich Coast Diving to offer Guachipelin’s guests an unforgetable diving experience in Guanacaste. Rich coast operates since early 1993 in Playas del Coco. Rich Coast is a PADI 5 Star IDC facility in Costa Rica offering a full range of PADI scuba diving courses, beginning from entry level courses through to PADI Professional Dive Courses, and of course, fun dive tours and snorkel trips, catering to divers who appreciate personal attention, diving in small groups on the most comfortable boats. The owners, Brenda van Gestel, PADI Master Instructor, and Martin van Gestel in-house Course Director, are great hosts and fun to be around, yet serious and very professional with their job. A two tank dive is $80 and $20 for equipment.
Hacienda Guachipelin can arrange diving or snorkeling trips with Rich Coast Diving any time. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity, Adventures in Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, in Hacienda Guachipelin and Diving at Playas del Coco, with Rich Coast Diving, Land and Sea.
25
Feb
2010
Hermosa Beach, Guanacaste
Playa Hermosa
Not to be confused with Playa Hermosa in the province of Puntarenas, Playa Hermosa, or Hermosa Beach, in the province of Guanacaste offers a much calmer and relaxing environment. The Playa Hermosa beach is lined with beautiful tropical trees while unfolding before the warm North Pacific Ocean.
Located at just a 20 minute drive from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa is a laid back tranquil beach town adorned with up-scale family beach homes and a few development projects along the northern sector.
The town of Playa Hermosa offers its visitors a nice variety of restaurants, shopping and night life. Other tourist activities include deep sea fishing, diving, snorkeling and sailing. Costa Rica hotels in the Playa Hermosa region are mostly within the mid-range budget or exclusive luxury hotels. However, a few low-budget hotels and rooms are available.
Playa Hermosa is also well known for its exquisite marine life. The region’s marine biodiversity can be easily enjoyed by snorkeling or diving. Booking a diving tour in Guanacaste is fairly easy and available in almost every town, including Playa Hermosa.
Other activities that can be easily enjoyed from Playa Hermosa is the visit to local National Parks. At just a short drive, visitors may head out to the Rincon de la Vieja National Park to experience volcanic activities such as boiling mud pots, vapor vents, hot spring waters and more.
The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, located near the park’s entrance, offers a variety of adventure tours that includes hiking, horseback riding, canyon tours, zip-lining and tubing among others.
Other must see parks near Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste include the Santa Rosa National Park and the Palo Verde Park.
For Reservation in Hacienda Guachipelin, please contact reservas@guachipelin.com or call toll free from USA or Canada to 1-888-730-3840
20
Feb
2010
Featured at Conde Nast
The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin in Guanacaste has recently been mentioned in the Condé Nast online magazine Concierge.com
Located in the beautiful North Pacific region in Costa Rica, the Hotel Hacienda Guachipelinoffers its guests adventure and relaxation in the lands near the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.
The vast amount of activities as well as the staff’s friendly service has impressed thousands of visitors who have stayed at the Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin. At Concierge.com, the exciting adventures of the Hacienda Guachipelin have earned it an “Editor’s Pick” with this exclusive organization.
Costa Rica’s diversity in terrain, climate and micro-cultures has made it a preferred vacation destination for millions of tourists world wide. Guanacaste has for long been the top destination within the country due to its incredible variety of mountains, volcanoes, plains and of course spectacular beaches.
The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin offers travelers a different perspective of the region through its portrayal of local tradition and culture. The Hacienda Guachipelin follows in the century old tradition of the sabaneros or Costa Rican cowboys. The Hacienda encourages its guests to get up at the crack of dawn to experience the morning hustle as staff members groom and feed around 50 horses at the stable.
The tours offered at the Hacienda Guachipelin are adventure-oriented due the surrounding area. Located at the base of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, guests are encouraged to take hikes or horse back rides to explore the magnificent landscape. From waterfalls to boiling mud pots and vapor vents, the Rincon de la Vieja National Park and Volcano will provide for a day’s adventure.
Other tours available at the Hacienda Guachipelin include zip lining over the tree canopy and canyons, rappelling, mountain biking and tubing down the Negro River. After a couple of days of adrenaline-packed adventure at the Hacienda, a trip to the nearby natural thermal hot springs. The natural pool is filled with volcanic heated water that will sooth your aching muscles and help you feel as good as new for more adventure.
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin in Rincon de la Vieja, Guanacaste is a proud member of the Guanacaste Chamber of Tourism, the Costa Rican Chamber of Tourism, the Costa Rican Hotel Chamber and bears the Code of Conduct Stamp.
For reservations from USA or Canada Call Toll Free 1-888-730-3840 or send us an email info@guachipelin.com
Horseback ride
18
Feb
2010
Hotel Review
This is a recent review from one of our guests at Hacienda Guachipelin, visible at TripAdvisor.com . Hacienda Guachipelin is a the getway for Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Hacienda Guachipelin is famous for the adventure tours, like Tubing at Hacienda Guachipelin . For reservations call toll free form USA or Canada 1-888-730-3840 or send us an email to info+guachipelin.com
“We arrived and got great service from staff and the owner, they treated us like family. Did the all day adventure package, definitely worth the $$! Kids ages 9 and 11 were entertained and thrilled the whole time! Great location, beautiful scenery, great food, clean comfortable rooms, charming hotel. Lots to do. Swimming, hiking, volcano, adventure tours, including zip lines, tubing, waterfalls, horseback riding. They even have a hotsprings and volcanic mud spa! Can’t wait to go back! Would recommend to everyone. ”
Hacienda Guachipelin