Costa Rica is a peaceful democracy with no army and very little crime. The country boasts more schools teachers than police and its literacy rate, at 93 percent, is one of the highest in the world. Costa Ricans are very happy, laid-back souls--they have never been at war and they have never been hungry. They genuinely like Americans and will gladly trade two or three words of English for two or three words of Spanish.

For sun worshippers, the weather is especially spectacular. Between December and late May, there is very little or no rain. Even June through November, the constant sunshine is only interrupted by occasional refreshing late afternoon showers. The weather is always warm (80 degrees plus) on the northwest Pacific coast where the villas are located. In San Jose and the Central highlands, temperatures are much cooler with high around 78 degrees and lows in the 60's.

The amazing biological diversity that exists in Costa Rica, within such a small geographical area (about the size of West Virginia), is one of the largest in the world. The flora and fauna are not only precious, but also spectacular. Costa Rica has over 237 species of mammals, more varieties of butterflies than the entire continent of Africa, and more than 150 species of reptiles and amphibians. There are also more than 1,800 species of orchids native to the country and more than 850 species of birds (more than all the species in the entire North American continent).

A quaint Costa Rican trait is that on any given day, you will see a farmer and his ox cart walking alongside the street--a true touch that Westernization has not invaded this untouched beauty.

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Getting to Costa Rica

Driving Directions

The Villas are a 4 to 4-1/2 hour drive from the San Jose airport.

Directions to Villa Paraiso, Villa Isla Azul, and Villa Mariposa:

• Take the Pan American Highway North (Highway # 1) and follow signs to the city of Liberia and Nicaragua.
• On your way to Liberia, you will pass through the towns of San Ramon, Esparaza, Canas and Bagaces.
• At Liberia, take a left at the traffic light (NOTE: Coming from the Liberia Airport, you would take a right out of the airport) and follow the highway until you see the signs to Playa Coco (Coco beach) and El Ocotal.
• Take a right (a service station will be on your left) and proceed to Coco Beach, about 15 minutes.
• As you approach Coco Beach, follow the signs to Ocotal and take a left just before you get to the Coco Verde Hotel which is on the right (Papagaya Marine is on the left where you turn).
• When you cross the first bridge, turn right.
• You will cross over another bridge as you wind through a village for two miles before coming upon El Ocotal.
• As you drive through the guarded gate in El Ocotal, veer to the left.
• Follow the road to the Villa Casablanca Bed and Breakfast Hotel.
• In front of the Casablanca, veer sharply right.
• You will pass villas on your right as you climb the hillside.
• Take the first left up a steep grade.
• Take one of the following turns:
• To get to Villa Paraiso, take the first driveway on your left.
• To get to Villa Isla Azul take a right and veer to the left.
• To get to Villa Mariposa, take the first driveway on your left and Villa Mariposa is located to the left past Villa Paraiso.
• You are at your private luxury villa. Pura Vida! (the good life)

Directions to Villa Lapa and Villa Lora:

• Take the Pan American Highway North (Highway # 1) and follow signs to the city of Liberia and Nicaragua.
• On your way to Liberia, you will pass through the towns of San Ramon, Esparaza, Canas and Bagaces.
• At Liberia, take a left at the traffic light (NOTE: Coming from the Liberia Airport, you would take a right out of the airport) and follow the highway until you see the signs to Playa Coco (Coco beach) and El Ocotal.
• Take a right (a service station will be on your left) and proceed to Coco Beach, about 15 minutes.
• As you approach Coco Beach, follow the signs to Ocotal and take a left just before you get to the Coco Verde Hotel which is on the right (Papagaya Marine is on the left where you turn).
• When you cross the first bridge, turn right.
• You will cross over another bridge as you wind through a village for two miles before coming upon El Ocotal.
• As you drive through the guarded gate in El Ocotal, take a hard U turn left and go up the mountain.
• Follow the road along the ridge. You will see a concrete wall on the right with arrows on it.
• When the wall ends, you will see two gates on the right:
  • To get to Villa Lapa, take the gate on the right side.
  • To get to Villa Lora, take the gate on the left side.
• You are at your private luxury villa. Pura Vida! (the good life)