 |
|
Get Away to Costa Rica
Although the country is known for being very gay friendly, the “gay scene” in Costa Rica has taken a hit in recent years due to over development in the southern coastal town of Manuel Antonio.
Although nude sunbathing is not necessarily legal in Costa Rica, beach patrolling in Manuel Antonio is a new occurrence. Located in the Northern Pacific Coast region of Guanacaste, Costa Rica is the small town of Playa Junquillal (Hoon-kee-yall). Playa Junquillal is a very quiet and safe beach town. Women and GLBT travelers will feel very welcome visiting here.
Even in the peak season you may find that you have the entire beach all to yourself, which of course makes this a prime spot for a new gay destination in Costa Rica. Although there are no specific gay bars or hotels, the area is very welcoming and is just waiting for gay travelers to frequent more often.
Whale watching from the shore line is another amazing experience as they migrate past Playa Junquillal. Too relaxed to go snorkeling? Take a walk down Playa Junquillal to see the many creatures hiding in the tide pools. Playa Junquillal is also a popular surfing spot as are neighboring Playa Grande, Playa Negra and Playa Avellanas, which are only a 10-15 minute drive from the house. There are several surfing schools in Playa Junquillal as well. Costa Rica is also known for some of the best diving in the world. Deep sea fishing is also very popular.
Also available in town are horseback riding trips on the beach and other destinations. Shops, night life, fishing, scuba diving and adventure tours are all within a short drive. “Junquillal Adventure Tours” can help you get all of the information you need for planning fun and exciting things to do! They are also available for pick-ups and drop-offs at Liberia International Airport. Playa Junquillal is a beautiful beach destination that is not far from the many other natural attractions in the Guanacaste region. A two-hour drive north will bring you to the breathtaking Rincon National Park where you can hike the volcano, the upper craters, boiling mud pots and hot springs, fumaroles and geysers, and see immense amounts of birds and wildlife, and the massive trees that are found in the area. There are rafting and canopy tours as well as the many hiking trails. A 3-hour drive east (inland) will bring you to the Arenal Volcano in the Arenal National Park or the Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Preserve.
We are currently working with other hotels in Playa Junquillal, and local GLBT folk from San Jose, to organize the first “gay week” in Costa Rica, which we hope to announce later this year. Costa Rica is in need of a new gay beach destination and we think Playa Junquillal is just the right spot. We hope you will join us! For more information about the house and area, or to get on our mailing list, please visit our website, www.CasaDeManana.net, or email us at CasaDeManana@charter.net.
|
If you are looking for an incredible tropical getaway, that is also gay friendly and on the side of affordable, look no further than Costa Rica! Airfare is not what you may think.
Our flights from Boston in May ’09 were only $281 round trip! Of course this does take a little maneuvering. We fly into the capital city of San Jose, which is a four hour drive from our house, and fly home from Liberia International Airport, which is only an hour from our house. Using the “Multi-City” option on booking sites typically saves us several hundred dollars per ticket.
The scene is still thriving in San Jose, with multiple gay discos and hotels, however, it has changed drastically in Manuel Antonio, home of “La Playita”, which was a gay nude beach before a hotel development took away the beach’s privacy and the clientele began complaining about the nudity on the beach. The beach is now patrolled by police to ensure there is no nude sunbathing, which has obviously impacted the beach’s appeal for many gay travelers.
It is home to approximately 120 permanent residents comprised of both Tico's and foreigners. Here you will find the country's largest and most beautiful untouched beaches surrounded by an incredible landscape and an abundance of wildlife. From Howler Monkeys to parrots, you are sure to see and hear the wonderful sounds of the tropics around every turn.
There's SO much to do, or nothing to do. It's all up to you and how you want to spend your vacation! Walk to Playa Blanca will bring you to the Leatherback and Ridley Turtle feeding area where you can swim or snorkel with the protected species, or simply watch them from the beach as they rise in the surf. If your timing is right, you may be lucky enough to witness newly hatched turtles being released into the ocean from the protected hatching area on Playa Junquillal. Truly an amazing experience!
Join the community for sunset down at the beach and have a beer or cocktail at Adrianna's Bar. There are several exquisite restaurants (Italian, Swiss, German, American fare, Costa Rican fare and a pizzeria) and internet bars (with your own laptop) within walking distance from the house.
We have been traveling the country for over 8 years and finally took the plunge in 2008 and bought our own piece of this tropical paradise. Casa de Mañana is a brand-new 2-Bedroom, 1-Bath home (perfect for 2 couples, small families, or very close friends!) that is a two minute drive or 8 minute walk on the main beach road to one of the largest stretches of untouched beaches in the country. The house is fully furnished and includes all of the necessary amenities; a full kitchen, Master Bedroom with King bed, 2nd bedroom with double bed, air conditioning, internet access, basic mini-bar (The water here is perfectly drinkable, so you don't have to worry about having to drink warm cocktails with no ice!), beach and bath towels, 2 mountain bikes and snorkeling gear. The house is only a 1 hour drive from the recently expanded Liberia International Airport.