Art in the streets of San Jose

A new art work in San Jose. You can enjoy this piece on the wall of a building located in one corner of San jose Downtown.

Homenaje al perro de la calle en Costa Rica

Costa Rica´s original countryside

Adventure Lover Special

Costa Rica Adventure Package Special

$955 per person (4 people minimun) tax included!

Available until July 2010! Visit Banana Adventure Tours and book your trip now!


This adventure package was created for Adventure Lovers who would like to come to Costa Rica and enjoy the adventure challenges offered.

Day 1: Arrive San José. Airport pick up. Transfer to Arenal. Overnight at Arenal.

Day 2: White Water Rafting Pacuare River. Overnight at Arenal (BL).

Day 3: Arenal Volcano Hike and Baldi Hot Springs. Overnight at Arenal (BD).

Day 4: Jeep, Boat, Jeep tour to Monteverde. Canopy Tour. Overnight at Monteverde (B).

Day 5: Trabsfer to Manuel Antonio. Overnight at Manuel Antonio (B).

Day 6: Kayak Tour. Overnight at Manuel Antonio (B).

Day 7: Transfer to San José. San Jose City Tour. Overnight at San Jose (B).

Day 8: Transfer Out to the airport (B).

Package includes:

3 Nights at Arenal
1 Night at Monteverde
2 Nights at Manuel Antonio
1 Night at San Jose
Transfer San José - Arenal
White Water Rafting Tour (one day)
Arenal Volcano Hike Tour
Baldi Hot Springs
Jeep-Boat-Jeep Tour
Canopy Tour Monteverde
Transfer Monteverde - Manuel Antonio
Kayak Tour
Transfer Manuel Antonio – San Jose
San Jose City Tour
Transfer Out International Airport

Send an e-mail to info@bananaadventuretours.com or go to www.bananaadventuretours.com.

2010 International Year of Biodiversity

UNESCO has declared International Year of Biodiversity 2010, in an attempt to decrease the rapid erosion of land, deforestation and damaged ecosystem in the world due to no sustainable economic practices. According to the UNESCO web site: "The UN-declared International Year of Biodiversity marks the 2010 Biodiversity Target aiming to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by this date."

Biodiversity is Life - Biodiversity is our Life

Biodiversity is more than beautiful animals and plants, it is the core of life as we know it and very important to the well being of the Planet Earth and the human being. The United Nations is trying to redefine the current approach to biodiversity conservation, making it clear to all people in the world that biodiversity is truly the center of life in the world as we know it.

La Carreta - Costa Rica Culture

La Carreta is one of the national symbols of Costa Rica. The origin of the Carreta came from Spain on the 16th century, and underwent a series of modifications according to the culture of the country, to become what is now.

The first type of Carreta was the so called Cureña; it was very simple, built out of rough woods, with a triangular base, and with no painting. It was in the Central Valley where the Carreta was painted and stylized, around the 20th century. It was commonly use to carry coffee to the port. The design of the wheels is usually base on nature and the use of color is very important. The Boyeros are the people who accompanied the Carreta along the bulls. La Carreta has become a national symbol of Costa Rica and can be seen in many traditional places, or in the parades the Boyeros do during the year in many places of the country.

Visit Costa Rica

Other interesting links:

Costa Rica Culture
Las Mascaradas - Costa Rica Culture
Costa Rica Architecture

Costa Rica: Interesting things to see in San Jose

Walking around the city, you may be able to see these sceneries: Local street vendors, walking around, offering their products. I am always amazed by the colorful scenery they offer. Some may say that they block traffic or make the city disorganized; I believe they are just part of the culture and should be appreciated as well.



Link: Visit Costa Rica

III Clásica Recreativa Miravalles 2010

The ride will take place at Bagaces de Guanacaste, January 24, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. The registration fee is 5.000 colones per person. For more information visit Bikecr.

Costa Rica: Public transportation in San Jose

Costa Rica has a pretty good public transportation service, connecting many different places from San Jose Downtown. Most places and all touristic places in the country can be reached by public pus with a low fee, although it may take few hours depending of the location. Inside the Metropolitan area, including San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, and Cartago, there are pretty good public transportation services, with very good schedules:


San Jose - Alajuela and Airport: every 10 minutes from 4:20 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

San Jose - Cartago: every 10 minutes from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

San Jose - Heredia: every 10 minutes from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.


There are also regular buses to the surrounding areas of San Jose, such as Guadalupe, Coronado, Moravia, Desamparados, Alajuelita, Paseo Colon, Escazu, Santa Ana, and many more.

As for taxis, there are many around the city and the whole Metropolitan Area. The taxis use a taximeter they called Maria, which indicates the price to pay at the end of the ride; the Marias have a minimum for the first kilometer, after that, the prices goes up. Touristic locations also have taxis available, although some do not use taximeters, but they use a set price for each ride. People can stop a taxi in the street or they can call the Taxi company to ask for one to come to a specific location.


Link: Visit Costa Rica

Recreativa Campo 3

This Mountain Bike Ride will take place on Sunday February 28, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. The registration fee is 3.500 colones per person, and it will begin at Campo Tres Este School. There will be two routes: the short one with 30 kilometers, and the long ride with 50 kilometers. Water, refresments and fruits, special escoba car and medical assistence will be available.

For more information please visit Bikecr.

Visit Costa Rica and enjoy the ride.

Turrialba Volcano: Yellow Alert

Today, Costa Rica is in Yellow Alert for the imminent danger of Turrialba Volcano. The Volcano used to be dormant for more than 150 years until in the year 2007 it began some volcanic activity again. Now, in the first days of the year 2010, Turrialba Volcano has become the most active and dangerous volcano of the country, place that used to have Arenal Volcano in earlier days. Yesterday, Turrialba Volcano began some eruptions of ashes that combined with the rain were very impressive. Many people move to some safe places while the government and specialists check the status of the volcano. Although there has been great activity and earthquakes, specialist say that it does not seem to be in the verge of a magma eruption. However, only time will say.

For more information please check the Costa Rican news.

Las Mascaradas - Costa Rica Culture

The dance of Las Mascaradas is a tradition very practiced by all Costa Ricans. Las Mascaradas are huge clowns, with big heads that dance in the streets. The most common clowns are La Giganta, el Diablo, la Muerte, el Policía, and la Calavera. They are present in almost every cultural activity of the country, especially in the regional fairs and the small town’s fiestas. They come accompanied by La Cimarrona, which are a group of people that play special Costa Rican music, with trumpets and drums.

I Clásica Recreativa XXVII - Santa Cruz 2010

"I Clásica Recreativa XXVII Semana Cultural Santa Cruz 2010" will take place next January 10, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. The ride will begin at Bernabela Ramos Park at Santa Cruz, and there will be prices for the winners. Also, there will be a raffle, which winner will get a bicicle TREK and accesories for Mountain Bike.

Prices: 50.000 First place Masculine and 50.000 First place femenine.



For more information please contact (506) 2680-4107 / (506) 8341-2859, or visit the web site: Bikecr.

Come to Costa Rica and enjoy the ride.

Costa Rica Architecture

Costa Rica is a relatively young country, and its architecture is too. After the colonization, the Spaniards built what we later called colonial houses; however, little by little these buildings disappeared to open spaces to other kind of architecture. It is safe to say that from all Latin-American, Costa Rica, is one of the very fewest countries, which does not have a wide Colonial legacy such as the city of Granada in Nicaragua, Colón in Panama, Antigua in Guatemala, and Coro in Venezuela, among many others. Nevertheless, there are some great buildings that get noticed by tourists that come to the country. Among these buildings are:

National Theater, which opened on 1897, is located in downtown San Jose, Plaza de la Cultura.

Metalic Building (Edificio Metálico), located in front of Parque Morazan is just a beautiful and intriguing building. It was built in Belgium and brought by boat to Costa Rica in pieces, which were later ensemble in the country.


Other interesting historical buildings in San Jose and the Metropolitan area are the National Museum, which just to be a fort, and Heredia Fortin, located in Heredia city.

About the houses, in San Jose you can find from very luxurious houses to very small middle class houses, mostly build from wood, or plywood, with zinc roof. There are a lot of faraway areas that belong to San Jose; places such as Gallera, Monserrat, Purral, etc. In each little town or residential you will find the Pulperias, which are small basic markets where people living close by can get what the need at a good price.


Link: Visit Costa Rica

Happy New Year 2010

Banana Adventure Tours wishes you a Happy New Year 2010, full of prosperity and happiness for you, your family and friends.

Here are My Wishes for You...
H ours of happy times with friends and family
A bundant time for relaxation
P rosperity
P lenty of love when you need it the most
Y outhful excitement at lifes simple pleasures

N ights of restful slumber (you know - dont' worry be happy)
E verything you need
W ishing you love and light

Y ears and years of good health
E njoyment and mirth
A angels to watch over you
R embrances of a happy years!
Author Unknown