ManuelAntonio “Between the Rainforest and the Beach”
& QUEPOS | Program & Travel Agent
Welcome to Manuel Antonio Expo
Dear friends, Welcome to Costa Rica. As Chairman of Grupo Manuel Antonio, it is a pleasure to welcome you to EXPOMA. This year our organization decided to bundle our prestigious program year after year, by sharing it with other destinations within our beautiful country - as such we have joined San Jose as our "city" destination city and La Fortuna de San Carlos as the "mountain" destination, thus strengthening the desire of the 2010-2011 board to offer a comprehensive and complete product so as to facilitate the sale of Costa Rica as a complete destination where you can enjoy all the activities that our country offers tourists. This year's major innovation is the possibility of cooperative strength - for the first time in the history of our country an organization dedicated to promoting tourism where we will host travel agent negotiations with hoteliers, operators and suppliers all within a protected natural area of the Manuel Antonio National Park - declared by Forbes magazine as one of the twelve most beautiful destinations in the world. Such recognition positions our organization as a leader in promoting our country brand. Receive all the warmest welcome here in Costa Rica and we hope you can experience - during this short stay - the magic that surrounds our lush forests, our majestic mountains and rivers, and the indomitable extreme adventure activities not to mention a trip through the culture and, definitely the food, that will allow you to discover the true Costa Rica. In addition to a natural environment that has made tourism development within the parameters of sustainability and corporate social responsibility possible, we offer a high customer service and quality to ensure our visitors the best visit and the best of memories, thus making Costa Rica an unforgettable experience. Good luck and remember - the best product to export from Costa Rica is - your smile! Thank you for sharing this adventure with us Diego Fallas President Manuel Antonio Group Board
About Grupo Manuel Antonio Formed in 1998, the Association Grupo Manuel Antonio (GMA) is a not-for-profit organization of more than fiftyt w o licensed and registered tourism companies thatinclude restaurants, hotels, bars, tour operators, travel agencies, banks, real estate firms, local airlines and condos all working together with the clear objective of promoting & marketing this beautiful area of the Pacific Coast. We are situated next to the Manuel Antonio National Park, which was created in 1972 and has an incredible variety of wildlife and plants. GMA participates in national and international activities that will help to develop the tourism sector for our area and we collaborate and develop projects that will assist in the sociol-economic development of the region.
GMABoard Memebers Sr. Luis Diego Fallas IbaĂąes, President. Tel. (506) 8815-72-21, fallasorg@gmail.com. Sr. Kleber Cruz, Vice President. Tel. (506) 2777-0850, kleber@sunsetvillasma.com. Sr. Adrian Martinez, Secretary. Tel. (506) 2777-20-52, info@iguanatours.com. Sr. Christian Gonzales, Treasurer. Tel. (506) 2777-73-73, cgonzalesdn@gmail.com. Sra. Catalina Castro, Vocal. Tel. (506) 2777-45-09, las_cascadas@yahoo.com. Sr. Edward Vallejos, Vocal II. Tel. (506) 2777-2506, quepos@hertzcr.com. Sr. Manuel Fallas, Fiscal. Tel. (506) 2779-1001, manuel@rancholostucanes.com.
Expo Manuel Antonio Susan RodrĂguez C. Executive Director, G.M.A. Skype: susan.rodriguez.c www.manuelantoniotoday.com director@manuelantoniotoday.com Telefax:(506) 2777.3822|8890.4598|
Manuel Antonio & QUEPOS These two separate but
interdependent central Pacific coastal towns nestled between the Rainforest and the Pacific Ocean offer all of the conveniences you need with the calm and breathtaking paradise you desire in a tropical get-away. Quepos is a just the right size town with 9,000 permanent resident, a large hospital, banks, markets, stores, hotels, bars, restaurants, a new marina and a main bus terminal. The restaurants, hotels and attractions make this charming town a great destination with views of the ocean and the mounventure.
tains and plenty of land or water sport ad-
There are many things to do in this area that will please the entire family. Pick your favorite activities from a selection of canopy tours, white water rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking, catamaran charters, surfing, snorkeling, diving, deepsea fishing, zip lining and more. Adventures abound, from the rush of adrenaline on the 2nd longest superman swing in the world to the more
IMAGE BY ALVIN CHINCHILLA
relaxing dip in a waterfall pool. Nightlife will not disappoint you here. You can dance the night away in a variety of nightclubs, sip a tropical drink at a tiki bar or dine in restaurants with ocean views. Between Quepos and the National Park, there are hotels - from the luxurious to the basic - and restaurants ranging from typical Costa Rican cuisine to international fare. What they all have in common is the walk along the lush, green, tree-lined road where you can mingle with friendly people and see all of the flora and fauna of the region. In the hills overlooking the ocean you’ll see some of the most stunning and picturesque views in the country. Manuel Antonio National Park is truly amazing. This is where the endangered Spider Monkeys can be found along with White Faced and Howler monkeys. Cathedral Point with it's forest topped cliffs is connected to the mainland by a thin land bridge that separates the parks two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. Playa Manuel Antonio is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica
and has been rated one of the top ten in the world. The beach is a half mile long crescent with perfect white sand bordered by deep green mangroves and palms. Scenic Manuel Antonio National Park is a perfect combination of warm Pacific waters and Rainforest dropping down to the three white sand beaches. Nature trails take you along the beach and over a forested, rocky point. This park protects several ecosystems, including primary and secondary forest, mangroves, beach vegetation and marine resources. Because of its relative isolation ,and small size, it is one of the easiest places to see wildlife in Costa Rica. There is no development inside the National Park but dozens of small hotels line the 7 kilometers - 4 miles - of clifftop road leading to Manuel Antonio, all surrounded by this protected forest. Costa Rica is very important to the world ecology, with so much biodiversity found in this small country, it is not surprising to find our beach destination of Manuel Antonio a haven for
DESTINATION RESOURCES Hotel The Falls Sara G贸mez Tel.: (506) 27-77-13-32 info@fallsresortcr.com www.fallsresortcr.com
Hotel Los Altos Cristian Gonzales Tel.: (506) 27-77-88-88 / 27-77-88-80 cgonzalez@losaltosresort.com www.losaltosresort.com
Hotel Villas Lirio Rocio Viales Tel.: (506) 27-77-11-82 gerencia@casarolandmauelantonio.com www.casarolandmanuelantonio.com
Rancho Los tucanes Christian Fallas Tel.: (506) 27-77-07-75 christian@rancholostucanes.com www.rancholostucanes.com
Hotel Byblos Melissa Guevara Tel.: (506) 27-77-04-11 info@bybloshotelcostarica.com www.bybloshotelcostarica.com
Iguana Tours Andy Zapata Tel.: (506) 27-77-20-52 andy@iguanatours.com www.iguanatours.com
Condo hotel Las Cascadas Gary Rogers Tel.: (506) 27-77-45-09 las_cascadas@yahoo.com www.condotel-las cascadas.com
Planeth Dolphin Victor Montero Tel.: (506) 27-77-16-47 / 27-77-21-37 info@planetdolphin.com www.planetdolphin.com
Hotel La Foresta Cris Barbles Tel.: (506) 27-77-31-30 cbarbels@gmail.com www.laforestanatureresort.com
Mid World Costa Rica Victor Loaiza Tel.: (506) 27-77-71-81 /87-02-90-77 rmora@midworldcostarica.com www.midworldcostarica.com
TITI Conservation Alliance TEY ARCE Tel.: (506) 27-77-23-06 director@monotiti.org www.monotiti.org
Aventures H2O Leonardo Vazquez Tel.: (506) 2777 40 92 or 881 194 25 Email: info@h2ocr.com www.h2ocr.com
Hotel Buena Vista Luxury Villas Kleber Cruz Tel.: (506) 27-77-05-80 info@tulemar.com www.buenavistavillas.com
Restaurante y Sport Bar el sol Vanessa Araya Tel.: (506) 27-77-70-03 /88-50-25-60 elsol.ma@gmail.com
Villas Tranquilas Maria Benavent Tel.: (506) 89-80-49-02 maria@villastranquilas.com www.villastranquilas.com Portasol Patricia Piedra Tel.: (506) 27-77-34-26 reservaciones@portsol.net www.portasol.net Hotel California Alonso Madrigal Tel.: (506) 27-77-12-34 info@hotel-california.com www.hotel-california.com Hotel Parador Allan Ortega Tel.: (506) 27-77-14-14 aortega@hotelparador.com www.hotelparador.com Hotel Si Como No Dennys Quiroz Tel.: (506) 27-77-07-77 sales@sicomono.com www.sicomono.com Hotel Gaia Sandi Schmidt Tel.: (506) 27-77-97-97 sandys@gaiahr.com www.gaiahr.com
Hotel San Bada Dante Kim Tel.: (506) 27-77-33-20 / 27-77-53-33 info@hotelsanbada.com www.hotelsanbada.com Ecoturismo Rural Diego Dinarte Tel.: (506) 86-61-11-64 / 25-46-66.63 promotoradeecoturismruracr@gmail.com www.ecotourcr.org Pacific Souss Marianela Sanabria Tel.: (506) 27-77-73-73/ 27-74-02-21 mercadeo@hotelpacificsouss.com www.hotelpacificsouss.com Banco Nacional CR Luis Carlos Masis Tel.: (506) 22-12-36-79 / 83-27-25-84 lmasisc@bncr.fi.cr www.bncr.fi.cr Fourtrax Adventure Dorit wendrock Tel.: (506) 77-77-18-29 / 27-77-27-44 info@fortraxadventure.com www.fourtraxadventure.com Paraiso Water Sport Brian Galloy Tel.: (506) 86-05-19-90 bwgallowaygmail.com
Call 2777-SPA1 | Manuel Antonio | www.SpaUno.com
Hotel Costa Verde Miguel Angel Lopez Tel.: (506) 27-77-05-84/27-77-01-87 miguel@costaverde.com www.costaverde.com
Teleféricos RFAT de Costa Rica S.A. Cindy Azofeifa Tel.: (506) 27-77-13-32/27-77-00-04 marketingassis.cr@rainforestadventure.com www.rainforestadventure.com
Eka Consultores Andrea Moodie Tel.: (506) 22-31-67-22/88-19-56-16 andrea@ekaconsultores.com www.apetitoenlinea.com
G4S Security Andre Taylor Ricardo García Martínez Tel.: (506) 2234-7172 Ext.148 ricardo.garcia@cr.g4s.com www.cr.g4s.com
Nature Air Jose Pacheco Padilla Tel.: (506) 25-49-75-00/ 25-49-75-13 jpacheco@natureair.com www.natureair.com Transmira Tours Mauricio Nuñez Tel.: (506) 26-67-87-07/ 87-30-98-13 mercadeo@transmiratours.com www.transmiratours.com Sansa Regional Helmuth Tapia Tel.: (506) 22-90-41-00/22-90-44-00 heltmth.tapia@aviancataca.com www.tacaregional.com Camara Costarricense de Turismo Vannesa Orfilia Tel.: (506) 22-20-05-75 vorfilia@cannaradehoteles.com www.caramadehoteles.com
Toyota Rent a car Pablo Alvarez Tel.: (506) 27-77-24-67/ 27-77-24-65 palvarez@toyotarent.com www.toyotarent.com Spa Uno Liz Galloy Tel.: (506) 27-77-26-07 liz@spauno.com www.spauno.com Mid World Costa Rica Randall Mora Tel.: (506) 2777 71 79 or 2777 71 81 rmora@midworldcostarica.com www.midworldcostarica.com Instituto Costarricense de Turismo Tel.: (506)2299-5800 Ext. 323 www.visitcostarica.com
Marina Pez Vela Juan Montalto Tel.: (506) 27-74-90-00/83-91-76-61 juan.montalto@marinapezvela.com www.marinapezvela.com
Arenal sourcesRe-
www.lascolinasarenal.com
Hotel Montaña de Fuego www.montanadefuego.com
Aventuras Arenal www.aventurasarenal.com
Hotel Royal Corin www.royalcorin.com
FUNDEVOLCA www.fundevolca.org
Hotel Arenal Springs www.hotelarenasprings.com
Hotel Arenal Paraíso www.arenalparaiso.com
Hotel Manoa www.arenalmanoa.com
ADIFORT (La Fortuna Waterfall Natural Reserve) www.arenaladifort.com
Hotel Fortuna www.lafortunahotel.com
Hotel Arenal Rabfer www.arenalrabfer.com
Hotel Magic Mountain www.hotelmagicmountain.com
JAZON Turismo Rural www.costaricarualtours.com
Baldi Hot Springs www.baldihotsprings.cr
Desafio Adventures www.desafiocostarica.com
Sky Trek www.skyadventures.travel
Hotel Casa Luna www.casalunahotel.com
Hotel Las Colinas
Manacus Tours
CostaRica Pura Vida
IMAGES BY RICHARD STEWART
Costa Rica is located on the Central American Isthmus, surrounding the point 10째 north of the Equator and 84째West of the Prime Meridian.
The Geography
Costa Rica borders both the Caribbean Sea to the east and the North Pacific Ocean to the west with a total of 1,228 km of coastline - 212 km on the Caribbean coast, and 1,016 km on the Pacific coast. Costa Rica shares a border with Nicaragua to the north 309 km long, and a border with Panama to the south 330 km long. The area of Costa Rica totals 51,100 km of which 50,660 km is land and 440 km water making Costa Rica slightly smaller than the U.S. state of West Virginia. The nation's terrain is coastal plain separated by rugged mountains. The Cordillera Central and the Cordillera de Talamanca form the spine of the country and separate the Pacific and Caribbean watersheds. Costa Rica claims an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles and a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles.
The Climate
The country has a tropical and subtropical climate, is part of the Neotropic ecozone, and also a part of many ecoregions including Costa Rican seasonal moist forests, Bocas del Toro-San Bastimentos Island, San Blas mangroves, Mosquitia-Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast mangroves, Southern Dry Pacific Coast mangroves, Central American dry forests, and Talamancan mountain forests. The Gulf of Nicoya, an inlet from the Pacific, contains several small islands, the largest of these being Chira Island with a population of around four thousand.
IMAGES BY RICHARD STEWART
Costa Rica's dry season in most places is from December to April, while the rainy season is from May to November. On the Caribbean coast, however; December is by far the wettest month. The highland areas are always cooler with areas at the lower elevations warm to hot depending on the season. The lowest elevation levels in the country are on the western and eastern coasts at sea level. The highest point is Cerro Chirripó, a volcanic mountain with an elevation of 12,500 ft which is part of Chirripó National Park. On a clear day, it is possible to see both the Caribbean and the Pacific from its peak.
The Environment
Like all Central American countries, Costa Rica is considered a biodiversity hotspot. According to INBio, about 4.5% of the world's biodiversity can be found in Costa Rica; home to some 12,119 species of plants of which 950 are endemic. There are 117 native trees and more than 1,400 types of orchids of which a third can be found in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Almost a half of the country's land is covered by forests, though only 3.5% is covered by primary forests. Wildlife diversity is very high with over 441 species of amphibians and reptiles, 838 species of birds, 232 species of mammals, and 181 species of fresh water fish. Costa Rica has high levels of endemic species including 81 species of amphibians and reptiles, 17 species of birds and 7 species of mammals. It is also important to note that many species are endangered. According to the World Conservation
Monitoring Center, 209 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants are endangered. Some of the country's most endangered species include the harpy eagle, the giant anteater, the golden toad and the Jaguar. IUCN reports the Golden toad as extinct. Costa Rica is highly recognized for its national park system, administered by SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservacion, or “National System of Conservation Areas.” This agency oversees the 26 national parks, and more than 160 protected areas in Costa Rica. The other types of protected areas in Costa Rica are National Wildlife Refuges, Biological Reserves, Protection Zones, and Absolute Nature Reserves. Together the protected areas comprise over onefourth of Costa Rican territory with 9.3% of the country protected under IUCN categories I-V.
Costa Ric a, Pura Vida!
IMAGES BY RICHARD STEWART
The Culture
Costa Rican culture is influenced by Spanish culture, with the exception of Lim贸n and the Cordillera de Talamanca. The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish. Native languages include Bribr铆 and as well as others spoken by thousands of Costa Ricans. English is the first foreign language and the second most taught language in Costa Rica, followed by French, German, Italian and Chinese. Roman Catholicism represents 76.3% of the population. 44.9 percent of the population identify themselves as practicing Roman Catholics, 25.6 percent non-practicing Roman Catholics, 13.8 percent evangelical Protestants, 11.3 percent report they do not have a religious affiliation, and 4.3 percent declare "another religion."
Costa Rica Tourism Promotions presents..the
Travel & Adventure Show Marketing Co-op.
NATIONAL PARKS Arenal Volcano National Park Barbilla National Park Barra Honda National Park Braulio Carrillo National Park Cahuita National Park Carara National Park Chirripó National Park Cocos Island National Park Corcovado National Park Diria National Park Guanacaste National Park Irazú Volcano National Park Juan Castro Blanco National Park La Amistad International Park La Cangreja National Park Las Baulas National Marine Park Manuel Antonio National Park Maquenque National Park (proposed) Palo Verde National Park Piedras Blancas National Park Poás Volcano National Park Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park Santa Rosa National Park Tapantí National Park Tenorio Volcano National Park Tortuguero National Park Turrialba Volcano National Park www.CostaRicaNationalParks.com.
REACH TRAVEL AGENTS WITH
THE TRAVEL AGENT PLANNER
REACH TRAVEL CONSUMERS WITH
EcoGuide Costa Rica
BROCHURE SHOW DISTRIBUTION
100,000 Vistors, 7 Shows SHOW ATTENDEE DATA BASE
500 Hot Leads per Show
New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, San Francisco and Los Angeles. For Info Contact: coop@ CostaRicaTourismPromotions.com
Welcome delegates and vendors to the Fourth Annual Expo Manuel Antonio. www.bncr.fi.cr This Program and Travel Planner was produced for Expo Manuel Antonio by Richard H. Stewart, EcoMedia & Marketing - publisher of EcoGuide Costa Rica. For North American travel show marketing and advertising contact Richard@EcoGuideCostaRica.com. This program can be viewed at
IVEI
Diving Top 100 is the premiere scuba diving showcase for the dive industry's finest Professionals. We proudly promote the World's Best Liveaboards, Dive Centers, Resorts, Charters and Dive Travel Companies. DivingTop100.com showcases these elite organizations in the most complete and visually appealing manor online.