... not Disney World!
Despite the theme park's claim, Costa Rica actually takes the top spot, according to the New Economics Foundation. This Britain-based independent research firm uses the "Happy Planet Index" to determine and rank the countries with the happiest people. ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Costa Rica
And the happiest place on Earth is ...
... not Disney World!
Despite the theme park's claim, Costa Rica actually takes the top spot, according to the New Economics Foundation. This Britain-based independent research firm uses the "Happy Planet Index" to determine and rank the countries with the happiest people. ...The most exclusive plane-hotel in Costa Rica
Not all aircrafts are destined to be cut into pieces and melted for reuse in another life. Here is a unique example of one in Costa Rica -- a fully-outfitted, meticulously detailed, two bedroom, Boeing 727 fuselage suite. This refurbished, vintage, 1965 Boeing 727 airframe ...World's Top Eco-Lodges
Outside Magazine has put together a great list of the top eco-lodges from around the world, with seven amazing escapes that not only offer plenty of luxury, but do so in an eco-friendly way. Each of the resorts is given a rating on the "Green-O-Meter" and for its ...The Highest Cities in the World
The BootsnAll Travel site has a great article up listing the highest cities in the world. Amsterdam doesn't make this list however, as we're talking the cities that fall at the highest altitude. These mountain communities will have you gasping for air as soon as you step off ...Travel surf etiquette
I was having a grand ole time surfing at Ala Moana Bowls the other day when a rude, disrespecting woman decided to paddle for a wave and proceeded to cut off three other surfers and nearly behead my friend. Growing ever more confrontational in my old age, I began to argue ...Travel Read: 100 Places Every Woman Should Go
I never knew there could be a book so thoughtful and inspiring for women as this one. Stephanie Elizondo Griest's second travel book, which lists far more than just 100 Places Every Woman Should Go, is truly an encyclopedia for women travelers. It's the kind of book that ...Four good reasons to visit Central America this fall
With many of our travel budgets shrinking this season, now is a great time to consider the halfway point between that costly trip to Europe and the staycation that you've been dreading. Oh yes, I'm talking about Central America. Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica and ...US retirees changing the face of Central and South American communities
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In warm-weather locales all over the Americas, the same scene is unfolding: US retirees, marching in lock-step in their all-white orthopedic shoes, are ditching traditional retirement communities and spending their golden years in destinations both less expensive and more ...No Wrong Turns: How to Surf, by a Wannabe Surfer
I believe the time people put in working, running errands, going to the gym and all the other daily stuff we feel we have to do starts to take its toll on how we live and think. This is a big reason why Tom and I decided to pack up and leave for a little while...to put ...GADLING TAKE 5: Week of 3-21-2008
Did you have a happy St. Patrick's Day? While I didn't get in to any shenanigans (for once, it seems), I was able to have a few pints with friends up in Anchorage. Though they weren't perfectly-poured Guinnesses, they were locally brewed and likely tasted as good as Guinness ...Fresh fruit, Costa Rican style
One of my most vivid travel memories was the first time I tasted fruit in Costa Rica. I was staying with a host family, and upon arrival they served me a plate of pineapple as a welcome snack. Nothing could prepare me for that first bite. It was sweet and tangy beyond ...The most remote (and beautiful) corner of Costa Rica
If you want to experience Costa Rica for its natural parks and avoid beautiful-but-touristy places (such as Quepos) head over to Osa Peninsula, home of Corcovado National Park, which is the largest park in the country (and much of Central America). I was just there in ...Catching bats in Costa Rica
The photo on the right is of my hand--and more interestingly, of a bona-fide vampire bat. I'm sure our resident health-blogger Erik's head just exploded right about now. Handling bats, let alone vampire bats, are a huge no-no since they are one of the animals most likely to ...The less traveled part of the Caribbean
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There's so much to love about the Caribbean, and so much to hate.
The "hate" category exists because the Caribbean we have all come to love is now loved by too many; there are too many hotels, too many tourists, and too much development.
But there are ...Latin American airlines rock! Can we have them here?
It has been so refreshing to fly those little regional airlines in Latin America in the last couple of weeks. I have taken 4 regional flights so far and I love how well it has worked for me. Granted, the planes look about 50 years old, while the pilots look about 20, but ...One for the Road: Pauline Frommer's Costa Rica
Since Iva is in Costa Rica this week, and my pal Francesca is currently planning a January trip to this spectacular country -- how about another new CR guidebook? (We featured two new Moon guides last month.) This time it's Pauline Frommer's turn to take a stab at the ...Photo of the Day (11/19/07)
Since I'm here in Costa Rica this week, I couldn't help but use it as a theme for the photo of the day.
Thanks to jahloveforbin for this shot, posted on flickr. ...One for the Road: Two new Costa Rica guides from Moon
Earlier this fall Moon released two updated guides to Costa Rica. The 6th edition of the handbook to Costa Rica was written by veteran travel writer Christoper P. Baker, an expert on both Costa Rica and Cuba. Baker won the 2006 Lowell Thomas Award for best guidebook for a ...Costa Rica: No gypsies and hippies allowed
It is not easy to be a backpacker these days.
I was buying air tickets from New York to Costa Rica (but out of Panama City) over the phone yesterday, using a free voucher. I am glad that I did it over the phone, otherwise I would have been spared this brilliant ...Drivers Beware: The Most Dangerous Roads in the World
Living near the Rocky Mountains, I thought I had some experience with dangerous roads. The ones I frequent twist and in turn around, over and under the huge, jagged mountains, through avalanche plains, with only a guardrail protecting your car from plummeting off a cliff's ...
