Our Costa Rica Ventures Blog

National Geographic introduces Costa Rica

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:14:32 +0000

This is a beautiful short video on what Costa Rica has to offer. Once you are there, the sounds of the jungle, the smell of nature and the fresh oxygen from the rain forest give you a totally new dimension of experience in Costa Rica. Let us know when you are ready to come down so we can help you plan your trip.

Costa Rica by National Geographic

Medicare in Costa Rica

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:59:35 +0000

When traveling to Costa Rica, it is best to ensure that you travel or out of country medical insurance. Many credit cards offer this added benefit for up to 45 days. Check with your card provider or purchase through local insurance companies. When you plan on residing in Costa Rica for extended periods of time or perhaps becoming a resident, Costa Rica offers you two choices:

Public Healthcare: CCSS (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social)
Available to all residents and fees are based as a % of income, usually 10-11%. Services are available through all public hospitals in Costa Rica.

Private Healthcare: INS Instituto de Seguro Nacional (owned by CR government)
Available to all residents. Fees range from $50-100 per person per month, depending on age, health, gender, etc. Surprisingly, rates are cheaper for older people than younger people. Services are available at all private hospitals in Costa Rica. There are many more options of hospitals to choose from and shorter waiting lists so Private Healthcare is an attractive and cost effective choice for most.

Relaxing in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has become a very popular destination for medical tourism. Medical procedures cost far less than USA (usually 10%) and have an excellent medical reputation.

Why not combine a medical procedure with a relaxing holiday for recovery?

How plants protect themselves

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:57:59 +0000

This is a common ground cover found in many areas of Costa Rica. Reminds me of insect eating plants. Looks like these plants just close for protection. Great for kid’s entertainment.

White Face Monkey peels coconuts

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 20:48:20 +0000

We found a family of White Face Monkeys while hiking in Drake Bay. They were harvesting fruit from palm trees next to us. Their little fingers are sooo strong, they could rip the hard thick green shell off of a coconut within seconds. That would take us several hardy tools like hammer and chisel or manchetti and much strength to do so. We captured some great footage and pictures. Every time we smiled, they thought that us showing our teeth was a form of hostility so they showed theirs back to us.

Flying high & free

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:37:57 +0000

Most of us have flown in an airplane, even some small puddle jumpers. Flying in an ultralight plane over the rainforest, navigating with the wind currents and coasting over beaches and passing the parrots is quite another experience! Me made friends with local pilot and navigation expert, Georg Kiechle, who took us out for some great excursions around the Osa peninsula. You feel like a bird, exposed to the fresh air, watching the land far below. Pretty amazing.

Georg Kiechle, ultralight pilot

: Ultralight flying at Osa peninsula, Costa Rica

Visa requirements for Costa Rica

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:30:10 +0000

Many people ask me what the Visa requirements are for Costa Rica. Anyone from Canada or USA just needs to have a valid passport (valid for minimum of 3 months) and is able to spend up to 3 months in Costa Rica. Other countries have different stipulations. We found a great website that is interactive and works for the entire world. Just input your home country and the country you plan to visit and voila, you get your Visa requirements.
Check it out:

http://costa-rica.visahq.ca/

3 Toed Sloth

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:29:33 +0000

We had a rare opportunity to see a 3 Toed Female Sloth up close when it came down from the tree (once a month occasion). This female has markings on her back because of the baby hanging on to its front and wrapping its arms and legs around the mother. She did not get spooked at all by the 20 spectators. She seemed so sweet and cuddly. Usually, sloths spend most of their time high up in the trees and you can only see a small spot, since they don’t move much. This video was taken at Manuel Antonio Park in Costa Rica. Enjoy!

Mount Arenal

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:21:10 +0000

Great to see a volcano in action. This time only a little smoke. We were hoping to see actual lava flowing. Still a great sight! Had to take a picture. The surrounding hot springs are awesome too.

Mount Arenal August 2011

Rotary International Convention May 21-25/11

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:00:30 +0000

Hello fellow Rotarians! We look forward to meeting with you in New Orleans at the 2011 Rotary International Convention. Visit with us at the Fellowship Hall exhibit.
Learn about Costa Rica travel, investment, real estate, retirement and lifestyle. Jerry Sedmak, Past President Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise, is happy to share his experiences, knowledge and passion. Connect with us directly at +1 509 295 6444 or skype: jerrysedmak

Costa Rica presentation Vancouver/Burnaby Mar 22

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 04:26:48 +0000

Have you heard lots about Costa Rica? This is your opportunity to talk with expert traveler, Jerry Sedmak.
Learn about lifestyle, adventures, opportunities & investments in Costa Rica.

March 22, 2011 7PM-8PM
Holiday Inn Express Metrotown / Burnaby
Salon E
4405 Central Blvd., Burnaby

Free Parking
Skytrain station 2 minutes from hotel

Please RSVP

call Jerry Sedmak 250 862 1169
or email: jerry@ourcostaricaventures.com