Imagine if the delicious cup of coffee, the freshly made piña colada, the aromatic essences that give flavor to your salad or even the fragrance of the wild rainforest flowers which you breathe, could be part of your skin. By mixing these ingredients within various health, relaxation and beauty treatments, it is now possible to treat yourself to a pampering process that will make you look and feel like new. Situated throughout our vast national territory are locations of an inspirational nature that are home to many diverse spas. These strive to offer a holistic or integral service of international quality and to do it with the warmth and personalized attention only offered by the Costa Rican people. If you add a never-ending source of certified natural produce, creativity and knowledge, you will end up with an array of benefits to replenish any kind of skin. Take it further and these products will improve your health, calm emotions and truly work their magic while used for massages at the able hands of local therapists. These healing ingredients include coffee, brown sugar and even coconut. They may be used to exfoliate your skin and help it eliminate dead cells and toxins, or they may improve blood circulation and allow positive energy to flow throughout your body. We encourage you to immerse yourself in aromas only found in Costa Rica. One way to do this is by enjoying the ever-popular body wraps, in which volcanic mud, jasmine, mint or tropical fruits are used to hydrate and replenish your skin while also nurturing it with vitamins and minerals. Specially designed healing rooms provide an ideal climate – one enriched by stimulating decorations, soothing music and ambient sounds from nature, sea or forest animals – in which one may enjoy a therapeutic experience meant for couples or to be shared with friends and family. According to Dorelia Mulca, director of the Casa Spa at Hotel Punta Islita, the current tendency is to return to our origins, where great value is placed on the natural. “We must not forget that the ancestral indigenous shamans would heal with herbs and rituals,” she points out. To guide you in your selection, Nature Landings offers below the best natural treatments from the main spas in our country. Neidín Spa, Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa In Bribri indigenous dialect, the word “neidín” means “small nest” or point of rest to recover lost energy. Thanks to its location on the basin of the majestic Arenal Volcano, not to mention its relaxing natural treatments and hot springs, this spa will fill you with a sense of complete vigor and well-being. Treatments include volcanic mud baths, which are rich in antioxidants. The spa also has its own line of products. Recommendations: “Tocando el cielo,” a grape pulp wrap, followed by an orange and honey polish, a “wave” massage (two therapists and four hands), an exotic herb and flower bath and a glass of sparkling wine to finish. The cost is $475 for two hours and 20 minutes of pampering. Also available is a milk and honey “Cleopatra bath,” accompanied by a massage and a deep facial cleanse that costs $180 for two hours and 20 minutes of pampering. Schedule: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information: (506) 2246-1700 E-mail: info@hotelarenalkioro.com Web site: www.hotelarenalkioro.com Elementos Spa, El Silencio Lodge & Spa Nestled within the cloud forest of Los Bajos del Toro, located an hour and a half away from San Jose, this spa’s treatments are just as natural as the sounds of nature surrounding it. It offers a menu designed to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. Recommendations: “El Silencio Purifying Revival Massage” in the cone room. This is an aromatherapy treatment utilizing hot oil compress ball with herbs like thyme, oregano and mint meant to increase relaxation. The treatment is followed by a Thai-style massage and has a cost of $155 for 90 minutes of pampering. The cone-shaped room was specifically designed to capture positive energy from the forest that surrounds it, with the intent of enhancing the effectiveness of the treatments. Also offered are packages that combine wraps, exfoliating treatments, facials and aromatherapy. The hotel’s organic orchard on property supplies fruits and vegetables to be used in the treatments. Schedule: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information: (506) 2291-3044 E-mail: info@elsilenciolodge.com Web site: www.elsilenciolodge.com Pacifica Spa, Parador Boutique Resort & Spa Located in a region of great beauty, boasting a view of the Pacific Ocean and close to the Manuel Antonio National Park, Pacífica Spa offers all kinds of natural treatments, including special day packages. You can choose from a sand exfoliation, an aloe massage and a papaya and honey facial. Also offered are yoga lessons and a special place designed for couple’s massages with a view of the sea. All spa visitors receive a plate of fruits. The spa also has its own line of products. Recommendations: “Naturalmente para él,” a massage designed for men that includes a relaxing exfoliating cappuccino bath, a volcanic mud wrap with a hydrotherapeutic massage, a facial and a hot stone massage. Total cost is 143,000 colones for three and a half hours of pampering. Schedule: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information: (506) 2777-1414 E-mail: info@hotelparador.com Web site: www.hotelparador.com Aloa Skin Care & Medical Spa Located at the Atlantis Plaza, in Escazú, San José, the Aloa Spa offers a novel center for the integral care of your skin. This method combines medical, spa and esthetic care, all including medical supervision. Natural national products are available; their exotic treatments use ingredients such as pearls, mother of pearl, caviar, chocolate, almonds, strawberries and marine algae. A wedding preparation package is also offered, which includes brunch. Recommendations: “Aqua Detoux TM,” which consists of a system of corporal detoxification based on the effects derived from a low-voltage current passed through water, which produces a frequency of positive and negative ions that gently enter your body, stimulating cells and liberating accumulated toxins. It is also offered in combination with a shiatsu massage to increase results. It costs 44,000 colones for 90 minutes of pampering. Schedule: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. For more information: (506) 2588-1790 E-mail: info@aloaspa.com Web site: www.aloaspa.com Casa Spa, Punta Islita Hotel & Resort Designed to make you fee at feel at home while integrating you into the warmth of nature, ocean and local, natural materials, Casa Spa at Hotel Punta Islita in Guanacaste offers much more than the traditional treatments. It aims to provide true rituals focused on bringing you well-being and health. It is an ideal location for honeymooning couples, for which the hotel also has a private special place near the ocean. The spa prepares its own products (called the Aura Spa Collection) containing an array of products, including a set of luffa sandals that guests may keep as a souvenir. Recommendations: “Punta Islita Ritual Massage,” a special massage that uses semiprecious stones meant to open up your chakras, or points of energy in your body, to create an aura of protection and harmony. These are then combined with hot stones. Fire plays an important role as an element used for relaxation. Reflexology is used as a technique to facilitate the flow of energy as a subtle sprinkle of Cacique liquor helps to alleviate pain and cleanse. It has a cost of $110 for 60 minutes of pampering. Schedule: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information: (506) 2290-4259 info@hotelpuntaislita.com / www.hotelpuntaislita.com Yoga Spa Natural, Trópico Latino Hotel With its beachfront location at Santa Teresa Beach on the southern side of the Nicoya Peninsula, this spa offers total contact with nature and the sea, while your body is nurtured with 100-percent natural treatments. Recommendations: “Body Bliss” consists of a coconut and almond exfoliation using two sets of hands, ideal for sensitive skin types, followed by a papaya, carrot and honey body wrap to achieve the perfect tan. Next comes a soothing four-hand massage accompanied by sounds of the ocean and a mini-facial using cucumber. The price is $140 for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Schedule: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information: (506) 2640-0402 / 8302-9442 E-mail: spa@hoteltropicolatino.com / www.yogaspanatural.com Terra Spa, Gaia Hotel & Reserve An ideal atmosphere for a holistic journey. Aromas, the perfect temperature, sounds and sensations are the featured elements at the Terra Spa, located within the elegant Gaia Hotel in Manuel Antonio, Quepos. A natural forest reserve and a view of the Pacific Ocean are the perfect complements to this spa, which offers an array of treatments and therapies that use natural products, many of which are certified and produced by local companies that also follow the sustainable concept adopted by the hotel. Complementary juices are offered to spa clients, and yoga lessons are also available. Recommendations: “Terra Tuning” includes a sauna session, Reiki, Thai massage and a rainbow facial treatment using organic ingredients. The cost is $350 for four hours of pampering. Also available is the “Vichy Rain Shower,” which consists of a hydrotherapeutic massage of a warm rain shower in the tropical forest where you select your desired temperature and which you may follow with an exfoliation. The cost is $50 for 30 minutes. Schedule: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information: (506) 2777-9797 E-mail: reservations@gaiahr.com / www.gaiahr.com Serenity Spa Located in Escazú at the Trejos Montealegre shopping center, Serenity Spa offers the comfort, serenity and peaceful ambiance that you require to liberate your body of the daily toils of stress and work. Recommendations: “The creme de la crème,” which consists of a cleansing treatment; skin exfoliation using a product that is 100 percent vegetable; 50 minutes of a relaxation massage; the application of the most aromatic and delicious creams, pure extracts and essential oils; and a clay wrap using 100-percent natural and organic clay. This treatment also includes a mini-facial and a head massage that will take you to a maximum state of relaxation. The cost is $150 for three hours. The Serenity Spa chain is also located at the Hotel Villa Caletas in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica, at the Hotel Si Como No in Manuel Antonio, at the Hotel Villa Blanca in San Ramón de Alajuela and at the Hotel Paradisus Conchal in Guanacaste. Schedule: 9:00 a.m. - 7 p.m. For more information: (506) 2289-3722 E-mail: serenityspaescazu@ice.co.cr / www.serenityspacr.com Xandari Resort & Spa Located among a tropical garden some 1,200 meters above sea level and boasting a beautiful view of the Central Valley, the Xandari Spa is located at only 20 minutes away from Juan Santamaría International Airport. Its specialty includes 100-percent natural treatments fitted to your specific needs in the privacy of your own Jalapa, with its own Jacuzzi. There you may experience the feeling of mind, body and soul melting into nature. Recommendations: “Xandari Heaven” involves three hours of enjoyment in your private Jalapa, one hour spent in the Jacuzzi, followed by an aromatherapy treatments for your hair, exfoliation for your entire body and a soft or deep massage of your choice. The cost is $165. Schedule: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information: (506) 2443-2020 E-mail: spa@xandari.com / Web site: www.xandari.com Cuna del Angel Spa Surrounded by a relaxing and natural ambiance, this spa is located inside the Cuna del Angel Hotel, nine kilometers south of Dominical Beach. Treatments are accompanied by sound of the ocean, a décor reminiscent of the sea, delicious aromas and diverse textures, which you will experience on your skin. A chocolate, cup of wine or bunch of grapes, depending on preference, accompany all treatments. Recommendation: “Sueño del Angel” is a delicious and relaxing exfoliation of chocolate that will hydrate and regenerate your skin. Followed by a relaxing massage to further release tension and a foaming milk bath, the cost of $175 is well worth the experience. Also available are milk, algae or marine crystal baths. Schedule: 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. For more information: (506) 2787-8012 E-mail: info@cunadelangel.com / www.cunadelangel.com Awapa Spa, Sueño Azul Resort Situated amid exuberant rainforests and crystal clear waters in Horquetas de Sarapiquí, the Awapa Spa, which means “owner of health” in indigenous dialect, offers visitors a variety of treatments that seek to immerse the body and self into the soft and delicious aromas of the tropical rainforests. Their holistic vision aims to apply ancient indigenous knowledge about plant properties to improve physical, emotional and mental health. The hotel even has its own botanical garden where fresh, organic produce are available. Yoga, meditation rooms and opportunities for adventure sports abound. Recommendation: Jasmine wraps, hot stone massages and mini-facials. The weight of the stones relaxes the muscles and cleans and levels the chakras, or energetic centers of the body. The heat causes the essential oils utilized to penetrate the skin, making it relax, while the jasmine acts as a natural antidepressant and alleviates muscles spasm. The cost is $135. Schedule: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information: (506) 2764-1000 / www.sueñoazulresort.com info@suenoazulresort.com Tabacón Grand Spa, Thermal Resort Located on the basin of Arenal Volcano, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort is a sanctuary of relaxation and well-being where life comes into direct contact with rainforest and the meditative sounds of the Tabacón mineral river. Admire the magnificent colors of the forest while delighting in its delicious treatments from inside a private, open-air bungalow with its own Jacuzzi. At the resort, visitors may also enjoy pools of mineral water and cascades of different temperatures, minerals and various depths. Recommendation: “Huey Temazcal” is the one temazcal in all of Central America. It consists of an authentic native Mesoamerican ceremony meant to purify the self with a pre-Hispanic style vapor bath. This indigenous ritual will connect you with your inner self, nature and the universe. The vapors used are good for improving the respiratory, nervous and circulatory systems, as well as skin and eyesight. The cost is $65 per person for a group setting and $145 for a private ritual (two-person minimum). The ritual is carried out twice a day, at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information: (506) 2460-2020 www.tabacon.com Massage techniques: Shiatsu: A Japanese holistic therapy based on the concept that the chi, or the vital energy that flows through the meridians or channels within our bodies. If these are pressed in certain points, any blockages of the flow of energy will be dissolved. As a result, the functioning of our body and organs will improve. Reflexology: A therapy based on applying pressure to certain zones of the skin and hands in order to benefit from the reflective effects, which alleviate and heal the different organs of the body. Reiki: An ancient Japanese technique that aims to balance the seven central points of energy of our body called, chakras. Reiki guides us to our energy center, releasing negative emotions and emotional tensions. Thai massage: Also known as passive yoga, it utilizes deep stretches and pressure techniques that adjust our corporal structure while alleviating the body from tension in its joints and muscles. Therapeutic massage: Aimed at alleviating tension caused by stress and bad posture, it strengthens the nervous system and is an excellent way to alleviate aches and feel full of energy. Swedish massage: A technique involving medium force applied to relax body and mind. This massage alleviates tired muscles, stimulates blood circulation and releases muscular tension. Deep-tissue massage: Includes strong manipulation over areas where tension has concentrated, causing energy to be released and muscle relief. Aromatherapy: Uses essential oils (from plants) that are absorbed by the body, which then benefits from their healing properties by releasing tension and calm the mind.

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Costa Rica boasts the ideal natural setting in which to practice a grand variety of outdoor sports. These invigorating activities will fill your lungs with fresh air and turn your heart into a beating drum while adrenaline and curiosity invade your entire body. Let the experience guide you to rainforests, waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches and rivers as you raft, hike, rappel, canopy, horseback ride or bungee jump in Costa Rica. •Rafting Every adventurer and nature lover should seize the opportunity to brave the elements and fight the current while white water rafting. This feat involves the ability to keep a raft afloat, led by a guide, as the rest of the crew rows in synch with the rapids. Depending on the difficulty of the river, each rafting experience can be classified as a class 1, characterized by “slow” rapids, class 2 (for beginners), class 3 (for intermediate rafters), class 4 (for advanced) and class 5 (for experts). The Reventazón River is one of the most important in the country and, at 100 kilometers, one of the longest. In fact, it is the longest river on the Caribbean coast. The Sarapiquí River, on the other hand, is ideal for beginners, allowing rafters to observe the surrounding tropical rainforest habitat as they negotiate the rapids. However, according to Celia Quintana, director of Sales and Marketing for Hacienda Pozo Azul, the class 4 rafting experienced on the Sarapiquí River has so many obstacles that its 11 kilometers offer up to 12 different class 4 rapids. The Naranjo River is another interesting rafting location. Situated in Manuel Antonio, Quepos, this river requires previous rafting experience before venturing down its waters due to the strong intensity of its currents. The company Ríos Tropicales of Costa Rica operates tours on this river from April to January. Meanwhile, the Savegre River is considered one of the cleanest rivers in Central America. Tours for this river depart from Manuel Antonio or Quepos. •Hiking Hiking may be practiced in practically any of Costa Rica’s national parks. The diverse scenery offered ranges from volcanic rims, such as those found near the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, to exuberant tropical rainforests habitats, such as those located inside Corcovado National Park. There are also hikes designed for adventurers—even for those who wish to walk in the clouds. The extensive hanging bridges located in the region around Arenal Volcano offer such an experience. These hikes, though, are appropriate for all ages and are even handicap accessible. Another location recognized as an excellent hiking experience is the climb up to the peak of Chirripo Volcano, which is the highest peak in the country, standing some 3,820 kilometers above sea level. On its summit, hikers may marvel at the sight of a splendid Caribbean sunrise. Another ideal location for hiking is found at Hacienda Barú, situated in Costa Rica’s south Pacific. There, one may explore varied ecosystems, including primary and secondary rainforests, wetlands, pasturelands and mangroves. •Rappelling The highest of high peaks or the most exuberant waterfall drop is no obstacle for those who love to rapel, a sport that involves descending from the heights while securely sustained by ropes. One location to practice this sport is Hacienda Pozo Azul, where one may descend a 30-meter high natural wall leading into the canyon of the Sarapiquí River. A panoramic vista of the river and its blue lagoon will accompany your descent. Furthermore, in the region of La Fortuna of San Carlos, it is possible to climb down 50-meter high waterfalls. •Canopy Canopy is a very popular activity in Costa Rica, ideal for the entire family to enjoy. It consists of zipping across the forest canopy over a series of cables at different speeds while enjoying vistas of varied habitats, including tropical dry forests, rainforests, cloud forests, river canyons and volcanoes, depending on your location. It is rated as one of the most fun and adrenaline-packed activities that you may experience in Costa Rica. Located near Arenal Volcano, Sky Trek offers an unforgettable ride across cables ranging from 30 meters to 760 meters in length at altitudes ranging from 20 meters to 200 meters. It is an unrivaled experience and an amazing way to enjoy the panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. This amusing sport may also be experienced in the Atlantic region, where the company Teleféricos of Costa Rica has set up operations offering canopy rides that cross over rivers and islands. •Horseback Riding Throughout Costa Rica, the opportunity to climb a top at horse’s back is readily available. This easygoing adventure will take you across pasturelands, rainforests or beaches, and allow you to enjoy unforgettable waterfalls and beautiful sunsets. •Bungee jumping For those of you who tend toward the extreme, bungee jumping is second to none. We invite (or should we say dare?) you to fling yourself into the vast nothingness from bridges or towers while safely fastened to ropes strapped to your ankles. All you need is a brave heart and a desire to hug the profoundness of nature. In our country, a popular jumping spot is the Old Colorado Bridge. Its 80 meters make it one of highest in the world from which this sport may be practiced. Arenal Bungee, located in the northern region of Costa Rica, will help you enjoy this thrill, but they take it to the extreme by adding a twist: the possibility of touching the water into which you’re jumping with your hand or head. They also have a catapult, which will shoot you toward the heavens, eventually reaching an altitude of 45 meters and speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour in under three seconds. And if you crave even more adrenaline, you may try their Big Swing, an activity that will propel you 30 meters up in the air, swinging you like a pendulum. In Costa Rica, you decide which way to experience nature. The truth is that whichever way you choose, you will feel more alive than ever before.

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At the beginning of the 1980s, the agricultural producers of Costa Rica began to search for alternative methods of planting and harvesting crops with the intent of benefiting from the fruits of the land without using chemicals and other harmful practices that could damage their harvest. This is how organic agriculture began to take force, and slowly but surely it has today become a viable and productive alternative to traditional agriculture, one that aims to position itself as a means of producing quality and healthy produce that is economically feasible, respects nature and is a great ally to conservation efforts. According to data derived from “The Costa Rican Organic Agriculture Movement,” the internal demand for organic produce increases about 20% every year, which demonstrates that efforts dedicated to promoting this type of production are bearing fruit. Furthermore, Costa Rican organic production is recognized both nationally and internationally. In Costa Rica some 9,000 hectares are dedicated to the organic cultivation of approximately 30 different products. This rural industry also directly involves and affects more than 4,000 people. The principal organic products for export are bananas, coffee, boysenberries, orange juice and grenadines. The organization of this sector has played a major part in Costa Rica’s relative prosperity, allowing the nation to have an important leadership role in Latin America. Another important factor is the existing method of certification, which gives producers and buyers a guarantee of quality and confidence in being able to trust that the product acquired is not only healthy but was also produced with the upmost attention paid to responsible management of the land’s natural resources and fair treatment given to laborers. Agro-ecological farm El Progreso: A successful case study in Costa Rica. Agro-ecological farm El Progreso: A successful case study in Costa Rica It all started 26 years ago, when, following a family tradition, the Alpízar Chávez family began to harvest their farm located in the hills of Colinas of Pococí. But an innovative project came knocking on their doors in 1997, thanks to the Fundación Neotrópica, a nonprofit environmental organization that promotes the sustainable management of Costa Rica’s natural resources. Thanks to what they learned while taking part in this initiative, the Alpízar Chávez family successfully changed their method of planting crops. And thus the El Progreso agro-ecological farm was born. Mrs. Nuria, Mr. Carlos and their three children understood that planting quality produce does not require the use of agro-chemicals. Instead, they focused on using things found in nature to achieve results. “Making the change was not easy,” said Mrs. Nuria. “It was a long process that did not come about from one day to the next. But it has been worth it, and it has taught us that it is possible to do things without causing harm to the earth or nature, while also giving us all that we need in a healthy manner. What we plant here is different; it tastes better. How could it not? This is their natural flavor.” The products harvested include papayas, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, palms, cauliflower, lettuce, garlic and cilantro, among others. All are grown by using various methods of organic farming such as creating compost using worms that transform organic residue into fertilizer for the soil; also put to use is the organic residue of goats, chickens and cows. Another technique calls for treating the earth with calcium carbonate to eliminate the acidity of the soil to remove excess shrubbery that may then be utilized as fertilizer. These products are part of the daily substance of this family, which not only harvests for their own consumption but also takes their fresh produce to the agricultural fair held every Saturday at the town center in Guápiles. Thanks to the success that the fair has generated, it now forms part of the Aula Verde (Green Classroom) project established by the Ministries of Agriculture (Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería) and Environment and Energy (Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía). The program aims to teach national and international students about organic agriculture. In conjunction with other farms located in the same region, guided visits, lodging and food are offered. More information at: 8386-0794. Where to find organic produce Finding organic produce in the country is not difficult. Supermarkets such as Más x Menos, Hipermás and Automercado have specific sections dedicated to organic products. However, if you prefer a firsthand experience, you may visit the traditional agricultural fairs, which are easy to locate throughout the principal towns of Costa Rica: Pérez Zeledón, inside the Feria del Agricultor Generaleño S. A. Thursdays: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays: 6 a.m. to noon. San Ramón, Feria del Agricultor Convencional, at the Centro Agrícola Cantonal. “Tico Orgánicos S.A.” stand (adjacent to the eastern campus of the University of Costa Rica). Fridays: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays: 6 a.m. to noon. San Isidro de Coronado, inside the Feria del Agricultor Convencional, at the Centro Agrícola de San Isidro, 50 meters west of the Ministry of Agriculture. Sundays: 6 a.m. to noon. Turrialba, all alongside the Catholic church’s precinct Saturdays: 6 a.m. to noon. Guápiles, inside the Feria del Agricultor Convencional. Saturdays: 5:30 a.m. to noon. Zarcero, along side the highway: “Tienda Santa Lucía,” in front of the tajo El Espino Mondays to Sundays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. San Rafael de Escazú, 800 meters north of the Centro PACO, “Comercio Alternativo S.A.” Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Barrio El Carmen de Paso Ancho, “Centro Ferial El Trueque”; from the Catholic church of San Cayetano, 750 meters south, or from the Soda Castro, located at the Guacamaya Rotunda, 750 meters north Saturdays: 6 a.m. to noon. Barrio El Carmen de Paso Ancho, “Bioproductos Oro Verde,” next to Centro Ferial El Trueque. Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to noon. Cartago city center; 50 meters north of the restaurant Haros on the highway to Paraiso. Verdulería “Oasis de Salud.” Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grecia, San Luis 1.5 km northwest of the school. “Finca San Luis.” First Sunday of every month: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Limón, in front of Playa Chiquita Lodge, 5 km south of Puerto Viejo: “Centro Cultural Ecológico Gaia.” Saturdays: 10 a.m. to noon. A holistic experience Organic agriculture has taken on a leadership role at El Progreso agro-ecological farm and at numerous other rural touristic projects in the country. These places offer the opportunity to learn, enjoy and interact within an authentic rural lifestyle. Also on the organic note, hotels such as the El Silencio Lodge & Spa, located at Bajos del Toro, a beautiful spot of cloud forest on the outskirts of San Jose; the Hotel Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa, situated near the basin of the massive Arenal Volcano; and the Hotel Hacienda Sueño Azul, of the Sarapiquí region, all strive to offers their clients locally grown, organic produce and a complete holistic experience. At these locations, it’s easy to delight in yoga and meditation in conjunction with natural and relaxing spa treatments focused on harmonizing the mind, body and spirit. To enhance the moment, you may find your self immersed within protected rainforests and allow yourself to come into personal contact with nature. Crystal clear waters are ideal for relaxation, and the personalized attention received will highlight the warmth and hospitality of the Costa Rican people. These locations believe in a philosophy of sustainability and respect for our natural resources. They strive to go green by encouraging visitors to value and contribute to conservation efforts by recycling and practicing the smart consumption of water and energy.

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What looks like a giant green bean, tastes like cotton candy and watermelon and has been friend to generations of Costa Rican coffee growers? It’s the guaba, a parochial fruit known in English by the moniker “ice cream bean.” The ice cream bean tree is a member of the legume family and is native to South America but naturalized in Costa Rica. For over two hundred years, the ice cream bean tree has been planted together with coffee. Being a legume, the trees roots help fix nitrogen in the soil and the fallen leaves act as both, natural fertilizer to increase coffee growth and mulch to control weeds. In addition, the branches of the ice cream bean tree make good firewood, burning hot but producing little smoke, an important benefit in the past for rural families cooking on wood stoves. And the shaving brush-like white flowers attract numerous species of hummingbirds, the pollinators responsible for the fruit that gives the ice cream bean its name. This fruit, or seed pod, is a common site (sight) in Costa Rican markets and at roadside fruit stands from approximately April through June. Conveniently packaged, the ice cream bean pod contains a fluffy white substance — the aril in botanical terms — that surrounds the shiny black seeds. It is this aril that is beloved by children and adults alike for its sweet flavor that combines hints of watermelon and vanilla ice cream.

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The survival of the highly endangered yellow-eyed leaf frog presents a paradox. With the alteration of its cloud forest habitat and changes in climate patterns, the yellow-eyed leaf frog has been forced to survive in urban and semi-urban habitats such as gardens and, importantly, shade-grown coffee plantations. The shade method of growing coffee provides important habitat for many migratory bird species, butterflies and amphibians. Shade-grown coffee produces superior quality coffee according to many baristas and also has the side benefit of using little or no chemical pesticides and fertilizers. So it seems obvious that the eco-friendly coffee drinker should choose shade-grown coffee, correct? Herein lies the conundrum; the yellow-eyed leaf frog, like many amphibians worldwide, has been affected adversely by the chytrid fungus, which kills the frog via skin infection. Nonetheless, some leading amphibian ecologists in Costa Rica and abroad hypothesize that the yellow-eyed leaf frog has been able to persist by breeding in polluted streams, precisely because the chytrid fungus is more susceptible to water contamination than is the frog. Any efforts to clean up the polluted rivers and streams around San José may have the unintended side effect of pushing the already highly threatened yellow-eyed leaf frog further toward extinction! Saving this beautiful frog from extinction highlights the complexities of species conservation in the modern world and leads to seemingly preposterous questions. Should the eco-conscious traveler enjoy a cup of shade-grown coffee in a San José hotel but support the contamination of local streams? Fortunately, while amphibian experts try to sort out the complexities of the frog’s breeding habitats, population trends and possible conservation measures, these insect eating frogs have friends at home and abroad. Costa Rica’s Simon Bolivar Zoo has a modest breeding program, and English scientists recently have bred 300 yellow-eyed leaf frogs that are being kept as a reserve population in Manchester, UK.

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As a child, Franklin Chang Diaz set his sights on outer space and decided he wanted to be an astronaut and rocket scientist. Knowing that hard work and dedication were prerequisites to achieving such lofty goals, he fought for his dreams and eventually became one of the men with the most missions to and hours spent in space. But the career of this talented Tico-American scientist, who emigrated to the Unites Status in pursuit of his dream, did not end with his 1,601 hours in space and seven missions in 25 years with NASA. In 2005, he decided to aim higher and founded the Ad Astra Rocket Company at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a satellite installation located in Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. His mission then, as it is today, was to develop the technology to complete the first prototype of the VX200 plasma motor, which would allow humans to reach Mars – and beyond. Some parts of the motor have been designed in Costa Rica, and young Costa Rican scientists are active participants in the project. This year, the necessary tests are being conducted on land by utilizing an anti- gravity chamber, which simulates the conditions present in outer space. The motor will be taken to space, potentially as early as 2010. For the rest of the world, the culmination of this dream represents a revolution in space technology. Propulsion via plasma, which is obtained when gas is heated to more than 50,000 degrees Celsius, will allow for less expensive long-distance space missions to take place while using less fuel than current explorations. The plasma motor works in space only; however, on Earth, the fourth state of matter, as plasma is recognized, has environmental applications such as the disintegration of toxic waste and its conversion into clean energy. This project is being developed in Costa Rica with the intent of utilizing the technology in hospitals of the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (Social Security National System). To uncover the man behind the successful scientist, Nature Landings spoke with Franklin Chang one sunny morning in February after he had taken his customary walk through the dry forest adjacent to the laboratory in Costa Rica. What you would give your life for? A dream. What would make you lose control? It is very difficult for me to loose control. I have lived a very controlled life, even when it comes to emotions. What you would not change, no matter what? I would not change my family, my wife, my mom, my father. Biggest virtue? I have a lot of patience. Biggest defect? My obsession for details. I like precision and exactitude. Biggest obsession? I have had many, but they have always turned into something positive, like when I took off to the United Status expecting help from some family members which never arrived. However, in the end, it all turned out for the best. Some say that every cloud has a silver lining. Biggest dare? Climbing on top of a bomb and telling someone to light the fuse. What is still left for you to do? Much. I consider myself to be a person who will not stop doing things until the day I die. I have many things to look forward to. Best place to live? Liberia, Costa Rica. Coming here is coming to paradise. Window or aisle? Wherever there is enough space to work on my computer. One engine or two? Ah, two motors! Risk or control? Risk. Loose or tight? Loose. Shy or daring? It depends. Shy on personal matters. Luxury or simplicity? Simplicity. Open or reserved? Reserved. Hot or cold? Hot. Mountain or beach? Beach. Beer or wine? Beer before, now wine. What would you not dare to do? To betray someone, a person who has given me their trust. It is the worst thing a person can do. Impossible dream? None. The best of a failure? What one learns. If everything in life were a success, we would not learn anything. I always tell my young scientists that the experiment that does not work is the best one and the one that works is the one that should not be carried out. Recepy for reaching dreams? Perseverance and patience. The hard part of success? The attention people give to you for being successful; it is something I was not prepared for. The best quality of a man? Integrity. Best quality of a woman? Integrity. Person worthy of admiration? Mom and dad. Also, some of the great scientists in the history of rockets, such as (Wernher) von Braun and Konrad (Dannenberg), and modern scientists like Samuel Ting and John Young, one of my all-time astronaut heroes and also my friend. Someone to bring back to life? My dad. Book at night? I am not very good at reading, because I don’t have much time. But I am writing a book, which is almost finished. It will actually be a trilogy. The first book will be titled “The First Years: My First Adventures on Planet Earth.” Your idea of earthly happiness? Peace, eradication of poverty and hunger. I am a fanatic of the series “Star Trek.” I have all the episodes and watch them frequently. It is a world where poverty and sickness have almost been eradicated. Human kindness has evolved there. Is that possible? Yes. Key ingredient in life? Optimism and perseverance. Strategy for love? Give a little and expect a little. There are no monopolies on this knowledge, and love is a game and a risk one takes. Mine worked. Natural gift you would like to possess? Keep on being healthy throughout my life or for the longest time possible to achieve the objectives I have…until I cannot anymore. If you were an animal? In the Chinese Zodiac, I am a tiger – and I think that fits. I am a very loyal person. A fantasy? Life itself. The limit? Does not exist.

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