Christopher P Baker films in Costa Rica for LatinEyes TV

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I'm fresh back from a week in Costa Rica, where I was hosting two episodes of LatinEyes TV. The press trip was hosted by the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT), the Costa Rica Tourism Board and was centered around Expotur, the country's annual travel trade show.

It's mind-bogglingly difficult to stay abreast of tourism development in Costa Rica. That's why I visit Expotur every year, to get the scoop on latest happenings on the hotel and tour scene, etc. And joining a press trip is a good way to get to see some places that I might not otherwise learn about.

Such was the case this time. So, here are the high points in highlight:

Monte Azul, in Chimirol de Rivas: a stylish modernist hotel that doubles as an artists-in-residence retreat. Simply fantastic! I'll be blogging about this next week.

The new spa at Hotel Savegre Mountain Resort & Spa sets a new upscale tone for San Gerardo de Dota–a Shangri-La valley where I got to see my first quetzal in the wild. Awesome!

Plus, I finally got to see the mysterious petroglyphs at the end of a long and slipper forest trail at Los Cusingos, one of Costa Rica's premier birding sites.

I also went sportfishing... immersed myself in a thermal mud bath at Las Hornillas Volcanic Activity Center, inside an active crater on Miravalles volcano... and made a fool of myself riding a horse.

However, it's a pity that the ICT, which otherwise does a great job of promoting the country, screwed up in designing and handling this press trip. Despite many pluses, ICT packed in far too many events; took us to many places of absolutely zero interest to foreign visitors; lodged us in some truly third-rate hotels; and ran us ragged with ridiculously long distances, resulting in lunches at 5pm and dinner and long-winded presentations beginning after 9pm and stretching to midnight.

Worse, we were given a mere ONE HOUR to explore Expotur and meet with and interview its more than 100 exhibitors (hoteliers, tour operators, etc.). Useless! Normally I need a full two days. I ask you... what was the point?

Still, I'm always grateful for ICT's support, even when things don't always go as hoped.

And my producer, Andres Pruna, and I got great footage for my forthcoming reality show (more on this in a later post), and to film the LatinEyes segments. Stay tuned for future postings.

For further information about travel in Costa Rica, buy Moon Costa Rica

If you're traveling only to San José and the Caribbean, buy Moon Spotlight Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast pocket guide.

If you're traveling only to the beaches of Nicoya, buy Moon Spotlight Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula pocket guide.

If you're traveling only to Arenal and/or Monteverde, buy Moon Spotlight Costa Rica's Arenal & Monteverde pocket guide.

Disclosure: I occasionally accept free or discounted travel when it coincides with my editorial goals. However, my opinion is never for sale. The opinions you see in Cuba & Costa Rica Journal are my unbiased reflection of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Copyright © Christopher P. Baker