Costa Rica Blue Book

Art Tour

Attraction

Contact Info:
Website: www.costaricaarttour.com
E-mail: Click here!
Tel: NA

Location:
San Jose, Costa Rica
Directions: NA

What They Do:
Costa Rica Art Tour introduces you to some of Costa Rica's best artists in their studios. Costa Rican artists and artisans show you their work in their own studios on our day tour in San Jose!

The Tico Train Tour

Attractions

Contact Info:
Website: www.americatravelcr.com
E-mail: Click here!
Tel CR: (506) 233-3300
Fax CR: (506) 233-3311

Location:
Several train stations thru-out the country.

Office: Oficinas Centrales en Edificio INCOFER
Ave. 20 - Calle 2 San José - Costa Rica.

Mailing Address:
Apartado 246-1009 FECOSA

Directions: NA

What They Do:
Their Mission: To the rescue of Costa Rican Traditions. A colorful and rich culture, often forgotten by the adrenaline rush of adventure travelers, the incredible biodiversity found by nature lovers in our National Parks and the peace of mind and relaxation found in the Costa Rican beach resort destinations.

Villa Vanilla Spice Farm

Sustainable Bio-Dynamic Spice Farm

Contact Info:
Website: www.rainforestspices.com
E-mail: Click here!

Tel: 232-8552
Cel: 839-2721

Hours: "Flavors of the World Spice Tour" 9am and 1pm daily except Sundays

Directions: Farm Villa Vanilla is located in the Central Pacific rainforest 10 miles east of Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park.

What They Do:
The farm is a tropical laboratory for sustainable agriculture and includes 27 acres of agriculture production and 125 acres of primary and secondary rainforest. Cash crops include our major spice - vanilla, plus cinnamon, black pepper, allspice and a variety of exotic fruits, essential oil and medicinal plants.

Vanilla is the farm’s major crop. Vanilla is the most popular flavor in the world! It is also the second most expensive flavoring agent and the reason for its high cost is the labor-intensive nature of vanilla cultivation and processing. The vanilla (planifolia variety) grown at the farm is cured according to the "Bourbon method" popular in Madagascar and the Spice Islands.

The Spice Tour and Gardens, which lasts about 2 1/2  hours, is where you experience the sights and aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, pepper, other tropical spices, essential oil plants, sustainable practices such as; composting, mulching, animal husbandry, permaculture, spice drying and our unique aerated compost tea system disease prevention and plant nutrition. Our "Epiphyte Trail" highlights the Air Plant Family of orchids, tillandsias and bromeliads.  Spice treats and our "Flavors of the World" beverages  are provided at our Punta Mira viewpoint with the tour.  Spice purchasing is available at our "Spice Shoppe".

My vanilla is available at the Chocolateria, Bocart Gourmet and German store in Escazú, cinnamon and vanilla at BioSalud in Plaza del Sol.