Costa Rica tempts travellers with new hotels and attractions

Costa Rica has always been known for its eco-tourism, but the country is quickly gaining recognition as one of the most popular destinations for adventure tourism and destination weddings.

The abundance of diverse nature, wildlife, and recreational activities throughout the country make it an attractive spot for many travellers around the world.

Air Canada currently flies direct to San Jose, Costa Rica, as well as Liberia, Costa Rica in just over five hours.

Recently, San Jose, Costa Rica was recognized as a winner in the 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice® awards for Destinations on the Rise. Out of 25 ranked worldwide destinations, San Jose ranked 6th. Its cultural and nearby natural wonders, like waterfalls and volcanoes, provide unlimited opportunities for adventure, relaxation, romance and exploration. Starting this spring, there will be a new hotel and many attractions opening in San Jose.

Here's what travellers can look forward to in Costa Rica:

2018 International Festival of the Arts

• Happening the first two weeks of April.
• 92 artistic groups, 18 participating countries and 162 presentations; the FIA will bring together over 1,100 professionals across eighteen locations, which include theatres and different parks and plazas throughout San Jose.
• Featuring entrepreneurs from the Costa Rican creative and cultural industries, divided into four categories: design, crafts, audiovisual and publishing.
• For more information, click here.

The National Convention Center

• Inauguration of a new smart event space, opening May 2018: the country's first National Convention Center; a modern sustainable construction developed on 25 acres
• Located near the Juan Santamaria International Airport and only six miles from the capital city, San Jose.
• Features a main hall that holds up to 4,000 delegates, six conference rooms, six meeting rooms, a business centre and VIP Lounge.
• Other features include rainwater recycling, solar energy water heating systems, high-tech energy-efficient air conditioning, LED lighting systems with solar panels, naturally lit interior spaces and the latest in audio/visual technology equipment.
• For more information, click here.

The Gran Hotel Costa Rica

• Gran Hotel Costa Rica, which is affiliated with Hilton Worldwide and Hilton Curio Collection, will re-open May 2018 after a complete transformation.
• San Jose's only historical and architectural monument located in the heart of the capital, surrounded by national museums, plazas and scenic walking boulevards.
• Located in front of the National Theater since 1930, the hotel has witnessed the urban transformation of San Jose during the last 88 years.
• Design renovations being unveiled will include: updated rooms with sophisticated furnishings and state-of-the-art technology; an impressive modern lobby; a redesigned executive lounge with panoramic bar; meeting rooms and an innovative restaurant concept.

For more information on Costa Rica, visit www.visitcostarica.com.