Dec 6, 2007
For a truly authentic experience of Costa Rica, turn to Bells' Home Hospitality
If you honestly want to learn about the non-touristic life of a vibrant Central American nation, you will dispense with all the standard tours and itineraries. For you there will be no zip-lines over trees of a rain forest, no mule rides up the Arenal volcano, no resort all-inclusives on the Guanacaste coast. Instead, you'll stay in the heart of a residential suburb of San Jose, Costa Rica, interacting with the hosts of the private home in which you'll be, and with other Costa Ricans of the vicinity. You'll use public transportation to reach the downtown sights, and on those occasions when you wish to visit other towns, beaches and natural wonders of Costa Rica, you'll again simply board a public bus.
Bells' Home Hospitality (+ 506/225-4752; www.homestay.thebells.org) was founded in 1990 by Marcela and Vernon Bell, two outstanding pioneers in Costa Rican tourism. They give close personal attention to the needs of their clients, and answer a phone number which you'll be given for inquiring about any and all aspects of Costa Rican life.
In turn, the hosts of their "homestays" are carefully chosen to be people willing to share the life of their households with their guests, exactly as if the latter were members of the family. You'll participate in family activities, meet relatives and friends, involve yourself to the extent you choose, and get a native's view of Costaricana. From your phone calls to the Bells, you'll get tips on places to go and things to see, on shopping and transportation, and you'll experience Costa Rica as you never would in any other way.
The rates are breathtaking: for a single room (occupied by one person): $30 a night. For a double or twin room shared by two people: $45 a night. Always with breakfast included for everyone in your party.
For a room with private bath, add $5. To be picked up at the airport on arrival, add $15 for the first person, $5 for each additional person. And you can arrange to have dinner with the family for an extra $7 a meal, paid directly to your hosts.
The Bells' are among those occasional treasures you find in travel, whose services are actually priceless. They have marvelously transformed the nature of the Costa Rica travel experience for thousands of Americans.
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Bells' Home Hospitality (+ 506/225-4752; www.homestay.thebells.org) was founded in 1990 by Marcela and Vernon Bell, two outstanding pioneers in Costa Rican tourism. They give close personal attention to the needs of their clients, and answer a phone number which you'll be given for inquiring about any and all aspects of Costa Rican life.
In turn, the hosts of their "homestays" are carefully chosen to be people willing to share the life of their households with their guests, exactly as if the latter were members of the family. You'll participate in family activities, meet relatives and friends, involve yourself to the extent you choose, and get a native's view of Costaricana. From your phone calls to the Bells, you'll get tips on places to go and things to see, on shopping and transportation, and you'll experience Costa Rica as you never would in any other way.
The rates are breathtaking: for a single room (occupied by one person): $30 a night. For a double or twin room shared by two people: $45 a night. Always with breakfast included for everyone in your party.
For a room with private bath, add $5. To be picked up at the airport on arrival, add $15 for the first person, $5 for each additional person. And you can arrange to have dinner with the family for an extra $7 a meal, paid directly to your hosts.
The Bells' are among those occasional treasures you find in travel, whose services are actually priceless. They have marvelously transformed the nature of the Costa Rica travel experience for thousands of Americans.
Write and read comments about this post.
Labels: accommodations, costa rica
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