Matador Network's Blog, page 2132
February 20, 2015
US cities for the smart and poor
Photo: 55Laney69
IT’S NOT REALLY SURPRISING that new graduates are looking for a better life outside of typical economic and technological epicenters such as San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and New York City. Who really wants to pay $2,500 in rent for a stuffy apartment, and face fierce competition with people from around the world for menial-pay jobs? If you’re smart — or just interested in working for a STEM company — but too broke to “make it” in the big cities, here’s a short list of US locations where the job opportunities are hot, the salaries are plentiful, and the cost of living is well within your means:
1. Omaha, Nebraska
Photo: Silicon Prairie News
Industry leaders: ConAgra, Berkshire Hathaway
Startups: SkyVu, BuyNow
Median salary for an Associate IT Analyst at ConAgra: $55,950
Average price of a 1-bedroom apartment: $663
2. Greenville, South Carolina
Photo: TedXGreenville
Industry leaders: GE, BMW
Startups: The Iron Yard
Median salary for an Engineer at BMW: $89,370
Average price of a 1-bedroom apartment: $530
3. Detroit, Michigan
Photo: Moon Man Mike
Industry leaders: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Computer Consultants of America
Startups: Detroit Labs, Locqus
Median salary for a Web Software Developer at Computer Consultants of America: $78,749
Average price of a 1-bedroom apartment: $602
4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Photo: TechCocktail
Industry leaders: Google, IBM, Apple, Intel
Startups: NoWait
Median salary for a Software Engingeer at Google: $114,292
Average price of a 1-bedroom apartment: $610
5. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Photo: cr artist
Industry leaders: Toyota, Alliant Energy
Startups: 512Creative, Bandwidth Pool
Median salary for an Engineer I at Alliant Energy: $64,144
Average price of a 1-bedroom apartment: $500 
H/T: Uncubed
Salary information source: GlassDoor
Rent comparison source: RentJungle
List of airline surf baggage fees
© Trans Maldivian Airlines
Unfortunately surfboards are large and unwieldy, which makes them tricky for airlines to deal with; subsequently flying with a board can be an expensive and complicated affair, with various hidden costs and fees. Some airlines are straight up about their fees, while others present a pretty face but hide further terms away in the small print on their websites: we’ve all heard horror stories of unsuspecting surf bums being charged more in fees to carry their boards than the original ticket price of the flight.
To help preserve your financial wellbeing and save your credit card a hefty hit, LUEX Surf Travel experts have investigated almost every airline flying to any surf destination you can think of, and come up with this nifty alphabetically ordered list. Simply check which airlines service your surf spot of choice, and scroll down to check their policy on surf boards.
Please note that while all information is correct at the time of publishing, airlines are free to change their baggage regulations at will, so it is always worth double checking before booking.
This article originally appeared on LUEX Magazine and is republished here with permission.
Airline
Accept Surfboards?
Cost
Details
More Information
URL
Aeroflot
Yes
Free – €150
Surfboards aren’t explicitly listed, but one boardbag should be included in your free baggage allowance (as with bikes/skis/snowboards). You must call Aeroflot to request carriage though.
Extra pieces of luggage and oversize/weight baggage will be charged.
More Info
Aer Lingus
Yes
Free – €30/€40
Boards fly for free to/from North America, or for €30 (each direction) to all other destinations if paid in advance; fees are €40 if paid at the airport.
Max board length 274cm on international flights, or max 204cm on regional flights.
More Info
Aero Mexico
Yes
$40 – $50 USD
$40 if paid in advance, or $50 at the airport
More Info
Air Asia
Yes
Varies
Score a 50% discount and the option to add 15-40kg extra weight by booking online. Max Board length 274cm.
Paying at the airport costs more and limits you to 20kg extra weight.
More Info
Air Berlin
Yes
Free
1 boardbag can be taken as your free baggage allowance, though you must notify the airline at least 24 hours before flying.
If you exceed the number of pieces in your free baggage allowance, you’ll be charged €50-75. No sports baggage on JustFly tickets.
More Info
Air Canada
Yes
$50 USD/CAD
Boards under the maximum linear dimensions can be counted as your free baggage allowance, but you will be charged a handling fee per board in each direction.
Boards must be less than 203cm long, and under 277cm total linear dimensions (lenght + width + height)
More Info
Air China
Yes
Free – $150+ USD
Boardbags can be counted as your free checked baggage allowance if total linear dimensions (length + width + height) are less than 158cms.
If your board exceeds 158cm total linear dimensions then you will be charge an oversize baggage fee. Charge varies by route, size and weight, but will likely be $150+ USD.
More Info
Air France
Yes
€55-100
Boards 107-300cm long can be carried, though you’ll be charged €55-€100 each way, depending on route.
You must notify the customer service department at least 24 hours before flying, but you can only pay at the airport.
More Info
Air India
Yes
Varies
Fees for board carriage are 50% of the normal excess baggage fee for the route.
It’s a good idea to call the customer service department and confirm fees when booking your flight.
More Info
Air Malta
Yes
30
In principal surf equipment can be carried free in addition to your normal checked baggage allowance, though you should confirm this with the airline when booking.
More Info
Air Mauritius
Yes
Free – €200
Boards under 200cms (length + width + height) and 23kg fly for free.
When applicable, charges levied vary by route – from €55 to €200 each way.
More Info
Air New Zealand
Yes
Free
Boardbags up to 2 metres long can be taken as part of your free checked baggage allowance, plus multiple boards are allowed in one bag.
200cm is the normal maximum length allowed, but occasionally items up to 250cm long can be taken (by prior arrangement).
More Info
Air Pacific
Yes
Varies
You can take boards up to (total linear dimensions) 277cm, but fee (and currency) varies depending on route and destination.
Fees are usually around 50-100 AUD
More Info
Air Seychelles
Yes
Free
Boardbags up to 158cm long and 15kg in weight fly for free.
You have to sign a waiver that Air Seychelles is not liable for any damage during transit.
More Info
Air Tahiti Nui
Yes
Free
Boards up to 250cm and 23kg fly free (in addition to your normal checked baggage allowance)
More Info
Air Vanuatu
Depends on plane
Free
Boards up to 250cms can be carried free as part of your checked baggage allowance on international flights, and boards up to 150cms can be carried free on most domestic flights. However, some smaller planes on certain routes lack the capacity to take surfboards.
Call airline to check regulations on your route.
More Info
Alaska Air
Yes
$25 USD
One boardbag containing up to two boards can be taken for the normal checked baggage fee. Size restrictions vary by route.
On Alaska Airlines flights 1-999 the boards up to max 292cm in length (alone) can be carried; on flights 2000-2999 and 3440-3499 the maximum combined linear dimensions (height + length + width) may not exceed 292cm.
More Info
Alitalia
Depends on route
€75 – $260 USD
Boards up to 300cm can normally be carried for a fee, though the amount and currency charged varies by route.
Not all planes have room for boards, so you must check with the airline when booking.
More Info
American Airlines
Yes
$42.50 – 150 USD
You can take boards up to 320cm total linear dimensions for a fee of $150 USD, other than flights to/from/through Brazil.
When travelling to/from/through Brazil, the first board is charged at $42.50 USD, and $85 USD for any extra boards.
More Info
Ana
Yes
Varies
Boards up to 203cm total linear dimensions travel free (if within your checked baggage allowance). If you take a board in addition to your baggage allowance, you’ll be charged a fee (amount varies on route) calculated by weight rather than size.
You must call the airline when booking, as fees vary by route and not all planes can accommodate surfboards.
More Info
Arikair
Yes
Varies
Surf boards can be carried subject to a fee, which depends on route.
Call airline to confirm chargs on your route when booking.
More Info
Asiana
Yes
Free
One board can be carried free if within the weight and piece imit of your checked baggage allowance. There are no extra fees for oversize bags, but you will be charged if you breach weight limits.
More Info
Austrian Air
Yes
€50-100
Boards up to 2m ilong can be carries for €50 (each way) within Europe, or €100 (each way) on intercontinental flights.
Not all planes can accommodate surfboards, so call the airline to check restrictions on your route when booking.
More Info
Avianca El Salvador
Yes
$50-125 USD
You can fly with one boardbag with up to 3 boards (max 370cm long and 32kg) for $50 USD if travelling to/from Brazil, or $125 USD if travelling to/from America.
You can take a board bag on some routes to/from America for $100 USD.
More Info
Azul
Yes
Free
You can take a boardbag upto 23kg for free, as long as it’s within your free checked baggage allowance.
More Info
Bahamas Air
Yes
$65 USD
You can take a boardbag up to 203cm, subject to a fee of $65 USD.
You must to pack the board in an official boardbag.
More Info
Bel Avia
Yes
Free
As long as the total weight is within your free baggage allowance ( which varies by ticket class), one surfboard can be taken for free.
Only one board per passenger is permitted.
More Info
Blue Wing Airlines
Maybe
Varies
Ticket price is calculated by how much you weigh personally combined with the weight of your baggage.
You should contact the airline directly when booking your flight.
More Info
BMI Regional
Yes
Free – £30/€45
One board can be carried free if within checked baggage allowances, or for £30/€45 if not (up to 20kg extra) per sector.
Any item between 21-32kg will be charged an extra fixed fee of £30/€45 per sector.
More Info
British Airways
Yes
Free
One boardbag (up to a 190cm x 75cm x 65cm and 23kg) can be carried as your free checked allowance.
Board must be packed in a recognisable surfboard bag.
More Info
Brunei Air
Yes
Varies
Baggage with total linear dimensions over 147cm are charged by volumetric equivalent weight, but the airline waives the first 5kg of that for surfboards.
Check exact fees with the airline when booking.
More Info
Brussels Airlines
Yes
Free
Boards traevl free of charge if within your free checked baggage allowance.
More Info
Cape Air
Depends on route
Varies
Not all planes have enough room for boards, so you should call the airline when booking.
More Info
Carpat Air
Yes
$75
You can take boards for a fee of $75 per board.
You must call the airline when booking to reserve space for your board.
More Info
Cathay Pacific
Yes
Varies
You can take boards free of charge on some routes, and between Hong Kong and Doha even recieve an extra 10kg weight allowance. Free baggage allowance also varies by route; where free baggage allowance is calculated purely by total weight, boards may travel free if within limits. On routes where free baggage allowance is calculated by pieces and dimensions, an extra fee is levied, though costs vary by starting point and destination.
You should contact the airline directly when booking your flight.
More Info
Cayman Airways
Possibly
Varies
Some sporting items can be carried as part of free baggage limit, irrespective of size, though surfboards aren’t explicitly listed. Fees of $150 USD normally apply to items over 157cm total dimensions, up to a maximum of 203cm.
You should contact the airline when booking your flight, to confirm fees and obtain written permission.
More Info
China Airlines
Yes
Varies
Normally boards cannot be carried as part of the free baggage allowance. Boards up to 277cms total dimensions will be charged at 100% of the applicable excess baggage, while larger boards will be charged at 150% of the fee, which applies per board.
On flights to/from/within the SW Pacific boards can be carried as part of your free baggage allowance. If they exceed the free allowance, a board up to 277cm total dimensions will be charged at the applicable rate for 5kg of excess baggage, or 8kgs if longer.
More Info
China Eastern
Yes
Varies
Surfboards are not included in the free checked baggage allowance, and will be charged 50% of the applicable fee if below 277cm total dimensions, or
100% of the applicable fee if larger. Only one board per passenger is entitled to the discounted rate. Any additional boards will be charged at the applicable excess baggage charge (by weight): one board up to 277cm total linear dimensions will be charged at the applicable rate of 5kg of excess baggage, or or 8kg if longer.
The discounted rate is not applicable to passengers travelling to/from/within:
American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati (Canton and Enderbury Islands), Nauru, New Caledonia (including Loyalty Islands), New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna Islands.
More Info
China Southern
Yes
Varies
Fee varies by route and number of boards, but you must contact the airline to get permission to take a board when booking.
More Info
Condor
Yes
$65-78 USD
Boards must be pre-booked with the airline. You’ll be charged $65 if you register the board 30 or more days before the flight, or $78 USD if if less.
More Info
Copa Air
Yes
$50-100 USD
One boardbag with max two boards can be taken to all destinations for $100 USD, other than São Paulo and San Jose (where only $50 USD is charged).
More Info
Corsairfly
Yes
Varies
You can take boards for free if within the applicable free baggage weight and dimension limits (which vary by route).
You should contact the airline to check exact fees when booking.
More Info
Croatia Airlines
Yes
Free
One board up to 200cm can be taken as part of your free baggage allowance.
You have to pre-book the board with the airline.
More Info
Czech Airlines
Yes
Varies
You can take a board for free if within the applicable free baggage weight and size restrictions , or fee a fee if exceeding them.
You must notify the airline at the time of booking.
More Info
Delta
Yes
$100-150 USD/CAD or €105
Two boards can be taken in one bag for $100 USD when travelling to/from Brazil, or for $150 USD/CAD (or €105) on all other routes
More Info
Easyjet
Yes
£35
One surfboard bag can be taken for a fee of £35 per leg.
If the surfboard bag is your sole piece of checked luggage, it can weigh up to 32kg. If it is in addition to other checked baggage, you recieve an extra 12kg weight allowance.
More Info
Egypt Air
Yes
Varies
One surfboard up to 200cm can be taken as checked baggage, but is not included in the free baggage allowance. Fees are calculated at 50% of applicable excess bagage rate.
More Info
Emirates
Yes
Varies
Board bags up to 300cm total dimensions can be taken for the applicable oversize baggage fee for the route.
No items exceeding 300cm total dimensions can be carried, with no exceptions.
More Info
Etihad
Yes
Free
Boards up to 300cm can be taken for free.
More Info
Ethiopian Airways
Yes
Varies
You can take boards up to 200cm for €40 within Europe or for €80 on intercontinental flights. Boards over 200cm are subject to a fee of €80 on European flights or €160 on intercontinental flights.
More Info
Finnair
Yes
Free – €150
Boards under 190cm long and 23kg fly for free if within checked baggage allowances, otherwise (and for larger boards) a fee of €150 applies.
More Info
First Air
Yes
$70 USD
Boards between 161 and 292 cms (length + width + height) can be taken for a fee of $70.00.
More Info
Flybe
Yes
£30
Normally boards can be taken for £30, though size restrictions apply on some routes.
Call the airline when booking to reserve space for your board.
More Info
Frontier Airlines
Yes
Varies
Boards can be carried, though fee depends on route and travel class.
You should check the exact fee with the airline when booking.
More Info
Garuda Indonesia
Yes
Free
You can take a board for free, if within the checked baggage allowance applicable to your ticket.
Call the customer service department to confirm fees when booking.
More Info
Georgian Airways
Yes
Varies
Normal bagage restrictions are up to 158cms linear dimensions, but surfboards are listed as an exception. Excess fees are calculated by weight.
Check with the airline when booking.
More Info
German Wings
Yes
50
You can take your board for a €50 fee.
Boards must be pre-booked with the customer service department.
More Info
Go Air
Yes
Varies
Surfboards can normally be taken, but are possibly subject to an oversize baggage fee.
Call the airline to confirm fees when booking.
More Info
Gulf Air
Yes
Free
A boardbag (up to 190cm and 32kg) can be taken for free as your checked baggage allowance.
More Info
Hawaiian Airlines
Yes
Free – $150 USD
Two boards( up to 292cm) can be carried in one bag. Fees vary by route, ranging from free (to Australia and New Zealand) to $150 USD.
Some planes have limited cargo capacity, so call the airline to reserve space when booking.
More Info
Iberia
Yes
$60 USD – €150/$150 USD
You can take boards up to 250cm for €150/$150 USD, other than flights to/from Brazil, where only $60 USD is charged.
Carriage is subject to available space, so you must contact the airline when booking.
More Info
Iceland Air
Yes
€62 – €87
Price varies between routes to/from Iceland, Europe and North America.
You must pre-book your surfboard.
More Info
Interjet
Yes
Free
You can take a board bag for free if under 50kg (yes, really!).
More Info
Japan Airlines
Yes
$50-150 USD
Price varies massively between routes, but you can take up to two boards per boardbag.
Call the airline to check fees on your route when booking.
More Info
Jet2
Yes
€39 per flight
Max length 182cms.
You have to pre-book your board.
More Info
Jetblue
Yes
$50 USD
$50 USD each way, one board per case, which counts as one piece of your checked baggage allowance.
No size restrictions, but must be under 45kg.
More Info
Jetstar
Yes
Free
A board can be taken free as part of your checked baggage allowance.
Surfboards (including the bag) must not exceed 1.9 metres for Jetstar flights operated by an A320, A321 or B737 aircraft, and 2.77 metres for Jetstar flights operated by an A330 or 787** aircraft.
More Info
Kenya Airways
Yes
Varies
Surfboards over 107cm long must ALWAYS be pre-booked. A charge will always apply, but it varies by route.
Call the airline to book your board and check fees before booking.
More Info
KLM
Yes
€55-100
Fee varies by route, but you have to pre-book any boards 107-300cm long.
Normally you have to take the boardbag as your sole piece of checked luggage.
More Info
Kulula
Yes
Free
You can take boards up to 190 x 75 x 65cm for free.
Anything over 20kg will be charged extra, but its simple to add extra weight and pieces to your allowance.
More Info
LAN Airlines
Yes
Free
You can take boards up to 300 linear cms for free
More Info
Lion Air
Yes
200,000 IDR
You should call the airline to confirm fees and board carriage when when booking.
More Info
LOT Polish Airlines
Yes
€12-100
Boards can be taken for €12 on domestic flights or €100 on intercontinental flights.
Not all planes are big enough to accommodate boards, so call to check with the airline.
More Info
Lufthansa
Yes
€50-100
Boards up to 2m long can be taken on continental flights for a fee of €50, and on intercontinental flights for €100.
You must call the airline to register your sports baggage before flying.
More Info
Luxair
Yes
50
Boards up to 30kgs can be taken for €50.
More Info
Malaysia Airlines
Yes
Free
One board up to 2.5m can be taken free of charge, if within your free checked baggage limits.
More Info
Mango Airlines
Yes
Free
Call the airline when booking to reserve space in the hold.
More Info
MEA
Yes
Free
First item of sporting equipent (up to 20kg) travels free of charge.
Due to different regulations over different routes, you should confirm carriage with the airline when booking.
More Info
Meridiana
Yes
€90-190
Boards can be taken for €90 on domestic flights, €100 on international, and €190 on intercontinental.
More Info
Monarch
Yes
£24.99/€29.99
You can take baords up to 182cm for a fee of £24.99, which also grants an extra 20kg weight allowance.
More Info
Nauru Airlines
No
More Info
Oman Air
Yes
Varies
You must call the airline when booking, as not all planes can take boards. Charges vary by route and ticket class.
More Info
Penair
Yes
Minimum $50 USD
It’s likely that your board must travel as cargo.
Fees vary by route, so call the airline to confirm.
More Info
Philippine Airlines
Yes
1120 PHP
You have to call to book your board, but the fee entitles you to an extra 15kg weight allowance.
More Info
Qantas
Yes
Free
Boards up to 277cm and 32kg can travel free as part of your checked baggage allowance.
More Info
Qatar Airways
Yes
Free
1 boardbag up to 32kg can be carried free as part of your checked baggage alowance
More Info
Royal Jordanian
Yes
$30-200 USD
Fee varies by route, but there is always a fee for boards.
More Info
Ryanair
Yes
€50/£50
€50/£50 per flight, with a 20kg weight limit.
We recommend you call the airline to confirm max dimensions when booking.
More Info
Saudi Airlines
Yes
$130-440 USD
You have to pay to take your board, but the fee varies by route.
You should call the airline to check fees on your route when booking.
More Info
Singapore Air
Yes
Varies
Surfboards can be taken for free if within size limits, which vary by route.
Call the customer service department to confirm max dimensions and fees when booking your flight.
More Info
Sky West
Maybe
Varies by route
Charges vary by route and flight, and as not all planes have sufficient capacity for boards you should call the airline when booking.
More Info
Solomon Airlines
Maybe
Varies by route
You must call the airline when booking, as not all planes can take boards, and charges vary by route and ticket class.
More Info
South African Airways
Yes
Varies
On most routes boards under 200cms fly free, if within the free baggage allowance.
You should call the airline to check fees on your route when booking.
More Info
SouthWest
Yes
$75 USD
You can take your board for $75 USD each way.
It’s advisable to confirm exact fees and dimensions with the airline when booking.
More Info
Srilankan Airways
Yes
Varies
Free if within the checked baggage limit (32kg)
Exceeding the checked baggage allowance on your route will incur fees, which you should confirm with the airline as they vary by dimensions, weight and route.
More Info
Sriuijaye Air
Maybe
Varies
Surfboards should fly for free if under 20kg.
There is some ambiguity, so confirm with the airline when booking.
More Info
Suncountry
Yes
$75 USD
You can take boards for $75, but only up to 152cm.
More Info
Sunwing Airlines
Yes
€80-100
Fee varies by route, but you must pre-book your board with the airline.
More Info
Swiss
Yes
€50-100
You can take boards up to 2m long for a fee of €50-100, depending on route
More Info
TAP Portugal
Yes
€35-75
Boards fly for a small fee, but you MUST pre-book them.
More Info
Thai Airways
Yes
Varies by route
Can be included in checked baggage allowance for free if flying to/from Australia/New Zealand, otherwise fees vary by route.
You should call the airline to check fees on your route when booking.
More Info
Tiger Airways
Yes
Varies
You can take boards under 190cm and 10kg as your free checked baggage allowance.
More Info
Transavia
Yes
Free
You can take boards for free, but you are NOT allowed to pack clothes/etc in the board bag.
You must call the airline to pre-book your sports baggage before flying.
More Info
Trans Maldivian Airways
Yes
Varies
In order to take oversized baggage like surfboards you must charter a flight, as there is no room on scheduled flights.
Contact the airline, as charter costs vary by route and number of passengers.
More Info
United
Yes
$150-200 USD
You have to pay $150 (each way) to take a board on flights between the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and $200 (each way) for all other destinations.
More Info
US Airways
Yes
$150 USD
You can take boards for $150 – PER BOARD.
You must call the airline when booking the flight, as not all planes can take surfboards.
More Info
Virgin America
Yes
Normally $50USD
You can normally take your board for $50, but oversize weight fees (which vary by route) can apply.
You should call the airline to check fees on your route when booking.
Virgin Atlantic
Yes
Free
You can take boards under 23kg and 277cm for free, IN ADDITION to your standard checked baggage allowance.
More Info
Virgin Australia
Yes
Varies
Boards can be take as part of your free checked baggage allowance, but maximum permissable dimensions vary by route and plane.
You must call to confirm board carriage before your flight, as not all planes are large enough to accomodate them in the hold.
More Info
Viva Aerobus
Yes
400-550 MXN
You can normally take a board, but the charge will depend on route and how/where you pay it.
Confirm fees with the airline when booking.
More Info
Volaris
Yes
Free
You can take boards under 2m for free, as long as you don’t exceed your free baggage allowance, which varies by route and ticket class.
We advise you to call the customer service department to confirm fees when booking your flight.
More Info
Vueling
Yes
€45
You can take a board for €45 each way.
You have to pre-book sports baggage before flying.
More Info
Westjet
Yes
Varies
You can take boards under 3m, but expect to pay as all applicable excess/oversize baggage fees will be applied.
We advise you to call the customer service department to confirm fees when booking your flight.
More Info
Wizz Air
Yes
€30-80
You can take a board, but fees vary between €30-80 deoending on route and ticket class.
More Info
Yemenia
Maybe
Varies
Not all planes can accommodate boards, so we recommend you call the airline to confirm board carriage and fees when booking.
More Info
Countries that smoke the most weed
Graphic by author.
The United Nations has found, through what was likely some very careful and focused study, that the following countries smoke the most pot. You think it’s accurate?
By Simran Khosla, GlobalPost
This article is syndicated from GlobalPost.
30 stunning images of Costa Rica
HOW MANY OF YOUR VACATION DAYS did you use in the last year? If you live in the United States, chances are the answer to that question is somewhere around half of them. Which means you could be taking paid time off to hang out in Costa Rica right now.
And Costa Rica is a pretty sweet place to be, whether you go for its unrivaled ecotourism opportunities, from watching sea turtles nest to ziplining through the rainforest; its 1,000 miles of coastline on both the Pacific and the Caribbean, and the spectacular beaches and surf that go along with it; or its 50 national parks, representing the nation’s unprecedented commitment to preservation and protecting a full 5% of the world’s biodiversity.
Not that anyone really needs convincing, but here are 30 images of Costa Rica that will inspire you to take your vacation time and put it to better use in the months to come. Here’s to restoring our work-life balance, one epic trip at a time.
This post is proudly produced in partnership with Visit Costa Rica. Find out how Costa Rica is doing its part to Save the Americans.
1
Red-eyed tree frog
Costa Rica is small, just under 20,000 square miles—about the size of two Vermonts. And yet, this country that accounts for just .1% of Earth's land area harbors 5% of its biodiversity. Costa Rica's tropical mountain chains, rainforests, and various islands are home to species both highly endangered and more common, such as the red-eyed tree frog seen above.
Photo: Steve Corey
2
Choose your own beach
Bordered by the Pacific to the west and the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica has no shortage of beaches. The best part is that, no matter what time of year you visit, if conditions on one coast are less than ideal, all you have to do is travel a few dozen miles overland to access a completely different white-sand paradise.
Photo: Marc Veraart
3
Caño Island Biological Reserve
Caño Island Biological Reserve, just one of the country's dozens of protected areas, is located off the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. If you're into marine life and top-notch diving / snorkeling, this is where you should be.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
Intermission
186
12 differences between a normal friend and a Spanish friend
by Ana Bulnes
Giant manta ray is freed from trash by helpful divers
by Katka Lapelosová
This is what’s beneath the most beautiful ice rink in the world [pics]
by Morgane Croissant
4
Arenal Volcano
Of Costa Rica's 14 volcanoes, Arenal is probably the best known thanks to its near perfect pyramidal shape. The national park that surrounds it shares its name and is located a short drive north of the capital San José.
Photo: Scott Robinson
5
Emperor butterfly
The Emperor butterfly is common in Central America and can grow to have a wingspan of nearly 8 inches. Its iridescent coloration brightens the forests of Costa Rica.
Photo: vasse nicolas,antoine
6
Surf at Playa Avellana
Thanks to its dual coasts and favorable features / conditions, Costa Rica has long been a surf destination. Pictured above is Playa Avellana, located on the Nicoya Peninsula. Its waves tend to be mellower than those of the popular Playa Negra farther south.
Photo: Roman Königshofer
7
Manuel Antonio National Park
Near the Pacific town of Quepos, Manuel Antonio draws lots of visitors for its mix of pristine jungle and palm-bordered beaches. Punta Catedral, the point you see in the distance above, is accessed via hiking trails.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
8
Three-toed sloth
One of Costa Rica's most iconic creatures, the three-toed sloth lives in the trees but is also a capable swimmer. Near Puerto Limón, you can arrange a boat tour for a chance of seeing this beloved animal in its jungle home.
Photo: Jerry Kirkhart
9
Flower at Drake Bay
Costa Rica's biodiversity includes flora as well as fauna, of course. The colors and forms of plant life here are hard to match.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
Intermission
135
The 22 craziest party hostels around the world
by Matt Kepnes
Story behind the shot: Playa Guiones, Costa Rica
by Branden Eastwood
1
A visual journey through the street art of Cuenca, Ecuador
by Gilda Selis
10
Hammerhead, Cocos Island National Park
Cocos sits 340 miles southwest of mainland Costa Rica (about halfway to the Galápagos) and is an uninhabited national park. If you manage to make it out here, you've probably done so for the diving—some of the best in the world.
Photo: Barry Peters
11
Bajos del Toro
Bajos del Toro is a private reserve, just north of San José, where this waterfall plunges 300 feet from a hole in the cliff face to the bottom of an extinct volcanic crater.
Photo: Steve Jurvetson
12
Sunset, Playa Hermosa
Guanacaste's Playa Hermosa remains a laid-back alternative to some of the more popular beaches nearby. Find it just south of Culebra Bay on the north Pacific coast.
Photo: Didier Baertschiger
13
Mangrove black hawk, Palo Verde
Palo Verde National Park is set in the valley of the Tempisque River in northwestern Costa Rica, protecting ecologically significant dry forests as well as mangroves along the river. It's a great place to see birds, from macaws to ibis to wood storks, as well as the mangrove black hawk, pictured above.
Photo: Brian Ralphs
14
Sarchí oxcart painter
On the northern outskirts of San José, set in the foothills that lead up to the Poás Volcano, the town of Sarchí preserves traditional Costa Rican crafts. Chief among them is the oxcart, elaborately painted carriages that were once used to transport highland coffee to port.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
15
Whale watching, Caño Island
The coast around the Osa Peninsula, where Caño Island lies, sees multiple whale migrations each year, giving it one of the longest whale-watching seasons anywhere in the world.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
Intermission
362
What bartenders actually think of your drink order
by Lisa Millar-Jones
10
30 of the world’s burliest bungee jumps [PICs]
by Hal Amen
15 Stunning photos that will convince you winter’s the best time to travel
by Rory Moulton
16
Poison dart frog
If you need evidence of Costa Rica's tremendous biodiversity, consider this: The nation is home to 133 known species of frog, many of which are endemic.
This poison dart frog was photographed in the rainforests of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, near the border with Panama.
Photo: Geoff Gallice
17
Monteverde Cloud Forest zipline
Costa Rica's forests are nearly as diverse as the creatures that live within them. Blanketing the lower reaches of the Tilarán Mountains in the northwest, the Monteverde Cloud Forest stands in near perpetual mist and harbors an extraordinary abundance and diversity of life. Its unique topography and wildlife attracts many tourists, who can choose from a variety of ecotourism excursions and adventure activities such as ziplining through the forest canopy.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
18
Cacao pods
If you've ever wondered exactly where chocolate comes from, you can find out in Costa Rica. The country's indigenous people were trading in cacao long before Europeans arrived, and today many operations continue to produce high-quality chocolate from local beans.
Photo: Everjean
19
Bribri children
The Bribri are one such indigenous people, residing in Costa Rica's Limón Province. Multiple organizations can arrange voluntourism trips to Bribri communities, where you can learn firsthand about their traditional beliefs and practices.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
20
Nosara surf
Nosara, a small city located on the mountainous Nicoya Peninsula, abuts some pretty awesome Pacific surf.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
21
Leatherback turtle
Both of Costa Rica's coasts provide vital nesting grounds for endangered populations of sea turtles. Tortuguero National Park, on the Caribbean north of Limón, is recognized as a world leader in turtle conservation and study.
Photo: Fernando Silva
22
Rafting the Pacuare
You can have fun on the water away from the coasts as well. The Río Pacuare flows for some 70 miles from the highlands east of San José to the Caribbean just south of Tortuguero National Park, creating some excellent whitewater along the way.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
23
Toucan
Few animals scream "tropical paradise" as loudly as the toucan. The bird above was photographed at the La Paz Waterfall, north of San José on Highway 126.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
24
Life below the Pacific
The abundance of wildlife below the waves is nearly as impressive as that above, which makes Costa Rica one of the world's premier destinations for diving and snorkeling.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
25
Santa Rosa National Park
Costa Rica's oldest national park (established in 1971) covers the peninsula that forms the northern boundary of the Gulf of Papagayo, in Guanacaste province. Originally created to protect the site of a military battle, the park also contains a wide range of habitats and wildlife.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
26
Cahuita National Park
Cahuita mainly draws tourists with its excellent reef diving / snorkeling and sea turtle nesting grounds, but its land-based attractions, which include wildlife such as tree sloths, eyelash vipers, and capuchin monkeys, also make it worth a visit.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
27
Santa Teresa Beach
Near the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, just north of the Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve, you'll find this beach, which epitomizes everything that makes Costa Rica's shores so great.
Photo: Costa Rica Tourism Board
28
Poás Volcano
Arenal might strike a nice pose from a distance, but you'll want to look Poás right in its face. In the national park of the same name, you can follow a mile-long (round trip) paved trail to the top of the volcanic crater and peer down over eerily colored lagoons.
Photo: Sarah Murray
29
Welcome!
Costa Rica's pioneering decision to set aside more than 25% of its territory as protected area rather than develop it means that tourism is a vital component of the national economy. Unlike in other countries around the world, where the effects of tourism are more dubious, Costa Ricans know your visit is helping enable them to preserve their unparalleled natural wonders. You will be welcome here.
Photo: thejaan
30
Sundowner
No matter where you are in Costa Rica, an epic beachside sunset over the Pacific is just a short drive away. Sure beats wasting your vacation days in the office, doesn't it?
Photo: Frontierofficial
20 things that delight a Londoner
Photo: Rosalino
1. Getting on the tube at Oxford Circus during rush hour and seeing a seat just waiting for you.
2. Or, that rare but beloved impromptu sing-along on the tube…
3. When the sun peaks out of the clouds — stripping off, packing the picnic bag, grabbing your iPod and speakers, and heading to the nearest park to sunbathe.
4. Or equally, donning bobble hats and wellies and heading to a park for snow day! You can’t get to work, but oh yes, you can make it to the park.
5. Listening to Americans pronouncing the names of London landmarks. “No, sorry, I have no idea where Lie-ces-terrr Square is. Lester Square, however, is just behind you.”
6. Seeing yourself mentioned on Commuter Cupid in The Metro… “Tall, beautiful woman reading a book”…Yep, that must be me!
7. Being told you are the first ‘real’ Londoner that someone has met…Oh the pride of being part of that exclusive club!
8. Discussing transport routes. How we love the chance to prove that we know London better than anyone else.
9. Being told by a foreigner that they love London. We love to be loved, especially when the rest of England hates us.
10. Finding that elusive treasure — a newspaper just waiting to be read as you get on the tube. It’s even more of a score if it isn’t one of the free ones, right?
11. Discovering a new cool bar that no one knows about and trying to keep it a secret before everyone finds out, and then when they do discover it, smugly knowing that you found it first.
12. Finding a voucher deal for the restaurant you’re headed to that evening. Well, London is pricey…
13. Discovering that the party you’re going to is just 5 minutes up the road from your flat. No steep cab fare home, just a drunken stumble.
14. When the tube is open all night. Okay, it only happens one night a year, but we love it nonetheless and double check it’s true a few times on the TFL website just to be sure.
15. Finding a flat to rent that we can actually afford, and that is actually nice with normal flatmates.
16. Saying “I’m just going into town” and then realising your ‘town’ is actually a huge, amazing city.
17. Telling someone you’re from London and them saying “Wow, that’s so cool!” You will always shrug humbly but inside you are glowing with pride.
18. Realising you have made it just in time for the last tube…No nasty, 2-hour-long night bus ride for you.
19. The joy of getting off the train in London when you have been away for too long…like a couple of days. or even a few hours.
20. Wandering down the Southbank and looking at the London skyline and feeling so wonderfully at home.
February 19, 2015
Help impact conflict news reporting
Back this project
ON-THE-GROUND JOURNALISM used to be the height of a writer’s career, but in the information age this style of reporting is beginning to suffer. We hope you are able to support our friends at GlobalPost, a native digital news site working to change the way freelance frontline reporters and editors are able to provide news on worldly events as they occur.
To give you an idea of the disparities reporters like those at GlobalPost face, a news editor for CNN can make an average salary of $63,000 per annum. They are rarely found “on the ground,” and are not required to leave their office in order to report on breaking news. Contrastingly, frontline freelance reporters will sometimes make as little as $100 per story, while facing harsh and unsafe working conditions, lack of proper training from their host publications, and benefits that don’t extend beyond their contract assignments.
Donations to this Kickstarter campaign will help to justify the oftentimes insane conditions required to provide current events to those away from the field. You can read more about where these funds will used here. 
(feature image: Tracey Shelton/GlobalPost)
12 stunning Canada photos
Editor’s note: MatadorU photography student Cassie Kos has traveled the world from Cambodia to Peru, but says “My favorite photography scenes come from my own backyard.” You can find more from Cassie Kos on her website.
1
Moraine Lake, Alberta
Moraine Lake is usually overrun with tourists, but once the rains come, the place clears out, and often this is the best time to photograph it. When the fog covers the mountains in the distance and rain falls from the sky, this place turns into one of the most peaceful locations in Canada.
2
Grizzly — Kootenay Highway 93, British Columbia
On a scenic drive to Panorama, British Columbia, a drizzle fell as we rounded curved roads along the mountain ridges. As we came around another corner, we noticed a large truck stopped in the middle of the road. In front of the truck, we saw this grizzly bear, his fur wet from the rain and a stressed look in his eyes from the close encounter with the stopped truck. I managed to get just a couple of quick photos from within our vehicle before the bear took shelter back in the forest.
3
Forest Stream — Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
Tropical Storm Arthur landed on the east coast of Canada during our time on Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Fortunately for us, the weather made for some excellent photography opportunities. We camped very close to here and experienced torrential downpours while tenting.
Intermission
186
12 differences between a normal friend and a Spanish friend
by Ana Bulnes
2
Forget New England: Fall foliage in New Brunswick, Canada
by Scott Sporleder
10 moments of travel ecstasy [pics]
by Pieter-Jan Van Schalkwyk
4
Waterfall — Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
Tropical Storm Arthur provided plenty of rain to ensure the streams and waterfalls were constantly flowing.
5
Ocean Storm — Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia
Hurricane Arthur landed on the coast of Nova Scotia while we were visiting Peggy’s Cove, a small lighthouse town that had been evacuated prior to our arrival.
6
Northern Lights Reflection — Loon Lake, Saskatchewan
Canadians love to camp, and during the cold winter months, every so often the weather cooperates and the skies open up to display the Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights, while not very rare, are a phenomenon that Canadians do not take for granted. Day and night, the Saskatchewan province is beautiful, and with little light pollution in Northern Saskatchewan, the aurora is often visible.
7
Red Barn — Meota, Saskatchewan
There is no shortage of old homes and barns to photograph throughout Canada, and each seem to have their own story to tell through their battered wood and faded paint.
8
Larch Valley — Banff, Alberta
Every year around mid-to-late September, the alpine larch tree needles turn a golden yellow colour. The process of the larch trees turning to gold and their needles falling off lasts just a few short weeks each fall.
9
Northern Lights and Milky Way — Loon Lake, Saskatchewan
Due to the orientation of the earth as it circles the sun, the Milky Way is not visible to Canadians for much of the year. The best chance to view the Milky Way comes during the months of May through August, which corresponds with longer daylight hours.
Intermission
135
The 22 craziest party hostels around the world
by Matt Kepnes
7
Back to nature: 13 of the world’s richest national parks
by David DeFranza
13 photos of people living life to the fullest
by Ben Adkison
10
Sentinel Pass — Banff, Alberta
In Larch Valley there’s a hiking path heading toward Sentinel Pass, home of Ten Peaks — the mountains that were displayed on the Canadian $20 bill for many years. These are also the same peaks that are often shown framing the turquoise water of Moraine Lake.
11
Stutfield Glacier — Columbia Icefields, Alberta
Located in the northern part of the Columbia Icefield, Stutfield glacier can be admired from a convenient roadside pull out. Just a few miles south, people are able to walk on the Athabasca Glacier.
12
Rocky Mountains — Alberta
Like most locations in the Canadian wilderness, clouds and rain often surround the mountains peaks. I never do get sick of the amazing Rocky Mountain scenery in Canada, and consider myself fortunate to live so close to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.
My experience as a black traveler
Photo: gtpete63
The first time I went to China, I was stared at with no shame. People enjoying a bowl of soup would put down the bowl and simply gawk. There was even a time when an elderly woman came up to me and rubbed the brown skin on my hand. My translator told me that the lady once “read” about black people in books but never actually saw a black person in real life. Her rubbing my hand was to ensure that I was, in fact, real.
Surprisingly, I was not mortified or offended. I understood the cultural context. Much of the outside world was cut off from China until the late 1970s, so many people growing up during this time had never been exposed to foreigners.
While the encounter with the elderly woman was the most extreme case, people stopping and staring at a young black traveler is not uncommon. Here are three suggestions that will make your “traveling while black” experience more comfortable:
1. Be open
Let’s be honest, the majority of the non-Western world does not see a large group of young, black travelers on a regular basis. Seeing young white travelers backpacking is rather common — we, unfortunately, are not. Keeping that in mind, be open to the possibility that you may be the first black person an individual has ever seen. Typically, the stares and gawking is out of sheer curiosity and not meant to be offensive and rude.
2. Do your research
Before traveling anywhere do research on the culture. Learn what different hand signals and gestures signify. Look into social norms, and current events. This will help you gauge how to interact with locals. Unlike in the United States, in China, it is not considered rude to stare. To mitigate this, I would smile and say hello in the native language. With that, I would either make a new friend or the staring would cease.
3. Reach one, teach one
Do not allow what outsiders see in music videos and pop culture to define the perception of young black travelers. Be willing to share your culture with others. There is much to learn from everyone and everywhere we go. I remember being called a “nigger” by a Kenyan man while in Nairobi as if it were a term of endearment. His perception of the word was from American rap music; my perception was very different. Over a beer and burger, I politely explained the true meaning and impact of the word in my society.
This article originally appeared on Rachel Travels and is republished here with permission.
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