This Holiday Season’s Upcoming Events in Costa Rica

• 2010 Christmas Festival: Arts and culture activities, eco-friendly product fair, gifts, Nov. 20-21 and 27-28, CENAC, Av. 3/5, Ca. 11/15,
• Lighting of Coca-Cola Christmas Tree: With cultural shows, Nov. 28, 6 p.m., opposite National Gymnasium, southeast La Sabana Park, San José.
• Christmas Choir Festival: Dec. 1-3, 6 p.m., Plaza de la Cultura, San José.
• Lighting of the Children’s Museum: Featuring 3,000 lights, concerts by the Colegio Metodista Choir and the University of Costa Rica Symphony Band, with fireworks, live nativity scene, Dec. 1, 6 p.m., Children’s Museum, north end of Ca. 4, 2258-4929.
• Hanukkah Menorah Lightings: Dec. 1-8, 6:30 p.m.; family program and lighting, Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m., La Sabana Park, behind León Cortes statue, 2296-6565.
• Lighting of Children’s Hospital Tree: Including cultural events, Dec. 2, 6 p.m., National Children’s Hospital, Paseo Colón, 2523-3600.
• Christmas Festival: Float parade, bands, dance, Dec. 3, 6 p.m., Miramar, Puntarenas.
• Teletón: Proceeds support the National Children’s Hospital, featuring national and international singers, bands, actors, dancers and other entertainers, Dec. 3, 9 p.m., through midnight Dec. 4, Palacio de los Deportes, Heredia, www.ayudemos.com. Donations can be made to Banco de Costa Rica account 12345-5, or by text message in amounts of ¢1,000 (dial 2030), ¢2,000 (2032), ¢5,000 (2035) or ¢9,000 (2039).
• Annual Nativity Scene Contest: Enroll by Dec. 6; award ceremony with choir recital, Dec. 18, 5 p.m., José Figueres Ferrer Cultural Center, San Ramón, Alajuela, 2447-2381, ccehjff@ice.co.cr.
• Arte Hoy International Art Fair: With approximately 150 national and international artists, Dec. 8-12, Avenida Escazú shopping mall, Escazú.
• Embrujarte Art Fair: With approximately 200 artists, Dec. 8-13, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., soccer field, San Rafael de Escazú, 2280-9121, 8383-3518.
• Christmas Fair: Workshops, gift fair, Dec. 9, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Crowne Plaza Hotel Corobicí, 2291-8831, navidad @aportasolutions.com.
• Festival of Lights: Companies and organizations compete to construct the most elaborate illuminated floats in a parade with band music, Dec. 11, 6 p.m., from National Gymnasium, La Sabana Park, along Paseo Colón and Av. 2, San José.
• Christmas Concert by National Youth Symphony Orchestra: Dec. 17-18, 7:30 p.m., Melico Salazar Theater.
• Zapote Traditional Fair: Rides, food, games, concerts, bullfights, Dec. 25-Jan. 3, Zapote.
• Tope Horse Parade: Dec. 26, 1 p.m., Paseo Colón, San José.

Absolute Luxury in Manuel Antonio

When you first see the Punto de Vista villa in Manuel Antonio, on the central Pacific coast, it is immediately apparent that you won’ be staying in another tourist destination. You will be a guest in a work of art.

As you near the open-air lounge and dining area on the 4th floor of the villa’s west wing you see a panorama of the sequined water of Manuel Antonio’s crescent bay, whitecaps dotting the surf and inexplicable rock formations rising from the ocean.

There is no column supporting the ceiling, there are no walls enclosing you, and only the glass guardrail keeps you from walking right off the edge. Though you are underneath a 5th floor and completely shielded from all weather, you feel a bit disoriented.

This magnificent villa in Manuel Antonio goes beyond being a hotel; it is a non-traditional combination of design and physics. And a definite must see.

Punto de Vista was designed for events, large gatherings and, in particular, for weddings. The villa sleeps up to 27 people.