The one common factor that everybody shares is that we all want to look great on our trips. In fact, not only do we want to look great, but we want to look fabulous!

The sun in Costa Rica can be brutal on your skin. I prefer to get a little shimmer and protect myself from the damaging rays. If you are going to pursue getting yourself a tan, first thing you need to do is get an early start. Preferably, in a tanning bed. This will give you a head start to your base tan so you don't burn while you're on your holiday. I speak from experience when I say...DON'T burn on your holiday. I ended up spending a day in bed on my first holiday and burned both eyelids shut. They were so burnt and swollen, I couldn't open my eyes. That was from falling asleep under the burning sun with little to no protection and NOT laying under the shade.

Next, you'll want to invest in some good ol' SPF! Use your imagination and discretion here and do yourself a favor and get the highest one you can find. I've gone as high as SPF 60...and it was a great year. My burn was minimal and my tan was great! I prefer to use the spray on...my hands stay clean and sand particles don't seem to stalk me as much. Just remember, the higher the SPF, the thicker the cream and the longer it will take to absorb. Try to stay in the shade. I can't stress this point enough...for our own comfort, find yourself a nice shaded tree, or even little grass hut with umbrella and pluck yourself down UNDERneath it! The more protection you get, the more comfortable you will be.

Read more: Protecting Your Skin From the Sun

Tips for super Tamarindo snapshots

Shooting great Tamarindo snapshots, even with that new digital camera, takes smarts and know-how. To help you make the most of your digicam on your next trip, We asked top photo gurus for their professional tips. Badly taken vacation snaps can be awfully disappointing, but good ones are a lifelong treasure.

Read more: Photography Hints