Hey Ticos, want to travel? Check out these great tourism deals over the weekend

Costa Rican tourism businesses will offer Ticos and Costa Rican residents special discounts and promotions this weekend in an effort to boost national tourism.

The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) and several area chambers of commerce on Saturday and Sunday will host the first edition of “¡Vamos a Turistear!” (Let’s travel!). The fair will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Antigua Aduana facilities in downtown San José.

The fair will bring together 80 representatives of hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transporters and other tourism businesses who will offer deals on lodging, food, transportation, tours and other attractions.

The ICT also launched the “Vamos a Turistear” campaign in 2011 to attract local visitors.

Participating companies will offer discounts from 10-15 percent during high season (January, February, July, Easter Holy Week and the last two weeks of December) and from 30-50 percent during green season, which runs from March to June, and from August to the second week of December.

The Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels said that at least 80 of its 300 members are participating in the campaign.

“Vamos a turistear” also will promote deals via social media. The campaign’s Facebook page currently has more than 140,000 likes.

For more information, visit: www.vamosaturistear.com