Headin' out. Next stop: Costa Rica.
9. mai, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Tortuguero National Park: Day 1
10. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Early morning departure for a 2-night stay at Evergreen Lodge on the Rio Pasmina in Limón Province on the eastern (Caribbean) side of Costa Rica.
Tortuguero National Park: Day 2
11. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
Some of us began the day with a 6a morning nature walk around tge property to see what wildlife we could find in the surrounding forest.
After breakfast we all then boarded our boat for a natureLes mer
Cacao Plantation @ Tirimbina Rainforest
12. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
Last little am walkabout the Evergreen Lodge grounds, then back to the boat for the ~90 min ride back to our bus. We visited a cacao plantation where we learned the process of converting cacao seedLes mer
River Safari, local farm
13. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
Peñas Blancas River Safari: we paddled & floated down this peaceful river looking for wildlife. Along the way we visited a local finca (farm) that has been in the family for generations. The familyLes mer
Leaving Tilajari
14. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
Breakfasts here were always supplemented with beautiful birdwatching made possible by the treats places on the tree-like structures installed near the restaurant by the hotel. Capturing some of ourLes mer
Hanging Bridges of Arenal
14. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Bird's-eye views of the jungle on a guided tour of Arenal's hanging bridges.
We then checked into Hotel Lomas del Volcan where we'll stay for the next 3 nights in the shadows of Arenal Volcano.
And now, we zip.
15. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
Costa Rica is the birthplace of zip lining; so, when in Rome.....
6 zips & one 'swing' -- all a ton of fun.
Rafting on the Sarapiqui River
16. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 82 °F
Nothing too serious: Class II-III rapids (out of VI) but good enough for us & really fun. ~1.5 hrs of pure (wet) exhilaration combined with indescribably beautiful rainforest foliage.
Natural beauty
17. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
Early-morning videos taken from the patio of our room/cabin with a (faint) view of the Arenal Volcano in the background.
Just enjoying the sounds of nature.
Later in the day we admired some of theLes mer
Zarcero, Coffee & Sarchi
17. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
Zarcero is in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica. We visited 2 primary spots:
-- San Rafael Church: founded in the 18th century. We were able to view a bit of Sunday services; beautiful.
-- ParqueLes mer
Manuel Antonio Park
18. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
CUTENESS ALERT!!!
It'll be obvious when you get there...
Janine WestlundApparently the largest was in 1991 w/ 3 deaths, but the last one was in Mar 2021. I guess 'forewarned is forearmed'. Perhaps they have learned from these experiences & are trying to be prepared. Can't fault that if that's the case....
Crocodile tour
19. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F
Time to leave our lovely resort by the sea & head back to San Jose. But first we go out looking for crocs; we found them & lots more.
What a room!
20. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Wow, we lucked out w/ an unexpectedly large room upgrade. The views are amazing!
Hiking in Hacienda la Chimba
21. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F
We were supposed to be rafting today, but it seems the rains (not near here) have made the river levels too high for a safe experience. So...Plan B.
Mark found a great hiking path & it was anLes mer
Day tour beyond San Jose
22. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
We had a day tour that took us to a few farther-out sites of interest:
1) Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago: originally built in 1639, partially destroyed by an earthquake (not sure when),Les mer
Best seats w/o a ticket
22. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Our hotel was just across the street from the National Stadium of Costa Rica. Tonight there was a concert with a musical performer named 'Chayanne', apparently a Puerto Rican superstar. We could watchLes mer
Costa Rica: Phase II
23. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
Today we connected at the airport w/ our ski club (Ibex). It was an ~3hr drive to our lodging in Jaco (pron: HA co)
Tortuga Island
24. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F
We boarded a catamaran that shuttled us out to Tortuga Island, ~45 min ride.
Once there, we had a great section of lounge chairs reserved for us on the beach. A fun day of snorkeling, boating viaLes mer
Surfing and long beach walk
25. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F
Instead of joining the group on their adventure-park outing, we decided to hang back & take some surf lessons. That was fun!
After that, we wandered our way back to the hotel beachside, making a fewLes mer
Playa Ventanas Caves
26. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 81 °F
Good morning Uvita
27. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Our lodging
27. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Vista Ballena ('whale tail view') in Uvita
Cascada Waterfalls
27. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Nice little hike to a few (wet) areas of Cascada.
Poza Azul Waterfall
27. mai, Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 82 °F
After lunch we visited another little falls area & were entertained by our guide's business partner.