Headin' out. Next stop: Costa Rica.
9 de maio, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Tortuguero National Park: Day 1
10 de maio, 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 de maio, 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 natureLeia mais
Cacao Plantation @ Tirimbina Rainforest
12 de maio, 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 seedLeia mais
River Safari, local farm
13 de maio, 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 familyLeia mais
Leaving Tilajari
14 de maio, 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 ourLeia mais
Hanging Bridges of Arenal
14 de maio, 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 de maio, 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 de maio, 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 de maio, 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 theLeia mais
Janine WestlundNo, it's actually considered the tropical lowland. Amazing, no?
Zarcero, Coffee & Sarchi
17 de maio, 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.
-- ParqueLeia mais
Manuel Antonio Park
18 de maio, 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 de maio, 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 de maio, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Wow, we lucked out w/ an unexpectedly large room upgrade. The views are amazing!
Hiking in Hacienda la Chimba
21 de maio, 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 anLeia mais
Day tour beyond San Jose
22 de maio, 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),Leia mais
Best seats w/o a ticket
22 de maio, 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 watchLeia mais
Costa Rica: Phase II
23 de maio, 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 de maio, 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 viaLeia mais
Surfing and long beach walk
25 de maio, 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 fewLeia mais
Playa Ventanas Caves
26 de maio, Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 81 °F
Good morning Uvita
27 de maio, Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Our lodging
27 de maio, Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
Vista Ballena ('whale tail view') in Uvita
Cascada Waterfalls
27 de maio, Costa Rica ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Nice little hike to a few (wet) areas of Cascada.
Poza Azul Waterfall
27 de maio, Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 82 °F
After lunch we visited another little falls area & were entertained by our guide's business partner.