DAYS 9-10, SARAPIQUI RAIN FOREST, Jan 14-15
From La Fortuna we headed to the Sarapiqui Rain Forest. Along the way we visited a coffee plantation where we had an extensive tour and learned about all things coffee. We can tell you all about different qualities of coffee beans, which brands use the best beans, and how the beans are processed. The coffee liqueur was strong and flavorful and not being coffee drinkers we didn't try the coffee - but we love coffee flavored things like ice cream, candy...
Our hotel, Poco Azul, was in the middle of the rainforest and while we enjoyed the setting, the accommodations were aging. The rooms were tents (more like yurts) set up under a superstructure and each had its own bathroom. We had an issue with ants and just didn't feel entirely comfortable there. However, the common eating and relaxing areas were open-air and very comfortable. All meals were included here since there was nothing within a reasonable distance, and the food was simple but tasty. We all made simple empanadas stuffed with beans and cheese and then deep fried - yum!
While here, we went on a night walk with a guide and it was very cool to be walking in the jungle at night, an early morning bird walk with a very knowledgeable guide, and a river walk along the super-high raging river. Some of our group did white-water rafting - the river was running so high that they were not allowed to go in the morning, but by afternoon it had come down just enough so that they could go. They returned with an adrenaline high!
From La Fortuna we headed to the Sarapiqui Rain Forest. Along the way we visited a coffee plantation where we had an extensive tour and learned about all things coffee. We can tell you all about different qualities of coffee beans, which brands use the best beans, and how the beans are processed. The coffee liqueur was strong and flavorful and not being coffee drinkers we didn't try the coffee - but we love coffee flavored things like ice cream, candy...
Our hotel, Poco Azul, was in the middle of the rainforest and while we enjoyed the setting, the accommodations were aging. The rooms were tents (more like yurts) set up under a superstructure and each had its own bathroom. We had an issue with ants and just didn't feel entirely comfortable there. However, the common eating and relaxing areas were open-air and very comfortable. All meals were included here since there was nothing within a reasonable distance, and the food was simple but tasty. We all made simple empanadas stuffed with beans and cheese and then deep fried - yum!
While here, we went on a night walk with a guide and it was very cool to be walking in the jungle at night, an early morning bird walk with a very knowledgeable guide, and a river walk along the super-high raging river. Some of our group did white-water rafting - the river was running so high that they were not allowed to go in the morning, but by afternoon it had come down just enough so that they could go. They returned with an adrenaline high!
DAYS 11-12 TORTUGUERO, Jan 16-17
The van ride down the other side of the mountains from Sarapiqui was a road that seemed more pot-holes than road, along twisty turns. We drove through many banana plantations . Finally we arrived at a river where everyone has to take a boat to take them to Tortuguero - all the supplies as well as people need to arrive by boat, here is no land transport to this isthmus along the Caribbean. The boat ride of about an hour was along the river where we saw a few crocs, birds, and iguanas in the trees. The iguanas were able to be seen because they were huge, high up in the canopy - they turn orange during the mating season and then back to green after. Trying to impress the ladies, I guess.
The hotel (ValVerde) was lovely - nice bungalow-type rooms, the grounds were lush and full of flowering shrubs and plants. the food was the best of the trip! Seems weird to say that here I had one of the best spaghetti dishes that I'd ever had.
A water taxi would take you to the town where you could wander the one-street town of small tourist shops and restaurants or cross over to the ocean beaches. These were not swimming beaches, but I always love a good beach walk.
An early morning kayak took us paddling through the channels off the main river to see the vegetation as well as birds, caymans and iguanas.
The van ride down the other side of the mountains from Sarapiqui was a road that seemed more pot-holes than road, along twisty turns. We drove through many banana plantations . Finally we arrived at a river where everyone has to take a boat to take them to Tortuguero - all the supplies as well as people need to arrive by boat, here is no land transport to this isthmus along the Caribbean. The boat ride of about an hour was along the river where we saw a few crocs, birds, and iguanas in the trees. The iguanas were able to be seen because they were huge, high up in the canopy - they turn orange during the mating season and then back to green after. Trying to impress the ladies, I guess.
The hotel (ValVerde) was lovely - nice bungalow-type rooms, the grounds were lush and full of flowering shrubs and plants. the food was the best of the trip! Seems weird to say that here I had one of the best spaghetti dishes that I'd ever had.
A water taxi would take you to the town where you could wander the one-street town of small tourist shops and restaurants or cross over to the ocean beaches. These were not swimming beaches, but I always love a good beach walk.
An early morning kayak took us paddling through the channels off the main river to see the vegetation as well as birds, caymans and iguanas.
DAYS 13-14 PUERTO VIEJO de TALAMANCA, Jan 18-19
OK, think of the busiest beach town that you know and then multiply it by 10! This was a happening place with people, shops, restaurants, and of course, beaches! It was also a weekend with beautiful weather and the school year had not re-started yet so there were many Costa Rican families as well as tourists around. Our brightly colored hotel (Guarana Cabinas) had a common kitchen for our use and was very near a grocery store so we had a couple of eat-in breakfasts.
The Caribbean beaches are gorgeous! Some of them were mega-crowded with families, boom boxes, picnics, and every kind of person. However, it was pretty easy to find far less crowded spots. Our group rented bikes and biked out to some of the beaches further from the town - it wasn't the best riding as it was on roads with very little shoulder. A group dinner at a local restaurant was lovely.
While trying to find Finca La Isla Botanical Gardens (which we never got to) we came upon a sloth on moving slowly on the ground! This is an unusual occurrence as they live most all of their lives in the trees and only come down once a week to poop - so this guy was either on his poop-day or maybe changing trees??
OK, think of the busiest beach town that you know and then multiply it by 10! This was a happening place with people, shops, restaurants, and of course, beaches! It was also a weekend with beautiful weather and the school year had not re-started yet so there were many Costa Rican families as well as tourists around. Our brightly colored hotel (Guarana Cabinas) had a common kitchen for our use and was very near a grocery store so we had a couple of eat-in breakfasts.
The Caribbean beaches are gorgeous! Some of them were mega-crowded with families, boom boxes, picnics, and every kind of person. However, it was pretty easy to find far less crowded spots. Our group rented bikes and biked out to some of the beaches further from the town - it wasn't the best riding as it was on roads with very little shoulder. A group dinner at a local restaurant was lovely.
While trying to find Finca La Isla Botanical Gardens (which we never got to) we came upon a sloth on moving slowly on the ground! This is an unusual occurrence as they live most all of their lives in the trees and only come down once a week to poop - so this guy was either on his poop-day or maybe changing trees??
DAYS 15-16 SAN JOSE, Jan 20-21
It was a long drive over the mountains and back to the Urban Green hotel in San Jose. Our group met for one last group dinner (at a great Vietnamese restaurant) and to share the highlights of our trip. Everyone had different experiences but all agreed that the tour leader was excellent and all enjoyed the trip. PURA VIDA!
Then, the next day was a short wander around San Jose, a long wait at the airport and back to the US to spend a couple of days on Long Island before returning home to snowy Vermont.
Then, the next day was a short wander around San Jose, a long wait at the airport and back to the US to spend a couple of days on Long Island before returning home to snowy Vermont.
