La Fortuna and others

Waze was pretty reliable, but cellular service gave out when we were trying to find Arenal Rustic Lodge. We found a spot with service we called the host in our tangled Spanish, and he ended up driving out to escort us to the property that was located down a narrow pathway. He later surprised us by insisting for payment in American cash dollars. Hard to argue when your Spanish isn't great and their English isn't either. However, the jungle cabin was very clean with a balcony overlooking the jungle. Fireflies at twilight! Breakfast of gallo pinto and delicious coffee in the morning, prepared in an open kitchen and served on a common terrace. Colourful birds and tropical plants in the garden.

Our first day in La Fortuna we spent trying to get cash to pay the host and activate our SIM cards. A fellow traveller we met on the street came with us into the bank to help translate and get us set up so we could withdraw funds at ATMs. Luckily our paths crossed with this kind bilingual stranger, as the tellers' English was just marginally better than our Spanish.

A delicious meal in La Fortuna

The second day we went for a chocolate*coffee*sugar cane tour at North Fields. Very knowledgable staff explained the growing and harvesting process as our small group hiked through the property. There were delectable tastings, too.

Afterward in the town square we spoke with Felix, a guide who had excellent English, and arranged to meet him the next day. We wanted to see as much as possible and listed off Arunel Volcano Park, hanging bridges, the La Fortuna Waterfall, and Rio Celeste. He suggested we start with Mirador El Silencio and Mistico/Hanging Bridges. Hiring a guide meant we were able to go at our own pace while he entertained us with his extensive knowledge about the flora and fauna as we hiked the trails and took in the natural splendours. It was a fairly clear day so we had a great view of the top of the volcano and didn't have to worry about rain. We never did make it to the waterfall or Rio Celeste, we were pretty tired out after a full day of hiking, but we enjoyed soaking in the public thermal springs while Felix watched over our belongings. I watched hummingbirds flit about overhead.

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Samara

4 nights
Sun and sand! Surf. Coastal winds and (faded) tsunami warning signs posted in the town. Horses grazing in the street. Night life on the beach filled with live music with starry skies above. Too bad we forgot to lock our trunk on one of the visits to the market - binoculars, towels, hiking shoes stolen.


Monteverde

3 nights
The road up to Monteverde was particularly hard-going, many people hire drivers for the trek. 

Deep thanks to the Quakers who settled in this area in the 1950s and began the conservation efforts to preserve the cloud-forest here. So many wonders and such diversity. Some of my favourite moments were: spotting a sleeping toucan, watching a quetzal eat an avocado, hummingbirds swarming, seeing cloud-forest orchids, spotting a pit viper, watching capuchin monkeys…. It’s a long list! We stayed in a little cabin at Los Pinos


Manuel Antonio.

3 nights
Sloth, toucan, and howler monkey photos taken in Manuel Antonio Park. This area is a little more touristy than Monteverdi/Saint Elena- okay, a LOT more - but full of pleasures. Spent one full day at the National Park and another lounging on beach chairs. Our Jungle Beach Hotel could be a monkey theme park, with a troop of howlers, a gang of squirrel monkeys & white-faced capuchins. Babies too! Watching them interact is fascinating. Could also see deer, birds and bats from the terrace. The plunge pool was great way to cool off, but a little eerie at night with the sounds of the jungle all around.


Osa

4 nights
We left our rented car at Las Vegas in Sierpe and our road trip became a boat trip to the Osa Peninsula. Motored through mangroves and then open seas, to arrive in Drake Bay right at sunset, with a full moon rising over the palms. Our cabin was close to trails and a gorgeous beach. Lots more flora and fauna to explore at Corcovado Sirena Station & on the ocean. While whale watching we found ourselves surrounded by a huge pod of spotted dolphins that weren’t at all shy of the boat. Today a flight back to San Jose on a small plane from Drake Bay & a birds-eye view of the Pacific Coast. What a road trip it’s been!

Alajuela/San Jose Airport

1 night

I managed to fit a cribbage board into my carry on luggage, and Rob and I played in the evenings to while away the time.