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Costa Rica bound!!!
- Thread starter InletBchDweller
- Start date
Costa RIca. 
... and your report IBD? What's the scoop on Costa Rica?
MIA for a while
InletBchDweller
SoWal Insider
ok I will work on the full story this week...Mr IBD has already looked at me like
"are you going to be on that computer all night" so I better wait...
"are you going to be on that computer all night" so I better wait...
InletBchDweller
SoWal Insider
OK after many people have wanted me to give my trip report from Costa Rica, here it is as much as I can remember. I have not spell checked it and my carpel tunnel is now flared up......This is not that interesting, we are not party animals by far.....
Day1--
flew out of PCB thru ATL. All was uneventful thank goodness. Arrived in Liberia, Costa Rica which is NW of San Jose and much smaller. There was a Hertz driver standing there with our name for our rental car reservation which was a relief due to the mob of taxi drivers there wanting our business. Upon getting to the Hertz office we proceeded to check in. I rented a 4 wheel drive but realized that it is not 4 wheel as we think of it but all wheel drive. We took the car anyway (much to Mr. IBD's regret) we hopped on the road and headed off to our first nights stay, PLAYA CARILLO/SAMARA. We learned that the roads were fairly easy to manuver just read the city signs as there are no road numbers...The roads to these destinations are paved with a few potholes. We were doing well in our little economy all wheel drive suv. We stop halfway in to get some beer, and other important items. The grocery store was one of my favorite places. We bought an ice chest (not styrofoam) which we later learned that it cost us $42.00.!!!!! We arrived at our hotel (?) without any trouble. Since it was the off season only one employee was there to greet us and he spoke no English, we did however get into the room. We stayed at POPO"S TREEHOUSES. These huts were on the edge of the jungle. We had very limited things in the room, fan, lamp, bed, bench, linens and that is it. Under the bedroom there was a sitting area and bathroom w/a COLD shower only.BRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! It was quite comical watching the monkeys while in the bathroom!! After settling in we drove around some more. We wanted to find a place for dinner. We drove about 15 minutes on a dirt road (highway) and came upon a wonderful rest. The food was great and very inexpensive. THe owner had relocated from California. A rainstorm (and I mean downpour) came up during dinner. We drove home during a break and slept very well in our non ac hut.
day 2
We were served a fruit/toast breakfast at the hut by a CR native. Howler Monkeys were everywhere, and chickens too!!!! the monkeys let out a howl which could scare small children. We headed out wanting to drive to Tamarillo. We decided to take the back roads, big mistake!! We got about 7 miles and came upon a flooded road. Maybe with MR. IBD's Ford F250 from home we would have crossed but not in the tiny SUV?? that we were in. We then made a judgement call, drive back to Liberia and exchange the rental car no matter what the cost. We called them and they were very helpful. After a 2 hour drive we had returned the small SUV for a REAL 4 wheel drive and a larger and more luxurious SUV. THis one had cup holders!!! (you never know what you will miss) Since I had my IPOD with the FM attachment we had good tunes, good beer, and a good car. Mr. IBD was in heaven. OK all who plan to go to Tamarindo from Liberia please take note. These roads are the worse roads I have ever seen in my life!!!! Even worse that New Orleans!!!!I have traveled many places and so has Mr. IBD when he was in the military. These were HORRIBLE!! There were people driving all over the road. It was unlike anything that i have ever seen. After having our fillings loosened up we arrived in Tamarindo. Tamarindo is a surfer/hippie/americanized town. There are hostels everywhere and people speak english almost in every store. We ate a rest. that my FROMMERS COSTA RICA guide recommended. This guide/book did not steer us wrong in any situation. After eating sea bass costa rican style we decided to head back. We were tired and glad to be back in our little hut.
Day 3
Here is where our funn began. We left the pacific coast and drove north to Lake Arenal. The drive was nice and scenic. Everything was soooooooo green and the Brama cattle looked good enough to eat!! We stopped at a small rest halfway(frommer recommendation) and had some of the best tacos and some other native food from the whole trip!! When we started driving around the lake we were in awe at the windmills. They were beautiful. I learned that the lake powered 80% of all of CR. When we got close to the volcano the terrain changed. Flowers everywhere growing wild. What I loved it that it was the same flowers that I buy to plant back home, here in their native soil. We got to the small town and found our hotel with ease. This is the only hotel that I found off of the internet that I actually stayed at. The room was $30.00 cash and was as cute as could be. It was gated, next to a church, air conditioning, hot water (i can shave now) a fridge, 2 beds---- we had it all!!!! We settled in with some CR rum, diet coke or cocacola light, and lime!!!TOOO YUMMY!!!!
We walked around the town and got some dinner. We did not have a recommended place and it was not that good. After dinner we retired in our airconditioned room and slept very well.
Day 4
The next morning we decided that we were going to go see a butterfly garden and /or rainforest. We opted to do the sky tram up into the primary rainforest.We hiked around a bit with a guide (you had to have one) and saw many intersting things. My favorite was the tarantula that we found in her home. On our way back to the volcano area we saw an artist selling his wares. We stopped and bought a wooden turtle and a wooded chicken for me (of course) After talking to him we learned that he is a very popular artist in CR. We ended up seeing his work all over the country but we were lucky to buy directly from him (and at a much cheaper price as well) I was already happy for my chicken finding and then we saw the Volcano. Everyone was stopped on the side of the road. The volcano had shown us her cone. The locals say that this does not happen very often so again we felt lucky. So we sped back to the room, changed and were off to a steakhouse that Frommers highly recommended. The rest. was soooooooooooooo good and the VIEW was incredible. We sat and ate while watching the volcano lava flow out. After filling our bellies with CR steak we drove down the road to sit and watch the volcano some more. Everyone was sitting on the edge of the road ---tourists as well as locals. After pulling our self away we headed back to our little room.
DAY 5
We checked out of our room and decided to visit the volcano natl park. We hiked about a 2 hour hike at the base of the volcano through forest and over old lava rocks. It was nice to get out by ourselves and move around. I wanted to stay all day but we had to head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. We drove back around the lake, stopped at the same rest. we stopped in on the way in and had another GREAT meal. With about 2 hours left in the trip I saw some hitchhikers on the side of the road. I had told MR. IBD that I wanted to pick up some while on the trip. We got lucky ---they were nice. They were 2 guys from Quebec that had hiked from the us/mexican border all the way down to CR and were ending there trip in Panama. After talking to them they had eaten at the same steak house while we were there the night before. (small world) I knew those dreads looked familiar!!! After getting used to the smell (lol)we had good conversation, i made them sandwiches, and we stopped and looked at coffee plants on the side of the road. Getting to Monteverde you definately need a 4 wheel drive. It was not as bad as tamarindo but the roads did get hilly. I knew as soon as I arrived that this was going to be awesome. We dropped the hitchhikers off at a cheese factory and headed off to find a room for the night. After consulting our trusty Frommers guide we found a hotel just for us. For $75 a night we got a mini suite??? It was up on a hillside with beautifully manicured gardens. We were 1/2 of a duplex. Our room had one queen, 2 futons, and a loft with a double bed. We had not only hot water but this time a tub (i can shave sitting down-girls you know what I mean). We also had a fridge, tv, and a coffee pot. No air conditioning but we really did not need it at all. It really does get cool at night. We settled in and went to town to find some dinner. We went to a rest (frommers) and had some GREAT pizza. Came back and rested for our day in the reserve.
Day 6
It was sooooooooo nice to wake up and have a coffee pot in your room. I will certainly bring one with me the next time I go. We had breakfast in the hotel which is all run by family members. We headed off to the Monteverde Cloud Forest reserve. They only let so many people in the park at one time so we did not want to be waiting. We hiked about 3 hours the first trail. It was beautiful, We stood on the continental divide, stood "in a cloud", saw the coolest bugs and foilage. I just wish I had a better camera and some photo shooting skills for close ups. When we came back to the trail head we saw our Canadian friends! They had found an empty house and since the door was unlocked they went in and slept. ( dont know how the owner would feel) We said our goodbyes and goodlucks, gave them a business card and hope that one day they will make it to SOWAL. The second trail was about an hour hike with large trees and lots of waterfalls. It was soooooo serene and no one was on this trail with us. I felt so alone and at peace with nature. I hope that everyone in their lifetime gets to experience this wonderful ecosystem. This area is protected and they are working on buying for land for preservation. After our hike we stopped at a hummingbird garded. Man the hummers were all over the place, a grey fox even stopped in to check out the humans. It was now about 3:00 and I was STARVED. We stopped at a rest. and I got a burger. Let me tell you that this was the best burger that I have ever eaten. For all you beef eaters the beef just tastes better in CR. I guess b/c the cows eat grass and things that they were meant to eat and not all the BS that they eat in other parts of the world. AFTER stuffing myself, and Mr IBD also ,we went to the room to chill. Later we went to an internet cafe, i just had to, and went shopping for souviners. Cafe Brit Coffee was my main purchase b/c i think that theirs is the best, better that Starbucks by far (opinion) later we ate dinner and crashed, tommorow we had to leave to go to Liberia, BOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!
Day 7
After having a good breakfast we started to head to liberia. While driving down the road a man stopped us. After "talking" the best we knew how it seemed that he wanted us to drive his student to the next town. She was about 18?? and was going to the college where we were dropping her off. I learned that we definately need to learn spanish before coming back. After dropping off our passenger we got on the interstate??? we were stuck behind a 18 wheeler and when Mr. IBD was trying to pass it we were pulled over. The cops here just walk out into the road and point where they want you to pull over. We explained to him that we were passing the truck, and he did not care. We told him we were going to the church in Cannes. (I think I posted photos) I dont know what happened but he did not give us a ticket. Boy was I sweating it!!!! After the church, which was very beautiful, we headed to Liberia. From reading about Liberia it seemed that this town was very quaker oriented. Unless we just missed it we did not see it. So since our flight was not until 2:00 the next afternoon we decided to head to the Pacific once again. It took us about 30 minutes, this was the road that takes you to the Four Seasons and so it was NICE. Rich americans much not like bumpy roads!!! (HAHAHAHAHA!!!) we decided to splurge and get a ocean front hotel for our last night. We got a room for $80.00 and was the most Americanized room by far. The Hotel was clean, with a pool, rest, and a bar serving happy hour. We got a cocktail, or 2 and headed to the beach for the first time. I am not a beach person, I dont care for the sand (I know dont say it) We found a gift shop?(table with a tarp over it) on the beach. I bought a few trinkets and then came one of my most favorite moments. THE CHICKENS. Mr IBD was plaing soccer w/one of the local kids. His parents and Mr. IBD starting chatting and he found out that they had chickens. They gave us permission to go in their backyard and take some photos. I was in heaven. There were about 8 chickens and 1 large rooster. They were soooo cool, I took quite a bit of shots. After all this excitement I needed another cocktail We headed back to the hotel and met some new people. These 2 guys (partners) were a riot. They were Americans that had migrated to CR to live. We drank with them for what seemed like hours. At some point we made it back to the room, glad we were not driving.
Day 8
We headed to Liberia to leave. We went to the local Home Depot and bought some duck tape. We were not going to leave our cooler and it made a great dirty clothes holder!!!! When leaviing CR you have to pay a $29 fee to get out of the country. So there were several hoops to jump through to get to the gate. The waiting area in the airport is outside under a covered area with the biggest ceiling fans I have ever seen. Our flight was good, not full and quick. We were at ATL 10 minutes earlu BUT the control tower would not assign us a gate to disembark. SOOOOOOOOOO we missed our flight to PCB. SOOOOOOOO we had to stay in ATl for the night. Delta would not pay for the room since it was the controls tower fault. (GRRRRRRRRRR) so we spent $130 to stay in a crappy hotel room. Got some dinner and had a flight for the next day.
Day 9
Flew home and got on SoWal, I was having seperation anxiety!!!
Day1--
flew out of PCB thru ATL. All was uneventful thank goodness. Arrived in Liberia, Costa Rica which is NW of San Jose and much smaller. There was a Hertz driver standing there with our name for our rental car reservation which was a relief due to the mob of taxi drivers there wanting our business. Upon getting to the Hertz office we proceeded to check in. I rented a 4 wheel drive but realized that it is not 4 wheel as we think of it but all wheel drive. We took the car anyway (much to Mr. IBD's regret) we hopped on the road and headed off to our first nights stay, PLAYA CARILLO/SAMARA. We learned that the roads were fairly easy to manuver just read the city signs as there are no road numbers...The roads to these destinations are paved with a few potholes. We were doing well in our little economy all wheel drive suv. We stop halfway in to get some beer, and other important items. The grocery store was one of my favorite places. We bought an ice chest (not styrofoam) which we later learned that it cost us $42.00.!!!!! We arrived at our hotel (?) without any trouble. Since it was the off season only one employee was there to greet us and he spoke no English, we did however get into the room. We stayed at POPO"S TREEHOUSES. These huts were on the edge of the jungle. We had very limited things in the room, fan, lamp, bed, bench, linens and that is it. Under the bedroom there was a sitting area and bathroom w/a COLD shower only.BRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! It was quite comical watching the monkeys while in the bathroom!! After settling in we drove around some more. We wanted to find a place for dinner. We drove about 15 minutes on a dirt road (highway) and came upon a wonderful rest. The food was great and very inexpensive. THe owner had relocated from California. A rainstorm (and I mean downpour) came up during dinner. We drove home during a break and slept very well in our non ac hut.
day 2
We were served a fruit/toast breakfast at the hut by a CR native. Howler Monkeys were everywhere, and chickens too!!!! the monkeys let out a howl which could scare small children. We headed out wanting to drive to Tamarillo. We decided to take the back roads, big mistake!! We got about 7 miles and came upon a flooded road. Maybe with MR. IBD's Ford F250 from home we would have crossed but not in the tiny SUV?? that we were in. We then made a judgement call, drive back to Liberia and exchange the rental car no matter what the cost. We called them and they were very helpful. After a 2 hour drive we had returned the small SUV for a REAL 4 wheel drive and a larger and more luxurious SUV. THis one had cup holders!!! (you never know what you will miss) Since I had my IPOD with the FM attachment we had good tunes, good beer, and a good car. Mr. IBD was in heaven. OK all who plan to go to Tamarindo from Liberia please take note. These roads are the worse roads I have ever seen in my life!!!! Even worse that New Orleans!!!!I have traveled many places and so has Mr. IBD when he was in the military. These were HORRIBLE!! There were people driving all over the road. It was unlike anything that i have ever seen. After having our fillings loosened up we arrived in Tamarindo. Tamarindo is a surfer/hippie/americanized town. There are hostels everywhere and people speak english almost in every store. We ate a rest. that my FROMMERS COSTA RICA guide recommended. This guide/book did not steer us wrong in any situation. After eating sea bass costa rican style we decided to head back. We were tired and glad to be back in our little hut.
Day 3
Here is where our funn began. We left the pacific coast and drove north to Lake Arenal. The drive was nice and scenic. Everything was soooooooo green and the Brama cattle looked good enough to eat!! We stopped at a small rest halfway(frommer recommendation) and had some of the best tacos and some other native food from the whole trip!! When we started driving around the lake we were in awe at the windmills. They were beautiful. I learned that the lake powered 80% of all of CR. When we got close to the volcano the terrain changed. Flowers everywhere growing wild. What I loved it that it was the same flowers that I buy to plant back home, here in their native soil. We got to the small town and found our hotel with ease. This is the only hotel that I found off of the internet that I actually stayed at. The room was $30.00 cash and was as cute as could be. It was gated, next to a church, air conditioning, hot water (i can shave now) a fridge, 2 beds---- we had it all!!!! We settled in with some CR rum, diet coke or cocacola light, and lime!!!TOOO YUMMY!!!!
We walked around the town and got some dinner. We did not have a recommended place and it was not that good. After dinner we retired in our airconditioned room and slept very well.
Day 4
The next morning we decided that we were going to go see a butterfly garden and /or rainforest. We opted to do the sky tram up into the primary rainforest.We hiked around a bit with a guide (you had to have one) and saw many intersting things. My favorite was the tarantula that we found in her home. On our way back to the volcano area we saw an artist selling his wares. We stopped and bought a wooden turtle and a wooded chicken for me (of course) After talking to him we learned that he is a very popular artist in CR. We ended up seeing his work all over the country but we were lucky to buy directly from him (and at a much cheaper price as well) I was already happy for my chicken finding and then we saw the Volcano. Everyone was stopped on the side of the road. The volcano had shown us her cone. The locals say that this does not happen very often so again we felt lucky. So we sped back to the room, changed and were off to a steakhouse that Frommers highly recommended. The rest. was soooooooooooooo good and the VIEW was incredible. We sat and ate while watching the volcano lava flow out. After filling our bellies with CR steak we drove down the road to sit and watch the volcano some more. Everyone was sitting on the edge of the road ---tourists as well as locals. After pulling our self away we headed back to our little room.
DAY 5
We checked out of our room and decided to visit the volcano natl park. We hiked about a 2 hour hike at the base of the volcano through forest and over old lava rocks. It was nice to get out by ourselves and move around. I wanted to stay all day but we had to head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. We drove back around the lake, stopped at the same rest. we stopped in on the way in and had another GREAT meal. With about 2 hours left in the trip I saw some hitchhikers on the side of the road. I had told MR. IBD that I wanted to pick up some while on the trip. We got lucky ---they were nice. They were 2 guys from Quebec that had hiked from the us/mexican border all the way down to CR and were ending there trip in Panama. After talking to them they had eaten at the same steak house while we were there the night before. (small world) I knew those dreads looked familiar!!! After getting used to the smell (lol)we had good conversation, i made them sandwiches, and we stopped and looked at coffee plants on the side of the road. Getting to Monteverde you definately need a 4 wheel drive. It was not as bad as tamarindo but the roads did get hilly. I knew as soon as I arrived that this was going to be awesome. We dropped the hitchhikers off at a cheese factory and headed off to find a room for the night. After consulting our trusty Frommers guide we found a hotel just for us. For $75 a night we got a mini suite??? It was up on a hillside with beautifully manicured gardens. We were 1/2 of a duplex. Our room had one queen, 2 futons, and a loft with a double bed. We had not only hot water but this time a tub (i can shave sitting down-girls you know what I mean). We also had a fridge, tv, and a coffee pot. No air conditioning but we really did not need it at all. It really does get cool at night. We settled in and went to town to find some dinner. We went to a rest (frommers) and had some GREAT pizza. Came back and rested for our day in the reserve.
Day 6
It was sooooooooo nice to wake up and have a coffee pot in your room. I will certainly bring one with me the next time I go. We had breakfast in the hotel which is all run by family members. We headed off to the Monteverde Cloud Forest reserve. They only let so many people in the park at one time so we did not want to be waiting. We hiked about 3 hours the first trail. It was beautiful, We stood on the continental divide, stood "in a cloud", saw the coolest bugs and foilage. I just wish I had a better camera and some photo shooting skills for close ups. When we came back to the trail head we saw our Canadian friends! They had found an empty house and since the door was unlocked they went in and slept. ( dont know how the owner would feel) We said our goodbyes and goodlucks, gave them a business card and hope that one day they will make it to SOWAL. The second trail was about an hour hike with large trees and lots of waterfalls. It was soooooo serene and no one was on this trail with us. I felt so alone and at peace with nature. I hope that everyone in their lifetime gets to experience this wonderful ecosystem. This area is protected and they are working on buying for land for preservation. After our hike we stopped at a hummingbird garded. Man the hummers were all over the place, a grey fox even stopped in to check out the humans. It was now about 3:00 and I was STARVED. We stopped at a rest. and I got a burger. Let me tell you that this was the best burger that I have ever eaten. For all you beef eaters the beef just tastes better in CR. I guess b/c the cows eat grass and things that they were meant to eat and not all the BS that they eat in other parts of the world. AFTER stuffing myself, and Mr IBD also ,we went to the room to chill. Later we went to an internet cafe, i just had to, and went shopping for souviners. Cafe Brit Coffee was my main purchase b/c i think that theirs is the best, better that Starbucks by far (opinion) later we ate dinner and crashed, tommorow we had to leave to go to Liberia, BOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!
Day 7
After having a good breakfast we started to head to liberia. While driving down the road a man stopped us. After "talking" the best we knew how it seemed that he wanted us to drive his student to the next town. She was about 18?? and was going to the college where we were dropping her off. I learned that we definately need to learn spanish before coming back. After dropping off our passenger we got on the interstate??? we were stuck behind a 18 wheeler and when Mr. IBD was trying to pass it we were pulled over. The cops here just walk out into the road and point where they want you to pull over. We explained to him that we were passing the truck, and he did not care. We told him we were going to the church in Cannes. (I think I posted photos) I dont know what happened but he did not give us a ticket. Boy was I sweating it!!!! After the church, which was very beautiful, we headed to Liberia. From reading about Liberia it seemed that this town was very quaker oriented. Unless we just missed it we did not see it. So since our flight was not until 2:00 the next afternoon we decided to head to the Pacific once again. It took us about 30 minutes, this was the road that takes you to the Four Seasons and so it was NICE. Rich americans much not like bumpy roads!!! (HAHAHAHAHA!!!) we decided to splurge and get a ocean front hotel for our last night. We got a room for $80.00 and was the most Americanized room by far. The Hotel was clean, with a pool, rest, and a bar serving happy hour. We got a cocktail, or 2 and headed to the beach for the first time. I am not a beach person, I dont care for the sand (I know dont say it) We found a gift shop?(table with a tarp over it) on the beach. I bought a few trinkets and then came one of my most favorite moments. THE CHICKENS. Mr IBD was plaing soccer w/one of the local kids. His parents and Mr. IBD starting chatting and he found out that they had chickens. They gave us permission to go in their backyard and take some photos. I was in heaven. There were about 8 chickens and 1 large rooster. They were soooo cool, I took quite a bit of shots. After all this excitement I needed another cocktail We headed back to the hotel and met some new people. These 2 guys (partners) were a riot. They were Americans that had migrated to CR to live. We drank with them for what seemed like hours. At some point we made it back to the room, glad we were not driving.
Day 8
We headed to Liberia to leave. We went to the local Home Depot and bought some duck tape. We were not going to leave our cooler and it made a great dirty clothes holder!!!! When leaviing CR you have to pay a $29 fee to get out of the country. So there were several hoops to jump through to get to the gate. The waiting area in the airport is outside under a covered area with the biggest ceiling fans I have ever seen. Our flight was good, not full and quick. We were at ATL 10 minutes earlu BUT the control tower would not assign us a gate to disembark. SOOOOOOOOOO we missed our flight to PCB. SOOOOOOOO we had to stay in ATl for the night. Delta would not pay for the room since it was the controls tower fault. (GRRRRRRRRRR) so we spent $130 to stay in a crappy hotel room. Got some dinner and had a flight for the next day.
Day 9
Flew home and got on SoWal, I was having seperation anxiety!!!
