Day 9 – Located further north on the coast near the town of Quepos, Manuel Antonio National Park is our next destination. Boasting golden beaches and many short hiking trails, the park is renowned for its teeming wildlife. Unfortunately the heavily traveled road from Dominical to Quepos is not paved! The ruts, rocks, potholes, and dust stirred up by big trucks for nearly 50 kilometers are a challenge to our driver, who takes nearly two hours to reach Hotel Playa Espadilla, our home for the next three days. The accommodations, just two blocks from the ocean and park entrance, are clean with welcome air conditioning, TV, and plenty of hot water. A crystal clear pool with a swim-up bar and an open air restaurant look promising
Checking into our rooms, we are stopped by a loud crashing noise coming from the trees above. Suddenly an 18 inch iguana drops to the ground from a lower branch, looks startled, and then flees into the jungle brush. Three white faced monkeys appear, one swings to another branch. Crash! Another lizard drops! The monkeys and the iguanas are engaged in a battle, dropping leaves on the ground as they scramble for position. We are warned by the staff not to leave anything unattended like a purse, backpack, or camera bag. The monkeys are known to snatch a bag, carry it off to a tree top and examine it for food while the poor tourist cries below, wailing when the bag is finally dropped several feet.
Exploring the area on foot, we determine that there are several reasonably priced restaurants nearby and settle on Marlins overlooking the main road across from Playa Espadilla beach. The dinner entrée of whole fried red snapper and fries is delicious with accompanying pico de gallo, guacamole, and coconut flan for dessert.
Adventure Life took care of everything! All we had to do was show up when we were supposed to, which made our first trip to Costa Rica largely stress-free and incredibly fun. Our trip reps, Hannah and Mariethony, were helpful and responsive, getting back to us by email usually within a few hours. Our accommodations were all great, and we got incredibly blessed with some absolutely stellar guides and drivers.
Our Jungle & Beach trip was an excellent balance of adventure and rest. We got to try out a lot of different activities, including snorkeling, hiking, white water rafting and kayaking, while also partaking of some rest around the pool or by the ocean. We enjoyed seeing and exploring the beautiful Caribbean side of the country.
Joy Knowles
1 week ago
The company made our adventure trip hassle-free, and a lot of fun! I will definitely be using them again
Carolena F
1 month ago
For our first trip to Costa Rica, Adventure Life designed a tour that meets the interests, ecological and adventure, of our party; but also takes into account our physical limitations sine we are all septuagenarian. We are looking forward to the trip.
John Zent
1 month ago
COSTA RICA a trip of a life time travelling round this beautiful country. All went like clockwork even when the weather was against us and all transfers seemed to be part of the holiday not a chore. Would definitely use Adventure Life again having previously used them 20 years ago!!
Cynthia Calton
1 month ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.