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Costa Rica, Mountains and Beaches

By : Rock & Janis Miller
Trip Begins September 23, 2011
Trip Ends October 1, 2011

My husband and I went on a Costa Rica tour with Adventure Life this fall. We experienced first class Eco-tourism at its best - great accommodations, helpful staff, yummy local food and plenty of activities!
See my photos : Costa Rica, Mountains and Beaches

Want to go? Beaches & Rainforest

I went to: Costa Rica, San Jose, Le Bergerac Hotel, Selva Bananito, Puerto Viejo, Shawandha Lodge, Cariblue Hotel, Pacuare River
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September 23, 2011
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San Jose

Le Bergerac Hotel, San Jose

Today finds us leaving Seattle for an adventure in Costa Rica. We arrive at the San Jose airport in the evening. Standing in baggage claim, we spot our names on a sign held by a young lady from Costa Rica Reps, the agency that Adventure Life uses in Costa Rica. What a blessing not to worry about getting our own transportation to Le Bergerac where we collapse after a day of airports and airplanes. Our room is wonderful with its own little patio, flowers in bloom all around, a great bar and restaurant.

September 24, 2011
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San Jose

Le Bergerac Hotel, San Jose

Today we have the day to ourselves to regroup. This hotel is within walking distance of the city center so we head down to the open-air market which is a maze in which one can easily get lost. If you can't find it here, you don't need it. We also visit the Musea de Oro (gold) and learn about the history of this little country. Back to the hotel, great dinner, gracious staff and a quiet night's sleep.

September 25, 2011
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Selva Bananito

Selva Bananito, Costa Rica

After breakfast we are picked up by a private tourist bus and head to Selva Bananito. The ride takes us over lush mountains with steaming volcanoes to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The scenery made us wish we were stopping to check out the many little villages we passed through. On the van, I sat by a young lady who worked with the tourist bureau for Costa Rica and we talked the whole 4 hour trip about her life growing up and her job. Good thing she spoke great English! After our time on the van, we were met by an old land cruiser that bounced us up 7 miles of rocky almost trail-like road to Selva Bananito lodge and reserve. Just as soon as we arrived, upon putting our baggage in our cabin, we sat down to a typical Costa Rican lunch with another couple from Germany whom we quickly became friends with. After an hour rest, we hit the trail on horseback to see the farm and gain a quick overview of what kind of sustainable projects were taking place. The flowers were amazing - I just couldn't stop taking pictures of each new one. After getting our horse fix and sore bums, we had some much needed quiet time before dinner. At dinner, which was by candlelight (no electricity here), we met and talked with the owner of the farm, Jurgen Stein, and he shared with us his involvement in the many sustainable and green projects that are taking the forefront in Costa Rica, the same environmental issues we have in the states.

September 26, 2011
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Selva Bananito

Selva Bananito, Costa Rica

I have not told you about our accommodations here. (Pictures included) Our cabin is on stilts with one whole side that opens up to a large deck with two hammocks overlooking the forest and mountains. Two beds with mosquito nets not many bugs though. Spacious bathroom and we did have solar-powered hot water for showers. Great rooms! The night sounds with the monkeys and birds were soothing and welcome. I also have not told you about the fruit that was served with each meal. Beautifully presented, amazing flavor - I was in heaven. So today we are off on a hike through the rainforest. Since there has been a drought, we do not go to the waterfall but our guide, Gusto, was very knowledgeable about all kinds of birds, trees and anything living. During the hike we came to the canopy tour (zip-line) which zipped right to a 300 ft platform perched on a mahogany tree. I also had the option to repel down the tree from the platform but opted out of that learning experience. After our hike we enjoyed a wonderful rainy afternoon. Nothing like sitting on your balcony in your shorts reading a great book and listening to it rain. Can you believe I said that being from Seattle?

September 27, 2011
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Puerto Viejo

Shawandha Lodge, Puerto Viejo

Now it is off to the beach. After lunch a taxi picks us up and takes us to Shawandha Lodge outside of Puerto Viejo. The taxi driver was a character. We can certainly see why this is a good pick for a beach experience. Puerto Viejo reminds us of Roatan in the Bay Islands with its Caribbean culture. Schawandha is billed as a lodge in harmony with nature and that it is - bungalows set in the jungle with palm roofs and open terraces with hammocks where you can just relax. It looks like you have just landed in Bali. Our bungalow was spacious and the bathroom tile was a work of art. We walked to the beach on a trail directly from our resort and then strolled on the beach as far as we could - it was beautiful and we had it virtually to ourselves. The food here was again very good - why would we want to go anywhere else. When we got back to our bungalow after dinner, we were greeted by a friendly kitty with a bad eye who was camped out on our walkway (looking for a handout). Let's see if she sticks around.

September 28, 2011
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Puerto Viejo

Shawandha Lodge, Puerto Viejo

Today we ventured into town (most people would rent a bike or moped but we took a taxi). As this is how we operate, we were too early for the local market to be open (we are early birds) so after taking in the beach and any shops that were open, we stumbled upon "The Best Dam Coffee Co." where we started with an iced latte (I'm smiling) and progressed to a hamburger with fries and a BLT. Not that we don't love rice and beans but a change was welcome - good ole gringo food. We enjoyed the late afternoon by the pool with a good book and another great dinner. Oh - forgot to mention that our kitty is getting regular tidbits after meals. The howler monkeys are active in the evenings - how can little monkeys cause such a ruckus?

September 29, 2011
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Puerto Viejo

Shawandha Lodge, Puerto Viejo

Well, lesson learned today - take cash!! Since we are just a couple miles from the Jaguar rescue center, we decided to walk even though it was hot. We left the hotel about 8:45am for the 9:30 entry time and our cash was just short for the entrance fee so back to the hotel we went. The next tour time was 11:30am so we spent an hour cooling down and then headed back with cash. Another lesson learned - rent a bike for your time here, not that we don't like to walk but it was hot.The Jaguar Rescue Center was a highlight of our trip (for us older generation). We had close-up interaction (no touching) with baby howler monkeys, sloths, baby deer and much more. The collection of snakes that had been rescued was not to my liking but fascinating all the same and the two owls I could have watched forever. Their work at the center was very insightful. Costa Rica is very much into protecting and preserving their environment.

September 30, 2011
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Back to San Jose

San Jose, Costa Rica

Our little kitty will miss our handouts as we are headed back to San Jose. It is 8:00am and it is 82 degrees with 109% humidity. Even the locals say this is unusual. Yesterday the city actually cut off the water supply completely (before, it was 2 hours of water daily) Our hotel had a back up supply but the little businesses did not have much. Our driver picked us up at the hotel at 8:00am and was a super guide, sharing history, customs and he stopped at local wayside stops for treats. We love mammon (a red thorny fruit with a delicious center) Some call it le chi nut and we had peach palm which had been boiled 1 11/2 hours and then eaten with mayo. Very different.We went from hot and humid to rain in San Jose. That is ok, our vacation in Costa Rica is over and we are off to the Bay Islands. Next trip to Costa Rica will be the Pacific Coast. Thank you Adventure Life for a wonderful adventure.

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