Costa Rica: Pura Vida!!!

 I am not going to lie, but the fact that the pandemic had the entire world on hold for quite some time was a bit overwhelming, and annoying. Unfortunately, with the new Delta variant, it is still causing that apprehension and annoyance. Even though we're fully vaccinated, this new variant has been on our radar since the summer, and it has unleashed its fury on the unvaccinated population. We debated on what to do, other than follow protocols as suggested, and even considered, for a split second, to cancel our trip. I am so glad we didn't. 

I'll start with the negatives about our trip, first. 

The worst: airports. They're gross in general and overpacked with too many people. Cancelled and delayed flights were the main annoyance for many travelling. I felt like I should've double masked, in some instances, but it is what it is. Thank God for Red-Eye flights and sleeping the duration of the flight anyhow. 

So, if you're reading this, I highly suggest avoiding, at all costs, flying out of, or into, Dallas Ft. Worth. I hate that airport and twice it has been a thorn in our sides, in our history of flying there. On our return flight, we had a significant delay and, luckily, our flight was NOT cancelled. The line to reach customer service to rebook or change a flight due to the numerous cancellations and delays that day was just insane. It wrapped significantly down a large corridor of Terminal D. It was insane. Traveling days are exhausting and Brad and I tried to avoid the crowds the best we could, by isolating ourselves. But that layover in Dallas was excruciating. I still think there has to be a better way to handle luggage transfers there, also, from international flights. I'm fine with going through customs and immigration. What I think is stupid is having to personally get our bags from the baggage claim carousel to transfer them to the next "transfer" carousel for our connecting domestic flight. Then, because of the size of DFW, racing to the Skyline Tram and zipping to reach a connecting flight is ridiculous. Just saying. 

View of Costa Rica prior to landing in Liberia

Brad was exhausted by the time we were able to board, but I tried remaining positive. I mean, we were traveling again, despite the general annoyances. 

But that was it. That was my only negative. The rest is all positive and honestly, as stated many times in Costa Rica, true Pura Vida!!

THE BEST: When we started researching this trip in 2019, I stumbled on this travel agency and wasn't really sure about using them, really. However,  the more we emailed back and forth, and the more information I was able to gather, the more excited I became and knew this was going to be the best trip. In fact, Pacific Trade Winds was not only great, the entire trip went without a hitch and was absolutely perfect. I dropped their hyperlink above because I recommend them to anyone looking to book a stress-free vacation. You will not regret working with them. I promise!

Arenal & La Fortuna 

The first leg of our trip we spent in and around Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna. En route, the transfer was private and we stopped at a small restaurant to stretch, take in the views, and get a bite or drink. There were also souvenirs, but we held off. This is where we first experienced cutter ants, who carry leafs back to their ant hill to help produce a fungi that they use as fertilizer and food, before discarding the leafs later. It's pretty cool. 

A yummy pineapple mango smoothie

View from our pitstop

Cutter ants

We stayed at a wonderful hotel that were basically small bungalows with a front enclosed porch and back porch with rocking chairs. The front porch faced the volcano and our back porch faced the rainforest jungle. The forest was alive with birds, insects, and howler monkeys. It was delightful. 

Brad enjoying the back porch

Hot springs view

Mineral hot springs at the hotel

Getting ready to head to the poolside bar

Rainy season

Right before a huge storm rolled in

Enjoying a cocktail, or two, at the swim up bar

My drink of choice: coco loco

A hummingbird was trapped in the hotel lobby. She got out, though

Great Kiskadee

This dinner was so good. Going to try to make this at home!

Iguana at the hot springs

A curassow

Upper mineral spa

Red Breasted Black Bird

Giant Toad or Cane Toad

Wine and Beer Time!

Evening visitors at dinner: a cat brigade 

We spent several days exploring Arenal, with two excursions through PTW already booked and took an Uber in La Fortuna to the waterfall and to explore downtown. We ended up doing the Sloth Watching Trail on our own, and the naturalist was extremely informative and helped us see around 5 sloths in the trees, as well as other insects, lizards, and such.

Our naturalist and guide took this picture through his binoculars with my phone. So cool!

Poisonous Dart Frog

Blue Jean Frog or the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog

White spotted glass-wing butterfly

Toucans

Mommy and Baby Sloth

I love sloths

Parrot

So many cool lizards!

500 stairs to La Fortuna Waterfall

Near the swimming hole at the bottom by the La Fortuna Waterfall

Natural Infinite Pool

You know, a selfie. 

Howler monkey from the back of our hotel cabin

Downtown center of La Fortuna 

Walking downtown

Eating and enjoying Costa Rican Cuisine

Whitewater Rafting

One of our tours was rafting. I was super hesitant and started making all the excuses a couple days prior. Like, uh, the weather and these afternoon thunder and lightning storms couldn't be safe on the water. The water level had to be higher due to the rains, so it made for unsafe conditions. Every excuse. Even when we were actually en route and listening to our guide explain the safety instructions, I asked Brad if I could back out and he simply said, "No. You're doing this."

Well, I did. Let my face show you the rest: 

Hitting waves head on and our guide, Roger, all chill in the back

Brad checking on me as I'm holding the "Oh Shit" rope tight. 

Yeah, I was about to die. 

Brad's go-lucky face. 

Okay, it was that scary. But, our guide had 13 years of experience and was amazing. Our group worked well together as team having just met. Once we got past the Class IV waves, we were smooth sailing for a lovely trek down the river, and Roger, our guide, pointing out unique things about the natural environment. He showed us a cool sloth and a poison dart frog. Afterward, we were taken to a local coffee farm for lunch and a sugar cane demonstration. It was well worth the trek. 

I love the cats of Costa Rica

Coffee is the staple of life

Sugar Cane Shine

Aren't his colors/markings gorgeous?

Sugar Cane Demo

Cano Negro Riverboat Safari

We did one more excursion from La Fortuna, which was the riverboat safari and it was the most magical time for this lover of all things natural. The rains were really insane in the morning, so we weren't sure what the day would look like, but it turned out to be a great day all around. Our guide took us to a destination about 2 hours away, where we had to cross a really shady section of road that was washed out by the river overflowing the road. It was nuts. Our guide said he hadn't seen anything like this in the 30 years he's lived here and done these tours, so the flooding was crazy. But, the river tour was awesome. We saw all three types of monkey's: Capuchin, Spider, and Howler. We saw bats, various birds, and a crocodile. It was magical and amazing! We were extremely fortunate. 

Roadside farm stands

River water all the way up to the place where we docked

After our cruise: the water receded tremendously

Water over the roads. 

Flood planes

Roadside farm stands

Bats

Capuchin or the white face monkey or, as our guide and several others locals informed us: The Costa Rican Mafia. They're mean!

Commorant drying off

Crocodile on the shore line 

"Albino" Howler Monkey

Spider Monkey

Spider monkey

Sleepy Howler

Spider Monkey

Aracari Toucan

Rows of sugar cane, one of Costa Rica's main exports.  

Our amazing Typical Costa Rican dish cuisine: SOOO Good!

Monteverde

Our next leg of the trip was to Monteverde. We took a van to boat to van transfer on Lake Arenal. The surrounding countryside and scenery were unbelievable: Green, lush, and diverse. We enjoyed this Rainforest escape above the canopy. It was less humid and the temps and climate were similar to ours at home. The cloud forest, as they called it, were clouds that blanketed the tree tops. It was beautiful. You could hear the howler monkeys all the time. You could see lightning bugs at night. The art work and colors of this mountain town were perfect. We enjoyed exploring the forest at night, walking the canopy swinging bridges during the day, and finishing with zip lining high above the canopy in the afternoon rain. The views from the longest zip line were INCREDIBLE and breathtaking. Special place, Monteverde!

Waiting to board our water taxi

Arenal Volcano from the back side

Photo point: we stopped here to randomly take photos. It was beautiful!

At our restaurant stop

Artwork along our walk into Monteverde

Tourist shopping 

Gardens galore

Mr. Tarantula on our night tour 

View from our patio

Breakfast views

A fearless coati on the hotel property

At Selvatura: Covid Protocols were Top Notch!

Cool caterpillar on our canopy bridge tour

Our guide called this flower the "Angelina Jolie" Lips. It's really a Psychotira Elata

Gorgeous little hummingbirds!

On the longest bridge of the canopy

Cool shots

Brad's panorama shot

Catching me in my element

Ziplining!

After the longest route and the most scenic!

Only microbrews we seemed to find. 

Pizza toppings!

Two-toe sloth we found on our night tour

View above the cloud forest

Morpho butterfly 

The Continental Divide: One side is the Caribbean side and the other Pacific. 

Black stick bug

Cool fern!

Glass frog

Common rain frog 

Geophis downsi

Mr. Hummer protecting his territory. 

Lizards. 

Another two toe sloth with its baby. The baby was itching like crazy. 

Walking stick: mossy one

Cool horn beetle

Beautiful fauna!

Sleeping toucan

These spiders eat  little frogs.

Spittle bug 

Tadpole

Beach for Days: Playa Flamingo

Our final destination was Playa Flamingo, where we spent 5 glorious nights and days, lounging pool and beachside at the all inclusive resort of Margaritaville. It was the perfect end to a busy and fun adventure. We enjoyed soaking up the sun, countless walks on the beach, exploring tidepools, and a snorkeling adventure. While snorkeling out on the catamaran with Lazy Lizard Sailing  we witnessed Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins playing in the water and surfs, and a couple sea turtles trying to mate on the surface. We enjoyed excellent food and dancing with the crew and other passengers. While snorkeling off the coast by our hotel, we saw several beautiful color fish, Brad saw a sting ray and caught it on video, and we heard singing whales in the distance. It was incredible! It was perfect. We are grateful to be home, but definitely love the laid back lifestyle of Costa Rica. Pura Vida!!

Sitting beach side, soaking up the sun

Halloween Crab

Hermit crab

Morning coffee views

Beachside treasures

Our lunch visitors

And poolside visitors

Drinks under the palm trees

Late night bar visitors

Circus squirrels. 

Starfish in the tidepools

Sea urchins in the tidepools

Where we snorkeled

Sea turtles mating---but still cool!

Another lizard on the resort premises

Taking a break from swimming in the ocean 

A cool sand crab

Rainy, thunderstorm, lightning night. 

Beach selfie

When you have the whole pool to yourself practically

Comparing clean toes and lost nail polish thanks to the beating from the sand and sea

Beach sunsets are the best. The ocean is my soulmate!

Margarita glass chandelier 

Blue coral fish while snorkeling

Cool puffer fish while snorkeling!

Colorful fish 

Mr. Hermit crab

Snorkeling selfie. :) 

 

All in all it was a delightful, perfect vacation. The two weeks were well spent, and enjoyably slow. We enjoyed one another's company, the adventure's we went on, and cannot wait to go back one day with the kids to share this beautiful country with them! Until next time....Pura Vida!