Costa Rica’s Four-Star Locals
November 23, 2008 | Written by Darby Bailey
There are certain things I get when I take advantage of local travel outriggers vs. large corporate hotel chains. On my solo trip to Costa Rica I wanted a taste of both. I visited Playa Hermosa first, and my local guide and surf coach Gaby took me places I’m sure I never would have gone had I stayed at a large hotel chain.
The first experience was going with Gaby on a river hike, where we ducked spider webs and... [Read more]
The Iguana Lodge in Costa Rica (video podcast)
November 17, 2008 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Today is Costa Rica and seeing all the zoo animals I could fit into my camera’s viewfinder. I also had a moment between horseback rides, beach combing and releasing turtles into the the sea with Lauren of the Iguana Lodge in the Osa Peninsula 15 minutes outside of Puerto Jimenez in Costa Rica. She points out some of the highlights of the locale, lodge and surrounding area — which I loved.
If in Costa... [Read more]
The Rain in Costa Rica
October 22, 2008 | Written by Devin Galaudet
The rain came down in torrents that I want to describe as mythical, but I will just call it buckets. Lightning flashed and for a few moments the jungle wildlife hushed under the will of Mother Nature.
I was again stranded in the rain in Costa Rica, this time on horseback. “Chocolate,” my trusty steed spoke no English so all my “Giddyups” and “Would you freaking move” fell upon... [Read more]
When Staying in the Rain Forest 101
October 9, 2008 | Written by Devin Galaudet
There is a romantic notion when considering staying in the rain forests, communing with nature, frolicking in the foliage, sweet and charming animals that purr and pose for your camera. It is all so simple and charming, just like out of a Disney movie. In fact, when I first saw the room I would be staying in I thought, as I looked out an untouched, unvarnished jungle reality, This is a place to make a baby. To create life... [Read more]
Whistling in the Dark, Lost in Costa Rica
October 8, 2008 | Written by Devin Galaudet
How did I get here, I walked down a lonely, rainy hill toward my room — a place so far removed from anything that I could be scarcely be missed if I were to be swallowed by the night. I whistled the whole way to my room. I also wondered, how did I get so far from civilization?
First I left San Jose, Costa Rica, on one of those 20-seat, puddle jumpers with propellors. Then, I landed in Drake’s Bay before... [Read more]
Far Flung Costa Rica
October 5, 2008 | Written by Devin Galaudet
It started with a flight out of San Jose, Costa Rica in the morning. The hour long 20-seat puddle jump landed in Drake Bay on a crusty and humid runway before landing in Golfito. Then it was a 20-minute, high-speed boat ride to Puerto Jiminez and another fifteen minutes from the dock to the hotel agent and then an unpaved jeep ride to an eco-lodge in the middle of nowhere, Costa Rica.
In the morning, I was greeted... [Read more]
Catching a Break in El Salvador
October 1, 2008 | Written by Allison Neves
Known as one of the world’s surfing Meccas, La Libertad is a small, uncrowded village located on the Pacific Ocean approximately 30 minutes west of El Salvador’s capital San Salvador. I was in the country last May visiting family when my husband and I had the opportunity to stay at a cool, new beachside hotel. We are always looking for interesting accommodations off the beaten track and, being avid travellers, we are... [Read more]
Solo She-Surfer, Costa Rica
June 19, 2008 | Written by Darby Bailey
I have a list of things I want to do before I die, and learning how to surf is one of them. So I searched the web for surf camps anywhere in the world. From the uber swanky to a relaxed experience, I decided on a combination with Waves Costa Rica.
After years of traveling with a spouse, I became comfortable traveling anywhere. However, this changed when it came time to travel alone. I’m a woman. I had worries... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt12
June 9, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 12 – Though only 90 miles from San Jose, the van ride back takes 4 hours, once again on winding, steep, narrow highways. We check back into Hotel Le Bergerac for a final evening in San Jose, for tomorrow we all have early flights home. Our hotel boasts some of the finest French cuisine in town so we enjoy the quiet ambience of their charming restaurant for dinner. We are not disappointed and order... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt11
June 7, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 11 – The $10.00 entrance fee paid, we enter Manuel Antonio Park when it opens at 7:30 am, selecting a trail that leads toward the ocean, winding through dense jungle where we admire white face and squirrel monkeys, lizards, a coati (a raccoon-like mammal), a mother and baby sloth. Tour groups with their guides gather at Playa Manuel Antonio for a break and we watch as two middle aged couples frolic... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt10
June 6, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 10 – We discover that the national park is closed on Mondays so my husband and I decide to hike the private reserve located immediately north of our hotel, paying the $2.00 entrance fee to the desk clerk. The 45 minute climb through the rainforest rewards us with a view overlooking Manuel Antonio Park and the beaches below. At 9:00 am, the air is already warm and humid as we begin the descent, following... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt9
June 5, 2008 | Written by CindyM
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... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt8
June 4, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 8 – Today we board a small bus to join about a dozen others on a snorkel trip to Cano Island We pass through the town of Sierpa and see the biggest “mystery of Costa Rica,” large round stone spheres weighing several thousands of pounds found on Isla de Cano, seven of which have been relocated to the area. The mysterious, ancient stones were removed by the United Fruit Company when it farmed the area with cacao... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt7
June 3, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 7 – Our driver halts the cab in the road to point out one of Costa Rica’s famed giant blue butterflies, sailing gently overhead before it disappears into the rainforest. At Hacienda Baru, our guides Juan and Juan Carlos, harness us into the gear for zipping through the canopy forest and we hike with 6 others to the first platform, passing a sloth and a toucan on the way. Once again we realize we... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt6
June 2, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 6
– The best time to spot wildlife is early in the morning so we eagerly set off at 7:00 am, this time on horseback, with our guide, Raul, who speaks no English but knows the steep trail up Cerro de la Muerte, Mountain of Death! The ½... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt5
June 1, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 5 –We set off early in the cool morning wearing fleece and are quickly rewarded with our first sighting, the acorn woodpecker, peeking out of a telephone pole. Merinos, our guide, leads us to a wild avocado tree, sets up his scope, and assures us that the quetzal, a bird with bright red and green feathers, will appear. Sure enough, he spots a female and excitedly calls, “Cindy, Cindy, come see!” as he gestures... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt4
May 31, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 4 –Another hair-raising drive up and around Turrialba Volcano, its peak invisible in the clouds, brings us to a valley overlooking Cartago, the original capital of Costa Rica until 1823. Having suffered from two devastating earthquakes in 1841 and 1910, the town once again bustles with traffic, tourists, and a large local market which we pass. The road continues upward with more winding curves where... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt3
May 30, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 3 – Guayabo Lodge is set high on the edge of Turrialba volcano, shrouded in clouds during our two day stay. Viewed from our balcony, the early morning sun spreads pink and orange shafts of light through the clouds, illuminating the manicured gardens of the lodge; little blinking lights of houses in the valley below, and cows grazing on the rolling hills, all framed with the misty mountains. Over a... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt2
May 29, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 2 – Heading for the Pacuare River, Exploradores Outdoors van traverses mountainous, winding roads to reach our whitewater rafting destination. Our guide, David, explains safety precautions when rafting this class III/IV river during the 18 mile trip, a 41/2 hour ride. Susan and I are nervous, unlike most of the others who look to be half our age, and we are relieved that the head honcho, David, will be our own personal... [Read more]
Exploring Costa Rica in 12 Days pt1
May 28, 2008 | Written by CindyM
Day 1 - My husband John and I, grateful to leave two feet of snow behind in Michigan, sip thick, dark Costa Rican coffee with our good friends, Susan and John Campbell from Scotland at Hotel Le Bergerac in San Jose. The outside enclosed patio surrounds us with lush foliage, hibiscus, orchids, and azaleas as we feast on fresh tropical fruit juice, omelets, crescent rolls, and gallo pinto, a Costa Rican dish... [Read more]
A Little Costa Rica
May 14, 2008 | Written by Wayfarer Digital
Eileen has a few minutes with Evelyn Figueroa Arroyo of the Costa Rica Tourist Board. Take a moment, sit back and relax — and check out the great pictures.
As with all of our videos Quicktime 7.0 or better is required to see our great videos in all of there luster. However, we have now added a new feature on ITKT’s home page to allow viewing for everybody else. Look in the upper right-hand corner for... [Read more]
More than Panama Hats (video podcast)
March 16, 2008 | Written by Wayfarer Digital
Finally, something on Panama on ITKT. I can’t believe those folks were so hard to find! Okay, maybe not that hard to find. I met up with Octavio at the Los Angeles Times Adventure in Travel Show and got an education about some of the highlights that Panama offers, beyond the hats.
Like all our videos quicktime 7.0 or better is required for viewing. This video... [Read more]
Paradise, the Belize Barrier Reef
October 27, 2007 | Written by Amanda Southall
“Welcome to paradise, mon!” Our snorkel guide, Abdiel, flashed a bright smile as he slowed his boat to meet us. Just ahead, waves from the Caribbean Sea were breaking off the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-longest barrier reef in the world. The water was a surreal shade of blue, the color of refreshment crystallized by the summer sun. He was right, it was paradise.
The boat rocked gently as we put on our... [Read more]
Nicaragua en Español (video podcast)
July 13, 2007 | Written by Wayfarer Digital
Bienvenidos a nuestra nueva seccion de In The Know Traveler, titulada In The Know Español. En este video nuestra intrepida periodista Maryl Celiz y el equipo de ITKT tuvieron la oportunidad de platicar con Ana Azalea Zavala sobre Nicaragua y todo lo que este pais tiene para ofrecer. Estas entrevistas son parte de una serie que se grabo en el Long Beach Convention Center... [Read more]
Sharks, Sea Turtles, and Sunburns
May 9, 2007 | Written by Thembeka
I rode in a small motorized boat, trying to take in everything that surrounded me. Occasionally an old man rowed by in a tiny wooden canoe big enough for only himself. We slowed each time we passed one of these men so they would not get caught in our waves. Water lilies grew everywhere – along the edge of the river and all around us. Other plants grew too, plants I did not recognize. We turned down a tiny side river that... [Read more]
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