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]
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]
Costa Rica’s Green Travel (video podcast)
February 22, 2007 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Devin visits with Tony and Alicia of Grupo Arenal Paraiso Hotel Resort and Spa in Costa Rica to learn more about green travel in Costa Rica and what Grupo Arenal does to make it “green.” For more information about Grupo... [Read more]
The Snow Cones of Costa Rica
October 4, 2006 | Written by Devin Galaudet
While I am not much of a beach person, I find myself sitting on the beach at Manuel... [Read more]
The Pure Life, part 2
February 25, 2006 | Written by Amber Turnau
Officially known as La Fortuna de San Carlos, it is a small inland town in northern Costa Rica. Shadowed by the active volcano Arenal, the town is best known for its volcano-related tourism. However, tucked deep in its remote forests lay a hidden wonderland where the adventurous can come... [Read more]
The Pure Life in Costa Rica
February 21, 2006 | Written by Amber Turnau
If ever there were a phrase that fully captured the true essence of a people and a land, it would be “pura vida.” To the people of Costa Rica, who call themselves Ticos, “pura vida” means many things. They use the phrase in most every aspect of their speech – as a greeting, reply,... [Read more]
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