Ripe and Green Coffee Cherries When the bus from Expediciones Tropicales picked me up bright and early this morning, I was excited for the day’s full roster of activities: a coffee tour at Doka Estate, a trip to Poas Volcano, and a visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. The sky was blue and as we [...]
A Sunny Saturday at the Alajuela Farmer’s Market
Alajuela's Cathedral I took the bus into downtown Alajuela and got off near the old train station, where many buses stop before fanning out into the suburbs. It was a sunny November morning, perfect for a brisk stroll through Alajuela’s grid of narrow streets. I popped into a small bakery and gobbled down a lemon [...]
Recreation & Education at Alajuela’s Butterfly Farm
Alajuela's Butterfly Garden Trails There’s something about a butterfly that brings to mind words like “enchanting” and “ethereal” – butterflies are beautiful, and many cultures see them as more than just a colorful animal. With this in mind, Alajuela’s Butterfly Farm, the Finca de Mariposas, explores both the scientific and mythical aspects of these beautiful [...]
Medicinal Plants and Culinary Heaven at the Ark Herb Farm
Meandering Trails at Ark Herb Farm It’s always a pleasure to discover something special in your own backyard. For me, it was the Ark Herb Farm, a 25-year old estate dedicated to permaculture, culinary and medicinal plant cultivation, and botanical research and education. Located in Santa Barbara de Heredia, Ark Herb Farm grows approximately 625 [...]
Central Valley Day Trips
Exhilarating Whitewater Rafting Rapids (© Desafio Adventures) The Central Valley is one of my favorite regions in Costa Rica — the rolling hills are painted an almost impossible green and there is so much to see and do. A year ago, I decided to explore the area during a series of day trips, and the [...]
Day 7: A Beautiful Tortuguero Sunrise and Ride Home
Pink Clouds Over Tortuguero Beach This was my last day in Tortuguero and Vincent and I were getting up early to stroll the beach — we were hoping to see green turtle hatchlings and a beautiful sunrise. At 4:15, I turned off my alarm, hopped out of bed, and grabbed my camera. The beach was [...]
Day 6: Sport Fishing Success and an Exciting Canal Tour
Dawn Over Tortuguero When we met Elvin at 5:00 a.m. for this morning’s fishing excursion, he had good news and bad news. I asked for the bad first and he told me that the ocean was even rougher than it had been two days ago. A look of horror must have registered on my face [...]
Day 5: Wild for Wildlife
My Room at Mawamba After yesterday’s unseasonal rains — the Caribbean is usually dry during September and October — I was happy to awake to a sunny, beautiful morning. We ate a big breakfast, packed our bags and hopped across the canal to Mawamba Lodge, our final stop in Tortuguero. As soon as I got [...]
Day 4: Fishing and a Tortuguero Conservation Tour
Fishing Boat Wake At 6:00 a.m., Elvin picked us up for our grand Tortuguero fishing excursion. It was raining, but the cool raindrops were a welcome respite from the Caribbean humidity. I put on a heavy-duty poncho and hopped into the boat. We maneuvered out to the river mouth and, to my chagrin, found choppy [...]
Day 3: Hiking Cerro Tortuguero
Misty Cerro Tortuguero My alarm sounded at 4:45 — I don’t recommend Tortuguero as a destination for sleeping in — and I hopped out of bed, oddly alert for such an early hour. Sun rays were beginning to peek through the trees outside my room, and I could hear the roar of the surf and [...]
