Adventures in Costa Rica
The Seekins will share their photos and experiences with you. Their trip started and ended in San Jose, the country’s capital and largest city, with its gold, jade and historical museums, colorful markets,
beautiful churches, and the outstanding National Theater. A tour took them to Tortugero National Park on the Caribbean coast, where they saw hatching turtles cross the beach to get to the sea. They took wildlife boat tours through the park’s mangroves.
No visit to Costa Rica is complete without visiting a volcano. Ladd and Gail visited three. They drove to the tops of Volcán Poas and Volcán Irazú. The view of the crater is just a short walk from the highway. They had a hike in the dry forest below Volcán Arenal, which was venting ash clouds from the top. Near Arenal is the town of La Fortuna, known for its thermal waters. The Seekins visited two hot springs.
They made their way to Santa Elena, a top tourist destination. It’s just down the road from the fabulous cloud forest in Monteverde National Park. They took day and night guided wildlife tours, hiked in the park, and rode with one of the many zip line canopy tours. They chose one of the original outfits, which has 18 cables totaling three kilometers. One cable was a full kilometer long and flew hundreds of feet above the valley.
The Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific is famous for surfing and nightlife. The Seekins chose instead the quiet beach town of Sámara. It was a great place to walk on the beach and relax. La Mansion, their bed and breakfast, is owned by an American lady whose grandchildren will perform this summer in the Redlands Bowl as the group Celtic Spring. The Seekins stayed at six different hotels or hostels in the country. Three were owned by Americans.
Out of Quepos, the Seekins visited Mauel Antonio National Park, where they had a guided wildlife tour, did an extensive hike, and swam at the popular park beach. They also took a guided kayak tour through the mangroves.
Ladd and Gail spent several days in Cartago, the country’s original capital. It was partially destroyed by an eruption of Volcán Irazú in 1732. Its “ruins” are actually a cathedral that was never finished. The expansive Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, which draws 2-1/2 million pilgrims every August 2, was just across the street from their hotel. A day trip took them to the top of Volcán Irazú, where they could see an ash cloud erupting from Volcán Turrialba 10 km away. Other trips took them to the pre-Columbian site at Guayabo National Monument, and to the Orosi Valley.
Ladd and Gail found travel in Costa Rica easy and enjoyable. Tourists are catered to, English is widely spoken, and nearly every store accepts dollars as well as Colones. Just be prepared to spend a little more money than in other Central and South American countries.
