DAY 1: October 22
San Jose
The months of planning were over!! With great excitement the 6 of us travelling together met up in the airport. A 5 hour layover in Montreal flew by as we chatted and shared a (surprisingly good) meal at YUL!
Flights were uneventful (PHEW) and we were welcomed by our private transfer driver in San Jose Airport and whisked away to the Hilton Cariari, a beautiful haven in the capital city, and the prefect location for our first night.
Our 7th group member, joining from Colorado, had an equally uneventful journey.
Cocktails in the hotel bar were a welcome refreshment:-)
Photos: Sandra with group members at Hilton Hotel bar, Signature cocktail Coconut Mule.
DAY 2: San Jose to La Fortuna/Arenal
This morning, a leisurely breakfast and morning by the pool before our private Interbus transfer arrived for the 2.5 hour journey to La Fortuna.
Our next accommodation was the Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience, removed enough from town to give a feeling of quiet seclusion, and yet close enough to all of the area activities. Rooms were rustic yet clean and modern and surrounded by lush garden and a jaw-dropping view of Arenal Volcano. Between free-form swimming pools (cold water) and free-form hot springs complete with secluded pools, swim up bar and cascading water falls we had our share of 'hydro therapy' :-) The on site restaurant was delicious and the service fabulous.
Photos: Hilton Pool, Interbus transfer bus
Photos: Group lunch at Volcano Lodge, Amazing salad at Volcano Lodge Restaurant
Photos: Volcano Lodge room, view of resort hot spring pools, view of Arenal Volcano from resort restaurant
Day 3: La Fortuna/Arenal
On today's agenda: Exploration!
We started our day with a hike across the 2-mile Arenal Hanging Bridges to see the jungle from high above the forest floor. Our naturalist guide taught us about Costa Rican culture and history and we experienced 'Nature therapy'. immersed in nature while spotting different species of plants, animals, and birds for approx. 2.5 hrs along the way.
Delicious fruit snack to fuel the next part of our adventure - a hike in Arenal Volcano 1968 Park. The clouds rolled in so we didn't see the volcano, but the views were incredible nonetheless.
Next, we headed to the tour operator's Hunters & Gatherers restaurant where we enjoyed a well deserved and delicious Costa Rican lunch. We were meant to next hike to the base of the waterfall, but as the rain had rolled in and we were all pretty tired, the tour operator rescheduled that portion for the following morning.
Photos L to R / top to bottom: Sandra by hanging Bridge in Mistico Park, Out guide pointing out out location in Arenal Park, Delicious fruit snack, Sandra pointing where Volcano should be visible!, hiking trail down from volcano viewpoint.
DAY 4: La Fortuna/Arenal
The next day dawned clear and warm, a perfect day for a waterfall visit, and we were glad we had rescheduled. It was was a highlight for me!! And a good workout, as there are 500 steps to get to the down to the waterfall, and 500 to get back up! At the bottom, we swam in the cool waters of one of the largest and most breathtaking waterfalls in Arenal!
Upon out return to the lodge, some of our group went ziplining, but I stayed back for a leisurely lunch and a soak in out hot springs :-)
Photos: Sandra with waterfall, Sandra in river, steps back to parking lot
Photos: Hot springs at Volcano Lodge, Tacos, appetizer
DAY 6: La Fortuna to Tamarindo
Today, we took at Adventure Connection, maximizing our vacation time by visiting the majestic Rio Celeste waterfall during our hotel transfer!
The Rio Celeste National Park is a beautiful 1.5-hour scenic drive from the Arenal Volcano through the rustic Costa Rican back roads. When wereach the Rio Celeste (Tenorio) National Park, we embarked on a 3-hour long hike through the lush rainforest with a nature guides. True "forest bathing", a chance to envelop ourselves in the rich natural environment of this unique Costa Rican national Park.
When we arrived at Rio Celeste, we marveled at the beautiful sapphire blue color, which is the result of two rivers joining together, creating a mixture of sulfur and calcium carbonate. Later on in our hike, we reached an impressive waterfall – the perfect place to relax, enjoy the surrounding beauty, and take lots of pictures!
To finish off, another delicious Costa Rican lunch before we headed back into the van and continued the drive to the Guanacaste Coast.
And finally we arrived at Hotel Arco Iris Boutique Luxury Hotel. With only 8 rooms and 5 bungalows, surrounded by tropical gardens and set back from the street, it was the perfect place for our Tamarindo home base.
Photos: coffee break on the drive, Sign to Tenorio Park, place where rivers meet and colour change occurs
Photos: Hikers with umbrellas (way too hot & humid for raincoats!), view of Rio Celeste waterfall from above and steps to access, our group on trail.
Photos: Hotel sign, 'welcoming committee' and one of our resident iguanas, Tamarindo beach
DAY 7: Tamarindo
This morning, I took some time to catch up on some pending work and sent the rest of the group on a kayak excursion into the Tamarindo estuary. This afternoon, some leisure time along the Tamarindo beach marveling at the sand art created by the volcanic ash.
Photos: my office for the day; group kayaking excursion
Photo: Beach / sand art. You would think it twas textured and would feel lumpy when you walk on it, but no! It was all pigment, due to the volcanic sand.
DAY 8: Tamarindo / Playa Grande
Playa Grande is a sleepy little surf town located a 22 km drive or a short boat ride across the estuary from Tamarindo. It is such a contrast from Bustling Tamarindo! Secluded and tranquil,. a perfect place to spend a leisure morning and find lunch/
This beach, in Las Baulas National; Marine Park, is also a key nesting site for Leatherback Turtles each winter. We will have to return to witness this!!
Photos: Negotiating with the water taxi (see taxi in background), beautiful Playa Grande
Photos: Our group's farewell dinner, last views of Tamarindo Beach.
DAY 9: Farewell Costa Rica...
Until next time <3
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