 | I went to Costa Rica for the first time over 20 years ago and fell in love with this beautiful country wedged south of El Salvador and north of Panama. I was working on a very important project and spent almost 2 months there. The Costa Ricans, known as Ticos and Ticas, are generous and warm. Yes, tourism is big business there but for someone who's traveled a lot, I was struck by their hospitality. |
It's a little overwhelming trying to describe the country. Where to begin? There's cloud forests, rain forests, jungles, mountain hideaways, remote beaches, unbelievable nature reserves, amazing wildlife, black sand beaches and white sand beaches. And don't worry about that changing as Costa Rica attracts more visitors year in and year out, over 25% of the land is dedicated to conservation so the locals are committed to keeping it every bit as spectacular as it is now and was then.
On my first visit there I saw the jungles of Tortuguero and took long boats down the canals to see wildlife like I'd never seen before and monkeys swinging in the trees above me. I saw nesting turtles drop their eggs in big holes they dug on the beach late at night. We floated into a cove where the water was smooth as glass, shiny black and reflected just like a mirror.
On my first visit there I saw the jungles of Tortuguero and took long boats down the canals to see wildlife like I'd never seen before and monkeys swinging in the trees above me. I saw nesting turtles drop their eggs in big holes they dug on the beach late at night. We floated into a cove where the water was smooth as glass, shiny black and reflected just like a mirror.
Two days later I was driving on a winding road up the mountain to Monteverde to see more hummingbirds than I'd ever seen in my life. The trick is to come at feeding time. The cheese they make on their dairy farms up in the mountains is so creamy it just melts in your mouth.
I saw sparks fly off Arenal, an active volcano while sitting in the thermal baths at Tabacon one night.
The Saturday market in San Jose is filled with such a collection of tchotchkes and keepsakes that I ran out of money or space in my suitcase before I was ready to leave. I still nap in the hammock I bought there years ago.
The beaches in Guanacaste on the northwest coast are filled with beautiful all inclusive resorts. And since I can't sit still for very long, I love to white water raft and do canopy tours from there.
I saw sparks fly off Arenal, an active volcano while sitting in the thermal baths at Tabacon one night.
The Saturday market in San Jose is filled with such a collection of tchotchkes and keepsakes that I ran out of money or space in my suitcase before I was ready to leave. I still nap in the hammock I bought there years ago.
The beaches in Guanacaste on the northwest coast are filled with beautiful all inclusive resorts. And since I can't sit still for very long, I love to white water raft and do canopy tours from there.
In ten days you can see it all and I did and still every time I go back I see something new.
And that important project I was working on years ago? He's 23 now and the one of the best treasures I ever brought home. The other was my daughter, 3 years later.
And that important project I was working on years ago? He's 23 now and the one of the best treasures I ever brought home. The other was my daughter, 3 years later.
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