As Mike Parise states in the introduction to A Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica "A country whose national exclamation is 'pura vida' (pure life) just had to have been created for surfers." With hundreds of kilometers of beaches, points and river mouths on both Pacific and Caribbean coasts it certainly … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2015
Calm Water Kayaking & Canoeing in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica there are some habitats that can only be explored by boat - the mangrove estuaries, the water trails and canals of Tortuguero National Park and the flooded wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. No experience is necessary and paddling is surprisingly easy even the first time. … [Read more...]
Coffee Cupping Photos
Coffee tours are a fun way to learn about the process and history of coffee in Costa Rica. Río Jorcó Estate coffee from the Tarrazu region is highly desired by specialty gourmet roasters from all over the world. Our friend Jim Alfaro recently invited us to spend a few days in the guest villa and … [Read more...]
Coffee Processing Photos
Over the past two decades we've made several visits to two coffee farms owned by friends. The Rodriguez's small farm above Heredia and on our friend Jim Alafaro's estate at Río Jorcó in the hills of Tarrazu - Costa Rica's most coveted coffee producing regions. Anyone who's interested can visit a … [Read more...]
Coffee Growing & Picking Photos
We're fortunate to have become friends with two families who have coffee farms in Costa Rica. The Rodriguez's small farm above Heredia was our introduction in 1993 to how coffee was grown and picked in Costa Rica and more recently in 2007, and 2015 we've spent a few days on our friend Jim Alafaro's … [Read more...]
Waterfall Rappelling & Canyoneering in Costa Rica
Seeing things from a different perspective adds to the fun of adventures, tours and activities in Costa Rica - canopy suspension bridges, zip-lines, scuba diving, rafting, para-sailing - all give a different view and I assure you that the view from the inside of a waterfall is different than the … [Read more...]
Quebrada Gata
update - I recently headed up to Poco Sol again and saw that the hydro project on Quebrada Gata was complete. I don't know how far up the canyon they tubed the water but I do know that because of the electrical generating infrastructure they no longer allow access to the area. Ours was the first … [Read more...]
White Water Rafting, Kayaking & Tubing in Costa Rica
The Pacuare is the best rafting experience in Costa Rica and National Geographic lists it as one of the top three guided rivers in the world. White water rafting in Costa Rica is a whole different experience for travelers from Canada and the U.S. where the water in the rivers might have been … [Read more...]
Walking, Hiking & Trekking in Costa Rica
Walking is Mandatory in Costa Rica - Enjoy It If you're not comfortable climbing five flights of stairs and walking ten blocks you may want to consider a different destination. It's possible to take a private transfer to an all inclusive resort and ride a golf cart from your room to a lounge … [Read more...]
Transition Dry to Rain Forest
The region between Puntarenas and Jacó beach on the central Pacific of Costa Rica has more diversity of plants, trees and animals than nearly any other region because of its unique transition zone geography. Along the coast to the north the tropical dry forests dominate in Guanacaste and on the … [Read more...]
Carara National Park Photos
Carara National park is located on the northern end of the central Pacific coast only 30 - 40 minutes from San José but it's a world away from the big city. The vast majority of travelers to the region zip right past on their way to the well known beach destinations at Jacó and Manuel Antonio but … [Read more...]
Tabaconcito – Las Fuentes Termales – Chollín
Down under the bridge where route 142 crosses the Río Tabacón northwest of the famous resort hot springs entrance is a bizarre monument to the melodramatic small town politics that constantly flow beneath the surface of La Fortuna like hot lava ready to erupt if a fissure in a tourist’s wallet … [Read more...]