We started our journey by getting Norma up and boarding a water taxi with our friends (Jack and Jo from Mystic Adventure and their son Rob and wife Wendy) by 6am to Bocus town. There we boarded another water taxi that took us on a 40-minute wild ride up a jungle river to the town of Changuinola, Panama. Here we found some empanadas for breakfast and boarded a taxi to the local bus pickup. The bus took us to a little boarder town where we were unloaded and sent to clear out of Panama’s immigration. We then walked across a rickety old railroad bridge over a river marking the boundary between the two countries. After filling out some papers and clearing in to Costa Rica, We re-boarded the buss and spent the next 4.5 hours enjoying the beautiful scenery – almost! The bus broke down on a steep mountain road, leaving all of us standing with our luggage. One by one, other buses stopped and picked up a few of us at a time. It was standing room only the rest of the way except for the ladies. A few gentlemen offered their seats to Norma, Jo, and Windy.
Upon our arrival at the San Jose, Costa Rica bus terminal, we found a van to deliver us to our respective destinations. We stayed at the Posada de Museo Hotel right down town. It is a delightful place, neat and clean with a great staff. — Only drawback is the 6:15 am train that passes near and blows its horn loudly each day. Jack, Jo, Rob, and Wendy stayed long enough to enjoy a good supper with us at the Grand Hotel, then continued on to attend a show at the National Theater. Afterwards, they went to a hotel near the airport where they were to see Rob and Windy off the next morning.
There are many museums in San Jose, Gold, Jade and the National museum as well. Lots of restaurants, the National Park, and the National Theater, all are don’t miss things to do and see.
From San Jose, we booked an all day tour that included breakfast at a coffee farm, Poas Volcano and cloud forest, Waterfalls, lunch at Rain forest lodge, Sarapiqui jungle river boat tour and a drive back thru Braulio Carrillo Park. What a day! The Volcano is an active water filled crater with steam coming out and beautiful scenery all around (see pictures). Wildlife on the river was great and that came with a large fresh water gator saying hello.
After spending a few days in San Jose, we found transportation to Arenal Lodge. We couldn’t believe how bad the roads are.
Jack, Jo, Norma and I were forced to take upgraded rooms at the lodge at no extra cost because ours were not ready. What a shame!
We were given mini suites overlooking the beautiful gardens, pool, and the smoking volcano looming in the background. Norma woke at 3:45 in the morning to witness a small eruption complete with a bright red lava flow running down the side of the mountain – all just out side our front window. That was to be the end of the volcano as the following days it disappeared into a dream like cloud allowing only brief glimpses of its beauty.
Many tours are offered from the lodge. One of the favorites is the canopy tour where you can ride a basket up the mountain and back and enjoy a panoramic view. The more adventurous (Jack) can put on a harness and zip down the mountain and thru the woods at 55 miles per hour on a series of steel cables (see pictures). The other favorite was a river adventure. We went down the Rio Frio almost to the boarder. This river is so full of caimans, fish, lizards, bats, birds, sloths, monkeys, turtles, Coatimundis, and insects that I ran the battery down on our camera. Got close enough to one of those gator rascals that he splashed mud and water on me when I asked him to smile big. Too close for me! There is a lizard called ‘The Jesus Christ Lizard’ that gets its name from literally running across the top of the water. I’m not that fast but I could run him a close second if I ever fall into this river!
Leaving the Lodge in Arenal, we took a van to a boat, crossed Arenal Lake, boarded another van and wound up in Monte Verde. The roads are much worse; otherwise, still spectacular views, cloud forests, and lots of tourists type stuff. We found a beautiful, secluded place to stay with a view of both the Pacific Ocean and the mountains (Hotel Los Jardines). Weather was cold, rainy, and windy so we went to a frogertarium and looked at frogs. Next, we found the insect place where we looked at a large selection of bugs and spiders. We talked about seeing the snakes next, which immediately started the let’s go shopping howl from the ladies.
A couple of days in Monte Verde were enough so we boarded the bus and was back in San Jose for cocktails that evening.We finished off the museums and parks for the next couple of days, then headed back to Bocus Del Toro, Panama. It was a great trip and we would recommend Costa Rica as an interesting 10-day vacation spot. Norma did well with her new knees and is building confidence for more fun.
Bob and Norma