The Most Fun Zip Line in Arenal Costa Rica

"A COOL EXPERIENCE-AMAZING VIEWS OF ARENAL VOLCANO AND LAKE ARENAL"

If you want to hear about the MOST FUN Zip Line in all of Costa Rica.  Well it is located near Arenal Volcano  and it is called Sky Tram Sky Trek.  Its a half day tour.

First you ride up a very high mountain in a glass gondola passing through the verdant green rainforest.  Perched high on the top of the trees you may find howler monkeys.  We saw one with her baby.  At the top you can see "forever."  The unobstructed views of the mighty Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal  are amazing!

You can ride back down in the aerial tram or you can take the nine cable -1.9 miles zip line back down.  It's like Tarzan and Jane swinging in the jungle.  Really gets your adrenalin going!  It's great for the entire family, however kids younger than eight years are not allowed.

You can combine the zip line with the Sky Walk (this takes an additional 2 hours) .  We walked over suspension bridges, high up over the rainforest canopy.  Wow, what an experience!  We saw fern trees and

[caption id="attachment_5572" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="zip line over rainforest canopy"][/caption]

hundreds of bromeliads attached to the tree limbs and  some of them had red and yellow flowers.  We also saw also saw a group of howler monkeys congregated in the top of one of the tallest trees.

I highly recommend this tour.  Contact www.costaricalearn.com for Ann, "the Costa Rica Expert" to help you plan your itinerary for your Costa Rica Vacation. She always includes Arenal and this Sky Tram Sky Trek Adventure.

You can email Ann    anncreed23@gmail.com  to get started!

Costa Rica's Amazing Diversity

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COSTA RICA'S AMAZING DIVERSITY

Costa Rica is not an island in the Caribbean. It is located in  the center of the Central American isthmus.  It is a very small country with less than 20,000 square miles, bordered on the north by Nicaragua and the south by Panama.  On the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by the Caribbean Sea - Atlantic Ocean.  This is a complex area with perhaps more DIVERSITY  than any other place it's size on earth.   Costa Rica is divided into several distinct regions, each of them feels and looks very different from the other.

In the above photo you can see the major mountain ranges which  run (down the middle) from the north to the south of the country . Here are located seven different volcanoes.  Only one of these volcanoes is active and it is the Poas Volcano located in the central valley of Costa Rica

Costa Rica has attracted an international community of  conservationists, biologist, environmentalists, and over one million tourist per year. Tourist come to enjoy a multitude of outdoor adventure activities from birdwatching to zip lining-from surfing to snorkeling and scuba diving.  They come to explore the rainforests in the many national parks and wildlife preserves.

Cost Rica has  seven volcanoes.  The only one which is  active is the Poas Volcano located in the central valley-sixty eight miles northwest of San Jose,  the capital city.  This volcano has a crater one mile wide with active geysers which spew up hot steam and sulfur gases on a daily basis.  The Arenal Volcano is the most visited and  is located in the north central area of the country.  It ceased to be active in November 2011.  However tourist still flock to this area hoping that it will without warning start up again and spew it hot lava hundreds of feet into the atmosphere.

Most of the population of Costa Rica live in the Central Valley at elevations between 456 meters and 1,300 meters.  Temperatures here are very mild at between 70 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit all year round.  Costa Rica has an abundance of rainfall between the months of May and November.  So this tropical rainy climate allows for rich soil which grows coffee, bananas, sugar cane, rice, black beans, and hundreds of tropical fruits and vegetables. Pineapple and bananas are exported to the USA and also to Europe.

The highest peak in Costa Rica is Chirripo  mountain. (located in south central  Costa Rica.) It is around 12,000 feet above sea level with cold and brittle weather.   Tourist from all over world come here to hike  Chirripo.

The coast lines of Costa Rica are a very different story with hot temperatures with abundant  bright sunshine.  The NW Pacific Coast is the most visited with dozens of hotels with a price range and budget for any tourist.  This coastal  area in the north western side of Costa Rica is arid with small trees and less rainfall. In contrast, the Caribbean coast is very rainy all year, thus attracting fewer tourist. It is more tropical and lush with the  natural beauty of palm trees and coconut trees lining the pristine white sandy beaches.

To make one understand more easily, the temperature of the area you are located in Costa Rica is determined by the altitude.

Costa Rica has a dry season mid December until mid April..although on the Caribbean coast this does not apply because here it rains there all year round. Also the south western  Osa Peninsula gets a great deal of rain all year round. Rainy season in Costa Rica is considered May through November with less rain on the northwest Pacific Coastline.

For such a small country Costa Rica is filled with amazing DIVERSITY and climates. This is why North Americans and Europeans find retiring here very appealing.

San Jose is the capital city located in the central valley.  It is not an attractive city and we do not see the beautiful Spanish Colonial Architecture like we see in Granada, Nicaragua. Traffic jams are horrible in San Jose. There are "more vehicles in Costa Rica's central valley than there are roads".

Daylight hours are the same in Costa Rica all year round.  Sunrise -around 5:30 am and Sunset around 5:30 pm.  Twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of darkness.

If you ask someone who has retired to Costa Rica-"What is your favorite thing about living here?"  The say "It is the beautiful weather along with it's Amazing Diversity."

Costa Rica has it all.  Plenty of water.  Veins of water come right out of the side of the mountains forming streams and rivers which run into the seas.  The soil is exceptionally rich due to the volcanic ash fallen to the earth through the centuries.

Geographically Costa Rica is mostly mountainous.  From the air one can look down and see mountains after mountains and all is GREEN and  lush.  This is why it takes so long to drive from the central valley to the coast.  You have to wind up and around the mountainous terrain with two lane often narrow roads.

If you are thinking of a vacation to Costa Rica contact Ann, "The Costa Rica Expert" She can plan your vacation (along with your input) and make the arrangements for you.  This can save you a lot of time surfing the internet and getting confused.  She has twelve years experience in VACATION PLANNING TO COSTA RICA.  You can read all about this on her website www.costaricalearn.com

 

Great Hostel Stays in Costa Rica

COSTA RICA  is a small country filled with spectacular outdoor adventure activities, and is a great place for all ages to enjoy the rain forest experience of colorful tropical birds, monkeys, and age old trees hundreds of years old with buttresses 3 meters in width.    So, if you happen to be on a budget, one of the many hostels in Costa Rica might be just for you.   Prices range from $10 per night per person for dorm rooms  on up to slightly higher  prices for private rooms.  But still prices will be less than a hotel.  All of the major tourist destinations have one or more hostels to choose from.

Why choose a hostel stay?  Many reasons:  If you want to experience Costa Rica and are on a budget, this is a great way.  You can make new friends  because the hostel experience is more personal.  You have options of a private room with private baths or  less expensive dorm rooms with shared baths.  You might say--"well hostels are noisy and I have trouble sleeping at night."  I have a  remedy for that . I use a small electric fan fan as a noise blocker machine which I set next to my bed. It makes a soft humming noise which blocks out all the background noise, and additionally it provides a breeze if I am in a not climate.

I want to tell you about a web site that can help you with finding hostels in Costa Rica as well as OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.  These people do a lot of research on the hostels before they list them on their site.  They have a lot of Costa Rica Hostels listed  so you have a lot of options to explore at www.french.hostelworld.com

I am going to write about just a few hostels in Costa Rica so you can get an idea.   But do check out the above web site because their listings of hostels in Costa Rica are a lot more extensive and you can finds many more options there.  Very important--If  connecting  to WI FI  is important to you then  read the web site of each hostel  to determine if  this is offered.

The Arenal Backpacker Resort in La Fortuna, Costa Rica  is a great place to stay if you are budget minded.   GREAT LOCATION!  Great view of the mighty Arenal  which is only  four miles away. It has a lot of amenities offered by larger hotels  (pool, restaurant, tour desk) but at budget prices.  Located conveniently in the small town of La Fortuna, the gateway to the Arenal Volcano National park, you can walk to restaurants, the bus stops, the grocery store, and everything else in town.   You get out of the public bus and you are right there, within walking distance of it all.   You have a variety of sleeping options to choose from at the hostel.   You can get a private room with 2 queen beds with orthopedic mattresses and a private bath which will cost you a little more than a dorm sleeping arrangement.  Or, you can also choose the new concept of elevated tents located outside on the hostel’s grounds.

The very tasty restaurant serves typical Costa Rica food plus you can purchase a hearty breakfast complete with fresh local tropical fruits for a reasonable price.   A tour desk is set up to help you purchase any tour you would choose in the area from  zip lines to horseback riding, to hot springs, to river rafting, to tours of organic farms, to Cano Negro Wildlife reserve.   The view of Arenal Volcano  on a clear day is spectacular.  You are only 5 miles from base of the volcano.  It’s a great place to meet new friends and practice a little Spanish.  I recommend it!

Heading for Monteverde, Costa Rica and are looking for budget lodging at a good value.  Well, Mariposa Bed and Breakfast offers just that.  Conventiently located 1.5 km from the entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest reserve in a beautiful forest setting, this little hotel is great for the budget minded traveler.   You will get a full Costa Rican breakfast with the price of the room.  Yes, tropical fresh fruit, homemade tortillas, and farm grown eggs. The rooms are comfortable with hot water showers. Mariposa B&B is owned by a family from Monteverde and they take pride is their establishment.  They will take time to tell you about all the attractions in the area and put you in contact with the tour operators and local guides.  You can reach them at 2 645 5013  (local call inside Costa Rica)

Check out Backpackers Manuel Antonio for comfortable affordable lodging. It is conveniently  located in the small town of Quepos (waking distance from the public bus stop) just 4 miles from entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park.  It is walking distance  to restaurants, grocery stores, etc.  Also, there is a bus which leaves Quepos every  hour to take you to the Manuel Antonio Beaches and entrance to the park and  costs only around one dollar. Backpackers Manuel Antonio has its own swimming pool, WI FI, and you have the choice of private room with hot bath or a dorm room with shared bath.  Its a great place to meet fellow travelers. And as I said the location is very good.




 

 

 

 

Discover Costa Rica's Five Natural Wonders

Costa Rica is simply one big Natural Wonder.  I would like to tell you about five of the most wonderful.

The first of these natural wonders is the Arenal Volcano which unexpectedly erupted in  1968  destroying the village located on it’s north face and killing sixty people.
Since then the volcano has been producing small eruptions daily until around eighteen months ago  when it simply just stopped, and no one knows why.
The Arenal Volcano is a big  attraction  which draws hundreds of tourist daily year round to experience the  outdoor adventure activities offered in the area surrounding the volcano.

The Blue River (Rio Celeste) is indeed a natural wonder, located around 2 hours north of the Arenal Volcano, it is the hottest new tourist destination.  And yes the water is blue.  Legend states that when God painted the sky blue, he dipped his bush in the water and turned the water blue.   Scientist will tell you the blue color comes  from minerals in the water.  Tourist enter the  gate to Tenorio Volcano National Park and hike around one hour to the big waterfall and bathe under the cool  blue water

Poas Volcano  (photo top left)located thirty minutes north of Alajuela  in the central valley of Costa Rica is the third Natural Wonder.  Tourist come here on day trips and if lucky can see the mile wide geyser spew hot water and stream hundreds of feet in the air.  Weather here is cool and damp and offers great hiking trails.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is Costa Rica’s fourth Natural Wonder.  It is a primary rain forest-cloud forest, literally located "in the clouds" four thousand feet above sea level.  The trees here are hundreds of years old and their canopies spread their wings and shut out the sunlight.  Underneath are thousands  of different species of plants, the most famous being the fern tree which grows ten feet in height.

The fifth Natural Wonder in Costa Rica is the remote Corcovado National Park, home to one of the last remaining lowland primary rain forest on earth.   Tourist come here to walk the trails where one can see Scarlet Macaws, Toucans, and several species of monkeys such as the howler and the white face.  And to take a boat to Cano Island where snorkeling and scuba diving are very popular.

[caption id="attachment_4730" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="Rio Celeste waterfall"][/caption]

 

I'm a Photographer, Where Should I go in Costa Rica to Take Great Photos?

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Tortuguero Canals Costa Rica

Since I am a photographer and my husband is a professional videographer I can recommend some great spots for you.  First, in the cnetral valley of Costa Rica, the Poas Volcano is a great subject.  Go early in the morning and you will have a better chance of getting it without a cloud cover.

Second is the Arenal Volcano located in the northern region of Costa Rica.  The Arenal has many moods.  Again go early in the morning because it also tends to get a cloud cover.  If you are lucky you will get one of its mighty eruptions with fire and hot rocks spewing from it's summit.  Also Lake Arenal is gorgeous early in the a.m. with losts of water birds and the view of the volcano from  the lake  is the best!

The blue River in the northern zone is a photographer's dream.  It is located at the base of the Tenerio Volcano.  However, it is hard to get to.  Requires a hike of more than two hours .  The water is sky blue due to the mineral deposits in it.  But if you love hiking and are in good shape, then go for it!  Sunset tours in La Fortuna will sell you a day tour to the Blue River.

The Tortuguero Canals on the  north eastern Caribbean  side of Costa Rica allows you to photograph the dense jungle with monkeys, crocodiles, and toucans.  Also the exotic tropical flowering plants are unique.

The  Southern Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica are lined with palm trees and coconut trees and the houses are painted bright colors of yellow, blue, and green, reflecting the Afro-American culture here.  Everything here has color.  The dense rain forest in it's thousand shades of green.  The sloths which hang out quietly in the tree tops, and the beaches are rocky and the water beats upon these rocks. There are lots of monkeys, crocodiles, and wildlife galore such as several species of Iguanas.  The whole culture here is colorful , even the fishing boats are colorfully painted in blues and yellows. It's a great place for a photographer.

So bring your camera and come on down!

costaricalearn.com strives to present travel tips that will make your vacation to Costa Rica a more meaningful one.   Bring your camera and come join Ann's escorted group tour to Costa Rica departing on June 19, 2010 for 8 nights.  I guarantee you will have wonderful photography opportunities.  Contact Ann at    anncreed23@gmail.com

Also

What's So Great About Costa Rica as A Tourist Destination?

[caption id="attachment_2669" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Poas volcano Central Valley Costa Rica"][/caption]

Thinking about taking a vacation to a warm tropical place where sunshine abounds and lots of outdoor nature orientated activities are available.  Costa Rica has the mountains, rain forest,  pristine beaches,  wild rivers,  colorful birds, monkeys, and well almost everything except giraffes,  rhinoceros, lions, and elephants.  The are lowland dry forest, low land rain forest,  cloud forest at the high elevations.  River rafting from a river float to a class IV rafting.  You can sleep on the river banks and feel like you are living in the jungle.  The many wildlife reserves provide sanctuary for hundreds of species of tropical birds. As well as three species of monkeys, the howler, the spider, and the white face.

Costa Rica has set aside over 20% of its land surface for National Parks and Wild life Reserves.  Quite an accomplishment so such a small country about the same size as out state of West Virginia.

Costa Rica has the Poas Volcano National Park in the Central Valley, the Arenal Volcano Nationl Park in the northern zone, and the Irazu Volcano National Park just east of San Jose near the smaller town of Cartago.  The most visited and the most exciting is the Arenal which spews fire and hot rocks from its crater several times a day.

The two coast of Costa Rica, the Pacific and the Atlantic (Caribbean are distinctively different)   read about the differences by clicking         http://costaricalearn.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=2226

Most beach lovers choose the Pacific coast of Costa Rica because there is consistently more sun there, all year round.   And in certain areas there are long stretches of beach with no rocks and waves good for surfing.

Also there is the jungle destination of the Osa Peninsula, where the low land primary rain forest are just gorgeous and full of wildlife.  Development has not yet reached this pristine area because it is very inaccessible.  No roads to speak of so you have to take a boat or small plane to get there.   Many small eco lodges are here but it is not inexpensive because of it's remoteness.

Costa Rica Spotlight: The Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica, Which Zip Line Tour Should I Take?

[caption id="attachment_2581" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Ready? Go! Zip line tour, Arenal"][/caption]

Zipping over the top of the rain forest, Arenal

Sky Tram Arenal

The Arenal Volcano with  the Arenal volcano National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica.   What is the Arenal Volcano like?  It is a hugh cone shaped volcano which almost constantly spews lava, hot gases,  and hot molten rocks from its summits.    But these are small eruptions.  Not big enough to cause danger to the surrounding  areas.

Tourist come here from all over the world to experience this unique ecosystem created by this vast volcano.  The Arenal sits in the middle of a vast rain forest, home to hundreds of colorful birds, giant trees and colorful flowering plants.  Also the howler and spider monkeys live here.

When did the Arenal Volcano have it's last major eruption?  In the early morning of July 29, 1968 the Arenal violently erupted and buried the small village of Pueblo Nuevo, located at the base of Arenal's north face, killing 86 people.

The Arenal Volcano National Park and the surroundings of La Fortuna have become almost like a Disneyland in these tropical rain forest.  Soft and hard adventure activities are offered by two major tour companies,  Sunset Tours  and Desfios Tours.   One of the most popular is the Canopy Tour, offered by two different tour companies.  so it's hard to decide which one to take.

First,  the company called Costa Rica Sky Adventures. You get into a sky tram and are lifted up through the rain forest to a platform.  Here is a lovely view of the Arenal  Lake and a walking trail through the rain forest which takes around thirty minutes.  Then you get strapped into the zip line gear and off you go!  From tree top to tree top.  It's great because you see both the Arenal Lake and the rain forest tree tops as you swing through the trees.   Upon return you can take a walk through a butterfly sanctuary and learn about the life cycle of butterflies.

Second, the company named Arenal Mundo Adventura  has a  canopy tour with eleven zip lines!  And believe me they are high above the rain forest canopy.  Great fun!  I saw a flock of toucans near by one of the platforms.  After the zip line you go to the Maleku Indigenous Spiritual House.  Witness a spiritual ceremony and also have an opportunity to purchase  their beautiful art work.

Both of these zip line are great fun so I don't have a favorite.

learn more:  www.costaricaskyadventures.travel This shows the zip line in Monteverde as well as the one in Arenal.

learn more about arenal mundo adventura for the zip line tour:  go  to google and type their name.  I was unable to access them by searching their address any other way.

Rancho Margot, A Self Sufficient Working Ranch near the Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

[caption id="attachment_2369" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="bungalow for tourist at Rancho margot"][/caption]

Rancho Margot located near the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica is home to one of the most exciting development projects in the country.  It is the brainchild of Juan Sostheim who came to Costa Rica from Chile to retire, but instead created Rancho Margot,  a self sustainable, self sufficient working ranch.  Juan has opened it to tourist to come and see how all this is done and  enjoy the peace and tranquility of the rain forest setting.  There are fourteen bungalows where you sleep and enjoy the gorgeous views from your own front porch.  Then you get a guided tour of the ranch, take a guided hike into the rain forest,   or take a horseback tour to the highest peak to see the mighty Arenal Volcano  erupting .  The lovely open air restaurant serves typical Costa Rica food which is fresh and delicious, most of it grown organically right there on the ranch.

At Rancho Margot electricity is produced by water driven turbines.  There is a very swift river running right down the middle of the property surrounded by thick jungle rain forests filled with monkeys and colorful tropical birds.  Dairy cows are raised for cheese and milk.  Orchards and organic gardens are sown for the fruits and vegetables.   Chickens are raised  for their eggs.  Biodigestors convert animal waste into energy.   Cell phone and internet service is all there because  Juan installed several satellites around the ranch in order to get the service.

Juan is very active in the local community.  He has reforested hillsides, purchased shuttle buses, hired English teachers for the local school children.   He built an animal rescue center on the ranch with a veterinary clinic.

Rancho Margot welcomes researchers, horticulturists, students, volunteers, backpackers and high-end tourists as well.

Also there is a yoga center built built on stilts overlooking the beautiful river.

Transportation is provided from La Fortuna.

Mimi, the tiny spider monkey (shown in the above photo) was brought into Juan's rescue center after having been injured.  He was treated by the vet and now after two weeks is doing well.

You can learn all about Rancho Margot at www.ranchomargot.org

We at costaricalearn strive to inform you of unique tourist destinations in Costa Rica which are very reasonably priced and offer high quality service.  We welcome you comments.  At the end of this post simply click  on comments or go to the top of this page and click on contact us.

Costa Rica Spotlight: Best View of Arenal Volcano, Which Hotel?

The best view of Arenal Volcano is from the Arenal Observatory Lodge. And here you also can see the beautiful Arenal Lake. A large number of the rooms at the Arenal Observatory Lodge have a large picture window looking directly at the volcano, which is located 1.7 miles from the lodge.  The lodge is perched high on a ridge making the views in all directions spectacular.

This is indeed a unique place in Costa Rica!   Setting is  jungle,  one can wake up to the sound of monkeys and song birds.  Trails all around the lodge lead in and out of the  jungle setting. The swimming pool is spring fed with a hot tub at one end.   Nice small restaurant with a great view to the volcano.

Scientist from all over the world come here, including from the Smithsonian institute to do research and study the volcano with it's unique ecosystem.

Arenal Volcano had it's last Great Eruption in 1968 when it destroyed a near by village on the north face of the volcano  killing 86 people.  Today it rumbles and spits fire and rock from it's summit  but these eruptions are small.

Natural hot springs come out of the base of the Arenal, but you have to go back down  the road to La Fortuna to get to these hot springs.  Most famous is the Tabacon Hot Springs with its lush tropical gardens and very upscale Spa.

The side of the volcano where Arenal Observatory Lodge is located seems to have been lucky and has not experienced  any negative impact from the  small eruptions going on these days from the volcano

[caption id="attachment_2252" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Arenal Volcano in a quiet moment"][/caption]

Learn more about the Arenal Observatory Lodge at www.arenalobservatorylodge.com

Here at costaricalearn.com we would like to hear from you.  If you have visited Arena Observatory Lodge please share the  highlights of your trip.  At the end of this post simply click on comments or reply.

Eight Days Traveling in Costa Rica, Where Should I go?

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Mighty Arenal Volcano

Eight days traveling in Costa Rica I recommend you fly into the Liberia International airport located in the northern part of Costa Rica, rent a car, and drive around 45 minutes  (good roads) to one of the NW Pacific beaches for four  nights and then drive to the Arenal Volcano -La Fortuna area-4 hours  (good roads) for another three nights  (if your are staying 8 days.) You will probably need to say near the Liberia airport the last night, depending on what time your return home flight departs.

If you have to fly into the San Jose international airport, then rent a car, drive to Arenal Volcano area  3.5 hours-good road.   Read my article  under category " Driving to Costa Rica's tourist destinations" for best route from  San Jose  international airport to Arenal.  Stay there  3 nights  then drive to one of the NW Pacific beaches for 3 nights (this drive is very scenic and takes 4 hours)  on the 7th day you will  need to drive back ( 4 hour trip) to the San Jose international airport area  (spend one night there around the airport) to catch your return flight home.

Sounds like a lot of driving but the drives are very scenic and the roads are good.   Also read my posts about Arenal Volcano National Park under category National Parks of Costa Rica  or  (go to the search box for quickly finding it).

If you choose this itinerary at Arenal you will see howler monkeys,  the Arenal  erupting at night, gorgeous rain forest, do a zip line tour, walk high above the canopy of the  rain forest  on man made bridges,  hike the Arenal volcano National Park, bath in a hot springs,   visit an organic Eco Farm, and much more.

On the NW Pacific beaches swim in the blue green waters, go surfing, collect shells on the beach, get a gorgeous tropical suntan, eat fresh sea food,   go deep sea fishing,  sailing,  read a good book, and just simply RELAX!

I would like to hear from my readers.  Click comment at the end of this post OR click  "Contact US"  at the  very top of the page