Poas Volcano National Park

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Poas Volcano National Park  is located in the central valley of Costa Rica- approx eighteen miles north of the city of Alajuela (where the San Jose International Airport is located.)    Poas Volcano's  elevation is 8,000 feet above sea level thus the air is cool and moist.   The volcano is an active  geyser in that the one mile wide crater is a smoldering pool of  steam and sulphur gases producing acid rain and the smell of rotten eggs.    It is best to arrive as early as possible-park opens at 7:30 am-because clouds tend to cover the crater as the day progresses.  Although the constant winds will often blow the clouds away.  Just stick around for awhile and you might see the crater. The volcano does not often have violent eruptions and the most a visitor will probably see is spurts of steam and hot water coming from the crater.   A visitors area is fenced off with a spectacular view of the crater and surrounding fumaroles which are miniature geysers coming from deep holes in the earth surrounding  the mile wide crater.

The Poas Volcano National Park protects thirteen thousand acres of highland rain forest.  It's  unique highland Ecosystem is a wonderland of tropical vegetation-moses, bromeliads, and ferns. The most famous is  the giant umbrella plant.  Walking trails are well marked so one can get a very good  forty five minute work out hiking up to the old extinct crater lake.  Plus a second hiking trail carved out thru the highland rain forest which takes about twenty minutes.

OUR DAY TRIP TO POAS VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK.

Our adventure began on a cool December morning when the skies were clear and the sun's tropical warming was a delight.  Our car trip to the entrance to the park took around thirty minutes from Hotel Buena Vista,  a small mountain hotel, located on the road leading  from  Alajuela to the park.  We passed spectacular beauty of  verdant green coffee fields and black and white spotted dairy cows grazing along the mountain side.

We wanted to see the crater before the clouds closed in so we entered the park at 7:30 am.  Hiking up to the crater took about ten minutes and behold we could see the mile wide geyser sputtering up puffs of smoke and hot water.   Since we were out for a good work out, we climbed the -not so hard to climb steps- up to the old crater lake with its crystal blue water sparkling in the sunlight.  The hike up and back took about forty five minutes.   Back at the visitors center we visited the small interpretive display of the history of the volcano.   Hungry and thirsty we ventured into the coffee shop and experienced the most fabulous cup of freshly ground Costa Rica coffee along with a piece of homemade strawberry short cake made from fresh strawberries grown on the slopes of the Poas.

The gift shop is  filled with locally made arts and crafts.  A group  of local artist  were around to talk to us about their work.  I purchased one of the oils-very colorful bromeliads, umbrella plants, and ferns- painted in bright colors of yellow, orange, and green.

Lunch was down the mountain a bit at Fredda Fresas, a small family owned restaurant with typical Costa Rican food such as rice and black beans, fried plantains, yucca, cabbage salad, sauteed chicken in garlic sauce, and desert was a delicious home made flan (egg custard)  topped of with a great cup of freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee.

What a wonderful day!  Back at Hotel Buena Vista we settled in for the night to the sounds the pitter pat of rain drops on the tin roof-a very peaceful sound.

 

 

 

 

Can I See A Quetzal In Monteverde?

Can I see a Quetzal in Monteverde? Yes, if you are lucky.  Although the Quetzal is listed as endangered,  the estimate as to how many live in and around the protected Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve-is over one thousand.  It's best to hire a naturalist guide when you start your hike through the Cloud Forest Reserve because they are familiar with  the area and know the habits of the Quetzal and where they nest.

Mayan Kings  and Aztec Nobility prized the quetzal's iridescence green tail feathers more than they prized gold., calling it "the bird of life"  symbolizing supreme freedom and wearing their feathers during ceremonies.   The Quetzal is the National Bird of Guatamala and it's symbol of liberty  carries it's name on the National currency. "The Quetzal"

Quetzals are monogamous birds and lay their eggs in a nest in holes of trees , similar to a woodpecker.  The female incubates through the night and then the male takes his turn sitting on the eggs during the day.  The males grow the long colorful tales during mating season to lure the females.

Monteverde, 4,000 feet above sea levels,  is a theatrical environment  of hundreds of different species of trees, plants, flowers, waterfalls, and swamps.  It is  shrouded  in  cloudy mists which seem to constantly linger with  occasional patches of brilliant sunlight bursting through forming shadows on the jungle floor.  This forms a perfect habitat for the splendid Quetzal.  We need to continue to preserve these precious rain forest , not allowing them to be cut down for logs and for clearing for pasture.

enjoy this beautiful video by Leo Neirr...Thank you Leo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=WySktBDt6xc&NR=1

 

 

 

Butterfly Conservatory Arenal Costa Rica

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY ARENAL COSTA RICA


A nature regeneration project dedicated to the preservation, growth, and study of the rainforest with emphasis on BUTTERFLIES .  Here you can learn about the Life Cycle of the butterfly and it's incredible metamorphosis experience.  You can also view many species of frogs in their natural habitat. A knowledgeable guide will take you through six atrium habitats and teach how these creatures exist in the  natural environment of the rain forest.

You'll get a great work out by hiking along the Rainforest River Walk-takes about 45 minutes. If lucky you will see monkeys and a sloth.

The insect museum is a must for the curious.  It is extensive and you need to allow about one-half hour to see it all.  Entrance fee for the Butterfly Conservatory is approximately Twelve dollars per person.

To get to the Conservatory you should inquire for a tour at Desafio Tours in downtown La Fortuna  Or  simply hire a taxi to drive you, or if you have a rental car -it pretty easy to find.  You take the "bad" dirt road  to the left at the old police station (often there are no police here) . This station is located on the main road  going north  from downtown La Fortuna.  Go past Tabacon Hot Springs and you are close.  Watch for the dirt road which is only a left turn and this  takes you to El Castillo and then follow the signs to the Butterfly Conservatory.  Approx. 5-6 miles after you make the left turn.  The dirt road forks just after you pass over the river bridge--hang a right here and you are on the correct road, a few miles to a little settlement of El Castillo.

If you would like to have a wonderful, adventurous  vacation to Costa Rica then contact Ann The Costa Rica Expert to help you plan and design your  individualized itinerary just for you. Ann knows the Arenal Area "like the back" of her hand and get you set up with the adventure tours you want and the hotels you want.  She can design you itinerary in a way that will save you a great deal of time and also money.  Why spend hours searching the web to plan your own vacation ..Just let Ann do the work for you. You can contact her   anncreed23@gmail.com AND ALSO   read all about her and her work at www.costaricalearn.com    SO LETS GET STARTED!  Thanks so much to Elizabeth's Secret Garden Blog spot for this lovely video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCBpQ1vZmTY

 

 

 

Nayara Hotel in Arenal Costa Rica

Arenal Nayara Hotel Luxury Botique Hotel located in the shadow of the Mighty Arenal Volcano

Nayara Hotel, a Luxury Botique , located in Arenal Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful hotels in this country.  My client Dr Frysh from Atlanta and his friend Lora were recently there for 3 nights and stayed in a suite.  Dr. Frysh said the acommodations  were "over the top" ..."drop dead gorgeous". Large out door shower set in a tropical garden, hot tube on the patio surrounded by lush tropical vegetation,  King bed that was "fit for a King"  Hardwood floors made from local exotic wood.  Restaurant is an open air setting with superb service and gourmet food.

Each bungalow is separate and is surrounded with tropical flowers and exotic plants.  The following video shows wonderfully this most spectacular boutique hotel.  Bungalows start at around $250.00 plus 13% tax.

This video show the beauty of Hotel Nayara.  If you would like to include this special hotel in your Costa Rica vacation itinerary contact Ann, The Costa Rica Expert, owner of Costa Rica Learn Travel Company.    Simply email her  anncreed23@gmail.com  She will help you custom design your Vacation to perfectly fit your desires and budget.

www.costaricalearn.com


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFv1q_mQHHg

 

 

Travel Arenal to Monteverde, Boat-Van

HOW TO GET TO MONTEVERDE FROM ARENAL?

There are several ways to travel from  Arenal to  Monteverde.   The easiest and quickest is to take the boat-van  transfer.   Board  a boat on Lake Arenal and then pick up a mini van at the other end of the lake- then a 1.5 hour bumpy ride on a dirt gravel road to Santa Elena -Monteverde.  (this is done by purchasing for around $30 from a tour company which picks you up at your hotel and takes you to Lake Arenal where you  board the covered boat.

All the major tour companies sell this transfer.  We choose Desafio Tour Company which has an office in La Fortuna.

Also you can get to Monteverde from Arenal by horseback.  But this is not for the "faint at heart"  Its around six hours and if recently rained  you stromp through a lot of mud.  This can be purchased from Desafio Tour company in La Fortuna.

If you are renting a car I do not recommend the drive from Arenal to Monteverde on the "back road" via Tiliran.  This is a very bad dirt gravel road filled with potholes-a tough drive and don't even atempt it without a 4x4 vehicle.  Takes around 5 hours from the Arenal volcano to get to Santa Elena-Monteverde.  Fill up with gasoline before departing.

You can drive your rental car back through San Ramon-take Highway 1 North.  Past the Puntarenas turn off -- go approx 8 miles (you are still on Highway 1) LOOK for the sign to Monteverde-  this is a paved road, turning into a dirt gravel road for the last ten miles.

OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOAT-VAN TRANSFER

On a sunny April morning , we recently made the trip from Volcano Lodge in Arenal to Rustic Lodge in Monteverde by Boat-Van.   Around 9 a.m. we were  picked up by Desafio Tour's mini van  and driven to Arenal Lake where we boarded a 30 passenger small  covered boat.  The Journey across Lake Arenal was beautiful, the sun shining on the dark blue water produced a mirror image of the puffy white clouds hovering over the mountains.  The loud iry sound of howler monkeys  came from the dense primary forest on the north face of Lake Arenal.  And the mighty Arenal was so clear, casting it's shadow across the Lake.  After a  short  ride across the lake,  we boarded a small mini van for the ride of our lives.  The road is dirt and gravel with hair pin curves.  So we bumpted our way straight up the mountain, passing serene landscapes of small villages and dairy farms.  Age old rain forest trees dotted the landscape,  such as the strangler fig-with three meter wide buttresses.  We felt like time stood still in this isolated rugged place called Monteverde.  Finally we were there and we all agreed-yes, a great adventure!    Our tired bodies checked into Rustic Lodge, promptly took a hot shower and lay down for a long nap.

Then the real fun began.  A very large gondola transported us slowly up to the top of a high mountain.  A gorgeous  day with heavy mist.  We were actually in a cloud and  we could distantly  see the Gulf of Nicoya to the West.   A group of black howler monkeys were serenading each other a few trees from our Sky Tram gondola.  And six large white graceful birds were building their nest from the twigs of a stranger fig tree. Our guide called them "scissor tail Kites"   (This  tour is called the Sky Tram)

I was a little frightened to "zip" back down  (Sky Trek)so we boarded the gondola gliding back down the mountain with views of green everywhere-a Real Rainforest!

We wanted to experience the Sky Walk where  we could experience up close a Real Rainforest.  Suspended bridges high up over the rain forest canopy where  we could actually reach out and touch the trees-  Hundreds of species  including the famous tree ferns were everywhere, almost too much for the eyes to behold!

At the end of the day-WOW!  a truly glorious day.

You can read more about what great tours Desafio Tour company offers both in Arenal and Monteverde    I highly recommend them.      www.desafiocostarica.com

Thinking of vacationing in Costa Rica?  Let Ann help you plan your itinerary to Arenal and combine it with Monteverde.     She  know the area very well and will save you time and money--Guaranteed!

Contact Ann at anncreed23@gmail.com

[caption id="attachment_4632" align="alignleft" width="640" caption="Boat-Van Arenal to Monteverde"][/caption]

Projecto Asis Animal Rescue Center Costa Rica

Projecto Asis is a wild animal rescue center located near the Arenal Volcano and the little  town of La Fortuna.  You can visit the center on  your own or you can purchase a tour through Desafio Tours which has an office in La Fortuna.   Our guide was excellent  and  we saw white face monkeys, a baby deer which had lost is foot, a wounded pet raccoon which was very gentle and let your hold him,  and wild pigs whose mother had been killed.  Several species of birds call Asis home.  There are green parrots as well as a large family of ducks.  The grounds are tropical with many species of trees and plants.  A well maintained walking path makes it easy to hike through and see the birds and animals.

Asis Volunteer Center invites you to participate in their ecological and social volunteer program.  We saw several college students from the US who were there for a one month program where they studied and practiced Spanish  and also volunteered at the Center.

 

Poor Man's Paradise, Osa Peninsula

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POOR MAN’S PARADISE, OSA PENINSULA-COSTA RICA

IMAGINE  a small village of 600 residents whose blood line goes back to Costa Rica’s indigenous people who  live off the land and more recently off tourism which is rapidly growing is this little tropical paradise. No electricity except for occasional  small diesel generators  running only a few hours of the day.  No television or video games.  No crime and no guns. Children run and play freely on the beach and learn to read and write in a one room school house with one teacher for forty students in grades one through  six.

ADVENTURE INTO A TROPICAL PARADISE
It was a hot April morning  when we headed south out of  San Jose...a four hour bus ride taking us to Sierrpe where we boarded a small boat headed for  Poor Man’s Paradise, located in the Osa Peninsula- in the south western part  of Costa Rica.  Osa's   more outstanding geographical assets are it’s blue green Pacific  coastline with  sandy beige beaches,  and dense primary rain forest filled with hundreds of tropical birds, wild animals, and giant trees whose canopies  seems to reach the sky.

We had never visited this specific area of  the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, so many pleasant surprises were in store for us.  Upon arrival we had to walk along a long stretch of sandy beige  beach lined with  primary rain forest-- trees with 4 meter wide buttresses.   Poor Man’s Paradise is located south of Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, and consists  of  ten rustic cabins nestled in a thicket of almond trees and lush tropical vegetation.  Best part  it’s  right on the beach.   No high rises, no condos.  Only these quaint little cabins made from local wood and tin roofs where you can hear the pitter patter  of the afternoon rains.   No electricity on the property except that produced by a small . generator and lasts about  three hours per day.  There is no TV.   Cell phone service does reach  “sometimes”.  Owned by the Amaya family- parents,  eight children and numerous grandchildren, the property was homesteaded forty years ago  and today retains its pristine natural beauty.

The accommodations are sparse, with no hot water and bed mattresses are hard.  The breeze from the ocean flows through the room and I can hear the Big Surf of the Pacific ocean.  I begin to relax and enjoy the tropical sounds.  The hammock on my balcony becomes my favorite resting place.  Afternoon showers patter down upon the tin roof...such a peaceful sound.

The strong under tow of the ocean prevents us from diving in for a quick swim. But the most gorgeous sunset beckons and the children from the near by village come to play in the edges of the waning surf.  Mothers gather to visit with their small babies in arms.

I hear the crackle of the almonds as the Scarlet Macaws are devouring them by the dozens.   I look overhead, over the canopy of the almond trees and see dozens of  Scarlets flying two by two- across a clear blue  sunny sky.

From Poor Man’s Paradise Lodge  one can hire  a guided  trek along a trail inside Corcovado National  Park, known for it’s giant primary rain forest- with  trees  hundreds of years old.  Here we find  one of the last remaining protected lowland rain forest in the world.

We hire a small boat to take us out to Cano Island Biological Reserve, a thirty minute ride from Poor Man’s Paradise.   Cano is best known for its snorkeling and scuba diving.   Among the coral reefs are many species of fish- big eye jacks, smaller manta rays, and reef sharks. Scuba diving is for beginners  with a certificate (about 40 feet depth)  And also for more advanced-deeper current dives.
No people live on Cano Island, only the rangers at the  station.  Robinson Crusoe's story could have been written here.  Lonely long stretches of beautiful beige sandy beaches  stretch for miles.  We hike up into the rain forest where we find  ancient burial grounds of  the Diquis indigenous people, and

[caption id="attachment_4585" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Strangler Fig Tree At Poor Man's Paradise"][/caption]

remnants of the  small perfectly round spheres molded from stones hundreds of years ago by these indigenous people

I would have loved to stay here longer, get to know the local people.   A Unique Earthly Paradise!

Price for the room  includes three meals.  Cost of the boat round trip  is extra and of course cost of getting to Sierrpe by land  and also by air is also extra.  Poor Man's Paradise has a package which includes transportation plus lodging.  You can book this by contacting  anncreed23@gmail.com    "The Costa Rica Learn Travel Company.   www.costaricalearn.com

 

SAD THING IS
A  gravel road has just been completed from Drake Bay to this area!  And is passable in the dry season only.
This brings the four wheeled modern invention called the automobile, which means hoards of people who are not from this area will flock to this pristine paradise and there goes the peace and tranquility.    Although, money will be spent  in Poor Man’s small local restaurants and  Costa Ricans will pay  to pitch their tents on Poor Man’s  property as well as the other places on the beach and the economy related  to income will improve--is it worth it? .... To lose this special unique quality of life style which is "gone with the wind" in most parts of our world today?

Would you like to visit the beautiful Osa Peninsula?   Contact Vacation Planning to Costa Rica by Ann, the Costa Rica Expert  Contact her:  anncreed23@gmail.com      She can design for you the perfect vacation to this most pristine region of Costa Rica.