"9 Days in Costa Rica" Costa Rica by frank_delargy

Costa Rica Travel Guide: 6,352 reviews and 11,032 photos

A fantastic journey . a beautiful country

The trip started with a 6AM flight from Boston to Miami to San Jose, Costa Rica.

It was an OK flight and because we had left so early in the morning we were able to get to Costa Rica before noon. We proceeded to rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle from Avis as I had read everywhere that we would need it. As it turns out, you need the height (clearance) more than the traction. We headed up the Pan American highway toward our first base, Nuevo Arenal. After about an hour on the road, we decided to stop at a roadside 'soda' to get something to eat. They don't serve food on planes anymore! The sodas are usually just a family place where the family lives and they use the front for cooking and serving food. They always seem to have plastic lawn furniture. We saw a lot of plastic lawn furniture in Costa Rica.

More info at
http://www.delargy.com/2003_8_CostaRica/costarica.htm

Mudslide

At Canas we turned off the Pan America highway, which I guess runs the length of Central and South America, and headed inland toward Tilaran & Lake Arenal. When we got our first view of the lake we also saw Arenal volcano at the other end of the lake. The car was still pretty shiny at this point. That will change soon!

I had told the owners of the house we were renting, Britt and Gloria, that we would probably get there about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. We were making great time and were about 25 miles from the house, just before the picture to the right was taken, when we hit the first of 3 major mud slide backups that would ultimately add over 3 hours to our trip.
The next 9 days would include Arenal, Fortuna, Monteverde, SelvaVerde, San Jose, Quepos and Manuel Antonio NP .

Animals

Baby Sloth

For me Costa Rica was more about animals than anything else.
There was an abundance of creatures and birds to be seen everywhere. In the highlands around Arenal, we saw lots of Howler monkeys and Toucans, in Salve Verde, it was poison dart frogs and in Manuel Antonio, it was monkeys, iguanas, snakes and sloths. Leaf cutting ants were everywhere, lizards of every variety plentiful and the Macaws in flight were gorgeous. And then .. there were those crocodiles..

Pros and Cons

Pros:wildlife, volcanoes, beaches, flying (zipping) through the jungle
Cons:sometimes a bit touristy..
In a nutshell:A tropical paradise that is still accessible and yet not too 'spoiled' by tourism .. yet.

Last visit to Costa Rica: Aug 2003
Intro Updated Jan 10, 2005
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Reviews (28)

Traffic Warnings Or Dangers (4)

You need to be constantly aware when driving in CR. I found this especially true on the better roads. Why, well you need... more travel advice

Jaco Beach.. Surfer Dudes and Dudesses Sports & Outdoors (1)

If you are into surfing, you don't need this tip, but if you are a regular tourist to CR, you may notice as you are on... more travel advice

Carts are still used for transport Local Customs (3)

Oxen drawn carts are often seen on the road. Becareful driving. Some of the carts are very vividly painted with... more travel advice

Horses are a good way to get around Local Customs (3)

In the Monteverde area where there is quite a bit of Coffee growing, you can see people using horses for transportation.... more travel advice

Restaurants (3)
See All On the road from Nueva Arenal to Fortuna
Things to Do (10)
See All Wild? Animals
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Look for crabs near the rivers &...

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (24)

Beast Jun 19, 2009 at 7:51 AM Report Abuse

I have not been here yet, but after reading about it on your site it will be on my next itinerary. Thanks a lot.
hunterV May 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM Report Abuse

Yes, I'd like to pay a visi to Eath's Paradise Costa Rica some day... I've been told it's great and you confirm my guess too, Frank! ><>< Thanks ><><
MikeBird Feb 1, 2009 at 11:26 AM Report Abuse

The wildlife opportunities in Costa Rica are amazing. Thanks for your really useful tips. Mike
balhannah Nov 18, 2008 at 2:34 AM Report Abuse

What a beautiful opening photo! How lucky were you to see a baby sloth. We like seeing nature, hope to get to Costa Rica in the not too distant future.
mulligan828 Jun 5, 2006 at 10:09 AM Report Abuse

Was wondering if you know the name of the park?? I'm going there in September, trying to plan everything out, this sounds like fun..definitely want to go! thanks- Maureen
SURFIN7TH Apr 5, 2006 at 1:09 PM Report Abuse

Great Page. Leaving anything in your car is not reccomended either. Even beach towels.
intoento Mar 21, 2006 at 8:29 PM Report Abuse

Hey Frank I was taking a look at your Costa Rica pictures and I was wondering if you knew the genus and species of that millipede you have a photo of?
Tamabacklund Jan 23, 2006 at 7:41 AM Report Abuse

Thank you for great posts and pictures of CR. My family visited last May (my son visited the Caribbean side the yr. before as a high school student) and my husband and I fell in love with it.
L._A. Sep 27, 2005 at 8:27 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful pages with great info. I particularly enjoyed the shot of your view from the porch!
Paul2001 Jul 6, 2005 at 5:49 PM Report Abuse

Great wildlife photos. Costa Rica has so much to see for such a tiny country.