Blogs from Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Central America Caribbean - page 6

After a two hour boat ride and a four hour bus ride interspersed with two breakdowns in the middle of nowhere due to break failures, we arrived ragged and tired in La Fortuna. Checking into our hostel, we found out that we were the only people staying there. The tourist town usually a hive of activity during peak season was now empty, with just a splattering of gringo's and locals wandering around. Most people come here to view the active Volcan Arenal that towers over the town, and to enjoy the hot springs that stream out of the volcano. There are numerous fancy hotels, including a 5 star place, that have been built next to the hot springs and charge a ridiculous amount of money to visit the springs. However, there is a free one that ... read more

On Wednesday (January 26), our group did some volunteer work on a farm by the name of Life Monteverde. Working on the farm and learning about the different plants was an interesting experience. The farm is owned by a group of Fair Traders, which is trying to develop a system for small farm families to work together and improve their life. As of now, Life Monteverde has different programs in which they inform how coffee plantations where low environmental impact production practices are applied, production of organic fertilizers, tree nursery and reforestation with native species, poultry farm and organic garden, alternative energy, trails in secondary and primary forest, use of rainwater and knowledge resources. The first thing we did at Life Monteverde was plant trees on a hill which needs to be reforested for the future. ... read more

PR agents for Monteverde would describe the travel experience as a free “butt massage”, which is the best possible way to describe the bumpy, curvy, unpaved road that gets you there. While I was looking forward to seeing it again, I was definitely NOT looking forward to the drive. Fortunately, traveling to Monteverde from La Fortuna had an exciting surprise. We get there by ferry. You still get the free butt massage, but before hand you carry your luggage down to this small boat which takes you over Lake Arenal to the other side. It was a beautiful bonus… There are 3 major things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica – zip-lining, a coffee tour, and a night time walking tour. The first two I was able to check off with my family, so upon arrival ... read more

Costa Rica 2013: Day 7:Monteverde Day 3: This morning we'd booked the Hanging Bridges tour at Selvatura. The minivan picked us up, and about 12 others. After a rather long ride, mostly due to rough, winding roads, we arrived at Selvatura. This place has the Hanging Bridges tour, at least one canopy tour, canyonerring, a Tarzan swing, and Butterfly, Insect, and Serpent houses. We were really looking forward to seeing some wildlife, so we got our tickets and headed onto the footpaths towards the first of eight bridges. To make a long story short, we saw almost nothing but plants, a couple of birds, and one centipede! Granted, the trek was enjoyable, there were some pretty cool plants, and the hanging bridges were pretty neat, but that doesn't add up to $30 each worth of enjoyment. ... read more

Cosat Rica 2013: Day 5:Tortuguero To Monteverde: We woke up at 4:30am to pack up and get our taxi to the village boat ramp. The lodge made us up two bags of fresh fruit for the trip, and there was fresh coffee too. Unfortunately, they didn't remember the cream/milk, so I only drank a bit of it. We arrived at the village boat ramp before the ticket office opened, so we bought the first two tickets to La Pavona. The trip up the canals wasn't as exciting since we'd seen it all before, but we were entertained by the boat pulling into several private places to pick up stuff to deliver to either La Pavona or Cariari. Probably nothing elicit, but it made me wonder. We also had to wait after the first stop for a ... read more