Blogs from Tarcoles, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Central America Caribbean

Quebrada Ganado Wednesday We took an early walk partway down to the macaw's nest, but no bird sightings. We passed an interesting fruit tree, probably a grapefruit. We returned by way of the river estuary. Many shore birds, and several guys fishing from shore. Many birds were swarming over one area of the ocean, with pelicans diving straight down into the water. The bigger fish (perhaps tuna) drive the smaller ones toward shore, and then the birds have a feast. Later in the morning we heard "caws" coming from the beach. We went down to their favorite tree by the beach (probably an almond). We saw two macaws, but couldn't get any good photos. This is beginning to become an obsession! Later when Bob was looking for some hotel reservations, I walked down there again, but ... read more

Quebrada Ganado Monday (We lost Internet for most of the day yesterday.) The people here are very friendly and helpful. Yesterday when we got into Quebrada Ganado, we needed groceries and a taxi. Bob talked to a young man on the corner who called a cab for us. As we were waiting for the cab with our bags by the grocery store, another young man asked if we needed help. The cab driver was also very helpful. At 6am today I heard the red macaw's "caw". Went outside to look and saw two fly over the swimming pool. I later saw two fly over the ocean. They have a very distinctive sound. Took some walks early in the morning before the heat set in. We walked along the beach, past a few shacks and tents with ... read more

So stinking hot here today, don't remember it being this hot when we were here last. Two ships in port today, so didn't know how we would go with organising our own driver - but all went well found Francisco, a lovely local from Puntarenas - as we had been here 3 years ago and done the capital San Jose and Sarchi the craft area - we decided to do a more country and nature type tour today. Costa Rica is just so rich with wildlife -birds, crocodiles, lizards, monkeys etc - set out to see what we could find just in the wild. Saw the cutest little cappuccino monkeys. To get to see all these things we travelled along the Pan American Highway for about 30 kilometres. Huge mango, melons, cashew growing area as well ... read more

Wheres me monkey? Worked out that today was Saturday and we wanted to see some animals a bit bigger than frogs and parrots. Further down the coast is the Park National Manuel Antonio it's a bit of a drive about 50 miles each way but we think it will be worth it. Particulalry as we'll see lots of coastline as well. Popped in the pool before breakfast to cool down a bit even though it was actually reasonably pleasant – as soon as I got in the pool the dawn chorus of Scarlett Macaws passed over and landed in the tree outside. Got some good pictures – at one point must have been 10+ in the tree! Had a good breakfast – Ramon arrived to turn on the pool filters and we got away not long ... read more

A Mummy went a Mowing Just as the day was breaking – large amounts of snoring was heard by Eleanor – which she likened to the sound of a large lawn mower... need I say more? Paid for the Holiday Inn in San Jose and then the car was delivered by a nice guy from National Rent a Car. Decided to take the GPS as the app on the iPad was rubbish. Nice car big 4x4 Toyota Prado – which easily took all our luggage and passengers. Not as nice as the Tank though J GPS directed out of San Jose – via a few back streets and then on a 60km road to almost our destination. Stopped off for some shoppingin a place called Ortina – at a biggish supermarket and then looked over the ... read more