Cessna flight to San Jose

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We flew this day to San Jose from Tortuguero in a single engine Cessna. There is a very small landing strip across the river from Tortuga Lodge which brings a plane twice a day. The hotel staff came across with us to see us off in the rain. Our flight was very smooth, I think in large part due to the pilot's abilities as there was bad weather.

We had a good look at San Jose from the air and we were met at the small airport by our guide Omar. We were all so pleased to be reunited with him (he is rather stoic so we could not tell what he thought of being reunited with us), it was like a homecoming. It was a short-lived reunion though as we drove through the city Omar's van overheated without explanation. He was forced to turn us over to a new guide because they each drive their own van and we had several scheduled events on this day.

Our new guide, Alex, was very sweet and anxious to please but he spoke little English. He took us to our tour at the Cafe Britt coffee plantation. Some very enterprising people have turned the tour into quite an elaborate production. The company has expanded their product line and they have huge stores everywhere, especially at the airport (where everything was nearly twice the price). I had a box of coffee shipped home. We had lunch there also but that was not a very good meal.

In the afternoon we saw the National Theatre and the Gold Museum. The Gold Museum is a very sophisticated and impressive museum and is an excellent display of the gold and other artificats which have been found and tell the story of CR's pre-spanish history. Definitely a must-see in San Jose and it does not take long.

The farewell dinner was at a restaurant in this food/bar/ entertainment complex but I thought again it was a bit kitschy. Food was only okay. The food at Tortuga Lodge certainly spoiled our palates. The next day was back to the states for me, but the other tour members went on to Manuel Antonio. I briefly toyed with the idea of trying to extend my trip to Manuel Antonio also and wished it had been suggested to me ahead so I could add it. Unfortunately I had too many fixed arrangements that I would have had to try to change and on a holiday weekend at home. I guess I'll just have to go back!

The Tico motto is "pura vida" and you can see why once you are there.

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Photos

View of river
from the air

Pilot
me and Sharon outside the hangar where he parked in San Jose

Saying goodbye to Omar
after his van broke down in San Jose

Comments

[Heidi Ho]

Nice Blog
My first time looking at someone's travel blog. Looks great! Glad you had a good trip. Love Heidi