Blogs from Costa Rica, Central America Caribbean - page 8

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Curi Cancha reserve is about 3KM from Monteverde Cloud Reserve. Most people skip it because they think the two are similar but I had read it has really good bird life, so I decided to visit it. Which meant walking the 3KM to get to the reserve and then doing the trails inside the reserve. The entry fee is $20 and the reserve shuts at 3PM, so important to time things well. I did couple of the trails inside Curi Cancha, but hadn't seen any birds or animals and it was appearing as if my decision wasn't a smart one. Then I stopped at a view point where I noticed some butterflies and I was watching them and suddenly I noticed hummingbirds. I have never seen one up close and this one was particularly close, fearless, ... read more
Curi Cancha trail map
Life on life
Agouti


Costa Rica has been on my mind for sometime because of what I read about its eco friendly approach to tourism. In terms of natural beauty, it has stunning beaches (Caribbean Sea on one side and Pacific Ocean on the other), rainforests and dry tropical forests, an amazing bird life. A country of 6 Million people that attracts nearly 2 Million tourists every year, you get the picture. It has been a stable democracy, very safe. Lot of Indian companies run call centers here, so my take was they would have done their risk assessment before investing here It's tagline is Pura Vida which translates to Pure Life. Says a lot about its people and their attitude to life. In these Covid times, picking a country to travel also needs to take into account Covid related ... read more


I landed in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. I had kept a few days just to recover from my long flight, see the city a bit which I did (it has some great museums, but since am into that much, I didn't do any). I explored San Jose like a local (well as much as I could), ate at Sodas (these are small local joints, tasty and cheap food, you will find mostly locals eating there). The dish that is most well known in Costa Rica is Gallo Pinto (pronounced as Gajo Pinto), which is made from rice, black beans, served with an egg (scrambled/poached) and can have add on of ham or other stuff you want and sweet plantain (tastes like banana, it's not banana though). Overall San Jose was a good stopover ... read more
Selina Monteverde Entrance


Monteverde (translates to Green Mountains), at an altitude of 1300 meters or so is known for its Cloud Forests. I had decided to hike in Monteverde Cloud Reserve and Curi Cancha Reserve. From the parking lot, the entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest is 1.4KM, there is a bus that leaves from parking every 10-15 minutes to take people. I decided to walk it though. My first few hundred meters on a flat road, my lungs were beginning to burn, I was breathing heavy. I realised the issue. The air is crisp, pure, cold. I am not used to that living in Mumbai. After a few minutes, my lungs got used to that and started enjoying the walk. I had pre-booked my ticket to Monteverde Cloud Forest (US$ 25 per person for foreigners). Monteverde has multiple ... read more
Monteverde Cloud Reserve - Trail Map
Monteverde Cloud Reserve
Monteverde Cloud Reserve


A dozen years later, I have started another adventure. The world is different with the Covid pandemic, travel restrictions, transit visas and much more. But the soul of the wanderer remains intact. So I am off to backpacking across Costa Rica and Panama. The fact that I don't speak Spanish makes this even more challenging, but my first few days in San Jose have shown me that people are sweet and helpful if you try and approach them. And yes, in the changing world, there are enough technologies to help in translating. I travel older (definitely), lighter (learnt to pack better), wiser (? Who knows). Will keep posting as I go. Pura Vida!!!... read more
View of Irazu National Park


Today has gone belly up before we’re even out of bed. Our flight home, recently delayed from 6.40 to 8.40 this evening, has now been pushed back to 7 am tomorrow. So, instead of a leisurely brunch before going to to the airport to check in, we book an airport hotel for our ‘bonus’ night in Costa Rica. We toy with idea of one final sightseeing trip this morning, but rapidly lose interest. The old man settles down to crush candy, while I set up camp by the pool for one last swim/blast of sunshine. After brunch (yesterday’s leftover Chinese – who doesn’t love cold sweet & sour prawns for breakfast?) we swap hotels. There is mention in the email from British Airways that if we go to the airport (at an unspecified time, to an ... read more
The glamour of international travel.
Another morning by the pool
Another afternoon another pool


Today is the last full day of our trip and we’re going into San José for some culture. We spent a day sightseeing in the city last week, but it was a Monday when everything is closed. So today we plan to visit the museum and art gallery. We take an Uber into town and find a spot for breakfast; Restaurante el Patio del Balmoral. We order the del Patio breakfast – gallo pinto (fried rice and beans) with fried cheese, fried eggs, fried plantain and fried bread. In case that wasn’t sufficient calories, it comes with a side of sour cream! And a pint of orange juice. Once we have consumed a zillion calories, we head to the National Museum, which is housed in the former Bellavista Fort, HQ of the Costa Rican army until ... read more
Restaurante del Patio breakfast
National Museum
National Museum (Bellavista Fortress)


Today sees the first leg of our journey home. There are no direct flights from Panama to London, so this afternoon we fly back to Costa Rica. After the obligatory trip to the breakfast buffet, I blow the last of the Balboas on fridge magnets before packing and heading for the airport. A tactical error; I finished my book this morning. An error compounded by the fact that the airport wifi is limited to 30 minutes. An error further compounded by the fact that shortly after boarding commences, it stops again and the passengers who had already boarded reappear. Apparently, a member of crew has fallen ill. They promise to let us know what’s happening in 30 minutes. And so afternoon drifts into evening with alternating additional delays and gate changes. At one point vouchers are ... read more


It’s our last day in Costa Rica (for now) and as I’m feeling pretty much back to normal, we can take an Uber into town for a wander. We decide to start to the north of the city centre in Barrio Amón, which Lonely Planet informs me is a “pleasant, historical neighbourhood, home to a cluster of 19th-century coffee grower mansions. Recently many of the area’s historical buildings have been converted into hotels, cafes, bars, and offices, making this a popular district for an architectural stroll.” Our driver pulls up at our chosen location. He looks a little worried and checks that we really do want to be left here! We do, so off we set on our architectural stroll. First, we head in the opposite direction as the old man has spotted a fire station ... read more
Fire station
Barrio Amón
Barrio Amón


It’s release day and we’re going to the park. After breakfast, I put on my shoes – they feel weird – I haven’t worn shoes in a while! We catch an Uber to La Sabana park. La Sabana was San José’s original airport, but is now a park and home to the National Stadium. The former terminal building has become an art gallery. We take a stroll round the park and round off with a visit to the gallery (Museum of Costa Rican Art). I have a slight panic on entering the museum when the security guard produces a thermometer, but I pass. Its official; I’m (a) covid free and (b) not hot! The interior contains mainly pictures. The walls of what was once the VIP lounge (the Golden Room), are covered with a 150 square ... read more
La Sabana Park
La Sabana Park
La Sabana Park




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