Blogs from Central America Caribbean - page 1909

Manuel Antonio was really an amazing park. I would definitely recommend heading there in the rainy season, considering it felt like we had the park all to ourselves with the exception of only a few other hikers. We have heard that the place gets a bit overrun in the dry season with tour buses lining up on the street outside. Our seven dollar entry fee was well spent as we saw an abundance of wildlife, interesting flora and beautiful beaches. The hiking was cool due to the trails being shaded by the tree canopy. However, I would also recommend hiking in the early morning - the afternoons can get quite hot here. Bring water as well, which can be purchased from folks on the street outside the entrance. No maps are sold nor are they needed ... read more

This morning we got a ride down to Magen's Bay, which is about 3 minutes from my sister's apartment. We spent the morning there while our hosts worked at local schools for the morning. Magen's Bay was typically packed with cruise ship tourists on Thursdays when I lived here, but this being the lowest month of low season, there were no cruise ships in town and maybe 10 locals swimming on this mile long beach. Completely empty beaches are a trend you'll notice the next few blog entries. September is low season because it's hot and muggy, and there's the possibility of hurricanes. Also, because it's low season about half the restaurants and hotels are closed. But it's the best time to visit. Leaving Magen's, we stopped by St. Thomas Dairies for a milkshake. Bananaquit and ... read more

We’ve been looking forward to using this famous palindrome for ages, so hopefully everyone will be sufficiently impressed. The day began on the bus and, still half-asleep, we negotiated past the taxi drivers all pretending to be our best friends so they can take us to their cousin’s dump of a hotel. So we were on our way to our chosen hostel, with a taxi driver who was not a good liar. When asked if he was sure he knew where he was going, he said “Yes” when it was totally obvious that he should have said “No”. Eventually we found it (better to be lucky than good, as they say), although we were surprised to find that the hostel was an ex-2 bedroom apartment converted into a 12 person backpackers’ home. And literally miles from ... read more

Its great to be up in the cooler air! The rain comes and goes along with the clouds, or FOG. To watch the clouds roll in at night makes the surrounding lights disappear, it becomes dead quiet, and VERY brisk! I am waiting for a clear night to take a picture of the 'highway to the sky'.....Yellow street lights off past San Ramon, that seem to lead straight up into the sky.... coming soon, I hope. Here is the new 4x4, stick shift, and all around a better vehicle. NOW I can take day trips ANYwhere. Meeting new folks everyday here, seeing houses for sale, houses being built, learning the ups and downs of all involved. Still just a 'sponge' for information. Keep it comin'! The trees of Zarcero are conifers planted all over and grow ... read more

Well we've known this for a while, but we needed to wait out the first trimester to make the announcement. Rachel is expecting and is due in April. She just made it to her twelfth weeks, and is beginning to show, so there's no hiding it anymore! More to come so stay tuned! Matt Orchid Lodge's Website - http://www.theorchidlodge.com Click here to read our blog - http://blog.theorchidlodge.com... read more