Osa Peninsula

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Our final Costa Rica stop is the OSA Peninsula where we spent a week at the Iguana Lodge on the Golfo Dolce, a tropical fiord. Who knew there were tropical fiords. We always thought they were only in Scandinavian countries.

I am sure a fiord, by any other name, does not have accommodations like Iguana Lodge. Lauren and Toby, owners of Iguana, were great hosts and have created a new high water mark for the hospitality industry. They were friendly and professional and complimented by the wonderful staff they employed: Giovanni, Vladimir, Sydner, Maxine, Andre, Marti an a few others. We stayed in one of their casitas, a screened tree house 12 feet off the ground surrounded by the tropical foliage of the Osa. Waking up to the screeching Macaw and howler monkeys with the pounding surf of the Pacific in the background and falling asleep to the breeze in the trees and the ever present surf was surreal. If this was not enough the varied cuisine was fantastic and every dish prepared perfectly. Friday, pasta nights, are something of a legend in this part of the Osa and we were not disappointed with fresh grilled vegetables, meat balls, and lasagna Mary’s Nona would have been proud to serve. The food was only half the treat. Salsa music and local dancers were the real attraction. Our last night was barbecue on the beach with a 7 foot bonfire and again a phenomenal array of salads and grilled pollo all served with torches and moonlight lighting up the beach.

The black sand vacant beach, warm surf, were daily occurrences plus birding tours with Sydner and biking into town. We took a day trip across the gulf with Andre and Lucy, new friends, who were transiting to Tiskitia and asked if we would like to join them. We did and were able to see the Rio Coco Colorado and a small village. From here we parted company and returned back to the Iguana. Sitting in a hammock relaxing, listening to the pounding surf is not difficult with temperatures in the 90's and equal humidity.

We said good bye to our new friends at the Iguana Lodge on the Osa Peninsula and vowed to return. Then we ferried across the Golfo Dulce and met Giovanni’s friend, Gustalvo, who was waiting with his red taxi. We were off to our final stop, Panama.

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Photos

Plane from San Jose
This was a fun ride. Very bumpy till you cleared 10,000 feet and were above the mountains surronding the city. What a view of the Pacific Coast.

Scarlet Maccaw
These were everywhere.

White faced monkey
This was one in a family of 15 that would visit in the afternoon to eat fresh bananas from the tree.

Bird on a wire
One of the many we saw in the Osa

Moonset
The largest full moon of the year and this was at 6 am one morning.

View from our 1st room.
We were given an upgrade to the tree house casita. This was the view from our first room.

Biking to Town
Mary on the road to town

Comments

[Paul Terry]

What a way to spend the winter
You guys make me sick. Doing all this great beach side traveling and not taking me with you. I'm going next time....really.. justtttt kiddinggg :-) Beautiful weather here this week - it's all the way up in the 50's....you guys make me sick. ha ha ha