Costa Rica: July to August 2021
July 26, 2021
Flew from SFO to MIA and them MIA to SJO. We checked into the Park Inn, San Jose by Radisson. Tomorrow we will make our way to the Mwamba Lodge in Tortuguerro.
July 27, 2021
Ate breakfast at the Rio Danta Restaurant
Took a boat to the Mwamba Lodge which is an African-style lodge in the middle of the rain forest and on the way there we saw crocodiles, Howler monkeys, Basilisk lizards, and Iguanas,
After checking in we took another short boat trip to Tortuguero Village
July 28, 2021
We took a wildlife walk around the Mwamba Lodge and saw various animals such as: Iguanas and baby Iguanas, Red-Eyed Tree frogs, Greater White-Lined bats, Leaf Cutter ants, Purple Leaf grasshoppers, and various other lizard species.
We also took a wildlife boat tour through the rain forest and saw other animals such as: Tiger Herons, Anhingas, Spectacled Caiman, Orange-Eared Sliders and Iguanas. What really struck me is that the rain forest doesn’t smell moldy or gross; on the contrary, it smelled like a mix of flowers and chocolate.
That night Henry and Jessica and I took a guided night hike through the rain forest. All we really saw were insects, a few birds, and a blue land crab
July 29, 2021
We checked out of the Mwamba Lodge and took a boat back to where we caught our bus. We again had lunch at the Rio Danta Restaurant. On the boat we saw Spider monkeys and more Howler monkeys
From there we went to the Arenal region and checked into the Casa Luna Hotel and Spa
July 30, 2021
The first thing we did today was go on the Don Juan Chocolate and Coffee Tour. We went to a chocolate and coffee farm to see how these are produced. The kids made chocolate bars and we were able to sample some traditionally made hot chocolate, which is spicy instead of sweet.
We also went on a Sloth watching tour and saw Sloths, various lizards, a Fur-de-Lance, Rufous-Tailed Jacamars (a species of bird), and bullet ants. The kids each bought a stuffed Sloth.
July 31, 2021
We went to the Ecocentro Danaus and the Maleku Cultural Center. In the Ecocentro we saw a lot of different species of butterflies, caterpillars, and a Strawberry Poison Dart frog. At the Maleku culutal center, Henry and Natalie were each given a headband.
That night we went to the Tabacon Hot Springs and relaxed in the warm natural pools of water
August 1, 2021
After checking out of the Casa Luna Hotel and Spa, we took a water taxi across Lake Arenal and transferred to the Monte Verde region
Checked into El Establo Hotel
August 2, 2021
Today we spent the day at Salvatura Park. The first thing we did was take a hike through the rain forest which included going across a number of hanging bridges. I had a blast, not sure how the others felt. There is also a butterfly garden and we saw more of the species of butterflies found in Costa Rica. There are a lot of very beautiful butterfly species here. We ended our visit to the park by going to the Reptile Exhibit and saw different species of snakes found in Costa Rica such as the Cascabel Neotropical Rattlesnake, Eyelash Palm Pit Viper, and Boa Constrictors.
August 3, 2021
After checking out of El Establo, we took a van to Playa Hermosa and checked into the Bosque Del Mar Hotel
August 4, 2021
We took a Catamaran Sailing and Snorkel Tour in the Golfo Papagayo. This was a four or five hour sailing excursion. At one point, we saw a mother Humpback Whale and her calf swimming in the Gulf. Towards the end, I had the opportunity to go snorkeling. The most prolific animal I saw were sea urchins but I also saw a few species of fish and an eel.
August 5, 2021
Today was a day to relax so we spent it at the beach and pool
August 6, 2021
We took a four hour van trip back to San Jose and checked into the Paque Del Lago Hotel
August 7, 2021
First things first - we had to get our COVID test to be able to fly back home tomorrow
Today we visited two museums, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the Jade Museum. After visiting these museums we walked around San Jose for a bit. It started to rain so we called it a day and went back to the hotel to pack up for tomorrow’s return home.
August 8, 2021
We flew back home today, connecting through Atlanta.