Heriberto Rivera: November 2006

Yes, visiting Costa Rica ia an adventure, just going from one place to other can be called an adventure. I had a great time. We rent a car and getting to San Jose was a little difficult, most of the streets are not identified and following the arrow on the sign can take you to Panama !

When finally we find our way to the City it was difficult to find the place we make reservations. Make sure that you bring the address with you, not the exact address , but knowing between which street is the place you are going will be more helpful than having the building number.

Hotel Colonial is a nice place and somehow secure. Do not believe that the price include parking. When we ask they told us that they lost the key, it seems that they offer the only parking garage that they have to everyone to make you do a reservation. Then, they send you to a private garage parking in the area. If you get this service make sure that they give you a receipt that show the amount,if you paid ( "cancelado") and what time you will need to move the car, if not, you will have trouble the next day when you go to pick up your can. They would want to charge you extra. The price for overnight parking is around 2,500 CRC.

Next day we start our trip to Monteverde to do the Original Canopy Tour It was more exciting getting there than the tour itself. The satff is not too friendly and , please, do not ask for directions there. Getting there we have to go thru several roads that are unpaved. This is not only to get to Monteverde , but around all Costa Rica, it could be of excitement if you have an adventurous spirit.

Please have in mind that there is no ATM in the road until you pass San Ramos, right before you get to Esparza. In your way you will have to pass a toll that cost 75 CRC and you can make a donation of 25CRC if you wants to and then you drive thru the mist forrest and remember that most of the traffic are trucks that are traveling route one.

Locals recommend us others Canopy Tours to be more fun that the Original Canopy Tour, if you expect to see the tree that is mention on Frommers, be aware that you won't.

After the Canopy Tour we star our journey to Arenal. What a Journey!
We drove all night trying to get to Cabinas del Castillo, we went via Santa Elena and stop at Tilaran, another small city in Costa Rica. We stop in a computer shop to verify directions and we found out that we will neeed to go around the lake to get to El Castillo area. We start driving again and when we thougt we were there, we weren't. We was tired from all the drive and stop in a very nice Boutique Hotel, GINGERBREAD , and spend the night there. This Boutique Hotel in Lake Arenal area has no website but here is the e-mail gingerbreadhotel@gmail.com . His owner, Eyal Ben Menachen, was very friendly and we felt like home. It is located in the way to the Volcano and Hot Springs.

When we got up in the morning we start driving to Arenal Volcano National Park and near the Boutique Hotel we found a nice panoramic view

OooooPPpppSsSS! That's me and the panoramic view!

Finally we got to the Arenal Volcano area and here is the pictures from the Volcano we visit... Here I'm sitting in a rock form from the recently eruption on 1992.

Yes, very exciting, It was nice that we were able to see fume coming out of the Volcano. Arenal Volcano often rewards visitors with impressive natural fireworks displays and voluminous plumes of smoke that rise hundreds of feet into the air. At night, if it's not cloudy, the show is even more stupendous as the mammoth volcano spews red lava and huge rocks glowing against the black sky.

After the walk in the Volcano we head to Playa del Coco area. While driving to Playa del Coco we pass a small town with a peculiar plaza, here is some pictures:

We were planing on Scuba Dive in the area but unfortunaly the trip to to Diving area were early in the morning and after all the driving the last thing you want to do if being in the pool at 7a.m. ( this is if you are not scuba certified). So, we decide to relax and enjoy the beach...Pura Vida!
There is a lot of shopping in the area and bar and restaurant open until late. We stay at Villa del Sol in Playa del Coco, staff were very friendly and the place it is nice decorated within walking distance from beach.