Costa Rica 2nd Chance
Part 1: La Fortuna
After arriving and being denied entry to Costa Rica on October 9 we took a month off and hung out in Pompano Beach, Florida. It is now November 9 and we are headed back to Costa (with a return flight that we know we will most likely never use grrrr)
The Tension was very high in the customs line. We had about a 2 hour wait until it was our turn. We looked at AGENT #17 and said "no fuckin' way" we are not going to THAT guy again. We skirted our way over to another agent and the FLOOD GATES OPENED. We were IN. Costa Rica here we come.
The first trip was some seriously shitty luck and I am glad we didn't even bother making a stink about it. That is what a good Pack Mule does.......roll with it and always have a plan b, c, d, and f. Brett always preaches patience, and he is usually right.
So freekin' happy to be here, the first thing we did was find a local coffee roaster with good Joe. Yes.
First night quick stay in San Jose before catching the bus. Interesting thing is we stayed in a hostel. I have always wanted to so Brett gave in. It is just too bad we were about 20 years too late to really enjoy the experience. We had a private room and loved chilling with the young travelers, but quite frankly we are just past that point in our life. HOSTEL STAY....... CHECK. Loved Jason and Emily brother and sister travelers who we went out for Buddha Bowls with. We chatted with them and others in the courtyard about traveling do's, don'ts and dreams. So fun to hear from young people who are out there doing it.
Getting on the bus to LaFortuna. 4 hour (80 miles) bus ride $5 USD each. It wasn't a chicken bus, but certainly not luxurious. The bus stopped a lot and we had to make sure our bags didn't disappear under the bus when the luggage compartment opened at stops. Private transportation was really expensive in CR, which we did a few times between areas. This same ride with a private van was $280. USD.
Our first stay was La Fortuna where we took in the volcano, fauna, floral, hot springs, and white water rafting. It was a great intro before we hit the beaches on the south eastern coast. Hotel Bijou was our darling cabin rental for $60. USD per night.
White water Rafting with Arenal Rafting was a frightening, but also exciting and heart pounding experience.Our guide was super, but we didn't get any on the water photos, we were a bit too busy trying not to fall off. It was a super "Central American experience", no rafting instructions, no waivers or forms and we left 45 minutes late waiting for someone. We are all good and used to this, but some travelers may be a bit nervous with the lack of instruction.
The Volcanic hot water springs that we soaked in for 1.5 hours with no-one around was totally free and my super favorite memory of LaFortuna and all of CR. So stinking cool. Artists everywhere, the CR culture is quite artistic and creative. This central area was beautiful jungle, waterfalls, rolling hills and plush green.
After just under a week in central CR, we were set to head off to the Caribbean coast. The PMA continues.
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