A Visit to Costa Rica

A VISIT TO COSTA RICA

Costa Rica is a Central American country located just north of Panama and South of Nicaragua. It is the oldest democracy in Central America. They are so stable and peaceful they don't even have an army. It is the home to many unique species of plants and animals in its tropical rainforests. The temperature is mild the year round in the highlands where San Jose, the capital, is located. Many Americans have retired to this country because of its beauty, weather, and friendly people and latin culture. Our tour was with Caravan Tours. It was very well run, the guide was excellent, the food and lodging was very good. The tour was ten days, starting in the capital, San Jose and returning there after traversing the country to the Caribbean side, up north near Nicaragua, to the Pacific beaches and back to San Jose. At $995 per person it was well worth it.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Our first hotel, San Jose Palacio View from the hotel.

Countryside near San Jose Poor man's "umbrella" plant

Poas Volcano

Tree top tram.

We saw many tropical plants from the tram. Also big spiders.

We traveled to the Green Turtle and wildlife sanctuary in Tortuguero National Park.

You can only get there by boat or plane.

We took the boat. We saw many varieties of plants and animals, only a small sample are seen here.

Drying out. Cayman

Up close Great photo op.

"Jesus" lizard (it walks/runs on water) Heron

Two toed sloth Termite nest

Exotic flower

We saw various sights while traversing the country. We had lunch at a restaurant which also had

a butterfly garden, one which is seen here. When it flies the inside of the wings are iridescent blue.

We stopped at one place and viewed 50-60 iguanas sunning themselves in the trees next to our vantage

point (a bridge) We visited a banana plantation to see how they process bananas. We viewed

15-20 large crocodiles in a river from a bridge near the Pacific Ocean. We visited Jaco beach in the

Carara Biological Reserve. The water was warm and we viewed various wildlife.

We visited a cloud forest near the San Carlos valley. It is enveloped in clouds most of the time.

Some of us decided to brave the Zip Line tree top adventure. What a ride!

We stopped to see all metal church in Grecia, shipped in pieces to Costa Rica

from Belgium. We also visited Sarchi, known for its woodwork.

Here is a picture of our tour group: what a great group of people!

We stayed four days in San Jose after the tour. We saw the popular horse parade

and Carnival parade right after Christmas.

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