Travel Themes
Day 1
Language
culture
acclimatization
Hotel Buena Vista, Alajuela
Day 2
Spectacular scenery
Mountain roads
Alpine vistas
Volcanic geology
Micro ecosystems
Village squares (Zarcera: topiary)
The volcano at Arenal
Hot springs
Smithsonian Observatory
Day 3
More scenery
Following hand-drawn maps
Rain forest
Wooden bridges
Dirt roads
Macadamia plantation, Finca La Anita
Caretakers: Tino and Lygia (pron. LEE-hee-ah)
First rainforest hike
Horseback riding
Bathe in jungle stream
Evening on veranda
Rainforest sights and sounds
Monkey, jaguar, birds, butterflies, lizards, etc.
Day 4
All day rainforest hike
Drive Ð Ride Ð Hike
Campesino ecotourism lodge
National Park Volcan Rincon de la Vieja (Old Woman's Corner)
Varied ecosystems
Terrain ravaged by 1995 eruption
Days 5-6-7
Leave Guanacaste
5 hr drive across Liberia Plateau to Nicoya Peninsula
Dry cattle country
Heat
"Frontier" towns
Nosara
3 nights at Casa Romantica motel
Olive Ridley Turtles
Turtles and nests protected from poaching
Government scientists allow "sustainable" egg harvesting
Beach, surf, tides, bioluminescence, É
Ostional turtle reserve
Snorkel, scuba dive
Sunbathe
Swim
Very hot, intense sun
Wide, long beaches
Other expatriates in Costa Rica (Swiss, German, American, etc.)
Day 8
Leave Nosara
Long drive back to Alajuela and airport area
Different route Ð complete "great circle"
Cross Nicoya Gulf by car ferry to Puntarenas
Return car
Night at Hampton Inn
Check in 7:30 am next morning for flight home.