Despite its tiny size, Costa Rica is an extremely varied country. At 51,000 sq km, it is slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia in the USA and slightly larger than Switzerland, yet is encompasses one of the world's most diverse natural landscapes.

arrived to my local airport early (1 hr drive from me). Checked in. When on the plane, it had to be de-iced, then we had engine problems sitting on the runway.....better there than in the sky HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM..... no one to fix or check out the engine, off the plane, flight cancelled, back to the ticket counter, missed our connecting flight out of Atlanta, flights only every other day to Liberia airport (no looking good).

flights completely rearranged, now flying to Atlanta then to Miami to spend the night (on the airlines expense), we received food vouchers to eat at the airport......hummm.....will it be Ruby Tuesday's or Ruby Tuesdays (they only have one restaurant), too many decisions to be made here.

to Miami, arrived at the ticketing counter to get a room and I ask for more food vouchers (hey, I like to eat)

stayed at the Airport Regency Hotel
1000 NW LeJeune Rd
Miami, Florida

not that great of a place, but hey.....I'm not paying for it

oh yeah, does rolled barb wire around the property mean I'm on the bad side of town......

Monday morning, up for breakfast (with the food vouchers we received), took the hotel shuttle back to the airport to check in.
3 hr flight from Miami to Liberia, Costa Rica

landing at the airport in Liberia

arrived at 1:55pm

Divided neatly by a series of volcanic mountain chains that run the length of the country from Nicaragua to Panama, Costa Rica hosts markedly different climates on its Pacific and Caribbean sides. Those in turn support entirely separate assemblages of plants and animals.

At the lenght of 1254km, the Pacific coastline is infinitely varied as it twists and truns around gulfs, peninsulas, and many small coves. Rugged, rocky headlands alternating with classic white- and black-sand beaches and palm trees make this a tropical paradise along some stretches.

Strong tidal action creates an excellent habitat for waterbirds as well as visually dramatic crashing surf (an excellent habitat for surfers). Inland, the landscapes of the Pacific lowlands are equally dynamic, ranging from dry deciduous forests and open cattle country in the north to lush and magnificent tropical rain forests in the south.

Monotonous in comparison, the Caribbean coastline runs a straight 212km along a low flat plain that is strongly inundated with brackish lagoons and waterlogged forests. A lack of strong tides allows plants to grown right over the water's edge alng inland sloughs, creating a wall of green vegetation.

Running down the center of teh country, the mountainous spine of Costa Rica is a land of active volcanoes, clear, tumbling streams, and chilled peaks clad in impenetrable cloud forests. These mountain ranges generally follow a norhtwest to southeast line, with the highest and most dramatic peaks near the Panamanian border (culminating at the 3820m high Cerro Chirripo).

The difficulties of traveling through and farming on these steep slopes have until recently saved much of this area from development and made it a haven for wildlife.

transport to the hotel from the airport 20$
about 1 & 1/2 hrs drive to the hotel

www.villasmacondo.com
only 200m from the beach, roomsare brightly painte, well kept and come with private solar-heated shower, powerful ceiling fan.
(They do have apartments that are equipped with a kitchen, cable TV and air-con.)
There's a pristine communal kitchen and a pool.

hammocks on every front Veranda.

from Spokane, Washington

The surfing is first-rate, the beaches are beautiful, the town is laid-back and there's no shortage of things to do.

Nature buffs will enjoy watching leatherback turtles nest at the nearby national park and adventurers will get a thrill out of good waves, sunset ATV tours and zip-line adventures.

Tamarindo is one of the most popular destinations on the peninsula and it is well served by accommodations, restaurants, and equipment-rental outlets.

This beach has better access by public transport than most of the beaches in the area and is bustling with small-scale development.

www.tamarindobeach.org
for helpful information

The best snack in town is at this American-run surf camp, where you can orer 'nachos as big as your a**' open till 2 am.

ordered
Nacho Mama ¢ 2154
Mango milkshake ¢ 700

exchange rate when we were there was
459.60 colon's to 1 US $$

bought 10 postcards for ¢ 100 colones each at the supermarket and 2 bottle of water 1.75 liters for ¢ 500 each and a pack of wafer biscuits for ¢ 165.

Tue Morning on the beach, it was very windy

after walking on the beach, we went to the bank and you had to get a number as if you were at the deli counter. when we received our number, we were told it would be at least 2 hours wait. We then went to eat breakfast. After eating, back to the bank to be told 2 more hours wait.

back to walking on the beach again for a while then to the few shops that they have.
we stopped into CR Paradise Tours and talked to Ziggy and booked an over night tour to La Fortuna to see Arenal Volcano and do a rainforest hike and horse back riding and zip line tour with transportation and room at a bed and breakfast place.

back to the bank and I'm only 15 numbers away, I looked at the security guard at the door and say to him "2 more hours" but he said 'no'.....I was trying to be funny, but he didn't get the joke.

after all the banking we did (just to exchange money)
we went back to the room to have a swim in the pool

Breakfast at Villa Amarilla on the beach
juice, tea, toast, fruit, omelet, bacon ¢ 2550

Banana Milkshake ¢ 550

having toooo much fun

Wed, up early for pick up at 6:45 at the Hotel El Diria to go to the tumultuous Volcan Arnal in Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal.

burger and potatoes and coke lite ¢ 1250

over the river and through the woods
oops, road block up ahead.....2 pigs in the road

crossing over the mountain with beautiful scenary, mostly is a little dry due to this is the dry season or the locals say 'summer'. after leaving Tamarindo we passed through a flat farming area with lots of cattle, it is called "the Texas of Costa Rica"

the area changes from dry and dusty to wet and green the closer we get to the rainforest

Baldi Thermae Hot Springs
14 US$ a person to get in
open 10am - 10pm
with 10 springs and 10 different tempetures, including one with a bar

10 different tempetures

Volcan Arenal La Fortuna, San Carlos

The Most exiting eco adventure!

horse back riding in costa rica, through the rain forest, over the valley and through the woods and almost to grandma's house

Zip Lines
Canopy Tours

phone (506) 469-17 20
e-mail: canopytour@ziplinescr.com

they have 10 platforms and 8 'zip lines' from 60m. up to 160m.