Travels to Central Valley
I awoke to the seventh sunny day this week. I could hardly believe my luck — we were well into 2009’s rainy season, but the sky had been mostly blue, save for the occasional puffy, white cloud and the constant smoke emitted by Arenal Volcano. The smattering of clouds would serve as the ideal cover for a safari float, neither blocking out the sun nor letting the day get too hot.
The bus arrived at 7:50 a.m., and I greeted five other passengers. Today was to be a relaxing day, full of wildlife watching on the …
Location: Arenal and La Fortuna, Central Valley, Northern Region »
Activities: Bird & Wildlife Watching, Boating, Safari Float »
The Central Valley is often ignored in favor of Costa Rica’s more famous attractions, but, as a lover of mountains and cool temperatures, it is one of my favorite areas in the country. Admittedly, San Jose is as crowded as they say, but it’s a good crowd — on weekend afternoons, clowns and musicians entertain locals in the park, artists sell their handmade wares, and the city comes alive with culture, life and love. Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago are much the same, though on a smaller scale. The word mundane doesn’t exist here.
The Central Valley …
Location: Central Valley, Heredia, Recent Trips, San Jose »
Activities: Bird & Wildlife Watching, Canopy Tours, Coffee Tours, Hiking, Volcanoes »
Navigating in Costa Rica could be described as either a really un-funny joke or as an adventure. Setting out for Barva Volcano, my parents and I opted for the latter, not allowing unmarked roads, poor directions or labyrinthine streets to get us down. (We would later learn how difficult this promise would be to keep.)
According to my guidebook, the volcano could be accessed at Braulio Carrillo National Park’s Sacramento ranger station. On the map, it looked simple: a fairly direct route travels first through the towns of Birri and later San Jose de la Montana …
Location: Central Valley, Heredia »
Activities: Bird & Wildlife Watching, Hiking, Volcanoes »
