Costa Rica, From Beach to Volcano
This is THE Arenal volcano, and also view out my hotel window at the Kiorno Suites. Anyone who's ever been in this spot will instantly recognize this landscape icon. It is also the first time I've successfully edited a photo to remove an unwanted tree branch thanks to Lightroom, and uploaded the finished product. My photos are usually very minimally processed, because frankly, I've never been able to figure out how to use Photoshop. I'm still s-l-o-w-l-y learning the digital mastery part.
Back to the trip...how did I get here? I drove here from Coco Del Playa. Alamo was the best best, and easiest to pre-book, I have to say. A quick comment on the roads: most of them are great. There's a few in the interior that would give anyone pause in a down pour rain storm, but the route to Fortuna is fairly smooth. The signage to get where you want to go can be really terrrible, however. People will likely give you directions in the form of drive down the street and and turn left at the church. Luckily, an internet friendly phone and Google can at least get you going in the general, if not correct direction.
I liked the Fortuna area It is for sure a playground of activities and resorts, or for those just interested in the hot springs. Hot springs are great...and hot. Resorts are resorts, which I find myself getting less interested in staying at the more I travel. I took a bit of a risk, and stayed at a rustic looking, from the website, La Ceiba Lodge, adjacent to Nuevo Arenal. The people around those parts are just..nice. The setting is pristine, there are more local places to enjoy food, sometimes called 'sodas'. Arroz con Pollo was so much better than I had it in the States, and if you order this dish near the volcano, the rice is shaped to look like a volcano.
There is also the potential to have a lot of rain during the rainy season in the mountain area. I'm accustomed to tropical rain that shows up in the afternoon, then leaves. I did have a few days where I just did not see much of the sun. It rained ALL day. Since there is some elevation, it can be much cooler than down by the beach areas.
I began my trip at Coco Del Playa, utilizing the Liberia Airport. A word of warning here: the one place you might be reminded that you did not land in a first world country starts at the airport. The immigration computer was out the night we landed, and the workers had to call in each person's info by phone. By phone. It was the opposite of fast. By the way, on the way home, don't bother printing out boarding passes. One has to have someone check your ticket personally, and THEN print the pass at the airport.
Coco del Playa itself is a beach town. There's a fair amount of Italian settlers floating around, who are always happy it seems, to open a delightful Italian restaurant. I've had the most average ceviche there, and an awesome first time moment of tasting Arroz con Pollo the way it is supposed to be made. There's not a lot to do here but gaze at the water and probably hang out at the local watering hole. If you like to dive, we had the best experience at Deep Blue Diving. Full service and professional.
MY IMPRESSIONS: Costa Rica is extremely travel friendly. Now I know why Americans flock there. Dollars are accepted, with most cash registers outfitted to give the most current exchange rate. I drank water out of the tap (in the mountains) and did not die from it. I have the most sensitive stomach ever so this is saying something. I did expect to see an overabundance of fauna, which I did not see after 2 treks through 2 different National Parks. I need to go back and try less touristy locales, of course. :)
