Central America - Costa Rica - A Day in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small nation (smaller than West Virginia) located in Central America bordering Nicaragua to the North and Panama to the South.

We did not have a great deal of time to spend in Costa Rica – just a Day Trip.  We contacted Arenas Travel Costa Rica before our arrival and took the Puntarenas Highlights Tour w/lunch provided– it was so much fun and very affordable.

Our First stop was at the Lady's Monkeys Place located in Caldera. We saw and fed Capuchin White Faced Monkeys.  I was told to take off all my jewelry, sunglasses, and hat – the monkeys are small and fast and take things away from you. We've been told they also take wallets of pockets. 

 

At the Bridge at Tarcoles, we saw our first group of crocodiles.

On the way to On the crocs tour, we saw mangoes plantation and melons fields. We stopped at local roadside fruit stands to try the delicious and the sweetest mango fruit.

Photo provided by Arenas Travel Costa Rica

Joe's Crocodile River Tour was really fun. We hopped on a boat ride on the Tarcoles River.

 The crocodiles were enormous and some 18 feet long.

He really did jump off the boat to feed the Croc.

 Feeding the Croc photo provided by Joe's Crocodile River Tour

There were many birds in the area.

Photo provided by Arenas Travel Day Tours

The luxury Boutique Costa Rican Hotel, Villa Caletas, was our stopping place for lunch. Located in the jungle of Costa Rica is 1150 feet over the Central Pacific coast and the rain forest.

 

A Costa Rican lunch was served on the terrace.

 The design and décor of the property were fantastic.

I could have stayed all day, swimming in the infinity pool.  Too bad, it was not part of the tour.

The property had lush tropical landscaping, so many beautiful flowers.

Our last stop was at the Second Oldest town in Costa Rica, Esparza, established by conquers for Spain founded by Spanish explorers in 1574. 

  

Photo provided by Wikipedia

The Parish of Esparza and the gazebo are located in the heart of the town.

We saw a rural Costa Rican working town.

 Photo provided by OasisbytheSeaBandB

We stopped at the Super Mercado in town and purchased Costa Rican coffee.

The beaches stretch along Puntarenas' entire coast between the mouth of the Río Barranca and the place is known as La Punta ("The Point"), where this extensive length of shoreline ends.

We had a wonderful time in Costa Rica; I learned Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos (males) or Ticas (females). Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million and a life expectancy of 77 years, the highest in the world!.  There are over 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica. The Arenal Volcano is one of the ten most active in the world. I guess I'll have to come back to see it!

Note: I experienced camera problems during this leg of the trip - added a few images taken by other resources.

November 27, 2014