Most Inspirational Moment
Varys day by day, really. For me it was the whole dynamic- you are taken to a range of wonderful places, with a group of great people, a super guide who you could ask about anything and who would give you an informed honest answer ..........
maybe it was :
the afternoon sitting watching humming birds and toucans, or
the time on the water at Tortuguero or
the sloths/armadillo/bats/agouti/coati/howlers snoozing by the road
maybe San Jose and the sculptures
maybe singing sea shanties with the group in the bar
ask me tomorrow and it will be a different list - a lot happens in 2 weeks
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mayer Jiménez is an excellent leader- he will definitely get my vote for best leader this year
I have the impression that the quality of leaders is high. They take a 5 year tourism degree covering the whole range of information visitors may want, not just around the animals, birds and environment but all aspects of Costa Rica including socioeconomic, sources of energy, you name it . The quality of knowledge and information he seemed to be able to supply and skill in knowing just how much was wanted was great.
His ability to spot animals and birds was extraordinary, however this links to one of the things I particularly liked- he seemed to love doing it and his interest and enthusiasm was infectious.
So a clever guy, highly trained very experienced, well organised and smart at handling the group. His happy place seemed to be with a pair of binoculars around his neck but he had great people skills too.
Advice for Potential Travellers
1) Packing-Pack light
Remember you will pack and unpack 6 times plus the guys loading the bags do so by hoiking up on to their shoulder then through the back window. They don't bat an eye but I couldn't watch knowing the weight of mine!
I didn't need my heavy walking boots, or camel back. You do however need walking shoes & sandals with GRIP. Most surfaces have loose surface
I'd consider getting one of the adapters you can attach to your camera then take pics through the guides scope
Load up a Costa Rica animal app- they are very good
2) Places
San Jose
Don't just see San Jose as a place to stay post and pre flight. It is a very interesting city.
I loved the sculptures in the parks. We were lucky to be there when Jorge Jiménez Deredia was exhibiting which was fabulous.
Visit the Cathedral, National Museum of Costa Rica, MADC and Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. If I had another day I'd have done the Jade museum and Museum of Costa Rican Art ............and more cake shops and cafes
La Fortuna/ Arenal -10 min walk into town- great icecream shops mmmmmmmmmm! Supermarkets reasonably priced
Santa Elena- Beso coffee shop for great coffee and lovely bakery products at other end of the high street. You may be taken to the very pleasant tree house but try to push outside of comfort zone and go elsewhere (Amys was good pm but all of them look pretty sound) . Supermarket here is reasonable and I wish I had bought more in the tourist shop ( I got a mug for $6 here which was $16 in duty free/ airport.
In evening, go into town to a restaurant- give the bus driver night off and get a cab back- only $6 and gives you freedom to do as you want. Use official cabs- red with yellow triangle .
The views in mountains en route from Santa Elena to Manuel Antonio are so wonderful............then suddenly from nowhere you crash back to reality, urbanization, palm oil plantations and Manuel Antonio- about 15 shops/ overpriced supermarkets and a couple of average restaurants. However........there are nice places Mayer took us to an amazing restaurant next to a bar with a real aircraft in it. Great for sundown. There is also a nice restaurant near the hotel ( ask at reception). The pool is small but nice to chill out by- but watch the cheeky whitefaced monkeys- they will pinch your things. You can also see squirrel monkeys near the hotel.
