Group Travels to Costa Rica

First stop was a visit to Poas Volcano, which is on a 29,692 acre national park and cloud forest. It contains one the most active and well-known of the over 100 volcanoes located in the country. The group quickly realized how different the weather can be as conditions in the higher elevation became quite chilly and wet. Although visibility for the crater was poor due to the weather, the group could still enjoy the flora and fauna of the majestic cloud forest and take pictures. On the way back down, all stopped to enjoy a treat of a cupful of sweet, locally grown strawberries.

Sarchi

The next stop provided an opportunity for an awesome group picture in front of the world’s largest hand-painted ox-cart located in the town of Sarchi. The group toured an oxcart factory where they saw the production of cart wheels and the intricate painting on the carts with bright, primary colors. The factory had on display wheels made when the carts were first introduced to modern-day wheels. The traditional oxcart is the product of Costa Rica’s most famous craft.

Dating from the 1850 to 1935, oxcarts were used to transport coffee beans from Costa Rica’s central valley over the mountains to Puntarenas on the Pacific coast. The carts had to travel through muddy places, beaches, hills, curves, rocky mountain ranges, and deep, small rivers. The journey required 10 to 15 days of travel. They were originally pulled by people, not oxen. As the industry grew, oxen were utilized. After WWI, oxcarts became obsolete due to trains, tractors, and trucks. Today they are used in parades and festivals.

One cannot travel to Costa Rica without tasting their delicious coffee. The group was given a brief history of the country’s coffee production and they learned coffee production in the country began in 1779 in the Meseta Central which had ideal soil and climate conditions for coffee plantations. Beans were first imported to Europe through Arabia and was introduced to the country directly from Ethiopia. Coffee became a major source of revenue surpassing cacao, tobacco, and sugar production as early as 1829. The revenue generated by the coffee industry in Costa Rica funded the first railroads linking the country to the Atlantic Coast in 1890. The group toured through several coffee plantations in the provinces of San José, Alajuela, and Puntarenas.

Lake Arenal

The next day was filled with fun water activities. The group headed to Lake Arenal, the largest man-made lake in the country that is also used to generate hydroelectric power. The area surrounding the lake is as inspiring as the water itself – hills of pastured and forested land roll into the distance, while the summit of the Arenal Volcano dominates the eastern horizon. The lake sits at the base of the Arenal volcano in the northern highlands of Costa Rica. It is the country’s largest landlocked body of water with a surface that covers nearly 33 square miles and a depth that reaches some 200 feet.

Along the way, excitement mounted as they spotted several large toucans and many raccoon-like mammals called coatis. Even though it was cold and misty rain was falling, the group had fun kayaking around the lake and enjoying a scenic boat ride. After the adventure of kayaking, the bus took them back to the town of La Fortuna for lunch, ice cream, and a little shopping.

The afternoon was immensely relaxing as the group visited Baldi Hot Springs where they enjoyed 25 pools of thermo-mineral rich waters from Arenal Volcano with temperatures ranging from 89 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The resort included extreme adventure whirling and curved pipe water slides and tropical gardens.

As they were departing the next day, the Arenal Volcano showed its slopes so that pictures could be made. They saw many coatis and colorful birds, including macaws, as they made our way to Monteverde. A group of howler monkeys with babies entertained them from the overhead trees and their skilled bus driver, Carlos, expertly navigated the twisting roads as they traveled.

The first order of business in Monteverde was to help a local organization in their attempt to reforest parts of the country located in the Santa Elena Biological Reserve. The group was divided into small groups and each group planted a native species of tree to help regenerate the forest. The two variety of trees planted included a Manzanade Agua (water apple) and a Guachipelin which blooms yellow flowers and are very attractive to bees. Their spokesperson, Walter Bello, told the travelers that their group of volunteers are working on planning a continuous forest to connect the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines of the country for wildlife to easily travel back and forth between the two (#reservasantaelena). Conservation for Education Santa Elena is one of the first communities in Costa Rica to administer its own reserve. The reserve spans about 765 acres and is administered by the Santa Elena Technical Professional High School.

They also saw crops of plantain, sugar cane, coffee, and bananas. Lunch was delicious, and later they hiked through the cloud forest and their guide pointed out various plants and trees as they climbed the mountain.

The late afternoon was spent visiting a local community park nearby and they saw several schools. All members of the group brought along much needed school supplies to donate and even a soccer ball to give to the local park. The children invited the group on a trip to “grass board” with them on a hand-made sled as well as to play soccer. Afterwards, the group was treated to a bonfire complete with roasting marshmallows prior to leaving.

The 6,000 altitude mountain range located in the Monteverde area is considered an important ecotourism destination in Costa Rica for mountain and tropical biodiversity. The cloud forest in the area has been called by National Geographic as, “the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves.”

The area hosts a variety of tours including, hiking, canopy, butterfly, coffee plantations, sky, bungee, and zip lining.

Pure adrenaline and adventure described the next day as all members zip lined and rode horses through the rain forest. After a safety talk, the zip liners enjoyed eight different cable lines with the last longest line taking one soaring above the forest. The heights of the cables ranged from 1,525 feet to 3,380 feet with varying heights between 225 feet to 590 feet. To say the least, the adventure was quite exhilarating!

Some of the group members also decided to further test their inner daredevil by bungee jumping. The attraction was 470 feet off the ground and a jump of 197 feet. The events took place at Monteverde Extremo Park.

After a delicious homemade Costa Rican dinner at the family-run hotel, the group shared many laughs and much fun taking Latino dance lessons, playing cards and board games. They were all amazed both nights at the ferocity of the wind at this elevation of the rain forest.

Next, they began their journey down to the warm Pacific Coast. Travelers seized many photo opportunities as the Pacific Ocean came into view. Along the trip, they toured a local Costa Rican bakery, butterfly garden, and nursery. Everyone enjoyed the majestic butterflies, beautiful orchids, tropical plants, and yummy treats of freshly made banana bread and smoothies.

The bus driver stopped at a local fruit stand and their guide bought samples of all the fresh fruit grown in Costa Rica for the group to taste and sample later on the beach. Some in the members drank coconut juice straight out of the recently gathered coconuts.

After checking into the hotel, the group traveled to the nearby Tarcoles River near the Pacific coast and boarded on an open boat ride and took a one-and-a-half hour safari tour. They viewed spectacled caiman crocodiles which are considerably larger than the American crocodile and can grow up to eight feet and weigh up to 1,000 pounds. This species has several other distinguishing features compared to the American crocodile. Other sightings included howler monkeys, white ibis, egrets, scarlet macaws, toucans, white-tailed kites, and iguanas.

The final day included a relaxing day at Jaco Beach. Six members of the group opted to go in-shore deep sea fishing. With its beautiful ocean, abundant marine life, and tropical atmosphere, Costa Rica is one the world’s top fishing destinations. The coastal waters are home to yellowfin tuna, snapper, wahoo, mackerel, black marlin, along with many others.

Browning Benton was fortunate to catch a 38 pound Mahi-Mahi. Another member fisherman, Noah Quick, reeled in a 130 pound sailfish. Because of the power, size, and persistence, this species is one of the most highly prized by all anglers. Others enjoyed touring a marina and a picnic eating the local fruits, spotting macaws along the beach, and gathering beautiful colored stones.

Overall, a terrific time was had by all. The locals in this beautiful country were constantly reminding us all before we departed of the importance of enjoying “Pura Vida,” the pure life. They were all extremely friendly and willing to help with the language barrier. Through this journey and educational experience, all members appreciated the lasting memories that they had just shared as a group of mixed genders and ages. Perhaps Oliver Wendell Holmes said it best when he stated, “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

The trip was arranged by Explorica Educational Travel located in Boston, Mass. Travelers included Browning Benton, Lauren Bernard, Ashley Cook, Nicole Coots, Trent Coots, Elizabeth Davis, Ben Davis, Sydney Davis, Keith Edwards, Stephanie Edwards, Michael Edwards, Lynne Marie Edwards, Deborah Roberts, Laura English, Ivy English, Kylie Garner, Judy Hicks, Alison Hildebrant, Anne Marie Hildebrant, Railey Holloway, Jennifer Kelly, Ivey Nelson, Judy Nelson, Lorie Parish, Branson Parish, Noah Quick, Amber Scarbrough, Kathy Richardson, Ken Richardson, Garrett Richardson, Jay Sheets, Lindsay Sheets, Mary Catherine Sikes, and Tiffany Taylor.