Where’s Craig Now?

After a few days in San Jose to recuperate from my long, long trip from London (feeling sorry for me yet?), I struck off on my itinerary which took me first from San Jose to La Fortuna. La Fortuna is famous for the second most active volcano in the world (it just moved into second place two weeks ago), Conical Volcan Arenal. Visitors from far and wide come to see the fiery tumble molten rocks down the side and hear the beast groan.

I saw and heard the aforementioned and it was nothing short of COOL! Apparently not all visitors get to view activity since the cone is shrouded in clouds quite often and activity can vary greatly, but some activity is always present. Local information was sketchy, but the volcanoe saw some major activity just the day before I got there and had been quite active two weeks before then as well. This baby is a must-see if you’re in Costa Rica!

I took a tour where we hiked on some old avalanche lava fields and also through the jungle where we saw Toucans and all sorts of ants (leafcutters and army ants, mostly). The tour then continued to Tabacon Hotsprings which of the two in town, is the best. I watched Arenal belch fire and rock while I enjoyed my steak after soaking to the point of prune-ness in the natural flowing waters and somewhat natural soaking areas. It was definitely worth it the price of admission. I went with Eagle Tours who I found to be very professional, courteous and thorough. The guide, Walter, knew literally everything there was to know about everything we encountered. I was very impressed! I highly recommend Walter and Eagle Tours for your visit to La Fortuna/Arenal!

Also, if you hope to take pictures of the activity on Arenal, please be aware that the photos that show red lava during the daylight hours on the web are not real!!!! You will only see the red color at night which means you need a tripod to set your camera on. Night mode works well on video cameras if you have that function.

Happy Fiery Eruptions!

WT

Where’s Craig Now?

After a very expensive tromp through Europe, I’m in the land of clouds and green. I was worried about Costa Rica being hot this time of year-far from it! It’s cool and moist as they’re in the beginning of their wet season. It is cloudy a lot with some sun and plenty of rain.

Here’s where I’m at… San Jose, Costa Rica

I am planning my itinerary in Costa Rica and a local Tico (Costa Rican) is giving me tips for a great time. There are plenty of things to do! I will try to post my Itinerary…I have it in an Excel spreadsheet right now…I’m organized this time. I want to do everything I can!

Where’s Craig Now?

As part of traveling independently, a person ends up sometimes in places that they wouldn’t have necessarily chosen had they planned ahead. Liberia, Costa Rica is one such place. I started out yesterday from Playa Del Coco and couldn’t make it all the way to La Fortuna on the public bus (cheapset way to go). I almost got stuck in an even less desirable place and quickly got back on the public bus and backtracked to Liberia. I’m going back to La Fortuna today and from there to Tortuguero to go to that huge wildlife park they have there.