Scuba Diving Fishing Land Rafting Xtreme Adventures Things 2DO

GUEST REPORT

Carla Nelson

COSTA RICA: COSTA RICA DIVE.
TRIP-NOVEMBER 2004

In November I traveled to Costa Rica with a group of 15 other people from Southern Florida. Although our flight was more than a little delayed, but even so our guides met us as soon as we exited the airport, and enjoyed the undivided attention of our guides for the entire next week. I had been prepared to have to locate our transportation, but they had been checking on our flight all afternoon. This was only the beginning of the wonderful service and attention to detail that we were to experience throughout the coming week. Rolando Arburola and Damon ensured that we saw and experienced the best of Costa Rica with friendly enthusiasm and courtesy.

Eleven members of our group were divers and the first 4 days were scheduled for morning dives. The diving was wonderful. We were delivered directly to the dive shop, and then it was just a short walk to the beach to be taken to the dive boat. The water was warm, but I was happy to have my wetsuit as some of the thermo clines were wicked. This is the first time I have seen octopus out moving around on the rocks during the daytime. The visibility during all 4 days ranged from 20 – 40 feet, but we still saw tons of rays, scorpion fish, starfish, puffer fish, and white-tipped sharks just to name a few. I was originally disappointed that we were only diving the first 4 days, but after experiencing the eco-diversity of the land portion , I would probably reduce it to 3 days next time in order to experience more of the rest of the country.

The afternoon of the second day of diving Rolando and Damon, accompanied us to Los Inocentes for a horseback tour of the wildlife refuge. The horses were great - not too perky, but not too slow. We were treated to views of all kinds of fabulous flora and fauna during the ride, and the guides ensured that we did not miss a thing. The leafcutter ants cooperated by providing a parade as soon as we entered the forest, and shortly thereafter we were greeted by the white-faced capuchin monkeys. A mother with her baby on her back was one of the first to swing by. The howler monkeys provided background music throughout our ride, and we were also accompanied by the mariposa azul (blue butterflies). As we were ending our ride, we were treated to the sight of a sloth sleeping in a treetop. The sun was setting as we returned to the ranch house and we had a fabulous sunset view from the veranda - some of the best photos I took on the trip. We finished the day with a wonderful meal, and were then transported back to our hotel. After viewing such an abundance of wildlife, flora and fauna, as well as the delightfully comfortable and inviting accommodations that Los Inocentes has to offer, we would chose to spend the overnight in Los Inocentes, and continue on the next morning directly to Arenal instead of driving back to Sol Playa Hermosa.

The morning following our final day of diving we re-located to the Tabacon Resort at the base of the Arenal Volcano for our final 2 nights in Cost Rica. I was not prepared for the beauty of the river juxtaposed against the majesty of the mountain. It was everything I had hoped for and more. The spa is designed to accommodate those who want to be directly in the river, or man-made pools are available for anyone who would like to enjoy the warm water, without climbing over the rocks. It really makes the natural springs accessible and enjoyable.

Due to the amount of rain that had been falling the entire day, our Canopy Tour could not happen on the scheduled day. This did not phase our guides, and they re-arranged so that the Canopy Tour could be moved to the following day. This meant that we had whitewater rafting in the morning, and the canopy tour in the afternoon. We rose early and had breakfast on the bus on the way to the river. The rafts and other equipment were all waiting for us when we arrived at the river. We had a couple of quick photo-ops, and then hit the Sarapiqui River. There was a lot of water from the rain the previous day, so the rapids were fast and fun! Members of our group saw river otters, and there were several iguanas warming themselves in the very tops of the tree branches. The guides from Costa Rica PaddleSports were friendly, funny and professional, no one in our group ever felt the least bit unsafe.

Upon finishing the rafting, lunch was waiting for us riverside, and we used an over-turned raft as a serving table. This was truly one of the best meals and best service I have had anywhere. The photographs that were taken of us by Joaquin Garcia “Miti”, during our trip, were waiting for us to purchase by the time that lunch was finished and I have to say they were outstanding. We were able to place orders for deliver to our home, and then load onto the bus for the trip to the canopy tour.

We arrived right on time to take the Canopy with Costa Rica Arenal Canopy Tour, and right on time for the rain to start again. During the horseback ride up to the start of the zip-lines the rain continued unabated, and it really felt like we were in the rainforest. The guides were unfazed by the weather, and provided us with an amazing opportunity to see the rainforest from the perspective of the toucans. I can’t say enough about how amazing this adventure is. Imagine being 150 feet up in the top of lush green trees with clouds and mist forming and swirling about. You are safely secured to a safety line the entire time that you are above ground level and hooked into a harness that attaches to cables that run between the trees. Once the guides have secured you to the cable you lift your feet and control your own speed by placing pressure on the cable to change the angle of attack. I am so thankful that this entire event was videotaped, because I cannot begin to do it justice. Everyone who sees it is ready to go tomorrow.

The final touch was returning to Tabacon for an hour-long massage, and a final night’s soak in the Hot Springs. The perfect ending to the perfect day and a perfect week. Upon my return home, many people have asked if I will go back. The answer to the question is not if, but only how soon I can make arrangements to return.

Thank you so very much Rolando Arburola and Damon Colclasure. It was truly an unforgettable week, and an amazing adventure.

Carla L. Nelson, MPH

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