An adventurous journey in experiencing the culture, wildlife, and natural beauty of a Central American rainforest . . .
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My first trip south of the border had left me long for more Latin American experiences. After exploring many options, I wisely chose Costa Rica as my next adventure. This tropical land offers a seemingly unlimited amount of things to do for any nature lover or thrill seeker. And most importantly, it comes with a year-round summer.
The Sights and Tastes of a Central American RainforestIt was late afternoon when my flight touched down in San Jose, Costa Rica. By this point the shuttles to the coast were no longer available, so my only option was to take a cab. It cost about 70 usd for the hour and a half ride, but turned out to be well worth it. The driver was very friendly and offered to make stops for beer and photo opportunities along the way.
My first two nights were to be in Jaco. On the way, we stopped for gas right beside the Tarcoles River. This was the perfect spot to view the crocodiles down below. A few more miles down the road, he pulled over once again so that I could catch the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. It was almost dark when we rolled into town. I tipped the driver and he offered his phone number in case I needed anything else while in the area.
Jaco is a small but interesting town full of character and characters. The laid back vibe is perfect for surfers, slackers, and backpackers. Here you can check in at a hostel for a few dollars a night, a respectable hotel for a bit more, or splurge on a luxury casino suite. I opted for the Cadillac Rock Hotel at around $50 per night. The location is excellent, as it is right in the middle of the strip and across the street from the beach.
You will have no problem finding places to eat and drink in Jaco Beach. A leisurely stroll up and down the main drag will reveal many diverse options. From fresh handmade rolls at Tsunami Sushi, to burritos at Sunshine Breakfast, you are sure to find something to satisfy your every craving. If you are in the mood for a traditional "casado" style breakfast, then La Esquina De Dulce has just what you're looking for.
There are also plenty of businesses nearby that cater to the thrill seeking crowd. Whether you are into ziplining, four wheeling or just wanting to learn to surf, Jaco has got you covered. You can even arrange a tour to visit those crocodiles up close.
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
My next destination was further down the coast to Manuel Antonio National Park. The beaches down here are among the best that I have ever visited. Though they apparently have names, I heard them mostly referred to as simply Manuel Antonio 1, 2, and 3. This beautiful crescent shaped beach does require a short hike through the nature reserve, but it is well worth the effort.
Manuel Antonio National Park
This area is also home to an abundance of wildlife. Be cautious, the monkeys will steal your food. They actually seem to be working together in teams to achieve this. While some are busy distracting tourists, others may sneak in from behind. These cunning creatures have the ability to unzip backpacks, so hold on tight to your belongings.
Back to San Jose
The second half of my trip I took the bus back up to San Jose for a chance to explore the mountains and museums. The three hour ride only cost about 8 usd compared to the much more expensive taxi. My only mistake at this point was not knowing at exactly which stop I should get off in the city. I didn't want to chance blowing through town and ending up at some remote location further north, so I jumped off at one my first chances. Seeing the high-rise buildings in the distance, I took off on foot. It was just me and my backpack wandering into town in true vagabond fashion. The walk was greater than I anticipated and I must admit some of the sights were not for the weak of heart in these outer areas. A degree of culture shock would be triggered for most, but I loved every strange minute of it.
Back in the action of the capital city, I finally got settled into the Hemingway Inn located in the Barrio Alto neighborhood. This rustic bed and breakfast features memorabilia of the famous author that was friends with the original owners. At around only 40 usd per night, this place was a real bargain.
Hemingway Inn
The staff at the inn was very helpful with arranging tours and transportation. Breakfast was available in the courtyard each morning to provide a great start for your daily adventures. Sadly, this excellent lodging option is no longer open.
A Variety of Museums and Attractions 
Just a few blocks south of Barrio Alto, you will find many of the popular tourist attractions. that San Jose has to offer.
The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum hosts a display of native metallurgy that dates back to around 500 CE, but also has an extensive collection of numismatics from more recent times. At the nearby Jade Museum, visitors are treated to indigenous artifacts that are considerably older at almost 500 BCE.
El Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica 
El Teatro Nacional
While strolling around the area, be sure to stop in and take a tour of El Teatro Nacional. This magnificent theater opened in 1897, and displays a combination of baroque and rococo architecture styles that you won't want to miss. Not only can you tour this amazing place, but there are also regular performances that you can attend.
Inside the Theater
Each of these attractions is a must see for those in search of history ranging from ancient to modern. You will find these tourist hotspots conveniently located along a pedestrian street that runs east to west through the downtown. While in the neighborhood, you should also check out Mercado Central. There are also many restaurants and shops in this area, but some businesses seem to close fairly early.
Mysterious Stone Spheres
While in San Jose, my archaeology friends will definitely want to check out some of the stone spheres that this region is known for. It is said that these objects were once collected and displayed as symbols of status by members of the ruling class.
The origin of these artifacts is highly debated. Some do not even consider them artifacts at all, rather products of more natural occurrences. In my honest opinion, these stones are far too round not to have had some human manipulation to their surface. Please feel free to comment and let me know your opinion on these objects of ancient mystery. 
All of these photos were taken at The National Museum of Costa Rica, but you can find stone spheres in a variety of sizes all over the countryside.
If you are interested in these artifacts, you can read more on my epic tales page
Mysterious Stone Spheres. San Jose Also Has a Chinatown
Once you have totally worn yourself out on traditional Central American cuisine, you can cross the avenue just south of the museums to further expand your cultural experience. In this part of town, you will be treated to a completely different style of dining and sightseeing set to the theme of The Far East.
My favorite thing about this gateway arch is how they incorporate the stone spheres into the design. This seems to be symbolic in solidifying the cultural fusion of ethnic groups within one friendly setting.
Up To Higher Elevations
I wanted to get out and enjoy nature a bit more while I was here, so I asked the girl at the front desk of the Hemingway what was available. She showed me brochures of several options that all looked wonderful. After I made my selection, she called to arrange for my full day package tour. A little over 100 usd included breakfast at the Doka Estate Coffee Plantation, a trip to the top of Poaz Volcano, and Lunch at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
Casado Breakfast
We started off the day treated to a traditional Costa Rican style breakfast at the Doka Estate Coffee Plantation. This included a sampling of coffees brewed from the beans grown on site. With the caffeine now taking effect, we were off to explore the grounds. Our guide led us around the different processing and packaging stations, detailing the life of a coffee bean from start to finish.
Having fueled up on coffee, we were now ready to take on the Poas Volcano. It's a bit of a hike from the parking lot, so be ready. We were instructed not to take too deep of breaths, and not to stay at the summit too long. This is because the gasses emitted from this giant beast of a mountain can easily upset one's stomach. As you can see, you are above the clouds at this point. The view up top is amazing, and well worth the hike.
After our descent from the top of the volcano, our next stop was La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This place operates as a nature preserve that takes in a variety of animals local to the region. There are many trails to be explored, and you will have the opportunity to see everything from birds and big cats to reptiles and amphibians. They also had a very extensive buffet that was absolutely crucial after such a long day of adventuring.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
This action packed day had been an awesome end to my visit. During my week long adventure, I had sampled ethnic foods, viewed exotic wildlife, and ventured to the top of a volcano. Costa Rica is a destination that I would highly recommend to any thrill seeker or nature enthusiast. I only wish that I could have spent more time in this beautiful country. With that being said, I will most certainly return.
2 Comments
Chris J. Baxter "Siege"
8/27/2020 10:29:18 am
Thank you for visiting my page. You will surely enjoy Costa Rica. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Author :Chris J. Baxter "Siege" is an experienced world traveler with a B.A. in Anthropology, a background in healthcare, and an unquenchable thirst for adventure. 
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