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Costa Rica - The Adventure of a Lifetime
I without a doubt will be back to Costa Rica. This destination blew me away. Having the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica on a trip hosted by Bill and Nadine Beard was an honor in itself.
Bill Beards' Costa Rica has a very organized and highly qualified ground crew that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime. Now keep in mind this trip for me was high octane for sure but it does not have to be and that again makes this such a great place for everyone.
After being met at the airport by smiling guides you're on your way to the resort of your choosing (for us it was Flamingo Marina, Flamingo Beach Resort, Villa Sol, and Ocotal). No matter where you stay the diving the 2 tank diving trips are a 10-15 minute boat ride away (except for the Bat Islands being longer).
Yes the diving is not that of some of the Caribbean Islands where visibility is 80 plus feet and wearing a shorty may be a bit too cold for some, BUT the marine life is where it's at. It takes the schooling fish of say 20 fish as typically seen elsewhere and times that by 10 plus. The schools were walls of yellowtails and angel fish.
Exploring the volcanic rock found harlequin shrimp, plenty of eels, octopus, and of course the spotted eagle rays along with White Tip Sharks. Our boat rides also included spinner dolphins in the wake and humpback whales not far off. Now typically when your boat dives have ended by afternoon you have that down time to relax and by all means you can. We did not. Horseback riding along the river, canopying (also called zip lining), sport fishing, thermal springs and mud baths can all take up your afternoons. With the exception of sport fishing we did them all on our afternoons after diving.
On the non dive days a full day river rafting down a Class lll /lV river with lunch, or canyon repelling (ie jumping backwards on a cliff with a pulley rope) down a 165 cliff with waterfalls again can give you enough excitement to last a very long time. If looking for an activity more leisurely the Arenal Volcano is awe inspiring and you cannot imagine how many pictures you will take of the same peak. The Puma Reserve we missed but that will be taken in on our visit.
At the end of our visit we made our way back to San Jose where you would think we would catch up on some much rest on the 3 hour coaster bus ride. Not so. How can you when out the window you may miss a powerful waterfall rushing out of the mountains at any turn, the monkeys in the tree, the coati mundi (which look like a mini anteater), the toucans or macaws. In stead of sleeping on the ride we were hanging out the window cameras in hand ready for the next shot.
Margo Peyton, President of Kids Sea Camp and our partner in business (Looking for and finding her next Teen Adventure camp) had about 800 shots that she whittled down to 500 in a 5 day trip! We stopped at the La Paz waterfall and visited a place called Peace Lodge. Need I say more? There we toured the world’s largest butterfly garden, the aviary, and another gem the hummingbird gardens with thousands of hummingbirds, which come and drink from your hand-held feeders. This area is just over an hour from San Jose so doable as a pre or post night.
Our last night we spent in San Jose and again did not fall short. I had looked previously at San Jose as a layover for one night in order to catch flights but actually thought my one night there too was not enough. The culture, restaurants, etc.. beckoned me to wish I had a later flight. My review of Costa Rica would not be complete without a mention of the people we met along the way. Everywhere we went and every person I personally spoke to was about as genuine as you can get. In resonated over and over along our trip as to how friendly and welcoming everyone was long the way. Of course our guides with Bill Beards' was second to none. Kudos to them for I can only imagine how many times they hear " STOP, please while I take a picture!" Until my next trip.....
George
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