Life along the Blue River in Northern Costa Rica is peaceful, unhurried, and in harmony with nature. The people live off the land, raising their own food, and maintaining a strong family unit resulting in a long life.

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My friend and fellow ex-pat Maura Stephens  is a journalist, an educator, and actor.  She lives with her husband in Purical, Costa Rica 

Recently Maura wrote a wonderful article which was published in the Costa Rican English language  newspaper- The Tico Times. This article spoke of Climate Changes negative effects Costa Rica.  Being a climate change activist, I felt compelled to reprint (with Maura’s permission) a portion of her article.

Maura writes:  We are fortunate to live in the Democratic country of Costa Rica, a beautiful and peaceful place We are untouched by the horrors of a dictatorial government. Costa Rica has no standing army, instead she spends a large portion of her budget on public education-grades one through eleven-which is available free of charge to every child. Costa Rica is a very small country situated between enormous continents and between two powerful oceans- the Pacific and the Atlantic, making it especially vulnerable to the catastrophic negative effects of climate change.  Examples of these effects are water shortages, flooding, warming of our ocean’s waters leading to loss of coral reefs and the death of many species of fish. Additionally, there is severe negative effects on agriculture. Drought and floods lead to food shortages thus precipitating forced migration of her people. With so much sunshine, there should be government subsidized solar panels in every home and business.  Everyday trucks are spewing diesel fumes filled with carbon dioxide- polluting the air we breathe leading to serious illnesses such as asthma and chronic lung disease. Costa Ricans must work harder to promote organic farming, provide for clean unpolluted drinking water,  promote recycling especially of plastics, and fund more public transportation driven by electricity instead of gasoline and diesel.  On the positive side- Costa Rica has set aside twenty percent of its land surface for National Parks and Wildlife Preserves, thus protecting the habitat of hundreds of animals and tropical birds.  Costa Rica’s National Parks protects her primary rainforest which serve as collectors of carbon dioxide and give back our essential life support which is Oxygen.  Costa Rica is investing in wind power,  geothermal energy, and water driven generators which produce clean electricity. 

Costa Rica’s greatest assets are her people and the abundant natural beauty of the land and water.  We must all work together alongside our government to preserve this for us and for our children. 

Visit Costa Rica with  anncreed23@gmail.com     https://costaricalearn.com

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Today the United Nations Climate Action Summit was held in New York City. Costa Rica received the 2019 “Champion of the Earth Award” for it’s leadership on policy related to combating climate change. The United Nations commended Costa Rica’s record to decarbonize it’s economy by creating renewable resources of energy and also massive efforts for it’s ongoing reforestation programs.  Notably, Costa Rica has 30% of it’s land surface protected from deforestation.

Costa Rica has invested large sums of money in wind power, geothermal power, and hydroelectric plants. One hundred per cent of the oil used by Costa Rican is imported. Therefore, Costa Rica is investing in technology to bring electric vehicles and trains which cost 28% less to operate with electricity than oil and no carbon footprints.

Also Costa Rica is investing in methods to reduce agrochemicals and adapt methods of organic farming.

Costa Rica’s young President Alvarado, is only forty six years of age. He is speaking today at the United Nations Summit on Climate Change in a message to the world.  In His Words: “Our wish is to set an example to inspire people of Costa Rica and the world to take their individual part in reducing carbon emissions to help save our planet.”

Costa Rica’s number one income is Eco Tourism.  Tourists from all over the world flock to Costa Rica to see the rainforest and the birds and animals which call these places their home. The natural beauty is abounding from the Atlantic and Pacific beaches to the Rainforests.

Plan a Personalized Vacation to Costa Rica with Ann and Xinia  https://costaricalearn.com

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By Mark Branan-family of four.  August 2019  my wife and I and two teenage kids choose for our family vacation Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park.  It was by far our best family vacation ever!  The vacation was designed by https://costaricalearn.com  owned by  Ann Cabezas Creed.  She created a worry free custom family vacation itinerary to Arenal Volcano National Park.  Our excellent personal guide was Xinia,  a young Costa Rican woman adopted by Ann after her mother passed away.  We visited Poas Volcano National Park and La Paz Waterfall Gardens . Sky Tram Sky Trek zip line was our favorite activity with 17 platforms over the rainforest. Also in Arenal don’t miss Balsa River white water rafting class 111.  Arenal Canyoneering was the greatest. This was our family’s  first experience  holding a rope while sliding down a waterfall into a beautiful swimming hole. We saw a family of howler monkeys with a baby.  Colorful toucans hovered in rainforest canopy above.

Ann’s warm demeanor was evident in many conversations during the planning stage. This included a final review just prior to our departure. THIS LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE IS HARD TO FIND.  WE CANNOT SAY ENOUGH GREAT THINGS ABOUT ANN AND XINIA AND THE EXCELLENT SERVICE THEY  PROVIDED US.  Sincerely Mark and Family

Contact Ann and Xinia for personalized family vacation planning  Arenal Volcano National Park Costa Rica https://costaricalearn.com

Or email anncreed23@gmail.com

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Costa Rica’s Blue River is located in shadow of the Tenor Volcano in rural sparsely populated north Central Costa Rica. The people are mostly descents of the indigenous tribes who lived here hundreds of years ago.  The largest population are the Choretega.  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chorotega.   Today they work as small farmers and ranchers. Life is peaceful and simple. The crops include pineapple, papaya, chocolate, and yucca. These are sold to the local markets. All the children attend school and most graduate with strong skills in reading, writing, and math. To attend a university one must move to the central valley of San Jose or Alajuela and many live with relatives while studying.  The soil is rich and grows up to 2 crops per year and rainfall is plentiful. The above photo is Xinia by the Blue River.

Tourist come here for the rural tranquility and to hike the trail to the Blue River Waterfall. This is a BIG attraction. Also howler monkeys, sloths, many beautiful colorful birds, and snakes are the attractions. Would you like to visit this area of the Blue River on your vacation to Costa Rica?  You may contact Ann for personalized  family vacation planning to Costa Rica.   https://costaricalearn.com

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First reason to visit Cahuita and surroundings: Originally the Bribri and Cabecar Indians inhabited this region and today there is a small number of these indigenous people living in reserves in the Talamanca mountain rainforest. You can visit their villages with a guide and learn about their ancient medicinal practices using native plants, primitive  agricultural practices,  and jungle survival.

This region is definitely very different from any other region in Costa Rica.  Very rainy climate, hot and humid with three hundred inches of rain per year.  The small village of Cahuita consists of two dust ridden roads and neither experience much traffic.  The village is inhabited today mostly by Afro Caribbeans from Jamaica who were brought here by the United fruit company to pick bananas and harvest cocoa.  These two crops fell to a devastating blight, and the inhabitants turned to subsistence farming and fishing.  Today tourism is the number one business here.

Second Reason to Visit Cahuita:  Tourist come to experience the true Caribbean tropical beauty with it’s unique cultural quirks. First there is the very slow laid back, carefree pace of life.  Residents ride bikes and seem to while away the day chatting and walking along the most beautiful beaches framed by tropical coconut palms swaying in the wind.  However, today many Europeans are moving in and also North Americans constructing small hotels and restaurants, the most famous being Italian cuisine.

Third Reason to visit Cahuita.  Artist-painters and photographers, both professionals and amateurs come to photograph and to paint using both oil and water colors to reproduce the small wooden clapboard houses painted with all the colors of the rainbow.  This is most popular destination in Costa Rica for artist and one can purchase their work here in Cahuita.

Fourth Reason to visit Cahuita :  Tourist come to visit Cahuita National Park, home to white sand beaches, a rich ecosystem of coral reefs-abounding with marine life, and coastal lowland rainforest bursting with wildlife.  Here the climate is hot and humid.  I don’t have room here to write about all the abundant wildlife. There is the noisy howler monkey, sloths everywhere, and  red crabs all over the beaches. Mango and palm trees line the beaches attracting birds such as the green parrot, toucans, scarlet macaw, yellow crowned night heron, green kingfisher, and many smaller birds.  Early morning birdwatching is wonderful with all the birds singing in unison.  Snorkeling around the coral reefs  is very good just a short distance off shore. (One can hire a guide with a boat from a local tour company).  Ocean swimming is to be done only at low tide due to the undertows.  The fee to enter Cahuita National park for foreigners is around $15- cash.

Fifth Reason to visit Cahuita:  The food is excellent  and the bars and night life are lively with the sound of calipso and reggae. On weekends the bars are crowded and the tourist are taking it all in with no shortage of margaritas, mojitos and scantly clad beautiful dark skin women.  Coconut rice with black beans is served along with fresh coconut shrimp. There is fresh coconut water, coconut sauces,  coconut-coconut-and more coconuts-all served with fried plantains.

What else should I know before visiting Cahuita?   Dangers and annoyances: As tourism grows a cottage industry of sketchy drug dealers is growing with it.  Don’t walk alone late at night especially in isolated unlighted areas. This is especially true for young women. Beware of your belongings such as cell phones, cameras, computers, and your money.  Keep it all locked in safety deposit box in the hotel. Carry money in a money belt under your clothes. Especially along the beaches you may be offered recreational drugs. Crime related to drugs is well know here so be alert.  Especially for young women.

Ann has visited Cahuita many times but never alone-always accompanied by her friends. The exotic plants and trees are what intrigues her most, along with the blue waters of the Caribbean sea.  The beaches are among the most beautiful in Costa Rica.  However, the road system is not good with many dirt gravel roads winding in and out of what seems almost everywhere. The friendly locals ride bicycles up and down and back again, making it almost a recreation. Everyone who works- works in tourism.  Hammocks hang in every tree in multicolors of red, blue, and yellow with the backdrop of green mango trees, sparkling blue ocean, and puffy white misty clouds hanging close to the horizon.  Grab a hammock and float through the balmy afternoon in a dreamy siesta.  Five pm choose your favorite restaurant for a typical creole style dinner and ten pm hit the bars. Costa Rican rum and lively music- dance the night away.

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Poas Volcano National Park is now Open after being closed for almost one year due to high activity.  You can enter now only with advance purchase of your ticket on the internet site. (link below)  The park is located thirty minutes north of Alajuela  (home to SJO international airport) and from San Jose, the capital city it’s approx. one hour by van or car.  Poas’ crater is a one mile wide geyser which occasionally will spew steam and small rocks.

https://costa-rica-guide.com/nature/national-parks/poas-volcano-tickets-visitor-information/

Simply have patience and follow instructions on this web site.  You must enter the park at time it gives you on the ticket otherwise you will not be allowed to enter and unfortunately you have to buy a new ticket and come back.  Small groups are formed at designated times and led into the park by Park Rangers and trained naturalist guides.

Cost around $18 per person -Park rangers are on duty to guide visitors thru the park.  Best time to visit is early morning due to clouds covering the crater as the morning progresses because the park is 8,000 feet above sea level.  Climate is cool and misty so you need a light jacket and good walking shoes.

Park opens at 7 am-2 pm  and last group is allowed into the park at 1.20 pm.  Seven days per week

Poas is the world’s largest  geyser, measuring one mile wide.  Poas Volcano is located in the central valley of Costa Rica.  The drive from Alajuela is approx. thirty five minutes by van or car. From San Jose it is around one hour.

A nice coffee shop featuring Costa Rica coffee is located on the premises.

Personalized vacations planning to Costa Rica is offered by Ann Cabezas Creed.  Also Ann offers advice on all subjects and trip planning to Costa Rica

contact  anncreed23@gmail.com

www.costaricalearn.com

Laguna Botos in the foreground with the crater of Poás volcano in the back. The nearly sterile ground downwind of the crater (to the left) is a result of acid rain. Even miles away the vegetation is stunted.

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Strangler Fig- Rincon de la Vieja N Park

What are the five things you must not miss while visiting  Rincon de la Vieja National Park?

First and most popular is Hiking.  Here one can experience the beauty of the tropical dry forest encompassing  35,000 acres of protected land. The trails are well defined and many are flat, however as one ascends to the crater the hiking is more steep and more difficult. Hiking all the way to the crater is now prohibited. Ask for a park map as you enter the main gate and pay the entrance fee. This map lays out of the hiking trails. Wear hiking boots or comfortable tennis shoes, but no open sandals. Don’t hike alone and don’t hike at night.

Bird watching: Over 300 species of colorful tropical birds inhabit this park. It is best to hire an guide who has a bird scope and is well trained in locating and identifying these birds.

Photography:  This is a photographer’s paradise.  The park breathes geothermal energy. There are steaming multihued fumaroles and bubbling ash grey gurgling mud pits like quicksand. Most impressive are the very small volcanoes with hot steam flowing from the miniature craters. These are sprinkled everywhere so be careful you do not step into one. The  spectacular beauty and varied eco systems in this park along with it’s many rivers and streams make it well worth the visitors time to spend a half day or longer.

Impressive tropical dry rainforest are found along all the many hiking trails. The most impressive of these trees is the strangler fig. This is a parasite tree which covers the host tree with it’s own trunk and proceeds to strangle it by competing for water, light, and nutrients. After a very long time, the tree eventually dies and rots away while the strangler fig survives as a hollow tubular lattice.

Hot Springs: Many hot springs are located at hotels just outside the entrance gate to the park. One of these hotel is Hacienda Guachipelin located about 1 miles from the park entrance.  The hot springs located here are known to possess rich minerals good for a large number of ailments such as arthritis.

How to get There?  A fews miles north of Liberia you will see a sign “Rincon de la Vieja National Park.” If you are heading North, it is a right turn. Follow the signs. If you get lost just stop and ask someone. Sometimes in Costa Rica the signage for directions is not good. Enter the Las Pilas Ranger Station, closed Mondays and no entry after 3 pm.  Here you enter the park and pay a fee per person which is around $10-no credit cards.  Park is closed on Mondays.

Should I hire a guide? You will enjoy more if you hire a guide.  Sometimes you can hire one outside the park gate. However, tours purchased at hotels will provide a guide.

How long should I spend in the park?  A minimum of 4 hours or longer.  Take a small backpack with water and a snack.  There is no restaurant in the park.

What should I take and what should I wear?  Take a small backpack with bottle water and a snack. Camera, bird binoculars, mosquito spray, sun screen, a sunhat, hiking boots or tennis shoes.  No open toe sandals.  Wear long cotton pants and cotton blouse or t shirt.  Ticks are common in the park.

Are there poisonous snakes in the Park?  Yes, stay on hiking paths.  Don’t hike alone and don’t hike at night.

Planning a vacation to Costa Rica?  Contact anncreed23@gmail.com  Ann designs individualized vacations itineraries for families and individuals. Read about Ann and how she works:

www.costaricalearn.com

mud bog “quick sand”

Fumaroles hot steam vents

Fumaroles hot steam vents

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Dear Alan,  I am happy to hear that you and your wife had a great time in Costa Rica.

Could you please tell me what activities you did at the beach.  This will help me advise other couples as to the interesting activities around Capitan Suizo Hotel.

We took the local estuary boat tour—which was really good. Less than 15 minutes from hotel. We did not take any of the road trips to the northern national parks—just did not want to travel that far and we were very satisfied with the Arenal Volcano National Park trip. We spent most of our time on the beach or at the hotel pool. I did play golf at the Hacienda Pinilla—great course but rather expensive.

How would you rate Hotel Capitan Suizo?   Food–Lodging-  service

The room was great—spent a lot of time just sitting on our patio and watching the monkeys and birds overhead. We ate all of our means at the restaurant and they were wonderful. Overall service at this hotel was absolutely the best. Everyone was helpful and very friendly. Prices were very reasonable.

Most certainly will recommend you and www.costaricalearn.com

Beautiful Blue River Waterfall

Once again—thanks so much for your recommendations—they were right on!

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mud bog “quick sand”

2 craters

Fumaroles- hot steam vents

Three  reasons to visit Rincon de la Vieja National Park located in the northern zone of Costa Rica.

Third reason:    Strange occurrences-All the family will learn from and enjoy the diverse  and weird ecosystem in Rincon de la Vieja National Park.  Strange winds blow thru the volcano canyon. Strange occurrences..misty rain at night when you can at the same time see the stars.   Odd whistling sounds at sunrise.  White rabbits with pink legs hopping around the pastures surrounding the national park.

How to get there?  From SJO international airport-Alajuela head north on Highway 1 (pan american highway)  3 hours to Liberian in the Northern zone.  Drive past Liberia and keep looking  on the right hand side of the road and you will see a sign for the park.  Follow the signs all the way to the park.  (approximately 35 minutes)  Stop and ask if you get lost.  Several small eco hotels along your way.

What to wear?  Closed toe tennis shoes or hiking boots.  Cotton clothing.  Light weight rain jacket, small folding umbrella, bug spray, bird binoculars, camera, bottle water.

Entrance to park is $15 for adults and $8 for children under age 12.  The park does not accept credit cards.

Stay on trails…which are well marked. Naturalist guides sometimes are at entrance to park gate.  They can give you very good information and guidance so best to hire one of the guides.

There are several small Hotels and ecolodges in the immediate area of the entrance to Rincon de la Vieja National Park.  We stayed at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin because of its closeness to the gate to the national park. This is an older hotel but quite well kept with a nice swimming pool and well groomed grounds.  The restaurant serves Costa Rican type food, nothing fancy.  This three star  hotel offers many tours on the grounds of the hotel..zipline tour, horseback riding on the farm, mud baths, and more.

Would you like to visit this area on you your vacation to Costa Rica?  Contact Ann, the Costa Rica Expert     www.costaricalearn.com

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