2019: Costa Rica

Nov 9, 2019: Izzzleep Mexico City airport ($36) > Costa Rica Guesthouse ($27, including breakfast)

• Bought a flight out of Costa Rica in case I had to show proof (United: 24 hour free cancellation),.

• Tuasa bus (“Big Red Bus” from San Jose airport to city center:

• To get to the Tuasa bus San Jose Airport, leave the arrivals area.  Cross the road, heading towards the parking garage.  In essence, this is the only building on the other side of the road.  Once across the road, turn left and follow the pavement/sidewalk as it skirts around the side of the building.

• Saturday market: Barrio Aranjuez (7-12:30)

• Casino Del Rey?

• Any football games?

• Best diving: Isla del Caño

• Rafting: Rio Pacare, Rio Sarapiqui

• No problems through Costa Rica customs at the airport (despite the sign that said Must Have Ticket Out).  Then took Tuasa bus ($1.50) - but it went to a different part of the city.  So took a second Tuasa bus ($2.50) which went right back to the airport - and then continued on to San Jose - but about a mile from my hotel.  So now hoofing it on a really crowded pedestrian street (because it is Saturday)

• Stopped for coffee (very good!) and croque monsieur (great toast and cheese) at Granier Pan & Café: $4.  Been paying exclusively in US dollars, and getting change in colones.  Better hit an ATM soon.

• Stopped to get a gelato - didn’t recognize any of the flavors, but it was the best I have ever had.

• Walked to and checked in at Costa Rica Guesthouse.  Last 1/2 mile through a pretty seedy, run-down section of town, with shifty dudes hanging around.  And noticeable in the crowded pedestrian mall first: the women seem a little more daring in their attire, the men more macho, even gang-like.  Maybe just me?  I haven’t been out and around lately...

• Dinner at Kalú, a fancy whole wheat, smoked salmon, cheese and sweet onion concoction ($10).  Their forte is making coffee with any of a dozen different coffee makers, but I didn’t want to risk not being tired tonight. The bill included 10% service and 13% TVA, and came to 7,700 colones.  BofA showed the charge as $13.24 => 583 colones per dollar.  The official rate is 585.  Spot on.

• And when I got 50,000 colones at a Banco de Costa Rica ATM, I paid $85.97 => 582.  

• It was actually cool out, I could have used my windbreaker - Yesss!

• Plan for tomorrow: walk the city (coffee at Alma de Cafe or Young’s Coffee Shop or Coffee Time - or maybe back to Granier?): Monday: take a day rafting tour of the Pacuare River; Tuesday: head out with a 4wd rental from Wild Rider (~$300 / week).

Sun:

• Museo del Jade

• Museo del Oro

• Teatro Nacional

• Spirogyra butterfly garden

• Zoo and Botanical Garden?

• Toucan Rescue Ranch?

• Night at Costa Rica Guesthouse 

Mon:

• Rafting tour

• Pick up car at end of day

• Night at Costa Rica Guesthouse

Tue and on:

• Early drive for Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú

• Around Lago de Cachi, passing church at Ujarras, back to Paraiso, Jardin Botanico Lankester 

• then Mirador Orosi, Stay in Orosi (swimming pool - or Monte Sky?)

• Round trip south to Parque Nacional Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte?

• to get to Parque Los quetzals, must return to Cartago (Basilica), then south to Interamerican (2).  Camping at Ranchos la Isla, across from Cabinas El Quetzal

• Continue on Interamerican past Cerros de la Muerte to San Isidro de El General (Hotel Chirripo), 

• Go climb Chirripo!

• then on 243 to the coast, then along coast (34) to Sierpe!

• Then boat to Drake’s Bay.  Isla Caño awaits!