March 2025
Blog 4: Simmering Springs and Wild Waterfalls
So much to see, so much to do!
Here is a morning view from our place usually accompanied by a light warm breeze and bird calls in the background and the smell of a great day coming up.
One morning, we took a 45-minute trek to the southwest to Carara National Park, a wonderland of wildlife and a must-visit for serious birders.
I took a three-hour photography tour in this wildlife wonderland. Here is a yellow-throated toucan, a spider monkey, and a scarlet macaw.
Then Jan and I and the Pups drove up a windy mountain road to the Tiko Restaurante Mirador. It is a dog-friendly, great-food restaurant with a wonderful view of the Pacific (they served good beer as well).
Hot Springs
Where there are volcanoes, there are hot springs, and thus Costa Rica has a large variety of springs across the country. Some new friends who are very savvy with the area invited us for a hot springs visit. We dropped the Pups off at their new sitter’s place, then in our car followed them for a two-hour drive with a couple of stops along the way.
We booked at the last moment, so were not able to stay in their hotel but found a room in another, El Tucano and Spa just a mile-and-a-tad away. Nice place!
Along with some serious soaking, over our stay I photo’d this golden-hooded tanager and this heliconia. Jan shot this gorgeous torch ginger (no touch up of any kind!).
La Paz Waterfall
We continued our journey heading east and south. Just before arriving at the waterfall, we checked out this great view.
Impressive.
After a few more short stops, we wandered back to enjoy a very nice meal at Monsoons.
Gardens in Sarchi
On another day, our friends gave us a tour of the gardens in Sarchi—peace and beauty.
Great place to relax.
Quick Trip to North Carolina
Visitors to Costa Rica are welcome to stay in the country as long as they like, but must leave the country at six-month intervals. Jan and I flew to North Carolina to meet this requirement but more importantly to spend time with Auntie Moreen and our very good friend Susanne. Both the company and the weather were wonderful. We also had the chance to pick up a few “can’t live without” items.
Backyard Shots
Here is a white-winged dove, a motmot, and a cinnamon-belied saltator.
Speaking of waterfalls, we have one in our backyard. Not as dramatic as La Paz, but how many people have a waterfall in their backyard?
Tunes at Coopeatenas
We have a store within a mile of where we live that is the lifeblood of our town. A nice grocery, it has most of the basics, a place to pay your bills, a casual place to sit and enjoy coffee, and an always-needed ATM machine for staying flexible. Often, they will have small events relative to local issues and sometimes some live entertainment. Here is an example:
Gotta love it!
Fun Facts and Figures
Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time and doesn't observe daylight savings time. The shortest day of the year is December 21. The longest day of the year is June 20. Days and nights are nearly equal year-round because it's located near the equator. Yesterday sunrise was at 5:39 a.m. and sunset was at 5:41 p.m.
Pura Vida!
Here is a morning view from our place usually accompanied by a light warm breeze and bird calls in the background and the smell of a great day coming up.
One morning, we took a 45-minute trek to the southwest to Carara National Park, a wonderland of wildlife and a must-visit for serious birders.
I took a three-hour photography tour in this wildlife wonderland. Here is a yellow-throated toucan, a spider monkey, and a scarlet macaw.
Then Jan and I and the Pups drove up a windy mountain road to the Tiko Restaurante Mirador. It is a dog-friendly, great-food restaurant with a wonderful view of the Pacific (they served good beer as well).
Hot Springs
Where there are volcanoes, there are hot springs, and thus Costa Rica has a large variety of springs across the country. Some new friends who are very savvy with the area invited us for a hot springs visit. We dropped the Pups off at their new sitter’s place, then in our car followed them for a two-hour drive with a couple of stops along the way.
We booked at the last moment, so were not able to stay in their hotel but found a room in another, El Tucano and Spa just a mile-and-a-tad away. Nice place!
Along with some serious soaking, over our stay I photo’d this golden-hooded tanager and this heliconia. Jan shot this gorgeous torch ginger (no touch up of any kind!).
La Paz Waterfall
We continued our journey heading east and south. Just before arriving at the waterfall, we checked out this great view.
Impressive.
After a few more short stops, we wandered back to enjoy a very nice meal at Monsoons.
Gardens in Sarchi
On another day, our friends gave us a tour of the gardens in Sarchi—peace and beauty.
Great place to relax.
Quick Trip to North Carolina
Visitors to Costa Rica are welcome to stay in the country as long as they like, but must leave the country at six-month intervals. Jan and I flew to North Carolina to meet this requirement but more importantly to spend time with Auntie Moreen and our very good friend Susanne. Both the company and the weather were wonderful. We also had the chance to pick up a few “can’t live without” items.
Backyard Shots
Here is a white-winged dove, a motmot, and a cinnamon-belied saltator.
Speaking of waterfalls, we have one in our backyard. Not as dramatic as La Paz, but how many people have a waterfall in their backyard?
Tunes at Coopeatenas
We have a store within a mile of where we live that is the lifeblood of our town. A nice grocery, it has most of the basics, a place to pay your bills, a casual place to sit and enjoy coffee, and an always-needed ATM machine for staying flexible. Often, they will have small events relative to local issues and sometimes some live entertainment. Here is an example:
Gotta love it!
Fun Facts and Figures
Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time and doesn't observe daylight savings time. The shortest day of the year is December 21. The longest day of the year is June 20. Days and nights are nearly equal year-round because it's located near the equator. Yesterday sunrise was at 5:39 a.m. and sunset was at 5:41 p.m.
Pura Vida!
Blog 3: Walking on Water
What kind of blog title is this? Read on and it will all make sense.
The Jesus Christ Lizard
I am not making this up, Jesus Christ has visited several times!
This basillisk lizard’s nickname comes from their ability to walk (actually run) on water. We have had a small one, a medium-sized one, and a big guy visit us.
Check out this video clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0TijmAUqY
Iguanas
Iguanas are just about everywhere. I have to be on guard when walking the pups because when they see this reptile, they both blast off like cheetahs and pull like mastiffs.
We have a “family” of iguanas just the other side of the river. Depending on the day, there is a large adult male, a female or two, one or two or more youngsters, and sometimes a rival male.
We often see the “Big Guy” show his stuff when females are around, and more than once we have seen his actions bear fruit. (I have intimate photos, but felt it best not to display the hanky-panky). Here a few more family-approved shots.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguana
The White-Nosed Coati
In the heart of Costa Rica's forests, there's a special animal called the coati, or coatimundi, also known as "pizote" in Spanish. It's curious, with a striped tail and a cute face.
One afternoon as we were spotting iguanas, first one, then two, then more coati appeared in the area usually occupied by the iguanas. We spotted nine in total as they systematically searched the iguana area, presumably looking for food? A little research showed that iguanas are on their meal menu! Who knew?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Z1rOTc_mo
A Few Birds
Here is a blue-gray tanager, a chachalaca, and a keel-billed toucan. All of these were at our home or close by.
Butterflies
Check out the orange banner butterfly.
Plants & Flowers
Take a look at torch ginger, sunset bells, and the bird of paradise.
Things Coming Up
We continue to enjoy Costa Rica more each day. We are making new friends, learning our way around, and the weather has been just fantastic. Another huge plus is that we have found a really good pup-sitter! This adds a nice level of freedom for exploring. More info coming soon.
Pura Vida!
The Jesus Christ Lizard
I am not making this up, Jesus Christ has visited several times!
This basillisk lizard’s nickname comes from their ability to walk (actually run) on water. We have had a small one, a medium-sized one, and a big guy visit us.
Check out this video clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0TijmAUqY
Iguanas
Iguanas are just about everywhere. I have to be on guard when walking the pups because when they see this reptile, they both blast off like cheetahs and pull like mastiffs.
We have a “family” of iguanas just the other side of the river. Depending on the day, there is a large adult male, a female or two, one or two or more youngsters, and sometimes a rival male.
We often see the “Big Guy” show his stuff when females are around, and more than once we have seen his actions bear fruit. (I have intimate photos, but felt it best not to display the hanky-panky). Here a few more family-approved shots.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguana
The White-Nosed Coati
In the heart of Costa Rica's forests, there's a special animal called the coati, or coatimundi, also known as "pizote" in Spanish. It's curious, with a striped tail and a cute face.
One afternoon as we were spotting iguanas, first one, then two, then more coati appeared in the area usually occupied by the iguanas. We spotted nine in total as they systematically searched the iguana area, presumably looking for food? A little research showed that iguanas are on their meal menu! Who knew?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Z1rOTc_mo
A Few Birds
Here is a blue-gray tanager, a chachalaca, and a keel-billed toucan. All of these were at our home or close by.
Butterflies
Check out the orange banner butterfly.
Plants & Flowers
Take a look at torch ginger, sunset bells, and the bird of paradise.
Things Coming Up
We continue to enjoy Costa Rica more each day. We are making new friends, learning our way around, and the weather has been just fantastic. Another huge plus is that we have found a really good pup-sitter! This adds a nice level of freedom for exploring. More info coming soon.
Pura Vida!