Costa Rica y “Pura Vida” A trip to Manuel Antonio

Prior to traveling to Costa Rica, we pondered on how to travel there. We decided to drive because for one thing we never have traveled there deciding it woul be more exciting than going by bus or plane. Another reason we had to take loads of stuff with us since my daughter would travel lightly. Our destination Quepos in the Manuel Antonio Parque Nacional de Costa Rica meeting my daughter and granddaughter. Lisa my daughter would taking an immersion spanish class there and she made all the arrangements to stay in a gated condominium community named “Chaman.”
If you are driving your own car from Panama to Costa Rica Proof of Ownership/Permission documents are necessary with six copies of everything including copies of your Panama driver license and whoever else will be driving and passport copies for everyone crossing the border. We found out we could not start this process until eight days prior to our trip do not ask me why it is just the way the procedure is done. We had to go to three different buildings first the PDJOTA (green/blue building) Policia Nacional on the road prior to entering David to begin procedure, then to the PDJOTA (white building) on the way to the airport they check to make you have all the documents, and lastly the ADUANA same road past the white building PDJOTA. In between all this, pay $40.00 at the Banco Nacional and purchase revenue stamps. Something else to know English is limited.

I researched on the internet to find out how long the drive would be from Boquete to Quepos but did not have much luck finding any information googling. Therefore, I have decided to provide information about the driving time at least to Quepos. We left Boquete at 8:30am, shopped at El Rey in David leaving there at 9:30am.


The longest hold up when leaving Panama were all the different windows one has to go to when and entering Costa Rica at Paso Canoas. Fortunately, we had all car documents needed to proceed - finally leaving Paso Canoas around 12:15pm arriving in Quepos by 4:00pm.

The drive to Quepos was pleasant there are plenty of side roads to take and visit the different beaches along the way. When we rode into Palmar Norte we decided to stop and have lunch. You know when you are coming to Palmar Norte because there is a large long good bridge to cross. We then proceeded after our stop taking the 34 secondary road to our destination. After going through Dominical the road is gravel, bumpy and not paved the majority of the drive to Quepos. It can become dusty and the feeling of driving in sand storm comes to mind.
Before arriving into Manuel Antonio, we enter Quepos. The town gets its name from the Quepo Indian tribe, a subgroup of the Borucas, who inhabited the area at the time of the conquest. As a result of diseases brought by the Europeans, warfare with other Indian groups, and slavery, there were no pure blooded Quepo left by the end of the 19th
Century.


The general area has a population of about 12,000 inhabitants, a docking pier, and safe anchorage. The town of Quepos built by the United Fruit Company constructed in the 30's. Initially, while it’s main source of income was exporting bananas, then palm oil. Later I will write more on palm oil.

I describe Manuel Antonio Parque Nacional de Costa Rica area as the “French Riviera” of Central America it is far from inexpensive and the many restaurants that dot the windy roads of Manuel Antonio are, very trendy, far from inexpensive, service though is excellent and the majority of the serving staff speak English. There are many condominiums along the road as well. The place we stayed was off the road in a secluded like jungle setting with a pool, hot tub, two bedrooms, two full baths, a/c in each bedroom with ceiling fans in all rooms. The patio faced the jungle with sloths, Squirrel Monkeys and sometimes one would hear and see the Howler Monkey. While performing my daily exercise routine I would observe some of these creatures on the trees, it was truly an awesome sight.

Dining out was a wonderful experience and cannot remember having one bad meal but just to get away from the trendy restaurants we would eat at restaurants called “Soda.” Sodas’ are Tico small diners specializing in typical local food, serving stick-to-your-ribs, hearty meals for a few thousand colones ($1000 colones is approximately equal to $2 US). A Soda always serves casado, a heaping plate of food. Literally, casado means to marry -- sweet, savory, and meaty flavors all come together. Casado is normally served with meat, chicken, fish, or seafood. When visiting you must try Lizano, it is not a hot sauce; rather it enhances the natural flavors of dishes and often served with gallo pinto - rice and beans. As Lizano is a cultural institution, you cannot fully appreciate Costa Rican cuisine without a few dashes of Lizano sauce to accompany your meal - I love the taste. Seafood in this area is perfect. If you click onto trip advisor you will see some of the restaurants we dined in.


http://www.tripadvisor.in/Tourism-g309274-Manuel_Antonio_National_Park_Province_of_Puntarenas-Vacations.html

Manuel Antonio National Park in the late 1960's the Costa Rican, government made a decision to preserve the magnificent forests and coastline with their rich marine wildlife. Fortunately, 560 hectares established the National Park in 1972. The adjacent islands are refuge for a great number of sea birds that - together with mainland birds - make up around 350 different species.

Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica's most famous National Parks. Following a professional nature guide during a moderate walk opened our eyes to the wonders of this tropical forest and its natural history. You can expect to see various species of monkeys, plus white nosed coati-mondis, sloths, agoutis, butterflies, iguanas, and various birds. After the tour, we spent some time enjoying the beautiful beaches within the park, which closes at 4pm.

We decided on The Titi Canopy Tour, which can be reserved through the Foresta Resort Rancho Casa Grande located in the low lands of the Central Pacific, 6 kilometers from the city of Quepos and 12 kilometers from “Manuel Antonio” National Park. Zip lining through both primary and secondary forest 1500 meters long, one mile, 16 platforms, 12 cables, and long soaring cables 355 and 430 meters long. The young ones decided to do this tour while we opted to hike the surrounding area senderos (trails) and view the wildlife and the Butterfly Garden. Some of the species one can observe in the Butterfly Garden are; blue morpho, owl butterfly, little mirrors, paquina, little handkerchief, malaquita, little stars and yellow papilio. After the hike we decided to take advantage of the hotel’s pool indulging in an afternoon swim and lounge around. I would not recommend Hotel Rancho Casa Grande only because it is near a busy road where the sound of large trucks can be heard all day.

Another day trip was to Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Golifito its main attraction is the annual nesting of the olive ridley sea turtle, but you'll also find iguanas, howler monkeys, coatimundis and flocks of numerous birds, another beautiful beach and wonderful hiking trails.

Booking a tour of the Villa Vanilla SPICE PLANTATION TOUR & GOURMET TASTING was fun. We began the tour at the post-harvest warehouse where they dry, process, package, and with an explanation of their origins, history, and properties. The Villa Vanilla / Rainforest guided walking tour led us through the plantation and the "Epiphyte Trail", a winding garden path. Our guide was very thorough during our two and half hour tour. She provided samples of cinnamon bark, tastings from a Cocoa plant among various others. We experienced the sights, tastes, aromas, and flavors of tropical spices, essential oil plants, tropical flowering plants, and rock gardens. Some were an allspice, pepper, cinnamon trees, and citronella grass to name just a few.

The tour ended in a large tree house called Punta Mira Viewpoint capturing the marvelous view sampling iced cinnamon tea, mango cheesecake, and cocoa cookies, desserts prepared by their pastry chef. I can see why they are proud of their pastry chef all so very delicious. We visited the Spice Shoppe purchasing a few items and paid for the tour. To my husband’s surprise, the guide mentioned the tour cost of $40.00 each. He gasped almost choking. When he made the reservation for the four of us earlier during the week, the person at the other end quoted forty dollars for the tour. Well he failed to realize it was forty for each of us. All I can say life is full of surprises. We received a discount in spite of the miss communication it was an extremely worthwhile tour.

Costa Rican Coffee production has played a key role in Costa Rica's history and economy and by 2006 was the third cash crop export. The largest coffee growing areas are in the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Puntarenas, and Cartago. Costa Rica is famous for its gourmet coffee beans, with Costa Rican Tarrazú among the finest Arabica coffee beans in the world used for making espresso coffee, together with Jamaican Blue Mountain, Guatemalan Antigua, and Ethiopian Sidamo.

Another of Costa Rica’s industry is palm oil. On the road to Quepos, we drove past many, many miles of palm tree plantations on a dusty road. The variety I soon realized was the African palm producing palm oil kernel also known as oil date, which contains rich oil used around the world in products ranging from lipstick to industrial lubricants. In the 1940’s Chiquita began experimenting with the African Palm in the Quepos area responding to the blight of Panama banana disease. The palm oil industry in Costa Rica prospered in the 1970’s on the western coast and in 1990's Chiquita sold their palm oil business to private investors in 1995, including more than 14,000 hectares of African palms planted throughout Costa Rica. The African palm can live for over 200 years. Here is an aerial view of oil plantations near Quepos. There is controversary over the palm oil industry taking over the rainforest areas worldwide. If you would to take a glimpse of more aerial photos of palm oil plantations in Costa Rica click here.

http://travel.mongabay.com/costa_rica/images/costa-rica-d_0208.html
http://www.wrm.org.uy/bulletin/28/CostaRica.html

However, tourism in Costa Rica is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the country so far. Ecotourism is extremely popular with many tourists visiting the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country. I am glad I had the opportunity to visit this area of Costa Rica and to dine a Soda ordering a whole fish at one finding it to delicious. I also purchased a bottle of Lizano.

Until we meet again my loved ones!

Way too early for smiles :-))) *k*