Pura Vida. . .Pure Life

Three flights later, we're home. The fun was the delay getting from San Jose, CR to Charlotte, NC -- which raised the possibility of spending the night in a Hampton Inn near the Charlotte airport, but we made our flight.

The night before, we had a good final dinner at Agua Azul ("Blue Water"), an American-owned, Costa Rican chef'd place with just eight tables and good service. I had yet another take on fish -- this time it was Red Snapper with linguini, peppers, and (oddly) diced carrots -- but all good.

We then went to Rico Tico's for dessert and the banana flambe show (both Torie and I got it). The show is better than the actual dessert, but the show is so cool everyone pulls out their camera to not accurately capture just how amazing it is.

So, of the tropical locations we've been, I'd put Costa Rica right up there, just below Hawaii. Less rain would have tied it with our 2005 Hawaii trip. Third place is Australia (that was too short a time). Fourth is Puerto Rico (Carol and I went there for our 15th anniversary five years ago). Then comes Cancun, with Bermuda next (to be fair, it was a December post-election trip in 1989 -- long time ago). Below last would have to be Atlantis in the Bahamas. Too big, too sterile. Too dull.

Any of the top four (Hawaii, Costa Rica, Australia, and Puerto Rico) are amazing places with a great variety of things to do, good food, and loads of fun.

Props to Costa Rica for good people who really care about the tourists who come to experience their country. While they may be in it for the money, they sincerely want people to have a good time and spread the word.

The food was enjoyable (not like Italy, but better than we'd been led to believe). The lack of bugs is a huge plus. I've said it before in earlier posts from the trip -- the variety of things to do is amazing -- and the rain forest is stunning. Leaves bigger than I am. Nature hard at work.

We stayed at ecologically friendly hotels. The cynical side of me says they simply want to save money by guilting you into turning off lights and reusing sheets and towels (all of which are commonsensical). On the plus, the building designs are unobtrusive and don't leave scars on the land -- which is nice.

Villa Blanca (the Cloud Forest hotel) is relaxing, but two nights there is plenty(with a day fully scheduled to the Poas volcano/La Paz waterfalls as part of it). It's also a good way to see large chunks of the Central Valley.

Punta Islita is a stunningly beautiful resort. We could have done with less rain, but if you are looking for a several day escape, it's worth the flight and landings on jungle airstrips. Definitely the best accomodations.

Si Como No is a beautiful resort in my favorite part of the three areas we visited. You feel like you are staying in the middle of the rain forest, and it is close to the action of the beach, the national park, the adventure sports, and nearby restaurants.

The biggest downers -- the rain and the roads. Other than a short trip to the Bahamas and a short trip to Montreal/Quebec, we always rent cars -- even if for short periods of time. We didn't here, and I'm fairly glad. While folks who drove 5-7 hours spoke of the experience as a good test of character, I'm already enough of a character, so it worked out well to not rent.

On rain -- check weather tables, but looking at them now (a bit late, eh, Glen?) suggests that late November through May, and then also July, are the times to go. September and October are the worst. . .with August a warm-up for then.

I will add one more post when Carol and the kids are home with their favorites from the trip.