Destination #1: Monteverde Nature Reserve

Our first Costa Rican adventure: Fixing a flat on a dirt mountain road on the way to Monteverde Nature Reserve.

Andrew the Mechanic.

Driving in Costa Rica - recommended, with some caveats

Driving in Costa Rica really isn't as bad you might think, especially after encountering New York City drivers. Andrew didn't enjoy it as much as I did though. And we had to cover lots of long distances, many hours spent behind the wheel.

The main problem is that the two-land roads have relatively heavy traffic - many of it being large, slow moving semi-trucks. The challenge is passing these trucks on these narrow roads, a constant game of chicken.

Many travelers eschew driving completely, opting for the time-sucking/more culturally immsersive public transportation or the quicker-but-less flexible network of tourist buses. In the end, it's a matter of personal preference, every situation has it's drawbacks and advantatages.

Flowers on the wayside. While Andrew was changing the tire, I "helped" by staying out of the way and occupying myself with taking pictures of the scenery. I'm not sure, but I think I had more fun.

Moss covered gate

We stayed at the Arco Iris Lodge, which I would highly recommend!

Night tour at the Children's Eternal Cloud Forest - Highly Recommended

We sighted this tarantula on a night tour at the Children's Eternal Cloud Forest. Similar tours also run at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

The guide simply poked a stick down a hole next to the trail, and out leapt the tarantula. Lesson learned: Do not poke sticks into empty holes if you are not prepared for whatever might jump out.

Ziplining in Monteverde - Highly Recommended!

That's Andrew swinging through the cloud forest. The zipline cables extend above and through the cloudforest canopy. We went on 11 lines total.

Zipline landing through the trees. Each launching platform was embedded in a different place in the forest. We had to trek through the cloud forest in order to get from one platform to the next, an adventure in of itself.