After a very early morning start in the US, we arrived in Costa Rica safe and sound. At the San José airport we were welcomed by Kim, our driver Gerardo, and his son Gustavo. We got into two vans and headed straight to Monteverde National Reserve, stopping for a typical Costan Rican lunch on the way.
Our stay in Monte Verde’s cloud forest was a great introduction to the country’s rich fauna and flora. At the park, we did a day and a night hike where we saw lush vegetation and amazing bugs, heard owls, saw bats and humming birds, looked for night time creatures and even saw bioluminescent mushrooms. Yep, it is true! Our meals at the park and at a nearby restaurant were also great and plentiful. On the way out of Monteverde, we stopped by a Mariposario where we learned about and saw different types of Costan Rican butterflies in their different habitats, as well as a cool ant farm.
We are now writing from La Fortuna, near Volcán Arenal, where we spent a nice day running errands and relaxing in the warm waters of natural hot springs near the volcano. We are now gearing up to head tomorrow morning to our homestay families in the community of Mollejones near the town of San Isidro. We will keep you posted from there!
