Day 6 - Monday Jan 02 Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Costa Rica photos

position: 9:58:17 N latitude x 84.49.50 W longitude
(Puntarenas, Costa Rica)
temperature: 80F and 92% humidity at 7:30 am - sunny

Today is our first shore excursion with Radisson. We were on the dock around 8:10am for our 8:30am Costa Rica's Cloud Forest & Poas Ntl. Park tour. It was scheduled for 8 hours. It turns out there were 2 buses going to the volcano today. We were on the first bus which left with 17 people onboard. The bus probably could have held 40-45 people, so it was more than half empty. The second bus must have left about 30 minutes after us, and they were lagging us all day, getting back to the ship after the 30 minutes after castoff time, causing Captain Dag to wait on them. The first bus got back around 4:30 more or less on schedule.

We had a tour guide named Jeffrey, and he did a good job keeping us entertained on the 2.5 hour ride up to the Poas Volcano. There was a blocked road that caused about a 30 minute delay in us getting to the volcano. We left the bus and walked about 700 yards on a smoth paved upward sloped path to get to the overlook where you could see down into the volcano's crater. We were lucky in that it was a clear day, and we could actually see down into the volcano. Evidently, a lot of days, clouds prevent you from seeing into the volcano so taking this tour is sort of a crap shoot. The volcano is about 1.5 KM across, and the water in the volcano has recently turned a white color. Jeffrey said that as late as one year ago, the water had a blue-green-turquiose color. On the walk back to the bus, Jeffrey discussed some of the blooming flowers along the path. We spent about 45-60 minutes at the volcano. We boarded the bus for a 45 minute ride to the Chubascos resturant where we had a surprisingly good lunch. They served a frozen fruit drink (strawberries, mango, peaches, ???) that was refreshing. They offered red or white wine, and allowed Clay to substitue a local beer for the wine. They served him a beer named Imperial and it was good. The lunch consisted of a nicely spiced pumpkin soup, a marinated, grilled chicken breast, rice, black beans, freshly made small corn tortillas, mango salsa, fried sweet plantains and a slaw dish. For dessert, they served coffee flan. After lunch, we spent another hour on the bus going to Sarchi. That definitely was a tourist joint, but still it was not terribly offensive. You could get a desk sized painted ox cart for $300-$400. Fortunately, nobody on our bus took advantage of this opportunity. We spent 30 minutes at Sarchi, and then another hour or so to get back to the ship around 4:30pm.

The roads we travelled were one line each way (and ocassionally, one lane for both ways). The drive ranks right up there with the Amalfi coast in some parts for heavily travelled mountain roads, though the Italians drive faster. It was a winding trip going up and down before we arrived at the volcano and its 8500 feet above sea level. But it was worth the trip today. It may not be if you are unlucky enough to not be able to see into the volcano.

Tonight, we are dining with Ngaire and Ken and Jack and Mary in the Compass Rose.

Below is the description of the tour from Radisson literature. The cost was $105 pp.

From the low coastal areas, head into the clouds and discover the incredibly diverse landscape, the ever-changing vegetation and the spectacular scenery that this journey provides. One of the most renowned parks in Costa Rica, the Poas National Park is one of the few cloud forests accessible from the Pacific Coast during a one-day visit. This beautiful nature reserve allows participants to experience a rare natural scenario, as well as the possibility of witnessing the struggle within the earth's core.

Surrounded by lush forest is the crater of the Poas volcano. On a clear day, it is possible to peer into the volcano's crater and see geysers of steam and smoke rising from the bubbling depths. After a visit to the park, the tour continues through spectacular scenery, bringing to mind the fields and pastures in the Swiss Alps. It is this region that gave Costa Rica its nickname, the Switzerland of Central America. Soon you will reach a traditional mountain retreat where a tasty typical "Tico" meal will be served. After lunch, you head to Sarchí, home to a large artisan community. Here the most beautiful handicrafts are produced and offered by local artists.

Upon leaving Sarchí, your journey takes you past sugarcane and coffee plantations that were once the main trade of Costa Rica. Soon you will see your ship waiting in the port of Puntarenas. Please note: Although not strenuous, walking on this tour cannot be avoided. A walk of approximately half a mile must be covered to view the crater of the Poas Volcano. Due to the high incidence of rain in this area, we suggest participants bring with them rain gear. Sudden rain showers can be expected. As the coaches do have strong air conditioning we would recommend bringing along a sweater or jacket.

Costa Rica photos