Just after the first of the year Rick and I, Skylar and Sarah, and Brach and Kendra took a fun trip to COSTA RICA!! For years I have been wanting to take the kids to Costa Rica because both Rick and I love it so much! This trip did not disappoint. We had a great time and enjoyed exploring, playing, swimming, and eating!
Rick and I arrived a day earlier than the others. After arriving we made our way to the Mangroove Hotel about thirty minutes from the airport in Liberia. It was a very nice place! We were upgraded to a suite and on top of that the staff prepared a nice fruit basket for us on our arrival. We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the hotel restaurant and then relaxed in our room the rest of the evening.
The next morning we woke up to the birds singing outside of our window and we HAD to get out into nature. The hotel offered bikes to ride so we found a couple that weren't in too bad of shape (tires for sure needed air, though) and went for a ride along the beach. It was really picturesque and a fun ride:) We found us some iguanas much to Rick's delight. He loves wildlife!!
After our beach ride we had a nice Costa Rican buffet breakfast and then followed that up with a dip in the pool!
Our destination was the Guanacaste region of CR, in the north of the country. We have been wanting to bring our kids here for many years and last summer Rick was perusing through Air b&b and stumbled upon a beautiful home in the Guanacaste region. He reserved it right away only to find that a month later the home had been sold. The owners had built another home just right up the road from the first home. They gave us the opportunity to stay there for the same price, so we took it!
It was about an hours drive from Liberia to the house. Rick and I arrived to find the accommodations beautifully situated. We left the two main bedrooms that walk out to the pool for the kids and took the casita just a few steps away:) The home had a beautifully stocked kitchen and a nice sitting area with full glass windows and doors opening out to the pool and a view of the Flamingo Beach area. We enjoyed many sunsets from that view point. After getting some groceries and stocking the cupboards we took a dip in the pool and watched the sun set. It was just breathtaking!
Late that night we drove back into Liberia to pick up the kids. We were able to get home just after midnight and all had a good rest.
The next morning Rick and I made a fun delicious breakfast of potatoes, eggs, tortillas, pico de gallo, guacamole and fresh fruit smoothies. It was super delish and filled us to the brim.
We left later that morning towards Palo Verde National Park for a boat ride on the Tempisque River. We were able to spot lots of American crocodiles, howler monkeys, white faced monkeys (capuchin), giant iguanas, herons, kingfisher, and egrets. It was really fun!
Before our boat ride we were able to freshen up at a small restaurant with fresh juice, banana chips and fried cheese. The people were very hospitable!
Our group on the boat!
Howlers in the trees
Sarah driving the boat!
Later that night we ate at a place near our rental home. It was a cute place with wonderful food. The boys especially liked their empanadas and I especially loved the limonada! Kendra's chicken dinner was sooo good! I wished I had ordered it myself:)
While I didn't get a picture of us at the table I did get a picture of these two cuties lounging on a beanbag outside the restaurant!
The next day was Thursday and we went on a four wheeling excursion. It was REALLY dusty but super fun! We were able to see howlers and capuchin monkeys which always make an excursion more exciting! We also had a lot of fun riding down on the beach. Lots of whipping around in the sand:)
Brach found a little crab:)
One thing on Sarah's bucket list was to climb a tree. The beach offered the perfect climbing tree so we all had to join her for a picture!
Another group picture at the top of a hill overlooking the Pacific. So beautiful!
....and another great lunch! CASADO AND LIMONADA!
This is the view from our back doors of the rental. Breathtaking! We enjoyed the afternoon playing in the pool and relaxing!
That night Skylar started itching all over. We figured he had an allergic reaction to something he ate. Probably the giant fresh mango that he peeled and consumed just thirty minutes prior to his outbreak. He recieved a quick blessing by Brach and Rick and off to the clinic they headed. By the time he got to the clinic his whole body was covered in hives and his throat was starting to close. The doctor there whisked him in (without any paperwork or anything) and got right to helping him. They gave him two shots in his bum and after monitoring him for thirty minutes released him.
By morning he was completely healed. We are so grateful for that!
The next day (Friday) we headed to the beach. It was very hot and very windy and something in the water kept stinging me so after a couple of hours I was ready to go. Not sure if everyone else was but I was! Rick and Skylar were able to get a little snorkeling in while we were there. We went back to the house and enjoyed the pool for the rest of the afternoon:)
Love these kiddos! The girls hats, though! Adorable!
That evening we drove the thirty minutes into Tamarindo Beach which is a happening place. Lots of people and lots of shops:) We had some really good food at an Italian place....the pizza and drinks were delish! This is the only picture of our Tamarindo night.
The next day was Saturday and we drove two hours to the base of the Rincon Volcano. The resort we visited was called Buena Vista. We started out with an hour horse ride up the mountain trail. We all had fun even though we looked a little dorky with those helmets. The horses just walked the whole time but I guess we needed to be safe:)
Next we went over to the cultural center and had a lesson on how sugar cane is pressed with the help of a huge ox. We tasted some sugar cane juice and sugar cane candy:) They also had a coffee tasting spot. We declined that;)
Next we had a pottery making demonstration. Rick and I bought a small bowl hand painted by this gentleman. It is hand thrown and hand painted. I should have taken a picture of my new bowl.
After the cultural center the group went for a ride down the zip line. I did not go but I was able to get video of everyone coming down the last line. They all raved about how fun it was!
After zip lining we had a super delicious buffet lunch of soup (pumpkin...so good), salads, meats, banana chips, rice and beans and a rice pudding dessert.
After lunch we got to go down the 400 ft man made slide. Man, what a rush! It was soooo fast and kinda scary!
Last but not least was the volcanic mud baths. We got into a trailer pulled by a tractor and headed up the mountain to the hot springs. We first started in the sauna to open up our pores and then slathered ourselves with volcanic mud.
Then we let the mud dry on our skin for about 15 minutes....
and then we rinsed off in the COLD WATER SHOWER!
After the cold water we hopped right into the hot springs. There were a number of different temperature springs! We enjoyed the "just right temperature" one. Bliss! We didn't have much time in the springs but we stayed as long as we could:)
Lastly we had to get a picture on the swinging bridge.
Nice soft skin after the whole shebang!
That evening we arrived back home to find a wonderful taco bar ready to be served. The manager of the house, Nicolas, and his wife, Aurare whipped up a wonderful meal for us right there in our home. (Mostly Aurare:) She served chicken and shredded pork for the tacos and had plenty of pico, guac, and chips. She also had roasted potatoes and corn and then for dessert some requested Tres leeches cake.
Here we are with Nicolas and Aurare.
Brach's plate....lookin' good!
On Sunday we went to church in Santa Cruz, about an hours drive from Flamingo. We barely made it in time for the Sacrament. It was a good meeting (Rick translated for me:) and then we girls went to Relief Society. Couldn't understand a word:( but I did figure out which conference talk was being discussed so I was able to read thru that.
After church Skylar and Sarah went directly home and Brach and Kendra came with Rick and I. We drove over to Veinte de Siete de Abril (27th of April) a cute town we had been to before. It was a nice diversion instead of going straight back to the house. We also stopped at the JW Marriott where we had stayed a few years ago. On our way back to the house Kendra (BKA Eagle Eye) spotted some howlers in the trees next to the highway so we stopped to check them out!
That night Brach bbqed up some steak and chicken for dinner. We played games afterward and laughed a lot!
Monday was our last full day so we decided to head back to Tamarindo Beach for some shopping and some more of that delicious pizza:) No pictures:(
Then we came home for our last afternoon of enjoying the pool and our beautiful view.
Brach and Kendra doing some light reading:-0
Our last sunset in this amazing place!
That night we drove into The Catalinas restaurant for a nice dinner. Skylar got a whole fish!!
Do you think he liked it??
It was a very nice atmosphere next to the beach. It was fun hearing the waves crash down on the beach and it was a beautiful way to end our trip!
Such a blessing to be able to travel with these kids!
Until next time... we live you Costa Rica!
