A hiking group from Trinidad and Tobago visited Costa Rica in the month of December. There were several opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica and a day trip by bus to Nicaragua added to the overall experience. The highlight of the trip was a two-day hike to the summit of Cerro Chirripo the tallest peak in Costa Rica. Wind, rain, fog, poor visibility did not deter the hikers from reaching the summit, a noteworthy accomplishment. Fun activities included a catamaran ride, ziplining and white-water rafting and of course lots of photo moments.
P1146413 Waterfall at Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm
P1146414 View from the Coffee Farm
P1146419 Buying a Starbucks coffee
P1146420 Painting at Starbucks
P1146424 Good old looking truck
P1146425 Close up of the Waterfall
P1146431 La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park
P1146437 View of the Nature Park
P1146438 Butterflies hatching
P1146443 Nesting area
P1146453 Emperor Blue Valley Butterfly
P1146458 Miniature falls
P1146459 Upside down fruits
P1146469 A curious Toucan
P1146481 The little bird hides in the shadows
P1146485 An Agouti peeps out
P1146486 Brightly coloured flowers greet us
P1146496 As well a decorated Cow Cart
P1146504 Exploring the waterfall and river at La Paz
P1146512 Approaching the La Paz Waterfall in the distance
P1146525 Steps down to the waterfall
P1146527 Beautiful falls
P1146531 Closer view
P1146533 First overnight stop Hotel Granpas
P1146548 Getting ready to explore next morning
P1146558 Volcán Irazú-SINAC National Park
P1146565 Dormant Volcano
P1146570 Exploring Irazu national park
P1146576 Group discussion
P1146607 The group just hanging out and having some fun
P1146622 Bright sunny day
P1146632 Lots of walking
P1146647 The volcano in all its glory
P1146660 Uphill in the sun
P1146677 Irazu Volcano national park - Prusia sector
P1146706 Walking thru the park
P1146712 Tall trees
P1146721 Unique shapes
P1146730 A peaceful walk
P1146742 View of the hillside
P1146804 Late evening walk through Cartago, an old church
P1146812 View up inside the church
P1146814 Well crafted design
P1146818 Lights reflecting the season, Christmas!
P1146820 Lighted Creche
P1146824 The kids having fun
P1146827 Photo opportunity
P1146835 The people are out for the evening
P1146836 Enjoying a live performance
P1146839 A captivating statue
P1146843 An old building, glistens in the dark
P1146845 The Costa Rica flag proudly flown
IMG123711 Our visit to the Parque National Chirripo starts as we spend the night at Hotel Uran San Gerardo de Rivas
Mapa Parque Nacional Chirripó provides details on the hike to Cerro Chirripo
IMG-WA0065 Administrative Office where we got our passes to enter the park
P1146859 We start the hike to the Base Camp early morning, scenic views along the way
P1146866 Sunrise on the mountains
P1146870 Mainly uphill
P1146872 A short break
IMG085332 A Porter with a donkey and load passes us downhill
P1146891 Still trekking looking forward to a rest stop
P1146900 Finally a stop with refilling of water and some needed rest
P1146909 Uphill again, bright sunshine
P1146914 Some beautiful flowers along the way
P1146917 Foreground of red, background of green
P1146928 An old tree salutes
P1146929 Admiring the view
P1146932 Standing tall
P1146933 Shaped by the wind
P1146947 Surviving the dry conditions
P1146957 Lush mountains in the distance
P1146965 But the dry trail leads on
P1146974 The sun glares at us as we make our way to the base camp
P1147000 The ridge peeps out at the weary travellers
P1147003 The rolling clouds shows compassion
P1147005 Finally signs that we are close to the base camp
P1147009 The base camp where we will spend the night and rest tired legs after 18 hrs of walking
P1147011 An early start in the morning to ascent the summit of Cerro Chirripo revealed some picturesque views
P1147018 The weather was initially rainy, lots of fog and wind, but cleared up later on in the morning
P1147021 Navigating the hills
P1147022 A lake nested in between the mountains
P1147030 The fog rolls back in
P1147035 Makes visibility poor
P1147040 Rocky mountains
P1147041 Yet attractive
P1147044 The fog provides a nice background
P1147046 Colourful weeds adds to the foreground
P1147051 A small pool in the distance
P1147052 More fog, reducing visibility
P1147065 The group proudly display the national flag
P1147067 Slippery rocks
P1147070 More fog
P1147073 The trail goes on
P1147076 Hiking through the pathway between the small trees
P1147077 A combination of wet and dry
P1147081 The group makes it out, almost 13 hours of walking that day to return to Hotel Uran
IMG-WA0086 Yes, we did make it to the summit of Cerro Chirripo, wet, windy, foggy conditions but we did it.
IMG-WA0139 An isolated viewpoint, what an adventure
P1147088 After a two day hike, it was now time to do more fun activities, the hawk approves
P1147090 A visit to Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park
P1147093 Colourful signposts shows the way
P1147108 Side view of Nauyaca waterfall
P1147124 Front view of the waterfall, what a beauty
P1147142 Laughter and friendship in the falls
P1147149 A rocky river
P1147156 Clear cold water
P1147177 After a lovely soak at the waterfall, as late evening approaches a walk through the town of Quepos, a lighted Raindeer
P1147179 Large decorated light pieces on display
P1147182 Nicely structured
P1147185 People are out enjoying the ambience
P1147189 Welcoming the new year
P1147194 An opportunity for the Youth Band to practice
P1147206 Resturant with live performances
P1147217 Reflections of the night
P1147227 A new day brightly red flowers greeted us at the hotel
P1147232 An iguana early morning "sunning out" on the grounds of the hotel
P1147233 Next a boat ride in a mangrove swamp 'Mar de Paquita'
P1147245 Peeping out, the fauna are curious
P1147252 Who are you guys?
P1147264 Where are you from?
P1147278 Ok, it's breakfast time
P1147300 Playing it safe, I am hiding
P1147311 I see you, do you see me?
P1147332 Just hanging around
P1147375 Hmm let's get closer
P1147399 Not me, says the Sloth safer up here
P1157412 The Racoon searches for its breakfast
P1157421 There is food here somewhere
P1157428 Smelling good
P1157451 The Sandpiper quietly looks on
P1157466 I can get a better view now
P1157485 Oops was that me?
P1157548 Cling tight, don't talk to strangers
P1157584 Getting closer
P1157594 Not me
P1157594 Okay we will keep our distance
P1157627 Marina Pez Vela
P1157630 Lots of boats
P1157631 Colourful decor on the port, but we need to locate our catamaran for a fun ride, time to "lime"
P1157683 The view definitely looks good
P1157713 A sailboat in the distance
P1157785 Scenic rocks
P1157786 A lovely bright day
P1157811 A few massive rocks
P1157814 People on board just having a good time
P1157872 Even had dolphins alongside enjoying the moment
P1158026 Next day drive to crocodile bridge, hmm I wonder why it is called that?
P1158032 Want to dance?
P1158038 Nope hungry
P1158039 Ahh looking at me?
P1158051 That's a little to close big fella
P1158053 Okay, I will call it a day
P1158061 Early morning sunrise at Los Lagos Hotel
P1158064 Gentle light
P1158068 A beautiful start to our day
P1158069 A visit to Fortuna Waterfall
P1158079 Fortuna Waterfall in all its glory
P1158101 Lots of rocks
P1158104 The waterfall in the background
P1158107 The river in the foreground
P1158109 Large boulders
P1158115 Fast moving water
P1158143 A lot of energy
P1158145 Cascading onto the rocks
P1158157 A view of Arenal Vocano as we travel Arenal Park
P1158164 Arenal Park
P1158170 Statue amongst the trees
P1158178 The brightly coloured bird catches its breakfast
P1158180 Lucky me says the lizard
P1158181 Low hanging clouds over the volcano
P1158182 The palm tree flowers
P1158197 A splash of water, usually means
P1158199 A waterfall
P1158201 Embedded in the forest
P1158214 At Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges
P1158220 We came across these guys
P1158253 They also climb trees
P1158258 As the sun sets it is time to check out the local park in the town
P1158260 Bright lights
P1158261 Families out
P1158263 Kids playing
P1158270 A day trip to Nicaragua, two volcanoes in the distance
P1158289 Ocean front view at Playa la Virgen, Rivas
P1158292 Windmills in the distance
P1158293 Stark reality
P1158294 A short stop-over at Mirador de Catarina, lovely view of the lake
P1158296 Colourful pathway
P1158297 Volcan Masaya, still active and sprewing out gases
P1158326 Details on the two close volcanoes in the area
P1158328 Opportunity for a boat ride on a lake
P1158334 Boats parked in the shade
P1158339 A blue sky
P1158343 Lonely bird
P1158348 Some coconut trees
P1158356 Looking at our every move
P1158378 There are people here
P1158399 I got eyes on them
P1168420 Birds at roost
P1168423 Black rocks
P1168426 Cathedral in the distance
P1168429 Hot sun, glistening lake
P1168440 In the town area, Parque Central de Granada
P1168442 Horse carriage ride around the town
P1168444 Old colonial buildings
P1168447 An enjoyable carriage ride
P1168458 Old buildings new cars
P1168462 A visit to a chocolate factory, the group is having fun
P1168470 One of the oldest building in the town
P1168471 The carriage ride comes to an end
P1168473 Time to say goodbye to the old church and head back to Costa Rica for the last two fun activities
DSC0958 Ziplining and
