We spent the last 4 days of our trip in Arenal. It is named after the amazing active volcano. It was about a 5 hour drive from where we were in Nosara. We drove through many small towns (very small) it was great for the kids to see how people in Costa Rica live. Very humble. Most of the homes had one door 2 windows and dirt floors.
Arenal has a huge lake that you circle around to get around to the other side. The views were breath taking. The kids were a little freaked out that the volcano was actually flowing, but when we let them know we were not going melt. They were a lot better. The lava flow is flowing down the left side of the volcano in this picture. You can see the steam coming off the side and top. The hotel was wonderful too. We had our own hot springs, pools, water slides you name it. We had crocodiles, frogs, butterflies and Isaac's favorite a souvenir shop!
We went to the butterfly conservatory. We did not know what to expect as we drove around the volcano up a very steep hill. It is set in a valley that was once clear cut so that they could graze cows. That did not work so they have been trying to grow the rain forest back to its original state. This research center is used by several American universities to study butterflies, frogs, bird and plant habitat. The kids had a lot of fun. They were all just looking around at first until they realized that there were so many butterflies that you could just reach out and catch them.
We hiked down approx 538 steps on Zach's count to the most beautiful waterfall any of us have ever seen. It is the largest waterfall in Costa Rica. The hike down was really steep. Of course we would have to forget our camera on this adventure. Luckily the nicest man ever took our photo and emailed it too us;)
The kids loved hiking to the hanging bridges. I think there were 10 large ones. The view was amazing. Hiking through the rain forest across these hanging bridges was incredible. We were hundreds of feet in the air. There was a beautiful waterfall and lots of rain forest creatures.
The kids loved hiking to the hanging bridges. I think there were 10 large ones. The view was amazing. Hiking through the rain forest across these hanging bridges was incredible. We were hundreds of feet in the air. There was a beautiful waterfall and lots of rain forest creatures.
We had a really fun time on this trip. I'll have to say that my favorite moments of the entire trip was going to the beach at sunset. Watching the boys surf and the kids playing in the waves and sand. Costa Rica truly was an amazing spot! Can't wait to go back again!
3 comments:
Your trip looks so fun! Not that I've been a ton of places, but Costa Rica is one of my top few with the hanging bridges being a huge highlight. Such fun family memories made. Some of the best memories I have growing up and still talk about with my siblings are family vacations.
I love that Zach counted the steps on your hike! It looks like you guys had a great time. It makes me want to go to the beach, but I'm not sure I could deal with the scorpions and monkeys all around and I'm sure I couldn't do the zip line tour. You're all very brave. :-)
This looks like so much fun! That waterfall was gorgeous! Isn't it nice to still find genuine people like the man who took your picture and followed through by e-mailing it to you? Sometimes I wonder about humanity, but times like you experienced make me believe in the goodness of people again.
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