This is the last leg of our trip. We checked out of the hotel, hopped on our bus and rode for a little over 30 minutes to the ferry terminal. We disembarked from the bus and walked to the ferry terminal. Chieya (our driver) drove the bus onto the ferry. We scattered around different parts of the ferry. Some sat in the air-conditioned section at the lower level and some went upstairs and sat outdoors in shaded areas. It was not hot so sitting outside was comfortable and you get a good view of what's going on. The ferry ride was almost two hours.
Approaching the Ferry Terminal
Vehicles loading up onto the ferry
Outdoor sitting area
Leaving the Guanacaste Peninsula
More outdoor sitting space
A Snack Bar
A similar ferry going the opposite direction
The air-conditioned space at the lower level
We finally approached the mainland and got on our bus again.
Lighthouse on the mainland
Vehicles are ready to drive off
Getting back on our bus
Our map location:
We are now in Puntaarenas and headed for the Tarcoles River for a wildlife cruise. There are many groups here and this appears to be a popular activity in Costa Rica. The river is adjacent to the Carara National Park and has many different types of wildlife in the mangrove forest.
Our location
After a quick lunch we were ready for a slow cruise down the river. Our boat captain and guide pointed out many species of birds and wildlife.
Boarding out boat
A similar cruise boat
Lazing by the river
Vultures waiting for their opportunity
Another crocodile
An unusual and beautiful flower
Difference between a crocodile, alligator and caiman
This is our final activity for the tour. We drove another 2 hours to the Sheraton Four-Point Hotel in San Jose. It is a different hotel from the one we started. I suppose it's because this hotel is closer to the airport. That night we have our real final farewell dinner. Following dinner, Aaron surprised us by showing us a 15 minute video of our trip. Because of its size I have to upload it to YouTube and then insert it into this blog. Here is the link for the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Hy5jE8Q1Y0U
It was a great way to conclude a wonderful tour.
We have a couple of hours before our dinner so I decided to go to a nearby supermarket to buy some local Costa Rican coffee. I asked for directions and it sounded nearby. However, when I started walking I realized that there are no sidewalks. It was rush-hour and the "sidewalk" that I could walk on was only about 12 inches wide. I think most American would have a hard time walking along and crossing the streets. Luckily, the locals are nice enough to allow me to cross whenever there is a break in the traffic.
Like any coffee everywhere there are different qualities and different prices. I asked the store manager and he recommended a coffee that he said is the best in Costa Rica. It was about $17 for 300g, which came out to about $26 per pound. I saw the same coffee at the airport and they were selling for $21 for 300g, or about $32 for a pound!
Expensive CR specialty coffee
Reasonably priced CR coffee
In spite of its coffee producing heritage Costa Rica today is not even in the top 10 countries in the world. The five biggest are: Brazil, Vietnam (mostly Robusta coffee), Colombia, Ethiopia and Indonesia. We were told that CR is focussing mainly on specialty coffee.
In the morning we were taken by a van to the airport, depending on your flight departure time. It was a short ride to the airport. As we go through security I looked up and saw the following sign. It sums up what Costa Rica is all about: Pura Vida!
