Ever considered a Costa Rica road trip? Read on to learn more about the third day of our eight day road trip across the Northern part of the country. Did you miss Days 1 & 2? Catch up here!
We spent our second night amid the clouds in the Monteverde region. More specifically, in the town of Santa Elena. This quaint little mountain town is quite a different scene from the beach towns, on various levels. The area is quiet and there’s a different level of comfort all around. We start our day with a GREAT breakfast (included with the cost of the room – a whole $20!!!) With a coffee shop next door, we decide to buy a fresh brew for the road as we make the 5km drive to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve.
As with most regions of Costa Rica, there are plenty of eco-tourism tours in the Monteverde area.
Thank Goodness for Cafe Colibri
We make our way along the windy, rugged road toward the Monteverde Reserve, excited for what animals this particular forest will hold. The park is open from 7am to 4pm and costs $17 per person. As we approach the gate around 9am, we notice that it isn’t open. When we pull up to the, we notice two police officers and an un-uniformed individual standing by. We roll our windows down and ask if the park is open (it definitely doesn’t appear to be). They tell us “No.”, and our further inquiries remain unanswered by our limited Spanish vocabulary. We manage to get from them that there is a Café, mere steps away, where we can enjoy hummingbirds as consolation. So we thank them and proceed there. How very curious this park closure with heavy security…
As we make our way up the steps to the left of the Reserve’s entrance, we find ourselves on a pavilion, hosting several hummingbird feeders. There’s a certain buzz in the air, as we notice each feeder is hosting multiple hummingbirds. And they are brilliant! We’ve never seen anything like these beautiful, vibrant little creatures. The feeders are ornamental to a little gift shop/café where we linger for a few minutes as we discuss Plan B for the day.
Always Be Flexible
The lovely folks at our hotel provided us a hand drawn map of all the local ‘attractions’. This handy little map shows a ‘Ficus Tree’ in the local vicinity. As soon as we notice it, we realize we have to check it out.
Banyan: this is the word used to describe a collective of strangler fig species. These ‘ficus trees’ grow up and around other, host trees. Once it has completely ‘strangled out’ it’s host, the host tree dies off, leaving a hollow ficus behind. How cool is that?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan
Given the recent change in plans, with the Cloud Reserve being closed, we decide to head to the Santa Elena Nature Reserve. And on our way, we stop at the locally famous ‘Ficus Tree’. Set just off a side road, the thick woods house several ficus trees. As we wander along the path, we walk past a few, but none like the one that we are seeking. One that you can climb, from the inside! We actually meet another traveling couple at the tree. They are from Switzerland and also on a Costa Rica road trip. The four of us exchange stories and itineraries as each of us takes our turn scaling the tree. After exchanging farewells, we jump back in the car and head towards our cloud forest adventure.
Santa Elena Nature Reserve (La Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena)
As an alternative to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, we decide to explore the Santa Elena Reserve. The park here is open 7AM to 4PM, and costs $14 USD per person. The trails here are said to be longer than Monteverde, but we welcome the option. We commit to the red trail, which is the longest one on site, and is said to have the best views. While we don’t see any wildlife, the forest is filled with many various songs and calls. And there are plenty of glorious plants along the way. Over 2000 species to be exact!
The hiking trail is very well defined, and though there are some inclines, an easy hike overall. At the midway point, you find yourself at the top of the trail overlooking the rolling green hills of the region. A perfect photo opportunity! The complete loop takes us about 2.5 hours.
Sugar, Coffee and Chocolate. oh my!
After our hike, having arriving back at the car in plenty of time. We are excited that we have enough time to be able to visit a coffee plantation on our Costa Rica road trip! The nearest one, enroute from Santa Elena to Tamarindo, is El Trapiche, a coffee, sugar and chocolate plantation. The tours here cost $33 USD per person, but when you consider that you are getting three tours in one, it is definitely worthwhile. And, as ecotourists, it’s right up our alley with it’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism.
Costa Rica and Sustainable Tourism: Costa Rica prides itself on it’s environmentally responsible approach to tourism and it’s commitment to the environment as a country. It is the only country in the world that runs 100% on renewable energy. And the World Bank is sponsoring it to be the first country to ban single use plastics by 2021. How cool is that? !
Getting our Coffee Knowledge on
The tour is an easy two hour walk of the vast plantation. It includes a fresh coffee tasting of their various beans, as well as sugar cane, moonshine and cacao samples along the way. The farm also has various fruit trees to sample from, and you tour includes an ox cart ride!
Our tour guide explains the origin and history of coffee, and describes the varieties (like wine grapes) as well as the process in detail, from plant to cup! The most curious fact we learned is that Costa Rica exports 80% of their coffee and imports 50% from Nicaragua. Their main exports are to Canada, Australia and Japan, and all of their harvest is by hand. The farm workers are paid $3 per 13 kg they pick, which translates to 3kg of coffee grounds.
It Doesn’t End There…
Next on the tour, we learn about the cacao bean, it’s history and the processing it undergoes to end up as the chocolate bars we have come to love. Traditionally deemed a ‘gift from the Gods’, cacao is only grown in greenhouses here. We have the opportunity to sample parts of the cacao bean along the way, from fresh whole fruit through to fully processed chocolate.
Last But Far From Least
We learn about sugar cane! Our tour guide goes into detail about it’s origin, harvest, as well as how it is processed to the granules that we are all familiar with. Have you ever tried FRESH sugar cane?? It’s almost like chewing on a fibrous celery stick from which you only extract the juice. It is DELISH! They even make their own moonshine on site, which visitors also get a chance to sample. WARNING – it’ll put some hair on your chest! The brand they produce is available around the country, but as a lower alcohol concentration.
At the end of the tour, the group heads back to the main house for a cup of (what else?) coffee! The coffee they serve is brewed in the traditional Costa Rican method via a correador. This consists of a fabric sock, which holds the coffee grounds over which they pour hot water. The sock hangs over a receptacle (mug, pot, what be it). They also offered some freshly squeezed lemonade from one of the lemon trees just outside the reception hall.
We are so glad we took the tour! The wonderful staff was very knowledgeable and did a great job describing the history and various processes that take place on the farm. We learned all about Costa Rica’s main exports, from picking the right beans to the temperatures required to achieve the perfect roast.
After the tour, we jump back on the road for our three hour drive to Tamarindo. We are heading back to the Pacific coast for Day 4 of our Costa Rica road trip.
Have you ever seen how coffee, chocolate and sugar are grown, harvested and processed?
Fresh sugar cane is the BEST! I remember last time when I had it, I had to have several and it’s so good!
OMG Nate!! Right?! Phil just couldn’t get enough!! We are scoping out ALL of the grocery stores now to find more!!
I would SO love to go to Costa Rica!! There’s actually a yoga retreat I want to do there! Wonder if I could fit some of these activities in
You absolutely should visit Jenny! We have a couple friends that have done yoga/surf retreats and they can’t say enough good things about it! How long are you hoping to go for?
Costa Rica is such a lovely country to visit. The beaches there are something to really admire.
Isn’t it though Tiffany?! What beaches did you visit? We’ll be writing about Tamarindo in our next post 😉
This sounds like a fascinating trip, such beautiful photo’s too
Thank you so much Kara! It was a really great experience. Do you have any up coming travel plans?
It is an apotheosis of beauty, nature and mystery almost … that you want me to leave!
We couldn’t agree with you more Cristina. It was like nothing we’re ever seen <3
Glad to come across this blog and learn a little more about Central America, Costa Rica. We plan to visit South America end of next year and hope we can squeeze in Costa Rica too.
That sounds like a wonderful trip Kumamonjeng! What other countries are on your itinerary?
I’ve always wanted to visit Costa Rica! I’ve heard it’s so beautiful there.
It’s all true Heather! And completely affordable on any budget 😉 Hope you get there soon – happy travels!!
Great post! I’m glad y’all got to explore locally even though your original plan didn’t work out. It’s always important to be flexible when traveling; you never know what may come up!
Absolutely Paige! And it works both ways. Something may no longer be available as an option, such as we encountered, or you may enjoy one thing SO MUCH that you decide to skip another. Flexibility is key!
This is such a perfect place for a nature lover like me, it is so beautiful and it feel so relaxing to be there.
Couldn’t agree with you more Gervin! One really can the peace within in a place like Costa Rica 🙂
It sounds like you had an amazing time at Costa Rica. It looks so beautiful there.
Thank you Sue-Tanya! We had a really great time. The foliage is pretty incredible, especially at this ‘green/wet’ time of the year.
This is such an amazing place, I truly love exploring the nature and I think this place is a perfect destination for me on my next travel.
We agree Catherine 😉 Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you might have about planning your trip. We have a couple other posts about the process as well. Happy travels!!
What an amazing trip you have had in Costa Rica, I was in awe of the Hummingbird photos! They are such stunning birds
We still can’t get over how incredibly beautiful they were Yeah Lifestyle! There are several species down there, we only saw a few.
Costa Rica is such a lovely paradise that’s so worth visiting. I’m glad you guys had a fun time during your vacation there. Would be nice to go back and explore more!
Thanks Terri! When you were there, whereabouts did you visit? We’d love to go back as well!
So cool, I love Costa Rica.
You’ve been Katlyn Brown? What was your favourite part about it? We’d love to go back!
This place was really amazing. The ambiance of the place is relaxing. Even if I didn’t see it personally I can say that if i where there. My soul will be replenish staying a little while in this place. Thanks for sharing!
You are most welcome Clare! We love taking people places vicariously. Hope you get a chance to visit someday. Happy travels!
It’s all so beautiful, love all the greenery and beautiful natural elements, including the fresh cultivated foods.
We couldn’t get enough of it Lush Fab Glam! It’s so neat to see different foods in the wild, different from what we are used to.
This place is number one on my bucket list! i have always wanted to see it!
And for great reasons Jessica! We can’t say enough good things about it. If you decide to plan a trip, feel free to reach out with any questions you have. We’ve posted a lot of resources for planning your trip so feel free to use them!
Sounds like such an amazing trip!! That tour sounds so cool, definitely need to visit and check it out!
Kileen
cute & little
Absolutely Kileen!! We can’t say enough good things about it. Hope you get a chance to visit soon!
That’s a nice road trip! Nature never fails to amaze us with its beauty. And this region is one of the evidences. Love that place
So true Candy! The incredible variety of plants and unique animals made for such an incredible experience!
It’s always good to be flexible! Looks like you had a lovely day despite the change in plans. And I’ve heard such good things about the chocolate and coffee there!
The coffee and chocolate tour was the perfect addition to our itinerary Becky! We’ve never tasted anything like some of the samples we had there. Highly recommend including one of these tours in your trip!
Wow, sounds like an incredible trip!! Coffee, chocolate and a beautiful road trip sound like a dream. I can’t believe how beautiful all these photos are!
The coffee and chocolate tour was the perfect addition to our itinerary Emmy! We weren’t sure what to expect as far as the road trip side of things but we really had a blast. Can’t recommend it enough!
I’ve heard so much about Costa Rica and I would love to visit it soon. Such a gorgeous place.
It’s all true Chad!! If you decide to plan a trip, feel free to reach out with any questions you have. We’ve posted a lot of resources for planning your trip so feel free to use them!
I could get lost in Costa Rica. The blooms and the landscape and the animals all look so fun to explore.
It’s the truth Valerie! The flora and fauna are absolutely incredible. We saw a lot but didn’t want to leave and hope to get back soon. Hope you get a chance to get lost 😉
I have been following your costa rica road trip and every post gets more interesting with the places you have been and the photos, keep sharing it
That is so flattering Yeah Lifestyle! Glad you are enjoying reading along! We’ve got a couple more days worth coming your way, so stay tuned!
Oh how beautiful! I’ve never been but from what I’ve seen Costa Rica is absolutely gorgeous!
Catherine, we can’t say enough good things about it. And so affordable!! Definitely check it out if you get a chance!!
Monteverde is such an amazing part of Costa Rica! Loved how lush and green this region was. Looks like a great time!
Yes Eli!! We didn’t get into Monteverde proper but the area is beautiful! So many incredible plants and neat looking birds. We loved it!
I’ve seen so many friends visiting Costa Rica and I would love to plan a family trip. There’s so much to do and every photo is full of gorgeous green. Definitely adding this to our travel bucket list!
Yes Heather! And it has a lot of family friendly things to do from what we could see. That would be such an incredible trip! Happy travels.
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