Costa Rica

Exploring the land of Pura Vida

Pura Vida, meaning simple life or pure life, is a term heard almost everywhere from people of all walks of life in Costa Rica. But they don’t use it as a greeting or an enduring term, they live it.

Acountry of five million people, Costa Rica is wedged in between Nicaragua and Panama, in middle America. It rises from the Caribbean ocean, across lush tropical rainforests, up and over mountain tops before descending through the humidity back down to the beautiful Pacific coast.

Rather than fight against nature, Costa Rican’s embrace it, make it part of their life and their livelihood. They live among nature like cohabitants rather than conquerors . . . that’s Pura Vida.

Catching only a glimpse of our surroundings as we exited the airport, a waiting shuttle quickly spirited away out of the city through the highlands and to the mountains. After an hour of driving past incredible scenery of unparalleled beauty, we arrived at the Chayote Lodge near Naranjo de Alajuela. It is the complete opposite of the frantic paced capital city of San Jose, now a carpet of twinkling lights in

the valley down below.

Owner, Rolando Campos wanted to create a destination for tourists in his native region. He speaks passionately of his admiration for the nature in the surrounding the area. The lodge has 12 cabins that are all positioned overlooking the valley.

With volcanos and mountains tops all around, you can’t help feel as if you’ve become one with the clouds. The cabins have rustic interiors crossed with modern architecture that includes all-glass front that allow for a full view of the valley. . . It’s an incredible sight to wake up too.

Dinner or breakfast at the hotel restaurant is superb. The food is simple but fresh and delicious. For those with a more anthropological inclination, the hotel offers some great outings one of which is to a local elderly woman’s house in the village below the hotel

where you help to cook a traditional Costa Rican-style meal. The menu for our visit was fried cauliflower and plantain with potatoes, chicken, and rice and beans. The food was homey, delicious and mostly prepared on a wood stove that doubled as the source of heat that keeps her house warm, even though she did have modern amenities like a fridge and gas stove. Delicious as it was, the meal was unexpectedly different from Mexican or Cuban food; it is not spicy at all.

Hike down to the base of the waterfall at Catarata Del Toro Adventures

Breakfast at the Chayote Lodge is a wonderful experience too. Costa Rican coffee, which is delicious, fresh fruit, local rice and beans served with fresh cheese and eggs will temper any appetite and the view, on the patio overlooking the valley below with the rain forest-covered mountains, is second to none.

Further immerse yourself in the natural beauty with a visit to the waterfall at Catarata del Toro Adventures near the town of Bajas Del Toro, about an hour away from the Chayote lodge. The hike to the bottom of the falls is not for the faint of heart. but after doing all 3500 steps down, the view was more than worth it.

Immerse yourself in nature at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridge Park Another experience for the adventurous is the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Hike through the jungle and across bridges made of planks and steel cables, while surrounded by snakes, howler monkeys, sloths and more. The animals are literally all around you. Fear of heights aside, it is an experience for all age groups and ability levels.

If relaxation is more your style, the Arenal region is a great place. With resort-like accommodations, the Hotel Magic Mountain sits at the base of a volcano in the town of La Fortuna. It has a nice pool, swim up bar, and a retro sports bar that serves really cold,

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: An oecelot (native to middle America) sits on a branch at Centro de Rescate Las Pumas. Hike down to the base of the waterfall at Catarata Del Toro Adventures. View from a Chayote Lodge cabin. Hot spring pools at the Buena Vista Lodge. Pedal Boarding on beautiful lake Arenal. View of Mount Arenal . Map of Costa Rica. Immerse yourself in nature at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridge Park.

cheap beer. The bar is a great place to rub elbows with the locals, many of whom seem to go there after work.

Another spot in the La Fortuna region that is worth a visit is the hot spring resort, Tabacon. The water is heated by the magma from the Arenal volcano and mineralized underground. It flows naturally forming the Tabacon River. The resort is surrounded by 900 acres of rainforest and offers a swimming pool with bar and the hot springs, as well as a spa. Purchase a day pass which can include either lunch, dinner or both, for an added fee. There are towels and locker available for the day time guests n