Costa Rica Vacation, Part I

After a quick and uneventful flight from Ft. Lauderdale to San Jose, CR, on Sunday morning, we arrived safe and sound in our rental house in Atenas (25 minute drive from the airport). Already at the airport, we were greeted by really friendly and helpful Ticos and so far we have not incurred an unfriendly person yet. Atenas is a small town, which seems to be almost every town here. Nothing special, some good places to eat, grocery shop and a catholic church and small park in the center of the town (like in every town this size). The weather has been great. Not very humid, even though it is rainy season. Usually it rains every afternoon here for an hour, just like South Florida. But the temperature is much nicer with highs in the mid-80sF (25C) and lows at night in the high 60sF (18C). Just perfect to have the windows open all day long. It does get dark here around 6pm but then the day begins earlier too at around 5:30am. How do we know? Let's just say the kids have not adjusted yet to the 2-hour time change and we are up very early (5amish) the last few days, which means we go to bed early too. 

Our backyard oasis

View from the house and a daily visit to the cows next door

We have a rental car and are doing daily trips to scout out different towns and surroundings in hope to find the perfect place for us to live at. On Tuesday we visited a town called Sarchi, which we liked very much. It had a nice small town feel to it, but enough store there to get different things if needed. The town center was really nice too with a big church, a toddler playground and some huge oxcart exhibition. We also visited a very pretty botanical garden there, which is owned by Germans...(we also found a German bakery and Café in Atenas today and now we are enjoying some fresh baked breads and cakes)





Then we went on to Zarcero, a small town way up in the mountains. It was much cooler there 67F (17C) and very moist (it is rainy season after all), but we loved the climate and the town center. Right in the middle of the town is a small topiary, which made the town look mystical. Distances are not a big thing here but it does take some time to get used to the driving style. We are in mountainous terrain here and if the roads are paved then they are narrow and very curvy, up and down the mountains. Thus, it takes much longer driving from point A to point B and I had some scary moments in the backseat.

And this last picture was taken just 15 minutes after the prior pictures and one can see clearly how misty/ foggy it got within minutes. Would be a great place for a haunted evening on Halloween. Don't you think so?

Today we rested and relaxed at the house, but tomorrow we are off to explore the South of the Central Valley. Stay tuned for more about our trip.