Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

Today we docked in Puntarenas, Costa Rica and embarked on our trip to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It was an early morning again but worth the trip. Our drive took us for a short distance on the Pan-American Highway until the turn off that led us up into the mountains and the continental divide of Costa Rica. The road we traveled was unpaved and exceedingly steep. After a two and a half hour drive we arrived at the Monteverde Cloud Forest. In Costa Rica all of the land in the mountains around the continental divide is a preserve and protected.

Our first stop was the hummingbird garden. It was amazing! There were several hummingbird feeders and the birds whizzed around landing and sucking the nectar. As they flew past us, practically brushing us, you could hear the sound as if a swarm of bees was passing by. Katie shot a short video which turned out really well but we’ll have to wait to upload it when we have a faster internet connection. Meanwhile the photo we’re posting shows a feeder with 3 hummingbirds.

Next we took the 3 mile walk through the forest. It was more than a good workout! We were at approx. 5200 feet and for us flatlanders the altitude and the climb up and down made a difference. We also had to cross 8 hanging bridges which for people like me who are afraid of heights was an experience. As we walked across the bridges about 100 feet above the treetops and they swayed from side to side, I confess that my heart was pounding. As we walked through the forest there were long vines hanging and I had visions of Indiana Jones crashing through.

After a nice lunch and a visit to the insect museum (which had the most incredible collection I’ve seen) we headed back down from the mountains. Along the way we paused to see a group of howler monkeys in the trees right off the road. These monkeys make the most incredible loud noise.

Once again we were astounded by the differences in the countries we’ve visited. Costa Rica is by far the most prosperous looking place we’ve been. There was no trash strewn along the roads and no signs of the poverty we saw yesterday in Nicaragua. The houses we passed even far out in the countryside had lacy curtains in the windows and looked well-maintained.
We sailed a couple of hours late from Puntarenas. I think we had to wait for the tides because it’s quite shallow. Now we’re on our way to the Panama Canal. But first we have a leisurely day at sea.