La Fortuna, Costa Rica – This is what I’m talking about. Eighteen pools with water temperatures ranging from a mild 87 to a steamy 104 degrees, replete with lush vegetation, waterfalls and a swim-up bar. And – supposedly – views…
Coatimundi
El Castillo, Costa Rica – This afternoon, we made the drive to our “new Costa Rica house”, this one at the base of Arenal Volcano in the tiny village of El Castillo. It was a three-hour drive. The middle part…
Stella’s Bakery
Monteverde, Costa Rica – It’s always a perk to live across the street from a bakery, in this case, Stella’s Bakery & Coffee Shop. To be honest, their pastries are not that great, and the sandwiches seem overpriced. But they…
Selvatura Tree Tops Walkway
Monteverde, Costa Rica – The twins got this book for Christmas. It’s the story of a boy named Carlos who goes into the cloud forest in hopes of finding animals and birds. When he doesn’t see anybody, he leaves…
All Aboard the Christmas Train
Monteverde, Costa Rica – I posted this photo on Facebook and my friend commented about my uncanny ability to find a kiddie train anywhere in the world. That, I responded, is my secret to successful travel with toddlers. This one…
Christmas Eve Traditions
Monteverde, Costa Rica – After spending a wonderful day yesterday on our own at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Daddio and I decided to spend today exploring our immediate environs with the twins. We just walked along the road, heading from our villa toward…
Bat Jungle
Monteverde, Costa Rica – Welcome to the cloud forest. This is what the sky looked like at sunset yesterday. And this is what it looked like this afternoon. Amazing! We spent the day getting settled in our new…
Zoo Ave
La Garita, Costa Rica – En route to our `new’ Costa Rica house, we stopped at Zoo Ave, a zoo and rescue center. Contrary to its name, it’s not only for the birds. I’m pretty sure the twins’ highlight was…
Rio Sarapiqui River Cruise
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui – A wildlife cruise down the Rio Sarapiqui is supposed to be one of the Top Five Things to Do with Kids in Costa Rica, according to somebody who is supposed to know. The thing is,…
Natural Paradise
Sitio de Mata, Costa Rica – We will be in Costa Rica for almost five weeks, staying in four different parts of the country. If all goes well, each region (and each house we have rented) has its own unique…