Quepos, Off The Beaten Path

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Once we arrived at our destination we were put into repelling harnesses and then took a short hike to the beginning of the tour. There were 5 platforms built in the tops of trees in the rainforest with cables that ran from platform to platform. We attached hooks to the harnesses and the cables and then would glide from platform to platform. On the last platform we repelled to the bottom, which was about 50 feet from the top of the tree. A pleasant hike took us to a magnificent waterfall. We stopped for a cool swim in a pristine pool of water at the foot of the waterfall and had a snack of fresh sweet pineapple. After about an hour of swimming and relaxing we started our hike back to the place we started. This was not a long hike but was steep and uphill in parts. They say it is meant for people 7 and older and in moderate physical condition. It was a bit much for me but I am not in moderate physical condition!

When we reached the top of the hill where we had started they fed us again. It was a full dinner of black beans, rice, fruit, chicken and a delightful cake. Although we were all very tired we enjoyed the trip back to our hotel. We enjoyed the day, the guides were very nice and took time to point out the ecological issues in this primary rainforest. The trip was a wonderful adventure and I learned a great deal. The cost was about $40 US each and worth every penny.

The phone is 506 777-0100.

The park is filled with a wide variety of birds, lizards, monkeys and frogs. The flora and fauna is spectacular with many very rare trees, flowers and plants. The orchids were blooming everywhere when we were there in February, which is the dry season. The park has markers by many of the plants giving information about them, which was very interesting. There were occasional bathhouses with toilets and changing rooms for the swimmers. Picnic tables and small huts that sold snacks and drinks were near the more popular swimming beaches. Be sure to take your camera because you will have many opportunities for spectacular photos. The day at the park was one I will remember always.

One day while we were at the beach there was a bandstand set up with a band playing and there was a large crowd of tourists as well as locals enjoying the music.

Part of the beach experience is having local artists coming by to offer you their carvings, jewelry and arts and crafts. They were very interesting and polite and it added to the experience. In addition to people selling crafts their were youngsters walking up and down the beach with coolers selling drinks and occasionally someone would come by selling food or shaved ice.

There was a "food court" type facility at the beach that sold several types of food and drinks in different booths. There were also bathhouses that were very clean and nice that were easily accessible.

We rode for about 2 to 3 hours and went very slowly getting on and off the horses frequently. There was a beautiful stream and waterfall where we got off and swam for a short time.

This was a great deal of fun and doesn't require a great deal of riding experience. I will warn you that if you are not used to horseback riding you will be very sore for a few days. If you don't mind being sore it is a great trip. The cost was $35 US.

There are several Americans and Canadians that have settled there because it is so beautiful and very inexpensive to live there. It is a very progressive community and the gay/lesbian tourist is welcomed by the locals as well as the people that have relocated there.