February 2026. Costa Rica

Sunday Feb 1: We (Ray, Eric and I) went to the Bosque de la Hoya park this morning for a nice walk.  The wind began last night and is relentless..  Very strong winds blowing everything around, tables, chairs etc...

We went for dinner in Barva at the Banco de la Marina for fish.  Our waiter from last time recognized us and although he was getting ready to leave for the day he came over to take our orders as the other waitstaff did not speak English!  That was so sweet of him.   Getting into and out of Barva was a bit tricky as today is Election Day in Costa Rica.  Lots of people in the street and vehicles going up and down the road with flags of their favorite candidate. 

oh the wind will not stop!  so loud and strong.

Monday February 2:  Ray's last full day.   We headed up to La Paz Waterfalls.  It was in the clouds so a bit cool and wet but what a fun day.  About a 2.5 mile walk around the place, lots of animals (enclosed), beautiful gardens and waterfalls. Took about 1hour and 10 min to go 20 miles on a decent road (for CR).  We would go there again.. 

Tues:  Ray leaves today to go back home. after a nice morning walk we took Ray to the airport then went to sign up at the gym and of course a Walmart run.  

Wed:  we left the house at 5:30 for the gym, took about 18 minutes.  Eric swam and I used the equipment.  The wind has died down so we are able to enjoy the property. In fact we got a bit too hot and had to move into the shade!

Fri Feb 7:  after our morning gym routine we had breakfast then headed to Bosque de la Hoya, our Friday forest walk.  the gym and pool were pretty empty and so was the forest!  The wind did come up and chilled us to the bone, of course we were not dressed properly!  Strong winds seem to just keep coming and bring in cooler air..  

Saturday, our hosts, Eduardo and Betty left for Miami to visit her sister for 10 days.  We volunteered to tend to the coffee beans and husks.

Sunday we found a new place to walk, its about 4 miles from here and its a coffee plantation.  We seen about 50 birds, and as it was Sunday there were a few walkers and lots of bikers.  we will go back here again!

some flowers from our yard:

Tues Feb 10, after our time at the gym we headed to Turrialba, about 50 miles from here.  Took us about 4 hours of driving with a few quick stops.  Of course it was raining but not hard.  

found an owl at a small park in Parisio

seen a Krispy Kreme!  did not stop

We arrived at our hotel at 12:15 and they let us check into our room.  

We had brought a lunch as we were not sure of timing.  Our guide Danny Alvarado met us at 1:00 in the Lobby.  We then took off for an afternoon of birding CATIE.   A beautiful place to hang even if it was raining.

We got back to the hotel at 5:00pm.  Eric and I walked to the Loco's bar and restaurant. 

Costarican Brewery had some good beers.  The food and service was great.  

Wed Feb 11:  Danny came to the hotel at 7:10 to take us to a few places for birding.  The weather was much better, sunny and warm by mid morning, but the rains came later in the afternoon as we were driving back to the hotel. 

Danny is a great guide and we had him all to our selves!  We started out at the Lake then lunch at Hotel Rivel and birded there before getting back to the hotel at 5:15.  We had dinner at our hotel.

Thurs Feb 12: we met again in the lobby, after checking out.  our morning excursion was to Finca Tres Equis.  

Wind phone, we had one in Green Valley!

We ended up with 145 birds with 6 of them being Lifers!  We had such a great time and would go back.

We got home at about 4:30 after stopping for groceries.  glad to be home!  

We have been hanging around not doing too much, laundry, shopping, walking, birding and just enjoying Pura Vida.  Made a reservation with a bird guide for March in Monteverde. 

We had the most delightful lunch at Restaurant Alba in Barva.  Since we go early (11:45) we are the only customers.  The service and food were excellent.  and pretty inexpensive.  Fixed price for Appetizer, salad, Ravioli and a capreese sandwich, lemonade and ice cream.  

Not sure if this was a Mikey Mouse balloon or??

Betty sent over breakfast on Saturday.  Her famous Arpea, with white cheese, ham slice and scrambled egg.  Arpea is a disk made out of precooked white corn meal, cooked over a special pan.  She slices it open and adds the goodies. 

We went into town (Barva) to do a walk around.  lots of activities.  A boxing rink was set up, weightlifters doing their thing and other health concience activities happening.  We waited for quite awhile for the boxing to begin but got tired and went home!

Monday February 23: we headed back up to Barva Volcano.  We actually got to the parking lot but did not have reservations and could not get on line to make any.  Last time we attempted to get to the parking lot, the road was closed for repairs.  They are still repairing but we got there before the work began.  Finally made reservations to go on Thursday.  Took about 2.5 hours of messing on the phone and computer to get all the information submitted and reservations made!

Morning has broken....

We had a sloth in the yard today!  We have been looking for one, Eduardo found it.  He said its a 3 toed sloth. 

Thursday Feb 26:  off to the Barva Volcano.  There was road work on the road to the volcano so took us a bit longer to get there.  We arrived at about 8:30.  We hiked to the lagoon (about 2.5 miles) in 3.5 hours.  We got 3 life birds, a few we could not identify and 10 year birds.  It was a nice walk, mostly dry but some spots were muddy.  We were passed by a few people as they were hiking.  elevation started at 8800 feet above sea level, the highest point (continental divide) was at 9270.   only took us 1.5 hours to get back to the car.  Not too many birds singing at noon but we seen monkeys!

Computer upgraded so now can not add pictures!!  might have to wait until we get back home.  as some sites will not let me post or open here in CR.