We packed up the car and headed out on the road. Although this was our third trip to the Tenorio area we hadn't explored it much and decided to take our time getting to the next hotel. Our trusty Lonely Planet and my amazing navigation skills led us first to Rincon Corobici for a relaxing lunch on the side of Rio Corobici. We were the only folks but by the time we left it was packed. I could have sat there with the breeze and rapids for hours.
Right down the road was Las Pumas, a big cat refuge I had heard about for awhile but never made it to. It was very similar to the one we had gone to near Arenal last year. The big differences are that the focus is cats (puma, jaguar, leopard) and that it is self guided. For $10 it was very cool to visit this organization that is doing good work. It sounded like they work with a rescue team in Arenal to save a lot of orphaned or abused animals.
The cats were pretty amazing to see and the parrots were as entertaining as ever. It's hilarious to hear them mimicking whatever was said to them on a daily basis when they were pets - three didn't childrens cries or screams, "Que esto?" and lots of laughs and holas. An hour was about the right time and we loaded up again.
This is a good time to note that the main road under construction is crazy! We have to drive on the wrong side of the road with no markings, go on dirt while they are paving, find new entrances and exits when the normal ones are road blocked. That is an adventure in itself.
Next stop was to a hidden waterfall. Well not hidden to the locals. Although it was a Monday it was packed. Some even camping. The only shady thing we have encountered happened there. To get into the park you make a donation to the local school. When we got to the parking lot a man approached with a clipboard saying we needed to pay $4 to park and go to the waterfall. This didn't seem right at all so I called his bluff and opened the door back up. He then said no, no it was ok and he'd still watch the car. The whole thing made me nervous. I'm sure he was just trying to get a few bucks off of tourists but it upset me a bit.
We locked everything up and hikes down a steep trail that ended up in one of the most picturesque waterfalls I have seen. Kids swimming everywhere and teens strewn over the boulders. We climbed over the rocks as far as I was willing to go with the cameras and then headed back up.
The drive to Rio Perdido was quite easy. Good signage. The landscape quickly changed from rainy and lush to dry and hot. So weird since we were quite close geographically to where we had just left. As we pulled up to the front gate of the resort it was obvious that this was going to be luxury. They had our names at the guard shack so we were off to a good start.
The reception building (which happens to be a three story gigantic structure that houses the restaurant, bar, spa and everything) immediately reminded us of the place we spent our honeymoon - El Tamarindo in Mexico. Ricardo welcomed us and got us acquainted with the property. I wasn't expecting the view from the lookout. Straight down into a narrow canyon that contains the bluest River. We got our first glimpse of the zip lining we would be doing the next day. Yikes!
Totally impressed we were then given a ride over to our bungalow (we wouldn't see our car again for two days) where they had taken our luggage while we were touring.
The bungalows. If I were to design a resort it would probably look like this. Modern, simple and eco structures scattered through the hillside. To help people like me wifh bad navigation skills, the 20 bungalows were broken up by colors. Each one being grey with a colored stripe around it. The only thing missing for me was an outdoor shower.
It was starting to get close to dinner time so we threw on our bathing suits and headed down another steep trail to the thermal springs.
Oh my! Our own private natural hot springs in the jungle. The property had s string of areas to swim going up the stream. Each one marked and connected with a path. We later learned that the resort has been here for 3 years and started as just an adventure destination. However people wanted to come here and stay. The bungalows have been open for a year and a half and they are building 10 more. If you stay here there is no need to leave.
We arrived at the first thermal pool where there was a trough of mud and paint brushes. We were warned that it would smell but that if you let if dry and then went in the water it would make your skin soft. I couldn't bare the smell too long so I went in. We explored a few of the pools, the only people back in the jungle. It was one of those amazing experiences I couldn't believe I was getting to experience. As it started to get dark we headed up to shower and go to dinner.
Tip: take your shoes as you walk around in the jungle...
At dinner we realized that the staff here is huge. Two people per guest I would say. And not just back of house. Tons of front of house. Everyone is super polite and helpful. The tour guides were my favorite as I got to really talk to them but that's tomorrow's post.
After I stopped having a heat stroke from the hike up I enjoyed my Rio Perdido drink. We were told later in the night that we could call for a cart to pick us up. Otherwise I'd say this place is not for anyone with mobility issues. You hold and climb a lot! It seemed like the folks got a commission on the Rio Perdido drink as they were really pushing it. Or maybe it was because it was delicious. It was like a frozen mojito with lots and lots of fresh mint. Yummy.
Dinner was good. Josh's Cordon Bleu was actually delicious. My tilapia was fine but not great. Full we headed back and explored the satellite TV. It gets a huge number of channels. Only one in English.... Lights out.
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