In our last few days of Costa Rica, the beauty (and expense) of ecotourism has really caught up with us. After touring the cloud forestry in Monteverde, our group migrated to the lazy tourist town of La Fortuna, where the famed active volcano Arenal looms in the distance.
Below is a shot of the main area of our hostel. Thats right, hostel, not resort. With palm trees everywhere, beach cabana-style huts, and this crystal-clear pool, the place is pretty cozy for 14$ a night.
Along with the luxury of the establishments around town, the area also boasts some incredible wildlife. Geckos are everywhere, and we stumbled upon this little green guy:
Our journeys led us to hot springs, hikes around the volcano, and an 80 meter high waterfall, where we spent an afternoon swimming and trying to catch fish. The volcano, Volcan Arenal, is magnificent as it is currently active. Hardened lava trails down the mountain can be seen with the naked eye, and the volcano emits crystal clear water at a variety of temperatures. At the hot springs, while striking up conversations with locals, we discover the techniques used to harness the naturally heater water, channelling it into pools and tubs where one can relax for a day.
Below is a glimpse of the volcano in the early evening hours. Being the rainy season, clear views are often short-lived and sporadic, making photographic captures like this all the more precious.
Tomorrow the rest of our friends depart for the United States, and on Wednesday morning, Ryan and I plan on heading to Costa Rica, escaping both the incredible biodiversity and the quicksand in our wallets.
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