From Tamarindo to the green mountains of Monteverde (06.02.2022)

The time in bustling Tamarindo has passed quickly and with a slightly nostalgic feeling, we leave the place in the late morning heading east. Before that, one last goodbye photo after a delicious breakfast served in our accommodation at Boho and off we go. Besides the colorful variety of local establishments and activities, what remains from Tamarindo is the omnipresence of the most famous Pfizer product, at least before the Covid vaccination was available. Lovingly decorated shop windows in pharmacies show that there may be an increased demand for these supposed miracle pills ;-)...

As diverse as the country Costa Rica is in terms of landscapes, the quality of the roads has been a topic in this blog several times. Even as a self-proclaimed SUV opponent (in terms of car preferences), I have to admit that car classes like compact cars, sedans, or wagons have a clear disadvantage in this country, at least if you want to travel off the main roads. Today, this became clear to us again on some sections, especially the interplay of potholes and uphill sections on the sometimes very narrow roads posed a driving challenge on the way to the very mountainous Monteverde.

The compensation for this is the picturesque landscapes that are shown in this area. Monteverde is known for its cloud forests and biodiversity, which also host wildlife such as the puma. We will explore this more closely on the next day with guided hikes. In our accommodation, located on a dreamy southwest slope, the Tropico Monteverde, we get an overview of the local possibilities from a very friendly and dedicated gentleman named Gustavo. In addition to hiking, activities such as flying fox, bungee jumping, or Tarzan swings (not yet sure what exactly that is) are widely offered. Due to its location at an altitude of about 1350 m, our accommodation itself offers a breathtaking view of the valley of the Puntaneras province and the bay of Golfo Colorado. Even though the temperatures are cooler (around 22 degrees) due to the strong wind, it is an absolute highlight spot to observe the sunset.

The daily two:

Insight: Due to the numerous posters at the airport, we quickly realized that there are elections coming up in the country. We encountered colorful flags on cars and establishments again and again today. Today was the first round of the presidential elections in Costa Rica. The incumbent president was no longer eligible (they can only serve for one term, and the former president Alvarado has extremely low popularity ratings (the lowest since the beginning of the measurement in 2013). The approximately 3.5 million eligible voters could choose from 25 different candidates. There were no clear favorites, the two strongest forces, Figueres & Saborio, only reached 17.5% and 13% respectively in surveys. With almost 32% undecided, it will be very exciting. If none of the candidates get 40% approval right away, there will be a second round on April 3rd, where the two candidates with the most votes will compete again.

Moment of happiness: The sunset (yes, again ;-) ) from the room terrace at an altitude of nearly 1400 meters, overlooking the lush greenery of Monteverde and the bay with the ocean.