Volcán Irazú
Again, and not surprisingly, we did not stay in the city. I really think that coming here and not doing the trips anywhere would be such a shame! There are so many things to see in the driving distance, so many animals to marvel at. However, I must admit we did not prepare for our stay in SJ as well as we usually do on our trips, so we had to improvise.
After we landed, ate and showered, we spent an hour (or a couple more hours) googling and TA-ing different options. We wanted to see a volcano but as we (I really don't know how this happened as both of us are control freaks) did not have any info, there was nothing to do but to read and talk and then read and reconsider and so on. When finally we decided to go to the Volcán Irazú and checked the weather forecast, our firm decision was suddenly not so firm. The forecast said it was going to be cloudy (at best) but running out of time, my patience and options, we ignored it.
That seemed like a good decision - at first. The weather was picture perfect (as you can see above), we were in a good mood, we even made a stop, enjoyed the view...until - until we stopped in (what seemed like only a couple of cars then) a traffic jam - THIS was IT:
This is the distance that was between us and the volcano. As you can see, it's supposed to take exactly 4 minutes but - just ask, don't be shy, say it - "How long did it take you?" Wanna guess? 2 - in a word: TWO HOURS. A Japanese lady started making a bouquet (in a national park, people, for God's sake!)... We just sat and waited (and bought a really good sweet bread/cake from the man selling among the cars). Few people walked "there" but all of them came back (we found out why later on). It was sunny the whole time while sitting in a car and as we had the cake, we did not really mind the waiting (TBH there were 15 tense minutes and that's all :D).
How stupid we are - volume 2 - we did not use any sunblock (it was supposed to be cloudy) but after two hours in the car, with the sun shining through an open window directly on Telchac's knee, its colour was the same as my shoulders few days before that. Yep, that's how we burn :D
How stupid we are - volume 2 - we did not use any sunblock (it was supposed to be cloudy) but after two hours in the car, with the sun shining through an open window directly on Telchac's knee, its colour was the same as my shoulders few days before that. Yep, that's how we burn :D
After waiting for 2 hours, we finally got in and drove relatively steep hill to get up (that's why people came back). When we got out of the car (3 432 m above sea level), the fog was creeping closer and closer. We managed to see the first small crater lake and after that, nothing but fog :D. If we had arrived only a few minutes sooner, we would have seen the main crater (maybe). Bad luck and not having the info! I blame that! But it didn't matter (you know, crying over spilt milk), it was amazing and otherworldly anyway. Say for yourselves:
If you read the TA reviews and do not know if it's worth it - I think it's definitely worth it even if you don't see the craters 'cause:
1) you have perfect views even from the road up/down
2) the ground, plants and everything around you is really something that you don't see every day
On our way back, we saw a man selling fruit next to the road - which is one of Telchac's favourite way of buying food. So we had to stop and buy two piñas (the man was selling 2 for 1K colones - bargain!). We ate the first one right then and there (and it was DELICIOUS!!! and FUN - imagine - two people sitting in the SUV cargo, with Telchac's 40 cm pocket knife and with his thigh covered with his t-shirt (to prevent it getting more sunburnt), cutting and eating pineapple...lovely sight ;))
1) you have perfect views even from the road up/down
2) the ground, plants and everything around you is really something that you don't see every day
On our way back, we saw a man selling fruit next to the road - which is one of Telchac's favourite way of buying food. So we had to stop and buy two piñas (the man was selling 2 for 1K colones - bargain!). We ate the first one right then and there (and it was DELICIOUS!!! and FUN - imagine - two people sitting in the SUV cargo, with Telchac's 40 cm pocket knife and with his thigh covered with his t-shirt (to prevent it getting more sunburnt), cutting and eating pineapple...lovely sight ;))
Useful tip: early start! As early in the morning as possible! It's the most probable that you'll see the crater without the fog and waiting in the jam.
As my posts are always longer than I expect them to be and then I do not put the things/places I want into 1 post, I decided to include a list of what you can look forward to (at least when it comes to Costa Rica):
- Catarata del Toro
- a night in a treehouse in the jungle
- La Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena
- beach (again :)), animals (again) - but now in CR
Hope you'll come back for all of them, thanks for reading and happy Easter!
As my posts are always longer than I expect them to be and then I do not put the things/places I want into 1 post, I decided to include a list of what you can look forward to (at least when it comes to Costa Rica):
- Catarata del Toro
- a night in a treehouse in the jungle
- La Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena
- beach (again :)), animals (again) - but now in CR
Hope you'll come back for all of them, thanks for reading and happy Easter!