Dulce Vida

Looming magestically at 1633 meters, Volcan Arenal is known as one of the worlds ten most active volcanoes. We’re lucky enough to be there on a day where the peak isnt obscured by cloud, as is generally the case, due to the regional climate.
Trail map in hand, we set off to explore the lava fields that surround the base of the volcano. Stumbling over the jagged lava rocks in my poor choice of footwear, flip flops, trying to scale beyond the “Danger – Active Volcano – Do Not Cross” sign (an attempt to get a really great photo)…. Im picturing how vicious and superheated this lava was at one point, erupting in 1968, it spread hot rocks and toxic gas over 12km, killing 87 people. There are now several homes, hotels, and businesses situated near the base of the volcano…. arent the inhabitants afraid of history repeating itself…..?

3 hours of hiking has left us excited for the soothing comfort of a hot spring.
A grocery store clerk in Monteverde had told us about a “secret entrance” used by locals for getting into the ‘real’ hot springs, where you can not only experience it in its most authentic and unspoiled form, but you also avoid the $30-$70 entrance fees that all the resorts charge for access.
The steam rising from the hot springs is visible from miles down the road. Taking the “secret path” we soon drop into an endless oasis of pools of waterfalls, powerfully cascading down the mountain …. The water temperature is so hot that my fingers and toes are shriveled into prunes within minutes.

I read something the other day which I believe truly captures how unique this area is…..” The four elements of nature are very prevalant here at Volcan Arenal. 1) The heat (fire) of the volcano 2) The flowing (water) of the hot springs 3) The pure, clean (air) of the lush rainforest 4) The fertile (earth) of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region”……looks like Mother Earth has created a special place where there is perfect balance and cohesion in the cycle of nature

Monteverde, elevation of approx 1400m above sea level, is home to an ecosystem of over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 1200 species of amphibeans and reptiles, and over 2500 varieties of plants (420 varieties of orchids alone). Its climate is one thats constantly cloaked in mist and a hazy fog that sits above the canopy (90% of organisms in a rainforest are found in the canopy).
The downpour of rain lets up just as we arrive for our SkyWalk hike. 2.5km of trails through the rainforest, along with the crossing of 6 suspension bridges, provides for breathtaking panoramic views above the canopy.
At 6pm, dusk turns to nightfall, and the rainforest is beginning to awaken… nocturnal creatures emerge, in search of food. Its time for our night hike. Flashlight in hand, and a chatty naturalist guide leading our way, we enter into the pitch darkness of the rainforest. Within 5 minutes into our walk, the guide points out a tarantula, Im arms distance away from my biggest phobia. I nearly drop my flashlight and sprint at breakneck speed back to the car. That is one large tarantula in front of me (about 3 inches in diameter), very furry, and black and orange colored. They arent deadly, but they do have hairs on they’re stomach that have sharp little barbs on them, and when threatened, the tarantula will rub these hairs with they’re legs and shoot them at they’re predator…ouch!
Continuing on, we come upon a flurry of bats (there are over 110 different species of bats in Costa Rica)… but they’re so quick, its virtually impossible to even catch a glimpse of them. We’re also fortunate enough to see an owl, various species of frogs, numerous insects, beetles, crickets, sloths, sleeping birds, scorpions, and butterflies, among many others. Exploring the calm beauty and tranquility of the rainforest after dark is a unique experience . The sounds are so magnified, and the sights entirely different than those which are seen during daylight hours.

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