Travel Blog Costa Rica

Parismina is not exactly a middle of the road destination in Costa Rica. Located on the Caribbean Coast of the Province of Limon, south of Tortuguero, Parismina is a small village where green and leatherback sea turtles come ashore to lay there eggs. From the four kinds, the green sea turtle is the most common in Parismina. You can reach the town of Parismina by bus from San Jose in the Central Valley. From the Gran Terminal Caribe downtown you have to take a bus to Siquirres, where you either can stay the night over, or transfer right away to Cano Blanco. Parismina is only reachable by boat, so you have to find a water taxi to bring you the last stretch from Cano Blanco. But also from other places you may be able to make arrangements to get there. Moin, close to the city of Limon and even from the southern towns of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo you can take a boat that brings you to Parismina. No flights available to Parismina, since they land in the more popular town of Tortuguero. It is said that the Rio Parismina Lodge uses chartered flights to fly in their guests from San Jose directly to Parismina. It’s a lodge specialized in snook and tarpon fishing arrangements. Parismina has everything that the backpacking tourist who is looking for a pure experience loves, no banks, stores or any other modern blessings. Parismina has some decent places to stay and for the one looking for more luxury the Parismina Lodge is a good option. On the other hand the possibilities for undisturbed bird watching, beautiful exploring tours on the canals that lead through the dense rainforest are plentiful. There are fishing trips to the beach and on the open sea or the Parismina River. Decent hotels and cabinas in Parismina provide you with comfortable lodging and there are some good places to eat and drink. You also have the option for home stays with a private room and all your meals included. It’s a good way to really know the local community and support it. Living from what the sea provides the fishing town of Parismina has gotten involved in the protection programs for the sea turtles who nest on the communities beaches. The village of Parismina used to live off the meat and eggs the sea turtles provided, but have made the turn-around to conservation. Local guides can take you on night tours to observe the sea turtles, still threatened by poachers mostly from outside the community.

The friendly town of Tilaran in Costa Rica’s Province of Guanacaste is the main entrance to the Arenal region coming from the east. Located an approximately three hour long drive from San Jose in the Central Valley. Coming from the International Airport of Liberia is just a short drive down the Interamericana Highway until you reach the town of Canas where you take the last 20 kilometres on Route 142 to Tilaran. East of Tilaran the Arenal Lake is close by and you can take either a right or left turn to drive around the lake. Both ways you will end up in the neighbouring Province of Alajuela in the town of La Fortuna with the impressive Arenal Volcano dominating the horizon. Tilaran has a very nice location, since it’s close to the Monteverde Reservation and the National Park of the Arenal Volcano towards the east and Palo Verde National Park westwards. Therefore Tilaran is a good base camp offers an abundance of activities to choose from. The area around Tilaran is mainly a farming area. Higher up the hills are coffee plantations, there are vast pastures with beef and the famous Monteverde dairy cattle and the area is well known for the cultivation of peanuts and macadamia nuts. Tilaran has altitude of 500 metres above sea level, which results in a very comfortable temperature. Six months of the year are windier than the others. From mid-October till the beginning of May the winds can be strong enough to be able to wind and kite surf on the artificial Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s only and biggest lake. These same winds contribute to Costa Rica’s energy production, because in the Arenal highlands a windmill park is constructed. The town of Tilaran itself is one of the cleanest of Costa Rica and because most of the restaurants with excellent food, bars and hotels are in the town centre the atmosphere is very friendly. There are accommodations in every budget class and especially for families. Close to Tilaran is the Corobici River which runs through a dry tropical forest area where over three hundred species of birds can be spotted. The Corobici is an excellent river to try white water rafting for the first time. The river with rapids only up to class three, make it one of the calmest and safest rafting rivers in Costa Rica. Unlike the Pacuare River for example this one is safe enough to raft with children and no problem if you are of age. There are several great mountain bike tours, nature walks and sport fishing opportunities in rivers and of course on Lake Arenal.

The town of Turrialba is located in a valley in the mountains that surround the Turrialba Volcano and is more or less halfway on the road between Cartago and the Caribbean town of Siquirres, from where you can head to towards the city of Limon. Turrialba is a little harder to reach than the other more popular volcanoes of Costa Rica like the Irazu, Arenal and Poas. That is exactly the charm of the Turrialba Volcano National Park, it is quiet and offers breathtaking views. The volcano itself is still active, but can be explored without danger. It’s a long but beautiful hike to the summit but the views up there are very rewarding. There are many other reasons to make a day trip from San Jose in the Central Valley to the town of Turrialba. Close by there is the village of Santa Cruz, the entrance to one of the most impressive and larges historical site; the National Monument of Guayabo. The monument protects the ruins of a pre-Columbian town, complete with paved streets, aqueducts and grave mounts, that was inhabited for a period of 2,400 years. Close to Turrialba is also the starting point of one of Costa Rica’s most sensational white-water rafting tours on the Pacuare River. It’s a steep downhill ride and the last part even by foot to reach the most beautiful rafting river in Costa Rica, with rapids up to class IV and V and magnificent passages through lush valleys and high canyon walls. You can arrange a rafting trip for one and even two days with a night-over in the Pacuare lodge. Most trips include roundtrip transportations with a ride back from exit-point Siquirres to San Jose crossing the mountains of the Braulio Carillo National Park, with its wide panoramas over the dense virgin rain forest. The town of Turrialba itself is embedded in the mountains and is a centre for agricultural products. Famous for the white Turrialba Cheese that is produced and forms an important part of Costa Rica’s national menu. From Turrialba in the Province of Cartago it finds its way all over the country. It’s a soft pre-cheese and when you have the chance you should definitely try it. You probably have never realized that when you are watching the Major League Baseball games, you are watching Costa Rican products flying around. The famous Rawlings MLB baseballs are made in their factory in Turrialba. When you are on the way to the Caribbean beaches of Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo, you should consider the route San Jose, Turrialba, Siquirres to Limon. It will take a little longer, it’s a winding, steep road, but if you take your time you can really enjoy the changing landscapes. And Turrialba has enough hotels, bars, sodas and restaurants to stop for the night or just for a bite or a drink.