2013 Test Drive – Costa Rica
Leaping Lizards! We are jumping off a waterfall with a 7 year old!
In preparation for the RTW Trip we thought it was time to give the kids a taste of what is to come. At the time, Shia was 9 and Liam was 7. We planned a Costa Rica trip with a sampler platter of experiences. We planned it in thirds to give the kids a taste of what is familiar for a “vacation” and moving towards the new travel style of a RTW adventure.
The first experience was luxury in Manuel Antonia; a vacation resort with a private beach and pools. Ample places to eat out with menus in English or self cater familiar food in our suite. Our kids are blessed, aside from the monkeys scampering outside our windows, this was a more familiar vacation experience for them. We arrived at the door via taxi and loved every minute of the wildlife, food, pools, and luxury.
Dinner in Manuel Antonio – Toucan watching waiting for our food!
The second experience was a hostel in the small town of Uvita. Dining was shopping at a very different local market and using creativity to self cater a meal in a lovely outdoor shared kitchen. Or we ate out at the small cafe with visiting street dogs and a ordered with the help of some menu translating.
Shia got a surprise when she was dancing with this mantis.
The third was an eco-lodge in Osa Peninsula. We took a public bus to get to the area and then a boat to make it to the remote town of Drake Bay. Hopping off the boat with our bags in the crashing surf was memorable! Meals were provided at the lodge with no options for the kiddos. Aside from the nature – the kids were mostly surrounded by adults and it has now been a few days with no pool or tv. Creativity and nature were freely available to fill our minds.
The beautiful thing was that the kids loved the villa ($310 per night) and the hostel ($49 per night) equally. Both were quoted as being the favorite in different moments. That was the first indicator that they are ready and adaptable. (The eco lodge would have received better reviews as well if we hadn’t gotten sick with dehydration and heat stroke from the long travel day getting there.)
Shia on the the Zip Line with a free fall twist
We learned that our kids are brave. We did a pretty amazing zip line, rapelling, waterfall exploration adventure that was pretty extreme in Manuel Antonio. It was a blast and these kids have a lot of guts in their tiny bodies!
Night Tour
We also learned that our kids are tough! Shia was so sick all day and we had precious reservations for the Night Tour which we reserved 5 months in advance and even that early got a few of the last spots! This would have been heartbreaking to miss, Shia slept all day and through dinner and miraculously as we asked her one last time if she could rally she sprung up and said “Let’s Go”. The tour started after dusk at 7:30 and lasted till after 10. Liam is not a night owl so both kids had to dig deep for this one and they did. It remains one of my favorite experiences of all time. The rainforest is magic. It holds so many treasures and unique stories, but without a storyteller – the book doesn’t come to life (or even open to show you what is there). Gianfranco and Tracie captivated me with stories and I replay them in my mind often to remember the amazing creatures we met under the cloak of night. I am a proud and thankful Mom that our kids could brave the mystery of the dark jungle and fight through illness and sleepy steps so that we could have this experience on the Osa Peninsula.
