Costa Rica: Pacific Coast National Park and Nature

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We took an eight day to Costa Rica with our kids in March 2002 to explore the Pacific side of the country and provide progression for our upcoming around the world trip in 2003. On this trip we wanted to emulate the combination of sightseeing and completing schoolwork with the girls to ensure that it would work well on a longer trip. We were able to accomplish this and in the process were able to experience a variety of activities, including hiking, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and viewing many different types of wildlife.

Our base was a wilderness lodge at Drake Bay, on the Osa Peninsula. The cost included all our meals and two different all-day activities during the five nights we were there. We chose day trips to Cano Island, a short distance off-shore and to Corcovado National Park. To get to Drake Bay we flew in a small plane from San Jose, the capital city. We were also able to spend a day in the city at the end of our trip.


Costa Rica Itinerary

Day
Date
Location/Activities
1
12 March 2002
Fly from Los Angeles to Miami; Plane problems result in spending the night there
2
13 March 2002
Fly from Miami to San Jose, Costa Rica and then onto Drake Bay in a small plane; Spend afternoon relaxing
3
14 March 2002
Take all-day snorkeling trip from Drake Bay to Cano Island
4
15 March 2002
Drake Bay: Hike at sunrise; Relax, kayak and swim during the day
5
16 March 2002
Visit Corcovado National Park from Drake Bay as a day trip; Hike in the rain forest and along the beach, viewing wildlife and plants; Hike to and swim in waterfall pools
6
17 March 2002
Relax and enjoy the views at Drake Bay
7
18 March 2002
Fly in a small plane from Drake Bay to San Jose; Explore the downtown area; Have dinner at a Peruvian restaurant
8
19 March 2002
Fly from San Jose to Los Angeles, changing planes in Miami

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