Tag Archives: Central America

A Collection of Blog Posts: 2016

ASIA

Philippines:  General Santos City, Naomi’s Heart Mission

CARIBBEAN:

San Juan,  Puerto Rico:  Walking Tour of Old San Juan  and  Walking Tour of Old San Juan, Part 2 

Caribbean, St. Kitts

19 View of the cruise ships from the belltower, 1.29.16

CENTRAL AMERICA:

Costa Rica:  Exploring Central Costa Rica

Costa Rica:  The Caribbean Side

Costa Rica:  Jaguar Rescue Center

Mexico, Mazatlan

Mexico, Puerto Vallarta

EUROPE:

Italy, Venice:  The Clock Tower of Venice

5-d2-a-view-of-st-marks-square-from-the-torre-dellorologio

UNITED STATES:

United States, Arizona:  Grand Canyon

The Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

The Painted Desert

 

United States:  California, San Diego

United States:  Colorado:  A Weekend in the Rockies

United States:  Louisiana, New Orleans

United States:  Maine, Rockland

United States:  Massachusetts:  Walden Pond

United States:  Michigan:  Four Days in Hale

United States:  Nevada:  Las Vegas:  The Paris Hotel

United States:  Ohio

Cedar Falls in Athens

BadaBing:  This Restaurant is Now Closed

Pizza at BadaBing

Brewfontaine

Brewfontaine in Bellefontaine

Cincinnati:  Abby Girl Sweets

Cincinnati:  BowTie Cafe

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Cincinnati:  Cincinnati Art Museum, The Divine Felines Exhibit

Recumbent Lion, Ptolomaic Period, 305 – 35BC, Reportedly from Giza

Fragmentary Inscription, Dynasty 25 – Dynasty 26, 670 – 650 BC

Cincinnati:  Interview With Artist, Jimi Jones

Jimi Jones Artwork

Jimi Jones

Cincinnati:  Cincinnati Children’s Museum – Leonardo da Vinci Exhibit

Exploring the Genius of Leonardo da Vinci at the Cincinnati Children’s Museum

Cincinnati:  Jungle Jim’s

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Cincinnati:  Yeatman’s Cove

Cleveland:  The Cleveland Art Museum, Pharaoh King of Egypt Exhibit

The Pharaoh Exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art

An Egyptian Sarcophagus

Cleveland:  La Pizzeria

Cleveland:  Maltz Museum, Operation Finale

The Capture and Trial of Adolf Eichmann

The Holocaust Survivors

Columbus:  Franklin Park Conservatory

Gorgeous Orchids at Franklin Park Conservatory

Amazing Butterflies at the Franklin Park Conservatory

Ohio:  Columbus, Old Bag of Nails

Ohio:  Columbus:  Olentangy Caverns

Ohio:  Greenville:  KitchenAid Store

Springfield:  Art Museum, Jason Morgan

Jason Morgan Artwork

Springfield:  Art Museum, Jimi Jones

Jimi Jones Artwork

Auschwitz Exhibit at The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Celebrating 70 Years of Auschwitz Closing

Sam and Ethel’s

Enjoying a Reuben at Sam & Ethel’s

Yellow Springs Brewery

Sampling craft beer at Yellow Springs Brewery

Ohio Christmas:

Columbus: Alum Creek Lights

Drive Thru Christmas Lights

PNC Lights: Cincinnati Zoo

A Tunnel of Lights

Exploring Central Costa Rica

We spent a couple of days hanging out on the beach, cooking fresh seafood and making daily trips to the grocery store.  It was time for us to travel inland towards the Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall and spend a night at Tabacon Hot Springs.  Our route took us northwest up the coast where we would make a quick stop in Jaco before making the trek towards our first stop at the waterfall.  We crossed the bridge saying goodbye to the alligators before stopping at the market for some road snacks then hopped on route 34 passing quaint little coastal towns along the way.

La Fortuna was an impressive 200 feet tall and we couldn’t wait to see one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful waterfalls.  The roar of the falls could be heard before we reached this magnificent cascade.  This spectacular force of nature is one of the most popular sites in Central America.  It didn’t take us long to descend the steps to the rocky base but took note that somehow we would have to make our way back the way we came down.

We had packed a picnic, so we found a space to admire the waterfall and the incredible mist that called us to take a swim.  I couldn’t help but test out the water, but even in the tropics, I was surprised the water was so cold and decided against jumping in.

It was difficult to break away from this magical spot, but we wanted to hike up to the Arenal Volcano where we would find several viewpoints and scenic lookouts.  The national park is the second most visited in the country and for so many reasons.  This was once the most active volcano in Costa Rica, but it has remained dormant since 2010.  The last time Arenal exploded was 1968 which destroyed the towns of Tabacon and Pueblo Nuevo.   At the time of my visit in 2006, there were rumors that the top could blow off at any moment, but we decided not to let that stop us.

I was pleasantly surprised that there were only two trails and that they were so short with the maximum length measuring 2.1 miles.  Hikers can pass through lava beds from blasts from the volcano’s past and capture scenic views of Lake Arenal.

While the hike in the park has a beautiful scenic area we decided to visit the Arenal Observatory for views of the volcano and lake.  Both were stunning, impressive and worth the detour.

Lake Arenal is Costa Rica’s largest lake measuring 33 square miles.  There are a wide range of activities that revolve around this large, man-made body of water such as boating, windsurfing, hiking, biking and of course spectacular fishing.  Arenal is known for its guapote, a local fish with sharp teeth and aggressive attitude.  I was surprised to learn that the ancient villages of Tronadora and Arenal are actually below the current lake, while newly built hotels around the volcano offer spectacular views and luxury accommodations.

It was getting late and we stopped at the Tabacon Hot Springs before checking into the Thermal Resort & Spa for the night.  Sitting under the grandeur of Arenal Volcano, this gorgeous hideaway is the perfect location for exploring and experiencing the natural pools of Costa Rica. Visitors are not required to stay at the resort to enjoy a day of pampering and can book a day pass.  While the Resort and Spa are family friendly, the Shangri-La Gardens is more private and accommodating for an adults-only experience.

The thermal spa was perfect for soothing our muscles after a long ride in the car and the luxurious bed was the perfect spot for an amazing night’s sleep, and what a restful night it was.

Have you visited Costa Rica?  What was your favorite place and do you have any recommendations for where to spend my next stay in this beautiful country?  I would love to hear from you if you would leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my journey through central Costa Rica and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

La Fortuna Waterfall
Alajuela Province
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Telephone:  506 2479 9515

  • Admission Fee:  18 US dollars to enter
  • Hours:  All year around from 7AM to 5PM
  • Amenities:  third party tours provide more details;  check Viator for more information
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes for walking.  The busiest time is midday and early afternoon, so it is suggested to arrive in the morning.

Arenal Volcano
Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Lake Arenal
Arajuela Province, Costa Rica

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
Noreste de Centro de la Fortuna de San Carlos 13 Km
Provincia de Alajuela, Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica
Telephone:  877 277 8291

  • Admission Fee:  No charge to visit the hot springs at the resort.
  • Hours:  Check with the resort for hours of operation
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes for walking and bathing suit for enjoying the hot springs.

Where to Stay:

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
Noreste de Centro de la Fortuna de San Carlos 13 Km
Provincia de Alajuela, Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica
Telephone:  877 277 8291

Where to Eat:

Jaco:
Los Mahi Tacos de Cholo
Centro Commercial Urena, Local 3
Avenida Pastor Diaz Diagonal a Calle El Bohio
Jaco Central, Jaco, Garabito Municipality
61101 Costa Rica
Telephone:  506  8741 0562

La Fortuna:
Spectacolar Cantina
Meters west from La Fortuna Church 125
Arenal Volcano National Park
La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica
Telephone:  506 8569 7676

What to Eat:

  • Arroz con Leche is translated to rice with milk and is a popular dessert in Costa Rica. Additional ingredients include milk, cinnamon, salt and lemon zest, making this a delicious end to your meal.
  • Casado, which means marriage which is an interesting combination of meat such as beef, pork, chicken and fish as well as rice, beans, tortillas, fried platano maduro and salad.  In addition, the dish also includes a fruit juice.
  • Gallo Pinto is a mixture of rice and beans with red bell peppers, onions, cilantro and other spices.  The secret ingredient is the Salsa Lizano.  It is a popular breakfast dish.
  • Sopra Negra is translated to black soup, which is the base of this delicious soup.  Included with the black beans, there are onions, peppers, tomatoes, soft boiled eggs and spicy spices.
  • Tamales are similar to their Mexican cousin, but there are some differences, one of which is the wrapping.  In Costa Rica, tamales are wrapped in banana leaves rather than corn husks.

What to Read:

  • It’s Every Monkey for Themselves:  A True Story of Sex, Love and Lies in the Jungle by Vanessa Woods
  • Oro by Cizia Zyke
  • Green Phoenix:  Restoring the Tropical Forests of Guanacaste, by William Allen
  • Monkeys are Made of Chocolate: Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica, by Jack Ewing
  • Costa Rica:  A Traveler’s Literary Companion by Barbara Ras, Oscar Arias
  • The Year of Fog, by Michelle Richmond

Photo Guide for Costa Rica:

  • Manuel Antonio National Park for wild animals such as sloths and monkeys
  • Tortuguero National Park for amazing loggerheads and hawksbill
  • Poas Volcano National Park for its impressive view of the interior of the volcano

Checking out the Costa Rican Coast for the First Time

I remember the excitement I felt when the plane touched down in San Jose, Costa Rica on a beautiful February morning.  My best friend Melissa was going to pick me up and we were going to head out to the beach house in Playa Palo Seco.  It was my first time visiting, so I wanted to see as much of the country as possible, not knowing that I would eventually visit several times.

The open air airport was so small that it was easy to see Melissa as she and our friend David met me in baggage claim.  I took in deep breaths of air enjoying the mild humidity which was such a contrast to the snowy weather I had just left behind in Cincinnati.   I  couldn’t wait to explore this magnificent country in Central America and to experience the local food and culture.

We drove through the city of San Jose because we wanted to try to make it to the beach before nightfall with a couple of stops along the way.  We took for a few minutes to enjoy the architecture before beginning our three-hour journey.

The drive was absolutely stunning with endless forests and majestic mountains.  We drove through coffee fields and tropical plants as our rental car continued its climb heading south east towards the Pacific Coast.  Before reaching Palo Seco, we drove through the mountains on 301 where the road began to narrow and hugged the steep cliffs.

Frequently the scenery would disappear as the clouds clung to the surrounding peaks.  We were happy to finally reach the small town to pick up a few items before reaching the beach house.  The house was not air conditioned so we relied on fans to cool us down at night.  We also stopped by the local grocery to pick up some Imperial beer and food for the next couple of weeks.

We stopped short of the bridge so that we could see the local alligators and it became a favorite stop on our annual trips.  We lovingly referred to the crossing as Crocodile Bridge which crossed the Pirris River.   These bad boys measured over 13 feet long and there were at least a dozen of them basking in the sun as we drove over the bridge.  No one dare go riverside and it’s quite obvious why.

Bidding farewell to the reptiles, we headed west towards the beach until reaching a dead end. We could see a large, abandoned water park to our left and made a southern turn here to reach the house.  By now, we were traveling on a dirt road, having passed a small restaurant, we could soon see our beloved shack on the left.  Across the street we had access to endless beach, so I couldn’t wait to wake up early and catch a few waves.

Our plans were to hang out at the beach for a couple of days before heading back inland and then travel over to the gulf side to Puerto Limon near the Panamanian border.  I had been looking forward to exploring this amazing country, and so far, it has been spectacular.

Have you explored the beautiful country of Costa Rica?  What were some of your favorite places?  I would love to hear from you with any suggestions or questions if you leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my first visit to Costa Rica and wishing you many Happy Travels!

The Costa Rican Countryside

The famous Crocodiles

Belize City, Belize: The Perfect Resort for Scuba Divers

Out in Belize with Kris Lohmann

Back in the early 1990’s not many people had heard of Belize, unless you were an avid scuba diver exploring the Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole.

Working on cruise ships throughout Central America, I began to develop a deep love for the Mayan culture and its people, so weekly visits to Belize would allow me to research the country’s strong Mayan influence and architecture.  There are close to 30 additional Mayan ruin sites in the country, such as Caracol, Lamanai, Cerros and Xunantunich but the most visited archaeological site is Altun Ha.  For more information about the Mayan Ruins in Belize, check out the website of Belize’s National Institute of Culture and History (NICH).

In addition to my fascination with the Mayans, I am also an animal lover and the wildlife in Central America is spectacular.  It is not surprising that Jaguars make their home in this beautiful country and even less surprising that these animals were once hunted to the brink of extinction. To learn more about the Belizean Jaguars, you can visit the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary and Preserve, where there are approximately 200 of these amazing felines.  Unfortunately, the chance of a visitor seeing one in the preserve is  17,000 to 1. Other animals protected in the sanctuary include the armadillo, the scarlet macaw, the keel-billed toucan, the Baird’s tapir and various species of monkeys.

With a diverse population comes a wide variety of options when it comes to cuisine. Of course there are the foods that are influenced by Belize’s neighboring Central American countries, but there are also dishes that have a more “Jamaican/Anglo-Caribbean” influence. And if this does not suit you, there are also a number of fast-food restaurants from which to choose as well.

Today Belize continues to draw divers to its fascinating underwater world and the area has become a port for major cruise lines, so things have drastically changed in many ways. But this does not seem to change the hospitality of the local Belizeans and their generous disposition. So take a moment to immerse yourself in the culture and cuisine of Belize and you will be pleasantly rewarded.

Fun Facts About Belize
• It is the only country in Central America where the official language is English.
• Its population in 2014 was 340,844 & continues to grow annually at approximately 2%
• It has the lowest population density in Central America
• It is considered both Central American and Caribbean
• It was previously named British Honduras until its name changed in 1973

Is Belize on your bucket list or have you already had the opportunity to visit this amazing country?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for going down memory lane as I share my experience of visiting Belize and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Altun Ha Mayan Ruins:  I would suggest contacting a local tour guide for this trip who will provide transportation as well as a guide to walk you through the site.

Belize Exotic Adventures or Belize Fun Tours

Where to Stay:

Chateau de Pradines
Rock, Stone Pond, Belize
Telephone:  501 623 8656

Where to Eat:

Mayan Crystal Skull Mampi Diner
Rock Stone Pond, Belize
Telephone:  501 600 344

What to Eat: 

  • Ceviche is a seafood dish made from raw fish cooked by the use of citrus juice.
  • Papusas are a popular street food also known as stuffed corn pancakes.  Usually comes with hot sauce and a side of coleslaw.
  • Tamales are a traditional Mayan food and wrapped in plantain leaves instead of corn husks
  • Rice and Beans:  made in coconut milk and pinto beans
  • Conch Fritters:  Conch is a staple in Belize and this is their most popular appetizer
  • Chimole is a Creole stew made from local spices such as garlic, cumin and oregano.
  • Seafood which includes white fish, shrimp and lobster

What to Read: 

  • Ping Wing Juk Mo, by various writers
  • Maya Cities and Sacred Caves:  A Guide to the Maya Sites in Belize, by Dr. Jaime Awe
  • Tropical Nature by Adrian Forsyth
  • Maya Art and Architecture by Mary Ellen Miller

Photo Guide for Belize: 

  • Baron Bliss Lighthouse is located at the mouth of Haulover Creek in Belize City
  • Barrier Reef
  • Beaches
  • Belize and Orange Walk Clock Tower
  • Belize Sign
  • Corozal Bay and its teal waters
  • Hawkesworth Bridge in San Ignacio
  • Hummingbird Highway connects Western Belize and the South
  • Mayan Temples
  • Mountain Pine Ridge which is the home to 1000 foot falls, Rio On Pools, Big Rock Falls, and Caracol
  • San Ignacio Murals‘ colorful artwork
  • Tropic Air flights for amazing views of Belize’s Barrier Reef.

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Belize Pier

Another view of the Belize Pier

Central America, Belize

Downtown Belize

Hanging with Kris Lohmann

Homes in Belize