Hochmuth Adventures 2022 - ¡Vámonos!

Day 10 - Saturday, January 15, 2022 - Depart for Newark We got to sleep in today as luggage doesn't have to be out until 10. The shuttle took us to the airport at 10:30 and since we were all checked in already, we got through security and everything very quickly. Our flight left on time at 1:55 and when we landed, we had to wait a little while for our luggage, but we had landed about 45 min. early. We have Global Entry, so we were able to pass about 300 people in line to get through customs and immigration. I thought we might have to show proof of our Covid test, but I guess if the airline deems you travel ready that is all they require. Even though there was more paperwork before we went and some to return it was really good to be back traveling. Looking forward to more adventures in the future.  In fact, we've already booked a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos in late September!  !  

Day 9 - Friday, January 14, 2022 - (Ron's birthday)- Manual Antonio to San Jose We're moving again. Back to San Jose so luggage out at 7 and on the bus by 8. It was about a 3 hour drive but we had a stop at Maravillas de Costa Rica for our last chance at souvenir shopping. We got back to the hotel around 12:30 and they had someone there to do our Covid tests. Everyone tested negative.  I have to say as apprehensive as I was at the start of the trip my fears were allayed as the trip went on. All restaurants had hand washing stations or temperature and sanitizing stations. We wore masks on the bus or when inside and then could take them off if we were comfortable when outside. It did take me a bit to get the test uploaded to the United site so that we were "travel ready" but eventually I got everything set. Our room wasn't ready so we had lunch in the hotel and got our room right before we left for the walking city tour of San Jose.  San Jose was pretty much ignored...

Day 8 - Thursday, January 13, 2022 - Manuel Antonio Park It's nature day today. Manuel Antonio Park is full of interesting plants and animals and we were able to see a lot thanks to the sharp eyes of our guide Rafael. I'm not sure how he can spot some of the things that he pointed out to us today. We got an early start to the park trying to beat the crowd and the heat. We arrived at the park by 8 and were ready for a hike. We had to make sure that we had no food with us as the monkeys, capuchins etc. would take it from us. We were very fortunate to see some amazing things - white faced capuchins, casque lizards, bats, beautiful blue morpho butterflies, gaudy red eyed tree frogs, and howler monkeys. The most amazing sight though was we actually witnessed a sloth in the trees giving birth. The guide was so excited - he had only seen this once before in his 25 years of guiding. Part way through the hike we came to the beach and got some time to swim and walk the beach before headi...

Day 7 - Wednesday, January 12, 2022 - Day in Manual Antonio It's our day at leisure in Manuel Antonio and we chose to take the Catamaran Cruise that skirts the park. We left at 8:30 to go to the Marina. The cruise was like a private one as the boat had a capacity of 150 people and there were only 30 of us. The crew was great and made sure that we had drinks or whatever we needed. There was time to swim and to snorkel, but the water was cloudy today and not good to see fish. We did see some dolphins on our way to the beach though. They had a nice lunch of Mahi Mahi for us, and the weather was perfect.  We got back to the hotel around 1:00 and took a little rest before we went to the pool. Yesterday after we left the pool area, we were told a dozen monkeys occupied our sitting area. But they weren't there today. There we relaxed some more and took advantage of the 2 for 1 drinks at happy hour. We enjoyed last night's dinner so much that we decided to go back to Isimo instead ...