Exploring the world, one place at a time
Of all the places I visited in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio – the final stop of my trip – was possibly my favourite. Partly because of how close I got to the amazing wildlife, partly because of its divine, golden sandy beaches, and partly because I had so much fun snorkelling in the Pacific Ocean. I knew... Continue Reading →
Coffee is one of Costa Rica's biggest exports, and during my trip, I was keen to learn more about how the country grows and makes the world-popular drink. So when I was given an opportunity to visit a coffee farm in Monteverde, I jumped at the chance. El Trapiche is a family-run farm that sits... Continue Reading →
With swathes of cool, misty tropical rainforest, known as cloud forest, and exceptional biodiversity, Monteverde is a great place for hiking and wildlife watching. Situated in the mountains in the north-west of Costa Rica, Monteverde has a much cooler climate than the area around Arenal and is home to a number of national parks that... Continue Reading →
I thought I'd share a few more photos from my safari on the Tárcoles River in Costa Rica. I wasn't able to identify a few of the birds in the photos, so if you're able to enlighten me please let me know. I'm pretty sure the elegant bird above is a yellow crowned night heron,... Continue Reading →
I love a river cruise, so when I was asked if I wanted to break up the long journey between Monteverde and Manuel Antonio with a safari on the Tárcoles River looking for crocodiles, I jumped at the chance. The river, which flows into the Gulf of Nicoya on the Pacific coast, is renowned for... Continue Reading →
I found it really hard to choose the photos to accompany my post about Costa Rica's wildlife because I saw so many incredible creatures I couldn't decide which ones to feature. So rather than leave those photos on my hard drive never to see the light of day again, I've put together an extra post to... Continue Reading →
If there's one place on earth that's destined to turn you into a David-Attenborough-in-training, it's Costa Rica. The Central American country is home to a variety of climates and habitats, and some four per cent of the world's species call the country home. As a result you can barely move in this magnificent country without... Continue Reading →
My second day in Arenal began with a morning bike ride through the countryside, near the shores of Lake Arenal. Now cycling is not my thing. In fact, I loathe it. However, I'd had a good time cycling through the countryside around Hue in Vietnam the year before, so I decided to give it a... Continue Reading →
Standing at 1,670m tall, it's impossible to miss Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica's largest active volcano. The enormous volcano dominates the surrounding area, which includes Costa Rica's largest lake, Lake Arenal, and the town of La Fortuna, which was my base for the next two days. The slumbering giant's been quiet these past few years, having... Continue Reading →
If you're planning to go to Costa Rica, here are some of my top tips to help you make the most of your visit: Climate You might expect Costa Rica to be hot and sunny as it's so close to the equator, but the country's home to lots of microclimates, which means the conditions vary... Continue Reading →
Little Old World 