Costa Rica

Our first foray into Central America. That elongated isthmus that forms the geographic boundary between two vast continents of North and South America.

Specifically landing for NYE 2026 in San Jose, Costa Rica. Capital city for this region that does not have its own army, instead relying on its big bro the Estados Unidos to the north is a metropolis of approx. 500K people.

Largely wilderness and with both a Pacific and Carribean/Atlantic coast the country is rich in bio diversity. In Spanish it means the rich coast so named by Columbus landing in early 16th century and being mesmerized by the local tribes sporting gold jewelry.

Our stay included visiting the foothills of a large strato volcano called Arenal and enjoying the naturally heated thermal baths for a while. Lunching amidst lush forest and watching indigenous species of avian noise makers fly overhead.

Toucans, some sort of pea hens, multiple song bird species completed the spectacle.

Iguanas and a lonely sloth were harder to spot but were languishing the wintry sun without much action.

A family of Coati (cousins in the racoon family) made a roadside stop quite accidentally and were fawning for attention but mostly free food.

Multiple cascades along the narrow highway north made for visual and audible treat keeping spirits high.

Local coffee sampling provided a peek at history of the country being producer of the Arabica bean imported from eastern Africa many years ago in history.

All in all a quick but informative visit to this land amidst the continents.