January 30, 2022 - La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Tobey and I did not sleep well last night. The mattress on our bed was so thin and so hard, it was like sleeping on the tile floor. When we heard the owner outside at 7:00 this morning Tobey went out and let him know that it was NOT a good bed. He apologized and said his wife thought some people would like a firmer mattress. He then went to a couple of the other apartments and found a better mattress and they moved it in and this one out. We are looking forward to being able to sleep tonight!

Gary cooked breakfast this morning, then we visited the Bogarin Trail Autentica.

This trail has a very interesting history. This unique property used to be 100% cattle farm a couple decades ago. No trees, no rainforest, no wildlife. In 2000, a local Costa Rican, Giovanni, started restoring the forest. Now it is impossible to tell the trail used to be a farm because it looks like a rainforest oasis filled with tropical birds, colorful frogs and sloths!

The property has one main loop that is 2.5 km (1.5 miles) with some connecting trails that crisscross through. The trails are very flat, hard-packed dirt. Giovanni, the owner, was our tour guide.

He told us about the history of the park and about the different species of birds and animals. He wasn’t, however, the best at taking the pictures and videos through his spotting scope, but these are the results using my phone.

The first critter we spotted was a Jesus Christ lizard resting on a branch.

Jesus Christ Lizard

Rufous Tailed Jacamar Flycatcher



https://youtube.com/shorts/MSca59nCsE4
Rufous Tailed Jacamar Flycatcher Video

The Black-and-white Owl is nocturnal, roosting during the day in dense foliage or on a branch close to a tree trunk - normally well above the ground.

Black and white Owl

He spotted a snake among the leaves. It took me forever to see it, even through the scope! It wasn’t big but I didn’t want any part of it! Ann’s picture came out much better than mine, so this is it!

We also got to see two different poison dart frogs. Poison dart frog is the common name of a group of frogs which are native to tropical Central and South America. These species are have brightly colored bodies and are active in the daytime.


We saw several sloth and most were active. There was even a mother and baby we got to watch.

Three-toed Sloth “Smile!”


https://youtube.com/shorts/b3ZmxphqEDw
Three-Toed Sloth Video

https://youtube.com/shorts/wrUjGi-gfyY
Three-Toed Sloth Video


https://youtu.be/rDjFIp2brjk
Sloth and Baby with Ann’s phone - Video

https://youtube.com/shorts/yLmwLi3WNGw
Sloth and baby–My phone - video

Male sloth – he has a yellow and brown stripe on his back.


Rofous Motmot

Toucans

https://youtube.com/shorts/slLGrE2zn1w
Toucan Video

We had a great tour and enjoyed the company of the young couple from Scotland we shared it with. We are able to return tomorrow with our admission and probably will.

We had lunch at Soda Víquez, a place they had recommended. The food was pretty good and very reasonably priced. Tobey asked the waitress for her recommendation and tried the filet mignon. Not at all what we were expecting! It was served with a thin slice of ham on top and gravy. The yellow stuff on the left was potatoes and he said they were very good, the meat not so much. I had a burger and fries which was pretty good and Ann and Gary loved their meal.

Back at our apartment, Tobey and I took a nap on the new mattress and it was great!

We have been hoping to see Arenal Volcano while we are here. That is the view of it from our car window this evening! Can you see it? We couldn’t either!

This evening we had reservations at Eco Termales Fortuna. According to their website “The thermal springs that await our visitors are of a magmatic origin, originating from the hyper-thermal magnesia filled waters, which means that those who visit us in La Fortuna, San Carlos, can delight themselves in the mineral-medicinal properties, which thanks to the perfectly and naturally balanced quantities of calcium bicarbonates and magnesium, which have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxing properties.”

We spent over three hours relaxing in the different pools – something we definitely needed after last night’s lousy sleep! We also enjoyed sipping a “Howler Monkey”. It was a drink made with banana, Bailey’s, Jack Daniels, and chocolate. Pretty yummy!


Tomorrow’s activities are up in the air, but I am sure we will do something! I am hoping for fewer clouds and no rain so we might see Arenal! Pura Vida!