A COSTA RICA ANNIVERSARY

What better way to celebrate an anniversary than a quick getaway to Costa Rica, our southern neighbor.   

Located in Central America, Costa Rica links North and South America, bordering Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Population is listed, as of 2019, at 5.1M.

 

The country is divided into seven provinces comprised of San José, its capital, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and Limón.  The local currency is the colón and its official language is Spanish.

 

One of the most important characteristics of the country was the abolition of its army on Dec. 1, 1948 by former President José Figueres Ferrer. On that date, Costa Rica differentiated itself from other Central American countries that utilize military as a method of defense.

 

The highest point in Costa Rica is Cerro Chirripó  at 12,536 feet above sea level.

 

To book my week in Costa Rica I selected Travel By Jen aka JetSet Vacations. I opted for the "land only" package as I was able to purchase a very reasonable airfare using Alaska Airlines.

 

The basic one-week package included car rental for the duration of the trip, 3 nights in the Arenal Volcano area, 3 nights in the Guanacaste area and 1 night in San Jose.  Since it was for my anniversary I opted for some upgrades to enhance our time. 

 

The Alaska Airlines flight landed in San Jose, Costa Rica at 6:49pm. A representative from the Solid Car Rental Company escorted me to an awaiting van for the short transfer to their off-airport location.

Solid Car Rental Company Van

The Travel By Jen package includes a rental car for a week but you will still need to purchase additional COMPULSORY insurance coverage for the week. You will be given 2 choices; a $25 daily additional fee which requires a $1,000 HOLD on your credit card plus you will be faced with a $1,500 deductible for any accident or the $35 daily fee places a $600 HOLD on your credit card but reduces your deductible to ZERO.  I opted for the $35 day rate and was charged $276.85 for the week.  They also placed a $600 HOLD on my credit card but that was promptly removed when I returned the vehicle.  

 

My first night in Costa Rica was to be at Volcano Lodge in La Fortuna.  My GPS indicated it was under 100 miles but would take me 3 hours to drive.  It was already 7:30pm and I wasn’t comfortable driving strange roads at night so opted to stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton at the airport.  It is located next door to the rental car location. This proved to be a smart decision as the roads were winding, dark and very little, if any, striping.

Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport, Costa Rica

Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport, Costa Rica

Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport, Costa Rica

After a complimentary breakfast at the hotel I set my sights, and GPS, for Volcano Lodge at La Fortuna.  The drive through the rain forest was beautiful and I had no difficulty finding the property.

 

Before you can proceed through the security gate and enter the property you must first check-in at the building on the right.  Here you will receive your waterproof bracelet and key to your room, along with a parking pass.  They offer complimentary coffee here. 

 

The Volcano Lodge, Hotel and Thermal Experience is located in Arenal Hot Springs.  This 4-star property is in the mountains, minutes from Arenal Natura Ecological Park and only about 5 miles from the town of La Fortuna. 

Closet and safe in room

Seating area in the room

2 double beds

Bathroom

Patio seating

Shower

View from the patio area

With 64 rooms located throughout this tropical botanical garden setting, I was pleasantly surprised to find my room right next to the thermal baths, pool and restaurant.  The unit featured 2 double beds with hypo-allergenic bedding, complimentary WiFi, 32-inch LCD TV, refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, private bathroom, hair dryer, shower, air conditioning, private terrace and daily housekeeping.  The property also offers a full-service spa for massages, body treatments and facials.  Parking is complimentary.

 

A complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast was served daily from 6:30am-10:00am.  Local wildlife was abundant during breakfast as they have a feeding area right next to the restaurant. 

Morning visitors during breakfast

Entrance to breakfast buffet

Feeding area for local wildlife

Breakfast buffet line

Buffet seating

There are four mineral rich thermal springs that vary in temperature with the hottest one being 105.4 degrees Fehrenheit.  I found it more comfortable to use the largest and coolest of the baths.  This allowed me to turn on the jets and relax for as long as I wanted.  In addition, the lower baths had a swim up bar.  

Upper baths

One of the thermal fed jacuzzis

Swim up bar in the lower thermal pool

upper pools

This property features 2 free-form cold water swimming pools, along with 2 exclusive free-form hot springs, with cascading falls, secluded pools and varying temperatures.  One of the hot spring pools features a swim-up bar plus ambient lighting and music in the evening.  There are also 2 hot spring fed jacuzzies, one of which is covered.  Pool towels, lockers and changing rooms are all complimentary, as well as ice dispenser and billiard table. 

Complimentary Lockers

 

One of the fresh water pools

Upper thermal baths

 

Arial of lower baths with swim-up bar    Photo: Public Domain

Upper thermal bath with drink table

Bathing in thermal water increases your body temperature, killing germs, including viruses, and also increases the hydrostatic pressure of the body, which increases blood circulation and oxygenation.  The temperature increase also helps dissolve and eliminate toxins from your body.

Lower baths

I have also read that it helps to reduce the aging process of the body.  I’m all for that.   

 

Next stop would be Occidental Tamarindo All-inclusive Resort in Guanacaste at Tamarindo Beach.

Occidental Tamarindo

Driving time from the Volcano Hotel to the Occidental Tamarindo was 4 hours and a dramatic change of scenery. 

 

The small area of Tamarindo was very busy and reminded me of trying to drive through Santa Cruz, California during Spring Break week.  The road to the Occidental Tamarindo was under construction so I found myself dodging traffic cones and pot holes for the last mile. 

 

I arrived at the hotel a little after noon but was not assigned a room at that time.  They did check me in however and I was given my all-inclusive waterproof bracelet.  Luggage was handed off to the baggage porter to be stored in a secure area awaiting my return at 3pm.  Without luggage I was now free to roam the property and have enjoy the lunch buffet.

 

The buffet was clean and well organized with sufficient staff and offered a large selection of breads, fruits, main dishes and desserts.   Soda, wine and beer were all easily accessible. 

Buffet Restaurant

Buffet Restaurant

Buffet restaurant seating

After lunch I made my way to the outside bar located next to the pool and beach.  With a piña colada in hand I located a beach lounge and enjoyed the scenery while waiting for my iPhone alarm to go off at 3pm.   

Relaxing at the beach

Back to the registration desk where my key awaited.  I was assigned room #2136 which was a first floor room in a building next door to the outdoor bar as well as closest to the pool, beach and buffet restaurant. 

Bathroom shower stall

Bathroom shower stall

Bathroom

Desk and coffee/tea maker

Seating area

2 double beds

The time spent here was glorious.  In a nut shell - Breakfast, walk along the beach, dip in the pool, lunch poolside, watch the iguana and howler monkeys, nap.  For the afternoon - REPEAT!

Entrance to Occidental Tamarindo

Pool area

Pool Area

For a US Citizen to reenter the United States, a COVID test had to be done 72 hours prior to our departure from Costa Rica.  The only place that the hotel could find was 30 minutes away at the Beach Side Clinic in Huacas.  Off to the clinic for the 2-minute COVID swab, hand over $115 and drive back another 30 minutes.  Within 48 hours I received the results in my email box. 

 

The drive from Occidental Tamarindo back to San Jose was 4 hours and once again the scenery changed.  If you have GPS you should be able to set it to "AVOID TOLLS".  If you don't you will find yourself shelling out colõn at four different toll booths along the way.

 

The Travel By Jen (Jetset Vacations) package included 1 night at Fleur de Lys. I felt very uncomfortable as I drove through the neighborhood and after entering the property made the decision to not check in. Instead, I went back to the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton at the airport.  I did write a letter to Travel By Jen with my concerns about the Hotel Fleur de Lys and was given a small $45 credit to apply to my next booking.

 

All in all the trip was fantastic and I would certainly do it again. 

 

 

 

 

ARIZONA’S BEACH

January is winter in Grants Pass, Oregon and typically the 2nd coldest month of the year. Our maximum daytime temperatures average 46° Fahrenheit with night time temperatures falling down to the low 30’s.  Mild compared to other areas of the country but one must remember that we are talking about Oregon so naturally one must think rain, rain and more rain in January.  I know the rain is much needed but as I stared out the window watching the rain bounce off my driveway, my mind wandered to thoughts of sitting on a white sandy beach sipping  piña coladas. It wasn’t long before I found myself booking a flight to my old stomping grounds of Tucson, Arizona. 

The closest airport to Grants Pass is Medford, Oregon.  The price for my flight to Tucson, Arizona came in at $202 round-trip on Alaska Airlines.  I felt Tucson would be a good base for local sightseeing and catching up with old friends before heading down to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.  

Puerto Peñasco, more commonly referred to as “Rocky Point”, is a relatively small city located 62 miles from the Arizona border and has been nicknamed "Arizona’s Beach" as it is the closest beach to Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma.   The average high temperature for January in Rocky Point is 66.5 Fahrenheit and in February is 68.5.  I found it very comfortable during my 2 week stay, wearing a light sweater at times for the evenings and early mornings.

According to the 2020 census, Rocky Point has a population of 62,689.  It is located on the northern shores of the Sea of Cortez on the small strip of land that joins the Baja California Peninsula with the rest of Mexico.  The area is part of the Altar Desert which is one of the driest and hottest areas of the Sonoran Desert.

Since the late 1990s, there has been an intense push to develop the area for tourism.  As a result, it is now one of the most important tourist destinations in northern Mexico. 

The Mar de Cortes International Airport serves Rocky Point, but unfortunately there are no regularly-scheduled flights in or out of the city at this time. 

Tourism and fishing are the most important economic activities for the city with current development that includes over one hundred restaurants, forty-two hotels and motels, and fourteen RV facilities.  The new "Home Port del Mar de Cortés" (Sea of Cortez) cruise ship terminal  is currently under construction between Sandy Beach and Cholla Bay, northwest of the central city.   

Many of the residents in Rocky Point are from the United States or Canada. Most restaurants offer menus in English, and most businesses will accept U.S. dollars. Rocky Point is also popular with retirees, especially RVers driving down from the United States and Canada. The town also has newspapers in English.

 

When you are thinking of planning your trip to Rocky Point you may want to stay away from Spring Break as it is a very popular destination during that time, especially for high school and college students from Arizona and California, mainly due to the 18-year-old legal drinking age. 

I did not feel the need to drive my rental car across the border so the alternative became a company called “Head Out To Rocky Point”.

Head out to Rocky Point Vans

This company offers a door-to-door experience between Phoenix and Rocky Point.  I pre-arranged pickup service for the small town of Why, Arizona. 

With a population in Why of under 200, it’s truly just a pit stop in the road.  I was to be picked up at the Why Not Travel Store. 

Why Not Travel Store

The shuttle van leaves from Phoenix area at 10am daily and was scheduled to pick me up at the Why Not Travel Store at noon.  The van arrived right on time and the driver, Chris, promptly loaded the luggage and we were off.  The trip from Why to Rocky Point would take under 2 hours including a border stop at Lukeville, 27 miles south of Why. 

Duty Free Shop just before crossing the border

The Lukeville/Sonoyta border crossing is open to both passenger vehicles and pedestrians. Border hours are currently 6am-midnight daily.  The shuttle van dropped me on the Arizona side and I walked across to the Mexico side with no hassle at all.  If you have traveled to Mexico you might be familiar with the red light/green light scenario they use for screening.  I encountered nothing like that and was surprised when the single Mexican border agent seemed to totally ignore me.  Once I was across the border Chris put my luggage back in the van and we were off again - destination Rocky Point.

Approaching broder crossing from US side

Border crossing from US side

The trip went by quickly as Chris provided a running commentary of the area.  He also provided welcomed refreshments and drinks.  

 

I had pre-arranged a 2 week stay through AirBnB at the Sea of Cortez Condo.

 

Second floor view from condo in Rocky Point

It proved to be an excellent choice for me as the location was away from the tourist boardwalk area called The Malecon. 

If you do nothing else be sure to enjoy some of the local jumbo shrimp caught fresh daily.  I purchased shrimp at a local market during my stay and ½ kilo cost just over $2 USD.  Incredible price and so delicious. 

My purpose in the getaway to Rocky Point was for better weather but there are plenty of things to occupy your time if that’s what you are looking for.  I just wanted peace and quiet and found it to be just what I was looking for.  Clean accommodations, quiet area, friendly locals and lots of local eateries, not to mention cheap food and drinks. 

There is also plenty to do if that is what you are looking for.

• Water Activities: All the heavy-hitters are here – snorkeling, fishing, parasailing, kite surfing and more. One thing to keep in mind is that Rocky Point is located on a gulf, meaning the waves are minimal. While surfing isn’t feasible, the calm waters make for ideal swimming conditions.
• Sample the Sea: American fans of Mexican cuisine might not immediately think of seafood, but it’s an integral part of any menu in Rocky Point. Standouts include fresh shrimp and ceviche.
• Charter a Boat: Private boat charters are common and inexpensive in Puerto Peñasco. Take a fishing excursion, go snorkeling around Bird Island or take a romantic sunset cruise.
• Explore the Beaches: The two most popular beaches in Rocky Point are Playa Hermosa and Sandy Beach. Playa Hermosa is best known for its tide pools and Sandy Beach is the spot for soft sand.
• Shop for Local Goods: Rocky Point has lots of shopping areas featuring local handicrafts and clothing.   One thing to keep in mind - extra baggage fees for all those items you purchase.
• Nightlife: With its Spring Break reputation, it’s no surprise that Rocky Point has a bustling nightlife. There are bars a-plenty, but keep safety in mind and don’t travel alone at night.
• Activities for Landlubbers: The nearby sand dunes provide ample opportunity for adrenaline seekers. Quads and ATV rentals are located throughout Rocky Point.     

During my 2 week stay I did take a sunset cruise with Captain Oscar from Del Mar Charters

Del Mar Charters Catamaran

Sunset on the catamaran

On board the catamaran with Captain Oscar

My return trip from Rocky Point to Why, Arizona went just as smoothly as my trip down 2 weeks earlier.  Once again my border crossing was quick and easy.  The van driver for this trip was Lynelle, the owner of the company.  This time I was dropped on the Mexico side with luggage in tow.  

US Border Station at Lukeville

Then a short walk through the border station.  Within just a couple minutes I emerged outside, once again back in the United States.  I walked across the street, placed my luggage back in the van and we headed to Why.  The van dropped me at the Why Not Travel Store as scheduled.  A special friend was waiting and drove me the 2 hours back to Tucson.

Due to an early morning flight departure I opted to spend the night at the Hampton Inn Tucson-Airport. 

Entrance to Hampton Inn Airport-Tucson

I selected the Hampton Inn for several reasons.  This is a smaller property with 126 rooms. It is located right at the entrance to the Tucson airport and provides complimentary 24-hour shuttle service.  The property is conveniently located just a short walk to some local restaurants.  They also provide a complimentary hot breakfast along with free WiFi. 

My room was on the second floor and overlooked the outdoor pool and hot tub.   

  

View of pool and hot tub

Further hotel amenities included a 24-hour business center, express check-in and express check-out.

 

I was in a standard double, containing 2 double beds with premium bedding as well as a sofa bed.  Along with a 42-inch LCD HDTV that included satellite programming, additional amenities included a mini refrigerator, microwave, iron, ironing board and a coffeemaker.  The unit also contained a desk equipped with plenty of electronic outlets which I found very useful as I had a laptop, iPad, iPhone and earbuds to charge.   

 

Standard Double Room at Hampton Inn

They offer a fitness center but I did not take advantage of that during my stay.  The bathroom contained a curved shower rod and complimentary toiletries, along with a hairdryer.

 

I found the Hampton Inn to be very clean even with the temporary construction going on.  As close as the property is to the airport I was also pleasantly surprised at how quiet is was.  I also felt very safe during my stay.    

A complimentary buffet breakfast is offered daily from 6am-10am in the hotel lobby.  I left the property before 6am but was given a ‘brown bag’ take away breakfast that included water, blueberry muffin and a breakfast bar.  As I prepared for my shuttle transfer I was grateful for the complimentary coffee provided in the lobby area.  Snack items and other miscellaneous necessities are available for purchase in the lobby

Hampton Inn registration desk

Hampton Inn lobby area

My flight back to Medford, Oregon came off without a hitch completing my month long adventure to Arizona and Mexico.  I can’t wait to return.