We were looking for a place to stay relatively near the airport. Our flight was not until noon so we opted to stay just outside of the city since we had ample time to get to the airport.

The pictures online looked lovely of this cute little cabin. Arriving after dark during the rain was a little challenging but we used our GPS for turn by turn directions to get to Grifo Alto. Communication with Jose was great, he sent us the more detailed directions to enter the property since it was so dark. He was waiting at the gate to welcome us in and show us around. We were in the smaller of two cabins, it was a little chilly, but he had plenty of blankets there for us. We didn’t have time to cook at the cabin, but the kitchen is really cute and seemed to have all of the essentials.

We really enjoyed our stay, even though it was quick. It is just about one hour from the airport, but up in the mountains.

We had dinner at a fabulous restaurant called Pilo Restaurant as you come up the mountain on your left before the Grifo Alto sign. Great food, large portions and small price with fabulous service.

The next morning we spent some time talking to Jose. He showed us his other cabin which was really nice. Quite a bit bigger and a little more finished. He told us how he had built the cabins himself, even from cutting down the trees on his property and using that wood to build the cabins.

The views from the porch of the second cabin were spectacular.

There is not much around the Grifo Alto area, as it is just a small town and not a tourist area. So I’d only recommend this for travelers who don’t want to stay in the city the night before flying out.

If you are interested in booking a night at Finca Las Mariposas you can search Airbnb or just contact Jose directly at elticorico@live.com

Due to hurricane Matthew wreaking havoc on our hometown in Georgia, we had to extend our stay in Costa Rica extra nights. As soon as we received our first flight cancellation, I found Monica’s Airbnb listing and sent an inquiry. She replied right away letting us know of availability for my husband, myself and our three teenaged daughters. She said they had two rooms available and could add an extra mattress for one of the girls.

We stayed in touch through the day of our arrival and she replied promptly to all my inquires and specific direction requests. It was dark and rainy when we arrived she came out in the rain and helped us get parked in their secure private garage. The power was out upon our arrival but she had prepared lit candles for each of us as she and Esteban gave us a tour of their home. From the front of the house it doesn’t look big, but don’t be deceived.. it is huge!! Four bedrooms, huge kitchen with all the necessities for cooking and meal preparation. (Although, no microwave) their home also includes a yoga studio that Monica runs her business from and a bakery where Esteban bakes fresh organic bread for the local Ferreiras. He shared several loaves with us during our stay. There were also two comfortable living spaces so we could interact with other guests if we wanted as well as space to just be on our own.

Since we were facing a crisis at home, it was imperative that we had WiFi to communicate with our neighbors and friends about the hurricane destruction that was happening. We had unlimited WiFi and used it a lot to reschedule flights and rental car arrangements.

Monica and Esteban are both wonderful hosts as they were compassionate to the uncertainty that we were facing at home. And they rejoiced with us as we got word that our home was spared! They are they type of hosts that we want to keep up with and come back to see again. They had several friends visit during our stay and they were all friendly. It is evident that this family is a gem in the community of Escazu.

The rooms and beds were comfortable and we were able to rest during our stay. Escazu is still in the city that is busy with cars, motorcycles and some traffic that you will still hear during the night. Light sleepers may want to wear earplugs for a restful night. Even though laundry facilities are listed, the dryer was not working when we were there, but many places in Costa Rica only use a washer and they hang dry their clothes, keep in mind if you are looking for laundry facilities.

After a long drive from the Pacific coast through the mountains in the rain during rainy season, we were ready for some rest. We arrived just as the sun was setting and the rain and clouds cleared for a few minutes to allow an amazing view of the volcano.

We stayed in the lower level two side by side apartments as you pull in to the left. Traveling with our three teenaged daughters the accomdations were perfect. Each apartment was equipped with a kitchen. One had a microwave. Since we arrived so late and it was raining we did not want to go back out for dinner. We brought a few things to cook there and it worked great for our needs. The mattress was wonderful, the best we slept on all week with soft cotton linens. Also we had nice hot showers!

Driving in I saw several of the other resorts and hotels that were advertised on the internet. And I just cannot imagine that their view could be any better than this one. Since it is on the lake side and you get a panoramic lake and volcano view. Make sure you use the restroom in el Castillo or Fortuna before driving all the way in to the inn. Be prepared for several kilometers of a BUMPY & ROCKY road!! As well as grabbing any necessary items or food and drinks. We really wish we had grabbed dinner to take up there. It is just 50meters from the sky tram adventures so easy to follow their billboards and signs.

We woke up early before the sun and watched and listened in amazement as the rainforest came alive. Yellow billed toucans calling from the trees. Hummingbirds flitting about from one flower to the next. The gardens full of colorful blossoms and that was all just in the foreground. The distance was the lake with reflections of pink clouds and the volcano with steam escaping from the top as the morning clouds floated around it. Just amazing. Truly one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. There are two hammocks on the porch to enjoy all of this beauty from.

Breakfast was ready at 7am and served outside at the front building on top of the knoll where you can take in the whole view. Our host was so gracious and accommodating. He said since we were only there one night, he wanted us to experience a true typical Costa Rican breakfast. It was so delicious. Starting with the coffee and fresh squeezed tropical fruit juice. He made eggs to order, a corn cake with nitilla (similar to a sour cream), plantains and pinto gallo shaped into a volcano. It was by far the best breakfast we had all week. Going above and beyond to make it special for us.

I really wished we had more than one day in the area as it was so beautiful and we wanted to take pictures of everything. If you plan on visiting the Arenal area, skip the touristy accomdations and stay at Arenal Tropical Gardens!!

We took about an hour and half to log in to free WiFi at a little restaurant in Dominical. (We did buy some food and coffee… we’re not total mooches) The girls were able to get a few school lessons completed. If you didn’t already know that about us, our girls attend an online school based in Atlanta. As long as we can connect to the internet, they can still do their work and attend school from anywhere in the world. On the days we aren’t connected we can simply take those as vacation days. They get 35 vacation days a year. That includes Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring breaks plolys five more days. If we decide to take vacation at different times than designated, no pro. The can just do a few more days when everyone else is taking their breaks. It’s something that definitely works for us and one of the main reasons we have chosen alternative education for our children.

We then drove only a few miles down the road to Poza Azul. Which is a waterfall in an area called Dominicalito. To get to it you have to cross a river, however there is no bridge to drive across, so we did what any Tico would do… drive right through it. A little nerve wracking, but we made it just fine.

We could hear the waterfall just up a little ways and in less than a quarter mile we were there. There was there sign at the top of a huge set of steps that leads down to the falls and the swimming hole at the bottom.

The girls rushed ahead of us, eager to get in and swim. Before too long, they decide to build little towers of rocks staked up and play a game of throwing rocks at it to see who could knock the stack down with the best throw. They laughed and giggled for an hour playing their new game. We took lots of pictures and video of our time at the falls.

After walking back up the steps to our car, everyone had built up quite an appetite. So we made an assembly line in the car to make everyone peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The day before we went to the supermarket and purchased bread, peanut butter and jelly along with snacks and fresh fruit for when we are traveling in the car. They tasted so good!

Later in the evening, we had accepted a dinner invitation with some friends that we first met here about seven years ago. They are from California originally and have lived here for several years, though they are currently living in the states and only here for a visit. So the timing was really kind if amazing that we were here at the same time. They have built a beautiful condominium complex on several acres in the mountains. It was really neat to be back after so many years and sew physically what was only described to us years ago.

We look forward to keeping up with them more in the future.

Tomorrow we drive away from the coast into the mountains to our next stop to visit the Arenal volcano.

Typo and photo quality disclaimer…due to wifi restrictions I have not been able to edit my posts and many photos are snapshots from the back of my camera monitor. 

Sunday morning arrived and it was time to move on to our next accommodations which is located only about 30-40 minutes away from Eric and Kate’s house, where we had stated the first three nights. We left fairly early as the new place includes ecotours of the 185 acres and three waterfalls on that are on the property. I was feeling a bit physically drained as the tour was expected to be 3-4 hours and hiking in mud, so I opted for some much needed introvert time and a nap, while Sean and the girls did the hike.

We pulled into the steep rocky road, after missing the turn the first time, ever so thankful that we will only choose four wheel drive when renting a car here. We met up with our host, Esteban. He showed us to one of our cabins then they all quickly left for the tour.

All alone in a quiet cabin in the middle of the jungle. I could faintly hear waterfalls in the distance. Then I heard a sound that I knew exactly what it was right away. Howler monkeys. They billow the most terrifying sound as their tribe moves throughvthe jungle in their daily trek. They are not big animals, but their cries are one of the creepiest things I’ve ever heard. In the past I’ve heard them extremely loud, so I could tell that this tribe was not super close to me. Probably about a half mile away. I hope the girls get to experience hearing them tomorrow. Not to scare them, but it is just something really cool to experience when visiting Costa Rica.

Many times people ask us why we like to visit Costa Rica more often than anywhere else. We have several answers for that question.

1. It is just a beautiful country, one that has many different ecosystems and microclimates, but is only the size of Rhode Island. So you can drive all over the country and experience many different areas in just a few days.
2. It is not expensive to travel here. Or, let me rephrase that…it doesn’t have to be expensive to travel here. But with a few travel hacking skills and no being afraid to try something that’s not a four star hotel, you can find great accommodations for about $50 a night for the whole family including breakfast.

3. The main reason that we continue to return would have to be the people. Ticos. That is the term used to refer to a native Costa Rican. In my seven times visiting this country, I have only encountered one non-friendly Tico. And that was the immigration agent that processed our paperwork on this trip. But other than her, the people here are just amazing. Friendly. Helpful. Happy. Most are not wealthy, and have very little material possessions. They always have a smile on their face. They love the beauty of their country and enjoy sharing it with visitors that come from all over the world. Everyone from the clerk at the grocery store to the waitresses or owners at a soda. They are all pleasant. A few years ago I read a world travel website, where the Costa Rican people were selected as the happiest people in the planet. And I have to agree. There really is something different here.

4. There are also the expats that live here. Those who chose to leave their country of origin to live out their days in this Central American paradise. Almost all of the expats we’ve met are just as friendly as the Ticos, with a few exceptions. These are people who got fed up with playing by someone else’s rules, living in the daily rat race. They felt there was more to life than ranting on Facebook about presidential elections. They chose another way to live and just pulled the trigger and made it happen. We feel many ways part of that tribe and at some point in our lives, we will call Costa Rica home too.

After Sean and the girls returned from hiking to two waterfalls, we were all hungry since we didn’t have time to stop for breakfast and it was well past lunch time. We drove back into Dominical for some fantastic tacos and guacamole with chips. The girls went souvenir shopping and I used the taco shop’s wifi to post my blog post. We have WiFi at our new location, but not inside each if our cabins, only at the communal space where we will have breakfast in the morning.

Jordy’s twentieth birthday was this weekend and that’s a reason to party! Kate and Eric hosted a birthday party for him on Sunday night and invited us too. We had such a great time laughing and celebrating. We swam in the pool and met many of his friends. Mixing Ticos and Gringos was just a blast. They fired up the grill and cooked every kind of meat imaginable. Kate made some wonderful appetizers. She really is the hostess with the mostest!

Everyone danced in the rain. Laughing and eating and just having a great time. Even if conversations were happening in two different languages, it didn’t matter. We were all there together celebrating Jordy, as well as being alive ourselves.

We drove back up the mountain to our cabins before it got too terribly late. Finishing up day four of our Costa Rican adventure.

Anyone who knows the McNally’s knows that we love to travel, and we love to travel to Costa Rica…and we love to travel to Costa Rica as cheap as we can! Airbnb and Spirit airlines has made that even more possible for us for our upcoming trip later this month. Our last two trips there were with just Sean and myself. This time we are taking our three girls (Baylie 18, Kyleigh 15 and Ava 12). To start our frugal trip, we found affordable airfare through Spirit Airlines for $168 per person. This is flying out of Orlando, so we do have to drive a little further, but we will stay with Sean’s mom the nights before and after our flights. Still worth it for the heafty savings from the average $500-600 ticket price from Savannah to San Jose, Costa Rica.

We have some very gracious friends, that earlier this year, have moved from Tybee Island to Uvita, Costa Rica. When they moved they said “Hey, come visit us!”…and like I tell anyone who extends an offer for us to visit, I always say…”don’t say it if you don’t mean it, because we WILL take you up on it!”  Our first few nights we will be based in Uvita at “Casa de Farrell” as we visit the southern Pacific coastal beaches and a zipline tour.

I found a little cabin on Airbnb that is located in the mountain rainforest on 185 acres. There are waterfalls on the property that our host will give us a hiking tour to visit so that we may swim in the river and enjoy cooling off in the falls. Our stay includes breakfast and ecotours. For the five of us the total fee is $55 a night.

Next stop on our itenerary is El Castillo which is near Arenal Volcano. In the six trips that I have made to Costa Rica, I still have not yet visited Arenal. So this was a priority on my list. I found a two apartment house with gorgeous view of the volcano for $110 a night tht also includes breakfast. We plan on doing self guided tours of the hanging bridges near Arenal. I first saw this one on Airbnb for $158 a night, but was able to book it cheaper on booking.com. So it does pay to look around a bit.

Our last night we figured we would stay a little closer to the airport so we won’t have any problems flying out on time. Again, thanks to Airbnb I found an adorable little cabin on top of a mountain within an hour drive of the airport. $55 a night, including breakfast for all of us. With over 29 glowing five star reviews…I am excited about staying here!