Montezuma & Santa Teresa

After a few days in Liberia we headed to Montezuma for some beach time. Here we go again...bus, bus, ferry, bus, oops got off too soon and had to hitch a ride.

 

The beaches in Montezuma were beautiful but rocky and the waves were huge.

 

We hiked the Montezuma waterfalls and despite the brown water, jumped right in. I have seen photos during the rainy season where these waters are a beautiful blue.

 

 

The water was very rough so we took a chance that it might be better at Santa Teresa. The ocean was still rough but the beach was fabulous and we really lucked out with accommodations.

 

We were just as happy to be poolside!

We had an outdoor kitchen but there were 67 stairs leading up to it. Talk about forcing a workout!

 

There was an outdoor yoga studio where I led a class for Hailey and we had a bit of company.

 

Liberia AGAIN

There is almost nothing to do in Liberia but it is close to many sights and has bus service to equally as many other locations so here we are again
   

We were going to visit Santa Rosa National Park but when I finally looked at the map and realized we would be backtracking we changed our plans. Now we will go visit Ricon de la Vieja National Park. Yet another of Costa Rica's beautiful sights/volcano's.

 

 At times the trail was shaded and beautiful, at times a bit challenging.

 

 These gave new meaning to HOT springs!

 

I took the high road while Hailey took the low road.

 

This mud is actually boiling!

At times we lost our forest protection and as Hailey put it "Mom we are walking in a desert"

This "Laguna" is also bubbling!

               

Then there was the sweet reward of a cool waterfall after many hours of hiking.

 

 

Many of these places are difficult to get to if you don't have a car or want to spend a small fortune on private transportation. We have managed to find a shuttle that will take us there for the day.

Little Corn Island

Bus to Managua, taxi to the airport, fly to Big Corn Island, ferry to Little Corn Island and walk (as there are no cars) to Grace's Place.

  

But it was all worth it.

 

 

Yoga and scuba diving seem to be the two main pastimes  on the island which is my dream come true. An island full of divers and tree hungers, no cars and never ending sunshine!

We spent 5 nights on the island. I managed 5 dives more than one of which we were swimming with Nurse Sharks! That was a first for me. There were also Stingrays, Moray Eels, Turtles, Lobster, Puffer fish... Too many to name them all.

The island is powered by a generator. As a result there is never 24 hour service. We walked up to the highest point on the island to see the lookout and also discovered the generator.

 

There are mango trees everywhere. As a result you can't buy mangoes, you just have to go exploring and find them.

We moved from Graces Place to The Lobster Hotel, each had its pro's and con's. In the end price won. The Lobster Hotel was only $20 a night.

We went exploring the island more than once. It was not easy walking at times but very beautiful.

  

The ferry ride back to Big Corn Island was much nicer and much safer. Twice a week The Paradise makes the trip.