Costa Rica: Don Olivo chocolate farm

On our last morning, we visited a chocolate farm, but before heading out, we savored a peaceful morning in our cozy treehouse nestled in the rainforest. During our stay, it rained almost nonstop, a stark contrast to the clear skies we enjoyed in La Fortuna. The rain added a magical touch to the rainforest experience. Though sad to leave, we’re excited for our next adventure.

I loved sitting on this porch, watching the rain and soaking in the soothing sounds of the rainforest.

Carson preferred the hammock

Playing games while we eat our breakfast.

They would also feed the birds like it last place did. Loved seeing all the different birds especially the Toucans and hummingbirds that would come.

Even butterflies enjoyed the fruit

Brad and I took a pleasant walk along the trails, joined by the dogs who happily tagged along. I believe the trail leads to a waterfall, but we didn’t have enough time to explore further.

Last picture In front of the monkey house before we leave! 

Before completely leaving La Fortuna we stopped at Don Olivo chocolate farm. It is a family owned farm business and the grandson of the family gave us the tour.

After we arrived, we had the chance to sample a variety of fresh fruits straight from the plantation. Among them were star fruit, bananas, pineapple, and a unique type of orange. Did you know that the rinds of oranges in this region are actually green when ripe? It was such a surprise to see them look so different from the bright orange ones we’re used to.

What made it even more fascinating was the way they prepared the oranges. Instead of peeling them, they cut them in a specific way—almost like creating a little juice cup. You simply squeeze the orange and suck out all the fresh, sweet juice. It’s such a fun and refreshing way to enjoy fruit, and it made the experience even more memorable.

Sucking on some sugar cane. It brought back memories of Brads missing in Peru.

Then we walked along the farm to learn about how the grow the cacao beans.

The fruit start out as these cute tiny flowers

Then grow into the fruit

And then when it’s yellow it’s ripe

Our tour broke open one of the fruits and we got to try it. It’s a slimy fruit with a big seed, and you suck on it and spit out the seed.

I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant to try this at first—it honestly looked like a giant snot ball. And since slimy foods tend to make me gag, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle it. But to my surprise, it turned out to be really pleasant! It had a light, refreshing taste with a subtle hint of citrus. It was a reminder that sometimes the most unexpected things can end up being quite enjoyable.

Carson loved it the most

After the pick the fruit they put it in a vast tub to let it ferment for a couple weeks, then they put it on this to let it dry.

After it’s dried, then they roast it

Seeing some animals among the farm:

Logan finds all the Tacans, there was also a sloth 🦥 high up in the tree, but it just looked like a black blob so no picture.

After we learned about the rotating process we came to see how they turn it into chocolate.

A filter for making coffee.

Grinding the beans. It was hard!

After grinding the beans super fine we got a little taste (it’s nasty) I don’t know how I’m the ancient civilization days they thought this was a delicacy. It’s extremely bitter.  It was much better when they gave us samples with sugar in it.

After we sat down, we enjoyed a comforting cup of hot chocolate made from a cubed piece of rich, farm-fresh chocolate. Carson absolutely loved the fresh chocolate—it had a texture similar to a brownie, dense and fudgy, but with an even more intense chocolate flavor. It was so delicious that we couldn’t resist buying some to bring home.

Then we were on the road again! After explaining our experience driving into town with Tanner, the owner of the tree house hotel recommended stopping at a pharmacy for motion sickness medicine. She said to make sure he takes it only shortly before we hit the road. So that’s what we did, they lady at the pharmacy asked how old tanner was, gave Brad exactly 2 pills and right after we left the farm Tanner took his medicine and then just conked out. It was about a 4 hour drive and Tanner slept almost the whole way.

Got stuck in traffic due to an accident so it felt like a really long drive, but we made it to Manuel Antonio! We checked into our hotel and then immediately went across the street to dinner at a brick oven pizza place. You can tell the kids are just tired 😁 but we were happy to have made it!

 

Costa Rica: Canyoning

This was the day I was looking forward to our whole trip! Rappelling down a 165-foot waterfall!! Talk about the ultimate adrenaline rush! With our tour we got to do 4 rappels (3 waterfalls and one rock wall) and a monkey drop. I honestly had no idea what to expect.

When we first arrived we were fed lunch but we weren’t that hungry having just eaten before, because we thought lunch was after the waterfall not before…I do appreciate though that all the tours provide you with food.

 Then the journey to the waterfall began! It started with a bumpy but exciting ride to the falls in a trailer pulled by a trusty tractor, through a cute little village and into a lush jungle scenery. Along the way, Logan’s sharp eyes spotted a vibrant toucan perched  in the trees, Logan was really good at spotting all the  birds! And then we were there! And just like the zip lining, they give you no time to think about it, you just go! Now I worked at a rock climbing gym for a year and know how to rappel, but that’s in a gym. Standing at the top of the waterfall, but not just any waterfall, the biggest one 165feet tall! (they really should start with the smallest and work your way up to the big one) It’s a little nerve recking to take that first exhilarating step over the edge. Especially with the roar of rushing water under you. But the descent is pure magic! Omg it really was the most amazing thing I have ever done.  With cool mist spraying your face and the breathtaking view of the cascading water all around you. It’s a thrilling, unforgettable experience that ranks at the top of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

First up, Carson! And I must say I’m so proud of my boys! None of them were scared and they all absolutely loved it as much as I did.

Logan:

Tanner:

Brad (with Tanner):

Me!:

Looking like a bad ass as I go into the misty abyss:

I wish they would have gotten a full picture of the waterfall, but I found this on trip advisor so you can see just how big this waterfall is!

Then onto the monkey drop! I had no clue what to expect with this, and then after I saw the person in front of me go, I was terrified. You kind of zip line down and then they just drop you in a pool of water. Wasn’t a fan, but the boys loved it.

We did a couple more rappels, and then ended on this beauty: (again another picture from the website)

I was happy they took a video of this one!

I wasn’t screaming cuz I was scared, but because I was having a blast!

Seriously highlight of the trip right there!

Costa Rica: Arenal Volcano

Thanksgiving this year was unlike any we’ve ever had. No turkey, no pies—just a jam-packed day of sightseeing in Costa Rica! We explored a volcano 🌋  a stunning waterfall, and enjoyed soaking in the refreshing thermal pools. We did celebrate the holiday by topping it off with a yummy dinner.

The day started bright and early so we could join our tour group. Logan was so excited to get to visit the volcano up close and personal, he has a fascination with natural disasters.

Our guide talking to us at the base of the volcano and explaining how volcanos work. While drawing this cute little diagram in the dirt. Basically, the short version is that volcanoes have magma chambers deep underground where molten rock collects. These chambers act like storage areas, which is under high pressure. When the pressure in the chamber becomes too great, the magma travels up through cracks and vents in the Earth’s crust. If it reaches the surface, it erupts as lava, ash, and gases. The size and shape of the magma chamber can affect the type of eruption and the shape of the volcano.

The Arenal Volcanoes last major eruption was on July 29, 1968, with a sudden and powerful explosion that destroyed nearby towns and killed 87 people. The eruption marked the start of over 40 years of activity, with frequent lava flows, ash plumes, and explosions. 

The volcano has been in a resting phase since 2010, much to Logan’s disappoint. He would have loved to have seen some real lava.

Our guide said if you go downtown to can talk to some of the survivors. He said that most of those that perished in the eruption were children in school, mothers at home, and farm workers close to the volcano. In 1968 they had no warning that there was going to be an eruption. It had been dormant for hundreds of years. And there was no monitoring system. The tour guide said the locals didn’t even know it was a volcano, but a few days before the eruption a man heard rumblings and tried to tell the people but they dismissed it. Not sure if that story is true or just an urban legend.

 Starting on the trail to get to the bottom of the volcano and seeing some wildlife and learning about the vegetation along the way.

A beautiful orchid

Climbing the base of the volcano along the lava trails to get to the lookout point.

It was quite a busy trail!

You can see the old lava trails:

Our guide: “if you look inside (the plant) you can see an eye”

It’s amazing that in just the past 20 years that this much vegetation has grown back!

At the lookout point! I promise there’s a volcano hiding behind those clouds—somewhere. It’s a little disappointing not to see the volcano in all her majestic glory, but that’s the charm of being in the rainforest. The weather there is as unpredictable as it is dramatic. One moment, the skies tease you with sunshine, and the next, the landscape is blanketed in misty clouds, threatening rain. Even when it’s not raining, the humidity/misty clouds cling to the peaks. It’s a reminder that nature has her own plans, and to just embrace it.

The lookout point is the highest spot you’re allowed to hike on Arenal Volcano. Since it’s still considered active (having erupted within the past 100 years), going beyond that point is prohibited. However, our tour guide shared a story about once taking some British tourists, who were training for a major race, all the way to the top. It was extremely risky for him because locals face harsh penalties for doing that, but the tourists promised to pay him well and cover all his legal fees if they got caught. So, he agreed. They insisted on going as fast and hard as he could, but they couldn’t keep up with him! And Thankfully, they didn’t get caught.

Back at the base of the volcano we then went on a little hike through the rainforest! Where Logan finally got to see some monkeys! They were high up in the trees and not moving so it just looked like a dark blob. Whomp whomp. I don’t know how the guides are so good at finding them.

Our tour guide jokingly called this Costa Rica’s only army 🐜 (Costa Rica has no military)

Love the tree canopy!

The clouds are starting to move a bit to show more of the volcano

The avocado pond 

Heading to lunch, the clouds lifting for a little bit better view!

At our lunch spot, our guide showed us this bat colony under a palm tree!

Then we listened to the aboriginal people talk about their way of life and wanting us to buy their handicrafts.

Then as we were leaving the skies cleared up and gave us the most perfect view! Of course it was as we’re leaving and on the bus heading to our next spot, but everyone on our tour was so excited!

Ahhh just so magnificent!

Then we were off to the La Fortuna waterfall! But that’s going to be it’s own post.