Life in the Slow Lane (The Pearl): Jan. 28

"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” ―Maya Angelou

We moved on today to a new location, but we decided to check out the free hot springs just out of town first. We’ve really enjoyed the springs while we’ve been here, but these were a little different...we were actually in the creek. The first time either of us have been in a creek with crystal clear, warm water. It was very nice.

Our second stop in Costa Rica is the small village of Bijagua, nestled in a lush valley between two dormant volcanoes, the Miravalles Volcano and the Tenorio Volcano. It’s most famous for being the gateway to the Rio Celeste Waterfall, located in the Tenorio Volcano National Park. The area is home to ecolodges and bed & breakfasts…no large resorts. This keeps the town peaceful, undeveloped and a great spot to connect with the local culture.

Although Bijagua is surrounded by rainforest the valley itself has acres of pastoral farmland with citrus groves and vegetable gardens and is known for its history of cheese making. So it’s a great place if you're a foodie looking for your next big thrill or an avid outdoorsman seeking out Costa Rica's best kept natural wonders. The virgin rainforest near Bijagua is home to tropical animal species like pumas, tapirs, sloths, anteaters, howler monkeys, coatis, giant butterflies and birds such as squawking green parrots, macaws, hummingbirds and toucans.

We're spending three nights at the Finca Amistad Cacao Lodge. It's on a cocoa plantation near Tenorio National Park and close to Bijagua. The lodge offers guests a variety of activities, such as horseback riding, hiking and tours of the plantation that explains the process of chocolate production. Each of the six accommodations has a terrace and is surrounded by gardens with a view of the mountains or the river. It’s a great place to relax, watch the birds and wildlife and will serve as a great base camp for adventures in the area.

The free hot springs near La Fortuna