Hotel Don Carlos


[Costa Rica] [ Our Guide, Johnny ] [Hotel Don Carlos] [Poas and Iruzu Volcanos] [ Church of the Black Madonna ] [Lankaster Botanical Garden] [Rain Forest at Tortuguero] [Bananas] [Ram Luna] [Arenal Volcano] [Canopy Tour at Eco Lodge] [Colophon]


While staying at the Don Carlos Hotel in San Jose, we planned to see the nearby Poas and Iruzu Volcanoes. The Don Carlos was very nice; spend the extra $10 or so for the "Superior" rooms; they are a great luxury for just a few $ more. The staff was very helpful, and the location is nice.

The next day we started our car trip to Poas Volcano, planning to see some sights on the way.


 

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Hotel Don Carlos. Bigger than it looks, very nice.

 

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Jim and Michele on the patio.

 

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On the patio at the Hotel Don Carlos.

 

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Watching a performance in the town square.

 

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The Church in the town square.

 

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A stained glass window. There was obviously great pride expressed in every community through their Church.

 

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In the garden at the side of the Church.

 

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A tower for defense of the town. The architect just couldn't get it right- here, the windows funnel in gunfire onto the defenders.

 

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Another immaculately kept Church. When driving away from this Church, two kids held a rope across the street, and then we were politely asked for a donation for the Church. We saw this fund-raising technique a few other times!

 

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A fruit store, selling from the window, and showing Agave flowers...

 

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Peace Waterfall.

 

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On the trail that goes under the waterfall.

 

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Looking out past the waterfall towards the bridge where the first photo was taken.


We had already learned one of the many ways that Johnny proved indispensible. As a driver! The streets and roads are not well marked, but Johnny lives there, has been giving tours for many years, and was great at pointing out our options- and getting us places! He lived in the US for about 7 years, and is fluent in English.

The drivers are aggressive, but polite and happy at the same time. It is rather "anything goes", but without the road rage. Johnny once commented that everyone is a friendly driver, and he couldn't understand why Costa Rica has a high traffic fatality rate. I could!

We made up a joke. In San Jose, the "Stop" signs ("Alto") often have arrows beneath them pointing right or left to show the direction of one way streets. But you would see people drive right through the intersections anyway. So I said that the arrows actually meant that there was GOING to be a REAL stop sign over that way...


[Next Page: Poas and Iruzu Volcanos]


[Costa Rica] [ Our Guide, Johnny ] [Hotel Don Carlos] [Poas and Iruzu Volcanos] [ Church of the Black Madonna ] [Lankaster Botanical Garden] [Rain Forest at Tortuguero] [Bananas] [Ram Luna] [Arenal Volcano] [Canopy Tour at Eco Lodge] [Colophon]