We were met at the San Jose Airport with a car and driver and drove to the Peace Lodge at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. We had tried to visit ten years ago, but the giant earthquake closed the highway and damaged the lodge, so we went elsewhere.

We spent two nights at the lodge (elevation about 5,000 feet/1,500 meters up on the side of a volcano). We visited quite a few of the animal exhibits—the Gardens houses a lot of native animals that have been rescued from trouble—if an animal can make it back out in the wild, it will be released; if not, it stays at the Gardens and is well taken care of. 

We also hiked along the waterfall trail, which got us out in the boundary of the rain forest and the higher cloud forest. Note that it could be bright and sunny one moment and ten minutes later the clouds would move in and visibility would be reduced to almost nothing!

This sign gives a good idea of the wildlife living at the Gardens.

We did not visit the snakes inside the serpentarium, but we pretty much saw everything else. Here are several pictures showing some of what we saw. 

We got to see many hummingbirds up close inside their house, and then we went to the home of three different types of toucans. Peace Lodge guests get a metal tray with fruit in it and the birds come by for a visit.

After looking over the toucans, we walked down to the river to look at the waterfalls. What a beautiful forest!

Our next visit was to see two toed sloths.

We then went into an exhibit where butterflies that had just hatched flew around and sometimes would land on our clothing. 

Then we went to see the big cats. The Gardens have mountain lions, jaguars and ocelots. Staff told us that the government seizes big cats that people have tried to have as pets and then turns them over to the Gardens for care. Here is a mountain lion and a jaguar (eating chicken).

We enjoyed ourselves at the Peace Lodge and the Gardens. Staff were all quite helpful and the setting cannot be beat!

Next, a five hour car drive to the Pacific coast and four nights at a beach hotel.

Here is a map showing where we went. We landed at San Jose and drove up north for about an hour to the Gardens. The beach is the palm tree symbol.

We flew to Houston and spent the night, then got up early for a flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. At the airport, we were met and driven about 90 minutes north to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where would spend two nights.

Our second and final stop will be five nights out on the beach on the Pacific coast.

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