As you leave the Marriot Hotel and head to Central Pacific region you will be driving through the Provinces of Guanacaste and Puntarenas the first part of the morning. It is a nice drive without much traffic and quite interesting, since you will be seeing an important cattle farm region, mountains, rivers, blended with a very arid region during summer. Contrary on what you saw in the Caribbean, in the northwest part of the country, the rain is absent for 5 to 6 months. Two extremely different seasons: the dry season begins at the end of November, and until May the sun drenches the land, making the beaches popular with Ticos and foreign tourists alike. In summer this drive could be very colorful, since many of the trees of the dry forest start to bloom. Contrasts of purples, pinks, orange, and yellow flowers are seen all over the place. Many trees lose their foliage to survive the months of dry season.
You will go across the Golf of Nicoya this morning. There will be a stop for restrooms at a small restaurant. It is a good stop to stretch your legs and maybe get a soda. From this stop to lunch is one and a half hour.
The drive continues to the south . After you pass over the the Bridge of La Amistad (The Friendship Bridge), which connects the penninsula of Nicoya with the main land. The Gulf provides extensive mangrove habitat, wetlands and a large biodiversity. The Tempisque River washes much soil and organic material into the estuary at the northern end of the Gulf where the shallow and nutrient rich water that reach the mangrove swamps provide food and shelter to crabs, coatis, racoons, frigate birds, oysters, and crocodiles and more. To the south of the golf a group of islands that include Chira, Negritos and Guayabo are nesting sites frigate birds, brown boobies and the Peregrine Falcon which are protected there. These rocky islands and mangrove forests play an essential role in the Nicoya Peninsula's ecosystem.
When you pass the Harbor of Caldera, you will see on your right the southern tip of Nicoya Peninsula where the water is deeper, saltier, and mangroves are less prevalent fish are abundant, and small local fishing boats head to the sea every night to make their living. Life is more simple but curiously, a research made by The Blue Zones Quest in Nicoya in 2007, revealed how residents live longer and happier lives here!
More that 60% of Costa Rica's hotels are located along the peninsula coastline which makes is very attractive for local and foreign tourists. The City of Nicoya it is the location of Costa Rica's oldest existing church, the 16th century adobe Iglesia de San Blas. This church was built in 1644 in the city of Nicoya and stands as the oldest existing church in the country. Before Spanish arrival, Nicoya was the cultural center of the Chorotega indigenous and was eventually named afteran Indian chief of the same name. Its national parks and reserves include: Curu, Barra Honda, and Marino Las Baulas.
Just by noon you will be arriving at the restaurant for lunch. You will have a very good buffet there and then you will drive to the Tarcoles River for a Crocodile Safari. Cruise for one hour and explore the world of the Mangroves. Discover different bird species as you learn about the misters of the largest and most powerful reptiles in the planet, the crocodiles. continue on a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast to your destination: Manuel Antonio National Park.
Arrive to your hotel Sambada, perfectly located right at the entrance of the Manuel Antonio Park . With the jungle as a background , see the sunset and enjoy a drink at the sixth floor terrace. Enjoy dinner!
