Border Crossing Bingo: Phantom Forms, Fees, and an Immigration Officer Riding Shotgun
Crossing from Costa Rica into Nicaragua sounded simple enough—until we discovered mysterious immigration forms, exact cash fees requiring pristine U.S. dollars, and a 1-kilometer trek between border buildings under the blazing sun. After obsessing over paperwork that nobody ever asked to see, we finally made it into Nicaragua…only to discover our Easy Ride driver had picked up his girlfriend along the way—and she just happened to be wearing a Nicaraguan immigration police uniform. 😂 Another border crossing successfully conquered, with a little travel absurdity thrown in for good measure!
Head in the Clouds: A Little Eco Luxury in Monteverde
We traded our nomadic routine for a few luxurious days in the clouds of Monteverde, Costa Rica, staying at an eco-lodge surrounded by monkeys, toucans, hummingbirds, macaws, and enough shades of green to lose count. We hiked the Continental Divide, ventured into the cloud forest after dark to hunt for frogs, snakes, and very well-camouflaged bugs, and even pondered how Costa Rica’s unique history and stability helped make its incredible commitment to conservation possible. All in all, a little luxury, a lot of wildlife—and still no sloths!
Uvita: We Came for the Whales, Stayed for the Whale Tail
We came to Uvita looking for whales and found…well, no whales. But between walking the famous whale tail, surviving rainy-season Pura Vida, eating our way through local sodas, and catching one glorious sunset, Uvita still delivered.