Life in Costa Rica...What's the rainy season really like?...Keeping it simple...

This Giant Tortoise is located at the Zoo Ave location, although not indigenous to Costa Rica.  We suspect the facility imported some of its wildlife to attract more visitors to its rehab facility.

"Sightings from the Veranda in Costa Rica"

Tom took this photo this morning at 6:00 am.  It may not clear this morning as it does most mornings.

It's no exaggeration to state it rains every day right now in the central valley of Costa Rica.  Most mornings start out bright and sunny with a few rare exceptions like today, when there's a heavy cloud cover, as there was early when Tom took the above photo from the veranda.


But now, at 10:30 am the sun is shining through a fine layer of a white and gray overcast sky.  Here's a chart with the average rainfall for Atenas throughout the year:


As shown in this graph we are approaching the rainiest month of October with rain declining in November during our last few weeks in the country.  We knew our stay in Atenas Costa Rica would transpire during the rainy season.  But, unlike typical tourists, it's not as if we can plan our "vacations" avoiding inclement weather.

Blue Parrot checking out her surroundings.

For us, as world travelers without a home, for the majority of the time, we simply move along to the next location regardless of the seasons and the potential for the kind of weather we may not enjoy, except for avoiding particularly cold and snowy winter weather.

Of course, there are exceptions to that as well.  We'll be in Antarctica in January (it's summer season) when ships can't enter the massive continent and its seas, during the colder, more frozen winter months.  Although the weather may be more tolerable during the summer months, it will still be very cold and frozen.  More on that later.

A Peacock on a stroll through the park.

A few of our readers have asked how we're managing to live in the Central Valley during the rainy season.  As odd as this may seem, it's not bothering us a bit. We love the fact that this lush green valley is nourished by the frequent rains, keeping its rainforest abundant with vegetation for its wildlife.

Since we don't have a car, (although we're doing another five-day rental starting tomorrow) after the rental car fiasco in San Jose last Monday, we've had to re-do our thinking as to how we'll spend our remaining days in this country.

We've decided to arrange the five-day rental a few times each month, since it too, is pricey at US $34.95 (CRC 20,111) per day (including all fees and insurance) thanks to the arrangements made by Aad and Marian, the property managers. 

The identity of every bird wasn't always posted at the various habitats.

Even at the above prices, we still don't want to spend the monthly rates this high daily rate would dictate.  It would ultimately prove to be more than we've paid for a rental or taxis anywhere in the world. 

When travelers mention how "cheap" it in to visit Costa Rica, they may be misled by such statements.  As with any country, the resorts, the hotels, the tours, the restaurants and such expenditures like rental cars, may be much more expensive than one might anticipate.

Another unknown species.

Also, when considering some of the expenses for a week or two, it may not seem to be high as compared to our many months spent in one location.  For example, a one month rental through Aad's contact would be US $1,049 (CRC 603,630) which is a lot to us for a one month period.  

A typical tourist renting a car for one week may not even flinch over US $245 (CRC 140,981) for the seven days.  Here again, it's all relative.  The thought of us spending US $3,949 (CRC 2,272,387) for our entire 113 days in Costa Rica leaves us reeling.  It's just not worth that much of an expenditure to us, especially with the expenses we're facing in the next few months. 

I believe this is a Lollipop flower, commonly found in Hawaii and other tropical climates.

One could practically purchase a used car in Costa Rica for US $4,000 (CRC 2,301,734) which one of our friends/readers suggested.  But, we have no interest in finding a car, buying it, paying for insurance (very pricey here) and eventually selling it, let alone any maintenance required in the interim.

We always remember our motto, "Wafting Through Our Worldwide Travels with Ease, Joy, and Simplicity" which we'd definitely defy if we decided to purchase a vehicle for this short 113-day stay or even a stay of a year or more if that was the case.

In other words, "keeping it simple" easily fits into our realm of existence as we continue to travel the world.  At times, it's more complicated with circumstances we can't avoid but for the times we can control our environment, the less extra work we create in our lives,  the better opportunity we have for happiness and fulfillment.

We hope your day brings you happiness and fulfillment.

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Photo from one year ago today, September 3, 2016:


There's nothing like spotting an adorable calf on a walk in the neighborhood in Sumbersari, Bali.  For more photos, please click here.