Welcome to Costa Rica everyone!

Last night we transitioned from Panama to Costa Rica on our fourth day of this beautiful expedition.

We woke up to the 'delectable' area of Golfo Dulce, meaning Sweet Gulf in Spanish. This area is the southernmost gulf on the Pacific coastline of Costa Rica. This gulf can reach a depth of 825 feet overall, making it a favorite place for humpback whales to give birth to their calves. The northern humpbacks travel to this area around February – March to mate and give birth. The Southern humpbacks arrive around August. Maybe if we're lucky, we'll get a chance to spot an early arrival.

We spent the early morning doing a stretch class on the bow for a better view and a change of pace, focusing on our overall wellness by awakening our bodies and minds. It was a calm and peaceful morning, a fitting start for this beautiful place. 

This morning during breakfast we anchored at Casa Orquideas this morning during breakfast, the home of Ron and Trudy McAlister for the past 35 years. They decided to give up the typical American dream, to live the simple, happy pura vida life here in a botanical oasis in Costa Rica.  The weather was warm and dreamlike as we strolled amongst the scarlet macaws, black mandible toucans, and palm trees taking in the sights, sounds and snapping photos. Some of us swam and enjoyed the warm tropical water and paddle boarded as we soaked in the feeling of the tropical life all around (and underneath) us.

We then went back on board for lunch followed an incredible presentation by Ronald on the social, cultural, and political history of Costa Rica. 

This afternoon we arrived to the area of Golfito. We explored the area of mangroves by exploration landing craft and kayak as we saw mantled howler monkeys, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, and my personal favorites, the magnificent frigates among many other shorebirds.

The evening ended with a photo class by Jeffrey explaining composition, the “rule of three” and framing your subject. We ended today with a delicious happy hour and relaxing dinner under the Costa Rican stars.

Tomorrow we reposition to Caletas Beach where we will enjoy morning horseback riding and guided hikes.