Hola a todos!

Last week I finished up my park visits and I am excited to let you all in on some advance information about the projects!!

I visited Manuel Antonio, Tenorio, and Chirripo (well San Gerardo the town at the base of the mountain) and all are rich in natural beauty and all are diverse and have something different to offer!

Manuel Antonio is hot, near the beach and has a very jungle-y feel. In the park you wake up to monkeys, sloths and birds all in the tree tops feet above your head! Manuel Antonio's project will be working on a Mirador (look out point) and/or trail maintenance. The guards have also suggested a nighttime tour of the park to possibly see cayman (small alligators!) --something a tourist would never get a chance to do!

Volcan Tenorio is in a cloud forest therefor much cooler than Manuel Antonio and is very far north. It is up in the mountains, and is one of Costa Rica's newest parks. For those reasons, this park is rarely visited and only by tourists and locals with their own transport. It is a shame because this park has some amazing and unique features! There is a waterfall, an odd, but amazing milky light blue color to the water because of mineral deposits, hot springs, and boiling thermal ponds. It is situated up in the mountains and is a jewel to be in! There we will be working on trail maintenance because of the rainy weather.

 Lastly, Chirripo whose beauty is apparent even from below. I did not have a chance to climb Chirripo because it is a 6-8 hour hike up. However I am excited to challenge myself and from what I have heard it is very worth the hike! Once up, you can say you have been to the highest point in Costa Rica! Temperatures are much colder due to the altitude but can be warmer during the day. The project in Chirripo will also be trail maintenance and the possible construction of a bridge. I am also excited to report that the last day in Chirripo we might be doing a community clean up project with the local youth of San Gerardo followed by a big surprise (I don't want to ruin the surprise)!
 

All park staff are so knowledgeable and are very excited to be working with both Amigos and Casa de la Juventud. The youth here are signing up for the program are also very excited and are ready to go already! Below I have posted some pictures from each park. 

As always, questions are welcome!
 

Until next time!

 Manuel Antonio

 Volcan Tenorio