Today we had the privilege of exploring the Santa Elena Peninsula in Guanacaste Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. National Geographic Quest is the only ship allowed to navigate these pristine waters. We cruised the bay looking for wildlife, hiked the trails, and enjoyed kayaking and tours in the Zodiacs. The weather was beautiful, and our guests got to have the area to themselves. In the afternoon, we repositioned to Junquillal, where we went snorkeling off Muñeco Island and enjoyed some beach time. We saw a lot of wildlife today, and everybody was extremely happy.
12/5/2023
Read
National Geographic Quest
Guanacaste
Today was the third day of our trip, and we explored inland Costa Rica, specifically the Guanacaste province. Landing at the very popular Playas del Coco (beach), we took local buses up the mountain towards the day’s destination and headquarters, Hacienda Guachipelin. We chose from many different and exciting activities: zip lining, hiking, strolling, hot springs, waterfalls, or just chilling at the ranch. Each activity was sure to leave us content. Monkeys, birds, hot mud, hot water springs, and mud pots were amongst the day’s discoveries. In the morning hours, zip lining was a highlight. After a wonderful buffet of local food for lunch, many of us chose to go to the hacienda’s hot springs in the afternoon. The beautiful, clear blue waters of Rio Negro helped us relax after the hike. We returned to our home away from home with smiles on our faces in the late afternoon.
