Sensational Sensoria

“Land of Senses and Magical Rain-forests” – Sensoria

This is what their literature calls it, and I have to agree. Although I would refer to it as Sensational Sensoria. What escape to Costa Rica is complete without a visit to their world-famous rain-forest in . I would be remiss to say that it would not be complete at all. Daily I could see the volcanic mountain from my hotel room balcony and each day I was salivating at the notation when we would be able to immerse ourselves in to ever beckoning rain forest…

Anticipation like ketchup

The day came, and we had breakfast much earlier than usual to meet our tour. So excited I could barely eat, as I was anticipating the long-awaited trip to Sensoria. The bus was well equipped, with many amenities including WiFi. This bus took us to a bus depot where the passengers were split up into separate tour groups. This ride took about 45 minutes. Here we had an opportunity to stretch our legs, go to the bathroom. We were then directed to our specific charter to Sensoria. https://sensoria.cr/

Getting there is half the fun

Our route took us back towards Liberia, from there to central America highway one. Our tour guide was amiable, and we discussed many of the virtues of living in a practically self-sustaining country. Of course, this was very interesting and not wholly unexpected. After all, we are in Costa Rica, on an eco-tour to the famed rain forest. After another 45 minutes of driving, we turned off of the main road and we onto road 917 heading into the forest.

Here we stopped at the small village Dos Rios. http://www.maplandia.com/costa-rica/alajuela/upala/colonia-dos-rios/

There is always time for a snack

 Here we were able to get off the bus and stretch our legs. Getting off the bus as a brief rain descended from the skies around us, we were now in the safe confines of  Panderia Marcela. Here we nestled into the small dining room. It was very rustic, quaint and very charming for a cantina on the foothills of a volcano. ( I apologize that I do not have pictures of this location. I could go on for paragraphs explaining it, but I don’t think anyone wants me to do that. So please check it yourself. I am confident you will find the experience something that you will soon not forget). Back on the bus, we started to ascend the Volcan Rincon de la Vieja. I also noticed that we crossed into another jurisdiction, we were leaving Provincia De Guanacaste and crossed into Provincia De Alajuela.

Is this actually a road?

I wish I could tell you the route from here. I can barely see the roads. Only the very brave and skilled would have the confidence to take a bus full of tourists into a volcano on partially washed-out roads. At one point we crossed a bridge, or some washed out pieces of concrete with plywood on it as the river roared deftly underneath us. I was confident but concerned. The driver and the guide did not seem concerned at all. Slowing, cracking, crossing, and then hearing the bus shift pull into second gear as we began to ascend yet another portion of the road. Streams of water now flowed down either side of the unpaved surface.  You really could not ask for more. After all, we are climbing a volcano heading towards a rain-forest in the rainy season. Thirty minutes later, we were there. Sensoria.

Shangri La

Standing in front of the “Main House” we were greeted by our guides. The house was the main dining hall and location for our personal effects. As one would expect, it was very rustic in design, although not lacking amenities, it fits perfectly within the surroundings. They informed us of where we could store our belongings and asked us to sign a waiver in case of injury.  Here they also offered us walking sticks and Panchos. It seemed friendly and disorganized, meaning they were friendly, and I was disorganized. Soon we were all into our smaller groups. Each group had two guides, the “lead” and the person that was responsible for the slow people at the end of the group.

Welcome to Sensoria

As we began our two and a half hour hike, you first notice the extent of the lush vegetation as one would expect. Flora and fauna everywhere untouched for thousands of years you knew that you were in a rain-forest. In the humid Costa Rican jungle, twenty minutes into the hike, you could feel the sweat drip down your back.  Fortunately, the guides are very well versed in entomology and botany and would take time to point out insects and plants life as we encountered them. If not, you would have missed it. To ensure that the reserve remains intact and unspoiled, you had to follow the path. You would not want to venture off the pathway; otherwise, you would become lost and part of the ecology.

Time for a rest

The paths are created to aid in the prevention of erosion and not interrupt with the natural beauty- thus the walking sticks. Be aware this is not a walk in the local park, and a moderate level of fitness would ensure that you enjoy the environment to its full extent. As we descended into the valley, it was time for our first stop the Aquilar Pool and Waterfall. Freshwater to swim in was a very welcome sight at this point in the journey.

“This waterfall is rich in silicon, a mineral that dresses the river stones in a smooth white sheet and upon whose reflection the ultraviolet rays of sun produce this magical fluorescent blue color.”- Sensoria.

It has a rocky bottom so be prepared to have ouch here and an ouch there. But once submerged and cooling down it is truly worth the podiatric annoyance. Here the guides also had snacks of fruit.

Let’s not stop now

Back up from whence we came, along very well designed trails, we hiked for about another 20 minutes. Enjoying the podocarpus and other overgrown foliage, while scanning to see if we would be fortunate enough to spot wildlife. So far, there was none. We were stopping to get explanations as to how the plant life survives and why it exists in this location. Soon we were at stop number two. Here we were at the Buenos Aires waterfall.

 “You’ll feel the force of the fresh wind channeled through the canyon, waving the ferns along the stone walls even when the leaves of the treetops are motionless.” -Sensoria.

 Again stripping down and diving into the pool around the waterfall, it was slightly colder than the previous but refreshing nonetheless. Here we frolicked and enjoyed the pristine scenery and the thunder of the fall as its power clashed with the pool below. Dressing and drying it was once again time to climb the path from the valley.

It is only drizzle

Still about one hour from the “Main House” the clouds began to block out the sun like a natural curtain of grey. The jungle became silent, and the winds picked up. As it was the rainy season, you guess what happened next. Torrents of rain fell from the sky, raindrops the size of golf balls pummeled the surrounding overgrowth. At first, the vegetation worked as a shelter, but as the volume of rain increased, the sanctuary became non-existent. It was if you were in a movie where the hero and heroine are trudging endlessly to survive- dramatic license here. As I mentioned before, the paths are well marked. Many times you get this deluge for five minutes, and that would be the end of it.

Not this time the downpour continued for the duration of our hike.  The warm water was battering you as rivers started to form on the trails. The experience was absolutely amazing, in a rain-forest in Costa Rica being sublimely subdued by this ecological wonder. Awesome. We, however, were not done with our hike, nor were we done with our tour. Our guide that I believe is part goat still had one other location that we were destined to see.

Paradise Found

  As we approached, the pool steam was emanating from the water’s surface like fog over a city street. The mist was reaching to cover the higher portions of the river walls, as the rain on its special environmental mission continues to pour down onto the very saturated ground. Stripping down, it was a perfect opportunity to step in the pool. It was warm, not hot the way I had imagined, as you floated gently as if you were on a cloud. The rain, the mist, the enchanted location all created a memory that I will not forget. Too soon it was time to slip out of the wet clothes and back into the wet clothes. It was all very pointless.

Pilon Thermal pool.

 “Pilón, is a tree known in English as Suradan Hardwood (Hyeronima Alchorneoides). Besides its imposing height of up to 35 feet, its mere presence is something to look up to.”

-Sensoria

Are we there yet

We continued the climb the paths, and the rain still had not stopped; by now, we were all very used to it. The small rivers and streams that we passed and walked over earlier had begun to expand, and water was rushing very rapidly all around us. The large green leaves dripped and cascaded the rain as the breeze moved them around like a papyrus fan. A little tired and hungry and obviously wet, we could now begin to see the “main House” off into the distance. We were crossing the last bridge, knowing that dry clothing and food awaited. Inexplicably, the rain ceased, and the sun began to pierce through the clouds. As the drying and changing process commenced, lunch was on the horizon.

Spoiled and hungry

Lunch although sparse, consisting of a wrap, a salad and a non-alcoholic beverage was delicious. I have to admit, I am not sure if I felt this way because I was famished or it was amazing. Perhaps they are the same. Dry and no longer hungry, we spent time chatting with the custodians of the “Main house” and our fellow travelers with whom we shared this adventure. After a brief movie about the wildlife that is prevalent in Sensoria- we did not see any wildlife. It was time to say goodbye to this magical rain-drenched haven and make our way back to the bus for the long and potentially treacherous drive back to our lodgings.

While you sit and reflect on the days’ adventure as you drive by the volcano with the low lying clouds obscuring the peaks of the mountains. You begin to reestablish your belief that beauty presents itself in many ways. Today we had the opportunity to truly encounter and explore one of them. Sensational Sensoria.

Not to be missed

On your way to Costa Rica? Sensoria is a place that I would highly recommend. I can not guarantee the rain, but you will have a memorable day in a rain-forest near an active volcano, with very knowledgeable and safety-conscious guides. I hope this may have helped someone think about Costa Rica as an Escape destination. If we can help you with more information or if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section below. For those that have been there or may have been on your very wet tour, please your comments so that we can share your thoughts with our many readers.

 

As always, Thank you.

Your Vacation, Your Escape

VTE

The rainy rain Forest