New 4x4 trails upto Pura Vida Ecolodge from the Costanera Sur (from both Coronado & Puntamala)

With the 'G reen season' well under way in La Zona Sur de Costa Rica, we thought we'd add a splash of design & colour to illustrate the two new routes we have going up to our little retreat... The quicker and shorter entry is opposite the entrance of the village of Coronado but with the season's heavy rains especially, a lot of guests are opting for the less bumpy and smoother, albeit longer and slower route coming up from Puntamala (a couple of KM's further up the Costanera Sur). Don' t worry guests, full directions and photo references included in your welcome packs!

Nature trails, waterfalls & plunge pools on the edge of the Pura Vida Ecolodge reserve...

With the 'invierno' (rainy season) just around the corner, we wanted to share a few photos (taken just a couple of weeks ago) of one of the nature trails on the edge of the Pura Vida Ecolodge Reserve. The path has been beautifully crafted and takes guests winding through primary rain forest before ending at one of the quebradas (streams) of Tres Rios. As the rainy season approaches this stream will get heavier and heavier and while an idylic water hall right now, by the middle of the rainy season, it will be a fast flowing river, that you're probably best to sit and admire rather than taking a plunge!

 If you set off from Pura Vida Ecolodge soon after sunrise (en la madrugada)  or late afternoon,  you will definitely hear the congo monkeys and if you're lucky see them playing in the tall trees above the path. As always, you're sure to enjoy a plethora of colourful birds and pizotes are especially commonly seen on the reserve.

Once you get to the river, it's a real adventure to trek upstream, scaling the rockfaces, dipping under huge fallen trees and of course taking a plunge (how high will you dare to climb and jump from) into one of the many freshwater pools. The temperatures down in the jungle are also a few degrees cooler and a welcome escape from Costa Rica's sticky and humid summer afternoons. This is about as close to a natural 'pura vida' organic spa as you can get...

Special thanks to Zeger (of course), Kika, Angelino and Antonio for help with all the photos... And keep an eye on the blog, website and facebook page for more 'jumping into waterfalls action shots' - coming soon!

Nature trails at Pura Vida Ecolodge - Que rico!