Thanks to the guests of 2008 at Las Aguas, part 1

As we shutter the resort for the rest of the rainy season I have fond memories of 2008. In the next few posts I want to thank some of our more memorable guests for making my work so enjoyable. Of course we will re-open in November after the daily rains have abated somewhat. In additon, we will have a new, wide, safe road by them and guests will have easier access to the jungle lodge at Las Aguas.

The rainy season paired with the new road construction has created a mess that could be used for a new Costa Rican adventure sport.

I suggest Mud Skiing and a ski jump. Pura Vida!

James from Colours Oasis arrived on the tractor looking like royalty on a parade float but with his luggage in tow. If anyone has a picture saved of this please post it with a comment.

Horseback adventure to Nauyaca Waterfalls

There are two famous waterfalls near Las Aguas Jungle Lodge. We just had the pleasure of hosting James and Luis Diego, of the Colours Oasis, and their friends. We all headed out for a day trip to climb and swim at the falls. The Cataratas Nauayaca (pictured here) is a giant 150' tall 3 tiered monster in the jungle with a large deep pond below the falls. Divers climb and ply the walls using only toe holds to take them high enough for some really amazing dives. Ropes are anchored in various places to help the novice ( or nervous) climbers get up.

There is a horseback tour out to the falls which is a

DONT MISS adventure here in the Perez Zeledon area.

#2 is The Catarata Diamante. It is the tallest in CR. It is an arduous 3 hour hike to get up the moutainside to a point above the falls where one can look out, but the vista is spectacular. Following the river up above the falls one finds a large cave, partially hidden by falling water. This is where some local eco-conscious residents offer rapelling, lunch and an overnight stay in the cave.

Waterfalls Galore in Costa Rica

The wet rain forest climate and mountainous terrain of the Southern Pacific Zone in Costa Rica meld to create incredible waterfalls. We are lucky to have 5 here around the resort at Las Aguas Jungle Lodge. Each has its own personality and changes with the season, if not by the day. At times the cacades are soothing and cool, at times torrential and frightening. Some are more playful and some are more awe inspiring. In the peak of the dry summer they even seem tired and almost spent in the heat. The rocks around the rivers and falls can be extremely slippery so please exercise extreme caution . The tropical forests surounding Las Aguas afford plenty of privacy and an opportunity to let loose some inhibitions. I encourage you to go ahead and kick off your hikers and shorts and play in the falls. Clothing is not optional in the public areas of the hotel here at Las Aguas but out in the jungle, one can find pure relaxation laying under the sun, naked, in a crystal clear stream.

Some of our guests have even told us that the best moments of their trip were here in the waterfalls right on our property. Even a group of pampered gay gentlemen from Manhatten had great time getting sweaty and muddy in the jungle and then cooling off in the falls. It is tiring work getting through the forests and up the hills, so after hiking all day, I recommend a pineapple martini with a garnish of ibuprofen and a soak in the spa to take care of those sore leg muscles .

Dee at RainbowTourism took some great pix of the falls around Las Aguas an her recent visit and has them posted on her site.

Evolving Gay Tourism in Costa Rica

For many years the gay travelers coming to Costa Rica have nearly equated the country as a whole with the Playita at Manuel Antonio. Going to Manuel Antonio to play on the beach at Playita was the focus of the vacation. Of course, some ventured out to see the volcano at Arenal or spend a night in the capital city of San Jose after their stay on the beach, but the highlight has always been the beach. These days there is rapid and on going development at Manuel Antonio and some of the popular hotels have been sold and are no longer gay welcoming. The Playita has lost its privacy due to a new straight hotel built directly in front of the beach. Therefore, many gay travelers are spending more daytime hours at the pool areas rather than heading down and over the rocks to the waves and sand. I encourage everyone to visit other areas of the country, exploring less well known territory, such as the Southern Zone, where I am sure they will receive a warm welcome. There are many gay and gay friendly places - undiscovered gems- all over Costa Rica. A look at the pages of GayTravelCR shows the many gay and friendly lodging options all over Costa Rica .
The challenge for the gay tourism industry here will be to continue to attract visitors to Costa Rica as the powerful draw of the famous Playita begins to ebb. For this reason, Las Aguas Jungle Lodge and Colours Oasis have begun leading a marketing effort in conjunction with some other gay and gay friendly hotel properties to keep up Costa Rica's reputation with the community.

A Day in the Jungle

We had a great day and an even better sunset. We started at the lodge.