Traveling to Lankester Botanical Garden in Cartago

Lankester sign at Entrance

I am truly ashamed to say that in my 35-plus years of traveling to Costa Rica (and specifically Cartago), I had never visited Lankester Botanical Garden. Not only was Lankester located almost literally in the backyard of my Cartago host family’s home, but the first director of Lankester was Dora Emilia Mora Monge (de Retana) … Read more

Happy Birthday NY to Costa Rica

Happy Birthday to NY to Costa Rica! My blog is now officially one year old and it’s been 35 years since I’ve first set foot in Costa Rica. A lot has happened over the past 365 days, but we’re going ahead full steam ahead.

Orale! NY to Costa Rica Goes to Mexico City!

Mexican crafts

NY to Costa Rica takes a detour to Mexico City! Join me as I explore this amazing city in all its colorful detail. From downtown CDMX, to Chapultapec Park, to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan and over to Coyoacan, Mexico City is the destination of a lifetime.

Bats in Costa Rica

Girl in forest with bats

Are you a bat lover? I admit that I’m terrified by bats, especially after having two in my house, but I’m also fascinated by them. If you love these creatures of the night, here’s a bit of info about the bats you’ll find in Costa Rica.

When Can I Go Back to Costa Rica?

When will Costa Rica open its borders for tourism? What should you do if you need to cancel or reschedule your trip? Here’s how I dealt with my canceled trip and what you can do to help Costa Rica once it opens.