We had an early breakfast and decided on the spur of the moment to make an attempt to see Poas crater which was only 40km to the northwest. However as we climbed higher through acres of coffee plantations, we encountered heavy rain and to compound problems we reached cloud base before we reached the national park entrance. The attendant at the entrance told us there would be zero visibility at the crater, so regretfully we turned round and headed south again.
We crossed the central valley around San Jose in brilliant sunshine and headed south on the Interamerican highway south. This is actually just a two lane road, not even dual carriageway, and unfortunately shortly after joining it our lane was closed by a police roadblock.
A helpful policeman explained that there was a problem ahead and we couldn't use the road to get to our destination. He showed us on the map a 20km detour to rejoin the highway south of the problem.
We followed his directions, ignoring the satnav's repeated helpful suggestions to turn round, up into the mountains on narrow but mercifully asphalted roads. Many hairpin bends in driving rain and cloud later, we gratefully rejoined the highway.
Even with all these deviations, we reached San Gerardo de Dota by 3:30pm. It is in an almost Alpine valley, 15km down a winding unmetalled road from the highway. We are staying in a wooden chalet at the Suenos del Bosque Lodge which is 2200 metres above sea level on the Pacific slope of the Talamanca Cordillera.
Our chalet is beautifully situated overlooking a trout stocked lake. It has sleeping accommodation for ten people, a kitchen, lounge and balcony. The lodge has 45 hectares of land and we plan to spend the next two days exploring its trails.
View from the mezzanine level.
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