San Jose (Costa Rica)
Travel Day - 8 Feb 26
We were up at 4:15 a.m. to pick up our daughter Caitlin by 5:00 a.m. so she could drop us at the airport by 5:30 for a 7:30 flight. The day kicked off with a hiccup when they tried to charge us for bags even though our Southwest credit card gives us a free one—after clearing that up we sailed security and on to the gate. We changed planes in Austin and Houston, and finally headed for San José, Costa Rica. First priority on the flight was finding the Super Bowl on TV, a little Southwest perk, but once we were out over the sea the connection died; not to worry—I logged into my Peacock account and got the game back on. We managed to watch the first half, but getting through customs and immigration, collecting bags, locating our ride, and enduring the long drive to the hotel ate up the rest of the time, so we only caught the last four minutes—by then the Patriots were long gone. We finished dinner and our beers, headed up to the room, and called it a night, already planning where the next adventure would take us.
San Jose - 8 Feb 25
We started the day with a great breakfast bar and excellent coffee, only to discover our self-booked room was actually a higher category than the one Road Scholar had reserved for the next two nights — I asked if we could simply pay the difference and stay, but the hotel was full, so we had to move. After sorting that, we walked into town to buy a local SIM for my phone — a habit we picked up a few years ago because it’s far cheaper than Verizon’s $12/day; this time $20 covered voice and data for more than the two weeks we’ll be here. Lunch was a treat from a nearby food truck, enjoying local flavors with locals, then Karen settled by the pool while I wandered the grounds trying to photograph birds; it was too windy, tree tops whipping around, so the shots didn’t turn out. Back at the pool I found Karen, we played a hand of cribbage, took a short siesta, and later headed to the bar where we chatted with another Road Scholar group before attending our welcome-to-CR meeting — looking forward to tomorrow’s adventure.
First Full Day with Road Scholar - 9 Feb 26
San Jose National Theater
We had a few minutes before the gold museum opened, so we made a short stop at the National Theater. Since we were only stopping for a few minutes, our guide gained entry (a guide’s secret handshake) and led a quick walk through the main foyer, where ornate chandeliers, gilded moldings, and impressive marble staircases hinted at the theater's storied past. Even in that brief span we soaked in the atmosphere—the hushed grandeur, framed portraits, and a stage draped in heavy curtains—enough to feel transported back to a time of opera premieres and glittering galas before we hurried off, tickets in hand, to the next adventure.
Museo del Oro Precolombino — Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Visiting the Gold Museum in San José was a real treat—its many interesting displays traced centuries of craftsmanship and myth, with shimmering artifacts that made the past feel startlingly alive. After soaking in the history, we took a short bus ride to the city’s coffee roasters, where the aroma was irresistible and the coffee truly delicious—rich, smooth, and the perfect pick-me-up. But the highlight of the day wasn’t the artifacts or the espresso; it was our tour guide, an absolute hoot whose stories, jokes, and infectious enthusiasm turned a great day into an unforgettable one.
Coffee Factory Tour
Costa Rica has been producing some of the world’s best coffee for more than a century, and for much of that time its finest beans were shipped abroad while everyday blends stayed local. On our visit, an expert led an interactive walk through the sun-dappled coffee farm, showing each stage from flowering and careful hand-picking to drying and processing, then stopped us at tasting stations where a master “cupper” taught the exacting craft of sampling — how to inhale, slurp, and evaluate aroma, body, acidity, and finish. Our guide pointed out plots with different varietals and processing methods, invited us to compare beans and brews side by side, and explained how altitude, soil and microclimate shape flavor and nuance. With steaming cups in hand and notes scribbled down, we moved from display to display, sampling richer, brighter and more complex cups until, by the end of the tour, we were all buzzing with the lively, unmistakable energy and warm hospitality of freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee.
While touring the coffee factory, we stumbled upon a colorful display of Costa Rica’s parade heads—cabezudos or mascaradas—oversized, handmade papier-mâché masks that bring mythical and cultural characters to life as they dance through the streets, especially on the National Day of Masquerades (October 31). Our guide explained that they are crafted by local artisans, these giant masks portray devils, witches, and giants in bold, exaggerated features and bright paints, each one a lively celebration of folklore and national identity. Seeing them amid the rich aroma of roasting beans felt fitting: the masks’ playful, larger-than-life presence echoed the warm, communal spirit of Costa Rican traditions, reminding us how craft, story, and everyday places like a coffee factory intersect to keep culture vibrant.
While waiting for the bus to load I knew the coming days I would have plenty of birds in flight (BIF) opportunities and thought I should take this opportunity to practice.
Our day ended with dinner on our own, though our tour guide kindly offered to take the whole group out—only Karen and I took her up on it. We wandered into a local brewery (go figure) and I ordered what I thought were six wings, only to have a plate arrive that was both drum and flat halves—so basically twelve—and they were enormous. We laughed at the unexpected portion size, the beer paired surprisingly well, and oversized wings turned the simple meal into one of those small, perfect travel moments that make the trip feel like ours.
