Beginning World Travel: San Jose, Costa Rica
Posted by carrie_roll
I’m not sure if you know this or not.
Right now, Carrie and I are in San Jose, Costa Rica (South of Guatemala, North of Panama), Central America.
We are catching up on a whole bunch of work this week, so we’re busily working away.
But next week, we are heading to a turtle conservation project.
There’s limited electricity there, and no Internet connection.
However, we’ll be defending sea turtles from machete wielding poachers…Or something like that – though it’s probably not as dramatic as it sounds.
We’re super excited about it and wanted to ask you – what other projects should we be taking part in as we travel around the world?
See, we no longer have a home. No apartment. No living space.
We sold our furniture and cars, and moved our remaining belongings into storage.
Right now, our plan is to spend the next 1-2 years traveling around the world.
We’ve begun, this week, in San Jose, Costa Rica.
We want to meet even more people doing amazing things, and document and take part in what they’re doing.
These can be green projects, humanitarian projects, or even just interesting and/or fun tourist destinations.
Maybe we could come visit you? Or maybe you know somewhere we should visit?
Our plan is to see as much of Central America as possible between now and December 21st.
We plan to see:
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Belize
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- Nicaragua
- (maybe Honduras?)
On December 21, we will fly back to the US for Christmas.
Then, after the new year, we’ll head to South America.
We’ll travel in South America for 2-4 months, and work our way West around the globe toward New Zealand.
From there, we will work our way around the planet.
However, we could really use your help and suggestions.
Maybe you know:
- somewhere amazing we should visit
- someone fascinating we should meet
- a conservation/humanitarian project where we should work
- a rare or unique food we must try
- anything else fun or outstanding anywhere in the world
Please reply in the comments below and let us know!
We’re looking forward to posting pictures and videos of turtles (TORTUGAS!) after we get back to an Internet connection next week!
Again, please reply in the comments below and let us know what you think we should do, see, or visit in the next two years!
We’re open to all suggestions/recommendations, though we’re most likely to act on those that are unique, eco-friendly, and beneficial to humanity as a whole.
Post your suggestions using the comments below!
36 Responses to “Beginning World Travel: San Jose, Costa Rica”
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William says:
Give up all of your plans and go to some third world country and spread the gospel. Use your free time to help those in need.
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Oscar Henriquez says:
Hey Guys I live in Honduras and it would be a pleasure to show you around my country we have some interesting proyects we could visit apart from serious tourist atractions. Pls let me know if you decide to come to Honduras.
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Layne H Griggs says:
Germany All over Germany
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Juan F Mejia says:
If you will come to Colombia during your South American trip, let me know and will send you some traveling places and projects you may visit
Regards -
Jim Gaynor says:
Jonathan, You and Carrie be careful in Central America. A few years back, I picked up a piece of lead in a Central American country( name kept private ). Also, if you go into the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica, watch out for the green sea snakes, they are deadly. Take Care, Jim
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Luke says:
When you get to New Zealand, give me a call, I am actually in OZ, but New Zealand is the group of islands off the east-south-east coast of OZ and is considered part of OZ as there are so many New Zealanders living and working here, actually, they don’t really work, they just take up all the good jobs and tell everyone else what to do.
But, do call in and I can show you some places in OZ that even the New Zealanders haven’t found out about yet -
Dan Baker says:
Hey guys, I live in Panama so drop me an email if you need anything while here!
I can show you some good tourist type places to go. As far as the green front; Panama is big into ecotourism and reforrestation project investments!
Be Safe, Dan -
Jonathan and Carrie…..when you are around New Zealand, also include Papua New Guinea on your travel plans.
The island of New Guinea is the third largest island in the world (Papua on the western side a province of Indonesia and PNG on the east — independent) with 7.5% of the world’s biodiversity and holds 1200 indigenous Melanesian languages…a REAL paradise.
I will be there and welcome you both and you can come to the conservation area project of 360,000 hectares that I am working with the local people. You can meet them and work with the local communities and tell them about your work and travel experiences. Also not forgetting that we are trying to conserve the habitat of the world’s largest butterfly ” The Queen Alexandra Birdwing Butterfly”.
Please see our website, http://www.pwmpng.org.pg. It’s old but the information is still relevant.
Cheers and good luck with your travel in South America.
Kenn Mondiai
Partners With Melanesians Inc
Papua New Guinea. -
Adnilra Etius says:
The Northern Range of Trinidad And Tobago was unspoit rain forest until a few years ago, simply beautiful. Someone is giving permission to wealthy people to build on these land in a country with a big carbon foot print. See if you can catch a glimpse of the trails before the pylons and fast cars move in.
There are manatee and leather back turtles trying to make a last stand. in the south and east of this country with no environmental conscience. -
ali says:
Hey Guys I live in Maldives and it would be a pleasure to show you around my country we have many tourist resorts, natural beaches and many more. Pls let me know if you decide to come to Maldives.
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joe says:
Hi
If you end up in Thailand, let me know. I have an amazing friend up north. My girlfriend and I spent a month there learning about the sustainability movement there. Its amazing how far ahead the Thais are! My friend is involved in seed-saving from around the world (before Monsanto destroys the food supply) and adobe building and organic farming. Well worth the trip!! -
Archie Archer says:
Hey have a great trip, we here in Africa are also combating maleria (denge fever) with a product that is enviromentaly freindly. It is called Larvex, and is a palm oil based product that can be used to cover static water and disrupt the cycle of mosqitios! It is approved by the IMF but is in desperate need of promotion in Third World Countries.
Have a safe trip and enjoy.
Archie -
Oceroskove says:
Hi,
Thanks for your letter.We have plenty here in uganda.We are trying to preserve the endangered Gorillas in Bwindi and other animals in the Murchisions falls area. Please visit me if possible.I will help with any arrangments.
Oceroskov. -
Hi you guys… I am so sorry you did not get the job at the barrier reef but I am so glad you are doing this…boy do I envy you.
You should come visit the Philippines! Although a year is not enough to enjoy our country as we got 7,107 islands.
Our beaches are some of the world’s best! “Survivor” France shot their season with us at Camarines Sur. Boracay is one of the best tourist spots in the country as you would find white-baby-powder-fine sand. The Amazing Race also passed through us – Palawan. There you can find one of the wonders of the world – underwater caves. We are beginning to be known to surfers – Siargao. And of course, diving spots.
You will love our people. We are really warm and friendly. Our food is fantastic! From seafoods to meat to the exotic ones that just can’t be beat – “isaw” anyone? (Google it!)
Anyway, I inserted a link for some of the wonderful places in our country. If you do decide to drop by our little country, I am sure that you will fall in love with it. It’s a paradise on its own.
Regards!
Lei -
Briana says:
Hi I am so excited for all of you who are taking part of this wonderful event. It really makes me have hope for the future believing that you will inspire more and more people to do what you are doing. Although I do not live in the Americas I still have a suggestion. How about when you all begin to head West one of the countries you must visit is Trinidad and Tobago. It is one of the islands where the leather back turtles come on to shore to nest between the periods of March to July approximately. However, if you do take the opportunity to come it will be such an experience of the vast lifestyle displayed. I am from Trinidad and Tobago and really think you should come and inspire the young people in this country.
Good luck and God’s blessings on your trip. I hope you all have the most fun ever and have experiences of a lifetime. Be safe and be green!!!
Briana -
David Connelly says:
If and when you come to Belize you will need to visit the development in Placencia where there is a new international airport being built. This construction is causing damage to the environment by silting up the area and possibly destroying beach habitats for turtles and other wildlife.
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Shari Wescott says:
When you are in Belize, the ecotourism is great there, make sure you get a trip into the virgin rain forest and mayan temples. The conservation and training they provide the tourist brings awareness of our delicate planet and the ecosystem of the ocean. LaMilpa is a great place with great people to visit. The islands are naturally lush and beautiful and the reef education is out of this world. Belize is a great place to see a functioning effort to preserve the planets resources!!!
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Malcolm Clark says:
There´s a very forward – thinking company in Curitiba,South Brazil where I now live called Novozymes.It produces enzymes for many different manufacturing processes,which can be used in place of nasty chemicals. My wife works there and could get you an invite if it´s of interest – let me know.
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mayuresh joahi says:
If you will come to Colombia during your South American trip, let me know and will send you some traveling places and projects you may visit
Regards -
claudia says:
If you want to see amazing islands and mountains that are untouch, you should head to Honduras… why is this a maybe… This is the gem of Central America. go to La ceiba and then to cayos cochinos, they have sea turtles there and i believe they are doing humanitarian things there. I have a house in Honduras but right now I am in NJ. i dont know if this will be of help to you. Now be careful with the west side of honduras .. please mind my words..
take care… -
There is a nice hotel in the Petan district I can recommend: http://www.lacasadedondavid.com
It is safe and pretty inexpensive. Be sure to visit Tikal during your time in Guatemala. if you make it to Belize, visit the Blue Creek lodge in the Toledo District. Ask for Ignacio, the first large house/store just east of the river bridge at Blue Creek Village. I think it is about $20 a night. -
Trevor says:
Hey guys. I am also doing a trip around the world I have 23 months left. I’m in Colombia right now and there are some great environmental projects happening all over the place. On another note Bogota (the capital) just finished a 54 hour city wide earthquake drill. Ciao Trevor
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sibo dennis ebi says:
please do you mind if i write some articles for this site for pay on the green revolution
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tony goffe says:
Hey from Kamaica, guys… Remember, that in these countries, ( South and Central America ), there exists no constitution to mind your rights.. most of the time your “rights” are what you make them / or what you can defend… that said, I think what you’re doing is way admirable.. REMEMBER : ” What a person CAN do, is Amazing! ! ..What a person WILL do .. is usually Disappointing ….!” take care, tony ja.
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ana lorenzo says:
hello ,my name is ana ,i just got your messege,and think it is wonderful when two persons get a chance to visit so many places ,you are lucky guys.well i am from PUERTO RICO and i think that we have the oportunity to use the sea around us to make power energy so we dont have to depend on petroleum ,but i think is a little dificult,for many reasons,but i would love to have you as our guest here in my little island,pleas come and visit us
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ROSELYN CHORE says:
Hi Guys, please come to Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa. Come and teach us about solar panel, right now we are trying by all means to save our water towers which have been destroyed throgh charcool collections while at it you could visit many tourist attractions, all the wild animals you can think of, water falls……, Nairobi is a Green City in the Sun. comeon guys come you would enjoy Kenya alot – the 8th world wonder is here – serengeti……..
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Paul says:
If you are traveling near Bolivia… you should go and visit an Alternative Eco-Friendly Community in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It’s named PLANETA DE LUZ. more info: http://www.planetadeluz.com TRUST ME… ciao, Paul
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vini ramcharitar says:
hi, i am from trinidad and tobago please come to the Caribbean. We have flooding during the rainy season , but government wants to build desalinization plant and a smelter plant.
Contact me when you come. -
carlos says:
yea you take care >> every skin- teeth is not a smile>>
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Kishor Dhanawade says:
hi guys,plz come to Mahabaleshwar(Maharashtra)
teach here to save the wild
bcoz it is getting minimised day by day. -
Breck says:
I have a neighbor that travels thoughout that part of the world on a somewhat regular basis. He tells me that there are ancient ruins with hyroglyphics from the civilizations of that time there. I understand that the in Costa Rica, the Turtles hatch by the millions in order to preserve their species. One thing I am wondering though, if you have hardly any electricity, and no internet, what good do these suggestions being posted do you?
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Dan: WE LOVED staying with you. Thank-you so much for hosting us!
Breck: We are definitely getting emails… It was just the one week that we were at the turtle project (October 12-19) when we were out of touch. We’ve been back to Internet since then.
We’re blogging our entire travels at http://www.CarrieAndJonathan.com
If you want to see our thoughts on the turtle project, including the couple of videos we made, start here:
http://www.carrieandjonathan.com/la-tortuga-feliz-first-impressions.html What have been your friend’s favorite/least favorite places to visit? Thanks for commenting and letting us know places we should check out!
Everyone else: Thanks SO MUCH for the suggestions and offers. Keep them coming! We’ll do our best! -
Mike John says:
my regards to you and to your really helpful site here. I’m learning a ton about how to go green.
Thank-you! -
Mason says:
I do beleive that you should go to africa and aid in abolishing ivory poaching, mainlt in Kenya. While there, you could also educate locals about alternative energies such as solar panels, ect.
Ya,if you go to PERU be carefull,one of the most popular sandwiches is a BUTT sandwich,its sold by street vendor’s outside soccer stadiums.One of my buddys traveled PERU and he was telling me about it.Maybe a tweleve pack and i’d think about it.If you go to England tell Mick Jagger to retire.And if you get bored find out what the Queen of E ngland job discription is other than nothing-just me Mark