Flying into Costa Rica, I was struck by how green it was, though that may have just been in comparison to the wan hues of a wintry Maryland. At the same time, I was concerned at how much of the forests had been cleared, even in this supposed ecological haven.
Our hotel was the Melia Cariari. Why we are staying at a luxury hotel cum golf resort as part of an eco-tour, I do not know, but it was a very nice place and did seem to make some effort at minimizing its impact on the environment. I was taken with the parrots in the lobby as well as the open-air architecture of the place: when you stepped outside your room, you were in the outdoor air though still under a roof. I also liked the beautiful little tropical garden across from the entrance.
We had dinner at the hotel with the smaller tour group that was going on the extension. In particular, we got to meet our guide, Pedro, who would be in charge of us for the next several days.
| The macaws in the hotel lobby. | |
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| You really could get close to the birds. |
 | The lovely hotel gardens. |