Paddling through Caño Negro

Alex and Adri decided to coordinate a canoe trip through the Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge. We were very excited to go along, especially to bring the boys on a long canoe trip through yet another distinct region of Costa Rica.

Alex, Adri, and Nando picked us up in Puntarenas on Friday morning. Their Toyota Land Cruiser had been turned into an amazing canoe carrier! With a special trailer, they were carrying 5 canoes and gear for 6 people. The drive from Puntarenas to the point where we were going to stay for the evening took several hours. Along the way Alex & Adri taught us about Costa Rica, making the drive seem short.

We stopped a little past mid way at a restaurant for lunch. The food was delicious (We finally got to try patacones!), and the wildlife surrounding the restaurant exceptional! Alex pointed out some small mammals called guatusa that are indigenous to Costa Rica. I think they look like a giant rat without a tail. Nicholas and Kelly even managed to creep close enough for a photograph! There were also many, many deer... deer literally everywhere.

After lunch, we were back on the road, headed for the Caño Negro Lodge. Our plan was to stay at the lodge during the evenings and nights and paddle during the day. We arrived at the lodge and were soon settled into our room. Before we had dinner, Alex & Adri took one of the canoes down to the river for some training with the boys. We all took turns in the canoe and learned the verbal commands and what they mean. There was a cute little kitten by the riverbank to keep the people ashore busy.

We finished up day one with a wonderful dinner at the lodge. We all ate way too much... I don't know what happened, but soon we were ordering 2 or 3 entrees a piece to go with our wine. Maybe we were pre-stocking our bodies with calories for the next days paddling?

Early the next morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the lodge while the last of the canoes arrived on a truck. Two professional guides also arrived to accompany us down the river (and to make sure we didn't end up in Nicaragua). We walked a short distance to our launch point, enjoying the relative cool of the morning. Once we arrived at the launch point and all of the canoes were in the water, a safety briefing was given. Finally, we donned our PFDs and hopped into our canoes. Alexander paddled with Kelly, and I had Nicholas sitting up front. Both of the boys received new carbon fiber paddles, to reduce their fatigue on the journey.

Paddling down the river was an awe inspiring experience. Moving silently through the water, while you are surrounded by amazing wildlife. There are no signs of people to spoil the experience, just raw nature on display. As we progressed downstream, small showers would cool us for a few moments, then disappear. Portions of the river are narrow and (relatively) fast, while the majority is like a slowly moving conveyor.

We stopped for lunch at a riverside restaurant. Since both of the boys were getting tired of paddling, we decided to change the canoe assignments. Alexander and Nicholas we each allowed to ride with a professional guide in their canoe. This meant that we (Kelly & Phillip) got to try out the carbon fiber paddles. You wouldn't believe how much difference a few ounces makes when you have to lift it every few seconds!

Soon after lunch we reached out pull out position, and brought our wonderful day on the water to an end. We spent the evening around the pool at the lodge sharing stories of the day with our new friends. A truly amazing experience!