Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
self makes a lovely stop, especially since the area is known for its succulent strawberries
- be sure to pick some up at a roadside stand.
tp://hotelcerropunta.zxq.net
;
s/d/tr US$24/30/36; )
offers a row of mint-green concrete
rooms that are a bit tired and beat up. If you're on your way to either national park, enjoy
the private hot-water bathroom - it's the last one you'll see for a while.
A bus runs from David to Cerro Punta (US$3.50, 2¼ hours, every 20 minutes) en
route to Guadalupe, stopping at Volcán and Bambito along the way. If you're coming
from Costa Rica, you could catch this bus at the turnoff from the Interamericana at Con-
cepción. If you're in Volcán, you can catch one at the parking lot opposite the Shell sta-
tion.
If you're driving, the main road continues through Cerro Punta and ends at Guadalupe,
3km further. Another road takes off to the west, heading for the Las Nubes entrance to
Parque Internacional La Amistad, 6.8km away - the turnoff is marked by a large wooden
sign.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Guadalupe
Three kilometers past Cerro Punta, Guadalupe is the end of the road, though it's a glori-
ous area where you can walk among meticulously tended farms and gardens. This little
community is full of flowers, and the agricultural plots curling up the steep hillsides are
out of a picture book. With that said, respect the signs that read: 'Esteemed Visitor: we
are making all Guadalupe a garden - please don't pick the flowers.'
About 600m beyond the Los Quetzales Lodge & Spa, at the turnoff to the Cabañas Los
Quetzales Cabins, lies the
Finca Dracula Orchid Sanctuary
( 771-2070;
www.fincadracula.com
; admission US$10; 8-11:30am & 1-4pm Tue-Sun)
, one of Latin Amer-
ica's finest orchid collections. There are over 2000 species on display here, and the ex-
tremely knowledgeable staff take great pride in showing off this impressive sanctuary to
interested guests.
Every 20 minutes a bus runs from David to Guadalupe (US$3.50, 2¼ hours) via Vol-
cán, Bambito and Cerro Punta. If you're driving, Guadalupe is the end of the road.
Sleeping
Los Quetzales Cabins
CABIN $$$
