Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a Place Full of Activities
Rincón de la Vieja is located to the northwest of Guanacaste’s main transportation hub, Liberia, and it has many activities to keep visitors busy. Hiking trails and horseback rides are great ways to enjoy the area’s natural beauty and make memorable adventures.
Other activities include tubing, mountain biking, and waterfall swimming. There are many waterfalls in the area, the largest of which are the Oropendola Waterfall (25 meters) and the La Victoria Waterfall (35 meters), which pour into the Colorado River.
Volcán Rincón de la Vieja National Park covers 14,087 hectares. Elevations range from 980 to 1987 meters (3,215 to 6,519 feet).The habitats represented here are cloud forest, tropical rainforest-upland and tropical dry forest. Car rental Costa Rica
The region surrounding its National Park is famous for cowboys and cattle ranching, which thrive to this day. For this reason visitors can expect to see plenty of dry open fields for pastures and grazing cattle. At one time, the entire region was covered in dense forest, but what remains is sheltered within Protected Zones such as the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The best time to visit the area is between November and April when you can expect little rains a greater chance to see wildlife.
The name, Rincón de la Vieja, translates to English as ‘the old woman’s corner.’ According to locals, the indigenous people of the Guatuso tribe named the volcano thus for one of two reasons. One theory says that there was an old witch on top of the mountain who sent columns of smoke into the air when she was angry. The other says that there was a kindly old woman occupying the same nook, and the smoke was from her cooking fire as she prepared meals for weary travelers. The truth is that the Rincón de la Vieja crater has had at least eight periods of intense volcanic activity, and still bubbles and steams. Renting a car in Costa Rica
This national park extends on both the Caribbean and the Pacific sides of the Cordillera de Guanacaste, and is divided into two sectors, Las Pailas and Santa Maria. The Pacific slopes of the volcano have distinct dry seasons, while the Caribbean side is wet and lush green. This important park is also the habitat of an impressive array of wildlife, insects and birds like the Spider Monkey, the Blue-crowned Motmot, the Emerald Toucanet, jaguars, cougars and tapirs. Visitors can also find Guaria Morada orchids, the national flowers of Costa Rica as well as an abundance of Laurel and Guanacaste trees.
Although it is fairly likely that it will rain on any given day during the rainy season, which is also known as the green season, it is also fairly likely that it will be a short shower in mid-afternoon. The rainy season which lasts from May until November is also usually interrupted by a two or three week dry spell in late July or August called the Veranillo de San Juan (Saint Joseph’s little summer).
Come to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, an unforgettable place.
The Quetzal up close
The quetzal is considered one of the most cherished species for bird watchers who visit Costa Rica. The bird’s coloring is truly awesome, a vivid green that bursts into flame in direct sunlight, changing from emerald, to golden, to iridescent green. The tail plumes can measure up to 24 inches long. Costa Rica car rental
The bird is known for being very elusive and many early European naturalists believed the quetzal was a fable invented by the natives. In 1861, Osbert Salvin, who was a British naturalist, was the first European to record observing a quetzal.
The Quetzal prefers damp mountain forests, and is most active in the canopy and edges. It may survive in heavily deforested areas, but only if there are woods with adequate feeding and nesting trees. Car rental Costa Rica
Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, Poás Volcano, Braulio Carrillo National Park, and Chirripó National Park.
Alone, in pairs, or in a small flock after breeding, the Quetzal feeds on fruits or very small animals before returning to the nest. They sing with distinctly smooth, deep, melodious calls that may echo far through the forest. They are usually in the canopy, however during courtship the male may chase the female lower and through the forest. As part of their courting display, the male spirals high above the canopy before plunging back to the female in the canopy. His long beautiful tail feathers ripple behind him.
These fabulous tail feathers that can be a meter long are one of the salient traits of the male Resplendent Quetzal. Adult Quetzals have a grey and black striped tail, and are covered in shimmering green on the head, back, and wings, so they blend into the wet foliage of the cloud forest. The females have similar plumage, but they don’t have the green crest and bright red breast of the males, as well as the elongated tail feathers.
The Quetzal’s favorite food is the fruits of the avocado family, as well as figs. Its can also eat insects, small frogs, snails, and lizards. It drinks water from the bases of bromeliads.
The parents carve nest holes together out of decaying trunks or they enlarge holes made by woodpeckers, toucans, or other animals. They are highly dependent on finding dead wood as their beaks and claws cannot penetrate live wood. The pair shares the work of incubating the two eggs and later feeding the chicks, as well as defending the territory around the nesting tree.
The main limitation that this animal has to survive is definitely finding nesting trees. It is naturally difficult for them to find trees with wood soft enough for nest excavation, because such trees usually decay before falling.
There are already reserves in Costa Rica and Guatemala in which the Quetzal is still able to survive. Nevertheless, many experts consider that it would be very beneficial to have a system of cloud forest parks from Mexico through Panama in order to protect this beautiful bird.
Visit Costa Rica and admire this exotic bird in its own habitat!
The Perfect Getaway in Costa Rica: Coco Beach
Playa del Coco is about 260 km. northeast of San José, which is about a four hour drive, and only 35 km. to the west of Liberia.
Both the city and the beach got their name due to the abundance of coconut palms in the region. The city of El Coco is known for its fishing, which is an important activity there. Visitors can see several fishing boats, lining the bay while tourism flourishes in the city.
Coco Beach has a warm weather and during the dry season which is from December to April, the temperatures could range from 82-90 ° F. Costa Rica car rental
The infrastructure in the city is well developed, consequently there are good roads, drugstores, tour operators, and a wide variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels.
Visitors have the option of participating in many dynamic activities such as sport fishing, surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Additionally, PADI certification classes are offered every day. Surf expeditions depart from Coco Beach, and take professional surfers to their favorite spot which is Witch’s Rock. This place is known for its astonishing waves. Nevertheless, if you like to surf but you are not a pro, it would be a good idea to drive about an hour to nearby Tamarindo. Here, the surfing is excellent for beginners and kids.
Deep sea fishing excursions are also available. It is important to ask on the beach in the late afternoon so you can find a good deal for the following day. Car rental Costa Rica
From Coco Beach you have easy access to Pelonas, Catalina Island, and Bat Island, which are excellent places to observe turtles, sharks, and octopus in their natural habitat. You can also visit other nearby beaches such as Panama Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Ocotal.
Coco is a wonderful place to stay if you want to explore other touristic areas such as the dormant volcano Rincon de la Vieja, Llano de Cortes waterfall, and many beaches. Furthermore, jungle tours are also popular, and most of them also include a thrilling “zip line” tour.
Coco’s water composition has a beautiful blue-gray tint and not the usual blue green that other beaches have. This beach is very popular among foreigners and Ticos and sometimes it can get really crowded. If you are looking for party, this is your place.
Close to Coco Beach you can find Marino Las Baulas National Park (Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas). At Marino Las Baulas, you can see the unique mass turtle nesting behavior which are known by the locals as “arribadas”. The Leatherback, Pacific Green, and Hawksbill turtles all come to this region to make their nests. During an arribada, a huge number of turtles, sometimes even thousands, arrive to the beach to lay their eggs. When they lay their eggs together, individual turtles improve the chances that their nest will survive predation.
Come to Coco Beach, have fun, party and enjoy Costa Rica’s stunning natural wonders.
The Magnificent Scarlet Macaw
The Scarlet Macaw is a large, colorful macaw. It is native to humid evergreen forests in the American tropics. This macaw graces forest canopies from Mexico to central South America. In Costa Rica, it is more common on the Pacific slope than the Caribbean.
It measures about 81 centimeters (32 in) long, of which more than half of its size is the pointed, graduated tail typical of all macaws. Their average weight is about 1 kilogram (2.2 lb.). Their plumage is mostly scarlet, but the rump and tail-covert feathers are light blue, the greater upper wing coverts are yellow, the upper sides of the flight feathers of the wings are dark blue as are the ends of the tail feathers, and the undersides of the wing and tail flight feathers are dark red with metallic gold iridescence. Some individuals may have green in the wings. Costa Rica car rental
The Scarlet Macaw can live up to 50 years in captivity. In the wild they can live 30 to 40 years. An interesting characteristic is that they are very stubborn at times.
These beautiful birds feed on fruits, nuts and seeds, including large, hard seeds. A typical sighting is of a single bird or a pair flying above the forest canopy, though in some areas flocks can be seen. They may also gather at clay licks.
The Scarlet Macaw lays two or three white eggs in a tree cavity. They do not dig these holes, but rely on finding cavities that are high off the ground and have vertical entrances. Finding enough of such trees can be a limiting factor for these birds to maintain populations in an area. Some bee species occupy the same kind of tree cavity. The female incubates the eggs for about five weeks, and the chicks fledge from the nest about 90 days after hatching. They chicks leave their parents about a year later.
In Costa Rica, they can be seen in Corcovado National Park, Carara National Park, and Palo Verde National Park.
They have strong wings to fly high over the canopy. Their travels may range far both daily and seasonally. Their loud calls can be heard as they fly but they are usually quiet while feeding. Pairs, trios, or small family groups are often seen, but these may sometimes merge into flocks of 25 or even 50 individuals at large roosts in tall trees or mangroves. Car rental Costa Rica
This macaw largely hunts in the canopy, feeding on large seeds, fruits and nuts in trees. Their favorite food in Costa Rica is the almost-ripe seed of Terminalia catappa. They are constantly looking for the almond-sized and almond-shaped seed hidden beneath the tough, fibrous nut. The macaw chips out big chunks of the hard fruit using the sharp edge of its lower mandible. Once it hits the nut, it slices through the outer fruit and picks out its meal. They can be fast foragers because a flock of ten birds can carpet the ground with three hundred of these fruits in a single hour as they look for the seeds.
Come to Costa Rica and chances are you will see this stunning colorful bird in its habitat.
The Adventure of Driving in Costa Rica
The Interamericana (Pan-American Highway) runs through Costa Rica and is the most important entry point by car. The Nicaraguan border post which is in the north is called Peñas Blancas and in the south, in the Panamanian border is called Paso Canoas.
Almost all travel out of San José, except to the Caribbean side will involve traveling this road. This road is paved near San José and other important cities, and the signage is good. Nevertheless, outside of the major cities, the road is gravel in places with fairly tight turns and important changes in elevation. There is more large truck traffic on this road than in any part of Costa Rica. Bear in mind that there are many speed traps along this major road, as well as random police checks for seat belt and important documentation.
It is important to know that the highway speed is 80km/h. However the Interamericana which is also known as Highway No. 1 goes through several small towns, the speed frequently drops to 50 or even 30 km/h. Costa Rica car rental
Keep in mind that many Costa Rican roads are in bad shape and short distances can take a very long time, so be patient.
It is also a good idea to be careful as the roads may have big potholes, but you can become very quickly accustomed to it by being careful. Car rental Costa Rica
It is a good idea not to drive at night, if possible, especially during the rainy season. Many roads are unpaved and even the paved roads have lots of unpaved sections. Many bridges are often only wide enough for one vehicle, keep in mind that one direction usually has priority. Some hotels that are situated in the mountains or at the beach require a four-wheel-drive vehicle to be reached.
Be sure to carry a good road map with the small towns listed, since road signs will often only indicate the next town, not the direction of the next major city. Using a GPS is also a good alternative.
It is important to know that most towns do not have town-limit signs. Therefore it is wise to look at the names on the roadside food stores and restaurants to know where you are passing. If you get lost, relax, stop and ask. This is a great way to practice your Spanish. Remember that the center of town is almost always a public park with a Catholic church across from it.
There are no formal street addresses in Costa Rica, however two informal systems exist. The first, which is usually used in tourist information indicates the road on which the establishment is located, for example 2nd Avenue, together with the crossroad interval for example between 3rd and 5th Street. However, street signs are almost non-existent, and most Costa Ricans do not know the name of the street they are on.
The second system is more reliable and is understood by locals. This system is also known as the “Tico address”, and it involves a specific distance from a landmark. For example, the store is two hundred meters north from the church.
To drive in Costa Rica just get informed on how the system works and then enjoy going to the beaches and national parks at your own pace!
Interesting Facts About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is located in Central America and it borders in the north with Nicaragua and in the southeast with Panama. The Pacific Ocean is to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Car rental Costa Rica
Costa Rica, means “Rich Coast”, and it is known for abolishing its army permanently in 1949. The country has been among the top Latin American countries in the Human Development Index, ranked 62nd in the world in 2010. According to the UNDP it is one of the countries that have attained much higher human development than other countries at the same income levels.
Another important fact is that Costa Rica has been ranked third in the world, and first among the Americas, in terms of the 2010 Environmental Performance Index. Rent a car in Costa Rica
The country is also known for having amazingly diverse landscapes, flora, and fauna. From rain forests, to dry tropical and temperate forests, to volcanoes, to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, to high mountains, and marshy lowlands.
Over the years it has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for eco-tourists due to its stunning biodiversity. According to some studies, the country may have as much as 6% of the world’s plant and animal species in a small area, as Costa Rica is a small country.
Tropical plants and animal species are plentiful in the country. The most impressive plants are the immense ficus trees with epiphytes overflowing on its limbs and the 1,500 different orchids.
The animals that can be found here include the jaguar, the elusive Margay, and amazing birds such as the green or scarlet macaws known as lapas in Costa Rican Spanish. The amphibians are also very impressive. Here you can watch the unique poison dart frogs with their bright or the interesting the giant cane toads.
Costa Rica is located between eight and 12 degrees north of the Equator, consequently the climate is tropical all the year. Nevertheless, the country has many microclimates. These different microclimates depend on elevation, rainfall, topography, and the geography of each particular region.
Costa Rica has two seasons, the dry season known as summer, and the rainy season, known as winter. The “summer” or dry season goes from December to April, and “winter” or rainy season goes from May to November. The rainy season coincides with the list of Atlantic hurricane seasons consequently constant rains can be expected in certain regions.
The region where it rains the most is the Caribbean slopes of the Central Cordillera Mountains. The average annual rainfall is more than 5,000 mm. Humidity is also higher on the Caribbean side than on the Pacific side. The average annual temperature on the coastal lowlands is around 27°C, 20°C in the main populated areas of the Central Cordillera, and below 10°C on the summits of the highest mountains.
In Costa Rica the average annual temperature is around 21 to 27 degrees Celsius or 70 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit and the coolest months of the year are November, December and January. The months March through May are the hottest months of the year, so make sure you protect yourself from the sun.
Come to Costa Rica, a country that offers many different adventures due to its amazing diversity.
The First Protected Area in Costa Rica: Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
The Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is located at the extreme southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and boasts an amazing combination of climate and geographical location. It is considered one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Costa Rica. Costa Rica car rental
Cabo Blanco also has a historical importance because it was the first protected area of the country. During the 1950s the Costa Rican government encouraged many settlers to develop and work pieces of land on the isolated southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula. For clearing a piece of land, settlers were rewarded with ownership. Over the years most of the woodland was cultivated. In the early 1960s the Swede Nicolas Wessberg came to Costa Rica with his Danish wife Karen Mogensen. They bought a farm close Montezuma and Mr. Wessberg often went to Cabo Blanco to collect seeds for their orchard. He contacted conservationist organizations in other countries. After years of tenacious talks with the Costa Rican government, Cabo Blanco was awarded with the status of an Absolute Nature Reserve in 1963. Car rental Costa Rica
Isla Cabo Blanco is located approximately 2 km away from the reserve’s southern tip. It has been known as “White Cape” for several centuries as encrusted guano covers the rocks in dry season. The area is inhabited by a several brown pelicans, frigate birds, laughing gulls and common terns.
The reserve has an extension of 1,172 hectares of mixed forest, which has been classified as moist tropical forest.
Approximately 150 trees have been classified and evergreen species prevail, however dry, deciduous forest species can also be found. The most common trees are lance wood, bastard cedar, wild plum, gumbo-limbo, trumpet tree, dogwood, frangipani and spiny cedar. An interesting fact is that one of the spiny cedars in Cabo Blanco is 50 meters high and measures about 3 meters in diameter.
Most of Cabo Blanco is considered a secondary forest, which according to experts is about 50 years old. The remaining patch of primary forest represents 15% of the land and is located at the highest and most unreachable point of the reserve.
The amazing forest in the reserve shelters a wide variety of animals such as white-tailed deer, pacas, armadillos, anteaters, howler, spider and capuchin monkeys, collared peccary, coyotes, porcupines, raccoons and coatis. You may occasionally see traces of ocelots, jaguarundis or margay cats. The birds that can be found here are magpie jay, motmot, long-tailed manakin, cattle egret, crested caracara, elegant trogon, white bellied chachalaca, ringed kingfisher and sulphur-winged parakeet, among many others.
Additionally, 18 hectares (45 acres) of the ocean are also part of the protected area of Cabo Blanco. As you can imagine, the underwater life is abundant.
To come here from San José, take the InterAmerican highway to Puntarenas. Take the ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya to Paquera, and then drive through Tambor, Cóbano and Cabuya. The Administration Station is 2 miles south of Cabuya.
Come and visit this beautiful place and learn more about the extensive national park system in Costa Rica and its successful ecotourism.
Barra Honda National Park
Barra Honda National Park has an extension of 2,295 hectares of lush tropical dry forest and of networks of caves that are very interesting if you are not afraid of darkness or a few bats. The Barra Honda Peak was formed when islets from the Miocene Era were formed above the plains of the Tempisque River. Costa Rica car rental
Over time, the rain deposited on rocks combined with carbonic acid, which filtered through the limestone, consequently creating forming waterways and caves. Car rental Costa Rica
Barra Honda is incomparable among the National Parks of Costa Rica. Its main attraction is an intricate large system of limestone caverns which house several whimsical forms and figures.
The park is situated 22 kilometers east of the city of Nicoya, in the Guanacaste province. It has two entrances that are paved and in good condition. It is important to know that it is only open during the dry season which is from December to April. It is essential to hire a guide that will take you through the short trails around the caves and inside the caves.
If enjoy adventure then you should know that there is a campsite available inside the park. If you like more comfortable accommodations then there is a rustic inn nearby with decent rooms. Visitors can also stay in hotels or lodges in the town of Nicoya.
The caves that are in the park were discovered in the 1960’s and 1970’s. There are at least 42. Among these underground chambers, there are stunning caves, such as Santa Ana, which is 240 meters deep; La Trampa which is 110 meters deep; Terciopelo which is 60 meters deep; Pozo Hediondo which has several bats; and Nicoa where ancient Pre-Columbian burial sites have been found.
The bat’s cave, Pozo Hediondo which in English means Fetid Cave, is home to a colony of approximately 5,000 bats. Half an hour after sunset these flying mammals rush from their underground dwelling place to fly out into the night.
One of the most important caves is Terciopelo which along with la Cuevita, is the only one accessible for the public. Tours must go with two local guides and at the entrance to the cave you will be equipped with a rappelling harness and helmet. The harness is only a security as you will be descending 17 meters on an aluminum ladder.
In these remarkable caves, visitors will see deep chambers, several stalagmites that grow from the floor or stalactites that hang from the ceiling. Often, these stalactites and stalagmites blend and form columns that appear to be molten candlesticks.
Additionally, the Barra Honda National Park is renowned for its tropical rainforests and beaches. Several species of animals and plants are only present in this life zone. Additionally, caves are not common in Costa Rica, making this park unique.
To get there by car from San José, take the Interamerican Highway (1) north just past the turn for Las Juntas de Abangares. Turn left on 18 towards San Joaquín and then follow the signs for the spur to the Tempisque bridge. Once you rejoin the main road, continue southwest about 10 km then turn right towards the villages of Barra Honda and (also known as Nacaome) Santa Ana, and follow signs for the park entrance. The park headquarters is through the gate, which is closed at dusk, less than a mile up a good gravel road on the left. A 4WD is not required.
The Scenic Tapantí National Park
The Tapantí National Park has an extension of 18 square miles (48 square km) of amazing cloud forest. The park, which is located 22 miles southeast of San José, is easy to access and the trip is very pleasant and picturesque. Visitors will find many hiking trails, a few swimming holes, many picnic areas. Additionally the wildlife is abundant. Car rental Costa Rica
This is considered one of the rainiest parts in the country. Due to this heavy precipitation there are several streams and rivers crisscrossing the park. One of these rivers is the Río Grande de Orosí, which is a major river that supplies San José with much of its hydroelectric power and drinking water. Additionally, this provides park visitors with a wonderful place to cool off because there are many swimming holes that are nice to swim in. Rent a car in Costa Rica
The Oropendula and Pantanoso trails take you to a few of these swimming areas, and many several picnic table and grills. Other hiking trails extending through the park lead to waterfalls and picturesque overlooks. It is important to come here early, before it becomes too cloudy. At elevations that vary from 4,000-8,000 feet, clouds are very common up here. It could take you 1-2 hours to hike a trail.
The park’s 12,500 acres (5,058 hectares) includes two important life zones, which are the lower montane rainforest and pre-montane rainforest, which vary depending on the elevation. The forests of the park are the home to 45 species of mammals such as the paca, tapir, kinkajou, white-nosed coati, raccoon, eastern cottontail, white-faced capuchin monkey, agouti, ocelot, and the endangered jaguarundi. More than 400 species of birds live in the park, among them quetzals, emerald toucanets, sparrow hawks, violaceous trogons and hummingbirds. Additionally, there are about 28 species of reptiles and amphibians.
The insect population is also very large, and visitors may spot the thysania agripina, which is the largest known butterfly on the entire American continent. The tree and plant population also include oak trees and Panama trees, magnolias, bromeliads, and many types of orchids that grow in the park.
Obviously hiking, swimming, picnicking and bird watching are very common at the Tapantí National Park. Fishing is another activity that can be done, basically for trout. This is possible from April to October, but it is important to know that visitors have to purchase a fishing permit from the park rangers.
There are two ranger stations within the park. The Pittier Station, which is located near the main entrance. It has basic facilities and a network of trails. The La Esperanza de El Guarco Biological Station, is the other ranger station and is run by the National Institute of Biodiversity. It is located deeper within the park, and has lodging for up to 15 people, as well as showers, restrooms and potable water.
Visit Tapantí National Park, and enjoy its beautiful flora and fauna!
Excellent Entertainment in the Northern Area of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country that offers a lot of recreational activities and entertainment. For example in North Puntarenas there are many excellent restaurants that serve everything from pizza and burgers to local food. There are also many “sodas” and cafes that you must try in order to get a tasty but affordable meal with the characteristic Costa Rican flavor. Costa Rica car rental
Along the Central Pacific Coast, restaurants can be found almost anywhere along Highway 34. There are restaurants for all budgets. It is important to know that seafood is extraordinarily good in North Puntarenas. The reason for this is that fish, crabs and lobsters are freshly caught by the local fishermen, who immediately sell them to the restaurants along the shore. Car rental Costa Rica
Additionally, you will find many bars in Jacó, which is one of the main party towns. There are also a number of lively bars in Quepos for you to have a great night out.
In North Puntarenas, spas are found at several of the most important hotels located along the Central Pacific Coast. Most of these hotels also provide many recreational facilities such as tennis, horseback riding, and a variety of water sports. On the Nicoya Peninsula, there are some hotels and resorts that also have spas. You can find them in the Mal Pais and Santa Theresa area as well as at Tambor. You can also find spas up north in Monteverde.
Guanacaste offers first-class recreational activities and entertainment. The spas here offer excellent body massages in some of the most stunning locations. Several of these spas are located right along the beachfront and offer some amazing views of the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. There are also many day spas in the province as well.
Visitors can also find several excellent restaurants in Guanacaste. Many of them are part of a hotel, lodge or inn. Fresh seafood and fish are very common as many restaurants are close to the beach. On the beaches you can also find many sodas, bars, cafés and food stalls that sell great food at reasonable prices. It is a good idea to try the food here as the Tico influence gives it a unique flavor. You must also try the “gallo” or tortilla sandwiches because they are very popular throughout the province.
If you want to party, there are many excellent bars in Guanacaste and beer is very popular out here. Along the Guanacaste coast, some of the best bars are located in Tamarindo, which is a lively town. In the town of Nicoya, you can find bars that serve excellent “bocas” or snacks and great drinks.
Costa Rica is more than just a nature heaven, the country has a lot of activities to keep even the most avid partygoer entertained. There are several places across the country with many things to do especially after the sun sets.
Come to Costa Rica and have a great time!