Franklin's Costa Rica Move: Driver's License and Orosi Valley

We just got back from a nice little trip to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, to get our first Costa Rican driver's licenses. Now that we are official residents we are required to get a CR drivers license. Up to now we have been driving on our Michigan licenses. The process became a two day ordeal, not surprising to anyone knowledgeable with CR government red tape. Day one we were turned away because of a change in the way they count days from the last passport entry stamp. Day two, started out in the morning but it wasn't until 2:30pm we were proud owners of Costa Rican licenses. And this was with hiring our attorney's office to escort us and help us through the maze!! Getting through any process involving the Costa Rican government can be incredibly time consuming. Now just another 1.5 hours just to get out of town! Going to San Jose is not on our list of things we love about Costa Rica! The traffic is horrendous.

Orosi Valley, Costa Rica

Since we were already “up north” we planned a side trip for several days to Orosi Valley. Actually Orosi Valley is about in the middle of the country. We had visited Orosi Valley during our first trip to Costa Rica and I was anxious to go back to this lovely valley. At 4000 feet above sea level, the temperatures in Orosi are mild, humidity low and the beauty outstanding. I had hoped to see Turrialba volcano blow off some steam while there but nope, no go. Turriable blew two days before we arrived, bummer. Turrialba is a safe 40+ miles away from the valley. “See a volcano blow” is still on my bucket list.

We made reservations at a villa with beautiful botanical gardens surrounding it. The day before we left San Jose we got a surprise email telling us they were so sorry they accidentally double booked our villa and we would have to spend one night at nearby a Rio Perlas Hot Springs Resort; which they would pay for. Oh, what a sacrifice we made enjoying the hot springs!

Rio Perlas Hot Springs Resort

Staircase outside our room

Rio Perlas Hot Springs Resort

After dinner we walked through beautiful landscaped walkways to the warm pool of mineral water. As we are swimming and floating in the bathwater temperature pool, dark descends with palms trees and tropical plants all beautifully lit with mood lighting. I marveled at our good fortune of living such an amazing life as I peacefully floated on my back looking up to the stars. AHHHH!!! We are soooo blessed!

In Orosi Valley are two of Costa Rica's oldest churches. Iglesia de San Jose Orosi built in 1743 is still still an active Catholic church in the lovely valley town of Orosi. Ruinas de Ujarras (ruins of a church in Ujarras dating back to the 1600s), was damaged by a flood that caused the whole town to become deserted.

Iglesia de San Jose Orosi

Ruinas de Ujarras

The town of Orosi is on the south side of a large lake created by a dam & hydroelectric facility. The colorful valley, surrounded by beautiful mountains, is full of friendly Ticos and abundant produce grown right in the valley. If coming to Costa Rica, Orosi Valley is a great place to visit.