Hiya vacationers, explorers, and genuine Jungle Jims, and welcome to the amazing world of Costa Rica! Thanks to their pals at Pan American Travel Services, today the beans are flying over the Caribbean Sea on the East coast of the country, where they'll land to check out some of the incredible sites here at their first stop, Tortuguero.

But first, you have to get to Costa Rica somehow, and since walking is pretty much frowned upon (let's face it - you wouldn't want to let lost in the jungles of Nicaragua on your way South), the frijoles were lucky enough to have their first flight ever in a Britten Norman 6 passenger plane. Cool, huh?

The beans enjoyed the front seat view, but were a little disappointed that the pilot wouldn't let them take over controls for a few minutes. I mean, c'mon - they really wouldn't have barrel-rolled the plane like they said. That was just a joke!

For those of you who only know Costa Rica as the nation where "Isla Nubla" from Jurassic Park was supposedly built (read the book - you'll know what I'm talking about...) let's fill you in on the non-fiction side. Costa Rica itself has a population of about 3 million, and was discovered in 1502 by none other than Christopher Columbus. (The beans suspect it was already there before Chris "discovered" it, but who are they to argue with history?) Chris thought there might be gold and silver in them thar hills, but oops - it turns out he was a wee bit mistaken about that. Silly Columbus - the beans could've told him that the only precious metals to be found were in their own can...

Anyway, once they landed in Tortuguero and had their can safely back on terra firma, the beans hopped a ride the Costa Rican way, via water taxi. BATW Ambassador Rebecca said that this is pretty much the only way to get around in Tortuguero, but that's okay. The beans enjoyed the ride, and were thrilled that they didn't have to stop for any red lights or highway construction.

So BATW Ambassador Rebecca writes: "While Jeffery and I were enjoying a traditional Tico breakfast of Gallo Pinto (rice and black beans…..don’t tell the beans about this), the beans lounged near the river taking in the beautiful scenery. You can see Tortuguero Hill on the right. Legend says this is the ‘mother’ turtle, and is where all the turtles come from. Tortuguero is famous for its turtles, wildlife, etc."

The beans were hoping to spot one of the famous turtles for themselves, but alas - they were not around. Probably off playing bingo or something, we suppose. Anyway, the beans really didn't have time to stick around - they needed to go have a little heart-to-heart chat with Rebecca and Jeffrey about their choice of breakfast menus. (Word apparently travels fast around here...)

Next up, the beans donned their rain poncho and hiked up the hill with their friend/guide Carlos for a closer look at the Arenal Volcano. Located here in the Arenal area, which is about a four hour drive from San Jose, the volcano sat dormant for almost 500 years, but roared back to life in 1998, spewing lava and wiping out two villages in the process. The beans were glad that they weren't there for that - they're not sure if they can outrun a boiling river or not, and quite honestly, they're not that anxious to try.

Anyway, the clouds did part long enough for Carlos and the frijoles to get a quick glimpse at the volcano, and they are pleased to report that everything was cool and calm, just as it should be. Of course, Carlos did hear a little rumbling every now and then, but that was just from the slighty dyspeptic can he was holding, not the mountain...

So while in the Arenal area, the beans were passing by this field and felt the urge to stop and introduce themselves. According to Rebecca, "We’re still debating over these lovely creatures. I say they are cebus, but the beans aren’t quite sure. So we took a picture, and if anyone knows, please let us know!" (Technically, a "cebus" is a monkey, and unless our little beaned eyes are playing tricks on us, these sure look a lot like cows to our hamburger-loving frijoles... But anyway, trust me, Rebecca - someone out there knows the truth...)

Regardless of whatever type of bovine critter they may be, the beans were still pleased to meet them...with or without BBQ sauce.

Next up the beans check out this funky garden of Cypress trees located along the road to Arenal, in the town of Zarcero. (Where's a Cheshire cat when you need one, huh?) Rebecca says that it’s not hard to miss because of the pink church (not shown) that overlooks the garden. The beans really thought this was a cool place to spend the afternoon, and it made them really wish for a cup of tea in honor of their unbirthday.

This is a picture of the beans enjoying the beautiful scenery at Bosque de Paz, 'The Forest of Peace'. It’s a wonderful rain & cloud forest. The frijoles were glad that it was a forest of peace, because a forest of peas would just be odd...

Here the beans stop to show off their rugged, outdoorsy side during a hike along the river that runs through Bosque de Paz. I thought the beans were pretty brave to jump to the rock in the middle of the river, especially without a life vest or a fish net anywhere in sight.

Of course, the beans tried to convince us that they were perfectly at home in the backwoods of Costa Rica's rainforest, but when someone mentioned the exotic wild animals that lived in the woods (jaguars, poison dart frogs, giant bean-eating iguanas), our beans weren't exactly so brave any longer, and asked Rebecca to carry them the rest of the way. Wimps.

Finally, the beans ran into yet another strangling tree at one of the hotels during their visit, and couldn’t resist getting close. What is it about strangling trees and these beans? They must put off frijole pheromones or something...

Anyway, the beans had a marvelous time in Costa Rica, and gladly remind you that you to can call our good friend Rebecca at Pan American Travel and book your own trip. Tell her the beans sent ya, and be sure to pack your you-know-whats when you come. Oh, and stay away from the strangling tree - the beans already have dibs on it.