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Cataratas y Quetzals Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

GeoCrater: I am regretfully archiving this cache since there's been no word from the owner in the month or more since the last reviewer note was posted. If you want to re-activate the cache during the next couple of months, please contact GeoCrater to see if that's possible. If the cache meets current guidelines, consideration will be given based on the circumstances surrounding the original archival.

GeoCrater
Geocaching.com Volunteer Cache Reviewer

NOTE: My preferred method of communication is through notes on the cache page in question. However, should you wish to use email - please do not select "reply". In general, a replay to the geocaching.com mail bot will not reach me. Instead, please go to your cache page and e-mail GeoCrater from the log there or email me directly at geocrater@gmail.com, referencing the cache URL, or waypoint number.

Additional translation added as I support a number of countries:

Lamento archivar este caché, ya que no ha habido ninguna comunicación del propietario en el tiempo transcurrido (un mes o más) desde que se publicó la nota del revisor. Si deseas reactivar el caché durante los próximos dos meses, por favor, ponte en contacto con GeoCrater para ver si esto es posible. Si el caché cumple con las directrices en vigor, se estudiará dicha petición teniendo en cuenta las circunstancias que llevaron el archivo original.

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Hidden : 12/6/2010
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

A short hike (about 1 hour walking time downhill and back up) downhill through the forest to a beautiful waterfall. The cache is located in the Quetzal Valley, the only place left where these rare birds can still be seen regularly.
Please take note of the comments in the long description (ATTENTION) regarding your equipment needed.

ATTENTION:
I would recommend driving into the valley with a 4x4 vehicle. The road is steep, but in good condition.
To get to the trail, you have to pay 1 USD entrance at the restaurant by the parking coordinates, if you stay for a drink – which I recommend – it is free :).
The trail is narrow and in parts steep, in wet weather conditions the path can be slippy. You definitely need proper hiking shoes. Sandals or flipflops are NOT the right shoes, sneekers are also not recommended.
I would recommend to bring insect repellent, as there can be lots of mosquitos in the forest.

This is my first cache in Costa Rica – actually the first one I ever owned outside of Germany. It is located in the beautiful Quetzal Valley, which is famous for the rare Quetzal birds. You get to the valley by turning south-west from the road – the Panamericana - between San José and San Isidro at N 009° 36,230; W 083° 47,430 (Waypoint 1) towards San Gerardo de Dota. The road is narrow and steep, but in good conditions, so that the cache can be reached by people driving an ordinary car. However, I would strongly recommend to go there by 4x4. Coming down the road, turn right after a few kilometers at N 009° 35,359; W 083° 47,999 (Waypoint 2) towards „Las cataratas“. There is a sign next to the road which is directing you down the right way (photo 1). Drive down the road and park the vehicle at N 009° 35,391; W 083° 48,040 (Waypoint 3) in front of the restaurant (photo 2) and next to the little lake.
If you want to, you can hire a cabina here and stay over night. The price per person is 50 USD including 3 meals, if you only stay without any meals, it´s 25 USD. In the lake there is trout, which can be fished and eaten in the restaurant. If you haven´t seen humming birds yet, here are plenty! The people owning the place are very friendly, however they do not speak any English.
If you do not want to stay here or enjoy a drink in this beautiful surrounding, you have to pay 1 USD to be allowed to hike down the path – which is definitely worth it. The path (photo 3) takes you down an altitude of 150 meters and a distance of 1,5 km to the waterfall. Please take note of the comments above (ATTENTION) regarding your equipment needed. A short distance before the waterfall you have to cross the river over a fallen tree (photo 4). Be careful, it is exciting but it might be slippy!!
Once reaching the waterfall (photo 5), walk up next to the water until reaching the final coordinates. You do not have to get wet reaching the cache and you do not have to dig. Be aware of creeping animals which might be poisonous!
The cache is a regular sized metal tin with a white plastic top and is found within 9 meters of the final coordinates. Maintenance will be provided by a local Quetzal guide, as I am obviously to far away. The cache containes a pen and logbook, a whistle, 4 European coins, a tick-remover-card and a cotton soft cap. If you can´t find the cache, please have a look at photo 6 – spoiler photo.
Please hide the cache as you have found it. Have fun, keep on caching and enjoy this very special place as we did!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Fznyy ebpxf orybj uhtr ebpx, oruvaq lryybj cbyr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)