Coastal Cruising Costa Rica
Date: 4th May – 10th May 2012
Where: Jaco – Londres (Quepos) – Dominical – Uvita – Piedras Blancas – Ciudad Neily
Distance: 2330 to 2505 miles
The short answer to the question, ‘Could we continue doing Costa Rica on the cheap?’ is ‘No’! Gone was the visually exciting mountain scenery and slightly cooler temperatures, replaced instead by grove upon grove of Oil Palm trees. A particularly boring stretch, albeit blessed with silky smooth tarmac led to a dirt track of doom to another warm showers host at Finca Amanecer. On reflection this place did give us an opportunity to relax and unwind for a day after hilly endeavours of the previous fortnight. All too soon though we were off for Dominical and a meeting with Emilien & Xinhan again. Here we treated ourselves to the most expensive room of the trip, but given that it was only $5 more than other options, but 5 stars better, it was worthwhile staying at the Montanas de Agua hotel. A lazy morning chatting to our friends was followed by the cycle to Uvita, improved by a few hills and a midway stop by the sea to appreciate the power of the Pacific as storms rolled over. One of the storms soon hit us, and rather bedraggled we eventually rolled into a small well-run hostel called Flutterby House where we were able to camp (not before the rain soaked us again though). This hostel has the advantage of allowing free entry to the National Park Marino Ballena, and a day spent walking the beach here topped up our relaxation bank, plus our tan (sunburn?).
Surfer’s paradise, the beaches just South of Jaco
Wild Pacific – Part 1
Wild Pacific – Part 2
After 2 days at the Flutterby House, during which time we both learnt to slack-line and ate a million mangoes and coconuts, it was time to move on and head back out on the Costanera Sur highway for the final Central American stretch to Panama City.
In all honesty we’re not looking forward to riding through Panama!
Mango season has been brilliant especially picking the ripe fallen fruit by the side of the road for a sticky snack along the way
Enjoying the peaceful beauty of the Marino Ballena National Park…
…Until the coconut hunting began with our new friends, mmm, tasty!
Patterns in the sand, Marino Ballena National Park
