2 coasts and the central valley in Costa Rica

On February 23, we took the short flight from Panama City to San Jose, Costa Rica and after a couple hours waiting at the Airport Marriott and a quick stop in the local Walmart (only for the absolute necessities – bug spray and sunblock), we caught a minibus to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast.

There we joined Mike, Tobit and Rhonda for a great first night before meeting up with Mike’s family and other friends. We had an amazing time with the group, taking a boat tour and snorkeling trip, surfing at the local public beach and just hanging out with a bunch of great people. Our house on the hill had a picture perfect view, a bathtub warm pool and a great kitchen for cooking meals for the group (beef stew, home-made ceviche and sushi among other things). A special thanks to Tobit and Sam for their culinary contributions.

On Saturday, we headed back to the capital for the main event of the visit, Mike and Amelia’s anniversary party. Here’s a riddle for you: how can you be married for 4 years but only be celebrating your 1st anniversary? Around the party weekend, we had a fun couple of days staying with our friend Andy in downtown Alajuela, a bustling neighbor city to San Jose, complete with an amazing fish and ceviche lunch, pretty wild public market and the Liga bar (thanks to Amelia’s dad for the great suggestion for a Saturday night out).

First thing Monday morning, we loaded back into the Michael Jenkins Jungle Tour Bus and headed to the Caribbean coast. We were joined by a few new faces on the second leg of our Costa Rican adventure and had a blast over 4 days staying in the Puerto Viejo area in 3 different houses surrounded by jungle and walking distance from the beach. Every morning around sunrise (5 or 6) we woke up to the sounds of the jungle. It was something new everyday – monkeys, birds, dogs, who knows – but always sure to be insanely loud. While nature’s chorus was pretty amazing, it was also a bit early.

Besides being driven around in the Michael Jenkins JTB, we mostly used bicycles to get from house to house and beach to beach. The bicycles were not in the best condition and there were a couple of notable mis-adventures and breakdowns (flat tire and broken chain) affecting our tight beach schedule. But in the end we always seemed to make it in time for an afternoon gathering with beers and fruity drinks.

It was really great to meet everyone and thanks to Mike and Amelia for hosting such an amazing visit. Happy anniversary!

This bus was our means of transport – thanks to Mike for doing all of the driving

At the public beach on the west coast by Manuel Antonio

The port

We’re taking this boat with the 2 slides to go snorkeling

Sitting on a net directly over the water is a bit unnerving

We saw some dolphins

And rocks

After snorkeling we went to the swim-up bar

Back at the house making cerviche

Moral support to the chefs

This is our pool

Saying goodbye to the house before leaving for Alajuela

Sam photographing Mike

On our way back to Alajuela we met some crocodiles

What’s a group of crocodiles called? A “bask” of course

In Alajuela

Having lunch with Andy

Alajuela market

Sunset view

Our neighbor

Celebrating Mike and Amelia

Blue morpho butterfly – double biomimicry, both an owl and snake (can you see it?)

On the Caribbean coast in Cahuita National Park

White-faced monkey

Having a pina colada after a day at the beach

View of the beach

Amelia looking at birds in the morning

Biking to the beach

At the beach by Punta Uva

More beach

Alex getting a surf board – different beach by Cocles

Back in San Jose we stayed at the Gran Hotel

Visiting the National Theater

This painting was featured on the old 5 colón note

Junior symphony orchestra practicing

Walking street at sunset

The walking street has all these street vendors

Street vendor with giant grapes

Some building

The market buidling

Costa Rica National Bank building

Yet another building