The Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is beautiful. We arrived last week and were pleasantly surprised to find our room had a spectacular view of the ocean, the jungle and the rocky islands that dot the coastline.
The Costa Rican people thus far have been absolutely amazing but the true meaning of Pura Vida is not experienced more authentically or completely except on its coasts. Where the Caribbean Coast had a very Jamaican flavor, the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica had a very Hawaiian feel in their attitudes. Everyone is on Island time. Forrest and i did not want to leave this beautiful laid-back place.
The beaches are amazing, night life exists, and there are plenty of great restaurants. At night you hear the sounds of the ocean and the jungle and so the ambiance is unmatched. It is a place for every budget. We stayed in a nice resort, not the most luxurious but there is something for every lifestyle, budget and temperment. places focused for families, couples, newly weds, students, hikers, surfers, people on a tight budget and those who are not. There are eco-friendly hotels, camp-sites and resorts where luxury and decadence abound. You can stay in a hostel, a campsite, a budget beach hotel, villas by the shore, or a myriad of different star hotels up along the single road that leads down to the beach.
The beach is beautiful and goes along way. if you are looking for quiet you will find it. if you are looking for activity you will find it. It is also next to a national park and refuge and so you can take tours of the jungle to see the local wildlife (monkeys, sloths, butterflies, toucans, bats, etc).
But it is the people, the locals and those who make their way to the west coast that make it a pure gem. Forrest and i had a private guide who took us to the national park (he was a naturalist) and he was funny, had a great eye for spotting things we would have never seen by ourselves and he was very thoughtful and atuned to making sure we were having a good time.
While enjoying the beach we had a little accident. i fell off some rocks and ruined my camera and while Forrest tried to grab me he fell too. He injured his toe. Having had a bad injury in the tropics before we decided to make sure he got his looked at to avoid the nastiness i experienced with mine. He went to go see the doctor (they have nationalized medicine). He got in right away and got treated. He got some powerful ointments and even got his nail removed to help in the healing. The doctor was very concerned that we knew the care was first rate and very clean. We of course had no worries as we had already noticed.
That is the thing we noticed most about the country. Sustainable practices, an atuned attitude to striking a balance between the locals and the ecology and how both need the other. Investment in critical services and infrastructure. From transportation to utilities to setting aside ecological reserves to conservation and sustainable practices and national healthcare the country has its priorities. Costa Ricans are proud of their country and their accomplishments. A big reason there isnt much expatriation.
We decided to get a car so that we could see more of the country. Forrest wanted to try his hand at driving and of course he has done a tremendous job. Even the trip back to San Jose and in the city was great. He did such a nice job. And trust us its scary being a pedestrian much less a driver.
Before we left we tried our hand at repelling down a waterfall. it was so much fun. It was 40 meters high. it was dry season so it wasnt gushing but it was wet enough to make it an experience.
We were sad to leave the coast but for our last few days here in Costa Rica we have some great trips planned.
We want to come back for sure and seriously everyone should think about a vacation here. the land is beautiful and the people are wonderful.
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