Eileen Joll

Los Churros - "The Jets" - is a government owned park with two waterfalls and is closed to the public. To get to the waterfalls you descend about 15 minutes down a step dirt path. The park is closed maybe because the trail was washed out from the heavy raining season and not repaired, or to protect the waters which flow to the neighboring towns. Either way, the official entrance had been closed for a couple of years. However, a man on the neighboring property is more than willing to let you pass over his land to get to the trail, for a fee. The trail was dirt with rocks and roots and goes through a jungle like area. The variety of foilage is amazing and ends with a beautiful view of a waterfall, running stream, and swimming holes. We had to cross the stream to get to the first waterfall which we were able to get very close to in water about chest deep. We continued around the bend, climbing over rocks, to reach the second waterfall which was much more powerful. The force kept us from getting too close. We found some great rocks to sit on and enjoy a beer in front of this fantastic view. We also met some people from Utah and Maine. During the rainy season, the waters would be too high and too swift to negotiate through. The area used to have a swinging bridge and picnic areas. The bathroom and changing area is still functional but eerie.Read more

On Friday, we had tickets to Manuel Antonio national park. While it is the smallest national park in the country, I believe it is the most visited, combining beaches and forest.

At the gate, we engaged a guide, Milton, to show us around for 90 minutes. It was a good call, as he was able to see and point out things we never would have seen. He also had a telescope that provided incredible views. Milton claims to have been doing this for 20 years.

Manuel Antonio park used to be a banana plantation and other farmland. It was mostly abandoned before it ended up as a park.

After our time with Milton ended, we continued exploring most of the other trails in the park. While there wasn't a lot of elevation change (a few hundred feet, mostly stairs), the was 85 deg with at least 85% humidity. Not only were we soaked, the conditions were kicking our butts, particularly mine (Jeff). Fortunately, there were plenty of places to refill water.

Around 12:30, we decided it was beach time. Getting into the 83 deg water was refreshing, and certainly not chilling. We spent close 90 minutes plus at the beach, alternating between the ocean and the shade.

Feeling refreshed, we packed up and headed towards the exit, covering some trails we hadn't seen.

Once out of the park, it was refreshment time - we ended up with beer and fries, followed by a stop for ice cream. A lot of the white faced monkeys hang out in town. They can be seen running along the utility weird, swinging from yes, and going through garbage, it taking did from people. We witnessed a territorial fight in the streets. Two different tribes of monkeys (they all looked the same though) were going at each other, back and forth, knocking each other off of wires and squaring off in the street. It looked like a gang fight from West Side Story, with monkeys! Unfortunately, I (Eileen) screwed up the video . Back at our place we hung everything up to dry, and a late afternoon nap was in order.

We topped off the day with dinner at a place called Buru's, right across from the beach. The tuna tacos and salad we had were good, but having a CR IPA to drink made it, since pilsners are the beer of choice here, and other options are rare.

While we were there, the waiter said there was a sloth out back, so Eileen went off to see and take pictures. I continued talking to the couple next to us. They were from Milford, PA. They had bought about 1000 acres up in the mountains about 90 minutes away some 20 years ago. The guy, Jim, was almost 65 now and a motorcycle mechanic. They spend about 3 months per year here, although they don't live on their property, since things would be stolen in their long absence (even the kitchen sink, although it was subsequently returned). They live in a house in a family compound and supposedly pay $140 per month year round. They were in town just to spend a night and drink some IPAsRead more