Coast-in Costa Rica — Someday Sherpa

Welcome to the other Costa Rican coast line. Sadly we couldn’t make the most of the Pacific side due to disturbance left by Hurricane Matthew. We were told it’s littered with glorious beaches covered in light coloured sand, and some of Central America's best waves; clearly it wasn’t to be so instead we focused our energies on the Caribbean coastline just above Costa Rica's border with Panama.

The little town in question was Puerto Viejo which is dominated by a laid-back Afro-Caribben vibe seen throughout this side of the Central Continent. For us it was exactly what the doctor ordered after torrential rain and a broken down van. Queue yoga for Lisa every morning, leisurely healthy breakfasts, the chance to hire bikes for a cruise along the scenic coastal road (t’s flat and goes nowhere so zero traffic), and a hostel that was closer to a boutique hotel - even complete with regular visiting hummingbirds. Suffice to say we rested our heads here for almost a week.

We did explore for a few hours each day however and you can’t come to this side of Costa Rica without visiting the Jaguar Rescue Centre about 6km’s out of town along the deserted coastal road. The work they do tending to endangered or injured animals is incredible. We heard horrific stories of animal cruelty (not common place or limited to Costa Rica I’d like to add), but here they’ve got a true community of furry, scaled, and feathered creatures for you to visit before they’re released back into the wild…Well most of them. There’s a resident Pelican named Pistachio who’s the equivalent of that kid who's eaten too much sugar!
Note: you’ll be disappointed if a Jaguar is on your list to see as they’re so rare the centre hasn’t seen or looked after one for years.

Twice as far as the centre is the end of the road, it simply runs into sand and stops. Leave your cruiser bikes here and take a stroll - you’ll happen upon a Caribbean scene straight out of a photo shoot. Palm trees bent over as if they want to be clambered on, the rugged yet inviting coastline of gently lapping waters and golden sand, and no-one around to share it with. Take a book or beer and just wile away the hours in paradise.

Once back in town DO NOT fail to drop in at Bread and Chocolate. This small eatery makes all their own chocolate and it’s good, we mean really good! Choose from a range of cakes, truffles, or tarts…oh they also have incredible breads and make yummy breakfast and lunches. All in all this is the place to indulge #nomnomnom.

Moving on there’s only one real option and that’s Panama - the border is an hour away and from there it’s only another hour to Bocas del Toro, their archipelago.

STAY:

Hotel Pura Vida. Set two blocks back from the main street and over looking the local football field it’s super tranquil, owned by a very friendly couple, and finished to a high standard.

EAT and DRINK:

We’d decided to take this week easy so no idea on the good bars
Had great breakfasts at Bread and Chocolate, Cafe Rico and Dreadnut Coffee
As for dinner we’d recommend Soda Requisimo. Soda’s are Costa Rican local eateries as this one easily stands out. Find it on the half way down the main drag.

DO: