Che Sera Sera: Costa Rica Bound

We have been yearning for a tropical vacation! I checked airfare to several beach locations before finding good rates to Costa Rica. We booked it immediately. After doing a bit of research, we found that Costa Rica weather in September is very rainy. It's their winter season….but we were in luck! The Caribbean coast of CR usually has their best weather in September – we focused our itinerary on the east coast as opposed to the Pacific coast, and are sure glad we did!

The flight was a little over 5 hours. We took the red eye, left LAX at 11pm and arrived in San Jose at 6am (1hr ahead of CA). Our intention was to sleep on the plane, but we only got little cat naps in. After landing, clearing customs & exchanging money we took a taxi about 2 miles away to catch a shuttle to Cahuita, the town we were staying in. The taxi ride cost 1100 colones (approx. $2.20). We had a brain lapse, reading the meter as $11.00 - so our driver got almost a $9 tip...no wonder he was so accommodating!

While exchanging money at the San Jose airport, a couple was in line behind us to exchange as well. We had made small chat with this couple at the LAX ticket counter and saw them on our flight. We made small chat again in the exchange line, asking them about the airport exchange rate before wishing them a fun trip. We had to laugh when we saw the same couple (now for the 4^th time) at our shuttle meeting point, 2 miles from the airport, also waiting for their shuttle - turned out we caravanning together! We picked up 3 other people in the shuttle, a total of 7 traveled the 4 hour ride to the Caribbean Coast. It was a great shuttle ride! One of the passengers, Susie, was heading home to Puerto Nuevo after spending time with her brother in San Jose. She shared a lot about the country and her experience moving to the Caribbean from Boston. The couple that we kept bumping into, Jay & Miranda, were on their honeymoon. Jay had lived in Costa Rica 8 years prior and was there to show Miranda around. He also had a lot of good advice about the country and town we were visiting. The other couple on our shuttle, Rodom & Shifra, were from Israel and had been touring the country for almost 3 weeks! (also on their honeymoon). Everyone was so excited to be on the trip and bonded by the common interest in pure adventure. The shuttle ride was such a great way to start the trip, met some really cool people, and didn't think once about how tired our bodies were. We were the first to be dropped off by the shuttle. We took photos and gave hugs to our newfound Costa Rica friends before wishing them well on their adventures.

Myself, Jerry, Susie, Jay, Miranda, Guillermo (driver), Rodom & Shifra

Our house host, Fionna, was at the house to greet us and walk us thru. We had seen pictures of the house (Casa Verde), but it was even more charming in person! After unpacking our bags, quick shower and lather in bug spray, we headed to town for a bite to eat. The town is a 5-7 minute walk down a dirt road, separated by the ocean and the jungle. We saw quite a few stray dogs on our way - Fionna advised us not to feed them or attract them - they will not leave you alone if you do.

Coco's Bar

We decided to eat at Coco's Bar. An indoor/outdoor restaurant that served classic drinks and Caribbean food. We ordered fried plantains, shrimp cocktail...and a drink that became my favorite, Caiprinha (similar to a mojito). As we enjoyed our drinks and view, we were surprised to see our new friends Jay & Miranda walking toward us! They thought their hotel was miles away from Cahuita...turned out that they were staying 2 blocks away from us! We laughed at how many times we kept crossing paths. They joined us for food and drinks before bidding farewell again. We knew we would see them around the town. Cahuita is very small!

Playa Negra

After lunch, we walked to the beach in front of our casa to explore. The water temperature was so warm...yet felt very refreshing in the hot humid weather. Jerry & I were having a hard time acclimating to the weather. The first day we took 3 showers and changed clothes 3 times! Needless to say the water was calling our name. Problem was that I did not have my bathing suit on and wanted to jump right into the ocean. Problem resolved quickly. I yanked off my dress, covered my breast and walked right into the water....so freeing! We were the only people on the beach. Even if someone walked by, they wouldn't be concerned as Cahuita was a free spirit kind of town. We swan and frolicked in the water until the sun set at 5:45pm. This is what a tropical vacation is about! When the sun sets, the bugs and jungle come alive! We had to get back to the casa to get more bug spray on and get ready for dinner.

We enjoyed dinner at Sobre Las Olas, a restaurant that was recommended several times by locals. The restaurant sits on the ocean, is lit by candle light and serves amazing seafood. Very romantic. So romantic, that I wasn't surprised when our friends Jay & Miranda showed up for dinner!! We ran into them so many times, it started to seem like we were stalking them! We initially planned to go out for dinks after dinner, but bowed out since we were all so tired...plus I thought the newlyweds needed their alone time. After all they were on their honeymoon! And us. Tired! The first day in Costa Rica was exactly the type of reaxing, romantic trip we were yearning for!

Photo's of the house we rented, Casa Verde.