Dining in Manzanillo, Costa Rica

On this trip since we are going to be away so long we cannot go out to eat all the time plus it is why we rent houses with kitchens. That being said we did end up going out all but one of the nights, which was one of the highlights of our week’s stay at Villa Cocobolo.

 Instead of going out to a restaurant we had a BBQ by the pool with Trey the owner, his girlfriend Jaclyn, along with Trey’s friend Kyle and his family who were also staying here. It was lot of fun  getting to know new people, listening to their stories, and sharing travel adventures.

All about surfing

Playa Hermosa

We are staying in the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula which is made up of small towns, plenty of beach, lots of wildlife, and plenty of activities.

The beaches are wild, long and you can walk for miles if you have the energy in the hot sun.
I believe it is possible to walk from Manzanillo all the way to Mal Pais.

 The beaches are beautiful but what draws most of the people here are the waves. Life in the towns of Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, and Manzanillo all revolves around surfing.

Everyone surfs or at least gives it a try. There are many surf camps plus lots of locals that give lessons.

I did not try to surf here but was just as happy watching from under a palm tree. Maybe I will get a board in the upcoming weeks I will give it a try again.

Senderos De Paz, Manzanillo, Costa Rica

Which means Paths of Peace in Spanish

 

 

We are renting wonderful ocean view villa, villa Cocobolo within this 7 acre oasis of Senderos De Paz. 

The villa has 2 floors, living space on the lower floor, which opens to a nice patio and a pool. The upper floor is the bedroom which also has a nice porch. The villa is very comfortable and we are enjoying the views, nature, and the pool.

We have lots of visitors to the trees around the pool and above the house. I am enjoying seeing the howler monkeys everyday.

This is the perfect location to explore all the beaches and towns in the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Each night we are have fantastic sunsets.

    

The quest for Beach Chairs in Costa Rica

Growing up in the Northeast part of the United States, spending summers at New Jersey shore I have become used to a beach chair.  Everyone has a beach chair along with all sorts of other items people think they need for a day at the beach, umbrellas, beach toys, blankets, towels, food, drinks, tents, radio, boogie boards, now all loaded up in a beach cart to get all your stuff there.

   Traveling around the world I have noticed most places people come to the beach with very little & do not use chairs rather sit on a towel or sarong. Sure many are traveling so do not have all the items but even locals do not pack with them what we in New Jersey think we need for a day at the beach.

Howler Monkey Drama in Manzanillo

The house we are staying is on 7 acres and has a troop of resident howler monkeys that seem to stay right around the area. We saw them the first day we arrived in the trees right off the pool. There was 1 old male, 8 females, 3 of which were carrying a baby, and a single male that stayed apart from the troop.

 On the second day I noticed the male had split apart from the troop and was mostly staying in the trees by the right of the house. The troop went back and forth in the canopy in front of the house and to the left.

Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera

After a couple days relaxing pool side in Los Suenos it was time to get the adventure started. We are going to spend the next month exploring the Nicoya Peninsula.

The best way to get there from Herradura is by ferry. The ferry leaves out of Puntarenas at 5:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am, 2:00pm, and 5:00pm. There are no reservations you just arrive and get in line. Not knowing how large the ferry is plus it is Saturday we thought best try for the 9:00am that way if we can not get on we have options.