Costa Rica last time: Rain. Death sunburn. Batidos. Howler Monkeys. Beach.
Costa Rica this time: Rental car. Crazy drivers. Mountains. Beach. Probably howler monkeys. Not falling off cliffs.
This time, we had a nice, direct flight, with no early morning departures. We left the frozen wilds of Minnesota and landed in Liberia, where it was 90 degrees, sunny, and gusty. We’re at the peak of the dry season and the hills are golden brown, like California. Smoke rises here and there on the horizon as local farms burn off dry, dead plants in preparation for a new growing season.
We obtained the rental car without much hassle, unlike the people next to me at the counter who did not research the mandatory insurance and were very upset at the desk agent. It went smoother than I had hoped, with the only pause being in the breakdown of the copier. It took three people fussing over it for an extended period of time before it spat out the requisite papers and we were on our way to our SUV.
It was a surprisingly modern SUV with few dings, and a tire repair kit the rental agent took a moment to point out as if he were foreshadowing. We threw our things in the back and we were off on a road with no painted lines and a mysterious speed limit which seemed to be anywhere between 60 and 100 kph.
Costa Ricans may be laid back and very friendly, but as drivers, they are totally crazy. In the short span between the airport and Playa Hermosa, we witnessed:
- An 18 wheel truck driving on the wrong side of the road to pass someone for a long time
- Someone nearly get hit by someone else head-on as they were passing
- I was nearly hit turning left by someone who darted out and passed me in a no-passing zone
- Nobody using turn signals (probably the only reason I was not hit in the above bullet was because I had been signaling)
- A bus pulling out between two cars on the road, presumably nearly causing an accident as those cars were pretty close together
- A monkey, which safely crossed the road despite the crazy drivers
I also murdered a bird. I am a burderer, just like in New Zealand 🙁
Despite the local drivers, we made it to our beachy accommodations. Playa Hermosa is filled with surfers, stray (?) dogs, and beachgoing families. Beachfront restaurants play American beachy music as the ocean booms on the beach.
Dinner was fish tacos and a variety of beers and lemonade on the beach. As if in revenge for my heartless murder of a bird earlier, a bird promptly pooped on my menu. I see how it’s going to be, birds, and I am very sorry.
Our restaurant had a swing, which was clearly made for selfies.
After dark, a band came on and they started up a bonfire.
We flip flopped our way back up the beach and went to bed at a heinously early time because we are all somehow exhausted.
Our expedition is as follows:
- Tonight, Playa Hermosa
- Monteverde cloud forest, Sun – Tues
- Montezuma, Tues – Sat
- Playa Hermosa, Sat – Sun
- Home, Sunday 🙁
Pura Vida! I hope to pinch a crab back this time.