Manuel Antonio Park is the definitive reason why people flock to Costa Rica. From a Top 10 beache to marvelous bio-diversity. It’s got all of the ingredients for a relaxing vacation destination. And where else can you spot real live toucans in their natural habitat!?
Getting to Puerto Viejo was an interesting trek through the seemingly spontaneous roads of CR. After ending our rafting trip we boarded a van bound for PV. The van would drive for kilometers and kilometers at a time on a typically paved road until suddenly there would be a patch of road that was nothing by gravel and rocks for no apparent reason; almost as if they ran out of asphalt one day and then forget the next day where they had previously left off even though the last paving ended just a few meters away. Whatever. As they say in Costa Rica, “Pura Vida!”
After traversing the rocky road we spent a few nights at Rockin J’s which is not for the feint of heart! It is the quintessential backpackers hostel where for about $6 USD a night you get a hammock and a locker. Not exactly luxury accommodations. Being the ballers that we think we are, we opted to upgrade to the “Pimp Suite” and the “King Suite.” The sheets in the suites were nothing neat, so I opted for a hammock anyways. I wish I had my Kammock with me though!
I guess if you consider that Rockin’ J is actually a chicken who’s eggs you can purchase, the accommodation are pretty luxurious when compared to a hen house. Pura Vida.
After our late night arrival into San Jose, and a long car ride from the airport into town, very little was open for dinner. So we scarfed down a few empanadas and called it a night. The next morning we were up bright and early for a trip down The Pacuare River en route to Puerto Viejo. It’s certainly one of the less orthodox means of travel, but it’s also one of the more fun!
