Travels to North Pacific
Looking back at my journey to Guanacaste’s Gold Coast, I realize that there were four recurring themes as I traveled from Playa del Coco through Playas Flamingo, Brasilito, Grande and Tamarindo: scuba diving, surfing, spas and sushi.
The trip began on my birthday and ended two weeks, five dives, three surf lessons, four massages and countless smoked salmon rolls later. Although I was traveling near the peak of the rainy season, the beautiful Guanacaste sunshine miraculously held out for the majority of my journey.
First I visited Playa del Coco, where I managed to complete the next …
Location: Gold Coast, North Pacific, Playa Brasilito, Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, Playa Grande, Playa del Coco, Recent Trips, Tamarindo »
Activities: Day Spas, Horseback Riding, Sailing, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Surfing »
Sun shining through the open curtains woke me before the alarm clock this morning. I quickly devoured a homemade breakfast of scrambled eggs and gallo pinto at Hotel Vista Azul before rushing to the dive shop, ready for another adventure and feeling fortunate for such ideal weather.
Sadly, any hopes for a morning dive were dashed. After serving me a taste of the open sea, I was cruelly banished to the pool in order to complete Confined Dives #4 and #5 – which only lasted an hour.
Following the pool dives, I took the PADI written exam …
Location: North Pacific, Playa del Coco »
Activities: Scuba Diving and Snorkeling »
Today was the big day, and I could hardly contain my excitement. This morning would be my first open ocean dive at Punta Gorda, or Fat Point, a site roughly 40 minutes from Playas del Coco. The playful family of spotted dolphins that trailed our boat en route seemed like a good omen.
Sadly, it was not. When we arrived, the current was much stronger than I had anticipated. With each wave that slammed against the side of the boat, yesterday’s jitters crept back little by little. Looking around, I seemed to be the only …
Location: North Pacific, Playa del Coco »
Activities: Scuba Diving and Snorkeling »
