We met Gunter, a German turned Costa Rican citizen, at the Gilded Iguana Bar and Restaurant at 9:00 a.m. for our ATV adventure. I have to admit, I was disappointed to discover that he only had two ATV’s, meaning I would ride on the back of his as a passenger. Luckily, after 15 minutes, Vincent couldn’t handle the overwhelming dust in his eyes, and handed me the keys to his vehicle.
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I had lost my sunglasses the previous day, and following the guide’s four-wheeler meant squinting and literally eating his dust. Fortunately, the adventure was so …

Location: Nicoya Peninsula, North Pacific, Samara »

Activities: ATV Tours, Bird & Wildlife Watching, Shopping, Yoga »

I awoke just after 6:30 a.m. A delicious breakfast of ripe fruit, toast, coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice was waiting for me by the pool at Lodge Vista del Mar. Around 7:30 a.m., Vincent and I arrived at Playa Guiones to watch the surfers do their thing. Gale walked by, surfboard tucked under his arm. White crabs, as opposed to the more typical red ones, scurried beneath our feet. After about an hour of beach combing, it was time for a hike.
We returned to Lagarta Lodge, the entrance to the Nosara Biological Reserve, where …

Location: Nicoya Peninsula, North Pacific, Nosara »

Activities: Bird & Wildlife Watching, Day Spas, Pacific Beaches, Yoga »

Our travels to Cabuya, Montezuma, Santa Teresa, and Mal Pais began with one of the most entertaining means of transport in the country: the Puntarenas Ferry. The hour-long journey departed from the shores of Puntarenas, passing by seagulls and stunning vistas en route to the Nicoya. The three-tiered boat boasted three distinct atmospheres. The lowest level was quiet, the middle somewhat social, and the highest an all out party – complete with music, dancing and plenty of beer flowing.
After disembarking, we began the drive to the tranquil town of Cabuya. It was so sleepy that …

Location: Cabuya, Isla Tortuga, Malpais and Santa Teresa, Montezuma, Nicoya Peninsula, North Pacific, Recent Trips, Santa Teresa »

Activities: ATV Tours, Day Spas, National Parks & Reserves, Pacific Beaches, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Yoga »