Costa Rica.....=...Pura Vida

This bonito country, which dont have a Army and was one of the first Banana Republics to promote Egology tourismo is reeping the benifits now as a must visit country.

Highlights

Quanacaste = once belonged to Nigaragua, The beaches here are some of the best in the whole country, Playa Pelado y playa Samara are no 1 destinations . and the people of the area have benifited by tourism..Goverment dont allow high rise buildings and try to keep all things natural..this area is beutiful and food especially seafood superb..Prices for rooms and food more expensive than Nigaragua, but you can still get arruz con cammerones or snapper for about max $5..reccomend Olgas bar on Play Pelado nr Nosara.

In Samara nice bars and couple o discos..great Venue for fun. Mirodor Samara great place to see ..the rooms all open plan with superb views of the town and beach..Max the German host makes all welcome.

Further down the road we have Tamarindo..maybe for the young, Hang out on the beach and Disco at night

Caribean

Cahuita @ puerto Viejo

Different scenery you are on the caribe now, and the National park here is buetiful walks along the beach for miles, and probly wont meet anyone exept Monkeys( cappuccino monos are here) for hrs..Punta uva is further down the coast where Christopher Colombus anchored all those years ago..Music is Reggie Reggie y more Reggie, Prople mostly Negro, food similar to Quanacaste fresh fish and cold imperial ..perfecto!

I dont go in for Capitals much, but san jose has a few good areas...San Antonia de Escuza in the hills above the central valley is a must and i reccommend the Pico Blanco hotel for at least a day trip just to see the view looking down on San Jose..at night its spectacular when all lit up.

Back to Caribe...you can leave puerto Viejo and head for Siaxola to cross into Panama and Bocas de tora or head to David and my fav place on earth Chiriqui and the Panma highlands. Also the Osa Penisula is superb, well worth a visit and then cross into Panma at Paso Canoas.

Next post Panama

Ive travelled a lot, and its my number one activity...I love Central America, in the past 6 years ive spent months travelling in Nigaragua, Costa Rica and my favourite Panama.

Its expensive to fly there from the UK , but when you get thier things are well cheap compared to the UK.

Highlight Nigaragua.

San Juan del sur ..about a hour from the costa rican border this little town has grown in the past 5 years..beutiful beach..good for surfing..Playa Ostianal nearby is where Tortugas (turtles) come to lay thier eggs and worth a visit if the season is correct...Best restruant and Bar..Ricardos its right on the beach at san juan del sur..buy a quart btle of Flora de cana the national drink of Nicaragua y drink with ice and lemon...brilliant.

OMETEPE

Bonito islands in Lake Nigaragua with twin peak Volcanos which always seem to have a halo round them, very laid back island and a climb to the top of the volcanos is a must..but get a guide, you can get thier from Granada by boat which goes to Alta Cracia, very old church there and some old mayan/statues..you can arrange your trip to the peak of Volcano from there.

GRANADA

Very old Spanish architecture, fantastic Cathedral and the walk to the lake from the Plazza is a good way of seeing the old buildings. Nearby is the market of the Artisans in Masaya, hammocks, artwork, leather work, and much more can be purchased here.
There is a lot of poverty in Nigaragua.and watch out for conmen, but otherwise the gente are very interested in Visitors and will make you very welcome.

My next post will be Costa Rica a very green and beutiful country.

Donald



BONITO island jast of a place called Rivas