Nosara

Staying in Playas de Nosara, on the Nicoya Peninsula right now. It is a beautiful place that was recommended to us by a fellow traveler in La Fortuna.

We wake up around 7:30 am every day to surf, then breakfast is a tropical fruit plate and granola, then do some yoga or mingling with the friendly group of Canadians staying next to us, then lunch of casados (rice, beans, chicken or fish, fried plaintains), then siesta, and at night time it´s time to party! There has been live music every night since we've been here. Our hostess, Brenda, who is a former professional boxer, takes us everywhere with her and introduces us to other locals and friends. She has even arranged for the three of us to go on a moon light horse back ride and gallup up and down the beach!

As much as I like Nosara, I´m ready to move on because this area is rather expensive due to North Americans (and probably other well-off foreigners) who have moved here and driven up the price of land. I can tell from speaking with a couple local business owners that there is resentment among some of the Ticos, but overall they´ve been pretty friendly.

La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Having a great time here in Costa Rica. The weather has been perfect - warm, humid and breezy. However last night, it dumped rain for about 2 minutes. Now we are in La Fortuna staying at a place for $5 a night! Had some yummy casados (lunch plate of rice, beans, salad, and chicken for $4) at a local soda and are now about to go for a hike at Volcan Arenal.

Arenal has been compared to the Loch Ness Monster because, as one fellow traveler put it, "it's there, you see pictures of it, you hear about it, but you never really see it."

Last night, went to Baldi Hot Springs. The water is pumped from the mineral springs and is heated from the lava flows. There were around ten different pools all over the grounds, lots of lush vegetation and waterfalls (man made). Anyway, I'll be here for the next 2 days then heading to Monteverde and then the Pacific coast.