Dominical, Puntarenas Province, Costa RicaWhat’s
on the Agenda today?
So
we have several options – and as Paul is still feeling quite tired
– we were thinking about what the best option would be. There is
the waterfall: either 1.5 hr walk one way (ok for being half sick
that is too much) – they also drive there with the pickup... so we
drove there: but lucky for us, the pickup does not drive on Sunday.
So we go to the Back up plan :
Playa
Dominicial
we
didn’t really know what to expect why we should go there:
- Paul said we have to check out this little beach town
- it is famous for the backpackers and surfers – it’s the do-nothing place
- expats and gringos hunker down here – all are ecofriendly
- in 2015 the road got paved
As
we turn off into the town and on the road along the beach – we saw
that you can drive up underneath the palm trees and set up your
little spot and that is exactly what we did. Perfect for Paul to nap
in the shade.
Gine
goes for a walk along the beach: it is endless long and wide and
nearly no people – but between the palm trees you can spot the cars
and tents of the people setting up for free. And the waves are
beautiful. So Gine goes back and picks up Paul because it is time:
Fun
in the waves
yes
it is a surfer beach and the waves break, but they are awesome to
throw yourself in and have fun... so underwater camera out and we are
in the waves forever..... you can’t get enough.
The
little backpackers town
then
Gine checks out the little town and it is super tiny: lots of
souvenir shops and little bars, and yes the artists sell their
self-made products too. And then you end up at the river where the
locals swim... So on the 2nd walk to town Paul comes too
and this time we get a cold fruit smoothie... this perks us so much
up, that we need another “fun in the waves” time
Sunset
at Playa Espadillia
and
back at our Casa... cool down in the pool – and this time we drive
down tot he Playa Espadillia – which kind of belongs to Manuel
Antonio – but is outside the park premises. Ok parking is not that
simple especially if a guy tells us 5000 Colon’s.... and this beach
is full of people everywhere... some even drive their car on the
sand... it’s like a zoo... but we had a wonderful sunset.
It’s
Pizza night in El Wagon
and
Paul always feels better with a Pizza. Yesterday we were eating at
the plane and today at the train cart... Again an early night for
Paul and by tomorrow he should be well.
So many Palm trees
we
saw a lot of Palm trees and we learned that they are for Palm oil:
all that unhealthy stuff we don’t want in our food – even the
trees look beautiful. And also it is very green here.
- they are African palm trees and it is one of the largest agricultural industries in Costa Rica
- it's the worlds most consumed vegetable oil: it makes 33 % of vegetable oil and 45 % of edible oil world wide
- those huge plantations are between Jaco and Dominical at the Pacific Coast
- African Palms can live for 200 years
The
Costa Rican lisence plate
as
we drove along the highway Paul discovered some old junk cars and yes
he said we should get a real Costa Rican licence plate: and so we
stopped and Paul checked with the guy. First he wanted 20 US dollars
- then Gine checked and we offered 10.000 Colon – which is the
cheaper option and everyone is happy.
View
to Jaco Beach
Driving along we had once in a
while glimpses on beaches and the ocean. Before Jaco we stopped at
the huge sign JACO to take some cool pictures of the Bay. And it was
good to have a short break before we continue on our journey
Crocodiles
in the wind
and
since we came by again at the crocodile bridge – we have to stop
and check them out again – right!!! today it is super windy: we
could see a few but didn’t really wanted to linger in the wind....
Costa
Rica Money - Beach
towels
ok
everywhere where tourists come by they sell souvenirs. And one thing
Gine already liked a lot are those beachtowels of the Costa Rican
Bills: I think they have beautiful bills with all kind of animals: my
favourites are the Sloth and the monkey. But then they have the nice
bird, butterfly... so we check them out and decide you can never have
enough beach towels right?? Paul said he wants 10$ per towel...
after a little bit of talk we are at 10.000 Colons and the happy
owners of towels.
2025-05-23