Costa Rica 2019 Day 15 - Pacuare River Rafting

The Exploradores Outdoors shuttle picked me up at 6:50am, and we drove to the Siquirres location that I was previously at a few days ago.  The shuttle was shared with folks from Holland, and Canada.

At the breakfast point, all the rafting folks left their luggage in the lockers, bringing only their water and sunscreen.  It was now a different bus with other folks that arrived, and about a 30 minute drive to the river.  Met a couple sisters from the USA who were in their mid-70s, still traveling around the world, adventuring, and rafting!  I was inspired and so motivated.

Each raft holds 4-6 people, so I was in a group with the sisters, a woman from Costa Rica, and a guy from Brazil.  Our guide was Jepe.  I was getting really nervous...thought I would definitely fall out, or not be strong enough, or get dizzy from motion sickness...But, as we geared up, I tried to forget about those worries and just be more present.

Costa Rica 2019 Day 14 - Cahuita: Playa Negra, yoga

This is rare, but I had a "free" day where I barely made any plans.  I just wanted to do yoga today. The Airbnb reviews and a sign on the street mentioned a yoga class from 5-6:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays near the Reggae Bar, about a 10/15 minute walk away.

I stepped outside around 8:30am, and was really surprised to see 4-5 people doing yoga at the Airbnb owner's patio area.  The host then came over and said he's starting to offer yoga.  I was really, really disappointed.  What a missed opportunity. I was awake by 7am but just laying about, and totally would have joined since I wanted to do that today anyways.  The host said "Oh I didn't know you do yoga" after I mentioned I would have joined.  But, I guess I didn't know I should be telling him my interests..the host should be telling guests what they could potentially join in on, if they are interested.  I'll leave feedback.

He made breakfast for me after the yoga class ended (I guess if I had been up earlier I would have had to forgo any breakfast at all since he would be busy teaching the class).

It would be nice to relax on the beach more today, and thought about going back to Playa Blanca in the National Park, this time bringing little with me so that I could swim a bit.  But, I changed my mind and tried out Playa Negra instead.  It is less than a 10 minute walk away, so of course I should be checking it out.

Costa Rica 2019 Day 13 - Cahuita: National Park

I slept in a little today...instead of getting to the national park early like 6am, I aimed for 8:30am instead.  Along the way was the Sunday Cahuita Farmers Market.  It is very small, with less than 10 vendors, but a good stop for fresh veggies and fruits.  I knew I would be at the national park and beach for a while and needed some sort of lunch substitute, so I picked up a sweet baked good and a slice of "pizza".  I didn't have proper breakfast that morning because the Airbnb host was not awake yet, so I also ordered breakfast at a shop here.  But, total confusion with the language barrier..I was pointing to the sign in English, thinking I would get gallo with chorizo, avocado, other toppings.  But then I received the gallo (tortilla) only with chorizo.  Ah well, still good.

The extra market stop meant arriving at the national park around 9am instead, and wow how insanely busy.  There were many locals with coolers.  One group ahead of me had more than 15 people.  After the registration table where you donate an entrance fee, the trail (the only one) starts.  I again got sandwiched between one large group so it wasn't very quiet of a walk to start. Eventually there was some separation.

Quiet section of the trail.  Easy, flat, clean.

Costa Rica 2019 Day 12 - Cahuita: Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo, Punta Uva

An interesting night of sleep...there was a howler monkey that stayed in the trees right above the Airbnb, and it was periodically loud throughout the night.  Sounded rather scary.  And, as it ate or moved through the trees, the branches would get thrown onto the roof, startling me.  Definitely close to wildlife here!

Anyways...my first full day on the South Caribbean side today!  Instead of sticking around Cahuita, I made a day trip to Puerto Viejo and the beaches southward. 

After breakfast at the Airbnb, I walked less than 10 minutes to the Cahuita bus terminal for the 9:15am bus.  Gave myself an extra half hour in case I had trouble with the tickets or navigating.  It was a very straightforward system though.  Head up to the ticket counter, state the destination and agree on the departure time, and paid 820 colones.  The ticket has a gate #, which corresponds to where the bus will pull up. Very easy.

Example of bus pulling up to the appropriate "gate"

Costa Rica 2019 Day 11 - Cahuita

Had a good rest since it was cooler last night.  Since I was getting picked up at 10am, I thought a laid back morning would be nice.  So many of the past mornings have been: wake up early, quickly get ready, leave for attraction early in the morning.

Great patio along the river at Casa Marbella

Hello

Breakfast today was fruit, scrambled eggs, and bread + butter, jam, and a salty sauce.  For the next couple hours, I just relaxed on the deck with the local stray dog and cat.

Then began the confusing and not smooth trip to Cahuita.  The receptionist at Casa Marbella told me my transportation was confirmed with Tortuguero Full Xperience, with captain Desmond.  It was 10am, and a boat came up to the dock.  The captain asked if I had a reservation, and I said "yes, with Captain Desmond". Then he attempted to make a call to Desmond and then just said "it's okay, you can come on board".  And I replied "okay, this is supposed to continue to Cahuita too" since it was a package transportation deal for $50.

Ok, boat time.  One hour in, we made a bathroom / stretch break at some restaurant.  The boat driver got a beer.... is it not illegal to drink and operate a boat? Hmm.