Samara
We go back to the edge of the Pacific Ocean where we have a hard time finding a nice spot.
We want to avoid beaches and small towns invaded by surfers and especially Americans. Nicoya Peninsula is renowned for its surf beaches.
It is true that " Puerto Soley " is rare and exceptional.
In the late afternoon we find a beautiful beach lined with coconut trees in a pleasant bay " Playa Carrillo " south of Samara.
This beach is the meeting place of local families who come to spend a few hours by a clear water.
We are joined by " Martine and Sylvain " who rented a house next door.
Lunch by the ocean, dinner in town, swimming in 28°water and reading is our program.
We still have problems connecting to the Internet.
The provider we have chosen is not very efficient.
National Park Rincon De La Vieja
We have to leave this little paradise and before joining " Martine and Sylvain " in Samara we visit the " Parque Nacional Rincon De La Vieja "
The park covers a 14,083 hectare protected area.
The eastern side of the volcano remains humid all year round and the western side enjoys a dry season and a deciduous forest at low altitude. There is a cloud forest on its summit.
We hike one of the three trails amidst the fumaroles and the small mud volcanoes. A very nice walk.
Finally some exercise, we need it !!!
During our treck we see a young " boa constrictor ": very difficult to see in general.
La Cruz/ Puerto Soley
We reach the Pacific Ocean in Puerto Soley, stopping at the small town of "La Cruz" where we shop, purchase the SIM card and bank. Nothing exciting but mandatory.
" Puerto Soley " is a small fishing port nestled in a superb and immense bay of fine sand and especially unknown to tourists. A small windy paradise surrounded by vegetation burnt by the sun.
We are in a world unique reserve : the dry tropical forest; all the trees are bare at this season ... a beautiful landscape in yellow tone.
We stay 5 days by the sea to enjoy the beauty of the site. We are almost alone.
Every day we attend the ballet of pelicans and cormorants plunging into the sea or gathering around the fishermen’s small boats to pick up the waste.
We wake up at the sound of the jays or the parakeets. It is very hot but the bay is swept by a strong but pleasant wind.
We meet " Martine and Sylvain " a very friendly Quebec couple who
came to settle in Costa Rica.
They sold everything and left for a new adventure.
We spend good time talking about their project, punctuated with Quebec expressions ... a real treat.
Border Crossing/ La Garita
This is our fourth border in 1/2 month, we become professionals.
Like at theother borders, we overtake a large line of trucks without too much trouble.
The formalities to leave Nicaragua are a bit complicated for the camper. We need to find the customs officer, the policeman and the controller ... on a parking lot... No one wears a badge or special outfit.
But the Costa Rican border takes us longer.
The immigration officer asks us for a proof of departure from the country (plane ticket ). We explain that we travel by motorhome and that we will leave by land to Panama ... He has trouble understanding…
Second question: Which hotel will you be staying at ? Uh ! we have a motorhome and we will make a 2 month tour in Costa Rica ... still not convinced ... Exhausted, we give him the name of the hotel Ibis in the capital city, which does not exist !!!
We get our three-month visa and go to the insurance office to buy a compulsory insurance. Meanwhile, the GTS employee goes on his lunch break!!! 45 minutes waiting ... It becomes a habit.
Finally we can enter Costa Rica.
We only travel 15 km to park in a farm run by a Swiss couple. We are surrounded by horses, cows and barnyard in a beautiful landscape.
We stay there three nights to recover our lack of sleep.
We hike the trails of the farm and see: a crocodile, monkeys, birds and two sloths (usualy very difficult to see).
We also get to know Kevin, a French guy who rides his bike through Central America from Panama to Mexico. Very nice evening around "spaghetti bolognaise" cooked by Christophe.
ROAD BOOK 089
MAVROS ODYSSEE