Costa Rica - Day 3 - Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica - Day 3

January 13th, 2014

Manuel Antonio

Waking up and walking down to the hotel restaurant became a nice and relaxing morning routine in Manuel Antonio. Because the days and nights are almost equal in Costa Rica, we got used to going to bed early and getting up early. By 8 am we were sitting down, eating. Breakfast was included in our hotel stay: beans, rice, fruit, eggs, coffee and juice every morning. While eating, we could watch the ocean just through the trees from where we sat, watch the iguana's and monkeys in and around the dining area and spend some time planning our day. 

This day was a beach day! 

But first, the pool was calling Esperanza so the kids and Armando took a quick dip in the pool that was just next to the restaurant. After that, we went to the beach, where we played in the sand and water for the next several hours. We found a spot to relax in the shade under the coconut and banana trees. Esperanza and Ezra would run to the ocean to play, then back up to the shaded area to get snacks and drinks. Monkeys passed back and forth from tree to tree. We bought fresh coconuts from a woman who used her machete to open them then served them with a straw. They cost about a dollar. Armando and I drank some beers and it was so warm and perfect.

When we were exhausted by the sun and ready to go to our room, we passed a tree with a sloth in it. 

Back at our room, the iguana's awaited our return, the kids got changed and relaxed in front of a movie and I saw dolphins swimming of the coast. They looked like two small black specks in the water and it took me a minute to figure out what they were. I couldn't get clear pictures of them, but I am certain they were dolphins. That evening, we drove to a nearby town and had dinner at a soda (like a cafe), walked around a bit, got some snacks from a little store then went back to our cabina for some sleep.

Costa Rica - Day 2

Travel Day

Manuel Antonio 

January 12, 2015

On our second day in Costa Rica, we traveled from our hotel outside of San Jose to a hotel we booked in Manuel Antonio. It took us a few hours and a few stops before we got there, but once there, we were welcomed by a nice, private cabina situation on the very top of a hill overlooking the ocean and luscious gardens on the property. We had to climb many, many steep and narrow stairs through the gardens to get to our cabina. Our cabina was simple, with two beds, a small kitchenette, a bathroom and a patio. Outside our front door, we were greeted every time we returned by two iguana's, the same ones. One of the iguana's was bigger and more social than the other. It really took a liking to Esperanza, and Esperanza seemed to understand it and enjoy it as well. They would sit outside, facing each other, bobbing heads in rhythm with one another. It was pretty fascinating. 

The first evening we were there, we walked down the stairs and crossed the street to the other side of the property grounds where there was a pool, restaurant and access to the beach. Along the first walk down the stairs, we met some monkeys, one of which welcomed us to the place by defecating on the sidewalk right in front of us. By the time we made it to the ocean, it was early evening and the sun was going down but the kids played in the ocean until almost dark. After getting them out of the ocean, they took a dip in the pool. From there, we spent our first of 3 wonderful nights in our cabina.

Pictures of Day 2 of Costa Rica traveling to and in Manuel Antonio