Jaco, Costa Rica
It was time to leave the Montezuma area and continue our journey along the Pacific Coast with the intention of getting to the Osa Peninsula, the "jewel" of the southern tip of Costa Rica. It's a bit too far to drive in one day for us, so we decided to make a pit stop in Jaco.
You can drive from the Nicoya Peninsula or take the ferry. We decided to take the ferry because we were sort of done with the crazy roads and were looking forward to being on the water. This was our first time on a boat in Costa Rica. Brent and I usually take some sort of sailing trip if we are near the ocean, but with all the road trips we'd planned, taking a boat trip wasn’t an option.
We took the ferry from Paquera to Puntarenas which lasted about 1.5 hours or so. We decided to wing it of course so we didn't book anything on-line, although I wouldn't recommend doing this during high season. Of course no one spoke English at the terminal, but we somehow managed to purchase tickets and drove aboard. Honestly, I'm amazed how little Spanish you really need to be able to function here. I'm trying to learn more out of common courtesy, but I'm good with my hands and gestures (and Google Translate)!
Once we landed, it was a short drive to Jaco. We did book a hotel before leaving our place in Montezuma so we were able to check-in and catch a football game in an "American" sports bar. We normally stay away from anything resembling a North American restaurant or store, but we were so hungry and tired, this one fit the bill. Again, we try not to go to restaurants during Covid in order to avoid people and indoor settings, but overall, Costa Rican businesses have pretty strict procedures in place including sanitizer and washing stations, social distancing and of course masks. Most grocery stores take your temperature too!
Our 48 hours in Jaco was just perfect. Our hotel was right on the beach so the following day we spent the entire day surfing. The rental shop was right across the street, and we ordered our food right from the hotel. By end of day, Brent was up for longer runs and I think I managed a one second stint! I also managed to get a wicked sunburn, although I used sunscreen. Obviously not enough. Brent and I are usually so careful in the sun as Brent has had a few bouts with skin cancer and I'm heading to my dermatologist in May to check out some skin damage below my nose.
Jaco is an amazing place to stay if you are looking for a tourist town close to San Jose. It's a great beach for the beginner surfer, but if you are more experienced, I'd continue south to Playa Hermosa, and even further to Dominical. Although we didn't spend a lot of time in the area, apparently, it, along with Uvita and the entire Costa Ballena area is just beautiful. Next time I guess!
Our time in Jaco, although short, was memorable, not just because of the great food at the hotel Peruvian restaurant and the surfing, but because of one man in particular. He worked at the hotel and honestly did everything for everyone. I watched him interact with people, and he was so kind and generous. We spent a lot of time talking (no surprise) throughout the day and I learned a lot about the area and Costa Rica in general. Not the touristy kind of stuff but the real stuff like politics, drugs and what it is really like to live in Costa Rica. I so appreciated our time together.
At the end of the day, we gave him a tip. Tips are generally not given in Costa Rica. In some touristy places, it is included in your bill, but overall, tipping isn't practiced here, even among the Costa Rican people themselves. I have a hard time not tipping, as I've been raised in a culture that does tip; more on this over a bottle of red wine if anyone is interested.
In any case, we tipped this particular guy. Brent and I consider ourselves very lucky people to have been raised in Canada where we've been given many opportunities to grow and make something of ourselves, and it's our job to extend that privilege, even just a little bit, wherever are travels take us.
Ferry ride from Paquera to Puntarenes
