By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information.
Please note that not all content is translated or available to residents of all countries. Contact us for full details.
Shares
I am here in Montezuma, Costa Rica at the base of the Nicoya peninsula. I had every intention of continuing my journey through this rugged and lush country, but here I am joining the life of this tiny bohemian society. I spent the last week exploring beach towns along the Pacific coast when one morning while jogging barefoot on the beach I felt a twinge in my Achilles heel. Unwilling to let this slow me down, I kept exploring as my heel kept getting worse. This is a small town with a couple of boutique hotels, two tiny markets, no police, and no doctor to look at my foot. I find a private room in Hostel Pura Vida for 15 dollars and tomorrow I have a reservation at Casa de Mar y Cielo. I sleep well because the hostel is strict and it is completely quiet by 10 pm. It is now the next morning and after checking in to my waterfront hotel, I hike up the dusty, dirty and mountainous road and head for the "free" waterfall. Technically it is free, but as the morning progresses there is a local inhabitant that comes out and collects money for "secure" parking. A business that does not exist. My injured extremity is getting worse, so I flag down a 4-wheeler and this fellow traveler is happy to give me a lift as he is headed in the same direction. ATV's and dirt bikes are what mostly occupy these difficult roads. Once I arrive, I trek through the woods on a very primitive path with my Nikon in hand and the intention of capturing some wildlife photos. The walk is rough over slippery streams, cragged rocks, and huge tree roots. Suddenly there is a lot of swishing coming from the forest. I look up and there are a group of white-faced monkeys swinging through the treetops. I don't have time to focus so I just start snapping and hoping I am getting some images. Then the primates vanish as quickly as they had appeared. I finally reach the waterfall where I trip on a large slippery root and abuse the same limb again. The water is exhilarating though, and it was worth the excursion. The second floor of Casa de Mar y Cielo allows for an excellent view of the rocky coast and crashing waves. Every morning, an elderly woman with a cane makes her way over the rocks to perch on the same fallen tree to watch the sunrise. Then she hobbles down the beach and disappears into the thick jungle. The early morning is full of locals setting up shop. Wilke, with his lengthy dreads, is busy making bracelets to sell on this gritty street. Carmen and her mother set up a assortment of earrings and necklaces along the sandy path to the beach. The street vendors are not supposed to sell here so they put their wares on large blankets and if any government officials show up, they can quickly wrap up their merchandise and swiftly scurry away. Heading out to the beach, I meet Doug, a guitar player who has just arrived in town. He said, "You look pretty hip, come wander with me and I'll show you something cool." After an hour of limping on an earthy trail and then along the deserted shoreline, we arrive at a special and spiritual place. There are hundreds of stacks of colorful oval rocks that the people pyramid in remembrance of loved ones. Then, we take a dip in the adjacent river with the locals. Doug says he came with practically no money, but he already has a gig at Organico tonight so he will be fine. Organico is the unofficial town center. Residents and travelers gather each evening for a superb meal and live music. Tonight, when the place closed, the musicians congregated in the street to give a rare impromptu performance. Everyone is dancing barefoot to the Caribbean beat. I stay in this charming town for 10 days in the hopes that my ankle will heal. It does not, so I am heading home, vowing to return after I recuperate and finish my adventure. Before long I do!