I got up early to say goodbye to all of the Costa Rica Fitness Vacation peeps, and planted myself at the kitchen table with my computer open and a view of the pool and jungle beyond. I wasn’t getting kicked out of the house until around 11:30am and I wanted to get some words on paper. With everyone gone there was an emptiness in the house. My energy to work and write was not there. Even my black Costa Rican coffee couldn’t get me flowing. It’s amazing how much energy other people can give you. At times I think of myself as a pillar of strength or person that can make it by himself, but the people around me really do make the difference. Thank you to all my friends and family for being there to support and energize me!
As 11:30am rolled around I ate the last of the sushi in the fridge from the night before, grabbed my under packed JanSport duffle bag and backpack, and hit the road.
My next stop would be the Costa Verde Hotel about three miles from my current location. I had two options, well actually three options… The first was to walk, but being that I had both of my bags and the three miles was pretty much all up hill I ruled that out. The second option was to take a cab which was fine, but if I can I like to travel like the locals which lead me to option three, taking the bus. The only issue with the bus was figuring out if it went all the way to my hotel. I figured that I’d go for it and just ask the bus driver “costa verde?”. When I asked he was on the phone (yes the bus driver was on the phone) and said “si” without skipping a beat. So I went for it. The bus turned out to be no problem at all, and all I had to do was press the stop button when I wanted off and the bus just stopped right there.
The Costa Verde Hotel was amazing! It had a bunch of little buildings scattered along the hillside jungle. I was taken to my room which was small, but perfect for what I needed. It even had an ocean view. Once I dropped everything off in the room I decided to walk around and found this amazing clubhouse area that had a huge open dance floor like area on the first floor and a lookout area on the second floor that boasted 180 degree views of the ocean. It was breathtaking, and I stayed up there for a few minutes. Just looking out there made all of the stress in my body drop away. It was a similar feeling to looking out onto Lake Chelan in Wa state.
Once I was completely chilled out I walked down to the beach to walk in the surf for a few hours and drink fresh coconut juice (from a coconut) that was opened with a machete by an old Costa Rican man. The coconuts are revitalizing, and after drinking the juice (or milk) you split the coconut open and eat the fresh meat. It’s a complete meal and tastes great for only $1!
After that long day I was crushed and pretty much ready to crash. I asked my friend that worked at the Costa Verde Hotel for a good dinner place, and he recommended a Mexican place up the street where I got a taco salad. The salad was freaking awesome! All of the food up to this point in Costa Rica was off the hook good and healthy!
With a full belly I went back to the room and conked out! First day on my own was a success!
If want to plan a trip to Manuel Antonio Costa Rica you should contact my friend Mauricio Solano on Facebook.
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New get outside and have fun by working hard! 🙂
