I spent the weekend of 12/4-12/6 in Atlanta, where I used to live, seeing some old friends: customers, colleagues, relatives and others. It was great catching up with everyone and seeing how things haven’t changed too much.
On Monday (12/7), from Atlanta, I took a direct flight into the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose. I had been told and read that there was not too much to see in San Jose, but lots to do and see throughout Costa Rica. Nevertheless, instead of taking a long journey via a bus or taxi to one of the coasts, I decided to spend a night in a San Jose hostel. I probably should have headed straight for a coast, but didn’t really have a clear plan. After eating some Mexican (or so it seemed) style food, I decided to check out the casinos which I heard were many. As any good observer would tell you, in casinos and throughout San Jose, there are many beautiful girls, but you can’t always tell their motives and professions. I found a decent one casino, the Gran Casino Colonial, and proceeded to play my favorite parlor game: Black Jack. I stayed until 11 and, no joke, won just over $800 (yes, subtracting what I put down.)
The next morning, I woke up with still no idea where I was going. Almost who’d been there before told me to go to the Pacific Coast. I knew a specific place which my dad always talks about, called Los Suenos which is famous for its big game fishing. I talked with a guy who worked at the hostel and he suggested I head towards the park 
Manuel Antonio which is about an hours drive south of Los Suenos. Making my way to the bus station, I needed to take a taxi. I had heard a lot of people take taxis all over Costa Rica, so I asked him how much to Los Suenos and he said $80 and about 2 hours drive. So instead of waiting at the bus station for a bus and with my new found cash flow, I said, “Deal.”
Driving through Costa Rica was beautiful. It is mountainous and covered with rainforest which of course include all kinds of wildlife. I read that Costa Rica is home to 4% of the species on Earth which is a lot for how small a country it is. On the way west, we stopped for lunch at some small restaurant to eat. I invited the driver to join me, which he did, but he knew about as much English as I know Spanish so you can imagine how that went. After a long, winding, third world style drive through the countryside, we finally made it to Los Suenos and the Marriott resort.
That afternoon, I walked all around the resort grounds and made my way down to the marina. This is why my dad had heard so much about Los Suenos. The marina had to be about 95% sport fishing yachts and like the resort, set against a spectacular setting, 
with mountainous islands, a beach and the blue Pacific ocean. I ate some sea bass ceviche their and watched their promo on the resort and a fishing tournament they’d had. They are catching a lot of sailfish and marlin out of this marina. I thought about trying to go out on a charter, but decided against it, because I did not want to spend the money and I fish like that on my dad’s boat in Florida. Possibly one day I’ll be back here with him to fish out of here.
That night, at the resort casino, I met 3 Americans who’d just graduated from some college in Colorado. They were down for at least the next 3 months to hang out, surf and enjoy Costa Rica with various friends and family who’d be stopping by to visit. They were about to begin living the life. I hung with them most of the night.
The next day, I decided, I was already at this resort, so I might as well enjoy it and enjoy myself as my travels are winding down. I opted to spend most of the day at the 
pool, where I met 2 American girls down on vacation from Chicago. Costa Rica is full of Americans who are either working, studying/researching or traveling or vacationing. I later joined the girls for dinner down in the town of Jaco, where we checked out the beach as well. Jaco is what you read about: a beach/surf town full of young travelers along with Costa Ricans who are trying to profit from them. The beach is very nice and has a great break for surfing. The set up of the town kind of reminds me of a beach town in Thailand. We had some beers at a beach bar and then ate a “multi-ethnic” dinner off the main strip. I did visit the resort casino that night, but called in early.
The next morning, I looked into some tours. Of course zip-lining was at the top of my list, but as I thought more about it and saw the prices I decided against it. I have zip-lined before in the U.S. and I was kind of scared. Probably if I had a partner in crime, I would have done it and maybe ventured out more while in Costa Rica. The next couple days, I just chilled at the resort, went to the spa and saw the most amazing sunset I’ve ever seen up on mountain I cannot remember the name of. I needed some down time as the fast pace of my travels as of late was taking its toll. Costa Rica was the perfect place for this. I know I will return very soon (maybe in January) with a better plan as it is truly a special place. It is closer to the U.S. than most people think.
After another long minibus ride back to the airport, I took a couple plane rides down to Panama City to continue my short trips in Central America.
