Occidental Allegro
Yes this hotel is an all inclusive with a nice panoramic view of the gulf of Papaguayo. There is a brand new road and is still under going road construction. The hotel was very comfortable although they didnt give us a remote control and our airconditioner was insane. The food was buffet style and I ate too much. The pool was pretty and hottubs were cool too. The beach was a bit of a dissapointment. It was filled with slimy crabs and snails and these gelly egg sacs gross I cried when my shoe got stuck and I stepped barefoot into it all. My boyfriend was laughing and taking pictures of me and my nightmare then he saved me after I started crying. It was not a good experience and I am very traumatized from it. This beach is black sand and lots of crabs they are onry I say.
The boat ride to their beach club was kinda fun and you have to walk across that nast slimey beach to get on the boat. I tipped the boat driver because he had a cup and those stinkn tourists didnt even think to tip greedy people I say. I know that the people in Costa Rica dont make large amounts of money and every bit they do make is appreciated not expected. The beach was nice, white sand, we went kyaking I love to snorkle not much to compare to when your used to caribbean fish I guess its better to take the boat out to a good place then snorkle.
We actually found a dirt road that led to an awesome beach a mile or so from the hotel but, yoou need a SUV or horse to get there. We parked after going as far as the car would go and walked about a half hour to the ocean it was soooooo beautiful untouched. This was white sand. Like the beach in castaway. This one you could not swim at in fact you had to becare ful that the tide didnt sweep you away just standing on the beach. There was a shady character standing in the trees. He was sneaking and I think he wanted out stuff. But I saw him and pointed him out so he snuck off. We were all alone and I will never forget this beach as long as I live.
We also went to the small town of Coco Beach which was a little more swimable, black sand lots of activity. Many surfers and boats a small marina area except there is no Marina dock I noticed that in Costa Rica you really have alot of jump off the boat and swim to shore scenerios. We walked throught the town it had a church open air, a pharmacia, a cemetary, shops for souveniers, tourists, a police station, some small homes and vacations homes, a hotel or two, restaurantes and bars, and many town dogs. If you dont know what town dogs are they are dogs who go aorund town and just live off of all the people. I met chocholata who was real hot she was just laying on the floor of a shop and when I talked to her she was so hot she could only move her eyes. She just comes in to get out of the heat said the owner. He gives her treats. I wanted chocholata but customs and immigrations wouldnt allow it. We saw a funeral procession as we were leaving trying to get back before dark. Foiled again we had to wait while they marched down the road with the some 50 people and the casket being lugged in a station wagon. We had to wait because it was the only road out of the town.
Tamarindo is another area we went to it is alot like a hippi version of the 1950s in California a good thing here was the beach. It was white sand and the surf was good in that there were alot of surfers. We played in the waves for a little while before the surferes took them over. I went to a pollo shop. Chicken that is and had a burger while my boyfriend had chicken and rice he said it was the best he has ever had. I fell asleep in the hammock what a comfy bed. It was a lazy afternoon siesta.
Now onto hikes and Volcanos. We stopped by the Rincon De La Vieja the raod was somewhat ok with the acception of a tree in the middle and it was dirt with many potholes or should I say craters. We arrived onto the trail and took the one that led to the famous waterfall. A new thing around every corner bugs lots o bugs all flavors all kinds. There are things her that I would have never imagined even ever existing on earth. Spiders, cockroaches, green and red shiney metallic bugs, monkeys howlers, whitefaces dont get under those guys they are onry too. Birds zillions of them, toucans, parrots, parakeets, millions more. Lizards of all kinds, butterflies and my favs the kowatti's they will eat right from your hand. They like jelly bellys but not to many or they will get sick. Shh dont tell the ranger. Actually he told us to feed them so we did. I had a small traumatic experience here with the cockroaches I saw one huge nasty looken one and took off down the trail only to find jumping grasshoppers all over what a nightmare. I decided to let the man lead from here out. To the waterfall we went ooh what a beautiful sight. Pretty turquoise water went for a swim. It is that color blue because of the copper in the water.
We went down the other trail to see the volcancita the fumeroles hotpots rivers and boiling water. Caution very active volcanic activity do not go over here. Iguana he was large Strangler trees and biologists for asking questions. Great time made me tired and have a upset tummy. It was all those fumeroles. Back to the road found a German Hiker lady she needed a ride down the road she was tired too. She left her hiker sticks with us on accident. My boyfriend said wheres the GPS cause we went down the wrong dirt road and saw the ladies hiker sticks. They were worth about 100.00 to late to take them back. Darn it we asked for directions again from a family that lived in a little house that had no windows and a rocking chair and a tv and 3 little children. Smiling all funny at us they said go that way in espanol.
The other volcano we saw was Arenal pronounced Adenol nice roads except a few craters and places where the road completely eroded to single lane. Beautiful lake and tabacon hotspring would have been nice but I was sunburned extreem and couldnt stand the hot water. This is a place where the river is naturally a 130degrees celcius. it was neat but I had a siesta and got even more burned. I am still tan and peeling. Anyway we stayed at the Los Lagos in the danger zone this Volcano is awesome. We saw hot rocks rolling down we. It sounded cool too it rumbled and made eirie sounds. I was a bit bummed because it was cloudy most of the night and we could only listen when it was best for viewing. I did get some awesome pictures here though. Horsie was a little to friendly. They also had crocodiles on the property. I found a Jesus Christ Lizard which was on our list to see before we go. The waterslide here is hillarious to watch the kids its like that movie A Christmas Story where the santa sends the kid down the slide and they scream with fear. This one gives a look of shear terror and excitment. A must see I didnt try it though. Well we had to leave early the next day to head back to the airport I could go on and on about Costa Rica but Ill save some for you to find out for your self.
Tips
1. Take the paved route through La Fortuna and San Ramon it is a beautiful drive with less port holes and lots of culture.
2. Expect the unexpected remember that there is something around every corner.
3. Bring 100 proof sunblock reapply it every hour. The sun is very close to the earth here and you wont realize it until its to late.
4. Insurance for car
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