El Sabor de la Montaña

If you happen to be in the area of the Poas Volcano and need to eat, El Sabor del la Montana has you covered. With lofty timber ceilings and huge picture windows, El Sabor has a rustic lodge-like feel that will make you feel like a true mountain adventurer. The menu is very carnivore-friendly, but you can request a few tweaks from the server if you prefer to change it up a bit. It’s also situated near a few souvenir shops, just in case you need to grab that last minute trinket before you head on your way.

Even the monkeys are yawing. One would think that as they swing through the rainforest from restaurant to restaurant down the road to the beach that they would be energetic and fun...like monkeys should be. But this was a rainy day and these guys must not have found too much to eat. Good thing they stopped at the Too Bizarre Tiki Bar where bananas grow right in the front yard. We picked a few and helped the monkeys to lunch. Hopefully the all-natural sugar shot will give them the energy they need for the rest of their journey down the mountain.

On Playa Potrero, literally on the beach, you’ll find this gem of a hangout that serves casual food and refreshing cocktails. This is the place to go for a memorable sunset any night of the week. However weekends are their specialty with live music and a massive barbecue cook-out!

It takes a bit of effort to bus, hop a small plane, or drive rutty, muddy roads, but well worth the trip to Pavones, near Oso Penninsula. Nature Air will get you there quicker from San Jose (400Km), then a short taxi ride over jungle roads and small river ferry. This town is how Costa Rica was 20 years ago, before all the tourist development, fast food etc.. Dirt roads and beautiful surf, which is said to be one of the longest lefts ever! Plenty small hotels, bungalows to be had.. genuine costa rican cuisine and mellow nights with parrots and macaws fluttering in the tree canopy... Villa Harmonia ($80) is a cool place, only a short walk to the beach.. cool balconies to hang out and listen to the rainforest, see blue morpho butterflies, watch spider monkeys hurl themselves to the next branch! Then wax those boards, and paddle out to some of the most beautiful surf, I have ever been on... There is a small surf shop in town for rentals/purchases of boards/gear. remember to be respectful, and open to the local ways in this small gem of remote of Costa Rica...

The Rainmaker Park is located about 30 minutes drive from the town of Quepos, it is a great park to take a morning nature hike in the authentic Costa Rican rainforest, the amount of plants and the different kind of animals make this area a perfect place for nature enthusiasts, biologist or wildlife photographers. There are several trails, hanging bridges and swimming waterfalls. Taking an official naturalist guide is the best idea to enjoy more and learn more about this unique ecosystem in the central pacific of Costa Rica. The guided tour leave every morning from the area of Manuel Antonio and Quepos, the transportation, water, entrance fee, and a delicious lunch is included.