Ha Man it's the Caribbean Coast!

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  Puerto Viejo, Province of Limon, Costa Rica
Thursday, March 18, 2010

We made our way via a van shuttle the 3-1/2 hour trip to Puerto Viejo, the relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers.  Formerly a small fishing village (yes, I know I have written that statement before), Puerto Viejo has grown rapidly in recent years. Avid surfers, drawn to the famous "Salsa Brava" waves, have made Puerto Viejo a hot spot on the surfing circuit (not much waves when we were there).

The center of town (which we like to stay, to be in the middle of things) has many souvenir and surf shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and tour companies. True to its beach location and Caribbean ambiance, bikes and pedestrians dominate the road (see later about the road).

With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, ex pat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo has a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafarian culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town’s vibrant roadside. Smoking weed on the street and in the restaurants as if it is legal!  We found the food to be some of the best here in the country, maybe that's the reason so many people with the--munches. 

Darcy and I rented 2 bikes for what we were told was a 9 mile round trip ride to the next town of Manzanillo. We were also told that the road was not "to bad". Not far out of town it turned into a dirt road in very poor shape and full of potholes with many rocks. The distance 22 miles! 

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Front of Our Hotel	White Orchids	Our Room View	Darcy on the Bike Ride
Resting During the Ride	Purple Orchid	Puerto Viejo Seaside	Over Done Coconuts
Ocean in B&W	Yellow & Red	Hotel Pool	Caribbean Masks
Light Purple Flower	Orchid	Caribbean Palms	Red Palm
Flower on Fire

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