Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tola, whose name means 'the land of the Toltecs', is rapidly developing into a service
town for the big resort communities. The main reason to come here is to save a few dol-
lars and catch a taxi to the beaches. There are no signed hotels, although you could ar-
range homestays.
Playa Gigante
This glorious white crescent of sand snuggled into the wildly forested mountains is almost
worth the 7km hike from the bus stop. There are no taxis (and little traffic), but anyone
with a pickup will no doubt give you a ride. Consider taking a taxi from Rivas or Tola. If
you have reservations, your hotel may be able to arrange transport.
The popular sandy beach break right in front of 'town' gets hollow and fun when condi-
tions are perfect, but it isn't really a surf beach. There's an endless tube about 45 minutes
north. Special-name waves include Chiggers and Outer Chiggers, close to a rocky reef,
and Hemorrhoids - this tube is for serious surfers, as it dumps you right onto gravel.
You'll need to hire a boat to most of the breaks, including the point break at Punta Man-
zanillo, just south, also called Punta Reloj. Ask the driver to take you past the 2m-long
'footprint' left in the rocky headlands.
Sights & Activities
From the beachfront restaurants, you can hire boards (US$10 per day) or bikes (US$10/50
per day/week) and get surfing lessons (
www.costanica.com
;
US$10 per two-hour class).
Enquire at the Hostel Camino del Gigante (
Click here
)
for US$15 three-hour sailboat
trips.
PARK
Reserva Ecológica Zacatan
This is a 12-hectare swath of secondary tropical dry forest 2km back from the beach.
There are interpretive trails and a swimming hole and plenty of monkeys, iguanas and
morpho butterflies in residence.
Pastora Tours
( 8910-0241;
www.pastoratours.com
; from US$25 per hour)
Call or email for chartered boat
trips.
BOAT TOUR
