Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
with all
mod
cons (a/c, cable TV and wi-fi) plus continental breakfast but rather overpriced
even so.
$165
Cambutal, Guánico Abajo and Tonosí
For most people Playa Venao is remote enough, though die-hard surfers may want to try
the even more out-of-the-way spots around
Cambutal
, a small fishing village another 60km
through undulating cattle country - spectacularly lush in the rainy season, desperately barren
once the moisture has been sucked out of it - down a deteriorating road. Here the picturesque,
charcoal Playa Cambutal and some of the surfing beaches further west get serious 3m waves
while non-surfers can explore the caves, blowholes and crevices of this impressively rugged
coastline.
Fifteen kilometres east, around Punto Morro, is the less publicized
Guánico Abajo
. There
are some basic
cabañas
, good surf, mangroves to explore and the nearby
Playa Marinera
,
cream-coloured sands hemmed in by cliffs, where over thirty thousand olive ridley turtles lay
their eggs each year. To reach both places you first have to pass through
Tonosí
, which is
little more than a glorified regional crossroads surrounded by hilly cattle ranches. but which
has all the basic amenities around the main square, including an ATM, as well as the local
ANAM office.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: CAMBUTAL AND GUÁNICO ABAJO
By bus
From Tonosí's plaza a handful of
chivas
serve Cambutal (last departure 1pm),
Guánico Abajo and surrounding villages. One bus a day goes from Las Tablas to Cambutal
(via Tonosí)
By car
In the dry season a high clearance saloon car can just make it down to Cambutal and
Guánico Abajo, but once the rains start a 4WD is a must.
ANAM office
The ANAM office just off the main square in Tonosí (Mon-Fri
8.30am-3.30pm; 995 8180) can help with information on Isla de Cañas. The even smaller
ANAM outpost (Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm) should be able to provide information on access-
ing Parque Nacional Cerro Hoya.
Money
The only bank (with ATM) in the area is on the main square in Tonosí.
ACCOMMODATION
CAMBUTAL
Hostal Kambutaleko
6677 0229,
hostalkambutaleko.com
.
Breezy hilltop hostel boast-
ing simple fan-ventilated double
s w
ith private bathroom and fridge (in some) plus a shared
ocean-view terrace. No kitchen.
$45
Hotel Playa Cambutal
832 0948,
hotelplayacambutal.net
.
The new colonial-style hotel
on the beach offers ten spacious ocean-view rooms. Fishing c
harte
rs, kayaking, horseriding
and hiking excursions can all be arranged. Breakfast included.
$149
