Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Boca Chica dock, hire a water taxi (per person US$3) to take you 200m to the Boca
Brava island dock at Restaurante Bar Boca Brava. A water taxi from the Boca Chica
dock to Boutique Hotel Cala Mia costs US$35.
If you drive your own vehicle, you can safely leave it near the village dock.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
PUNTA BURICA
This lush peninsula jutting into the Pacific is a lovely spot for absorbing the beauty
of both the rainforest and the coastline.
A very remote and rustic getaway,
Mono Feliz
( 6595-0388; monofeliz@gmail.com; per
person campsite/cabin US$8/25; 3 meals US$25; )
offers cabins with mosquito nets, a
freshwater pool frequented by monkeys and an outdoor kitchen for guest use.
Guests can cook for themselves or pay US$25 extra for home-cooked meals. With
your own gear you can camp onsite, with access to pool and bathrooms. Activities
include nature walks (an excursion to Isla Burica at low tide is a highlight), fishing,
surfing, bird-watching and horseback riding. English is spoken.
To arrive, start with an early bus from David to Puerto Armuelles (US$3, 2½
hours). From the Puerto Armuellesmercado municipaltake a truck to Bella Vista.
From here it's a one-hour downhill walk. Mono Feliz is directly in front of Isla Burica.
For private transportation from Puerto Armuelles, contact Spanish-speaking
Yanilka
(
6595-0388; per person one way US$10)
or from the marina
Eric
(
6652 9930;
one way US$35)
does boat shuttles, weather permitting.
With a 4WD, there is dry season (mid-December to mid-April) access. From
Puerto Armuelles keep heading south along the coast toward Costa Rica. Go
through the Petro terminal and then veer directly onto the beach (attempt only at
low tide). Continue up to a dirt road marked with a 'Mono Feliz' sign, about 30
minutes on.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Playa Las Lajas
With one of the longest beaches of Central America, the 20km palm-fringed Playa Las
Lajas seems to stretch forever. The town sits 51km east of David and 13km south of the
Interamericana. It gathers serious crowds on the weekends and has started on the road to
mainstream commercial development. Over the New Year holiday it becomes a crazy,
drunken scene. During the week it often lies empty so you can savor the glorious expanse
all by yourself.
