Archive for July 2009
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Manuel Antonio
Gazing down on the blue Pacific from high on the hillsides of Manuel Antonio, it’s almost impossible to hold back a gasp of delight. Offshore, rocky islands dot the vast expanse of blue, and in the foreground, the rich, deep green of the rain forest sweeps down to the water. Located on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio has been a long time destination for travelers to Costa Rica. Its relative proximity to San Jose by road, its stunning beauty and certainly because of the country’s most visited national park, have made Manuel Antonio an amazing destination for travelers from rag tag backpackers to uber-high end socialites.
The Manuel Antonio area more or less includes anything between Quepos and the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, located at the very end of the coastal road. The park was established in 1972, resulting in the entire area being called Manuel Antonio. Inside the actual national park, travelers can find four beaches: Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Escondido, and Playita. The beaches are amazing and are home to famously brave monkeys that have a habit of stealing items left alone on the beach.
Winding along te road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio, travelers will see small hotels and restaurants dotting the way. There is even a restaurant at the Costa Verde hotel called El Avion, and is home to an old C-123 cargo plane that had been abandoned in San Jose by the CIA after the Nicaraguan civil war in the 80′s. Coffee conosuiers can visit Cafe Milagro for a hot cup of jo and some great food. If you want to catch a movie, head to the Si Como No hotel, and you’ll get free admission with dinner. There are also plenty of bars, and even a couple of small casinos to try your luck, all dotted along the lush green road that winds along the coast.
For the longest time, there were really only two hostels in the area: Wide Mouth Frog in Quepos, and Vista Serena in Manuel Antonio. Recently however, there has been an addition to the backpacking scene, and not a bad one. Backpackers Manuel Antonio opened a pretty cool hostel right in the middle of Manuel Antonio, almost dead center between Quepos and the National Park. Backpackers Manuel Antonio boasts the same low rates as the other hostels in the area, as well as a new swimming pool with an ocean view.
To get to Quepos and Manuel Antonio from San Jose, you can catch a direct bus from the Coca Cola Terminal downtown (3 1/2 hrs+), there are several a day. Sansa and Nature Air also offer several flights a day (25 minutes), and sometimes Nature Air has some amazing deals. From Quepos, it’s not hard to head south to Dominical, or north to Puntarenas to catch the ferry to the Nicoy Peninsula.
Manuel Antonio Costa Rica in a larger map
Nosara
The Nosara area is located in the province of Guanacaste, on the Nicoya peninsula, just a skip north of Samara. The area consists of Playa Guinoes, Playa Pelada, and the small community of Garza to the south. The area is a landscape of lush rain forest even during the dry season, and wildlife abounds. The area is also known for it’s consistent surf, and easy acccess to heavier breaks like Marbella to the north. However, even if you’re not into surf, Nosara still has plenty to offer.
The best beach of the three in the area is Playa Guiones, a vast crescent shaped beach with great sand and few rocks. Almost nothing is built close to the beach, as there is a protected band of land between the beach and the rain forest that serves as a picturesque backdrop. On the hilliside above Guiones, amazing homes dot the area. If you are looking for entertainment head to Kaya Sol, pretty much the closest bar to the beach in Guiones. You’ll find a well balanced menu and plenty of cold beer. For a little more lively atmosphere, walk a couple of meters to the Guilded Iguana. During the day time this pool bar is a favorite meeting spot of local ex-pats. Nosara even has it’s own English pub, The Black Sheep. the authenticity of this bar is so amazing that if you woke up inside, you could think that you were actually in a roadside pub in the English countryside. The owner doesn’t even stock local beers, and has his favorites specially imported. Find a local to get directions, and you’ll definitely need a ride.
Nosara in a larger map
Nosara is also considered the yoga capital of Costa Rica, with yogis from all over coming to practice and teach. The Nosara Yoga Institute offers a variety of courses, and has daily classes to balance out the alcohol and drug intake. There are a few areas that are worth a good hike, horseback riding on the beach and sea kayaking, can all take up some of your leisure time.
For a true beach hostel experience, you’ll have to stay at Solo Bueno. Located just a short walk from Playa Guiones, Mateo and Kimberly run a lively hostel with a super laid back atmosphere. Beds are cheap, and there are private rooms out back in the rancho. It’s also the central meeting spot more or less for the areas surfers. Be wary of staying in the area for too long if you aspire to accomplish anything in your life, Nosara has a way of sucking people in and keeping them. You can find former executives waiting tables or bartending, and they’re not stuck in a rut, they’re stuck in their paradise.
Nature Air and Sansa offer daily flights to Nosara from San Jose. Nature Air even has some flights from Tamarindo. To get to Nosara by bus, you need to catch the 5:00 AM bus from Tracopa in San Jose (direct) or you can take any direct bus to Nicoya and catch the collectivo or a taxi to Nosara from there.
Puerto Viejo
This wonderful beach town on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica holds many surprises. With its laid back attitude and Caribbean life style, you can be assured of a relaxing Costa Rican holiday. Naturally, for those of us who like a more active holiday, Puerto Viejo has it all. Long walks on pristine beaches, experiencing exotic flora and fauna in a wildlife refuge, snorkeling or diving among the many reefs in our crystal clear waters, world-class surfing, mountain biking, kayaking and cultural visits to indigenous peoples.
Located about an hour and a half east of Limon, the largest city on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo has long been an afterthought in the realm of Costa Rican tourism. Up until a few years ago, just getting to Puerto Viejo and the Talamanca region was a pain. The highway leading from San Jose to Limon is one of the country’s most treacherous, and road conditions after Limon were fair at best, even during the dry season. The impressive airport in Limon is still rarely used for anything other than aid mission support. But gradually things have improved; Electricity brought lights and refrigeration to Puerto Viejo in 1986 and to Manzanillo in 1988. Private phones were installed in 1996 and broadband internet became available in 2006. Eventually tourism, albeit still on a small scale compared to the rest of Costa Rica, started to trickle into the area.
Today Puerto Viejo still doesn’t have a large hotel, and most of the travelers bouncing through are backpacker types looking for a rasta experience or just a slower pace of life. The best known hostel in Puerto Viejo is called Rockin J’s, and is actually located just outside of town. J’s offers hammocks, tents, shared cabinas, private cabinas as well as a tree house. This hostel definitely is the heart of the party as far as outsiders go. In town, there is a new and very impressive hostel, Pagalu. Although it’s a little bit sparing in the character department, Pagalu is a clean and comfortable hostel, thoughtfully put together, and a nice change of pace from the seemingly non-stop party atmosphere of Rockin J’s.
Something that the Caribbean has that no other part of Costa Rica can compete with is the food. Puerto Viejo pumps out, at a very slow pace, interesting cuisine using local, fresh ingredients. Spicy jerk chicken, fish are favorites along with patacones (plaintain banana french fried style), and coconut rice and beans. Spicy patti (meat pie) are commonly offered on the street. The cuisine, which you can find in specialty restaurants in San Jose, has been an important Afro-Caribbean contribution to Costa Rican culture.
To see some of the Country’s most beautiful beaches, just head east from Puerto Viejo towards Panama. Somewhere in between you’ll find magestic places like Manzanillo and Punta Uva. ride a bike to the west and you’ll find the small town of Cahuita, which even has it’s own rum distillery, making a delicious coconut flavored rum that makes Malibu taste like bleach. From Puerto Viejo, it’s just a short day trip to Bocas Del Toro on the Caribbean side, which is booming from what was a kind of backpackers secret spot, to a newly found luxury destination and spring break spot.
To get to Puerto Viejo, take a direct bus from Terminal Caribe in San Jose. there are 4 buses daily, and the ride is about 4 1/2 hours. Generally, while it’s pouring rain in the rest of Costa rica from September tohrough November, the Caribbean side is beautiful.
Puerto Viejo in a larger map
Arenal
The Arenal Volcano, in Spanish Volcán Arenal, is an active andesitic stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica (10.5N, 84.7W), around 90 km north-west of San José, in the province of Alajuela. Recognised as a volcano since the 19th century, it was known by foreign investigators as “Volcan Costa Rica, Rio Frio”, “Canastos” Volcano and “Cerro de los Guatusos”. Arenal is the youngest and most active of all the mountains in Costa Rica. Scientists have been able to date it back to more than 4000 years ago. The area remained largely unexplored until 1937, when a documented expedition took place to reach the summit.
Once locally known as Cerro Arenal (i.e. Mount Arenal) it was presumed extinct until July 29, 1968 when an earthquake caused it to erupt, after approximately 400 years of dormancy. The eruption wiped out the town of Arenal and killed 87 people . It lasted for several days, and during that time destroyed crops, property, livestock, and forests. 15 square kilometers were buried and the explosion affected over 232 square kilometers. The eruption caused three new and active craters to form. Before the eruption, there was a wide variety of plant and wildlife on the mountain. It has been active since the explosion and can be reported to have minor eruptions every 5-10 minutes.
To get to Arenal from the hostel in San Jose, the most economic option is to take the public bus. The direct public bus leaves San Jose, from Terminal San Carlos, 3 times a day. The ride takes about 4 hours. You can also fly to Arenal from San Jose with Nature Air. They use a smaller municipal style airport, which is only about 12 minutes from the hostel in a taxi. Sometimes you can find great deals on Nature Air to tons of destinations in Costa Rica.
Services
Free WiFi
Free Maps and Info
Free Coffee and Tea whenever you want it.
Free Breakfast (Unlimited Pancakes, toast, fruit, coffee and tea…. really….. it’s included….yes, we know it’s awesome for $12 a night)
Free Linens (and they’re clean and smell F’n gooooood)
Free Towels (just ask for a towel and we’ll fetch one for ya)
Free Xbox 360 (when it’s working, sorry, we over did it with the FIFA ‘08)
Free Nintendo Wii
Free Pool Table
Free Movies (tons of DVD’s for you to watch at your leisure)
Free Community Kitchen (A REAL KITCHEN, blender, rice cookers, microwave, toaster oven, real knives and utensils.)
Free Concierge Service
Free Travel Services
Free Book exchange
Arrange tours
Rental car arrangement and delivery
Hotel reservations at other locations
We’ll order pizza, Chinese, ice cream, anything you want delivered. Even McDonald’s delivers to us!
There is no lock-out, no curfew. If you have a reservation, you can check in at any time, however we do not take “walk-ins” (people without a reservation) after 10PM.
We do not provide or arrange transportation from the airport to the hostel. It’s so easy to just take a cab that it became a disastrous endeavor. Please visit our location section for instructions for getting to the hostel from the airport.
WE WILL GO OUT OF OUR WAY TO HELP YOU, YOU JUST HAVE TO ASK!
What our guests say about Hostel Bekuo
Awesome, great place to stay. Great people to stay with. Good host, clean, friendly, have to come back. Go ASU!! Go Huskers!! Derek, Austin TX, USA
This hostel is the best thing San Jose has going for it. Thanks for the good times!! Conejo, aka Hot Karl, aka The Iron Skillet
Merin, Kat & Crystal, three awesome Aussies.
By far the most posh and elegant place I’ve stayed after two weeks of traveling Costa Rica. Fantastic!
Garrett
Thanks to all, such a cool experience, will be back.
Rufus, Maine
The best start to a holiday you can ever imagine. Thanks for everything!! Jaime, next time we’ll speak Spanish!
Carol
Great Place! Met some great people here and can’t wait to come back! Pura Vida Baby!!!
Kristen
What a journey. It seems like yesterday Dave and I were standing outside by the wall, our biceps glistening in the tropical sun, the pieces of the mosaic falling into place as if by divine intervention.
How can I express the good times, the Scrubs episodes, the sounds of laughter echoing through the halls of Bekuo like the voice of an angel cascading through the centuries? The mosquitos buzzing like tiny winged itchy symbols of paradise, the pool balls clicking their approval. I love you guys.
Mark, somewhere way out there.
Costa Rica was amazing!! I’ll miss the sun when I’m back in Oregon! Storm, you have a great house, thank you for helping us out so much!!
megan, Oregon USA
It was fun meeting you in Bocas del Toro and then staying at Bekuo. This is the nicest, friendliest hostel I’ve been too, and sushi night was killer too.
John, Seal Beach California
Staying at your hostel has been a lovely experience. You have accomodated us so well… The rooms are comfortable & very clean. As well we appreciate you serving us breakfast earlier than usual Storm, ,& it was French Toast!! Thank you once again.
The party of 8 from Olds College,
Alberta Canada
Thank you for everything! We so appreciate all of Storm’s help! What a wonderful start to our CR holiday!
Jen and Giuseppe
Washington D.C.
Well this is it and what a beautifu way to end it. Thanks for all the hospitality, noy only in Bekuo, but Costa Rica in general.
“Las tres de Oregon”
During the several times we stayed here, Bekuo became a real home for us. Every time we came back again we felt like coming home. Many thanks to all the fam that creates a friendly atmosphere. Next time we come to Costa Rica we will stay with you for sure. Muchas gracias por todo.
Anke Meyer,
Hamburg, Germany
Muchas gracias por todos. Me guster mucha aqui! La gente es muy amable y yo quiero regresat a hostel bekuo si yo voy a regresar a Costa Rica.
Pura Vida,
Silvia
Really loved this place, was great to have a place like “home” to return to every time I came back from a trip! You guys are so friendly and chill, the vide at Bekuo is really great! So wanna return in the future to Costa Rica, fell in love with Costa Rica… Hope to soon. By the way, still gonna ask Simone what exactly happened there, I’m curious… no worries though, that secret is safe with me 
Oh, and if you ever need a place to crash in Amsterdam, let me know!
Paulinka, Amsterdam
Bekuo was/is the perfect place for me to hide out. Every time I would visit a new area in Costa Rica, I would spend the night here and move on the following day. It’s so relaxed here and everybody is so friendly. They really make you feel at home. Thanks guys! If I come back to Costa Rica I will most definitely come back here, and whenever you are in Holland, just let me know!
Roul, Holland
We wouldn’t be able to leave Costa Rica without expressing what a blessing you have been to all of us. Our experience here has been so enriched by our daily interactions with each of you. You have allowed us to become part of your “family” by graciously serving us and loving us. Whether it be daily toilet emergencies, transalating our take-out orders, or Uncle Storm pausing his afternoon construction while Ellie napped, we have ben blessed by it all and will miss you more than you could know.
Group of Campus Crusaders
I have never been treated so well in my whole life! If I ever come back to Costa Rica, I will definitely stay here again, Pura Vida!!
Adam, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
What’s up party people? you guys are sooooo cool!! I wish you all, all the blessings that life has to offer. Everyone that walks through these doors are lucky souls. A home away from home is what I got, without any nagging parents around!! I hope to see you all again someday, until then know that anything is possible. Live the good dream, I love you guys.
Aaron, New Jersey
Thanks for having us! Reckon you guys are the best!! See you soon
Kim and Mark
Bekuo was a wicked place to recover from La ruta bicycle race, thanks for everything!
Jeff, Calgary AB, Canada
This was a great place to stay and finish the trip. Thank you for your hospitality, it almost felt like home with the pool table! Take care and best of luck!
Richard, Paris, France
