A short (hot) walk around Guiones
While the Osa Peninsula in Costa Ricaās southwest is remote and wild, the Nicoya Peninsula in the northwest is rather more developed as a tourist destination. Nevertheless Pacific waves still pound its shores and there are quiet corners to be found. After all, ādevelopedā in Costa Rica is a relative term!
On our first full day staying at Lagarta Lodge we took the hotel’s shuttle bus to Guiones, the nearest beach town. We’d expected to find bars and cafĆ©s on the beach, which is popular among surfers; but as it’s a natural reserve the buildings were all set some distance back from the sea.
It was very very hot! So after taking a few photos of the surfers we retreated to the occasional shade to be found in the streets of the laid-back little town.
We found a little coffee shop selling excellent iced coffees. The guy working there said they only opened two weeks ago, so all the coffees were the same low price! We sat on a bench outside to enjoy our drinks, then walked around taking a few photos.
Iām sharing this with Jo for her Monday Walks, but I have to confess it was a rather short walk! The heat here was a bit much for me for walking, and there was little shade from the mostly low buildings as the sun climbed higher. But both Chris and I welcomed the opportunity for a different style of photography after the mostly wildlife and landscape shots weād been taking on this trip.
Despite the hot sun I enjoyed seeking out and photographing various bits of street art, which Iām sharing for Marshaās Photographing Public Art challenge. The ones on corrugated metal were at a construction site. This area is very popular with ex-pats from the US in particular; we saw signs for new developments in several places around the little town, including the real estate āofficeā above. I wonder if it will manage to remain so laid-back in character in the future?
After a while we found a spot that was shady, at a juice bar, where we had some very good smoothies made with coconut water.
We’d booked a 12.25 return shuttle but when it didn’t appear on time we called the hotel. They apologised for the mix-up and sent a jeep to fetch us, but it meant a bit of a wait. Luckily we found somewhere in the shade to stand; and even more luckily we had the chance to photograph a couple of Variegated Squirrels in a nearby tree.
Just the same, I was glad to see the jeep arrive; and even more glad to get back to the lodge and its welcoming shade and beautiful pools.
I visited Costa Rica in February 2022
43 Comments
ThingsHelenLoves
You capture places so beautifully, Sarah! I am utterly charmed by the squirrels, love the little greys and reds I come across here in Wiltshire but the Variegated Squirrels are something else.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Helen, I’m glad you liked the squirrels. Watching them certainly helped pass the time while we waited for our lift.
Julie
I went to Costa Rica many years ago. We stay in Liberia and explored Guanacaste and Monteverde. It was short visit — we only stay four days for the long weekend. I would love to revisit to see San Jose and the Arenal volcano.
Sarah Wilkie
I hope you do get to go back. I think the Arenal area was my favourite in some ways. It’s quite touristy but the weather was perfect for me (warm but not hot) and the wildlife spotting was the best we had during the whole trip!
the eternal traveller
Costa Rica wasn’t a destination I had ever thought about but your series of posts has changed that. It looks quite beautiful and very interesting too. Lots to see and do.
Sarah Wilkie
It really is worth considering. It’s beautiful, it’s well set-up for tourism, it’s very friendly, it’s quite small so you can pack a lot into a trip – and the wildlife diversity is amazing!
lisaonthebeach
Oh my goodness Sarah! I love this post! I would love to explore that area. However, I did almost overheat on two vacations, so I’d need to make sure I’m drinking lots of water. I am not use to hot humidity. BUT, I still love to explore! Thank you for sharing your BEAUTIFUL adventure! ššš¦š„„š“
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Lisa š The coconut water is a great option here, really refreshing! But I’m not good in such heat for long, I have to say, although like you I love to explore. Even if it’s hot I would get bored spending all day by the pool as some do on holiday!
lisaonthebeach
I do like coconut water, I have some in my fridge now. I’ve gotten overheated on a hot walk here at home and coconut water takes away that little headache that starts to grow. Although I think I’m smarter now and prevent the overheating by taking water with me… always! š
Sarah Wilkie
I’m so unused to such heat that I don’t always remember to drink enough water š
lisaonthebeach
I’ve got a great water habit and I am used to heat. But not humidity! Sometimes our humidity is as low as 1%!
salsaworldtraveler
It is great you are traveling. Keep sharing these outstanding adventures and photos.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks – this is probably the last post I have with tales from our Costa Rica trip, but watch this space as we’re off again soon, just on a short break!
SoyBend
Loved the colorful murals, Sarah. Cute squirrel too!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Siobhan – those squirrels were fun to watch while we waited for the jeep!
Aletta - nowathome
Such a colourful place Sarah! The woven hats are lovely!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Aletta š I’m not sure how long those hats would last but they look just right in this setting!
Aletta - nowathome
I wonder too š
Leela Gopinath
Wonderful pictures!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Leela š
notesoflifeuk
Thank you for sharing your wonderful walk with us. It’s a joy to see the sunshine as we’ve got some cold weather and a dusting of snow at the moment.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you š Yes, we even have a very light dusting of snow in London this morning, almost unheard of in April in recent years!!
Pat
We love finding these small towns when we travel. The photos you took are wonderful and I’m so glad you shared the little walk – I’m not a bit tired after following along. š
Sarah Wilkie
Glad I didn’t tire you out Pat and that you enjoyed your visit so much – thank you š
Sue
Great images, as ever!a
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Sue š
Sue
You are most welcome, Sarah!
wetanddustyroads
What a beautiful beach … and some pretty action pics of the surfers! I love your colourful photo’s – it feels like holiday š.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, yes – there was a real feeling of ‘holiday’ here š
Manja MaksimoviÄ
I have a serious soft spot for surfers and their lifestyle and would enjoy this place tremendously. That vulture is waiting for some bodies to hit the pool! š
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, there’s always a really cool and relaxing vibe in any place where surfing is a focus of activity, I agree š And š to your comment about the vulture (although technically he would be waiting for people to DROWN in the pool, as they only eat carrion I believe!!)
Manja MaksimoviÄ
That’s why I said bodies! š
Sarah Wilkie
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thehungrytravellers.blog
Iām sure you will agree that there are some real variations from region to region in Costa Rica. For such a small country there is real variety.
Sarah Wilkie
Absolutely – even in two weeks we saw so much variety. Mainly in landscape, natural diversity, climate – but also in places like this, coming across a rather different lifestyle and also travellers with differing priorities š
restlessjo
It sounds a beautifully chilled place, Sarah, and as Marsha says, nice street art. I gather you two aren’t surfers? Not much opportunity to practise on the north east coast! Many thanks to you for taking me somewhere I’ve never heard of.
Sarah Wilkie
Incredibly chilled! No, neither of us surf – I have terrible balance and Chris isn’t keen on getting wet š But actually people do surf in the north east (in wet suits, naturally) and there’s a well-established surf shop in Tynemouth. But in London, where I’m from, there’s certainly no surfing – although had I wanted to I could have perhaps had a go on family holidays to Cornwall!
restlessjo
Yay, surfing Tyneside! š¤š
Marsha Ingrao
Sarah, your street art is gorgeous and perfect for PPAC. I love the man in the hats, too. And that real estate office is a hoot. Vince was stationed in Costa Rica in the service and served as a translator. They would sit all day in headphones translating. When lightning struck, it would cause a huge blast in their ears. Today he’s almost deaf, but I’m glad he was there during the Viet Nam War era and not in Viet Nam. Back to your post. The little yellow bird is adorable and the pools look luscious. From your description of the heat, although it must have been a pleasant break from winter in England, would have killed me! A little heat and mugginess goes a long way. I’d have to Go Juice Myself!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Marsha š I reckon that man with the hats and the real estate office together say everything there is to be said about the vibe in Guiones! In your position I’d be very glad too that my husband wasn’t in Vietnam š¤ Generally the weather in CR was indeed a wonderful break from the English winter – it was just on this particular morning I found it a bit too much.
Annie Berger
I smiled, Sarah, reading one of your comments about your husband not liking water and your obviously not a big fan of hot weather. Yet you still chose to spend two weeks in steamy Costa Rica – I can see the country had so much to offer you with its gorgeous flowers and bountiful wildlife you showed us in your posts.
Sarah Wilkie
Well in fairness only this north west corner was steamy! The climate in the south west was hot but with more sea breezes, while inland was absolutely perfect around La Fortuna (high 20s centigrade) and positively cool (high teens) in Monteverde. And it certainly wasn’t a beach holiday, which neither of us much enjoys, or at least only for a day or so š
Annie Berger
Ahh – thanks for clarifying about the climate varying so much throughout the country. I should have known that from reading your and Phil and Michaela’s posts on Costa Rica.