Puerto Viejo Costa Rica is one of our favorite places to CHILL. *Puerto Viejo is on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica close to the Panamanian border.
We love Puerto Viejo for a few reasons, but one is the FOOD.. and especially the food at a place called, 'STASHUS con FUSION', formally known as 'Loco Natural'. 'Stash' the owner and chef let us know about the name change so we're passing it on to you. When we were there a little over a year ago it was 'Loco Natural' but don't worry, nothing has changed but the name- Stash assures us it's still GREAT food and in our opinion, probably some of the BEST you'll find in ALL Costa Rica let alone Puerto Viejo.
And of course a year back we did a video, so CHECK it out and if you're ever in the Puerto Viejo area, you'll definitely want to stop in at 'Stashus con Fusion' and PLEASE, tell Stash we said, "Hey". pura vida.
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
We totally stand by Gecko Trail Adventures and Easy Ride Shuttle Service's decision to NOT refund Bitch's money.
This girl, Amanda, is attempting to SMEAR my friends, Gecko Trail Adventures, Hotel Banana Azul and Easy Ride Shuttle Service on the internet.
Here's what happened:
We received this email yesterday from some girl named, Amanda. For this post she will now be referred to as, 'The Whining, Complaining, Gringa Bitch' or just 'Bitch' for short. Here's Bitch's email:
"If you are considering using the services of Gecko Trail Adventures, here is my experience, so traveler beware.
They insist that you pay in advance by credit card and they issue a voucher. For example travel is $40 per person from San Jose to Puerto Viejo. My flight was delayed and I called to move the shared shuttle to the next day and they refused to honor the voucher. They claim when you call them that its because they have independent contractors providing the shuttle service, but I think that's a poor excuse.
This company works with Banana Azul in Puerto Viejo. I strongly recommend avoiding them. Of course the best way to not get ripped off is to not pay companies in advance, but to pay cash for services rendered. This was a special circumstance, my brother's honeymoon, so I wanted to make it hassle free for him and pay everything in advance. I have learned my lesson with Gecko. I hope you will choose not to use them and go with a more reputable provider."
I won't bother you with the details but the bottom line is, 'Bitch' didn't read the cancellation policy of Easy Ride Shuttle Service and tried to switch shit up last minute and fact is, Gecko Trails did try to accommodate but it was just too last minute. Therefore, no refund. Could you imagine trying to run a shuttle service where people were attempting to change the schedule last minute... and then demand a refund when things don't go their way? And then have the audacity to threaten a 'battle' on the internet by emailing everyone associated with said event (like us) and attempting a 'character assassination' on sites such as TripAdvisor?
If you're going to STAND-UP for something, it helps if you have TRUTH on your side... think of me as Tank 1, Gecko Trail Adventures as Tank 2, Easy Ride as 3 and Banana Azul 4..."BITCH, you need to BACK OFF."
First and foremost, we LOVE constructive feedback and it is VERY much appreciated but what we don't like is when people don't take responsibility for their irresponsibility and attempt to BLAME others for it... and then 'threaten' when they don't get their way.. Since we work exclusively with Gecko Trail Adventures because we LOVE them, we happen to know they go OUT of their way to make things right, sometimes breaking their own rules and policies in order to do so. *We've got countless emails praising Gecko Trails and thanking us for recommending them, this is the FIRST negative one in over 14 months. So, when Bitch attacks them and thinks we will automatically back her without finding out the facts (which we did), we take it personally. Bitch may as well of called MY mom a bitch.
Oh, I almost forgot, she also mentions one of our favorite hotels in ALL of Costa Rica, Hotel Banana Azul in Puerto Viejo,like they should be avoided because they're associated with Gecko... BITCH PLEASE
Please, go on TripAdvisor or other websites that post reviews: Nine and a half times out of ten, both Gecko Trails and Hotel Banana Azul receive glowing reviews, hopefully making Bitch's gripe, irrelevant. But yes, I'm sure both have screwed-up in the past and when you work with people EVERYDAY, that's inevitable but in the overall BIG Picture- both are top-shelf companies and go out of their way to please and make things right.
*Yeah, follow Bitch's advice and tell the Shuttle Service you promise to pay them when you see them, then let me know how that works for you. Credit Cards/PayPal are pretty much used universally to 'book' things and furthermore, Cancellation Policies are also pretty much the same in the travel biz.
I'll probably be accused of being too mean to 'Bitch', but trust me, I've seen all the emails and I just don't like her threatening manner and besides, if my mom happened to be a bitch, I would admit to it.
But I'll bet anything Bitch is a bitch at a restaurant.
Here's our VIDEOS of Gecko Trail Adventures and Hotel Banana Azul in case you never saw them:
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
The story goes that when the rescue center first opened they had gotten a margay that needed help, well apparently margays look like baby jaguars. I guess, 'Jaguar' just sorta stuck.
One of the cutest pictures we've ever taken, a baby sloth with the 'forever' Pura Vida smile.
Regardless, the Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo is a MUST DO. *This is the Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side of the country close to the Panamanian border.
A baby sloth being nursed at the Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica.
We'd been wanting to go to the rescue center for the LONGest. I'm serious, it's one of the BEST things we've done in Costa Rica, well at least in the TOP 20. The rescue center conducts 2 tours a day and has many animals under their care: sloths, howler monkeys, exotic birds, snakes, margays etc. and it's VERY informative and when it comes to the howler monkey's- HANDS-ON.... way cool. *Check out this video to understand why we're able to touch the moneky's.
For those of you into SNAKES, they got a LOT of them, like this eye-lash pit viper.
Here's our video of the Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica. I think this is one of our BEST videos to date:
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
There was a time when most people visited Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for one thing: surfing. Now, Puerto Viejo, known for its Jamaican/Caribbean VIBE, not only attracts the surfers but has become one of the hottest destinations on the budget-travel circuit. The easiest way to explain who goes to Puerto Viejo, well let's just say if Bob Marley and the Grateful Dead ever were to put on a concert... I would say Puerto Viejo is the Caribbean equivalent of Malpais located on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, where surfing and partying also seem to go hand in hand.
Good news is, if you're not into pot smoke and reggae, the beaches south may be more your thing, and even BETTER- the beaches south are MUCH nicer. Definitely don't miss Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Manzanillo, and my personal favorite Punta Uva. Puerto Viejo for the party, beaches south for the tranquility.
Old semi-submerged barge turned into a playground for the locals.
Here's our VIDEO of Puerto Viejo Costa Rica:
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Hey Everyone! Koki Beach Restaurant is pretty much located in the center of Puerto Viejo on the main road, with the ocean only a stone's throw away. So when your strolling around the town, you WILL pass Koki Beach and you'll probably mutter to yourself, "We need to check that place out later."
Koki Beach is not your typical Puerto Viejo Restaurant. First off, they don't play reggae, not because they dislike reggae, but because just about every other restaurant/bar/club/house/radio/television/band/car etc, DOES play reggae- Koki likes to be different and really, take my word, you'll appreciate it. Make no mistake, Koki Beach does have a Caribbean feel about it, but the owners added their own flair. So it's as if Bob Marley and Madonna decided to collaborate.
Koki Beach is trendy and COOL,a place to go to have drinks and conversation...and people watch. And if you don't get lost in conversation and forget to order- the food's pretty damn tasty too.
Here's our REVIEW of Koki Beach. Check out the decor and artwork.......very nice.
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
We'd known about Banana Azul for some time and even corresponded a couple times with the owners about doing a video review of their place but just couldn't find the time to make it down to Puerto Viejo. Finally, we did. Twice in one month in fact. Boy, are we glad we did. It would have been nice if we could have stayed a little longer... but we'll take what we can get.
Banana Azul is just what the doctor ordered. Pretty much on the beach, jungle-y, lushed-out landscaping and the rooms have that COOL 'bungalow on the beach' vibe... and the bonus- the food is really good there. So, needless to say Banana Azul is the perfect place to veg-out and do whatever.
Banana Azul has that rustic feel, here's one of the rooms.
We think the owners, Colin and Roberto, did a really nice job creating the perfect atmosphere and we think you'll agree. Anyway, here's our video REVIEW of Hotel Banana Azul. *I don't want to imply there are not other nice hotels in the Puerto Viejo area, I'm sure there are. Obviously we haven't stayed in them all... but so far, this is the one we like BEST.
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Back from Puerto Viejo Costa Rica for the second time in less than a month. Fortunately for us, last time we didn't get everything done we had promised, mainly making videos for a few folks, so we went back and took care of business (we have such a tough life). As usual- we had a GREAT TIME and soon we'll be posting the videos to prove it.
For those who may not know, Puerto Viejo is on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica fairly close to the Panamanian border. This little 3 corner Caribbean town has a 'flavor' all it's own not found on the Pacific side of the country- very Jamaican in Puerto Viejo.
On our last visit we went to perhaps one of the more beautiful beaches found in the Puerto Viejo area, Punta Uva. I love, Love, LOVE this little cove. The way the 'greens' of the jungle contrast with the water and the beach... VERY NICE! I think we went through 3 batteries and 2 memory cards snapping pics.
So of course we made a little video just to show off some of the area's natural beauty, which is embedded below, but first a couple 'wildlife' shots:
WARNING- this first pic is for ADULTS ONLY due to its graphic nature.
We felt a little guilty intruding but watching crabs do the 'nasty' was actually quite entertaining.
This sloth was chillin' up in a tree by the Punta Uva Dive Shop.
And just for the record, no animal on the planet can chill as good as a sloth can.
And here's our VIDEO of Punta Uva:
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
We had been trying to get to Puerto Viejo Costa Rica for the longest... HELLO, we've lived here 5 years and had never been to the Caribbean side of the country, what's up with THAT? We've always found ourselves on the Pacific side- Manuel Antonio, the Nicoya Peninsula, Tamarindo etc. Finally, we got a chance to take a Road trip to Puerto Viejo. About time.
Puerto Viejo is nice, great vibe, chillin parties, sweet reggae tunes and even if you never smoked pot in your life, Puerto Viejo just makes you want to buy a bong and light up, hell, they do in the restaurants and bars there.... and you know what they say, "when in Rome" at least that's my excuse. As far as beaches go, we prefer the beaches south of Puerto Viejo, like Playa Manzanillo, Cocles, Chiquita and Punta Uva, but at night, Puerto Viejo is the place to hang.
Most people think you have to stay IN Puerto Viejo, but there's nice hotels and B&B's along the road leading to Manzanillo and if you don't want to cook, you could hang out at Maxi's Restaurant, which pretty much makes up the entire town of Manzanillo.
Bottom line, if you're in Puerto Viejo, you need to check out the nicer beaches south, so here's a quick view of Playa Manzanillo and watch it to the end when D'Angelo gets attacked by killer ants...hehe.
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Coconut Grove in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica is a 4 room hostel. Actually, STRIKE that, more of a budget hotel. There was 4 of us and we took the apartment- full kitchen w/ a big refrigerator, 2 rooms, 4 beds, ceiling fans, supposedly hot water that we never got to work, small porch w/ hammock. Not bad for $45.00. *There is additional charges for additional people but the owner will barter somewhat... depending on the season and occupancy rate.
I think I'd put some A/C in the apartment, it can get hot at night in Puerto Viejo.
Coconut Grove may have seen it's BEST days but it's also apparent it could see them again. It has BIG area that could be made into a communal, party/sitting/chillin/dining/whatever, room. We couldn't tell if renovation was coming or going but it definitely has potential if the owner feels so inclined. Coconut Grove was lacking in personality but our apartment was a nice place to chill, play cards, chat, so it was all good. *Right now, Coconut Grove is a place to sleep, it's not a place you'd 'hang out'- BUT IT COULD BE.
Here's our REVIEW of Coconut Grove in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica:
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica is on the Caribbean side of the country and fairly close to the Panamanian border. Puerto Viejo has a serious Jamaican VIBE going on- or maybe there's just a lot of guys with dreads, smoking pot and listening to reggae. Regardless, it's definitely got a different vibe than the Pacific side of Costa Rica- not necessarily better, just different.
You would think there would be a lot of Caribbean-style influence in the restaurants in Puerto Viejo, but actually no- although coconut milk is used a LOT.Jammin Restaurant, we were told, was the only 'jerk' place in town. Others had tried, but not successfully. Anyway...
Jammin, off the Main St and close to the beach in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
We just had to check it OUT, plus we thought it looked like a really COOL little building- eclectic knick knacks about and there was some great reggae beats originating from there as well.
*It should be noted the food we ordered at Jammin was excellent BUT... although we couldn't see it, the good looking waitress serving us obviously had a stick WAY up her ass, and based on her attitude and personality, it had been there a LONG time. Luckily for us, a girl named Megan started her shift about 3/4 through our meal, she was very friendly and made up for 'bitch girl'.
Here's our review of Jammin:
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Puerto Viejo is located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica and has a uniqueness all its own. It doesn't take long to notice (and feel) the Jamaican influence. Surfers, Rasta's, young hippie dudes and older guys who wish they were one of the three, hanging in Puerto Viejo just makes you want to light-up and chill on a hammock at the beach..... with some Marley in the background of course.
Manzanillo is about 15-20 minutes south of Puerto Viejo and if you're in the area, you're going to want to check IT, and the other nicer beaches south of the cloud of pot smoke in Puerto Viejo. Make time for Cocles, Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo.
As you drive into the very, VERY small town of Manzanillo it's impossible to miss Maxi's Restaurant since it pretty much makes up the town and if you didn't stop you'd drive right through the front door, so directions aren't necessary.
Our friends, David and Mindy along with D'Angelo at Maxi's Restaurant in Manzanillo Costa Rica.
From the outside, Maxi's looks like MOST Tico restaurants around the county, a lot of wood, beer signs, soccer jerseys and open air seating but unlike most other places, the food was very good at Maxi's. The prices are pretty much what you would find in the States so unfortunately it's not 'cheap eats' but at least you're getting what you pay for.
Here's our VIDEO REVIEW of Maxi's Restaurant in Manzanillo, south of Puerto Viejo:
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Puerto Viejo Costa Rica a margay at the Jaguar Rescue Center.
Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Manzanillo, Chiquita, Punta Uva, Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Manuel Antonio in 6 days. Look at your Costa Rican map and you can see we were seriously 'Doin' Costa Rica'.
Yup, we just got back from an excursion around Costa Rica and do we have a TON of work to do in the next few weeks putting together some videos for you guys.
We got this opportunity THANX to David and Mindy, a couple from North Carolina, who were emailing us with questions prior to their vacation as well as checking out our videos on YouTube and our travel info on Travel Costa Rica Now. After meeting David and Mindy in La Fortuna they asked us if we'd like to join them on a few legs of their journey around Costa Rica. We have no car and travel on a backpacker budget which they generously offered to help with, so of course we said, "hell yeah". The fact David and Mindy were very COOL was sugar on cereal.
Hope you ENjoY these pics, they're just a sampling of what's to come.
One of the most beautiful places we've seen in Costa Rica, Punta Uva, a little south of Puerto Viejo.
Holding a sloth at the Jaguar Rescue Center which was one of the neatest places we've ever visited in Costa Rica.
A Bribri Indian woman explaining one of the many traditional ways they use the banana leaf.
Walking down to view the waterfalls at La Paz Waterfall Garden.
It was a fun time road trippin' it around Costa Rica with David and Mindy and once again, a huge THANX, totally appreciated.
I think we got some GREAT video footage,,,,so be on the L@@K out.
TONS of Costa Rica Travel Info and VIDEOS on our website: Travel Costa Rica NOW and if you want to visit our YouTube Channel: iCostaRica24 ENjoY!
Puerto Viejo Costa Rica is one of our favorite places to CHILL. *Puerto Viejo is on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica close to the Panamanian border.
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