Posts tagged Rainy Season
San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua a Charming Surfer and Fishing Village
Jan 27th
San Juan del Sur is a small fishing/surfer village in Nicaragua located in a beutiful beach inside an amazing cove that goes by the same name. The village overlooks the Pacific Ocean 60 km southwest of Granada and about 24 Km from Costa Rica’s northern frontier.
San Juan Del Sur is protected on 3 sides by majestic volcanic hills and on the one side by a pristine white sand beach. The weather is ideal almost all year long with a very short rainy season that occuras typically between December and March, but rarely lasts the entire season long.
This makes it an ideal location for snorkeling, diving, surfing and my favorite, deep sea fishing!
If you like to go for walks or mild hikes, I suggest you take a nice easy hike up the southern cliff att he southend of the beach, at the top you’ll find a lighthouse and the ruins of William Walkers fort. It’s an easy walk and the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking!
San Juan del Sur is one of the most tourist oriented destinations in Nicaragua. The locals are very friendly and most speak a little english. The beachfront is set up a little like a boardwalk, with many reataurants and bars lining the beach, which makes for great barhopping at night.
Fishing boats fill the ocean inlet and there are even some commercial fishing boats and sailboats that are available to rent. Sometimes it’s fun just to go out and catch your dinner rather than merely buying fish and lobster from the incoming fishing boats! Some of the smaller reataurants will be more than happy to cook up your catch for you as well.
Overnight and weekly accommodations are plentiful and the village is an excellent vacation destination within easy driving distance to many Nicaragua attractions. Cabs are easy to find right downtown and the busses are very frequent and connect to most anywhere in Nicaragua.
Besides that, you’ll have the chance to see nature at its finest: dense forests, an abundance of sea life and (rare) birds. San Juan is also known for its turtle refuge sanctuary and this is the place to be during turtle season. Although, if you go to see the turtles, I highly recommend you go with someone who knows what they are doing.
San Juan’s principal resource is its perfect, protected harbor and its crescent beach, open to the setting sun and protected by El Indio (The Indian), who’s silhouetted face hides in the rocky cliffs on the north end of the bay.
Surf’s up, but so is foreign investment. Fortunately in San Juan del Sur, business and pleasure mix easily, usually over heaping plates of seafood, pasta, and fresh snapper. You’re sure to cross paths with the land sharks and the crazy band of checkbook-toting prospectors madly scouring the coastline for a piece of the pie.
Only in Granada is the interest greedier. Don’t let the frenzy sour your mood. The beach is clean and mellow and the evenings are rum soaked and full of stars.
Many people, especially younger tourists, love to spend time in this town just hanging out, relaxing, and enjoying the surf. For these types of activities, San Juan del Sur is a great place.
There are other more active things to do as well, five minutes from the city center you can find a canopy tour (Da Flying Frog). This is the longest canopy tour in Nicaragua and in addition to the adventure of gliding down the zip lines you can also enjoy some superb views of the bay of San Juan del Sur and the surrounding area.
Another good spot to take in a great view of the region can be found at the viewpoint. On a high cliff at the northern side of the bay there is a cross that marks this viewpoint. You can see it from the beach below and you can easily get there in car or by walking (5 minutes in car, 30 minutes walking). It is advisable to park the car just below the viewpoint, as the last part of the road is extremely steep and slippery, a 4×4 would do fine though.
Both to the north and to the south of the main cove in San Juan del Sur there are secluded beaches that are surrounded by tree-covered hills that give each beach a unique and private setting.
A great way to get a good idea of this magnificent coastline is by taking a sailboat ride along the coast. Not only can you see the beautiful hidden bays pass by along the ride, you can also see some magnificent animals in and around the water.
Birds like pelicans and frigates are plentiful, you’re likely to see sea turtles and be followed by dolphins and if you get really lucky you’ll spot one of the world’s largest mammals during the ride; Whales are regularly seen during the dry season, migrating along the coast!
All in all, San Juan Del Sur is a great vacation spot, highly recommended, affordable and memorable!
Escazu, San Jose Costa Rica – Love It Or Leave it – You Can’t Deny It!
Dec 31st
The second canton of San José Province, Escazú, is one of the most prosperous in Costa Rica and it neighbors with San José, Alajuelita, Santa Ana and in some slight sections with Acosta, Mora and Belén.
Founded in 1848, it’s one of the first cantons in Costa Rica. 79.8% of its population lives in urban areas. Its capital is Escazú city.
Situated 7 kilometers (4 miles) southwest of San José at the base of Cerro Bandera and Pico Blanco mountains Escazu city offers a spectacular panoramic view of the central valley. Escazu has more than 30,000 inhabitants and covers roughly 13 square miles of land.
Today Escazu is comprised of San Rafael, San Antonio, Escazu Centro and Guachipelin. Local landmarks include the Costa Rica Country Club as well as the MultiPlaza mall.
It is accessible from all highways and local roads and it is elevated somewhat from the capital and many locations are well-known for their scenic landscapes. This region is one of the most developed parts of the capital, populated by families with high income and many apartment blocks and residential areas.
Escazu is a mixture of the old Costa Rica and of a modern international community. In the old part of Escazu you can find buildings of loam rise, an interesting church of architecture ravenesa and a soccer field. Its atmosphere is that of a rural area where neighbors know each other for several generations.
Besides of the old part of Escazu you will find deluxe mansions inhabited by Americans and Europeans who established their residences in Escazu attracted by its pleasant climate and magnificent views.
In the hills from the eastern part of Escazu there is the well known area Bello Horizonte with its beautiful old buildings and abundant gardens.
The climate is beautiful and mild all year round, and the tropical rainy season (locally called “winter”) lasts from April to November, while November and December frequently bring high winds.
The Legend…
The name Escazú comes from the indigenous word “Izt-kat-zu”, meaning “resting stone” and the story tells of Indians traveling from Aserri (south of San Jose) to Pacaca (Near Ciudad Colon), who used to stop and rest at this location, which was about half way between the two villages.
The first inhabitants of these places were native Indians from the Guetaras or Huaca tribes. Popular legend tags Escazú as La Ciudad de las Brujas (the City of the Witches), leading to its municipal seal, a description of a witch on a broomstick flying over the surrounding mountains.
Amenities:
Over the past few decades Escazú has been a true “expatriate” enclave, since several embassies have their residences located here, including the residence of the US Ambassador. The past few years has seen a significant influx of newly arrived foreigners from North America, South America and Europe. It is home to many bars and restaurants, especially those of the more chic and expensive variety and rents and prices reflect this.
Here one can find a car wash, an English movie theatre, a luxurious country club and a number of bowling alleys. There are also many fine restaurants and dining spots in this part of town, with an excellent nightlife. Banks, pharmacies, shops, grocery stores and even an 18-hole championship golf course can be found here, along with one of the biggest and most modern shopping malls in Central America, Multi Plaza. Even the US ambassador to Costa Rica has his residence in Escazu.
A great alternative location to living downtown mainly because many of the people here speak English, Escazu still retains some of its local flavor. You can visit Escazu Centro to get a feel for the relaxed Tico lifestyle here with its small narrow streets, quaint ambiance and colorful sodas or local restaurants. The area around San Rafael de Escazu is mostly residential with a much higher living standard.
Escazu is presently a mixture of agricultural and suburban communities, less than 5 miles west from downtown San Jose. It only takes about 25 minutes to drive to the Juan Santamaria International Airport.
You should visit:
* Biesanz Woodworks – and you can admire some of the finest Costa Rica woodworking
Only in the modern San Rafael section would one feel himself to be in a purely city environment, because to a certain extent, Escazu is still more like a garden. The rest of the Escazu area is quite rural in aspect.
Most Ticos do like plants and, although their garden arrangements are arranged chaotically, the effects are often lovely and extremely colorful. They generally will plant whatever plant that falls into their hands in the center of the largest space available, thing which hardly lead to a formal garden, but can surprisingly be quaint and beautiful.
So here you can enjoy the restfulness of Escazu’s very informal home gardens and the wildly varied plants that fill them!
Accommodation:
* Intercontinental Costa Rica – The majestic building is surrounded by delightful countryside and boasts, a magnificent swimming pool. A French restaurant is one of the more unusual attractions on the offer, besides room service – 24 – Hour, dry cleaning/laundry service, medical services, translation service, lounge/bar/nightclub and many more
* Posada Del Bosque Country Inn – free parking, car rental, currency exchange, laundry/ dry cleaning service, multi-lingual staff, non-smoking rooms
* Costa Verde Inn – Air conditioning in the rooms, daily maid service, fireplace,
in room broadband Internet access, kitchen/kitchenette, microwave oven,
telephone, refrigerator, television (cable/satellite)
* Casa Maria Bed & Breakfast – this serene setting on one acre of gardens is home to many interesting plants and birds. You’ll stay in a picturesque country atmosphere, away from the city’s noise and pollution but still close enough to all its activities.
