Costa Rican Hospitality

The people here in Costa Rica are generally wonderful - kind and friendly - and everything about our experience has made us feel safe. At risk of playing to stereotypes, that was a little more expected in small towns in the interior, but is a welcome surprise in busy Tamarindo. I don't know that there are many countries in the world where a newcomer would have this consistent experience everywhere. 

Breakfast at Tamarindo Village Hotel is simpler than what we have been getting in the rural interior, but it gets the job done. Fresh fruit and cereal/toast to get the kids powered up for the day. They offer coffee, but Mindy and I prefer to check out the specialty shops for that. We did, however, take advantage of the hotel pool before heading out.

Big brother helps little sister figure out the code for the hotel gate as we leave...

...and then monitors her as we go.

Derecha Sagrado is a local gem for coffee. On a hot day like this, I very much recommend their cinnamon and honey iced latte with almond milk!

That's my boy! He may not like the taste, but he's learning to discern and describe coffee flavours!

There is a playground across the street, so even though the ocean is right there, the kids have their own priorities. Lauren immediately made friends with a little 2-year old local, and we spent the next half hour chatting with her engaging parents - Eder and Sophie - who run the local school Surf With Chocolate. Eder even retrieved a piece of cardboard for some Costa Rican tobogganing!

Good-bye and have a nice life, Sophie and Eder. Or, maybe we'll see you next year?

This is a squirrel. Not exciting. But fun to see how the coloration is different from our usual.

Epitomizing the Costa Rican faith in their fellow humans, twice today we had vendors offer us things on the promise that we would return and pay later. (We didn't have cash on us and I was hesitant to hand my credit card information over to a random person wandering the streets...even in safe Costa Rica!) In one case, it was the souvenir that Lauren was determined to get, so I jogged back to the hotel. Bonus - another brush with wildlife!

The other vendor was selling beach image and thirst-quenching deliciousness!

Overpaying for that seems appropriate in this context.

Dinner at Green Papaya taco bar - they got us with the swings for seats! Turns out the food is pretty fantastic, too!

One day, Mindy and I will be able to enjoy romantic dinners when we travel - leaving the kids to fend for themselves. For now, we get kind of dressed up in order to play Uno with the boy. (The girl was busy "mothering" a 2-year old from a neighbouring table.)

The plan was to get back into bathing suits for an evening dip in the ocean, but the sun was already setting as we departed Green Papaya. Run for the beach! Catch the sights!

Any time the phones come out, the kids want their chance to take photos, too.

What's this along the beach? A fire show? Mesmerizing and incredible! (Doesn't hurt that their bodies would be inspiring even if slouched over in a fast food restaurant...)

One last look at the ocean before calling it a night.

Bah! Bedtime can wait. It's our last night in Costa Rica (at least...on this trip). Gelato on the walk back to the hotel!

And now, finally, bed. Good night Costa Rica.