www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Is there a Pali or similar grocery store, or should I shop in Quepos on the way there? I sure don't want to have to double back once I am there.

its quite a ways from quepos. i know once we went off the main road it was just local places. fwiw i stayed one night and would have left sooner if i could. lots of surfers and end of the world types. but that was just my experience.
if you are staying multiple days my advice would be to buy stuff in quepos at the latest but i am not an expert on that area.

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

I remember being there one time many many many moons ago, at Roca Verde?, before Rt 34 was paved, and that is also my distinct recollection, plus a rocky beach to boot. But, I have no choice in my situation, work related, planning on renting a private house con piscina and forget about heading to the beach. I'll buy a bunch of groceries in Quepos and use the local pulperias for incidentals. Thanks.

yes your memory serves you well. the beach is nothing special and debris filled so you already know that. i like to surf so i was reticent to call it dirty but it is black sand and shall we say not manicured?
it was maybe two years ago but i remember feeling i had gone a little too far south. last decent markets i recall were quepos other than the standard truck/bus stop. bueno suerte amigo

btw the road should be smoother fwiw. they were pretty close to finished with the new road.

_________________
im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Thre's a huge marine national park about another hour south of Dominical (travel time on the old road, probably 1/2 the time now) Mario Bellana or something like that. Miles of beautiful breath taking beaches, but no concessions, hotels, bars, toilets nada--duh it's a park. But wow. If you could day pack smart, and/or were into camping, wow, heaven. Watched a pod? of whales about 1/2 mile off shore playing, maybe 30 mins. Quite a site for me, one of my vita's highlights. Etched in my hard drive.