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Re: Puerto Viejo...

I went down there Sunday with some people by car and returned Monday by bus. The bus was cheap but slow. Took 4 1/2 hours to get back with 20 minute plus stops in Cahuita, at a Migra checkpoint between Cahuita and Limon, and at a restaurant in Limon for a rest stop. The rest stop was badly needed as most passengers were about ready to piss out the windows. Better take your passport with current stamp along as the Migra at the checkpoint checked everyone on the bus. Bus was crowded and had no air conditioning or bathroom.

Puerto Viejo is a small, funky beach town frequented it appeared mostly by backpacker type tourists. Some national, some european and some gringo. Plenty of small, cheap hotels, restaurants, etc, and most necessary services for a short stay. Beaches in town are nicer than Jaco and Limon but not anywhere near Cancun quality for comparison. Ocean water was very warm and murky near shore. Was told better beaches existed farther south but did not see them.

We stayed at the Maritza Hotel very near the beach. $25 for a basic room with three single beds, a fan, a shower and a little fridge that did not work. No air, no TV, no phone. Room on 2nd (top) floor was hot with little ventilation. Maritza, the owner, and her family that make up the staff were very friendly and entertaining. Surprised me that most of the blacks in that area speak English.

Sunday night was this hotel's night to host a party that I was told moves from one place to another. Quite a party it was too. Bar, tables and small dance floor set up in the large central parking area. Caribbean style music (by the Beach Boys of Panama) started at 4PM and continued until 1AM. Beer, booze, food and lot's of friendly people. Forget going to bed early but then you wouldn't want too cause it was a helluva party. An eclectic mix of maybe 75% black locals, some local gringos and some tourists of all flavors. Maybe 200 folks there at the peak and everyone drinking, mixing and having fun.

Didn't see any working type chicas but I suspect some of the local girls would be open to proposals if properly presented. There were a lot of local chicas at the party but most were kind of ghetto booty types, way,way too big for this monger.

Puerto Viejo was...well...an experience

mexpat

Mexpat...you left too early to take in the Punta Uva beach tour the next morning. THe beaches south of PV are even better in my book than Cancun, Jamaica or elsewhere...for sure better than any I have seen on the pacific coast of CR. Playa Cocles and Punta Uva are white clean sand, very clean water, and best of all, not as many people as Pacific beaches. It's like being on "Gilligans Island". For me, the mixture of party and fun laid back people in that area is much more entertaining and relaxing than Jaco and west. And contrary to published tourist information in CR, there is less crime there than Jaco and beaches west.

Sorry you had the long bus ride. I did that run by bus in less than 4 hrs...but it wasnt during the end of easter week. I also had attractive company around me on that bus...some swedish blonde surfer babes along with some nice looking "island girls". ya just gotta get lucky I guess .