I first got a little taste of that island magic when I visited the island of Eleuthera back in the early 80’s. Eleuthera is an island in the Bahamas group. One of the first things I noticed upon landing is that these people drive on the wrong side of the road. The taxi driver quickly informed me, island style, that you better “stay left, or you dead right, mon.” Costa Rica has its own island flavor and that primarily exists over on the often forgotten Caribbean side. I visited the beaches of the Southern Caribbean over the last couple days and I can report that while folks are suffering from the economic malaise that grips the world these days, in the words of Bob Marley, things are still “jammin.” I seem to always gravitate towards Cahuita, as I have written about formerly here, but this time I also explored points further south. Of course there is the bustling Puerto Viejo, what I refer to as the “Jaco of the Caribbean.” But if you trek even further towards Panama you can discover some real gems. Places that perfectly define the phrase “laid-back.” I am talking about Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo. The “naturaleza” of this zone is spectacular. And it is well known as having some of the most beautiful uncrowded beaches and crystal clear waters in all of Costa Rica. For nature lovers I especially recommend both Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. In these protected areas you can find an incredible array of marine life, flora and fauna. These coastal areas of Costa Rica contain some of the country’s most important coral reefs and are very popular for divers. But the most striking thing to me about these areas is that visiting them is like being transported to another country. They are a testament to the amazing diversity of Costa Rica. The people are predominantly black and of Jamaican or African descent. English and Spanish are widely spoken. The food is different, the culture is different and the “look and feel” of this part of Costa Rica makes it unique as compared to other areas. It really has that rasta-style island vibe, as if the ghost of Bob Marley blew a “shotgun” over the place and everyone began “talking reggae.” But really the Caribbean side has a little bit of it all, but outside of Puerto Viejo (which I personally recommend for visiting, but not staying), don’t expect the crowds and commercialism that are often encountered on the Pacific. It is a place to retreat, relax and reflect….and there is plenty of “greenery” to help you accomplish all of the above.
In da Caribbean they be Jammin mon…..
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