Our last weekend before classes started was the perfect chance to relax and check out the country. Luke, the exchange student from the University of British Columbia (Colorado originally) came with Mason, Lauren, and myself.
Cahuita is located on the Caribbean coast between Puerto Limon and Puerto Viejo. Our bus from Sequires (located near EARTH) stopped at Limon where we connected to another destined for Cahuita.
Limon is an old port town with a large afro-caribbean influence. Though we only spent about an hour there, I had the chance to take a minute viewing the Caribbean Sea and walking through the central park. Unlike the other downtown plazas I had seen, Limon's was much more densely vegetated and shaded. The lonely planet guide says sloths still live in the park's trees (though I somewhat doubt this). There was a large agricultural market on the way into town that may have had good prices on fruit. Other than this and the possibility of ecxellent music by night, Limon didn't seem to have much to offer the tourist. If passing through it is advised to be careful. Within 2 minutes of getting off our bus a police officer came and asked me what we were doing and if we needed help, etc... gringos don't come here often.
After two 1-1.5 hour bus rides and an hour in Puerto Limon, we arrived at Cahuita. Without a place to stay previously lined up, we had to ask around. Eventually Lauren and I found a Cabina between the black-sand beach and downtown for only $20 per night ($5 per person). Having taken care of accomodations, we next explored the area.
The town is very small and undeveloped. Located between the allready urban Puerto Limon and the up-and-coming Puerto Viejo, Cahuita is expected to be one of the next hot spots in the country. The tallest buildings are still only 2 stories high and most activity in the town takes place on two cross streets only a few hundred meters from the beach.
Also on the Carribean, this village's carribean influence is noticable in everything from the ackee trees found in front yards to the reggae music playing from every other house. The tourists were a mixed crowd of Europeans, hippies, and old gringos. On the main street I stopped to talk to the owner of a real estate-touring company and found out he is originally from Royal Oak... small world... apparently he drove down to Costa Rica twice in the 1990's and the second time decided he would stay for good. 70 years old, he is about to retire and sell his business.
On Saturday we first checked out the beach near Cahuita's nacional park, but spent most of the day hanging out on playa negra (beach with black sand) on the other side of town. Ate dinner for cheap cooked by two local women in a small kitchen right next to the central park. Met some older Canadiens, and a crazy German women who seemed to be travelling alone. People in Cahuita (and everywhere else it seems) knew of EARTH. Pura Vida.
