Here Comes Summer!

 Summer . . .
That warm, sunny time of year when you hit the beach, take long walks in the fresh air and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

Summer in Costa Rica is the High Season.  A time when the many downpours of rain come to a halt and the misty dampness in the air turns into hot blistery sunny days where you seek shelter from the sun instead of the rain.

"But it is always warm in Costa Rica" ... you say.  

Well yes, in many areas it stays very comfortable year round but the Green Season rains add a coolness to the air and the temps are a bit lower.  It is a time of year when you take to your hammocks with a good book and enjoy the sound of the rain on the clay tile roof and listen to the birds singing.  A time when you get use to the sudden surprise of the loud clash of thunder and amazing thunderbolts that light up the sky. A time when the rains come down so fast and with such force that the creeks and rivers rise and the mud slides off the mountains.  And as suddenly as it came it comes to a halt and the sun shines brightly and the clear sky's return as if nothing ever happened.  

.... but the rich lush greenery all around reminds you that it did.

As we bid farewell to the rains and welcome in the High Season we are excited to recall the many activities and fun filled days that are a big part of this joyful time when many friends bid farewell to the cold and the snow in the North and return to Costa Rica to bask in the hot sunshine and enjoy their little slice of Paradise! 

Our sleepy little village of Bejuco comes alive with the sounds of music and chatter as everyone gathers together to visit, share the holidays and to begin this "Summer" time of Sunday Fundays on the playa, BBQ's,  potluck dinners,  hikes through the rain forest to majestic waterfalls and magical nights on the town dining out in the many restaurants nearby.  

So as we say goodbye to the rains and begin the sunny days ahead we WELCOME the return of old friends and look forward to the promise of many new friends to come!

. . . and That is PURA VIDA!

Lazy Day BBQ Fun at the Pelicanos!

You will quickly learn that living the Pura Vida lifestyle can most always involve a bite or two of something delicious shared with friends in a relaxing tropical atmosphere that will usually call for a nap in a hammock.

One of these tasty dining experiences took place on a lazy Saturday afternoon where we enjoyed some delicious American BBQ (rumor has it a Georgia recipe) at the PELICANO BEACH BAR and RESTAURANT Hotel in Esterillos.    There is a lot of amazing food in Costa Rica and you sure can't beat all the fresh seafood and local fruit but sometimes you just get that craving for some good ole' Southern style pulled pork BBQ with a nice tangy sauce!

The Pelicanos is a place that we frequent for breakfast, lunch or dinner due to its close proximity to our community, it's consistently good food, and amazing tropical casual atmosphere.  It is a great breakfast destination for a morning beach walk or lunch if you are a sun lover and don't mind the midday walk on the beach.  Or you can take a drive over.  Their "Morning Egg Rolls" are to die for!  

Be sure and check out the MENU for all of their great options for dining!

  

 On this particular day the Bejuco crowd was excited to join in for some Saturday fun and BBQ because The Pelicano originally had this BBQ on Sunday and everyone knows that Sunday in Bejuco we have a Sunday Funday Beach Potluck/Grill where everyone gathers for a neighborly day at the playa. 

The word was spread and the plans were made to head to the Pelcano for a meet up around 1:00.  Some of our energetic, athletic, exercise girls struck out on the beach for a nice walk and the rest of us piled into cars and hurried over to beat them there and grab some good seating!  

Friendly greetings welcomed us and we staked our claim to the large Rancho with a view of the water and surrounded by hammocks.  Perfect for a large group!  
The guys piled up in the hammocks and soon the beachcombers arrived, everyone got served  some nice cold beverages and we enjoyed the afternoon dining on some great food in the nice cool breezes from the ocean. 
...and some of those with a playful nature enjoyed the giant swings on the beach under the palm trees!

SWING ON BY and join in the fun!
It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon and we highly recommend it to locals, vacationers and those that are just passing thru on their Costa Rica journeys!  And the Good News is that due to popular demand the BBQ will continue as The Weekend BBQ and be served on both Saturday and Sunday!  Now that is some finger lickin' good news!

We have always enjoyed The Pelicanos but the new owners Debbie and Marcy have really spiced it up with great fun entertainment!  Don't forget it is also a hotel so if you want to spend the night after too much fun or stay as long as you would like .... they have "rooms at the inn" and their newest addition of the Pelicano Estates ~ private homes on the beach!  

Click the links below to check out and 
"LIKE" their Facebook Fan page 
for current specials. . . 
Pelicanos Hotel
 or you can friend them at 
Pelican Beach Hotel 

 We are excited about their latest post 
of a Volley Ball game!

We also heard there will be some 
live rock music Saturday night 
with Los Chupacabras 
Rockin n Rollin the beach @ 7:00!
  Come Early for Dinner Seating or 
Call for Reservations 
 506 2778-8105
 

Enjoy our video pics and music below 
of a great day of BBQ!
It's All Pura Vida!

 

BBQ at the Pelicano from Deb's Dalliance on Vimeo.

If you know someone interested 
in some Sun, Fun and BBQ 
click links below to share!

Jaco Art Festival 2011

The Jaco Arts Festival kicked off last weekend with 

parades, marching bands, carnival dancers, Latin 

music, a nice selection of food offerings 

and rides for the children.  

There will be more to come this weekend 

February 11, 12 , 13 

so make your plans to attend and enjoy the festivities!

Enjoy the videos below of last weekends 

parades and entertainment!

There is always something fun to do in Costa Rica!

February is a month filled with festivals....

After you have enjoyed some cultural art in 

Jaco

be sure to head on down to 

Parrita 

and take in some cowboy style fun at the

Festival of the Mules!

The Festival Nacional de las Mulas 

PURA VIDA! 

The Best of Costa Rica!

Please enjoy this incredible video that shows the magic and the beauty that make you want to come to Costa Rica!
The Best of Costa Rica images- La Fortuna, Arenal Vocano, Miguel Antonio, Jaco Beach, Tamarindo Beach, Monteverde and Playa Conchal. Unique short video shots of the Beaches, Jungles, Waterfalls, Hot Springs, Lakes and Volcanos.

A very "Happy New Year" in Costa del Sol!

Costa del Sol in Playa Bejuco welcomed the New Year in style with a rocking party filled with homeowners, renters, friends, locals, our very special and dedicated workers, young, old, ageless, amazing food, mood setting music, swimming, dancing, laughter, sharing, giving, cheers to the coming year and......... wishes made upon the full "blue moon"!   

A VERY GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

 

 

A Very Happy New Year to All!

Our wish for you 

is that you may be there next year

for a Pura Vida Fiesta!

A Great Place for Dinner at Playa Bejuco!

offers you one of the finest dining experiences you can find in Costa Rica without even leaving your own neighborhood!

The Delfin is a restored Costa Rican landmark offering air conditioned rooms with balconies overlooking the beautiful Pacific ocean. 


The open air restaurant and bar overlooking the lush tropical pool and gardens offers some of best cuisine that is lovingly prepared for you by their Chef Bob who being from Louisiana specializes in delicious Cajun dishes.


Some of his mouth watering dishes have been:

•  Tomato & Corn Bisque with Fresh Sage
  

• Pan Sauted Fillet of Corvina (Sea Bass) with Seven Pepper Salsa or Lime Butter Sauce

• Grilled Breast of Chicken with Papaya  and Fresh Oregano Salsa

• Cajun Fried Large Shrimp with Cocktail sauce

Well you get the idea.....
The menu changes regularly and Chef Bob is always willing to accommodate special diet needs.


And whatever you have you must remember to try the Creole Banana Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce and Tropical Lime Cheesecake!

And to go along with your fine dining experience you will be graciously served and catered to your every need by the warm and friendly bartender Minor who makes one of the best Pina Coladas I have ever tasted!


So while you are enjoying you visit in Costa Del Sol be sure and plan an evening at the Delfin!  You can take the car or the golf cart but if your going for lunch you might just want to enjoy a nice walk.  You could not ask for a nicer place to dine so close to home!  Not only will you enjoy a great meal you will probably find a fun night of great entertainment conversing with other visitors to the Delfin that love to just "hang out" for an little Pura Vida.  It is not unusual to find Eddie McGehee the owner, a good ole boy from Georgia,  joining in to mix and mingle.  Eddie is also a motorcycle enthusiast so he may share a story or two with you about some of his biking trips around Costa Rica!
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DELFIN

PLEASE VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

DELFIN BEACH FRONT RESORT

 

 

 

 From Jaco: Drive south approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles). After you pass Esterillos, Monterey and Del Pacifico, you will see signs on your right for the entrance to Playa Bejuco. Drive down to the beach and take a left. Welcome to paradise, Delfin Beachfront Resort.
From Quepos/Manuel Antonio: Drive north approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles). After you pass the town of Parrita, the entrance to Playa Bejuco is approximately 13 kilometers on your left. Drive down to the beach and take a left. Welcome to paradise, Delfin Beachfront Resort.

Buen Apetito

A Birdwatchers Paradise!

We have a beautiful plant in our yard that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and I have tried to get a pic of one .....but  every time I get there they are gone.

Today we were just hanging around the house with all the doors and windows open letting the cool and balmy Pacific breezes blow through the house.

I walked into the bedroom to get something and was greeted by a flying object that zoomed past my head!  

This beautiful little hummingbird had flown right into the house and was most distraught with not being able to find the way out.   So off I went to grab my camera in hopes of capturing the moment.

The poor little thing flew back and forth from one curtain rod to the other and wore herself out to the point where when she landed on the headboard we  scooped her up for transport back to nature and the great outdoors! (Yes, I called her a she....something so beautiful would just have to be a girl!)

Confinement does play a role in allowing for capturing photos of your subject so while in flight I was able to get some really good pictures of our new feathered friend!

BYE BYE BIRDIE!  I am so sorry for your stressful experience.....but thank you for the photo op!
Hopefully we will find you again feasting on the sweet nectar of our butterfly bush!

PURA VIDA!

Pura Vida, used by Costa Ricans means "Pure Life."  It is used as a greeting, a farewell, and to express satisfaction.  Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, good spirits, enjoying life slowly, celebrating good fortune, whether small or large.
And that is exactly what I have been doing for the last three weeks!  Enjoying the good life slowly! 

The area in Costa Rica where we enjoy the pura vida is at Playa Bejuco is on the Pacific side just south of the surfer town of Jaco and Hermosa.  A four hour flight into San Jose and a roller coaster 2 hour ride over the mountain on a very curvy two lane road is rewarded with breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys covered with beautiful rain forests and coffee plantations.


One of the first stops we like to make is at one of the many fruit stands to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables!  Papaya, mango, avacodo, limons, and melons are just a few of the juicy treats you can find here.  I guess you can tell that one of my favorite things to do in Costa Rica is EAT! The food is just bursting with flavor and so o o o o FRESH!  One of our favorite meals is a Casado,a typical Costa Rica meal consisting of rice, beans,fried plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an entree of choice that may include chicken, beef or pork.



My second favorite thing is the PEOPLE! (Roll your mouse over photos for descriptions)

 
      

  And don't forget the animals!  Better known as FAUNA.  Some warm and furry....
    
Some feathery and chatty......

 


And some that you prefer to observe from afar!....

And there is always the......"What in the heck is that?" species!

Mans best friend wherever you go....the Costa Rican PERRO!

And of course the product of the rainforest the beautiful flora with gorgeous bursts of color!

                                                                          

Don't forget the SUNSETS!

There is always something to do in Costa Rica!  Swimming, Surfing, Hiking through the Rain forest, Canopy Tours with Zip Lines and Bridge walks thru the trees, Waterfall, Volcano and Coffee Plantation tours, Island tours, Fishing, Beach walks, ATV & Horseback riding, Rafting, Kayaking, Soaking in the Hot Springs or just lying in a hammock.
If you are thinking of a trip to Costa Rica consider staying at Costa del Sol.  It is a great neighborhood that includes a nice mix of homeowners from all over the world!   It is just a short walk to the beach and conveniently located between Jaco and Manuel Antonio.

                                                      
 A great website provided by the Costa Rica Tourism Board is COSTA RICA - No Artificial Ingredients.  It has some great microsites to view and will help you in planning your activities (should you decide to actually have any).
To get a visual on locations and travel times visit COSTA RICA MAP PROJECT
For local up to date News visit THE TICO TIMES the online version of the local newspaper that is printed in English!
For current U.S. travel information click here to visit  US Department of State/International Travel
or  US Department of State/Costa Rica