As a part of my gap year in Costa Rica, I would like to make sure that I see as much as this beautiful country as I can. Since I attend class for the first four weeks, I can travel on the weekends to wherever I want.
My first weekend, I went to Manuel Antonio National Park. It's in Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas on the pacific side of Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio consists of the beach, mountains, and rainforest. What more could you ask for? I did not know much about this place; the only thing that my tico friend told me is that I can see monkeys there, and I immediately agreed to go. I really wanted to see monkeys, even though my ultimate goal of my Costa Rica trip is to see a sloth up close and personal. Did you know that one of the Costa Rican dollar bills has a sloth on it?! This country is amazing.
10,000 colones is equal to $20
I have never really spent time in the Pacific Ocean, I think I may have gone swimming in it in San Diego 8 years ago; but I remember nothing. Since we were going to visit a beach on the pacific side, of course we signed up for a surfing class! My entire life I've wanted to know how to surf, even though I'm not the strongest swimmer. In the swimming classes when I was younger, I just liked to swim underwater instead of learning the useful swim strokes. I believe that we signed up for a surfing class with the Tropical Surf School and our instructors name was Miguel, who of course was a beautiful Costa Rican man with long sunkissed hair. His hair may be better than mine! I'm not going to give an entire review of the surfing experience, but basically it was amazing. First time parasailng AND learning how to surf? Check.
Us four girls and Miguel after our surfing lesson; we were SO tired
Manuel Antonio National Park is the most unique place I may have ever seen. I've never been to a national park before; just zoos and they are so different. In my opinion they are so much better than zoos because the animals are actually in their natural environment living and functioning on their own instead of being locked in cages just for people to stare at. It was raining the morning that we visited the park (what else is new, Costa Rica is in its rainy season right now), so not a lot of the animals were out and about. I could only see part of a sleeping sloth, but here are some of the pictures of animals that I did get:
A white faced monkey trying to steal someone's backpack looking for food
A photo of some toucans that I got from afar
Even though it was only my first weekend trip in Costa Rica, I have a feeling that it is going to be one of my favorites. Despite the amazing beach and national park, Manuel Antonio has by far the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in my life. A picture of the sunset is the background on my phone, and I just cannot get over the fact that I actually took the photo. It looks like one of those beautiful layouts that Apple gives you the option to choose on the iPhone. After our long day of surfing, we decided to sit on the beach, eat some plantains, and wait for the sun to set. It was the best decision and the perfect way to end a busy day at the beach. Here are some photos of the beautiful sunset:
I still cannot believe this photo is real; the beauty is indescribable
This was definitely one of the best weekends of my life. I did so many things I have never done before and took so many more risks than I normally would. I went parasailing when I am deathly afraid of heights and I went surfing when I can't swim very well. This is what this gap year is about. Despite my doubts and hesitations, I want to try anything and everything that is normally out of my comfort zone. This was the perfect way to kick off this new year of adventures and I cannot wait for the trips coming ahead! And did I mention that Manuel Antonio has GORGEOUS surfers? Totally my type and totally dangerous. Haha!
I cannot wait to share my next adventure with y'all! Pura Vida!
Have a wonderful day! xoxo
Annie Blair
All photos belong to me.
