**Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 - San Jose to Puerto Viejo](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=1&l=0b304b75a9). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like.**



After finishing my 17 day adventure from Antigua, Guatamala to San Jose, Costa rica and sadly said farewell to most of my fellow travelers I had a few days rest as recuperation with Kelsie before she had to return to Australia. We spent most of the 4 days chilling out and exploring the city.

[![photo-8](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-812.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813854751031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-10](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-1010.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813855066031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

We spent some time exploring the compact market places, there were some interesting shops..

[![photo-2](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-212.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813853811031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-3](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-312.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813853926031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

I even had some time to do some shopping for some new shoes that were destroyed up Concepcion.

[![photo-17](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-172.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813855606031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

I found San Jose to be a rather gloomy, concrete jungle of a city with much of the architecture reflecting that feeling

[![photo-16](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-162.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813855596031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

There also seemed to be a lot of homeless and poverty

[![photo-115](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-115.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813855341031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

Sadly I finally had to say goodbye to Kelsie too after nearly two months of travelling together.

[![photo-6](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-612.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813854341031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

I was now on my own again, my first time by myself in Central America. Oh how I wish I knew more Spanish, it would have made everything much less intimidating. My first solo destination was the seaside town of Samara, Costa Rica

[![photo-33](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-332.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813857936031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-36](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-362.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813858241031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

My main reason for being there was to learn to surf

[![photo-21](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-213.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813856511031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-22](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-222.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813856501031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

I was relatively successful at first and found that I was able to stand up on the board even on the first attempt

[![photo-24](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-242.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813856891031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bZDl5EPX2vQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The board however was a long board, which made things quite a bit easier:

[![photo-25](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-252.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813857001031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

Evenings in Samara were spent chilling out, drinking imperial and enjoying the glorious sunsets

[![photo-27](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-272.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813857131031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-44](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-442.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813859226031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-29](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-292.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813857476031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

On the days I was too sore or too tired from surfing I explored some more of the long beach. At one end I found this incredibly refreshing waterfall

[![photo-37](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-372.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813858651031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

I also rather foolishly decided it would be a good idea to try to swim the gap between the main beach and a small island nearby

[![photo-39](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-392.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813858721031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

Not the smartest move as the waves and currents were rather strong and the rocks incredibly sharp. Still I made it back only with only a few cuts on my hands and feet.

Sadly after a week of bliss it was time for me to move on. I was trying to work my way across to Panama City eventually. On the way I decided I was going to spend a couple of days exploring the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, specifically the town of Puerto Viejo

[![photo-54](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-542.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813860201031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-53](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-532.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813860061031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

I didn't really like the town. It felt kind of sketchy and was riddled with drug dealers and associated dodgy characters. It didn't help that it rained for a large portion of the time I was there. Fortunately the hostel I was staying in (Pagalu) was great.

[![photo-48](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-482.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813859661031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-49](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-492.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813859761031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

The hostel had a great atmosphere that encouraged people to become friends. I immediately hit it off with the people in my dorm, I will remember Puerto Viejo fondly mostly because of them, cheers guys!

[![photo-57](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-572.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151813860426031&set=a.10151813853231031.1073741843.593661030&type=3&theater)

samara

samara

samara