Where the jungle meets the sea

Playa Carrillo Costa Rica

It was Joe and Jane that recommended it. They were just finishing up their two week tour of Costa Rica and were taking one last look at Playa Flamingo. Their favorite stop…Playa Carrillo. We book a hotel with the most interesting reviews and off we go, driving from Tamarindo to Playa Carrillo Costa Rica.

Sunrise at La Posada - Coastal Collage

Sunrise at La Posada – Coastal Collage

It is sunrise at La Posada Bed and Breakfast. I get up each morning just as the sun rises to experience the jungle below coming alive. (Oh my goodness, as I am writing this, 15 parrots go flying by above the treetops in the jungle next to the hotel!) The view pictured above is from my balcony.

Room balcony at La Posada - Coastal Collage

Room balcony at La Posada – Coastal Collage

We are sitting atop a hill looking right over the treetops of the jungle. A view of the ocean a short distance away, just close enough to hear the waves crashing. The scene is over the top exotic. I feel as if we are experiencing a primeval forest.

White egrets in jungle - Coastal Collage

White egrets in jungle – Coastal Collage

The furnishing are rustic, but that only adds to the experience. We didn’t lack for anything. The dinners were especially wonderful. Simple home cooked meals with local ingredients. We enjoyed grilled red snapper one evening and mahi mahi the next. Outstanding flavor! Rum banana crepes for dessert.

La Posada B&B- Coastal Collage

La Posada B&B- Coastal Collage

Hammock at La Posada - Coastal Collage

Hammock at La Posada – Coastal Collage

 

Dining room La Posada- Coastal Collage

Dining room La Posada- Coastal Collage

I enjoyed the laid back, completely relaxed atmosphere of the hotel so much I almost didn’t want to go to the beach. But how could I resist!

Playa Carrillo - Coastal Collage

Playa Carrillo – Coastal Collage

Palms at Playa Carrillo - Coastal Collage

Palms at Playa Carrillo – Coastal Collage

Joe and Jane placed this beach as one the top ten in the world. It seemed like they should know. They had the appearance of seasoned travelers.

The beach is unique in many ways. You are able to pull your car right up to the palms, unpack your picnic and hang your hammock. The palms provide you shade all day. Clear blue green surf is just steps away. The cove provides a bit of calmness to the waters so the little ones can play even in high tide. There is even a pool for the really little ones to enjoy.

Pool at Playa Carrillo - Coastal Collage

Pool at Playa Carrillo – Coastal Collage

But the most enjoyable thing about this beach is the lack of highrise hotels and hype. You can’t help it, you have to immediately relax, calm, absorb the warm sun and mesmerizing sound of the surf. The jungle just behind you adds mystery and intrigue. The experience is perfectly exquisite.

A few short days here and we are already on our way to Arenal Volcano.

As I say hasta luego to our hosts at La Posada, the scenes of our stay are etched in my mind. It will be one of those memories my husband and I will talk of often.

 

Just a side point. Our waitress asked where we were from. When we replied Maine, she got all excited and said she had been to Maine once and it was beautiful and the lobster was awesome and the swordfish she loved. (She is from Argentina.) How nice that our home was so fondly remembered by her. What a beautiful exchange of place and culture.

 

Karen Olson

About Karen Olson

Karen Olson is a photographer, writer, and artist working in metal. Her blogs offer a global perspective, a celebration of art and culture. She 'lives like a tourist' in Midcoast Maine where she makes her home and finds inspiration for art and life in her travels. Follow her creative passion with Renuko Style at renukostyle.com and Coastal Collage, a Bangor Daily News Blog at coastalcollage.bangordailynews.com Karen's photography portfolio can be found at seeingartineverydaylife.com