Here are some of the things you can do.
Kayaking
Within 400 yards of the house are an estuary, a confluence of three small rivers and a
large mangrove area. This is an ideal spot for kayaking and canoeing. The best time of
day for this is when the sun is coming up. Kayaks can be rented from Hotel Iguanazul and
my trusty Grumman canoe is available at the house.
Deep Sea Fishing
There is a charter, deep sea, fishing readily available. Capt.Adam whose boat is
anchored in Tamarindo can be located at 8371-4418. (www.crgamefish.com) He is from
the states and is great. For a local experience try Ovedio who run the local fishing fleet
and takes sport fisherman out of Calle Jones a small fishing village just north of the
Iguanazul. They are both reasonable and good folks to boot.
Scuba Diving
Exdellent Scuba diving is only a few kilometers north. There are reasonably priced dive
boats to take you into the Pacific. Snorkeling is great off the rocks at Junquillal. Lobsters
abound and are easily taken.
Surfing
The surf at Playa Junquillal is outstanding. Just north of Bernardo’s is a spot the locals
call El Rancho. There are breaks both right and left off an offshore rock. It equals other
local spots without crowds even on holidays. Other great surf is only five to seven
kilometers to the north, easily reachable by car. Playa Avellanes is a popular surfing
beach with both left and right breaks. For the more venturesome, Playa Negra is only six
kilometers north. A major portion of “Endless Summer 2” was filmed at Playa Negra. The
movie perfectly portrayed the beauty of Playa Negra. Bogie Boards and body surfing are
great at all spots, but the secluded surf at Junquillal tops them all in my book..
Horseback Riding
Erika runs Paradise Riding in Junquillal. She will provide a half day guided tour and
beach ride for $25. Galloping in the beach or riding through the countryside is a great
experience.
Fiestas
During the last week of December, there is a big Feria in Paraiso with horse exhibitions,
bullfights, dancing and lots of parties. During the second week of January the big Feria
moves to Santa Cruz where the excitement never stops. Guanacaste Day provides
another fun carnival in Santa Cruz at the end of July. Other small towns have ferias at
various times throughout the year. Check around—one can usually be found.
Sea Turtles
Leatherback and Olive Ridley turtles make their way on to Playa Junquillal and Playa
Venado, when the moon and tide are right, from the Fall through the Spring to lay their
eggs. Playa Grande to the north and Playa Ostional to the south are their main nesting
sites all within 45 minutes of the house.
Volcano’s and Canopy Tours
Within an hour and a half drive one can find exciting volcano and rainforest experience.
Rincon de la Vieja . Horseback rides through the rain forest to mountainside waterfalls.
Thermal Springs, Mud baths, thermal sauna, canopy tour all at a magnificent mountain
site. If you go to Hacienda Guachelipin at Rincon, and adventure day includes all the
above, plus rock climbing and tubing on a white water river. Not to be missed. Make
reservations .2256 8195 The Buena Vista Lodge also has great activities and a much
better thermal spring experience. 2665-6314
Guatil Traditional Costa Rican Pottery
Guatil a center for Costrican Artisans who make traditional Costa Rican pottery is but a
short drive away. Families who have created pottery from art pieces to dinner ware make
a wide variety of treasures in this village that is a center for this trade. Not only are
beautiful pieces available for purchase direct from the craftsmen, but you can watch them
work and fire their artwork in earthen kilns in their back yards. A great adventure.
Caving/Dry Forest
Less that two hours easy drive is the Barra Honda National Park where there is a
Tropical Dry Forrest and Limestone Caves. Unlike the volcanic stone found throughout
northern Costa Rica, the Barra Honda area of the Tempisque Basin where the Nicoya
Peninsula joins the mainland has a foundation of limestone. Water has cut extensive
caves through the small mountains of the park, and this is its best known feature.
However, the park also has well maintained hiking trails. The protected tropical dry forest
(though mostly secondary) within its borders is some of the last in the world, and very
different from the rain and cloud forests that attract many ecological tourists to Costa
Rica. Tico guides available--a truly unique adventure.
Tennis
The Guacamaya has a nice court that is for rent, rackets are available. Call Alice or
Bernie and make a reservation. If you can play early--its a great place for breakfast.
Shopping
Go see Marvel next to Pablo Picaso's in Playa Negra--she makes Bikinis, rash guards,
skirts, dresses right in her little shop for very reasonable prices.
Resturants
Las Tucas – 3 kms from Paraiso on the road towards Santa Cruz—great Tico fare—
make sure to try the Piscado Entero and the Cerdo Ahumado—both are great—and the
prices are really good also.
Reef—On the far side of Playa Negra—Jota—the owner and chef sells the best seafood
around—inexpensive and not to be missed. The fish is served with garlic mashed
potatos and salad. (Recently Closed--but check it has a way of reappearing)
Hotel Iguanazul—excellent happy hour and a good selection tico and american food—
best view around.
Bar y Resturante Junquillal—(Bernardo’s) (Adriana's) the community beach bar—good
food to boot and beautiful sunsets right on the beach. It and the Iguanazul are the local
hangouts…Adriana is a great hostess and the fish tacos will sent you free.
Guacamaya—Swiss owned and run—a beautiful hotel with a good resturant and bar—
Alice and Bernie—brother and sister serve great food and are some of the friendliest
people around.
Villa Serena—a beautiful small hotel, with a sophisticated menu—a bit pricier than
others—but always a good choice. Run by the Murphy’s who also run the Land Ho!! In
Orleans, Mass. If it is open you should stop in.
Pizzeria Buena Vida—in the heart of Playa Negra—used to be a surfer pizzeria, but new
owners have really upped the antie—some of the best food in the area—and very
reasonably priced for the quality.
Great new resturants have opened in Playa Negra--outstanding.
Marie's--replaced the Oaisis. It is a cross between a french resturant and a sports bar.
The resturant is outstanding. Marie and her husband are delightful hosts.
Deveena--also in Playa Negra is another new addition that is totally the top. It like
Marie's provides cuisine that is a true delight and suprise for this area. Both are truly
fantastic additions. Haute Cuisine in Playa Negra--damn These are the best resturants
in Costa Rica-and they are very reasonable too.
Resturante Latinos--its just before you get to Playa Negra on the road from Paraiso. Its
at the turn of the cut off to Junquillal. This resturant is a traditional Costa Rican
resturant, but the quality is the best of its kind, and it is very reasonable.
Given these resturants in Playa Negra one will never want for fine food near Junquillal.
Café Playa Negra—peruvian—good food and good people.
The foregoing is a list of places we like most. There are several resturants in Play Negra
that are good. The ones in Paraiso, except Cayote are nothing to right home about.
The Hotel Tatanka serves food as does the Hibiscus Hotel. Reiner of the Hibiscus
served lovely meals, but they were by reservation—wine candle light etc in a rustic
atmosphere are quite nice. Reiner was a treat also. He passed away January 2010 and
will be missed. Hope his hospitality continues. Haven't eaten in the Tatanka often. Last
visit had excellent pizza.
There is also a small by reservation Italian resturant in Junquillal—It gets good reviews
from many, but my one experience was not outstanding.
Kayaking
Within 400 yards of the house are an estuary, a confluence of three small rivers and a
large mangrove area. This is an ideal spot for kayaking and canoeing. The best time of
day for this is when the sun is coming up. Kayaks can be rented from Hotel Iguanazul and
my trusty Grumman canoe is available at the house.
Deep Sea Fishing
There is a charter, deep sea, fishing readily available. Capt.Adam whose boat is
anchored in Tamarindo can be located at 8371-4418. (www.crgamefish.com) He is from
the states and is great. For a local experience try Ovedio who run the local fishing fleet
and takes sport fisherman out of Calle Jones a small fishing village just north of the
Iguanazul. They are both reasonable and good folks to boot.
Scuba Diving
Exdellent Scuba diving is only a few kilometers north. There are reasonably priced dive
boats to take you into the Pacific. Snorkeling is great off the rocks at Junquillal. Lobsters
abound and are easily taken.
Surfing
The surf at Playa Junquillal is outstanding. Just north of Bernardo’s is a spot the locals
call El Rancho. There are breaks both right and left off an offshore rock. It equals other
local spots without crowds even on holidays. Other great surf is only five to seven
kilometers to the north, easily reachable by car. Playa Avellanes is a popular surfing
beach with both left and right breaks. For the more venturesome, Playa Negra is only six
kilometers north. A major portion of “Endless Summer 2” was filmed at Playa Negra. The
movie perfectly portrayed the beauty of Playa Negra. Bogie Boards and body surfing are
great at all spots, but the secluded surf at Junquillal tops them all in my book..
Horseback Riding
Erika runs Paradise Riding in Junquillal. She will provide a half day guided tour and
beach ride for $25. Galloping in the beach or riding through the countryside is a great
experience.
Fiestas
During the last week of December, there is a big Feria in Paraiso with horse exhibitions,
bullfights, dancing and lots of parties. During the second week of January the big Feria
moves to Santa Cruz where the excitement never stops. Guanacaste Day provides
another fun carnival in Santa Cruz at the end of July. Other small towns have ferias at
various times throughout the year. Check around—one can usually be found.
Sea Turtles
Leatherback and Olive Ridley turtles make their way on to Playa Junquillal and Playa
Venado, when the moon and tide are right, from the Fall through the Spring to lay their
eggs. Playa Grande to the north and Playa Ostional to the south are their main nesting
sites all within 45 minutes of the house.
Volcano’s and Canopy Tours
Within an hour and a half drive one can find exciting volcano and rainforest experience.
Rincon de la Vieja . Horseback rides through the rain forest to mountainside waterfalls.
Thermal Springs, Mud baths, thermal sauna, canopy tour all at a magnificent mountain
site. If you go to Hacienda Guachelipin at Rincon, and adventure day includes all the
above, plus rock climbing and tubing on a white water river. Not to be missed. Make
reservations .2256 8195 The Buena Vista Lodge also has great activities and a much
better thermal spring experience. 2665-6314
Guatil Traditional Costa Rican Pottery
Guatil a center for Costrican Artisans who make traditional Costa Rican pottery is but a
short drive away. Families who have created pottery from art pieces to dinner ware make
a wide variety of treasures in this village that is a center for this trade. Not only are
beautiful pieces available for purchase direct from the craftsmen, but you can watch them
work and fire their artwork in earthen kilns in their back yards. A great adventure.
Caving/Dry Forest
Less that two hours easy drive is the Barra Honda National Park where there is a
Tropical Dry Forrest and Limestone Caves. Unlike the volcanic stone found throughout
northern Costa Rica, the Barra Honda area of the Tempisque Basin where the Nicoya
Peninsula joins the mainland has a foundation of limestone. Water has cut extensive
caves through the small mountains of the park, and this is its best known feature.
However, the park also has well maintained hiking trails. The protected tropical dry forest
(though mostly secondary) within its borders is some of the last in the world, and very
different from the rain and cloud forests that attract many ecological tourists to Costa
Rica. Tico guides available--a truly unique adventure.
Tennis
The Guacamaya has a nice court that is for rent, rackets are available. Call Alice or
Bernie and make a reservation. If you can play early--its a great place for breakfast.
Shopping
Go see Marvel next to Pablo Picaso's in Playa Negra--she makes Bikinis, rash guards,
skirts, dresses right in her little shop for very reasonable prices.
Resturants
Las Tucas – 3 kms from Paraiso on the road towards Santa Cruz—great Tico fare—
make sure to try the Piscado Entero and the Cerdo Ahumado—both are great—and the
prices are really good also.
Reef—On the far side of Playa Negra—Jota—the owner and chef sells the best seafood
around—inexpensive and not to be missed. The fish is served with garlic mashed
potatos and salad. (Recently Closed--but check it has a way of reappearing)
Hotel Iguanazul—excellent happy hour and a good selection tico and american food—
best view around.
Bar y Resturante Junquillal—(Bernardo’s) (Adriana's) the community beach bar—good
food to boot and beautiful sunsets right on the beach. It and the Iguanazul are the local
hangouts…Adriana is a great hostess and the fish tacos will sent you free.
Guacamaya—Swiss owned and run—a beautiful hotel with a good resturant and bar—
Alice and Bernie—brother and sister serve great food and are some of the friendliest
people around.
Villa Serena—a beautiful small hotel, with a sophisticated menu—a bit pricier than
others—but always a good choice. Run by the Murphy’s who also run the Land Ho!! In
Orleans, Mass. If it is open you should stop in.
Pizzeria Buena Vida—in the heart of Playa Negra—used to be a surfer pizzeria, but new
owners have really upped the antie—some of the best food in the area—and very
reasonably priced for the quality.
Great new resturants have opened in Playa Negra--outstanding.
Marie's--replaced the Oaisis. It is a cross between a french resturant and a sports bar.
The resturant is outstanding. Marie and her husband are delightful hosts.
Deveena--also in Playa Negra is another new addition that is totally the top. It like
Marie's provides cuisine that is a true delight and suprise for this area. Both are truly
fantastic additions. Haute Cuisine in Playa Negra--damn These are the best resturants
in Costa Rica-and they are very reasonable too.
Resturante Latinos--its just before you get to Playa Negra on the road from Paraiso. Its
at the turn of the cut off to Junquillal. This resturant is a traditional Costa Rican
resturant, but the quality is the best of its kind, and it is very reasonable.
Given these resturants in Playa Negra one will never want for fine food near Junquillal.
Café Playa Negra—peruvian—good food and good people.
The foregoing is a list of places we like most. There are several resturants in Play Negra
that are good. The ones in Paraiso, except Cayote are nothing to right home about.
The Hotel Tatanka serves food as does the Hibiscus Hotel. Reiner of the Hibiscus
served lovely meals, but they were by reservation—wine candle light etc in a rustic
atmosphere are quite nice. Reiner was a treat also. He passed away January 2010 and
will be missed. Hope his hospitality continues. Haven't eaten in the Tatanka often. Last
visit had excellent pizza.
There is also a small by reservation Italian resturant in Junquillal—It gets good reviews
from many, but my one experience was not outstanding.
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