Adventures with Julia

March 8, 2017

Up and out by 9:30.  Fabian had very nicely made all the arrangements for us to transfer to Playa Cativo a day early and we were very appreciative.  We bid him a fond farewell at the airport, when the same 206 and pilot landed to pick us up for the 30 minute flight to Golfito on the Gulfo Dulce.

Gulfo Dulce

Playa Cativo from the air.

Golfito from the air

This day was sunny and warm, unlike the flight to San Isidro two days earlier.  As we descended over the gulf into Golfito, we passed Playa Cativo on the left side of the plane.  It was the only habitation along the shore that we could see and promised to be the treat we were hoping for.  Cesar, one of the Playa Cativo managers, picked us up in a taxi and took us to the dock, where he and a boatman loaded our things into their Boston Whaler.

Soon we were under way speeding north along the shore line, while looking at the jungle on our right and the large body of water between the Oso Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean on our left.  We learned that the so called gulf is actually a fjord shaped like a nearly closed “C”.  The opening is only 5 miles across, but the inside of the C is quite large.

Playa Cativo from the boat.

In 30 minutes we landed at Playa Cativo and were being greeted by our first names and handed cold towels and tropical drinks.  We had arrived!!!

Our room is on the 3rd floor of a small boutique hotel.  There are only 8 rooms accommodating 16 people total.  The place is nearly full and feels comfortable, welcoming, friendly and exclusive.

Our room at Playa Cativo.

The small, wood frame hotel sits about 100 feet from the high tide mark and is backed almost immediately by the jungle.

View from our room.

There are no windows in our room, only openings on three sides that get screened at night.  Ceiling fans provide the only AC.  At sea level, this is the hottest place we have been in Costa Rica, and it is hot and VERY humid.  Fortunately there is a nice pool and a large swimming beach to keep us cool during the daytime.

A Jesus Christ iguana. It walks on water!!!

We took advantage of both, starting at the pool, followed by a long walk on the beach and a salty swim in the gulf, followed by another swim in the pool.  We ordered ceviche, guacamole and chips for a poolside lunch.  This iguana visited us by the pool.  However, we did not see it walking on water.  At sunset, all the guests were by the pool watching the sky turn pink and orange.  We ate tuna and sea bass for dinner on the outdoor deck and visited a bit with other guests.  One of the manager-guides, Geraldo, talked with us about the possible activities we can do while we are here.  We settled for a 4-hour boat/kayak tour into the mangrove forest for the morning of the 9th and a forest walk in the evening.  Other activities to follow.  Then we went upstairs and eventually fell to sleep on top of the sheets and under the ceiling fans.