Completing Costa Rica

 After a wonderful happy hour with friends the night before we were ready to take off. At 0800 I threw lines and we meandered our way out of the posh Pez Vela Marina. Our cruise would take us 63.3 miles south to Drake Bay where we would drop the hook for one or two nights. I was slightly skeptical about this bay because all of our friends and others who had left comments about the bay said it was notorious for rolling and most people set a bow and stern anchor. The day was sunny and waves gentle- 3 footers every 9-10 seconds. Sea turtles, dolphins and boobies graced us with their presence and it felt good to be cruising again. Finally around 1600 we dropped the hook and immediately threw ourselves into the water to cool down. We were rolling but nothing that significant and being the lazy bones with both are we opted not to stern anchor. How bad could it be? 

Leaving Pez Vela 

Approaching Drake Bay 

View From Drake Bay 

Sunset Drake Bay 

In all my years of boating and spending many summers rolling on the hook in Catalina, our night in Drake Bay was the worst I've ever experienced. We rolled and bobbed and sloshed around so much I don't think I slept at all. Every hour we were being tossed and rolled that it made me not only mad but annoyed we didn't put the stern anchor out. Jeff rolled over and opened his eyes around 6am and I said immediately, "we're getting the hell out of here." We both jumped to attention, got ourselves ready and by 0650 we began pulling the anchor. We had a long 75 mile day ahead to Golfito, our final stop in Costa Rica but we knew we couldn't stay put one more minute. The ten hour day went smoothly and we took turns during our brakes catching up on sleep. We were both looking forward to the comfort and stability of a marina after a night of flying around. At 1600 we pulled into our slip at Marina Bahia Golfito next door to Zorba, another Panama Posse boat. After we checked in we made our way to the marina bar and toasted our successful arrival and the stability of the land. 

Leaving Drake Bay 

Rain Squall En Route 

Approaching Golfito 

Marina Bahia Golfito 

Freighter In Golfito Unloading Boats

Marina Bar

View From Marina 

The next morning we went slow and were happy to get a good nights sleep and sleep in a bit. At some point we walked into town which was very hot. Golfito is pretty small with just a few shops and restaurants. We walked along the side of the road as cars passed us by. Once we reached Banana Bay Marina we got some water and a cold beer and decided to get a taxi back to our marina. Too hot to walk anymore. 

Old Train On Our Walk 

Golfito 

May 20th our third day in Golfito was pretty uneventful. We did chores around the boat and then had Zorba over for happy hour and got to know them. Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures of our evening. 

At 6am on May 21st we got picked up for our bird watching tour. First we stopped at a botanical garden where we drank coffee, discussed our plan for the day and walked around looking at various type of birds and squirrel monkeys. From there we went to an eco lodge where we were served breakfast and then we walked the various trails gazing at more birds. By noon we were back on the boat in the air conditioning and working on projects. 

Driving to Botanical Gardens 

Gardens 

Squirrel Monkey 

With Our Guide 

Crocodile At Eco Lodge 

We woke up to Jeff's birthday on May 22nd and I was happy that we were in port and could make it a little special. The day started with a hike at Golfito Nature Reserve where we went on a hike to a gorgeous waterfall. On our way down we saw our friends Kurtis and Sam who were on a tour of the same place. We walked around with them and their guide for a little bit before finishing up on our own. Back at the boat we changed and dried out before meeting Kurtis and Sam for lunch at Mar y Luna where we cheers'd Jeff's birthday while overlooking the water. Full and tired we came back to the boat for a nap and then made our way up to the marina restaurant where we had birthday dinner. I made Jeff a birthday cake and after making his wish we went to town on the cake. He had a nice birthday in nature and with friends. 

Golfito Nature Reserve 

With Kurtis at the Nature Reserve 

Birthday Boy at Waterfall 

Birthday Lunch with Kurtis & Sam 

Birthday Dinner at Marina Golfito 

The next couple of days were spent readying the boat for departure and leaving Costa Rica. We provisioned at a little market near the marina and then Jeff went to customs, immigration and the port captains office and got all of our necessary paperwork. We were all ready for our 0500 departure on May 25th. Pura Vida Costa Rica. 

Frigate Birds 

Marina Golfito