September 2019 - S/V Providencia

San Lucas Island – Costa Rica

September 15, 2019January 18, 2021 peter 0 Comment Destinations costa rica, Puntarenas, San Lucas Prison

San Lucas Island is located near Puntarenas in the Gulf of Nicoya. It provides a very protected bay perfect to anchor and which we had entirely for ourselves. Howler monkeys can be heard at dawn and again at sunrise. It’s a beautiful island with a green, lush vegetation. A half hour hike leads one across the island to the other side.

It was only during the day were a few boats with visitors arrived, who wanted to explore the brutal prison that was operated here until 1991. Only the worst prisoners were incarcerated here. The cell rooms are now empty with plenty of evidence about the brutality shown in many gratifies.

Despite the brutal history of the prison, San Lucas Island is one beautiful place with luscious green trees and bushes and several hiking trails.

The prisoner Jose Leon Sanchez, claimed to be innocent of the robbery he was convicted, wrote the book La Isla de Hombres Solos about his time in this prison.

Manuel Antonio National Park

September 14, 2019January 18, 2021 peter 0 Comment Destinations costa rica, Manuel Antonio, Quepos

We anchored in a small bay outside Quepos and took a bus to town. Quepos is a lovely town with some restaurants and stores.

Just south of Quepos, Costa Rica is the famous Manuel Antonio nation park, housing animals from sloths to various monkeys, frogs and snakes and many more. A must see for anyone in that part of Costa Rica.

The park is very well maintained and provides various little hikes throughout. Park ranger are happy to help and point out which animals are most likely to be seen on which hikes. Some of the hikes lead to the other side where a beautiful bay with beach awaits.

If we visited again, we would anchor off this little coast. There is supposedly a fee for anchoring, but well worth it to visit the park and far less swell compared to Quepos, for a comfortable stay.

Puntarenas – Costa Rica

September 10, 2019February 11, 2022 peter 0 Comment Destinations costa rica, Puntarenas

Puntarenas lies in one of two bays on the pacific Costa Rican coast. It provides a sought after relief from the constant swell present along this coast. There are several bays and islands within this larger bay. Here we treat ourselves to a few days in a marina.

It’s convenient to visit to San Jose from Puntarenas, although we weren’t impressed by the capitol. Since our batteries were suffering a slow death, it was a good place to buy new batteries. The marina staff was super nice and helpful in accomplishing the task.

While Costa Rica is pretty safe from hurricanes, heavy winds and vicious storms with heavy lightning are common. The other downside is the debris during rain season, which consists of large tree trunks that can hit our hull. Otherwise its a great time to be in Costa Rica, it’s not too hot and very green vegetation everywhere.

On our way to Panama, we got lucky and caught a young Yellowfin Tuna.

Can’t get any fresher than this.