Ventanas Again

Our last full day at the beach. After getting stuck in the mud at Arco and getting robbed at Tortuga, I just wanted something safe and familiar. Ventanas felt like a comfortable way to end our beach stay.

We asked for the 5000 colon tent and table/chairs, and were told that the price was 8000. What? We were about to call BS on the kid who was sincere about the price, when another guy interceded and remembered us from the previous week. He said the price was 8000 this week because it was holiday week for Costa Ricans. Supply and demand. But since he remembered us, he gave us the 5000 price. All was good.

It was as comfortable and relaxing a day as I had hoped for. This was really what I wanted every day at the beach to be like. I get Cristina's desire to be adventurous and try new recommended beaches, and I certainly don't fault her for what happened at Arco or Tortuga. All I'm saying is the Ventanas experience is exactly what I wanted. Parking very nearby, shade, inexpensive concessions, easy access to the water, rocks and caves for exploring. Sure, the water at Ventanas isn't ideal for riding the waves like at Ballena, but it's got all the other stuff.

That's Alex in the red bathing suit down on the beach. He joined a game of soccer.

Pipa Fria

We spent most of the afternoon at Ventanas until we were ready to head out for food. Also, the plan was to eat somewhere where we could watch the CR vs. Mexico game (Gold Cup). We went back up the mountain to our house, got cleaned up, and then drove down to find a restaurant. Even though we had looked on Google and Trip Advisor for a good restaurant to try, we couldn't really agree on a place. We wound up at the Baker Bean. It seems that their specialty is baked goods and coffee (this the name) but this night they had a pasta buffet. Not all-you-can-eat (I don't think I've ever seen all-you-can-eat in CR...that's likely a uniquely U.S. thing.) But for 3000 colones, you got a plateful of pasta with sauce of choice, fish, beef, platanos maduros, salad, and rice and beans. And a glass of sweet tea! It was basically like a glorified casado with the unusual addition of pasta. But for a beach restaurant, it was a great deal. And tasty.

It's hard to see, but that's the buffet on the right, game on the left

The game went into extra time, then penalty shoot-outs. CR lost, and the extra time kept us there much later than we expected. Cristina was exhausted and ready to go home. It was also surprisingly chilly for the beach (we even asked the restaurant to turn off the ceiling fans).