Landing at the beach

Costa Paraiso, near Dominical 

We're staying at Costa Paraiso, about 2 km south of Dominical. It's a
pretty little collection of "villa's" right on the beach. The beach is
lovely, perfect for the kids to body surf and chase little crabs. It's
too rocky for real surfing, but with protection from the SW,
doesn't have the big break or rips. We picked up coconuts and
mangos off the ground to eat. The new owners don't serve any meals, or
even sit down to talk, but they've only had the place for 3 months, so
perhaps they'll get into the swing of running a friendly "villa".
There is a really low rent place across the driveway run by locals,
$20-$30 rooms, and a soda. We got marvelous big plates of huevos con
tomato con rice and pintos for about $1.20. But Costa Paraiso isn't as
nice as Coconut Grove, almost adjacent, where our friends are staying.

View from the cabina 

The wildlife (I mean the native fauna, not the parties) is amazing. A
brilliant green Iguana about 2 feet long was climbing around right behind
our cabin. When I snuck out to snap his portrait, he stood up on his back
legs and scampered up the hill so fast I could barely follow him.
There's little geckos barking everywhere, including the eves of the
cabin. Of course lots of amazing birds and butterflies too. Oh, and
mosquitoes. Being in malaria country this concerned me, but so far
nothing worse than itching bites - and a sunburn.

There are little stores and cafe's (Soda's) everywhere. Seems like every
house serves meals, much like B&B's are everywhere in Ireland. Mostly
they look pretty dodgy, but the food seems fine so far.

The "soda" across the drive from Costa Paraiso. The guys are our friend's son and his friend;