Nicaragua Costa Rica Border Crossing

We had a great time piling into our friend’s car, along with a way too much luggage. This single parent travel, they drove us from Monteverde Costa Rica to Liberia and dropped us at the bus station.

When we got to the border, there was no announcement, but the bus came to a stop and so we headed to the Frontier office.

I was pretty confused by the currency but was more put off when a currency change guy told my don to “F-off” because we didn’t need to change currency.

At the next stop, the bags were hauled over a fence and there seemed to be a tug of war among those who wanted to help us.

Another passport check – then a guy came up and asked us for our passports. I could see no badge so I hung onto the end of one, and dubiously showed him. Another guy comes to take our bags.  My son jumps in – nest border crossing ever so he tells me!

I fail to understand why we then had 2 more guys check passports. Then we went off to the right to another office. Numerous taxi drivers haggle fares with us.

We go in and pay $2 for using the office. Then if I remember right we each paid $12 to cross the border.

Back to the taxi hagglers. We finally meet a nice older guy “Charlie”. He walks us to the cab. Which is not a cab –  a private ride but he seems trustworthy.

He drives us for $20 to San Juan Del Sur. We had booked a hostel – Yajure, but as soon as we got there I knew the recommendation was not right for us.  It was a surf hostel, and over a footbridge which was a nightmare with our luggage, and too far out of town for us to walk safely in and out. They had forgotten to book our room, even though the email was there, then I was told the room was more $$.  So we walked into town with a pounding dehydration headache to search for another one.

By then it was dark and no taxis so we would have to make do and move tomorrow. We got back to the hostel and they sorted a room out. So we left the next morning after a rather sleepless night.  Not to mention the breakfast was jam and bread and they had no jam, just stale bread.

When I said we would leave the owner was rude and told me to leave early, but as I had pretty well packed I was pleased to do so.

So we happily made a deal for cash at El Coco Azul and stayed a few days.  Fab breakfast, friendly, central and quiet.

The decor was amazing, and I loved all the local art and handicrafts.

We spent the first afternoon hanging around, reading on the hammocks – my son doing his journal on the balcony while I read. It was lovely!

Later that day we caught up with our friends and the kids had a swim in their hotel pool, and a swing on the great hammock.

We went out for dinner at one of the numerous beach restaurants, and had a moderately priced meal along and were entertained by fire jugglers and a number of live music performances at the beach.

Next day we had a late start.  Firstly we caught up on my son’s writing and then headed to meet our friends at the beach.

We then headed for the Taco Stop for $1-$2 Tacos – freshly made as the kids like them. Then for a wander around town and to the park by the local church.

Back for some more education time and then we met our friends again for the kids to once more swim in the pool.  I shot across the road to see the most gorgeous sunset.  I know the kids were happy in the pool, but I really wish we had been on the beach sitting at one of the Happy Hours and enjoying the beauty as the day ended.

We had missed the ocean, and the Pacific feel of warm days on the beach – we loved it here. Hunger kicked in, and we so headed to one of the restaurants on the beachfront. I can’t remember the name, but it is nearly opposite the Casablanca Hotel, and each Thursday is Cultural Dancing.

I was surprised that most people were from Nicaragua.  This little sweetheart danced the night away.
I danced with a granny.  It was all fun.

The show had 6 sets if I recall rightly.  It was in English and Spanish and from all regions of Nicaragua.
And there was no charge.

We left the next day. I could have stayed another week. We caught the local or ‘chicken’ bus – that is our next blog – stay tuned!

Note from Author – now 2016 and this hotel remains one of my favorite places we stayed

Questions and Comments

• Have you been to Nicaragua?
• Did you visit the gorgeous town called San Juan Del Sur?
• What was interesting about your visit to Nicaragua?
• Do share your coments with us below.