I can’t believe we are leaving Dominical tomorrow. I also can’t believe we’ve been here for 10 days.

It’s interesting how when you travel, it’s easy to set yourself into a comfort zone. While you know what you really need is to keep moving, it’s easy to just settle into what feels easier and more familiar. Owners at restaurants we eat in every day are now our friends. The doctor says eat an apple a day to keep the doc away. Screw that. We eat a pine-apple a day, and boy does it beat an apple.

But it’s time to go. I don’t like to move too quick when I travel, but I also don’t like to move too slow. I’m glad we spent the last 10 days here, but it’s time to move.

But speaking of pineapples. Oh. My. God. I’ve never had such delicious, sweet, succulent pineapples in my life. If you ever come to Costa Rica, eat a pineapple. Just one. Then try to stop. It will make your entire stay worth it. I am sure it depends where you get it from, but we’ve had it from 2-3 different locations now and it’s truly mouth watering savouring worth the $2-$3 you pay for one.

I thought I’d share our daily routine here. Every day, we have lunch at Soda Nanyoa. We love this place, not only for the food, but the value for money. Each meal costs us approximately $8 pp including your choice of a shake. It’s the best value for money place in town, and many locals frequent here. A couple of the ‘waiters’ always look angry that we try to avoid, but the food seriously makes up for it.

Once we fill up our tummies, we would cross the road to practice our spanish with Diego, while his older colleague Hugo picks a pineapple and mango for us to cut out back. We usually are sweating by this time in the Costa Rican sun, but the big smiles on their faces and the informal spanish lessons we get make this worth it. A few minutes later, Hugo would come out with the pineapples all perfectly cut up while speaking to us in very rapid spanish. We would try our best to pretend we know what he is talking about. We don’t.

We would then head back to the fantastic Hotel Domilocos, run by couples Vivien and Michiel. The place is literally 100 meters from a quiet strip of beach away from the crowds. I will stay here again, and have Michiel to thank for making the place feel like a 2nd home. He gave us complimentary drinks on our first night, sorted out any issues swiftly and professionally, and even gave us a free alcohol flame lit ice cream (found out afterwards it was actually absinthe, to be specific) as our 2nd dessert finale one night. Absolutely stay here for at least one night if you are ever in Dominical. Mention me and Michiel or Vivien may sort you out with a better deal too.

Dominical is also in the middle of the rainforest. It’s also south west of San Jose, which means transport here makes you somewhat isolated from the other more ‘touristy’ parts of Costa Rica. So you have to make sure you arrange everything in advance. For example, Semana Santa (Easter) starts tomorrow, so everywhere in Costa Rica is going to be very busy. 4×4 rentals and most hotels will be booked up. Our whole trip to Santa Teresa is not only going to cost us $250, but will involve multiple shuttles and ferries over the course of the next 2 days. No limos involved.

But you know what? I’m looking forward to Santa Teresa already. It was actually the first place we wanted to go to, and the beach breaks there are supposed to be amazing. We’re staying with 2 professional surfers who are affiliated with Quicksilver, so hopefully will get some tips.  There is also a private beach just off the backyard so should make my early wake up calls that much easier…

Related Posts:

• March 30, 2010 -- My first 5-6 ft wave

Related posts:

1. Samara Costa Rica
2. Casa 69 Review: Best place to stay in San Jose, Costa Rica
3. Costa Rica Guesthouse Review: Where NOT to stay in San Jose, Costa Rica (until they get a new manager)
4. 5 Restaurants Recommended For San Jose, Costa Rica
5. My first 5-6 ft wave