New Years day was a little quiet in the day. The pool was empty:

Panoramic from my room to Shell and Zach’s:

On our way to find lunch:

The skateboard park just down the street:

Empty circle which was packed full of cars and people the night before:

We found a hidden restaurant off the beach which happened to be owned by Canadians:

The pineapple chicken salad was really good:

The parrots weren’t afraid of us:

Every night before sunset the howler monkeys stopped by. The male sounds so loud and scary you’d think it was a gorilla:

These little guys are fast but I got a photo:

Off to breakfast at one of the Diria restaurants:

The food is really great in this town. Breakfast Costa Rican style…beans & rice, fried cheese and bacon on a tortilla with avocado, salsa and sour cream on the side:

The roasted chicken smells great:

Fresh coconut water at the beach:

Our new friend, Dr Charles (aka Scrappy) resting up for New Years eve:

Zach resting up:

The best steaks (and Sangria) in town at the Patagonia Argentinian Grill. They gave us 2 beef tenderloin and a slushy shooter at 11 (midnight in Argentina):

Heading to the beach for balloons, fireworks and bonfires:

Local families lit a flame under their balloons to float over the water. You really can’t capture the amazing sight of stars and floating balloons across the water with a camera.

Fireworks were set off all night along the beach as well:

Lots of Costa Ricans drove into town to celebrate bringing their coolers, chairs and making bonfires on the beach:

Zach is the world’s lightest packer:

We started our day at 2am in Toronto and finally reached our little oasis in town. Villas Macondo is a low cost hotel a block from the beach! Or high end hostel with shared kitchen, washer and dryer. Coffee was nice to have in the morning!

My room complete with hammock, table and chairs:

Shell and Zach’s 1 bedroom apartment across the pool from me had a kitchen and livingroom with pull out couch:

Off the the beach where we found Copa Cobana:

Just in time to watch the sunset:

Bonfire off a beach house next door: