From Arenal to the Caribbean coast. Once again I rode only lightly loaded, and caught up to Michael and Mario and the rest of my gear a day later. Testing some setup options for upcoming parts of the ride.

Down out of the mountains, banana farms dominate the landscape. They stretch on for miles, green shrubs towering and shading the fruit. Close up, the trees look like they’re growing giant blue fruits, since plastic bags cover the banana clusters to protect and maintain their environment. All of these were property of Chiquita; Dole also harvests a lot from this area.

Just be careful that you’re not passing through during a spray fly-over…

Coast in sight! Continuing the cycling ping-pong game between the Pacific and Caribbean waters.

And then the rest of the ride down the coast, my only company was constant crab remains. They’re not too great about making it across roadways.

But wait! Found alive, replenishing their population numbers. They can be very… crabby… about having their pictures taken.

Catching back up with Mario and Michael, we spend a few days on the beach at Puerto Viejo.

I’m taking some rest days from the bike, others are wandering around on beach cruisers.

Coconut trees abound.

Old boats sit waiting, nothing’s so old it won’t still be used.

All along the water, small groups of people swim or run through the sand.

And lounge about waiting for sunset.

In Cahuita, 10km north, a protected national park hugs the coastline. The hike here is a much more relaxed affair than at Arenal, though a rainstorm swings through soon after we start out and hampers our ability to see much.

But we at least start out under the sun.

Always on the lookout for oil, even back in 1910.

A restful few days and a good end to a visit. From Puerto Viejo, Mario and Michael went back to San Jose to fly home, and I set off for Panama. Only one more country left in Central America. Just gotta cross that Sixaola bridge.

Easier by bike than with a roller bag, just watch your footing. If it ain’t broke…