From the Atlantic to the Pacific in a day

We got an early start leaving Puerto Viejo (on the Atlantic side of the country) so we could avoid traffic going through San Jose in the Central Valley. Our destination? The Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica and in particular, Manual Antonio National Park. It’s a pleasant 2 lane mountainous road out of San Jose through towns such as Atenas and Orotino to the Costanera Highway and down to the Central Pacific Coast. Along the highway you’ll approach the Tarcoles River Bridge and probably notice a number of cars pulled over and people standing on the bridge. Here is your chance to see crocodiles as up close and personal as I would ever want to get. Although they look harmless and even lazy, as they lounge along the river’s edge, they can reach 12 to 15 feet. A few hundred yards away you’ll see cows grazing – I have always wondered if they ever encounter each other. We also saw two of the crocs at water’s edge checking out a beautiful water bird. Luckily the bird decided to leave and the crocs slipped back into the muddy river. (Gordie, in photo, is practicing his friendship techniques).