Tag: Costa Rica

  • SLOTH, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

    SLOTH, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

    Slothfulness, the Bible tells us, casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger (Proverbs 19:15). Well, it might be time to update the Good Book, because this sizeable sloth guides the way to one of the finest eating establishments in Costa Rica.

    Known by the mononym of SLOTH to his galleon of admirers, this happy fellow forms the entrance to the quirky, Insta-friendly, yet wholesomely down-to-Earth Igloo Beach Lodge, and the adjoining Casa Planta cafe. Let me assure you, there’s nothing slothful about the service, or the resident chef’s fanatical attention to detail.

    With his cheeky grin and obtuse thatched wooden façade, SLOTH offers a friendly – if somewhat imposing – welcome to this culinary hotspot. His deep, caramel eyes will leave you slothed for words!

    Just minutes from the lush rainforest and howling monkeys of Manuel Antonio National Park, Casa Planta is renowned for its hearty dishes and lackadaisical ambiance. The crystal clear water of Playa Espadilla is only metres away, and Puerto Viejo – home of La Iguana Grande – a mere 11 hours by chicken bus.

    Casa Planta offers a moreish slice of pura vida. There’s no better way to spend a lazy Tuesday morning than sipping on an apple daiquiri and nibbling a Caribbean queen ceviche whilst watching Emiliano the pool boy go to work in the shadows of SLOTH’s smiling face.

    Sure, you might have to sell a kidney – or own the world’s most successful Big Things website! – to afford an octopus and mango poke bowl, but that’s par for the course in this part of the world these days. Costa Rica? More like Costa Heapsa!

  • La Iguana, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

    La Iguana Grande, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

    This extra-large lizard might be cold-blooded, but he’ll warm your heart! La Iguana Grande lives in front of a mini-market a few ki-monitors outside the delightful village of Puerto Viejo, where the tequila sunrises and turquoise sunsets seem to last forever.

    Known as Iguana Azalea to the locals due her dream of being a rap-tile singer, this big bopper really is one in chameleon. The Iguana is wonderfully detailed and surprisingly well-built for such a remote Big Thing. Many of the villagers bow before him before entering the shop and after exiting. So if you ig-wanna fit in, you should do the same. Oh, I skink I’m in love!

    La Iguana Grande may be a cool Caribbean creature, but please beware! He has a rather prickly personality, so make sure you say please-ard before asking for a photo.

    The Big Iguana is a very out-goanna-ing individual, and is pen pals with Australia’s Big Frilled-Neck Lizard. They communicate via e-scale.

    Puerto Viejo is an ocean paradise that draws in travellers and wanderers from all corners of the globe. They don’t all come for the Iguana, of course. There are bamboo bars full of Latin dancers, long coastal bike tracks, and golden beaches crawling with sloths. I spent several months learning the forbidden dance of the bachata, and learning to accept myself. It’s Puerto-tally awesome!

    Pura vida, dude!