We were only in Arenal for two full days but my time there will always be cherished:)
Our next stop meant turning our minds into total relaxation mode- the beach. We were headed to Papgayo, a peninsula on the North Pacific side of Costa Rica. The drive there was 4 hours but we stopped and got the best darn cookies at one of those hole in the wall places our driver knew about. It was called the macadamia cafe and we got a chocolate macadamia cookie the size of my head (literally.). It was super chewy and was nice and rich. The dark chocolate was spot on and the crunch from the macadamia nut gave it a nice textural difference from the soft chewy cookie. When we got to Papagayo we checked in and immediately put on our bathing suits. Later that night we went to Tico's Lounge (we stayed at the four seasons and this was one of the restaurant they offered.) We got the empanadas and arepas as an appetizer then my sister and I split a burger. In all honesty, no one was in a good mood because my sister had to get our whole family in a fight at dinner (#typical) but I wasn't going to let that stop me from ending off my day with something sweet. So me and my sister ordered the FUNDAY sundae which came with two scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, M&M's, Oreos, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, AND caramel sauce. THEN we order Warm chocolate chip cookies. We died and went to heaven. We eventually ordered that another night but instead we got chocolate Ice cream!! Hands down best dessert I've had in years. Overall the food was great and we did a lot of relaxing.
One day we rented a boat with a tour guide and we went paddle boarding, snorkeling, wake boarding, and then we did this thing where you hold on to a wing like machine that made you feel like you were flying in the ocean. It was so fun and I couldn't help but keep doing spins! Once we were down with all the activities the tour guide brought us to this island (invested with hermit crabs.) and we lunch served up by a local! She made chicken, mahi, and lobster with the best sides EVER. She made guacamole, pico de gallo, mango salsa, black bean dip, three bean salad, all served with Plaintain chips and tortilla chips. She also made killer homemade corn tortillas (actually starting to like corn tortillas:) ). But the best part of the day was the banana bread. I know I probably should be more thankful for other things, but seriously. This chocolate chip banana bread was so dense and moist I could have married it right then and there. It had a touch of cinnamon in it which gave it that warm almost toasty flavor. I'm turning my back on my moms pillbsury banana bread and never looking back.
Papagayo has a beautiful scenery and is close to Liberia airport (thank god.) so it's easy to get to. The seafood was unbelievable so if you make it to the coast of Costa Rica you have to get fish! Overall it's one of the prettiest beaches I've seen and the resort we stayed at image it that much better, with pool and beachside service, daily free samples, and loads of activities (which many were complimentary).
Overall, Costa Rica was great and I'll never stop loving it. Until next time- PURA VIDA.