Sloths and Surfing at Costa Rica’s Puerto Viejo Beach, Manzanillo: videos included!

Posted on by da-AL

Costa Ricans are among the happiest people in the world, according to scientific studies.

That explains how pura vida (pure life or good life) has come to be used by all Costa Ricans to greet, to encourage, and to convey all around friendliness.

Some other interesting facts about Costa Rica:

  • Just about everyone there speaks English.
  • The country has only two seasons – rainy and not as rainy.
  • Temps are 80’s and 90s Fahrenheit year ’round.
  • Every day of the year, sunrise and sunset are at 5:30.
  • It’s easy to get sunburned due to its being closer to the equator.
  • My husband and I used citronella wristbands and natural bug repellent, yet received fewer bug bites than many of our fellow travelers.

Take it from me — seeing a happy sloth close up definitely contributes to my sense of wellbeing!

Hover over or click photos for captions and to enlarge them.

Breathtaking Puerto Viejo Beach.
My first surfing lesson ever!
Costa Rica is heaven for more critters than most anywhere, including fuzzy kneed big insects on the side of the road.
Downtown Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Sloths are incredibly graceful and charming when they’re just hanging out on tree branches!
What could ever be better than a sloth that’s close enough to touch? One that’s hanging from tree branch and smiling at you!

 

Published by da-AL

Happiness Between Tails blog/podcast speaks to and from the heart. It connects lovers — of pets, authors, reading — and of my still-unreleased novels. “Flamenco + the Sitting Cat” and “Tango + the Sitting Cat,” are my love letters to all who fear they're too odd, too damaged, too old, too whatever to find love and happiness with or without a partner. HappinessBetweenTails.com • ContactdaAL@gmail.com • BuyMeACoffee.com/SupportHBT

27 thoughts on “Sloths and Surfing at Costa Rica’s Puerto Viejo Beach, Manzanillo: videos included!”

  1. What fun facts. I lived in a place that had the sunset at 5:30, and personally it drove me nuts. But to live in a country with an island life vibe in such a beautiful landscape of lush rainforests and such fascinating creatures perhaps I could learn to cope with such an early night fall. 😉

    Liked by 3 people

        1. of course – makes perfect sense.

          on opposite end of spectrum (at least to me in terms of relatively small no. of countries I’ve visited) was interesting that when I visited Paris several Aprils ago, sun didn’t set till something like 11pm!

          Liked by 1 person

  3. This is a great summary of a country! I like the two seasons, rainy and not so rainy!! How odd to have sunset at the same time all year round! Ahh…the sloth is living the life and is quite used to modelling for photos by the looks of it! 😀😀 Thank you for sharing your experience of a country one hears so little about. Very interesting.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Well…I have to do some exercises for the course I am following, very personal deep ‘stuff’, and a trip down to ‘memory lane’ isn’t easy for me 😉
        But we have a few early summer days over here, so taking up as much sun as I can, always ‘healing’ for me 🙂
        Curious if you are ok too? I thought you were participating in the Kindness Challenge too?

        Like

        1. Hi Patty,

          just saw your email now – funny, but just remembered to check my spam folder & had 258 – all ‘in reply to Patty’ all referencing the ‘Beautiful Souls’ post you were so kind to do for me.

          that aside, I am doing well – am feeling overwhelmed by too much stuff to do – I’d thought I would do the Kindess Challenge, but though I’m signed up for it, I couldn’t figure out how to find the weekly prompts. any tips? how is it working out for you?

          yes, it is easier for me too to be happier & healthier when the sun is out & the temperature is just right. a couple of weeks ago we had some hot weather. I thought cold days were gone, shut we all the pilot lights to the heaters — & then of course, we’ve gotten some chillier weather. my husband & I heap blankets on at nite & must sleep very close, haha

          wishing you the best, dear! must rush to get my workout in. I usually do yoga in a class, but today will do a dvd exercise video – love Billy Blanks Tai Bo

          xoox – Daal

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Hi dear Daal !
            Ah those spam..crazy and so annoying!
            Overwhelming feeling I can resonate with 😉 Have to remember to breath out myself too!
            I also thought we would get prompted by email, but fortunately I marked the date in my calendar and hopped over to Niki’s blog. In my post you find the link to her and there you will find the necessary info.
            Here the weather is going up and down too…I think I’ll keep my winter-jacket around a bit longer, just in case haha
            Daaaaal ! I have his (older) dvds too ! Just love him! My kind of exercise 😉
            XxX

            Liked by 1 person

            1. I love how he & the rest of his class sweat buckets right along with me – whatever happened to him? I only just discovered him at the library – am behind the times. Everyone I know says they did his classes in the 90’s.

              Liked by 1 person

    1. totally agree, dear Sharon! after meeting her (or him) am convinced that ‘sloth’ should be re-defined to mean friendly, careful, cute, & good

      I wonder thoughts on sloths of any earth-based religions

      Liked by 1 person

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