Puerto Viejo to Punta Uva on bike

Puerto Viejo is pretty laid back with a lot of foreigners living there. I think there are a lot of Germans there, certainly there are quite a few Germans that came to Costa Rica a long time ago to live from big ranches in the mountains. And also religious groups from Europe have been here for a long time, such as branches of the Amish people. But there are also many that have come recently to enjoy the climate of CR. In addition there are descendants from black slaves and an Indigenous group living in the jungle, with the nearest town called Bribri, 30 min. from Puerto Viejo. I heard that they live quite far into the jungle so you can not just go visit them just like that. Off course people from US live there, and many Europeans have summer houses there. In spite of the tropical charms and seemingly security, it is actually not a very safe place to live. A German woman married to a Tica was always worried when her husband was biking home from his job on the way to Punta Uva, a beautiful beach, late at night. There are robbers hiding in the jungle to ambush people on bikes with jungle knives. The locals are not rich, so they are encouraged to smuggle drugs from Colombia through the country. I biked during daytime, when there are a lot of cars and other bikers on the road.The road is narrow, and you might meet a sloth on the way over the road, but traffic is not so heavy. Mostly, people get around on quatro motors, bikes and scooters. It is flat all the way to Punta Uva and the Manzanillo nature refuge, and quite a pleasant bike ride with a lot of interesting things to see. Since I am a biking champion after the Ometepe experience, I borrowed a bike and took the challenge of biking to Punta Uva. It is not very far, but it is a bit, and you will appreciate a lot a swim at the lovley beach. I stopped ever so often to photograph flowers, and study giant spiders and other critters on the way. I stopped at one spa /resort designed for the choosy tourist and asked to have a look around. The man I talked to was very nice, but he said that the place was full, and since the guests were there he could not let me wander around. It has a garden with amphibians, but I would have to pay to see it. The pictures below is of two signs, one is showing what people might encounter in their garden and the other one says to watch your step (so that you do not tread on them).

On the way I saw a sign that said Jaguar Rescue center, and I asked some people how much it cost and how it was, and decided to take the bike another day to visit since I had brought very little money with me (about the park in next blog).The pictures are from Punta Uva, said to be the most beach on the "Paradise Road", but it is very nice the whole way, and many little roads leading down to small beaches worth checking out. The problem is that many beaches has strung currents that makes them unsafe to swim on a large part of the year (but good spots for surfers). Punta Uva is safe all year that is why you will find many families there.

 Biking in green, the road to Punta Uva. Sometimes you can encounter a sloth trying to cross the road. On the ground they are very slow and clumsy and many people unfortunately make the BIG mistake of picking them up (they think they help the animal) and bring them (hopefully, in that case) to the rescue center (there is a sloth rescue center also in the area). In fact they should not interfere, unless the sloth is obviously injured because of human activity.

On the way back I stopped at this coffe place (under) because it is vegetarian and organic. The food is amazing, they will make hummus and lentils, interesting sandwiches with interesting taste. Their veggie burger comes in a pita bread. They have delicious juices (among them blackberry, passion fruit and star fruit) of fruits from the garden.And one reason that a lot of people stop there is the Amish ice cream! And it is REALLY delicious! It is wholesome and creamy, and of course more HOLY than other ice cream. A good vibe comes from eating it, and it is welcoming in the heat and after a swim. They also sell eco-friendly shampoos, body butter, soap, make-up and so on. Things that harms neither your body or the environment (it IS possible you know). Pura Vida in Costa Rica. There are many great places to stop for eating and drinking on the way. On Punta Uva there is also a (more pricy) restaurant. 

                                     
                              Closer to Puerto Viejo, I liked the view to the little island. Under:
                                        the huge golden silk orb-weaver (beautiful name)