You never know where chatting up a local may go. As a solo traveler, I really welcome my alone time on my trips. But sometimes being a solo traveler means anything but being on my own. Instead, it grants me the opportunity to meet others more fluidly and easily.
While diving Drake Bay, my dive master turned out to be a fun guide to a whole afternoon and evening of special experiences including a river swim and sunset bonfire on the beach.
I recount the story in this short post about the second half of my day. This was an off-the-beaten-path adventure around the Osa Peninsula after diving Caño Island.
The Conversation Started
I simply asked, “So what do locals to on Friday nights in Drake Bay?”
I was chatting up my dive master on the boat back from Cano Island. Linch replied “They get a drink at this one spot in town.”
This eventually led to him showing me photos of him and friends tubing on a local river. After getting my dive stamped back at the dive shop, he offered to show me the spot.
I consistently find that the best part of solo travel is that I am unattached and remain open to just about anything with anyone—especially locals. If you’re wondering how I can trust people, especially strangers I’ve just met, I’ll just say that it’s all in the feeling I get from them. My gut is the best barometer for what feels or doesn’t feel right.
But in the case of Linch, I literally just put my life in his hands that morning as he led me and a few others around the ocean floor. I also knew him from the day before when I saw him as a guide to tourists on a different boat. So clearly this guy was used to showing tourists around. It was a no brainer to allow him to escort me to a part of the Osa Peninsula I’ve never been before.
Plus, I was in the driver’s seat—literally! :)
The River Spot
After refreshing from the dive, I picked Linch up and he directed me down back dirt roads to the river. He would have drove, he said, but his motorcycle was in the shop.
That was lucky for me because I could avoid the awkward conversation of “No, no, I will drive.” After motorbiking in Thailand and Indonesia, I’ve gotten my fill of two-wheeled vehicles!
We drove just 15 minutes or so out of Drake Bay village to a spot along the Rio Agujitas. I had no idea where we were going but eventually Linch told me to stop and park on the side of the dirt road. We crossed the road and headed down a slope to the river bed.
There were two local guys hanging out in the water there but we kept going further upriver. We climbed up onto a ledge and that’s where we found a few others. This happened to be Linch’s cousins and two female friends. “I didn’t know they were here.” Linch said.
Hanging In The Rio Agujitas
I instantly felt even more assured that things were safe given there were two women here. Everyone was enjoying some beers and just hanging out, so we joined them.
We floated in the river and drank and chatted. The river water was cool, which was so welcomed and refreshing in the hot, humid weather.
We explored upriver a bit where there was a waterfall, including a section that was like a jacuzzi with lots of bubbles everywhere!
I didn’t get to take many photos here because I was simply enjoying the environment and trying not to be too much of a tourist in the vicinity of these locals. They had invited me into their little slice of heaven away from tourism—the last thing I would want to do is spoil that for them!
We only stayed for about an hour. But there was something really magical about bring in the cool, fresh river water in the middle of the jungle. Eventually, his cousins and the two women left. Linch and I were the only ones there. It felt so special to see Costa Rica from the point of view of a local.
The only thing that could have made this moment better would have been seeing a sloth up in the tree tops as I floated on the river’s surface. Alas, I’d have to wait to see one until my tour the next day!
“To My Family’s Place”
Eventually, Linch asked me if I’d be interested in going to his family’s place for a bonfire on the beach. He said the waves were supposed to be great for surfing.
I mean, did I even need to think about it? “Yea! How far is it?”
We hopped in the car and drove only about 20 minutes over rivers and through small towns to get to “Kinkajoungalows”—his family’s beachside home and cabin stays. I have to pause here and specifically emphasize the over rivers part. I was so afraid to take my little car across shallow parts of the river. But Linch encouraged me and gave me the confidence that we would make it.
Trusting that a local does this all the time and knows best, I went for it and everything turned out fine. I was grateful for this as it made me much braver navigating other parts of Costa Rica on my own in the coming weeks.
We pulled up to Kinkajoungalows and the first thing we did was check out a new cabin on the hilltop that his uncle was building. The views from there were stunning!
Then we made our way down pathways and steps through the forest.
A Beach Bonfire And Sunset
We eventually made it down to sea level and I got to see how impressive his family’s property is. It’s a huge piece of land, beautiful landscaped with tropical trees and plants. A path goes between beautiful, colorful cabins as well as a bar and kitchen area.
Linch ran back to his uncle’s home and grabbed a surf board. We headed out onto the sand…
Emerging out onto the beach, I was amazing at the timing of our arrival. The sun was just setting and the beach looked so beautiful!
This spot is officially Playa Rincon de San Josecito. Yes, San Josecito as in the beach I explored the day before but this one was just one beach South of there! I was super amused at the fact that I saw Linch the day before at one beach up from his family’s place! What a small place!
To my right, I found his cousins and the women that were at the river earlier. I also met his uncle and some other new faces.
I watched Linch and one of his cousins surf in the waves as the sun went down. Music played as I sat and chilled with his family.
Eventually, a bonfire started and the sun fully set. Linch came in from the waves and we chilled in a hammock until I tummies began to rumble.
“You want to go back?” he asked. I didn’t really want to go back. “You know you have quite the life here.” I said, as I contemplated what it would be like to give up all the comforts and connections of back home to stay here.
But it was time. Here is a last video overview of my time at the beach:
Goodbye Dinner
Before I dropped Linch off at his place in Drake Bay, I offered to take him to dinner. It felt appropriate to buy him a meal after he showed me such a great day. I asked him to take us to his favorite restaurant—Bar La Jungala.
The food was the best I had during my time on the Osa Peninsula! It was so fresh and flavorful!
At dinner, I asked Linch what he recommended would be the best tour that I couldn’t miss while in Drake Bay. He said a tour of Corcovado National Park. I wondered if I could go and explore on my own but he explained you could only go with a guide. So I am grateful to Linch for helping me book the tour last minute to leave the next morning!
In Conclusion
My best experiences always come from remaining open during travel. Being solo helps me achieve this more easily, as I am not constrained to the whims and needs of a travel partner.
Simply striking up a conversation with a local can lead to unexpected places and experiences that you cannot get from a tour or by exploring without a local guide.
I had such a great time that day after my dives, thanks to Linch and his family for welcoming me!
